Unity is a funny word, and an even funnier concept. The idea that any group of individuals can come together on any one thing is almost laughable.
Most of us are seeking unity when we want everyone to be unified with us! If its not our idea, or our project, then we are not really all that hungry for unity. But, when having everyone unified benefits us, then we start talking about unity.
Unity is something that the whole world is looking for. I remember a song from the 90's that spelled it out: U-N-I-T-Y... (I hope some of you remember that song, or I will feel pretty lame!) But, even though the whole world wants it, it eludes us all. We all say we seek unity, but we never really seem to achieve it.
In the Body of Christ, we absolutely must have unity... don't let your chuckle get too out of hand here! I realize that this seems impossible with so many different ideas and theologies. And I guess it probably is impossible. So, its a good thing we serve a God that has a habit of doing impossible things!
The reason we need unity is because there is unity in who God is. In Deuteronomy 6:4 (and in other places), God makes a point of saying that there is unity within Himself. He is One. His heart and mind are not divided. He is the definition of unity. And, if we are His representatives here on earth, then we must be the definition of unity as well. If we aren't, we are diminishing who and what He is!
If there is unity in God, but not in His people, then we are doing a poor job of representing Him. That's like having the signs in front McDonalds trying to convince you to eat at Taco Bell... it just doesn't make sense! If we represent Him, then we need to be what He is. We need to have unity! We need to be together.
I'm not saying that we should just blindly agree with each other. Like the X-files used to say: The truth is out there! There is a right and wrong way to regard God. But, instead of always trying to prove we are right, maybe we should try to "All just get along!" (My 90's references are getting a little out of hand!) Maybe we need to seek unity, instead of our own honor in being "right".
What would happen if the world saw the people of God actually behaving like Him?
Don’t pay people back with evil for the evil they do to you. Focus your thoughts on those things that are considered noble. As much as it is possible, live in peace with everyone. Don’t take revenge, dear friends. Instead, let God’s anger take care of it. After all, Scripture says, “I alone have the right to take revenge. I will pay back, says the Lord.” But, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will make him feel guilty and ashamed.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil with good. Romans 12:17-21 GWT
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Neutered
I haven’t posted a blog in several weeks, so here it goes… And it’s a weird one today…
I was preparing to teach a class last week when I read a Scripture that jumped out at me. I was reading about what was and wasn’t acceptable for an animal being offered as a sacrifice in the Temple. And then I read this:
As long as you live in this land, don't offer an animal with injured testicles. Leviticus 22:24 CEV
Now I know that some of you reading this are wondering where I am going with this, but trust me. There is a less than proper way to deal with this Scripture, and the Youth Pastor in me is dying to deal with it that way, but there is some solid spiritual application here.
Why in the world would the testicles of a sacrifice matter? I know God is interested in every area of our lives, but doesn’t this go a little far?
In the days of the Temple and animal sacrifices, you had to bring something good to God. You couldn’t bring a lame, blind or damaged animal for sacrifice. You needed to bring God your best, not leftovers.
God is worthy of your best. Honestly, He is worthy of a lot better than you could EVER give Him. So, for Him to ask that you not bring the bottom of the barrel to him would make sense. And this requirement about the testicles makes sense on this level, but I think there’s a lot more to it than that.
God wanted you to bring Him an animal that was capable of reproduction. He wanted you to bring Him something that was fruitful. He wanted you to bring Him something with potential. In other words, you weren’t just bringing that animal, you were also bringing every other animal that yours could potentially produce. You were bringing it’s future.
God wants your best. He deserves your best. He is worthy of every thing you have. But He wants more than just what you have. He wants what you could potentially produce. He wants you to give Him the fruits of tomorrow. He doesn’t just want what you are in the present, He wants you to give Him your future.
You might see this in a negative light. You might say, “Isn’t it enough that He has me now? Does He really need my tomorrow?” He wants your hopes. He wants your dreams. He wants your plans. And when you give them to Him, you are telling Him that you trust Him. You are telling Him that you really are in His hands. You are loving Him on the deepest and most intimate level possible. You are giving yourself as a sacrifice. And you are giving your best.
Do you have hopes, dreams, and plans that you have not surrendered to Him yet? If so, you need to give Him what He is worthy of. Don’t give him a neutered offering. Give Him everything you have, and everything you will be.
I was preparing to teach a class last week when I read a Scripture that jumped out at me. I was reading about what was and wasn’t acceptable for an animal being offered as a sacrifice in the Temple. And then I read this:
As long as you live in this land, don't offer an animal with injured testicles. Leviticus 22:24 CEV
Now I know that some of you reading this are wondering where I am going with this, but trust me. There is a less than proper way to deal with this Scripture, and the Youth Pastor in me is dying to deal with it that way, but there is some solid spiritual application here.
Why in the world would the testicles of a sacrifice matter? I know God is interested in every area of our lives, but doesn’t this go a little far?
In the days of the Temple and animal sacrifices, you had to bring something good to God. You couldn’t bring a lame, blind or damaged animal for sacrifice. You needed to bring God your best, not leftovers.
God is worthy of your best. Honestly, He is worthy of a lot better than you could EVER give Him. So, for Him to ask that you not bring the bottom of the barrel to him would make sense. And this requirement about the testicles makes sense on this level, but I think there’s a lot more to it than that.
God wanted you to bring Him an animal that was capable of reproduction. He wanted you to bring Him something that was fruitful. He wanted you to bring Him something with potential. In other words, you weren’t just bringing that animal, you were also bringing every other animal that yours could potentially produce. You were bringing it’s future.
God wants your best. He deserves your best. He is worthy of every thing you have. But He wants more than just what you have. He wants what you could potentially produce. He wants you to give Him the fruits of tomorrow. He doesn’t just want what you are in the present, He wants you to give Him your future.
You might see this in a negative light. You might say, “Isn’t it enough that He has me now? Does He really need my tomorrow?” He wants your hopes. He wants your dreams. He wants your plans. And when you give them to Him, you are telling Him that you trust Him. You are telling Him that you really are in His hands. You are loving Him on the deepest and most intimate level possible. You are giving yourself as a sacrifice. And you are giving your best.
Do you have hopes, dreams, and plans that you have not surrendered to Him yet? If so, you need to give Him what He is worthy of. Don’t give him a neutered offering. Give Him everything you have, and everything you will be.
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