Summa Ecclesia

"Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another." Mark 9:50


"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34


"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35


"This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” John 15:12


"This I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:17


Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor... Romans 12:10


Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.
Romans 12:16


Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8


Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this--not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother's way. Romans 14:13


So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 14:19


Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5


Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. Romans 15:7


And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another. Romans 15:14


Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. Romans 16:16


Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? 1 Corinthians 6:7


(husbands and wives:

Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 1 Corinthians 7:5 )


So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 1 Corinthians 11:33


...so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 1 Corinthians 12:25


All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
1 Corinthians 16:20


Greet one another with a holy kiss. 2 Corinthians 13:12


For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13


But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. Galatians 5:15


Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:26


...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love... Ephesians 4:2


Therefore, laying aside falsehood, SPEAK TRUTH EACH ONE of you WITH HIS NEIGHBOR, for we are members of one another.
Ephesians 4:25


Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32


...speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord... Ephesians 5:19


...and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. Ephesians 5:21


Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;... Philippians 2:3


Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices. Colossians 3:9


...bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Colossians 3:13


Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16


...and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you.
1 Thessalonians 3:12


Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.
1 Thessalonians 4:9


Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:18


Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11


...and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. 1 Thessalonians 5:13


See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 1 Thessalonians 5:15


We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater. 2 Thessalonians 1:3


For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. Titus 3:3


But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called "Today," so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13


...and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds... Hebrews 10:24


...not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25


Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it. James 4:11


Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.
James 5:9


Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16


Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart...
1 Peter 1:22


Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Be hospitable to one another without complaint. 1 Peter 4:9


As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter 4:10


You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.
1 Peter 5:5


Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ. 1 Peter 5:14


...but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7


For this is the message which you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:11


This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us. 1 John 3:23


Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7


Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:11


No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12


Now I ask you, lady, not as though I were writing to you a new commandment, but the one which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another. 2 John 1:5


(All citations N.A.S.V.)

Distemper of the Times

If there is a temper of the times, there is a distemper of the times. In the American Church today, our distemper is factionalism, a work of the flesh posing as spiritual strength.

Most American Christians accept as a matter of course that "we" are surrounded by enemies: secularists, "liberals," socialists, a legion of evil-doers and evil-thinkers who are intent on destroying "Christian values," and determined to take our God-given liberty from us. To a Church which thinks itself besieged, combativeness seems the highest spiritual virtue, and those most violent in their enmity are hailed as the greatest defenders of the faith.

Church, grow up. We are surrounded by enemies because we have invaded their kingdom. Their realm is imperiled, not the one we belong to. Like the Allied armies after D-Day, we have enemies on all sides of us...because we are advancing into their territory. It's a dangerous place to be, and in human combat can go either way: but the Church' war cannot. Established by God Himself, empowered by His Spirit, chosen and prepared as the bride for His Son, the Church WILL NOT be defeated or destroyed. If that's your fear, skip ahead and read the last chapter of the Book.

Church, grow up. We are not called to be God's defenders: He is ours. God is our Savior: by what mad pride do you, powerless transient vapor, consider that The One Almighty and Eternal needs to be saved by YOU !?! In this battle, we must stand with God: but it's for OUR protection, not His.

Church, grow up. We indeed have liberty in God: but it's not the kind that can be taken away by the world's evil forces. In fact, our liberty is exactly from "the world's evil forces:" sin, hopelessness, and death. If you're fighting to keep "them" from taking your God-given rights, you're operating on the Declaration of Independence' idea of "liberty," not scripture's. When Paul wrote about "liberty," he was not urging Christians to fight for their "rights." Church, get serious.

We are not in danger of being destroyed...unless you disbelieve God's promises and His scripture. We are not called to defend God...unless you think your strength is greater than His. We are not in danger of losing our liberty...unless you think our culture's idea of liberty is truer than God's. Combativeness and enmity are not spiritual strengths; they are manifestations of pride and disbelief. They are exactly what scripture says they are, works of the flesh contrary to the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-21).

Church, grow up. Church, REPENT !!

Simplify, Simplify

We all have a theology, a body and system of belief toward God. Even atheists' disbelief orients them toward Him. There are as many theologies as there are human beings; but I think there's wisdom in looking at them the way a famous jazzman looked at music: "there's only good music, and bad music." Theology too is either done well, or done badly.

Theology should be easy. Most subjects of study are constantly changing, with new fashions of thought, and new discoveries. Even history, which we might expect to remain static, is subject to continuing revision and correction. But God is unchanging. What He is today is what He has always been, and will always be. The truth about God will always be true. He's not a moving target.

Theology should be easy to do well. It consists of only two parts, God and our understanding of Him. He's the unchanging I AM THAT I AM. Our lives, in contrast, are characterized by continual change: but that's a necessary fact of good theology. Our movement in time and circumstance allows us to see God in new dimensions. It also challenges us to be honest observers, and realize where the movement lies between One standing on the bank and those roiling through the rapids.

Theology only has two parts; God, and ourself perceiving Him. The difficulty of good theology is that it requires absolute truthfulness toward both. We have to be rigorously honest about the relationship of the two; that God is God, and I'm not. It's a simple affirmation of reality, and everyone admits the theology of the first point. Our problem is with the theology of the second.

Medical students are said to detect in themselves the symptoms of every disease they study. When we turn our life to understanding God, we likewise become aware of His working in ourselves...and uncomfortably aware of all the falseness there His presence spotlights. It's an unbearable awareness, for which there are only two remedies: remove the filthy rags with which we furnish our innermost life, or shut out the harsh light that reveals them.

Our problem with God is that He requires us to look at ourselves with the Truth that He Is. We have to be honest about our self-centeredness, pride, self-will, self-justification: to call our most prized attributes what they are, sin. God being God challenges our autonomy at its root: our comfortable delusions of self-sufficiency must go, or Truth will. It's a very high, very PERSONAL, price we're often not willing to pay.

Perhaps I find theology easy because I fail worse than most at being God. I can't deceive even myself (always my surest dupe) on that score. Painfully aware (by God's mercy) how far I miss the mark, I don't dare miss HIM. Hope and life exist only in God's living Presence: whatever it costs to know Him is worth the price.

There's only good music and bad music, good theology and bad theology. Good theology is easy. But it forces on us the determinative MORAL question, the choice between bad and good. The practical question in choosing good theology is whether we will pay what it costs...our autonomy.

Cross Purposes

I've called this blog "Cross Purposes" for two reasons. First, that everything here is about Jesus Christ, the crucified King. His cross, and His rule, are the only reason, context, wisdom, glory, purpose here.

The experience of living has convinced me in every way that Jesus is the only Source of life, and its whole purpose. That realization is a result of faith He's imparted, not of my own clever observation and deduction. But I consider that faith has been confirmed to my understanding. At every point I observe or experience, to every extent I can understand, Jesus is manifestly Lord.

But it's not just "me and Jesus," as Tom T. Hall sang. Every believer is a functioning part of His living Body on earth, the Church. We are interdependent with every other part of that Body, and each of us dependent for life and leading on Jesus, our Head. The operative fact of Christianity is being part of something larger and more important than ourselves.

By the circumstance of birth, I live in Christ's Body in America, so my concern is that His American Church follow Jesus' leading, and glorify Him in this land. It grieves me that we do not. The American Church has forsaken the leading of Jesus to follow political deceivers. Jesus said His sheep would hear His voice: the American Church instead listens to, and APPROVES, the hateful slander of radio "commentators." Jesus harshly denounced the socio-religious conservatives of His time, the Pharisees; the American Church embraces and identifies with those of our time. Jesus appointed us to minister His hope and His peace in our land; we go forth as "culture warriors," spreading condemnation and divisiveness, in His name !

What I hear God saying relentlessly and continuously to the American Church is "REPENT, and return to your First Love." It's a message that's not welcome in the politicized American Church. Giving that message puts me at cross-purposes with many of my fellow Christians.

But the message is GOOD news. Jesus hasn't given up on us. As far as we've departed from Him, He still holds out the possibility that we can turn from our wicked ways, and seek His face. If we will, He still promises to forgive our sin, and heal our land.

My hope is that the American Church will DEEPLY repent, while God gives us time. I hope we will listen to our Shepherd's voice, and only follow Him. I hope we will turn back to Him with all our heart: He's merciful to those whose hearts are entirely His.

Advisory

I have serious reservations about the value of blogs. It's amazing that we can broadcast our every thought and opinion to the entire world. But the value of that ability depends on whether or not we have anything to say worth hearing. Some do: but vastly more blogging seems merely self-indulgent spews of teen angst, ditto-head regurgitation, and sports trivialities.

I think that's a factual summary, and not elitist disparagement. I'm a middle-aged, middle-class, Middle American. I'm sure those circumstances influence the way I see things, and even what things I'm able to see. Nobody's simply a product of his environment; but it would be disingenuous to deny its pervasive influence. Mine is decidedly ordinary, even dull: nothing "elite" in any sense.

I have further reservations about the democratic principle underlying blogs, that every person's opinion matters. That's certainly true in a personal sense: the ideas we operate on absolutely determine what WE become. I'm skeptical the principle has any larger application. Reality is what it is, and our opinions about it...mine included...don't make any difference. The will...not "opinion"...of the One who created and sustains it is the only relevant fact.

Since I consider blogs of limited value, and doubt that opinions matter, it's fair to ask why I would write a blog; and a better question why anyone should read it. The short answer is that sometimes God gives me something to say, and I say it.

Some people find it presumptuous to say I have the gift of prophecy. But scripture says all may prophesy; indeed, urges us to earnestly desire to prophesy. I desired that gift, and asked for it. God gave it to me. My understanding is that the charismata ("grace gift") of prophecy, like all charismata, is given to build up Christ's Body, the Church. I don't consider the gift is for me, or that it says anything about me except that I believed God, and was willing to receive what He was pleased to give.

For those who don't believe God still gives charismata, it would be a waste of time to read any further. I'd urge you to seriously re-think what you believe God can or will do. In the meantime, you probably shouldn't expect to hear anything here from God if your theology says He isn't speaking in prophecy anymore.

For everyone else, the scriptural command applies. My job is to hear what God is telling me to say, and say it. But I don't always hear, or say what I hear, perfectly: and sometimes my voice is ONLY my voice. It's wisdom, and a scriptural command, that we discern God's voice: when God is speaking, His Spirit will attest His words to your understanding. The scriptural command applies here, and in every other part of life: discern what God says, and do what God says.