Making friends is one of the easiest things to do in life. In fact it is so easy most people find they can make friends pretty simply. But at what cost and what caliber of friend is being made? I can walk out my door and make a new friend today just by liking what another person likes. I can go to a political rally and as long as I agree with the values stated I can be friends with everyone there. But at what cost is this friendship coming?
I have always been amused at how quickly Christians want to quote Paul when he said, “I become all things to all men that I might win some.” It is a wonderful quote and a great declaration for someone to make. But if you are not actively trying to win through the influence of the gospel then you are lying when you quote that passage.
A Chameleon is a little animal that clings to trees and can change color according to whatever he is near. I am seeing this at work in many Christians today. They are hardly identifiable in a crowd, not that being able to mix with sinners effectively would be bad, it is what evangelism needs. But this blending in I am talking about has nothing to do with winning others to Christ, it has everything to do with simply wanting to fit in.
The Bible encourages us not to allow ourselves to be pressed into being like the world. The truth is if we dress, talk and act certain ways so that a group or person will accept us but we are not taking any stand for truth and not proclaiming gospel reality then the only alternative is being pressed into the world’s image as opposed to Christ. God’s glory needs to matter to believers. His glory is conveyed when the gospel is lived out and shared freely with others.
Looking cool, acting cool, talking cool, without sharing the love of Christ through making the gospel known and having the ability to know when it’s time to say no because the others are going too far is nothing short of being conformed to the world. It is easy out of insecurity and a strong desire to do things and say things to fit in but if you have to sell out all that Christ is in order to have the friends you now have are they true friends anyway?
If you are running with bad companions without the motive and practice of trying to win them over with the gospel then get honest and call it what it is. You are being bad to fit in with the bad, and you are being good when around the good to fit in with the good. You do not know who you are and you are uncomfortable with your surroundings.
The reason a Chameleon changes color to suit his background is it is the only way he can feel safe. If he stands out he can be attacked. Too many Christians are too afraid of what others may think if they speak up or actually say no. It is time to love Christ and the Gospel so effectively that we cannot help but say along with Paul the same one who said he becomes all things to all men, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and again, Woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel.”
In your efforts to fit in, are you selling out?
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
Addicted to Accusation
John 5:37 The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance. 38 There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously. 39 "You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! 40 And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want. 41 "I’m not interested in crowd approval. 42 And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda. 43 I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms. 44 How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God? 45 "But don’t think I’m going to accuse you before my Father. Moses, in whom you put so much stock, is your accuser. 46 If you believed, really believed, what Moses said, you would believe me. He wrote of me. 47 If you won’t take seriously what he wrote, how can I expect you to take seriously what I speak?"
There are some who so want to think they have it togeher based on their presumed ability to keep the Law. They actually think there is something to be gained by being in love with the written ordinances. They develop a nervous twitch whenever grace is mentioned because they equate grace lovers with Law breakers.
But isn't it most interesting here that Jesus is not referring to Satan as being the accuser in this passage but rather Moses?
Jesus will never accuse the one who believes in Him, but those who claim to trust in what they received through Moses will be accused by Moses.
Romans 3:19 ¶ Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. 27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
Those who wish to continue to argue for the Law among Christians are simply in love with accusation. In short, the only way to be free from accusation and condemnation is through faith in Jesus Christ. This is why there is no other way and there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man might be saved.
There are some who so want to think they have it togeher based on their presumed ability to keep the Law. They actually think there is something to be gained by being in love with the written ordinances. They develop a nervous twitch whenever grace is mentioned because they equate grace lovers with Law breakers.
But isn't it most interesting here that Jesus is not referring to Satan as being the accuser in this passage but rather Moses?
Jesus will never accuse the one who believes in Him, but those who claim to trust in what they received through Moses will be accused by Moses.
Romans 3:19 ¶ Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. 27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. 28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
Those who wish to continue to argue for the Law among Christians are simply in love with accusation. In short, the only way to be free from accusation and condemnation is through faith in Jesus Christ. This is why there is no other way and there is no other name given under heaven whereby a man might be saved.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Helping Haiti
Greetings,
During tragedies such as what we are witnessing in Haiti at the moment many feel overwhelmed and at a loss as to what to do to help. The need is so great and we are sometimes at a place of feeling so small and limited that we think that what little we could offer would not make much of a difference. But I say we can make a difference. This is where our involvement in our community through school, work, neighbors etc can really make a big impact. I am forwarding you an e-mail from a good friend of mine Buddy Walker and I have included a communication from Ted Lyke who is also a close friend of mine as well. I want you to read them carefully. I want you to see how effectively and quickly non publicized help can get to Haiti. We’ve done this before during the hurricane of 2008. I then want to ask you to make your work places, your school, your neighbors aware and post it on your Facebook, and your blog if you have one. There are plenty of folks out there who would like to help but do not know where to give or what impact their giving could even have the situation. We can make a difference and we will. Thank you for your prayers and assistance in helping Haiti.
Sincerely Your Servant in Christ,
Pastor Tim Atchley
Dear Friends:
As many of you are aware, my Father and Mother began working in Haiti almost 30 years ago. Many of your have heard the stories of how Dad would give everything he had, even the shoes on his feet to help the poor in Haiti. When he went home to be with the Lord, I felt a burden to continue the work he had begun with the Haitian leaders. During the last 5 years we have formed partnerships with diverse organizations for the purpose of training leaders, ministering to the poor and building momentum for evangelism and church planting.
As you listen to the news reports, you will realize how much confusion, disorder and chaos hinders international relief efforts. The best intentions to help the people can create a public riot resulting in even more injury and death.
Together we did a major food relief initiative after the hurricanes of 2008 and all of the distribution was done through local churches. There was no media coverage and no community publicity, just local ministries being provided resources to minister to their communities. This approach provides a double blessing by meeting the physical needs of the people in an orderly way and empowering the church to share The Good News within their communities.
We have begun to make contact with the Haitian pastors and are getting information concerning their families, homes, congregations and buildings. We are coordinating a trip for a small advance team to organize our relief and team efforts.
Please read the attached letter for the specific details from Ted Lyke who serves as VP of Missions Without Borders, Missions Pastor of CLF and also as Project Coordinator for our outreach in Haiti.
Missions Without Borders is a 501C-3 not for profit organization. 100% of designated funds are used for the purpose for which they are given and donors receive a tax deductible receipt.
We will keep you informed of opportunities to participate with team relief efforts. I want to thank you with all my heart for your compassion, giving and willingness to serve,
Buddy Walker
International Director Missions Without Borders
16411 Whistling Pines Rd. Umatilla, Fl 32784 Tel 352-978-0509
http://www.mwob.info/
Dear Friends,
This is Ted Lyke, writing to you as Vice President of Missions Without Borders.
By now you know about the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on Tues. Jan 12th. The center of the quake hit very close to Peition-ville, a sub city in Port au Prince, the capital.
We have done much work in that area. We have trained more than 100 leaders through Dynamic Church Planting Int. and last year we did a large Crusade Festival with On the Go Ministries and the Luis Palau Association in Peition-ville. Leaders from Master Builders have done numerous leadership training conferences over the years and Christian Life Fellowship in Cape Coral, FL has organized major food relief and other team efforts. We are connected with a couple of networks of over 100 pastors with churches in Port Au Prince that are in crisis and can use our help.
In the next 1-10 weeks, the most urgent need will be for clean drinking water, food, medical supplies and temporary shelter. This may be our best response. In Nov of 2008, with the help of several other churches and ministries, we were able to pack a 40' shipping container with 285,000 meals and then shipped it to Haiti to distribute to those who were devastated by 4 hurricanes. We would like to ask for your help to do the same thing right now ASAP. The container will weigh 40,000 lbs and it will cost about $1.00 per pound to buy the food, pack it and ship it. When cooked each pound of food will become 3 pounds. A gift of $10-100.00 will really help here.
We also have a resource for water purifiers that can be used to produce several gallons of clean drinking water per day for up to 2 years. The cost for each unit is about $65.00 plus shipping or delivery, so net about $80.00 each. This will keep 100 people alive with water for 1 year.
We have a resource for medical supplies, a gift of $300.00 will buy $10,000.00 of key emergency medical supplies pre packaged and ready to take as a checked bag on a plane.
So here is the request. If your heart is moved and you would like to help, the first and fastest way is to donate money. If you would like to do this, you can send it to:
Missions Without Borders
16411 Whistling Pines Rd.
Umatilla, FL 32784
Write "Haiti Relief" in the memo field to dedicate the funds to this specific need. Please pray about what you can give and then respond. The gift will be tax deductible.
Thank you in advance for anything you can do and please keep praying for the people of Haiti.
Ted Lyke, VP Missions Without Borders
Wk 239-278-4997
Cell 239-822-3663
tedlyke@clflife.com
During tragedies such as what we are witnessing in Haiti at the moment many feel overwhelmed and at a loss as to what to do to help. The need is so great and we are sometimes at a place of feeling so small and limited that we think that what little we could offer would not make much of a difference. But I say we can make a difference. This is where our involvement in our community through school, work, neighbors etc can really make a big impact. I am forwarding you an e-mail from a good friend of mine Buddy Walker and I have included a communication from Ted Lyke who is also a close friend of mine as well. I want you to read them carefully. I want you to see how effectively and quickly non publicized help can get to Haiti. We’ve done this before during the hurricane of 2008. I then want to ask you to make your work places, your school, your neighbors aware and post it on your Facebook, and your blog if you have one. There are plenty of folks out there who would like to help but do not know where to give or what impact their giving could even have the situation. We can make a difference and we will. Thank you for your prayers and assistance in helping Haiti.
Sincerely Your Servant in Christ,
Pastor Tim Atchley
Dear Friends:
As many of you are aware, my Father and Mother began working in Haiti almost 30 years ago. Many of your have heard the stories of how Dad would give everything he had, even the shoes on his feet to help the poor in Haiti. When he went home to be with the Lord, I felt a burden to continue the work he had begun with the Haitian leaders. During the last 5 years we have formed partnerships with diverse organizations for the purpose of training leaders, ministering to the poor and building momentum for evangelism and church planting.
As you listen to the news reports, you will realize how much confusion, disorder and chaos hinders international relief efforts. The best intentions to help the people can create a public riot resulting in even more injury and death.
Together we did a major food relief initiative after the hurricanes of 2008 and all of the distribution was done through local churches. There was no media coverage and no community publicity, just local ministries being provided resources to minister to their communities. This approach provides a double blessing by meeting the physical needs of the people in an orderly way and empowering the church to share The Good News within their communities.
We have begun to make contact with the Haitian pastors and are getting information concerning their families, homes, congregations and buildings. We are coordinating a trip for a small advance team to organize our relief and team efforts.
Please read the attached letter for the specific details from Ted Lyke who serves as VP of Missions Without Borders, Missions Pastor of CLF and also as Project Coordinator for our outreach in Haiti.
Missions Without Borders is a 501C-3 not for profit organization. 100% of designated funds are used for the purpose for which they are given and donors receive a tax deductible receipt.
We will keep you informed of opportunities to participate with team relief efforts. I want to thank you with all my heart for your compassion, giving and willingness to serve,
Buddy Walker
International Director Missions Without Borders
16411 Whistling Pines Rd. Umatilla, Fl 32784 Tel 352-978-0509
http://www.mwob.info/
Dear Friends,
This is Ted Lyke, writing to you as Vice President of Missions Without Borders.
By now you know about the devastating earthquake that hit Haiti on Tues. Jan 12th. The center of the quake hit very close to Peition-ville, a sub city in Port au Prince, the capital.
We have done much work in that area. We have trained more than 100 leaders through Dynamic Church Planting Int. and last year we did a large Crusade Festival with On the Go Ministries and the Luis Palau Association in Peition-ville. Leaders from Master Builders have done numerous leadership training conferences over the years and Christian Life Fellowship in Cape Coral, FL has organized major food relief and other team efforts. We are connected with a couple of networks of over 100 pastors with churches in Port Au Prince that are in crisis and can use our help.
In the next 1-10 weeks, the most urgent need will be for clean drinking water, food, medical supplies and temporary shelter. This may be our best response. In Nov of 2008, with the help of several other churches and ministries, we were able to pack a 40' shipping container with 285,000 meals and then shipped it to Haiti to distribute to those who were devastated by 4 hurricanes. We would like to ask for your help to do the same thing right now ASAP. The container will weigh 40,000 lbs and it will cost about $1.00 per pound to buy the food, pack it and ship it. When cooked each pound of food will become 3 pounds. A gift of $10-100.00 will really help here.
We also have a resource for water purifiers that can be used to produce several gallons of clean drinking water per day for up to 2 years. The cost for each unit is about $65.00 plus shipping or delivery, so net about $80.00 each. This will keep 100 people alive with water for 1 year.
We have a resource for medical supplies, a gift of $300.00 will buy $10,000.00 of key emergency medical supplies pre packaged and ready to take as a checked bag on a plane.
So here is the request. If your heart is moved and you would like to help, the first and fastest way is to donate money. If you would like to do this, you can send it to:
Missions Without Borders
16411 Whistling Pines Rd.
Umatilla, FL 32784
Write "Haiti Relief" in the memo field to dedicate the funds to this specific need. Please pray about what you can give and then respond. The gift will be tax deductible.
Thank you in advance for anything you can do and please keep praying for the people of Haiti.
Ted Lyke, VP Missions Without Borders
Wk 239-278-4997
Cell 239-822-3663
tedlyke@clflife.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)