November 2007
From the Pastor:
This morning as I watched the Today Show I was struck by the story of a man who tried to live as the Bible dictated for a year. During that year this man grew a beard, wore clothes that didn’t have blended materials, and went each day to the park to say prayers publicly.
At one point someone in the park asked him what he was doing. After he explained, he stated that one of the things he was supposed to do was stone someone. The Bible was clear about stoning adulterers. The gentleman responded by saying to him, "I am an adulterer." He then picked up pebbles and threw them at the strange man who was trying to follow the Bible. In turn this Moses-like figure threw pebbles at the adulterer.
During the interview he stated that there were some positives and some negatives as a result of the experience. The positive was that he had been a workaholic, and following the Sabbath had allowed him to spend time with his family and recoup his sanity after a long week at work. He also learned what it meant to be thankful. The downside was that his wife wasn't too happy when he built a tent structure in the middle of his living room.
In the interview he was asked what was the most difficult thing he had to observe. He responded by saying that not coveting was the most difficult thing. The man also stated, "Although I am an agnostic, I did learn how to live a godly existence.
With the help of religious leaders like rabbis and pastors, this man lived an interesting existence for a year. During that time he learned that no one could literally follow the teachings of the Bible. He also learned from different religious leaders that the purpose of the Bible isn’t to interpret and live it literally.
The fact of the matter is that we don't practice living the Bible literally. The ten commandments were given to us so that we could live out our lives according to God's ways. But the truth of the matter is we don't.
As a pastor I am truly aware that the only way to live faithful lives is living God's way. There is no other way that really works.
The Commandments were given to us as principles by which we are able to realize the purpose for which we were created. But they were never to be obeyed by our own strength. The same God who offers them offers us strength to live them.
That's where folks have gone wrong through the ages. Those who have tried following the commandments have broken them or have made it a point of following them on the basis of their own self justification.
It is my belief that all the commandments are part of the first commandment which is to put God first and have no other gods before Him. But this commandment is hard to follow. The fact is the world has many substitutes for God, and we are tempted every day to follow them. The rest of the commandment deals with the false gods of religion, worldly possessions, and power over people.
As you reflect on these, take time to see how you break the commandments each day. Then remind yourself that the reason you are breaking them is because you are trying to rely on your own efforts to fulfill them instead of depending on God to help you honor them.
The fact is when we take the Ten Commandmnets seriously, we realize how difficult it is not to break them in one way or another --if not in our actions, in our thoughts. As Christians we dare to live by the commandments through the power of grace through Christ.
Grace reminds us that when we fail, there is forgiveness, and the strength to begin again. This is what this young man failed to understand in his year of trying to live as the Scripture teach. Had he understood this, perhaps he would have encountered the God of love. A God who invites us to be in relationship with Him not through wearing unblended fibers or through stoning people for their sin, but raher through His Son Jesus Christ.
In love and peace,
Pastor Mara
This morning as I watched the Today Show I was struck by the story of a man who tried to live as the Bible dictated for a year. During that year this man grew a beard, wore clothes that didn’t have blended materials, and went each day to the park to say prayers publicly.
At one point someone in the park asked him what he was doing. After he explained, he stated that one of the things he was supposed to do was stone someone. The Bible was clear about stoning adulterers. The gentleman responded by saying to him, "I am an adulterer." He then picked up pebbles and threw them at the strange man who was trying to follow the Bible. In turn this Moses-like figure threw pebbles at the adulterer.
During the interview he stated that there were some positives and some negatives as a result of the experience. The positive was that he had been a workaholic, and following the Sabbath had allowed him to spend time with his family and recoup his sanity after a long week at work. He also learned what it meant to be thankful. The downside was that his wife wasn't too happy when he built a tent structure in the middle of his living room.
In the interview he was asked what was the most difficult thing he had to observe. He responded by saying that not coveting was the most difficult thing. The man also stated, "Although I am an agnostic, I did learn how to live a godly existence.
With the help of religious leaders like rabbis and pastors, this man lived an interesting existence for a year. During that time he learned that no one could literally follow the teachings of the Bible. He also learned from different religious leaders that the purpose of the Bible isn’t to interpret and live it literally.
The fact of the matter is that we don't practice living the Bible literally. The ten commandments were given to us so that we could live out our lives according to God's ways. But the truth of the matter is we don't.
As a pastor I am truly aware that the only way to live faithful lives is living God's way. There is no other way that really works.
The Commandments were given to us as principles by which we are able to realize the purpose for which we were created. But they were never to be obeyed by our own strength. The same God who offers them offers us strength to live them.
That's where folks have gone wrong through the ages. Those who have tried following the commandments have broken them or have made it a point of following them on the basis of their own self justification.
It is my belief that all the commandments are part of the first commandment which is to put God first and have no other gods before Him. But this commandment is hard to follow. The fact is the world has many substitutes for God, and we are tempted every day to follow them. The rest of the commandment deals with the false gods of religion, worldly possessions, and power over people.
As you reflect on these, take time to see how you break the commandments each day. Then remind yourself that the reason you are breaking them is because you are trying to rely on your own efforts to fulfill them instead of depending on God to help you honor them.
The fact is when we take the Ten Commandmnets seriously, we realize how difficult it is not to break them in one way or another --if not in our actions, in our thoughts. As Christians we dare to live by the commandments through the power of grace through Christ.
Grace reminds us that when we fail, there is forgiveness, and the strength to begin again. This is what this young man failed to understand in his year of trying to live as the Scripture teach. Had he understood this, perhaps he would have encountered the God of love. A God who invites us to be in relationship with Him not through wearing unblended fibers or through stoning people for their sin, but raher through His Son Jesus Christ.
In love and peace,
Pastor Mara
posted by harmon at
6:33 PM
