Faithlessness

I was reading through Numbers 12 and 13 and noticed something interesting: why did the Israelites spend 40 days exploring the land after GOD had already promised them the land? For those of you who are not familiar with this Text—or those who didn't immediately pull these chapters up on your favorite Bible program or website—this is the story of the twelve explorers that Moses sent into Caanan to search out the land prior to the Israelite invasion.


There are a several interesting aspects of this story. The first of these is, GOD's instruction to Moses. In Numbers 13:1, GOD gives the instruction to Moses for him to choose representatives from each tribe to go explore the land that He had already given them. Nowhere in GOD's instruction to we find Him asking them to offer their expert analysis on the viability of the endeavor. Nowhere in either of the two chapters do we find GOD ever asking their opinions about His promise. In fact, His instruction for them to go explore the land was probably more for them to see with their own eyes that His promises weren't empty, that there truly was a Promised Land.


I even read through Moses' reiteration of GOD's instructions, but still can't find where the twelve were given license or responsibility for commentary on GOD's promise. So, if GOD didn't give it, and Moses didn't give it, from what authority did the twelve explorers derive their mandate to offer opinions on GOD's promise?


In studying this Text we see that because of the doubt expressed by ten of the explorers an entire generation of people was killed off in the wilderness. If you do a bit of historical study you'll find that this generation was comprised of several million people. Think of this, doubt expressed by ten individuals killed millions, and—not to mention—delayed GOD's Purpose for forty years.


Are these ten guilty of mass murder as well as doubting GOD?


There is a great and grave danger in second guessing GOD's promises or instructions; whether these are Textual or via His voice in our lives (i.e. His watchman). Notice Moses' reiteration of GOD's instructions: he didn't add to it or take away from it, he simply repeated what he had been told by GOD Himself. When the ten took it on themselves to hijack GOD's Purpose, they not only were assuming greater responsibility than they have been given, they also were demonstrating their faithlessness. They obviously didn't believe GOD's promise nor His voice, Moses. They must have felt it was their responsibility to correct Moses' inexperience as a leader, or maybe his over-zealous-charismatic-blind-trusting of an unseen GOD… or maybe, just maybe, they never believed GOD in the first place?


Is this a characteristic that still expresses itself within the Community today?


I wonder how many times GOD's Purpose for either the Community at large or a specific congregation has been thwarted by the faithlessness of a few? How many souls have been lost because a vocal minority felt it their responsibility to either correct GOD or His voice?


Think of the sheer arrogance demonstrated by the ten negative nannies. GOD had expressed His Purpose, given His promises numerous times—literally defied the laws of nature to bring them to the cusp of His promise—only to have a few bring the juggernaut of His Divine Providence come to a screeching halt.


Human arrogance, doubt and faithlessness can and does stop GOD's Purpose.


Faithlessness is denying that there is a GOD; because if we truly believe in GOD then we know that He cannot lie. If we doubt, we believe that GOD is a liar, thus non-existant. Denying that there is a GOD is the elevating of ourselves to the level of Deity, or—as it is more commonly known—atheism. Atheism is the ultimate form of faithlessness. By denying the existence of GOD, the atheist elevates themselves to role of GOD. Is this any different than questioning GOD's Purpose? Now, don't misunderstand me, I'm not referencing honest questions that are truly seeking answers, I'm referring to expressing doubt and unbelief with a question mark at the end of the statement (not unlike the serpent's question in Genesis 3).


Expressing faithlessness is not always done by questioning GOD's Purpose; it is also done by attacking those to whom He has delegated His Authority. For example, when the under-shepherd (watchman, pastor, preacher… pick your moniker) begins to speak what GOD has spoken into his/her mouth and we choose to express doubt, we are elevating ourselves to the status of GOD, because we are truly saying that we know better than GOD Himself. Think about it: GOD gives His instruction for the congregation through His delegated Authority, then they reiterate His instruction without alteration. Who are we to assume that it is our responsibility to adjust GOD's spoken Word (Rhema)?


Often times this attack on GOD through His delegated Authority is attempted by skipping past the male pastor (the stronger, more intimidating vessel) and going right at the pastor's wife or female pastor (the weaker, less willing to confront vessel). While there are several fallacies in this method of attack, the primary is the false assumption that pastor's wife is not just as called and equipped with GOD's delegated Authority as her husband. Any attempt to thwart or to control GOD's Purpose by distracting the man and the other self who GOD has called and designated is nothing more than rebellion in practice. Let's not soon forget that the sin of rebellion is not unlike witchcraft. The directive to not touch GOD's anointed nor to do His prophet any harm, applies not only to the male anointed, it also applies to the female anointed.


This is not unlike the rebellion that we see playing out in Numbers 13. The explorers doubted GOD, thus they overstepped their responsibility by going beyond Moses' instruction. By expressing their concerns to the general population, they were speaking their inner thoughts (i.e. Moses isn't qualified to speak for GOD).


Regardless of the methodology, any attack on GOD's man or woman is an open attack on GOD Himself, and is faithlessness. Faithlessness is rebellion. Faithlessness is self-deification. Faithlessness kills. Faithlessness hinders GOD's Purpose both locally and collectively. Faithlessness is the ultimate form of arrogance. Faithlessness believes its own headlines and drinks its own Kool-aid.


Faithlessness is anti-GOD.

Ultimate Reality

Colossians 1:15-23

Who is the image of the invisible GOD, the firstborn {Greek,  prototokos – begotton, or to have initial beginning and final end} of every creature: For by {Greek, en – through} him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by {or through} him, and for him {or His purpose}: And he is before all things, and by {or through} him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence {or the highest rank}.

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness {or completeness} dwell; And, having made peace through {or because of} the blood of his cross, by {or through} him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him {or through His life}, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by {or because of} wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.

Three Primary Expressions of GOD

1. A Father – in judgment & creation

GOD expresses Himself as our Father in His correction and His creation. Paul tell us in Romans 14:11 shows us that GOD is our Judge. In Psalms 51:10, David teaches us to pray for GOD to create within us His will and purpose, and of course we can’t overlook His creative Word expressed in Creation.

2. A Son – in redemption & re-creation

GOD expresses Himself as our Redeemer, or as a Son, through His redemptive power, and by re-creating—or re-birthing—us according to His desires and plans. In his letter to the Community at Galatia, Paul shows us that Jesus redeemed us from the curse of the judgment of GOD (Galatians 3:13). In 1 Peter 1:18, Peter tells us that we were not redeemed with anything corruptible, but by the everlasting, precious blood—or essence—of Jesus Messiah. Jesus Himself tells us in John 3:7 that we have no choice but to be re-born in Messiah. Peter also shows us that we are re-birthed by the word—or expression—of GOD (1 Peter 1:23). The writer to the Hebrews shows us that Jesus—or the Son—was the express image—or exact imprint of the nature—of the Father:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, GOD spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us {through} his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of GOD and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs, Hebrews 1:1-4 ESV.

3. The Spirit – in comfort and keeping power

GOD is our Comforter and Sustainer because of His intrinsic character—His very nature. In John 14:18 Jesus told his disciples that He would not leave them comfortless, but that He, Himself would come to them. Peter shows us that Jesus is the Keeper—or Caretaker—of our souls (1 Peter 4:19). He also tells us to, cast all [our] cares on Him, for He continually cares for [us] (1 Peter 5:7). This is the intrinsic character of the Eternal GOD. Because this is His character, then we are connected to the eternal GOD-ness through our intimate knowledge of His Spirit.

The Blueprint of Creation

The Text insists that Jesus is how GOD put things together (Col. 1:17). It is here that Paul points out that in some mysterious way, Jesus is behind it all. Jesus is the arrangement, the design, the intelligence.

As Christians—or disciples of Christ—we aren’t to follow Christ’s teachings because they are a nice way to live a moral life. We should follow them because they are the best possible insight to how GOD really works. Jesus’ words teach us how things really are.

I don’t follow Jesus because I think Christianity is the best religion. I follow Jesus because He leads me into Ultimate Reality; He teaches me to live in tune with GOD’s Reality. When Jesus said, No one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6), He was saying that: His ways, His words, His life is our connection to the essence of how things really are, which is GOD. For Jesus, the whole point is to help us connect with Ultimate Reality, GOD.

Even Paul tells us not to be so caught up and encumbered with religious relating to GOD: These religious acts and rituals are but shadows of the true Reality. The reality of the body is found in Jesus Messiah, (Col. 2:17).

Labels

It is a dangerous thing to label things Christian. The word Christian first appears in the Bible as a noun; a person, place or thing. The 1^st Century followers of Jesus accepted the moniker Christian because they had devoted themselves to living the way of Messiah. The moniker was used as a noun; a person—a person who follows Jesus, referring to a person living in tune with Ultimate Reality. 

Modern thinking has turned the word Christian into an adjective; a word used to describe a noun. The problem with turning a noun into an adjective—then tacking it onto words—is that this can create categories within the definition of Christian that limit the truth. This assumes that everything labeled Christian is both true or good.  For example, not all Christian music is good music; some is played with very little talent or regard to proper musical structure (not to mention that the goodness of music is very subjective). Movies are sometimes portrayed as Christian, but do all of them project the Character of Messiah? What if a preacher preaches or teaches something that is not biblically sound. Bear in mind that he is a Christian talking to other Christians in a Christian environment; yet he can still speak false doctrine. Just because you buy a Christian book in a Christian book store, doesn’t mean that every word of the text is founded in biblical truth. Christian is a great noun, but a poor adjective.

To be Christian is to do whatever it is that you do with great passion and devotion to Jesus Messiah. We do this because our actions reflect on our GOD, thus our actions are sacred as they are worship and consecration to Him. Paul said, Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of Jesus Messiah, (Col. 3:17). He goes on to say that whatever we do, that we should do it heartily, as if it were worship to GOD, (Col. 3:23).

As Christians everything we do must reflect the passion that we have for Him and His purpose. This is why our life-performance (job performance, school performance, etc.) should be the best we can make it—it is worship to our GOD. If I’m not giving my best in everything that I do, then I am not reflecting Ultimate Reality. If I’m not giving my all in everything, then I’m not giving my all in anything.

This is why it is impossible for a Christian to have a truly secular job. If you follow Jesus—and you’re doing what you do in His name—then it is no longer secular work. You are there; GOD is there; the difference is our awareness.

This truth has significant implications for how congregations function. Actions or talents don’t have to be part of a church service to be for GOD. A church is a community of people who are learning how to be His disciples wherever they are, so they can do whatever it is they do in the name of Jesus Messiah. The goal isn’t to bring everyone’s actions or talents into the church. The goal is for the Community to be these unique kinds of people who are transforming the places they live, work, play, exist.

Doing things for GOD happens all the time. Throw yourself into your life and give it all you’ve got; because you’re living your life in worship and commitment to Him. This is why labels ultimately fail. No matter how useful they are, they don’t always reflect the true meaning of the word.

We have to learn to distinguish between dark and light; GOD and flesh. The ancient Hebrew rabbis would say, The first thing GOD does is distinguish between dark and light, and the rest of Scripture is GOD teaching man how to do the same. The Text is filled with examples of GOD teaching His people how to think, how to discern, how to sort and shift and figure out what is or is not Ultimate Reality.

Being a Christian is about engaging the mind and heart more and more; not shutting them off and letting someone else think for you. Peter admonished the Community to be alert, (1 Pet. 5:8). Paul instructed the Thessalonians to test everything and hold on to the good, (1 Thess. 5:21). The danger of labeling things Christian is that it can lead to our blindly consuming things we’ve been told as fact; we assume they are acceptable simply because they’ve been taught to us by people we respect. When we turn off our discernment radar dangerous things can happen. We have to test everything. Everything that we see or hear must be run through the filter of the Text. If it doesn’t gee haw with the Character and Essence of GOD, we should discard it.

Don’t follow anything blindly; because if you do then you are ignoring the passion by which you should live your life. Don’t swallow what I’m teaching uncritically; wrestle with it; challenge it; make sure it is founded in Ultimate Reality. No one has it completely nailed down; we’re only contributing to the discussion. GOD has spoken, everything else is commentary.

Then what is Ultimate Reality?

Ultimate Reality is GOD Himself; His very character, His expressions of Himself—ultimately, His purpose—is Ultimate Reality. Every aspect of our lives—our very existence—must reflect our complete and total devotion to His Ultimate Reality. Anything less than everything is nothing at all.

Next Chapter

It's hard to believe that almost nine years ago I moved to Orange County to work with my pastors, Jeff and Sandra Morgan, at SouthCoast. It's even harder to believe that almost seven years ago GOD blessed me with my other self and—over the next few years—our four beautiful daughters. For most of the last nine years I have served as Assistant Pastor to the Morgan's and SouthCoast; a role made easier when Olga joined me (gotta love marriage). But today starts the beginning of the end of this leg of our journey.


Around four years ago Olga and I began feeling that GOD was calling us to launch a missional community in New Orleans. For several reasons this has been something with which I've struggled ever since feeling the first call. While we both feel that GOD has called us to New Orleans, we also know that we are not quite ready. We have been in prayer over this call, along with our pastors—and both our parents—for the past year. Even though we haven't felt the release to head south, we knew that GOD had something else in His Purpose for us.


Olga and I knew that June was going to be a monumental month in our journey. We began to pray very intently for GOD to illuminate His Purpose in our lives. We were willing to even force the door open in New Orleans, if this was what GOD intended for us.


Isn't it great how GOD always knows exactly when to answer?


After much prayer and seeking GOD's Purpose, Olga and I are accepting a pastoral ministry position at Life Church in Anchorage, Alaska. We will be working with Pastors Jim and Heather Blackshear, and are very excited about the door that GOD has opened to us. 


This is going to be a major adjustment for us, having lived in Orange County for almost a decade, but we know that GOD is leading us into this opportunity. There are a lot of aspects of ministry that we'll be working in at Life Church, and I'll make sure and keep everyone posted.


I have learned so much over the last 8-1/2 years working with Pastors Jeff and Sandra Morgan. Their transparency, consistency and godliness have taught, inspired and occasionally rebuked me, and I thank GOD for their leadership in my life and in my family. They are two of my closest friends. In addition to this, they are also the GODparents to all four of my daughters, a role that they've filled with grace and class, and a role that Olga and I take very seriously. We will miss the late nights and long Sunday afternoons together, but we know that the friendship and closeness will never go away.


I want to thank the entire Morgan family for the past 8-1/2 years. It will be hard for us to leave all of you, especially Logan (I've got a close affinity with Logan, as I see a lot of myself in him. Good luck buddy, life's going to be interesting).


We are sad to be leaving, but excited about where GOD is taking us. No, it's not what I expected, but GOD knows what He's doing (what with Him being GOD for as long as He has), so I trust Him.


All that remains is to simply turn the page and begin the next chapter.