How do you know the real from the "unreal"? The true from the false?
The newer version of the 20 dollar bill was introduced a few years ago to help curb counterfeits. I've read that the way the FBI trains its agents to recognize counterfeit bills is not by teaching them to look for counterfeits, but to look for the real thing.
The idea is that if an agent learns to recognize all the characteristics of a genuine bill, spotting a counterfeit will be a simpler task: If it doesn't look exactly like the real thing, it's fake.
Not a bad strategy for leadership, and not a bad strategy for applying truth to our lives. Our objective isn't to focus on what is false, our objective is to focus on what is true. The best weapon against falsehood is to proclaim the truth from the rooftops.
Many churches define themselves exclusively by what they don't want to be. Their message is defined primarily by what they're against. A more effective strategy is for a church to determine, instead, what you want to be—and move in that direction.
Moving away from what you don't want can take in a number of different directions; moving toward what you do want can take you in only one direction—the right direction.
How do you define yourself, your ministry, and your life? Are you focused on what you don't want to be, or are you focused on what God has called you to be? We need to emphasize where we're going--and proclaim the direction that God has called us to pursue.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
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2 comments:
I love that verse, George! It's one that I teach to the Rangers so that they can understand the need for working completely for (and toward) God. There is but one truth in this world (or out of it for that matter) and that is that God reigns. He created, He planned, He sacrificed, and He is supreme! We get to know God by His Word and by His people. I have such a hard time with people (or churches) that are all caught up in condemnation...not that we are not to confront sin but we are to confront it appropriately. We often say, "Hate the sin, love the sinner." We can speak out on what the truth is and let everything else be left behind by its exclusion. They will know us by our love, one for another, both in the body and outside the body. If people see you as a condemner, why would they want to hang out with you? I wouldn't! We must be encouragers and supporters and truth tellers, all in a spirit of love and unity. We need to move into establishing relationships with people who are hurting or needy or disenfranchised (I know you like that word!) in our world. We need to demonstrate the right way, the way of Jesus Christ, to those around us. Minister in love and compassion, not fire and brimstone.
I love our direction because it leads to God and it is directed by God and it is blessed by God!
Love each other intensely as directed by the Apostle Peter. "Now you can have sincere love for each other as brothers and sisters because you were cleansed from your sins when you accepted the truth of the Good News. So see to it that you really do love each other intensely with all your hearts." 1 Peter 1:22.
Love God, love people. That's what it's all about!
Jon
Bite your fingers Kal-el! I would have said your tongue but you typed it instead of saying it. I have a hard enough time keeping up with the church blogs.
Go with God, He'll never lead you wrong!
Jon
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