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The Nashville Statement in a Polarized Nation

Posted on by Marty

Let’s face it. We live in a very polarized nation. It seems like the traditional understanding of right and wrong has been thrown aside and a new “morality” has taken over. Gone are the days of a declared demarcation between acceptable and unacceptable behavior. What once was considered vice has now become virtue. In the midst of this topsy-turvy environment, many Evangelicals are continuing the biblical mandate to be salt and light.

Take, for example, the recently crafted Nashville Statement. This statement endorsed by leading Evangelicals in America simply affirms clear and historic biblical teaching on marriage and human sexuality. There is nothing new here. However, by the reaction of some, one would think that this was nothing more than a hate manifesto.

The mayor of Nashville, Megan Barry, denounced the statement as not representing the values of the city of Nashville. Author and television personality, Jenn Hatmaker, said the statement would produce “suffering, rejection, shame and despair.” Progressive Christian activist and author, Brian McLaren, refers to the statement as “Toxic Fruit.” In responding to the statement, columnist Jonathan Merritt writes these chilling words: “Conservative Christians are quickly becoming a minority on these matters. For better or for worse, they will soon be the ones who are considered unfaithful and sinful.”

Admittedly, some had an issue with the timing of the Nashville Statement because it was released while Texas was dealing with Hurricane Harvey. However, I think that the timing could not have been better. Here’s why. Jesus called for His followers to be salt and light. Salt and light make a difference in the environment in which they are introduced. Just try it. Turn the light on in a dark room. Put salt on your food. The difference is undeniable. The church is to be a difference maker. The church is not to just go along to get along.

Christians are also told to love their neighbor as themselves. In giving this command, Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. This story is so well-known that it has become enshrined in law in some places. In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and now Hurricane Irma, it has been noted how faith groups such as the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and Franklin Graham’s Samaritan’s Purse have provided the lion’s share of the relief effort. Volunteers from these organizations and others have given tirelessly of their time and money to help to alleviate the hardships and suffering of those affected by these storms. These acts of kindness and sacrifice have come freely to those who have needed them. These Evangelical organizations are fleshing out the parable of the Good Samaritan.

The Nashville Statement is also Christianity in action. God’s plan for human sexuality and marriage is what works best. Deviation from God’s prescribed order brings hurt, heartache and confusion. If the church fails to declare plainly and without equivocation the biblical teaching on marriage and human sexuality, then we are failing to love our neighbor as ourselves. We are withholding good from others. So, whether it is the Nashville Statement or the hurricane relief effort, Evangelicals are being salt and light and in the process fulfilling the role of the Good Samaritan.

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Maintaining a Successful Marriage

Posted on by Marty

Marriage is hard work and it doesn’t necessarily get easier with age. Each new stage
of life presents a different set of challenges for married couples. However, like the
old saying goes, “anything worth having in life is worth working hard for.” And
marriage is no exception. Believe me, I know.

Stephanie and I have been married for twenty-seven years. During this time we have experienced a lot of ups and downs. There have been disappointments and pleasant surprises, but through it all we have managed to stay close and in love with one another. This relational closeness didn’t just happen. We had to do our part, which required a lot of faith and hard work.

I am not writing as a marriage expert. Instead, I am sharing a few things that
Stephanie and I have learned through our almost three decades of marriage.

First, our marriage is built on our faith in Jesus Christ. Our common faith is the
strongest bond that holds us together. There is no substitute. Stephanie does not
occupy first place in my life and I do not occupy first place in hers. That would be
idolatry. Our first commitment in life is to Jesus Christ. Individually and collectively
we draw guidance and strength from the same source. It actually gives me a lot of
comfort knowing that Stephanie loves Jesus more than she loves me.

Secondly, we have learned to have fun together. You have to understand, Stephanie
and I are quite different. Obviously, I am a male and she is a female and there is a
world of difference between the two, but there are differences that go way beyond our genders. Stephanie is a firstborn and I am a middle child-twin hybrid if there is such a thing. She is type A and I don’t know what type I am. Furthermore, Stephanie has a very impressive background in dance and musical theater and I grew up Baptist. We have learned to find common interests and even expand our horizons.

For example, during the last few months, I have gone with Stephanie to see The Phantom of the Opera, Annie Get Your Gun, Anne and Gilbert the Musical, as well as to a Johnny Swim concert. However, we have also gone kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, and we do CrossFit together. We have actually learned to enjoy doing what the other likes to do. It has been a classic case of give and take. For all of the Hallmark movies I have had to watch, there have been plenty of action movies and ball games to go around.

Now in the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit that I have grown really fond of the Hallmark movies. Many times Stephanie will fall asleep watching them and then, to my horror, I am able to tell her all of the relational stuff that is going on with the characters. No wonder I was left out of all the Fantasy Football Leagues this year.

Thirdly, we are learning how to handle our disagreements better. Yes, we have
disagreements. Some might even call them arguments. However, we are learning
how to resolve our conflicts in a better way.

We use a system that we learned from a Christian marriage author named Dr. David Clarke. His system allows each spouse to have ten minutes of uninterrupted time to express his or her feelings. Afterward, there is an equal amount of time spent in prayer and reflection before any more conversation takes place. Then, the other spouse is allotted ten minutes and the same process takes place. When this is over, there is a time for resolution.

This method does not always go off according to plan, but it does allow each spouse the
opportunity to express his or her feelings to the other without interruption.
Regardless of what method you use to resolve conflicts, always remember that you
are on the same side. You don’t win unless you both win.

Finally, we have learned that you have to keep romance alive in marriage. It doesn’t
just happen- at least not after twenty-seven years of marriage. This prioritization of
intimacy requires time and intentionality. Stephanie is my best friend but she is so
much more. She occupies a place in my heart that no one else does. We are called to
be one flesh. That is the height of exclusivity. So, we take time to relax
and to enjoy being with one another.

Stephanie and I can both attest to the fact that it’s well worth the effort to build the kind of intimacy into a marriage that keeps your love life sizzling. Now, I won’t say a lot because my kids read this blog and I don’t want to gross them out, but let’s just say you make what you need to make a priority with no apologies.

Obviously, there’s a lot more I could write, but let me end with this. In order to have
a successful marriage you have to die to yourself. You cannot be a selfish person.
You have to have more concern about the needs and the feelings of your spouse than
your own. That’s straight Bible. That’s the crucified life that Jesus spoke of when He
said, “If anyone desires to come after Me let him deny himself and take up His cross
daily and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

Loving your spouse will cost you but the rewards are far greater than the cost.

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You Have What It Takes

Posted on by Marty

As a pastor, part of my responsibility is to help Christians learn how to obey the commands of Scripture. Some of Jesus’ last words were, “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). As Christians, we are to be committed to a life of change. Second Peter 3:18 says, “but grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Simply put, this verse means that we are to learn it and to live it. Learn what it means to follow Christ and then live it out.

As this occurs, your life starts to change. This change happens from the inside out. You learn from Scripture and you live by the Spirit. God’s word instructs you and His Spirit empowers you and then you experience a change in your heart and in your behavior. It’s not always easy, but you have what it takes.

Unfortunately, some find themselves in an environment of low spiritual expectations. It’s all about the struggle. Victory is not expected. Overcoming is seen as impossible. Your sin will define you for the rest of your life, so you better get used to it.

It doesn’t have to be that way. Second Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” In other words, God has given to us all that we need to live a life that is reflective of the character of Christ. We can actually become more like Jesus in the way we think and in the way we act. Being conformed to the image of Christ is God’s will for our lives (Romans 8:29).

The Bible says we are created in the image of God. This image has been tainted by sin but not destroyed. Being conformed to the image of Christ through sanctification actually realigns us with God’s original plan for humanity.

Therefore, having our mind and behavior transformed through our relationship with Jesus Christ is actually restoring us to God’s original intent. The greatest pursuit that I should have in life should be my pursuit of Christ. That is what should occupy my thinking and influence my behavior.

When we live with a defeatist mindset, our focus is on our sin instead of on Christ. Consequently, we view ourselves through the lenses of a victim instead of a victor. This “woe is me” mindset has to change. Get your focus off of yourself and your sin and put your focus on Christ where it should be.

Don’t ignore your sin. Instead, confess it to God and repent. Confession means that you agree with what God says about your sin and repentance means you turn around and you go in the opposite direction. You turn from your sin and you turn to Christ. He becomes your focus. He captures your affection. You live for Him and not for yourself.

Put away the excuses and the low expectations. Live the life that God has called you to live. Work out what God has worked into your life (Philippians 2:12-13). It will require discipline and effort on your part, but through your relationship with Jesus Christ, you have what it takes.

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Why Christians Should Stand With Israel

Posted on by Marty

Recently, I have been disturbed by the growing number of Evangelicals who are lessening their support for the nation of Israel. It seems that the catalyst for this shift in support is a growing awareness of the plight of Palestinian Christians. As I have studied this movement, I have discovered that some of its leaders have strong connections with well-known institutions in the Evangelical community. These connections have provided a level of legitimacy that is surprising. While I don’t doubt their motives, I do question their wisdom.

Let me say, as a Christian I am concerned about the ill treatment of my fellow believers around the world. However, it is my opinion that the plight of the Palestinian Christians is being manipulated in order to undermine American Evangelical support for the nation of Israel.

Much of the controversy surrounds the region of Israel know as the West Bank. This section of land contains the town of Bethlehem. Because of an increase in terror attacks originating from the West Bank, the Israeli government built a series of walls and set up checkpoints in order to curtail this terroristic activity. These security measures have drastically altered life for the Palestinians in the affected area.

However, these measures were deemed necessary because of the impact of the ill-fated Oslo Accords between Israel and the Palestinians. This 1993 agreement brokered by the Clinton Administration gave the Palestinian Authority a measure of self-rule in the West Bank. Since this time, the number of Arab Christians in places like Bethlehem have dramatically decreased.

By contrast, the number of Christian Arabs in the part of Israel governed by the state of Israel has steadily increased. So, it is evident that the dynamic created by the Palestinian Authority has created a security threat to Israel and a hardship for the Palestinian people. This development is part of the overall complicated religious and geopolitical situation in the Middle East.

As life in the West Bank has deteriorated, a group of American Evangelicals has stepped forward to advocate for the cause of the Palestinian Christians. In their eyes, the measures taken by the Israeli government have brought unnecessary hardship for the Palestinian people in general and the Palestinian Christians in particular. They seek a measure of social justice for the oppressed Palestinian people.

These Evangelicals do not believe that the Jews have a special claim from God regarding the land. For various theological reasons, some Christians believe that Israel is no longer special to God. That time of favor has passed. The church has replaced Israel and the Jews are to be treated as any other group or nation.

While I do believe that the Jews have missed out on God’s plan of salvation because of their rejection of Jesus as the Messiah, I also believe that God is not finished with the them. In spite of their unbelief, God has positioned them as a key player in the end times.

Biblical history tells us that the Jews conquered the land of Canaan on the heels of four hundred years of Egyptian slavery. This conquest of the land involved such miracles as walking across the Jordan River on dry ground, the walls of Jericho crumbling due to the sound of trumpets and shouting, and the sun standing still so that the Jews would have time to defeat their enemy. Indeed, God gave the land to the Jews during the days of Joshua because of the promise He made to their forefather Abraham.

Centuries earlier, God said to Abraham, “Get out of your country, from your family and your father’s house, to a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed,” (Genesis 12:1-3). Generations later, as the Jews were preparing to enter the Promised land, they were told by Moses that their longevity in the land was predicated upon their obedience to God. If they proved to be unfaithful to God then He would dispossess them of the land.

As time progressed, the Jews experienced defeat and exile at the hands of the Babylonians in 586 B.C. In spite of being dispossessed of the land, God allowed a pagan Persian king, Cyrus, to issue a decree to allow the Jews to return in 539 B.C. The road to rebuilding their nation was long and full of difficulties but with the courage and expertise of such men as Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah, they were eventually able to reconstitute themselves as a nation. However, hard days were ahead of them. Their location as the land bridge between Africa, Europe and Asia made their land too valuable for world powers to ignore. Thus, the Jews were subsequently conquered by the Greeks and the Romans. However, the Jews were never content to go quietly into the night. They made life difficult for the victors.

In 70 A.D. the Romans were tired of dealing with the defiant Jewish nation and in an act of extreme brutality, the Roman general Titus completely destroyed the city of Jerusalem, including its Temple, along with hundreds of thousands of Jews. Thus, the Jewish people were once again expelled from the land. For the next 1,900 years they would live harrowing existences.

At times, they were expelled from such nations as England, France and Spain. They would also experience hardships in places such as the Russian empire. Some would even blame the Jews for the bubonic plague. It seemed that the Jews were the scapegoat for all that was wrong in the world. However, Scripture predicted this kind of treatment.

Deuteronomy 28:64-67 says, “Then the Lord will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other, and there you shall serve other gods, which neither you nor your fathers have known—wood and stone.  And among those nations you shall find no rest, nor shall the sole of your foot have a resting place; but there the Lord will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and anguish of soul. Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life.  In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!’ because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see.”

It would be hard for anyone to say that the Jews have not been a persecuted people. However, the Bible also says that God would bring the Jews back to the land promised to Abraham in the end times.

Here is what God spoke through the prophet Ezekiel: ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I will gather you from the peoples, assemble you from the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel” (Ezekiel 11:17).

Furthermore, Jesus speaks of Israel being in the land in the last days when he speaks of the abomination of desolation in Matthew 24:15. Additionally, many Bible scholars interpret the words of the Old Testament prophets Isaiah and Daniel as referencing a covenant that Israel will make with the Anti-Christ during the time of the Great Tribulation (Isaiah 28:18 and Daniel 9:27). For these events to take place, Israel has to once again be a nation in the land that was given to Abraham.

The events that led to the return of the Jews to Palestine after almost 1,900 years of absence are truly remarkable. It took two world wars, a holocaust that killed six million Jews and a once in a lifetime vote by the United Nations for Israel to be given the international legitimacy to reconstitute as a nation. Once they declared themselves to be the state of Israel, they were immediately attacked by the surrounding nations, yet they somehow survived. They managed to overcome impossible odds again in 1967 and 1973. When you read the accounts of the wars Israel has fought since its’ founding in 1948, it is easy to see why many view their very existence as an act of God.

Just think about it. Jews comprise only 0.2% of the world’s population. That means that there are only 14 million Jews in the world and of that number only 6 million Jews live in Israel. Yet, Jews have won over twenty percent of Nobel Peace Prizes.

Their influence in business and media far surpasses their percentage of the population. The nation of Israel itself is a modern marvel of technology and learning. It is incredible that such a tiny sliver of people has such an inordinate amount of influence.

On the flip side, it is disturbing that such a small group of people could garner as much hatred directed toward them as the Jewish people have over the centuries. For instance, no other nation has been condemned more by the United Nations than Israel. It seems that the Jewish people are overly influential and overly hated. Why?

Scripture says that God would bless the world through the Jewish people. Of course, the zenith of this blessing is the salvation provided by Jesus on the cross. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

Even though the Jewish people have rejected Jesus as the Messiah, they still have a purpose in God’s plan. Just like the gentiles they must be saved through faith in Jesus. He is their Messiah. Scripture actually speaks of Israel coming to faith before the end of time.

You see, God does have a timetable and He does move history along according to His purpose. If you look at the Jewish people, it appears that they are a part of that plan.

So, when some Evangelicals start to lessen their support for the nation of Israel, I get concerned. Israel has very few friends in this world. Of those friends, Evangelicals have been the most consistent and of those nations, America has stood the firmest.

When we approach the conflict between the Jews and the Palestinians, we need to keep in mind the big picture. Scripture predicted that the Jews would return to the land given to Abraham during the last days. The very presence of a Jewish state occupying the land that God promised Abraham nearly 4,000 years ago is truly remarkable. Just because the Jews have been given the land by God does not mean they have carte blanche to act any way they desire. Remember, God did remove them twice from the land. First by the Babylonians and then by the Romans.

However, I believe the Jews have been divinely repositioned in the Promised Land. Their presence is part of the overarching plan of God.

Unfortunately, the Palestinian Christians are in a very precarious part of the world. Much of the Middle East has been taken over by radical Islam. It would seem that whatever issues there are with the Jews pales in comparison with how Christians are treated in the Muslim world.

As fellow believers, we should send humanitarian help to the Palestinian Christians, but we should not join the chorus of those who ignore the obvious and blame Israel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When Heroes Fall

Posted on by Marty

Last Thursday was a bizarre day in the sports world. First there was O.J. Simpson’s televised parole hearing, which I listened to on the radio. It’s hard to believe that after all of these years, the O.J. saga still affects me. O.J. was one of my heroes growing up. I used to pretend like I was him and my daddy even took me to see him play his last football game.

At one time, O.J. was the man. He was the epitome of cool. Not only could he rush for over 2,000 yards in a season, but he could also run through the airport and jump over stuff with a brief case in his hand and a big smile on his face. Now, however, he just seemed like an old man trying to get out of jail. It’s like I got to see my childhood hero continue to go down in one big slow motion train wreck.

As if the O.J. hearing was not bad enough, news broke later that night that the Ole Miss head football coach, Hugh Freeze, had resigned his post because of a “pattern of personal misconduct.” The news on Freeze was particularly unsettling because of his public pronouncement of his Christian faith. Before his fall, Freeze was viewed as an up-and-coming coach who had what it took to beat Alabama. Now he is simply known as the hypocritical Christian coach who got caught calling an escort service. One website even ran the headline: “Does the fall of Freeze mark the end of ‘Christian Coaches’?” I don’t think it does but one thing is certain. Hugh Freeze’s life just got a lot more complicated.

O.J. Simpson and Hugh Freeze have disappointed a lot of people. At one time, admiring fans looked to them for inspiration. Now those feelings of inspiration have turned to disappointment. Most of us can identify with that sickening feeling we get when we witness our heroes crashing back to earth. We feel like the kid in the movie 8 Men Out who pleads with baseball player Shoeless Joe Jackson to tell him that he didn’t throw the 1919 World Series. Heartbroken, the little boy says, “Say it ain’t so Joe. Say it ain’t so.” Jackson’s silence is deafening.

If we want to, we could go the cynical route and embrace the words of former NBA star Charles Barkley who once said, “I’m not paid to be a role model. I’m paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court.” However, the whole advertisement industry is built on the likeability and influence of famous people. Even Barkley’s words about not being a role model were incorporated into a Nike commercial. In the commercial he says, “Just because I can dunk a basketball doesn’t mean I should raise your kids.” He’s right, but everyone still wants a hero.

So, what’s a person to do?

Recently, I was at a youth worship service on Saint Simons Island. Before the service started, these poignant words appeared on the screen:

“Follow the example of those on stage only as they follow Christ.”

That’s great advice. It’s actually biblical. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, the Apostle Paul says, “Imitate me just as I also imitate Christ.” Paul would be a worthy example to follow only as long as his behavior reflected the character of Christ.

As Christians, we are not to be conformed to anyone else’s image but Christ’s. Romans 8:29 says, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His son.” Not only are we to act like Jesus, we are also to think like Him. Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

So, if you want to follow someone who did something incredibly heroic then follow the One who said, “Greater love hath no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). He’s the One who bore the sins of the world in His body on the cross. He’s the One who has lived the perfect life. Let Jesus be your example. Let Him be your hero.

But what about the sports stars who do incredible athletic stuff? Is it ok to copy their athleticism? Of course it is. If you see Scott Skiles make an awesome behind-the-back pass in the NCAA tournament and you want to copy him, then go ahead. Or if you want to catch every football one-handed like Odell Beckham Jr, get some gloves with a lot of sticky stuff on them and give it a shot. Just don’t let someone’s athletic ability or popularity lead you to follow their example instead of Christ’s.

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The Importance of Church & Why It Should Be a Priority In the Lives of Believers

Posted on by Marty

When Stephanie and I got married, we spent our first night as newlyweds at the Telfair Inn in Augusta, GA. The next morning we got up and went to the nearest church we could find. I know that not everyone gets up the morning after their wedding and goes to church, but it’s what we wanted to do.

Throughout the years we have made church attendance a top priority and it’s not just because I am a pastor. We even go to church when we are on vacation. And let me tell you, it has paid off. I have been blessed in a relational, emotional and, most importantly, eternal aspect.

Fast-forward twenty-seven years to May 14, 2017, five days before our twenty-seventh anniversary. We were back in Augusta at the same church we went to the day after we got married. It was only the second time I had ever been to this church.

The occasion was for the dedication of our first grandchild, Ella Nash Greene. Our oldest daughter and her husband (whom she met at church in Athens, GA where they attended college) were members of the church that we went to the day after we were married.

As I sat in that service, I felt a warm surge go through my heart. I can’t explain it. I just felt blessed. The first church we worshiped at after we were married is the same church that our first grandchild was dedicated.

Going to church is a blessing that I get to enjoy here on earth. Whether the worship service is traditional, blended, or contemporary doesn’t matter. I am still blessed by it. Just so you won’t think I am too naive or too Pollyanna-ish, I want you to know that I have been on the receiving end of some pretty negative stuff at church. After all, I am a pastor. However, the positive far outweighs the negative.

I don’t look for the church to be a perfect place and neither should you. Just read your Bible. The church at Corinth had a guy sleeping with his stepmother, church members were taking one another to court, and some were even getting drunk at the Lord’s Supper. Of the seven churches Jesus addressed in the book of Revelation, He told five of them that they needed to repent.

If the church was not a perfect place just a few years after the resurrection of Jesus, how can we expect the church to be a perfect place 2,000 years later?

It is important to raise your children with an understanding that going to church should be a priority. Let them know that church people (even pastors) aren’t perfect, but the church is special to God. The church is the body of Christ here on Earth and the bride of Christ in Heaven.

So don’t make excuses for not going to church. Find a Bible-believing church you like and then get involved.

Hebrews 10:25 tells us that we should not “forsake the assembling of ourselves together.” In other words, don’t drop out. Make church a top priority not because it will never fail you, but because of its biblical meaning and our call to worship our Risen Savior as the body of Christ.

 

 

 

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Fear of Rejection: How to Love When You’ve Been Hurt

Posted on by Marty

We are all subject to the fear of rejection. People brace themselves for it. Nobody likes rejection because we take it personally. You may have heard words from others such as “I don’t want you,” “You don’t measure up,” “You shouldn’t be here.” After you have a few of these experiences, you learn to shut down. You learn not to open up. You learn not to let others get close to you. You set safety parameters in your life that prevent you from getting in the “hurt zone.” In the process, however, you become a shell of a person. You limit your relationships, but you protect yourself from deep hurt. You feel safer but less connected. You never develop deep friendships. You never really open up to your spouse because to really know you is to reject you. At least that is what you think. You never let yourself get hurt, but you also never let yourself be loved.

There is a very funny scene in the Lego Batman movie. The Joker once again presents Batman with a dilemma. Batman has to choose between saving Gotham and apprehending the Joker. During a conversation, the Joker refers to himself as Batman’s greatest enemy. Batman, however, quickly lets the Joker know that he is not his greatest enemy, which devastates the Joker. He feels so much rejection that he begins to cry. I know it’s just a cartoon but it perfectly illustrates the sting of rejection and why nobody (even the Joker) wants to be rejected.

What does the Bible say about the fear of rejection? How can our relationship with Jesus Christ help us to overcome this fear? Is it possible to be so secure in our relationship with God that we are able to extend ourselves to others even with the potential of great hurt? Obviously, I’m asking these questions in order to give the resounding answer of “Yes!” Rejection by others does not change who we are in Christ. Our true identity remains intact.

Before we can dive any deeper, we need to get a good definition of “rejection.” Here are some of the ways that Webster’s Dictionary defines it: “to refuse to accept, to cast off, throw back, to spew out.” These are not nice words when it comes to relationships. Rejection is when someone does not want you and they turn you down. However, does someone’s rejection of us change who we are? Because of human nature, it is necessary for us to find our identity based upon how God views us. Ephesians 1:3-6 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.” Get a load of that! We are blessed, chosen, adopted and accepted by God. These are great words of comfort that nobody can take away.

We are taught at an early age that Jesus loves us “because the Bible tells me so.” The one who knows us best loves us most. He has chosen us and has made us a part of His family. Psalm 139:13-16 informs us that God has perfect knowledge of us. He knows us better than we know ourselves and yet He still chooses us. As we fully grasp His love for us, our fear of rejection falls by the wayside. First John 4:18-19 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.” God loves us and His love is amazing.

Very few people can match Max Lucado’s penchant for using just the right words to explain incredible truths. In describing how much God loves us, he says, “If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning… Face it, friend He is crazy about you.” Wow! God loves us in ways that we have trouble comprehending. If He can love us, then we can risk loving others, even if that love exposes us to hurt and rejection. Years ago, Bill and Gloria Gaither penned a song titled, “I Am Loved.” In this song the lyrics say, “I am loved. I am loved. I can risk loving you. For the One who knows me best loves me most.” To understand the love God has for us is to equip ourselves with an increased capacity to love others. In the same way that God has loved us, we are to reach out and love others. In John 15:12, Jesus says, “This is My commandment that you love one another as I have loved you.” God provides the secure foundation for us to be able to reach out and love someone else.

Just so no one is under a false impression, there is a sting that does come from rejection. When you put yourself out there to love others, it still stings when someone rejects you for whatever reason. However, Jesus knows the sting of rejection. The Old Testament prophet Isaiah wrote about the coming rejection that would be experienced by the Messiah. He says, “He is despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). John, a New Testament writer, says of Jesus, “He came to His own and His own did not receive Him” (John 1:11). Jesus’ own hometown of Nazareth rejected His ministry. They refused to believe His claims to be the Messiah. His own nation turned Him over to the Romans to be crucified. They preferred to have a confirmed criminal, Barabbas, to be released instead of Him.

The Apostle Paul is another Bible personality who experienced much rejection and yet he still loved and reached out to others. Paul started the church in Corinth on his second missionary journey. He poured out a year and a half of his life for that congregation. Yet, when Paul left, there would be those in the church who would easily turn against him. Some would bring false accusations against him. They assailed his motives and his ministry. Paul had to defend himself to those he considered friends. He tells them in 2 Corinthians 6:11 that his heart is wide opened to them. He has not closed them off. He has not shut down. He is still emotionally vested in his relationship to them. Later he says, “the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved” (2 Corinthians 12:15). He experienced the sting of unreciprocated love. The more vulnerable he made himself to them the less love they showed him- and it hurt.

If you live long enough, you will suffer rejection at the hand of someone. But don’t let rejection have a hardening effect on you. Remember your identity is in Christ. You are loved. You are accepted. Turn the sting of rejection over to Christ. He’s been there, he’s done that, and He has the scars to prove it.

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Tying Up Loose Ends: Marty McLain’s Response to Feedback from YLE TV’s “The Norden”

Posted on by Marty

In 2012, I was asked by YLE TV in Finland to participate in a documentary series they were doing called “The Norden.” As an American, my role was to observe and comment on how the Nordic people relate to faith and religion. The Nordic nations- Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden- are perhaps the most secular nations on the face of the earth. As a Southern Baptist pastor from Georgia, I was just what they were looking for. As such, I was determined to be as straight forward as possible. I didn’t want anything nuanced to come out of my mouth. I was given the opportunity to give a clear, biblical understanding on controversial topics in a part of the world that prides itself on being beyond the need for God. Challenge accepted.

My particular episode aired in November of 2014 and it became a big success for YLE TV. The producer told me that the sheer numbers that the series received on Youtube was unprecedented in Finland and that my particular episode was YLE’s official nomination for the international documentary category for the Emmy Awards. The episode even gained some traction in the United States. Progressive sites such as RawStory and Alternet ran stories with headlines such as, “Georgia Pastor has his Mind Blown by European Atheists.” Additionally, my episode was the subject of a popular atheist talk show and it became the most viewed video on an atheist YouTube site with over 1.5 million views. As you can imagine, I received a lot of correspondence. All I can say is “Wow!” (you will understand if you watch the video). I learned that if you cross the line and comment on topics such as same sex marriage or evolution, you better be prepared for an onslaught.

My purpose for this post is to comment on a couple of issues that were raised in the episode.  First, I spoke with a Danish priest on the subject of same sex marriage. Denmark has a state church, so the priests are state employees subject to the dictates of Parliament. Therefore, if Parliament says to perform same sex marriages in the church, the state employed priests must oblige. Obviously, I have a huge problem with that. There are three institutions ordained by God: family, government and the church. Here we have the government overriding the church redefining the family. This is a big infringement. The priests in the episode, however, had no issue with same sex marriage. That is another problem. A clear reading of Scripture leaves no doubt that same sex marriage is not biblical. However, one question that was continually posed to me was “Then why do you eat shrimp and wear clothes of mixed fabric?” On the surface, that sounds like an odd combination, but let me explain. In the Old Testament, the Jews were told not to eat shell fish nor to wear clothing of mixed fabric (Leviticus 11:10; 19:19). The prohibition against homosexual behavior is also given in the book of Leviticus. Therefore, some have conjectured, if you say that homosexuality is wrong, why do you eat shrimp or wear polyester?

The answer is quite simple. Those commands regarding clothing and diet were part of what is called the Old Testament ceremonial law. This law was designed to keep the Jews separated from the surrounding Gentile nations. After Jesus came, the law was fulfilled and there was no longer a need for Jews and Gentiles to be separate. Read Acts 10:9-16 and you can see how Jewish Christians were told that the ceremonial law was over. The command against homosexual behavior, however, is repeated in the New Testament. It is part of the moral law. Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9 clearly state that homosexual behavior is not approved by God.

The Bible is not a hate book. It is a book that tells us how to be reconciled to God. This reconciliation involves repentance and faith. We don’t do any favors when we are confusing on moral issues. Forgiveness is great, but you need to know that there is a need for repentance. I wanted to be unambiguous on what the clear teaching of Scripture says and for that I received a lot of negative feedback.

The next issue I would like to address is evolution. This topic came up when I was debating Leif, the secular humanist in Sweden. He asked me what came before God in time and I told him that by faith I believe that God is eternal. I believe this just like he believes in evolution by faith.

Christians take by faith that God created the heavens and the earth (Hebrews 11:3). I admit that. However, it does not make me an enemy of science. That is one of the ploys that evolutionists use against creationists. It needs to be stated that creationists do make a distinction between empirical science and historical (forensic) science. Empirical science involves activities that are observable and repeatable. However, historical science involves events that cannot be observed nor repeated. Therefore, assumptions and conjectures must be made to explain past events. Often times, these conjectures and assumptions are based upon one’s worldview.

Creationists base their view of historical science on Scripture while evolutionists base their view on Darwin’s theory. You can be a Creationist and also be very scientific and a leader in your field. Take, for instance, former presidential candidate and current HUD secretary, Dr. Ben Carson. Dr. Carson use to be the head of pediatric neurosurgery at the famed Johns Hopkins Hospital. This guy would separate twins conjoined at the head. He literally is the smartest guy in the room and he is a Creationist. Mike Pence, the Vice President of the United States, is also a Creationist. You see, being a Creationist does not mean you check your brain at the door. It simply means that you believe God created the heavens and the earth and science is the pursuit of finding out how God makes it work.

As I close, let me say that as an American I am grateful for the freedoms that we enjoy. I am also mindful that these freedoms did not come easy. Our rights are not given to us by government. Instead they are given to us by our Creator. Remember these words penned over two hundred and forty years ago. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” (Declaration of Independence 1776).

You can view “The Norden” here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Enduring the Wait

Posted on by Marty

Ten years ago today, I made a decision that changed the trajectory of my life. It was a decision that I made after much prayer and counsel. I have written about the aftermath of this decision in a forthcoming book. The following is an excerpt.

When I resigned, I had no place to go. My plan was to start a new church in a town a few miles down the road. I knew the stakes were high. We had four kids and a mortgage. Feeling this enormous pressure, I recorded this prayer in my journal: “I have been up since 4:00 this morning running everything through my mind. I tossed and I turned. If God doesn’t do this church start thing then I am sunk for years to come. I am out on a limb, but I feel like that is where I am supposed to be. The whole financial and logistical thing is hitting me like a ton of bricks. I need God’s help. No one else’s will do. I am in a desperate situation. All this can’t help but to make me a better person, a better follower of Christ. God please let my children see You come through in the midst of all this uncertainty. Please make your way known.”

This prayer kicked off a decade long testing of my faith. Up to this time, I was used to seeing God come through in big ways in my life. I thought this new adventure of faith would be more of the same. I was wrong. This period of time was going to be the hardest decade of my existence. These prime years of life were going to be spent enduring instead of succeeding. In the midst of the struggle, I had to make up my mind to stay the course. People were watching. My family needed me to be strong. If I went down I knew I would take others with me. I had never felt so much pressure in my life. It’s at times like this that an overused, yet motivating quote from Theodore Roosevelt really helps.

During his famous “Citizenship in a Republic” speech that he made in Paris, France on April 23, 1909, the former president spoke these powerful words. “It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory or defeat.” All I can say is that I went big!

In the book not only do I share from my own experience but I also write about three biblical stalwarts of the Faith who followed God’s plan, which led them to a place of waiting and hardship.

If you’ve ever struggled with the wait, with not knowing where to go next, I want to challenge you to endure. Some of the most powerful testimonies in the Bible came after a long period of waiting. You are not alone and you have not been forgotten.

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Repentance Is a Life-Giving Word

Posted on by Marty

What do you think about when you hear the word ‘repent’? For some, the word conjures up an image of a pompous person pointing his finger in your face and telling you what to do. However, repentance is actually a very good word. As a matter of fact, it is a life-giving word that can open the door to all kinds of possibilities in your life. ‘Repentance’ means a change in mind that leads to a change in direction.

As a Christian, I believe that the standard for repentance is found in the Bible. Sin is a deviation from God’s way and by repenting, we can get back to where God wants us to be. Repentance involves an admission of error on our part and a willingness to yield to God. That’s a good thing. God is the creator and sustainer of life. He is the source of eternal life, so to follow His way really makes a lot of sense.

However, sometimes we don’t want to yield. Sometimes we insist on doing things our way. God has given us a free will and we can go in another direction if we choose to do so. But you need to remember that it doesn’t end well when we choose our way over God’s way. Proverbs 14:14 says, “The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied from above.” In other words, if you go your way, you get out of life what you can provide. If you go God’s way, you get out of life what God can provide.  So, if you are in a backslidden condition and you find yourself eating the fruit of your own ways, why don’t you stop and repent? Get back in on what God can do in your life. I guarantee you; He can take care of you a lot better than you can take care of yourself.