Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Is it good not to marry?

Question: In 1 Cor 7:6, does "this" refer to verses 8,9 or to verses 3,4,5? (11/17/08)

Here is the passage that Anonymous is asking about…

1. Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. 2. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. 3. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4. The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5. Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6. I say this as a concession, not as a command. 7. I wish that all men were as I am. But each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.

8. Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. 9. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

1 Corinthians 7:1-9 (New International Version)

Answer: “this” refers to verses 1-9.

Paul was single and did not desire to be married to anyone. His sole focus was the mission of Jesus Christ. I know a few people who have given themselves fully to the mission of Christ that they have given up any thought of having the responsibility of a family. Paul calls this a “gift from God” (v. 7) and is considered one of the many spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit.

In verse 7 he actually wishes that everyone had the spiritual gift of being single as he enjoys the experience. Yet he recognizes that many don’t and they should marry, be loyal to one wife, and raise a Christ centered family. His concern is for those who have trouble controlling their sexual drives and making that worse by attempting to be single. Paul is saying “this” referring to the permission to marry rather than remaining single.

In verses 8-9 he is addressing the unmarried and the widows and encourages them remain unmarried unless they have problems with self control, then they should marry…same point but to a different group.

Paul is bias, but then again most scholars agreed that he really didn’t think the Lord was going to be gone so long. He believed that Jesus Christ would show up any day now and there simply was no time for such temporal things like marriage. He didn’t want to waste time on temporary things when the eternal destiny of many was hanging in the balance.

Two thousand years later believers realize how important a Christ centered marriage and family is to the very fabric of our cultures around the world. A Christian faith filled home is the essential building block of every good culture.

As a Pastor I long to see more and more Christ centered homes that are passionate about the purity of the Gospel and of their relationships. I meet people everyday who hunger to be apart of such a home and place.

The truth is that a Christian home and marriage begins in our hearts as individuals. Before you go trying to make a home or a marriage, be sure you are right with Christ first. Focus on your heart before you start pouring your life into another. Make sure you are overflowing with the good things of the Holy Spirit rather than the foul water of past sins.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Faith In Christ?

Ask any Christian in America if they put their faith IN Christ and they will respond “Yes!”


Ask them if they believe that their faith in Christ will save them from their sins and allow them to live in heaven for eternity, and they will say “Yes!”


I know if you had ask me the same question a few years back that is how I would have responded, but I have been shown the importance of one word. It is the difference between ‘in’ and ‘of.’


The Bible is careful in how it describes our journey of faith. There are those who put their faith in God or Jesus, and they are the religious. Then there are those who enter into a completely different level where their faith exceeds that of the religious. Those are the people who have received the gift of faith from Christ.


The difference is to whom the faith belongs. Are we putting our faith in Christ or do we have a faith that belongs to Christ, of Christ, and are we being led by this dynamic faith?


Anything I have made, or any effort I make is always imperfect and will fail at some point. I can create a faith in Christ that I work at with a great deal religious passion. I can stand around all day and say over and over to myself, “I believe, I believe, I believe…” and still be riddled with doubts. The Bible tells me of a man who encountered Christ and said “I believe, help my unbelief.” Man…that is true for me, how about you?


How does Christ help our unbelief? He offers us the gift of faith that comes with His Holy Spirit. He offers to measure it out to us in degrees that we can handle. If we want more all we have to do is be faithful with what we have been given, ask for more and He will give more.


For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

-Romans 12:3

Clearly faith is a gift of God rather than something we create. In the parable of the talents Jesus shows us that as we use the gift of faith we have been given, we will receive even more according to His purpose, BUT it is Christ who gives faith and in different proportions according to what we can handle and the world needs.


What difference does the articles ‘in’ and ‘of’ make…all the difference in the world! Do we have our own personal faith in Christ, or have we received the faith of Christ in our hearts? How are we relating to this gift and are we using it for the glory of God? The answer may be the difference between more religion and stepping into a whole new world of faith.

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

If God Disappears…

“I’ve lost me faith. How can I get it back?”

This is a question that is becoming more and more common in ministry. Because of the confuse regarding what is faith and religion, most of us are having a hard time understanding the question.

David Sanford is going to attempt his answer of the life changing question in a book to be released this fall: “If God Disappears: 9 Faith Wreckers and What to Do About Them” Sanford details nine reasons he uncovered through listening to stories of those who exited the church and abandon faith. Most of the time, Christians leave because of a "wounded" experience. They either deliberately walk away due to questions and doubts that go unanswered or they feel that God has walked away or "disappeared," observed Sanford.

The numbers are astounding. Barna research group confirms that the church is loosing about 1 Million parishioners in America each year. Over the last several years about 31 Million have walked away. To quote Sanford:

"Any business that is losing 31 million customers is going out of business," he told a room of Christian journalists and editors. "[It] is the greatest crisis among Christians today in the U.S., Canada and some parts of Europe…We must break the silence in our publications.”

I know where Sanford is going with this book and understand how he is attempting to build people up and help them rethink their theology of God. Is attempting to answer the age old crisis of why bad things happen to good people, or why a Good God would allow such pain and suffering in this world. This is the same urgent need that has spawned the popularity of the fictional book “The Shack.”

This summer I had two wonderful conversations with a young woman and a young man who shared the very same question with me. They were in crisis and didn’t know what to do. They both had attended church and considered themselves Christians at one time but had walked away from God, one even thought of himself as an agnostic moving toward atheism.

What I discovered just by listening to their stories is that they were not Christians who were born again in the Spirit of Christ by the faith of Christ, but they were people who followed a religious form of Christianity. They did not know the difference between faith and religion. They acted and bargained with God with Christian terms but they relied on a religious understanding. In all fairness they knew no other way. When I asked to explain the difference between faith and religion they were at a loss.

I am glad to report that after one conversation with them they made the choice to move beyond religious Christianity and move into the Faith of Christ. That faith came with power that made a difference in their hearts, attitudes and direction. The conclusion that God has brought me to believe is that most Americans are religious but not really born again Christians. They have not the real faith that can change their world.

As new books come out on how to help the million people who will leave the church this year, I am afraid that they will get only another religious list of things to do without using this moment to leave religious efforts behind for the peace of Christ.

They next blog will deal the difference between a Christian religion (which must fail) and the Christian faith (which cannot fail.)

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

I’m agnostic…

An anonymous person made the following comment recently…

The difference between placing your faith in worldly concepts and people is that more often than not there is some kind of observable evidence for that which you place your trust in. …there is currently no verifiable observed evidence that God- especially not your Judeo-Christian God- exists, and moreover that he gives anything approaching a damn about us. People do not have a "need" to believe; they have a need to fill gaps in their life…Which is fine, until they start trying to tell me I should believe as well. I speak this as a former believer. I am currently agnostic.

Many people are functionally agnostic, because they just are not sure and are looking for convincing evidence. Many who call themselves Christians can operate as unsure agnostics as well. So I’m not surprise when people slip back and forth between believing and not believing.

No question was asked but the question lingers in the statements. The author is looking for verifiable observed evidence for the existence of God and that He cares. Since none is found it leaves a question mark in the “God” space.

Faith, belief, and knowing are words that are not well understood. If we are looking for fact to prove God, then I would have to agree with the comments above. Let me take a moment to work through some classic logic that will demonstrate that we can’t compare un-similar items.

Facts (observable and verifiable things) are wonderful when we trying to verify the truth regarding gravity, crimes committed, and the balance of your bank account.

But when we want to know “Truth”, then we need different criteria than facts. Facts are cold hard evidence that can prove something. Yet there are great truth’s that are not proven, but believed. We also call them principles by which we guide our lives and our actions. We simply believe in them or we don’t. They are above facts.

Do we believe in something called “Justice”, or “Peace”? Is “Equality” or the great American ideal “Freedom” a high value in our lives? The declaration of independence begins with the statement; we hold these “truths” to be self evident. They are either believed or they are not believed. There are no facts or evidence for the validity or rightness that can be tested and verified.

If God were a rock we should use facts and observation to determine what is real about Him. But God is not a rock. For God to be observed and tested would mean He would have to be less than what the high principle of “first cause” postulates. There is only one kind of God that is worthy of consideration and that would be the all powerful, all knowing, and all present God which means that our ability to observe, and verify would be inadequate for such a test subject.

Fortunately there is more than one way to know something and someone. We can take some things on faith. This can be a very rational and well thought out faith, but in the end it has to be faith in a high ideal.

The coming of Jesus Christ purposed by the Bible is the attempt of God to reveal His nature, and His desires for us. That Jesus was an actual historical figure is beyond question by any serious historian. Most accept He was a wonderful teacher but some have a hard time accepting that He was the Son of God. The trouble with this position (which C.S. Lewis points out) is that He can’t be both a great teacher and make claims to be the Son of God. He was either God in the flesh, or He was certifiable nuts, which eliminates the great teacher role.

Jesus said of Himself that He is “the way, the truth, and the life.” The amazing claim He was making was that truth is not just a debatable philosophy but a person who has a will, and power of its own. That truth is going to exist whether we believe or don’t believe, but the only way to gain knowledge of that truth is to place our faith in that truth.

This is confusing because there are many Christians who are caught up in religion rather than faith. Religion is an attempt to appease or control God by our actions. Christ came to show us another way. He came to show us that it is only by faith that we can really know Him.

“Gaps” are good description of our lives and we all have them. We are all believers in something. Some believe in facts to lead them to reliable and predictable outcomes, but others doubt that facts can be trusted to that extent (e.g. RenĂ© Descartes). Perhaps a fresh look at faith as a way of acquiring great “truths” and “principles” that have shaped all the great cultures is worthy of consideration.

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

What Happened to God? (Part 2)

Dear Kelly,

You asked, “What happened to God?”

I have asked that question, more than once. Where is He? Why does He let the bad stuff happen? Why does He seem so far away?

God is here, with us. I think you know that, but it may seem that He is not with us the way we are told by other people. He is not with us even in the way we want Him to be with us. But He is with us.

That can make us uncomfortable because we are sure how to talk to Him, or even if we ever really knew Him, or He us. You wondered if God even cared even though He knows your name.

What happened is that we get lost. Sometimes it's the fog of self absorption, and addiction. Other times we are lost in depression. Whatever it is, when the thing we are fighting, like alcohol, seems bigger than God, it’s because we are standing so close to it that we can’t see anything else. God is still there and bigger than the demons you fight.

I have no quick answer for you but I do have an answer. It always comes down to your relationship with Christ and learning to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit. I have shown many people how to do this, but there is no religious formula, just an exploration and development of an intimacy with the Lord.

If you have time, I can help you begin the journey back, free from the chains of addiction, and with a new reason to live, now and forever.

The enemy of your soul does not want you to be free so you are going to have to fight back and make the hard choices. He is there. He is ready to help, and is helping you find your way to those who can help you. You are close, so don't quit now.

I have several people in my congregation who can tell you how God set them free from what you know and worst. I would love for you to meet them and hear their stories.

So here’s hoping we will meet…until then my prayers are still with you.

Pastor John

Monday, June 16, 2008

What happened to GOD?

I recently received this post from "Kelly" (a.k.a) and I was truly touched by his comments. I have tried to reach him direct but was unable to get through. I am posting this hoping he will read my reply. I think you will be touched by his comments as well. So here is Kelly's question. My response will come soon. Please join me in praying for Kelly after you read his post.
Pastor John R.Wiuff
----------------------
Pastor John,

I have no clue how to start this.

I am in jeopardy due to issues in my life and at 63, confusion about my faith is more than I can almost endure. I have tried to come to your church and the other large one on your street but nothing brings me there. I get ready, buy cannot seem to get to either one of these places to worship.

I do not know anymore how to pray, what to think of a higher power I choose to call GOD when so much is happening to me and others. We have no control over what is happening.

What happened to GOD?

There is a country/western song that sings of: GOD is busy. Is HE that busy to remember me by name? Is HE that busy to hear me but not care??

I am an alcoholic since 12 years old. Nothing helps. NO meetings, groups, meds and I am about at wits end.

Tell me how you can help me please. My entire life has been stress and even in that, I work a 40 hour week, I am clean and keep up bills and my home and cat Annie. There is nothing much life can offer me anymore and I am tired of trying to find some solace, or peace.

Just to wait on death is a horrible place to be when others suffer to stay alive. Your bulletin today struck me hard as it is beautiful in green and words matter to me. A friend brought that to me early today, Sunday. Lovely and I will pray as best I can for those offered up in your bulletin.

Thank you Pastor and one day I hope to get to see you. Pray for me please to get the nerve to be in your church some one of these days.

For now let’s just refer to me as Kelly. That is not my name but I am afraid to be honest with anyone anymore.
Good Day to you Pastor John.

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Are Baptists Christians?

Q: Are Baptists Christians?

This year I have been building on a single theme for all my sermons. I am looking at the difference between faith and religion. As a result an awakening is happening in our congregation as people are coming to realize the difference between the two.

In a small group I was recently asked this question by a new member: “Are Baptists Christians?” At first I found the question humorous. Represented around the table were people from many different brands of Christian. Historically these groups have been in conflict with each other over religious rather than faith issues. We spend some time talking about the differences between groups and why there are so many denominations.

Yet this is a great question, I want to be able to answer it in this blog.

A: No, being Baptists does not make you a Christian, believing in Jesus Christ by faith makes you a Christian.

Let me be quick to say that I believe most Baptists are Christians and they come from a noble like of Christian history. What I am pointing out here is that just because you belong to a church group, or affiliate yourself with a certain group does not make you a Christian.

A ancient and famous Christian writer once described the Church being two churches. In his book “The City of God” he described the city you see and the city you don’t see. He made the distinction that the city you see with your eyes is not often the real city. It is the inner city, within the walls where people live and work that the real heart of the city can be found.

When we look at the Church from the outside, not everyone we see associated with the church is really saved or Christian no matter how they act, talk or look. Within that church are the true believers.

So a Christian is a person who does not associate themselves first with a denomination (that is the act of a religious person) but one who has faith in Jesus Christ before any church group, or theological variation: One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.

You may be one of those people who are struggling with the issue of faith and religion. You have been around religion your whole life and may not have seen much Christ like faith. I want you to know that is the one thing you are really seeking and to leave the religion behind. Find Christ and you will find others who are also faith filled.

The promise to you from God’s word is that if you will seek, you will find; if you ask, you will receive; and if you will knock, the door will be opened.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Are Spiritual Attacks and Evil Real?


Question: “Are spiritual attacks real, or are they just my imagination?”


A home discipleship group last week raised the issue of spiritual warfare. I asked the group whether the people they knew at work and at school believed in the battle between Good and Evil.

I was please to hear most people they knew believed that evil was real, but had questions about God who seem distant.

For most people that is the great question, despite the small minority of intellectuals who have been trying to convince us for decades that there is no Satan or God. They want us to believe that all our problems can be solved with drugs and therapy.

Answer: “Yes, they are real.”


Every person needs to be aware of the ability of evil to attack us in many ways and then find their defense in Jesus Christ and the power of His spirit.

Excellent authors have helped millions (e.g.: Neil Anderson “Bondage Breaker”). The reality of spiritual attacks eludes some while we blame psychology and biology for most of our problems. One famous author when asked if the issues they were experiencing was either psychological or spiritual. His response was to say: “It’s always both.”

Don’t expect to solve the attacks you experience with “holy water” and crucifix. Hollywood movies have given us sensationalized renditions of spiritual warfare in which the enemy is defeated through some physical showdown. That is rarely the case and does not describe the real nature of the battle we fight.

For now let’s get to the heart of the matter if you want to win. Jesus told us that we “shall know the truth and the truth will set us free.” He also told us that He was “...the way, the truth, and the life.” A living faith in Christ and the truth of His love is the only way to defeat real evil.

For more, check out set free ministries with Neil Anderson or contact me if you have a personal issue.

Pastor John