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The One Thing Christians Should Stop Saying

For many years I have tried to get the points in the following article across to people. I have tried to get Christians to realize that they often think of God's blessings wrongly. I teach that blessings are NOT what we so often think them to be.

When I try to teach them I am given blank stares, argued with and/or ridiculed. And I STILL hear people echoing the old Jewish concept that God's blessings are seen in material things: my house is a blessing from God; my family is a blessing from God; my job is a blessing from God. 

NO! NO! NO! Jesus is the blessing from God. You need no other. If you do, you need to review your relationship to Him. 

Recently I saw and read this post by Scott Dannemiller. It is long, but its lesson is well worth the time. It expresses what I have tried to get across to people for so long, When I saw it on FaceBook, I decided to provide it to you.

Scott Dannemiller is a writer, blogger, worship leader and former missionary with the Presbyterian Church. He writes the blog The Accidental Missionary, where this post first appeared.

I was on the phone with a good friend the other day. After covering important topics, like disparaging each other's mothers and retelling semi-factual tales from our college days, our conversation turned to the mundane.

"So, how's work going?" he asked.

For those of you who don't know, I make money by teaching leadership skills and helping people learn to get along in corporate America. My wife says it's all a clever disguise so I can get up in front of large groups and tell stories.

I plead the fifth.

I answered my buddy's question with,

"Definitely feeling blessed. Last year was the best year yet for my business. And it looks like this year will be just as busy."

The words rolled off my tongue without a second thought. Like reciting the Pledge of Allegiance or placing my usual lunch order at McDonald's.

But it was a lie.

Now, before you start taking up a collection for the "Feed the Dannemillers" fund, allow me to explain. Based on last year's quest to go twelve months without buying anything, you may have the impression that our family is subsisting on Ramen noodles and free chips and salsa at the local Mexican restaurant. Not to worry, we are not in dire straits.

Last year was the best year yet for my business.

Things are looking busy in 2014.

But that is not a blessing.

I've noticed a trend among Christians, myself included, and it troubles me. Our rote response to material windfalls is to call ourselves blessed. Like the "amen" at the end of a prayer.

"This new car is such a blessing."

"Finally closed on the house. Feeling blessed."

"Just got back from a mission trip. Realizing how blessed we are here in this country."

On the surface, the phrase seems harmless. Faithful even. Why wouldn't I want to give God the glory for everything I have? Isn't that the right thing to do?

No.

As I reflected on my "feeling blessed" comment, two thoughts came to mind. I realize I'm splitting hairs here, creating an argument over semantics. But bear with me, because I believe it is critically important. It's one of those things we can't see because it's so culturally engrained that it has become normal.

But it has to stop. And here's why.

First, when I say that my material fortune is the result of God's blessing, it reduces The Almighty to some sort of sky-bound, wish-granting fairy who spends his days randomly bestowing cars and cash upon his followers. I can't help but draw parallels to how I handed out M&M's to my own kids when they followed my directions and chose to poop in the toilet rather than in their pants. Sure, God wants us to continually seek His will, and it's for our own good. But positive reinforcement?

God is not a behavioral psychologist.

Second, and more importantly, calling myself blessed because of material good fortune is just plain wrong. For starters, it can be offensive to the hundreds of millions of Christians in the world who live on less than $10 per day. You read that right. Hundreds of millions who receive a single-digit dollar "blessing" per day.

During our year in Guatemala, Gabby and I witnessed first-hand the damage done by the theology of prosperity, where faithful people scraping by to feed their families were simply told they must not be faithful enough. If they were, God would pull them out of their nightmare. Just try harder, and God will show favor.

The problem? Nowhere in scripture are we promised worldly ease in return for our pledge of faith. In fact, the most devout saints from the Bible usually died penniless, receiving a one-way ticket to prison or death by torture.

I'll take door number three, please.

If we're looking for the definition of blessing, Jesus spells it out clearly (Matthew 5: 1-12).

1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him,

2 And He began to teach them, saying:

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they will be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall be shown mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

I have a sneaking suspicion verses 12a 12b and 12c were omitted from the text. That's where the disciples responded by saying:

12a Waitest thou for one second, Lord. What about "blessed art thou comfortable," or 12b "blessed art thou which havest good jobs, a modest house in the suburbs, and a yearly vacation to the Florida Gulf Coast?"

12c And Jesus said unto them, "Apologies, my brothers, but those did not maketh the cut."

So there it is. Written in red. Plain as day. Even still, we ignore it all when we hijack the word "blessed" to make it fit neatly into our modern American ideals, creating a cosmic lottery where every sincere prayer buys us another scratch-off ticket. In the process, we stand the risk of alienating those we are hoping to bring to the faith.

And we have to stop playing that game.

The truth is, I have no idea why I was born where I was or why I have the opportunity I have. It's beyond comprehension. But I certainly don't believe God has chosen me above others because of the veracity of my prayers or the depth of my faith. Still, if I take advantage of the opportunities set before me, a comfortable life may come my way. It's not guaranteed. But if it does happen, I don't believe Jesus will call me blessed.

He will call me "burdened."

He will ask,

"What will you do with it?"

"Will you use it for yourself?"

"Will you use it to help?"

"Will you hold it close for comfort?"

"Will you share it?"

So many hard choices. So few easy answers.

So my prayer today is that I understand my true blessing. It's not my house. Or my job. Or my standard of living.

No.

My blessing is this. I know a God who gives hope to the hopeless. I know a God who loves the unlovable. I know a God who comforts the sorrowful. And I know a God who has planted this same power within me. Within all of us.

And for this blessing, may our response always be,

"Use me."

SALVATION - THEN WHAT?

In the minds of many Christians, after one is saved there are still plenty of rules to follow. There are lists of DOs and DON'Ts and Old Covenant principles to follow.

They say, "If you don't believe it, just read James. It is nothing more than a book of rules for Christian living, right?"

WRONG.

James is a description of the lives of those who have come to Christ. It is not a list of how Christians SHOULD behave, it is a revelation of how Christians relate to Christ. Christians listen and serve, they love the brethren, they demonstrate their faith in deeds, speak kindly toward one another, make wise decisions, submit to God, live for today and are patient prayers who are comfortable in their faith.

James points to, and only to, the Lord, Jesus Christ. It's not about us, it's about Him.

People who combine Old Covenant rules with New Covenant freedom (not license) have a Biblical name. They are called "Judaizers."  Theirs is no gospel at all. It is the "different gospel" of Galatians 1:6-10.

"Well, what about the Old Testament heroes? Didn't David sin and didn't God give him a 'second chance?'" I hear you ask.

That is a very sophomoric and un-Biblical reading of the life of David.

Of course David sinned. We all do. That is not an excuse for sin, it is just who we are. That is why we (David and us) need Christ. Without Christ we will die in our sins and will spend eternity in Hell.

David was saved the same way we are saved; through faith in Christ. His was a faith in a coming Christ, ours is faith in the Christ who has come.

Those who preach "the God of the second chance" denigrate the gospel, unless they explain that the second chance is not another chance to be good, but is the new life in Christ that transforms and renews our minds.

Manasseh's disobedience and despicable behavior  in 2 Chronicles 33 does not illustrate God's second chance, it illustrated the depravity of man and therefore his need of Christ.

Nothing in the Bible is about the people in the Bible. The people are used to illustrate truths about the character of God. The Bible is not about us, it is about Him.

From word one to the last "Amen" of the Book of the Revelation, the Bible is about God's character, His love for His creation and His plan for its redemption (Christ).

Jesus did not say, "If a person accepts me and follows the rules he will be saved and will please God." He said, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." (John 12:32) He also said, "The Son of Man must be lifted up." (John 12:34)

Since He has been lifted up from the earth (on the cross and at His ascension), it is Jesus who draws us to Himself. And if we are saved, we are saved by, and only by, His life, death, burial and resurrection.

There is nothing more. If Christ is not enough, He died in vain. If there is some "second blessing," as it is practiced in some churches, Christ is not enough and He died in vain. If Christ is not enough and we need to adjust our behavior ourselves to please God, He died in vain.

Jesus does not need the help of certain kinds of worship, certain kinds of music, certain kinds of prayers, certain kinds of offerings or certain kinds of praise. He is sufficient in-and-of Himself, or He is not sufficient at all.

So, after salvation - then what?

After salvation - Jesus. That's all. Jesus.

Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. There's just something about that name.

Why would we preach anything else and pretend we're "preaching the Word?"

A Study in Proverbs: The Social Graces

Chapter 20

By the time we get to chapter 20, Solomon’s son is a young person and it is time to speak with him about the issues he will be facing at this age.

Verse 1-3 – These verses are related to each other. Although it seems like there is no relationship between alcoholic beverage and a king’s wrath, there really is. Many killings, injuries, accidents and arguments are caused by alcoholic beverage. Even (maybe especially) those in high places make unfortunate decisions while under the influence of alcohol. Its use is almost always the result of peer or social pressure. Solomon’s son is advised to avoid its use.

Verse 4-17 – Once again Solomon addresses laziness, the inner being and faithfulness, this time in more depth and on a more serious level. He reiterates his call for righteousness and purity of heart. He deals with behavior and how ours should change as we mature. He also gives a deeper insight into riches, possessions and living a life of integrity.

Verses 18-23 – Here we hear Solomon’s advice regarding the various uses of the tongue: gossip, cursing, lying and cheating.

Verses 24-27 – Emphasizing the need to know God and to trust Him alone is a lesson a maturing person needs to learn. His reference to the lamp of the Lord (27) speaks of the light of the world, Jesus.

Verses 28-30 – Solomon teaches his son about love (again). He also contrasts youth with age and reveals that a maturing man is in control of himself, under God’s leadership.

Chapter 23 is directed toward his son as a young adult. Much of the same material is reiterated, as usual, in more depth as the son is more able to absorb and implement what he is instructed to do and to be. Having been taught to choose a wife carefully, he is now told how to raise his own children. He is again admonished not to imbibe in alcoholic drink. He is reminded to listen to his father’s recommendations born of experience. He speaks of faithfulness, a proper understanding of interpersonal relationships, good vs. bad company. Then he reiterates his advice about strong drink.

Temper, pride, covetousness, child rearing, discipline, following God, controlling one’s anger honesty and not doing things for the sake of recognition are all part of what chapter 29 of Proverbs addresses.

Chapter 31 was written, not by Solomon, but by an unknown oracle named Lemuel (Devoted to God). Some Scholars think the name is Solomon’s mother’s pet name for him. They think this was written to him by his mother. If so, she was giving him advice about women, wine and wise choices.

Generally speaking, a  man does not want his mother to speak to him on this matter of wine, women, and song. She starts out with the consequences of over imbibing. Kings are ruined, the way the poor drink to “drown their sorrows,” and that temperance will enable one to guide others and judge fairly.

She then turns the emphasis toward the marks of a woman worthy of being a wife. What a list it is! In fact, the list is so long and intense that one might be tempted to conclude that they are impossible to live up to.  One would be correct.

The only righteous we have, whether we are male or female, is the righteousness imputed to us by our Lord and Savior, Jesus, Christ.