Book Review: Counterfeit Gospels

Nobody likes a counterfeit. Fake money, fake jewels, fake anything is a huge disappointment. But the worst counterfeit of all has to be a counterfeit gospel because it affects eternity. Trevin Wax has exposed some of the fake gospel messages that exist in churches today in his book Counterfeit Gospels. We would do well to listen to the message of this excellent book.

Of course, knowing the real thing real well always helps to distinguish between the real and the counterfeit. That is how Wax goes about exposing the counterfeit gospels. He sees the gospel as a three-legged stool (Gospel Story, Gospel Announcement, Gospel Community) and then exposes specific fake gospel messages that are present within churches. Take away one of the “legs” and you have a stool that is not usable. All three legs are necessary.

The first leg involves the Gospel Story, which Wax identifies as the Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. It is the story of the Bible. We should see something of this message throughout all of scripture. Two different gospel messages (with variations in each) ignore important parts of the story. The Therapeutic gospel ignores the Fall, or at least downplays its importance to the gospel story. Instead, the gospel becomes a way to reach our potential. The Judgmentless gospel attacks the restoration part of the story. There is no judgment. Everyone will get to heaven. We don’t need to be concerned about God’s justice or wrath.

The second leg is about the Gospel Announcement. We can only make an announcement (the proclaimation) of the gospel if we have the gospel story down solid. As he says, “You can’t tell the gospel story without making the announcement of good news; neight can you properly make the announcement without telling the story” (pages 88-89). Two different gospels that weaken the announcement are the moralistic gospel and quietist gospel. The moralistic gospel is what it sounds like: We look at the Bible story as a lot of moralistic teaching. We teach someone how to be a good person. So a person’s life is spent trying to do something to please God. The quietist gospel is one that makes the gospel message into something that is only personal, with no impact on what is going on in the world. We only need to be concerned with evangelism, and ignore the problems that confront the world.

The third leg is the Gospel Community. This is my favorite leg, and one that is often neglected. God brings us into a family, a community. It’s called the church. It is not an option or an add-on. It’s part of God’s purpose. Gospel counterfeits that harm this “leg” include the Activist gospel where people are united around some “cause” that is extemely important to the group. We are here for social change. Then there is the Churchless gospel, which should be self-explanatory. We don’t really need the Church. We don’t need to go to the church. It’s an option. Of course, that is not what is found in the New Testament. In fact, it is the opposite: The Church is needed. Church involvement is expected and assumed. You do not find a “churchless” believer in scripture.

Counterfeit Gospels is a much-needed message for Christians today, for church leaders as well as for individual Christians. Wax does an excellent job of exposing false gospels that will deceive both churches and their members. He not only explains their false teaching, but he also provides advice on how to counteract their message. He recognizes that there are strengths in those messages, but in the end, they are providing a false hope to people who need to hear the gospel story announced. This book is well-worth a good read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for the purpose of this review.

Book Review: Bible Savvy

Christians that I meet do not all seem to understand their Christianity very well. To be blunt, they are ignorant of what they believe. Part of the reason may be that a lot of books that would help them become more informed are either too technical or too simplistic. Moody Publishers has just recently released a set of books that should help. It’s called Bible Savvy. I like that title. That’s what Christians need. A little savvy!

Written by James Nicodem, a pastor of Christ Community Church in Bartlett, Illinois, this is a set of four books designed to help both new and established Christians understand the Bible. They are designed for both individual and group study. Helpful study questions at the end of each chapter (also online at www.biblesavvy.com where you will find videos, a blog, and other useful information), will help guide you through a thorough understanding of the Bible’s message and trustworthiness,  as well as how to study it and apply it to your life. Those are the four areas covered by each of the easy-to-read volumes.

Christians that I meet do not all seem to understand their Christianity very well. To be blunt, they are ignorant of what they believe. Part of the reason may be that a lot of books that would help them become more informed are either too technical or too simplistic. Moody Publishers has just recently released a set of books that should help. What a great title! That’s what Christians need. A little savvy!

   This is a set of four books designed to help both new and established Christians understand the Bible. They are designed for both individual and group study. Helpful study questions at the end of each chapter will help guide you through a thorough understanding of the Bible’s message and trustworthiness,  as well as how to study it and apply it to your life. Those are the four areas covered by each of the easy-to-read volumes.

     Book one covers the Bible's storyline, showing that the overall theme is redemption. He does a survey of the major sections of the Bible, showing how that theme is developed from Genesis to Revelation. This book has six chapters that show redemption prompted (Genesis), prepared (Genesis-Song of Solomon), prophesied (the Prophets), purchased (the gospels), proclaimed (Acts – Jude), and perfected (Revelation). This book by itself will help you understand that the whole Bible is about the gospel, not just the New Testament.

     Book two shows that the Bible is reliable as the inspired, authoritative Word of God. He also shows how we got the Bible that we use, as well as covering the doctrine of revelation, showing that God wants us to know His will. The last chapter of this book provides excellent tools for learning the Bible through hearing, reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on God's Word.

     Book three introduces the topic of studying the Bible by understanding the context. Here he examines four different settings that need to be considered in order to properly understand the Word of God: historical, literary, theological, and immediate setting. He provides excellent rules for the proper interpretation of scripture.

     Book four then builds on the study of scripture to bring the student to application. He uses the COMA approach, (Context, Observation, Message, Application). I was a little confused with his distinction between Message and Application. Some of his comments about message seemed to go more towards application. But he does provide a couple of good examples on how this approach will work for a person in several different literary genres which will prove to be valuable.

     On the whole, this set of books will prove valuable in helping Christians use their Bible more effectively. I did not agree with all his conclusions or interpretations. You will want to compare some of the author’s statements with your church’s doctrinal position. But the information given will help anyone become a more savvy student of scripture.

Moody Publishers provided me with a set of these books to review.

Book Review: Repentance: A Daring Call to Surrender

Repentance. There’s a word that is not understood by everyone. Here is a book that will help. The title is simply Repentance. But the subtitle tells you more: A Daring Call to Surrender. It was written by C. John Miller, now with the Lord.  It’s a short book, with eight chapters, with a final chapter written by his wife who provides examples of how her husband applied repentance in his own life. You can read through them rather fast, but I don’t recommend it. You will want think through what he is saying. A lot of thinking.

     The earlier chapters are given to describing repentance, especially showing what it is not. After a short first chapter where he writes of repentance as the foundation of our life (“no face-to-face fellowship” with God, and an “unrepentant heart is self-satisfied, proud, and cold”), he then spends a longer time contrasting it with penance. He describes penance as an “attitude deeply rooted in the human heart which prompts men to attempt to pay for their own sins by their good works and sufferings. Self-justification is the goal of this effort.” Its focus is on man, not on God. Penance leaves us “powerless and imprisoned”, rather than “bold and joyful for the things of God.” Finally, penance also looks for a human mediator between man and God, rather than the only mediator, Christ Jesus. People become attached to a religious leader, rather than Christ.

     Chapter 3 then describes true repentance. Miller stresses the importance of the lordship of Christ as the proper “motivation for changing one’s mind and life direction.” The call to repentance, he explains, is for both unbeliever and believer. “Sin is sin wherever it is found iand it is worse to find in the Christian. Therefore, He especially zeroes in on loveless, complacent, and compromising members of the household of faith.”

     The remaining chapters then show repentance in its connection to various aspects of Christian living. Here they are in summary form:

     Chapter 4: Repentance the Spirit-filled Life What the Christian needs is to love the Lord Jesus, shown by loving obedience, and a repentance that causes us to be “broken down before God.”

     Chapter 5: Repentance and the Carnal Christian  An excellent rejection of the common “carnal Christian” category that modern Christianity promotes is offered. Paul calls the Corinthians “carnal”, not because they are in a different group of Christians but because they have unrepentant hearts. “So long as the man of God continues to repent and cling to Christ for growth in grace, he is not carnal in the Pauline sense.”

     Chapter 6: Repentance and God’s Mercy  Many who de-emphasize the need for repentance point to the Gospel of John never even using the word. Miller shows that the concept is clearly evident, even in the absence of the word itself.

     Chapter 7: Repentance and Counseling  There are several examples of counseling experiences that the author shares where repentance was central to the counselee’s problems being resolved. In some situations it was with people who thought they were Christians, but were not. They needed to hear the gospel. Other situations had people who were Christians, but needed to review the gospel to see their need for repentance. We all need the gospel, both believers and unbelievers.

     Chapter 8: Repentance and Sharing Christ  This was perhaps my favorite chapter because it is my weakest link in Christian living. After stating that many Christians think they are too weak to witness, Miller writes, “But in reality they are too strong to witness. Not strong in the Lord, of course, but strong in themselves. Naturally, they have a concern to protect themselves from the world, and they do a good job of it. In fact, they protect themselves by never really getting involved with sinners.” He goes on to explain how repentance will help us learn to see other men compassionately, thus giving us a desire to share Christ with them.

     As I said at the beginning, this book not only needs to be read by every Christian, but read carefully and slowly, with the purpose of finding your own heart right before God. 

Book Review: Clear Winter Nights

I have a confession to make. I do not often read fiction. I prefer to spend my time in Christian Living books and theological issues. I enjoy fiction, but I feel like my time is better spent with nonfiction that will challenge me and strengthen my faith. So when I saw a book by Trevin Wax that said it was Theology in Story, I thought to myself, “Okay, the best of both worlds!” I get a story, and I get theology to make me think. And that is exactly what you get from his book Clear Winter Nights.

I will begin by giving a summary of the plot. A young man named Chris breaks off his engagement to a girl he loves and withdraws from a church planting team where he had made a commitment. Why? Because he is having serious doubts about his faith in Christ. He struggled by himself for awhile, but finally had to do something about it.

He has a grandfather who had been a faithful pastor of a church in a small town in Tennessee. Chris was very close to him, but did not get to see him often. But Gramps had a stroke, and one weekend needed some help while other caregivers were not available. Chris volunteered. You get the sense that his grandfather knows everything that Chris is thinking as he patiently probes with comments and questions to get him to open up.

Through the weekend, he had many conversations with his grandfather about his struggles. This is where the theology enters the plot. Here are some of the questions going through Chris’s mind.

1.       Aren’t all religions basically the same in that they teach a morality that is to be followed?

2.      Should we be sharing the gospel with others? That would make it looks like Christianity is better than others.

3.      Why are churches so opposed to gay people? Can Christians be friends with them? Do we have the right to judge them?

4.      How can we forgive someone who has hurt us? Is it okay to get revenge?

All of these questions are discussed at length through the plot of the story, with Gramps doing what grandfathers often do: offer their wisdom. And Gramps had plenty to offer. I found it interesting that in a matter of a couple of days, so much was accomplished. I guess that’s what happens in novels.

Back to the plot. Chris leaves his grandfather’s home with a different perspective. But I won’t ruin the story for you by telling you what happens. Chris learned a lot by listening to his grandfather. I don’t think all of his questions are completely answered, but he leaves with much to think about as he continues to wrestle with difficult questions about the Christian life.

This book will help you to think through some issues that we all raise in our minds at one time or another. I’m sure that’s exactly what Trevin Wax has intended. We can all benefit from a grandfather like Chris has. And we can certainly use a little challenge in our thinking through our faith. There are discussion questions for each chapter that will help the reader wrestle with the same questions Chris was asking. These could provide an interesting “Literature Circle” for a group.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.

What? Me, A Counselor Part 2

In Part 1 we were looking at Colossians 3:16 where Paul tells these Christians that they are to “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another.” Our focus was on the word “admonishing”. But as we studied this word we noticed that there are some other words used in the Bible that have a similar meaning. Today we will look at these other words and compare them in order that we might see what we need to be doing to help other Christians in their walk with Christ.

But let’s remember, this is not a moralistic lesson that gains acceptance with God when we do it. This is what the normal Christian life should be like. Why? Because of the gospel! Because it’s what Jesus Christ expects of His followers. Because we have the “want to” built into our life through the Holy Spirit who indwells us. Notice what Paul says to the Romans:   But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

With that in our mind, let’s look at some other New Testament words that will show us how we are to be obedient from the heart in helping other Christians.

1.     What does it mean to TEACH someone?

The expectation of teaching other Christians is included in the passage before us, but also in chapter 1. Notice what Paul says he was doing in His own ministry: We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ.” Of course, this is the great apostle Paul. That’s HIS ministry. Is that something that is also expected of the normal, every-day believer, too? Well, according to our verse (3:16), it is expected.

 Of course, there is a special spiritual gift of teaching that is described in scripture, but that does not suggest that only those with the gift should teach. Paul does not make any clarification about teaching if you have that gift. This is for everyone to be doing, though it may be done in different contexts. Some may teach a Bible study or a Sunday school class. Others may just do it with a small group, perhaps just one other person. Since it is paired here with the direction to admonish, we can assume that as you warn someone of their wrong behavior, you are also prepared to show them from the Word of God what is the right behavior.

And that is exactly what is involved in teaching: showing someone else what God’s Word says. It does not have to have a fancy outline, with dramatic illustrations and deep theological truths. It means that we are providing information to someone that they can understand and use.

2.     What does it mean to EXHORT someone?

When you see the word “exhort” in the Bible, it is actually translated from a couple of different words. Most frequently, it is the same word as the one used for encourage, which is also translated as comfort, urge, plead, beg, and implore. The context would determine which meaning should be used in any given passage. But the basic idea of the word is to come along to the side of someone to offer assistance. What kind of assistance? That’s where we need to see the context of the passage. We’ll look at a couple of verses that are specifically related to what we are expected to do in our relationships with other believers.

1 Thessalonians 4:18  This is the well-known passage where Paul explains the rapture to a group of believers who were worried about some who had already died without seeing the return of Christ. They were grieving. So Paul explains what will be happening with those departed saints with a description of what will take place when Christ returns for the church. Paul concludes this instruction with the direction to come alongside one another to help each other not be discouraged or grieving as those who have no hope. There is hope! So the context would seem to suggest that believers should be a source of comfort for each other in the face of grief.

1 Thessalonians 5:11  Immediately following the rapture passage, Paul turns his attention to the actual return of Christ to earth, what we can actually call the Second Coming of Christ. In this situation, Paul is challenging the Christians who have not died to consider their present situation and to live for Christ and be alert, not lazy and to be self-controlled or sober, rather than neglectful of our responsibilities (5:6). With that expectation in mind, Paul concludes his teaching on the subject with the words, “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” It’s the same word that is used in 4:18, but this time with a different context, a need for Christians to be doing something in their life. So most translations use the word encourage. But exhortation might also be a good translation. We are to come along to the side of other Christians to encourage them in their walk with Christ.

3.     What does it mean to ADMONISH someone?

And now we look at the word we studied in part 1. We said that it had the idea of putting something into someone’s mind. The Biblical Counseling movement have used the Greek word for admonish as their main word to describe their approach to counseling (nouthetic). We saw this being used in both Colossians 3:16 and in Romans 15:14. In the latter passage, Paul even makes it clear that all these believers were “able” to admonish one another. It is also translated as warn/warning, and instruction. This word suggests that a person needs  to be confronted with something that is wrong and then helped to see how they should change to conform to God’s Word.

Conclusion:

Two questions need to be asked. First, how do these different words relate to one another? In a way they are  synonymous, but synonyms do not mean exactly the same meaning, but rather, close to the same meaning. Teaching is definitely giving out information, exhorting and encouraging is helping someone to put that information into practice, and admonishing is challenging them to change their behavior according to the information.

The second question is easy. Are we expected to teach, exhort, encourage, comfort, and admonish other Christians? Answer:  YES! It’s right there in the verses we have studied. Some of us may be better equipped at doing it. We may do it in different ways according to our personalities/temperaments. But we need to be looking for opportunities to help build up one another in Christ through the Word of God. We may do it in small groups, but often this is a one-on-one situation where we have established a spiritual relationship. Don’t have anyone like that? That’s a problem. And you should address it. With all these “one another” concepts, it would appear that God expects to be involved in the lives of other people.

You may not be the appointed “admonisher” or “teacher” or “exhorter”. In fact, you should not be! But you should be preparing yourself to do any and/or all of them on an as-needed basis. And if you are involved in other people’s lives, it will be needed. Because we are all sinners. Are you ready to receive it? God will use others in your life to so that, with the apostle Paul, we may say “so that we may present every man complete in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).

Book Review: One Forever

Christian. Believer. Saved. Disciple. All of these are words that people use to describe a person who is a Christian. Here is a term that is used frequently in scripture: in Christ. In his book One Forever, Rory Shiner explores what the Bible means when it says the Christian is “in Christ.” With a subtitle of The Transforming Power of Being in Christ he wants to show us how such a term is “graspable, substantial, and, above all, liveable.

     How does Shiner do that? He begins at the beginning: Creation, when God created man and woman, which Paul uses in Ephesians 5 to picture our relationship to Christ. He then proceeds to take us to the incarnation of Christ where we see the union of God become united to man through the coming of Christ.

     Those first two chapters set up the great truth of being in Christ is seen everywhere in the New Testament. Shiner points out important pictures that show a relationship of Christ with the believer: the vine and the branches, the body of Christ, as well as the “one flesh” picture already mentioned. 

     This is followed by a wonderful chapter on justification, the important doctrine of being declared righteous in the “righteous court of God” (p. 45). He then uses the questions found at the end of Romans 8 to show that our union with Christ is eternal. Nothing can separate us from Christ.

     That brings us to the all-important topic of sin in the Christian life. Our union with Christ is our “defence against the playground bullies of sin and temptation” (p. 56). In chapter 5 he goes to Romans 6 to find that we have new life because we have been crucified with Christ.

     The final two chapters then deal with our union with Christ as it relates to the Church and the Resurrection. In the chapter on the Church, Shiner turns to 1 Corinthians 12 to talk about the relationship we have with one another as the body of Christ. He makes a great conclusion when he says, “So, here’s a practical suggestion for growing in union with Christ: show up to church. I mean really show up. Go expecting to be a gift to the body, to bless the body, to love the body, and so to love Christ.” (p. 74) I couldn’t have said it better.

     The resurrection chapter takes us to 1 Corinthians 15, showing how we are united to Christ also in His resurrection, with the practical conclusion of being “steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:5). Shiner challenges us in light of our resurrection of Jesus and our future hope to be engaged “passionately, with your whole heart. With single-minded devotion. With everything you’ve got.” (p. 87).

     This book is short, easy to read, and helpful for all Christians. I especially like the description that Shiner provides (click here to see the description on video) when he compares our relationship to Christ to a passenger in an airplane. After using terms that we might use to describe our relationship to Christ as being under Christ, inspired by Christ, or following Christ, he says this:

Of course, the key relationship you need with the plane is not to be under it, behind it or inspired by it. You need to be in it. Why? Because by being in the plane, what happens to the plane will also happen to you. (p. 34)

     I like that idea. Trusting Christ means that we are united in Him. “And we are in him, so that whatever is true of Jesus is also true of us.” (p. 35) I would encourage you to read it and share it with someone else. It makes a great discipling tool for a new Christian or a book that you can read together with another one who is “united with Christ” like you are. Your life just might be transformed! Here is a link to purchase the book: One Forever

Book Review: One to One Bible Reading

Bible reading made simple! That’s another title for an excellent little book that is actually called One to One Bible Reading. The subtitle says it well: a simple guide for every Christian. That is exactly what you will find as you read it. By the way, it’s also an easy read. You will finish it in one sitting! The author is David Helm, a pastor in Chicago, and what you will read is the result of his own personal ministry of Bible reading with others.

The basic message of the book is that every Christian can read the Bible with another person and gain understanding of God’s message. The early part of the book establishes the purposes of reading one to one: evangelism, discipleship, training, and relationship. You can do your reading with someone who is not a Christian, someone who is a new Christian, someone who needs training for ministry, or someone with whom you wish to strengthen your relationship. The focus is on God’s Word.

Helm then gives two different approaches to studying the Bible with the other person. One approach, the Swedish Bible Study approach, using simple diagrams of a light bulb, question mark and an arrow to highlight areas where a person is either impressed by something in the passage (a light bulb), has a question about something he/she does not understand (a question mark), or sees a specific application to their life (an arrow). These items are then discussed between the people involved.

The second approach uses COMA questions, where the readers focus on specific questions relating to Context, Observation, Meaning, or Application. This approach is a more advanced and in-depth way of studying the Bible.

The appendix of the book gives you some general questions to ask for the various genres that you find in the Bible (narrative, poetry, expository, prophesy, etc.). These questions are also available through the publishers website for free to be printed as needed (much better than copying the pages from the book!). The questions are based on the COMA Bible study method.

Allow me to share with you my own personal experience using the One to One Bible Reading approach. I have used it in small groups as well as one to one. I have used it with my wife. Though I have tried both approaches to studying the Bible with someone else, the COMA method has been particularly effective in getting to the meaning and application of the passage after determining context and doing the important work of observation.

I have been blessed by the insights I have gained as I shared thoughts with those who are reading with me. It does not require a great deal of preparation (you can do all the work when you are together or in advance, your choice!), nor does it require one person to be the teacher and the other a student (both are students, learning together!). Yes, there will be times when you will want go deeper by studying other resources (commentaries come to mind), but there is plenty of “gold” to mine right there in your Bible.

This book is an excellent tool to be used for evangelism and discipleship. I cannot give it any higher recommendation. Get a hold of a couple of the books and share it someone else so that you can begin the life-changing process of allowing God’s Word transform your life and the life of someone important to you.

What? Me, A Counselor? Part 1

Yes, you a counselor! But not just any kind of counselor. A Biblical Counselor.

Consider Colossians 3:12-17 and look at the relationships that we are to have with other Christians, particularly when the other Christians have not been very “Christian”. They have been sinning, and sometimes their sins have been hurtful to us. We have some direction given to us in these verses, with the one over-all principle being love. After describing the various character qualities to be found in the life of every believer, Paul says this: Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.(verse 14). 

That love was modeled for us in Christ, who has forgiven us, it was modeled in God who showed forbearance toward our sins. We should not forget the gospel. What Paul is teaching in these verses is based on the gospel. Go back and review what Paul taught the Colossians thus far in this letter. See Colossians 1:13-23; 2:13-14, 20,21;3:1.

So because of the gospel, we should be living in right relationships with other Christians, bearing with their sins, forgiving their sins, and then sometimes actually confronting their sin and admonishing them. That’s what we want to look at in our study today. Notice the words found in verse 16: Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. It is the admonishing word that speaks directly to this subject of being a counselor.

Let’s now ask and answer some important questions that will challenge us to fulfill our fellowship responsibilities as it relates to admonishing other Christians.

What does it mean to admonish someone? The word literally means to put something into someone’s mind. It can be understood as giving someone a warning about wrong behavior. But more than just warning, it also will include positive instruction to correct the wrong behavior. This is something that we frequently had to do with our children as they grew up in our homes. But it is something that we all need from time to time because we all continue to engage in wrong behavior. In 1 Thessalonians 5:14 we see Paul commanding those Christians to admonish their “unruly” members. That would be Christians who were not being submissive to the Word of God (unruly being the military word for a soldier submitting to those who are over him). But be careful not to think that admonish is an attitude of criticism and judging. It is to be done because you care.

By the way, there are two passages where Paul lays out this requirement to admonish one another. Besides this verse in Colossians we also find it in Romans 15:14. It is interesting to note that Paul has not been to either one of these churches, meaning that he does not know very many of the people. Yet he expects them to do it.

How should we admonish one another? We will look at specific situations in our next question, but there are some suggestions from how Paul speaks to this admonishment ministry. First, we should be willing to admonish one another constantly. Both passages where it is mentioned has this verb being used in the present tense which suggests continual admonishment, whenever the need arises.

Second, we should be willing to admonish one another biblically. By that, I mean we need to know the Word of God because that is the basis of our admonition. It does not come from our experience, our environment, our feeling, or anything else from within us, except the indwelling Holy Spirit who teaches us and fills with knowledge from the Word. But that doesn’t mean we can use lack of knowledge of the Bible as an excuse. It is expected that we will “filled with knowledge” (Romans 15:14), and have the Word of Christ dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16). So we need to get on that job continually so we are prepared.

When should we be willing to admonish another Christian? The process of bringing scriptural admonition to another Christian depends upon the situation. Here are two possible scenarios where you will need to fulfill your God-given responsibility to admonish.

First, when admonishment is needed because there is a problem between two Christians, then we need to work toward reconciliation. Paul says in Colossians 3:15 that we are to Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. Peacemakers, an organization is dedicated to helping Christians make peace with one another (visit http://www.peacemaker.net for more information). Its founder, Ken Sande, has also written an excellent book called The Peacemaker. Sometimes making peace with a fellow believer will require admonishment. Sande describes four main principles involved in the peacemaking process with 4 Gs . Here they are:

Glorify God: Our life is not about us. It’s not about you. It’s about God. His glory is what needs to be our focus.

Get the log out of Your Eye:  We need to take care of our own sin first. It is not practical to be admonishing other Christians when we are a part of the problem.

Gently Restore: Here is the actual admonishment part. If forbearance is not a realistic solution to the problem, if the other person is not acknowledging the existence of a problem, then we should be ready to speak with them, following instruction given in scripture (Galatians 6:1-2).

Go and be reconciled: That is exactly what God has done for us in Christ. He reconciled us to Himself. We were His enemies (Romans 5:10), but now we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Second, when admonishment is needed in the life of a Christian due to wrong behavior, then out of love and concern for their spiritual growth, we need to be prepared to speak the Word of God into their life. Notice the command that begins Colossians 3:16 out of which admonishment is built. We are to “let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly.” Obviously, then, we need to know God’s Word.

There is a term that is now used more and more widely called Biblical Counseling. It has also been given the term Nouthetic Counseling (nouthetic coming from the Greek word for admonish). In fact, the Biblical Counseling movement is based strongly on Romans 15:14 where we read ” And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.” This is our nouthetic word being used again. This is not a message given to a select few, to some gifted individuals. It is something that every Christian needs to be ready to do.

Of course, there is certainly a great deal of value to training for Biblical counseling. This does not mean that everyone should be doing it as a regular ministry. Some would certainly be more gifted and equipped than others. But we all should be ready to step up to help another Christian who is clearly showing unbiblical actions. Here is a helpful resource, both for the person who is involved in the counseling ministry, as well as the average Christian who needs help finding scripture to address specific sinful behaviors. It’s a book called Quick Scripture Reference for Counseling by John Kruis.

There are many other resources available that will help to train you for the ministry of Biblical counseling (think Biblical admonition here). It would be wise for us to know where we can go to find the information we need as situations arise. Here are some websites that may help:

www.ibcd.org 

www.nanc.org 

http://biblicalcounselingcoalition.org 

http://www.ccef.org/ 

www.counselingoneanother.com 

Praying For Others More and More

How often do you pray? Is it a struggle for you like it is for me? Christians know they are supposed to pray, but we know we don't do it often enough. I would guess that no one will come to the end of their life and say "I wish I had spent less time praying." For most of us, it will be the opposite. More time praying. And much of that time should be spent praying for others (not ourselves). 

The book of James is a letter written to Jewish believers who have been persecuted, resulting in them being scattered throughout the Roman Empire. James writes to them to help them understand their faith and how it should be worked out in daily living. As he closes the letter, he turns to the suffering that many of them have experienced. A large part of the answer to their suffering is their need for dependence on God in prayer, and in particular, to be praying for each other during such difficult times.

In verses 13-15, James begins to ask some questions about their personal experiences of suffering (the same word used in verse 10 concerning the prophets) and weakness, which is a more accurate translation of the word sick in verse 13.The answer to such problems is prayer because God hears and answers the prayers of His people.

Though there is much more that can be said about the verses before, our primary focus in verse 16, we will give attention to our responsibility or praying for one another and what that looks like in the Christian life.

This idea of praying for one another assumes that certain things are happening in the lives of Christians. For example, if we want others to pray for us, we must be willing to share our needs with them. People need to know what is happening in your life if you expect them to pray for you. Along with that, we must be involved in other people’s lives in order to know their needs so that we can be specific in our prayer. Also, it is helpful and encouraging for others to know that we are praying for them. And they will know about your prayer for them when you ask them questions and stay in contact. The personal touch through phone calls and visits are an encouragement to people who are having such struggles.

Let’s now ask and answer some important questions that will challenge us to fulfill our fellowship responsibilities as it relates to praying for one another.

First, when should we be praying for one another? Should this happen when we are together with one another, or when we are apart from one another? Answer: Both! The command is in the plural, so there is a definite expectation that we are to pray for one another when we are together. But we also know that Paul prayed for people in the churches that he planted while he was away from them. So certainly we should be praying for one another when we are apart.

This command is also in the present tense, so it is a continual praying, not just a once–in-a-while event. You will notice that Paul was constantly in prayer for the people in the churches he had planted (1 Thessalonians 3:9-10; Philippians 1:3-4), even churches that he had not planted (Colossians 1:9-12). So pray constantly for one another, both when you are with one another and when you are away from one another. Have a continual ministry in the life of your spiritual family through the privilege of prayer.

Second, why should we pray for others? We can find several reasons here and throughout scripture about why we should pray.

1.      In this particular verse, we find that we should pray for one another because prayer is effective. It works! Prayer has some energy to it. This is made clear by the example given of Elijah, found in 1 Kings 17-18.

2.      We are praying “for” one another, on behalf of one another, bringing their needs before the throne of God. That little preposition “for” is the same word used frequently in scripture when it says that Christ died “for” our sins. He died as our substitute. He died on our behalf.  We pray on behalf of those Christians who are struggling in their life. We pray to protect them, to surround them with prayer to our loving Father who is able.

3.      Also, our act of praying for one another shows that we care, just as our heavenly Father cares for us (1 Peter 5:7), a responsibility we accept when we join with others in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:25). If we really do care (and we usually say that we do!), then we will pray for the needs of other Christians.

Third, what should we be praying? The context of this passage suggests that the praying would be about spiritual weakness. It might be discouragement, depression, apathy, or some other attitude that keeps us from loving God with all our heart, soul, mind or strength. And it certainly could come about as a result of some physical suffering. It may or may not be connected to sin in the life of the one for whom we are praying. When the Lord Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He gave them six areas of prayer. Let’s see how they apply to our need for praying on behalf of one another.

1.      Hallowed be Thy Name: Praying for God to be honored. For the person who is struggling, pray they would bring glory to God through this time of suffering.

2.      Thy kingdom come: Praying for Jesus to come again. For the person struggling, pray that they would find hope in the coming glory (Romans 8:18).

3.      Thy will be done: Pray that there would be obedience to the Word of God. For the struggling Christian, pray that they would submit to God’s sovereign will and look for His hand in their time of suffering. See Colossians 1:9-12.

4.      Give us this day our daily bread: praying for physical needs (finances, jobs, illness, etc.). For the person who is struggling, pray that their physical needs would be met and that they would submit to God’s will and trust in His goodness, love, and mercy.

5.      Forgiveness of sins: Praying for spiritual renewal and repentance through confession of sin. For struggling believers, pray that they would use this time of suffering for self-examination.

6.      Deliverance from evil: Pray that Satan will not have control in the struggle. Satan has a team, an army, at his disposal. When we pray for one another, so do we!

Did you notice that all of these prayer requests are in the plural, beginning with “Our” Father. Its says give “us”, forgive “our”, deliver “us”. There is no “I” or “me” or “mine” in this prayer. We need to be praying for our spiritual family.

A great example of praying for one another comes in the person of Epaphras, as Paul describes in Colossians 4:12,13. Some of the very things we have discussed have been practiced by him. First, he is one of them. Second, he is praying “always” for them. Third, he is praying on their behalf (“for you”). Fourth, he is laboring (literally, agonizing) in his prayer for them. Fifth, he is in pain, his concern for them is so great (verse 13). Is this how you picture your prayer life as you consider the responsibility to be praying for one another?

After Paul describes the armor of God (another plural context, suggesting it is something we do together), he concludes with an exhortation to be praying for all the saints (Ephesians 6:18-19). We are in a battle with Satan and all the power he can bring against us. Prayer is needed! Let's get it going, and remind ourselves that we need one another in many ways, not the least of which is praying for one another.