Rob Bell's "Love Wins" was recommended to me. While looking for the Book in Singapore, encountering 'out of stock', was happy to find it in a friend's book store. She gave the book to me and asked me to write a comment on it. So here is my comment on the book. But before that, I would like to put things in context and talk about the character of God.
God is Both - Love and Just
God is both love and just and hence I use the phrase "The Two Faces of God" to proved the context. There is the face of "LOVE" and there is also the face of "JUST" which requires God to punish the wrong doing and evil. One side is Heaven and the other side is Hell. Both belong to God and God has both. The forms the two extremities of doctrines about God and salvation of man. Within these two extremes, we shall find degrees of love and hell combinations about the salvation of man.
In the past, there are preachers who stress on the punishment, hell and brimstone. If you don't receive Jesus Christ as you savior, you shall be condemned to hell and fire eternally. Repent now while you have the chance. Don't be too late. They believe in scaring people by fear so that they can be saved. It works for some and does not for some others. It is not too popular now. There are people who feels there is a need to revile this aspect of the gospel. Hell is not to be taken or spoken lightly. It is a serious matter.
God cannot ignore the plead and suffering of those who were murdered and abused. God have to punish the evil doers and save the victims. God have to give the victimized something much better in exchange in order to be fair.
There is continued popularity to stress on the 'Love' side of God. It is more agreeable and appealing. Love is not easy. Talking about it is easy. But doing it is very tough. Nevertheless, love in practice touches the heart, and draw out a willing conversion that last.
Either extreme, love or just, is wrong, because God is both. There is justice in love and love in justice. Love is not about a giving it and spoiling the loved ones. Love is not giving drugs/alcohol to the drug/alcohol addicts who ask for more. Love is saying no to such requests for continued bad addictions.
Similarly, 'Justice' is not about just punishing the violator but will take into consideration the circumstances and motivation that leads to the violation. While Adam, the first, sinned. The 2nd Adam, Jesus Christ, provided us a 2nd chance back to God (Actually, it is more. Adam is created in the image of God where as Believers are rebirthed by the Holy Spirit as Children of God with the God's kind of Zoe life). I think this is the background doctrine of Rob Bell's Love Wins... Love must provide a 2nd chance and love wins eventually. Page 109 of the book says .. "history is not tragic, hell is not forever, and love, in the end, wins and all will be reconciled to God."
When is Man's 2nd Chance ?
Orthodox doctrine tells us that man is given the chance of salvation by believing in Jesus in this life only. If he misses this he shall end in hell eternally (Heb_9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment).
Hell is Temporary and Postmortem Salvation
Rob Bell believes 'Hell is Temporary'. He spent a number of pages 91-92 to explain the Greek Aion of Kalazo as a period or an age and not eternal. He cited the parable of the Goat and Sheep. However, the Greek word used in the parable was "Aionion" and not "Aion of Kalazo" and Aionion means eternal. It would be great if Rob Bell can cite the Greek version of the Bible that he used. Someone even argue that if Hell is temporary, then the Heaven is also temporary since the same Greek words were used.
Temporary Hell is Not a New Concept - Purgatory?
Bell's concept of a temporary hell is not new. The Catholic has it all along in the concept of "Purgatory". If one has paid the debt of sins in purgatory, he will be set free to go up to heaven.
So Bell believes that even when man missed out the opportunity to receive Christ in his life, he may have a 2nd chance to receive Christ in hell. He will remain in hell until he repent and acknowledge Jesus Christ as Savior. So, we can say that Rob Bell is not a pure "universalist" which is a believe in the salvation of all men no matter how.
Is Jesus the Only Way? How about those who never heard of Jesus?
I personally believe Jesus Christ is the only way - He is the ONE who paid for our Sins and be Resurrected for our Rebirth. The salvation bought and brought by Jesus transcends time.
But the way salvation is obtained is different from different periods of time (this is known as the Dispensation Doctrine). Very early in the Bible, we have this man Enoch saved before the 1st coming of Jesus. Enoch walked with God and God took him away Gen 5:24. In 2King 2:11 we have Elijah being taken to Heaven without dying. The OT saints like Abraham, Moses, Jacobs etc were all saved into heaven before the coming of Jesus Christ. None of them go through the "sinners prayer" to be saved. Their salvation is based on the certain future crucification of Jesus for their sins.
In Act 10:22, we have the story of Cornelius, a Roman Centurion, an upright and God fearing man who seek God and had an encounter with Angel who told him to get Peter who would told him how to be saved. The reason to get Peter was more for Peter's sake to show him that God accepted not just the Jews but the Gentiles as well for salvation.
What does this mean? It means that anyone, throughout history, who desire and seek after the true God, God will reveal Himself to them and receive them. In Jesus' birth, we had the wise men (not just 3, 3 is inferred from the 3 gifts. They have a large group of followers and servants with them) who presented gifts and worship Jesus the baby as God. How could they know? Did not God show them? Are they not saved?
The love of God perhaps can be seen in a new light in the way He punished Cain for the murder of Abel. Cain was not sentenced to death like we would expect but Gen 4:11-12 ESV And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 12 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth." God even gave him a special mark for protection! Is God trying to give time for Cain to repent? But Cain went away from the presence of God. When will Cain repent? We cannot be kinder than God and need to understand the evilness of evil. Some, like the devil, will know not repentance.
What Should We Do in the Meantime?
While some man may seek God. There are many who will not. There is the presence of evil spirits that deceive people through all generations. Even so, we are grateful that God leave enough evidences in the created world for men to discover Him and seek Him.
We cannot leave the salvation of men to chance, to the influence of the evil spirits, but to follow the command of Jesus in Matt 28:19-20, to go to make disciples of all nations. We shall leave the outcome to God and leave all other unknown to God, trusting that God's love and justice will prevail. Even Rob Bell is busily engaging people and telling them about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
2011-08-11
Ps 5 Living Righteously in A World of Temptations
Today I read Psalm 5. One good way of seriously studying the Bible is to rewrite every verse in your own words. You can do that easily nowadays by reading the multiple translations that are available. You can also go one step further by digging into the original Hebrew or Greek words with the concordances that are available. You must do that when you discover different translations seem to be giving different meaning. It helps you determine the correct translation. The final purpose of course is to really understand what the verses are saying.
Paraphrasing yourself is a form of meditation (Some people think that meditation is some mysterious thing of keeping quiet and waiting for the Lord to speak. That is only one form. The right form is to read, re-read, think about each word, think about the concept, think about the examples, think about your past experience, imaging into the future, etc and rewriting in your words about the learning you have gained).
Then divide the verses into clusters and give each cluster a short tagline capturing the key idea of the cluster of verses.
Finally, give a title to capture the essence of the passage. It is also helpful to pick a key verse for it.
Here is the result of my study on Ps 5 shown in a mind-map format:
In a world full to temptations it is important that we live righteously. The temptation is even greater at this present time of economic and social instability. It is always so easy to give in to the temptations, bend the rules a little, and trying to gain some added advantage. Others are doing it so why not you. This Psalm warns us against taking such short-cut. It is better for us to put our trust in God and live according to His righteous ways. It may seems silly to others who are boasting about their successes in some devious short-cut ways, but in the end, we shall discover who will stand the test of time.
Recently, there are also many con schemes going around. They come in greater varieties and forms, from e-mails to phone calls, with seemingly authentic website and call-centers, and step by step way of luring people deeper into their trap. This verse is also a great warning for us.
It is better to follow the Lord's righteous and straight path. There will be protection and blessings along the way and at the end.
Paraphrasing yourself is a form of meditation (Some people think that meditation is some mysterious thing of keeping quiet and waiting for the Lord to speak. That is only one form. The right form is to read, re-read, think about each word, think about the concept, think about the examples, think about your past experience, imaging into the future, etc and rewriting in your words about the learning you have gained).
Then divide the verses into clusters and give each cluster a short tagline capturing the key idea of the cluster of verses.
Finally, give a title to capture the essence of the passage. It is also helpful to pick a key verse for it.
Here is the result of my study on Ps 5 shown in a mind-map format:
In a world full to temptations it is important that we live righteously. The temptation is even greater at this present time of economic and social instability. It is always so easy to give in to the temptations, bend the rules a little, and trying to gain some added advantage. Others are doing it so why not you. This Psalm warns us against taking such short-cut. It is better for us to put our trust in God and live according to His righteous ways. It may seems silly to others who are boasting about their successes in some devious short-cut ways, but in the end, we shall discover who will stand the test of time.
Recently, there are also many con schemes going around. They come in greater varieties and forms, from e-mails to phone calls, with seemingly authentic website and call-centers, and step by step way of luring people deeper into their trap. This verse is also a great warning for us.
It is better to follow the Lord's righteous and straight path. There will be protection and blessings along the way and at the end.
Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.Lim Liat copyrighted 11 Aug 2011
2011-08-10
Handling Betrayals
Betrayal is one of the most painful if not the most painful thing that one encounters in life. You have given your love, trust, services and sacrifices for him/her/them and yet they take all the good and favors that they received from you and turn against you. They slander and shame you. They distort the truth and lie to others about you. They destroy your good reputation that you have built for years.
How shall you react when you encounter such painful and shocking betrayals from those you have trusted and loved?
It is only natural that you feel angry.
It is only human that you want to strike back. (Brene Brown in her book "The Gifts of Perfection" p 44 hurting back , cruelty is never brave -- it's mostly cheap and easy, especially in today's culture)
If you are non-believers, those are commonly acceptable thing to do.
However, because you are believers, you have a inner witness that you can't do those things!(See the verses at the end of this post). While they are faithless, we have to remain faithful to our God.
How difficult is it? Who can vindicate us? Who can comfort us? What can we do?
Read Psalm 4. Here is the mind-map:
We are concern about when our honor will be restored. It seems a very long time... 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, even 10 years. Lord, when will you vindicate me?
God understand our anger. He tells us it is ok to feel angry. But we need not sin with our anger. We just need to learn to turn things over to Him and be silent and calm to let His comforting love fills our beings. We need to take time to learn and to feel His comfort. He says, "Offer me your pains, your anger as a sacrifice to me. They are righteous sacrifices because they are real and authentic and you are doing it the right way - not taking revenge into your own hands but to trust your God that will take care for you". The Lord will shine His light and favor upon you. They are mocking you now. But the Lord God will show them.
As your faith raises with meditation in the goodness of God, you will slowing feel the joy of God coming in. It may take days, months or years. But continue in this trust.
May you lie down and sleep in peace.
May you be filled with greater joy than their grains and wines that they have stolen from you.
--------end of post--------
Additions after receiving comments from Facebook:
Prevention of Betrayals:
Matthew 10:16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
But love and trust are vulnerable things... you open yourself up for the risk of betrayals. But true love is not possible without free-will. With free-will comes the possibility of betrayal.
How shall you react when you encounter such painful and shocking betrayals from those you have trusted and loved?
It is only natural that you feel angry.
It is only human that you want to strike back. (Brene Brown in her book "The Gifts of Perfection" p 44 hurting back , cruelty is never brave -- it's mostly cheap and easy, especially in today's culture)
If you are non-believers, those are commonly acceptable thing to do.
However, because you are believers, you have a inner witness that you can't do those things!(See the verses at the end of this post). While they are faithless, we have to remain faithful to our God.
How difficult is it? Who can vindicate us? Who can comfort us? What can we do?
Read Psalm 4. Here is the mind-map:
We are concern about when our honor will be restored. It seems a very long time... 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, even 10 years. Lord, when will you vindicate me?
God understand our anger. He tells us it is ok to feel angry. But we need not sin with our anger. We just need to learn to turn things over to Him and be silent and calm to let His comforting love fills our beings. We need to take time to learn and to feel His comfort. He says, "Offer me your pains, your anger as a sacrifice to me. They are righteous sacrifices because they are real and authentic and you are doing it the right way - not taking revenge into your own hands but to trust your God that will take care for you". The Lord will shine His light and favor upon you. They are mocking you now. But the Lord God will show them.
As your faith raises with meditation in the goodness of God, you will slowing feel the joy of God coming in. It may take days, months or years. But continue in this trust.
May you lie down and sleep in peace.
May you be filled with greater joy than their grains and wines that they have stolen from you.
--------end of post--------
Additions after receiving comments from Facebook:
Prevention of Betrayals:
Matthew 10:16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
But love and trust are vulnerable things... you open yourself up for the risk of betrayals. But true love is not possible without free-will. With free-will comes the possibility of betrayal.
Handling and Punishment for the Betrayers:
Lev 19:18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Deu 32:35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them."
1 Sam 26:10 As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.
Ps 94:1 O LORD, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth.
Pro 20:22 Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. and in 24:29 Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did."
Rom 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
Eph 4:27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
1 Thes 4:6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.
Heb 10:30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people."
Lev 19:18 "'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
Deu 32:35 It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them."
1 Sam 26:10 As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish.
Ps 94:1 O LORD, the God who avenges, O God who avenges, shine forth.
Pro 20:22 Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you. and in 24:29 Do not say, "I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did."
Rom 12:17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
Eph 4:27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
1 Thes 4:6 and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you.
Heb 10:30 For we know him who said, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," and again, "The Lord will judge his people."
2011-08-06
Kingdom Principles Discussion 02 Work the Principles
The previous discussion is Kingdom Principles Discussion 01.
This discussion is on KP#1 Kingdom Principles - Work Them
The Parable of the Unjust Steward
The morale teaching of the parable of the unjust steward Luke 16:1-9 is for us to wisely apply the Kingdom Principles to influence this present world for the glory of God establishing His Kingdom on earth.
The updated mind-map is:
The Kingdom of God Invades the World mind-map:
The Discussion Questions:
See also: Our Calling of Life - Destination or Journey and Journey of Life
Next: Kingdom Principles Discussion 03 The Golden Rule for Business.
Index Page: Kingdom Laws & Principles
Lim Liat copyrighted 6 Aug 2011
This discussion is on KP#1 Kingdom Principles - Work Them
The Parable of the Unjust Steward
The morale teaching of the parable of the unjust steward Luke 16:1-9 is for us to wisely apply the Kingdom Principles to influence this present world for the glory of God establishing His Kingdom on earth.
The updated mind-map is:
The Kingdom of God Invades the World mind-map:
The Discussion Questions:
See also: Our Calling of Life - Destination or Journey and Journey of Life
Next: Kingdom Principles Discussion 03 The Golden Rule for Business.
Index Page: Kingdom Laws & Principles
Lim Liat copyrighted 6 Aug 2011
2011-08-05
Overcoming Attacks - Learning from David
What do you do when you felt the whole world is coming against you or your world is collapsing? Learn from King David. Stay calm and put your trust in the Lord. The Lord does not answer according to your intensity of your scream or the degree of your panic but according to your faith. In Psalm 3, David taught us the right way to get deliverance from the Lord.
Here is the mind-map for Psalm 3. This map is derived first from studying the verses in details and then coming out with appropriate titles in your own words through reflections on what you have read. This is a good way of really studying the Bible.
Follow the above steps. A key step is point 5 Giving the Command to call forth the destruction of the enemy. The request has already been in point 2 and God has heard and will answer it. Many people fail to command what they ask for to take place. If you are praying for healing, after the request and standing on the promises of God (e.g. Ps 103 ), command the sickness to leave and be at peace. If you lack financially, request of God, and stand on the promises of his blessings (e.g. Mat 6:33, Joshua 1:8, 3John2), command the blessings to come and be at peace and even better, be giving thanks for the answers that have been sent forth. Remember also that "if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself." 2 Tim 2:13. God answers you not because you have done well but because He is a good God.
Lim Liat copyrighted 5 Aug 2011
Here is the mind-map for Psalm 3. This map is derived first from studying the verses in details and then coming out with appropriate titles in your own words through reflections on what you have read. This is a good way of really studying the Bible.
Lim Liat copyrighted 5 Aug 2011
2011-07-19
Levels of Faith - Which Level is Yours?
Abstract: You don't need lots of faith. Just the right kind. Jesus will reach out to your level to give you the miracle that you need. Yet it is better to grow up and live in divine health without the need for a miracleThis post is taken from the message "A Miracle From Jesus" that I preached in May 2005 at my church, Petra Church. It is common knowledge that we reach God by our faith in Him (Hebrew 11:6).
Different Levels of Faith
When I studied the healing miracles of Jesus, I discovered that the people who approached Jesus comes with different degrees of faith. Below is the list, starting from the unimaginable "help my unbelief" to the great faith of the Centurion who told Jesus he need not come to lay hand on his servant but just give the word!
1. If You can ... help my unbelief - simple plead for help.
2. If You will You can
3. If You know, You will
4. If You touch me
5. If I may touch Him
6. Just say the Word - Remote Command will do. Need no physical presence.
7. Jesus knows, just ask Me - Ask in faith.
The mind map below gives the details with the Bible references:
The Two Surprises
Surprise 1 - You don't need great faith to receive your miracle...
- Look at them, were their faith at different levels?
- Yet, did all got their needs met?
YES! no matter where they start from.
- Mt 13:12 "For whoever HAS, to him MORE WILL BE GIVEN, and he WILL have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has WILL BE taken away from him
- Mt 17:20 if you have faith as a MUSTARD SEED, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there, ' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible to you.
Romans 12:3 ... as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
How much faith is needed for your miracle ?Conventional thinking:
As much as you have!
- Try Harder:
- You need more faith. You need to attain a higher level first ... you need more faith to qualify to receive.
- You need to be a better person first. Are there un-confessed sins? (note: there are times that we find healing did not take place because of some hatred in the person seeking healing or some ungodly belief. During ministering, the Holy Spirit will reveal. But generally, healing just occurs without self-examination).
- Short-Cut
- Get others, especially those with anointing, to pray or lay hand.
The right kind of faith does not come by your own trying to believe more but by hearing and reading the Word of God. The Word of God is Life! Reading and meditating on His Word brings forth the faith in God that connects us to the Power of God that brings forth the healing.
In summary, while you just need the right kind of faith to get your healing, through the reading and meditation of His Word, the higher and better aim is to grow in faith and in the knowledge of Him to attain His image. It is good to have a miracle for our healing, it is even better to stay in divine health without the need for a miracle.
2011-07-16
Kingdom Principles Discussion 01 Work & Kingdom Principles from Parables
We are having a series of discussions on the topic of the Kingdom Principles. Here is the first discussion. The topic text is from KP#0 Kingdom Laws & Principles.
Here is the outline of our discussion:
The Concept of Work
Most people think that work is a curse because of the sweat and stress. But work is actually ordained by God and is a natural part of life. Work comes before the curse. Curse makes the joyful work to become tiring and stressful. See Satisfying & God Glorifying Work.
The Lord's Prayer - His Kingdom and Will on Earth
The Lord's prayer is taught my Jesus to all believers to pray likewise - in format and in content. It begins with a basic for our prayer - our relationship with God as Father-child relationship. Because of this relationship, can we then communicate with Him and be assured that our prayers will be answered. Relationship is built with worship, respect and trust, and intimate knowledge of Who and What our Heavenly Father is like. Jesus told us and revealed His and our Father to us. Through communication and worship, we get to know our Father better. That is the part of 'Hallowed be Thy Name'. Hallowed as our worship and 'Name' as we get to know Him. There are more... here is the mind-map ...
Please note that the sequence is important. We cannot be separate from evil unless begin first with a relationship with God as our Father through Jesus His Son. We will not be able to resist the devil unless we worship and know that our Father had given us authority over the devils. We cannot forgive others until we realize how much we have been forgiven by Christ through His Death for us. Please go through the steps and back track when needed to gain the grace and empowerment of God so that we can be supplied and equipped to carry out His will of "Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".
The Purpose of Parable - Revealing His Kingdom
Here is the mind-map that give the details.
The Questions and Answers
Next: Kingdom Principles Discussion 02 Work The Principles
Index Page: Kingdom Laws & Principles
Here is the outline of our discussion:
Most people think that work is a curse because of the sweat and stress. But work is actually ordained by God and is a natural part of life. Work comes before the curse. Curse makes the joyful work to become tiring and stressful. See Satisfying & God Glorifying Work.
The Lord's Prayer - His Kingdom and Will on Earth
The Lord's prayer is taught my Jesus to all believers to pray likewise - in format and in content. It begins with a basic for our prayer - our relationship with God as Father-child relationship. Because of this relationship, can we then communicate with Him and be assured that our prayers will be answered. Relationship is built with worship, respect and trust, and intimate knowledge of Who and What our Heavenly Father is like. Jesus told us and revealed His and our Father to us. Through communication and worship, we get to know our Father better. That is the part of 'Hallowed be Thy Name'. Hallowed as our worship and 'Name' as we get to know Him. There are more... here is the mind-map ...
Please note that the sequence is important. We cannot be separate from evil unless begin first with a relationship with God as our Father through Jesus His Son. We will not be able to resist the devil unless we worship and know that our Father had given us authority over the devils. We cannot forgive others until we realize how much we have been forgiven by Christ through His Death for us. Please go through the steps and back track when needed to gain the grace and empowerment of God so that we can be supplied and equipped to carry out His will of "Thy Kingdom come and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".
The Purpose of Parable - Revealing His Kingdom
Here is the mind-map that give the details.
Next: Kingdom Principles Discussion 02 Work The Principles
Index Page: Kingdom Laws & Principles
2011-07-09
Secrets of Organizational Success - Growing Vines
The secrets of organization success is given clearly and concisely by Jesus in just one verse! John 15:2. I will use the Analytical-Literal Translation of the Bible because it gives two possible translated words for Greek Word Airo G142 rendered as Takes away or Lift it up ( The Thayer's Greek Definitions for Airo has more descriptions of lift it, bearing it, carry it off than just remove.) and I think the right translation is lift or carry rather than remove. Remove is used later in the verse and translated as prune.
See the "parable of the gardener and the fruitless fig tree" in Luke 13:6-9 where the fruitless tree is given a fourth chance (3 years of no fruit) and even with special care of "I dig around it and put on manure".
Here is a visual of the verse and the key words or secrets for organizational success. This post could have be titled as "The Performance Management" or "Management Leadership of Jesus".
1. Organization - The Vine
'every branch in Me' gives us a picture of a tree with many branches. It represent an organization. In this specific case of Me - Jesus, it represents the church, the body of Christ on earth, making up of all the believers. So Jesus is talking about organizational growth. We could of course, apply the principles to us as an individual. But, Jesus in this context, is talking about branches, members of His Church.
2. Mission - The Fruit - What Value Creation?
It is very clear that Jesus wants fruit from the vine. Every organization must have a mission, or objective, to create value, as represented as the fruit. What is the value that the organization is producing for the society?
For the Church, what does the fruit mean? Most believers will identify fruit as people saved in Christ. That is one form of fruit. Fruit has seeds to produce more vines. But fruit is not branches yet. Hence, I will see fruit as God glorifying work that draw people to Christ. They are work of love and work of faith of obedience to Christ. They are establishing the Kingdom of God, the Godly influence, on this earth.
3. Outcome Measures - How can you tell how well you are doing?
The next step is to have a Measure, to allow us to tell our progress. How do we know we are producing the value that we claim. Besides the measurement, we need to know what to measure. Most people like to measure the input or the effort spent in doing things. Jesus teaches us to measure by the outcome. Outcome is a specific successful attainment e.g. items sold, order closed, contract awarded, examination passed, certification obtained. Spending a lot of efforts, in the wrong ways, do not lead to success. It may only just lead to exhaustion. You will then appreciate what pruning means in the 2nd part of the verse.
4. Monitoring - Of Progress and Of People
Good leader is also a good manager. There are management gurus that argue and differentiate leaders and manager. The differentiation allows us a better understanding of leading and managing. But good leader must have some skill in managing and good manager must have some skill in leadership. Managing is about monitoring, keeping track of the progress, and making sure things go according to plan or plan must be adjusted to adapt to the changing situation if the original objective is to be attained.
5 Correction and Development of Staff
- Check the Environment for Factors affecting performance
Here, Jesus talks about monitoring the progress of branches, or people. There are people that are not producing fruit at all! Before we jump too quickly to conclude that the people are bad, we must understand that outcome is dependent on a number of factors, of which, people is only one factor. Those familiar with 6M will know that there are six factors of Man, Machine, Materials, Methods, Measurements and Environment (6M originated in Germany and Environment in German begins with a M).
Jesus identified the problem of lack of fruit production. The branches are covered with dirt, buried in earth. This is an environmental factor. He lift it up so that it can enjoy the sunlight and fresh air for growth and fruit production.
See the similar actions done by the gardener in Luke 13:7 ( I dig around it and put on manure).
Please note that
What are to be pruned or removed?
Those activities that do not contribute to the production of fruit - the mission.
Some say they are sins that laden us down. But I would rather apply this sin-bondage thing as those that are non-fruit producing people mentioned earlier. Those need to be lift-up, carried off, i.e. FREED from bondage. They may be saved but they are still trapped in their sins by spiritual or ungodly beliefs. See Christian Transformation & Growth -The Unified Model.
Here refers to the fruit-producing people. They know how to produce. They could produce even more. The secret is to remove waste, wasteful activities, waiting for things to happen, and so forth. We know about the Toyota Lean Manufacturing. This is how we should apply it to the organization, and to our personal lives, to remove waste, be lean and agile, and creating a smooth flow of useful work activities. The key concept here is called Focus.
7 Focus - Know the Objective and Know How to Say NO
Focus is about knowing the objective - the mission, the outcome measures, and concentrating our efforts or synchronize our efforts with others, to accomplish the mission. It is about prioritizing our activities. Doing the important ones first. Delegating some to others. And saying NO to activities that do not contribute to the organization of objective - producing more fruit.
Lim Liat copyrighted 9 July 2011
See the "parable of the gardener and the fruitless fig tree" in Luke 13:6-9 where the fruitless tree is given a fourth chance (3 years of no fruit) and even with special care of "I dig around it and put on manure".
Here is a visual of the verse and the key words or secrets for organizational success. This post could have be titled as "The Performance Management" or "Management Leadership of Jesus".
1. Organization - The Vine
'every branch in Me' gives us a picture of a tree with many branches. It represent an organization. In this specific case of Me - Jesus, it represents the church, the body of Christ on earth, making up of all the believers. So Jesus is talking about organizational growth. We could of course, apply the principles to us as an individual. But, Jesus in this context, is talking about branches, members of His Church.
2. Mission - The Fruit - What Value Creation?
It is very clear that Jesus wants fruit from the vine. Every organization must have a mission, or objective, to create value, as represented as the fruit. What is the value that the organization is producing for the society?
For the Church, what does the fruit mean? Most believers will identify fruit as people saved in Christ. That is one form of fruit. Fruit has seeds to produce more vines. But fruit is not branches yet. Hence, I will see fruit as God glorifying work that draw people to Christ. They are work of love and work of faith of obedience to Christ. They are establishing the Kingdom of God, the Godly influence, on this earth.
3. Outcome Measures - How can you tell how well you are doing?
The next step is to have a Measure, to allow us to tell our progress. How do we know we are producing the value that we claim. Besides the measurement, we need to know what to measure. Most people like to measure the input or the effort spent in doing things. Jesus teaches us to measure by the outcome. Outcome is a specific successful attainment e.g. items sold, order closed, contract awarded, examination passed, certification obtained. Spending a lot of efforts, in the wrong ways, do not lead to success. It may only just lead to exhaustion. You will then appreciate what pruning means in the 2nd part of the verse.
4. Monitoring - Of Progress and Of People
Good leader is also a good manager. There are management gurus that argue and differentiate leaders and manager. The differentiation allows us a better understanding of leading and managing. But good leader must have some skill in managing and good manager must have some skill in leadership. Managing is about monitoring, keeping track of the progress, and making sure things go according to plan or plan must be adjusted to adapt to the changing situation if the original objective is to be attained.
5 Correction and Development of Staff
- Check the Environment for Factors affecting performance
Here, Jesus talks about monitoring the progress of branches, or people. There are people that are not producing fruit at all! Before we jump too quickly to conclude that the people are bad, we must understand that outcome is dependent on a number of factors, of which, people is only one factor. Those familiar with 6M will know that there are six factors of Man, Machine, Materials, Methods, Measurements and Environment (6M originated in Germany and Environment in German begins with a M).
Jesus identified the problem of lack of fruit production. The branches are covered with dirt, buried in earth. This is an environmental factor. He lift it up so that it can enjoy the sunlight and fresh air for growth and fruit production.
See the similar actions done by the gardener in Luke 13:7 ( I dig around it and put on manure).
- Do you monitor the progress of your staff?
- Have you identify the factors for lack of performance?
- Do they know their job descriptions and what are they to do that contribute to the organizational mission?
- Do they have the right skills?
- Are they trained? Are they motivated?
- Are the environment conducive to work? etc. etc. Check the 6M.
Please note that
- 'pruning' applies to those that produces 'fruit'
- so that they produce MORE fruit.
What are to be pruned or removed?
Those activities that do not contribute to the production of fruit - the mission.
Some say they are sins that laden us down. But I would rather apply this sin-bondage thing as those that are non-fruit producing people mentioned earlier. Those need to be lift-up, carried off, i.e. FREED from bondage. They may be saved but they are still trapped in their sins by spiritual or ungodly beliefs. See Christian Transformation & Growth -The Unified Model.
Here refers to the fruit-producing people. They know how to produce. They could produce even more. The secret is to remove waste, wasteful activities, waiting for things to happen, and so forth. We know about the Toyota Lean Manufacturing. This is how we should apply it to the organization, and to our personal lives, to remove waste, be lean and agile, and creating a smooth flow of useful work activities. The key concept here is called Focus.
7 Focus - Know the Objective and Know How to Say NO
Focus is about knowing the objective - the mission, the outcome measures, and concentrating our efforts or synchronize our efforts with others, to accomplish the mission. It is about prioritizing our activities. Doing the important ones first. Delegating some to others. And saying NO to activities that do not contribute to the organization of objective - producing more fruit.
Lim Liat copyrighted 9 July 2011
2011-07-01
Main Themes of the Bible
I am going through my posts now and then and to create an index on the main themes of the Bible for ease of reference. Here are themes picked up. I will continue to expand this list:
- The Meaning and Cycle of Life from Psalm 23
- Christianity Is Not a Religion but a Relationship and Salvation is Devotion to Christ
- You are a Masterpiece Created in Christ
- The Greatest Commandment
- Know Your Faith Accurately
- The Tripartite Man
- Grace is Much More than Unmerited Favor
- Transformation & Growth
- Christian Transformation & Growth -The Unified Model
- Grace Based Growth - A Balanced View
- BJ#12 Learning & Growth - Strategic Job ...
- KP#4 Law of Seasons - Growth & Timing
- Performance and Relationship & The Gospel Made Simple - Two Kinds of Love
- Victorious Life - Armor of God
- The Meaning of "More than Conquerors"
- KP#1 Kingdom Principles - Work Them & Know-Do Gap
- Imitation of Christ & Living Out Christ
- Freedom:
- Obedience Brings Freedom
- Freedom and Its Myth of More Freedom is Better
- Freedom, Truth, Power - Getting the Order Right
- Freedom - it is without limits?
- Freedom - From "Freedom From" to "Freedom For" & In
- Freedom and Responsibility
- Living the New Christian Life with Weaker Brothers - Rom 14 Liberty vs Rules
- Living Rightly in a Deceptive World
- Another Look at Repentance & Handling Repentance - Finishing Discipling Well
- Walking in Financial Freedom
- The Meaning & Power of Holy Communion
- Discipleship Evangelism - What's the Difference
- Judging Prophecies and Visions
- A New View of Revelation
- Preparing for Christ 2nd Coming
- Transfer of Wealth - How Will It Happen
- Marriage
- True Love For Successful Marriage
- Golden Nuggets for A Diamond Marriage
- The 5C's of Marriage - The Keys to A Lasting & Joyful Life
- Leadership:
- Leadership Lessons from King Nebuchadnezzar
- Kingdom Principles Discussion 09: Servant Leadership - Law of Greatness
- BJ#14 Learning & Growth - Organization & Culture
- "Coming In & Going Out" - Keys to Your Growth - Learning from Robert Morris
- Leadership According to the Bible - Deu 17:15-20
- Government and the Bible
- Submitting - Biblical vs Secular View
- Secrets of Organizational Success - Growing Vines
- How to be King- How to Influence Others
- The Causes and the Symptoms of A Decaying Nation - Isaiah 3
2011-06-20
Understanding and Answers for the Present Generation
Connecting to present generation needs us to be authentic and yet flexible - flexi-form & hard truth. Breaking spiritual vs secular divide. Have a righteous heart and be freed to follow your heart. Connect to nature to cleanse our dirt of hypocrisy, phoniness, pride and 1-up-man-ship.Have been reading a book titled 'Ancient Chinese Wisdom 中国智慧" written by 易中天, a highly acclaimed professor and guru on the subject in PRC. In it, he described a period of Chinese history that was seldom covered in Chinese Wisdom literature. It is the period of Wei-Jin 魏晋 220-420 AD. It was the period of the Three Kingdoms (like the warring periods of Spring and Autumn and Warring Nations 700-200 BC where most of the Ancient Chinese Wisdom was developed) and the subsequent unification in Jin Dynasty. Unlike the Han and the Tang dynasties, Jin dynasty was not a glorious time for the Chinese. It was still a turbulent time which led to more splitting and wars later.
It was a period of political darkness, hypocrisy, and phoniness (pretension and falsehood), complex customs and norms, hopelessness and uncertainties. The future is unknown and uncertain. What is certain and real is the present time. There is little hope and future to look forward too. Live out what you can today.
The author said that the generation seeks after the following five values:
- Yearning for freedom 向往自由
Freedom from war, oppression, famines ... freedom to do my things (see point 4). - A desire for Authenticity (True Feelings) 渴望真情
Freed from the hypocrisy and phoniness. Take off our masks and be our true selves. - Contempt for Secular 蔑视世俗
Free from the superficial and complex customs and rules; forms without meaning and true content. - Following Your Heart (True Inner-self) 服从内心
Expressing the real you and doing what you feel. Don't care about they think or say. Don't be a hypocrite. - Love of Nature 热爱自然
Freed from the darkness of the society to nature of truthfulness, naturalness, and freedom.
- authentic expression of true feelings - being your true-self, is better than
- high intelligence is better than
- great beauty or style.
What I find shocking is that those values precisely describe the cry of our present generation. But the generation described by the book was about 2000 years ago. This tells us clearly that despite the technology progresses and change of lifestyles over time, people don't change. The Bible of thousands year old is as relevant then as of now. Don't believe in the argument that the old Bible is not relevant now because it is old.
Lessons for Us - Connecting to the Real Desires of Present Generation
- Keep the Authenticity and Truth of the Bible.
See Salvation is Devotion to Christ. - Simplify and be Flexible with the Form.
A good discipline of practices, like quiet time in the morning, attendance at worships etc, become the focus rather than original objective, e.g. intimacy with God, and standard of measurement of spirituality and resulting in legalism, self-righteousness, and hypocrisy like the Pharisees of old. - Break of the concept of the divide between spiritual and secular.
See Secular vs Spiritual Jobs. - Have Christ within and then Follow Your Heart.
We must first be rebirth with Christ in us, in our heart, in our inner-self. Then we can follow our heart and live out the Christ within. See What is the meaning of Yielding to the Spirit? - In our midst of business, take time to connect and appreciate Nature - the creation of God, revealing some faces of God. Consider the Lilies of the Field Per Matt 6:28-30. The stars, Ps 8, 104, our birth Ps 139.
as representing the thought of the very best of this current generation.
2011-05-28
Coaching & Encouragement to Sustain the Climb
Continuing with my last post Giving Hope - The Trigger for Change, change begins at the moment of decision but it is a process too.Be committed to spend the time needed for the Climb. Focus on Strength and not just Weakness. Enlist others, especially their loved ones. Do body, mind and heart Operations. Go - It is rewarding intrinsically and extrinsically.
Change is of two major kinds: Strength & Weakness
- freed from past bondage of addiction or other bad habits.
- development and acquiring of new skills and capability to do more.
For those acquiring new skills, the challenge of learning and training and the lack of apparent progress will discourage them and they would want to give up.
Focus on Strength.
Let me stress that to build champion, we must focus on the development of your strengths and manage your weaknesses. If we just focus on fixing weaknesses, even if we succeed, we are just a mediocre average, not a champion. Health is a necessary but insufficient condition for Olympic Champions. Champions are strength based. See The mentality & danger of TQM.
Success in the development of strength will also help in overcoming some of your weaknesses because you are energized when you put your strength to use and you feel better about yourself and creating less likelihood to go back to past bad habits.
Nevertheless, for some, extra help may be needed over a longer period of time. AA 12 Steps are applicable for helping people to change. The principles are the acceptance of problem, getting outside( God, loved ones, fellow addicts) to help and encouragement and helping others over long period of time.
Get A Coaching Team
Usually, one person will do. For more difficult cases, getting more people to help will be better. Husband and wife form a good coaching. The key related members of the one being coached are also very important.
Man are made of body, mind and heart (spirit). Coaching must include
- For the Body: practice of skills,
- For the Mind: acquiring new knowledge and wisdom
- For the Heart: encouragement and motivation of the heart and development of attitudes of a champion (recall the vision and identity of the last post).
In the starting stage, more time and effort must be committed. As the progress is made, less and less time is needed. But always be available for consulting and help.
It is Rewarding
Helping other to be a champion is a very tough process. Nevertheless it is a rewarding one. There are professional in this area known as Executive Coaches and they made good money. For even for us who work out of our calling, seeing the improvement, seeing the smile on their face, the restored family relationships, the pride of their accomplishments are more than enough to get you to continue in this hard but rewarding work of helping others to be champions.
May God give your wisdom and strength and bless your work of helping others.
The Series of 4 Posts in Helping Others to Be Champions are:
- So Powerful & Yet So Easy - Changing by Accepting
- Creating Awareness For Change - Must do it Rightly...
- Giving Hope - The Trigger for Change
- Coaching & Encouragement to Sustain the Climb
2011-05-27
Giving Hope - The Trigger for Change
This is the third post in the series of "Helping Others to Change to become Champions". We started with "ACCEPTANCE" in So Powerful & Yet So Easy - Changing by Accepting. It is followed with "AWARENESS" in Creating Awareness For Change - Must do it Rightly.
We shall cover "HOPE" in this post. Hope is more than just a wish. A true hope should at least have the following parts:
There must a reason for our existence and our continuation in life. A powerful reason is that we are loved and loved for being who we are without needing any performance on our part. But strangely, a person who is loved much want to give much! (Luke 7:47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.) No one want to live on others charity and be a burden to others. But most need help to find out what good they can contribute.
This is against conventional wisdom of 'performance comes before appreciation'. Conventional wisdom is about have-do-be. Godly wisdom is about be-do-have; identity first leading to work and to possession of good work. (See "Be-Do-Have" of Grace Based Doctrine).
We must follow our acceptance with a discovery and painting of his/her identity and the working out of the identity to become a mature person of accomplishments.
It takes wisdom and effort to jointly discover what he or she truly is. What is he/her gifting and uniqueness.
A a typical counseling session, we need to understand the present problems, bring a closure to the past hurts, and spend more time on painting a better future. The past could not be changed. The future is decided by the present decisions. Spending more time painting the future creates the motivation when we give the assurance that such future is possible.
2. An Assurance of help and the road map
We must give the assurance of our help and also to help work out the road map to achieve the vision. The road map need not be detailed. Only the few steps of actions to take. If a step is too big, break it down into smaller steps.
Finally, must get agreement on just the next step to take and the assistance you will give to help he/she take the step. We must be careful not to over-help that create a dependency. Helping is not doing the thing that he/she need to do. From I do & you follow to You do & I watch and eventually without my watching at all. We are getting into the process already.
3. A faith that he/she can do it
Real change takes place when he/she has a faith that he/she can do it. The previous two steps are to lead to this faith and belief that he/she can become the person he/she wish to be. It is now no longer a wish but a hope of possibility and all it takes is to step out.
Next Post: Coaching & Encouragement to Sustain the Climb
We shall cover "HOPE" in this post. Hope is more than just a wish. A true hope should at least have the following parts:
- A Meaningful Vision of he/she can become.
- An Assurance of help and the road map.
- A faith that he/she can do it.
Gen_17:5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations.
Gen_32:28 Then he said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob (the Deceiver), but Israel (the Prince of God), for you have striven with God and with men, and have prevailed."
Mat_5:14 "You are the light of the world.
There must a reason for our existence and our continuation in life. A powerful reason is that we are loved and loved for being who we are without needing any performance on our part. But strangely, a person who is loved much want to give much! (Luke 7:47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.) No one want to live on others charity and be a burden to others. But most need help to find out what good they can contribute.
This is against conventional wisdom of 'performance comes before appreciation'. Conventional wisdom is about have-do-be. Godly wisdom is about be-do-have; identity first leading to work and to possession of good work. (See "Be-Do-Have" of Grace Based Doctrine).
We must follow our acceptance with a discovery and painting of his/her identity and the working out of the identity to become a mature person of accomplishments.
It takes wisdom and effort to jointly discover what he or she truly is. What is he/her gifting and uniqueness.
A a typical counseling session, we need to understand the present problems, bring a closure to the past hurts, and spend more time on painting a better future. The past could not be changed. The future is decided by the present decisions. Spending more time painting the future creates the motivation when we give the assurance that such future is possible.
2. An Assurance of help and the road map
Joh_16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Mat 4:19 And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.Future is uncertain and scary especially to someone who are depressed or lost his job for some time or loved ones. A good vision can only be motivating if he/she can believe it is within his/her reach.
We must give the assurance of our help and also to help work out the road map to achieve the vision. The road map need not be detailed. Only the few steps of actions to take. If a step is too big, break it down into smaller steps.
Finally, must get agreement on just the next step to take and the assistance you will give to help he/she take the step. We must be careful not to over-help that create a dependency. Helping is not doing the thing that he/she need to do. From I do & you follow to You do & I watch and eventually without my watching at all. We are getting into the process already.
3. A faith that he/she can do it
Real change takes place when he/she has a faith that he/she can do it. The previous two steps are to lead to this faith and belief that he/she can become the person he/she wish to be. It is now no longer a wish but a hope of possibility and all it takes is to step out.
Next Post: Coaching & Encouragement to Sustain the Climb
Creating Awareness For Change - Must do it Rightly or else!
In my previous post So Powerful & Yet So Easy - Changing by Accepting, we stressed on the need for ourselves to change first before we can even attempt to change other. We can begin by acceptance - accepting the person in spite of his bad behavior.
Zacchaeus was well aware what was right and wrong. All he needed was love and acceptance to give him the reason to change. Insecure people reject others first just in case they got rejected later. Jesus extended the invitation to him and he immediately put the wrong right.
Often, there are cases that the person is not aware of his problem. He does not know why others are rejecting him. He has been brought up to do things that ways, ways that irritate others. He is trapped in a lie that binds him.
Let's take the most common form of a wrong belief - money is everything. Money represents security, enjoyment, power, influence and acceptance. Hence, many people try all means to get it and to hoard it for themselves. Some sacrifice their health and some even violate the laws and lost their freedom. We have the famous story written by Charles Dickens on "The Christmas Carol". The main character Scrooge stands for 'the miser'. It is commonly recognized that the story tells us about love and generosity and it transformed the Christmas celebration then.
But to me, the book also teaches us about how to change a person.
(1)Start with Acceptance to Gain Trust.
It begins with acceptance first as we covered in the previous post. The ghost that first came to visit Scrooge was his old partner, some one that has his trust. Any other person/ghost would not be able to gain the trust of Scrooge and for him to belief that it would be for his good.
(2) Create Awareness in 3 Steps
It is not too late. There is hope for a change. Scrooge was so happy to discover that he has a 2nd chance. He is not dead yet. He immediately proceed to change his life. Giving hope is a big key for change. We cannot go back to change the past but we can change the future by making change now. We will talk about giving hope in the next post.
The most challenging story in the Bible about creating awareness is story of Nathan and David. It is trying to tell the King that he has been wrong and he needed to change without loosing one's life.
King David committed grave sins of having adultery with Bathsheba and the murdering of her loyal husband. Who dare to confront the King and point out his sins? Even so, will the King repent or will he argue that he had the right to do as he pleased. Nathan instead told the King a story of rich man taking away and killing the lamb of a poor farmer to feed his friend. Nathan asked David what should be done to the rich man? Then he pointed out that David was the rich-man. This led David to discover for himself his horrible deeds (2Sa 12:1-7). Nathan employed Strategy#26 指桑骂槐 Point at Mulberry but scold the Sophora Tree of the 36 Strategies ( See 36 Strategies and the Bible).
It calls for wisdom to tell stories like the Christmas Carol and Nathan's lamb that speaks to the mind and heart of the person and trigger a revelation of his misdeed and generate a change of heart.
A good principle is showing the truth in love. Eph 4:15
John 8:32 ...you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
See Freedom, Truth, Power - Getting the Priority Right
May God gives you the wisdom that you need. If not done well, instead of a conversion, we may end up with a broken friendship and hardened heart instead.
Next Post: Giving Hope - The Trigger for Change
Related: Changing Behavior (1) Mine
Zacchaeus was well aware what was right and wrong. All he needed was love and acceptance to give him the reason to change. Insecure people reject others first just in case they got rejected later. Jesus extended the invitation to him and he immediately put the wrong right.
Often, there are cases that the person is not aware of his problem. He does not know why others are rejecting him. He has been brought up to do things that ways, ways that irritate others. He is trapped in a lie that binds him.
Let's take the most common form of a wrong belief - money is everything. Money represents security, enjoyment, power, influence and acceptance. Hence, many people try all means to get it and to hoard it for themselves. Some sacrifice their health and some even violate the laws and lost their freedom. We have the famous story written by Charles Dickens on "The Christmas Carol". The main character Scrooge stands for 'the miser'. It is commonly recognized that the story tells us about love and generosity and it transformed the Christmas celebration then.
But to me, the book also teaches us about how to change a person.
(1)Start with Acceptance to Gain Trust.
It begins with acceptance first as we covered in the previous post. The ghost that first came to visit Scrooge was his old partner, some one that has his trust. Any other person/ghost would not be able to gain the trust of Scrooge and for him to belief that it would be for his good.
(2) Create Awareness in 3 Steps
- Recall the Past - the goodness and joy and the what could have been if only.
- Reveal the Present - show the bigger world of others. How they could have joy in midst of needs.
- Forecast the Future - show the consequences of the future if there be no change.
(It is a common mistakes of parents - we force our children to do them our ways without telling them why. As a child grows older, we should not make the decision for the child but just to walk-through with child and show him the future consequences of his various choices and let him decide for himself)
It is not too late. There is hope for a change. Scrooge was so happy to discover that he has a 2nd chance. He is not dead yet. He immediately proceed to change his life. Giving hope is a big key for change. We cannot go back to change the past but we can change the future by making change now. We will talk about giving hope in the next post.
The most challenging story in the Bible about creating awareness is story of Nathan and David. It is trying to tell the King that he has been wrong and he needed to change without loosing one's life.
King David committed grave sins of having adultery with Bathsheba and the murdering of her loyal husband. Who dare to confront the King and point out his sins? Even so, will the King repent or will he argue that he had the right to do as he pleased. Nathan instead told the King a story of rich man taking away and killing the lamb of a poor farmer to feed his friend. Nathan asked David what should be done to the rich man? Then he pointed out that David was the rich-man. This led David to discover for himself his horrible deeds (2Sa 12:1-7). Nathan employed Strategy#26 指桑骂槐 Point at Mulberry but scold the Sophora Tree of the 36 Strategies ( See 36 Strategies and the Bible).
It calls for wisdom to tell stories like the Christmas Carol and Nathan's lamb that speaks to the mind and heart of the person and trigger a revelation of his misdeed and generate a change of heart.
A good principle is showing the truth in love. Eph 4:15
John 8:32 ...you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
See Freedom, Truth, Power - Getting the Priority Right
May God gives you the wisdom that you need. If not done well, instead of a conversion, we may end up with a broken friendship and hardened heart instead.
Next Post: Giving Hope - The Trigger for Change
Related: Changing Behavior (1) Mine
2011-05-26
So Powerful & Yet So Easy - Changing by Accepting
'Changing others' behavior' is a common need. As parents, we want our children to be better. As bosses, we want our staff to be better. As employees, we want to have better bosses.
The traditional or common teaching on changing others comes in this 3-step format:
We need to have a different model for changing behavior.
Please click to above link to read the short story.
Jesus only said, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today."
And Zacchaeus declared in public (the hearer will make sure Zacchaeus does as he claims) "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."
The change in Zacchaeus most amazing and drastic
I think the key is acceptance.
Acceptance into the inner group; in this case, Jesus' group. All of us have the need to be accepted into a group that we want to join.
Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus, his teaching, and the works of miracles. Will such a Rabbi accept him? He was working for Romans (the enemy) as Chief tax collector v2 and was rejected by his people as a sinner v7.
Jesus did not 'tell' or point out any of his sins.
Jesus accepted him before any of Zacchaeus' confession of sins.
He admitted his sins and promised to make 4 times the amount of restitution.
In this case, we find:
Even if they don't. There is a common ground to engage and create awareness for change. This will be the next post on "Changing Others".
Acceptance of a person is not condoning his bad behavior. It is the signal that he as a person is worthy of love. His bad lifestyle can change later. The love is unconditional to be true love. Conditional love is not love but a business transaction of earning it by good behavior. Jesus Christ saved us while we were yet sinners. A person is greater than his bad behavior. A realization of being unconditionally loved does not lead to greater freedom to sin more but strangely, it brings conviction and staying away from sins. A purified soul is now more sensitive to the dirt and stink of sins!
Show to our children and staff that we accept them first, in spite of, the failures. Then we can truly help them in the change for the better.
Zacchaeus' change was so immediate and wonderful. We thank God that such changes are common. Yet, there are other people that are touched differently.
Stay tuned for more on "Changing Others".
Next: Creating Awareness For Change - Must do it Rightly...
The traditional or common teaching on changing others comes in this 3-step format:
- Tell him - you must do this and not do that.
- Threaten him - If step 1 fails to work. Follow with step 2. You better change or else...
- Punish him. You ask for it ...
We need to have a different model for changing behavior.
- The basic principle is it begins with us.
- We must change the way we treat others if we want to see changes in others.
- "Changing Others Starts with Changing Ourselves First". Or
- "We change first to change others"
- i.e. Changing our attitudes and our behavior towards others first. It starts with our acceptance of them as they are first.
“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him. ... We need not wait to see what others do.” -- Gandhi
Please click to above link to read the short story.
Jesus only said, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today."
And Zacchaeus declared in public (the hearer will make sure Zacchaeus does as he claims) "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold."
The change in Zacchaeus most amazing and drastic
- giving away half of his goods (He is a rich man to start with v2)
- admission of guilt and restitution, 400% instead of 120% as required in Num 5:7.
I think the key is acceptance.
Acceptance into the inner group; in this case, Jesus' group. All of us have the need to be accepted into a group that we want to join.
Zacchaeus had heard of Jesus, his teaching, and the works of miracles. Will such a Rabbi accept him? He was working for Romans (the enemy) as Chief tax collector v2 and was rejected by his people as a sinner v7.
Jesus did not 'tell' or point out any of his sins.
Jesus accepted him before any of Zacchaeus' confession of sins.
He admitted his sins and promised to make 4 times the amount of restitution.
In this case, we find:
Acceptance brings Transformation!Acceptance of the person establishes the starting ground for change. Most often, they know right and wrong and they will change.
Even if they don't. There is a common ground to engage and create awareness for change. This will be the next post on "Changing Others".
Acceptance of a person is not condoning his bad behavior. It is the signal that he as a person is worthy of love. His bad lifestyle can change later. The love is unconditional to be true love. Conditional love is not love but a business transaction of earning it by good behavior. Jesus Christ saved us while we were yet sinners. A person is greater than his bad behavior. A realization of being unconditionally loved does not lead to greater freedom to sin more but strangely, it brings conviction and staying away from sins. A purified soul is now more sensitive to the dirt and stink of sins!
Show to our children and staff that we accept them first, in spite of, the failures. Then we can truly help them in the change for the better.
Zacchaeus' change was so immediate and wonderful. We thank God that such changes are common. Yet, there are other people that are touched differently.
Stay tuned for more on "Changing Others".
- Need to clarify that "Changing Others" is not about changing others to suit us but to help them to become the very best they could be rather than be trapped in pains or rejections or depression.
- A better title suggested by Guan Hock Teo is "Helping Others in their darkest hour"
Next: Creating Awareness For Change - Must do it Rightly...
2011-05-23
Blessings of God based on Deu 28 is Not Good Enough
Deu 28 is usually cited as the great blessings and curses for the obeying and disobeying of God's commandments.
It serves as a very detail and graphical presentation of Jesus' Mat 6:33 Seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things will be added to you.
This is shown in the mind map below:
It is also a expanded version of 3John 1:2 May your soul prosper first and then all prosperity in all aspects and good health will come upon you.
However, upon closer look, at just Deu 28, it seems way too narrow and did no justice to Jesus' saying of Kingdom of God. Due 28 is very much a Prosperity Gospel ignoring some other very important aspect of the Kingdom of God.
Paul corrected it in Rom 14:17 and tells us that the Kingdom of God is not just food and drink, but rather, and more importantly it is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The Kingdom of God is firstly a intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and His presence where His rules are established and working resulting in righteousness, peace and joy.
Here are more references for your study.
Related: The Righteous - Wisdom from Proverbs
It serves as a very detail and graphical presentation of Jesus' Mat 6:33 Seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things will be added to you.
This is shown in the mind map below:
It is also a expanded version of 3John 1:2 May your soul prosper first and then all prosperity in all aspects and good health will come upon you.
However, upon closer look, at just Deu 28, it seems way too narrow and did no justice to Jesus' saying of Kingdom of God. Due 28 is very much a Prosperity Gospel ignoring some other very important aspect of the Kingdom of God.
Paul corrected it in Rom 14:17 and tells us that the Kingdom of God is not just food and drink, but rather, and more importantly it is righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. The Kingdom of God is firstly a intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and His presence where His rules are established and working resulting in righteousness, peace and joy.
Here are more references for your study.
Related: The Righteous - Wisdom from Proverbs
2011-05-20
Freedom, Truth, Power - Getting the Order Right
What is more powerful than freedom?
What is more valuable than freedom?
Freedom is not without restriction.
Most western societies put Freedom as priority#1. Restriction, being perceived as restriction of freedom, becomes a bad thing. Freedom become to be defined as without restrictions. But such saying are actually propaganda devoid of truth. As an illustration, why should a fish live only in water? What a restriction! Fish should be allowed to live any where they like. They should live on land and even on air. So some wise guy liberated the fish from its water and put it on land. The very of liberation for the fish ends in killing the fish. What applies to the fish, applies to us, as a living species. Try defying the law of gravity and taking a jump from a top building will ends in instant death. Yet, but understanding the dynamics of flow, we can construction planes that defy gravity without endangering our lives.
Freedom is better defined as Power to continue to act willingly
It may be better to defined Freedom as the Power to act and to continue to act without being forced to. So we are free to jump from tall buildings. But such an act result in the consequence of death. There is a bigger force at work than our freedom. If we follow the law of gravity, we can continue to live long and be able to act. Such a law that governs our living could be generally known as the truth. Acts of freedom that defy the truth ends in death and destruction. So we can say that: Truth is more Powerful than Freedom
Knowing the Truth is the Source of Freedom
Jesus told us in John 8:32 ...you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free." It is not just the truth, but our knowing of the truth that set us free. Many people are enslaved by their beliefs, or more accurately, by their wrong beliefs. If we believe we are losers, we will not make any effort to learn and to try resulting in the fulfilling and strengthening of our belief. But knowing the truth that failure happens to everyone and we can learn and grow like others break us free to try and succeed. The laws of success are given to us. James in
Jas 2:12 calls the commandments as the Laws of Liberty - following them preserves our freedom.
Restriction Now Gives Us Greater Freedom Later
Consider a pianist who practices long hours everyday. He gives up a lot of freedom to do other things. But as he masters the skill he gets better and better in doing and expressing what his heart feels through the music. We learn and work so that we are able to do more things. So we can summarize as follows:
Freedom is a function of truth. Truth is more important than freedom. Knowing and Walking in the truth gives you sustainable and growth in freedom!
We Give up Freedom for Love!
Yet, there is a surprising thing with human being. Human beings enter into a marriage relationship. It means the giving up of one's freedom in exchange of
a love relationship. We value the companionship and sharing more important than our freedom to do our own things. In surrendering our freedom, we gain love and start another journey of life together. Then we restrict ourselves even further to have children. But if you change the definition of freedom from less-restriction to power to do more, then we can see the logic of getting marry and having a family. It enables us to experience more and do more.
The ultimate love is shown by Jesus Christ who gave up himself to redeem us so that we can have relationship with Him. An exchange that frees us from bondage to sin and empower to live the new life to the full - not following a set of death laws but intimate relationship with a loving Personality.
Conclusions:
What is more valuable than freedom?
Freedom is not without restriction.
Most western societies put Freedom as priority#1. Restriction, being perceived as restriction of freedom, becomes a bad thing. Freedom become to be defined as without restrictions. But such saying are actually propaganda devoid of truth. As an illustration, why should a fish live only in water? What a restriction! Fish should be allowed to live any where they like. They should live on land and even on air. So some wise guy liberated the fish from its water and put it on land. The very of liberation for the fish ends in killing the fish. What applies to the fish, applies to us, as a living species. Try defying the law of gravity and taking a jump from a top building will ends in instant death. Yet, but understanding the dynamics of flow, we can construction planes that defy gravity without endangering our lives.
Freedom is better defined as Power to continue to act willingly
It may be better to defined Freedom as the Power to act and to continue to act without being forced to. So we are free to jump from tall buildings. But such an act result in the consequence of death. There is a bigger force at work than our freedom. If we follow the law of gravity, we can continue to live long and be able to act. Such a law that governs our living could be generally known as the truth. Acts of freedom that defy the truth ends in death and destruction. So we can say that: Truth is more Powerful than Freedom
Knowing the Truth is the Source of Freedom
Jesus told us in John 8:32 ...you shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free." It is not just the truth, but our knowing of the truth that set us free. Many people are enslaved by their beliefs, or more accurately, by their wrong beliefs. If we believe we are losers, we will not make any effort to learn and to try resulting in the fulfilling and strengthening of our belief. But knowing the truth that failure happens to everyone and we can learn and grow like others break us free to try and succeed. The laws of success are given to us. James in
Jas 2:12 calls the commandments as the Laws of Liberty - following them preserves our freedom.
Restriction Now Gives Us Greater Freedom Later
Consider a pianist who practices long hours everyday. He gives up a lot of freedom to do other things. But as he masters the skill he gets better and better in doing and expressing what his heart feels through the music. We learn and work so that we are able to do more things. So we can summarize as follows:
By Practicing the Truth, we get the ability and the power to greater freedom.
We have the formula: Freedom = Knowing and Walking in the Truth
Freedom is a function of truth. Truth is more important than freedom. Knowing and Walking in the truth gives you sustainable and growth in freedom!
We Give up Freedom for Love!
Yet, there is a surprising thing with human being. Human beings enter into a marriage relationship. It means the giving up of one's freedom in exchange of
a love relationship. We value the companionship and sharing more important than our freedom to do our own things. In surrendering our freedom, we gain love and start another journey of life together. Then we restrict ourselves even further to have children. But if you change the definition of freedom from less-restriction to power to do more, then we can see the logic of getting marry and having a family. It enables us to experience more and do more.
The ultimate love is shown by Jesus Christ who gave up himself to redeem us so that we can have relationship with Him. An exchange that frees us from bondage to sin and empower to live the new life to the full - not following a set of death laws but intimate relationship with a loving Personality.
Conclusions:
- Freedom is not about less restriction but about power to do more.
- Truth gives the power to be free. Knowing and Walking in the Truth empowers us to have greater freedom.
- Love is even more valuable, satisfying and empowering than Freedom.
2011-05-16
Building Great Church and Business According to the Letter to Titus
1&2 Timothy and Titus are known as the pastoral epistles. They were letters written by Paul to his proteges Timothy and Titus telling them how to build and run churches that last the test of times.
Innovative Thinking teaches me to look at the same from a different point of view. I will look at the passage from a Business and Management angle. After all, building church is like building a business and vice versa.
Perhaps you may want to read whole book of Titus in one go now (it is a very short letter) and then come back here.
The Mission & Vision Statement
Growth Strategies
The thing that make this business a business, this church a church of Jesus Christ, lies in its ideology - the mission, vision, values, and core practices and competences or strengths that make the business unique and keep it working over time. Understanding the WHYs and the WHATs that identify are more important that the HOWs. The WHYs and WHATs unite the people and the HOWs can change with time to achieve the WHYs and WHATs.
Most church leaders and business people tend to get stuck with the HOWs and quarrel over how things must be done in their ways. The are many ways to accomplish an objective. We have to move with time and employ the better technology to accomplish our objectives. We don't have to stick to the past ways of doing things. Paul stressed much on the WHAT's and the WHY's and leave out the HOW's for us to fill in. But unfortunately, we tend to read in the HOW's and stick to them even though they are outdated. We are to teach and to train our people on the sound doctrine. But the methods of training is up to us. We may use the traditional class-room lecturing way, or we may use the internet online computer assisted ways to learn at your own time, or a hybrid or other combinations. With the availability of Smart-phone, a useful training device could be an app for the phone. The key is to get people trained and practice them.
The Sound Doctrine of Grace
I. The Benefits and Outcome of Grace:
See the table below.
We can equate:
All Staff Are To
Church generally welcome people to join. Applicants apply jobs in our company. They come with different background and intentions. The ensure the sound doctrine are taught and practiced, we must be vigilant and guard against those who are here to destroy our ideology.
We can identify them by their words and works:
To build lasting businesses, we need to know our ideology - what is our mission, vision, values and core practices. We must build a culture that sustain and propagate those ideology from top to bottom, from old to new staff. This is done from the top by the top teaching and modelling the ideology. There must also be disciplinary actions put in place to kick out the violators. The attitude towards excellent, growth and good work must be there but growth must be built on the foundation of the sound ideology.
This teaching is actually validated by research work documented and promoted by the famous book "Build to Last" by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras. Check it up and be surprised.
Innovative Thinking teaches me to look at the same from a different point of view. I will look at the passage from a Business and Management angle. After all, building church is like building a business and vice versa.
Perhaps you may want to read whole book of Titus in one go now (it is a very short letter) and then come back here.
The Mission & Vision Statement
- The offer is to let the whole world know about the grace of God (2:11) which is giving us eternal life through Jesus Christ our Savior (2:13) and
- For the Believers that their hearts may embrace the true faith, their minds filled with the knowledge of truth so that their behavior show forth godliness thereby giving glory to God and attracting others to join. (1:1)
Growth Strategies
- Expand to various towns (1:5)
- Appoint Elders (Chairman of Board, i.e. leaders ) (1:5)
- Put in Order (1:5) - orderliness ensures scalability and allow rapid expansion.
Orderliness comes from everyone embracing and practicing the sound doctrine. All the small details are to be taken of.
As we shall see later, Paul gives detailed instructions for selection and practices of various types of staff from top (Elders) to bottom (Slaves or Servants). - Teach Sound Doctrine (2:1)
- Walk the Sound Doctrine (2:7)
- Get rid of the violators( rebuke 1:13, silence 1:11, out 3:10).
The thing that make this business a business, this church a church of Jesus Christ, lies in its ideology - the mission, vision, values, and core practices and competences or strengths that make the business unique and keep it working over time. Understanding the WHYs and the WHATs that identify are more important that the HOWs. The WHYs and WHATs unite the people and the HOWs can change with time to achieve the WHYs and WHATs.
Most church leaders and business people tend to get stuck with the HOWs and quarrel over how things must be done in their ways. The are many ways to accomplish an objective. We have to move with time and employ the better technology to accomplish our objectives. We don't have to stick to the past ways of doing things. Paul stressed much on the WHAT's and the WHY's and leave out the HOW's for us to fill in. But unfortunately, we tend to read in the HOW's and stick to them even though they are outdated. We are to teach and to train our people on the sound doctrine. But the methods of training is up to us. We may use the traditional class-room lecturing way, or we may use the internet online computer assisted ways to learn at your own time, or a hybrid or other combinations. With the availability of Smart-phone, a useful training device could be an app for the phone. The key is to get people trained and practice them.
The Sound Doctrine of Grace
I. The Benefits and Outcome of Grace:
- Grace has appeared 2:11. It is available NOW.
- offer SALVATION for ALL people. 2:11
- Renounce Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts 2:12
- Our past old life is foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to lusts, malice, envy, hated and hating others. 3:3
- Live Self-controlled, Upright and Godly Lives NOW 2:12
- Zealous for Good Works. 2:14
- Wait Expectantly for the Blessed HOPE - Appearing of Jesus Christ 2:14
- Jesus Christ died to Redeem us from all lawlessness and purify us for HIS OWN people (rebirthed, new creation) 2:14 by the washing, regeneration, renewal of the Holy Spirit through Jesus Christ 3:5-6
- We are saved by God's own goodness, loving kindness. 3:4
- Our salvation is not of righteous work done by us (we did not work to get it) but purely by God's mercy. 3:5
- We are justified by His grace to be heirs of eternal life 3:7
- This is trust worthy and true 3:8.
- Execute the above strategies.
- Teach Sound Doctrine (with all authority 2:1. Let no one disregard you 2:15. Insist 3:8).
- Declare 2:15
- Exhort 2:15
- observe the actual behavior of people and encourage them or if they are wrong then ...
- Rebuke 2:15
- show them where they have err and show them the right ways ...
- Remind 3:1
- repeat in multiple channels of communications and in different presentation in pictures, symbols, taglines, etc.
- Avoid the following 3:9
- foolish controversies
- genealogies
- dissensions
- quarrels about the law
- for they are unprofitable & worthless.
- Live out Sound Doctrine. 2:7-8
- a model of good works in all respects
- show integrity & dignity
- sound speech that cannot be condemned
- so that the opponent may be put to shame & having nothing evil to say about us.
See the table below.
We can equate:
- Elders to Executive Chairman and Board Members.
- Overseers to CxOs.
- Older Men or Women as Senior Executives
- Younger Women or Men as Junior or Young Executives
- Slaves as the Front Line or Factory Floor or Office Operators, Tellers etc.
All Staff Are To
- Submissive To Rulers & Authorities i.e. obey Government & Laws 3:1
- Obedient to one another 3:1
- Good Excellent Fruitful Work 3:1,8,14
- Help cases of urgent need 3:14
- Profitable for people 3:8
- Gentle & Courteous 3:2
- Speak Evil Of No One 3:2
- Avoid quarreling 3:2
Church generally welcome people to join. Applicants apply jobs in our company. They come with different background and intentions. The ensure the sound doctrine are taught and practiced, we must be vigilant and guard against those who are here to destroy our ideology.
We can identify them by their words and works:
- Lazy gluttons - don't work but want pay. 1:12
- Evil beasts - to discourage, sabotage 1:12
- Insubordinate - 1:12
- Empty talkers
- Profess To Know God
- But They Deny Him By Their Works.
- They Are Detestable Disobedient Unfit For Any Good Work.
- Deceivers 1:10, Liars
- Unsound doctrines
- Legalism: Especially Those Of The Circumcision Party. 1:10
- Devoting Themselves To Jewish Myths 1:14
- Commands Of People and not of truth 1:14
- Stirs up division 3:10
- Rebuke them sharply 1:13
- Silence them 1:11 else they pollute the whole culture and making mockery of those who follow the sound doctrines of right behavior.
- because they are upsetting whole families,
- teaching for shameful gain and
- wrong doctrine
- Out with them after 2 warnings 3:10-11
To build lasting businesses, we need to know our ideology - what is our mission, vision, values and core practices. We must build a culture that sustain and propagate those ideology from top to bottom, from old to new staff. This is done from the top by the top teaching and modelling the ideology. There must also be disciplinary actions put in place to kick out the violators. The attitude towards excellent, growth and good work must be there but growth must be built on the foundation of the sound ideology.
This teaching is actually validated by research work documented and promoted by the famous book "Build to Last" by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras. Check it up and be surprised.
2011-05-09
Government and the Bible
In Could be Evil is NOT Evil I encourage Christians to participate in Politics and Business so as to have the right values and practices of the Bible adopted and preserved in them for the greater benefits of the people. Believers are not called to withdraw from society because of the sins and evil within. Rather, they are called to go in to shine the light and bring in the salt of the goodness of God.
The seven major areas of society are easily summarized in the first seven alphabets - A for Arts, B for Business, C for Church or Religions, D for Media & Distribution, E for Education, F for Family and G for Government or Politics. Believers should take the lead and be the thought leaders in all areas of life.
In this post, we discuss Government from the Biblical Point of View. The main text about government is given in Rom 13:1-7 and Ps 72. Nehemiah is a good book for the model governor. There are other texts that we shall refer to later as well.
1. Government is Established by God (Rom 13:1-7)
The highest authority is God. God installed or gave approval to the establishment of government for the good of the people.
The Bible does not dictate what is the right form of government. be it theocracy as in the time of the Judges, or autocratic with Kings, or democracy (after the NT period). God gives men the wisdom and the rights to manage their own affairs. He gives guidance and holds all accountable at the day of judgment.
2. We are to Obey those in Authorities
The Bible only tells us to obey those in authorities(within this set of God's disclosed commandments) irrespective of how they got into power. Jesus gave us the examples for paying taxes Mat 22:15-22, decisions of Pilate Joh 19 and the High Priests and Sanhedrin even calling for His crucifixion.
3. No Endorsement for Any Particular Form of Government
There are some who think that God's preference is for theocracy with an appointed Prophet acting as Judge. That was just the starting system. It was not a foolproof system as the stories in the book of Judges shows us. When the Judge failed to seek God, the whole system collapsed.
Neither does the latest democratic system means it is the best. It should be seen as of the many systems to help develop and run a country for the benefits of the people. To me, democracy ensures the peaceful transfer of power from one the people dislike to one they like. It is a check and balance system that does not ensure good leadership. It is also the rule of the majority and could neglect the interests of the minority (which could be as high as 49.9999%). It encourages short term popular thinking rather than the long term. It could not prevent the present government to sacrifice the resources of the future generations (not represented) for the consumption of the present. Good leadership development comes from the other systems (Education, Family, Church/Religions, Business .. the 7-mountain).
4. We are to Rule Nations One Day with Christ
Christ will one day be the eternal King (Is 9:6-7, Rev 17-20) and will appoint us to rule with Him. Rev 1:6, 2:26-27, 20:4. We will one day be the government even if we miss it in this world!
5. Principles of Governing from Moses & Jethro (Exo 18:19-22)
The model of government as shown in Exo 18:19-22 can be summarized as follows:
The key functions of Government are to create peace, prosperity and long life for all the people under their charge. See Ps 72.
In Ancient Chinese Classics, we can find 8 functions/ministries of the Government: 《周书·洪范》三， 八政 8 Ministries：
一曰食 food, agriculture, production and distribution of food
二曰货 things or commodities or trades
三曰祀 worship, ie. rules of conduct, laws, and order
四曰司空 minister of works and of infrastructure
五曰司徒 education
六曰司寇 crimes control
七曰宾 foreign affairs
八曰师 army
7 Good Citizens DO:
The seven major areas of society are easily summarized in the first seven alphabets - A for Arts, B for Business, C for Church or Religions, D for Media & Distribution, E for Education, F for Family and G for Government or Politics. Believers should take the lead and be the thought leaders in all areas of life.
In this post, we discuss Government from the Biblical Point of View. The main text about government is given in Rom 13:1-7 and Ps 72. Nehemiah is a good book for the model governor. There are other texts that we shall refer to later as well.
1. Government is Established by God (Rom 13:1-7)
The highest authority is God. God installed or gave approval to the establishment of government for the good of the people.
The Bible does not dictate what is the right form of government. be it theocracy as in the time of the Judges, or autocratic with Kings, or democracy (after the NT period). God gives men the wisdom and the rights to manage their own affairs. He gives guidance and holds all accountable at the day of judgment.
2. We are to Obey those in Authorities
The Bible only tells us to obey those in authorities(within this set of God's disclosed commandments) irrespective of how they got into power. Jesus gave us the examples for paying taxes Mat 22:15-22, decisions of Pilate Joh 19 and the High Priests and Sanhedrin even calling for His crucifixion.
3. No Endorsement for Any Particular Form of Government
There are some who think that God's preference is for theocracy with an appointed Prophet acting as Judge. That was just the starting system. It was not a foolproof system as the stories in the book of Judges shows us. When the Judge failed to seek God, the whole system collapsed.
Neither does the latest democratic system means it is the best. It should be seen as of the many systems to help develop and run a country for the benefits of the people. To me, democracy ensures the peaceful transfer of power from one the people dislike to one they like. It is a check and balance system that does not ensure good leadership. It is also the rule of the majority and could neglect the interests of the minority (which could be as high as 49.9999%). It encourages short term popular thinking rather than the long term. It could not prevent the present government to sacrifice the resources of the future generations (not represented) for the consumption of the present. Good leadership development comes from the other systems (Education, Family, Church/Religions, Business .. the 7-mountain).
4. We are to Rule Nations One Day with Christ
Christ will one day be the eternal King (Is 9:6-7, Rev 17-20) and will appoint us to rule with Him. Rev 1:6, 2:26-27, 20:4. We will one day be the government even if we miss it in this world!
5. Principles of Governing from Moses & Jethro (Exo 18:19-22)
The model of government as shown in Exo 18:19-22 can be summarized as follows:
- Leadership that Seeks God. Exo 18:19.
- Give the Laws and Statutes of God. Exo 18:20
- Communicate and Train the Leaders of Groups
- Select and Appoint Leaders of Groups.
- Top-down Exo 18:21 using the following criteria:
- from all the people - independent of races and other relationships
- men who fear God
- who is trustworthy and
- hate a bribe
- Bottom-up as in Act 6:3 pick out from among you
- men of good repute
- full of the spirit (correspond to fear God of Exodus)
- full of wisdom (c.f. trustworthy = honest + capability)
- to serve the table = management & allocation of resources
- the Twelve Apostles, the leaders, will seek God through prayers, ministry of the Words.
- In Groups of 10's, 50's, 100's, 1000's.
- Empower them to judge small matter i.e. set the power of their limits.
- Passing Upwards - The greater matters that are beyond them should be handed upwards for decisions.
The key functions of Government are to create peace, prosperity and long life for all the people under their charge. See Ps 72.
- Peace - Laws & Order with Righteousness. Ps 72:2,7, iTi 2:2.
They are to rule justly, discern good and evil, punish evildoers, get rid of bullies, and violence. (Rom 13:4, 1Pe 2:14, Ps 72:4,14). - Prosperity Ps 72:3, 6, 15-16 and care for the needy Ps 72:13, Jer 22:16) and minimize the taxes Neh 5:15.
- Long Life Ps 72:15. Health and Education (see wisdom below).
In Ancient Chinese Classics, we can find 8 functions/ministries of the Government: 《周书·洪范》三， 八政 8 Ministries：
一曰食 food, agriculture, production and distribution of food
二曰货 things or commodities or trades
三曰祀 worship, ie. rules of conduct, laws, and order
四曰司空 minister of works and of infrastructure
五曰司徒 education
六曰司寇 crimes control
七曰宾 foreign affairs
八曰师 army
7 Good Citizens DO:
- Respect & honor Rom. 13:7
- Obey - Rom 13:1; Titus 3:1; I Pet. 2:13
- Pay taxes Lk. 20:25; Rom. 13:6,7
- Pray for government - I Tim. 2:2
- Stand against evil.
- Set Righteous Standards - Thy will be done on earth as it is in heave
- Good to Serve in public office & in military
- Disobey Only if laws are contrary to the Bible even then have to do it the right way.
1. Not mere personal disagreement with ideology or policies
2. Biblical examples
a. Daniel - prayer - Dan. 6
b. Peter - preaching - Acts 5:27-30
c. Paul - Acts 16:35-40; Acts 17:7
- freedom to worship God and relationship with God
- in peace and righteousness - safety, harmony, family relationships
- abundance & long life - good health
- education - wisdom & knowledge to create wealth and promote harmony
- caring for the needy and defending their rights.
Lim Liat (c) May 2011
Could be Evil is NOT Evil
Crude Thinking Misled - Don't be in politics because politics is dirty.
I did not know how come I have the strange and wrong idea that since politics(defined as participation in the activities of forming a government to run the town, city, or country) is dirty therefore good Christians should not be involved in politics. On the surface, this logic look right. We are taught that we are to abstain from all forms of evil (1 Thes 5:22). Hence, if something is dirty/evil, we should not participate in it.
Refinement Clarifies - Could be vs It is
But we must examine the details. Break into parts, politics and dirty.
Is politics evil or politics could be evil?
Is government evil or government could be evil?
We find that government, politics, businesses are meant for good. But some how in such systems, there are evil people who enter it to misuse it to create evil in it. Such is the job of the devil - enter any good system, exploit the loop holes, and create evil with it, and then keep the good people from eliminating the created evil.
Could be evil (used by evil for evil) is very different from it is evil.
Stealing and murdering are evil per se and we should abstain from them.
But politics and government, economic and business systems are for good. They could be misused for evil. It is not them that are wrong but the people that misuse and abuse them that are evil. Such evil people should be taken out and not the system. Hence, we can say that
The Systems are and meant for good but are not perfect with loopholes for being misuse and abuse by evil people.
Some systems are better than others in the sense of less loopholes for abuse, more tolerances for errors, or more responsive to changes but not over-responsive to create instability, more transparent, more accountable and counter-balancing and so forth.
Withdrawal Encourages Evil
If Christians withdrawn from being in politics then we could not ensure that the government practices the righteous teachings of the Bible.
Withdrawal will result in evil taking over.
May God give us wisdom to design better and better system for good.
Nevertheless, with the presence of sin in men, and evil of the devil, any system will be subjected to abuse for evil. But don't blame the system and withdrawn from it.
The economic, the social, the political systems are designed for good but not perfect to prevent evil. There are some subsystems or schemes within that are designed for evil and for cheating like gambling, ponzi scheme which we must watch out for. The banking system in not evil per se but could be abuse. They could be improved.
Join in the system to put it right and cast out the evil within.
I did not know how come I have the strange and wrong idea that since politics(defined as participation in the activities of forming a government to run the town, city, or country) is dirty therefore good Christians should not be involved in politics. On the surface, this logic look right. We are taught that we are to abstain from all forms of evil (1 Thes 5:22). Hence, if something is dirty/evil, we should not participate in it.
Refinement Clarifies - Could be vs It is
But we must examine the details. Break into parts, politics and dirty.
Is politics evil or politics could be evil?
Is government evil or government could be evil?
We find that government, politics, businesses are meant for good. But some how in such systems, there are evil people who enter it to misuse it to create evil in it. Such is the job of the devil - enter any good system, exploit the loop holes, and create evil with it, and then keep the good people from eliminating the created evil.
Could be evil (used by evil for evil) is very different from it is evil.
Stealing and murdering are evil per se and we should abstain from them.
But politics and government, economic and business systems are for good. They could be misused for evil. It is not them that are wrong but the people that misuse and abuse them that are evil. Such evil people should be taken out and not the system. Hence, we can say that
The Systems are and meant for good but are not perfect with loopholes for being misuse and abuse by evil people.
Some systems are better than others in the sense of less loopholes for abuse, more tolerances for errors, or more responsive to changes but not over-responsive to create instability, more transparent, more accountable and counter-balancing and so forth.
Withdrawal Encourages Evil
If Christians withdrawn from being in politics then we could not ensure that the government practices the righteous teachings of the Bible.
Withdrawal will result in evil taking over.
May God give us wisdom to design better and better system for good.
Nevertheless, with the presence of sin in men, and evil of the devil, any system will be subjected to abuse for evil. But don't blame the system and withdrawn from it.
The economic, the social, the political systems are designed for good but not perfect to prevent evil. There are some subsystems or schemes within that are designed for evil and for cheating like gambling, ponzi scheme which we must watch out for. The banking system in not evil per se but could be abuse. They could be improved.
Join in the system to put it right and cast out the evil within.
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