BOOK SUMMARY: GOD AND THE TRANSGENDER DEBATE - CHAPTER 4 - ON MAKING A DECISION

"Do you really believe what you believe is really real?"  In other words, "why do you believe what you believe?"  This question leads to other questions:

What is reality? What is the nature of the world around us? What is a human being? What happens to a person after death? Why is it possible to know anything at all?  How do we know what is right and wrong?

Our answers to these questions come from our worldview.  A world view is the way we view the world based on things we presuppose.  Presuppositions are things we assume whether they are true or not. We may hold our presuppositions consciously or not, consistently or not.  They provide the foundation upon which we act and think.  Everyone has a worldview.  

HOW TO CHOOSE WHETHER TO EAT ICE CREAM

How do we determine right and wrong? Answering this leads to a source of:

(1).    Authority - who tells me what to do?

(2).    Knowledge - Who knows what is best for me to do?

(3).    Trustworthiness - Who loves me and wants what is best for me?

Many people look to their family, religion, feelings or science to determine right or wrong in a variety of circumstances.  For example, feelings might lead us to eat ice cream.  Reason might tell us to stick to our diet plans.  Maybe we pass on the ice cream because our parents taught us too much sugar is bad. Or maybe our religious code requires us to eat it.  But life consists of much more difficult decisions that just eating ice cream.  

The west is undergoing a huge shift in thought in our post-Christendom society. There are a lot of options to choose from in regards to authority. That is why the Christian is miles apart from where our culture is. This is especially true in regards to the issue of transgenderism. We must remember this when talking to other people. Our starting points to how we make decisions are very far apart. 

THE SEARCH FOR AN AUTHORITY WE CAN TRUST

People don't trust the church because of scandals and previously justified race-based slavery. People don't trust politicians because of scandals and cover-ups. People don't trust police officers because of videos showing them abusing our citizens.  People don't trust science because it has been used for good and bad. And science can only address what and how of a system, not a why or its ultimate purpose. 

With all this lack of trust many are left to derive authority from "ME" and "MYSELF."  The last chapter addressed post-modernism and individualism and the sexual revolution. The individual is often left to think, "who else better to do what's right for me than me?  With relativism infecting society, the individual assumes they have the authority to decide right and wrong.  

THINKING ABOUT ME

Thinking about me can be dangerous. We live in communities and families. What we do affects others around us.  We don't have perfect knowledge to know that our self-determined morality will not hurt another. 

We also do not know ourselves as well as we think.  We can't know how our decisions will affect our own futures.  Our current feelings may lead us to do something that will harm us for years to come. 

Do we really think that we are the supreme choice to be trusted?  We have all done things we regret or that we felt were right but turned out to be wrong. 

A BETTER STORY, A GREATER SOURCE

The beginning of Scripture tells us that "in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."  This is where everyone needs to start.  What is made is best known by the Creator. God has the right to tell His creation what to do.  God has perfect knowledge and perfect love to guide us.  That God sent His Son to save us means that God can be trusted. We can think and act like God wants us to because He is good, loving, wise and the ultimate authority. 

A LAW THAT BRINGS FREEDOM

We experience freedom when we do what God tells us to do..

James 1:25  But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.  

God wants what He deserves and what is best for us: obedience.  Instinctively we don't do what God wants which is why we need to be taught and why we need to listen to Scripture. Our own traditions and assumptions cannot be trusted apart from God's Word.  God's Word keeps us from acting on feelings or some other untrustworthy authority.  

This is the wedge that drives us and the world apart. It's a matter of authority, knowledge and trust. 

SERMON: JOEL 2:18-27, HUMANITY'S RESTORATION - THE TEEMING OF JUDAH - PART 2

Sermon: Humanity's Restoration - The Teeming Of Judah, Part 2

Audio: SermonAudio

Video: Youtube     SermonAudio

Text: Joel 2:18-27

Slides: PDF

Series: Joel

BOOK SUMMARY: GOD AND THE TRANSGENDER DEBATE - CHAPTER 3 - THE LANGUAGE

In order to define transgender you have to have a working definition of these terms: sex, gender, gender identity, gender dysphoria.  

IT'S A BOY, IT'S A GIRL

Gender-reveal parties reveal the view of society that has been accepted up until recently.  Gender has been connected to the sex of a baby discovered in an ultrasound. While gender is not a new word, it has taken on additional meaning and usage.  

SEX, GENDER, AND GENDER IDENTITY

Sex can refer to our biological makeup. Men have XY chromosomes while women have XX chromosomes.  Hormonal, anatomical and reproductive differences stem from chromosomal differences. 

Primary sex characteristics refer to differences in reproductive systems.  Secondary sex characteristics refer to general differences between men and women. Men tend to have (not always) broader shoulders than women. Women generally have wider hips and might be shorter.  

According to the American Psychological Association, gender is "attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that a given culture associates with a person's biological sex. Behavior that is compatible with cultural expectations is referred to as gender-normative; behaviors  that are viewed as incompatible with these expectations constitute gender non-conformity."

In traditional society, which includes practically all societies until the last 10 years, if your sex was female that so was your gender.

Each culture has its own expressions for gender.  There is no one right or wrong way to express gender. Kilts might be an example where it's masculine to wear one in one culture, but in other culture it might be mistaken for a dress and therefore deemed feminine.  There's nothing inherently masculine or feminine about clothing made that way.  

What has changed today is that many people see gender as something disconnected from sex.  In this view your sex might be female but your gender could be male. Gender is now viewed as a psychological reality as opposed to a biological reality. Scripture doesn't posit such a view. 

Because of this changing view, many people that identify as a different gender than their birth sex are opting for surgery to change their bodies to appear as a different sex to match their perceived identity.  Gender identity is one's self-perception of whether they are male or female.

All of us have a gender identity.  When someone perceives that their gender does not match their biological sex and this causes inner turmoil, that person is said to have gender dysphoria.  This is a genuine experience. Some people really do feel as thought their body is lying while their mind is telling the truth.  But feelings don't always comport with reality.  That feelings is just a feeling.  

GENDER DYSPHORIA AND TRANSGENDER

People with gender dysphoria should not be labeled freaks or perverts.  It is not something we can just tell people to "get over".  Experiences with GD may also differ from person to person. There are degrees of dysphoria from mild to severe.  People who identify as transgender report higher rates of mental-health problems as compared to the rest of the population. Problems such as depression and suicide are more common.  Compassion needs to be shown to them. Not all those with gender dysphoria identify as transgender.  Some with GD identify with their biological sex.  GD is an experience which is different than how one might identify.  It is when one follows that desire than one is said to be transgender.  Transgender is a term that is a catch-all for anyone who deems that their gender does not match their biological sex.  Some decide to dress in ways that are considered normative for a particular sex.  Others may decide to undergo hormonal treatment to try and bring their chemical balance in line with the sex they believe themselves to be.  Some may undergo surgery to try and take on the appearance of a different sex.  For some, it may mean being fluid in their gender--not identifying as one gender at all times.  Some choose to be labeled as non-binary--not identifying as male or female.   

TWO QUICK QUESTIONS

Does anything cause gender dysphoria?  There is no definitive answer from a medical perspective. Biblically we would say that this is a result of the fall.  Nevertheless, aside from that generality, there's no definitive research that explains why some people have GD.  

How common is transgenderism?  One institute believes that 0.6% of the US populations is transgender (about 1.4 million people).  This will likely increase in a society that is socially tolerant of this view. 

BOOK SUMMARY: BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD - CHAPTER 11 - EFFECT ON WORLD POVERTY

We should thank God for:

1.    Ownership

2.    Productivity

3.    Employment

4.    Commercial transactions

5.    Profit

6.    Money

7.    Inequality of possessions 

8.    Competition

9.    Borrowing and lending

But what about the poor?  They own little to nothing. They cannot borrow or make profit.  They have no money or opportunity to compete.

We should always seek to help the poor.  See 1 John 3:17, Galatians 2:10, Matthew 25:39-40, Romans 12:13, Romans 15:25-27, Ephesians 4:28, Hebrews 13:16.  

A short-term solution to help the poor is to provide them food and clothing.  Long-term solutions include business.  Businesses produce jobs and goods and wages year after year after year.  Helping the needy means we'll have to start profitable business in poor neighborhoods and countries.  

If business is the solution to world poverty, then why hasn't it eliminated the problem already?  Government red tape is a huge problem.  Sinful governments that confiscate people's wealth is another issue.  Yet another problem is selfishness in businesses where owners want only a few to benefit from the business. Then there's the problem of weak governments that do not punish fraud nor do they establish a sound banking system or court system that punish evil doers. 

If people think businesses are evil then they'll never want to start one that'll, in part, help the problem of poverty.  A negative attitude toward business is a huge reason why poverty still exists. 

Christians need to have a right view about business and seek, with God's help, to change the attitude of others towards business.  

BOOK SUMMARY: BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD - CHAPTER 10 - ATTITUDES OF HEART

God is not just concerned with actions but also with the attitudes of our hearts.  The 10 commandments call us not to covet.

God knows the secrets of our hearts (Psalm 44:21).

In all our ownership of possessions and in all our business dealings we should seek to glorify God.  We should have humble hearts and be loving towards others as we imitate God.  We should enjoy goods and services for God's glory.  We should be thankful to God for creation and what we produce from it.  We should work as we are working for the Lord.  We should desire that our work be for the good of others. 

We should never love money.  God is infinitely better than all money and possessions. We should be in awe at He has created a world in which we can experience His goodness through work and commerce.  

BOOK SUMMARY: BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD - CHAPTER 9 - BORROWING AND LENDING

Borrowing and lending are fundamentally good and provide many opportunities to glorify God.  But there can be temptations that come with these good opportunities. 

Christians have often read Old Testament that speak about borrowing money with interest. The KJV calls this usery.  And some people have thus concluded that borrowing and lending is wrong. But a closer look reveals that the Scriptures are speaking of taking advantage of the poor (Exodus 22:25, Leviticus 25:35-37, Nehemiah 5:7-10, Luke 6:34). Some passages regulate borrowing (Deuteronomy 24:10).  There was no outright prohibition of loaning money in the OT.  Some verses speak well of those who give loans (Psalm 112:5, 36:26).  Romans 13:6-8 is not discouraging borrowing but encourage us to pay back what we have borrowed.  

Sometimes borrowing is unwise (Proverbs 22:7, Deuteronomy 28:12, Psalm 37:21).  Jesus even approved of lending, but not to enslave the poor. He talked of lending money to the bank so they could invest it and give you a return (Luke 19:23).  This activity is unique among human beings and sets us apart from animals.  

Lending is the giving of temporary control of property but not giving ownership.

In regards to control you have many choices. You can lend your car and go with the person while they run their errand...or you can lend it without restriction for a day.  

In regards to lending you have control over the amount. You can lend a small item or a large item. 

In regards to lending you have control over the risk you want to take.  Lending things to a friend is different than lending things to a stranger.  

Lending items gives you the ability to multiple the usefulness of the item.  Rental agencies are an example of this. You can fly into the city and rent a car without having to own it. And that agency can loan it out to hundreds of people.  Hotels work this way too.  It allows wealth to be used to meet the needs of many people without them having to incur the full cost of the item they are borrowing. Borrowing money works in this same way.  You end up paying a rental fee (interest) while you use another person's money.  Borrowing allows you to begin to use an item right away verses saving many years before you could ever have that item (like a home).  

There are temptations to sin that come with borrowing money. People often borrow for things the don't need or can't afford.  Lender will sometimes lend to people who don't qualify and have no intent to pay back.  The wicked borrows but does not pay back (Psalm 37:21). 

God keeps His word. Failing to pay back loans is not keeping your word. You glorify God when you keep your word.  

BOOK SUMMARY: BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD - CHAPTER 8 - COMPETITION

Competition is fundamentally good. There are both opportunities to glorify God and to fall into sin. 

The evils and distortions that arise from competition have led some to conclude that it is wrong.  But the grading system provides a competitive atmosphere where those who do the best are rewarded.  This helps students find something they can do well.  When we are unwilling to pay someone for poor service or a poor product we do them well to let them know that their competitor has something better to offer. This will either lead them to find something better suited for their abilities, or lead them to improve their goods and services.  

Competition is the mechanism that help us to find jobs that we are good at. Competitive systems help us test our abilities. If you ever shop to get the best deal then you approve of competition. Competition helps keep prices in check as well. You encourage better efficiency that keeps costs down.  

Competition makes sure people keep getting better at making things which drives the cost of goods down. Flat screen TV's are cheaper than when they were first made.  Computers keep getting better while prices fall. Thus our standard of living continues to rise while some goods decrease in price.  Calculators used to cost $100. Now they're included for free on your smart phone.  

See Ecclesiastes 4:4. 

Competition helps people find God's will for their lives so they can serve in a way that God has made them and gifted them.  Competition gives us opportunity to be kind to those with whom we compete.  

Competition brings many temptations to sin.  We can be tempted to harm others.  We can become proud or neglect our families in the name of success.  

 

BOOK SUMMARY: BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD - CHAPTER 7 - INEQUALITY OF POSSESSIONS

Some inequality of possessions is fundamentally good and provides many opportunities to glorify God.  But it comes with temptations as well.  Some extreme inequalities are wrong in themselves.  

There are various kinds of stewardship that God entrusts to people.  The parable of the talents and minas shows this.  Luke 19:17-19 also shows us this when we stand before God and are rewarded in the age to come.  This must then be good.  

In the year of jubilee (Leviticus 25), land returned to its previous owner and debts were canceled.  But there was not equalizing of cattle, jewels or other personal possessions. Houses inside walled cities did not go back to the original owner.

The Bible does not teach communism just because believers had all things in common (Acts 2:44-46, Acts 4:32-25).  The giving was voluntary and not compelled by the government. It was their worshipful response to God's graciousness in saving them.  In the account of Ananias and Saphira, Peter told them that the sale of the property they lied about was their own property. Peter affirmed the notion of possession of private property, not communism.  

Not all inequalities of possessions is wrong. We can use this inequality to glorify God.  Why else would God call us to help the poor?  We can be generous (1 Timothy 6:17-19).   Sometimes God uses inequality to help us be content in Him (James 2:5).  

Temptations that come with inequality of possessions include being greedy, thinking too highly of oneself and not trusting in God.  Inequality of possessions also tempts others to be jealous and covetous.

Poverty is an effect of the fall.  We will always have the poor in this age. Thus inequality is a part of this present age. We thus have opportunity to show the heart of God by caring for the needy as God entrusts more to us. If we are poor then we have the opportunity to receive blessing from others and thus thank the Lord.  See 1 John 3:17, Galatians 2:10, Matthew 25:39-40, Romans 12:13, Ephesians 4:28)

We are to help poor Christians (2 Corinthians 8-9). We are also to help unbelievers (see the parable of the good Samaritan).  

Poverty will vary from society to society.  There is not "Robin Hood" principle in Scripture were we can rob the rich to give to the poor.  James 5:1-5 remind us of the judgment that befalls those who are rich and sinful and self-indulgent.  They aren't required to give everything away, but they are to use it for good.  Neglect of others is the problem. 

  

BOOK SUMMARY: BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD - CHAPTER 6 - MONEY

Money is fundamentally good and should be used to glorify God. Money also comes with many temptations to sin.  

Money is not the root of all evil. Rather, the love of money is the roots of all kinds of evil.  Money sets us apart from the animal kingdom. Money is necessary because you can't barter for everything.  Sometimes you need the things you have and can't give trade them. Sometimes you don't need another of an item that someone else has.  When you trade money for goods then you are able to tell the value of something.  Money temporarily holds the value of something you sell so that you can spend that money of something else you need or want.  

Haggai 2:8 show us that silver and gold belong to God.  He entrusts it to us to use for various reasons. Currency is one of them.  

We can become ensnared by the love of money. We cannot serve both God and money for we will hate the one and love the other and vice versa (Matthew 6:24, Matthew 6:19-21).

BOOK SUMMARY: BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD - CHAPTER 5 - PROFIT

Earning a profit is fundamentally good and provides opportunity to glorify God.  But it also provides many temptations that we must not give in to.

Profit is selling a product for more than the cost of producing it.  Profit is an indication that something is made that is useful to another.  This is doing good for others which glorifies God.  

Profit can also indicate that resources are used more efficiently. When costs are lowers then profit can be higher.  Two bakers can spend the same amount on resources to make bread but one might make more money through less waste.  This is part of obeying God's creation mandate. Luke 19:11-27 contains the parable of the minas. For the parable to make sense the notion of profit and expansion has be to understood.  It is fundamentally good.  The parable of the talents carries the same idea. Proverbs 31 presents the same idea in the ideal wife.  

Why should someone charge $2 for something that it cost $1 to produce?  You're not just paying for the cost of the resources, but the cost of labor, education, organization, etc.  Some are will to take risk in ventures while others are not.  That cost must be taken into account as well.  If profit were not allowed, people would not take risks in starting a business and we'd have less good to choose from.  

Profit is wrong when you cheat another person as you take advantage of their lack of knowledge or situation.  Monopolizing so you can charge exorbitant amounts is wrong.  This is a distortion of something good.

BOOK SUMMARY: BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD - CHAPTER 4 - COMMERICAL TRANSACTIONS

Buying and selling are fundamentally good. They provide opportunity to glorify God. Temptations can also rise from buying and selling so be on guard. 

See Leviticus 25:14, Genesis 41;57, Leviticus 19:35-26, Proverbs 11:26.

Buying and selling are necessary for anything beyond basic needs. No family or person, by themselves, could produce a standard of living beyond this.  When we can sell what we make and buy things from others, then we can increase our standard of living.  In doing so we enjoy the resources that God provided through the earth. This glorifies God.  Therefore, we should not look at commercial transactions as a necessary evil.  We do good for other people through these transactions.  Voluntary commercial transaction generally benefit both parties. 

Through buying and selling we glorify God. No other creature does this.  Personal interaction also takes place providing opportunity to glorify God.  This even takes place from nation to nation. Through buying and selling we are encouraged to look out for the welfare other others as we look out for our own.  We also show interdependence. 

Commercial transaction can provide temptation to sin as well.  We can make the balances lean in our favor through deception. Greed can seep into our motives.  1 Timothy 6:9-10 reminds us that the desire to be rich can make shipwreck of our faith.  We can be tempted to sell a shoddy product or not to keep our part of the agreement. 

BOOK SUMMARY: BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD - CHAPTER 3 - EMPLOYMENT

Hiring people is fundamentally good. It can be used to glorify God but it can also be used for sinful purposes.

In contrast to Marxist theory, the Bible does not view as evil hiring one person to make profit off of their work.  That is not necessarily exploitation.  The laborer deserves his wages (Luke 10:7).  This Scripture shows that Jesus approves of employment, wages and gain from a person's work.    

Some people sells services and not goods so employment is necessary.  Then there is the fact that some products can only be produce by many people working t0gether (airplanes, ships, homes, etc).  The tasks are too large and complicated to do by one person alone.  Greater production can take place when many are hired. Paying someone for their labor is shared by no other creature. 

Employer/employee relationships provide opportunity to glorify God on both sides of the equation. Honesty, fairness, kindness and trustworthiness can all be shown in this relationship. We can demonstrate proper authority and responses to authority in this relationship. 

1 Timothy 6:2  reminds us that if our bosses are believers that we should treat them with respect and not abuse the relationship. They stand to gain from your hard work.  

An employer can exercise his authority with harshness or not pay what he has agreed to. These are manifestations of how sin can be shown in the workplace.  See James 5:4, Proverbs 18:9.  The distortions of something good should not cause us to see something as inherently evil.   

BOOK SUMMARY: BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD - CHAPTER 2 - PRODUCTIVITY

Producing goods and services is fundamentally good and something that we can do for God's glory or for sinful purposes. This is seen in the creation mandate. God set Adam in the garden to work it and to keep it (Genesis 2:15). They were to subdue the earth. Subdue implies that Adam and Eve should make the resources of the earth useful for their own benefit.  This would eventually include inventions of all sort and for all sorts of purposes (agriculture, home development, etc). Adam and Eve would be amazed to see that God put materials in the earth to make pipes that could deliver us water at any moment!  They would delight in God's goodness and we should to. This is how productivity glorifies God.  

Any manufactured item points to God's goodness because they are all derived from things God made and put on this earth.  Think about what it takes to make a pair of shoes: communication, metals, rubber, clothes, leather, etc. Think about how shoes meet the needs of another person.  This is all for God's glory.

Human desires to produce goods and services are not inherently evil. It's what God made us to do. It's exercising dominion over the earth.  This is consistent with Genesis 1:28.  Productive work should not be seen as bad. It is not to be avoided. Retirement for the purpose of not doing anything is not biblical.  

We can be sinful in our production of goods and services. Addictive/harmful drugs and pornography are examples where good and services do not glorify God.  

BOOK SUMMARY: BUSINESS FOR THE GLORY OF GOD - INTRODUCTION & CHAPTER 1 - OWNERSHIP

We were made to imitate God. We must never imitate God in ways that contradict His moral character (ie. using genius to rob a bank). Business should be done to glorify God, yet there are many temptations to do aspects of business in sinful ways.  

Owning possessions is fundamentally good and provides opportunities to sin or to glorify God.  When God gave the command "do not steal" He affirmed the validity of personal ownership. Ownership of possessions is one way we display God's glory since He is Sovereign over the universe and owns everything.  We get to be sovereign over a small part of His creation.

Taking care of possessions imitates God who takes care of the whole universe.  Taking care of possessions means we get to imitate God's wisdom, kindness, independence, knowledge, beauty, etc.  Sometimes we refer to ownership as stewardship because ultimately everything belongs to God.  

How can we glorify God with our possession? Paradoxically, we can glorify God with our possessions by giving some of them away.  We do this so that others can learn how to use things wisely. We do this to meets the needs of others or to further evangelistic efforts. We should use our possessions for good (see Hebrews 13:16, Proverbs 3:9, Acts 20:35).   Giving also shifts our trust from our money to our God. We can use our goods to produce things (ie. farming equipment). But we should also use our possessions for enjoyment (1 Timothy 6:13).  We should  also not give everything away but save for the good of our family (1 Timothy 5:8).  

Ownership provides opportunity to sin as well. We can use our resources to pollute and oppress others. James speaks of people using their riches to attack the church (James 2:6-7).  Materialism is wrong.  

Some government regulations are so complex that they make it hard for people to start business. Some countries are communist and the government owns almost everything. These systems are evil because they don't allow people to display the glory of God through personal ownership. Possessions are not evil. Ownership is not morally neutral.  The ownership of possessions is something created by God for His glory. 

BOOK SUMMARY - THE PEACEMAKER - PART 2 - GET THE LOG OUT OF YOUR EYE - CHAPTER 4 - IS IT REALLY WORTH FIGHTING OVER?

Proverbs 19:11 A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his gory to overlook an offense.

How can I show Jesus' work in me by owning up to my part in the conflict? Matthew 7:5 calls us hypocritical when we judge others without taking the log out of our own eye first before trying to help someone remove a splinter from their eye.  

Matthew 7:3-5 gives us Jesus' teaching on resolving conflict. It doesn't forbid us from talking to others about their sin. It just forbids it until we do some self-surgery. We must not be premature or improper in our loving correction of others. Self-examination includes checking to see if we are overly sensitive and being offended too easily.  It also requires us to identify our sinful actions. 

DEFINE THE ISSUES

In order to resolve conflict we must identify the real issues causing division. Division generally revolves around material and personal issues.  Material conflict relates to property, money or something tangible.  These sorts of issues should be resolved through negotiation (Chapter 11).  Personal conflict has to do with what is going on inside us.  It often relates to how we feel in regards to the way we were treated.  These sorts of conflicts are resolved through overlooking an offense or through confession, loving correction and forgiveness.  Sometimes material conflict is bound up together with personal conflict (see Luke 12:13-15). 

Sometimes material and person conflicts escalate and a host of other issues are brought up.  Stop dragging in more issues and address the ones brought up.  Try to address the primary issues before moving to other issues.  It's always worth asking, "Is this really worth fighting over?" Major issues cannot be overlooked. Sometimes progress must be made in personal conflict before progress can be made in material conflict.  Sometimes there is give and take as to what needs to be worked on.  But some matters should be overlooked.  

OVERLOOK MINOR OFFENSES

See Psalm 19:11, Proverbs 17:14; 1 Peter 4:8; Ephesians 4:2; Colossians 3:13.  We are exhibiting God's nature when we do this (Psalm 103:8-10).  God does not deal harshly with us and this same grace should be shown to others. How do we know when to overlook an offense? First, the offense should not have erected a wall between you and caused long-term ill-will towards the other person.  Secondly, the offense should not harm the reputation of God, others or the offender.  Overlooking is not the same as a passive process of sidelining the issue only to bring it up later. That leads to brooding, not forgiveness. Overlooking is active and inspired by the gospel as God is merciful to us.  You're deliberate is not talking about it, dwelling on it, or brooding over it.

CHECK YOUR ATTITUDE AND CHANGE IT

An overly sensitive attitude can cause us to not overlook minor offenses. Examine our own attitudes against God's Word.  Paul's instruction for conflict resolution are found in Philippians 4:2-9.   We are to:

(1).    Rejoice In The Lord Always - He repeats this phrase for emphasis. Let's open our eyes to God's goodness in the midst of conflict.  Satan wants you wrapped up in this conflict looking everywhere but to God. 

(2).    Let Your Gentleness Be Evident To All - Gentleness means large-hearted, lenient.  It's the opposite of irritability, rudeness and abrasiveness. This gentleness should be observable by all.  Gentleness helps the person who has wronged you especially if they are in pain or under great stress.  

(3).   Replace Anxiety With Prayer - Anxious thoughts are those thoughts that are burdensome, troubling, and stressful.  These feelings are magnified when we have conflict in our lives. Paul doesn't just tell us to stop being anxious. We are to replace anxious thoughts with prayers of gratitude and petition.  Put off, then put on.  Prayerful remembrance of God's goodness leads us to be hopeful about the future we face.   This is where God gives the unexplainable peace that guards your heart and mind.  This internal subjective peace can lead to external peace and reconciliation with others. 

(4).    See Things As They Really Are - The removal of anxiety helps us to see things more accurately. Anxiety exaggerates our perception and can warp our view of others and the conflict we have. Philippians 4:8 says we are to think about what is true, noble, right pure, lovely admirable, excellent or praiseworthy. Find those things in the other person. A counterbalance is necessary to see things as they really are. Overlooking a minor offense is easier when you do this.  A balanced view will help you see what you will lose if you do not resolve the conflict you have with the other person.  A balanced view may bring out the same in the other person. 

(5).    Practice What You've Learned - Paul continues to exhort that those who are in a quarrel are to do what they have learned--and God's peace will be with them.  Knowledge of the Bible isn't really knowledge until it is assimilated into your living.  

COUNT THE COST

Conflict is more expensive that we first perceive.  Matthew 5:25-26 reminds us to quickly come to terms with our adversary lest you incur prison time. Prison time isn't the only cost we may incur if conflict is not resolved.  It may even embitter us towards God (Psalm 73:21-22).   It can hurt others at work, home or church.  

WHAT ABOUT RIGHTS?

Some people want to assert their to pursue justice in a conflict.   It's good to contemplate what would have to us if God pursued justice instead of grace and mercy.  It's much harder to fathom why God saves any of us at all verses why God only saves some.  We were all once children of wrath but now are joint-heirs with Christ. Much of what is right legally is not right according to God's Word. Sometimes is wrong to exercise our rights as Supreme Court Antonin Scalia noted. People may plead the statutes of fraud or limitations to escape responsibility but that is wrong. We should not act in these manners in our conflicts. We must do right before God (Matthew 7:12; Matthew 18:21-35) not what may be right civilly or legally.  Abraham gave up his rights (Genesis 13:5-12).  Joseph gave up his rights (Genesis 50: 19-21). Paul gave up his rights (1 Corinthians 9:3-15).  Jesus gave up his rights to cling to his manifest glory by taking on flesh (Philippians 2:7) and dying for us.  The only right we have is to do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).  We must ask ourselves if exercising our rights will honor God by showing the gospel, advancing His kingdom or benefiting others? Is it essential for my well-being?  Paul asserted his rights as a Roman citizen to avoid being flogged and to make His appeals in court, but it was for the purpose of spreading the gospel. When we do this, we draw attention to the goodness of God. Asserting our rights is sometimes necessary to help others learn that they are accountable to God (Proverbs 19:19).  Asserting right may be necessary to care for our family. 

Be careful about asserting rights in the name of stewardship. God hasn't called us to preserve everything He's entrusted to us. We are to invest it (Matthew 25:24-27).  Waste is different than investing for the sake of Christ. 

QUESTIONS AND THOUGHTS TO CONSIDER:

(1).    What did you think about the opening story of the pastor and the elders seeking reconciliation?

(2).    Define material and personal issues in your own words.

(3).    Why must we define the issues of a conflict in order to be a peacemaker?

(4).    Are you in the habit of overlooking minor offenses or are you keeping track of them only to strike out at a later time?  Do you brood over sins committed against you?

(5).    Which of Paul's instructions do you need to start putting into practice when it comes to checking your attitude? (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

(6).    Is there a time when conflict has cost you more than you expected?    

(7).    Can you share a time when you laid down your rights for the glory of God? Is there a time when you asserted your rights for God's glory?

(8).    Take a moment to think of someone with whom you have a conflict. Do you clearly understand the issues?  Is the offense worth overlooking? Have you checked your attitude? Have you counted the cost? Is God's glory in view? 

BOOK SUMMARY: REDEEMING MEMORY - CHAPTER 8 - THE FRUIT OF REDEMPTIVE MEMORY

The action of redemptive memory transforms us to be more like Christ.  We must remember God's commands and promises. His truth sanctifies us. 2 Corinthians 7:1 reminds us that we have God's promises and in light of them we must cleanse ourselves from all the defilement of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  See also Romans 12:2.  

The practicing of right remembrance (sanctification) results from a right relationship with God (justification).  

Colossians 3:1  Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 

Colossians 3:2  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.  

Remembering our new identity should transform us.  Take a moment to imagine what your life would be like without any memory of Christ's goodness, mercy, lovingkindness, forgiveness, etc.  

Isaiah 26:8  In the path of your judgments,  O Lord, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. 

HUMILITY - Humility is a fruit of a redeemed memory. It comes from a right understanding of your relation to God. God is center-state not you.  1 Corinthians 1:29 reminds us that there's to be no boasting in the presence of God as we remember the lowly standing from which God called us.  See also 1 Cor. 4:7.  The gospel removes reasons for boasting. If we forget self we can focus on remembering God. 

COMFORT

(1).  In Suffering - In our state of humility we can find comfort in painful situations by remembering the past. Read Psalm 77 to see Asaph's doubts as they meet his remembrance of the wonders of God.  Comfort only comes through right remembrance of God's deed, not in forgetting your current situation. Our memory has limits, but God's grace does not. 

(2).  In Grief - God cares about our grief even if He doesn't remove all sadness. Grace puts a limit on grief.  Thomas Watson said that true religion does not banish grief, it bounds it. God's grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9).   In the story of Ruth, Naomi was bitter because she lost her husband and two sons. But she had God's gift of Ruth. She forgot this gracious act of God.  God eventually gave Ruth a son, a grandson to Naomi, and restored Naomi's joy. When you are grief-stricken remember this redemptive story that leads to Jesus. Remember the hymn, "He Giveth More Grace."

HOPE - Comfort rests in the present, while hope looks to the future. The two should be intertwined in your life (Psalm 119:49-50).  In Lamentations, Jeremiah's memory afflicted him (Lamentations 3:17-18, 3:20).  But Jeremiah didn't stay despondent (Lamentations 3:21-23).  He recalled the Lord's lovingkindness and compassion which gave him hope in the promises of God.  The same memory that caused him to lament also caused him to recall God's promises so that he'd have hope.   The Valley of Achor (trouble) can be transformed into the door of hope (Hosea 2:15).

FAITH - Sanctifying faith ties the past and future together. Faith looks to the past for courage and then looks to the future with conviction and assurance. David looked to his past deliverance from a lion and bear only to fully believe that God would deliver him from Goliath (1 Samuel 17:37).  Spurgeon said that we have a tendency to inscribe our afflictions on brass while records of God's deliverance are inscribed on water. Faith is built under the ordinary circumstances of life. Memory might easily recall extraordinary events from God, but we must not miss him in the mundane. 

ACTIONS - Redeemed memory results in actions, not just humility, comfort, hope and faith. 

(1).    Imitate God - This is why we were created and we cannot do this if we cannot remember what God is like. Ephesians 5:1-2 calls us to be imitators of Christ. He taught us how to pray (Mattew 6:9-13).  He left us an example so that we'd walk in His footsteps (1 Peter 2:21).  

(2).    Confess to God - This is an act of redeemed memory as it calls to remembrance that which violates God's holiness.  1 John 1:8-9 calls us to confess our sin and not to deny it.  In Psalm 32:5 David acknowledged his sin. 

(3).     Praise to God - A forgiven soul is a thankful soul. Thankfulness flows from a redeemed memory. Paul practiced praise and thankfulness even while in a storm (Acts 27:35).  Contentment is only found in subtraction not addition. Our souls must be satisfied in Christ alone. A redeemed memory will overflow with praise (Psalm 145:7).  We praise what we delight in. If we delight in God we will praise Him. C.S. Lewis noted that praise in something we delight in completes the enjoyment. He also said, "A pleasure is full grown only when it is remembered."  Memory harmonizes praise and pleasure through the passage of time.

(4).     Love Others - A redeemed memory doesn't just show actions towards God but also to others. Rightly remembering God means you'll also rightly remember others. God's commands that we are to remember are often directed towards others (1 John 4:10-11).  Love also includes actions towards to downcast and rejected, prisoners and poor (Hebrews 13:3; Galatians 2:10).  We must also love our enemies (Matthew 5:44).  

(5).    Share With Others - We must share the gospel. 

(6).    Comfort Others - 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 reminds us that the God of all comfort has comforted us so that we can comfort others with the comfort we have received from God.  Suffering, thus, produces compassion and equips us to be compassionate. 

BOOK SUMMARY: GOD AND THE TRANSGENDER DEBATE - CHAPTER 2 - HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE

Ten years ago, transgenderism was hardly on anyone's radar. Today it is at the forefront of social issues. 

QUESTIONS NEEDING ANSWERS

1.    Can a man become a woman? Can a woman become a man?

2.    How and when should children be confronted with the debates about gender?

3.    What are we to do with children who are a member of one biological sex but feel as though they were born in the wrong body?

4.    What do we say to someone experiencing these feelings and desires?

5.    How do we love and help those who are deeply hurting?

This is about understanding that goes beyond gender. It's about what it means to be human, how we got here and what role God plays in all of this.  All this will be covered later, but first we have to know how we got here.   Many avenue have taken us to the transgender debate.  Let's look at a few prominent ones.

(1).  RELATIVISM - Relativism is now embedded in our Western culture whether we know it or not.  Relativism says that meaning and truth are relative or subjective.  In other words, what's right for one person may be wrong for another person.  Relativism is easily identified when someone says there's no such thing as absolute truth or in phrases like "live your truth" or "you do you".  This is the ethic of our culture.  Relativism appears to be non-judgmental on the surface as it denies that there is no one right way to understand the world.  Any attempt to make objective claims of reality, according to relativism, is just a way to gain power over someone else. 

(2).  POST-CHRISTENDOM - By most statistics, Christianity is on the decline in the West.  Thus, the moral truths that Christians teach are having less of an impact on our culture. Fewer people attend church. Biblical literacy is on the decline. With less Christian influence on our culture, the opportunity for opposing view to replace Christianity increases and worldly morality will be accepted as norm.  Over the last generation there has been a growing acceptance of lgtbq+ community. Marriage has declined and people are living together as the norm.  When all of these values are place alongside Christian values, we are seen as bigoted and hateful. 

Every society has a morality. The questions is: whose morality is going to be supreme?   When one moral framework gives way, another will take its place. Knowing that Christian morality is being supplanted by worldly morals, we will be on the wrong side of popular culture. 

The most influential areas of American culture (colleges, media, entertainment, art, law, businesses) are no longer influenced by Christianity. The leaders of these arenas are not Christian and they do not like Christian morals or values. 

(3).  RADICAL INDIVIDUALISM - Individualism says that what you want is the highest good.  It believes that it's immoral to tell others that his/her choices or believes are wrong.  The greatest sin, in this philosophy, is judging other.  Interestingly enough, these beliefs are self-defeating in that they are judging others as immoral when others don't follow their mantra. 

In many parts of the world, individualism is not a major philosophy. In those culture the question are geared towards the group or tribe.  What is best for us?

(4).  SEXUAL REVOLUTION - If it feels good, do it. The sexual revolution of the 60's gave rise to this notion. The sexual revolution emphasized that our bodies are our own and should be used to enjoy whatever we want.  It was during this time that hormonal contraception was popularized and approved by the FDA.  Prior to this, sexual activity carried a greater risk when it came to pregnancies outside of marriage, which was often frowned upon. But the growing and widespread use of "the pill" helped fuel this notion that sex outside of marriage was wrong since one of the major consequences was reduced.  The legalization of abortion in 1973 would soon follow on the heels of "the pill" making the social risks of premarital sex even less.  The sexual revolution led to declining marriage rates and increased divorce rates. 

(5).  GNOSTICISM - Gnosticism has been around a long time. Even the letter of 1 John deals with issues related to Gnosticism.  Gnosticism taught that matter was bad and that the spiritual realm was good. Thus, what mattered was a person's self-awareness and spiritual being, not what they did with their bodies.  Gnosticism has to do with attaining this higher knowledge of who you really are, not what you physically are. 

In the letter of 1 John the apostle was combatting a couple problems. One problem was that false teachers were claiming that the Christ did not actually take on flesh but only appeared to take on flesh since God, who is pure, would not take on flesh, which is impure. John argues that the Christ was indeed human.  The other false idea that John was combatting had to do with how we lived in our bodies. Some were living in habitual sin and being taught that what you did with your body didn't matter since your spirit was pure.  John writes to defeat this heresy.

In our culture Gnosticism is alive.  It shows up in this transgender debate: that your body and soul are separate.  It proclaims that your body doesn't matter. Your inward perception of your true being is what matters.  

You can see, then, how transgender ideology takes its cues from relativism, the sexual revolution and Gnosticism and it thrives in a post-Christian culture.  

NT Wright has observed: "The Gnostic, one who 'knows', has discovered the secrete of 'who I really am'.  This involves denying the goodness, or even the ultimate reality, of the natural world.  

Wright goes on to say that vulnerable and impressionable youngsters are going to eventually pay the price for these fashionable fantasies that are pushed by the elders of our society.  

These ideas and movements that we have just examined mean two things for us Christians in our current climate. (1).  It is wrong to judge someone else's morality. (2). It is wrong to fail to fulfill your desires.  These are two sins that our postmodern, post-Christian, individualistic, sexualized world will not tolerate or permit the Christian to speak against. 

DO GOOD - We will increasingly find ourselves on the wrong side of culture. But we are reminded that we need to not grow weary of doing good because we will reap a good harvest if we do not give us (Galatians 6:9).

As Christians we must not call evil good, nor good evil. We cannot simply follow the culture because it has moved. God has placed us where we are to live out godly lives even if it puts us at odds with society. So we must think about how to speak and how to do good when it comes to dealing with real people with real pain that are part of this issue.