Now, every organization has to have rules. Leadership especially must be held to a standard of conduct or they cannot be leaders. The Bible has clear rules designating the kind of people who can, and cannot be pastors, deacons, teachers, and the like. However, the congregation must be careful not to systemize outward rules to the point that they become the measure of spirituality, holiness, and growth. Built into the DNA of some churches is almost an unwritten “holiness chart”, that is used to grade and assess everyone. So, because everyone knows what the answers already are they pass the test (outside) without doing the work (inside). When a group systemizes holiness based in majority on the outward, they begin to birth and grow pharisees and hypocrites.

Pharisees and hypocrites are in every church. They know the right words to say, they do all the right things, attend all the right conferences, show up at all the special meetings, avoid those things that the group considers out-of-bounds for the Christian. Sometimes because of the outward show these individuals are promoted to high levels of responsibility within the church.

The warning is simple. The modern church runs the risk of creating modern pharisees and hypocrites. Look at what Jesus says in Matthew 23:24-28, “Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.”

Much emphasis must be made of the heart’s condition and position before God. If the heart is holy, the actions will follow. If the heart isn’t holy, the facade will eventually crack, fade, and crumble. The unfortunate truth is, when the walls of the facade fall down, they fall on top of others and sometimes crush them.

It is true, however, that inner holiness should impact, and will always impact our lifestyle. Look at what the Apostle Peter told us.
1 Peter 1:13-19 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 

Peter first addresses the inside of us, the mind. From here he contrasts who we were with who we now are. A new person will have by nature, a new conduct.

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 

Next comes the motivation. Holiness, for the sole purpose of being like God. Holiness is not something God gave us to evaluate ourselves against another Christian.

Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 

And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 

Our motivation for our outward walk is not to be how others perceive us, but rather the fact that we will give account one day of how we ran our race.

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 

Finally, Peter takes us back to what really matters…the blood of Jesus. We were not redeemed or saved because of our works. Our outward holiness does not impress God or gain our acceptance with Him. The only thing that impresses the Father is the blood of Jesus, and it is our only means of acceptance with the Almighty

Look with me at, 2 Peter 3:11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 


We see in this verse a progression. First, Peter talks about the motivating factor of the end of this world; the end of the external and the beginning of the eternal. Second, he talks about the manner or kind of people that we ought to be. This has to do with the heart, with character, with our spirit, and attitude. From this inward holiness then flows an outward holiness that permeates our way of life (our “conversation”), this then makes us look like Jesus (godliness).

It is interesting to me that Jesus did not say “Battle till I come.” That’s what most of us think of when we think of the Christian life. We know that we are soldiers. 2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. We know that we are in a war.  2 Corinthians 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)  1 Timothy 1:18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; We know that we have been given armour, a uniform to wear. Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. But even with all of this, we find that we are an occupying army.

We have seen this occupying concept in the history of our own country, from the occupation of parts of Europe after WWII to the most recent years of ongoing occupation and counter-insurgency efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. What we really have to understand is that we are soldier/statesman (ambassadors) from another Kingdom. As such, we have the power to defend ourselves from the enemy (the world, the flesh, and the devil). But the real warfare is for the hearts, minds, and souls of those who inhabit the kingdom of this world.

We are not here to set up permanent bases. This world is not our home. We are not here get all of those who inhabit this kingdom to adopt the speech, attitudes, and actions of our Kingdom. We are the salt and light. We are the ones that are different and from a different place. We are here to preserve souls and enlighten hearts. The people of this kingdom need to know about our King and how they can become citizens of the Kingdom of Light. So many Christians want to fight each other and everyone else and forget that God has called them to be salt and light.

Doing good is part of this salt and light process. Our armies at this hour are not only fighting the bad guys, but also providing security and resources to rebuild hospitals, roads, and schools. Jesus said,  ”Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 Why is it that we in our rush to correct the evils of this world (and there are many) and to evangelize (and that’s essential) do we forget that Jesus said that if we do good works the people of this kingdom will come to glorify our KING? That seems to me to be an important missing link.

Now I am not advocating what is known as the social gospel where needs are addressed to the exclusion of the message of the cross. What I am saying is that God has given us good works as a key to winning the hearts and minds so that we may preach the gospel to the souls.

Will all the people of this kingdom end up coming over into the Kingdom of Light? No, but if we do our job as soldier/statesman many will.

Now let’s switch gears. The word that is translated “occupy” in this verse very literally means “to busy oneself with, i.e. to trade.” In other words, God is telling us to do business here until Jesus, our King, comes back. God has not called us out of the world to some compound on a hill or even to a Christian sub-culture where we don’t rub shoulders with those to whom God has sent us. Jesus said, “I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.”  John 17:15 

We have a business. Like Jesus, it is our “Father’s business.” We must use our time, talents, and treasure to serve the interests of our King and His Kingdom until He comes back. Souls are our business. People matter to God let us make sure that they are a priority for us.

Simply put, the word translated “church” in the New Testament means a “called out assembly”. Most of the time it was used for town gatherings such as a political rally. So, the church is a group of people gathered together for a specific purpose. But is that all? Certainly not. As we move throughout the New Testament we discover that in order to be considered a “church” there were some prerequisites.

First, there had to be a group of believers. A church without a born again or saved membership is nothing more than a religious social club. It is that personal relationship with Jesus that identifies us as His followers and as His church.

Second, that group of believers is voluntarily assembled to worship of God, to build each other up, to meet needs at home and abroad, and to proclaim the good news of the Gospel.

Third, in order to be a church that group of people must follow Christ’s command regarding the two ordinances left to the church; Baptism and the Lord’s Table.

Fourth, that group of people must have leadership. A group may form without pastoral leadership, but the Scriptures are consistent in showing us that leadership is a must in the local church.

Fifth, that group of people must be in agreement concerning doctrine, practice, and discipline. Not that they will be completely right in these areas…the church at Corinth was wrong on many fronts, but was still a “church.” Most of the time this “agreement” is found in what we call the church’s covenant and constitution. This need not, however be a separate document. The Scriptures are sufficient.

The church is simple, only five steps. Unfortunately there is much confusion concerning the church that Jesus gave to us. This confusion is not necessary, God designed to church to be simple,organic, and easily reproducible.

Ex 20:25 And if thou wilt make me an altar of stone, thou shalt not build it of hewn stone: for if thou lift up thy tool upon it, thou hast polluted it.

This verse reminded me that it is not our job to manipulate, control, or change what God gives us to work with in life, or for that matter, WHO God gives us to work with. God is the master builder. if He wants to use odd shaped and sized stones, it is His call. And really, I’m glad He does choose to use odd shapes and sizes!

Here’s another verse: 1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

So, we are stones. Some are more odd shaped than others, but it’s not our job to change the stones (that’s His job). We do,  however, have to make them fit in. Which could take us into talking about including others, but that’s another devotional. For now, don’t try to change others…let God do that.

Every week I drive by the home of a man who is building a wall with field stone. I really appreciate his patience in working with the stone. He tries each one to find their place in his wall. The finished product looks great, even if the individual stones are irregular.

Proverbs 3:5  Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

Ok, so I have a problem. The first step is admitting it right? My problem is I think I have it all figured out! And if I don’t have it all figured out, given enough time, resources, and chances, I can get it right…right? Wrong…so wrong…

Self confidence is good, so far as it goes. It’s good to be confident enough to match my own clothing, make myself a sandwich or start up a conversation with a total stranger. But when self-confidence becomes self delusion we are in for a pack of trouble. God said to trust in Him more than in ourselves. Why? Well, we can’t trust ourselves. The prophet Jeremiah said in 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

So if I can’t trust my own heart, I have to trust God.

Matthew Henry, a Bible Teacher from days gone by said, “God has wisely kept us in the dark concerning future events and reserved for himself the knowledge of them, that he may train us up in a dependence upon himself and a continued readiness for every event.”

So, I have to rely, rest, and lean upon the all knowing God of the universe to handle my issues. That’s like asking Superman if he can relocate an ant. Yes, God can do it. Trust Him.

Northside Baptist is not just a church, it is a group of real people like you and me who gather to worship our Creator and encourage one another. We live out our theme of “Here to Serve” in charitable and community efforts. We study the Bible, practice what we learn, and in the process grow together. May God richly bless you!