The Truth about Contradiction

Senator Arlen Specter has decided to switch his allegiance from Republican to Democrat which could dramatically impact the Senate. Typically many of the conservative views of Republicans and their undeniable allegiance to Israel; God’s chosen people, aligns with many biblical views. With that said much contradiction remains when it appears as if many of the policy issues that impact the middle class are overlooked and as many Democrats attempt to reconcile these economic issues the Republicans respond with the ideology government should not intervene. Non intervention led to Lehman brothers and lies, deceit and mortgage crisis. Non intervention has led us to the worst predicament since The Great Depression, which was remedied through government intervention.

Historically in the church arena contradiction and consternation have existed. Calvinist believed in church government and meetings, while Lutherans readily subscribe to the notion that the bible is the ultimate authority, not popes, or councils. While this is true theoretically in actuality the bible is often interpreted differently which is what led to the need for councils and discussions. Today those who present the truth often do it without love in an abrasive fashion which ostracizes the world. Those who are “seeker sensitive” often are accused of minimizing the truth to reach the masses.

Personally this same contradiction resides within each of us between the flesh and the spirit. The reason why we are so perturbed and annoyed by contradiction and hypocrisy in others is because if calls out the hypocrisy that resides within ourselves. How can one be so anointed and gifted and still struggle with issues regarding character and the flesh? Romans 7:21-25 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Thank you Paul for unveiling this contradiction)

Ambiguity dominates our world. It sets the stage for the Anti-Christ (read 2 Thessalonians 2) as the mystery of iniquity is already at work. Satan has a Masters of Arts in Perversion. He takes what is inherently good created by God and attempts to distort it for evil. The world is so filled with hypocrisy that the Anti-Christ can easily emerge with a message of peace and safety, which will be followed by sudden destruction.

So the question is how do I separate the original good from the perverted evil? The Anabaptist removed themselves from society and the culture of the world all together; however this isolation prevents us from impacting the world for Christ. The answer to hypocrisy and ambiguity is truth. John 17:17 17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. What lies have I inherited? What lies have I told to myself? What fiction have I convinced myself to believe that are facts? From this day forward I choose to define myself based on the word of God exclusively. Jesus is the only one who can tackle the internal ambiguity inside of me and the external ambiguity of the world. I have always desired the truth, but I couldn’t handle the truth, but if I am going to become the reflection of God that I was created to be, I must embrace truth.

Practice What You Preach

I was afforded the distinct honor and privilege of presenting the word of God on this past Palm Sunday. Palm Sunday marks the beginning of what is commonly referred to as Passion Week; the most significant week in the Christtian faith, beginning with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, through Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, and culminating with Resurrection Sunday. My message was entitled “A Lot Can Change in a Week”. I was so elated when I discovered that a woman sat on a bench outside of the church during the message of the 9am service and felt compelled to come in and received the Holy Ghost during the 11:30 service. That afternoon I spent time with the Russell’s (another young couple who inspires me shout out Robinson's, Meje’s and Jones-Bey’s in no particular order lol) attended the Master builders Men’s Ministry Fellowship, and celebrated Ain’s 35th birthday. I enjoyed being around people, and I felt like this afternoon simply prolonged the inevitable.

After ministering there usually is a deep place of reflection and introspection. It is impossible to minister effectively and not become vulnerable and exposed, therefore causing you to become susceptible to the enemy. It is a blessing to those who have relationships and divine connections with individuals who can cover you during these times of extreme post ministry spiritual exposure. As I drove home silence became loud and my consternation became intense. God responded and reminded me to “Practice what you preach”

The points of the message concerning Passion Week were:
Seize the Moment- Every moment counts. If Jesus disdained earlier moments of His earthly ministry He would have been disqualified for the moment that would altar the course of the world and humanity for ever. Passion Week was possible because of what He did prior to Passion Week.

If you Don’t Define Yourself, People will do it for you- As Jesus entered Jerusalem on Sunday people waved Palm branches and hailed “Hosanna, Blessed is the King of Israel, that comes in the name of the Lord!” On Friday the same people were saying, “Give us Barabas, and crucify him!” He didn’t change but there definition of Him changed. He remained constant in the midst of fluctuation.

You Can’t Conceal What God wants to Reveal- When Jesus was at the marriage of Cana of Galilee and they ran out of wine, His mother asked him to come and perform the miracle of replenishing the supply. Jesus responded and asked his mother, “Why would you involve me with this miracle? My hour is not come yet, (NIV my time is not yet)” However during this Passion Week, Jesus couldn’t be concealed anymore, all of Him was about to be revealed.

Passion + Purpose = Destiny
Passion may get you there, but when passion begins to flee it is purpose that will keep you there. While in the Garden of Gethsemane, His passion said if it be possible, let this cup pass, but His purpose said nevertheless not my will but thy will be done.

The Lord reminded me, that I can’t focus on my past or future, but must use my present to ameliorate the pain of my past, and use my present as a catalyst to change my future. The Lord stressed to me the importance of remaining consistent in the midst of inconsistent circumstances. While the revealing process might be painful, the suffering of the present time is not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us! (That was tight, should have said that Sunday!) And finally, I can’t allow anything to cause me to forfeit my purpose.

If Jesus could change the world in a week, why can’t I through the power of God, change my world this week? The world went from being a slave to the curse of sin to being liberated through Jesus in a week. Jesus went from being beneath the ground to above the ground in a week. He rode in on a donkey and rode off on clouds. Jesus teaches us a valuable lesson: the way you go in is the way you are coming out. He entered triumphantly into Jerusalem to face the trial of His life, and had a triumphant exit from the grave! It’s my turn!

(All right, that's a wrap, I had dinner at my favorite restaurant in Chicago, Texas De Brazil and a piece of chocolate cake is calling my name! I love my job, I was in New York last week and spent time in Chicago this week, it is so crazy to have restaurant spots in multiple cities (In New York Little Vinnies Italian food on 1st and 1st is bomb also!, finally get Israel's new CD!!!!)