Month: August 2018

Learn-Obey-Teach

~ brianholda ~ Leave a comment

I’ve reflected lately on the emphasis given in the Bible to:

  1. Learn Scripture
  2. Obey what you learn
  3. Teach others what you learn

All 3 are part of following God. They need each other and should not be separated. When we learn without obeying, for instance, we are in danger of greater judgment (e.g. Matt. 7:26).

Here are a few places that emphasize these 3 elements as a collective whole:

  • Deut. 11:18-25 – the success of Israel depended on doing all 3 things collectively
  • Ezra 7:10 – a leader involved in the rebuilding of Israel applied all 3 things collectively
  • Matt. 5:19 – greatness in God’s eyes is dependent on doing all 3 things
  • Matt. 28:18-20 – Jesus’ “great commission” to his followers tells them to do all 3 things

So now you’ve learned this.

Will you obey and teach it to others as well?

Brian

Following Christ in Singleness

~ brianholda ~ 1 Comment

I question the way the Western church has addressed the gift of singleness. It just seems, to me, that being single can wrongly make people feel like a second class kingdom citizen.

Further, I’ve wondered if this has contributed in some way to Christians wrongly approving homosexuality and transgender affiliation. By this I mean that–perhaps–we inadvertently treat singleness as a sort of disease to be avoided and this has allowed for “non-traditional remedies,” (such as homosexuality or transgenderism), so long as they help pull people out of singleness.

In either case, in contrast, Paul talks of the great gift of singleness in 1 Cor. 7. Namely, you have more time and energy to dedicate directly to Christ. Thus, we should cherish, not belittle, those gifted with singleness.

So, in saying all this, I get excited about resources that promote the gift of singleness, and I want to pass them onto you all:

Check out this article and broadcast from Focus on the Family on singleness.

Brian