Are You Undermining the Redemptive Work of Christ?

Are you undermining the redemptive work of Jesus in any way? If so, don't panic; you can always change your mind. The Greek word is metanoia; "repent" in English. Believe me, you'll experience a great freedom of spirit every time you do so! 

Not surprisingly, many Followers of Jesus are "mixing covenants," towing the party line with an admirable allegiance to their denomination DESPITE practices no longer required after Christ shed that first drop of His precious blood, when the New Covenant began. I must not fail to mention those traditions of man that, as Jesus said, "have made the Word of God of NO EFFECT" (Matthew15:6) as well as teachings and practices the apostle Paul referred to as "doctrines of demons," (1 Timothy 4:1).

In Jeremiah 31:31-34, the Lord says: “Behold, the days are coming... when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah—not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them... But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days... I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them... For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.” 

So, as Paul wrote, we are now under a "new and better Covenant." Read it in Hebrews 7:20-23 in your favorite translation. Here's how "The Message" phrases it: The old priesthood of Aaron perpetuated itself automatically, father to son, without explicit confirmation by God. But then God intervened and called this new, permanent priesthood into being with an added promise: 

God gave his word; he won't take it back: "You're the permanent priest."

This makes Jesus the guarantee of a far better way between us and God—one that really works! A new covenant.

Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus' priesthood is permanent. He's there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.

I encourage you - no, I BESEECH you - take a long, hard look at the traditions and teachings of your own religious affiliation and your own attitudes as well. Do the rules and regulations you're being taught tend to make those who fail to keep them feel like a red-headed stepchild, or do they nurture a loving relationship with the Father? Is there a sense of unworthiness within your congregation, or a peace, an unspeakable joy, and a freedom that makes others want what you claim to have found? Are lives being changed as a result of your practices, or is it all about behaving for appearance's sake?

Ask the question: Did the early Followers of Christ practice this? Would they have been comfortable engaging in this? 

An African minister once emailed a photo of his small church, everyone seated in rows, listening to him, attentively. I thanked him for sharing and suggested he try circling the chairs, encouraging the people to interact, and to ask the people bring food, suggesting this might feel a bit more like the early church. His next comment? The church started growing! The people don't want to go home! Even the children were enjoying themselves!

During this assessment of your own church practices, ask yourself if this practice, or teaching, is at risk of holding anyone who hears it in a religious bondage to another religious expectation? 

Ask yourself, if Jesus Himself taught anything held as a standard by your group, was He under Old Testament Law when He did so? (Example: "Our Father, who art in Heaven." Sure, He's in Heaven, too, because He's omnipresent, but YOU are the temple of God today, remember? Are we emphasizing THAT truth as strongly as we teach others to memorize a prayer directed toward Jewish men that has caused millions to see God as "out there" and untouchable?

Are we so sin conscious we've made it seem hopelessly impossible for anyone to feel loved and accepted by God, as individuals and as entire denominations? 

Would the very One who said, "No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them... For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more,” agree with the poor discipleship example we offer to those who wish to follow Jesus? 

Are we teaching them anything but how to walk in bondage to Religious practices, or are we introducing them to Christ in us, taking advantage of every opportunity to exhibit love and life?

Tomorrow, our church fellowship is getting together for Burgers, Beer and Bible Study. Yes, it was my idea and, after an informal survey, oddly, not a single person objected. In fact, some non-regulars will be joining us, I'm sure, because we'll HAVE beer. My thinking is this: If some Christians can have real wine at communion during THEIR gatherings, we can have beer, right? 

Now, I haven't had a beer since high school when I was working construction in El Paso and had six in the truck on the way home from a job site. I'm sure this message will ruffle the feathers of many Bible Belt Evangelicals, but I could name some incredible men of God who enjoyed their liquor, cigarettes and pipes throughout Christian history. In fact, many of our European brethren - mighty men and women of God whose names you would know - have joined us for Tex-Mex and indulged in a beer or a Margarita while some of us non-denominational types untangled our knickers! I may stick to toddlin' tea, but it sure won't be for any reason other than I don't like beer. 

Coffee neither.

Let's give it a rest. Instead of gauging everyone by whether they stick to the rules of our spiritual gatherings, let's try loving one another, regardless of whether they measure up or not.

Every blessing,
Michael Tummillo
Workplace Chaplain
Founder, The Church @ Work (TCAW)