Evaluating 40 Days of Community

[*NOTE: Quotes from the 40 Days of Community Workbook are blockquoted.]

"We're Chosen to Fellowship Together...By Being Honest With Each Other."

...but we know the truth, and the truth has set us free (John 8:32).

Who is Rick speaking of here when he says "we"? The scripture says, "So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, 'If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free'" (John 8:31-32, NASB). Jesus says later in verse 37 of those who were seeking to kill Him: "...because My word has no place in you." We will only know the truth if we continue in His word--this was not a general statement for all professing Jesus as their Lord.

Lies of omission--These are lies where we fail to tell the whole truth, or we wink at the deceptions of others. ... "In the end, people appreciate frankness more than flattery" (Prov 28:23, NLT).

We would do well to remember this when we are sharing the gospel with others. Should we flatter people and uplift their self-esteem? Or should we rather help them see that they are condemned already (John 3:36) and unless they repent, they cannot have eternal life? This can be done in love by leading people to a knowledge of the truth by asking them if they have violated the 10 commandments and showing them that even if they only have done so in thought, God also sees this as the act itself. [A teaching that I have found personally helpful is a program titled "The Way of the Master"--you can find out more information at http://wayofthemaster.com/ or http://www.livingwaters.com/]. Coming to Christ for the wrong reason(s) can be fatal if not corrected since repentance is required. Paul said in Acts 20:26-27 (NET), "Therefore I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of you all. For I did not hold back from announcing to you the whole purpose of God."

Otherwise, dishonesty will pollute our lives together, and it will be difficult to develop a deeper trust for one another (Luke 16:10, NLT).

This is not what Luke 16:10 says. The NET reads "The one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." It is true that dishonesty will break down trust for one another, but more importantly, it is condemned in scripture ("...and all those who lie, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. That is the second death," Rev 21:8, NET) and brings dishonor to God.

Overall, I think this was one of the best chapters I have read yet in Rick Warren's book.