Evaluating 40 Days of Community

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

"We're Connected to Grow Together...By Encouraging Each Other."

We have the power to kill or give life.

Wow! Rick sure places a lot of power in the hands of mere humans. The Bible says in Deut 32:39 (NET): "'See now that I, indeed I, am he!' says the LORD, 'and there is no god besides me. I kill and give life, I smash and I heal, and none can resist my power.'" Jesus emphasized this very clearly when He stated: "But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!" (Luke 12:5, NASB).

Many of the messages we hear from the world are the killing kind. We're told: "You're not smart enough; you're not thin enough; you're not fast enough; you're not GOOD enough." The Bible says, "Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit--you choose" (Prov 18:21, MSG).

It seems to me that Rick is advocating that we ought to be raising people's self-esteem instead of calling them to deny self and find God's strength in their weakness. True, words can be used for harm, and many have committed suicide because of the words of others--James confirms "no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men..." (James 3:8, NASB). He then goes on to show that it should not be so amongst believers. We are not to curse or condemn others, but we are to proclaim the truth in love, and while the truth has the effect of tearing down one's pride, our intent is to do this ultimately to build a person up in Christ (not in self). The flattery that lifts up self and suppress the truth will ultimately not "furnish this people the slightest benefit" (Jer 23:32).

In a world where people are beat up and put down, we can provide a counterbalance to the negativity.

In this statement I see much of the theology of Robert Schuller--the power of positive thinking. Yes we are to encourage the brethren, but for someone who needs to repent, isn't building up their self-esteem counter-productive? Does a doctor try to make the sick patient who doesn't think they are sick feel good as motivation to take the cure? No, rather he convinces the patient of their dire condition so that they will hunger and thirst for the cure and then in desparation grab for it.

We see an example of this in Luke 13, where Jesus heals a woman who's been unable to stand up straight for 18 years. ... Jesus healed her physically, but he also built her up.

I would say here that the general principal in the Scriptures is: law to the proud, grace to the humble. Jesus was being gracious to this humble elderly woman, yet He didn't build up her self-esteem. He simply treated everyone as equals and was not a respector of persons.

The Bible says we should "look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out" (1 Thess 5:15b, MSG).

There is an element of truth in this in that we are to see the best in people and think of others more highly than ourselves. Complementing others is scriptural. However, the scripture that Rick quotes here actually says in the NASB: "...but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people." It may not be the best to tell an unrepentant sinner that he's doing pretty good and God loves him just like he is (ie. don't change). However, returning favor to someone who has just tried to harm us is a way of showing them that we do not care for ourselves and put others first. The scripture says that this will heap coals on his head, but hopefully stirs him enough to desire repentance.

An encourager works hard at bringing out the best in others.

Again, we have to take care that this is not at the expense of core truths. Our job is to encourage people in the faith, not in self.

May your conversation this week be peppered with phrases like: "I believe in you..."

Where does the Bible tell us to believe in one another? Let's be careful to encourage with words that keep people on the narrow path. Encourage--yes, but with a sincere desire for what is best for them knowing the result of a proud heart in the presence of God.

I hope my comments today make sense to you and you don't think that I am saying we should be going around trying to discourage people and nit-pick at their faults. That is not at all what I am saying. Love overlooks faults; but it doesn't steer people away from the truth that they are sinners saved by grace in whom God's strength is best displayed while they are weak. John the Baptist prepared the way by making the path straight, filling in the valleys (building up the broken-hearted) and leveling the hills (breaking up the proud heart). Be encouraged! God loves you so much that He has graciously given us His truth, and if we love and obey His Word, we will be protected from the evil schemes of the enemy who seeks to devour and destroy all that he can.