How much is too much? Hmm.
We've often heard someone say, "Whoa, TMI, TMI!" (Read: Too Much Information). Yes, we often devour - intentionally or unintentionally - shovel-fulls of information in our daily living.
Is "keeping it real" the same as "being transparent"? Well, that depends (or pampers) - do you have a moral compass and do you know how to use one?
Are we more interested in "coming out of the closet" than "cleaning it up"? Don't know - are YOU the one that'll be cleaning it up, or are you going to ask for help?
I know - seems to go down through the entire process in our brain buckets is going to exacerbate migraines, as the thought process has a tendency to generate more questions than it answers. And that's okay, if we're not asking the questions, we won't even begin addressing the problem(s).
So, what's the problem? Glad I asked myself this under the pretense that you (the reader) thought to think the question (now MY head hurts).
I cannot speak as to a third world tribesman in the darkest reaches of Africa. I cannot speak to you as if I was a noted politician in Parliament; nor, can I speak from the perspective of an over-educated elitist submerged in academia (see blog).
I can (however) speak to you as a Christian - and to that end, what the Church (sum total of all true believers in Christ) should be doing to BE transparent to those around us... not what the 21st century American church typically does (or chooses NOT to do).
We should...
1) Consider that our brothers and sisters in Christ are opportunities to honor and reflect Christ...
2) Do for others - not just because we (ourselves) are blessed (by GOD) - but because we love Him...
And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise." ~ Jesus (Luk.3.11.esv)
3) Humble ourselves to receive any blessing (from GOD) - no matter how odd it may appear, getting over our "dignified reserve"...
Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." ~ Peter and Jesus (Jhn.13.8.esv)
4) Make it a point to "lower the shields", show up and be available to participate in the blessings of others...
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Act.2.44-47.esv)
5) Find others and share our own needs within the body of Christ, so that GOD receives His glory...
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (Act.4.34-35.esv)
6) Make it a point to get involved in the lives of our brothers and sisters...
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. ~ Apostle Paul (Rom.12.13)
7) Realize that what's already been provided for us (Gentiles) didn't happen for us to merely write songs and authoritative books on - it was provided as a model of living...
For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. ~ Apostle Paul (Rom.15.27.esv)
8) Take the lumps with others and celebrate with them as well...
For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. ~ Apostle Paul (2Cr.1.5.esv)
9) Be thankful - whether you were there, receiving a blessing from the ministry of servants in the Church, or providing them yourselves...
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. ~ Apostle Paul (2Cr.9.12.esv)
10) Be mindful of the responsibility of the Word, in all matters spiritual and material...
One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. ~ Apostle Paul (Gal.6.6.esv)
11) Remember, that were it not for GOD's grace, we would still be wretched and fixated on ourselves...
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. ~ Apostle Paul (Eph.4.28.esv)
12) Exercise your works, in Christ - lest your faith be meaningless...
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good [fn] is that? ~ James (Jam.2.15.esv)
Being transparent isn't about folks seeing you - warts and all - but more so, being who you desire to be, in Christ, for those in the fellowship who may be at different points along the very same road you all travel. MMLIA
We've often heard someone say, "Whoa, TMI, TMI!" (Read: Too Much Information). Yes, we often devour - intentionally or unintentionally - shovel-fulls of information in our daily living.
Is "keeping it real" the same as "being transparent"? Well, that depends (or pampers) - do you have a moral compass and do you know how to use one?
Are we more interested in "coming out of the closet" than "cleaning it up"? Don't know - are YOU the one that'll be cleaning it up, or are you going to ask for help?
I know - seems to go down through the entire process in our brain buckets is going to exacerbate migraines, as the thought process has a tendency to generate more questions than it answers. And that's okay, if we're not asking the questions, we won't even begin addressing the problem(s).
So, what's the problem? Glad I asked myself this under the pretense that you (the reader) thought to think the question (now MY head hurts).
I cannot speak as to a third world tribesman in the darkest reaches of Africa. I cannot speak to you as if I was a noted politician in Parliament; nor, can I speak from the perspective of an over-educated elitist submerged in academia (see blog).
I can (however) speak to you as a Christian - and to that end, what the Church (sum total of all true believers in Christ) should be doing to BE transparent to those around us... not what the 21st century American church typically does (or chooses NOT to do).
We should...
1) Consider that our brothers and sisters in Christ are opportunities to honor and reflect Christ...
And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, [fn] you did it to me.' ~ Jesus (Mat.25.40.esv)
2) Do for others - not just because we (ourselves) are blessed (by GOD) - but because we love Him...
And he answered them, "Whoever has two tunics is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise." ~ Jesus (Luk.3.11.esv)
3) Humble ourselves to receive any blessing (from GOD) - no matter how odd it may appear, getting over our "dignified reserve"...
Peter said to him, "You shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered him, "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." ~ Peter and Jesus (Jhn.13.8.esv)
4) Make it a point to "lower the shields", show up and be available to participate in the blessings of others...
And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Act.2.44-47.esv)
5) Find others and share our own needs within the body of Christ, so that GOD receives His glory...
There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. (Act.4.34-35.esv)
6) Make it a point to get involved in the lives of our brothers and sisters...
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. ~ Apostle Paul (Rom.12.13)
7) Realize that what's already been provided for us (Gentiles) didn't happen for us to merely write songs and authoritative books on - it was provided as a model of living...
For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. ~ Apostle Paul (Rom.15.27.esv)
8) Take the lumps with others and celebrate with them as well...
For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too. ~ Apostle Paul (2Cr.1.5.esv)
9) Be thankful - whether you were there, receiving a blessing from the ministry of servants in the Church, or providing them yourselves...
For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. ~ Apostle Paul (2Cr.9.12.esv)
10) Be mindful of the responsibility of the Word, in all matters spiritual and material...
One who is taught the word must share all good things with the one who teaches. ~ Apostle Paul (Gal.6.6.esv)
11) Remember, that were it not for GOD's grace, we would still be wretched and fixated on ourselves...
Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. ~ Apostle Paul (Eph.4.28.esv)
12) Exercise your works, in Christ - lest your faith be meaningless...
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good [fn] is that? ~ James (Jam.2.15.esv)
Being transparent isn't about folks seeing you - warts and all - but more so, being who you desire to be, in Christ, for those in the fellowship who may be at different points along the very same road you all travel. MMLIA
No comments:
Post a Comment
Your comment is appreciated. Please allow a day or so before I post it. Thanks.