Heretic or Hero?

Since the summer break I have been pondering many things about the Christian life : what we believe and how it affects our being and our living. Here are some of the thoughts that have been running through my head and upon which I have been pondering.

We live in a fast changing world. What‘s “in “today is on its way “out” tomorrow. It’s hard to keep up with the pace of technological advancement. Before you know it the ‘latest’ phone you've bought is getting out of fashion.

Our world is punctuated by fads which have a following among folk whose life experience, cultural, social, economic context is almost unrecognizable from that of the previous generations.

We all products of the socio economic and historical period that we live in. It does shape our worldview, our way of thinking, our problem solving our creativity and even how we respond to God sometimes.

Every era throws new light, new revelations, new inventions and discoveries. Some of them are so radical that they challenge the very paradigm upon which the previous era rested its ethos, philosophy and world view. For instance Galileo discovered that the world was not flat but indeed round. He stirred up a might commotion in the world of science. The Industrial revolution was path breaking from the Guild System and the Master Craftsman of the day. The pioneers of that time had to endure much hardship and ridicule. Some of them even had their lives threatened and some even died being denounced as tools of Satan or heretics

Many a Christian fore father had to endure much the same for revelations they received that they strongly believed were Biblical and from God. For instance the Ana Baptists firmly believed in baptism by immersion and they paid for it with their lives.claiming that since infant baptism was scriptural and null and void, the baptizing of believers was not a "re-baptism" but in fact the first baptism for them. Balthasar Hübmaier wrote:

But the right baptism of Christ, which is preceded by teaching and oral confession of faith, I teach, and say that infant baptism is a robbery of the right baptism of Christ...As a result of their views on the nature of baptism and other issues, Anabaptist were heavily persecuted during the 16th century and into the 17th by both Magisterial Protestants and Roman Catholics.

  Martin Luther was denounced as a heretic for talking about justification by faith. The list can go on and on (You just need to read The Foxes Book of Martyrs) . What about those who believed that the gifts of the Spirit are available for us even today? They were mocked, ostracized and put out of main stream churches. 

This gave rise to what we know as the Charismatic movement that many of us enjoy being a part of today. Many paid the price for the path breaking revelation the fruit of which we now enjoy and take for granted. Today we look upon them as heroes of the faith and not as heretics as they once were.

The Bible does tell us that we know in part and we prophesy in part. Now we shall see dimly but then we shall see clearly.  ( 1 Cor. 13:9-12) 

Even Jesus was met with much resistance from the established order of the day. What He said and did was radical and provoking – it was unlike anything they had ever experienced or knew how to relate to. This incensed the Pharisees greatly who were “ever hearing but not understanding”. Claiming to see, therefore blind. Jesus paid with his life to set us free, to give us a new way to the Father.

So I believe it is true for us. We have not received all the revelation there is to receive. Remember we are always encountering an infinite God whose ways are not ours and can never be totally comprehended on this side of eternity.

One generation gets a portion of the revelation according their measure of faith and lives according to it as best they understand. Then, comes the next generation which throws up further light. Often the pioneers are met with resistance and ridicule before it is received.

Take the message on the wonderful doctrine of justification by faith : Martin Luther shed some light on it. But then down the ages more people have had further revelation and taken our understanding to another level.

As I said earlier we are products of our time that has bearings on our outlook to life, and our understanding . The 1800s, and early 1900s saw society transforming at a very slow pace but a transformation work had begun. New cities were emerging and science was making great advance. There was a time there was wide spread scarcity and poverty and only the upper class gentry knew the “good life”. And so the focus naturally was on just coping from one crisis to another. Life was hard and often cruel. The focus of the Christian was to persevere under every trial that was flung at them and to keep the faith. Frugality was a  great virtue. Godliness with contentment was of great gain.

As time went on the socio economic conditions began to improve all around with the Industrial revolution opening doors for new opportunities and financial well being the chance to break free from the never ending cycle o f poverty. Once could better one’s station in life. As society rises above the basic needs, higher aspirations come into play. One is able to lift one’s vision higher from just “give us this day our daily bread” to realizing that there is so much more in the kingdom of God. And we see progressive revelation come into play. Christian writings begin to change in their slant and flavor from endure hardship, be diligent ; to " lift up your eye and look around you - the nations are waiting",  "you can believe in miracles",  "there is so much more than just coping" etc.

Then there was a fresh wind blowing across the church in the early 1960s and it was being carried across the nations. There is now a whole new movement of “faith” “baptism in the Spirit” . "gifts of the Spirit", the Ephesians 4 ministries ,which was looked upon with suspicion at first. Today we embrace it as core and foundational. 

Am I suggesting that our doctrine is a reflection of the age we live in and therefore relative and subject to change? This  I know, that the Word of God has stood and will stand the test of time. It is eternal, unchanging and timeless. But I do know that there are mysteries to unravel and more revelation to be obtained and history bares witness to a change in understanding and therefore practice.

My pondering are this: does a particular age help usher in new revelations and how does that understanding then get translated into life and society?  A women’s plight in one age was pitiful, but in another, men of God upon receiving further revelation of God’s word begin to change things and see men and women as equal. This starts a whole cycle of change for woman and society .This is true of the slave trade as well. Change came with revelation from God and Godly men spear headed the abolition of slavery.

So what are the new challenges we are facing today? What new revelations are we resisting as heresy and which men of God are we denouncing as heretics only to be crowned heroes in years to come? More thoughts ,in the next blog post.

Navaz D Cruz

July 2013

At the table, we remember

As Christians , the "breaking of bread" or commonly known as "the Communion"  can be a practice that we get over familiar with. Over time we can forget what it stands for and what we are asked to call to mind when we partake of this beautiful sacrament. 





This provoked me to write a song . Here is the link to listen to it . The lyrics are below. May it make you reflect the next time you partake at the table.


Here at your table

Here at your table        

We remember      

The blood once shed  on the cross  

And as we partake we remember 

Your body broken bruised for us

 Here at your table

We consider

The finished work of the cross

Its brings me wholeness

And reconciles me

By making peace through His blood.

What a love what a  life

So pure and holy sacrificed     

My death you died , you paid my price         

What a love, what  sacrifice!

Here at your table we consider

All our weakness nailed to the cross

And as we partake we remember

The victory you have won for us

    

Bridge:

Jesus blood saves me

Jesus blood heals me

Jesus blood delivers me

Jesus blood – covers me

©Navaz D Cruz June 2013

Bridge section : co written with Karen Wood

Will it be a strong finish?

We recently acquired a book on which this blog is based. This book was recommended by a good friend who has seen a lot of life and experienced a great deal more. This book has challenged, provoked and encouraged me keep going on the straight and narrow because it opens up to true healthy joyous living and indeed to finally finishing strong.

We have all seen flash in the pans, the ones who make a big noise, know how to attract and play to an audience, to focus on the external and on what is seen rather than on the  eternal, that which is not seen. We all know of one or two great men of God who suddenly shot to fame and suddenly got shot down by something or someone.

I have summarized a few points from a chapter this book that I have being reflecting upon. But what is the title of this book? Well, it is aptly titled “Finishing Strong” by Steve Farrar. I would strongly recommend you make a wise investment of buying this super book.

So here goes:

There are different kinds of finishes

Cut off early

Finishing poorly

Finishing “so- so”

Finished well

To finish strong we need to survive the ambushes that life throws at us in various forms. Getting through the ambushes is what separates the boys from the men. The men are aware and prepare for the ambushes.

Three major ambushes

Money

Another woman

Neglected family.

And might I add – power? In my life experience I have seen many being ambushed by this deadly one and the root of which I feel is selfish ambition and pride.

King Solomon got ambushed by all 3

There are four simple questions we need to ask ourselves and answer ruthlessly honestly. All of the great men who fell tripped up on one of the 4 mentioned below. Frighteningly sobering.

• 1.      Do I have a constant quiet time? The correct answer ought to be YES
• 2.      2 Do I have 1 or 2 friends in my life? Based on trust who love me enough to get into my face and tell me the truth about myself. The correct answer ought to be YES
• 3.      Are you currently spending a lot of time with another person of the opposite sex? The correct answer ought to be NO
•  4.      Are you sure you will finish strong. The correct answer ought to be NO

1 wrong answer- risk, 2 wrong answers – moderate risk, 3 – bad risk, 4 – dead meat. The author recommends you get help quickly and treat this as urgent.

MONEY

Ananias and Saphira were more interested in looking good than doing good. Do you think it was the first time they lied about money. Are you shooting straight when it comes to money?

NEGLECTED FAMILY

Many great men of God neglected their family. Leaving behind family to become missionaries is not a biblical example, though some have done it but to the destruction of their marriages and family. The Apostles took their families along. Neglected family is un biblical and contradicts the Father heart of God and the qualifications for a good leader ( 1Tim 3:4-5)

Qualifications for having a public ministry is not giftedness - Qualifications for ministry is proven character.

A gifted man is not necessarily mature. In fact the very “giftedness” can be his down fall because he does not to work hard at discipline. That’s why they lag behind in character.

The great commission and family are not in conflict with one another. The Great commission is about making disciples and the first ones are in your own home.

Our kids don’t need more things- they need us.

I think there is a lot of matter to reflect upon and work on in this brief summary of but one chapter in this great book. I am putting some things that my heart has been convicted of into practice. Will you join me?

Navaz D Cruz

 April2013

P. S for our Indian readers Finishing Strong is available on Infibeam 

The flip side to the cutting edge.

Part 2

This blog can read as a continuation to the previous one I wrote. To my utter surprise last Sunday  my husband Colin preached almost the same thing that I have blogged here . You can read that  by clickinghere. I guess the Holy Spirit is indeed putting His finger on something , so I thought I’d blog this any way.

Doing the daily stuff deliberately while staying on the cutting edge is the flip side of the coin. Not neglecting the boring basics is what helps build consistency and character.

It’s the stuff that no one sees you doing but affects you inside out. It’s the stuff that a good soldier, sportsperson, musician is made up of. It’s the routine stuff, the drill for a soldier, the scales for a musician, and the laps round the field for a sports person.

So what it’s for me a Christian follower? It’s the simple basic “Quiet Time” spent alone with God each day, reading and mediating upon His Word, prayer, listening to the Holy Spirit- in short the unseen Spiritual Disciplines. Then it’s learning to put the Word into practice, being an obedient disciple of Jesus and then in turn passing in these values to the next disciple and the next, slowly and deliberately. We allow the roots to go deep down- we put foundations really deep till we hit the rock.

This helps put steel into the structure and keeps us steady in the midst of storms , trails and troubles. When we pass on these disciplines to a new believer we are giving him or her tools for survival for the long haul. We are helping them to run the long marathon of life and finish strong.

There is a view that thinks anything to do with “discipline” is legalism and lacks grace. How far from the truth!! the Word of God encourages us not to dwell carelessly , to live quiet and self controlled lives. Jesus who is Grace himself practice the above i.e. He got up very early in the morning to pray, He studied the scripture, He waited on the Holy Spirit, He was obedient to the Father to the point of death on a cross.

So if we are Christ followers we need to model our lives after Him. We do not practice these disciples to gain acceptance or brownie points with God. We can never merit His love. We do it because we are already accepted completely but make it our aim to please Him in every way just as was Jesus’ aim : to bring glory to the Father.

So as we move along in life, keep pace with change, there are some things that do not change at all i.e our Lord Jesus, His Word, what He expects from us as his disciples. When we do this we will put strong roots down, we are less likely to loose our passion and vision/ so let’s doggedly do the deliberate stuff daily.

I want to end with one of my favorite verses from the Bible:

 Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Navaz D Cruz

March 2013

The Cutting Edge - going wide and deep !

One morning Colin and I had an interesting conversation that got me thinking . We were discussing how it is important to stay on the cutting edge of things. I could hear  the heart of a pioneer once again beating ahead its time ! That's where pioneers live, at the cutting edge of what they do. 

We were talking about the cell phone market of how the once leading brand,  has now given ground to a then lesser know brand simply because they did not get in on the Smart Phone market quickly enough. The other brand was a dark horse that  sneaked up behind them and today are the world leaders leaving the others in their trail of dust. Who would have thought that the giant leader could be shaken?

This is true for our lives as well,  in our places of work, and as leaders of churches.

Staying on the cutting edge is not easy. It requires that you to be alert be informed, have your ear to the ground and keep pace with the changing times. There is no room for complacency or getting cozy and comfortable. You may be ahead of the game today but staying ahead is not guaranteed, nor can one take it for granted. We need to constantly adjust and set out sails to the winds of change. We need to read the signs of the times and adapt our methods without compromising our values or goal.

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." John 3:8 . Nobody knows when where it will go are but we need to set our sails to it .

I know that on the business front we have had to adapt change and learn new skills all the time to stay on top of what we are doing. The markets have been shaky and we have had to adapt to survive. We thank God for the Holy Spirit’s leading and guiding.

The same is true for the church. What worked twenty years ago may not hold true today. The Gospel is indeed eternal and unchanging. The End does not change but the means needs to adapt to the changing times. In the 1960’s and 70s standing in the market square preaching and distributing leaflets was probably and effective way of sharing your faith. But to do that today would be at the risk of one’s life in some countries.

At one time the big stadium crusade had an appeal, an anointing and many came to faith through them viz. Billy Graham meetings, Bill Lorry etc. Today, a lot of these crusades are filled with already Christ Followers and very few seekers. The results are poor, and leave very little impact on the local church and community.

So what is the Spirit saying to us today? Where is the wind blowing? How do we need to set out sails? We need to be a people full of the Word and the Spirit.

We believe the Holy Spirit is drawing our attention to the original Blueprint that was set out in Matt 28:28-2- i.e.  make disciples of Jesus who will in turn make disciples of Jesus.

It’s simple, probably you might think too simplistic. But it is foundational, powerful and THE tool Jesus gave the 12 to change the whole world. It does not have any glamour and flash to it. It is slow, deliberate and effective. One only has to read  the book of Acts and the Epistles to see.

We believe the Holy Spirit is taking us back to the method employed in the book of Acts, where entire regions and even countries were changed by this. I am referring to the House Church model where they met in people’s homes  one on one.

As families were transformed, an entire community got affected which spilled over to a region and then an entire nation. Nothing has proved to be more effective over the centuries (even the Wesleyan revival was sustained by the house meetings). This method goes wide and deep producing lasting fruit over and over again through ordinary folk like you and I. It is not dependent on the Super Pastor model that is difficult to replicate. This can happen starting today as you reach out to a friend, a neighbor, a colleague and start a small group in your won living room. It can begin with you and just one more person and allow the Holy Spirit to breath upon it. As more of us do this, like yeast, it will work itself into the community and bring change.

This we believe is the new wine skin for a long season to come, this is where the wind is blowing and we need to set our sails to what the Spirit is doing. 

As we do this we will have the joy and privilege of participating in the greatest harvest our generation has seen.

Let’s be on the cutting edge of making History for eternity!!

To read more about how this can be worked out please click on the link below.

http://blog.wordofgracechurch.org/search/label/Vision%2013%2F30

Navaz D Cruz

Feb2013

New Year's Resolution - Grace or law?

A couple of months ago I heard a preacher say something that deeply challenged and convicted me .  It got me thinking , pondering and reflecting on my own life.

He said that in today's world it has become a norm not to commit . People fear commitment  that’s why they prefer things to hang loose. This is reflected in everyday life, relationships etc. Many people no longer marry in the West but just move in with a “lets see if this works, lets give it a shot” attitude leaving a back door to walk out wide open. Gone are the days when people carried a diary or a file o fax where dates and commitments were inked in and the intent to meet or do something was sealed.Today when friends want to meet up its more like “I call you, lets see how it goes and if ‘m free”, leaving the option to opt out. We see this even in spiritual matters. Many approach coming for the church meeting as an option saying “If I’m not doing anything else I’ll go to the meeting” Even God is treated with an open backed door!

Nothing of any significance has ever been achieved or built without sacrifice, cost, commitment and doggedness. Ask any sports person, scientist, businessman ; anyone who has achieved something of significance in their field, in their lifetime and they will tell you that it took hours and years of sacrifice and focus; study and practice to get to their goal. It often took saying “no” to many things, narrowing the options, closing the back door tight, putting the blinkers on and setting ones face like a flint ;pressing on toward the goal marked out. This is what men and woman of substance and character have looked like through the ages.

Most people who know me would question why I am reflecting on this as I am known to be quite disciplined. That’s mostly true but over the years I have lets things hang loose and have let things slide- that's why the conviction. One of the things I stopped doing was, writing a New Year’s Resolution. Therefore I achieved very little – and have not done the things I ought to have done in last few years. I have been the looser!

Am I going to beat myself on the head for this? No. I realize my loss, my folly and I repent. I know I belong to a gracious God who wants the best for me and helps me in my weakness. His grace is there for me to overcome and His grace is made perfect in my weakness.

This year I  have decided to restart writing a list of things I want to see happen in 2013. Lets call it a Faith List. Before you throw the Grace Card at me let me say this – Grace is not a license to hang loose, to sin or to live an undisciplined life. Grace helps me to overcome. Grace helps me in my weakness to make me strong. Grace helps me to say “no” to sin and unrighteousness.

We have many examples in scripture of people who were focused and committed therefore they accomplished all that God had wanted of them in their life time. Some such heroes are Noah, Nehemiah, King Solomon, Paul and Jesus Himself.

Proverbs 29:18 says “Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;”(NIV) Other translations say “dwell carelessly or perish” This is good enough reason for me to plan, prepare and stay focused.

So I took my pen and book and began to write. Here is something that might help you if you’d like to make a list . It s called SMART goals

S – write down something SPECIFIC.

M- It should be MEASURABLE.  Eg) I’ll have my neighbors over for tea (x). I’ll have 3 families over for tea ( an you name them and put dates in your diary)

A-      ACHIEVABLE- don’t have unrealistic  goals. Eg: I will run for 5 miles everyday.( you can’t do that if you've never done it. Start with half a mile and build it up)

R- REPEATABLE – It can be repeated to someone who asks you what your goal is. Eg) I am going run half a mile everyday day.

T- TIME BOUND At the end of the year you can see whether you have accomplished  this or not.

Write down specific goals for specific areas of your life viz PERSONAL: marriage, kids, home care. Your  WORK/career. Your SPIRITUAL Life ( personal, in relation to your Church etc).

Soak these in prayer, work at them diligently, review them from time to time, share them with a friend who can ask you how you are doing and encourage you  in keeping focus. I am sure you and I will slip sometime during this year- but don't let that stop you. Pick yourself up and move on. Lets see how much we accomplish at the end of year 2013. I believe this is a year of great favor and whatever we put our hands to God will bless. Lets go get those goals down in black and white for starters! Have a great year.

Navaz D Cruz
Jan 2013

To be or not to be - battling for your dream.

‎"To be or not to be. That is the question. Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing, end them" ( Hamlet- W. Shakespeare)

As Christians we often have a very passive and ‘peaceful’ outlook to things that happen in our lives  and can be fooled into thinking we are to accept everything that is flung at us without fighting back.I have heard a great man of God say “the Christian life is not like a battle but it is a battle”. Whatever happened then to this peaceful person called a Christian? That statement does not seem to have room for ‘peace’ or passivity.

Anybody who has been a Christian long enough can identify with the above quote. We know how we struggle within and without. Being kind, forgiving, patient and forbearing is not easy. It is a battle. When tempted to sin in thought, word or deed there is battle at hand to resist the force of the flesh and surrender to the way of the cross which is dying to self.

How do we “take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing, end them”? I have been thinking about this.  I have been reflecting on area where we do this. I think the first place is in the mind- that’s where most battles are fought and won.” For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” ( Eph 6:12).

I have found that it is here that the fiercest battles are fought. For years, I had to fight to keep a God given dream alive .The battle against crippling discouragement  demanded that I rise above it and look to God for my strength and enabling. The battle against my own negative thoughts meant I had to learn to put no confidence in the flesh but to confess that “His power is made perfect in my weakness”. The battle against  lack of help and outside support  meant I had to learn to forgive and move on saying He is my sufficiency ( 2Cor 12:9) and my competence comes from Him ( 2 Cor 3:5).He is able to give me everything I need for life and godliness ( 2 Peter 1:3). IT WAS A BATTLE! If I had continued to stay passive, I would have stayed unfruitful, become despondent and depressed and not gone on to fulfill God’s plans for my life.

Is the battle over? Has it ended? I wish I could say a resounding “Yes”, but the truth is far from it. The good news is that I am gaining victory over the toughest battle – that is my own mind ( where the battle continues to rage but I am better equipped now), my own  lack of faith and  wanting to giving up. To maintain the ground I have won, I need to keep fighting . And this fight is not won on a bloody battle field but at the foot of the cross where every battle was fought , won and proclaimed to all of history with the biggest most confident  victory cry of all :”It is finished”.

I have decided that I will be the one who  takes arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing, end them  thus fulfilling those God given dreams  for the glory of God!

Navaz D Cruz

Oct 2012