Holy Ostracism

When did we decide that exiling people was the appropriate response to handling disagreements?

At some point in human history, we figured out a form of avoiding those that disagree with us, leaving them to their own silly ideas and us to our completely "rational" ones.  At some point, we decided that we were tired of "heresy," so we set out to create a colony in our minds of the "heretics." At some point in time, we really missed the mark.

It's comical to me that Christians, the people who are supposedly fully cognizant of the grace and mercy God gives, do not exhibit either in their daily encounters.  Instead, we aid out own selfish agendas or opinions in an attempt to better ourselves in this earthly domain affectionately referred to as "the world."  If Jesus saw what we were up to, He would text the Father and say smh (that's teenager texting speak for "shaking my head," usually done in disgust or shame).

I don't see much of a Christian defense of this ostracism tactic, but when I do, I notice believers point to the separation of Paul and Barnabas as a sort of "get out of jail free card" for separating from people they disagree with. I would simply argue that not everything in the Bible is given as an example to follow. Sometimes, biblical topics are examples of what not to do.  In the case of Paul and Barnabas, the Holy Spirit stayed with them in their endeavors, but think about what their collaborative effort would have done in the cities they preached to. 

We're told to witness to sinners, but to avoid people who sin or will cause us to. Yet Jesus, in His unending love for us, chose to hang out with these people, for as He put it, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners" (Mark 2:17 ESV).

So today, as you stumble around in this thing we call life, remember that ostracizing people you disagree with, or ostracizing the sinner, is OK for you to do. That is, it's OK for you to do as Lon as you can do it while knowing Jesus did the exact opposite. If you're like me, once you realize this, you'll run towards Jesus on this one.

Your Brother in Christ,

Phillip Gatlin

The Fear of Mediocrity

It's been eight months since my last post.  Eight long, arduous months, filled with schoolwork, serving in several ministry outlets, and working a full-time job.  In a sense, as much as the people around me have supported me, and said things like, "You're doing WAY more than most people your age" and "You're a real go-getter," I can't help but feel like I'm falling short somehow, or that I'm some sort of mediocre excuse for a person. 

Maybe doing all of these things at once is not a good idea.  Maybe that takes away from the quality each thing would have if I gave it more focus.

Regardless, falling short of some ever-looming obligations to society and/or the dreams and goals of ourselves and our families takes its toll on our minds every day.  People like me now wake up and start each day asking, "Why?"  Why do I get another chance to breathe today?  Why am I doing the things I do?  Why me, Lord?  So that last one was a Kris Kristofferson and/or David Crowder quote, but whatever...

With this ever-looming threat of mediocrity comes this thought: What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? (Ecclesiastes 1:3 ESV)

What do I, a person who claims that one day he will serve the Lord through teaching young people about Him, gain for the work that I currently do.  Upon a close self-evaluation, absolutely nothing.  As of right now, it is another iron in the fire with the juggling act I call life.  However, I can't say that and simply leave it at that.  I have to expound.

I see too much of the mediocre side of things to fully appreciate them, at least while they're happening.  I see the negative long before I can clearly see the positive.  I see the person driving past the homeless guy asking for money before I see them pull into the ATM just to get cash for him.  I see the kids picking on others during worship time long before I see kids falling on their knees in reverence, asking for God to intervene in their lives.

That point seems random, but it's merely a way for me to express that I fear falling short specifically by fearing the mediocrity of my day-to-day tasks.  However, it's upon looking beyond myself that I find an answer to my miserable state.

I see that Jesus, in His many interactions with His people, called them out of mediocrity and led them into a life of higher purpose.  He called Peter and Andrew out of being fishermen to fish for the souls of men with Him.  He called Matthew to collect lost souls for the Kingdom, and to abandon collecting taxes for Caesar.  He calls us to something greater as well.

I don't mean to sound like one of these preacher-type guys who tell you God's got a plan for your life, and follow these steps and He'll bless you.  I am saying that it's painfully clear to me that we cannot find meaning in the trivial day-to-day, or even in our attempts to please God, apart from God.  

Please consider this as you work towards eliminating the mediocrity from your life.  Remember, it's something God does, not you on your own according to your own plans and ideas.

Individuality in Christ

This post's content is something it took me forever to learn, meaning that I just learned this within the last year. I really just learned that God makes individuals.

This is a tough statement to understand. Mainly because a) of course we're individuals, so I must be stupid and b) I must be stupid. It might seem that way, but from my point of view, it's been hard to identify individuals for Christ.

No matter what denomination your church belongs to, there is one consistent thing within denominations: church people act the same at church. People who normally speak a bad mix of profanity and slang suddenly find their sophisticated voice at church. "Isn't it a great day to be in the house of The Lord?" "The Lord hath made this day for thine own rejoicing." (Note the grammatical awkwardness of the later statement.)

Their actions can change too. Someone goes buck wild at concerts might shove their hands in their pockets for worship, or someone who is socially awkward might dance and rejoice during worship. It's a strange phenomenon!!

We were not created to be carbon copies of one another; mindless robots wandering the Earth and being in control by God. If this were so, why would we have fallen in Eden? He created us as individuals, with little quirks and ticks that make us unique and should be used for his glory.

I'm tired of seeing Christian copies mindlessly wandering from church service to church service. I want to see authentic Christians, who love The Lord and the people they come in contact with. I want to see people who evangelize not put of routine religious obligation, but out of pure desire to see hearts transformed by the Gospel.

I'm tired of seeing different Christians elevated to an unattainable platform, so that your average Christian thinks, "Man, if only I had that person's gift of speaking... If only I could have a cool testimony like that... If only I knew how to play an instrument..." This type of envy is not a healthy, reflecting on an individual's walk with Jesus relationship. This is a relationship in which a person tries to become another person instead of being themselves in Christ.

Look at yourself today and ask, "Am I copying someone else? Am I mimicking someone else's walk with Christ? Am I focused on being this person rather than being myself in Christ? Am I jut another Christian carbon copy?"

Your Brother in Christ,
Phillip Gatlin
@PhillipJamesG

Christian Mafia

The number one rule of Christian Mafia is that there is no Christian Mafia.

...but, hypothetically, if there was a Christian Mafia, which I'm not saying there is one, this is what it would look like:

Upon entering a church or Christian event, there would be someone by the door. They usually say hello or tell you how great it is to be in the house of The Lord, looking to see how you respond. If you respond incorrectly, you're seated in a lousy spot, or just judged heavily as they point out a seat for you.

When you sit down, you'll know who is considered "in" based on their choice of clothes. If you don't fit in the majority's clothing type, sorry, you will be judged.

There will be a plate passed, and you'd better put money in it. That man at the end of the aisle is watching you. He might rattle that plate a little. Pus, what good is a $20 when you have way more in your wallet? After all, it'd be a shame if something were to happen to your vehicle, which you unfortunately parked in visitor parking.

You have to stand up and sing songs with these people, songs you either don't like or don't know. It will be apparent to others that you don't know them. You will be judged. When they stop the music, switch songs, and ask you to shake hands, you'd best start shaking hands, even if you know good and well that you don't want to. Otherwise, you'll be judged.

When you see the preacher take the pulpit, be prepared for him looking directly at you and telling you you're going to Hell. Although no preacher would admit to it, many naturally look for the sinner in the pews to preach to. This is the worst feeling of being judged.

By now, you're probably wondering what church this is, and maybe even why any sane person would go to a church that had a mafia. This is what the outsiders see. For those of you that grew up in church, outsiders (like I used to be) see church as an institution full of people who are out to get them and make them stop drinking, cussing, and prevent them from having a good time.

As Christians, we can't come across like some sort of organized crime ring that is to be intimidated. Instead, we must convey the love of Christ in everything we do. If we don't, we might as well threaten newcomers and tell them to start tithing as "protection money." Keep this in mind the next time you want a newcomer to feel welcome, or feel the urge to witness to someone you're never met before.

Your Brother in Christ,
Phillip Gatlin
aka The Gat
aka Philbilly
Aka The Christ-Following Hobbit

Who is This? The King of Glory?

We just got done with the Christmas season two weeks ago, but I still feel the impact of the realization that Jesus came to this wretched planet in order to save us all from Death and Hell. That's not some easy task that you just role over one morning and say that you're gonna do. What most people don't realize is that there's another holiday dedicated solely to the revelation that Jesus Christ is the Word, the second member of the Trinity. It's called Epiphany, and every year it blows my mind.

It happens on January 6th each year, and it is not only the official church calendar's close of the Christmas season, but it is the day we commemorate the Magi finding Baby Jesus in a manger, or if you're in the Eastern Hemisphere, the day Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River. Both days are joined together by the same thing: the epiphany moment. This is what I call the moment right before you accept Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, right before you surrender your life fully to the call and commission of the Gospel. It's in that whirlwind of a moment that you suddenly realize that all of your preconceived notions mean nothing, and that the Savior you've been trying to resist won't let you resist Him. It's when you suddenly realize that there is a higher power, there is a God, and He does care, and He will save you if you let Him.

I had my epiphany moment in the summer of 2008. I didn't want anything to do with God. Well, I did, but in the same way one believes in Santa Claus when they get older: I feared the consequences if I didn't. I would pray to God, asking for guidance and forgiveness, but not really understanding what I meant. I just knew it was necessary. I felt like a two-faced, horrendous person through the first part of high school. No one but my friends knew how mean I could be when pushed by someone. No one knew how depressed I had become, and how everything around me felt meaningless and void. It wasn't until the summer of 2008 that the epiphany came.

I was in my house, playing the guitar really loud. I had been playing some ACDC song, probably Highway to Hell or something like that. I just remember that was the first time I felt completely wretched after doing something wrong. I was by myself. I had no one to make me feel guilty for my actions. I just remembered thinking, "I'm singing a song that actually describes me." I put the guitar down for what I thought was the last time.

That day I did what I had heard that the Bible said. I needed to be sure of what I needed to do, so I spoke with my pastor, and he explained how I needed to confess with my mouth and believe in my heart. And I really did. And I felt like a huge burden had been lifted from my shoulders. Had I not had that epiphany of the reality of Jesus Christ and the reality of my need for Him, I would've stayed on that highway to hell.

When I learned what Epiphany the holiday was two years later, I had just purchased the album "Economy" by John Mark McMillan. There is a song titled "Who Is This" that took me back to the realization of who Christ is. I remember hearing what He had done for me, and all I could think were the words of the song: "Who is this, the King of Glory?" Epiphany is a holiday I celebrate now, and of course "Who Is This" takes me back to that broken moment when I asked The Lord who He was, and when I heard, I had to give my life to Him.

My prayer is that you, the person reading this, have had that epiphany moment where you realize who Christ is, and what He's done for you. Feel free to call, text, or tweet me if necessary.

Your Brother in Christ,
Phillip G.
@PhillipJamesG
(904) 535-2342

God, I Look to You

The title of this blog is the title of a song on one of the Bethel Live records that really invokes a sense of awe and wonder in me towards our Lord. It makes me want to ask:

Why do we look to God?

In my personal life, I feel that I look to God for an answer. Not necessarily for selfish reasons, but for the slightest indication of what my situations are like from a God's eye view. I look to God because He is where my help comes from, He is the Everlasting Source of salvation.

I look to God as a source of all things beautiful and all things good and right in the universe. I look to God as Father. I look to the Father as a loving, compassionate figure whose standards are steadfast, and therefore He must go to extreme measures to ensure that His sinful children make it into eternity with Him. I look to Him as the sender of the Son and the Spirit, the two members of the Trinity who work diligently to save and empower the individual. I look to the Son as Savior, Redeemer, the Lamb who chose to give His life in exchange for my mistakes and misdeeds. I look the Spirit as the guiding light in my life, leading down the path of the righteous as the Psalms proclaim, and giving me the strength to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I look to God for everything, big and small, in my life, in an attempt to just make sure that my life is not wasted on doing what I want. I would rather live a short life in the fullness of God's plan for it, than a long life trying to aimlessly figure out what I'm supposed to do. Keep looking to God, asking for Him to guide you and form you into the person he wants you to be.

Your Brother in Christ,
Phillip G.

Anger

Be angry and do not sin.  Don't let the sun go down on your anger, and don't give the Devil an opportunity.  All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness.  And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. (Ephesians 4:26-27, 31-32 HCSB)

Why do we get so angry? Doesn't it seem like every day, with just one wrong word, or maybe even something as subtle as a glance, we become enraged and wanna destroy anyone we come into contact with.

Maybe not.  Maybe I'm just describing myself.  Unfortunately, I usually get pretty fired up easily.  I tend to be "passionate" about certain things, and when these things come into question, or someone's ignorance becomes apparent, I have been known to become angry.  This is not good.

So in Ephesians, Paul is demanding something simple from an apparently angry people: be angry and do not sin.  The two go hand in hand.  If we're not angry, our propensity to sin decreases.  Plain and simple.  Now if only it were that easy.

Hold on, there seems to be more advice.  "Don't let the sun go down on your anger."  So, don't leave anything that makes you angry unsettled?  Does that seem right?  So, if I'm mad at you because you ran over my mailbox, do I settle it before I go to bed by screaming at you and knocking down your mailbox?  Nah.  I just make sure I apply the first bit of advice too.  I don't get angry and I don't sin.  But how do I address this then?

More advice!!  Paul says, "All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness."  So, I can't throw eggs at your car in revenge because it displays all of these traits.  No fun (Just Kidding)!!  I can't be all of these things if I follow his first step.  These traits don't usually come up unless there's some sort of anger involved.  This is a kind of crazy anger to some degree.  The word wickedness usually denotes something evil or demonic.  This means that me being a hooligan and knocking out your taillights for messing up my mailbox mimics devilish stuff.  Not cool.

Paul also says, "And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another."  Stop right there.  So, in my little example, I forgive you.  Wow.  That might be hard.  Well, it would be hard, unless I hadn't already put away my bitterness and wrath and stuff.

Here comes the finisher!  That last part of the verse: "just as God also forgave you in Christ."  If you didn't necessarily feel like you wanted to follow these rules so far, this part is where the Holy Spirit should be putting you on a guilt trip.  When we look to Christ and the marvelous work He has done to reconcile us to God our Father, how can we even get mad at someone else?  Shouldn't we be filled with so much joy that we can't help but be happy?

When you read this passage, think about how we can use this in our day to day lives to advance the Kingdom of God.  We need to keep in mind that every person we come in contact with is observing us.  If we don't put aside our anger, whether it be with our brothers and sisters in Christ or those on the outside looking in, we will not be exemplifying our Lord.  Not cool.

My prayer is that we would all put aside our anger, settle in a Christ-honoring way, and look past it to focus on the big picture: how much God loves us, and how He commands us to spread His Word.

Your Brother in Christ,
Phillip