What's wrong with a little recognition?

Aren't we exhorted in scripture to honor certain people in the church? So what's wrong with publicly recognizing the good things people do? As I see it, appropriateness is really the point that requires discernment. As I study this subject it seems that God is most concerned with care and respect when he uses the word "honor". Especially of certain groups who are special in terms of their service to the church and the Lord. This would certainly include anyone serving the church like deacons, small group leaders, teachers, volunteers and "doubly" so pastors and elders. We should and indeed are commanded to hold those serving the Lord in the highest regard.

Where I think we need to be very careful especially with our youth, who we are still training, is in recognition, especially public recognition. “Honor” can often times be confused with man-centered public recognition. Similar to the way movie-stars, sports figures and other famous people are often put on display and made the center of attention. This man-centered recognition is not how God's servants are to be honored. We live in a world where pride is celebrated. Self-esteem is promoted. Ego is puffed up and man is central. It is very easy for temptations of pride (envy, judgment, gossip, slander, boasting, and self-righteousness) to seep into the church from a world that “normalizes” these sins.

We need to be very careful that our “honor” is appropriate. Applauding preaching or the offering of worship music are examples I would consider inappropriate. Also, giving people public awards or recognition because of a work of grace in their life, although intended to give glory to God, can too often focus attention on man and create prideful temptations. The value and effect of these practices should always be carefully considered.

As we know, any good work we do is not of us but of God and at best, tainted by our impurity. And any good work we do is not generosity but duty. So publicly recognizing good works or good behavior seems dangerous and unwise. Certainly private communication of works of grace in our youth and even adults can be a source of encouragement or gratitude and I would commend that.

What do you think?

Two Died Too Soon

I was saddened to hear this weekend of two people I new who passed away suddenly and while still relatively young. One, a friend in his mid-forties went to sleep on the couch while watching a ball game and never woke up. The other, a friend and co-worker in his early fifties, was driving in the car with his son, complained of feeling ill, pulled the car over and died of a heart attack.

Neither man to my knowledge had demonstrated any evidence of a saving relationship with the Lord. But, at this point only God knows for sure what their eternal destination is.

Life is truly a vapor. We are here for a little while and then we're gone.

How about you? Do you know for sure what your eternal destination will be? If you're not sure, you can be by recognizing and accepting Jesus' sacrificial death and atonement for your mistakes. If you have not done that, I would urge you to do it today, right now, for you know not when your time will expire.

If you have done that and you are sure where you'll go when you die, then for what purpose were you given this great gift? In light of eternity (a long time indeed) what is it that you are supposed to be doing between now and the time you die? In other words, let's say you've been given another 10 or 20 years to live. Do you think you are just supposed to eat, drink, sleep, work, play and then do that again and again each day until your time comes? Or did God have something more deliberate, more purposeful in mind when he chose to reveal himself to you?

I think we have a purpose. And it certainly has eternity in view. Let's pray that God would reveal it to us this day and each day we live until our time is up.

Don't raise Pharasees

Justin Taylor's blog had recent post on this subject. Which I commend to you. I couldn't agree more.

My kids tell me all the time about the "fakers" they know. Referring to those who's desire to be approved of or grouped in the "godly" group by the authorities (parents, teachers, pastors) in their life causes them to act one way when being observed and another (very different) way when not.

We all expect good behavior and certainly there is a battle going on with the flesh that must be fought. But, in reality, we are all ungodly and won't be completely godly until we pass in to glory.

Teaching our kids that "behavior" increases righteousness is simply legalism. Of course no one would knowingly teach that, but we may very well be teaching that without knowing it by our reaction to and focus on …”behavior”.

We should be reminding our kids daily that we are all wretched sinners whose hearts are deceitful.They should be walking around grieving for the unregenerate kids they know and amazed and grateful that God would condescend to save anyone most especially them. That is the sign of a humble heart that knows no boasting (Eph. 2:8).

Let’s be sure as parents, teachers and pastors that we teach our kids correctly by battling our own judging, prideful hearts that would indicate that behavior is more important than a humble heart that pursues the Savior.