Love; December 27, 2018

Posted on December 30, 2018 by jgarrott

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

John wrote a good bit on this theme, but he was only echoing what he saw and heard in Jesus. In this, love is like faith: it is internal, but it is demonstrated in action. Jesus famously talked about the connection between love and obedience. (John 14:15 etc.) He was speaking expressly about our love for God, but John, the “beloved disciple,” (John 13:23, etc.) is here extending that to our love for those around us, which Jesus also commanded. (John 13:34) It may be simply a matter of standard idiom, but I like the fact that the Japanese inserts “just” into this verse: “love just in words or tongue.” Words are important, particularly in the marital relationship, but words alone are empty. Some people, and indeed some cultures, choke on verbal expressions of love. That is very sad indeed. However, verbal expressions mean nothing if actions don’t back them up.

I was greatly blessed to be raised by parents who were verbally and physically affectionate, both to each other and to us their children. “I love you,” has never been especially hard for me to say. However, I well remember the very true words of a chapel speaker while I was in college. “Girls, sometimes when a guy says, ‘I love you,’ what he really means is, ‘I love me, and I want you bad.’” I have a gift for words, and am seldom at a loss for something to say. However, if my actions don’t back up what I say, I am a hypocrite. That is closely tied to my motivational gifting, as in Romans 12:6-8. I am very strongly Teacher gifting, but a major weakness of that gifting is the tendency to feel, “If I say it, that makes it so.” That doesn’t make it so! My words are true only as they reflect God’s truth, and my expressions of love are true only as they are reflected in my actions. God was the only exception to this, as He spoke the universe into being as it records in Genesis 1. I am as much in danger as anyone else of falling into “Do as I say, not as I do.” The Bible is remarkably unified in saying that doesn’t cut it. Many of the Old Testament prophets spoke strongly against people going through the motions and saying the right things without their hearts and lives reflecting what they were saying. In my teaching, I’ve got to come alongside people and show them how to do the things I’m teaching them. My Teacher gifting wants to just say it and be done with it! I still have plenty of room to grow, as a teacher and generally as a disciple of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate example of speaking nothing but truth, and then backing it up with His very life.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I deal with people constantly who say one thing and do another. Sometimes it’s angering, sometimes it’s disgusting, and sometimes it breaks my heart. Thank You for the lessons in what You experience constantly with us Your children. Help me remember my own weaknesses and failures and extend to others the patience and grace You have poured out on me, so that the lies of the devil may be defeated and people brought out into the liberty of Your Spirit, (2 Corinthians 3:17) for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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End Times; December 26, 2018

Posted on December 30, 2018 by jgarrott

2 Peter 3:11-12 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.

You have to wonder, reading verses 10 through 13, what sort of revelation Peter had been given about the end of the world as we know it. It seems remarkably specific, and in keeping with something on the order of a major meteorite strike. It certainly brings to mind one of the prophecies that was put to music in Handel’s Messiah. “But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears?” (Malachi 3:2) Putting all that aside, the rhetorical question Peter asks here is a very important one. Since everything we see is temporary, what implication does that have for our daily lives? Peter’s answer to his question is entirely logical. Rather than fixating on the temporary stuff, we need to be focused on the eternal, that is, God, and how He wants us to live. If that is our focus, we can indeed “look forward” to the destruction of everything material. At this point Peter says something that is a mystery to this day, hotly debated in various theological circles. How can we “speed” the day of the Lord? The most common, and to me logical, answer goes back to something Jesus said about the Last Days. “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24:14) Since we are the ones who preach, we are an integral part in God’s plan for the End Times. We need to be earnest in communicating the Good News of the kingdom to everyone, one person at a time.

In a sense I have been involved in this my whole life, since I am a missionary and a child of missionaries. However, as I seek to share the Gospel with others, I certainly must not neglect how I live my own life. I too must live a holy and Godly life! I too am easily distracted by the material. As a geek, I delight in machines and tools of all sorts. As a photographer, I delight to record the beauties of God’s creation. Those aren’t bad in themselves, but my focus must first and foremost be on God, with gratitude for all that He provides but not valuing the gift above the Giver. And of course, my highest task is speaking God’s truth in love so that as many as will may repent and believe, for their salvation and the glory of God.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You that the pressures leading up to Christmas are past. Thank You that I go back to the doctor today about my vocal cords. Thank You for the reminder that every part of my body is temporary, too. Help me indeed make the use that You intend, not only of every part of my body but also of everything else You place in my hands, as a faithful steward, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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The Fear of the Lord; December 25, 2018

Posted on December 27, 2018 by jgarrott

Luke 2:9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.

As familiar as the Christmas story is, this little detail often gets overlooked. Angels are scary, and the glory of the Lord will scare the socks off of you! I think the present generation could be described as having a famine of the fear of the Lord. Amos 8:11 speaks of a famine of hearing the words of the Lord, but these days there are preachers in abundance. What is lacking is the right response. When we fail to fear the Lord we fail to respect what He says to us and take it to heart. These shepherds were scared witless, but at least they had the sense to go looking for the baby they had been told about. The
Bible says repeatedly that the fear of the Lord is essential for wisdom. The book of Job is said to be one of the oldest in the Bible, and it states clearly, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28) That is why there is so much foolishness in the world, and so little understanding. People flock to evil instead of shunning it! If the Church operated more in the presence and power of God, we would have more of the response that was given to the believers right after Pentecost: “No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number.” (Acts 5:13-14) Because they were manifesting the power of God, people were scared to enter their meetings, but on a personal level, believers were sharing Christ and people got saved. Platitudes do not generate that sort of response, but the presence and power of God does.

This is something I’ve understood for a long time, yet I haven’t acted on it sufficiently. I certainly can’t dictate to God how he manifests Himself, where and when, nor should I try. However, I can and must live a life that is welcoming to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to do whatever He likes in and through me. For that to happen, I’ve got to fear the Lord appropriately myself! I was raised with a strong awareness of the love of God, and sometimes the fear of Him gets lost in the shuffle. He is totally holy, and He does not delight in any sort of unholiness. I don’t think He wants me to be a hellfire-and-brimstone preacher, but His words through me should generate respect and obedience, as well as peace and love.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You did in the service last night. Thank You that our newest neighbors showed up, and seemed to have a good time. Thank You that two of my nursing students also came, and seemed quite captivated. There were those we were very disappointed not to see, but You clearly were working. I pray that we would follow up as You intend, so that Your will may be done on every level, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Government; December 24, 2018

Posted on December 27, 2018 by jgarrott

Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and for ever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.

This has been a justly famous Messianic prophecy for over 2500 years, and in that period of time understanding of various terms in it has shifted considerably. When English speakers hear “government,” they think of the mess going on in Washington or London, but the Japanese translation corrects that by rendering it as “Lordship.” At least over the past 200 years, our image of government has shifted to bureaucracy, when that wasn’t what Isaiah was talking about. Angels aren’t bureaucrats, and Church leaders shouldn’t be either! This is talking about what Jesus told us to pray for: “May Your kingdom come and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus didn’t come to earth to found a self-help club, to proclaim, “Your best life now.” He came the first time to provide a way for people to get right with God before He comes again with absolute authority, to destroy those who have thumbed their noses at God. (2 Thessalonians 2:8) The Good News is that in His first coming He provided a way for us not to be terrified and then annihilated at His second coming! Right now we have the opportunity to submit to His Lordship voluntarily, and by repentance and faith receive the rights of sonship. (John 1:12) That is grace indeed!

Just yesterday I spoke on “Lord Jesus.” I am increasingly aware that joyful submission to His Lordship is what it’s all about. The news out of Washington (and other capitals) is alternatively depressing and disgusting, and only occasionally encouraging. That’s what human government brings us. I am to be committed to the government, the Lordship, of Jesus Christ in my own life, and pray for it to be established throughout the world, just as Jesus told us to do. I am to continue to speak the truth in love in every situation, whether it is to my hurting neighbor or, as the saying goes, “speaking truth to power.” I am to fear nothing temporal, knowing that I serve the King of kings and Lord of lords, but do so with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15-16) I am never to press for my authority but be totally submitted to Christ, allowing His authority to flow through me to accomplish His will for His glory. I am to be a joyful participant in His kingdom, for His glory alone.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for yesterday and all it held. Thank You for Your plans for today. I pray that I would be fully prepared for tonight, and that Your plans would be fulfilled in every detail. Thank You for all who were impacted by our caroling last night, and all who will come to the Eve service tonight. I pray that Your Spirit would have full reign, touching everyone involved – me included – so that indeed, Your name would be acknowledged as holy and Your kingdom come in many lives as Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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God’s Part and Our Part; December 23, 2018

Posted on December 26, 2018 by jgarrott

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Christian living is always a tension between what God has already done for us in Christ and our part in laying hold of that gracious provision. This verse talks about what God has already given us, but then Peter goes on to talk about all the things we need to do in the process, specifically saying “make every effort.” (verse 5) We tend to trip up on both sides of that equation, either failing to believe that God has really provided everything we need, or else getting spiritually (or physically) lazy and failing to hold up our end of the deal. We are indeed totally dependent on God’s grace, but at the same time we aren’t to be passive. Human language becomes contradictory if we try to talk about it, with Hebrews saying things like “Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest.” (Hebrews 4:11) By definition, rest is the opposite of effort! One thing we discover is that whereas our effort is called for, it is never enough by itself; we will always fail if we don’t recognize our dependence on God. That is why legalism is so deadly: it tries to replace God’s grace with rules. It’s really much easier to have a set of rules and just go by them, letting routine ritual replace active commitment, but Church history is littered with the wreckage caused by people who have lived that way. We need to keep pressing in, recognizing that God wants all of us and that we aren’t fully there yet, just as Paul recognized. (Philippians 3:12-14)

This is certainly the story of my life! Verse 9 was powerfully instrumental in freeing me from a besetting sin, but I still have weakness in that area. God has poured His blessings out on me, but I haven’t been the most faithful of stewards. I know full well that God has already provided more than I could ask or think, (Ephesians 3:20) but I teeter in the balance between anxiety and presumption. God has told me personally to rest, relax, and rejoice, but at the same time I recognize the dangers of presumption and laziness. I’ve got to trust Him, because I’m certainly not trustworthy! This Christmas two major items were taken off of my schedule, which has made it easier for me, but that hasn’t made much of a dent on the pressures Cathy feels. Many people have been, are being, and will be blessed by all she has done and is doing, but in the process she wears herself out. That’s something over which I have little or no control. I am to support her, as God shows me and she allows me to do, but it can be a real test of my own faith and obedience. Today we have the 4th Advent service, and then tonight we go caroling, and tomorrow we have the Christmas Eve candlelight service. God has already provided everything necessary for all of it, but I’ve got to be intentional in listening to Him and doing things as He says, and not according to either habit or anxiety.

Father, thank You for continuing to stretch, grow, and train me, even when I complain about the process. I pray that I would indeed trust Your provision totally while being fully faithful in my response, expressing love by obedience, (John 14:15) for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Anxiety; December 22, 2018

Posted on December 26, 2018 by jgarrott

1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

These two verses are very famous, but many people don’t realize they are consecutive. Actually, they are intimately connected, because anxiety comes from a combination of failing to trust God and of trying to be in control. We worry that things won’t turn out the way we want them to. We have a terribly hard time letting God be God! The verses before and after this make it clear that there is plenty we should be doing, but it needs all to be on the basis of God being in total control. We say we believe in God, but we still get anxious. That’s why Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (John 14:1) We have such trouble doing that! The expression, “He cares for you,” gets interesting in Japanese because of the idiom involved. A literal translation is, “He distributes His heart about you.” That sounds a little weird, but it is the idiom that is used for “worry.” We know that God can’t worry about anything, because He knows the end from the beginning of everything, so we need to go back to the original meaning of the characters, indicating deep interest. Actually, the traditional English translation of this verse is pretty confusing too: “Cast all your cares on Him, for He cares for you.” Rendering that first “cares” as “anxiety” does make it much less confusing, but the fact remains that both ends of this sentence are intimately connected in meaning. God involves His heart so that our hearts can be free. However, we won’t receive that until we accept that He’s smart and we aren’t, He’s in control and we aren’t even supposed to be. Humility is a requirement for peace.

This is certainly applicable to me! I was past 50 before it finally, really, got through to me that God’s smart and I’m not, and I still have trouble with thinking “how things ought to be,” and getting tied in knots because they aren’t that way. I’ll never forget the time I was not really praying, but just thinking about how many things there were that I wanted to be different, and God spoke to me very clearly. He said, “How do you think I feel?” It’s not at all that God is totally pleased with the current state of affairs, it’s that He knows perfectly how it’s all going to turn out, because He’s outside of time and sees it all at once. That’s a perspective I can’t have, and I’ve got to be satisfied with that fact. That’s where humbling myself and casting all my anxiety on Him comes in. It’s been quite a few years now since He told me to rest, relax, and rejoice. I’m still learning how!

Father, thank You for this reminder. It’s been better this year than in many past, but I still get tied in knots over the emotional pressures of the Christmas season. Help me be faithful to do what You want me to, but distinguish between that and other pressures. May I draw others to You by my joy at Your love in sending Your Son to this earth, so that many more may receive Him as Lord, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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Gifting; December 21, 2018

Posted on December 23, 2018 by jgarrott

1 Peter 4:10-11 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

I have dearly loved this passage for many years. It came into particularly sharp focus when I was interpreting for Don and Katie Fortune as they taught on Spiritual Gifts, and I have sought to communicate this truth to as many people as possible since then. To me the NIV takes the edge off of the first sentence here, but the Japanese is very sharp: “Because each one has been gifted.” There are no exceptions. I couldn’t begin to count all the people I’ve encountered who have insisted they weren’t gifted, but that’s a lie of the devil. We tend to think of gifting as something other people have, because things that come easily for us seem so ordinary. Other people might struggle at the very things that seem easy to us! Actually, this is an issue for people being paid fairly for their labors. Artistic things particularly fit into that category. One person might be able to create something beautiful with seemingly little effort, but unless you can do it with little effort yourself, you had better be willing to pay for it! The point here though, isn’t in being paid for your gifts but rather using them for the glory of the One who has given them to you. Some people are gifted at cooking. I have remarked many times that I feel sorry for men whose wives aren’t as gifted in that area as mine is. However, most of the time my wife isn’t paid for her cooking monetarily at all. Her reward – other than getting to eat good food herself – is in the joy and appreciation she sees in others who are delighting in the fruit of her labors. That’s why she particularly delights to cook for large groups, even though it’s a lot of work. Japan has just as many gifted people as any other nation, but Japanese culture has strongly discouraged individual pride. That makes it very difficult for the average Japanese to accept that they really are gifted in some way. I have preached on it many times, but they still tend to hold back and leave things to “professionals.” That can make operating a church pretty difficult! What Peter is saying here is, “You are gifted, so use that gifting to bless others for the glory of God.” That’s something that every believer in every nation needs to understand.

One problem for me has been that few things (other than sports) have seemed terribly difficult to me most of my life. I can’t remember my parents ever telling me, “That’s beyond you. Don’t try.” (Sadly, that’s not at all an unusual thing for Japanese parents to say to their children.) Because things have come easily to me, I haven’t been good at asking a fair price for my labors. I’m not particularly good at sales, and I’m particularly poor at selling my own work! I’m not to be anxious about that, but I’m to do everything, whether paid or unpaid, for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31) It has been a problem in my ministry that I have tended to take the easy way out by doing things myself, since they didn’t seem too difficult to me, rather than training others to do them and giving them the joy and satisfaction of service. My recent episode of not being supposed to talk and being unable to sing was good training in that area! Right now Cathy feels pressure about some of the things she does for the church, but we don’t know whom to bring alongside to help her. We both need to grow in releasing things to others, so that all the gifts given to members of this church may be expressed, for the blessing of more and more people and for the glory of God.

Father, thank You for this reminder. I’ve been pretty slow to learn it! I do pray that all of Your provision for this church, in people and gifting and in every other way, may be recognized and applied, so that Your kingdom may come as Your will is done, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Evangelism; December 20, 2018

Posted on December 22, 2018 by jgarrott

1 Peter 3:15-16 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

In my opinion, this is a vitally important passage. The Japanese and the English divide the sentences/verses differently, with the Japanese putting “But do this with gentleness and respect” as the beginning of a new sentence in verse 16. In any case, this passage is the blueprint for the vast majority of the evangelism in the Early Church. We have the record of sermons preached by Peter and Paul, but even there, the sermons were in response to people wanting to know what was going on. That is in sharp contrast to what is done so often today, with people being coerced into attending meetings in which they have little interest. Part of the reason for that lies in the clergy/laity divide that is still evident in most churches, despite the Protestant Reformation 500 years ago. We give “priesthood of the believer” lip service but nothing more, depending on “professionals” to do essentially all the real functions of the Church. The other reason is that the average Christian, at least in places where there isn’t active persecution, lives a life indistinguishable from how their neighbor lives. There is nothing there to provoke curiosity, much less a desire for whatever it is the Christian has. It’s no wonder the vast majority of church members have never led anyone to the Lord! Actually, that’s where this starts out: really living with Jesus as your Lord. That’s what Paul was talking about in Romans. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1) If Jesus isn’t Lord of how we use our bodies, then He isn’t really our Lord, and whatever we call worship isn’t really worship, but hypocrisy. If Jesus isn’t Lord in your heart, it doesn’t matter what rituals you go through. Saying this, we have to remember that none of us is perfect yet, so a lapse doesn’t mean we aren’t saved, but if Jesus is Lord in our hearts, stumbling will be painful for us, because we will desire to please Him in everything. If we will live like that, then His hope will indeed fill our hearts and our lives will be so radiant that those around us will desire the same for themselves.

This is something I’ve talked about pretty much the entire time I’ve been in ministry, but with decidedly mixed success. People are very comfortable with a clergy/laity divide, and many who try to cross that are doing so really in a quest for authority, rather than in genuine submission to the Lordship of Christ. The Coaching Movement that I’ve been exposed to for a couple of years now talks about the priesthood of the believer a lot, and I think that’s very good. The focus is on genuine discipleship for everyone in the church, with no exceptions. Denominations have even been founded on that concept, but I don’t know that they are all that different from any other. I am never to give up, but always keep tabs on my own submission to Jesus’ Lordship even as I encourage and admonish others to do the same. I’ve got to remember that styles of corporate worship are entirely secondary; what matters is the worship in each heart.

Father, You’ve given me the message for Sunday, but this is far more than just a sermon. Help me indeed live every moment with Jesus as my Lord, so that I may in turn lead others to do likewise, cleansing and healing the church to rise up as You intend, for a mighty harvest in Your kingdom, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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The Joy of Faith; December 19, 2018

Posted on December 22, 2018 by jgarrott

1 Peter 1:8-9 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Peter had certainly seen Jesus and had been with Him almost constantly for three and a half years, but he is writing to people who didn’t fit that category. However, Jesus had prayed for them, as He prayed for us: “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” (John 17:20) Peter knew that God’s love in Christ extended to them not just because he had heard Jesus pray, but because he had seen God work in their lives. He also probably remembered what Jesus had told Thomas: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) This is why the Church didn’t die out after the 1st Century: God hasn’t changed, and He still encounters anyone who comes to Him in repentance and faith. The more we open ourselves up to that encounter, the more we receive the joy that Peter talks about here. We need to be careful that we don’t have just a “feel good” faith, that is, one that believes only when things are going well. After all, Peter has just been talking about suffering “grief in all kinds of trials.” (verse 6) Peter is encouraging his readers, including us, by reminding them that faith is strengthened through trials, and the reward for faith is glorious indeed. When we focus on the trials, complaining about them to God and to anyone who will listen, we are miserable indeed. When we focus on what God has done for us in Christ, reaching on into eternity, we have a joy that cannot be shaken.

This is something that I’m still learning. I don’t feel I have suffered much at all, compared with the suffering of many I know about around the world, but even minor suffering can distract us from the truth. I occasionally get disgusted with myself when I realize I have allowed inconveniences to steal my joy! As a pastor I am constantly telling people what is written in Hebrews: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2) Jesus certainly didn’t have it easy on this earth, so I have no reason to complain! As gets pointed out on Facebook and elsewhere, I have a standard of living that would be the envy of over 90% of the world’s population, and yet I still complain. On top of that, and far beyond that, I have the assurance of eternal life. I have nothing to complain about! I need to see through the devil’s lies as soon as they come up, and rest in the peace and joy God has prepared for me.

Father, thank You for Your overwhelming grace and patience toward me. Help me respond in full obedience and love, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!

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Confession; December 18, 2018

Posted on December 21, 2018 by jgarrott

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

I have heard this whole section, from verse 13 on, quoted many times in the context of prayer for healing. However, the point of confessing our sins to each other often gets glossed over. Incredible power is released when we acknowledge our sins in repentance before God. God puts no barriers between Himself and us, but our sins put up a wall. The blood of Jesus is already provided to take away all such walls, (Ephesians 2:14) between us and God and between us as children of God, but we have to acknowledge the wall is there before it can be removed. That’s why confession is important. The Catholic Church institutionalized it, requiring confession to a priest, but there is no hint of that here. This is strictly “peer confession,” if you want to call it that. The result of such confession, as a part of genuine repentance, is righteousness. We like to think we are righteous, but when pressed, we don’t like to claim it because it sounds like bragging. Jesus is the only person who ever lived who never sinned and was perfectly righteous, but by faith we are in Him and so receive His righteousness. (2 Corinthians 5:21) The mechanism for that was expressed clearly by John: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) And there we have it again: confession. General, “fruit basket” confession does very little good, I think. I have been in services of multiple denominations that had “congregational confession” of sins, but such things generally become just words, because they are not specific and “everybody’s the same, so I’m not really bad.” Public confession is only rarely called for, I think, but personal, specific confession really gets the job done. Historically, confession has been the trigger for a majority of the major revival movements in the Church for the past 2000 years.

I’ve not stressed confession at all in my own ministry, and I wonder if that has been wise. I have been blessed by having brothers in the Lord with whom I could be completely frank, and that has been very helpful. Accountability is important! Japanese tend to be very private, which is closely related to this being a shame culture, as opposed to a sin culture. They tend to feel that if nobody knows about it, it’s not bad. We have known people who put up a good front all the way up until they committed suicide. That is a major barrier to spiritual growth and maturity. Cathy and I have both been given words of knowledge about people’s activities, and when they find out we know, they have been freaked out! The point is, God knows anyway, and in all probability other people have figured it out too. If we want to be righteous, and we should, then confession is an integral part of that and I need to let people know it, regardless of cultural barriers.

Father, here You’ve given me another subject I need to teach on. Thank you. Show me when and how I am to do it! Help me help others understand their fundamental need for Your grace and mercy, and also what they need to do to receive it, so that the lying traps of the devil may be destroyed and people be set free indeed, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!

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