Jesus never took a casual position towards our communication. Rather He declared that our words were indicative of deeper heart issues, issues that were, and still are, of primary importance to Him. Surrounded by religious leaders who had rules about everything beyond the basic Law that was given through Moses, Jesus rebuffed the idea that the disciples were defiled because of the way they ate. He said, "It's not what enters the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man. The things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man." (Matthew 15: 11,18-20a.) When God sees our communication as a link to our thoughts and a mirror of our hearts, communication takes on a whole new meaning. All of us use words both spoken and written, but for the artist, communication doesn't end with words. We are responsible for what we paint, the music we play, how we act, etc., because all of it is a reflection of what is in our hearts. It is common to believe that a person cannot control his thoughts. But the Scriptures tell us to "take every thought captive", implying we can take control of our communication while it is still in our heads and before it leaves our mouths. But the real impossibility lies in trying to change our own hearts. We are without hope, like a leopard trying to change his own spots, except that God is in the business of transforming us from within. He conforms us to His image, He transforms us so that our thoughts are renewed, and in time we find we also communicate that which brings Him glory. Yes, we become His masterpiece.

 

Practical Ministry Training:
Is the Bible Practical?
By Pastor Ed Adcock



A Reading from the Book of Isaiah 
(detail) by Rosemarie Adcock



“True theology is not theoretical, but practical.

Many in our culture believe that some Christians are “so heavenly minded, they are no earthly good.” It is my position, and I think also the Bible’s, that if, as a Christian, you are no earthly good, you are not really heavenly minded. This is because spirituality in the Christian religion is not isolated from the physical. The physical and the meta-physical are not disconnected from each other. This is ultimately portrayed through God, who is Spirit (metaphysical) as He became physical flesh (Jesus Christ) and dwelt among us. Christian faith and practice are vitally connected in such a way that the Scriptures teach that if one’s faith in the Biblical God is genuine, it will manifest itself in practical ways that God calls good works.

The whole law of God was summed up by Jesus, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Not only are people called to love your neighbor, but notice that the love of God includes the physical aspect, in that a person is called to also use all your strength. Much of the Bible goes on to describe, in practical application, here on earth, how Christians are to go about fulfilling the “Great Commandment” of loving God and neighbor.                              

The Bible does not just reveal God’s commands without providing practical instructions on how to accomplish what God says. 2 Timothy 3:15-17 teaches us, “and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”

Notice that the Apostle Paul is reminding Timothy of the ability of the Scriptures. Verse 15 states that they are able to give wisdom leading to salvation. They are also able to equip believers completely for every good work in life. In verse 17, the Biblical word translated as the English word adequate means sufficient, completely qualified; and “one in which all the parts are complete or whole and what they are supposed to be, so that they might serve their destined purpose.” The origin of the word adequate comes from the Latin adaequare, meaning to make equal. Man is not equal to the task of doing good works, i.e. the works that are pleasing to God. Man cannot save himself by them, nor can he do them on his own even after he is given new life by faith in Jesus Christ. 2Timothy 3:15-17 not only speaks of the Scripture’s sufficiency unto salvation, this passage teaches that the Scriptures are practical; and are the sufficient and authoritative guide for the believer in living a sanctified life; or in other words, a life that is pleasing to God. It is only by adding the whole counsel of Scripture, inspired by the Holy Spirit (i.e. teaching, reproof, correction and training), to the Christian’s practice that a person is equipped to be equal to the task of living a God-pleasing life.

Being heavenly minded is God’s way for us to be a blessing to the world and to enter into God’s plan of bringing people near to His kingdom reign, here on earth as it is in heaven. The practice of our faith must be practical and manifested in ways that bring glory to God. Jesus teaches us to “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” The Bible is ultimately practical in teaching us how to do just that.