In Christ...

In Christ, there is nothing left to do to ensure that God is completely and forever pleased with me. It is not on account of my good deeds, fruit, anything that proceeds from me, or is worked in me, but for the sake of Christ only, the Father is pleased. The thought amazes me every time I hear it or think of it. Thanks be to God!

Gospel Gal
Marissa Namirr

Love descends... ~Thomas Goodwin (1651)

Love descends better than ascends, and so does the love of Christ, who indeed is love itself, and therefore comes down to us himself; "I will come again and receive you unto myself" (says Christ), "that so where I am, you may be also." That last part of his speech gives the reason of it, and also divulges his entire affection. It is as if he had said, 'The truth is, I cannot live without you, I shall never be quiet until I have you where I am, that so we may never part again; that is the reason of it. Heaven shall not hold me, nor my Father's company, if I have not you with me, my heart is so set upon you; and if I have any glory, you shall have part of it.'

~Thomas Goodwin (1651)

The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth

Resources:

*The Heart of Christ in Heaven Towards Sinners on Earth: Thomas Goodwin: https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/goodwin/The_Heart_of_Christ_-_Thomas_Goodwin.pdf

*The English Reformation and the Puritans: A Teaching Series by Michael Reeves: Thomas Goodwin: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/the-english-reformation-and-the-puritans/thomas-goodwin/

Church Homelessness

Backstory: There was a seven-year period when, aside from the care I received from my beloved family and friends, who are in Christ,  I was wandering through life without consistent spiritual support or protection. In a word, I was lost. I was a sheep without an undershepherd. This was due in part to poor leadership in the churches I had attended, but also due to a faulty, incomplete understanding of the doctrine and function of the church. The effects of church homelessness were devastating for me and for our family. I literally descended into a pit of spiritual depression from which I thought I might never escape. Sheep are not meant to be without an overseeing shepherd. 

I am blogging and podcasting on this topic because I understand both the angst of wanting a church and simultaneously fearing a dysfunctional one. My hope is that my discoveries will encourage and support Christians in my circle who are struggling with the same fears. To be apart from Christ's body and without the protection of God's ministers is a precarious place for a sheep. Wandering sheep are prone to every type of wolf, but Christ the Good Shepherd established folds and undershepherds to tend His lambs.
Episode #6 : "Church Homelessness" is posted here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiYi-4OmPNs

Disclosure: Some of this may be hard to hear, especially if you're, like I was, trying to locate a sound church and are failing to find one that meets your family's needs or expectations. But please bear with me and read on. I have learned and discovered some things about the church over the last decade, and I hope you will find them helpful and healing.

"Church Homelessness": I coined the term and define Church Homelessness as the state of being without a church home. It could be by choice, by simply being without choices, or due to apostasy.

By Choice:
This kind of church homelessness occurs when you've left the church for valid reasons and are currently without one. Maybe you've been spiritually abused or awakened to the Gospel and realize that where you've been is longer a place you can attend in good conscience. After much thought, prayer, and concerted efforts to rectify the problems, you've left a church and now have no church to call home.

Being Without Choices:
Maybe you've relocated and haven't been able to locate a sound church yet, or perhaps you're not satisfied with any of the available options. Keep looking. There is one for you somewhere. I pray you will not lose heart in this journey.

Apostasy:
You are not a believer and have left the church because you have found it inconsistent with your worldview. This is the most precarious of all three kinds of church homelessness because it means that you've actually turned your back on what you've been taught and know. If you have ever known and believed the Gospel, run home. God is that Father who is waiting to run out to greet you with open arms and a celebration is in store.

In the process of seeking a church, I noticed that the church is *not...
a therapy group,
a children's club,
a support group,
a political platform, or
a marriage and family-fixer.

I discovered what a sound church is...
To gain an understanding of Biblical ecclesiology (the study of the church/doctrine of the church) I turned to Scripture, then to the ecumenical creeds and Reformed confessions and to historic and contemporary Reformed theologians.

It is of great importance to understand that the Church is not a human invention. The Reformed community would argue that it was established in the Garden of Eden and extends into eternity. But for the intent of the blog and podcast, I'll address New Testament teaching.

Jesus established the New Testament church:
Matt 28: 18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go, therefore, and *make disciples of all nations, *baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 *teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

I learned the teachings and practices of the church.

The church preaches the Gospel:
I Corinthians 2:2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

I Corinthians 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once

The church administers the sacraments:
The Lord's Supper: Matthew 26:26 As they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to the disciples, and said, “Take and eat it; this is My body.” 27 Then He took a cup, and after giving thanks, He gave it to them and said, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Baptism: Acts 2:37 When they heard this, they came under deep conviction and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?” 38 “Repent,” Peter said to them, “and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

The church corrects faults (discipline):
Matt 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go and rebuke him in private. If he listens to you, you have won your brother. 16 But if he won’t listen, take one or two more with you, so that by the testimony of two or three witnesses every fact may be established. 17 If he pays no attention to them, tell the church. But if he doesn’t pay attention even to the church, let him be like an unbeliever and a tax collector to you. 18 I assure you: Whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven. 19 Again, I assure you: If two of you on earth agree about any matter that you pray for, it will be done for you by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there among them.”

The church elects qualified officers:
Eph 4:10 The One who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things. 11 And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, 12 for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ

Titus 1:5 I directed you, to appoint elders in every town: 6 one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion. 7 For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, 8 but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, 9 holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

The church practiced a pattern:
Acts 2:41 So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.

Hebrews 10:24 And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, 25 not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other

According to the Ecumenical Creeds and Confessions:
The Church is expansive, apostolic, and unifying.

Nicene Creed: "...We believe in one holy *catholic and *apostolic church..."

Apostles Creed: "...I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy *catholic* church, the *communion of saints..."

*catholic: The church at all times and in all places throughout history.
*apostolic: Teaching in accordance with the doctrine of the Apostles, namely the Law and the Gospel.

Belgic Confession: Articles 28-29 –
Article 28:
"We believe, since this holy assembly and congregation is the assembly of the redeemed and there is no salvation outside of it,  that no one ought to withdraw from it, content to be by himself, no matter what his status or standing may be. But all and everyone are obliged to join it and unite with it,  maintaining the unity of the church. They must submit themselves to its instruction and discipline,  bend their necks under the yoke of Jesus Christ,  and serve the edification of the brothers and sisters,  according to the talents which God has given them as members of the same body.  To observe this more effectively, it is the duty of all believers, according to the Word of God, to separate from those who do not belong to the church and to join this assembly wherever God has established it. They should do so even though the rulers and edicts of princes were against it, and death or physical punishment might follow. All therefore who draw away from the church or fail to join it act contrary to the ordinance of God.

Article 29:
"We believe that we ought to discern diligently and very carefully, by the Word of God, what is the true church—for all sects in the world today claim for themselves the name of "the church."
...The true church can be recognized if it has the following marks:
*engages in the pure preaching of the gospel;
*it makes use of the pure administration of the sacraments as Christ instituted them;
*it practices church discipline for correcting faults."

As the pure preaching of the Gospel is the first mark of the true church, I want to briefly define it. It is not to be confused with God's Law, which commands, condemns and penalizes. 

The Gospel is a joyful proclamation. 

It's the good news that is heralded by one who is sent to declare that a great war is ended (Isaiah 40). The news was that Jesus Christ,
the Eternal Word,
the Second Person of the Trinity,
The Promised One,
The Son of Eve, Abraham, David, and Mary
the Only Begotten of the Father,
Whose mission it was to
"save His people from their sins,"
lived in personal, perpetual perfect obedience to the Father in our place,
died the death that we deserved for our disobedience,
was buried in a tomb to show He was really dead,
and rose again to verify the satisfaction of the Father with His sacrifice,
He ever lives to make intercession for us,
and He is coming again in glory to complete our promised salvation and redemption,
 vindicating us before all of His and our enemies.

But back to the topic at hand, here is some food for thought, from some valuable and more contemporary theologians regarding Christ's Church:

"...the Kingdom of God involves God’s people, in God’s place, under God’s rule.” ~Graeme Goldsworthy: Gospel and Kingdom.

"The Church is the people of God assembled together under the authority of the Word of God for worship, instruction, and mutual edification. By his Word through the Apostles, God has ordained that we unite together to accomplish these purposes. The organized Church is not a mistake, but instead, the Biblical and Apostolic institution for the advancement of the Kingdom of God." ~R. Scott Clark: Heidelblog: "The Church: The Christ-Confessing Covenant Community"

"It is the Church visible and invisible. This is to say that upon the earth there are two distinctions. She is invisible because she is spiritual in nature. That is, she cannot be seen with the naked eye; neither can anyone but God really perceive who is a true member of it. She is also visible In the sense of the believers’ profession and activities in the world. Mankind can see the Church visible because it witnesses the life and lip of its members as Christ’s Church pursues its natural course of action in the faithful ministry of the Word and sacraments, and in her outworking of her organization and church government. How do we define the Church? With this information in hand, we now define the church as “the company of the elect who are called by the Spirit of God, the communion of believers” (the invisible Church), which is the “community of those who profess the true religion together with their children” (the visible Church)." ~Louis Berkhof: Manual of Christian Doctrine.

Now that I've established the definition, functions, and validity of the Church, I'll move on to some very real questions and concerns for the Church Homeless. These are concerns I've had, personally, and the concerns of Christians in my circle.

Concerns & Questions of the Church Homeless:Is church Necessary?
Hopefully, the affirmative has been established above, however, I don't want to undermine any valid concerns, and there are many. Remember my empathy and concern communicated earlier. While empathizing with your pain, anxiety, and uncertainty, I also know that wandering sheep are prone to every type of wolf, but Christ the Good Shepherd established folds and undershepherds to tend His lambs.

*What if I've been abused?
The grief and anxiety caused by a bad church is a valid concern, and if you find yourself without a church for this reason, allow yourself to process and grieve what you've been through. You have a tender, compassionate Shepherd Who sees and knows what you've endured. He can direct you to safety, but it is understood that all forms of abuse include a pervasive pattern of manipulation and control, which can produce enduring traumatic effects. For further clarification of spiritual abuse listen to this episode of Theology Gals I cohosted with Coleen Sharp and Jeff Crippen: "Abuse and the Church": http://theologygals.com/2017/06/abuse-and-the-church-theology-gals-episode-20/

Abuse is a valid concern and is alarmingly prevalent in the visible church. Please remember that a church that abuses fails to be a true church. A pastor and leadership of the church are fallible and imperfect, but abuse goes beyond any ordinary shortcoming. It is a failure of the Biblical requirements for church officers. Refer back to Titus 1:5-9: blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered ...not a bully, ...hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled..." None of these qualities are consistent with abuse. Those who do not operate and live accordingly should come under the discipline of the church, themselves, having disqualified themselves regardless of their current ordination status. If the church fails to press charges against an abuser, flee from such. Mark and avoid. And take your time when considering a new congregation. I will discuss moving forward later in the blog.

*What if you're married to someone who differs on doctrine?
Must you attend the same church? Opinions on this will vary. My personal belief is that when you differ from a church on doctrine, that church is not a good fit for you. Confessing churches ask you to take membership vows to affirm and uphold the essentials of the faith. If you're unable to agree with the church's Confession, you are in a position where you must remain silent on those issues, or seek a body that is in agreement with your beliefs. If husbands and wives differ on the Confession, they can work through those issues, seek unity, and hopefully come to a resolution that is peaceable. But where church membership is concerned, your conscience is not to be bound by your spouse. Go where you are being nurtured and fed on Christ. If you're moving on, let the new church you're considering for membership know your situation. Seek their guidance.

*But the church is full of hypocrites.
Again, a fair point, but who else did Jesus come to save, but sinners? We all fail. And the local church the very place that building up and correction are to take place. Remember Matthew 18. Seek unity. Confront in love. Work toward reconciliation and restoration when possible. Don't forget that you, also, are a sinner in need of God's grace in Christ. Go where you can receive and rest. Feed on Christ, and you will soon find yourself loving those hypocrites.

*How can I trust a church again?
I honestly don't know the answer to that, but what I do know is that Christ is faithful and trustable. He has established His church and provided it to His lambs for their nurture and protection. So, go, not with blinders on, but looking for glaring, red flags waving in your direction. Know that it is reasonable to heed them, to push back, to question, and to leave a church that is unsafe for you and your family. Here are a few ideas that may help along the way:

What to do/ask when searching:
Do:
1. Watch, observe, and ask questions.
2. Take your time. Don't rush to join. Joining a church is a commitment. Be sure you can take this important step with joy and confidence, and without compulsion.
3. Ask probing questions. If they're dismissed or greeted with disdain or concern, be concerned yourself.
4. Relocate: If you've exhausted all your options and cannot join any church within a reasonable distance from your home, relocate. Churchlessness is not an option for Christ's sheep for all the reasons noted above. You need protection, nurture, and support that is only afforded by the local church as they feed you on Christ through Word and Sacrament.

Questions to ask:
Here are some questions I have formulated to determine if a church is a good fit:
1. What is the church's Confession. If they don't have one, that is a red flag. You won't know what the church actually believes and is committed to practicing without a written Confession like the Thirty-nine Articles, The Belgic Confession, Westminster Confession, or The London Baptist Confession.
2. What is the position of the leadership on the role of women in the church?
3. What are some cases of church discipline that have been addressed by the church and what was the outcome?
4. What are the favorite historic and contemporary theologians of the pastor? This can serve as a relief or a warning. Investigate what wells they're drinking from.
5. Does the church have any written policy concerning child/sexual abuse and domestic violence?
6. And of foremost importance, ask the pastor to define Law and Gospel. If he confuses Law and Gospel, move on and keep looking.

During any season of Church Homelessness, please do not give in to Church Hopelessness. The Lord has established His church and "the gates of Hell will not prevail against it." Keep your eye fixed on the Good Shepherd, Who created the Church, lives among His church, and will return for Her. Until then He may He continue to gently lead us beside the still waters and restore our souls in His house, where we dwell forever.

Be sure to listen to the Gospel Gal episode on Youtube on this topic. 

Additional Resources:

"Why Do We Go to Church?" Dr. John Fonville, Rector of Paramount Church: https://www.paramountchurch.com/sermons/sermon/2020-02-09/why-do-we-go-to-church.

"The Gospel For Those Broken By The Church": Rod Rosenbladt: https://gospelgalblog.blogspot.com/2018/05/the-gospel-for-those-broken-by-church.html

"Church Discipline vs. Spiritual Abuse": Church Chats: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3BPu7E3za0&t=48s

"Abuse and the Church": Theology Gals: http://theologygals.com/2017/06/abuse-and-the-church-theology-gals-episode-20/

"Spiritual Abuse": Gospel Gal: https://gospelgalblog.blogspot.com/2018/09/spiritual-abuse.html

"Safe Chruch: True Church": Gospel Gal: https://gospelgalblog.blogspot.com/2020/03/safe-church-true-church.html

"Hebrews 10:25 Not Forsaking the Assembling": Gospel Galhttps://gospelgalblog.blogspot.com/2017/07/last-night-as-i-was-anticipating-lords.html

Baptism: Gospel Gal: https://gospelgalblog.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-curriculum-for-covenant.html

"The Church: The Christ-Confessing Covenant Community": R. Scott Clark: https://heidelblog.net/2018/06/the-church-the-christ-confessing-covenant-community/

Marissa, "Gospel Gal" is a blogger and host of the new podcast, Church Chats with Gospel Gal (find on Youtube). She is wife of Mark, mother of three adult girls, counselor, educator, and mama bear to many. She lives in NW Georgia and attends an ACNA church in the area.

Salem (or Social Media)

Thinking on the apparent correlation between Salem and social media, I searched Wikipedia for the Salem Witch Trials this Lord's Day after morning worship. Here's what stood out:

"An overwhelming majority of people accused and convicted of witchcraft were women (about 78%).[32] Overall, the Puritan belief and prevailing New England culture was that women were inherently sinful and more susceptible to damnation than men were.[33] Throughout their daily lives, Puritans, especially Puritan women, actively attempted to thwart attempts by the Devil to overtake them and their souls. Indeed, Puritans held the belief that men and women were equal in the eyes of God, but not in the eyes of the Devil. Women's souls were seen as unprotected in their weak and vulnerable bodies. ...

Quarrels with neighbors often incited witchcraft allegations. One example of this is Abigail Faulkner, who was accused in 1692. Faulkner admitted she was "angry at what folk said," and the Devil may have temporarily overtaken her, causing harm to her neighbors.[34] Women who did not conform to the norms of Puritan society were more likely to be the target of an accusation, especially those who were unmarried or did not have children.[35]"

Does the apple fall far from the tree? As today's NAPARC denominations continue to parse out gender roles, women are asking the same age-old questions and seeking answers that

validate our value. What is our ontological identity? What is our ecclesiastical function? What is our worth in Christ? How do we function, reason, communicate, in society as a whole? Are women inferior? Are we more gullible, more prone to sin and rebellion, and more likely to fall prey to Satan? Why do ordained men continue to take this position? And if they do not, why are they not more often and more vocally taking a stand to protect women in the church?
(As Pictured :  https://twitter.com/SolaSisters/status/1277332755177668608 )



Listen to the New Testament accounts of women functioning for the benefit of God's people. Hear their voices and watch what they did:

Daughters:
Acts 2:16 ...this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17 And it will be in the last days, says God,
that I will pour out My Spirit on all humanity;
then your sons and your daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
and your old men will dream dreams.

Anna the Prophetess:
Luke 2:36 There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and was a widow for 84 years. She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. 38 At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

Pricilla:
Acts 18:24 A Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was powerful in the use of the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. 25 This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught the things about Jesus accurately, although he knew only John’s baptism. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained the way of God to him more accurately.

And finally, the beautiful, impeccable and doctrinally precise praise of Mary Mother of Jesus:
Luke 1:46 And Mary said:
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
48 because He has looked with favor
on the humble condition of His slave.
Surely, from now on all generations
will call me blessed,
49 because the Mighty One
has done great things for me,
and His name is holy.
50 His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear Him.
51 He has done a mighty deed with His arm;
He has scattered the proud
because of the thoughts of their hearts;
52 He has toppled the mighty from their thrones
and exalted the lowly.
53 He has satisfied the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped His servant Israel,
mindful of His mercy,
55 just as He spoke to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his descendants forever.

One thing is abundantly clear in Scripture. The voices of women have been heard and valued in a variety of contexts, historically. These and other Biblical accounts evidence that women ministered to the body in various ways. They loved and helped the church and greater community through speaking, giving, and working. Their knowledge of theology was deep and rich, and well-received as they engaged others with it. They were not ashamed to verbalize what they had been taught and knew to their hearers, men and women, nor were they silenced in their contexts. Can we acknowledge and highlight that in our churches, Bible studies, and social media platforms? Will you pastors and elders do that from your pulpits?

For complementarian and Confessing women, the church discussion seems endless and, sometimes fruitless. So much of what women offer the church goes minimized and rejected. Many women continue to suffer under the oppression of patriarchal systems. As OPC Elders and Pastors seek to suss these things out on their behalf, Reformed and Evangelical women plead, wait and watch as women like Aimee Byrd, Rachel Green Miller, and others are publicly flogged and tried for daring to write and speak rationally and knowledgeably on these topics.  When will we be valued and treated as co-laborers and co-heirs in the kingdom? When will the pastors, teachers, and theologians who have been silent stand up and defend the women they claim to protect, and put these modern-day witch hunters under discipline for their patterns of reviling and abusive speech? Have we grown and matured at all as a society and as a church culture, or have we reverted back to seventeenth-century Massachusetts?

Recommended reading:
Rachel Green Miller's Blog: https://rachelgreenmiller.com/
Aimee Byrd's Blog: https://aimeebyrd.com/
Marissa, "Gospel Gal" is a blogger and host of the new podcast, Church Chats with Gospel Gal (find on Youtube). She is wife of Mark, mother of three adult girls, counselor, educator, and mama bear to many. She lives in NW Georgia and attends an ACNA church in the area. 

Doom&Gloom

Doom and gloom due to current events happen when we, as the church suffer from one of two possible problems.

1. An under-realized eschatology: we can't see God's hand and presence in "the already" and the "not yet" escapes our thinking in the moment.

2. An over-realized eschatology: we expect future promises and future realities in the now.

Solution: Remember we live in two kingdoms in the here and now.

*Receive and rest in His Church. Hear and believe the Good News of the Gospel. Nothing is more relevant or brings more comfort.

*Then take that hope into the world as you work for God's glory in your vocation until He comes.

Meditations and Comfort:
"I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." Matt 28:20

"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words." I Thess 4:16-18

"Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching." Heb 10:23-25

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away." Rev 21:4



Marissa, "Gospel Gal" is a blogger and host of the new podcast, Church Chats with Gospel Gal (find on Youtube). She is wife of Mark, mother of three adult girls, counselor, educator, and mama bear to many. She lives in NW Georgia and attends an ACNA church in the area. 

Friendship in Times of Sorrow

A few thoughts on friendship in sorrow:

How often do we hear the casual question, "How are you"? And how often do you notice the person asking actually waiting for the answer? How often is interest communicated? How often do we dishonestly answer, "I'm fine" or "God is good all the time," because we don't think the one asking really has the time or wants to know. Or maybe you're worried that an honest answer will be judged and condemned. Maybe the message sent to you was that it is wrong or sinful to feel sorrow or anxiety about a trying situation. Maybe your suffering has gone overlooked, minimized, and unsupported. 

But the body of Christ is uniquely equipped to sit with friends who are grieving and suffering, if we can learn to lean into the discomfort and awkwardness, if we can admit we don't know,  and dispose of our inclination to fix what is too big for us. Just being in the moment with our sorrowing and suffering friends can be most healing. Then we can with confidence offer what and *Who we do know. 

Here is how Scripture informs us about walking through sorrow in the community of the saints: II Cor. 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

Because in our sufferings, we have been comforted by God, we are able to sit with others who are experiencing their own pain. Therefore, we can empathize. We can mourn with those who mourn and weep with those who weep (Rom. 12:15). And we can point our suffering loved ones to our merciful and wonderful counselor. 
Even in those times when our sorrows are self-inflicted, and the consequences of our sins are too much for us to bear, we can recall and know that Jesus, Who entered into our suffering and was tempted in every way that we are, desires us to run to Him and not away from Him for fear of truly deserved rejection. In those times and kinds of sorrow, the prophet Isaiah, looking forward to our redemption in Christ, reminds us to take comfort and speak it to those friends suffering at their own hands. 
“Comfort, comfort my people,”
says your God.
“Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
and announce to her
that her time of hard service is over,
her iniquity has been pardoned,
and she has received from the Lord’s hand
double for all her sins.” Isa. 40:1-2

We are not left alone in an ocean of emotion to be swallowed up and drowned but we have a whole body who can come to the rescue if we just learn how, and if we just reach out for the help that is available from Christ's people, and in Christ, our ever-present Help in trouble. 

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of chatting with some friends about this important topic. Episode #5 of Church Chats with Gospel Gal: "Friendship in Times of Sorrow". Here's the episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJAbZYNIxAc

Empathy

The ability to empathize with others requires the ability to identify with the experience of others. If you've never experienced discrimination, oppression, or injustice, it's hard to imagine what that would be like for someone else. How can you walk in the shoes of another if you haven't been where they've stood, fallen, or been victimized?

The Word of God tells us that one of the purposes and blessings of having experienced trials is that we may be able to sympathize with others who go through various trials. It is helpful when we hear the pain of others to remember our own pain, and then try to imagine their experience. Then, stand alongside them, cry with them, mourn with them, sit with them in silence...Whatever is needed. These are tangible ways of loving our neighbors.

"Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God."

II Cor 1:3,4

Ultimately, we may be unable to completely identify with the trials of our neighbors. We would be presumptuous to assume we know the exact trauma of a survivor, but there is One Who does. We can never go wrong in pointing to Him when our neighbors are grieving.

He has "borne our griefs and carried our sorrows," and woos us to Himself, saying, "Come unto me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." No one knows our hurts like He does. He lived in flesh and endured all that we experience, yet without sin, and ever lives to make intercession for us on that basis. He is good and He is filled with compassion for us.

Comforting Truths for Today's Chaos

(Heidelberg Catechism Q & A 52) How does Christ's return to "judge the living and the dead"comfort you? 
~Joy Dudley, Gospel Gal Contributor

In all distress and persecution, with uplifted head, I confidently await the very judge, who has already offered himself to the judgment of God in my place and removed the whole curse from me. Christ will cast all his enemies and mine into everlasting condemnation, but will take me and all his chosen ones to himself into the joy and glory of heaven. 

As a Christian my understanding is that the world is the way that is is today because of original sin. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they acted as humanity's federal representative. By their disobedience, they plunged the rest of the world in despair and death. Because of their disobedience, every human being that has ever existed after them inherited a sinful nature that naturally hates both God and neighbor. The racism and hatred that we are seeing today stems from this nature that plagues every single one of us. How did God react to our sinful condition? He sent us Christ, the God-man to live among us. By His active obedience to the law, he demonstrated what it meant to be perfectly righteous before God. By His suffering, He showed that He is not impartial to the suffering and heartaches that humans face as a result of Adam's sin. In His baptism, He identified with us. In his living and suffering, He not only showed us that He cares about the plight of sinners, He also remedied that plight by offering His life.

The days are growing darker. The darker they are becoming, the more pronounced and evident that Christ's second coming is indeed drawing near. I used to look upon this day with fear, even as a Christian. But now as I am learning more and more of the Savior's love for me, I wait for it with anticipation. I see that He really does care about the plight of the oppressed. Christ has become the vindication for the oppressed that have taken refuge in His wounds. I feel the relief of not being burdened to build a kingdom that I have already received in Christ. The Lord is building His kingdom and He extends an invite to all those who will come to Him for refuge.  With the consummation of this kingdom in Christ's second coming, I know that He will execute perfect justice on all of my enemies.

I have been at a loss of words for the past few days, unable to completely process what has transpired in the aftermath that follows the murder of a black man in broad daylight at the hands of an evil man who bears the badge of civil authority - the authority that ironically is supposed to preserve and protect life rather than take it. I feel overwhelmed and helpless at the state of our world and the state of justice. Right now, all I want to do is sit in the dust and weep. If anything - the Gospel of Christ has further sealed itself as the world's only hope and my greatest comfort. My hope in writing this, is to provide some insight to some truths that have brought me comfort. I hope they bring you some comfort as we navigate the reality of the world we live in together. 

1. Humanity will never bring about a system that is perfectly just, equitable, and fair. 

Throughout the history of the world, we have yet to see the fullness of depravity that human beings are capable of. Any progress that we have made in this fallen world becomes immediately cancelled out by displays that we have seen in the murder of this poor man.  Human depravity has become glaringly obvious the last few days. I have even seen this own depravity in my heart as I have reacted to what is happening with self righteousness and anger. The more I think about this, the more I understand that there is no hope for justice in a broken system, built by broken people, in a broken world. No amount of social reform will ever eliminate the vestiges of racism that plagues the hearts of men. What has happened has showed me that I must look outside of myself and my neighbors to one who cares about justice the most: Christ. Christ is the perfect embodiment of justice and mercy.

2. I take comfort in Christ's incarnation 


"Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted." Isaiah 53:4

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin" Hebrews 4:15

He loved the Lord his God with all His might, soul, and strength, and loved His neighbor as Himself. He did this from the moment He was conceived until the moment He died. He did this perfectly. Not one ounce, iota, or tittle of the law was done away with. Christ fulfilled it in my place and in the place of those who trust Him.

3. I take comfort in the atonement

Not only has Christ lived perfectly in fulfillment of the law in the place of His people, He also took on the sins of His people at the cross. At the cross, all of the wrath and holy anger that  God the Father had towards our sin was absorbed by Christ. "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed" 1 Peter 2:24.  Justice was satisfied in my place and for all who trust in Christ. Even now, as I grow more discouraged at the division and hatred that plagues our land today and  also at the sin that plagues my own heart, I am comforted by this objective event in history that permanently and decisively dealt with the sins of man. Because of the cross, God is both just and justifier of the ungodly (Romans 3:26)

4. I take comfort in Christ's second coming 


"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day" John 6:37-39

"For our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself" Philippians 3:20-21

"waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works" Titus 2:13-14

 "To grant those who mourn in Zion, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting, so they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified" Isaiah 61:3

The past few weeks and months have further solidified my anticipation for the age to come. I want more than the mirage of a just utopia that is built by human hands. Trusting in a broken system will only yield more brokenness, heartbreak, and disappointment. The age to come yields a better world, one in which there will be no more injustice, no more tears, no more disappointment and frustration. We will be in a better state than Adam who was capable of disobedience. In the age to come, we will be completely glorified and sanctified into the image of Christ, impervious to sin and incapable of ever falling again. In the age to come, we will see the Lamb of God who blocks out the sun, for we will no longer have any need of it.  May our thirst for justice be forever satisfied by the Lord Jesus Christ, who is our living water and our daily bread.

" Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Behold the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away"  (Revelation 21: 1-4)


***Joy is co-host of Church Chats with Gospel Gal podcast, and member of a URCNA church in Southern California. She loves pointing people to the kindness, love, and sufficiency of Christ in their day to day lives. 

Church Chats with Gospel Gal: Episode #4": "Racism, Discrimination, and the Human Thirst for Justice"

Church Chats with Gospel Gal: Episode #4": "Racism, Discrimination, and the Human Thirst for Justice"

On this episode, recorded this past Friday night, we chatted about issues around racism. Matt, Vanessa, Joy, and Stephanie detail some of their personal experiences with discrimination and prejudice and together we focus on the Church's response and the hope of the Gospel. Here's Episode #4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcT_diw8KUs Resources: Heidelberg 52: http://www.heidelberg-catechism.com/en/lords-days/19.html Heidelberg 3-5: http://www.heidelberg-catechism.com/en/lords-days/2.html Related Gospel Gal blog post: https://gospelgalblog.blogspot.com/2020/06/the-current-narrative-around-racism.html

Owning a Bible

Owning a Bible is not sufficient.

Reading a Bible is not sufficient.The preaching of the Bible is insufficient....
But...When the Triune God ministers the Word of God to the heart,When the Law is used lawfully,When the Gospel is preached with clarity,When the Holy Spirit illumines the heart and mind,
The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation,

The love of God in Christ is made known,The orientation of the heart and mind are redirected and affected,And we begin to love God and neighbor.
Apart from the work of our Triune God, all the marvelous, devastating, healing Bible truths are font on a page and wind from the mouth. So, we pray that He will do His work as His Word goes forth.
Tomorrow is the Lord's Day.Come Lord and bear your fruit. Gift your ministers, that their hearts are renewed in the Gospel. And may their Gospel message make deep roots in the hearts of the hearers.

The Current Narrative Around Racism: Cognitive Dissonance, Processing, and The Answer

This has been my stream of thought for the past week or so, causing me some cognitive dissonance:

>Can I say that all lives matter without being called a racist?
>Can a white person say they're not a racist without being one?

I believe that the current narrative around racism says, no. However, I have to reject the negative answer.

Here, I am processing, attempting to break through the dissonance reasonably and Scripturally, to touch on concerns of my neighbors, brothers, and sisters touched by the current crises, and to continue to hope in Christ in the midst of it all.

(Disclaimer: Before you continue reading, know that racism is a real sin against God, Whose image we bear, and against our neighbor, who bears God's image. If you're stuck in this particular sin, this post is not for you. Contact me privately if this is a struggle for you.)

All lives *do matter.
My friend posted a graphic on Facebook recently, depicting Christ on the cross, with the words, "All lives matter.". I agree with her. When we say *all, that includes black lives. But she was accused of being condescending or dismissive. Those are lies, and I felt unjustly condemned along with her.

So, hear me out: Affirming the value of *all life does not diminish human value if one's pigment is darker than mine. I can affirm human value in individuals, as part of a broader community, and in *our global community: the human race. We all retain the image of God. We are all His offspring. We all have value and needs: of love, protection, affirmation and justice.

I do hear the hurt and frustration, anger, and fear among those who have experienced oppression. Those reactions are reasonable. The desire to be heard and seen is understandable. As a woman in an often male-dominated atmosphere, I can empathize. At the same time, it is not silencing to include black people in *all lives. It may not be your agenda, but it doesn't change the fact that God does not have a preference or respect for one people group over another, and that we can value *all because He does. He loved the *world so much that He sent His own Son to redeem us out of every kindred, tongue, tribe and nation. Then He called us out to be His children, part of a new and better creation, brothers and sisters, in the Beloved. Should man-made value judgments be considered superior to His own?

You're not a racist.

What is a racist? Google defines the term this way: rac·ist: a person who shows or feels discrimination or prejudice against people of other races, or who believes that a particular race is superior to another. Does this categorically define a whole group? No. I emphatically say, it does not. Rather than making sweeping generalizations and assumptions about groups, listen to and value the individual you know. What are they saying, doing, and how are they interacting with others that communicate love for others, regardless of their cultural or ethnic differences? Why are individuals who affirm the values of all life painted as part of the problem? That is an unfair and inaccurate assumption. And, for the record, generalizing about a person, who is part of a group simply because they are part of that group is a racist behavior. If you're not viewing others as less than yourself and you're not hating your neighbor, seeking their harm and holding them down, based on "race" you're not a racist.
You don't have to buy into the narrative. You can love your neighbor without allowing dysfunction. You can see injustice. You can seek justice for the oppressed. You can validate those who are in pain and distress. You do not have to feel false shame or allow yourself or others to be told who you are, what you think, or what your motives are. That is gaslighting, and you're not crazy. You don't have to speak, think or feel guilt that is not your own.

My friends, rather than competing, and exchanging pain for pain, can we focus on active one-antohering instead? The problems of the past, whether 200 years ago, or yesterday, can be laid to rest in the grave with all of our sins if we stop choosing to resurrect them, attributing that old hate, fear and animosity to the present and to situations and people that have nothing to do with the felt angst.
And, yes. Jesus is still the answer. Keep preaching the Gospel to yourself and others daily. Nothing could be more relevant. He sees the current state of things and He's present in our fears and frustrations. He has lived and died for us and He is interceding for us now. He hasn't forgotten us and He is still working redemptively in His ministry of reconciliation. Let that motivate your love for Him and others, as He continues His work in every kindred, tongue tribe, and nation.

Church Chats with Gospel Gal: Episode #3: What’s a Nice Jewish Boy Like You Doing in a Baptist Facebook Group?

A couple of years ago, I became Facebook friends with a brother named Matthew Rosenblum in the Theocast Facebook Group, associated with the Theocast podcast. I noticed the similarity of our names. (My maiden name is Marissa Rosenfeld.) And I honed in on the fact that he Jewish. To break the ice, I asked, "What’s a Nice Jewish Boy Like You Doing in a Baptist Facebook Group? " .  

Listen to this episode of Church Chats with Gospel Gal. We chat about Matt's spiritual foundation, conversion from Judaism, evangelizing Jewish people, and his Gospel awakening.

Matt and I would have no greater joy than to see our kinsmen, the Jewish people come to

know the Messiah, Jesus, as Savior. There is so much peace to be found in seeing Him, knowing Him, and recognizing Him as the One prophesied so powerfully so many years ago, to Eve, to Abraham, and to David.

Listen to Isaiah's beautiful words, prophesying the Suffering Savior, Who would, and did come to rescue and atone for His people for their iniquity, and to bring redemption, through His sacrificial work.

1 And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
2 For he grew up before him like a young plant,
and like a root out of dry ground;
he had no form or majesty that we should look at him,
and no beauty that we should desire him.3 He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.4 Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.5 But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.6 All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned—every one—to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he opened not his mouth.8 By oppression and judgement he was taken away;
and as for his generation, who considered
that he was cut off out of the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people?9 And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him;
he has put him to grief;
when his soul makes an offering for guilt,
he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days;
the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand.11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied;
by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant,
make many to be accounted righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because he poured out his soul to death
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and makes intercession for the transgressors.Who has believed what he has heard from us?

Here's the episode: https://gospelgal2020.podbean.com/e/church-chats-with-gospel-gal-

episode-3-whats-a-nice-jewish-boy-like-you-doing-in-a-baptist-facebook-group/ . We pray it's a gospel blessing to you. 
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Mentions and Resources:

John Fonville's Baptism Series: https://gospelgalblog.blogspot.com/search?q=baptism

Theology Gals: Lordship Salvation episode: http://theologygals.com/2017/10/lordship-salvation-with-pastor-john-fonville-theology-gals-episode-35/

Theocast Podcast: https://theocast.org/

Back to the Reformation Podcast: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/back-to-the-reformation

Michael Horton: Systematic Theology: https://www.amazon.com/Christian-Faith-Systematic-Theology-Pilgrims/dp/0310286042/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=michael+horton+systematic+theology&qid=1591076186&sr=8-1

White Horse Inn: https://www.whitehorseinn.org/?gclid=CjwKCAjwztL2BRATEiwAvnALcotLaEhNUh3nVwPvIPDKA4O8LUs_fs2mTaS73av8qbqIJ9DbRZ6hXBoCVCcQAvD_BwE

J. V. Fesko: Baptism: Word, Water, and Spirit: A Reformed Perspective on Baptism

Sacred Bond: Michael Brown and Zach Keele: https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Bond-Covenant-Theology-Explored-ebook/dp/B07P6134ZN/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=sacred+bond&qid=1588954839&sr=8-1