A Generation of Narcissism

The Selfie Generation Won’t Win Olympic Gold

I didn’t believe it when I first heard the news. A college student was sharing with me how no one in one of her classes could fail. She went on to explain how the school had adopted the new “no zero” policy, and one professor had made it a “no fail” policy. She said if students didn’t turn in their work or literally copied their research papers word-for-word from the Internet, the student would receive a C-. I was dumbfounded. I wanted to clarify: “You mean to tell me if you don’t do anything, or turn in someone else’s paper from the internet word-for-word then you still pass?” She responded, “You got it!” Welcome to the new age, where participation trophies and building up self-esteem is all that really matters.

Narcissism is here! The millennial selfie generation! ME ME ME ME!

Narcissism is here! The millennial selfie generation! ME ME ME ME!

We have raised a generation of individuals who definitely have a high self-esteem. But at what cost? These young people are not like Olympians who spend long hours training and working hard. No, these are lazy teens who believe they should be rewarded simply because they exist. They are not willing to put in the time or energy to reach a specific goal. As a result, we are beginning to reap other fruits from this messed up style of parenting. For instance, most modern parents believe their little “angel” is gifted or brilliant—and any problems that arise must be the fault of someone else (i.e., the teacher), not their child.

Add to this the children have bought into the parents’ lies, and they have become the most narcissistic generation in the history of man. These are the young people who think nothing of taking 40-60 selfies per day, and believe they are entitled to a life of luxury without having to work hard. They have grown up believing life is all about being entertained and as a result they show little to no work ethic.

I fully recognize narcissism has always been around—but not to this degree. We hear it in song lyrics and see it emphasized in the media. Young people wear clothing that literally says, “It’s all about me!” or “All me all the time.” So what happens when you try to share the Gospel with individuals who believe the world literally revolves around them? They don’t realize they “need” anything—because after all, it’s all about them.

Parents please think about this: If you are feeding your child’s narcissism then you are directly responsible for teaching them idolatry and you are marching them away from the Almighty Creator. The idol they are now worshipping? Themselves. The inspired psalmist wrote, “The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts” (Psalm 10:4).

One would be hard pressed to find any Scripture that supports narcissism. One of the central themes that the Bible teaches against is pride. In Proverbs 16:18-19 we read, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” Jesus routinely espoused the first shall be last and the last shall be first. He went on to declare, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Mark 8:34).

Moms and Dads, you are not doing your children any favors by constantly building them up. You are not training up servants for Christ if they are obsessed with “selfies.” You are not helping them grow into faithful Christians if they believe they are entitled to a life of ease and entertainment. So of the most powerful growth opportunities come from times of failure. It may be during those times of failure that they discover just how much they need Christ.

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God’s Preachers

God’s Preachers

Look on any church of Christ “Preachers Wanted” website list and you’ll find them: A detailed job description including a preferred list of the desired requirements, components, and qualifications which each congregation of God’s people is specifically searching for in its potential, prospective new preacher. And while God Himself has some very certain and specific requirements which His gospel preachers must meet, the one passage that pretty well sums up His divinely-inspired and dictated job description for them is found in 2 Timothy 4:1-5:

God's preachers, rely on God's Word.

God’s preachers, rely on God’s Word.

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

 Contained in that one, simple, scriptural passage, is a highly concentrated description, of exactly what God requires from His preachers. They must preach and live God’s word – and only His word – in all crowds, times, situations and circumstances. They must do so without compromise, hesitation, partiality, or concern for their own comfort and/or safety (such as God’s preacher Peter as reported in Acts 4 + 5). They must do so not only when they are in the company of people who are truly seeking and hungering and thirsting after what God has to say, but must also proclaim His word just as diligently, directly, and willingly, when surrounded by, or in the presence of people who absolutely do not want to hear it – and even such hostile religious people as those who would militantly and even murderously reject both His message and His messenger who proclaims it (such as God’s preacher Stephen as reported in Acts 7).

In almost every case where they open their mouths amidst more than a few people, God’s preachers must come to understand, accept, and expect, that amongst those who are listening to the message from God that he preaches, there will be those who will come to love and respect both him and what he has to say; as well as those present who will probably resent, reject – and even in some cases come to hate – both him and what God is using him to do and say (See: Matthew 10:22-38, 24:9-13; John 11:45-53, 15:18-16:3; Acts 13:42-51; and etc…).

When one teaches, preaches, defends and practices the eternally-binding truth of God at all earthly cost, it often causes those with less conviction to flee and leave him all alone to face the earthly consequences of his heavenly calling (such as God’s preachers Jesus and Paul as reported in John 16:32 & 2 Timothy 4:9-17). Being one of God’s preachers can therefore oft-times be an extremely lonely place and position to be in life. In fact, sometimes it can appear even to God’s preachers themselves that they are all alone and the only one left (such as God’s preacher Elijah as reported in 1 Kings 18-19).

Additionally, sometimes people just don’t seem to understand that even the greatest of God’s preachers is still human and therefore needs time alone with God for solace, comfort, rest, and reflection. Sometimes he just needs time with God to ask for strength, wisdom, or regarding some great and important upcoming decision (See: Matthew 26:36-44; James 1:2-3; & Lk. 6:12-13). Sometimes he might just need time to grieve over the loss of a personally dear and departed loved one (such as God’s preacher Jesus, as reported in Matthew 14:6-13a). But there will always inevitably be some people among those whom they serve, who apparently seem to think that God’s preacher is somehow never in need, never struggles, and is somewhat superhuman. And to them, the only thing that matters is their own wants, needs, and desires, and what he can do to fulfill them. And so, they come with no thought for his need, but only for their own (just like they did with God’s preacher Jesus, as reported in Matthew 14:13b-21).

But there comes a time, when even the greatest and strongest of God’s preachers must simply demand and insist upon his own personal time alone to grieve and find strength in the arms of his heavenly Father – even if it means the rest of the disciples who continually count on their preacher must fend for themselves for a while; and that, even in the face of their worst storms (Matthew 14:22-25).

Now, of course any sort of expectation of “super humanity” or “imperviousness to painfulness” will always leave God’s preacher open to the charge of being at fault and the one to blame, when or if he can’t or doesn’t automatically and immediately answer the call to be there at once whenever disaster strikes amongst those whom he loves and serves (such as God’s preachers Samuel and Jesus, as reported in 1 Samuel 13:8-12 and John 11:1-33).

But as difficult as life can be for God’s preachers, the stress, strain, and toll on their wives can be even worse (Job 2:9; Ezekiel 24:15-24)!

However; despite the cost, the consequences, the danger, or the mission; despite the stress, the strain, God’s divine job description, or some people’s simply impossible expectations, God’s preacher wouldn’t stop proclaiming God’s word for anything, because there’s only one thing in his mind that truly matters… Hearing what those who have served the Master well and spent themselves in investing what He has given them in others: “Well done good and faithful servant… Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21+23). The only thing that really matters to God’s true and faithful preachers and their wives – the one thing that makes all of their earthly perils, pitfalls, and job hazards both bearable – and dare I say even enjoyable at times – is their promise of eternal reward from almighty God (as delivered by God’s preacher Paul, at the continuance of the text with which we started this article):

But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only, but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:5-8).

 

 

 

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Jesus Lived

You Cannot Ignore the Fact that Jesus Lived

John chapter seven is remarkable in so many ways, but one truth stands out. Read the entire chapter, and it becomes immediately apparent that the people of the first century were struggling to decide who Jesus was and where He was to fit in their lives. There was no way they could deny that Jesus lived among them. The same is true in our day.

Jesus should change His ways. It is hard to imagine what it would have been like to be the younger brothers of Jesus. The opening verses of John seven reveal that they did not believe He was the Messiah, but they were unable to ignore the impact of His teachings and miracles. They came to Him and told Him what He should do and how He should change what He was doing. They were so wrong. He knew precisely what should be done. He did not change.

Jesus is good—Jesus is a deceiver. When the Lord arrived in Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Tabernacles, His presence forced the people to make decisions about Him. Some said that He was a good man, while others said that He was a deceiver (John 7:12). Yet, those who thought that He was good remained silent and would not speak openly about Him, because they feared those around them. In the absence of truth being spoken, only evil will be heard and it will prevail.

Jesus should be ignored for He is not educated. When Jesus arrived in the holy city, He went into the temple and began teaching. At age 12, He had been in that same temple and His wisdom amazed those teachers who were there. In this chapter, He was again in the temple and all who heard Him were amazed. They evidently thought that only theologians could know truth for they asked, “How does this Man know letters, having never studied?”  They were so wrong.

Jesus has a demon. There were some who immediately dismissed Him because of His message. Their explanation was to ignore Him and openly say to others that He was demon possessed. Their hasty conclusion was the reason Jesus said, “Do not judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgments” (John 7:24). He commands men to judge.

Jesus is wrong because leaders do not believe in Him. Some refused to do their own thinking and relied on others to tell them what was right (7:26). They evidently were waiting to let their religious leaders tell them what to do. Every man is personally responsible for his own decisions.

The response to His presence was twofold. Some sought to kill Him while many believed on Him (7:30-31). There was no way to ignore Him. The important truth is that there is no way to ignore Him today. The most important decision you will ever make is whether you will ignore Him!

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Examining Hebrews 12:1-2

Examining Hebrews 12:1-2

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2

Will you stand when suffering comes? Are you standing for Christ now?

Will you stand when suffering comes? Are you standing for Christ now?

Contextually, the writer of Hebrews had just finished talking about the giants of faith whose lives are recorded in the Old Testament (Heb. 11).  These men and women, while not perfect, nevertheless sacrificed much to obey God, some of them even sacrificing their lives, because they desired to live in that heavenly country.  He then mentioned Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith,” who made the decision to endure and “despise” (literally, “think little of”) the most painful, humiliating death of his day because he too was focused on “the joy set before him.”

If you are doing your best to put Jesus and his will first in your life, no matter what, you know that it’s not easy at times.  Persecutions happen (2 Tim. 3:12).  At times you suffer in various ways for doing what God wants you to do.  If you’re like me, you think about giving up during some of those hard times.

However, most of us can say what the Hebrew writer went on to point out to the Christians of his day:  “In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (Heb. 12:4).  He’s right.  Some of those Old Testament giants of faith “were tortured, refusing to accept release”; they “suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment”; they “were stoned…sawn in two…killed with the sword”; they “went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated…” (Heb. 11:35-38).  Jesus himself died in a horrible way to save us from our sins.  Compared to that, the burdens we face seem quite small.

That’s why we are told to “consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted” (Heb. 12:3).

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SEGUNDAS NUPCIAS

SEGUNDAS NUPCIAS 

Las segundas nupcias son definidas en su concepto; como segundos matrimonios. Al casi final de nuestra serie nuestro texto en cuestión sigue siendo el mismo y por tal motivo hay que regresar una y otra vez, al mismo. La Biblia de las Américas lo pone de la siguiente manera: “Y yo os digo que cualquiera que se divorcie de su mujer, salvo por infidelidad, y se case con otra, comete adulterio” (Mateo 19:9). Hay un par de cuestiones concerniente a las segundas nupcias que nos disponemos a abordar partiendo del pasaje.

¿QUIEN SE PUEDE VOLVER A CASAR?

La parte a la que se le cometió el agravio está libre para volverse a casar con otra persona que esté libre, no significa que por tener derecho de parte del Señor para un divorcio pueda volverse a casar con quien el o ella quiera, deberá elegir a otra persona que tenga derecho por parte de Dios también para volverse a casar. Me parece interesante cuando vemos a alguien que se ha casado por 3 y 4 veces porque le han sido infiel las 4 veces, realmente haya que ser muy prudentes y medir bien quién es ese candidato o candidata con el que voy a contraer segundas nupcias. Definitivamente si hay algo que se nos enseña bien en las escrituras en todo aspecto es de aprender bien del pasado y con el tema del matrimonio no es la excepción.

¿PUEDE LA PARTE CULPABLE VOLVERSE A CASAR?

La respuesta la tiene Cristo, note lo que él dice : “ …y el que se case con otra, comete adulterio…”  Hay que ser honestos siempre con la Biblia y con Dios y el pasaje dice que si se puede volver a casar cuando dice “y el que se case con otra” puede volver a hacerlo en sus propios deseos pero no esta bien ante Dios, El no aprueba esa unión, no es correcto, está mal, no puede hacerlo. Entonces explique bien hermano ¿puede o no puede? …No no puede pero siempre lo va a hacer y es lo que El maestro tenia en mente al expresar tal frase. La Biblia enseña que Dios es Justo (Salmo 7:11; 11:7; 50:6; 1Juan 3:7 etc) y, al ser el matrimonio una institución divina el castigo por transgredirlo también es divino es decir proviene de Dios. En esa su justicia Dios decidió que la parte inocente podía volver a contraer nupcias pero la culpable queda manchado de por vida, es decir nunca jamás podrá volver a casarse ni mucho menos regresar con la que fue su esposa porque para ese entonces ella tendrá otra unión en matrimonio , el culpable deberá estar solo completamente por el resto de sus días. Entendemos que este es el caso tal  como lo entendieron los discípulos note usted: “Si así es la relación del hombre con su mujer, no conviene casarse.” (Mateo 19:10). Dentro de su contexto Judío ellos podían divorciase y volverse por cualquier causa hasta si ella cocinaba mal y los culpables quedaban libres así que es un cambio grande, sin tomar en cuenta que el cambio lo habían hecho ellos mismos (Judíos) cuando el Señor regresa al principio. 

¿PUEDE LA MISMA PAREJA REGRESAR DESPUES DE HABERSE DIVORCIADO?

En 1Corintios 7:10-11, donde se ha querido sacar el supuesto “privilegio Paulino”, el hermano Paulo más bien está describiendo asuntos de una convertido viviendo con un no cristiano. Pero el asunto es que él menciona un “Separece” que no debe ser entendido como divorcio sino más bien un tiempo prudencial en separación el uno del otro sin deshacer la unión del matrimonio. Una vez firmado el divorcio, por causa de fornicación  NO el culpable no puede volver a casarse con nadie más porque adultera y el que se casa con esa parte repudiada también adultera. Bueno y ¿que tal si es la misma? Simple la Biblia no hace la diferencia si es o no lo es, por lo tanto eso no hace ninguna diferencia.

ANCIANOS QUE VUELVEN A CASARSE

Algunos han colocado una regla que no existe mal interpretando Tito 1:6 “…maridos de una sola mujer…” para vociferar que si un hermano ha sido casado y divorciado siendo él la parte inocente no puede ejercer el ancianato. La Biblia Jamás enseña esta doctrina, la frase del versículo 6 se encuentra en el tiempo presente voz activa  es decir; se refiere a que eje anciano debe estar casado con una sola persona al momento de estar ejerciendo el oficio de anciano. Ahora bien si muere su esposa debe de retirarse automáticamente de ese rol ya que unido a 1Timoteo 3:1-7 tiene que estar casado para ejercer el ancianato. Pero si vuelve a casarse, perfectamente está una vez más elegible para ser anciano, ya que no está unido en matrimonio con dos sino con una y solo una.

En todo siempre Dios nos ayude a regresar a la Biblia y ser lo suficientemente maduros para apartar aquellas doctrinas que hemos oído o que a travez de los años. Hay veces en las que cerramos las puertas donde Dios las abre y las abrimos donde Dios las cierra, ¡Cuidado con eso!. Concluimos con las palabras del autor del libro de Hebreos, el dice : “Honroso sea en todos el matrimonio y el lecho sin mancilla, pero a los fornicarios y adúlteros los juzgará Dios” (Hebr. 13:4)

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