Friday, May 23, 2008

A Proud Look

Proverbs 6:17 tells us that one of the things that God hates is "a proud look." The Hebrew word for "proud" refers to a person who exalts himself, or who lifts himself up. In other words, it is a person who is holding a position that is higher than what God appointed him to.

In one Christian school that I taught at, an ambitious church secretary decided that she should teach the senior English class. She planned to use it as a launch pad to become a school administrator. She launched an active smear campaign on the teacher, got the class, and failed miserably.

The ministries of Nicolaitans are usually marked by failure, because they gain their positions without God's authority. They are rarely involved in leadership of successful, growing churches, unless the church is growing by stealing people from other churches. They attribute their failures to other causes, and sometimes are attracted to Calvinism, which blames God for their failures.

When I come across Christians who have been hurt by churches, I often find that the church was led by Nicolaitans; the rest of the time, it was usually the fault of the person who got hurt.

Monday, May 19, 2008

Deeds That God Hates

But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Rev. 2:6

We have seen that God does call certain Christians to rule over us. They are servants, they are humble, they teach the Word of God, they live Godly lives, and they watch for our souls.

The Nicolaitans, on the other hand, engage in activities that God hates. So, what activities does God hate?

Proverbs 6:16-19 tells us: These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil,
19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among
brethren.

Notice that lying is listed twice, plotting is listed once, and sowing discord is listed once. "Nicolaitan Christians" refers to Christians who set out to rule over God's people, without being called by God to do so. While they will sometimes plot against each other, they are united in opposing (and fearing) soul-winners. Plotting, slander, judging, and criticizing are tools that they will use.

In talking to such Christians, I have actually had some tell me that soul-winners are immature Christians, and because they are mature Christians, they have the ability to "be in charge." I have also found that they often look down on Christians who spend a lot of time "serving." And I have often found that soul-winners are uninterested in being leaders; they are usually interested in being servants. And Jesus taught that those are the greatest Christians.