Our friend in India has been hard at work updating the translation of By Grace Alone. He writes, “Greetings in our Lord’s name. I am glad to write to you after so many years. I just wanted to inform you that I had to make many translatory improvisations in the Telugu version of your book “By Grace Alone” and it’s really come out good.“
At present, it is available online as a printable html page. We are working on getting a downloadable PDF version. But, you can access the new, updated version of the book here:
https://hithabodha.com/books/salvation/137-grace-alone.html
It’s hard to express how much I appreciate the hard work that has gone into this translation for the people of India.
Category Archives: Musings
The GCA Video Archive
Something new has been added to the SalvationByGrace website. Now, when you hit the “Watch” link you’ll be taken to our new video archive. Just visit salvationbygrace.org and click the Watch button.
Happy watching!
The Isaiah Citations Chart
On Wednesday, July 1, 2020 we began our study in the book of Isaiah. Here is the downloadable chart of Isaiah citations in the New Testament that we handed out to the congregation during that meeting.
Be The Christian
I frequently use the phrase “Be The Christian.” Of course, when I say that, I am emphasizing the importance of individual commitment to the things of Christ. Even if everyone else should turn their back, you stand firm. Be the Christian.
But then I was asked whether that’s even a good moniker to Christ’s followers.
The email question read —
Pastor Jim,
Should we call ourselves a Christian? Christ never called himself a Christian. Christ never called his followers Christians. The apostles never called each other Christians. Christ never used that adjective to describe Himself.
How are we to identify ourselves then? The disciples called each other brethren. Or, disciples, apostles, servants, believers, followers, the faithful, the elect, the called, saints, bondservants of Christ. But, not Christians. So, should we?
To which I replied:
Actually, the word “Christian” (Greek Χριστιανός – Christianos) is a perfectly good name to call ourselves. The Greek word actually has a Latin adjectival ending that denotes “adhering to”, or “belonging to.” So it essentially means “one belonging to Christ.”
Naturally then, Jesus would never be called a Christian. But, His disciples can be.
And, although the other names you mentioned are indeed biblical names that disciples called one another, the Bible tells us that the disciples were first called Christians at Antioch (Acts 11:26). And then Peter uses the term in a positive way in 1Peter 4:16 — “but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.”
So, I have no problem with the disciples of Jesus Christ referring to themselves as Christians. It’s biblical and it’s complimentary. We do belong to Him and I am not ashamed of a name the points out that fact.
I said it before, I’ll say it again … Be The Christian.
Grace and peace,
Jim Mc.
The Holiness Problem
Defining Apologetics
The latest videos (pet peeves)
Pastor Appreciation Day
Yesterday morning, while doing the announcements, I mentioned that I had just looked at the calendar on my phone and next Sunday was marked as Pastor Appreciation Day. So, I told the congregation. Afterward, someone said to me, “What’s going on? That’s not like you to mention something like that.”
And it’s true. I don’t normally.
When I first learned of Pastor Appreciation Day, I joked that it sounded like something Hallmark made up in order to sell more cards. I had no idea how correct I was. According to nationaldaycalendar.com:
“Clergy Appreciation Day was originally called Clergy Appreciation National Day of Honor. The day was started by Hallmark Cards in 1992. Many people also refer to the day as Pastor Appreciation Day.”
Christianity.com adds this summary:
“October is national Clergy Appreciation Month, a time set aside to recognize the contributions and service of pastors, priests, reverends, ministers, and all other clergy members. Within Clergy Appreciation Month is Pastor Appreciation Day. Pastor Appreciation Day (also referred to more generally as Clergy Appreciation Day) falls on the second Sunday in October.”
Apparently, Focus on the Family also began emphasizing Pastor Appreciation Month in the early 1990s, Now, my natural tendency is to ignore such things as sub-biblical modern inventions designed to sell greeting cards. I mean, look — I get a regular paycheck for my work at GCA. We never argue about money and I manage to live on whatever they give me. The very fact that I’ve been the pastor there for nearly 19 years shows that they appreciate me. Besides, I thought, I’m nothing special. I mean, I don’t even insist that people refer to me as “pastor.” Most folk just call me Jim. I don’t deserve a day of appreciation.
Oh … and I was wrong.
Here’s what I mean. When Paul was under arrest in Rome, the church at Philippi sent him a gift via Ephphroditus. That inspired Paul to write what many commentators have referred to as “the joy letter.” In it, Paul wrote —
“You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (Phil. 4:15-20)
Paul was not seeking the gift, but he knew it would profit those who sent it. Their gift was “an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.” It was to their own benefit that they loved and appreciated the man who brought them the gospel of Christ.
When writing to the church at Thessalonica, Paul wrote —
“But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” (1Thess. 5:12-13)
To Timothy he wrote —
“The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. “ (1Tim. 5:17)
To the Galatians he wrote —
“The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.” (Gal. 6:6)
And to the Ephesians, Paul wrote that leaders in the church are a gift from God —
“And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
According to James, pastor/teachers are under a great weight —
“Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.” (James 3:1)
So, maybe a little appreciation seems appropriate. Now, let’s be clear. It’s not about money. It CAN be, but not necessarily. It’s about honor, respect, gratitude and recognition. Like Paul, I’m still not looking for a gift. But, as I’ve learned from Paul, I would never want to deprive the giver from the joy of giving. After all, sending sweet aromas into the nostrils of God can’t be bad. I wouldn’t want to get in the way of that.
But, the point of this blog post is actually much larger than that … larger than me. This made-up day presents us all with a teachable moment.
If God has been kind enough to you that He did not leave you to your own understanding; if He has provided you with someone whom He ordained and guided into a comprehension of His word and the ability to convey it; if He brought someone into your life to instruct, reprove, and guide you in the faith once delivered to the saints …
then that’s a gift. Say “thank you.”
I’m fortunate. Because of our Internet presence, I’ve been able to make my living preaching the word. “So also the Lord directed those who proclaim the gospel to get their living from the gospel.” (1Cor. 9:14).
I am very grateful for the people who continue to find value in what GCA is doing. They keep us going by their generosity and obedience to God’s instruction to give to those who teach the word.
BUT — I know plenty of pastors who are not so fortunate. Bi-vocational men who labor in the word and then labor in the world. Men who are devoted to their calling and who depend on their own ability to work and earn a paycheck to continue in their ministerial work. Being a pastor isn’t easy in the best of times. It’s particularly hard on those who are juggling family, bills, work, and ministry. It’s easy to burn-out.
Whoever and wherever you are, if you have a loyal pastor in your church gathering, it seems completely right, appropriate, and biblical that you would appreciate him. So, tell him.
And don’t tell him just because Hallmark said to. Loving someone who watches for your soul seems completely sensible. I have had several pastors in my life. And they have all contributed something to my growth and development as a Christian person. I owe them a debt of gratitude.
So, take advantage of this made-up day of appreciation. Wear it like training wheels. And then learn to appreciate the gifts that God gives every saint in His body. Look after one another, love one another, be thankful for one another, and be diligent to keep the bonds of love and peace.
In other words, BE THE CHRISTIAN. And, one facet of that is appreciating those who lead in the church.
Janine says Americans have too many made-up-holidays. She’s probably right. But, I’m going to go on record as saying that this one — Pastor Appreciation Day — is a good reminder.
And now I’m 64 …
The Beatles released the Sgt. Pepper album on May 26, 1967. I would have been 11 years old at the time. I remember the first time I heard all the melodies and swirling effects. It was ground-breaking in so many ways and I was swept up in Pepper-mania.
But, there was this odd little tune that occurred after George Harrison’s sitar-heavy “Within You and Without You.” It was as jolting a contrast as I think I’ve ever heard on an album. McCartney’s little ditty “When I’m Sixty-Four” was like a cabaret number you’d hear if you fired up an antique radio. Bouncy, clarinety, sing-songy. To my young and musically-impressionable ears, it was immediately memorable and singable. It was playful and wistful about someday in the distant future — “Will you still need me, Will you still feed me, When I’m sixty-four? “
At eleven, it was unimaginable that I would one day be sixty-four.
James Taylor once wrote that the secret of life is enjoying the passing of time. I think that’s true. Ecclesiastes says that there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die. In between those two dates (birth/death) we attempt to redeem the time and use our days wisely.
As for me, it’s been a pretty good life. As Elder Ward used to quip, “It hasn’t been bad.” Sure, sure … there have been all the usual ups-and-downs that go with living on this planet, but I’ve never gone hungry, never lived on the street, and I’ve always had at least one car in the driveway. King David said that he had never seen the righteous forsaken, nor the seed begging bread. I’m a living witness to that.
At a men’s meeting recently, after my concussion, Alex commented, “God keeps trying to kill Jim.” But, no. It’s quite the opposite. Life keeps trying to do me in. God keeps me alive. I guess my work here isn’t quite finished. I’m ready to go home whenever He’s pleased to have me.
Meanwhile, GCA is thriving. The little church in Smyrna continues to reach an “online congregation” of listeners and supporters. I’m dependent on people giving to our ministry in order to eat. But, we’re coming up on our 19th year and I’m still here and still eating.
So, I guess Macca had it right back in ’67. Will you still need me? I hope so. Will you still feed me? God, through His people, hasn’t failed me yet. I don’t figure He’s going to change His mind, now.
And, at last, I’m sixty-four.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a song to walk around the house singing.