Life Learning Series

As we project our praise to the women, for the effort that they put forth; let us not try to remove the order that the LORD placed in the world. By this we mean that we must not press our gifts of gratitude into the position of replacing the stated directions that the LORD sent through the world, as they pass through the church. This caution persuades us that we must maintain some sort of compartmentalization of church and state. In that portion of our relationship with God, Moses and Aaron are a key example. The LORD set up their environment of church-state separation, here.

And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest’s office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron’s sons. And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty.

(Exodus 28:1-2)

To ensure the independence of the priesthood (the church), the LORD provided for their support as an entity that is independent of the provision for the support of the state. (Please note that, at this time, they depended on the enforcement power of the state, in Moses.)

– Explore Gender Bias — Definitely:  Part Five –

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I hope that you did not think that I would leave Caesar alone. I fully intend to interact with Caesar, but not on his terms: not, as a politician. In fact, there is no way to remove Caesar from the equation. First, as Christians, we have a direct commandment to honor Caesar. It is a commandment that comes from the highest source that was made available to us, as provided by the Father God.

Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk. And they sent out unto him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God in truth, neither carest thou for any man: for thou regardest not the person of men. Tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to give tribute unto Caesar, or not?

(Matthew 22:15-22)

Also, as pertains to our relationship with the rulers of the world, we received further instructions about how we acknowledge their appointed place in our lives. The apostle Paul gives us this further insight into these sorts of required relationships, for the children of God . . .

– Explore Gender Bias — Definitely:  Part Four –

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Please take some time to consider a reason for the incident in the church that is described below. As you do; the main thing that I want you to think about is this: Why did God have to press the members of the church to such a rigorous pattern of compliance? Also consider this: Was the resulting upheaval, in some fashion, an avoidable outcome?

But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it, at the apostles’ feet.

(Acts 5:1-11)

To get a little closer to the matter of control in the church, as it is set above human convenience; we will share an event of the life of Jesus. If you really think about the event, you might come to the conclusion that there are certain things that are made to go wrong, so that the glory of God can be highlighted. Actually, that is not too far from being correct; but, it is more than, that these things are just a burden for us. In fact, it is a way of lightening our load; in that, it places the burden on God to provide perfection for mankind, as opposed to placing the burden on mankind to be able to reconcile imperfection. For that reason, we should draw back, somewhat, from our angst about any present perception of peril. Take a look at the following Scripture, and see if you can determine what the true message of the event is.

– Explore Gender Bias — Definitely:  Part Three –

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Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.   For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

(Isaiah 55:6-11)

There is this wish that floats through the church: the wish is that the church be a “democratic” enterprise. In support of the democratization of the church, many members of the church rely on the following Scripture.

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

(Galatians 3:25-29)

This if often cited as justification for full and open democracy in the church. There is, though, a problem with immersing this Scripture in the proof of open service in the LORD. The problem is that the same inspired servant of God also delivered this directive from the LORD.

– Explore Gender Bias — Definitely:  Part Two –

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Warning!

You are approaching politically incorrect quicksand.

Prayer and caution are highly recommended.

Okay; having done that, let me walk it back a bit. To do that, let me say that I am indeed a firm believer of the following Scripture.

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

(Galatians 3:27-29)

. . . However, let me also say that I am a firm believer of this next Scripture, in its fullest impact on the world.

– Explore Gender Bias — Definitely:  Part One –

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