Default To Love

(0:00 - 0:11) Real Life presents the Jack Hibbs Podcast. With intention and boldness to proclaim truth, equip the saints, and impact our culture. New believers are so much fun to be around. (0:11 - 0:20) They're bouncing off the walls, they've got books everywhere, they're witnessing to a street pole and a fire hydrant. They're telling everybody. I love it. (0:20 - 0:41) But have you noticed they've got zeal, but not much knowledge. We don't stand back and say, hey, you go sit in that cage over there, we'll lock you up until you get all stiff and grumpy like us, and then we'll let you out. No, man, the body of Christ coming together, working together, as we all mature together in Christ Jesus, it's such a glorious thing, it's such a beautiful thing. (0:44 - 1:06) You can get the outlines of this podcast by going to Jackhibbs.com slash podcast. Today, if this podcast lifts you up and encourages you to live a more fulfilled life in Christ, then make sure you leave us one of those five star ratings. To us, that's like saying amen or yes, then that rating will encourage others to listen. (1:07 - 1:26) Now open your hearts to what God's word has to say to you. Here is Jack Hibbs. John chapter one, verse 12 says, but as many as received him, that's that word for as many as come alongside and have him come alongside you and you come alongside him, you're in agreement to them. (1:26 - 1:44) He gave the right to become children of God to those who believe in his name. The word name can also be translated authority who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor the will of man, but of God born of God. The believer must be born of God. (1:45 - 1:52) Jesus said it this way. You must be born again. He said to Nicodemus, the teacher of Israel, and then the word is weak. (1:52 - 2:01) Look at the word weak. This is the one that we concerning our brothers and sisters that you and I know they are weaker in the faith. They're not as strong as you. (2:02 - 2:18) How are we to deal with them? Did you know that we live in a family? This is a family right here. And part of being in a family is that we're all in different, we're different ages, we're different levels, like a family. But this is even deeper to spiritual family. (2:18 - 2:42) And in a family, there's the need for us to practice these things in love, not out of arrogance. The word weak means feeble, sensitive in the negative sense, sensitive, not sensitive to the voice, but sensitive to your very, very thin skin. You're a Christian, you're going to heaven. (2:42 - 2:49) You love God, but you have thin skin. You're easily offended. The person didn't say hi to me. (2:49 - 2:56) I don't think I'm going to go back to that church anymore. That's who we're talking about. You're weak. (2:57 - 3:09) It's not an insult. It's just an assessment of your level of spiritual growth or not. The word means sickly or prone to feebleness of spirit or faith, implying a lack of spiritual freedom. (3:09 - 3:19) That's important. And power, narrow or limited. What does that mean in our day? Listen, you and I need to have a grounded faith. (3:19 - 3:27) It's a practical faith. And there are those who have not yet grown much along in their faith. They may have been Christians for a long time, but they've never been well taught. (3:27 - 3:39) But here's the thing that they're easily offended by the slightest things. The truth is they haven't come to understand grace. And so they can't, they don't understand grace. (3:39 - 3:48) And so they can never give grace. I call them sin sniffers and fault finders. They're in the family, but they're always calling you out. (3:48 - 3:55) I get letters every time I say this, it's going to happen again. Here it comes. You ready? At least I'm telling you the truth. (3:55 - 4:09) And it's this. I need the Holy Spirit to have greater control of my life. When I see a speed limit sign, I see a speed limit sign. (4:09 - 4:17) And I think that's a challenge. I need to have, I need to repent of that. I need to understand that the car cannot go beyond that number. (4:18 - 4:25) I'm thinking the car can't go slower than that number. I'm weak in the faith that way. Okay. (4:26 - 4:33) But think about your life. Well, this, that, I, that person has makeup on. No, this is for real. (4:34 - 4:54) They should be more spiritual like me. They have makeup on. When we begin in our weakness, when we begin to look at other brothers and sisters that do not fit our ranking of acceptance into the body of Christ, because we've established our standards and they're not God-established standards. (4:54 - 5:15) Did God say anywhere not to put makeup on? Ladies, that was your moment to say, actually, wait, us men should have said, yeah, that's right. A woman wrote J. Vernon McGee and said, I've been told that I can't wear makeup. What does the Bible say? He says, the Bible doesn't say anything about it. (5:15 - 5:23) And he said, ma'am, if the barn needs painting, paint it. I didn't say that. J. Vernon McGee said that. (5:24 - 5:55) You can ask him when you get to heaven. But we set up these rules and they're not even in the Bible. But listen, if it's not in the Bible, what does the Bible say about rules that are not in the Bible? The next word is this, what's our conscience, our convictions about it? And what about the conscious or the convictions of others about it? If it's not mentioned in the Bible, we always default to love. (5:57 - 6:05) Think of this. And so there's the weaker that is offended by many things. It's the weaker one that is critical. (6:08 - 6:38) The one who has these rules and regulations, listen, the weaker you are in the faith, the more rules and regulations and fences you're going to have to establish because you do not understand and you do not enjoy, listen, listen, this is serious, your freedoms that are in Christ. And boy, I say that carefully because so many people today abuse the freedoms and misuse that true doctrine of God. Let me put it to you this way. (6:38 - 6:50) In Christ Jesus, you're not free to go do anything you want. Well, I'm a Christian, I can go sin, God will forgive me. Oh no, that's not, oh no, that's called antinomianism. (6:51 - 7:01) And God doesn't forgive that. The Old Testament says that's sins of the high hand. Well, I'm going to go do this thing next Friday night, eight o'clock, we're going to go out and then I'll ask God to forgive me. (7:02 - 7:09) No, no, no, he doesn't forgive that. Did you know that? He calls it sins of the high hand. It's premeditated sin. (7:09 - 7:21) He says, I'm not going to forgive that. Isn't that amazing? That just proves that you're still not a believer. You may go to church, you may claim to be a Christian. (7:21 - 7:49) But if you can premeditate an appointment with sin, and it doesn't have a storm go off inside of you, it just proves that you're internally dead. And that's why the call out to that, and that's why God rebukes that so strongly. The Bible tells us in Romans 15 verse 12, we who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. (7:50 - 7:58) We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up. I love that. (7:58 - 8:12) In the Lord, come alongside them, build them up. And then the words dispute and doubtful, two powerful words. We shouldn't get caught up and get into unnecessary debates that take us nowhere. (8:13 - 8:33) The act of passing judgment upon another, the word disputes. It means to hold someone in a lesser state or in a low opinion, to assume a superiority or superior authority that you do not have. You think you have this authority to judge other Christians, when in reality, you don't have that. (8:33 - 8:52) And Paul says, that cannot be us. We are to get real with God and man, and it starts out with us confronting the fact that God loves us. So should we turn and love others like he loves us? And again, Paul is writing to the family of God, the church. (8:53 - 9:00) Very powerful. Listen to this, St. Augustine, Augustine of Hippo wrote this. This is great. (9:00 - 9:14) He says, in essentials, unity, in non-essentials, liberty, in all things, charity. Isn't that beautiful? When it's an essential, we need to come together biblically and unite. It's right there in the Bible. (9:14 - 9:33) We submit to the obedience of the word of God. When it's peripheral things, where it's not crystal clear, you know what we'll do? We'll exercise liberty in those areas. What does that mean? You know what? If somebody says to me, I can't go to the beach. (9:33 - 9:46) This is kind of true. Watch this. Did you know where there are those who think we Californians, oh, California, I had this happen. (9:46 - 10:06) I had this happen in England years ago. I taught at a church in England and after the sermon, I didn't know, but everybody, all right, amen, let's go. Everybody walks out of the church and they walk across the park and they go to a pub. (10:08 - 10:16) I'm following them. I don't know where we're going. I'm like, and we go into a pub. (10:18 - 10:31) I'm okay. I'll have shepherd's pie and a water for real. They told me, oh, you don't drink? See, in America, people drink to get drunk. (10:32 - 10:45) In Europe, because the water's filthy, all those countries drink and they don't get drunk, but I couldn't get near. I couldn't have a Guinness near me. So why? Somebody might take a picture. (10:46 - 10:56) I could be on the front page of the news. So I drank my water and ate my shepherd's pie and this one guy said, he made me laugh. He said, you know, it's funny. (10:56 - 11:13) He said, this always happens. You guys come here and you won't touch the beer. But when we go to California, you guys all put on your board shorts and bikinis and jump in the water and we won't go near that. (11:13 - 11:26) We'll just stand on the beach with our clothes on because you think we're sinning by doing this. And I'm thinking, yeah, well, you are. They think we're sinning because we go to the beach or go surfing. (11:28 - 11:58) What does the Bible say about surfing? Liberty. Now, in England, I'm not, look, maybe I didn't look if the water's that bad, maybe they're justified in doing it. I'll let Jesus figure that out in the end, but we can start pointing at different people and they can start pointing back and we're not exactly sure what we're doing because in my insecurity, I'm trying to lay a law on you that I live by. (11:58 - 12:06) And if you don't live by that law of mine, you make me feel uncomfortable. And this is called church. This is who we are. (12:07 - 12:17) And what are we going to do about it? Love one another. Come alongside one another and pick each other up. Well, he goes on. (12:19 - 12:29) The word doubtful things, things being reasoned about. This is so, so social media appropriate. Doubtful things. (12:29 - 12:33) Things being reasoned about. Arguments. Speculations. (12:33 - 12:39) To judge another man's thoughts. Conviction. To judge what they are thinking. (12:41 - 12:46) You can't do that. We all know you can't do that. But we do it. (12:47 - 12:56) And the Bible says that would be immaturity. What are you saying? I said this. That's what, you didn't mean that. (12:56 - 13:01) This is what you meant. We don't know that. We need to be careful. (13:01 - 13:11) But this practical faith that God gives us is a faith that works. Colossians chapter 2 verse 16 says. So let no one judge you. (13:11 - 13:19) Listen to this. In food or in drink. Or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths. (13:19 - 13:31) Which are a shadow of things to come. But the substance is of Christ. So what's the rule? You'll never go wrong when love and loving your neighbor is the rule. (13:32 - 13:39) Very important. The complexion. Think about the complexion and the composition of the church. (13:39 - 13:44) Is remarkable. It's awe inspiring if you ask me. Recently I was asked. (13:45 - 13:54) What is the demographic? Somebody was asking me. Somehow they are in the church world business stuff. What's the demographics? I was at a conference. (13:54 - 13:59) They said. What's the demographics of your church? I don't know. But I told them. (13:59 - 14:03) I said. I know what you are asking. But we don't keep record of this stuff. (14:03 - 14:08) But I can tell you this. I said. I wish I had a body cam. (14:09 - 14:20) And I could stream. Each service to show who is attending these services. There is black. (14:20 - 14:23) There is white. There is every color in between. Listen. (14:23 - 14:30) There are various Asian cultures. The Vietnamese are sitting next to the Japanese. The Japanese are shaking hands with the Chinese. (14:31 - 14:36) And the Chinese are shaking hands with the Indonesians. Listen. And those cultures. (14:37 - 14:41) They don't do that. They don't do that in this culture. In that world that they live in. (14:41 - 14:48) They have a very rigid division. Not here. Not here. (14:48 - 14:53) Because Jesus trumps all. His love for you. The fact that he has made you new. (14:53 - 14:59) All that stuff goes out the window. And we love on one another. It's remarkable. (15:00 - 15:06) We need to be very very thoughtful people. That we do not live our lives like this. Well. (15:07 - 15:22) I have been a believer for all these years. What are you saying? What are you saying when you say that? I assume by you saying that. You are something. (15:23 - 15:29) Well you know. I have been a Christian for many decades. Oh boy. (15:29 - 15:43) What are we getting into here? So you have been a Christian for many decades. What does that mean? Does that mean for 50 years you have been a Christian. With one year experience every 50 years. (15:44 - 15:48) Or have you been a Christian for 50 years. With 50 years experience. That's something. (15:48 - 15:53) But I got news for you. If you have been a Christian for 50 years. With 50 years of Christian experience. (15:53 - 16:02) The last word that is going to come out of your mouth is. Well you know I have been a Christian for 50 years. Are you hearing me? The young believer. (16:02 - 16:05) The new believer. God bless them. We love them. (16:05 - 16:09) We love to be around them. It's like being around a puppy. They are so great. (16:09 - 16:14) New believers are so much fun to be around. They are bouncing off the walls. They got books everywhere. (16:14 - 16:20) They are witnessing to a street pole and a fire hydrant. They are telling everybody. I love it. (16:21 - 16:27) But have you noticed they have got zeal. But not much knowledge. That's where you and I come along. (16:27 - 16:32) And love them on the rest of the way. We don't stand back and say. Hey. (16:34 - 16:39) You go sit in that cage over there. We will lock you up until you get all. Stiff and grumpy like us. (16:39 - 16:44) And then we will let you out. No man. The body of Christ coming together. (16:44 - 16:48) Working together. As we all mature together in Christ Jesus. It's such a glorious thing. (16:49 - 16:55) It's such a beautiful thing. And I am out of time. But I must mention this. (16:55 - 17:07) This is going to drive you crazy all week. Pastor what was the thing about vegetarian? What was the thing about the vegetarian? It's this. It has nothing to do with health stuff. (17:07 - 17:11) Look. You want to be a vegetarian. I think that's a great idea. (17:12 - 17:22) It leaves more meat for me to eat. If you are a vegetarian. That's awesome. (17:23 - 17:25) Is that your conviction? Yes. I feel better. Good. (17:26 - 17:32) Great. But the moment you say to me. You should be a vegetarian too. (17:32 - 17:35) I don't want to. Well. If you get close to Jesus. (17:36 - 17:42) You will see that you should only eat vegetables. No. I have read my Bible. (17:43 - 17:49) And. It's pretty clear. Look. (17:49 - 17:55) If you are blessed by eating vegetables. I am happy for you. Literally happy for you. (17:56 - 18:04) You should be as happy for me. Look. You have to take it up with God. (18:04 - 18:10) How he ordained In-N-Out Burger. I don't know how he did it. But that's. (18:11 - 18:16) You cannot say. Pastor Jack. This is the second time this week. (18:16 - 18:26) I saw you go through In-N-Out Burger. You can't. The Bible says you can't. (18:26 - 18:36) You can't judge that. Those kinds of things. The world laughs at us. (18:38 - 18:43) Because we have. Focused on minor things. If they are things at all. (18:44 - 18:50) We have made them things. And we have let. All the greater deeper things of God. (18:50 - 18:53) Go along the wayside. And the world looks at us. And they laugh at us. (18:55 - 19:06) They know better. We need to practice love above all things. And I am not talking about. (19:08 - 19:12) Accepting. And condoning sin. In the name of love. (19:13 - 19:19) We are to never do that. It is not a sin. To eat vegetables. (19:19 - 19:24) And it is not a sin. To eat a burger. All things. (19:24 - 19:28) The Bible says. Given for food. Are to be received with thanks. (19:28 - 19:35) And given to God. And when someone is in error. Sinning. (19:36 - 19:42) This verse doesn't apply. This study doesn't apply to that. We are to go to them and say. (19:42 - 19:50) I love you. This is how much I love you. You shouldn't be doing that. (19:50 - 19:54) God says this in the Bible. About this thing. Look you can read it for yourself. (19:54 - 19:58) It is black and white. And I am telling you. Because I love you. (19:58 - 20:05) Don't do that. You want to go and repent before the Lord on that. The Bible says. (20:05 - 20:11) If you succeed in doing that. You have gained a brother. But if that brother. (20:11 - 20:20) Turns and says. When it comes to these things. About who is strong. (20:20 - 20:23) And who is weak. The reality is in church. Some people are strong. (20:23 - 20:29) And some people are weak. But we are all growing up. The beautiful thing is. (20:30 - 20:37) Why don't we link arms. And make sure that we all grow up together. Because that is exactly. (20:38 - 20:47) How a family ought to work. This Jack Hibbs Podcast. As well as all the broadcast. (20:47 - 20:52) Outreach opportunities. Are listener supported. Will you consider partnering with us. (20:52 - 20:58) Through a special gift. Go to JackHibbs.com To learn more and stay connected.