Author: Christine Wyrtzen

A SKIRT, HOSE, AND A STRAND OF PEARLS

We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.  Romans 15:1

         Converted Jews and Gentiles were having such a hard time getting along that Paul has to keep writing to them, urging them to love each other.  He is asking the strong to be tolerant of the limited understanding of the weak.  He is also asking the weak to embrace the strong – whom they believe to be in error.  What does that look like?  I’ll give you a personal example.  First a little history.

         It took our whole family a long time to move out of legalism.  That was our history.  We bore the pain of those who live under its umbrella; joylessness, discouragement, false guilt, and living defeated by others judgment.  The way out was long and painful.  To embrace new brothers and sisters in the body of Christ, those who had been portrayed as living in gross error, called for courage and a shift in spiritual paradigms.  Most of the ‘lifestyle issues’ that had previously been labeled sinful, over time, became entirely neutral.  Grace, in place of judgment, became the banner over our home.

         The challenge came when I was called to re-visit the places and people who were still trapped by legalism.  I will confess that my attitude stunk.  I didn’t want to go.  Disgust, that only covered hurt, still reigned in my heart.  God had to work with me by calling me to travel, embrace, and teach those who live like those in my past.

Recently, I was invited to speak to a church to speak at their annual women’s conference.  It was very conservative.  The rules were stated up front.  They only approved of one version of the Bible.  The dress code was also mandatory.  I decided, before praying about it, to turn down the invitation.  Honestly, my flesh was groaning at the thought of it.  But, God moved in my heart and told me to go. I changed all my scripture references, both in my notes, their handouts, and in PowerPoint, to the version of the Bible they required.  I put together an outfit for the event; found a skirt in the back of my closet, dug for a string of pearls in the bottom of my jewelry box, Continue reading “A Skirt, Hose, and Strand of Pearls” →

WHEN IN DOUBT, DON’T DO IT

But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith.  For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.  Romans 14:23

         Timidity, something that has plagued me for much of my life, is to live unsure of who you are and what you’re called to do.  While those two areas are comprehensive, what’s even more crippling is to live with everyday uncertainties.  Am I going to the right church?  Am I serving in the right capacities in my church?  And for some, have I married the right person?  Have I taken the right job?  Every decision, big and small, is made without faith that it is the right decision.  I am not a person of kingdom influence because I’m always hiding in the shadows, timid and unsure of myself.  Ultimately, this is a spiritual problem.  A strong father/child relationship with God is what gives anyone confidence and purpose.

         I consider the times I begin a conversation with “I’ve been thinking a while about saying something to ______________ about ____________.”  It’s dangerous to go forward with a potentially serious conversation on shaky ground.

         Or, “I’ve been thinking about making a job change.”  “I’ve been thinking about starting a new venture.”  Continue reading “When In Doubt, Don’t Do It!” →

THE TIMBERS OF WHAT WE’RE BUILDING

So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.  Romans 14:19

         Not a mistake that Paul uses the phrase ‘building up’ for what happens when I love other believers as Jesus would love them.  Not only are they built up on the inside but also the church at large is being built.

         Ultimately, Paul wants me to understand that I am involved in the building process.  And building is not haphazard.  A successful project is only realized when there is a blueprint.  Intentionally sticking with the design is what ensures success.  Each piece of steel, each timber, each footing, must be crafted with care according to the Architect’s plan.

         I am part of our worship team at our church, a fantastic group of singers and musicians.  Just last night I was thinking about the growth of our church and the slowly escalating move of the Spirit.  This is what I saw being played out.  The bass player is undergoing rigorous cancer treatments.  He arrived not feeling well.  Continue reading “The Timbers Of What We’re Building” →

WHY WOULD OTHERS BELIEVE I’M A CHRISTIAN?

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.  Romans 14:17

         I’m holding my breath while writing this.  I’m realizing that an unbeliever may call me a Christian for all the wrong reasons.  And if they do, legalism (the thing which has hurt me and the thing I despise) is still a part of me.  So how do others perceive me?

• Am I known for what I don’t do?
• Am I known for being out of touch with what’s happening in the world?
• Am I known for being disgusted by our times and intolerant of those captive to sin?
• Do I look so peculiar by the way I dress and wear my hair that I become a joke to anyone in the mainstream?
• Am I perceived as someone who is ‘against’ a litany of things?

      These should not be the things that define my Christianity.  Paul gives a different list.  It’s not a long one.  There are only three things on it.      Continue reading “Why Do Others Believe I’m A Christian?” →

IS HE ARGUMENTATIVE OR SPIRITUALLY WEAK?

For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love.  By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died.  Romans 14:15

         Having been acquainted with numerous Christian environments that wanted to legislate nearly every part of life, I must say that I am still trying to understand this passage.  Admittedly, if I listened to everyone who had an opinion about every peripheral issue of my life, I’d be frozen in place.  So many have something to say about everything.  Having lived in a fishbowl of some notoriety, your life is often studied by others.  With study comes criticism.  Some is ludicrous, some is ignorant due to lack of information, and some is probably justified.  Sifting through it, and sorting out the hurt feelings that come from others’ comments, is difficult.

         So, am I to adjust my behavior to every person who say they are offended by me?  Or, does Paul mean something different here?  Legalism will always be with us.  So will honest seekers who stumble.

         I believe, for me, the answer lies in considering the one I am offending.  Continue reading “Is He Argumentative Or Spiritually Weak?” →

WHO AM I IN THE EQUATION?

Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.  Romans 14:13

         When my faith was young and fragile, I was easily disillusioned when I saw flaws in someone I looked up to.  My spirit felt the crash as they came tumbling off the pedestal I had put them on.  If the offense, in my eyes, was serious enough, I would wonder if they were even Christians.  This is what those who are weak in the faith do when they pass judgment.

         Those who are stronger in Christ and are seasoned followers of the Spirit have far more latitude.  They understand more about true liberty within the parameters of God’s moral law.  Because of that, it’s easy for them to look at the weaker Christian, become exasperated, and call them childish.

         James Boice describes this best.  “The weak are not to judge the strong by considering them unspiritual, and the strong are not to judge the weak by considering them immature.”

         If I am a young Christian, I am looking for the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of scripture.  I want God to make everything clear for me.  I am a toddler – looking to a Daddy to tell me what to touch or not touch, what to embrace and what to avoid.  I need clear and concise commands to show me how to walk. Continue reading “Who Am I In The Equation?” →

TRUSTING THAT TIME WILL STAND STILL

Why do you pass judgment on your brother?  Or you, why do you despise your brother?  For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”  Romans 14:10-11

         Every powerful encounter I have had with Christ, one where He was speaking to me, had one element that remained constant.  It seemed like time stood still.  It seemed suspended.  A powerful five-minute encounter seemed like hours.  And a several hour encounter seemed like it could have been a whole day.  When I recorded my last music project on CD, the one with piano, flutes, and recorder, I named it SUSPENDED IN THE SPIRIT.  I prayed that the music would ‘suspend’ each one who listened to the music to heaven’s time; one where God speaks and the moments are timeless and poignant.

         Why talk about that with these scriptures?  Judgments are passed on others because I am caught in the frustration of earth’s time.  I’ve heard nasty words spoken or seen unfair actions taken against me.  I either lash out in response or mutter unkind words under my breath.  Either way, I speak as if my words were needed to make final judgments.

         Here’s the thing ~ Whatever I say is a temporary judgment and it is not my place to make it. I will stand before Christ one day and be accountable for my nasty retort and the one who wronged me will also give an account for what he/she did.  Every knee will bow.

         Who is frustrating me today and wounding me on a personal level?  Who is hurting the body of Christ in a way that makes me simmer in anger? Continue reading “Trusting That Time Will Stand Still” →

THERE IS NO ‘WAS ALIVE’!

For to this end Christ died and lived again that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.  Romans 14:9

         Both my parents are in heaven.  Both of my husband’s parents are in heaven, too.  In speaking of them and recalling favorite memories, it’s easy to say, “When my mother was alive, she did such and such.”  The truth is, my mother’s life never ended and there is no ‘was’.  She is alive.  She is God’s daughter and though her body died, her soul never skipped a beat.  It left her bodily shell and flew to Jesus.  How well I remember my mother’s face, moments after she died at age 64, and it was so obvious that the essence of her had left.  I was looking at an empty container. Continue reading “There Is No ‘Was Alive’.” →

WAY TO WRECK A SUNDAY!

One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike.  Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.  The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord.  Romans 14:5-6

         The same legalistic churches and groups that had rules about dancing, card playing, and movies during my childhood also had rules about the Sabbath.  Sunday was a day for nothing other than total quiet.  For a kid, it meant ~‘no fun!’  Other families played games, went swimming in the summer, ice-skating in the winter, and went outside to play ball with their fathers.  On Sundays, we brought home company for dinner after church, then sat in our living room and visited for several hours.  The guests left middle of the afternoon and then everyone went to bed for long naps.  Gee, couldn’t wait for Sundays!  And what did my sister and I do while our parents visited with company in the living room?  Sat on the floor of the hall and rolled a ball back and forth.  Are we having fun yet? Continue reading “Way To Wreck A Sunday!” →

WHAT IS A WEAK CHRISTIAN?

As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.  One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.  Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.  Romans 14:1-3

         A weak believer is one who has strong opinions about a secondary issue.  He sets out to argue about it with anyone who disagrees.  It becomes the center of his focus.  His quarrelsome approach destroys fellowship.  Knowing a fight is coming, others nearby will brace themselves when they see the weaker brother approaching.  The nature of his relationships within the church is argumentative.

         How Christians treat each other is the subject of the next 35 verses.  Paul thought it was extremely important and dedicated to dedicate a chapter and a half to the topic.  Human nature hasn’t changed much since the time he wrote this.  We are still arguing about things that don’t matter all that much in the kingdom.

         Who is the weak believer?  At times, all of us are.  Continue reading “What Is A Weak Christian?” →