Cultivating a redemptive lifestyle – a life that copies Jesus
A review of the Andy Stanley book: Not in It to Win It
Go directly to the review (below)
Introduction
A life that copies Jesus
It was in the early days of the church that followers of Jesus were first called “christians”. The word means: “little Christs”.
“17…In this world we are like Jesus.”
– 1 John 4:13-18
Being a “Christian” implies “those who emulate Christ”, those who live to be more and more like Christ, those who, little by little – are more Christian. People at large saw that His followers were replicators!
Be a little more Christian …but not with Chutzpah
Are you “a little Christ”? Is that you today? Or have you become a different type of “emulator”? Maybe you are emulating the world, instead of Christ?
Those “who see no need to change”
In the book of Matthew, Jesus gives us all “a call to repentance”:
“Go and learn what this [Scripture] means:
‘I desire compassion [for those in distress], and not [animal] sacrifice,’
for I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous [who see no need to change],
but sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness].”
– Matthew 9:13 Optionally see Matthew 9:13 in all English translations
Someone who thinks they are “just fine” the way they are (the folks who Jesus labeled “the [self-proclaimed] righteous) do not see a need for repenting. But Jesus declared we are all sinners – of one type or another. Those that Jesus calls to Himself are this type of “sinner”:
“those who recognize their sin
and actively seek forgiveness.”
This is salvation in Christ!
God is asking us, sinners, to repent. That is the simple, clear message of Matthew 9:13.
Have you repented, “turned from” and rejected your sinfulness? Or are you still calling your sin “just fine the way I am”?
For I desire mercy, and not sacrifice;
and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
– Hosea 6:6
See:
Called by Jesus to be forever on a higher level
Book Review
Reviewing Not in It to Win It
Responding to the book reviewers
My sub-topic, Cultivating a redemptive lifestyle, is based on my review of reviewers (!). I have not read the book, only the many reviews of it on Amazon: Not in It to Win It by .
Measuring by biblical standards
I was troubled by a majority of commentators reviewing the book. So I am responding here to their views, measuring their comments by biblical standards.
What do they base their commentary upon?
Does Scripture support their assertions?
Advancing God’s program
In 1 Timothy 1:4 AMP Paul warns us not to get into “useless speculation and meaningless arguments rather than advancing God’s program of instruction which is grounded in faith [and requires surrendering the entire self to God in absolute trust and confidence].”
My aim personally here is to advance “God’s program“, and not merely argue my opinion. After all – who cares what a puny human says about Almighty God and His ways? I want God’s own words on His ways. Isn’t that better?
See: When it comes to God – who wants mere opinions?
Who can know the mind of God?
Don’t we all want to listen to God’s Word, rather than mere opinions?
“…no one
knows
the thoughts of God
except the Spirit of God”
– 1 Corinthians 2:10-16 (verse 11)
Also see: Isaiah 40:13
Listen to God’s Word
– not mere opinions.
Speak-out with what is biblical
We who follow Jesus should speak-out with what is biblical, being careful to not waste time on non-essentials. Paul teaches that not all speech is useful, that we should avoid “strange doctrines” and “useless speculation”. Rather, we are to “advance [b]the plan of God, which is by faith” v4 (NASB version).
“…instruct certain people not to teach strange doctrines, 4 nor to [c]pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to useless speculation rather than advance [d]the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now.
5 But the goal of our [e]instruction is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from a sincere faith.
6 Some people have strayed from these things and have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.
– 1 Timothy 1:3-7 NASB
The Bible is the standard for Christian thought and practice, for life and living. If we form our thought outside biblical counsel, then what do you think you get – but wrong thinking.
See: Getting down to God’s meaning 1
Outside of biblical counsel
Outside of biblical counsel you end up contradicting Jesus. And THAT is no good at all. That leads to loving Jesus less.
It leads to creating our own illusions of what we think God agrees with. (But God does not agree….) You end up merely “liking Jesus“, but not following Him. You create idols after your own heart.
What we think God agrees with
God has already communicated to us — what He thinks. Is He going to accept puny human thinking? Really?
See: The World of Illusion of some churchgoers
That is why I really like Psalm 1.
“…Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked
…but his delight is in Yahweh’s[a] law.
On his law he meditates day and night.
…The wicked are not so,
but are like the chaff which the wind drives away
There comes a time when we must stand for Jesus – or deny Jesus. When we deny what Jesus taught, then we use our logic and our limited thinking… and end up being far less than what Jesus wants from us.
No matter how much we argue that our way is good, His ways are not found on the broad road to Hell (Matthew 23:24; Matthew 15:13-15). If we’re traveling that road, then His Holy Spirit is not in us. He is the One that guides us into all Truth.
Speak-out to all
Going back to Matthew 9:13 we hear Jesus saying, “I did not come to call [to repentance] the [self-proclaimed] righteous”. He came to call “sinners [those who recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness].”
Ready to repent
We are to speak-out to all those within our sphere of influence (our “oikos”), but with the realization that only sinners ready to repent will respond. Jesus was only expecting one type of sinner to respond to Him — the sinners who are able to “recognize their sin and actively seek forgiveness”.
Enlightened Folks
The “self-proclaimed righteous” folk, on an opposite spectrum from Jesus, only care about what they themselves think. Rarely do they listen to God’s Word deeply enough to actually align their thinking with God. They are those “who see no need to change”. 2
See: Romans 12:2
As Spurgeon said about who he preached to, he said he preaches to all peoples, with the expectation that “sinners” would respond and be saved. And “the others”… what could he do about their intransigent position?
The “self-proclaimed righteous” group which Jesus calls-out – they are sinners also, but they are God damned sinners who will stay damned all the way to Hell (but not “to hell and back”, for they will have no way to get back once in Hell!). They are sold-out to their “religion” which they created.
Run the race to win
As Jesus did – our focus has to be love…
the goal of our instruction is
love
from a pure heart,
from a good conscience, and
from a sincere faith.
– Verse 5 of 1 Timothy 1:3-7 NASB
If I love… I win! The love of Jesus streams out of our lives into overt action — from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.
Run the race to win.
Father God is “glorified and honored” when we bear a hefty amount of fruit. It is by our fruit that we “prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples“.
I am not striving for fruit in order to be saved. I am not running the race to win salvation. I run the race to win glory and honor for God. It is because I am saved that I desire to have more fruit – so that I may thus be giving God more glory through my life. Salvation is not works-based. It is grace-based. However, once we are born again — the spiritual result will be fruit:
“So produce fruit that is consistent with repentance [demonstrating new behavior that proves a change of heart, and a conscious decision to turn away from sin]….” – Matthew 3:8
– Source: Good Fruit
I run the race
to win
glory and honor
for God
Compassion for those in distress
As with Jesus, our motivation as followers should be – ‘I desire compassion [for those in distress]’. Our love and concern, for those without Christ, constrains us, pushes us — to go out of our way to help “those in distress”. And it motivates us to speak-up for righteousness.
It’s easier to just sit at home on my big hinny and not involve myself with others and their problems. It’s easier to stay “out of the fray” (MWebster: battle, fight, scrabble, struggle, throes). But love wins…. “They will know us by our love….”
It’s not our fault
We live in a divided nation, a wild and crazy world of violence and godlessness. And it’s not our fault. Each of us has a free will to chose: God’s Way, or our own way.
Satan is working against God’s plans. We should not place the blame on the followers of Christ when the social conversation lights-up. Division is a natural bi-product of clashing values. Which value is yours?
Divisiveness among pew sitters (wheat and tares) in churches is not the fault of the followers of Christ who speak-up for righteousness. If division occurs, perhaps the cause is the finger-pointer who is against followers of Christ who truly are following Christ.
I don’t blame myself…
- if I take food to an elderly “shut-in” nearby – and she cusses at me in anger (it happens)
- if I say “Hi” to a fellow-walker – and he passes by like I did not exist (happens all the time)
- if I say “God bless” – and in return I get a snide remark or the evil eye at me (not often)
- if I offer to pray for their need – and they say no (rarely)
- if I offer to pick-up a neighbor to go to church with us – and they are offended
- if I share in a group that the Bible is against abortion – and they get huffy
- if I opine that I am against the practice of homosexuality every bit as much as I am against fornication – and they go hypersonic (as I see in news reports).
Reviewing Not in It to Win It
A commentator (on Amazon: Not in It to Win It) brings up these good points:
- How do we live in a broken world as Jesus followers?
- How does the Church of Jesus serve souls that matter to God for eternity in this broken world?
- Followers of Jesus will shine before others brightly inviting others to ask questions like
- What does love require me
- to do,
- to think,
- to serve?
7 So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All those who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.
9 I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;
I came so that they would have life, and [a]have it abundantly.
See:
| Fighting the Good Fight |
| The Bible is the standard for Christian thought and practice. Not me. Not you. |
| Reckless Faith |
Excerpt: Their approach to truth
The face of evangelicalism has changed so dramatically in the past twenty years that what is called evangelicalism today is beginning to resemble what used to be called neo-orthodoxy. If anything, some segments of contemporary evangelicalism are even more subjective in their approach to truth than neo-orthodoxy ever was. (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
– Source: Quotes from a neglected book, Reckless Faith, by John MacArthur, as quoted at: WE FEEL HOMOSEXUALITY IS NOT A SIN | By Ken Silva pastor-teacher on Dec 4, 2008.
I was amazed by this commentator –
She concludes her thoughtful comments by ruining it all, saying:
“…“
To me, after reading many comments, THIS is the main thrust of Stanley’s entire book and most of the commentators:
“Confusing grace with inclusivity
Nowadays we have way too many professing “Christians” who are confusing compassion and love for others with God’s marvelous grace. Many are now exchanging His grace for inclusivity.
They claim that God will accept certain sinners – in their sin – because they are exceptionally loving and kind. God, however, allows no sin into Heaven, whatsoever. Love does not win you a ticket to Heaven.”
– Source: Claiming a sin – as God’s will for you
– Source: Getting down to God’s meaning
– Source: Will you be turned away by Jesus?
speaks amiss – from a deceptively unbiblical heart, saying “keep politics out of our churches“
“If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens and pays attention to you, you have won back your brother.”
Of course we are not to be “unChristian”, angry, unloving. But it is not “divisive” to share our point of view from Scripture. We are to be loving to those with whom we disagree:– 1 Corinthians 8:1-2
This passage says Satan accuses brothers and sisters:
“Tell them… all the great things that the Lord has done for you”
This is our call by Jesus, as it was for this man in Mark 5:18-20
“…He said to him [the Gentile man who had been demon-possessed], “Go home to your family and tell them all the great things that the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” – Mark 5:18-20
Christians are Ambassadors …for Christ
Each of us is a spokesman for Christ, ambassadors. We are to speak-out the salvation message of Christ. Not keep silent, as many of these commentators suggest we should do. Do they even read the Bible themselves to see what God has said on these matters?
See: Ephesians 6:20;2 Corinthians 5:20
We even have the testimony of Peter and James and John who were physically present when God spoke to them with Jesus, and yet many do not believe:
Keep your faith to yourself…
Some of these commentators admit they are no longer believers, as with Alan Nicholson here. We can’t expect their opinions to be biblical – because they have rejected Christ, walked away from the faith (1 John 2:18-19).
19 They went out from us [seeming at first to be Christians], but they were not really of us…”
This next commentator wants our faith NOT to be lived-out in our daily life. He (as Andy…) wants us to keep it to ourselves, separate Jesus from how we vote, and in our social networking, and such. THAT is totally nonsense – not biblical.
See:
| Voting while set on God’s will, His values and His purposes |
| Consequences of supporting evil |
| Errors you hold to the death |
Are you in agreement with the Jesus of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul? Or are you following a watered-down version?
I’ve taken a firm grip on the real thing: The Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is the one and only from Jesus as shared by those who met Him personally: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Paul. They share with us what really is the actual salvation in Christ.
– Source: The Great Water Down of Jesus’ Message to us all
Commentator Alan Nicholson (at Amazon on June 10, 2022)
“This book isn’t about separation of church and state, it’s about separation of religion and politics. I’m more than half-way through the book, and it’s going slowly because I pause and ponder, and I go back and re-read parts. I look back on some things I’ve said in the past that couple my faith with my political beliefs, and these 2 things do need to be separated. “All Christians are Republican….unless they’re Democrats.” Or vice versa?
The church wants so desperately to win in politics and policy that we have lost our honorable calling as Christ’s followers.
As Andy says, “The moment our love or concern for country takes precedence over our love for the PEOPLE in our country…we are off mission.”
“When a local church becomes preoccupied with saving America at the expense of saving Americans, it has forsaken its mission.”
our hearts have veered from the Good News to cultural warfare.
what it really means to follow Jesus.
it is full of helpful ideas as to how those not yet considered apostate can draw others closer to Jesus.
If more people practice their religion as Andy does there would be a lot less Strife in this world.
If you’re struggling with a church leader preaching about politics, you’ll enjoy this take on how Jesus handled political confrontation.
I was raised as a Christian but left the church long ago. I am offended by most of today’s Christians and it is unlikely that I’ll ever rejoin the church. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to folks like myself and those that believe or think they believe.”
Editor note: Reading Nicholson, I am reminded here of these Scriptures (see in one link) or: 1 John 2:18-19; 1 Timothy 4:1; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; 1 Timothy 1:3-7.
“19…They went out from us [seeming at first to be Christians], but they were not really of us [because they were not truly born again and spiritually transformed]” (1 John 2:18-19)
Commentator: “The evangelical church has lost its way in America and Andy’s book lights the way back home.
the way forward is for the church to embrace its place as a bridge-builder instead of being a divider based on politics.”
“Andy Stanley writes so clearly and forcefully about the dangers of mixing religion with politics.”
OMGj Editor Notes:
…planted in the Vine, Jesus
I don’t have “religion”. I have Jesus’ Gospel. His Gospel speaks to all of life, including “politics”. I cannot separate “Jesus” from any part of my living, or else I separate Jesus from that part and that part becomes whatever I want it to be.
I want every part of my thinking and practices to be full of Jesus, not full of what man thinks.
This was said (by commentator Alan Nicholson)
“I look back on some things I’ve said in the past that couple my faith with my political beliefs, and these 2 things do need to be separated.”
I couple my faith with all my beliefs, political, social, personal practices – all of it.
Commentor:
…Jesus wants us to love others as Christ loves us. It’s all about Jesus.
Knowing that Jesus desires unity and yet we see division over so much like politics, vaccines, mask, etc. Andy brings us back to what Jesus taught, love people as He loves us.
We need fewer “Christians by name only” — and more Christ followers.
Stanley cuts to the heart of the Christian covenant with our Lord; he exposes the anti Christian divisive behavior of today’s American political climate. “Christians” spout derogatory words daily in the “ name of their Savior”. Jesus had no political party.
OMGj Editor Notes:
Saying “Jesus had no political party” shows a weird belief that we must emulate every detail about the life of Jesus. Not so. Or else: are we to wear sandals and desert robes and only walk everywhere we go (except use a donkey when celebrating) and practice foot washing all week?
We were “planted” by God. We are to be good citizens in the country we were planted within, or be missionaries elsewhere. Then: have and develop a biblical base for all we do and believe, practice what we believe, have political sensibilities, vote for what we believe, protest evil policies of our government, vote our principles, vote-out evil, vote-in those who will carry forth the most biblical government policies.
Followers of Christ follow Jesus’ ways. They obey His ways, are concerned for those without Christ and actively evangelize for the salvation of the lost. In all we do we aim to glorify God… not ourselves, not a political party, not a country — but God.
Interesting that so many reviewers of this book (Not-Win-Andy-Stanley) are incensed that Christians would express their counter-culture beliefs. They tell Christians not to cause strife with their biblical thoughts.
Why? Maybe they don’t understand those biblical reasonings?
Another commentor. This one quotes Andy, then says some very good points.
This one quotes Andy
“Stanley cuts to the heart of the Christian covenant with our Lord; he exposes the anti Christian divisive behavior of today’s American political climate. “Christians” spout derogatory words daily in the “ name of their Savior”. Jesus had no political party.”
then says some very good points
Many commentators say the same thing: calling conservative voices “anti Christian divisive behavior”; saying ““Christians” spout derogatory words daily in the “name of their Savior”. They equate biblical words with “derogatory words”, and if a Christian disagrees with the common culture – then they have “anti Christian divisive behavior”. Interesting.
“Divisive behavior”, to many commentators (and maybe Andy Stanley?) is – any disagreement with common culture? Interesting.
This book shines a light on how the church has chosen a side. When in reality it’s not about sides. It’s about following Jesus.
OMGj Editor Notes:
When I see what “sides” there are to choose from, I think Jesus also “has chosen a side”. Why would we not?
“Sides” to choose from in our political world:
Abortion, homosexual pride, transgenderism, child transgenderism, to name only several.
Are we to stay silent, when Jesus spoke freely?
Interesting verses that apply here: from BibleGateway search for “God requires”
1 Corinthians 14:36-38
36 Did the word of the Lord originate from you [Corinthians], or has it come to you only [so that you know best what God requires]?
37 If anyone thinks and claims that he is a prophet [a true spokesman for God] or spiritually astute [filled with and energized by the Holy Spirit], let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s commandment. 38 If anyone does not recognize this [that it is a command of the Lord], he is not recognized [by God].
1 Timothy 1:4
nor to pay attention to legends (fables, myths) and endless genealogies, which give rise to useless speculation and meaningless arguments rather than advancing God’s program of instruction which is grounded in faith [and requires surrendering the entire self to God in absolute trust and confidence].
James 1:20
for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us].
This is the normal Christian life
We are… in it to win it – all for Jesus, all in love, an all-out sacrifice for Him.
Therefore if there is any encouragement and comfort in Christ [as there certainly is in abundance], if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship [that we share] in the Spirit, if [there is] any [great depth of] affection and compassion,
2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, having the same [a]love [toward one another], knit together in spirit, intent on one purpose
[and living a life that reflects your faith and spreads the gospel—the good news regarding salvation through faith in Christ].
3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous],
regard others as more important than yourselves. 4 Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.
5 Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility] – Philippians 2:1-5
FOR MORE:
Contrary to Andy Stanley and his book, Not in It to Win It, I am! I am in it to win it – all for Jesus. This article is a review of the Andy Stanley book.
_______________
See: First, Apostasy, then Antichrist, then the Rapture (See the section “The Great Apostasy will look like this)
Editor Note: In the End Days we will see, per Matthew 24:10-12: Fake Christians will hate true Christians (v10). That describes the majority of Andy Stanley reviewers. They hate true Christians. Sad.
It’s already happening folks!
I run to win! Christ did. Do you?
Do “good and honorable things”
Is yours a sound doctrine that Jesus will approve?
Practicing Sin, Not Following Christ
God eventually gives you a free rein
The Chutzpah of Wannabe Christians
The World of Illusion of some churchgoers
Farther along we’ll understand why
The Gullibility of the Common Person
Excerpt: I am astounded by the gullibility of the common person. Persons like myself. Nothing extraordinary. (And even by the ones who think they are uncommon, who say, “Don’t tell me how to think!“) Somehow, nowadays, anything goes.
I’m talkin’ ’bout persons claiming to be following Jesus and His Gospel. They let their delightful empty suit misrepresent Jesus, misinterpret His Word (the Bible), misdirect, and mislead.
1 John 4:13-18 Excerpt: “17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.”
Apostate False Teacher Andy Stanley: 10 Commandments Don’t Apply To Christians – By Tim Brown | January 10, 2019 | from thewashingtonstandard.com
Excerpts: “…this guy does not study God’s Word nor is he anything but a reprobate, apostate false teacher. In the latest evidence of his heresy, and yes, this is what the Church has declared the Bible teaches about heretics, Stanley claims that the Ten Commandments don’t apply to Christians.
“Stanley seems to have fallen for the antinomian doctrine of “New Covenant Theology,” which my own pastor has dismantled with the Scripture in his book “An Everlasting Covenant: A Biblical Critique of New Covenant Theology,” to which I wrote the foreward.”
Theologians Warn Andy Stanley’s Message to ‘Unhitch’ Old Testament Is Heresy
– from May 15, 2018. By Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter
Excerpts: “…it cuts out “a God full of wrath and justice” and leaves “a God of goodness and nothing else.” – Kevin DeYoung of Christ Covenant Church
“…the old Christian heresy of Marcionism—the belief that the Old Testament is not authoritative in matters of Christian doctrine and morals” – Kevin DeYoung of Christ Covenant Church and Wesley Hill of Trinity School for Ministry
“…(Stanley) the Old Testament …that is not the basis of Christianity. And just as “Peter, James, Paul elected to unhitch the Christian faith from their Jewish Scriptures, … we must as well” – Andy Stanley, who leads North Point Community Church in Georgia, in a sermon series called “Aftermath”
The Danger Of Prosperity Preaching: A Review Of Joel Osteen | By J. P. Holding |
Take a Stance on Homosexuality – like Jesus did
We feel homosexuality is not a sin | By Ken Silva pastor-teacher on Dec 4, 2008.
Footnotes
- Excerpt: When you drill down into the words, into what the Bible itself is communicating, the whole point is to understand what in heaven is God’s message, right? He is the Potter that created all that is!
It’s not a matter of how on earth do I wish God would have said it! Be careful when you start following a message that deviates from historical Christianity, following your “own [personal or special] interpretation” or that of some newly arrived teacher (new in relation to all of history).
It is never a matter of my message. Not your message. It’s God’s message! Not anything from me, nor you, nor any philosophizing religious person, nor some nut case — nor some exciting movement or “new message” supposedly newly revealed through a vision or fresh “word of the Lord”.
I want God’s message – clean and unadulterated. And, because He is all-knowing, He does not change his mind. No word of today can ever change His Word already given. The Bible is solid ground. “All other ground is sinking sand.”
- We are warned to not conform to them, “the world” — but to conform to Jesus in our thinking and actions. The writer of Romans 12:2 apparently thought we might need to be reminded! You think?
- “This book was very clearly rushed, it’s all over the place, contradictory from page to page and paragraph to paragraph. Even Andy says he didn’t have the time to write the book but did it anyway.
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