JESUS, PLUS NOTHING

Recently I received the following "devotional" thought and/or teaching from Rick Warren in my e-mail. And I have to address and protest it as a freedom writer and lover of the grace and good news of the Gospel. Here is what Rick Warren believes and teaches regarding individual spiritual growth:

Spiritual Growth Is Not a Private Matter
by Rick Warren


Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NLT)

*** *** *** ***Some of us hesitate to commit ourselves to developing an intentional plan of growth that requires accountability or relationship with others because we believe spiritual growth is a personal and private matter. We choose to believe each person develops in his or her own way at his or her own rate. This is an aberration from the truth. The idolatry of individualism has influenced even the way we think about spiritual growth. So much of the teaching on spiritual formation is self-centered and self-focused without any reference to our relationship to other Christians. This is completely unbiblical and ignores much of the New Testament. The truth is that Christians need relationships to grow. We don’t grow in isolation from others. We develop in the context of fellowship. Over and over again in the New Testament we find this basic truth: Believers need relationships with each other to grow! Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another …” (NIV). God intends for us to grow up in a family.


This is what I believe and proclaim:



Rick Warren is modeling what the "Shepherding Movement" heretics tried to promote . . .only in a different "frame." Beware of false teaching. He took one scripture verse and says that anyone believing that spiritual growth is a private matter is aberrant and idolatrous. This is called "proof texting." Actually, the verse says "we are to motivate one another to good works" . . .not to growth.



In this false teaching he is usurping the Holy Spirit's job in each individual's life. Faith IS extremely personal. That is why we call it a "personal relationship with the Lord!"



Accountability, discipleship programs, putting man in the Holy Spirit's place is what's aberrant and idolatrous. We are making man and his get-better programs, his diagnosis and prognosis of our spiritual condition the "god" in our life, rather than the Lord. Instead of pointing one another to the Chief Shepherd, Jesus, we are pointing one another to a person or a program.

THE LORD IS OUR SHEPHERD AND WE SHALL NOT WANT . . . .

We grow in grace thru faith, not thru relationships. Accountability is only necessary in a church where there are big problems or decadent behavior.

Please consider this verse . . .I Corinthians 3:6 & 7 (AMP) says, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase.
7So neither he who plants is anything nor he who waters, but [only] God Who makes it grow and become greater.


Relationship doesn't cause the growth. God causes the growth. He gives the increase and the measure in His timing and He is the Producer of the fruit (60 fold, 100 fold) . . . we just "bear" it.

Actually, we should have relationships not only within our our own church, but within other churches lest we become exclusive and elitists.

But the subject of church growth is another subject altogether . . . .

In the end, I need to quote again Dave Johnson, author of "The Subtle Power of Spiritual Abuse": TRUE SHEPHERDS POINT TO THE CHIEF SHEPHERD. Here's a simple rule of thumb I've learned recently for discerning teaching: The actual source of all teaching and doctrine is revealed in whom it glorifies. In other words, teaching that emphasizes success through YOUR great discipline or even success through YOUR great faith also tends to aim the glory at YOU. Thus, it is frequently true that faith in faith glorifies your faith, and faith in self-discipline glorifies your self-discipline. BUT faith in God's grace and in the gift of His righteousness glorifies God, because A GIFT CANNOT BE BOUGHT OR EARNED; it can only be received."

Rick Warren, in this case, is pointing to relationships and assembling with one another as your source of growth . . . he fails to point to the Truth -- Jesus Christ -- as our Source of growth. And Jesus, our Shepherd, uses whatever vehicle He decides for our growth. It may be relationships . . . it may be isolation (as with the apostle John on the island of Patmos). He is our Source for growth. . . . nothing else.

Rick Warren is making up a false spiritual "requirement" outside of the work and performance of Christ. . . emphasizing man's work and performance.

Growth is a GIFT FROM GOD. This is the Good News! Relationships are important for growth, but it must be voluntary, not prescribed. Otherwise, it becomes a heavy yoke, a "work" of the flesh. We can have relationship with one another thru the internet, thru groups on-line, Bible studies, going to the movies, within our own family units, etc., our work places, telephone calls. God uses every one and everthing for our individual growth.

And emphasizing "success" and/or growth thru relationships is aiming the glory at us, . . . not at God WHO GIVES THE GROWTH. Then we can boast that WE are causing our own growth thru our attendance and thru our activities within the assembly of members. We begin to believe and proclaim to ourselves and one another that WE ARE THE SOURCE OF OUR OWN GROWTH. And this also sets up the judging of one another. Those who aren't as "committed" to those who are "committed" by showing up all the time. This, to me, is the aberrant and idolatrous belief. This is religion. This is legalism. And it's toxic to growth. Legalism kills. Liberty gives life. As a recovering legalist, I can testify to this.

It's good to "revelate" and protest when we don't agree or believe something a teacher . . .even a well-known teacher, tries to send out to the Body.

Frankly, I believe that "WE" are the church, not some building. That WE are the temple of the Holy Spirit, not a certain room or building. But that, again, is another discussion. :) :) Take care and Believe the Good News! His Yoke is easy and His burden is light. Hallelujah!


So . . . .God may have you stay in bed with your spouse and have some "fellowship" or have a great breakfast and fun with your children on some Sundays. So, don't come under the bondage or religious burden of having to have to go to church in order to be a "good" or "growing" Christian." Be free . . . and don't come under any condemnation or petty religious yokes. God is with you and in you and you can even have "church" at home with your family! It's fun! Go to your local church or visit another church as you are LED OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. Be at peace. Jesus is Lord! :)

Jesus, plus NOTHING else!