Open Hand.. Closed Fist 2020

Hmmm.. sounds like a lesson for the Karate Kid (ie wax on wax off).. BUT IT IS NOT!
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Life is busy, and every day in our busy lives is filled with choices. I feel like a contestant on the Price is Right TV show and I randomly choose door number #3 today.. and hope for the best. 

So to help guide my life decisions I have incorporated a  Closed Fist and Open Hand approach. 

• Open Hand Views are those up for discussion and possible change. 
• Closed Fist Views on the other hand are not negotiable. Closed Fist views make up the foundation we build our lives on. ​​

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But.. a serious dilemma occurs when we mix our Open Hand and Closed Fist views.  Just think if an alcoholic who continues to drink, a marriage without fidelity, or if I decide not to pay my bills on time.. or pay them at all. All are a recipe for disaster. 

Of course, Open Hand and Closed Fist​ views are rubbed in our faces when we turn on the evening news where Washington is filled with Closed Fists ready to punch political opponents in the nose.. or lower. I guess this is what Washington calls 'reaching across the aisle'.

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Now finally, how's the old Open Hand v Closed Fist working with God's people?  From my vantage point, not so good. Just a glance on my Twitter account I could imagine..

• Catholics v Protestants in a steel cage match on Pay-Per-View?
• Charismatics v Baptists in a competition combining aquatics and calisthenics ,
• Beth Moore v John Macarther in a stare/sneer down?
• A King James Only v The Message Bible Drill
• Benny Hinn 'healing' SnakeHandlers just for fun, and finally
• Should Church Coffee include gourmet coffee (lattes, mochas, and espressos), or is this a steep theological slide instituted by 'progressives' that will not stop until there is 'beer on tap' in the Fellowship Center?!​

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Seriously, the church can be a prickly place. Not just your basic Predestined v Free Will, eternal security, or are Infant Baptisms ok debates? 

There are more serious divisions where when we do not agree on the interpretation of a passage of scriptures then someone must be a HERETIC... when maybe we really don't know and simply disagree.  But then to be fair again.. some teachings are heresy.

God save us!  No really, GOD SAVE US!

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Now take it with a grain of salt that you are reading a blog from 'a grownup' who draws cartoons, but the following is my exhaustive (or exhausting) guide to Closed Fist and Open Hands in the Church.

1. Closed Fist issue #1 - love God and others. Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”  Matthew 22:37-40 Have this be true and we are off to a great start.  
2. Closed Fist issue #2 - Stay true to God's word, be in a church that preaches and lives out these timeless truths of love and Grace. God's word is not malleable dependent on cultural 'enlightenment'. Belong to a church that is passionate about His word and not just on Sundays.
3. Closed Fist Issue #3 - It matters what you believe. Not all roads lead to Heaven, and just being a pretty good guy or gal will not cut it. For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but will have life eternal John 3:16. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. Acts 16:31 I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 
4. Closed Fist Issue #4 - It matters how you live. While our salvation is secure and we are not in and out of God's grace dependent on a good guy or gal score card, but realize.. God is not mocked. To willfully choose to live in sin, to live for self instead of God is not a safe place to be. Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. Galatians 6:7 , What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:14-26  So, what does my life look like to God? Are their works born out of love for God and others?  If not, what good is my faith? I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelations 3:15-16  
5. Now.. Open Hand Issues (to me).. there are a bunch. Note, I have opinions on most of these issues (just ask my wife) I simply pray that where we differ with other believers is tempered by evidence of the above Closed Fist Issues 1-4. So here is my Open Hand Issues.. Women Preachers, Infant Baptism, Predestined v Free Will, The Gifts of the Spirit (Tongues & prayer languages), Catholicism, eternal security.. and I am sure about 150 more.  So while I have often strong opinions (again, just ask my wife) on most of these issues, they are for me at this time open hand issues in comparison to the above CF 1-4.​

The reason for writing today's blog was fueled by ongoing battles among well known evangelicals, and then watching the 'Christian' media and 'Christian' social media fanning the flames that divide us. 

Let me be clear, I do believe in addressing sin and true heresy in the church.  BUT.. I pray for a biblical approach.

• I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 1 Corinthians 1:10 
• If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. 
  ​1 Corinthians 12:26  but also..
• For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Timothy 4:3-4

Sigh.. Maybe from time to time I will just open my clenched fist and slap myself.  

I am not positive today's blog is helpful, but the spirit of it is on my heart. May God use my fumbling words to speak truth or the desire for us all to seek truth.

May God bless you in your busy lives. Be true to God, stand for Him, follow His Word not the words of man, have good friends, and eat all your veggies. :) 

​Jeff ( in between a slap, tickle, & a fist fight) Larson

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