Be Of Good Cheer

Till Divorce Do Us Part

2008-09-25T03:55:00.002-04:00

Why marry? Who? When? How?
I won’t pretend to know the statistics for the actual divorce rate, most are speculation, but the general consensus is that it is high. Very high. If it were 10% of the American population we could say it is way too high. Even amongst Christians, there doesn’t seem to be much difference in the demographic.

You really don’t need to know the actual percentage, just think of all the people you know around you whose marriage has ended in divorce. Its enough to give due consideration of what it even means to be married in the first place, why there is any importance, and if it really matters whether a marriage ends in divorce.

Here is what I have observed (as to why divorce is so high in my opinion):

I. Living in the Fantasy Land

Movies, television, music, and the like. Each one of these has the tendency to blur the reality. Think of how many TV shows you’ve been caught up in (myself included) where you just want two people to get together. Think of how many movies are based on the coincidental, and how everything just works out perfectly, as though fate had destined the two people together. How many songs have the same type of message?

Then we think that reality always works out just like the movies (and it goes beyond just the romantic genres). Instead of facing the reality that marriage is full of its ups and downs, that marriage isn’t based on flings and temporary passions, we tend to believe love is what the movies present.

II. Superficial Attraction

This is one I believe we all fall into the most. I would say this is “especially” amongst the male type, but the more I think about it, it isn’t entirely true. Too many times I hear the question “Is she/he hot?” Or statements like “She/he has a nice body” “She/he has a lot of money” and of course more that I don’t believe would be appropriate here (or anywhere).

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t believe there is anything necessarily wrong with being physically attracted to someone…to a degree. The problem is when the deciding factor on dating a person/ pursuing them in marriage, is whether or not you will be able to show them around like some kind of a trophy. Or sex of course, which seems to be a large motivator in marriage, but lets face it sex will not hold together a marriage.

I know the old cliché, everyone has heard it, “don’t judge a book by its cover” “its not about the outside but the inner person.” But in some respects it should be true for a Christian, who is seeking someone to be joined to in direct relation to honoring God. Is it someone who will cause you to GROW in your relationship to Christ? That is the deciding factor in the end; I won’t accept any argument from a Christian on that point.

III. Marriage, A More Serious Kind of Dating

Well in this country, marriage doesn’t seem to have much importance at all. In fact divorce is more like a “break up” than a severance of a covenant vowed before a holy God.

For those outside Christ, it’s hard for them to even conjure up a legitimate reason for getting married, besides it just being a social norm and somewhat of a necessary evil. This may explain why so many end in divorce.

On the other hand, there may be those in Christ who just haven’t considered the seriousness of marriage and the offense of divorce before God. Paul, in Ephesians 5, relates the relationship between husband and wife, to that of Christ and the church. In the way that Christ would never abandon or disown His church, so the husband by implication is told to never do the same to his wife.

IV. Its all About Me

In the end, what it boils down to is self-seeking, self-serving motivations. As Christians, our focus should be on God, but all too often we find ourselves seeking after what we want or what we think we need. Instead of searching God’s Word for instructions on marriage, or any pursuit in life, we have a natural default to rely on ourselves.

As always, I hope that when I write these notes, I can listen to my own words. Because of course, I am human as well, saved by the Grace of God, and in much of need of His mercy as the next person.

So may we be in prayer for our nation and for ourselves (Especially those of us who have yet to be married).

I might write something else on this…I know you’re excited.

Can A Christian Be Liberal?

2008-03-01T15:36:00.004-05:00

It is difficult to define the word liberal, just as it would be difficult to define conservative. I myself couldn't even tell you where I would stand, most would probably consider me "Very Conservative" on facebook (but I leave it up to opinion). The fact is there are the "very conservative" "somewhat conservative" "liberal conservative" "conservative liberal" "liberal" "very liberal" "moderate", and who really knows where the line is drawn, since there is a plethora of issues and diversity of opinion on all of them.

But lets just assume we all understand what is meant by "Liberal." That being (for the most part), pro-choice, anti-death penalty, removal of religion from all government and schools, gay rights, anti-war, anti-gun, pro-welfare, etc. etc. etc. You get the idea.

Of course most of those are what might be looked as secular liberals. But then there are the "Christian Liberals," which is mostly what this note is dealing with. Christian Liberals are not always to be associated with some of the above politically stances, but many times are.

Liberal Christianity or "Liberal Theology" is imposing freedom of thought on the Holy Bible. Some idea of what Liberal Theology states:

1) The Bible is not 100% inspired. The Bible is wrong in most of what it says about geography or science or even history. It was written by men, composed by men, and therefore is susceptible to error and unauthoritative. Jesus is how one might "feel" about Him, or how someone wants Him to be, thus creating a false god and setting up an idol in their mind.

2) An approach to the Bible and Christianity is completely individualistic. There are no written creeds or confessions, and all interpretive thoughts have credibility. Christian judgment is absent therefore all ideas are valid, and there is no judgment between right or wrong dogma, simply because there is no dogma.

3) Most of the stances in the political realm are introduced into the church. The acceptance of unrepentant homosexuals as congregants, ultra-feminism, pro-choice, and a wide array of ideas of who or what "god" is. Though this is more of a result of the first two.

The meaning behind liberalism has changed throughout history. But what I am talking about is basically human reason, rationale, and logic placed over the Bible, instead of the other way around.

Almost any error can be linked to one of these ideas above.
-Arminianism = The idea that man's will is free to choose.
-Unitarianism = Denial of Trinity.
-Pelagianism = That man is born good and needs no grace.
-Arianism = Denial of the eternality of Christ.
-Universalism = Belief that all religions are equal.
-Postmodernism = Denial of absolutes truths.

So on they go.
Not everyone that falls under these errors of doctrine would be considered a liberal in the Political realm of course, but their liberal thoughts imposed on the Bible has caused a large disruption within the Church of Christ. I am sure there are many who would consider themselves "Conservatives" that wouldn't even realize that they do this to the Bible as well, especially under the Arminian category.

So then I ask (I'll say what I think, and if anyone wants to agree or disagree let me know)...

1) Can a person who denies the authoritativeness of the Bible be considered a Christian?

I have a family member who does this. He says he believes in God, and Jesus, but not how the Bible explains them. In his mind, "God would never send someone to hell, because He is a God of love," or "I think that all people are good, and as long as they try their best they will make it to heaven" (In complete denial of Biblical truths). What most people try to do is say, "I think..." or "I bet..." or "I believe...", but they do not use Scripture, it is simply the god they have created in their mind. So then they may believe in a god, but not the Christian (Biblical) God. The definition of a Christian is one who believes in the Bible, there is no other book, manual, or magazine that defines one.

2) Are all thoughts, ideas, feelings, etc. of God equally valid? Should all judgment, creeds, and confessions be left out of the church?

A common cop out in an argument for most postmodern "Christians" (yes I group them in Liberal theology), is the statement "I think you are both right" or "Lets agree to disagree." Can one person say God is unitarian and another say God is trinitarian and both be right? Martin Luther once said, "Peace if Possible, truth at all Costs." This of course has been lost, and for the sake of what some call "Christian Unity" every wind of doctrine, every worldly idea has crept into the Church (Eph. 4:14). No creeds or confessions means no dogma, no dogma means no established truth, and no established truth means the complete denial of a Holy God who commands our obedience to His Word.

3) Can a Christian be liberal?

With doctrine. I say no. With politics. I say no. In both a Christian is to profess the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all realms. He does not just reside in the Church or at your Bible Study, but over all realms of life. Liberality implies that men can make the most rationale choice, and that God is no longer needed for the establishment of law or doctrine.

Are there Christians who are liberal in thought, I am sure there are. But should they be is the question?

What's Importunity Mean?

2008-02-26T21:14:00.004-05:00

Importunate:
–adjective

1.	urgent or persistent in solicitation, sometimes annoyingly so.

2.	pertinacious, as solicitations or demands.

3.	troublesome; annoying: importunate demands from the children for attention.

I was given the book "The Valley of Vision" (Leather Bound) by my roommate, Logan (A very nice gift by the way). On the first page was written "May you learn to pray with importunity," and of course I had no idea what that meant. I must confess, I should have known, and perhaps all Christians should know, if not in dictionary terms then at least practically.

Instead of dictionary terms, may I set before you a story that I would commend to your reading (It is from the Bible. The Chapter XV of Matthew. Verses 21-28), and it goes like this:

Behold, a woman of Canaan came...to [Jesus], saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”
But He answered her not a word.

And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”

But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”

But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

What does importunity mean? This example gives a better definition than the dictionary. It is not an abstract definition but a feeling all can relate to. Yet how often do we neglect prayer as unprofitable and at times give it up as though there were no use in it? Unbelief gets the better of us.

I have at times felt my prayers unheard, unanswered, and rejected, so then the thought creeps into my head, "What's the use? Why bother? If it hasn't come yet, it never will."

O God, forgive me of those thoughts, and may this Canaanite woman come to mind whenever I feel like I might give in to those thoughts.

Importunity is a quality many lack, and it is one we must acquire. At first Jesus may seem to ignore, He may seem to reject, but be of good cheer, if you ask it in faith He will hear and He will answer. To ask and to give up after days of not being answered, is not asking in faith. The moment you doubt Jesus' willingness and ability, you have allowed sin to get the better of you. Never stop seeking...never stop knocking.

"My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up." -Psalm 5:3

"Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." -Psalm 7:7

"If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." -John 14:14

Believe In Me

2008-02-05T16:12:00.000-05:00

Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Me. -John 14:1

Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me, or else believe on account of the works themselves. -John 14:11

While you have the Light, believe in the Light, that you may become sons of light. -John 12:36

[Jesus] said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand, and place it in My side. Do not disbelieve, but believe." -John 20:27

Demand numero cinco, Jesus says "Believe in Me." Unfortunately this simple command has been turned into a complicated debate. What was once an easily understood word in Orthodoxy has be made to mean more than its original intention, and less.

Piper begins with the reason of why we must believe in Jesus, and why He commands that we do so. "The reason Jesus demands that we believe in Him is that all human beings are in a desperate situation, and only Jesus can rescue us" (Piper, pg. 48). Belief in Jesus is that only thing which reconciles us to God the Father (Romans 5:1), since none are righteous (Romans 3:10), and Jesus was perfectly righteous and without sin, we must believe in His work on the cross in order to be imputed with His righteousness which He freely gives (2 Cor 5:21). That is the reason in a nutshell.

What is it that only Jesus can rescue us from? Piper gives the passage John 3:16-18, 36 and asks that you give notice to the words "perish," "condemned," and "wrath of God."

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God...Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

The "desperate situation" we are in, is brought upon us by our sin which is why repentance is key (see Demand 2, "Repent").

"God Sent Jesus to Die in Our Place"
This is the subheading for the next part. I touched on this briefly, but Pastor Piper goes into a little more detail on the subject.

"The amazing truth is that God has sent His Son Jesus into the world not to add to this condemnation, but to rescue us from it...the way Jesus rescues us is by taking the condemnation on himself, dying in our place, and then demanding not heroic acts of penance but that we trust in Him" (Piper, pg. 49).

Jesus says, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep" (John 10:11). Jesus intentionally laid down His life for His elect (sheep), to rescue us from our depravity was the purpose all along. Consider Isaiah 53 in relation to Christ's fulfillment of this prophecy:

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

(Preferably read the entire chapter, and keep in mind the Prophecy was given 700 before Jesus came to fulfill it)

It is simply a matter of belief in what Christ has done in your place, resting on those promises of redemption and reconciliation, and one will be saved. There is nothing you can add, because you can never do what Jesus did, attempting by your own good works is a waste of time and a minimizing of the work of Jesus on your behalf.

"What does believing in Jesus Mean?"
If believing in Jesus is the only way to inherit eternal life and be at peace with God, then obviously it would be important to understand what it means to "believe" in Jesus.

Firstly, it is true that it is the belief of historical facts, that He was a real person, who really did live a perfect life, and died on the cross, and rose again on the third day. He says to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe" (John 20:27). But this is a limited answer, and it is one that is popular among the "free grace movements" which make belief nothing more than intellectual consent with no trust in the person and Lordship of Jesus Christ (therefore cheapening His work), so then Piper makes a qualifying statement:

"Believing in Jesus means more than knowing true things about Jesus. It means trusting Him as a living person for who He really is. This is why Jesus spoke of simply believing in Him. "Believe in God; believe also in Me" (John 14:1; cf. Matt. 18:6). Believing in Jesus is more than believing about Jesus. We trust Him" (Piper, pg. 50).

"Being Satisfied With All That God Is For Us In Jesus"
Piper takes these verses:
"If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink" (John 7:37).

"Whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty forever. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:14).

And he states,

"In another place Jesus connected this drinking with believing in Him and coming to Him: 'I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst' (John 6:35). In other words, believing in Jesus and drinking the water that wells up to eternal life are the same (Piper, pg.51)."

Piper makes a good observation in saying that merely believing that water will quench your thirst is not enough, you must trust that it is able to do so in the first place. So not only drinking that life-giving water but trusting that Jesus is able to give you that life-giving water.

"Believing in Jesus includes drinking Jesus as the soul-thirst-quenching water of life. That is, it means savoring and being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus" (Piper, pg. 51).

We must realize that Jesus did not only come to rescue us from the condemnation we deserve, but to satisfy our souls with this life-giving water and eternal life.

"This is eternal life, that they know You the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent" (John 17:3).

Citation:
Piper, John. "What Jesus Demands from the World" Crossway Books Copyright © 2006. DG. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Il 60187, www.crossway.com.
ESV Bible

Come To Me

2008-01-22T10:07:00.000-05:00

Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. -Matthew 11:28

Jesus stood up and cried out, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." -John 7:37

Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger." -John 6:35

You refuse to come to Me that you may have life. -John 5:40

When He had said these things, He cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." The man who had died came out. -John 11:43-44

Demand #3. "Come to Me." Like repentance and rebirth this is an essential command, not just because it is necessary but because it is a wonderful promise. At this point, the awakened sinner discovers what is truly important, that being Jesus. At one point it was the pleasures of life, clothes, food, family, jobs, retirement, sex, and on and on. "But when God gives the radical change of new birth and repentance, Jesus Himself becomes our supreme treasure" (Piper, pg. 44).

John Piper begins by stating as the Bible does, that "His yoke is easy, and His burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). When we come to Jesus it is not burdensome,

"Jesus did not come into the world mainly to bring a new religion or a new law. He came to offer Himself for our eternal enjoyment and to do whatever He had to do-- including death-- to remove every obstacle to this everlasting joy in Him" (Piper, pg. 44,45).

Piper continues to make a very good point here, by contrasting what Christ brings to the world as opposed to every other world religion. This is in fact what separates Christianity from all other religions, and proves its validity, that this religion is one based on faith alone in Christ Jesus. We look all over the world and look at religions such as Hinduism, Islam and even Judaism, and see people laboring under "heavy loads" to earn favor with their god or gods. "[Jesus] did not come to replace that God-appeasing load with another one. He came to carry that load and call us to Himself for rest" (Piper, pg. 45). Amen and Amen. That is why Christianity offers hope to a world full of hopelessness.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for you souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

The next thing point out is that there is a yoke and there is a burden, "there would be no demands if this were not true" (Piper, pg. 45), but it is a light one.

His next subtitle is "There is a Burden, but it's not Jesus." While Jesus offers a light load, He also says this, "The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life" (Matthew 7:14). This is what Piper says to this,

"The reason it is hard is not because Jesus is a hard taskmaster. It's hard because the world is a hard place to enjoy Jesus above all...besides our sin, many people are angered that we do not love what they love" (Piper, pg. 45).

But Jesus is that load-lifter and an our help in these situations, He offers us food and drink (John 6:35, 7:37), and the promise that He will be our help, that He will satisfy us when we go through these times, if we will obey His demands to come to Him.

"You refuse to come to Me that you may have life" (John 5:40). The fact is many will not come, and while many say this is simply the man acting upon his free-will, it is a little more than just that. We cannot say that man has the free-will in the sense that he has the ability (apart from God) to actually come to Jesus, but must say that man's free-will is enslaved to his nature, which is one of sin. "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin" (John 8:34). "The light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light...everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light" (John 3:19-20). "[You] were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind" (Ephesians 2:3). And so on the Bible proclaims that man is bent toward sin, and is not able apart from God's regenerating grace to actually come to Jesus.

"How then has anyone ever come, since we are all enslaved to sin and spiritually dead? Jesus' answer was that God, in His great mercy, overcomes our resistance and draws us: 'No one can come to me unless the Father who sent Me draws him' (John 6:44). 'No once can come to Me unless it is granted him by the Father' (John 6:65)" (Piper, pg. 47).

When we are freed from slavery we come to Christ, not by works but by Him who calls (Romans 9:11).

Citation:
Piper, John. "What Jesus Demands from the World" Crossway Books Copyright © 2006. DG. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Il 60187, www.crossway.com.
ESV Bible

Repent

2008-01-21T13:41:00.000-05:00

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."
-Matt. 4:17

I have no come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. -Luke 5:32

The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. -Matt. 12:41

Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. -Luke 13:3,5

The Baptist preacher, Charles Spurgeon, called it Christ's first and last subject (referring to Matt 4:17 and Luke 24:47). Repentance. There are subjects in Christian doctrine which, I admit, can be disagreed upon (i.e. baptism, worship practices, eschatology), this is not one of them. To be unrepentant and consider yourself a Christian is contrary to scripture and logic, but more importantly scripture, and will lead to ruin.

We must first understand what repentance is, and I think Piper gives a few good points on this subject. Firstly he looks at the Greek word that we get repent from (μετανοέω, metanoeō), and separates them into their two parts: meta and noeō, noeō referring to the mind, its thoughts, perceptions, etc. and meta referring to change or movement. The first point he is attempting to prove is that repentance is more than just "mere sorrow for sin or mere improvement of behavior" (Piper, pg. 40), but a change of mind and heart.

The problem with most professing Christians, is they believe repentance to be simply changing your outward lifestyle such as not drinking, not cussing, not having sex until marriage, and so on. But this is not the meaning, though external changes will certainly result from internal changes, the focus is on the internal. So then, "we may infer that the basic meaning of repent is to experience a change of mind's perceptions and dispositions and purposes" (Piper, pg. 41), namely, to see God as good and holy and worthy of obedience, and seeing the things we once loved (sin) as evil and corrupt and contrary to the law of God.

Next, Piper gives a passage which points to the meaning just given in Luke 3:8, "Bear fruits in keeping with repentance." There are those who believe that with faith comes no new obedience to the Lord, yet this passage shows that where an inward change occurs outward fruit is brought forth.

"This change leads to the fruits of new behavior. Repentance is not the new deeds, but the inward change that bear the fruit of new deeds. Jesus is demanding that we experience this inward change" (Piper, pg. 41).

But why must we repent? Because we are all sinners, "I have no come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:32), in other words he doesn't come to call those who think they are already righteous but those who see their own sin and are in need of repentance. One of the things we must know is that sin is an offense to man in most cases, but that is not our biggest problem, sin is an offense and assault on a holy and righteous God. As the prodigal son says when he returns, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you" (Luke 15:13), it is an offense against heaven.

Pastor Piper points to the Lord's prayer where it is said, "Forgive us our debts, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us" (Luke 11:4).

"Therefore, Jesus' view of sin is that it dishonors God and puts us in debt to restore the divine honor we had defamed by our God-belittling behavior or attitudes" (Piper, pg. 42).

Jesus has paid this debt yet in order to benefit from that we are commanded to repent, it is an essential part of belief itself.

"Repenting means experiencing a change of mind so that we can see God as true and beautiful and worthy of all our praise and all our obedience. This change of mind also embraces Jesus in the same way" (Piper, pg. 42).

Next Piper proves the universal needs for repentance. But as with most of these commands it is enough to say that they are required of all men as much as belief in Christ is required for salvation.

Piper, then goes into why there is such an urgency for this message of repentance, because of the judgment that is surely coming. "Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3,5). They will perish if they do not repent, "The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here" (Matt. 12:41).

"Jesus, the Son of God, is warning people of the judgment to come and is offering escape if we will repent. If we will not repent, Jesus has one message for us: 'Woe to you' (Matt. 11:21)" (Piper, pg. 43).

This is why Spurgeon called it His first and last message, because it was, and the reason it was, was because of its importance. Anyone who dupes you into thinking there is not much importance in it, that it is not necessary is telling a lie.

I have a few personal caveats for this subject:

1) There are those that you repent once and it is a done deal, as though repentance were not a continual process. They believe that that one repentance covers all sins past, present and future. But just as the Greek word for believe implies a continuance of belief, so repent has the implication of continued repentance. Just as you cannot believe that Christ is savior of your soul one day, and not believe it the next, so you cannot be penitent one day and not be the next.

2) This subject is confused, and there are those who will criticize those who believe in repentance before justification, and consider them legalist and preaching a works salvation (as though repentance were a work). If this is something that might bother you, consider the fact that before God caused your rebirth (regeneration) you were dead in trespasses and sin (Eph. 2:1), and unable to submit to the will of God, nor could you (Rom. 8:7). But when God, by His grace, give you life and a new heart, he also grants you faith (Eph. 2:8) and repentance (Ezekiel 36:27). In other words what God commands of you, He also grants you. Thus, salvation by Grace ALONE, apart from works.

Citation:
Piper, John. "What Jesus Demands from the World" Crossway Books Copyright © 2006. DG. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Il 60187, www.crossway.com.
ESV Bible
ESV Bible

You Must Be Born Again

2008-01-18T11:37:00.000-05:00

Jesus answered..."Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'" -John 3:5,7

Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless on is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." -John 3:3 (esv)

Piper begins with the first demand of Jesus, and certainly the most important one in relation to the state of our soul. It is Piper's first focus, and it is the first teaching of Jesus found in the Gospel of John, when speaking with the Pharisee Nicodemus. Obviously, if this is an important one it would be prudent of us to fully understand it. Note: Most do not. Often Regeneration (as it is also referred to ) is just blurred into the word salvation, and most confuse regeneration with justification, they are connected but separate.

Jesus gives this demand to Nicodemus and his response is, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" (John 3:4) Which Jesus then asks, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?" (John 3:10) Why?

Piper's first subheading in the chapter is "A New Spirit I Will Put Within You", wherein he describes why it is that Nicodemus should know its meaning. Being a Jewish leader he was well versed in the Hebrew scriptures (OT), and knew well that God had referred to this process before. Piper references Ezekiel 36:25-27:

"Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them." (kjv, I have highlighted some actions of God, because I will make a point about that later. Just know God causes these actions and responses)

Which Piper compares to John 3:5, which states, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God."

"God promises cleansing from sin and the gift of a new human spirit by the presence of His own divine Spirit" (Piper, pg. 38). Jesus thinks the link should be clear, but it isn't for Nicodemus, so Jesus describes further, "That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6).

To understand the new birth rightly we must first understand our condition before God worked His spirit within us. Piper titles the subtitle, "The Dead Cannot See." We are by nature flesh, born of flesh, and by nature children of wrath (Eph. 2:3). "We are not born spiritually alive with a heart that loves God. We are born spiritually dead" (Piper, pg. 38). We must understand that we are indeed spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1), I think this John Calvin quote makes a good case for depravity:

"By the phrase born again is expressed not the correction of one part, but the renovation of the whole nature. Hence it follows, that there is nothing in us that is not sinful; for if reformation is necessary in the whole and in each part, corruption must have been spread throughout" (Calvin Commentaries on John 1-11).

Lastly to be understood is who it is that works this new birth within us. Above I highlighted the actions that God takes in the Spirit being placed in us. Jesus says it like this in John 3:8, "The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not now where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit" (The wind is the same as the Spirit).

"We do not cause ourselves to be born again. The Spirit does that. And the Spirit is free and blows in ways we do not comprehend. We must be born again. But this is a gift of God" (Piper, pg. 39).

I think Piper closes out the subject better than I ever could:

"Look away from yourself. Seek from God what He alone can do for you. Moral improvement of the old you is not what you need. New life is what the whole world needs. It is radical and supernatural. It is outside our control. The dead do not give themselves new life. We must be born again--'not...of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God' (John 1:13). That is what Jesus demands from the world" (Piper, pg. 39).

Citation:
Piper, John. "What Jesus Demands from the World" Crossway Books Copyright © 2006. DG. Used by permission of Crossway Books, a division of Good News Publishers, Wheaton, Il 60187, www.crossway.com.
ESV Bible
Calvin, John. "Calvin Commentaries on the Whole Bible," Baker Books. 2002.

What Jesus Demands from the World

2008-01-17T16:37:00.000-05:00

Well, I have not written in a while (I'm sure most people who see my messages popping up on their mini-feed on Facebook were happy about that.) ROTC and 18 hours of class have been keeping me busy, and I think I needed a break from keeping up on this blog for a little. But, yesterday, I began reading a new book by Pastor John Piper, entitled "What Jesus Demands from the World" (Crossway Books 2006, DG), and thought I might share what I've been reading.

The book is broken down into 50 chapters, which are in fact 50 commandments or "demands" of Jesus from the four Gospel books (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). By way of introductory, I thought I would take a few excerpts from the book which help explain what the book is about and its method.

Firstly, Piper begins by making a few qualifying statements, which I believe are important to understand when approaching this book, or my comments about the book. For example:

"Since the focus is on the commands of Jesus in this book, much about his life and death is not here" (Piper, pg. 15). This is important because there is much about the life and death of Jesus which will be assumed, since this book is dealing mainly with what it is He commands of the world.

Piper begins his introduction with his purpose in writing this book, namely, Jesus command, "Make disciples of all nations...teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matt. 28:19-20). He calls this the "Impossible final command." Because Jesus does not say, "teach them all my commandments," but rather, "teach them to observe all my commandments." Here is what Piper says:

"You can teach a parrot all of Jesus' commandments. But you cannot teach a parrot to observe them. Parrots will not repent, and worship Jesus, and lay up treasures in heaven, and love their enemies, and go out like sheep in the midst of wolves to herald the kingdom of God.
Teaching people to parrot all that Jesus commanded is easy. Teaching them to observe all that Jesus commanded is impossible" (Piper, pg. 17).

Piper considers Mark 10:25-27, where Jesus is approached by a rich man who could not let go of his possessions to follow Him, and Jesus says that "with man it is impossible" to enter the kingdom of God, "but all things are possible with God."

"Therefore, the person who sets himself to obey Jesus' final commission...attempts the impossible. But Jesus said it was not impossible. 'All things are possible with God.' So the greatest challenge in writing this book has been to discern God's way of making impossible obedience possible" (Piper, pg. 18).

Further in the introduction after giving a brief overlay of the life and work of Christ, he explains why obedience to Christ's demands is important. He says this:

"On the basis of who He was and what He accomplished, Jesus made his demands. The demands cannot be separated from His person and work. The obedience He demands is the fruit of His redeeming work and the display of His personal glory. That is why He came--to create a people who glorify His gracious reign by bearing fruit of His kingdom (Matt. 21:43)...In other words, the Son of Man came to save people from their suicidal love affair with possessions (and every other kind of idol) and to lead them into a kind of impossible obedience that displays the infinite worth of Jesus" (Pipe, pg, 23).

While Piper makes many more good points in his introductory and the following chapter, I only really want to point out one more big issue. The subheading in the chapter is "Why this Title for the Book?"

"I am aware that the word demands is jarring to many modern ears. It feels harsh, severe, strict, stark, austere, abrasive...My conviction is that if we rightly understand Jesus' demands, and if we are willing to find in Him our supreme joy, His demands will not feel severe but sweet" (Piper, pg. 24).

And then further, in the subtitle "Dare He make Demands of the Whole World,"

"Two objections arise. One is: Did He make demands on the whole world? The other is: Dare He make demands on the whole world?
One may ask, did Jesus give all these demands to the world, or did He give them only to His disciples? The answer is: The demands He gave only to His disciples are also meant for the world because He demands all people everywhere to become His disciples" (Piper, pg. 26)."

He makes many other good points in the intro, but I recommend reading the book yourself.

I will be praying through this book, and hoping to do a commandment every other day (Lord willing), Piper is an exceptional pastor and I know this book will be very encouraging and helpful, so I hope someone else might read these posts.

What Seek Ye?

2007-12-11T13:00:00.000-05:00

"Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, 'What seek ye?'" -John 1:38 (kjv)

I find this saying by Jesus very fascinating and comforting at the same time. Why for?

The Gospel of John starts this way:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." -John 1:1-4

So we see that Jesus was with God and is God, He was in the beginning, and everything was made through Him. He is God. He is Almighty God (Gen. 17:1), the Everlasting God (21:33), the King (Psalm 98:6), Creator of heaven and earth (Col. 1:16), the great I Am (John 8:58).

With all that in mind, we come to the verse at hand, in which Jesus says, "What seek ye?"

Andrew and another disciple were the ones which followed Jesus in this passage (v. 40), right after hearing John the Baptist declare, "Behold the Lamb of God!" (v. 36), and earlier "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (v. 29). And immediately these two began to follow Jesus. The Jesus turns and says to them, "What seek ye?"

And that's where I, for the first time, saw something I hadn't seen. I could make an extensive list like the one above, with scripture, proving how high and holy and pure and lovely Jesus is. How much honor, glory and praise He had left in the Celestial City, with the company of angels and moreover the Father and Spirit, and yet here he was asking these two and us, "What seek ye?"

Not in a way, as though they were bothersome to Him, and He said in such a way to get them to leave Him alone. But as a loving friend asks what their desire was, "What seek ye?" I think this passage I found in Matthew Henry's commentary, say well what I cannot obviously express very well...

"The question Christ put to them is what we should all put to ourselves when we begin to follow Christ, and take upon us the profession of his holy religion: "What seek ye? What do we design and desire?" Those that follow Christ, and yet seek the world, or themselves, or the praise of men, deceive themselves. "What seek we in seeking Christ? Do we seek a teacher, ruler, and reconciler? In following Christ, do we seek the favor of God and eternal life?" If our eye be single in this, we are full of light" (Henry Commentary).

What do we seek in Christ? And in Him alone. I think most would agree with forgiveness of our transgression against a thrice holy God, and the joy, peace and love all found in Him.

(This speaking to my own soul firstly) Think for a minute what is being said, we the creatures, an utterly depraved creature at that, are being invited by Jesus Christ Himself, God of very God, to seek forgiveness, holiness, love, reconciliation, and fellowship with and in Him alone. So then, "What see ye?" The world, its lies, its vanity, its corruption and death? Or Jesus Christ, His truth, His love, His forgiveness, His fellowship, and the everlasting life which comes through Him?

"What do you seek? This kind and gracious invitation, which was once made to two persons, now belongs to all. We ought not therefore to fear that Christ will withdraw from us or refuse to us easy access, provided that he sees us desirous to come to him; but, on the contrary, he will stretch out his hand to assist our endeavors. And how will not he meet those who come to him, who seeks at a distance those who are wandering and astray, that he may bring them back to the right road?" (John Calvin, Commentaries on John)

Selah.

A Passage On My Mind

2007-12-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

A passage I came upon, and wished to share some thoughts...for anyone who might care (I couldn't imagine why).

Proverbs 24:30-34 (nasb):

"I passed by the field of the sluggard
And by the vineyard of the man lacking sense,
And behold, it was completely overgrown
with thistles;
Its surface was covered in nettles,
And its stone wall was broken down.
When I saw, I reflected upon it;
I looked, and received instruction.
'A little sleep, a little slumber,
A little folding of the hands to rest,'
Then your poverty will come as a robber
And your want like an armed man."

I pictured a house. With a vineyard. And a stone wall. With a man inside the house.
Yet, I pictured the house as worn down, the vineyard dead, the stone wall broken down, and the man inside, sitting in his chair, doing nothing about it.

So there is two ways I think I could go about taking application from this.

Application 1

Make constant use of roundup (I kid).
But more seriously, to be diligent in all your work, as though doing it for the Lord (cf. Colossians 3:22). I am more than guilty of this sin, of negligence, of not only not praying, reading scripture, and meditating as I should, but also, in worldly matters, such as work, school, chores around the house, etc. Our purpose (chief end) in this life, as the Westminster Confession so eloquently puts it, is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. One of the ways in which we do this is by glorifying Him in all aspects of life. Not just church. Not just bible reading. But in all things from recreation to vocation to duty.
When we neglect our duty and our diligence in all matters, we end up like this man, then when our poverty and want comes we wonder why, often people are quick to blame God instead of looking to themselves. God forbid that we ever should.

Application 2

Spiritual application is how I see it.
The house = Our heart/ soul/ mind (compare Matt 7:24,26, 1 Cor 6:19, Matt 22:37).
The vineyard = Fruit of the Spirit/ the Word of God (compare Gal 5:22, Luke 8:11).
The thistles and nettles = Bad fruit/ cares of this world/ evil (compare Matt 7:16, Luke 8:7,14)
The stone wall = Faith (Psalm 18:2, Eph 6:16).

First, I pictured as this house should be. Or rather, as the heart and soul should be, but I'll explain it with the house, so just bear with me on the symbolism.
The house and the vineyard should be kept safe, because of the stone wall that is set up surrounding it all. The vineyard should be well kept, by the diligent man who tends to it and prunes away the thorns and thistles, and makes sure that the wall stays strong and is not eaten away by the weeds.

But in this case, as Solomon does, so we must: "When I saw, I reflected upon it; I looked, and received instruction." We see the sluggard, the man lacking sense, understanding and wisdom, who is inattentive, lacking diligence and care, and is completely allowing the weeds to destroy everything.

So then, we must take this man as an example, of what we must not do. We cannot sit back, we must daily be in our Bibles, daily in prayer, daily making supplication to the Lord for diligence, strength and the faith to continue on. Remembering that we do our work for the Lord, not for men. God has given us a new and beating heart, let us hedge away the temptations and the sins that so easily entangle us (Hebrews 12:1), and press on to holiness, in all diligence. Truly.

Evangelism Training

2007-11-30T10:53:00.000-05:00

These two videos I found on the Pyromaniacs website, and they are very good videos. They concisely portray how the Gospel should be presented today, and how it has sadly not been presented like this on a regular basis, even in the church. Enjoy

PART 1

PART 2

Judge Not? The Truth of Christian Judgment

2007-10-26T13:35:00.000-04:00

"Judge not, that you be not judged." -Matthew 7:1 (ESV)

The all-encompassing, all-inclusive, favorite line of many professing Christians and even unbelievers, in an attempt to dodge the sin they are being confronted with. Good passage no doubt, yet just like all verses in the Bible it is followed by other passages, and in this particular case it says do not judge in a hypocritical manner, such as the Pharisees did (Romans 2:1).

But what is it to Judge? As one who is accused of passing judgment often, I always wish to have this question answered...It never is. Tell someone they are in sin, you are passing judgment. Say that God will send unbelievers to hell, you pass judgment. And if you argue that a belief of another is wrong, you pass judgment, and are causing strife in the church of Christ.

Lets go back to the question though, what is it to judge?

Greek:
κρίνω (krinō)
Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish: - avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.

Well there is the definition, but what are the implications?
I'll start by asking 3 questions, you determine whether it is right or wrong in that situation to judge:

1. I believe the Word of God is the true, living, breathing and inerrant Word of God. The person I am speaking with does not. Do I tell him he is wrong, or am I being judgmental?

2. I believe Christ is the Son of God, perfect, sinless, and savior of the world. The person I am speaking with does not. Do I tell him what he believes in wrong, or am I being judgmental?

3. I believe murdering a man is wrong. The person I am speaking to does not, would I be judging him to say otherwise?

Answer to all three: Yes it is judging. Furthermore it is correct to judge them in that situation. Obviously Jesus judged when someone was in error (Point and Case Matthew 23:13-29, in His "woe to you, scribes and pharisees" discourse), He did not walk the world teaching people "You have your belief, and I have mine" or "we'll agree to disagree." No, it was an on the spot correction, what most today would deem an un-Christian practice.

Let me set before you a few considerations, and think of the benefits and command to judge with righteous judgment, as a Christian judges:

I. To not present the truth to a person is to have no love for them. Think about it, and bear with me as I use an old example. If a house were full of invisible poisonous gas, and your friend were about to walk into that house, would you tell them? Or would you fear that they would think you judgmental. Say you did tell them and they still walked in there, pronouncing you judgmental, and they see no harm in walking in because they see no gas. The consequence is now on them, you warned and you cared enough to tell them. But say you didn't tell them, you just talked about meaningless things, such as the football game, or the new celebrity news as they walk in, all the time knowing whats inside that house. Is this not unloving? Think on these words here below, and meditate upon their meaning:

"Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful." -Proverbs 27:5,6

II. Christian judgment, judges nothing that hasn't already been judged by the Great Judge. Do you believe the Bible to be the Word of God? Then if someone judges you, and they have reason to do so by the word of God, then you are wrong to despise that correction. What is the word good for? "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim 3:16). Listen, if you go up to a man and say "murder is wrong!" and he says to you "no it isn't," but you persist in saying otherwise, why do you do so (or what is the Christian reason for doing so)? Because God has judged it wrong already. Same goes for premarital sex, homosexuality, thievery, blasphemy, heresy, drunkenness, etc. (1 Cor 6:9,10). If a Christian goes up to another Christian and confronts him on his drunkenness and sexual immorality, he is not "judging" him in the negative connotation, but in love for that person's soul! Think on these words:

"Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid." -Proverbs 12:1

"Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty." -Job 5:17

III. An example, of a man of God correcting one who professes to be a child of God:
(After David kills Uriah and he takes Uriah's wife to be his own, Nathan comes to David and tells a parable in 2 Samuel 12. He tells of a poor man's sheep being taken by a rich man, and in anger David says, "as the LORD lives, the man who has done this shall surely die!" This is what Nathan says):

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the LORD God of Israel: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. I gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also would have given you much more! Why have you despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? You have killed Uriah the Hittite...you have taken his wife to be your wife...Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife...Behold, I will raise up adversity against you from your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel, before the sun.’” So David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” -2 Samuel 12:7-13

Notice here two things. 1) Nathan rebuked the King of Israel, he judged him...why? Because God did. 2) David immediately saw his sin for what it was, he did not say "you're judging me Nathan, and you're wrong" because David knew the commandments of the LORD.

IV. One more example of the Apostle Paul in his first letter to the Corinthians, chapter 5. He writes to them about an immoral person in their congregation having relations with his mother and says, "For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed"(v.3). He goes on to tell them that when they are gathered together they must "deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus"(v.5). To let the person continue in the congregation would give him the false impression that he does nothing wrong, and would lead him to hell. He tells them that this will ruin their church if he is not cast out. I recommend the whole chapter, because it deals with righteous judgment, and proper church discipline that has seemingly been forgotten.

Caveat: As I say all this, we should all know, there is a right judgment and there is most certainly a wrong judgment. As Jesus commanded the crowds, so we must know the meaning of this: "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment" (John 7:24).

There is the judgment of a hypocrite, one who judges and yet practices the very same. There is the judgment of the prideful, one who judges to exalt himself. There are those who judge out of hate, and to humiliate and shame others for their satisfaction. All three are the same. But then there are those who judge with Godly judgment, between what is right and wrong in the eyes of God. May we seek to understand that judgment, to love our neighbor as ourselves, and to show them their fault so that they may trust in Christ and if they are believers that they would repent and return to the ways of Christ Jesus.

Encouragement from the Dead

2007-10-20T17:00:00.000-04:00

From the book, "Fair Sunshine: Character Studies of the Scottish Covenanters'"

Martyr: John Nisbet
Death: Hung for his faith
Age: 58/ 4 December 1685
Picking up after he loses his wife, daughter, and two young sons and is then captured by dragoons and taken to prison for his faith:

"He was in prison very cruelly treated, having a load of irons on him of seven stone weight, and not able to move much because of his terrible wounds. But all the time he was filled with inexpressible joy and continually witnessed to strong inward assurance and assistance from the Holy Spirit. He testified, 'It has pleased Him to give me such real impression of unspeakable glory as without constant and immediate supports from the Giver will certainly overwhelm me. This frail tabernacle is not able to hold up under what I now feel.'

A few days before he was hanged, he was so transported while at worship with other prisoners that he called aloud in prayer, 'O for Friday! O for Friday! O Lord, give patience to wait Thy appointed time! O give strength to bear up under Thy sweet, sweet Presence! If thou, O glorious , Thou the Chief of ten thousands, the eternal wonder, and admiration of angels and redeemed saints put not to me more strength, this weak clay vessel will rend in pieces under the unspeakably glorious manifestations of Thy rich grace and matchless, matchless Presence!'

In prison, he wrote his Last and Dying Testimony. It is one of the most remarkable of Covenanter Testimonies. It is written truly by one who knew that he 'had been lying dying and rotting in his blood-red sins, and One had passed by and in His love and life said, Live, Live.' It is a paean of praise and closes in this moving harmony, 'Be not afraid at His sweet, lovely and desirable cross, for although I have not been able because of my wounds to lift up or lay down my head, but as I was helped, yet I was never in better case all my life. He has not given me one challenge since I came to prison, for anything less or more; but on the contrary He has so wonderfully shined on me with the sense of His redeeming, strengthening, assisting, supporting, through-bearing, pardoning and reconciling love, grace and mercy, that my soul doth long to be freed of bodily infirmities and earthly organs, that so I may flee to His Royal Palace even the Heavenly Habitation of my God, where I am sure of a crown put on my head, and a palm put in my hand, and a new song in my mouth, even the song of Moses and of the Lamb, that so I may bless, praise, magnify and extol Him for what He hath done to me and for me. Wherefore I bid farewell to all my dear fellow-sufferers for the testimony of Jesus, who are wandering in dens and caves. Farewell, my children, study holiness in all your ways, and praise the Lord for what He hath done for me, and tell all my Christian friends to praise Him on my account. Farewell, sweet Bible, and wanderings and contendings for truth. Welcome death. Welcome, the City of my God where I shall see Him and be enabled to serve Him eternally with full freedom. Welcome, blessed company, the angels and spirits of just men made perfect. But above all, welcome, welcome, welcome, our glorious and alone God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; into Thy hands I commit my spirit for Thou art worthy. Amen.'

As he proceeded to his gallows it is said he had a bright happiness about him from communion with God. And jumping up to the gallows his last words were:

"My soul doth magnify the Lord! My soul doth magnify the Lord! I have longed these sixteen years to seal the precious cause and interest of precious Christ with my blood. And now, now He hath answered and granted my request, and has left me no more ado but to come here and pour forth my last prayers, sing forth my last praise to Him in time on this sweet and desirable scaffold, mount the ladder, and then I shall quickly get home to my Father's House, see, enjoy, serve and sing forth the praises of my glorious Redeemer, for evermore world without end.' ...He prayed with deep spiritual understanding in a loud clear voice, and sang the first six verses of the 34th Psalm:

God will I bless all times: His praise
My mouth shall still express.
My soul shall boast in God: the meek
Shall hear with joyfulness.

Extol the Lord with me; let us
Exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord; He heard, and did
Me from all fears deliver.

Notice, from this testimony, John kept praying for strength to uphold under God's sweet presence, never mentioning the weights he was chained to or the wounds that had been afflicted upon him.

Also notice, that unlike many Christians today, he did not have spite for God, he did not shove blame upon God and curse His name when all went bad, but He was faithful and thankful unto death.

May we ever be thankful for men and women like this, that God has used in such powerful ways to extend His gospel to all men and to encourage the faithful. May God give us boldness and ability to pray as John Nisbet.

May we rest in this promise, as Nisbet did:
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28-

J.C Ryle on the Penitent Thief

2007-09-24T13:55:00.001-04:00

And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on Him, saying, "If thou be Christ, save Thyself and us." But the other answering rebuked him, saying, "Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? and we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this Man hath done nothing amiss." And he said unto Jesus, "Lord, remember me when Thou comes into Thy Kingdom." And Jesus said unto him, "Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me in paradise." -Luke 23:39-43

J.C Ryle on the verse above shows us many things we can learn from this passage, but this one in particular grabbed me. I would have never thought of this verse like this had I not read "Holiness" by Ryle, which I must recommend to everyone as an absolute must-read.

-----
See then, for one thing, how strong was the faith of this man. He called Jesus, “Lord.” He declared his belief that He would have a kingdom. He believed that He was able to give him eternal life and glory, and in this belief prayed to Him. He maintained His innocence of all the charges brought against Him. “This man,” said he, “hath done nothing amiss.” Others perhaps may have thought the Lord innocent,—none said so openly but this poor dying man. And when did all this happen? It happened when the whole nation had denied Christ,—shouting, “Crucify Him: crucify Him. We have no king but Cæsar!”—when the chief priests and Pharisees had condemned and found Him guilty of death,—when even His own disciples had forsaken Him and fled,—when He was hanging, faint, bleeding and dying on the cross, numbered with transgressors, and accounted accursed. This was the hour when the thief believed in Christ, and prayed to Him. Surely such faith was never seen since the world began. The disciples had seen mighty signs and miracles. They had seen the dead raised with a word,—and lepers healed with a touch,—the blind receiving sight,—the dumb made to speak,—the lame made to walk. They had seen thousands fed with a few loaves and fishes. They had seen their Master walking on the water as on dry land. They had all of them heard Him speak as no man ever spake, and hold out promises of good things yet to come. They had some of them had a foretaste of His glory in the mount of transfiguration. Doubtless their faith was the gift of God, but still they had much to help it. The dying thief saw none of the things I have mentioned. He only saw our Lord in agony, and in weakness, in suffering, and in pain. He saw Him undergoing. a dishonourable punishment; deserted, mocked, despised, blasphemed. He saw Him rejected by all the great, and wise, and noble of His own people,—His strength dried up like a potsherd, His life drawing nigh to the grave. (Psa. xxii. 15; lxxxviii. 3.) He saw no sceptre, no royal crown, no outward dominion, no glory, no majesty, no power, no signs of might. And yet the dying thief believed, and looked forward to Christ’s kingdom. Reader, would you know if you have the Spirit? Then mark the question I put to you this day.—Where is your faith in Christ?
-----
“I know not that since the creation of the world there ever was a more remarkable and striking example of faith.”—Calvin's Commentary on the Gospels

“A great faith that can see the sun under so thick a cloud; that can discover a Christ, a Saviour, under such a poor, scorned, despised, crucified Jesus, and call Him Lord.

“A great faith that could see Christ’s kingdom through His cross, and grave, and death, and when there was so little sign of a kingdom, and pray to be remembered in that kingdom.” -Lightfoot Sermon. 1684.

“The penitent thief was the first confessor of Christ’s heavenly kingdom,—the first martyr who bore testimony to the holiness of His sufferings,—and the first apologist for His oppressed innocence.”—Quesnel on the Gospels “Probably there are few saints in glory who ever honoured Christ more illustriously than this dying sinner.”—Doddridge “Is this the voice of a thief or a disciple? Give me leave, O Saviour, to borrow Thine own words, ‘Verily I have not found so great faith, no not in Israel.’ He saw Thee hanging miserably by him, and yet styles Thee Lord. He saw Thee dying, and yet talks of Thy kingdom. He felt himself dying, yet talks of a future remembrance. O faith, stronger than death, which can look beyond the cross at a crown;—beyond dissolution at a remembrance of life and glory! Which of Thine eleven were heard to speak so gracious a word to Thee in these Thy last pangs? “—Bishop Hall

Burning the Strawman

2007-09-20T21:21:00.001-04:00

A straw man argument is an informal fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position. To "set up a straw man" or "set up a straw man argument" is to create a position that is easy to refute, then attribute that position to the opponent. A straw man argument can be a successful rhetorical technique (that is, it may succeed in persuading people) but it is in fact a misleading fallacy, because the opponent's actual argument has not been refuted.i

The "the straw man" is an all too common thing these days, generally it is associated with any type of debate, but I am focusing upon "straw men" in the sense that it applies to Christianity.
This post is more of a warning to all discerning and caring Christians, who wish to understand the doctrine presented in the Word of God clearly and not be led into false beliefs that would affect their spiritual walk negatively.

The "Straw Man" In Practice
Generally the idea is to make your opponent look bad, to make their argument seem completely contradictory to the facts, as is seen in the description above. The practice is more commonly used on a website, or in an arena where the opposer cannot give a defense or rebuttal.

This is a dangerous practice amongst professing Christians, because they may take something that is true and completely biblical, and pervert it to suit their cause and opinion. Many are led into a false assumption of some belief, that may be entirely false, and without hearing the other sides defense they neglect the argument. It is ignorance on behalf of many Christians to never hear out the other side of the argument, and turn a cold shoulder to a belief they honestly know nothing about.

Examples
Take for instance the atheist. All Christians can relate to the issues they bring up I assume (unless you have never talked to one of course). If not, I'll show a couple of examples of what I am talking about.

Atheist: "How can an all-loving God send people to hell for eternity?"
"There is no proof of God and I can't see Him, so He doesn't exist."
"God is just a cosmic policeman, giving 10 strict rules that we must obey or go to hell."
Or here's a good example of a perfect "straw man" set up by one:
"The bible tells us that Satan only killed Job's sons and daughters, and God killed millions in the flood: Satan= 10 God= Millions; Who's really the evil one?"

I am sure you can think of many others. So for any Christian its easy to see, that on a facebook board or a site that is run by an atheist, the Christian is not given the opportunity to respond. So it appears the atheist just shot down every Christian argument, when in reality they just make themselves look even more foolish and ignorant.

But the atheist is not the only one who is guilty (I'm guilty, you're guilty, we all are, this is what sin does, it corrupts truth). But other examples can be found in discussion on eschatology (end-times), worship, salvation, covenant/dispensational theology, baptism, and just about every other doctrine. And of course the one I must mention, you guessed it, Calvinistic/Reformed theology.

If I can pick one thing I believe to be the most misrepresented topic in all of Christianity it is that of Calvinism. With a weak "straw man" it is entirely to easy to burn down the supposed "arguments". If the arguments presented are not correct its simple to make it look like the elect are the "elite", that God is a tyrannical and hateful God, that there is no room for missions and evangelism.

Warning!
Please, I implore you, do not listen to every word you are told by anyone you think you look up to. Hear out both sides, test the doctrines by scripture (1 John 4:1), and pray earnestly that God would reveal His truths to your heart.

And speaking of Calvinism, please hear out the arguments to the fullest, from someone who might actually be one, instead of a website written by an anti-Calvinist preacher. If you do not believe it to be scriptural in the end, then Godspeed.

Do this for all arguments, even the atheistic, heretical and false ones, do it for all of them, I promise the truths of scripture stand up to all of them. Give the opposition their opportunity to speak, and leave the straw for the cows (har har...).

Is It Sin Against God To Not Be A Calvinist

2007-09-17T10:06:00.000-04:00

Short answer. Yes. Long answer, I'll give it. But first, I'd like to share a quote from Charles Spurgeon:

"The old truth that Calvin preached, that Augustine preached, that Paul preached, is the truth that I must preach today, or else be false to my conscience and my God. I cannot shape the truth; I know of no such thing as paring off the rough edges of a doctrine. John Knox's gospel is my gospel. That which thundered through Scotland must thunder through England again."

Take notice of the title of this note, it does not say, "Are You Really A Christian If You're Not a Calvinist?" But rather the question is whether or not it is sin to disregard it, and is it the true Gospel that you preach or present if it is not a Calvinistic/Reformed Gospel. (Please do not get caught up in the name Calvinism, it is the same thing the early church taught including Augustine and Paul himself. I am sure I could certainly find a name associated with any other theology you put forth i.e. Pelagius, Arius, Arminius, Finney, and so on.)

So then what better an outline for the bulk of Calvinistic theology other than the TULIP, or the five points of Calvinism. I plan to go through each point, and distinguish whether or not it would be a sin against Almighty God to believe otherwise. So with no further ado:

Tulip = Total Depravity/Inability

Calvinist: "The belief that man is completely and utterly unable to turn to God and receive Christ without the Spirit first melting his heart of stone, raising him from a spiritual deadness, causing him to be born again and turning him to God. Not that man is as bad as he possibly could be, but is not able to do any good, or the ultimate good of believing upon Christ. He is totally depraved in extent (his whole being) not in degree (level of "badness")."

In other words when Ephesians 2:1 says, "Your were dead in trespasses and sin." It means just that, not that you were "sick" but that you were dead. Or in Romans 3:10-18 when it says that "No one is good...no not one!" That is exactly what it means, "no one", for all our righteousness is as filthy rags in the sight of God (Isa. 64:6).

Do not get me wrong, we all certainly have the freedom to come to Christ, because Christ has given the open invitation, for the scripture says "whosoever will" (Rev 22:17). It is not the freedom that is questioned but the ability. I have the freedom to run 30 miles/hr, only I lack the ability, and unless given a supernatural ability to do so I will not ever be able to. In the same way no many can come unto Christ unless the Father draw him (John 6:44), because his will is bound to its sinful nature (Eph. 2:3).

Why is it a sin to teach otherwise?
Inevitably what occurs if this doctrine is ignored is a misunderstanding of conversion. There is then a misunderstanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in conversion, God is not praised as He should be, as the Author and Finisher of our faith (Heb.12:2), and man gets the idea that he can cause His new birth by going up during an altar call, or praying the "sinner's prayer", when in fact it takes a supernatural regeneration of the heart. It is sin to misunderstand the glory that belongs to God the Spirit.

tUlip = Unconditional Election

Calvinist: "The belief that God chose those whom he was pleased to bring to a knowledge of himself, not based upon any merit shown by the object of his grace and not based upon his looking forward to discover who would "accept" the offer of the gospel. God has elected, based solely upon the counsel of his own will, some for glory and others for damnation (Romans 9:15,21). He has done this act before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4-8)."

This doctrine does not rule out man's responsibility to believe in the redeeming work of God the Son (John 3:16-18). Scripture presents a tension between God's sovereignty in salvation, and man's responsibility to believe which it does not try to resolve, and so we must not try, as John Piper says, "better your mind be broken, than the scriptures be broken." Both are true -- to deny man's responsibility is to affirm an unbiblical hyper-calvinism; to deny God's sovereignty is to affirm an unbiblical Arminianism.

Why is it sin to teach otherwise?
Well firstly, if you reject this one then it means you rejected the doctrine of total depravity, so then you have rejected two fundamental doctrines of the Bible. Here is a simple fill in the blank. If salvation is not by works of the law, nor by anything you offer, and you are completely lost in sin and blind to the light of the Gospel, then God must have ____ you (Hint: Chosen). Logic 101. If this doctrine is rejected, then one is inclined to believe it was by his doing that he was saved, just like I stated in the last doctrine, you take from God all the glory due to his name, and give it to the free-will choice of man. "Salvation belongs to the LORD." -Psalm 3:8

tuLip = Limited Atonement/ Particular Redemption

Calvinist: "The belief that Christ's penalty and death purchased the full redemption of His chosen people, His elect. Not that Christ's death only made it possible to be saved, but that He actually saved His people upon the cross."

Talk about a controversial topic. But once again it is a logical continuation of the truths already presented. Election does not automatically save the person, for there is no remission of sins apart from the shedding of blood (Heb. 9:22), only Christ's blood has the power to actually save His elect. Jesus lays His life down for His sheep (John 10:15), but not all are His sheep (John 10:26).

Why is it sin to teach otherwise?
Here is the choice you must make. Either Christ only made it possible, so then what is being said is that Christ only did 75% if the job or even 99%, but you have to throw in the last bit in order to be saved. So then you do not limit the extent, but you certainly limit the power. Or you can say, as the Calvinist does, that the extent is limited but the power is not. His death had the power to save the souls of the lost sheep. If you teach the other way you are destined to admit that it was possible that none would be saved, Christ made the sacrifice and then sat and hoped that people would come to Him. Or you can believe that the Lord made the ultimate sacrifice and sovereignly draws His sheep to Himself.

tulIp = Irresistible Grace

Calvinist: "The belief that God sovereignly draws His elect to Himself. The result of God's Irresistible Grace is the certain response by the elect to the inward call of the Holy Spirit, when the outward call is given by the evangelist or minister of the Word of God."

So then Christ's elect will certainly and assuredly be saved. Once the light of the Gospel is opened to their hearts they can not resist, but will be drawn with bands of love (refer back to John 6:44).

Why is it sin to teach otherwise?
In order to shorten this a bit, I will refer you back to the other doctrines which I have mentioned, especially Total Depravity, because it deals with the same subject. If God's grace is resistible then man will always reject it and choose sin over it, because that is what his nature is bound to (Eph 1:3), his mind is at enmity with God and cannot turn to God nor can it (Rom. 8:7).

tuliP = Perseverance/Preservation of the Saints

Calvinist: "The belief that the redeemed can never be lost or plucked from the hand of God. The by the grace of God they will persevere, strive and battle to be holy and sanctified."

This is not by man's strength, but by God's grace that they are kept in the faith. Not too many I know will deny this truth, but there are many out there who will. Just read over the words of Paul in Romans 8:35, and know that this list includes yourself, not even you can pluck yourself out of the hand of God by some grave sin. Please don't take that as license to sin, because that is not what I mean, God's grace will sanctify you and cause you to walk in His commandments.

Why is it sin to teach otherwise?
Because what is taught is that you can lose your salvation by some grave or mortal sin you commit and then you must work your way back into the good graces of God. Thus, you preach a works based salvation, and you do not acknowledge the power of God to keep you in the faith. "Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ..." -Phil 1:6 Remember that verse.

Conclusion
So we see here that if these truths are neglected or cast aside, then so is the glory of God in salvation, so is His sovereignty, power and grace. Instead it is replaced with a man-made salvation plan, suited to fit the likes of human nature, and watered-down to a half-truth which amounts to an untruth.

Many will find a problem with the theology and instead of asking about it or looking into what is being said in light of scripture, they just ignore it, or mock it. Still most of those people must face the reality that words like election, predestination, sin, dead in trespasses, lost, blind, sovereignty, drawing, etc. are used commonly in the Bible and must be dealt with. To not deal with them is a sin within itself and an ignorance toward the Word of God Almighty.

The Blessing of A Beautiful Day

2007-09-11T23:12:00.000-04:00

I was reflecting as I took a little walk this evening, and I thought to myself: "It is a magnificent day today." Truly it was a wonderful blessing of God. It could not have gotten over 85 today, not a cloud for miles, and a gentle breeze. I couldn't help but think to myself: "I deserve none of this. I am a sinful creature, infinitely blessed by a sinless and holy creator. If God can create a day such as this, surely heaven will be infinitely more glorious."

From the rising of the sun to its going down, the LORD’s name is to be praised. -Psalm 113:3

But one thing bothered me as I thought about it. There would be many who would not even think to acknowledge God on such a day as they have been blessed with. "For God so loved the world..." Well God most certainly has a general love for all of man, just look at what He blesses us with: rain, snow, sun, food, clothes, family...Christ Jesus, etc. But man has been so blinded by his own sin, he has neglected to praise God the Author and Giver of all these things, and they entertain the vain idea that God is not angered by this. Even those claiming to be redeemed show more interest in their relationships, clothes shopping, and schoolwork than in the great and glorious works of God.

He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. -Matthew 5:45

That is a great love He has shown to all men. I stepped out of my house today to go for a walk, and left my cares of this world behind, focusing upon God and giving Him thanks for what He has given me. None of which I deserve, paralleling the gift of salvation, wrought by Christ and freely bestowed upon my soul because of nothing in me, but because of the great mercy of God. It is a grave sin we commit when we do not acknowledge God for His mercies, for His love and for His grace, I am guilty for it constantly, and repent I must.

Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones,
Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name;
Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
-Psalm 29:1,2

Just take a moment to praise God for His many blessings, and remember how little of it you deserve. This is enough to humble any man or woman.

If You, LORD, should mark iniquities,O Lord, who could stand? -Psalm 130:3

The Dangers of Lifechurch.Tv

2007-09-06T13:21:00.000-04:00

Lifechurch.Tv is one of the fastest growing churches in America. And if there is one church that attracts the most college students in Stillwater, OK it is certainly this church. And why not? It appeals to many college students: Rock music, Flashy advertising, Messages they can "relate" to and a young hip pastor, above all its just "fun."

That is how many who go to this church would describe why it is so appealing to them. Though I would argue differently, so I'll go through reasons I believe it appeals to a mainly high school to college crowd (Do Note: Lifechurch is not the only church I am talking about here, it and many other churches have the same agendas and practices. Plus Lifechurch is right around the corner, and I know many people who go there):

1) Christianity-Lite

Lifechurch.tv has a way of talking about the subjects that really appeal to college students. Ones that are easy to swallow, not too dogmatic, and certainly not judgmental or harsh. Take a look at the topics the church preaches on (Categories) and go to the right hand side and look at the drop box of categories, its apparent that no where in the box are subjects such as sin, judgment, repentance, Christ, God, justification, holiness, sanctification, etc., etc. Not to say they don't speak of these things ever but instead the emphasis is on things that college kids seem to think are the "real issues" (i.e. Sex, Relationships, Finances and who knows what else...UFOs, Near death experiences, ghosts, and so on).

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths" -2 Tim. 4:3,4

2) Justification by Senses

Lifechurch.tv and many many like it are largely based on the senses, such as sight (strobe lights and disco lighting and neat computer graphics), hearing (loud, energizing, motivational music), or emotions (softly played music to get the person worked up, and feel sorrow, godly or not (2 Cor. 7:10)), and feelings (if you 'feel' like God is doing such and such, He is!). As I have said numerous times, emotions are not the justification or the proof that the Holy Spirit is working within us. This inevitably leads to those who have a false assurance of salvation, most of the time people are led up to the altar and told to commit or receive Christ, check the box and never doubt it. So thats what people do, they check the box, say the prayer and never give it a second thought. Most if asked "How do you know you're saved?" Would answer, "because I went up to the altar, because I prayed the sinner's prayer, or because I believed." The questions that should be asked is, "Do you still believe!?" Can you say right now, "because I believe Jesus Christ is the atonement for my sins and took upon the wrath of God that was due to me. He is my Lord and my Savior, I wish to follow His every command, to be holy and to strive to enter the narrow gate."

"The heart is deceitful above all things,And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" -Jeremiah 17:9

3) A Tv Pastor and Internet Church

Here is a major problem I have with Lifechurch. Accountability and church discipline are nowhere to be found. I can assure you both principles are thoroughly biblical (see passages such as Matt. 18:15-17, 1 Cor. 5, 2 Cor. 13:1-5 to start). I find it hard to believe that a church with a pastor who should be looking over the flock (tending the lambs John 21), is able to do so from a campus 40-100 miles away. Apparently they have campus pastors as well, but if any Lifechurch goer is honest I am sure they don't speak a whole lot to them. The internet church, is very bothersome, in that it maintains no accountability as well.

"[An Overseer/Preacher] must hold fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict." -Titus 1:4

4) Shaky Beliefs

This is one that is common in churches such as Lifechurch, a misunderstanding of the condition of man. In their What We Believe section on their site under the title "Human Beings" there is one sentence which stands out in my mind: "Although every person has tremendous potential for good, all of us are marred by an attitude of disobedience toward God called 'sin.'" You will notice in the verses below it that they have a decent verse for every other sentence used in the rest of the statement, but one will be hard pressed to find a verse in the bible that has any resemblance to the sentence used here. The bible in an over-all sense doesn't even give the slightest hint of such a belief.

Where do we have a potential for good? In Romans 3? "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one." Or Jeremiah 64? "But we are all like an unclean thing,And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away."

And where is sin labeled as just an attitude? Its no attitude it is our entire being: "We all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others"(Eph. 2:3). It was our slave master, "God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered"(Rom. 6:17).

We do not need an attitude change. We need a heart change! We need a nature change! We are vile wretches in the eyes of God, not with bad attitudes but depraved souls! Until this is realized the sermon topics will remain as sex, relationships, finances, missions and never Christ, repentance, holiness and mortification of sin.

5) Last (not really last there is plenty more to be said), but not Least

This one particularly gets me. Though I think you must read for yourself: The 3-month Tithing Challenge, as they define it, "it is a money-back guarantee." Essentially you tithe 10%, and if after 3 months you are not blessed (Which I suppose they define what a blessing is: perhaps more money, a car, a new phone, or a boyfriend/girlfriend), then you get back all of your money. Basically taking all faith out of tithing and using a Malachi verse which has little to do with what they believe it to mean. To me this is appalling...but I shouldn't have to go into great detail of why...

"Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness." -Psalm 37:3

Lifechurch.tv has fallen into a dangerous pragmatic, seeker-sensitivism that is slowly suppressing all sound doctrine out of the church and tickling the ears of those who do not wish to give up their sin and fully commit to being holy before the Lord. Too often are churches like this looking for ways to drawing the lost in and forgetting to present the Gospel to those who are already there.

Yet, people will continue to find reasons why this type of evangelism is good and honoring to God. They will insist on how many baptisms or people they had that "received" Christ, therefore justifying the means by the ends. How culturally relevant this is to today, and how judgment and repentance is so last century. Though, not often can one give a reasonable argument from scripture to defend the practices used in many of these churches.

Alibi: Not every single thing about the church is evil. I am sure the pastor preaches on good things from time to time and uses the bible to preach. I am sure he has a zealous heart, but not always is sincerity and zealousness proof that what they say is true (ex. The Pharisees were pretty zealous). We must test a church upon scripture, and pray that they would be led to honor Christ in disciplining, discipling, teaching (the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), loving, correcting, rebuking and sacrificing for the church.

God Is In Hell

2007-08-29T10:56:00.000-04:00

“The biggest problem the sinner has in hell is not the Devil, its God. God is in hell, actively punishing the wicked. The sinner in hell would do anything and everything he could to get God out of hell. Because the terror that men face in the judgment is God himself.” -R.C. Sproul-

Who Rules Hell?
The common idea about hell today, is that it is ruled by Satan. But what is the purpose of hell? Answer, it was originally created for the punishment of Satan and his fallen angels. Now after the fall of man, it is reserved for those who follow in the rebellion of Satan and who die in their sins. It was created by God for the punishment of the wicked. And God is actively punishing the wicked in hell for eternity.

Question
Here's a good question that R.C. Sproul asks:
"What are you saved from?"
His answer might shock some:
"You are saved from God. From being exposed to His fierce wrath and punishment."

What does the Apostle say in Hebrews? "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God" (Heb. 10:31).

Or Paul: "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him" (Rom. 5:9).

Changing Perspectives
Putting it in this way can change perspectives. No longer is hell the party of the devil some might think it is. Satan is not the ruler of hell, but is actively being punished by God as well.

Its possible that some may think: "If hell is a separation from God, what is so bad about that, the people who are being separated from Him never wanted to be near Him anyway."

It is true a person in hell is separated from God in one sense. They are no longer beneficiaries of God's common grace which is given to all men. "The person in the most abysmal state of suffering still enjoys some bit of the common grace of God at this moment, which would be removed entirely if they were to move to hell" (Sproul). So then they no longer experience the love, care, benevolence, grace and long suffering of God. But for all of eternity will experience His wrath, curse, anger and hate.

Hope
By the grace of God, He has given hope to all men in Christ Jesus. What Jesus underwent upon the cross, was what a sinner would experience in hell. He took upon himself the "sin of many" (Isa. 53:12), became a curse on our behalf (Gal 3:13), bore the wrath of Almighty God and was forsaken by Him(Isa. 53:4-7; Matt 27:46). Because of this, the verse I used before displays a wonderful truth: "Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved through Him."

We Need More Drums, Guitars and Fireworks...

2007-08-22T11:13:00.000-04:00

Perry Noble is one of the leading pastors in the Emerging Church Movement. Recently I was reading one of his blog posts entitled, “I Don’t See How Someone Can Worship God With A Booming Sound System” (read the article to better understand this post).

He talks about how he was listening to a man on the radio talk about how he doesn't like how worship in church has evolved. How we have gotten away from old-hymns, and organs and pianos. The man commented, "“I am not trying to be a cantankerous old man, and I have thought about it…and I just don’t see how someone can truly worship God with a booming sound system."

Apparently this drove Perry to almost killing himself. And then giving 5 questions to this man, and why he disagrees. I am going to post the questions, and then his response to the question, with my comments interjected in darker lettering. Keep in mind I probably would not have agreed with the man on the radio too much either, but I will make that more apparent later.

#1 - Is there one particular worship style that can be dictated to everyone?

"When he made his comment about the worship and sound system I said out loud, “Who in the heck are you to mandate how I worship?” (The man most likely did not claim to be the authority on how to worship, but the Bible surely is.) I have literally been moved to tears in our worship services before and have experienced the presence of God in ways that I can’t even describe (Probably chills or spine tingle, not a good way to determine God's presence)–and yes, the sound system was BOOMING! (I wonder if this would be a proper way to judge right worship of God. Are emotions the sign of the Holy Spirit? I know people who are moved to tears by sad movies, is it worship? In other words are emotions the determining factor on whether the Holy Spirit is at work? In 2 Cor. 7:9,10 Paul distinguishes between two types of sorrow over sin, one which leads to life and one to death. Could our own hearts and emotions deceive us? Jeremiah 17:9 "The heart is deceitful above all things,And desperately wicked; Who can know it?" The heart rules the emotions, tears are not always a sign that your worship or your salvation is true.)

Different worship styles work for different people–and all of them are necessary! (They are? Says who? Not the Bible ). And just because something doesn’t particularly fit with my methodology doesn’t mean that it is wrong!" (That comment may want to be looked over. Worship of God is not however you please, but what is pleasing to God.)

#2 - What did the early church do before hymns?

Seriously, if hymns are the only true way to worship ( Again...Says who? This is where I would disagree with the man on the radio, and any others who believe hymn singing is the only TRUE way.)–then how in the world did people worship for the first 1500 years of Christianity? I mean, heck, they didn’t have a book where they could sing hundreds of songs–1st, 2nd and last verse only! ( Actually there was this one book, that God actually gave to us, which happens to be a book of songs of praise, its called the Psalms. Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.")

#3 - Is it wrong for a song to repeat itself?

As I read the book of Revelation the angels seem to be pretty obsessed with singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy.” Do they have it wrong? ( There is a bit of a difference between those saints and angels in heaven worshiping, and the corporate worship on earth here. Most people in many churches wouldn't even understand the meaning of Holy Holy Holy. Once again, in Colossians 3:16, Paul commands us to teach and admonish with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.) In Psalm 136 the writer seems to be overly obsessed with, “His love endures forever!” I guess this guy from the radio show can inform the Holy Spirit inspired author when he gets to heaven that something like this is just a little too emotional! ( Okay, well I have no problem with Psalm 136, of course he does give a full spectrum look at God's attributes, such as His goodness and mercy, His power (v.4-9), His judgment, wrath, forgiveness, and love (v.10-22). Unlike most repeating hymns of today which focus on one aspect of God, and repeat it a million times to different tunes.)

#4 - Is it wrong for music to be loud?

In reading Scripture I see many occasions in the OT where the Bible says that the sounds of the celebrations were heard far away! ( I am going to need a specific example in order to give a specific answer. If he is talking about in worship, then there were set apart groups such as the Sons of Korah who were set apart for playing music. More to say about that but just ask about it, I don't think anyone is reading anyways :P.) I also see David (a man after God’s own heart) saying in the psalms to worship the Lord with drums and cymbals (both of which are loud!) ( Instruments in worship for me, is a debatable subject really, I believe the church is better off not using them, because of the stimulation of false emotions, which I talked about above. Outside of church though, I say filly the airwaves with it.) In Revelation 7:9-10 we are told that the singing in heaven is going to be loud! (Uh, reading over the verse I hardly see this as justification for blasting music that drowns out any words in the song that may, by some randomness, have something meaningful in them.) I think its time the church STOPPED looking like a funeral parlor and started acting like the tomb is EMPTY! (Good point, lets preach the Gospel then!)

#5 - Is innovation right for one generation only?

(A better question might be, "Is innovation right for any generation?" To what extent and context do we mean this in. Issues and what the church focuses on can change over time (i.e. Abortion, Homosexuality, etc.). But the Bible is as relevant, perfect, and clear on every matter today as it was in any generation. Did Paul tell us, "Go out and innovate the world!" Definition of Innovate = "To introduce something new; make changes in anything established." Wow, that sounds a lot like what most heretics do.)
As I listened to this guy I could not help but think about recent church history. In the 1970’s and early 80’s one of the most innovative things a growing church could do was to have an orchestra. AND for some churches–THIS WAS A BATTLE! Seriously–churches split over this very issue–some people were so offended that ANY instrument other than a piano or organ (neither of which are in Scripture for the true literalist out there) would be on stage.

These guys fought that fight–they stood for “innovation,” yet they are the ones who seem to be most resistant to it today! (This really challenges me to embrace the next generation!)

Go back a little further in church history–when churches first began introducing piano’s in the worship services it was considered “worldly” and “sinful,” today it is common. Once again people fought that fight–at one time it was new and innovative. (But who said it was right?)

Heck, many of the hymns were actually bar tunes rewritten with Christ centered lyrics to minister to those far away from God. (Example?) The “Christians” of the day were most likely turned off by the way people tried to reach out “to those pagans.” NOW it is common!

It seems to me that those who fought the fight in their lifetime would actually embrace those who are thinking of fresh ways to carry Christ to the world–not resist them. (Fresh ways? There is one way, and that is by the ministering of the Word of God, and by the regeneration of the Holy Spirit in their hearts. No other way was commanded, and no other way is glorifying to God.)

Just my two cents…

(Okay. This is not the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen by an emerging"pastor" in the least bit. But it gives a good idea of how they think about things. Most Biblical references are stretched or taken too far to justify a point, as one might find in reading "The Purpose Driven Life." At times things are said that have no scriptural support at all, but if it works it must be right. Remember one thing, the ends do not justify the means. Just because you have 300 baptisms or "converts", or just because you have tears welling in your eyes, does not mean that the means by which to attain it were correct. In fact I could probably make myself cry right now just by listening to the Forrest Gump soundtrack or something, doesn't mean the Holy Spirit is working within me, it just means it can stir emotion.)

Meditations on Psalm 4:1

2007-08-08T14:30:00.000-04:00

This is a verse I have been pondering as of late. Just a few things I was thinking about, and maybe you might think about as well.

NASB/ ESV/ ASV
"Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!"

KJV/ NKJV
"Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer."

Psalter which I sing from:
"Answer when I call, O God who justifies..."

"Answer me when I call, O God..." For this verse I actually prefer the KJV rendering here (not because they translated it better, both translations are perfectly fine, in fact both mean the same thing). The way the KJV has it makes my point clearer though: "Hear me" is how the KJV has it, "Answer me" is how the NASB renders the first petition. For God to "Hear" us, is for God to "Answer," at least in the case of a believer. "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive..."(Matt. 21:22) "Whatever we ask we receive from Him..."(1 John 3:22) "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him..."(1 John 5:14,15).
Thus, it follows that what we ask of God in faith we shall receive. And for the Lord to "Hear" us is to answer. "Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.."(end of v. 1), this having the same conotation. Its no wonder that in the verse after next, David says, "The Lord Hears when I call to Him." He knows the Lord hears his cries, and He is not afraid of the enemies pursuing him, for he knows that God will answer.

"O God of my righteousness..." C.H. Spurgeon, has a good thing to say of this particular part of the 1st verse, it goes along with how I viewed it. He states, "The name by which the Lord is here addressed...deserves notice, since it is not used in any other part of scripture. It means 'Thou art the author, the Witness, the Maintainer, the Judge, and the Rewarder of my righteousness; to thee I appear from the calumnies and harsh judgments of men'"(Treasury of David, Psalm IV, P.34). This, a righteousness not of our own but a gift of God through Christ. The imputation of which was divinely orchestrated by the work of the Holy Spirit. The psalter renders it, "O God who justifies." Rightly so, since the same Hebrew word can mean justify as well. To be justified is to be seen as righteous in the eyes of God. There is not way to this, but by faith in Christ, and the alien-righteousness (not belonging to us) imputed to our account.

2 Cor. 5:21
"He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

Worship Of A Holy God

2007-05-29T17:18:00.000-04:00

Hello. Figured its been a while, perhaps I'd write something, and I figured might as well write about something I was thinking about recently.

Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, which he had not commanded them. And fire came out from before the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said to Aaron, "This is what the LORD has said, 'Among those who are near me I will be sanctified, and before all the people I will be glorified.'"
-Leviticus 10:1-3-

I like this verse whenever I think about the topic of worship. At one point in my life I would have read this verse and thought, "wow, thats pretty harsh for something that doesn't seem so serious."

Perhaps this type thinking is the cause of some atheistic arguments such as, why is the whole race damned because of such a small sin as eating of a fruit (Gen. 2:17) or perhaps the example of Uzzah with the ark, struck down by the Lord because he attempted to catch the ark so it wouldn't hit the ground (2 Samuel 6:6,7).

I joined the Reformed Presbyterian Church last October, since coming to that church there has certainly been a change in the way I have viewed worship.

Worship is not to be taken lightly. I fear the church of America today is more than guilty of this sin. Looking at the verse above brings a few things into mind:
1. Think of it for a minute. If one takes a look at the state of the church, and takes an honest look at it, it won't be long for you to come to the conclusion that its mostly man-centered worship, not God-centered. The mentality of most church-goers is "what do I want out of a church?" When really it would be in their best interest to say "what does God want out of a church, or out of my worship?" To be honest I don't know how many specific scriptures proof-texts I need for that statement, as this should be common knowledge amongst Christians.
2. Reverence. Thats a forgotten word no? Most Christians today wouldn't want you to "fear God" but to "revere Him," though even that reverence is non-existent in any form, in anything from worship to Christian living. Its assumed that God is just your buddy or pal, He isn't concerned at all about how you worship Him. Well looking at that verse above it just doesn't catch me that way, of course then again it is just the Old Testament [sarcasm intended].
3. God takes it very serious I promise. "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth; yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns!'" (2 Chronicles 16:29-31). That passage has a few things to note:
a. He is holy. Many passages could suffice for this, its just one of those known facts, yet it seems to be not so known after all in today's Christianity. He is holy, and He will be worshiped as such.
b. Something is due to Him. Perhaps thanks, praise, worship...your life as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1). Its a joke to most, like I stated before most want whats in it for them, proving the paper-thinness of their "Christianity."
4. The danger of "unauthorized fire" is very serious. Obviously this "unauthorized fire" had serious implications. Looking at that verse makes me think very carefully about what I bring to worship God with, how I go about preparing my mind and heart. Though once again, the church today wouldn't give a verse such as this very much thought. Not concerned at all what is pleasing to God much of the world has creeped into the church, Satan is having a field day with most churches who think they are doing the work of the Lord.
5. Sincerity is not an issue. Most would argue that churches are being sincere and really trying in what they do to bring more to Christ, and in trying to worship God. Sincerity has been placed in front of the word of God. As my pastor put it, "Muslims are sincere does that mean they're going to heaven?"

Give it serious thought, worship is meant for the Lord, reading through the Bible does not leave the impression that God is not serious about what He says.

Part 5 - If God Isn't Sovereign

2007-05-03T13:25:00.000-04:00

Then prayer is meaningless.

Think of the things you pray for (i.e. the salvation of others, the spreading of the gospel, the spreading of the kingdom, your own personal faith, hope, and love, etc.). Okay now imagine a God who has no power over any of those things, or in other words, imagine Him as most people do.

Though no one will outright say this type of thing, it is the inevitable conclusion of their thought of God.

Think about it:
1) If God is not sovereign in the spreading of the gospel and conversion of souls, then why pray to God that it will be done?

2) If God is not sovereign in the Christian life, in the providence He has in your life (cf. Rom. 8:28), and in conforming you to the image of the Son (2 Thess 2:13, Heb. 12:2), then why pray to Him. Just do it yourself. By your own will defeat satan, by your own will transform your heart and rid it of evil, by your own will build up faith and hope and love.

But! If you believe in a sovereign God. A working and active and living God. A God working through you and through the word by His Holy Spirit ...then pray to Him. Pray for the salvation of souls, pray for the advance of the kingdom of Christ, pray for holiness and sanctification, pray for the care of others and for the perseverance of brothers and sisters in Christ.

You have two ways you can think of prayer. 1) A casual talk with God. One in which you merely tell Him about how your going to do things by your own strength. 2) A plea for the working of God. That His will would be done on earth as it is in heaven.

"Your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him..." -Matthew 6:8-

Use the means God has given. Glorify Him and praise His name in prayer, and pray that His will would be done.

Part 4 - If God Isn't Sovereign

2007-04-30T13:03:00.000-04:00

If God isn't sovereign would salvation exist? Is the free-will of man the deciding factor? Many people have a difficult time reconciling their free-will and God's sovereignty in their salvation.

Does man have free-will?
Yes.

Its a road with two ditches. Some will take sovereignty to the extreme, where man has no free-will and God forces man to have every thought and take every action, thus leaving them unaccountable. The other side would be to say man has complete free-will to do things good (in God's eyes) and to do things bad.

Almost seems paradoxical, but the question is:
How can man have free-will and yet not be able to do good or bad by choice?Simply put, man, or really anything for that matter, acts according to its nature. Man cannot do the things which please God (especially regenerate and save themselves), apart from God causing a change in nature in the man. Man is "by nature children of wrath" (Eph. 2:3), man cannot act contradictory to his fallen sinful nature.

Think of it this way. God has a free-will, no one will argue with that, but God cannot do evil. Why not? Because His nature is good.

But God is sovereign, while he does not force us to do good or evil against our free-will, He is the only one capable of the change of nature we so desperately need. The only one capable of resurrecting our souls which are "dead in trespasses and sins" (Eph. 2:1).

Salvation from beginning to end is the sovereign actions taken by God. People don't argue as much that God is working in their lives after conversion, or that he was providentially working before their conversion, but if you tell many people that it was God who gave them life and the ability to even come to Him, they are offended. May God be thanked and praised for his sovereign work in conversion.

Part 3 - If God Isn't Sovereign

2007-04-27T12:57:00.000-04:00

In the last post I mentioned the verse:

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28-

This verse is a wonderful promise to believers. But, before you meditate upon this verse, or go off making up your own meaning for it, I think there are a few misunderstandings of the meaning of this great verse.

What it is not saying:
It is not saying that God is going to allow only good things to happen to you all the time, or that He will never let anything bad come into your life. Don't be so vain. The Christian life is not all "butterflies and green fields" (Julianna Weaver; I may misquoted, but you get the point). Just take examples from Job, Jeremiah, Jesus, Peter, Stephen, Paul. Especially take a look at the experiences of Paul in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28, and let me know if thats the idea of mainstream, pop-psychology, self-help, health and wealth "Christianity" of today.

What it is saying:
What may look to you like horrible situations and things you would classify in the "not good things" category are in the end brought back to your personal good. God's providence is beyond measure, it is hard to fathom how it is that He has so ordained all things to take place down to the minutest detail so that in the end it would work out for the good of those who are called according to His purpose. Take a minute to look back on your life, imagine every small detail, every instance where had you made a different decision you may not be where you are today, a Christian blessed by God. God has guided your feet to the place you now stand. Even think of "bad" situations and what good came out of many of them: i.e. faith and obedience are strengthened, lessons are learned, people that have encouraged you in your walk may have been met along the way.

The point is, "If God Is Not Sovereign" then He does not know your steps or your directions, He is not able to bring all things together for the good of those called according to His purpose. The thought contradicts the scripture.

God is sovereign and God is bringing all things in your life together for good, the ultimate good, eternal life in heaven praising Jesus Christ.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." -Matthew 10:29-31-

Further Reading:
The Mystery of Providence - John Flavel
All Things for Good - Thomas Watson

Honestly I have only read the first one, but I know the other will be good because Thomas Watson is a great writer. Both of these guys are Puritans, and in my opinion Puritans have left behind Christian writings that are unparalled. Check these books out.

Part 2 - If God Isn't Sovereign

2007-04-26T09:43:00.000-04:00

Perhaps I'll speak first of God's sovereignty in His acts of providence. In light of the Virginia Tech incident, I believe this might be a proper place to start. Some, in these times, will turn to God for comfort and peace, yet, at the same time many may be hardened at a time like this.

The questions arise amongst natural unbelieving man, perhaps even amongst some Christians, how can God let such things happen? Where was God in all this? Why do bad things happen to good people? These questions are nothing new though. Throughout history we have seen genocides, world wars, mass murders, and pain and suffering. For a mind set at enmity with God, its easy to have such objections to a "loving and all-powerful" God , who seems to have no problem with letting these things happen to people.

So then what is the response? Is God not all-knowing, all-powerful, and sovereign over all things? Are these things out of his control or unknown to Him before they happen? Of course not.Lets think for a minute. Who gives life? Most atheist/agnostics love to point out that God kills many many people in the Bible, and they ask, is He not evil? If they stopped and thought of the absurdity of the remark they may not have asked such a question in the first place. The only reason they have enough breath to utter such a comment is because of God's sustaining grace.

Job understood the implications after his sons and daughters were killed, he didn't blame Satan or some other cause he says:

"The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." -Job 1:21-

Job understood the sovereignty of God's action, God willed it and it was done, God gives and sustains life and God can easily take that away. For the grieving Christian parent of a child who died in such an atrocity, they can say with Job these same words and be comforted that in such trials and in such pain the Lord has promised something very very comforting:

"We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." -Romans 8:28-

I do not wish to trivialize the mourning and the grief, I cannot even fathom the depth of sorrow in such an event, but I do know this much, the Lord's hand is in all things and he will bring good out of evil for all believers. I'll come back to providence because of course there is much more that can be said of the mystery of God's providence.

Part 1 - If God Isn't Sovereign

2007-04-25T10:16:00.000-04:00

What suffers? Is it merely as trivial as people pretend it to be? Is God's sovereignty in salvation and in providence a thing to be swept under the proverbial rug? Can it be said that God's sovereignty is something higher than we can understand so we should just leave it to God?

Here is where I believe we have a major disconnect in the church. In God's sovereignty, in His election, in His calling, justification and in His providence. I think of it this way. When I go to the range to qualify with my rifle, I look at the target (300 meters away) through the rear and front sights. Say I was off by a centimeter to the left, from where I am that doesn't seem to be so far off, but 300 meters down range that could be 2 or 3 feet to the left.

It can be applied to the sovereignty of God in this way. People deem election or predestination not that big of a deal, if one person believes it and another doesn't its not that much of a difference how much could it possibly affect? I mean those are things higher than us anyway, they aren't for us to worry about.

But go down the range (in theory) and when you get to the target you're way off. You have churches which are more man-centered than God-centered, and worship that cares more about entertainment than worship, so on and so on.

The sovereignty of God is a complete world-view, it will sway your thinking and your approach to an all-holy all-sovereign God. I'll do a couple posts thinking about some of the things this effects, such as: worship, evangelism, Christian living and persecution, and perhaps other things as I think of them.

God Bless.

Easter/Christmas...Christian?

2007-04-08T18:41:00.000-04:00

There are a few things that this note is not arguing against nor am I completely against the holidays them self. This is not against the gathering together of families, I am not addressing that. Furthermore, this is not against the observance of the birth, death, or resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In actuality the purpose behind the note is to prove the the lack of care for Jesus' birth, death and resurrection, and the way in which "Christians" give little care to these matters all the other days of the year and how Churches go about their Easter Sunday "service." But that will become clear, and other matters of disagreement will come out.

I am going to go ahead and leave out the fact that both Christmas and Easter are holidays which the Roman Catholic Church have instituted and intermixed with Pagan traditions, because this really has little to do with the matter at hand, whether the Jehovah's Witnesses want it to or not.

Firstly
I am ardently against those who presume to make this day more important than any other day. One will notice quickly that Churches fill to about twice their normal attendance. Every nominal Christian without a care for Jesus in the least bit, suddenly flocks to the pews. As if this day were now more fixed upon by God than any other day, these "Christians" of apostate tendencies think themselves to be doing a better service to their own self and to God by showing an appreciation for at least one day out of the year.

Easter more than Christmas tends to have this traditional importance for some reason. I would reason from that evidence, that it would probably be a wiser thing for them if they didn't step in on God's solemn and reverent worship.

Let me qualify though, I'd fear that some would think I don't want unbelievers to come to church and hear the word of God preached. That is not my point, the point is that most of these people have heard the message and more than probably made a "decision" for Christ at one point, and have now deemed it unimportant to worship God every Sunday or to fellowship with the children of God.

The fact is, I have seen this all too many times, someone who says they are "saved" but lives like Jesus didn't exist or doesn't care, but thinks that going to church on Easter will make up for it (this happens more than on Easter, it may be a weekly thing as well, a nominal Christian feels they can live the way they wish, as long as they wipe the slate clean on Sunday).

Secondly
The way some Churches go about Easter Sunday. Say you do get a larger crowd that day (with the above point in mind) and then preach a sermon that is about 10 minutes long so you don't bore those who came, and then have a little Easter Special or a children's play or a whole bunch of solos and video clips to entertain the unbelieving crowd.

For example, I went to a friend's church on Christmas Eve this last year, had about a 20 minute sermon, with virtually no Gospel presentation. Then to top it off canceled that evening's service, so that we could "spend time with family and not worry about Church tonight." I'm not sure what I deem more important on such a day, spending time with family, or worshiping the Christ who saved our souls so we could even enjoy a family (sarcasm).

The day is, for some odd reason, set aside as more special than the rest. Sermons are cut shorter, sermons are watered down, church cancellation, etc. Why? Why not just continue exegetically going through the Bible as you should be, contemplating the birth, life, death, resurrection, intercession, every Sunday?

Thirdly
I'll address this quickly. The world has attempted to take these holidays which are supposedly centered around Christ and turned them into egg painting, wreath hanging holidays. What's worse is that Christians have given into it, we delude the children of America with fairy tales of bunny rabbits and fat men with flying reindeer, instead of presenting them with the Gospel from the very day they can comprehend it.

Lastly
A proposal. Say we didn't treat these days so much different, what if instead we got rid of them, how bad would it be? Would "American Christianity" crash and burn to the ground? So be it, if that is what is holding it up, if it's the fact that we get free presents and a day out of the year to pretend we are Christian. I wonder if true Christians in oppressive countries are worried about two days out of the year, or if they worship God how He is to be worshiped.

I firmly believe that Christmas and Easter are to be celebrated every single day I am alive. With any true faithful Christian, we should be praising God every hour of the day for the Birth, the Death, the Resurrection, the Justification, the Mercy, and the Grace that has been so freely and so wonderfully bestowed unto us, God's chosen people. What if we were more worried about that, or more excited about that, than the prospect of free gifts, money, and one day out of the year we get to wear our new Easter clothes.

And if you are going to set these days aside in Church for a special message or if you are going to celebrate it with family, then remember the Lord your God, who died and rose and took upon your sins so that you might be justified and imputed His righteousness, all of your days.

"I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad. Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!" -Psalm 34:1-3-

"I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you and praise your name forever and ever." -Psalm 145:1-2-

Any Thoughts? There's gotta be some.

A Test of Faith

2007-03-31T23:32:00.000-04:00

Test yourself with all honesty, to fail at one of these points is not to say you are a false Christian...but I believe it is to the benefit of your soul to consider these questions.

"Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" -2 Cor. 13:5-

1. Is Christ the Lord of your life? Would you give up all for Him and deny yourself? Would you give up your possesions, family, friends or even your life for Him? (Matt. 10:37, Luke 14:26)

Christians are to be willing to give up all if asked to do so, if Christ were to ask you to sell all and follow Him (Mark 10:21) that you would do it without a second glance back (Luke 9:62). The Christian must be willing to deny them self and take up their cross and follow after Christ with their whole heart (Mark 8:34). Self-denial is an absolute must in the Christian faith, it is a question of whether or not you are in humble reliance upon God or if you rely upon your own strength.

2. Do you cherish the commandments of God? Do you wish nothing more than to be conformed to the image of the Son and to keep the commandments which Christ has given us? (Psa. 19 and 119)

The Christian is commanded to keep the commandments (Matt. 19:17). The way in which a Christian knows that they know Christ Jesus is if he loves and keeps His commandments (1 John 2:3). Thus they will abide in the love of Christ (John 15:10).

3. Do you love sin? Is there sin in your life that you attempt to hide or make out to seem not as sinful so that you may continue to have it in your life? (Rom. 6:2, Rom. 6:11) And when you do sin, do you acknowledge and confess it to God and trust in Christ for your forgiveness? (1 John 1:6-10)

Christians are to flee all youthful lust (2 Tim. 2:22), to abstain from all forms of evil (1 Thess. 5:22), to keep from foolish and crude talk (Eph. 5:4), sexual immorality, drunkeness, fornication, etc. (Gal. 5:21, Col. 3:5), to present our members as instruments of righteousness (Rom. 6:13), and to cast away those things which cause us to sin (Matt. 5:29,30). Christians hate sin because God hates sin, and what God hates we must and what God loves we must love.

4. Is every single day for you a battle to deny yourself and to fight sin with all your might? Is your battle with sin non-existent? Though you do not always succeed at defeating temptation do you wage war on it and pray to God to strengthen you against it? (Rom. 6 entire chapter)

The Christian must find their pleasure and delight in Christ Jesus, they must fight sin and strive to enter the narrow gate (Luke 13:24). The Christian must run the race with endurance (Heb. 12:1), fight the fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12, 2 Tim 4:7), and to take on the full armor of God in order to defeat the schemes of the evil one (Eph. 6:11,13). A sure sign of whether or not you are a Christian is whether or not there is a desire to fight the indwelling sin within you. If you do not wage war on sin, or think that it is no big deal because you think God doesn't care, or you think now that you are in Christ you can do what you want, you have made a deadly mistake. See point 3 as well.

5. Is your full trust in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ? Or do you rely on some righteousness of yourself, attempting to work your way into favor with God or with men or impress either? (Rom. 4:2, Eph. 2:8,9)

Whether Christian or not, the one thing that must be understood is that it is not by any works of your own. It is not your decision, your parents decision, your church's decision, its not by your works, by your deeds, even by your faith that you are saved, but by the grace of God Almighty (Eph. 2:8). You receive that grace through faith (Rom. 5:17, John 1:12) and repentance (Acts 3:19). Christian, even as a believer it is not your works that maintain your state of grace, but once again it is God who upholds you in the faith (Heb. 12:2). So then trust fully in Christ for your justification, sanctification, and glorification.

6. Is the worship of God even enjoyable to you (Psa. 99:9)? Is Church on Sunday a burden to you, do you love the brethren and love their fellowship (1 John 3:15)? Is prayer a non-essential (Rom. 12:12)? Is fellowship, communion, and meditation with God and on the work of God in your life present at any time (Psa. 77:12)? Is reading your Bible more of a duty or do you seek to know God more and cherish His word (Josh. 1:8, Psa. 119:105)?

Ask yourself something, Christian, if you cannot stand to be in the presence of God now or in the presence of His people (1 John 4:20), how then will you do it for an eternity? You may not have to worry about it.

7. Do you give all the thanks, praise and glory to God?

This is very important in a man-centered world, and even in a man-centered church, where most theology is how can man do things without God. All thanksgiving must be given to God (Col. 2:6,7), and all praise, exaltation, and worship must be given to God for who He is and what love He has shown you (Psa. 22:23).

8. Conclusion

While there may be others I could have put on here, these are some of the ones I wished to address. To fail at one of these points is not to say you are not a Christian, in fact I do not believe 2 Cor. 13:5 to be saying test yourself at how good you are doing or how bad you are doing, but to test whether or not you rely and trust in Christ Jesus for all of your righteousness, faith, hope, love, forgiveness, redemption, sanctification, perseverance, so on and so forth.

Test yourself. Trust in Jesus Christ. And pray to God to be sanctifying you daily, handing over all to Him and casting yourself at the feet of Jesus, and have faith in Him who is faithful.

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God."
-Romans 5:1,2-

Roman IX (God's Vessels)

2007-03-26T15:00:00.000-04:00

Verses 19-24
(Bible)

If God hath absolute sovereignty over the salvation or reprobation of man such as just shown in the past verses about Pharaoh. And if God can harden a man's heart and leave the man empty of saving grace then the question from prideful, boastful, arrogant men naturally arises: "Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?" As I asked earlier in verse 14, where a question is similarly asked, does your doctrine of election warrant this type of response? For most, the doctrine of election is bent in order to make it more appealing and more understandable to our human minds, this great doctrine suffers greatly because of its misunderstanding. Nevertheless the matter remains in the hand of God, and so the question above arises, which Paul doesn't necessarily answer more than he just makes it very clear that we are nothing to question the wise counsel of God. "But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, 'Why have you made me like this?'"(cf. Isaiah 45:9).

This to Paul is absurd, for men to think they have any jurisdiction whatsoever to question God in His dealings with His own salvation. Paul declares the Lord as sovereign over all.

"Who art thou, thou that art so foolish, so feeble, so short-sighted, so incompetent a judge of divine counsels? Art thou able to fathom such a depth, dispute such a case, to trace that way of God which is in the sea, His path in the great waters? That repliest against God. It becomes us to submit to Him, not to reply against Him; to lie down under His hand, not to fly in His face, nor to charge Him with folly...we are the thing formed, and He is the former; and it does not become us to challenge or arraign His wisdom in ordering and disposing of us into this or that shape of figure. The rude and unformed mass of matter hath no right to this or that form, but is shaped at the pleasure of Him that formeth it." (Henry)

Paul then gives a comparison: "Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor?" I think this proves the arbitrary and sovereign work of God in how He chooses to form the vessels that He does. We are all of the same lump of clay, no one more deserving than another. As the potter has the right to take a lump of clay and form one into a vessel for honor so he also has that same right to use some of the clay for dishonor.

"What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had prepared beforehand for glory..."

"What if..." has been taken by Calvin and most other theologians, not as a hypothetical statement, but as a more or less "so what" kind of statement. It is indeed a statement made in human terms but Paul is not giving a statement that would not be true of how it is God deals with His creation.

In order to make His power known and to show His wrath He, "endures with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction..." God is here pleased to show His righteous and great power in the destruction of the wicked. "Vessels of wrath" who are "prepared" as Henry would say, "fitted by their own sin and self-hardening...[and are made] combustible matter, fit for the flames of hell"(Henry).

Now there is a bit of a difference between the commentaries on double-predestination and God withholding saving graces. To be honest I am not going to go into any kind of differences or debate on a doctrine which really has "indirect bearing on Christian behavior"(Reformation Bible).

You'll notice here that all of this is to "His glory." The way in which He deals with those vessels fitted for wrath is to display the greatness and riches of His glory by the mercy He shows the vessels which He has chosen.

The end of all things that God has created is to display His glory. Everything from election to salvation to glorification and judgment are to display the greatness of God. Even the vessels fitted for wrath will make a display of that greatness, whether an unbeliever wishes to glorify God or not, he will do it one way or another.

"...us whom He called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles..." Simply put the God gives mercy to all different people, not of the Jews only but also of the Gentiles.

Citation:
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*Calvin Commentary
*Reformation Study Bible

Romans IX (God's Sovereignty in Electing)

2007-03-12T09:53:00.000-04:00

Verses 14-18
(Bible)

With the two examples given, Paul has abolished all hope of a sinner working his way to God. He has now handed over all power and all sovereignty to God. Now Paul goes on in these verses to prove the absolute sovereignty of God in bringing the "children of promise" to himself.

Notice here as well as in verse 19, this is the common response by anyone who is confronted with the doctrines of election or predestination. The first objection shown here in verse 14 is that there is injustice with God. To save some and to look over others and they can do nothing, doesn't that make God unjust? "Certainly not!" is the answer Paul gives. It would be interesting to see if any other ideas of election such as that of the Arminian or a "corporate" electionist would warrant such an expression as Paul just gave. All other ideas attempt to give man some credit in his election, but this simply is not true. Men attempt to bend the scriptures to fit within our understanding, but this doctrine of election is something we must accept. As Piper has said, "it is better that our minds be broken, than that the scriptures be broken."

For an outline's sake, I'll break this into two parts. How God deals with His chosen people (v.15,16), and how He deals with the reprobate, or the ones He passes over (v.17,18).

I. Dealings With The Elect

"I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I will have compassion." Paul has just said that God is certainly not unjust, he now proves the denial. As Matthew Henry says on this verse, "It imports a perfect absoluteness in God's will; He will do what He will, and giveth not account of any of His matters, nor is it fit He should"(Henry). In other words, God has to give us no reason why it is He has mercy on some and not others. Charles Spurgeon once gave an example of 10 beggars on a street and a man walks by and decides to give some money to only one of the beggars, is this man unjust for not giving the others some money? Of course not, it is his money he does with it as he pleases, in fact he didn't have to give any of them money, but he did. And so it is with God. "God makes some vessels of wrath according to their merit; other vessels of mercy according to His grace"(Calvin's editor note).

"So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy." "That none of you may think that they who are elected are elected because they are deserving"(Calvin). Henry makes a good point,

"Applying this general rule to the particular case that Paul has before him, the reason why the unworthy, undeserving, ill-deserving Gentiles are called...while the greatest part of the Jews are left to perish in unbelief, is not because those Gentiles were better desrving or better disposed for such a favour, but because of God's free grace that made that difference. The Gentiles did neither will it, nor run for it, they sat in darkness...He is found of those that sought Him not (Isa. 65:1)."

II. Dealings With The Reprobate

"There seems to be something more unreasonable in this (the rejection of the ungodly), [Paul] endeavours to make it more fully evident, how God, in rejecting whom He wills, is not only irreprehensible, but also wonderful in His wisdom and justice"(Calvin).

Paul comes to how God deals with Pharoah from Exodus. God raised up Pharoah, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth"(Exodus 9:16). "Thus doth God raise up sinners, make them for himself even for the day of evil (Prov. 16:4), raise them up in outward prosperity, external privelages (Matt. 11:23), sparing mercies"(Henry). For what reason? "That I may show my power in [them], and that My name may be declared in all the earth." "God would...serve the honour of His name, and manifest His power in baffling the pride and insolence of that great tyrant, who bade defiance to Heaven itself, and trampled upon all that was just and sacred. If Pharoah has not been so high and mighty, so bold and hardy, the power of God had not been so illustrious in the ruining of him"(Henry).

III. "Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens."

Matthew Henry puts it beautifully:

"The various dealings of God...must be resolved into His absolute sovereignty. He is debtor to no man, His grace is His own, and He may give it or withold it as it pleaseth Him; we have none of us deserved it, nay, we have all justly forfeited it a thousand time, so that herein the work of our salvation is admirably well ordered that those who are saved must thank God only, and those who perish must thank themselves only...God is bound no further than He has been pleased to bind Himself by His own covenant and promise, which is His revealed will; and that is that He will receive, and not cast out, those that come to Christ; but the drawing of souls in order to that coming is preventing distinguishing favour to whom He will. Had He mercy on the Gentiles? It was because He would have mercy on them. Were the Jews hardened? It was because it was His own pleasure to deny them softening grace, and to give them up to their chosen affected unbelief."

Citation:
*Piper Sermons
*Calvin Commentaries on Romans
*Matthew Henry Commentaries on Romans
*C.H. Spurgeon

Is Everyone A Christian??

2007-03-06T21:05:00.000-05:00

Who in Oklahoma is not a Christian? Honestly, everybody believes they are.

When I first came into a church, I was engrafted into the Baptist church. Now I have respect for a lot of Baptists, believe me. But I was brought into the church-camp high, shallow praise songs, alter-calling, half-gospel, funny story telling, try and get people emotional, type of Baptist churches. I know a lot of you know what I am talking about.

I came to find out that Christianity was so much more than praying the all too infamous sinner’s prayer and walking an isle and raising my hand (while every head was bowed and every eye was closed). Matthew 7:13, 14 became very real to me, and quite disturbing, I believed myself to be on the broad way headed for nothing more than to find out that Jesus never knew who I was (Matthew 7:23).

Now, looking back I have a growing concern for those from where I came from, who still are in that type of environment. Am I saying they are not Christians? No. They may be, but their environment is a place where they will experience no growth, and become no more knowledgeable of God than when they first began.

On the other hand, I know people from my high school and hometown, who would be so quick to consider themselves Christians, yet they express absolutely no desire to know Christ, the only time they even mention something like that is if they feel it might impress someone or for some reason make them cooler (which of course in the Bible Belt if you aren’t a Christian, you probably aren’t in the “in crowd”). Or perhaps there’s an argument and they might attempt to impress people with their well versed knowledge in the Bible, yet at the same time never fellowshipping with God or praying or reading the Word of God, being completely Pharisaical in their Christianity, only memorizing key verses to defend their bias opinion or to look good on facebook (i.e. Matthew 7:1, John 3:16, Phil 4:13 or Jer 29:11), excusing all context and hermeneutics, and then going out and living their life as if there were no God, as if God cared nothing for their actions.

John MacArthur once said, “Professing Christianity is the fastest growing mission field,” I could not agree more with that statement. Questions I keep asking myself are things like:

How do you witness to a person that is so convinced that they already are a Christian?

Why is it that people wear the name “Christian” or “Saved” like it is some sort of name tag, or a plane ticket to heaven, or fire insurance?

How can you call yourself a Christian, yet in your actions you show you actually hate Christ and you hate his commandments?

The list goes on.

I want nothing more than for my friends, family, and just people on the street, to understand the saving grace and power of Jesus Christ. I want them to understand the joy and peace and comfort in laying all your sins and worries upon the cross. I want them to see God as a holy, just, loving, beautiful and gracious God, to want nothing more than to understand His word, to seek Him with all their heart, soul, and strength, to obey His commandments.

Though, most the time I feel like I am talking to myself, and while it bothers me that most of my friends wouldn’t give a second thought to their salvation, I trust in God to do His will and accomplish His purpose, and I know He will. And because of that truth, I can rest well at night.

Romans IX (The Election of God)

2007-02-27T11:57:00.000-05:00

Verses 11-13
(Bible)

Paul has now given the two examples from the Old Testament to make his statement earlier true, that they are not all of Israel who are of Israel (v.6b). "He now begins to...show the cause of this difference, which [Paul] teaches us is nowhere else to be found except in the election of God"(Calvin).

There are some who may contend that this passage of scripture, especially that of verse 11 does not have to do with salvation but with "service." This of course has no contextual or scriptural support, only an assumption based off of nothing more than the mere fact that election is a very offensive doctrine to most, it was to me at first. We are talking about God selecting those to whom He would bestow His saving graces upon, that man has no ability within himself to bring himself to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

But it is plain to see from these verses, that those whom God declares as "children of promise," such as that of Isaac and Jacob and every other saint from Adam to now, are those whom God will save. "Not of works but of Him who calls."

I. "For the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil."

Why was on chosen and not the other? They are both born at the same time, they are twins, born of the Patriarch Isaac. Neither had done a thing yet, but even before their birth it was stated, "The older shall serve the younger." If anything it would seem if salvation were based on works and not on the grace and election of God, it would seem to be that Esau should have been the chosen. After all, he was the first born, the rightful recepient of the blessing from Isaac (had not Jacob tricked his father), in fact looking at Jacob and Esau comparatively it would seem that Jacob was more evil than Esau. Yet God chose Jacob...why?

II. "That the purpose of God according to election might stand."

What purpose? The "according to election" purpose (which is actually the more literal translation of the phrase). The purpose of God is partly defined by election. More definatively what was the entire purpose of God in creation, in regeneration, salvation, and even election?

For His glory. Election is the beginning of salvation, and all salvation is from God, from first to last. Even the faith we have is from God, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast"(Ephesians 2:8-9). If man were to boast about a single bit of His salvation that would be to take away from the glory that is to go to God alone.

So it is said...

III. "Not of works but of Him who calls."

Paul has destroyed the argument that man has any hope in bringing himself to a saving knowledge of God apart from God. These Israelites, that Paul speaks about, were the "fleshly children" they were in a sense "Ishmael's" and "Esau's." As Piper has said, "The church is full of Ishmael Christianity and Esau Christianity and have never been born of God"(Piper). Many in the church are more of a Pharisaical type of Christianity, too many think that it is by their works, by their faith that they have built up in themself, or they fall back on the fact that they have been baptized or have confessed at one time in their life, or have gone to church for years. The fact is this means nothing, if you have not been born of God.

IV. "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated."

I figure I should touch on this, since it has to do with the election of God. For those who think that what is being spoken of in the former verses, is that of service. God says, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated." Obviously looking throughout the history of Israel we see that Jacob's people (Israelites) were blessed with all the blessing of God, and that Esau's people (Edomites) were cast out from this grace of God. What Paul is getting at by mentioning this, is that what God had for Jacob, He did not have for Esau.

Many have taken the word "hated," and said that a more literal translation is "loved less." But keeping it in the context of the passage it is taken from (Malachi 1:2-5), "hated" is a pretty good translation of it, since if you read that passage you can discern for yourself what God meant when He said that about Esau's people.

The Israelites ask God in that Malachi passage, "In what way have You loved us?" and God says to them, "Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?" This is the love of God, that while none of us deserved his mercy, He bestowed it upon "many" by His good pleasure, and for His glory. Wasn't Esau Jacob's brother? Are we not all as depraved as anyone else? Couldn't God have chosen someone else instead of us to make a "child of promise?" But He didn't, He chose you. And yet many will complain that this makes God's love nothing.

Citation:
*Piper Sermons on Romans
*Calvin Commentaries on Romans

Romans IX (God Chooses The Children of Promise)

2007-02-22T18:47:00.000-05:00

Verses 10-13:
(Bible)

After the distinguishing made in the previous post and in the last three verses, Paul now takes these principles and supports them with examples. He uses two Old Testament examples, which the Israelites obvious knew, since it was dealing with the Patriarchs of their nation. The two examples are that of Isaac (v.7), which I briefly mentioned in the last post, but will do again. And then the example of Jacob (v.10,12,13).

Example 1: Isaac and Ishmael

God made a promise to Abraham that through his seed all the nations shall be blessed (Genesis 12:3), he told Abraham his descendants would be as numerous as the sand and the stars (Genesis 22:17). That it would be through the son that God would give to him (Isaac, Genesis 15:5) that this would happen and that it would be Sarah, his wife, who was barren, that would conceive (Genesis 18:10). Because of Abraham's weak faith at the time, he did not fully trust in God's promise, for it seemed to him impossible that Sarah could conceive a child. So, instead, Abraham use Hagar, a maid of Sarah, as a concubine to produce a child named Ishmael.

Abraham wanted Ishmael to be the heir God had promised. "Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!"(Genesis 17:18), But God told Abraham, "No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year." Ishmael would indeed be blessed, since his descendants would be what would become the Muslims. But as God said His covenant was not with him, and so he was not the child of promise. Though born of Abraham, he was cut off from the promises and the covenants of the Lord.

"But," someone might object, "Of course God didn't choose [Ishmael] as a child of promise. He didn't have a Jewish mother. Hagar was a Gentile"(Piper).

So Paul clarifies his point further...

Example 2: Jacob and Esau

"And not only this..." As if to say, "this is not the point I am trying to get across." Now we see further, that God's choice is based on His good pleasure and nothing in a man. Along with the proof of God's word standing strong, we now get into the doctrines of predestination, election, and the grace of God (Note to Reader: I realize this might start to get a bit confusing, I'll try to make it clear).

Paul really narrows the objections down here, for one, we are talking about children born of the same womb, by the same man (Isaac). Further, they are twins, there is minimal distinctions between these two brothers. And yet one was chosen over the other, why? Paul is, "systematically doing away with the human distinctions that might constrain God's election of one over the other. He is saying that election is based on God, not man"(Piper).

Verse 11 starts to talk of the unconditionality of God's election. "For the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil..." Skip to verse 12, "The older shall serve the younger."

"The quote from Genesis 25:23 simply makes clear that God decides the destiny of these two sons and the nations they represent before they are born. And to make it even clearer for us, Paul does not just say, they were not yet born when God decided their destinies, he also say, 'they had done nothing good or bad.' And to remove the possible objection that he chose the older because the old deserves it, he chose the younger...This is why we speak of the doctrine of unconditional election. God chose Jacob over Esau before they were born or had done anything good or bad. It was not their behavior or their attitude or their faith or their parents that moved God to choose Jacob and not Esau. The choice was unconditional. It was rooted in God alone and not in man"(Piper).

Conclusion

Paul makes it much too clear for us here. The objection from the Jews was that Paul was saying that God's word had failed them. While it may seem this way at first, Paul completely unravels that argument and states that, "not all Israel" is "Israel." Then proving that with Biblical evidence for this, that in Isaac and in Jacob.

I am going to stop here, because if I try to write everything I want on these verses this is going to be extremely long. In my next post I will go back to verse 11, "for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls." And attempt to explain this verse, in light of the doctrine of election. Then I will look at verse 13, "Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated." And break that down.

Romans IX (God's Word Stands)

2007-02-21T09:19:00.000-05:00

Verses 6-9
(Bible)

The common response from the people Paul was speaking to would be something along the lines of: "If the Israelites had all this, and were God's chosen people, and there are now unbelieving Jews accursed and cut off, then hasn't God's word failed?"

This creates a bit of a crisis not only for the Israelites but for us as well. Our eternal salvation rests wholly on God's faithfulness, if God's word can fail the Israelites then it can fail us as well. The security we have is nothing if this is true. And this is what the Jews saw in the words of Paul, that at one point the Israelites were the chosen (as they thought for salvation), and now they are eternally damned. Paul will spend the rest of this chapter as well as chapters 10 and 11 disproving this argument and proving that "it is not that the word of God has taken no effect" (some translations render "has taken no effect" as "failed" the Greek literally means to have "fallen"). This is the assertion, now he will prove it by stating three things in this paragraph, (as well as giving two OT examples, which I will discuss in my next post), (1) There is a difference between ethnic Israel and the true Israel v.6b, (2) two types of "children" of Abraham v.7, (3) there is a difference between children of flesh and children of promise v.8.

I. Ethnic vs. True Israel

"For they are not all Israel who are of Israel." As with the Church we distinguish between the true Church, or the mystical unseen Church of the true believers, and the visible Church (ref. Parable of the wheat and tares starting in Matt. 13:24). The same is true for Israel, there is the visible Israel or the ethnic which are the seed of Abraham, but as Henry puts it "Grace does not run in the blood; nor are saving benefits inseparably annexed to external church privelages..."(Henry). So then it is the "True" Israel that is saved it is the "remnant" as the Bible puts it that is saved and always has been, God's word has never failed the true Church.

II. All Descendants of Abraham vs. the "Children" of Abraham

"Nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham," as John Piper notes, "[Paul] distinguishes here between two kind of 'children'...there are all of Abraham's descendants, and there is a narrower group in that number whom he calls here 'the children,' or we could say, 'the true children' since the others are physical children also. The assumption is that the promises of God hold true for the true children of Abraham but not for all the descendants of Abraham"(Piper). So we now have the true Israel and the true Children.

III. Children of Flesh vs. Children of Promise

"Those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed." There is here the difference between the "children of flesh" and the "children of God" or the "children of promise." To those children of the promise the word of God has never failed or fallen. The reason that so many Israelites are being cut off and accursed is because all that they are is "children of the flesh." Being "the 'children of God,' in this case is not an ethnic or physical or historical term, it has its full saving meaning just like it does in Romans 8:16 or Philippians 2:15. And when he then says that these 'children of God' are 'children of promise,' he means that they ahve their spiritual position not because of their physical connections, but because of God's effective promise. The promise produced the position"(Piper).

IV. Taking a Step Back

While I plan on going into more detail on the OT examples of Isaac and Jacob, I think I should address the Old Testament references within this paragraph (though I think it will become more clear in the next post).

After mentioning the difference between all of Abraham's descendants and the true "children" of Abraham, Paul references Genesis 21:12: "In Isaac your seed shall be called." Paul is here showing the Jews that there is a difference and you can clearly see it (he will go more into it in verses 10-13). Thinking of the context of this passage you understand why this is. If you'll remember Abraham already had a son named Ishmael born of Hagar. "Ishmael was a child of the flesh, conceived by Hagar, who was young and fresh, and likely enough to have children. There was nothing extraordinary or supernatural in his conception, as there was in Isaac's; he was born after the flesh (Gal. 4:29), representing those that expect justification and salvation by their own strength and righteousness"(Henry). God promised that the seed of promise would pass through the son that He was going to give to Abraham, God did not need Abraham's assistance and Abraham seemed to think He did. "For this is the word of promise: “At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son." Keeping this in mind, understand that God does not need help in salvation, man's works and apparent assitance does nothing, God works His spirit in those whom He chooses. As will be further explained next time.

Citation:
*NKJV Bible
*ESV Bible
*Matthew Henry Commentary (Romans)
*John Piper (Sermons on Romans)

Romans IX (The Israelites Had It All)

2007-02-15T11:55:00.000-05:00

Verses 4-5

Now that we see Paul's heart for "countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites"(v.3b, 4a), he now expounds on why it is that this is so great a tragedy. For the Israelites had everything, and for them to reject Christ Jesus, who was their promised Messiah, is the greatest heartache in the mind of Paul. For they were given the, "the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the service of God, and the promises; of whom are the fathers and from whom, according to the flesh, Christ came."(v.4,5). I'll take these one at a time...

I. They Were Israelites

God's chosen people, given everything from God (which is all the things following this). Important though is this, that we should "imitate Paul, who conceded to the Jews their privileges in such a manner...he afterwards declared that they were all of no worth without Christ"(Calvin).

II. The Adoption

"Israel is My son, My firstborn"(Exodus 4:22), "When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son"(Hosea 11:1). "Israel was seperated out to be His unique and righteous witness to the rest of the world"(MacArthur), "And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."(Exodus 19:6). "It is clear from the context of those verses, as well as from countless other parts of Scripture, that the nation of Israel was, in some respect, God's child"(MacArthur). Not to be confused with the spiritual adoption spoken of in more detail in the New Testament, because "they are not all Israel who are of Israel"(v.6). So then not all of Israel was saved because they were part of the nation, but they did benefit from being the chosen nation of God.

III. The Glory

By all the commentators I am using this is attributed to the ark, I think Calvin has the best to say about this:

"Glory means the excellency into which the Lord had raised up [Israel] above all other nations, and that...[God] dwelt in the midst of them; for besides many other tokens of his presence, he exhibited a singular proof of it in the ark, where He gave responses, and also heard His people, that he might show forth his power in helping them...for this reason it was called 'the glory of God'(1 Samuel 4:22)"(Calvin).

IV. The Covenants and The Promises

Many covenants and promises were given to the nation of Israel. Observing the distinction between a covenant and promise, Calvin writes:

"A covenant is that which is expressed in distinct and accustomed words, and contains a mutual stipulation, as that made with Abraham; but promises are what we meet with everywhere in Scripture; for when God had once made a covenant with his ancient people, he continued to offer, often by new promises his favour to them. It hence follows, that promises are to be traced up to the covenant as to their true source"(Calvin).

V. The Giving of the Law

The Isrealites had the greatest privelage of receiving the law (ceremonial and judicial) and commandments of God. "It is a great privelage to have the law of God among us"(Henry), this is true from the way the Psalms speak of the law and the privilege that Christians have of being able to serve the Lord in obedience based on the law He his given.

VI. The Service of God

Rendered also as the "worship" of God, meaning the same.

"They had the ordinances of God's worship among them...the temple, the altars, the priests, the sacrifices, the feasts, and the institutions relating to them. While other nations were nations were worshipping and serving stocks, and stone, and devils, and the knew not what other idols of their own invention, the Israelites were serving the true God in the way of his own appointment"(Henry).

VII. The Fathers

It was through these men, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that the foundations of the blessings that would come to the descendents would be laid.

VIII. Jesus Christ

The most important of all the blessing. "According to the flesh" meaning they were directly related to Him, in that He came through the line of the Patriarchs and was a Hebrew. He was the greatest "promise" given to the Israelites. All these things such as adoption and the fathers and the law and so on, were great, but apart from Jesus Christ it is meaningless. This is why Paul was so distressed, the Jews had all this, but they lacked the biggest part of it all, their Redeemer.

"Who is over all, the eternally blessed God"(v.5), something very interesting about the way this is worded, that I believe to be very important here. If looking at the NASB rendering of this passage you get, "who is over all, God blessed forever" which I like better in this case because it helps to make my point, but the NKJV has the same meaning. Anyways in all of the Greek and Hebrew manuscripts all the doxologies are normally rendered "blessed God," in this case it is "God blessed." The reason for saying this is that if you read the passage over again, you will see he is basically saying, "Jesus Christ is God blessed forever" focusing on "Jesus is God." Some translators attempting to deny Christ's divinity have attempted to change this passage around, but all manuscripts show it as "God blessed forever. Amen."

Citation:
*NASB Bible
*NKJV Bible
*Matthew Henry Commentary (Romans 9)
*Calvin Commentaries (Romans 1-16)
*MacArthur New Testament Commentary (Romans 9-16)

Romans IX (The Sincerity of Paul)

2007-02-14T09:44:00.000-05:00

Verses 1-3

Its important to remember in these first 5 verses of Romans 9, Paul understood very well that he could have been sitting there amongst the Pharisees having someone else preaching this message to him, and him scoffing that person, if not for the mercy of God.

Paul shows great sorrow that this is happening to the nation of Israel, they are his kinsmen, as Paul is a Hebrew of the tribe of Benjamin (Philippians 3:5), it pains him much that these Jews are not accepting their promised Messiah. "The Jews, for whom [Jesus] was appointed according to the covenant of the law, not only rejected Him, but regarded Him with contempt, and for the most part hated Him"(Calvin).

"I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart"(v.1,2).

There are three things worth noting here in these first few verses, his forgiveness, his sincerity (v.1-2), his selfless-love for those who were unbelieving (v.3).

I. His Forgiveness

Paul was most likely one of the most hated of all the Apostle's by the Pharisees, as evidenced in the book of Acts. He absolutely crushed the legalism and self-righteousness of the Pharisees, and for this he was despised by them. If given oppurtunity they would have killed him as they did Jesus.

Yet, we see in these passages and the ones following that Paul treats them with respect and with a forgiving spirit. Though most of the Jews hearing the words spoken here would just assume that Paul was attempting to flatter them with kind words.

II. His Sincerity

To Prove that he is not attempting to flatter the Jews with kind words he calls upon the Triune God to witness to his sincerity of heart. "I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit" as Matthew Henry renders this as saying, "I speak it as a Christian, one of God's people, children that will not lie, as one that knows not how to give flattering titles." OR, "I appeal to Christ, who searches the heart, concerning it." He as well, appeals to his conscience, which bears witness, "it was concerning a sorrow in his heart to which none was a capable copetent witness but God and his own conscience.-- That 'I have great sorrow'"(Henry).

III. His Love

"For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh..."(v.3).

The Apostle says "I could" not "I do." The difference being, as if he were saying, "I could wish were it right and lawful"(Calvin). Paul understand as better than anyone that (1) you cannot be seperated from Christ, (2) he knew that his death could accomplish nothing of this sort. He "could" if it were right and possible, wish that he was accursed ("anathema" = codemned to hell) for their sake.

His selfless-love for his lost kinsmen is very clear here.

"Love is apt to be thus bold, and venturous, and self-denying. Because the glory of God's grace in the salvation of many is to be preferred before the welfare and happiness of [the self]...Paul, would be content to forego all his own happiness to purchase theirs. He would be content to be cut off from the land of the living, in the most shameful manner as anathema...they persecuted him as the most obnoxious person in the world, the curse and plague of his generation (1 Cor 4:12)..."Now...I am willing to bear all this, and a great deal more, for your good"...He would be content to be excommunicated from the society of the faithful...from the church...and from communion with saints, as a heathen and publican, if that would do them any good...He could wish himself no more remembered among the saints, his name blotted out of church-records...cut off...and have his name buried in oblivion or reproach, for the good of the Jews."

This has been seen throughout the history of the Church. The example of Moses is the same kind of sacrifice willing to be made. After the Israelites had made a golden calf, Moses went to God to try and make an atonement, and ask for God's forgiveness on their behalf and says this:
"Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin—but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written"(Exodus 32:31,32).

This kind of thought is not too common around too many "Christians" in this country. The health and wealth gospel wouldn't touch this kind of matter, and the feel good, just have "fun" churches/youth groups, wouldn't give self-denial and selfless-love a second thought.

Is your love willing to be so self-denying? Examine yourself on that matter, I know I will. Just a though take it or leave it.

Romans IX (Introduction)

2007-02-13T12:47:00.000-05:00

Why write about this chapter?

This is one chapter of the Bible that has been greatly misunderstood. Reading through it a first time, it can actually be rather shocking.

By some this chapter and the ones following (ch. 10, 11), have often been looked at as a "parenthesis that has little, if any, connection to the rest of the letter...according to those interpreters, the central message of justification by faith is interrupted at the beginning of chapter 9 and resumes at the beginning of chapter 12" (MacArthur). Basically, looking at it as though the book flows from chapter 8:39 to chapter 12:1. Which, grant it, the book could still flow well without these chapter (along with many other books, but leaving out those chapters leaves out a slew of important doctrine).

Some of these important doctrines found in this chapter are those of God's grace, predestination, election. So then the misunderstanding of this chapter could be attributed to those doctrines being misunderstood.

That is why I am going to write about this chapter. Using the commentaries of John MacArthur, Matthew Henry, John Calvin and perhaps occasionally Charles Hodge and sermons by John Piper. I hope to clear up a few things since I have been challenged at times to explain this chapter.

Why is this chapter written?

Looking back into the preceding chapters, Paul has basically shattered all beliefs of the Pharisees who would hear him. The idea of justification by faith alone apart from works of the law, was something blasphemous and heretical to those Jews. Paul is now looked upon as though he were belittling Abraham, Moses the other prophets and God.

What is assumed by the Pharisees is that if salvation now comes to the Gentiles and not just the Jews as they thought, and that it is received by faith alone, then God's promises have failed. "If this be so, then what becomes of the Jews, of them all as a complex body, expecially those of them that do not embrace Christ, nor believe the gospel?...What becomes of the promise made to the fathers, which entailed salvation upon the Jews? Is not the promise nullified and made of none effect?"(Henry)

So then Paul, after teaching these doctrinal truths that salvation is by faith, he now turns his attention to the Jews, and to those who would challenge this with those responses. He goes on to prove that this salvation by faith, this elect chosing by God for salvation, has always been the case. It is not something new that came with Christ, but that salvation is "by grace...through faith...it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). And it always has been. Moreover, Paul proves that God has not failed in His promises, which we will see, as well, in this chapter.

My Hope

For those who do read this, I do hope you give some input and that we could encourage one another in the study of this chapter.

I hope to treat this chapter with as much fairness and study and prayer as possible, I pray you will as well.

May God grant us all discernment as we look into the great truth of his holy Word.

Citation:
*MacArthur, John (NT Commentary, Romans 9-16)
*Henry, Matthew (Commentary of the whole Bible, Romans)

Perversion of Perseverance

2007-02-09T09:56:00.000-05:00

It has come to my attention that this doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints, which the reformed faith holds, has become a misunderstood doctrine. There are two ways in which I've seen this done:

I. "Once saved always saved."

Okay on the surface this statement doesn't seem so objectable. Without thinking about this saying in greater depth, it almost seems to be saying the same thing as Perseverance of the Saints. But I wholly disagree with this assertion, because what lies beneath this is the idea that once a person declares themself saved or a pastor/youth leader/friend declares them saved, then no matter how they live they are saved no matter what and what normally follows this witness of men is "don't ever doubt it."

Objection 1
Nowhere in the bible does it tell someone to be so sure of their salvation that, even if they commit henious sins repeatedly with no signs of penitence or godly-sorrow, they should never question it. In fact the complete opposite:

2 Corinthians 13:5:
"Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified."

2 Peter 1:10:
"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble."

(also see Phillippians 2:12)

Objection 2
If you are a justified sinner, you will not live how you please, fulfilling all of your fleshly lusts and desires with the name of Jesus Christ stamped to your back. The whole argument in itself is a contradiction, to be a Christian = To be Christ-Like, think of the logical fallacy. You might as well say to Jesus, "thanks alot for suffering and dying for me, saving my wretched soul, imputing your righteousness to my account...but I don't really feel like bothering with You or listening to You until I get to heaven."

1 John 1:6:
"If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth."

1 John 2:4:
"He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

II. "Perseverance of the Saints, means that the saints do enough good works to maintain their salvation by 'persevering themself.'"

The idea is that the Reformers or "Calvinists" believe that you must somehow maintain enough works by your own power to be considered a Christian. That final perseverance is by the will of the saint, and if you don't do enough "good works" you are not a Christian.

Objection 1
I know of no reformer past or present who would ever make you believe that it is by your good works and your power that you have maintained the faith. In fact it is the complete antithesis, Free Will Baptist who are Arminian have this in their statement of faith:

"Since man, continues to have free choice, it is possible because of temptations and the weakness of human flesh for him to fall into the practice of sin and to make shipwreck of his faith and be lost." (Confession of Free Will Baptist)

The Arminian holds to the fact that if you do not maintain good works and you fall into sin that it is possible for you to lose your salvation and you must once again regain it back, knowlingly yet unknowlingly (as paradoxal as it may seem) preach a gospel of works based salvation.

Objection 2
The Reformed faith believes that a Christian is reborn, justified, SANCTIFIED, and glorified by grace. From first to last it is the work of God who is "the author and finisher of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2). Reformers had a much bigger idea of grace, in that it would preserve the saint until the day he died, God would never allow for that Christian to fall away because of any sin, but would maintain him/her by His grace.

Objection 3
Because of this grace of God, who bestows His Holy Spirit upon the believer, He gives them the power and ability to "persevere" in faith, and to obey, to be led by Him, to love God and the brethren, and to give up their life for the cause of Christ Jesus if necessary. God maintains us in a state of grace, and if He were to by any means let us fall from grace (which He won't) we would fall utterly and miserably back into sin.

The reason that the Christian "perseveres" at all is because of the grace of God, period. If for any reason someone should tell you that a Christian does anything by himself apart from God's grace and apart from giving God all the glory, then they didn't get it from a reformer even if they say they did.

For those who do not believe that a Christian should persevere (Rev. 2:3) or run the race before us (Hebrews 12:1, 1 Cor. 9:24), or keep the hope (Romans 5:3-5, 12:12, Hebrews 3:6). If you do not believe a Christian should obey or follow Christ til death. Then you must tell the Christians who died in the Coliseum, the Scottish Covenanters, the French Huguenots, the people in China and Middle East right now, who have bled and died for the gospel truth and for Jesus Christ, that they are doing something wrong. That there is no need to persevere, that there is no reason to follow the commandments of Christ Jesus. Then we will have to see how far the Gospel will be taken.

But until then may the saints persevere in obedience, hope, faith and love until the end.

This Is All My Calvinism

2007-02-07T21:56:00.000-05:00

In a sermon on Romans 9:16, Charles Simeon declared, "Many there are who cannot see these truths [the doctrines of God's sovereignty], who yet are in a state truly pleasing to God; yea many, at whose feet the best of us may be glad to be found in heaven. It is a great evil, when these doctrines are made a ground of separation one from another, and when the advocates of different systems anathematize each other. . . . In reference to truths which are involved in so much obscurity as those which relate to the sovereignty of God, mutual kindness and concession are far better than vehement argumentation and uncharitable discussion" (Horae Homileticae, Vol. 15, p. 357).

Simeon lived out this counsel is seen in the way he conversed with the elderly John Wesley. He tells the story himself:

Simeon: "Sir, I understand that you are called an Arminian; and I have been sometimes called a Calvinist; and therefore I suppose we are to draw daggers. But before I consent to begin the combat, with your permission I will ask you a few questions. Pray, Sir, do you feel yourself a depraved creature, so depraved that you would never have thought of turning to God, if God had not first put it into your heart?"

Wesley: "Yes, I do indeed."

Simeon: "And do you utterly despair of recommending yourself to God by anything you can do; and look for salvation solely through the blood and righteousness of Christ?"

Wesley: "Yes, solely through Christ."

Simeon: "But, Sir, supposing you were at first saved by Christ, are you not somehow or other to save yourself afterwards by your own works?"

Wesley: "No, I must be saved by Christ from first to last."

Simeon: "Allowing, then, that you were first turned by the grace of God, are you not in some way or other to keep yourself by your own power?"

Wesley: "No."

Simeon: "What then, are you to be upheld every hour and every moment by God, as much as an infant in its mother's arms?"

Wesley: "Yes, altogether."

Simeon: "And is all your hope in the grace and mercy of God to preserve you unto His heavenly kingdom?"

Wesley: "Yes, I have no hope but in Him."

Wesley: "Then, Sir, with your leave I will put up my dagger again; for this is all my Calvinism; this is my election, my justification by faith, my final perseverance: it is in substance all that I hold, and as I hold it; and therefore, if you please, instead of searching out terms and phrases to be a ground of contention between us, we will cordially unite in those things wherein we agree." (Moule, 79f)

Citation:
*I took this directly off of www.reformationtheology.com

1 John 5:18-21 (Christ Is Truth)

2007-02-07T09:40:00.000-05:00

Chapter 5

Verses 18-21:

"We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen."

I was talking to a man on campus last semester, from the "Holiness" movement (link). If you read the decription on the link you will find that the believe in a thing called "entire sanctification" or "perfectionists." Now these people and others like him (you may know pastor Bob (OSU) or brother Gary (OU)), believe that when the Bible says something like, "we know that whoever is born of God does not sin..." (cf. 3:6), they take this to a very extreme disposition, wherein they believe that once one is born again he never sins again, if he does he has lost his salvation and must get it back (another matter I won't even touch right now).

Looking back over the chapter one would have to conclude that the Apostle is making contradictions if this is the case. Calvin on the matter:

"If you suppose that God's children are wholly pure and free from all sin, as the fanatics contend, then the Apostle is inconsistent with himself; for he would thus have take away mustual prayer among brethren (v.16). Then he says that those sin not who do not wholly fall away from the grace of God; heance he inferred that prayer ought to be made for all the children of God, because the sin not unto death. A proof is added, that 'he who has been born of God keeps himself,' that is, keeps himself in the fear of God; nor does he suffer himself to be so led away, as to lose all sense of religion, and to surrender himself wholly to the devil and the flesh.
When he says, that 'the wicked one does not touch him,' reference is made to a deadly wound; for the children of God do not remain untouched by the assaults of Satan, but they ward off his strokes by the shield of faith, so that they do not penetrate into the heart. Hence spiritual life is never extinguished in them. This is not to sin." (Calvin's Commentaries on 1 John, pg.270-271)

You find that those who believe this will not have the easiest times explaining away verses in this chapter such as: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us"(1:8), "if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (2:1b), "If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death"(5:16a). Though don't get me wrong they have their well formulated proof texting techniques and arguments.

Further, "The present tense of the Greek suggests behavior that is characteristic or usual. In this way John acknowledges, but does not excuse, occasional sin"(Reformation Study Bible).

Verse 19 is admonishment, that the "word lies under the sway of the wicked one." But that "we are of God," so while the world will try to lead us astray from God, we must so highly value or calling that it will not be a hindrance or a distraction. "Under the sway" is the reality of what condition this world lies in, apart from divine intervention there is no hope to defeating the devil's temptations or traps. All are in bondage to their sinful nature (Romans 6:17) and are under the sway of the devil (Ephesians 2:2).

As I said, no one can break lose of their sinful nature or overcome the temptations without divine help. The next verse makes that clear, "we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ." Jesus set us free of that bondage and slavery to sin and has made us to be slaves of righteousness, able to be conformed to His image.

"This is the true God, and eternal life." Once again touching on the fact that there is no eternal life apart from Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ = Eternal Life, you could almost use the words synonymously.

Verse 21, "Little children, keep yourselves from idols." With the preceding doctrines being true, that the "world is under the sway of the wicked one," and that we "know Him who is true," and we are "of God." Then this makes it clear, "keep yourselves from idols," from the world and false hopes and gods, focus your attention always on the Lord Jesus.

He is your calling, He is your Advocate, the Propitiation, the Word, the Truth. He is love, He is eternal life. He has overcome the world, overcome the wicked one, forgiven your sins. He is Son of God, come in the flesh. Because of Him we have all hope, and apart from Him there is no hope.

Trust in Christ, trust in God, confess your sins, love your brothers and sisters. And in the end give all glory to the God of heaven and earth, who has shown us this mercy, "not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son"(4:10). So then:

"Keep yourselves from idols..." and praise God for this love.

"Amen."

Citation:
*Calvins Commentaries on 1 John
*NKJV Reformation Study Bible

Also I want to thank Logan West for his comments while I have been going through this study. They have been encouraging and helpful, thanks alot.

1 John 5:14-17 (Praying As We Should)

2007-02-06T11:54:00.000-05:00

Chapter 5

Verses 14-17:

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.
If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death."

I'll seperate this entry into two parts, prayer towards God (v. 14-15) and prayer for brethren (v. 16-17):

Prayer towards God
"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything...He hears us." I realize I left an important part of that first verse out, I wish to make a point first. That the confidence we have is that we would dare to call upon the God of heaven and earth because of our Mediator, Jesus. "Christ Jesus our Lord...in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him" (Eph 3:11b,12). "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father'"(Romans 8:15).

One thing that comforts us as Christians, is that even though troubles or evils should come upon us, we know that God is our deliverer and rely on His fatherly love towards us.

"If we ask anything according to His will..." (Somewhat briefly mentioned before, cf. 3:22). This expression is interjected by the Apostle into the statement as if to make sure he was not misunderstood when he said this. One does not watch such things as TBN with out quickly getting the impression that expressions like this are perverted much to promote their health and wealth gospel. Seems as though the Apostle knew that sort of thing might happen. I can't word it much better than Calvin does so I'll let him talk:

"Though God has promised has promised to do whatsoever his people may ask, yet He does not allow them an unbridled liberty to ask whatever may come to their minds; He has at the same time prescribed to them a law according to which they are to pray...if it was allowed to every one of us to ask what he pleased, and if God were to indulge us in our wishes, it would be to provide very badly for us...He teaches us by his word what he would have us to ask, and he has also set over us His Spirit as our guide and ruler, to restrain our feelings...We ought also to ask the mouth of the Lord to direct and guide our prayers; for God in His promises has fixed for us, as it has been said, the right way of praying." (Calvin Commentaries on 1 John, Pg. 266)

And so I think that with a bit of your own dicernment this can be applied to the following verse as well. The faithful always regard God's commands in their prayers, they are not loose to pray for all that they desire.

Prayer for Brethren
Going into verse 16 the idea of prayer is not lost, but it now extends to our brethren.

Taking this in subcategories more or less, first I'll examine the Apostle's command for praying for the brethren (v. 16a), then attempt to clarify between the two sins: ones leading to death and ones not leading to death (v. 16b, 17).

First, the Apostle's command to pray for sinning brethren:
"If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death"(v. 16a). As I've said our prayers now extend to a brother in sin, that they may as well avail our brothers and sisters. The Apostle here exhorts us to pray for the salvation of one another, and to have us pray for the falls of a brother/sister. "Surely it is iron hardness to be touched with no pity, when we see souls redeemed by Christ's blood going to ruin"(Calvin). Listening to the words of the Apostle, we must at all cost avoid the codemning of our brethren or doubting their salvation, rather than praying fervently for them instead (something of personal application to myself).

Two Sins:
I believe, perhaps, that if I attempt to explain the "sin leading to death," the other type will be whatever is not included in that. Rather than attempting to summarize and put into my own words what the Reformation Study Bible has to say I will just put word for word what they say:

"Some connect this sin with the unforgivable sin mentioned in Matthew 12:31, 32; Mark 3:28-30; Luke 12:8-10. More likely, John is referring to a stubborn refusal to accept the message of the gospel (cf. 1:10, John 8:24)." (Reformation Study Bible)

Most likely this sin is that of apostasy as seen in 1 John 2:19, it is not a transgression of a single commandment, but a total abandonment and alienation of the faith. For the Apostle will add in the upcoming verses that the children of God do not sin, they do not forsake God. In other words those that do commit the sin leading to death, forsake God completely, and turn themselves over to Satan to be his slave. "I do not say that he should pray about that."

In any case it is important to understand that "all unrighteousness is sin..." this does not give one liberty to say something such as "well this is a sin not leading to death so I am going to indulge in it." This is contradictary to everything that has been said so far in this book (cf. 2:3-5; 3:4,6).

I would certainly suggest more study on that, as I will be sure to do.

Citation:
*Calvin's Commentaries on 1 John
*Reformation Study Bible (NKJV)

1 John 5:9-13 (No Salvation Apart From Christ)

2007-02-05T14:46:00.000-05:00

Chapter 5

Verses 9-13:

"If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God."

This first statement continues from the last couple verses. John now gives from the smaller to the greater of the testimony of Christ coming by water and blood, "If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater..." We do not rely on the testimony of men, who may decieve or lie to us. For men may lead us to think that our salvation is in Jesus Christ but may in fact be deceiving us and not telling the truth, unlinke the Spirit who bears witness and who is truth (1 John 5:6). "I do not receive testimony from man...the Father Himself, who sent Me, has testified of Me" (John 5:34a,37a). The testimony of men is nothing compared to the "witness of God" which "is greater."

"...for this is the witness of God which He has testified of His Son." After saying that God deserves to be believed much higher than men, the Apostle now says that man cannot have faith in God except he believe in "His Son" whom He has sent. Apart from Christ Jesus there is no salvation, this point is very obviously true here and throughout the scriptures.

This is further explained by the statement that "he who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself..." and those whom do not believe that Jesus is the son of God "has made Him a liar." Why? "Because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of His Son." The Father and the Spirit have testified that this indeed is the Son of God there is no dispute, apart from Him you have not accepted that testimony set forth by God, and you have made "Him a liar."

Verse 11: The testimony within us is this "that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." Through "His Son" we have received the adoption of as sons of God, as such we ought not only to accept the gospel of Christ but to love it. Here is where I do not understand something about the "professors" of today, especially those who constantly and willingly disobey the Lord:
How in the world do you understand this doctrine of eternal life, given to you so freely by nothing more than the grace of God and faith in His Son, and still live as though you owed God nothing?
This of course makes about the least sense to me. I of all people understand that we will never be completely rid of sin until that day we die or Jesus returns, yet there are those who offer no praise, worship, or even care to Christ Jesus, their "professed" Lord and Savior.

Verse 12 actually contributes more to the indisputable fact that apart from Jesus Christ a person does not have eternal life. This is the inspiration for missions and for evangelism, as well as for correct doctrine and teachings which will not deceive persons into a false hope.

Verse 13 shows us the purpose for John writing these things to these people, "that you may know that you have eternal life." He is writing to those "who believe," and writes these things to them so that they can be further assured of their faith in Christ. As there should be a daily progress in faith, not all believers are always 100% assured of their salvation, there are still remnants of unbelief in many Christians. This is the reason for correct doctrine and for teaching, so that people might have a more firm confidence in their eternal life and adoption.

We should strive to teach believers correct doctrine so that their faith grows and that the "Son of God" remains the object of that faith.

1 Peter 1:10,11:
"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

1 John 5:6-8 (The Witness)

2007-02-04T15:28:00.000-05:00

Chapter 5

Verses 6-8:

"This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one."

For this first line, there are actually quite a few interpretations of the phrase: "by water and blood." Some suggest that the water signifying baptism and the blood to the cruxifixion, though John in his gospel does not make any reference to that. Others believe that it refers to the two sacraments (baptism and the Lord's supper), but this is probably unlikely as well since John does not talk of those in his gospel (John 19:34). The most likely meaning is that Jesus was the real substance of those shadows of the Old Testament. That "water and blood" alludes to the ancient rites of the law. So that we may know the old ceremonial laws of Moses were abolished and now fulfilled by the death of Christ.

The "water" signifying the washing away of filth, so that we are approach God pure and clean. And the "blood" signifying the atonement and reconciliation with God through the blood of Christ.

"No only by water, but by water and blood..." not that only half of our salvation or some of it is found in Christ, but that all of it is found Him.

"It is the Spirit who bears witness..." The Spirit testifies and makes certain Christ within the believer, by the knowing and feeling the indwelling power of Christ. "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:16-17). A real and firm stability of assurance is produced by the Spirit who "is truth." "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God"(Romans 8:16).

In verse 7, some manuscripts omit the passage "For there are three that bear witness." If left in though it helps to point out that there are three that testify to our faith in Christ, "The Father, the Word (or Jesus, John 1:1), and the Holy Spirit."

And now a very important thing is acknowledged next, "and these three are one." I'll go ahead and use the Westminster Confession here:

In the unity of the Godhead there be three Persons of one substance, power, and eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally begotten of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son" (Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch. II).

Simply put three in person, one in essence. God is one (Deut. 6:4), no mistake about it, and He has chosen to reveal Himself in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. And while this much is known, one cannot try to explain it (while some like to use an egg, or a pretzel, or water), it would be impossible for our finite minds to comprehend the Trinity in its fullness.

Verse 8, "there are three who bear witness on earth..." To all mankind, these three bear witness to all men. These being "the Spirit, the water, and the blood..." As John had pointed out earlier it is testified by the Spirit that Jesus "came by water and blood." To the believer these things bear witness to his faith in Christ, the Trinity "in heaven bear witness" and these three things "bear witness on earth." The Spirit is the placed first in this list for without the Spirit the blood and water would have no benefit to the souls of men. It is the Spirit that seals the on our hearts the testimony of the "water and blood." In Romans Paul makes it clear that without the seal of the Holy Spirit the benefits of Christ's death would have no benefit, "Jesus Christ our Lord...declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness" (Romans 1:3b, 4). The Spirit is the one who effects the cleansing of our spirits by the blood and water of Jesus. "These three agree as one..." that the water and the blood concur with the Spirit.

1 John 5:1-5 (Obedience)

2007-02-02T09:42:00.000-05:00

Chapter 5

Verses 1-5:

"Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"

Here, John draws a link between faith and brotherly love. "everyone who loves Him (The Father) who begot (The brethren) love him (The brethren) who is begotten of Him (The Father)." Or a more literal translation would be, "Every one who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been begotten by God; and every one who loves the begetter loves also the begotten by him" (Calvin Commentary).

The first truth here is that all that are "begotten" or born of God believe that "Jesus is the Christ." So then here is the faith.

Secondly, those who are "begotten" of God, love the "begotten." Thus, there is the link between faith and brotherly love in this first verse.

There is no doubt as a Christian we love all without exception, but that is not exactly what is being spoken of in this passage, it is aimed directly at the love of those who love God, and "believe that Jesus is the Christ...born of God."

For verse 2 I will refer to Calvin:

"He briefly shews in these words what true love is, even that which is towards God...He teaches us that men are rightly and duly loved, when God holds the primacy. And it is a necessary definition; for it often happens, that we love men apart from God, as unholy and carnal friendships regard only private advantages or some other vanishing objects...his purpose is to shew that mutual love ought to be in such a way cultivated that God may be honoured" (Calvin Commetaries 1 John, pg.252).

As my esteemed roommate has notedly pointed out at times, in todays Church we are much too often concerned with people, people, people, and never God. For example, we are more concerned with supposedly bringing in the lost than worshipping God in right manner; more concerned about how comfortable people feel than about giving them the Truth, the Word, Christ. But as Calvin points out well, "men are rightly and duly loved, when God holds the primacy." I think this a very important thing to note in light of this passage.

In verse 3 John says, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments." If we look back at John's gospel Jesus makes it clear that: "If you love Me, keep My commandments." (John 14:15). Honestly, it doesn't get much more black and white for the antinomianist, if you neglect it you neglect scripture, and you are not born of God. "And His commandments are not burdensome." His law is wonderful for those seeking righteousness and it is not burdensome, whereas for a non-believer it seems so. Its interesting here to point out a almost apparent contradiction about the Law of God. That being between Paul and David.

Paul makes such comments about the Law as:
"For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death (Romans 7:5)...The law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression (Romans 4:15)... by the law is the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20)."

And David says things such as:
"Oh, how I love Your law! (Psalm 119:97)...Sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalm 119:103b)." And that the law "is perfect, converting the soul (Psalm 19:7b), rejoices the heart (19:8d)...More to be desired are they than gold"...and again "sweeter than honey (19:10a-b)."

To those perishing the law is nothing but "burdensome" and death, as Paul makes very clear because the Law is spiritual, but we are of flesh (Romans 7:14). So then the Law in itself is perfect and altogether beautiful, and the believer sees it as such (like David), but for those perishing it is death and nothing more but codemnation.

Verse 4, "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world." For this I would like to use the verse that describes the name of my blog John 16:33: "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

For where comes this victory? "And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith." In Christ, those begotten of Him are those who overcome the world. "Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?" Or as Paul puts it in 1 Corinthians 15:57: "But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

1 John 4:17-21 (No Fear)

2007-02-01T12:23:00.000-05:00

Chapter 4

Verses 17-21:

"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also."

Here in verse 17 I bring to mind adoption as children of God as I have before. "Love has been perfected among us in this..." In two senses, one that we are conformed to the image of his son or in other words "because as He is, so are we in this world." Secondly, that in "our love...we may have boldness in the day of judgment..."

Taking the former firstly: "Because as He is, so are we in this world." This "love has been perfected" in that we are united to God in Christ, and as "He is" so we shall strive to be (Matthew 5:28), and one day will be. This hope to be conformed to the image of the Son is a seal of our adoption in our heart. As a believer we have no greater desire to be as our Father is in heaven.

Then the latter: "We may have boldness in the day of judgment..." By nature we tremble at the presence of God, as He is the Judge of the world, our sins hold us accountable before Him. But because of this "love" we have confidence in the "day of judgment" (cf. 1 John 2:28). The Christian looks forward to the day of Judgment when we go to be with our Lord eternally, our fear is not like that of the reprobate who will tremble and fear in that day.

So then in verse 18, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment." There was fear of eternal "torment" and damnation. which without the "perfect love" of God there would be no deliverance from, we would be hopelessly headed towards that end. But now "there is no fear in love" because this "perfect love casts out" this "fear" of "torment." We now have peace with God in this love, understanding our adoption we cheerfully and patiently wait upon the Lord's return. But because we are not instantaneously made perfect we may still have a remnant of fear in a sense, as the Apostle says, "he who fears has not been made perfect in love." Though I am no expert commentator so if anyone has anythoughts on the end of verse 18 let me know what you think.

Verse 19, "We love Him because He first loved us." Very similar to 1 John 4:10, but following that is somewhat of a parallel to the verse that follows verse 19. "Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another" (1 John 4:11). And as verse 20 says, "If someone says, 'I love God,' and hates his brother, he is a liar." The knowledge of God's love upon us is really, whether or not we love our brother/sister. As John says, "for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?" In other words if you do not love those who bear the image of the Almighty who you can see, how then, can you love God whom you cannot? And so it logically flows this way.

Verse 20 gives the commandment that we have heard from Jesus and it is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself' (Matthew 22:39).

Citation:
*NKJV Reformation Study Bible
*Calvin's Commentaries on 1 John

1 John 4:12-16 (Seeing God)

2007-01-30T12:36:00.000-05:00

Chapter 4

Verses 12-16:

"No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him."

Verse 12 "No one has seen God at any time..." is much like in John 1:18, except when said in John 1:18 it denotes a different meaning. Speaking in John it speaks of God as not being seen or known, except as He has revealed himself in Christ. Here in 1 John he takes that truth further by saying that the power of God is comprehended by us by faith and by love. "If we love on another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us." Basically it is quite evident that "God abides in us" if by His Spirit we are given the ability to have brotherly love, so then we cannot sincerely have love for the brethren if God's Spirit does abide in us. Referring back to 1 John 3:10b we see, "Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother." Know that this is a evidence of God's indwelling if you love the brethren if you love fellowship with the brethren and if when you see a brother/sister in need you would lay your life down (or show charity) for that person (1 John 3:18).

Verse 13 gives the same connotation but reversing it from "God abides in us" to "we abide in Him," and making the same point.

In verse 14, going back to what I mentioned earlier about the difference in "seeing God" as mention in John 1:18, now John brings up the other side of the knowledge of God, in that He communicated Himself through His Son. "We have seen and testify..." Through this faith and this love we now "see" (not in the literal sense of seeing with your eyes, though John did), but we "see" the Son through our faith in Him. That Jesus really dwells in us and makes Himself visible in us by His power.

"Savior of the World..." (cf. John 3:17), the word "world" of course is an interesting word in the Bible that I would like to go into deeper at some point. But for now we must not consider this to be the literal translation of "every single person on the face of the planet," for it is obvious that not all are saved. It must be accepted here and in many other places in the Bible as all tounges, tribes and nations with no partiality (to Isreal, as it was).

Verse 15, "Whosoeve shall confess..." This is not to say that all men who confess are children of God, there are many who would profess their faith in Christ, such as about 90% of my university and probably about the same anywhere you go in America. Everyone has their idea of who Christ is, except more times than not it isn't the Biblical Christ, the only one that has the power to save your soul. "Confession" and "faith" go hand in hand here, in Romans 10:9 Paul states something similar, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (emphasis added). That emphasis isn't exactly something to be taken lightly, this isn't just a few words and a walk down an aisle.

From verse 15 one gets the idea that to have faith in Jesus, or to "confess that Jesus is the Son of God..." causes God to "abide in" you and you "in God." And if this is true then "God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him" (vv.16). So then love must ought to reign in us, since God unites himself to us.

Citation:
*John Calvin commentaries on 1 John
*NKJV Reformation Study Bible (1 John)

1 John 4:7-11 (The Love of God Manifested)

2007-01-29T09:23:00.000-05:00

Chapter 4

Verses 7-11:

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

With that first sentence "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God..." I think it might be appropriate to qualify the meaning of the term "love." When John talks of love here, he is not talking about some kind of romantic mushy love that wears off over time, nor is he talking about a love that is just accepting to all sorts of people living in all sorts of deadly and unrepentant sins, as some today seem to think is Christianity's intent. That being what "love" is not, perhaps I should attempt to define what love is, though I think I will have to make another blog about this some other time. Dealing with the passage above though, John says "let us love one another," reminiscent of Jesus's words to the Pharisees:

Matthew 22:35-40:
Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” 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.”

In other words the Law can be broken down into two categories really, the love of God and the love of your neighbor/brethren.

But more than that we have been shown a perfect love by God the Father:
"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him." Looking over the life of Jesus as He walked this earth, the believer reading the bible sees example after example of someone who showed more generosity and compassion and charity than we could ever hope to match. But above all, above all other things He did, there is one thing that Jesus has done that is entirely unfathomable to our minds. And it is that statement above.

Take a second to dwell on that point, and understand what this means for a minute. What is being said here is more powerful than anything in this world, it is something that no other religion can offer. It goes on, "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He love us and sent His son to be the propitiation for our sins." One thing I know and the rest of believers, is that we did not love God, we did not seek God, we did everything to deserve the hatred and condemnation of God and deserving of nothing but eternal hell. But as mentioned above, "God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might Live Through Him" (emphasis added).

"God is love" which to a mind set on God is not too difficult to understand. We did not love God and yet He sought us out and found us (Isaiah 62:12), opened the eyes of our heart (Ezekiel 11:19), enabled us to have faith to repent and believe in His son (Mark 1:15), then justified us for nothing in ourselves but by His grace (Ephesians 2:8), and adopting us into a family that we can never ever be divorced from (Galatians 3:26).

"Beloved, if God so love us, we also ought to love one another." We are His followers and as such we attain to be perfect as He is (Matthew 5:48).

1 John 4:1-6 (Two Spirits)

2007-01-25T11:45:00.000-05:00

Chapter 4

Verses 1-6:

"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error."

This beginning of chapter 4 has a lot of parallels with chapter 2 verses 15-23. It could be useful to break down this section of this chapter into four seperate parts. The first thing to consider is that the apostle gives a warning to the faithful that he has given before in chapter 2, warning them of "many false prophets" that "have gone out into the world," in order to preach a false gospel and serve their own errors (v.1b, 3b) Secondly he prescribes how they are to beware, by "test[ing] the spirits" in order to make a distinction between a spirit of truth and a spirit of error (v.1a, 5). Next, John gives an example and points out a particular error, those who do "not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh..." (v. 2-3, 5). Lastly, I will conclude with the last three verses.

Let's consider them closer:

1. The Warning

"...many false prophets have gone out into the world..." It is well known that Satan attempts to pollute and pervert the gospel of Christ, and as I've mentioned before he will do what he can to distract the church and attempt to lead people astray, even the elect (Matthew 24:24), through the use of false prophets. John has now given two warnings about this thus far in this epistle, knowing full well that the problem that plagued the church, even at that time, would continue to plague the church. As he says a few verses later, "this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world." Giving all of those who preach the false gospel, the title of "Antichrist," because they teach something against Christ. Even if it is a half gospel it is a false gospel altogether. So then John admonishes the church to be aware and to know the difference between a spirit of truth and a spirit of error. Discussed in the next part...

2. The Counsel

"Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God." The first thing to consider from this verse is the first part, namely, "Do no believe every spirit..." As a believer we should not be so quick as to accept any doctrine carelessly or thoughtlessly, without any discrimination.
So then we are to "test the spirits, whether they are of God." (spirits being the prophets) How do you "test the spirits" though? John Calvin answers in his commentary:

"They who answer, that the word of God is the rule by which everything that men bring forward ought to be tried, say something, but not the whole. I grant that doctrines ought to be tested by God's word; but except the Spirit of wisdom be present, to have God's word in our hands will avail little or nothing, for its meaning will not appear to us; as, for instance, gold is tried by fire or touchstone, but it can only be done by those who understand the art; for neither the touchstone nor the fire can be of any use to the unskilful. that we may then be fit judges, we must necessarily be endowed with and directed by the Spirit of discernment." (John Calvin, commentaries of 1 John, pg.230)

And so with every preacher or church this rule should be applied that the Word of God is the determinant on all matters when used with the Spirit's discernment and wisdom.

3. The Example

Next John gives an example of a distinction between the spirit of truth and the spirit of error, and that is, "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not...is not of God." John gives an example of Christ coming in the flesh. Christ being where every false prophet or heretic stumbles. John uses the word "come" as in Jesus is eternal and was with the Father even before creation, "in the flesh," in that He took on flesh and becoame a real man, the same nature as us, but without sin or corruption. And of course we must understand why it is that Christ came in the flesh and who He is, because the life, sacrifice, death, and ressurection of Jesus and His office depends on that. Those who are of the false spirit get this wrong.

4. Concluding Remarks

And knowing all of this, John says, "You are of God...and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." He gives all believer a very hopeful promise, that all believers might boldly resist false prophets. He tells them that they are already conquerors over those antichrists that are in the world, because Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33), and the victory has been won.

"They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them" (John 15:19, 17:14). Many today have made it quite obvious that they are preaching a false gospel because they wish to please the world, many seeker-sensitive mega-churches fit this description frighteningly well.

"We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not...By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error." Most likely referring to John and the rest of the apostles preaching the Word. Though this could be to those who faithfully preach the true gospel of Christ.

And thus the two spirits are to be distinguished, the spirit of truth which leads to eternal life, and the spirit of error which leads to destruction, and so I say with all sincerity..."Test the spirits!"

1 John 3:16-24 (Love?)

2007-01-24T09:26:00.000-05:00

Chapter 3

Verses 16-24:

"By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."

The last blog was verses 10-15, which was the love of the brethren. Now though, John shows us what true love is, by giving the perfect example of Jesus (John 10:11). This is the mark to which John wishes for all Christians to strive for, though unattainable for us to show this kind of love that Chrsit did, we are to follow the example. And so he says, "we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." In John's gospel Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends"(John 15:13).

But our love for one another may not always require us to make such a costly sacrifice, "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?"(v.17). What is required is decision and action as well. As he says in verse 18, "let us not love in word or in tounge, but in deed and in truth." This as well is true for a Christian who professes love for God, but does that "Christian" show it in deed and in truth?

Continuing in verse 19, "by this," meaning by the love of the brethren that he has been speaking of "we know that we are of the truth..." Though keep in mind this is not the foundation on which our salvation rests, it is not as sure as the adoption which is sealed on our hearts by the Spirit (Romans 8:16). The apostle further explains: "by this" we also "assure our hearts before Him." A genuine assurance before God we cannot have unless His Spirit produces in us the fruit of love towards our brothers and sisters.

Verse 20, "If our heart codemns us..." Those who profess Christianity do it in vain if they do not have the testimony of a good conscience, and if their "heart codemns" them when love of the brethren is brought to their attention. "God is greater than our heart, and knows all things," (Speaking of judgment) how much more will God, who searches deeper and more severely, codemn those whose "heart codemns" them (1 Cor. 4:4-5, Proverb 16:2).

On the other hand, "if our heart does not codemn us, we have confidence toward God." As we know that no heart will be pure before God, but if we bring before Him a testimony of a heart conscious of what is right and honest, "we have confidence toward God" (Eph 3:12).

In verse 22, "whatever we ask we receive from Him..." Now there are of course some out there that will use this verse and others (John 14:13-14) to say, "pray for anything and you'll get whatever your [fleshly] heart desires." Do note though that it says later in this same epistle, "Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1 John 5:14-15 emphasis added). Also to finish off the rest of the verse it continues to say, "because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." This is for those who rightly worship and fear the Lord that will be heard in their prayers, the prayers of the ungodly and reprobate are not heard by God.

Then John gives what the commandment is, "that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment."

And lastly verse 24, is a reoccuring theme throughout (1 John 2:3-6), for the sake of not making this blog much longer, I will leave you to either check out my blog on that or get a good commentary on it.

1 John 3:10-15 (Love of the Brethren)

2007-01-23T12:21:00.000-05:00

Chapter 3

Verses 10-15:

"In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."

In verse 10 it uses this word "manifest", to be evident or known. So drawing from the previous verses, verses 7-9 John draws the conclusion that "in this" or "by this" the "children of God and the children of the devil are made [evident and known]." Then the apostle repeats what he has basically been making very clear throughout the epistle, that, "whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God." Thus making it very clear that righteousness and walking in His commandments as far as human weakness is able, is clear evidence of our divine adoption.

Then adding to this, John says, "nor is he who does not love his brother." Not that this is some new thing that has just come up as he says it, but it "is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." Jesus says...

John 13:34-35:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

John 15:12-13:
"This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

Which sounds alot like John in this epistle when he talks about laying down your life for the brethren (v.16).

This was nothing new, Christians have known this from the beginning, the whole law is based on the love of God and the love of your neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39, Luke 10:27). But I will speak of the outworkings of love and what love for the brethren is in the next blog, Lordwilling.

Verse 12, "not as Cain who was of the wicked one..." The reprobate, or unbelievers, are children of the devil (Ephesians 2:2-3), as Cain was, and hatred reigns supreme in their heart. John gives this example to further his point in the next line "Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you." John says Cain's "works were evil," the same as "the world," and that his brother's (Abel's) were "righteous," or that he was a child of God. Thus, Cain hated Abel = The reprobate hate the children of God.

Verse 14, "We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death." The love of the brethren or the people of God is one clear sign that you are an adopted child of God and vice versa.

John then says something that could be shocking to many, "Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." John is not saying anything that hasn't already been said (Matthew 5:21-22). Hatred of the brethren is linked to murder.

"Envy, malice, ill-will and bitterness
of spirit are the very reverse of the
real essence of Christianity.

Love is the sum and temper
and spirit of Christianity.

An envious Christian, a malicious
Christian, a cold and hard-hearted
Christian, is the greatest absurdity
and contradiction."

-Jonathan Edwards-

1 John 3:4-9 (Anti-Antinomianism)

2007-01-22T09:25:00.000-05:00

Chapter 3

Verses 4-9:

"Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God."

"Antinomianism means to be 'opposed to law.' These views deny that God's law in scripture should directly control the Christian's life...A 'spiritual' antinomianism puts such trust in the Holy Spirit's inward prompting as to deny any need to be taught by the law how to live. Freedom from the law as a way of salvation is assumed to bring with it freedom from the law as a guide to conduct...Another kind of antinomianism begins from the point that God does not see the sin in believers, because they are in Christ, who kept the law for them. From this they draw the false conclusion that their behavior makes no difference, provided they keep on believing." (Reformation Study Bible, cf. 3:7)

Seems contradictory to what 1 John has been saying so far, but for the sake of correct doctrine and truth, I think it's very important that I acknowledge this subject. Especially in light of how it is a growing idea in a lot of churches and amongst many dispensationalists.

From the passage above from verses 4-9 we see the word "lawlessness" as opposed to "righteousness" throughout. The inference here is that the perverse life of those who wish to indulge in their own pleasures and sin, are hateful to God, and are not born of Him, because this is contrary to God's law. To "commit sin" in this sense is not to say that the believer is pure and perfect, this would be to fall into the opposite ditch of the one I am attempting to refute, but it is in this case one who persistently sins (John 8:34), one who is a slave to sin (Romans 6:17). The believer on the other hand desires to obey God's law, and abhor their own sins. "Whoever abides in Him does not sin."

In verse 7 it continues to make the point pretty obvious, "He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is rightoues." Then continuing to verse 8, "He who sins is of the devil...". As John Calvin very wisely puts it on verse 6 (but I believe it works well for 6 and 7):

"He, therefore, immediately draws this inference that they sin not who remain in Christ. For if [Christ] dwells in us by faith, he performs His own work, that is, he cleanses us from sins...not perfectly renewing us at once, or in an instant, but He continues our renovation throughout life...In the meantime [believers] are designated according to the prevailing principle, that is, they are said to be righteous and to live righteously, because they sincerly aspire to righteousness." (Calvin Commentaries on 1 John, pg. 209)

Verse 8 tells us that "he who sins", including those who believe that they can be saved and live lawlessly, "is of the devil, for the devil has sinned (practiced 'lawlessness') from the beginning...".

For further defense we only have to look back a couple verses (1 John 1:6, 2:3-5, 3:4-9). Where when we look closely at the verses it is abundantly clear that those who live lawlessly and who shun obedience and the Lordship of Christ are deceivers and false teachers. In the past I have attempted to look around using harsh words to describe those who teach it and to continue to count them as brothers, but the more and more I read over the Bible and especially 1 John I can not but describe them in that way, such as John does.

I do pray that those who teach it would repent of their error and submit to Jesus as their lord and their savior.

For more on antinomianism, check out my roommate's blog:
http://jmounts.blogspot.com/2007/01/defense-against-antinomianism.html

1 John 3:1-3 (Children of God)

2007-01-18T17:23:00.000-05:00

Chapter 3

Verses 1-3:

"Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

Verse 1 the use of the word "behold" is significant in the fact that throughout scripture when this word is used it signifies an importance, and it is followed with a great truth or something that must be known. "What manner of love the Father has bestowed on us..." later in this epistle that love is shown in these words:

1 John 4:9-10:
"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

While we deserved the hatred of God, He showed us love. The importance of this doctrine is the furthering the truth that we are not justified by our works, but by the "love the Father has bestowed on us."

"That we should be called the children of God!" We are made the children of God by His grace alone. See note on verse 2 for more reference to this.

"Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him." As Jesus says in John 15:18: "If the world hates you, you know that it hate Me before it hated you." The point is to the world may not look at us as the sons of God, and we may be opressed by the world, still our salvation remains safe and secure.

Verse 2 "Beloved, now we are the children of God..." Adoption is what occurs after our justification, we are then deemed the children of God, John 1:12 says this: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." Meaning this Romans 8:16-17, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together." So then we become "joint heirs with Christ" in the Kingdom of Heaven.

"It has not yet been revealed what we shall be..." not knowing the whole fruit of our adoption yet, for it is in heaven we will be heirs but while we are on earth we cannot imagine heaven. For the rest of the verse I want to refer to Colossians 3:3-4, " For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory." And so our call is to wait patiently for the return of Christ and for all things to be revealed to us.

"We shall be like Him..." Is not to say that we will in any way be equal to Him, but we will be conformed to His image, He will make our sinful body to be comformed to His glorious body

Philippians 3:21:
"Who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself."

Verse 3, "This hope..." The promise of His appearing fills believers, not with apprehension, but with confidence.

1 John 4:17:
"Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world."

1 Thessalonians 5:2,4:
"For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night...But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief."

So the believer has no fear of the return of Christ like the wicked do (and don't know it yet), but we await that day patiently.

1 John 2:24-29 (Let Truth Abide in You)

2007-01-17T09:23:00.000-05:00

Chapter 2

Verses 24-29:

"Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life. These things I have written to you concerning those who try to deceive you. But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. And now, little children, abide in Him, that when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him."

In verse 24 John begins by telling them if what they have "heard from the beginning," the true gospel of Christ, continues to "abide" in them then they "also will abide in the Son and in the Father." John points out to them the fruit they would receive from obedience.

Verse 25, and if we "abide in the Son and in the Father," then what follows is the promise that many professors seem to forget, "This is the promise that He has promised us—eternal life." As though this life now were of better value than of the one to come. It almost seems as though glorification and eternal life are lost subjects to some, to many it is the pursuit of cars, clothes, popularity and selfish gains, rather than a pursuit of Christ and the life to come to fellowship eternally with Him.

In verse 26, I like what John Calvin writes on a part of this in his commentary:

"When we hear that he wrote concerning seducers, we ought always to bear in mind, that it is the duty of a good and diligent pastor not only to gather a flock, but also to drive away wolves: for what will it avail to proclaim the pure gospel, if we connive at the impostures of Satan? No one, then, can faithfully teach the Church, except he is diligent in banishing errors whenever he finds them spread by seducers." (Commentary on 1 John, pg. 199)

Verse 27, "you do not need that anyone teach you." Of course like many scripture passage when completely taken on its own, this one liner right here could have many/ and did have many false prophets saying that there is no need to minister to anyone. But in context of the Bible it is that believers have an illumination from God through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. "It is no contradiction that we should listen receptively to other believers, especially when they admonish and instruct us. The also have the Spirit..." (Reformation Study Bible v.27). So then believers here are not being taught something that they didn't already know, because in order for them to be believers they had to have come to a knowledge of the truth. It is a call to an examination of the Spirit, who is the only correcteor and approver of doctrine, "...the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie..."

Verse 28, is almost self-explanatory, if we "abide in Him," by continuing to trust in the gospel message, then those who do "abide in Him," will have no fear of codemnation when Christ comes at the end of the age, and will "have confidence and not be ashamed before Him."

Then the last verse of chapter 2, verse 29, "If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practice righteousness is born of Him." Once again the apostle links faith to obedience, they are inseperable, in that faith will bring about obedience to the Christ that you say you love and cherish. And so to conclude the chapter, it brings us back to the point of the beginning of the chapter, verses 3-4, "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

1 John 2:18-23 (Antichrists)

2007-01-16T12:28:00.000-05:00

Chapter 2

Verses 18-23:

"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son. Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also."

Once again similar to verses 12-14 when John refers to "little children" he is not referring to actual little children in the church, but to the whole church (just figured I'd get the obvious out of the way).

"It is the last hour" This last hour is not specified as to an amount of time, no matter how long this hour extends to it is the time between Christ's 1st and 2nd coming. So then John is not writing to them because they were living in the last days (though they could have been), at least knowing what we do in this day Christ obviously didn't come again in their life time. But John did intend that Christ's coming was imminent, there was chance of it happening at any moment. John's warning here is that in this "last hour" Satan would be attempting to cause confusion with "antichrists", and to not be distracted by this and to always be looking attentively for Christ in the case He should come upon them(us) suddenly.

"...the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come..." This is seen by many as many "antichrists" throughout history followed by a final "Antichrist". Though it would be better to assume that John was already referring to the "Antichrist" of that time and of the times to come (cf. vv.22 and 4:3). 1 John 4:3 states, " and every spirit that does not confess thatJesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world." So then,"Antichrist" may be more of a title or a name and better understood as anyone who fits these descriptions.

In any case it is a clear warning from all of the apostles that there will indeed be "antichrists" in the last hour, and so there is no room for ignorance for any who go astray and follow these "antichrists" and their teachings.

Verse 19, "They went out from us, but they were not of us." Visible membership in the Church doesn't guarantee salvation. False teachers and converts reveal their hostility towards the gospel not just by leaving the church, but by how they leave. Because they go out to oppose the gospel and to teach a false one. "They went out from" the Church because they were never of the Church, so then these that go out are not believers to begin with.

From verse 20 to 21, the apostle explains to them that "you have an anointing" so that these believers may not think that John was speaking of them, but to instruct them of the way to discipline thier church and reprove. They are "anointed" by Christ for this duty to be on watch for false christs.

Verse 22, "who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ?" This is the "antichrist", and this is not just someone just outright says it but someone who leaves out certain details, such as Christ being fully God and fully man. Those who deny His offices of Prophet, Priest and Prince.

Verse 23 makes it abundantly clear that those who "deny the Son does not have the Father either," and so the Jew and the Muslim and others all worship a god but it is in vain apart from the knowledge of Jesus the Christ Son of God. As Jesus says himself in John 14:6 states, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

And with that I'll leave you with a good quote by a good man,

"As the light of the sun comes to us by its rays, so the knowledge of God has been communicated through Christ." -John Calvin-

1 John 2:15-17 (Do Not Love the World)

2007-01-12T09:36:00.001-05:00

Chapter 2

Verses 15-17

"Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever."

I must admit I never realized that the phrase "Be in the world but not of the world," is not a Biblical verse. Then again the phrase is completely accurate.

With verse 15 ("Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.") I must briefly state that in the case of a believer the created "world," which God has created is meant to be enjoyed (i.e. food, marriage).

1 Timothy 4:1b-5:
"...some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer."

1 Timothy 6:17:
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment."

Note the latter verse here also gives an example of the things of this world which men chase after and put all their hope in, neglecting the obvious fact that even if they don't believe in God it will be of no use once dead.

To be of the world is a great problem in the church of America. Many are concerned with their clothes, money, cars, relationships, etc. And with these interests being what attracts most people its no wonder many pastors have strayed from the faith, abandoning the gospel of Christ and pleasing the interests of men rather than those of God.

Galatians 1:10:
"For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ."

Things such as money, food, sex, and other things can be used for the glory of God. But when abused it becomes the god you worship. Jesus says in Luke 16:13, "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (money)."

So then the end of verse 15 makes sense, "If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." Because one cannot serve two masters, if one loves money then they do not love Christ and the love of the Father is not in them.

Verse 16 gives a brief discription of what it means to be of the "world."
Then verse 17 finishes by making the point, that "the world is passing away, and the lust of it...", so then all things that men put their hopes in will vanish and it will not be their bank account that will save them from the wrath that awaits all those who do not put their hope in God.

"...but he who does the will of God abides forevers." The promise and the hope that the believer has is that they understand that this world is passing away, so when money is gone and food is gone and sex and television is gone, Christ will be the only thing remaining and for those who believe, it will be all that they ever wanted. And they will abide with Him forever. God be praised.

1 John 2:12-14 (Spiritual State)

2007-01-10T22:53:00.000-05:00

Chapter 2

Verses 12-14:

"I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake.
I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children, because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. "

To begin, I think it would be important to understand what is meant by "fathers" "little children" and "young men." It would be hard to believe that John is addressing three different groups separately because he addresses all these things to the whole church in other contexts. So it would be best to explain these three different groups as one group described in three different ways, and applying to the entire church.

He calls them "little children" because their "sins are forgiven," and they have been welcomed into the family of God.

They are "fathers" because of their knowledge of God in Jesus Christ "from the beginning," and they are qualified to pass that knowledge down to future generations.

They are "young men" because their decisive rejection and their "overcoming the wicked one,"
like that of Christ, who fought with Satan in the desert and won (Matt 4:1-11).

This part of the second chapter is a look at the spiritual state of these believers. I believe John recognizes these things of the believers to remind them of the statement in 1 John 2:1 would be true: "My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin." John seems to remind the believers here of their state with God through Christ. I think it correct to assume that this section of the letter is written to give motivation to fight sin, which could be the reason it is restated in somewhat of a repetitious manner, so that the truth of it would sink into these believers. The last part of verse 14 states:
" I write to you..." because "word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one."

So then be of good cheer for you have overcome the wicked one as Jesus has overcome the wicked one.

John 10:27-29:
"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."