Continuing my study through 1 John I am on verses 5-10. This section of 1 John is an important promise to Christian’s and one that a Christian must know.
Verses 5-10:
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.
If we say we have fellowship with Him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
If we say we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
Verse 5 the apostle begins by explaining that “God is light”, this emphasizing God’s moral purity and omniscience “…and In Him is no darkness at all.” There is no darkness if God, He is that morally pure that sin cannot be in His presence, He will not accept sin and that is why we must have the righteousness of Jesus, who knew no sin, imputed to us (2 Cor. 5:21).
The statement in verse 6 is pretty prevalent in Christianity today. People seem to think (especially around where I live) anyone who says they are a Christian is one no matter what their life style is or continues to be. They will not accept rebuke, they will not repent of their sin when anyone confronts them, but, “how dare you even begin to think they are not a Christian. They went up to the altar and then got baptized.” But from verse 6 its pretty apparent that even if “we say we have fellowship with Him,” but “we walk in darkness” (continue in unrepentant sin) “we lie and do not practice the truth.”
Verse 7 states, “if we walk in the light...” then “the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.” Hebrews 9:22 says, “…without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.” Christ’s blood paid in full the penalty for sin before God.
To go along with what I said in verse 6, verse 8 says, “if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves…” if you call yourself Christian and yet have no sense of your own sinfulness, your own wretchedness, and your desperate need for forgiveness, it’s a good bet that the truth is not in you. I have also come across people who believe in a type of “perfectionism” or “perfect sanctification” as soon as you are saved, which this verse doesn’t seem to agree with.
Verse 9 is pretty much the most awesome theme of the Gospel, that if “confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Don’t make Christ a liar He knows we need His forgiveness, that we are sinful by nature and we must confess and trust in His forgiveness.
Chapter 2 next.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
1 John 1:1-4 (The Incarnate Word)
1 John is almost a summary of the entire Gospel (please note "almost"). I was thinking I would do a bit of a study on this book. There are five chapters in this book but some of the chapters are rather long to put into one blog, so I will break each into a section.
The 1st Chapter of this book is one I think definately needs to be put into memory. Its only 10 verses long and has a lot of meaning to it, with alot of hope for a believer.
Verses 1-4:
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us-- that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete."
The Apostle begins the letter by testifying that what he writes about in this letter is what he has seen, heard and touched. Not that Christ was a myth or a folklore to share with them but that He was that real.
He calls Jesus, "the Word of Life...", because as the book of John points out "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) So the Word is God, the Bible is the "Word" written down in a book. Later in verse 14 of John: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." So then Christ is the incarnate Word which is God. So back to 1 John he says in verse 2, "the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us." Christ was not created when He became incarnate but was "with the Father and was made manifest." And, "He was in the beginning with God" (John 1:2).
In verse 3, the apostle John obviously knowing all this, and seeing the things done by Jesus and having the command of Jesus in Matthew 28 to make disciples, he expresses these things to believers so that they to may know of the great things of Jesus and so that "you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." It is what the disciples of Christ continue to do, they teach and proclaim Christ and His work in life and on the cross.
Verse 3 and 4 together pretty much cap off the reason for the writing of this letter, "And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete." Joy is a huge part of being a Christian, our Joy is manifest in the hope and knowledge of the God who became incarnate and died for our sins and to give us true Life. So like the apostle John we proclaim all these things to others so that they too may have joy in the promises and truth of our Lord Christ Jesus.
I'll do verses 6-10 next...
The 1st Chapter of this book is one I think definately needs to be put into memory. Its only 10 verses long and has a lot of meaning to it, with alot of hope for a believer.
Verses 1-4:
"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us-- that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete."
The Apostle begins the letter by testifying that what he writes about in this letter is what he has seen, heard and touched. Not that Christ was a myth or a folklore to share with them but that He was that real.
He calls Jesus, "the Word of Life...", because as the book of John points out "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) So the Word is God, the Bible is the "Word" written down in a book. Later in verse 14 of John: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." So then Christ is the incarnate Word which is God. So back to 1 John he says in verse 2, "the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us." Christ was not created when He became incarnate but was "with the Father and was made manifest." And, "He was in the beginning with God" (John 1:2).
In verse 3, the apostle John obviously knowing all this, and seeing the things done by Jesus and having the command of Jesus in Matthew 28 to make disciples, he expresses these things to believers so that they to may know of the great things of Jesus and so that "you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." It is what the disciples of Christ continue to do, they teach and proclaim Christ and His work in life and on the cross.
Verse 3 and 4 together pretty much cap off the reason for the writing of this letter, "And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete." Joy is a huge part of being a Christian, our Joy is manifest in the hope and knowledge of the God who became incarnate and died for our sins and to give us true Life. So like the apostle John we proclaim all these things to others so that they too may have joy in the promises and truth of our Lord Christ Jesus.
I'll do verses 6-10 next...
Friday, December 15, 2006
Why I Believe What I Believe...Or Don't Believe
Recently I have been deemed pessimistic in my Christianity... I kinda agree, but not in such a way as I see I should change it. Thought I'd kind of outline what it is I believe about different issues (to see what I believe on specific theological issues, you can just read through the Westminster Confession or the Baptist Confession of 1689 on those)
1. I do not believe that there is any good in a man, there is no hidden goodness buried deep in our hearts that we simply must pull out with human reasoning and self-help (Jer. 17:9). Nothing on television or in any magazine is going to help you change your inner nature (Eph. 2:3). Only Christ will ever have that power, and the only thing good that will ever be within us is Christ's righteousness (Rom. 7:24-25). Put in other terms, I do not believe in self-esteem, mainly because it is never taught in the bible.
2. I do not believe God is ONLY love, at least in the sense that people classify this word called love (Nahum 1:2-3). He is love, He is justice, He is holy. He will have His justice on the wicked and the righteous will rejoice (Psalm 58:10). Let's stick to using the word "love" in the biblical sense not the human understanding of it (Prov. 27:5).
3. I do not believe you can save yourself. Never in the entire Bible does it say it is the work of man (Matt. 19:26) ...in any sense at all. The whole process is God (Isaiah 59:16, 63:5).
4. I believe when the bible says fear the Lord (Psalm 111:10) it literally means, be scared for your life, fear the things He can do to you (Luke 12:5), tremble and be at awe of His awesome power. It will encourage you to tell others of the wrath to come (2 Cor. 5:11) and that fear and trembling will soon lead you to understand that the only refuge from God's wrath is God Himself. (Psalm 2:11)
5. I do not believe all these thursday night and wednesday night worship group's are the true church. They are great things to go to and pray and worship and praise, they are great for outreach on campuses and other areas. But there is no accountability (James 5:16), there is no oversight from the elders (1 Peter 5:1-2), there is no discipline in most such as delivering one who continues in persistent unrepentant sin out of the church (1 Cor. 5 Whole Chapter), there is no sacraments (1 Cor. 11:23-26)
6. I do not believe that the ends justify the means. As Martin Luther puts it, "Unity wherever possible, but truth at all costs." Not making my point exactly but it goes along with it. Just because you have 500 converts in one night and 500 baptisms and church attendance goes up, does not by any means justify the ways by which you attained it. I would rather have 1 person saved than 500 who think that they are saved and will end up in hell all the same. And so Luther puts it well, I would love unity but I would never forsake the truth of Christ for it.
7. I do not believe the church is a business. My roommate once told me of a lady who asked him what he wanted to do someday and asking what he was wanting to major in. he said, "perhaps go into the ministry." She said, "he should major in business." He asked why, and she responded that you must keep track of the money flow and how the church is doing financially. I have had someone actually tell me the same exact thing, no kidding. I don't know how much more I must explain to get across that this is ludacris to me.
8. I do not believe the KJV is the only legitimate version of the Bible in this language. You know the Pharisees made up nifty little laws too and tried to make their way the right way, we call them legalists.
9. I do not believe in this once saved always saved in the way that many see it today. I do not believe that you can at one moment profess to love Christ and to trust in Him for salvation and then go back to your old life as if nothing is new (Romans 6:1-2). Believe me I am a perseverance of the saints advocater to the fullest, but those that are truly saved will be mantained by the hand of God (John 10:29).
10. I dont not believe that the Old Testament does not apply to us in some way, like the New Testament word of God is of more value than the Old Testament word of God is. And that it somehow does not apply to us (2 Tim 3:16), make sure you know that when Paul says this, the New Testament had not yet been put together in its fullness, He was probably referring to the Old Testament. There is other reasons but I'll leave it at that for now so I can get ready to eat.
So yes I suppose I may be pessimistic in my Christian convictions, but then again if someone can truly give me a great objectiion as to why scripture should be leading me otherwise I will be more than happy to listen.
Have a great weekend everyone and a great Lord's Day!
1. I do not believe that there is any good in a man, there is no hidden goodness buried deep in our hearts that we simply must pull out with human reasoning and self-help (Jer. 17:9). Nothing on television or in any magazine is going to help you change your inner nature (Eph. 2:3). Only Christ will ever have that power, and the only thing good that will ever be within us is Christ's righteousness (Rom. 7:24-25). Put in other terms, I do not believe in self-esteem, mainly because it is never taught in the bible.
2. I do not believe God is ONLY love, at least in the sense that people classify this word called love (Nahum 1:2-3). He is love, He is justice, He is holy. He will have His justice on the wicked and the righteous will rejoice (Psalm 58:10). Let's stick to using the word "love" in the biblical sense not the human understanding of it (Prov. 27:5).
3. I do not believe you can save yourself. Never in the entire Bible does it say it is the work of man (Matt. 19:26) ...in any sense at all. The whole process is God (Isaiah 59:16, 63:5).
4. I believe when the bible says fear the Lord (Psalm 111:10) it literally means, be scared for your life, fear the things He can do to you (Luke 12:5), tremble and be at awe of His awesome power. It will encourage you to tell others of the wrath to come (2 Cor. 5:11) and that fear and trembling will soon lead you to understand that the only refuge from God's wrath is God Himself. (Psalm 2:11)
5. I do not believe all these thursday night and wednesday night worship group's are the true church. They are great things to go to and pray and worship and praise, they are great for outreach on campuses and other areas. But there is no accountability (James 5:16), there is no oversight from the elders (1 Peter 5:1-2), there is no discipline in most such as delivering one who continues in persistent unrepentant sin out of the church (1 Cor. 5 Whole Chapter), there is no sacraments (1 Cor. 11:23-26)
6. I do not believe that the ends justify the means. As Martin Luther puts it, "Unity wherever possible, but truth at all costs." Not making my point exactly but it goes along with it. Just because you have 500 converts in one night and 500 baptisms and church attendance goes up, does not by any means justify the ways by which you attained it. I would rather have 1 person saved than 500 who think that they are saved and will end up in hell all the same. And so Luther puts it well, I would love unity but I would never forsake the truth of Christ for it.
7. I do not believe the church is a business. My roommate once told me of a lady who asked him what he wanted to do someday and asking what he was wanting to major in. he said, "perhaps go into the ministry." She said, "he should major in business." He asked why, and she responded that you must keep track of the money flow and how the church is doing financially. I have had someone actually tell me the same exact thing, no kidding. I don't know how much more I must explain to get across that this is ludacris to me.
8. I do not believe the KJV is the only legitimate version of the Bible in this language. You know the Pharisees made up nifty little laws too and tried to make their way the right way, we call them legalists.
9. I do not believe in this once saved always saved in the way that many see it today. I do not believe that you can at one moment profess to love Christ and to trust in Him for salvation and then go back to your old life as if nothing is new (Romans 6:1-2). Believe me I am a perseverance of the saints advocater to the fullest, but those that are truly saved will be mantained by the hand of God (John 10:29).
10. I dont not believe that the Old Testament does not apply to us in some way, like the New Testament word of God is of more value than the Old Testament word of God is. And that it somehow does not apply to us (2 Tim 3:16), make sure you know that when Paul says this, the New Testament had not yet been put together in its fullness, He was probably referring to the Old Testament. There is other reasons but I'll leave it at that for now so I can get ready to eat.
So yes I suppose I may be pessimistic in my Christian convictions, but then again if someone can truly give me a great objectiion as to why scripture should be leading me otherwise I will be more than happy to listen.
Have a great weekend everyone and a great Lord's Day!
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
Psalm Of A Contrite Heart
Psalm 38
A Psalm of David, for a memorial.
1 O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.
2 For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.
4 For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.
5 My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness.
6 I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long.
7 For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh.
8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.
9 Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.
10 My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me.
11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.
12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.
13 But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth.
14 Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs.
15 For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God.
16 For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.
17 For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me.
18 For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin.
19 But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.
21 Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me.
22 Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.
Sums up just about how my life is going right now.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
How Much Do You Love Christ?
Thomas Vincent---
"It is observed, and it is greatly to be lamented that there is of late - a great decay in the power of godliness among those who are sincere. And is not this decay most evident in the great decay of love, even in true Christians unto Jesus Christ? Are you not dwarfs in comparison to others from past generations, or even in your own generation? Are you not babes in Christ and weaklings in your love to Christ?"
"Is it not evident that you have but little love to Christ, when he is but little in your thoughts and meditations? Does not your lack of thoughts of Christ prove your lack of love? The 'thoughts' are the handmade of love. Where love is strong and ardent, there - many thoughts will be attending upon it. But will not your hearts tell you that your thoughts of Christ are very few. You can think often of your food, but how little do your thoughts feed upon Christ who is the bread of life. You can often think of your clothing and what to wear, but how little do you think of the robes of Christ's righteousness? You can think often of your earthly friends, but how little do you think of Jesus Christ - your friend in Heaven? Objects of sense are often not only in your eyes, but also in your thoughts. But how little is Christ entertained in your thoughts, who is the object of faith?"
"Moreover, does it not argue of little love to Christ that you speak so little of Him, and for Him, in your conversations? If you had much love to Christ, would not this love breath forth more in your conversations? You can readily speak of yourselves, and you often speak directly or more subtly about yourselves, which reveals your great self-love. But how little to you commend your Lord and Master and extol his excellencies with your lips? Is this not evidence that you have but little love for him in your hearts? You can readily discourse of news and public occurrences (which is lawful and needful as long as due limits are observed), but when you leave Christ quite out of your conversation, it shows that you have not an abundance of love to Him, because "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks". Such as have much love to pleasures; we are often speaking of that subject. Such as love their friends; much will often be speaking of and commending them, when you are not in their company. Which is why, when you speak such little of Christ, it is a sign that you love Him but little."
"And likewise, does not the small amount of zeal which you have for Christ's honor in the world, argue that you have but little love to Him? Where is your activity for Christ to promote his interest among those relations and friends that you have made acquaintance with? Do you labor all you can to bring others into the way of God and into acquaintance with Christ? If you truly loved Christ, you would be like the disciple Phillip who sought out his brother Nathaniel, found him and said: "we have found the one Moses wrote about in the law, and about whom the prophets also wrote, Jesus of Nazareth - the son of Joseph".'
"And in the same way, does not the fact that you spend very little time in private bible reading and devotion - argue your small affection unto Christ? Will not your closets or other retiring places witness how little you are in secret prayer and conversation with Christ? Brief and straightened prayer in secret, argues a heart that is brief and straightened in love to Jesus Christ. Does not your backwardness to the exercise of this love to Christ show the weakness of your love?"
"How slow of heart are you to the love of Christ; how hard to be persuaded. You need not be persuaded to love your wives if they are kind and helpful. You need not be persuaded to love your children if they are pretty and show potential. You need not be persuaded to love your friends if they are friendly and faithful, and yet whatever attractions of love there are, the most strong of any are in Jesus Christ. Yet, you are backward to this love."
"Need I say more to convince you that you have but little love to Christ?"
(Thomas Vincent "The True Christian's Love to The Unseen Christ")
"It is observed, and it is greatly to be lamented that there is of late - a great decay in the power of godliness among those who are sincere. And is not this decay most evident in the great decay of love, even in true Christians unto Jesus Christ? Are you not dwarfs in comparison to others from past generations, or even in your own generation? Are you not babes in Christ and weaklings in your love to Christ?"
"Is it not evident that you have but little love to Christ, when he is but little in your thoughts and meditations? Does not your lack of thoughts of Christ prove your lack of love? The 'thoughts' are the handmade of love. Where love is strong and ardent, there - many thoughts will be attending upon it. But will not your hearts tell you that your thoughts of Christ are very few. You can think often of your food, but how little do your thoughts feed upon Christ who is the bread of life. You can often think of your clothing and what to wear, but how little do you think of the robes of Christ's righteousness? You can think often of your earthly friends, but how little do you think of Jesus Christ - your friend in Heaven? Objects of sense are often not only in your eyes, but also in your thoughts. But how little is Christ entertained in your thoughts, who is the object of faith?"
"Moreover, does it not argue of little love to Christ that you speak so little of Him, and for Him, in your conversations? If you had much love to Christ, would not this love breath forth more in your conversations? You can readily speak of yourselves, and you often speak directly or more subtly about yourselves, which reveals your great self-love. But how little to you commend your Lord and Master and extol his excellencies with your lips? Is this not evidence that you have but little love for him in your hearts? You can readily discourse of news and public occurrences (which is lawful and needful as long as due limits are observed), but when you leave Christ quite out of your conversation, it shows that you have not an abundance of love to Him, because "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks". Such as have much love to pleasures; we are often speaking of that subject. Such as love their friends; much will often be speaking of and commending them, when you are not in their company. Which is why, when you speak such little of Christ, it is a sign that you love Him but little."
"And likewise, does not the small amount of zeal which you have for Christ's honor in the world, argue that you have but little love to Him? Where is your activity for Christ to promote his interest among those relations and friends that you have made acquaintance with? Do you labor all you can to bring others into the way of God and into acquaintance with Christ? If you truly loved Christ, you would be like the disciple Phillip who sought out his brother Nathaniel, found him and said: "we have found the one Moses wrote about in the law, and about whom the prophets also wrote, Jesus of Nazareth - the son of Joseph".'
"And in the same way, does not the fact that you spend very little time in private bible reading and devotion - argue your small affection unto Christ? Will not your closets or other retiring places witness how little you are in secret prayer and conversation with Christ? Brief and straightened prayer in secret, argues a heart that is brief and straightened in love to Jesus Christ. Does not your backwardness to the exercise of this love to Christ show the weakness of your love?"
"How slow of heart are you to the love of Christ; how hard to be persuaded. You need not be persuaded to love your wives if they are kind and helpful. You need not be persuaded to love your children if they are pretty and show potential. You need not be persuaded to love your friends if they are friendly and faithful, and yet whatever attractions of love there are, the most strong of any are in Jesus Christ. Yet, you are backward to this love."
"Need I say more to convince you that you have but little love to Christ?"
(Thomas Vincent "The True Christian's Love to The Unseen Christ")
Thursday, November 30, 2006
As White As Snow
"Come now, and let us reason together,"
Says the LORD,
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool."
-Isaiah 1:18-
Just something that was going through my mind as I was staring out the living room window watching the snow.
"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
-Psalm 51:5-7-
A reminder of the great things that God has done through His Son who beared our crimson stain and made us whiter than snow.
"God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
For to the snow he says, 'Fall on the earth,' likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.
He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he made may know it."
-Job 37:5-7-
Says the LORD,
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool."
-Isaiah 1:18-
Just something that was going through my mind as I was staring out the living room window watching the snow.
"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
-Psalm 51:5-7-
A reminder of the great things that God has done through His Son who beared our crimson stain and made us whiter than snow.
"God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend.
For to the snow he says, 'Fall on the earth,' likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.
He seals up the hand of every man, that all men whom he made may know it."
-Job 37:5-7-
Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Does God Have A Wonderful Plan For Your Life?
John MacArthur once said this:
"You must not approach people on the basis that Christ will meet their psychological needs. This may sound like heresy, but did you know that God does not have a wonderful plan for your life? Unless you consider eternal torment a wonderful plan. He has a horrible plan for those who don't know Christ. When we approach people, perhaps we ought to say, "Did you know that God loves you and has a horrible plan for your life?" We must approach the problem of sin. The Old Testament says, "God is angry with the wicked every day" (Ps. 7:11). A good, holy, and pure God cannot tolerate evil. So Jesus affirms what must always be affirmed-- there is a divine law that must be kept. If you violate that law, you're under the judgment of God." (Oldtruth.com)
Did you know in the whole book of Acts when the church is first beginning, when people are being confronted with their sin, the love of God and God having a wonderful plan for them is not mentioned once? I find this pretty interesting given the modern evangelist way of sharing the Gospel.
I recently was reading from Jonathan Edward's sermon, "Sinners in the hands of an angry God." I think he puts it well to say:
"[God] looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire; he is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in his sight; you are ten thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours. You have offended him infinitely more than ever a stubborn rebel did his prince; and yet it is nothing but his hand that holds you from falling into the fire every moment."
No where in scripture does it say God has a wonderful plan for those who do not know Christ and who do not obey His commandments. He does not have a wonderful plan for those who hate Him and curse Him.
"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear." (Matthew 13:40-43)
"For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:30-31)
"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." (Exodus 34:6-7)
"I lift my hand to heaven and declare: As surely as I live forever, when I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and repay those who hate me." (Deuteronomy 32:40-41) And many more....
And so the message for the ungodly is not that God has a wonderful plan for their life. It is you have sinned against an infinitely holy God and you must be born again or you will be punished eternally for your rebellion.
"We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation!" (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)
Now is the day of salvation, the free offer of the Gospel will not be around forever, so receive it not in vain and cry out to God to save you. For only when you are in Christ will God ever have a wonderful plan for you.
"You must not approach people on the basis that Christ will meet their psychological needs. This may sound like heresy, but did you know that God does not have a wonderful plan for your life? Unless you consider eternal torment a wonderful plan. He has a horrible plan for those who don't know Christ. When we approach people, perhaps we ought to say, "Did you know that God loves you and has a horrible plan for your life?" We must approach the problem of sin. The Old Testament says, "God is angry with the wicked every day" (Ps. 7:11). A good, holy, and pure God cannot tolerate evil. So Jesus affirms what must always be affirmed-- there is a divine law that must be kept. If you violate that law, you're under the judgment of God." (Oldtruth.com)
Did you know in the whole book of Acts when the church is first beginning, when people are being confronted with their sin, the love of God and God having a wonderful plan for them is not mentioned once? I find this pretty interesting given the modern evangelist way of sharing the Gospel.
I recently was reading from Jonathan Edward's sermon, "Sinners in the hands of an angry God." I think he puts it well to say:
"[God] looks upon you as worthy of nothing else, but to be cast into the fire; he is of purer eyes than to bear to have you in his sight; you are ten thousand times more abominable in his eyes, than the most hateful venomous serpent is in ours. You have offended him infinitely more than ever a stubborn rebel did his prince; and yet it is nothing but his hand that holds you from falling into the fire every moment."
No where in scripture does it say God has a wonderful plan for those who do not know Christ and who do not obey His commandments. He does not have a wonderful plan for those who hate Him and curse Him.
"As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear." (Matthew 13:40-43)
"For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." (Hebrews 10:30-31)
"The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation." (Exodus 34:6-7)
"I lift my hand to heaven and declare: As surely as I live forever, when I sharpen my flashing sword and my hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on my adversaries and repay those who hate me." (Deuteronomy 32:40-41) And many more....
And so the message for the ungodly is not that God has a wonderful plan for their life. It is you have sinned against an infinitely holy God and you must be born again or you will be punished eternally for your rebellion.
"We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation!" (2 Corinthians 6:1-2)
Now is the day of salvation, the free offer of the Gospel will not be around forever, so receive it not in vain and cry out to God to save you. For only when you are in Christ will God ever have a wonderful plan for you.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Few There Be That Find It
"Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:14)
This is a great chapter in Matthew. It is one chapter that had a profound effect on me. It's when I first began to realize when I was not a Christian and when finally truthful with myself I realized I was not on a narrow way but on a broad way.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it." (Matthew 7:14)
There is a passage like this one in Luke that had the same effect.
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out." (Luke 13:24-28)
Let me say this in the day of judgment there will be many people who thought they were Christians only to realize that Christ never knew them.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" (Matthew 7:21-22)
How lightly do you take Christ? Do you even fear what God can do to you?
"But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!" (Luke 12:5)
Christ is the narrow way, few will follow Him. But if you do He will take you down the way to everlasting life.
This is a great chapter in Matthew. It is one chapter that had a profound effect on me. It's when I first began to realize when I was not a Christian and when finally truthful with myself I realized I was not on a narrow way but on a broad way.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it." (Matthew 7:14)
There is a passage like this one in Luke that had the same effect.
"Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves thrust out." (Luke 13:24-28)
Let me say this in the day of judgment there will be many people who thought they were Christians only to realize that Christ never knew them.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’" (Matthew 7:21-22)
How lightly do you take Christ? Do you even fear what God can do to you?
"But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!" (Luke 12:5)
Christ is the narrow way, few will follow Him. But if you do He will take you down the way to everlasting life.
Thursday, November 23, 2006
I Give Thanks
Since it is thanksgiving I have been giving some thought to what it is I am truly thankful for. So I will list off a few, in no particular order:
I. For Friends
I have been blessed with very good friends, from the ones back at home to the ones up at school. I will not list them because I would fear leaving one out. Just know for those of you who have stuck with me through thick and thing and for those of you that have prayed for me and been by my side. Just know that I am grateful for you and love you.
"Now when Job's three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him." (Job 2:11)
II. For Family
For all of my family. But above all my mother who I do not give enough appreciation for all that she has done in my life. For her patience and her love towards me. I thank God for the blessing of a great mother.
"He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 113:9)
III. For My Church
God has granted me a church to be a member of that has been one of the biggest blessing of my life. Each time I gather with them I learn something new or am challenged with something new. Their fellowship and care is beyond compare, and their love for the Lord is awesome.
"So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:26-27)
IV. For the Word of God
This book that I once neglected has become my bread that I hunger after. It has become my guidance and my hope, containing the words and actions of Christ, the commandments of God, and the promises of the things at present and the things to come.
"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2)
V. For Forgiveness of Sin
I was dead in sins and wrathful by nature. Cared nothing for God even when I said I did, I did all contrary to His words and his commands. And yet...
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
VI. For the Saints Before Me
I thank God for the men and women who have counted their lives as nothing to bring the word of salvation and eternal life to others. For those that saw what they had attained and could not keep it for themselves but had to tell others of the great Christ. And for the saints now that continue to do the same.
"Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)
VII. For Those Who Preach
I am more than thankful for the ones whom God called to spread His word. For those who diligently seek out the word of God and preach the true Gospel of Christ. For without them I would have never known Him.
"How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!" (Romans 10:15)
VIII. For God's Grace
For the grace that opened my heart to His word, and the grace that sustains me in the faith. It is only by His grace that I have been saved, not by anything I have accomplished but solely by His good pleasure.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
IX. For Christ Above All
Above all I thank God for His son. While I look at all these blessing it is important that we see where the blessings come from for by Him all things are possible and all things are made new. What a huge blessing to all who receive Him, He will bless those here on earth and bless them through eternity. I give my thanks for the great high priest and the great king of the heavens and the earth. Praise the Lord!
I. For Friends
I have been blessed with very good friends, from the ones back at home to the ones up at school. I will not list them because I would fear leaving one out. Just know for those of you who have stuck with me through thick and thing and for those of you that have prayed for me and been by my side. Just know that I am grateful for you and love you.
"Now when Job's three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him." (Job 2:11)
II. For Family
For all of my family. But above all my mother who I do not give enough appreciation for all that she has done in my life. For her patience and her love towards me. I thank God for the blessing of a great mother.
"He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD." (Psalm 113:9)
III. For My Church
God has granted me a church to be a member of that has been one of the biggest blessing of my life. Each time I gather with them I learn something new or am challenged with something new. Their fellowship and care is beyond compare, and their love for the Lord is awesome.
"So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:26-27)
IV. For the Word of God
This book that I once neglected has become my bread that I hunger after. It has become my guidance and my hope, containing the words and actions of Christ, the commandments of God, and the promises of the things at present and the things to come.
"How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2)
V. For Forgiveness of Sin
I was dead in sins and wrathful by nature. Cared nothing for God even when I said I did, I did all contrary to His words and his commands. And yet...
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
VI. For the Saints Before Me
I thank God for the men and women who have counted their lives as nothing to bring the word of salvation and eternal life to others. For those that saw what they had attained and could not keep it for themselves but had to tell others of the great Christ. And for the saints now that continue to do the same.
"Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (2 Timothy 3:12)
VII. For Those Who Preach
I am more than thankful for the ones whom God called to spread His word. For those who diligently seek out the word of God and preach the true Gospel of Christ. For without them I would have never known Him.
"How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!" (Romans 10:15)
VIII. For God's Grace
For the grace that opened my heart to His word, and the grace that sustains me in the faith. It is only by His grace that I have been saved, not by anything I have accomplished but solely by His good pleasure.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
IX. For Christ Above All
Above all I thank God for His son. While I look at all these blessing it is important that we see where the blessings come from for by Him all things are possible and all things are made new. What a huge blessing to all who receive Him, He will bless those here on earth and bless them through eternity. I give my thanks for the great high priest and the great king of the heavens and the earth. Praise the Lord!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices
I really recommend reading this, its good I promise. This comes from a book I am reading called "Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices" by a puritan named Thomas Brooks. He outlines devices of Satan and then gives some remedies to consider. Such as this one:
Remedy 4 of the 2nd Device (By painting sin with virtuous colors, presenting it as a beautiful thing):
Thomas Brooks---
"Seriously to consider, That even those very sins that Satan paints, and puts new names and colours upon, cost the best blood, the noblest blood, the life-blood, the heart-blood of the Lord Jesus. That Christ should come from the eternal bosom of His Father to a region of sorrow and death; that God should be manifested in the flesh, the Creator made the creature; that He that was clothed with glory should be wrapped with rags of flesh; he that filled heaven and earth with His glory should be cradled in a manger; that the power of God should fly from weak man, the God of Israel into Egypt; that the God of the law should be subject to the law, the God of the circumcision circumcised, the God that made the heavens working at Joseph's homely trade; that He that binds the devils in chains should be tempted; that He, whose is the world, and the fullness thereof, should hunger and thirst; that the God of strength should be weary, the Judge of all flesh condemned, the God of life put to death; that He that is one with His Father should cry out of misery, 'My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?' (Matt 27:46); that He that had the keys of hell and death at His girdle should lie imprisoned in the sepulchre of another, having in His lifetime nowhere to lay His head, nor after death to lay His body; that that head, before which the angels do cast down their crowns, should be crowned with thorns, and those eyes, purer than the sun, put out by the darkness of death; those ears, which hear nothing but hallelujahs of saints and angels, to hear the blasphemies of the multitude; that face, that was fairer than the sons of men, to be spit on by those beastly wretched Jews; that mouth and tongue, that spake as never man spake, accused of blasphemy; those hands, that freely swayed the sceptre of heaven, nailed to the cross; those feet, 'like unto fine brass,' nailed to the cross for man's sins; each sense annoyed; His feeling or touching, with a spear and nails; His smell, with stinking flavor, being crucified about Golgotha, the place of skulls; His taste, with vinegar and gall; His hearing, with reproaches, and sight of His mother and disciples bemoaning Him; His soul, comfortless and forsaken; and all this for those very sins that Satan paints and puts fine colors upon! Oh! how should the consideration of this stir up the soul against it, and work the soul to fly from it, and to use all holy means whereby sin may be subdued and destroyed!
After Julius Caesar was murdered, Antonius brought forth his coat, all bloody and cut, and laid it before the people, saying, 'Look, here you have the emperor's coat thus bloody and torn': whereupon the people were presently in an uproar, and cried out to slay those murderers; and they took their tables and stools that were in the place, and set them on fire, and ran to the houses of them that had slain Caesar, and burnt them. So when we consider that sin hath slain our Lord Jesus, ah, how should it provoke our hearts to be revenged on sin, that hath murdered the Lord of glory, and hath done that mischief that all the devils in hell could never have done?
It was good counsel one gave, 'Never let go out of your minds the thoughts of a crucified Christ.' Let these be meat and drink unto you; let them be your sweetness and consolation, your honey and your desire, your reading and your meditation, your life, death, and resurrection." (Remedy 4, Device 2. Pg.36-38 "Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices" Puritan Paperbacks. Brooks, Thomas.)
Remedy 4 of the 2nd Device (By painting sin with virtuous colors, presenting it as a beautiful thing):
Thomas Brooks---
"Seriously to consider, That even those very sins that Satan paints, and puts new names and colours upon, cost the best blood, the noblest blood, the life-blood, the heart-blood of the Lord Jesus. That Christ should come from the eternal bosom of His Father to a region of sorrow and death; that God should be manifested in the flesh, the Creator made the creature; that He that was clothed with glory should be wrapped with rags of flesh; he that filled heaven and earth with His glory should be cradled in a manger; that the power of God should fly from weak man, the God of Israel into Egypt; that the God of the law should be subject to the law, the God of the circumcision circumcised, the God that made the heavens working at Joseph's homely trade; that He that binds the devils in chains should be tempted; that He, whose is the world, and the fullness thereof, should hunger and thirst; that the God of strength should be weary, the Judge of all flesh condemned, the God of life put to death; that He that is one with His Father should cry out of misery, 'My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?' (Matt 27:46); that He that had the keys of hell and death at His girdle should lie imprisoned in the sepulchre of another, having in His lifetime nowhere to lay His head, nor after death to lay His body; that that head, before which the angels do cast down their crowns, should be crowned with thorns, and those eyes, purer than the sun, put out by the darkness of death; those ears, which hear nothing but hallelujahs of saints and angels, to hear the blasphemies of the multitude; that face, that was fairer than the sons of men, to be spit on by those beastly wretched Jews; that mouth and tongue, that spake as never man spake, accused of blasphemy; those hands, that freely swayed the sceptre of heaven, nailed to the cross; those feet, 'like unto fine brass,' nailed to the cross for man's sins; each sense annoyed; His feeling or touching, with a spear and nails; His smell, with stinking flavor, being crucified about Golgotha, the place of skulls; His taste, with vinegar and gall; His hearing, with reproaches, and sight of His mother and disciples bemoaning Him; His soul, comfortless and forsaken; and all this for those very sins that Satan paints and puts fine colors upon! Oh! how should the consideration of this stir up the soul against it, and work the soul to fly from it, and to use all holy means whereby sin may be subdued and destroyed!
After Julius Caesar was murdered, Antonius brought forth his coat, all bloody and cut, and laid it before the people, saying, 'Look, here you have the emperor's coat thus bloody and torn': whereupon the people were presently in an uproar, and cried out to slay those murderers; and they took their tables and stools that were in the place, and set them on fire, and ran to the houses of them that had slain Caesar, and burnt them. So when we consider that sin hath slain our Lord Jesus, ah, how should it provoke our hearts to be revenged on sin, that hath murdered the Lord of glory, and hath done that mischief that all the devils in hell could never have done?
It was good counsel one gave, 'Never let go out of your minds the thoughts of a crucified Christ.' Let these be meat and drink unto you; let them be your sweetness and consolation, your honey and your desire, your reading and your meditation, your life, death, and resurrection." (Remedy 4, Device 2. Pg.36-38 "Precious Remedies against Satan's Devices" Puritan Paperbacks. Brooks, Thomas.)
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Not a Religion??
"Christianity is not a Religion its a Relationship" has become quite a common catchphrase, in fact I just recently saw that there is a facebook group called this. And while I'm sure they mean well in saying that (I hope), it is somewhat odd to me. People are afraid of the words doctrine, theology, religion, ritual, dogma etc. As I heard on a John Piper conference promo, "there are those who say 'doctrine devides Christ unites.'"
Are we simply running more and more from the Bible and just trying to replace it all with this self-created "Relationship with Christ"? A relationship with Christ is vital but what good is that if you don't even know who Christ is or what He did and by what means He did it. You replace human knowledge for the written word of God. This is a very dangerous thing to do.
Looking at the definition from dictionary.com religion is defined as follows:
re‧li‧gion [ri-lij-uh
n] -noun
1.a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. 2.a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. 3.the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions. 4.the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
Judging from that definition I would have to say that Christianity is most certainly a religion. Looking at the first definition, a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, or in other words 'a set of beliefs concerning God and His creation.' Usually involving devotional and ritual observance (i.e. Sabbath Day, Communion, Baptism) and often containing a moral code (i.e. the Bible).
When you say something like "Christianity is a Relationship not a Religion" you are somewhat implying that the sacraments that CHRIST instituted (Matt 26, 1 Cor 11, Matt 28:19) are no longer of importance, and the Church is no longer of any need keeping in mind that the Church is the 'Body of Christ' (1 Cor 12).
Is the Bible of no importance anymore either? How can you have a relationship with a Jesus you do not know. Doctrine is essential:
"Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Timothy 4:15-16)
Christ is a relationship but how can you have that relationship if you don't even know how to. So then before this relationship can occur there must be doctrine, good teaching of the law and sin/Christ and grace.
Don't make it sound as if Christianity is trapped inside this box of doctrine and theology. The whole basis of mine and your Christianity rests on the doctrines, truths and promises written within the Holy Bible. Study these doctrines, meditate on the word of God and apply those doctrines to your heart and to your lives.
Are we simply running more and more from the Bible and just trying to replace it all with this self-created "Relationship with Christ"? A relationship with Christ is vital but what good is that if you don't even know who Christ is or what He did and by what means He did it. You replace human knowledge for the written word of God. This is a very dangerous thing to do.
Looking at the definition from dictionary.com religion is defined as follows:
re‧li‧gion [ri-lij-uh
n] -noun1.a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. 2.a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion. 3.the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions. 4.the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith.
Judging from that definition I would have to say that Christianity is most certainly a religion. Looking at the first definition, a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, or in other words 'a set of beliefs concerning God and His creation.' Usually involving devotional and ritual observance (i.e. Sabbath Day, Communion, Baptism) and often containing a moral code (i.e. the Bible).
When you say something like "Christianity is a Relationship not a Religion" you are somewhat implying that the sacraments that CHRIST instituted (Matt 26, 1 Cor 11, Matt 28:19) are no longer of importance, and the Church is no longer of any need keeping in mind that the Church is the 'Body of Christ' (1 Cor 12).
Is the Bible of no importance anymore either? How can you have a relationship with a Jesus you do not know. Doctrine is essential:
"Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." (1 Timothy 4:15-16)
Christ is a relationship but how can you have that relationship if you don't even know how to. So then before this relationship can occur there must be doctrine, good teaching of the law and sin/Christ and grace.
Don't make it sound as if Christianity is trapped inside this box of doctrine and theology. The whole basis of mine and your Christianity rests on the doctrines, truths and promises written within the Holy Bible. Study these doctrines, meditate on the word of God and apply those doctrines to your heart and to your lives.
"Christianity is both a life and a dogma; quite as much the one as the other. But it is a dogma before it is a life; it cannot be the latter till it has been the former. It is out of the dogma that the life emerges; not the dogma out of the life; and the importance that is attached in Scripture to knowledge,--right knowledge,--should make us cautious in disparaging doctrine, as if it were harmless when wrong, and impotent or uninfluential when right." (oldtruth.com)
Friday, November 10, 2006
Forgiveness
"And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." (Mark 11:25)
I've gone through much of my life with really no trust in anyone. I've been let down alot by people, including family. And of course being the person I was I never would forgive anyone who did me wrong, because probably then I wouldn't have something to be angry about or pity myself over I suppose.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
If I have learned one thing being a Christian, its that I don't deserve to be a Christian. I will never ever live up to what God has given me in His Son. If I were to live to be a million and lived the best life I could it would not even come close to earning what God has given me. But He did give it to me. He didn't have to He wanted to. I couldn't have lived much more contradictory to the commandments of God, but then He found me, and forgave me. And then I laugh at myself, how in the world could I be so prideful? To be so unforgiving as if I were a better person than anyone.
If anyone actually reads this, know this much at least. People will let you down, sorry, they are indeed human. Do not put everything into a person, as a Christian your only fulfillment and joy and comfort and rest should be in Christ Jesus. And when people do let you down, remember that grace would not be grace if it were to be deserved. God has shown you a grace and forgiveness that you can never pay back. Don't forget that.
"To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:6-7)
I've gone through much of my life with really no trust in anyone. I've been let down alot by people, including family. And of course being the person I was I never would forgive anyone who did me wrong, because probably then I wouldn't have something to be angry about or pity myself over I suppose.
"But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
If I have learned one thing being a Christian, its that I don't deserve to be a Christian. I will never ever live up to what God has given me in His Son. If I were to live to be a million and lived the best life I could it would not even come close to earning what God has given me. But He did give it to me. He didn't have to He wanted to. I couldn't have lived much more contradictory to the commandments of God, but then He found me, and forgave me. And then I laugh at myself, how in the world could I be so prideful? To be so unforgiving as if I were a better person than anyone.
If anyone actually reads this, know this much at least. People will let you down, sorry, they are indeed human. Do not put everything into a person, as a Christian your only fulfillment and joy and comfort and rest should be in Christ Jesus. And when people do let you down, remember that grace would not be grace if it were to be deserved. God has shown you a grace and forgiveness that you can never pay back. Don't forget that.
"To the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace." (Ephesians 1:6-7)
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Altar Calls
The altar call has been engrafted into most churches as something that must be done for people to 'accept Christ'. But is it really necessary? Or the better question, is it safe?
Interestingly the 'altar call', by many, is seen as an old custom but really it was never seen in the church until the early 1800's when Charles Finney introduced it. Charles Finney stated that you must manipulate and use any means necessary to get people to make a decision for Christ. Unfortunately that practice is completely unscriptural, in fact this has lead to many believing that it is in fact them that initiates and decides their own salvation and thus has neglected God's grace in all of it. Charles Finney was actually deemed a heretic by the church, but his idea of the altar call carried on into the modern church.
The altar call in itself is not an evil practice, but there are some things that I believe people should be warned of. I'm going to outline it in 6 points that were outlined in a CrossTv episode, but I will probably expound a little.
Danger #1 Indviduals can easily be led to believe that their trip down the aisle during an 'altar call' is somehow equal to salvation. The public act of 'going forward' can be so intimately associated with the genuine act of faith...that confusion results. People begin to believe that they are 'saved' by this act...rather than by Christ.
*One thing to keep in mind is that You Do Not Save Yourself. Matthew 19:26 and Mark 10:27 plainly tell us that salvation is impossible with man but that all things are possible with God. Christ is your savior and Hebrews 12:2 says He is the author and the perfecter of your faith, not yourself.
Danger #2 Requiring a public act at the point of salvation can lead a person to think they have 'done something' to 'get' salvation...which compromises the doctrine of grace.
*Once you believe that it was in fact something you did you now claim a salvation by works, your works, not God's. But Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "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." So then it is not by anything that you have within yourself. Your salvation lies completely within the mercy and grace of God. If you put it on yourself you rob God of His glory in converting the human soul.
Danger #3 Altar calls can lead to an over-emphasis on the public response or the public aspect of 'decisions' but a 'public decision' for Christ is not always a reliable indicator of true conversion. In fact...usually it's quite the opposite. History has repeatedly shown that public decisions frequently prove to be quite unreliable as barometers of genuinie conversions. And scripture itself teaches that the fruits of true conversion will only be evident in the life of a believer over time.
*Pretty self-explanatory. Conversion lies within your heart not in the words you speak.
Danger #4 Altar calls can elipse the real cause of conversion. The real cause is not the 'decision' or the 'appeal', or the 'walking of an aisle', nor the 'sinner's prayer', nor the felt 'emotion of the moment' as emotional music is softly played in the background. True conversion is caused by the Holy Spirit...who draws some to believe as the Gospel is proclaimed. And that will happen whether or not an altar call is given.
*One thing I have noticed over and over in most Baptists churches (not bashing Baptists, other churches do it, I've just experienced it more in the Baptists churches that I've been to), is that they like to play the mellow sad music while the invitation is being given. At one church I went to the preacher was giving an invitation and I actually heard a woman behind me say "Why are they not playing the keyboard?" The point is many times its the atmosphere and the music that works people into this emotional stir. But be careful, emotions will stir when convicted don't get me wrong but be sure it is the Holy Spirit that is working in you and not yourself working yourself up.
Danger #5 Some churches think that they are 'evangelistic' merely because they use altar calls. But, in reality, many churches are lilled into an evangelistic 'passivity' where their only attempts at evangelism as a church (or as individuals) are the altar calls at the end of each service. Many of which are so diluted and unbiblical in their presentation of the whole gospel that they are consistently fruitless...regardless of how many people 'come forward' and 'appear' to 'receive' Christ.
*Here is another thing I have noticed in my experience especially when I think back on it. Many time the whole sermon will be about nothing dealing with any salvation message, then at the end the preacher feels the need to interject a very quick gospel message into the sermon. One that is very weak and hardly tells you anything except, "Jesus died for you, come and make a decision to accept Him." Think about it next time you goto church. If the preacher is going to have an altar call like that it needs to be a scriptural message of the gospel, explaining your role in it and the role of God.
Danger #6 The historical record is indisputable: Altar calls have produced 'considerable mischief' (as the early Methodists predicted when altar calls were first introduced in the early 1800s. And early Methodists proved to be very correct in their initial judgment about that). Gospel presentations have grown increasingly diluted, much shorter and less complete, false conversions have become epidemic in the modern church, and God's truth and way are being maligned as a result.
*This says about the same thing. But if you ever wonder why someone seems to accept Christ and has a good run for a while and is on a 'church-camp high' or something, and then later falls away. Think about whether the true Gospel message was preached to them. It is very important that people understand all of it, their sinful state and not just saying "you're a sinner" but confronting their individual sin it is what the law is for (Galatians 3:24). What Christ did, in the full respect, for that person on the cross and the repentance that must take place. Don't cheat people to get more numbers or to make the Gospel more acceptable, you are not doing that person any good.
I believe that the altar call can have its use, as long as people understand that it is not anything that was instituted for the church in scripture. And that the church got along just fine for 1800 years before the altar call came along. There must be a clear and concise gospel message given and not just spurted out real quick at the end of a sermon. Any pastor and person must understand that you cannot manipulate a heart, the Spirit will work in those in whom God has chosen to show mercy. Do not rob God of his Grace and his sovereignty in the process of salvation.
Interestingly the 'altar call', by many, is seen as an old custom but really it was never seen in the church until the early 1800's when Charles Finney introduced it. Charles Finney stated that you must manipulate and use any means necessary to get people to make a decision for Christ. Unfortunately that practice is completely unscriptural, in fact this has lead to many believing that it is in fact them that initiates and decides their own salvation and thus has neglected God's grace in all of it. Charles Finney was actually deemed a heretic by the church, but his idea of the altar call carried on into the modern church.
The altar call in itself is not an evil practice, but there are some things that I believe people should be warned of. I'm going to outline it in 6 points that were outlined in a CrossTv episode, but I will probably expound a little.
Danger #1 Indviduals can easily be led to believe that their trip down the aisle during an 'altar call' is somehow equal to salvation. The public act of 'going forward' can be so intimately associated with the genuine act of faith...that confusion results. People begin to believe that they are 'saved' by this act...rather than by Christ.
*One thing to keep in mind is that You Do Not Save Yourself. Matthew 19:26 and Mark 10:27 plainly tell us that salvation is impossible with man but that all things are possible with God. Christ is your savior and Hebrews 12:2 says He is the author and the perfecter of your faith, not yourself.
Danger #2 Requiring a public act at the point of salvation can lead a person to think they have 'done something' to 'get' salvation...which compromises the doctrine of grace.
*Once you believe that it was in fact something you did you now claim a salvation by works, your works, not God's. But Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "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." So then it is not by anything that you have within yourself. Your salvation lies completely within the mercy and grace of God. If you put it on yourself you rob God of His glory in converting the human soul.
Danger #3 Altar calls can lead to an over-emphasis on the public response or the public aspect of 'decisions' but a 'public decision' for Christ is not always a reliable indicator of true conversion. In fact...usually it's quite the opposite. History has repeatedly shown that public decisions frequently prove to be quite unreliable as barometers of genuinie conversions. And scripture itself teaches that the fruits of true conversion will only be evident in the life of a believer over time.
*Pretty self-explanatory. Conversion lies within your heart not in the words you speak.
Danger #4 Altar calls can elipse the real cause of conversion. The real cause is not the 'decision' or the 'appeal', or the 'walking of an aisle', nor the 'sinner's prayer', nor the felt 'emotion of the moment' as emotional music is softly played in the background. True conversion is caused by the Holy Spirit...who draws some to believe as the Gospel is proclaimed. And that will happen whether or not an altar call is given.
*One thing I have noticed over and over in most Baptists churches (not bashing Baptists, other churches do it, I've just experienced it more in the Baptists churches that I've been to), is that they like to play the mellow sad music while the invitation is being given. At one church I went to the preacher was giving an invitation and I actually heard a woman behind me say "Why are they not playing the keyboard?" The point is many times its the atmosphere and the music that works people into this emotional stir. But be careful, emotions will stir when convicted don't get me wrong but be sure it is the Holy Spirit that is working in you and not yourself working yourself up.
Danger #5 Some churches think that they are 'evangelistic' merely because they use altar calls. But, in reality, many churches are lilled into an evangelistic 'passivity' where their only attempts at evangelism as a church (or as individuals) are the altar calls at the end of each service. Many of which are so diluted and unbiblical in their presentation of the whole gospel that they are consistently fruitless...regardless of how many people 'come forward' and 'appear' to 'receive' Christ.
*Here is another thing I have noticed in my experience especially when I think back on it. Many time the whole sermon will be about nothing dealing with any salvation message, then at the end the preacher feels the need to interject a very quick gospel message into the sermon. One that is very weak and hardly tells you anything except, "Jesus died for you, come and make a decision to accept Him." Think about it next time you goto church. If the preacher is going to have an altar call like that it needs to be a scriptural message of the gospel, explaining your role in it and the role of God.
Danger #6 The historical record is indisputable: Altar calls have produced 'considerable mischief' (as the early Methodists predicted when altar calls were first introduced in the early 1800s. And early Methodists proved to be very correct in their initial judgment about that). Gospel presentations have grown increasingly diluted, much shorter and less complete, false conversions have become epidemic in the modern church, and God's truth and way are being maligned as a result.
*This says about the same thing. But if you ever wonder why someone seems to accept Christ and has a good run for a while and is on a 'church-camp high' or something, and then later falls away. Think about whether the true Gospel message was preached to them. It is very important that people understand all of it, their sinful state and not just saying "you're a sinner" but confronting their individual sin it is what the law is for (Galatians 3:24). What Christ did, in the full respect, for that person on the cross and the repentance that must take place. Don't cheat people to get more numbers or to make the Gospel more acceptable, you are not doing that person any good.
I believe that the altar call can have its use, as long as people understand that it is not anything that was instituted for the church in scripture. And that the church got along just fine for 1800 years before the altar call came along. There must be a clear and concise gospel message given and not just spurted out real quick at the end of a sermon. Any pastor and person must understand that you cannot manipulate a heart, the Spirit will work in those in whom God has chosen to show mercy. Do not rob God of his Grace and his sovereignty in the process of salvation.
Letter (Part 3)
III. The Loss of Salvation
Plain and simple this does not exist, because I know that sin is still within me, if I were to believe this I would be having to gain back my salvation over and over and over in an endless painful cycle. Which the Bible never once mentions the loss of salvation, unless you take verses out of context and proof-text it to fit your position. But it does mention that those who attain eternal life will never lose it. To prove that we have to first understand some things:
Election
The issue of loss of salvation begins here.
Romans
John
But not to end there the Bible clearly declares that there are those elect. In the Matthew 24:22, 24:31. Romans 9:13-19, or really the whole chapter, deals with the idea. But Esau was meant to be the one who was blessed, since he was the first-born son, but because that was not in God’s eternal purpose it did not happen that way for it says, “Jacob have I loved, but Esau I have hated” (vv.13). Salvation is not dependant on man, because if it were there would be no one who came. “For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy” (vv.15-16).
Election is not of the corporate church as some seem to believe, if you look into the verse Eph 1:4 it says, “according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.” The word “Chosen” is the exact same word in the greek (eklegomai) used in the passage in Luke 6:13 where He chooses His 12 disciples, He knew them by name and He knows the disciples He chooses now by name. To say that the Church was what is elect and yet it has no members and relies wholly on the faith of those who by their free will join into the elected body makes no sense. Because then no one would come to that elected body, unless God were to predestine them to do so because with man it is impossible to be saved. Apart from God’s mercy and grace there is no salvation. For Ephesians 2:8 says we have been saved by “grace” through “faith”.
You must have a proper idea of election, and once you have that you will see there is no way that those who were elect could fall away. And if I have made myself unclear or this isn’t good enough let me know because the issue doesn’t just end here, but I would like to move on to the issue at hand.
Perseverance
I know this, that those whom are justified in Christ will not be lost but will be glorified(Romans
By the Power of God
But the truth of the matter is this and you must ask yourself this much, who is it that keeps you in the faith? Is it yourself or is the power of the Spirit of God? 1 Peter 1:3-5, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to His abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Because if you think it is you that keeps you in the faith, then you are wrong. Hebrews 12:2 says that Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith. And to say that His power is not enough to keep us in the faith is blasphemous.
Conclusion of Point III
The elect are not lost. They cannot be, for God would not establish a people to himself and then codemn them that would be contradictory to what the Bible says. Our perseverance is only by the power of God not of ourselves and for that reason I have complete comfort knowing that I rest in the hand of Christ and not in my own hands. If you believe that you can lose your faith and you must somehow work it back into you, then you believe in a salvation by works and that is a completely different subject all together.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Letter (Part 2)
II. The Presence of Sin Continues Even After Salvation Until Glorified in Resurrected Bodies.
The next issue is that of sin after salvation in Christ. From the sound of it you made it sound as if we must be absolutely perfect in this life because of verses such as Matthew 5:48. Which Jesus knows man cannot do in this sinful flesh, and yet we must hold fast to the commandments of Christ, and strive to be perfect like our Father in heaven is perfect.
Unrepentant Heart
An unrepentant heart is one in which never died to sin and so continues to live and walk in darkness never understanding their sin and never placing that sin on the cross to die. 1 John 1:6, “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” This is to say that one continues to walk in darkness, never declaring that sin before God and then repenting and turning from that sin. This person never relies on the forgiveness of God and never confesses that sin to God, and so they continue to walk in that darkness and the ways of the world. But Micah 7:7-9 shows the repentant heart, “Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him, until He plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: He will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.” There is the difference between a Godly repentance and the “fake” or non-existent one. The difference between relying on Christ to cover that sin and continuing in your sin as if it never happened and God will never even care.
Reign of Sin is Over
The reign of sin is over in Christ. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:6). “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof” (vv.12). “For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (vv.14). In this mortal bodies sin will remain but it will no longer have dominion over you. Christ has dominion over us now, for we were once slaves to sin now we are slaves to righteousness.
Sin Remains
This mortal body cannot be perfect though, because the flesh wars against the Spirit until the day we die. You are right in saying that we are no longer salves to sin. Important, though, to understand Romans 7:20 when it says, “Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” The sin still remains in his fleshly body. In his humanness there is still a sin within him, obviously his mind is taken captive by Christ, “But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.” We know this is speaking of Paul as a believer and of all believers because he says in verse 15, “for that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not: but what I hate, that do I.” Unbelievers would never say they hate what they do (cf. 19 and 21). We obviously have not received this perfection yet, until our resurrected bodies are given. 1 Cor
Sanctification in this Life
The conforming to the image of the Son by the power of the Spirit, “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God” (Eph. 3:16-19). In your case you do not believe in sanctification, but if sin continues in the body then you will be conformed more and more into the image of the son (Romans
No Excuse to Sin
Does this leave us with an excuse to sin? No. Of course not. Romans 6 makes that clear as well as 1 John 1:6. This by no means leaves us with the excuse to remain in our known sin. Repentance is continual, and a turning from all known sin so that you do not allow sin to reign but you keep your mind on Christ and run the race to obtain the prize (1 Cor.
Conclusion of Point II
Born a sinner, die one. The question is, is Christ your atonement for those sins? Because if He isn’t you will be eternally condemned.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Letter (Part 1)
Very recently I wrote a letter to a man I talked to on campus. I thought I would put it on here, because it deals with some things that I believe are fundamental to Christianity. I wrote it in three parts and it may not make sense too much for some and so if you'd like to talk about it just lemme know, I'm game. Basically this is broken down by the issues we talked about in somewhat of the same order.
I. The Federal Headship of Adam and Christ
Since at the time I spoke to you I could not come up with the verse to say that, other than I knew that it was “somewhere” in the Bible. I know it to be a Biblical truth and yet I did not have any verse ready to prove it.
Adam representing all Man
We must first acknowledge that Adam was the representation of all man. For the Bible says, “And God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth’ ” (Gen. 1:26 KJV). God states that He will make man in His image, and so who did He create? Adam - the first man. Adam is now understood to be the whole race of man, considering the fact that he was the only person in that race at the time. You and I were not created from the dust and born a full grown man, but yet we are made in that same likeness, because we to are man, who is made in the image of God.
The Curse carries on through Adam
Next, we must say that the curse given to Adam and to Eve is the same curse for all men. Gen
Never a
(He believed that man is born in a neutral state)
Nowhere in the discourse of the Bible does it ever say anything that would lead one to think that man is in a neutral state. The whole purpose of John 3 is to state the fact that one must be “born again” in order to see the Kingdom of Heaven, because flesh is born according to the flesh which is sinful (which is Adam cf. 1 Cor 15:46), but only the spirit born of the Spirit is born again (Which is Christ cf. 1 Cor 15:46). The simple fact, that Romans 3 states, “There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” This is taken from Psalm 14. All choose sin; you are not neutral at birth, and then you might actually by some chance be a good person. Obviously there must be something in our nature to make all turn to sin. The Bible explicitly says, “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans
Psalm 51
Psalm 51 is a clear indication of it, though I know that you do not believe the verse is speaking of being born a sinner, and that it is the sin that surrounds him that he speaks of. But keeping it in context as you said, David just sinned against God, he is not going, “God, I was a perfect child brought into this world of sin,” no, he is lamenting at how much of a sinner he really is, how he was born a sinner, and unless God has His mercy on him, he will die a sinner.
Personal Accountability
You brought up Ezekiel 18:20, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son.” This does, of course, state that the righteous shall live, no matter the iniquity of the father, as verse 19 says if he keeps the statutes and commandments of the Lord he will surely live (spiritually) the curse of Adam is still upon him physically, and so he does not live in this world eternally, but in the Kingdom of God. The verse is referring to the personal accountability of ones actions, (that accountability will come when the person understands good from evil and will always choose evil, until God reveals His truth). If you read on in the rest of the verse, “the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him” (vv.20b). If a man is righteous keeping the commandments of the Lord he is not going to be held accountable for his father’s actions. I am not about to say that I will be judged because of the sins committed by anyone else, I am born in a sinful nature, but I myself am accountable to my own sins which I commit and will give an account before God for those sins. Man’s fall in the garden is not saying that I will be judged for all of Adam’s sin and for all of Eve’s and for all of Seth’s and so on, but God gave Adam a commandment, that if he were to eat from that tree, fellowship between God and man would be broken, and it was broken for all men because Romans 5 says so. The sin for me is not Adam’s actual eating of the fruit, but because he did all mankind fell, making us all separated from God and out of fellowship with Him (thus being an unbeliever) which is our sin. And because we are apart from God, unless he intervenes, we do not care for the things of God (Psalm 14:2), and He can chose to save us or leave us in our condemned state. Obviously men are not born into fellowship with God, or else there wouldn’t be any unbelievers.
For God’s Glory
I gave you the example of John 9 where the blind man is healed and the disciples say to Jesus, “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” And you shut it down because you thought I was speaking metaphorically, which I may have. But I am making the point that this man was born blind, the same as all of us are born spiritually blind. 2 Cor speaks of the blindness before knowing Christ, and it is the same. Only Christ can remove that blindness. But metaphorically or not, the man wasn’t made blind because of anything he had done or his father; he was made blind like all of us were for the Glory of God to be shown.
Conclusion of Point I
On this point I do not agree with anything that says I was born neutral. And to disagree with me on that point does nothing to hurt any kind of theological stance I have. If the Bible were to tell me that I was born a good person and that I am a good person, that would probably be something I wouldn’t fight, but it doesn’t. You take nothing from me because I have already taken it all from me and placed all the glory with God. Plus verses like Romans
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