Vessel of Mercy

I have moved!

2009-11-07T11:51:00.000-08:00

Please visit reformedmeditations.wordpress.com to see the continuation of posts and updates!

God Bless,

A.J.

The deceptiveness of the sin of unbelief

2009-11-05T09:33:00.000-08:00

I suppose that the unregenerate and unconverted have no understanding of the shear unbelief of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They have no excuse and even profess to believe, but through their thoughts, actions and lifestyle they publicly deny the commands of the Savior, and indeed the Savior Himself. Perhaps what represents the most painstaking comparison of understanding belief and unbelief is in light of true believers. It is one thing to be completely ignorant and irreverent of Jesus Christ in an unconverted state and in turn, portray the fruit of unbelief. But, the Holy Spirit enlightens the spiritual senses and awareness of the soul of believers to believe the Gospel and thus provides the discernment necessary to be empowered as a Christian.

Paul states, “And I think Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” 1 Tim. 1:12-13
As a Pharisee of Pharisees, Paul understood and mastered the Old Testament Law in knowledge, but he persecuted true believers as a blasphemous and insolent man, thinking that he was doing right, according to the law. To some professing believers, Paul’s “unbelief” would merely be a distorting or distraction from the “whole truth.” However, upon his conversion, revelation came to Paul in the knowledge of the truth of the Gospel from Jesus Christ Himself to believe. “Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.” Act 9:18
After Christ Himself came to Paul [Saul] and revealed Himself in glory, he immediately knew truth. He believed the true Gospel because Christ took away his hardness of heart and rebellion and forgave his sins as he was filled with the Holy Spirit [v. 17]. What Paul understood as “belief” and “truth” according to the law prior to conversion, translated into blasphemy, insolence and ignorant unbelief after his conversion.

The power, sweetness and purity of Jesus Christ through revelation of the Holy Spirit shatters unbelief in its most perverted form [anywhere from perverting certain doctrines, leading to heresy and to simply be unconverted]. It can turn the mind of atheism into a mind of a radical evangelist for the glory of God. It can transform the demon-possessed and the utmost sexual and murderously perverse mind into a great saint of God, who worships in spirit and in truth. It will break the heart and convict the most hardened of sinners, as Paul claimed to be chief [1 Tim. 1:15]. He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God, says the Scripture [John 3:18 emphasis mine].

If unbelievers are converted from complete unbelief [meaning everything they do is sin and rooted in selfish pleasure and pride that ultimately blasphemes God], then believers must never have unbelief, since they have the Holy Spirit causing them to believe? No, it is the very truth of unbelief after conversion that is the most difficult to discern and repent from due to subtlety and deceit. A believer may be convinced that what he believes is the truth when it in fact, may be a lie. A believer may fall into grievous sin rooted in unbelief. A believer may doubt his salvation to the point of feeling utterly despaired and forsaken by God. The deceitfulness of the flesh and “the old man” in the believer can possibly view unbelief in its truest sense as feeling “normal” or in its latest stages finally realized as being “lulled to sleep” before awoken to [practical] righteousness by the Spirit.

There are at least three practical ways I believe “unbelief as a believer manifests itself”; if understood and acknowledged correctly, then the believer will be enabled and empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome unbelief [and all sin] with sound doctrine and simply believe and apply the Gospel in all areas of life [the same truths apply to the unbeliever but they simply cannot know these truths without the new birth].

Unbelief is rooted in:

1.) Failure to believe that God, through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, can and will deliver from sin and temptation.

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as it common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13

2.) Failure to believe that all our sins [past, present and future] are forever forgiven and nailed to the Cross of Christ.

“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
Colossians 2:13-15

3.) Failure to believe in the power and complete sufficiency of the bloody death of Jesus Christ on the Cross and physical resurrection that makes our faith, power and knowing Him possible.

“Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is not resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God and He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.”
1 Corinthians 15:12-18

Sanctification by the ministering of Spirit brings the light of Christ into the heart and mind of the believer and reminds him of his saved and eternally hopeful condition. It is the Gospel of Christ that allows us to capture thoughts of the horrid, yet eternally liberating crucifixion to see the sins of all God’s remnant nailed once and for all to the cross and forgotten forevermore. That is where the power of practically applying the Gospel to one’s life lies. Without believing the death and resurrection of Christ and applying to every encounter and situation of life, we are prone to sin and indeed, do sin. We are prone to moral failure because we do not acknowledge the true power of the Gospel. But, this desire of the true believer is caused to see the Glory of Christ when tempted to sin and may be able to overcome because of Christ’s victory. How are you overcoming sin, believer? Do you see the Cross? Do you see a religious self-effort? Do you understand the true victory and power you have because the eternal Son of God died for and forgave your sins, in particular?

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; He who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
1 John 4:4-6

God does not only save us from hell, but to commune and fellowship with Him

2009-08-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

An easy trap to fall into as a believer or more specifically a new believer is the fact that God only saves us from Hell. “I’m saved, I’m saved! I am no longer going to hell!” I have certainly exclaimed that statement at least a couple of times in my life [maybe not those exact words]. However, upon conversion, the spiritually dead and flesh-driven scales were peeled from the eyes. The first thing a believer is reminded of upon conversion is his own dreadful condition. The other most immediate response for the new believer is that he now must respond in faith to his entirely new life due to the recognition of the forgiveness of sin.

Once a sinner is converted, the fear of death and hell [and simply the unknown] now has the marvelous light of the Gospel shone upon it. All ideas and previous thoughts of death and the afterlife have now been realized as idolatry and foolishness. Since the sinner is now saved, he now has been imparted the knowledge and righteousness by the Holy Spirit to know that he is not forsaken. The Mediator, Jesus Christ, intercedes on his behalf for all things because He now knows this particular sinner [from eternity]. The spirit has given life abundantly within the soul to now be zealous about the things of Christ and the true power that is given upon conversion.

First, death is no more. Although the body dies because of sin, it will live because of the Holy Spirit imparted by Christ to make the soul alive to God [Ephesians 2]. When Christians speak of “living because of the Holy Spirit,” they should mean it in a literal [physical] sense and not only spiritual. Just as Christ’s resurrection was necessarily a physical resurrection, so our literal deadness is literally made alive by God. The unregenerate unknown has now been made known in the regenerate. The soul has been given life.

“So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’

O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?

The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:54-58.

As the Christian work abounds, so does the worldview of this entirely new life as a new creature in Christ. His dead works are now alive as he now knows the Creator of the Universe. The mystery of this Gospel is that we no longer live as our previous lives manifested, but now it is Christ who lives in us [Galatians 2:20]. We are now therefore inseparable and inescapable from Christ’s gracious love. Everything that was seen, learned, fashioned, fathomed, performed and renounced in the unregenerate is now understood through the lens of the Gospel in the regenerate. There is no more fear of death and what happens after the grave. In fact, the very essence of this new life is that the believer has already died to the flesh. He is already dead to the things of this life. This life is considered completely worthless and meaningless because they gain the infinite, eternal value of Christ. All other things, as Paul states, are counted as loss. He knows that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

If everything stated above is true about the Christian, then it is impossible to treat Christ as simply a way out of eternal destruction in hell. The power and realization of regeneration by the very Holy Spirit of God should be mutually exclusive to the fear of death and hell. By nature, we are either under wrath or mercy. By nature, we are either a sheep or a goat; vessel of honor or vessel of destruction, adopted or forsaken. One is to be eternally blessed in Christ and the other eternally condemned because he has broken the law and deserves only death [Romans 3:23]. The diametrical separation of these two decrees is immutable and not fully understood by human minds due to the eternal nature of the policy that is begun by the spirit of God.

As the believer’s life is consumed in the sanctification process, they are lead and guided only by the Holy Spirit into truth. The days and years are lead further and further away from thoughts of death, condemnation and life in this wretched world that is passing away [although they become more and more understood]. Sin of all sorts is recognized as evermore heinous and dreadfully deadly. The heart, mind and affections are continually set upon the eternal realm and not the immediate or temporal. The result of this worldview and mindset is manifested and attributed to gratefulness for the undeserved eternal deliverance from sin and beholding the radiant glory of Christ.

Consider the prophet Isaiah, who knew his own sinful nature to a great degree. “So I Said : Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I dwell in the midst of people with unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, The Lord of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5
It does not appear that his primary assurance and focus is on the deliverance from Hell, Hades, the Pit or Sheol. Although Isaiah prophesied into words the fall of Lucifer, who ultimately dwells in Sheol [Isaiah 14:12-21], he first saw that he was a man who has sinned and that his transgression was great. The sensitivity to his own natural wretchedness caused him to see the holiness of God in light of understanding the purging of his sin [revealed to him by an angel]. “Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged. [v. 7].” His heart was changed as his own sinful nature was being revealed to himself as he proclaimed, “Woe is me, for I am undone!” At this point, the prophet’s deliverance from sin causes him to respond immediately and with joy to the Lord’s command for him to preach.

It should become evermore apparent that Jesus Christ has is absolutely sovereign and has command over all things, including life and death [and all the things in between]. With our finite and sinful minds, we cannot comprehend the “rebuking of wind raging water [Luke 8:24].” If we are in the boat during the storm the disciples were subject to, we should realize that we are at the complete mercy of God at all moments. Even though Christians are born-again, our faith is not perfect because we still sin [unbelief]. If faith were perfect, then we would not need to “have faith in Christ”. Things would just be as they are in a non-fallen world. We would already know Christ as He is, perfect and holy. Jesus calming the wind and the waves is so far outside of our scope of thinking, the disciples asked, “Who can this be? For He commands even the winds and water, and they obey Him![v.25]” Jesus calms the waves in the open sea in the same way He rebukes, judges and holds the souls of fallen sinners. They are all always under His Sovereign rule. If you see and understand His wonderful, fearful, omnipotent rule and care, then you may see that death and hell have no precedence in creation and that all comes from Christ. If you are with Him in the boat, then there is no cause for concern.

Lastly, Jesus calls sinners unto Himself. “Getting saved” or “becoming a Christian” is not like pulling the rabbit out of a hat trick. It is not merely a statement to men to receive an all-access grant into a church. Neither is it merely a profession of faith to receive baptism or a result of many years as a church member. Rather, salvation is the miracle of regeneration where the sinner’s soul is reconciled to God through the bloody death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. At this point a relationship is enacted and God’s voice becomes familiar and distinct from all others in that He speaks directly to our soul by His word and the Holy Spirit. He continually conforms our image to His in a way that sinners cannot do on their own. “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” John 10:14
Since Christ is and will be the Bride-Groom for God’s entire remnant, He keeps them and holds them throughout their entire life on earth because they belong to Him for eternity. He reminds them of the wickedness that dwells within them. He commands them to take every thought captive to the obedience of Him. He commands repentance. Thoughts and deeds of the elect must be consistently dwelt upon the great Worth of their Savior. Christ is the One who snatches them from the surety of death and destruction apart from Him. Our mortality is swallowed up by the infinite blessedness of immortality because of the Great work of our Savior on the rugged tree. If Christ is the all-consuming fire that we proclaim Him to be, then we already have victory over death, the grave and Hades. Then, thoughts of death and hell become distant, futile and worthless compared to the worth of the Savior. Simultaneously, Christians have the heightened sense of the reality of the imminence of death because of the Spirit. Therefore, they are the only ones that can effectively proclaim the resurrection of the dead in Jesus Christ with zeal, compassion and urgency to all nations that Jesus calls us unto Himself.

“For me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.”
Philippians 1:21-24

The Cost of Discipleship

2009-06-26T08:19:00.000-07:00

Undeniably, the fallen and evil state of this earth presents a potential spiritual catastrophe at any given moment. Various lusts, trials, covetousness, adultery and hatred are consistently knocking at the door of any and every believer. When one sin is overcome, another is already at the door to deceive and penetrate the feeble heart and mind of the Christian. In acknowledging the reality and effects of indwelling sin, we are more prone to evil than to good; to idolatry than to true worship. One minute we are being washed in the water of the word and the next we stumble upon a professing atheist or encounter a trial never experienced before. We are tempted to despair.

The challenge is not to simply “not sin,” but overcome evil with good. Jesus doesn’t just command us to not sin, but to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect [Matt. 5:48]. Since ideas and ideologies do not originate or consist with any human knowledge or power, perfection is defined and lies within the proposition to “be perfect.” Whether we are a disciple of Christ or an atheist, we are all commanded to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect [in the sense that repentance is commanded from everyone].

How can an utterly sinful human being “be perfect” while here on earth? The difference lies in those who are true disciples of Christ. An unbeliever of any sort cannot be perfect because he has no concept of perfection. He cannot know it. A believer, who is by grace made a disciple of Jesus Christ, has the knowledge of the true perfection of the father. Although it is greatly dimmed and perverted due to our finiteness and sin, the conception is nonetheless true. As Jesus fulfilled the law in His flesh, He is one in the same as the Father in perfection. Since Christ is the exact representation of the Father in likeness and attributes, He imputes the perfection of the Father [and Himself] to the believer by the blessed Holy Spirit.

“Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, ‘Behold, an Israelite indeed in whom is no deceit!’”[John 1:47]. Did the Savior of the world indeed proclaim Nathanael to be without sin? Jesus could have certainly drawn out indwelling sin within Nathanael, particularly from his comment, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?[v.46]” Perhaps Jesus merely made a point to Nathanael, but he was publicly revealed by Christ Himself to be His disciple. The disposition of Nathanael was such that he revered and worshiped the Christ without seeing Him until Christ revealed Himself, in the flesh. In other words, Jesus already claimed Nathanael to be His disciple before they ever met face to face. He already had communion and worshiped Jesus as the Son of God. “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel! [v. 49].” Jesus clearly revealed this to Nathanael as He reminded him about his communion with Him under the tree in faith [v. 48].

Discipleship is the sustenance of daily Christian living. It is not only discipleship with other believers that helps to crucify the flesh and all sorts of evil. But, it is communion with the Son of God Himself that even allows for discipleship with other believers. How can one confess sin to his brother when he has no ability or desire to confess to God [who ultimately forgives sin and calls disciples]? How can one “follow Christ” when he naturally follows his own lustful desires? Also, how can Jesus be your Savior if you are not even His friend? I cannot be updated on my brothers’ life if I never call him or talk to him. If I never fellowship with my friend [when I am completely available and able], then it would be difficult to conclude that he is my friend. Nevertheless, I cannot commune with my Savior if I am not confessing my sin, temptation and praying for deliverance from them. I cannot expect prayers to be answered if I never pray like He commands.

Lastly, the blessedness of being called as a disciple [follower] of Jesus Christ is an eternally unique relationship. It is not like my relationship with my brother. My brother only knows certain things about me. He only cares about certain things. It is the same with my mother and father. Although they are my parents, they can only love me as far as their flesh and understanding allows. As Creator and King, Jesus is able and willing to love and fellowship with his children according to His Sovereign Grace. He is able to bear witness wholly and completely because He was in every way tempted as we are, yet without sin.

The only love that is possible between two human beings is simply an overflow of Christ’s love for the church. That relationship is infinitely beyond a temporal relationship here on earth, which includes marriage between a man and woman [although Christian relationships are eternal]. Therefore, being a “disciple” of Christ is a public command to forsake all others and things for His sake. It is indeed to pick up our crosses and follow Him. It is a command “to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect” because it is the Cross of Calvary and the Blood of Christ that makes it possible to share in the unique and eternally blessed relationship with the Son of God that surpasses understanding.

“Jesus answered and said to him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.’”
John 1:50

Religious Affections

2009-03-05T15:31:00.000-08:00

The true Christian life doe not revolve around a set of core beliefs to live by. We are commanded to perfectly obey the Ten Commandments. We must attend worship services to be “in fellowship”. We must pray. We are commanded to preach the Gospel to the ends of the earth. We must be good stewards with money, property and relationships. We are told to love our enemies. But, can the born-again Christian maintain a lifestyle of merely attempting to check off these things on our list and measure how we do according to a man-standardized caliper? Would not the mindset of having a “Christian check list” be directly opposed to fundamental biblical Christianity?

If a sinner has standardized his moral behavior according to his own accomplishments, he will succeed every time. If his goal is to feed one homeless person per day and he does it, he has attained the goal. If he plans to not curse as much as yesterday, he has done well. He will build his self-moral empire until he is glorious in his own eyes. It will therefore tremendously affect the way he truly glorifies God in all things and thus attempts to strip all the glory that belongs to Him. If a man already is or is becoming self-sufficient in his moral behavior and affections, he loses the blessed sight of the Spirit’s power, Grace and providence in every action or deed. Instead of seeing the Sovereignty of God and Glory of Christ, he will rather sin by idolizing his perceived self-willed providence. At this rate of continually attempting to realize his own ‘good’ actions, his pride will puff up as he simultaneously continues to stumble and degrade God’s righteousness name. The most dangerous viper on the horizon of spiritual warfare is that even a saint may not realize his that his great moral actions may be nothing more than self-righteous, [perceived] self-willed and demoralizing progressions of idolatry. It is infinitely more so in the unregenerate depraved mind.

Christians are to glorify God in all things. When the Son of God sets a sinner free from sin and death, he is free indeed. He is no longer condemned but is justified by His Grace. The very spiritual state of mind the sinner is caused to see upon the new birth is the very spiritual state of mind we are to [and will if it is a true work of Grace] maintain throughout life on this earth. If one does not pass from death to life and given the Holy Spirit to be lead into all truth, then it is impossible to glory God at all, much less in feeding a homeless person, corporate worship, Scripture reading or various sorts of “good deeds.” The nature that is given upon the new birth is the “new nature” or the “new man” whose very purpose is to, on one hand, crucify the deeds of the body or the flesh through holiness [convict of sin]. On the other hand, the Spirit’s perfect work is to give all glory to God in the accomplishment of these holy affections. That is above all else. Only the Holy Spirit’s work in the soul can generate true worship and affections for Christ, which produces the righteous deeds in accordance to the will of God.

In true Christian living, the regenerated soul realizes that he is delivered from the infinitely self-righteous and self-glorifying state of mind. As the converted continues in the daily battle of the flesh, the Spirit brings conviction upon the things he naturally wants to do. The sinner naturally wants to build his temple of idolatry and worship his own self-righteous works as if it is he who does them and controls them. He will rather take the credit for a good work prior to submitting it to His very Creator, who is Sovereign and works all in all. He would love his works before loving Christ. His mind is naturally corrupted in perversion and sin; so apart from the Spirit’s work, he cannot glorify God in the purity that acknowledges His perfect righteousness. He would rather covet all things to himself before submitting them to the effectual goodness of the Lord.
These affections eternally separate the regenerate from the unregenerate but they may at times look exactly the same on the outside.

“When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. ‘All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. ‘And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left.’” Matthew 25:31-33

The wisdom of Christ is such that He separates the sheep from the goats according to His own pleasure and glory. Whether we are a sheep or a goat, we must testify in judgment our works according to the perfect glory of Christ. His unsearchable glory cannot and will not be seen in those to whom He has not effectually called by the Spirit. In the unregenerate mind [and the believer at times], works and deeds may make mention of Christ but still ultimately glorify oneself. The stark difference is that when a true believer gives a cup of water, the Spirit causes them see the glory of Christ and do it in Jesus’ name.
“for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in[v. 35].”

The true believer clothes the naked and visits those in prison. So does the unbeliever. The true believer does not do it because Jesus says to always “clothe the naked” or “take a stranger in.” They do it because they will not only clothe the naked, but that they will also give him something to eat. If that person happens to be in prison, they will also visit them there. And if they are thirsty, they will give them something to drink too. The wicked desire to complete these things and gladly receive recognition for them as a good steward or Samaritan. Their hearts are too hardened and self-sufficient to remotely fathom the glory of God in such an action. But true saints of Christ realize that even if they offer something, they know they truly have nothing. Because of the precious blood of Jesus, the depths of the soul in the beloved saints have sprung to life of the glory of God in Christ. Their eyes and ears are open to see and know that Christ has freely given them all things when He hung on the tree. They now know what was always their responsibility [to care for the poor, pray, to worship Him, take strangers in, being absolutely perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect], and plead to Him in utter gratefulness that they now come to His table and eat. We now consider it a gracious honor and pleasure due to the joy given by the Spirit, to give a cup of water in Jesus’ name.

Piercings

2009-03-02T15:18:00.000-08:00

One would only need to read a small portion of Scripture in the Word of God to be reminded that this world is passing away. I can drive down the street and forget Christ. I can work out in the gym and become completely self-sufficient. I can have a phone conversation and become completely distracted from the Gospel. I think obsessively about an injury or issue and completely overlook the Glory of God.

The Scriptures are not only a source of refuge from this world, but the only source of refuge. If you are born-again by the Spirit of God, then the Word is the only thing that separates you from the world. As we trudge a long day at work, fighting our own natures and the perversions of the world [which is everywhere], the Word of God provides the truth of the Universe to convict and feed the soul. The Word reminds us that God's people are chosen out of the world. The world as a whole will be judged and the earth itself will be annihilated. As a Christian, it is rare to find others gathered in a circle in public places reading and meditating on the Word of God. It is rarer still to find that in the sense of sound doctrine. The Mercy of Christ is what the believer ultimately sees when he finds ultimate satisfaction in His undefiled, unapproachably pure and unalterably convicting Word. Its power is such that it draws sinners out of the world and unto Himself.

The Lord of Heaven and Earth

2009-02-25T11:45:00.000-08:00

I suppose most people in redemptive history have developed a sort of philosophic idea in their minds and hearts of who God is [even atheists]. They may develop these ideas from something they read from somewhere else or from someone they have talked to. They may even claim to develop ideas on their own. For example, a Muslim believes that Allah is God Almighty. A Jehovah’s Witness believes that “Jehovah” is God but apart from the deity of Christ. The Buddhist believes in Karma and many rebirths or an ultimate Nirvana or “spiritual enlightenment” that comes from self-suffering or ascetic performance. The common denominator among most religions is not only man-centered and revolving around religious performance, but the God they claim to be “the true God” has also been molded and shaped into their fashion, as an idol. In this they attempt to free themselves from the law. False doctrine results in false epistemologies and fails to observe depravity of the human soul in its truest sense because it does not acknowledge the only perfect righteousness acceptable by God or the true heinousness of sin.

The Word of God [apart from Allah, the Watchtower and other non-canonized Scriptures] speaks for itself, apart from man. The true Word of God describes not only ultimate authority over man with propositions in the Scriptures, but His complete character is described simultaneously. In other words, not only is the true God the one who commands every man everywhere to repent, but that He also demonstrates His character in exalting His name. How does He exalt His name? He first and foremost does not look to man for affirmation in His exaltation because He is self-sufficient and self-existent. Not only is He perfect in Holiness, which makes Him perfectly righteous, but He is omnipotent, omniscient and unapproachable apart from His Sovereign decrees. He is not only an infinite number of things that man cannot understand with an infinitely wretched, feeble and worm-like mind, but He is simply incomprehensible. As He declares His name to be above all things, He declares not only repentance, but also reminds us that He has made everything the eye can see. He has made heaven and earth, the human body, all animals, the universe and single-celled organisms.

These things are only able to be explained by a human to other humans because God has made them. The fact that God made me reminds me of how he captures the entirety of creation with His Word. He reminds me that He has made heaven and earth, which is everything I can see and beyond my scope of comprehension. At the same time, He declares His own righteousness and that He is infinitely above all things. Because He has caused me to see that He is infinitely above all things, He also causes me to see who other religions acknowledge a great deal, but without reverence. This infinitely incomprehensible Holy God who has made heaven and earth has made Himself knowable in the person of Jesus Christ. He therefore strips any self-exultation of man. He brings him to nothing. He causes all insolent ascetic and non-Christ exalting religions to falter upon the rebellious and man-glorifying epistemologies that end in self-destruction. This God-Man is the very manifestation of God to man in the flesh as He declared Himself to be when He walked this earth. Muhammad never claimed to be God in the flesh. Neither did Gandhi. Jesus did not claim to be a good leader or just a prophet. He claimed to be God. This proclamation ultimately lead to His bloody death on the Cross. His power reverberates in the resurrecting power of the Gospel. The true Messiah claimed to be God. The true Messiah died. The true Messiah also rose again and ascended to the right hand of the Father. The true Messiah, Jesus Christ, came to save sinners who will not and cannot save themselves. The true Messiah is still incomprehensible, majestic, excellent and infinitely glorious beyond all measure. His unfathomable Mercy is heard throughout the land. He humbled Himself to be a man and to wash the feet of His disciples. Yet, He is also the Judge and Lord of Heaven and Earth; the maker of all things.

“But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

2 Corinthians 4:2-6

10 possible meditations for a devotion

2009-02-18T14:14:00.000-08:00

1.) Jesus Christ actually walked this planet and historically died on the Cross. Meditate on the historical reality of Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection.

2.) The blood of Jesus’ being shed is the only forgiveness for sins that is possible. Not only that, the power of that blood is enough to forgive all sins forever and thus imparts eternal life of bliss and perfect fellowship from the Creator to the undeserved sinner.

3.) Singles should rejoice in this season to do the work of an evangelist and fulfilling the Great Commission to speak the words of eternal life to the dead and lost.

4.) Married couples should pray to love their spouses in a way that brings the most glory to God according to His Word. Husbands meditate upon the Love of Christ and how He sacrificially loves His church. Wives submit to your husbands in reverence for Christ.

5.) This life on earth is merely a vapor. Meditate on eternity and how losing your life for the sake of Christ makes this world less and less attractive. This world will pass. The Word of God lasts forever.

6.) Meditate on the fact that the Holy Spirit prays for you in your weakness. When you are weakest physically, spiritually and emotionally, then you are strongest in Christ.

7.) We are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, given life and the ability to be obedient to God. Meditate on how He has sanctified you with His Word and Spirit to be more like Him and thus preparing you to be with Him, face to face for eternity.

8.) Meditate on Christian persecution and what it means to be persecuted or killed for preaching salvation in Jesus Christ.

9.) Meditate on becoming a student of God’s Word. The very God who caused the new birth provided the very words that cause sanctification to understand Him more accurately and love Him more rightly until glorification. Know more of the doctrine of God.

10.)Meditate upon Old Testament Scriptures and read commentaries by respected authors to understand them.

Eternal Protection

2009-02-10T11:38:00.000-08:00

“Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:11-16

What a dreaded thought to be an enemy of the infinite Almighty God. To love hatred and to have an openly rebellious heart against the law of the Lord is to be under His wrath. The King of Righteousness is promised to return with a robe dipped in blood, due to wrath and establish righteous judgment upon unjustified sinners. The reprobates are gathered with all of their unregenerate thoughts and deeds and will serve their just punishment. Those who are proud in heart and spirit and who have cumulatively compiled all their sins will be judged with as He strikes the nations as the Word of God.

However, if you are one of His remnant that are broken hearted over sin and defilement of the flesh, then who better to defend your unrighteous deeds then the very One who built the everlasting bridge with His blood? Brethren, Jesus Christ, who is faithful and true according to His eternal promises, infinitely secures His chosen vessels of honor. There is nothing that can separate you from Him. Just as His Almighty wrath is an unstoppable and impenetrable decree, so is His Great Mercy on those whose sins He has graciously passed over and given them His Holy Spirit. If you hate sin and love the brethren, then you are in God’s army and are battling even now. His sword does not bring death and destruction to those He has given His very name and Righteousness. Justification is of an infinite kind and only given by an infinite being. Take courage, saved sinners. If you are fighting the tricks and wiles of the Devil in this world with your own sword, the Word of God, then Jesus Christ, the King of Kings has eternally secured your name in the Book of Life. Not even death itself will prevail.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written:

‘For Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are account as sheep for the slaughter.’

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 8:35-39

The Coming Branch

2009-01-30T08:18:00.000-08:00

“Then the Angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts:

‘If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command, Then you shall also judge My house, And likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk Among these who stand here.
‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest, You and your companions who sit before you, For they are a wondrous sign;
For behold I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH. For behold, the stone That I have laid before Joshua: Upon the stone are seven eyes. Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’ Says the Lord of hosts,
‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts,
‘Everyone will invite his neighbor Under his vine and under his fig tree.’”

Zechariah 3:6-10

Consider yourself blessed if you are able and willing to walk in the ways of the Lord. For walking in His ways are indeed, keeping His commands. By keeping His commands, you have proven to have passed from death to life. Thus, you have received an eternal inheritance, being grafted into the BRANCH.
Sinners are only willing and capable to walk in the ways of the Lord after being shown they are ‘grafted in’ and that their iniquity is removed. In that day, the sinner is shown the utter helplessness and hopelessness without the only HOPE presented before them. They are then forever grateful for the infinite forgiveness of that iniquity that would otherwise stand against them in complete justice.
There are no offerings and sacrifices that will suffice for the forgiveness of our sins. Infinite transgressors of the law in utter finitude are justly and only deserving of Infinite punishment, according to the Law. We are therefore only forgiven from the Infinite Servant, The Branch. His body and infinite greatness is the eternally decreed wondrous and beautiful perfect once and for all sacrifice for the iniquities of mankind. The Branch provides the eternally living water and the only peace and satisfaction to reconcile us to the Father. We are then granted access to boldly enter the throne of Grace as adopted sons and daughters.

Hallelujah.

“But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of the commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that he might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” Ephesians 2:13-17

The Comfort of the Holy Spirit

2009-01-26T14:43:00.000-08:00

The epitome of the Christian life on earth rests in the Holy Spirit. Storms arrive at seemingly inopportune times as the sin nature rises up in angst against the Almighty Lord. Paul states, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14. This promise rests not on man’s abilities as he is the utmost inconsistent and rebellious creature. In a world saturated with sickness and death, the only sense of relief and eternal security is by the blessed indwelling of the Holy Spirit in a believer. The promise rests in the revelation of God’s word to the heart of a believer, filling him with everlasting fruit of the Spirit and knowledge of the Glory of Christ. A believer should rest as he puts on Christ and perseveres to mortify the flesh and put to death the sins of the body. We should take on sickness with gladness as we submit our requests before the infinitely Sovereign Lord to heal our already sin-sick bodies. May we see the promise of the sealing of the Holy Spirit as a merely passing through this life into transient glory, while preaching the glorious Gospel of Christ to those who are infinitely dead in sins. We are not citizens of earth, but citizens of heaven. We are sealed because we were purchased by the blood of Jesus, eternally delivered from sin, sickness and death. He receives us unto Himself because He has done it all.

Psalm 145

2009-01-02T06:14:00.000-08:00

“The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.”

Psalm 145:8-9

In all eternity, the character of the Lord is immutable. He is therefore by nature, gracious, compassionate and slow to anger. These attributes of His nature cannot and will not change. The reflection of His eternal compassion subdues the hearts and natures of man in an instant. He draws near to the transgressors, bringing them in from a foreign land into the land of the living. He has sought out those who are dead and would otherwise be eternally forsaken and judged according to the strict righteousness of the Law and gives them life. Those who are willing and able to give grace to others are those who are shown great mercy by our Lord. Those who are compassionate upon the poor, naked and blind are those who see the eternal compassion of the Lord. Those who are becoming slow to anger as they are able display the love and mercy of our Creator, being changed from a hateful wretch by nature are those to whom the Lord is slow to anger. Each aspect of the complete character of God is indeed dependant upon those whom He has clothed in the righteousness of His Glorious Son.

The Law is treated as a foreign language to those who are perishing

2008-12-22T10:40:00.001-08:00

The purpose of the law is to convict of sin. The knowledge of it already dwells within the conscience of even the most hardened sinner. Unregenerate knowledge utilizes a language from the enemy [Satan] that is common among other unregenerate sinners. It is a relatively agreeable language, in that, sin is the common derivative. Certain gods and idols are uniquely fashioned to our liking and can easily transfer from one to another like a contagious disease. Because man is fallen, it is the agreeableness of the sin nature that seeks the opposite of what the law states, birthing self-indulgent pleasure; making man his own God and thus having forever committed moral suicide [Gen. 3:5]. “Honor your father and mother.” The sin language that sinners speak, at the very most, naturally do not agree to honor, love and respect those God has used to bring about their birth. “You shall not murder.” At the very least, we love to hate and approve of others who do the same. Apart from Grace, we cannot escape those things we naturally speak and do. The sin nature is a universal death language that is common among all mankind.

#1) Who is Jesus Christ to you?

2008-11-30T17:17:00.000-08:00

In the conclusion of the salvation series, I wanted to pose the question, “Who is Jesus Christ to you?” I would like to team up with John Piper in the teaching and explanation of what Scripture explains about the Christ. The basics come from a sermon that was preached at the 2008 New Attitude conference.

In a nutshell, I appreciate the way that Dr. Piper explains human nature in such a simple, yet profound way. In our calloused, self-sufficient sinful hearts, we all fill our hearts and minds with something that we treat as a Savior. It may be our jobs, relationships, cars and even church itself. John used a common example of, “We treat God like a ticket at the movie theater. As soon as we get where we are going [inside the theater], we simply throw the ticket away.” It renders useless. As simple of an example as this seems, there is a profound spiritual implication that can be drawn from it. It explains exactly how professing Christians in America, in particular, respond to the Gospel. We don’t read the Bible, observe the biblical reality of sin, righteousness and judgment or have a clue about the Glory of God, but by golly, we are going to heaven. Our cultural mandate sifts through true spiritual affections to slide under the door of the church by meeting the bare minimum status quo for religion. We want church, tithing, mission’s trips, retreats and even heaven; but we don’t want Christ. As Piper explained, “We simply want a ticket to jump out of the line going to hell to jump in the line going to heaven.”

One of the things that I immensely cherish from the perspective of Dr. Piper [and obviously Scripture] that very few other Pastors preach or even understand is simply, “the treasuring of Christ.” It doesn’t take much time spent with anyone to find out what they treasure. If someone professes to love Christ but yet, never talks about Him and never seems to worship Him, how is it possible to treasure Him? The Scriptures say, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” It is clear that we all worship and “treasure” something and the predominance of that worship is what the affections of the heart are set upon. Those who treasure Christ treat Him as the pearl of great price.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, ‘who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.’”
Matthew 13:45-46
Once you know Christ and have been effectually drawn into a relationship with Him [John 6:44], then your eyes begin to see and the heart begins to understand all that the Scriptures declare Him to be from eternity past. You realize that He is infinitely Glorious and forsake your entire life to follow Him.

One of the most captivating explanations of who Jesus is in the Scriptures concerning His Savior status may be Isaiah 53.

“Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him. He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Surely he has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet he opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment, And who will declare His generation? For He was cut off from the land of the living; For the transgressions of My people He was stricken. And they made His grave with the wicked- But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him; He has put Him to grief. When you make His soul an offering for sin, He shall see His seed, He shall prolong His days, And the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in His hand. He shall see the labor of His soul, and be satisfied. By His knowledge My righteous Servant shall justify many, For He shall bear their iniquities. Therefore I will divide Him a portion with the great, And he shall divide the spoil with the strong, Because He poured out His soul unto death, And he was numbered with the transgressors, And He bore the sin of many, And made intercession for the transgressors.”

If all knowledge or perfection of the Glory of Jesus Christ were to be written in a book, the whole world [Universe] could not contain it. The apostle John explained that the world could not even contain books written only about “the many other things” that Jesus did concerning only signs and wonders [John 21:25]. The eternally key measure to obtaining truth and knowledge about Jesus Christ of which the Gospels explain is to see and know Him as Savior. Although sinners have debated amongst themselves about who the Christ is since He walked this earth, He has clearly revealed Himself to man.
“Then they said to the woman, ‘now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and we know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.” John 4:42
An unconverted sinner whose sins are not forgiven cannot begin to speak or write any righteousness word regarding the Christ, His Eternal Sonship, Righteousness, Infinite Glory and His Offices [as Prophet, Priest and King]. The only way to treasure Christ in even the smallest proportion is to renounce all self-sufficiency, worldly wisdom and carnal knowledge, acknowledge sin by having committed infinite transgression of the law, repent and embrace Him as Savior. It is only in the moment where Christ pierces the heart by His spirit, causing you to say to yourself, ‘He told me all that I ever did’, when you know who he is [as the Samaritan woman] and can speak a word of knowledge. Otherwise, the carnal mind simply acknowledges the reality of Christ and of God like a demon, who is completely cut off from Grace and the knowledge of His infinite worthiness.

The prayer of King Hezekiah to be delivered from the king of Assyria distinguishes the Eternal Lord from man-made idols.
“O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, the One who dwells between the cherubim, You are God, You alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth.” Isaiah 37:16.
After knowing the eternal worthiness of the living God, King Hezekiah is able to discern the difference between the true God and worthless idols and pray for deliverance.
“Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, ‘and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands—wood and stone. Therefore they destroyed them. ‘Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone.”
Isaiah 37:18-20
So is the mindset of the converted soul. King Hezekiah knew only One Lord. He did not develop a mixture of carnal ideas to make up his own god. He publicly renounced those gods and idols [made of wood and stone]. It does not matter the substance of a foreign god, whether it is an idea or physical statue of some sort. Hezekiah pronounced and pleaded his God to be “God alone”, “of all the kingdoms of the earth,” and “who made heaven and earth.” He claimed to have only one God. He did not leave a chance to be taken that one of the other gods could actually be the true God in a sense. He literally brought the idols to ashes, while exalting the true, living God, who was his all-consuming eternal deliverer.

The eternally begotten Son of God was made [before the world began] into the likeness of man. This blessed decree was the manifestation of the perfect Glory of God in all things. God spoke in various times and in various ways, but in these days, He speaks to us through His Son, through whom He also made the worlds [Hebrews 1:1-2]. The incarnation of the Christ displays the visible image of the invisible God. He is in all ways like God, for He is God, perfect in character and likeness. He is the perfect God-Man in who dwells no sin.
“Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For indeed He does not give aid to the seed of Abraham. Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.”
Hebrews 2:14-18
In order for Him to be Savior, God eternally decreed the incarnation. His plead was that He was in all ways like a man as He maintained a physical body, with blood and bones. He has a conscience and a brain. The only difference between Jesus Christ and any other man is that Jesus Christ is also God, infinitely maintaining moral perfection. So, the ‘only’ difference is truly an infinite difference in all ways. The One who created the human body in Genesis 1 chose to be subject to the weakness of the body, reflected in the incarnation, which perfectly demonstrates His infinite humility and Priesthood. He is then able to bear witness with those who are tempted of the flesh, for He was also subject to temptation from the Devil, yet without sin. That is the difference between Christ and all other flesh. He came to publicly triumph over death, Satan and to give life to others by his perfect sacrifice as the Lamb of God.
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.”
John 12:24

Jesus Christ is the bread of Heaven. His description of how He is the bread causes some to be appalled at the thought but others to treasure and bow in worship at the very utterance of how we become one with Christ. He says that we are to “eat of His flesh” and “drink of His blood [John 6:53-58].” If interpreted in the literal sense as the Jews thought, then it is a disturbing and abhorring word picture [v.52]. But, hardness of heart and perversion of the mind do not prevail the purpose of Christ’s words. How much more does one treasure food when they are hungry? It is the same with drink. How replenished does one treasure water after dehydration? Every sinner has had such an experience at one point or another. In the physical sense, we all must eat and drink something to survive. It is the same in the spiritual sense that Jesus describes. We all must eat or drink, but to either be eternally saved or eternally lost. “This is the bread which came down from heaven-not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever” [v.58]. Jesus displays His power and glory in that all other “bread” or “manna” simply ends in death. Each of us is eating from either the Bread of Heaven, or we are eating of sensual religion or worldly bread that ends in corruption and ultimately eternal destruction. This was and is a hard saying of Jesus that His disciples did not understand [v. 61]. Nevertheless, it divides true disciples or those who are in union with Him by the spirit who gives life, and those who are merely after worldly manna and to please themselves.

Those who are offended by the eating of Christ’s flesh and the drinking of His blood are not offended by the grotesque expression. They are offended by the proclamation of who Jesus says that He is. Eat of His flesh! Drink of His blood! “No, I cannot bear to hear it!” says the hardened sinner. If you cannot see it or hear it, then you do not have life. One who rejoices at the thought and description from the very Son of God about the eating and drinking of Him is one who has life. It is a blessed saint who sees the very reason for the eating and drinking of Christ. It is one who sees his reflection as one who is a fallen wretch and a broken spirit. He sees the heinousness of his infinitely sinful [i.e. lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterous, murderous] nature and heart. Each description of the eating of Christ’s flesh and drinking of His blood is merely a shockingly sober reminder that we each are personally the reason for His crucifixion and that He is merciful enough to give us Himself.

In the beginning of our lives on earth, we are each individually alone in the darkness and susceptible to the utmost corruptible crimes under the full fury of the wrath of Almighty God. As an unregenerate, lifeless soul, we are tossed to and fro with waves of deception that blind the conscience from the truth of the Glory of Christ. We care about nothing other than to please our flesh and satisfy our bellies to our own moral demise. We are truly lifeless and eat the bread of worthless idols to merely fuel the infinite fire of God’s wrath. An unregenerate life is like being on a ship that sails into the middle of the ocean. The sailing is a seemingly glorious experience with the wind blowing, birds in the air and sun shining in all its glory. It is not in trouble until the ship undergoes a furious storm with wind and waves under the darkest and gloomy of skies. It is soon torn in pieces and we are suddenly in the water, all alone and no land on the horizon. As we sink deeper and deeper in the water, we are further and further from life and ultimately drowning in the deep abyss. It is certain destruction unless there is a rescuer. Thomas Boston beautifully explains the life of professing Christians,
“Ye cannot take Christ, as a Redeemer, if ye take him not in all his offices. He offers himself to sinners no other way. And what God has joined together let no man put asunder. Many pretend to take Christ as a Saviour to save them from hell and wrath, who do not hearken to him as a Prophet to teach them the saving knowledge of God, nor submit to his laws and commandments. How many call Christ their Lord, and yet do not the things that he saith? O the folly of the world, that reject Christ’s teaching, saying, Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways! O the stupidity of those who despise Christ as a Priest, and think to recommend themselves to the divine favour by their own works of righteousness, which they substitute in the room of his righteousness! O the madness of those who contemn Christ as a King, refusing to submit to his royal authority, and who spurn at his laws and government! And how foolish are the princes of the earth that will not suffer Christ to reign freely in their dominions, but encroach on his authority, and make laws opposite to and inconsistent with his!”

Upon the born-again sinner’s recognition of the righteousness of God perfectly fulfilled in Christ alone, he begins to continually see and understand the futility of his efforts in religion and life. Once grace upon grace is imparted from the wisdom of God to the soul of the redeemed by revelation of the Holy Spirit and the Word, the sinner learns to walk in the ways of the wisdom of God. Christ’s ways becomes his ways. Christ’s words become his words. This is no longer a man alone in his ship until it crashes in the middle of the ocean and is lost forever! His sins are no longer held against Him. In fact, his sins have been separated as far as the east is from the west. Some misrepresent the nature of man before he is born-again. Some say, “I was seeking and finally found God” or “the man was reaching out in desperate need to be saved.” But, what caused you to seek? What caused you to reach out in desperate need to be saved? It is the Holy Spirit of God alone, enveloping the soul and sealing it by Grace.

The testimony of Christ according to the revelation of the Scriptures is one that is signed and sealed with blood. The One who created all the nations is the One who inherits all the nations. He, who made the law, came as a man to fulfill it and make a New Covenant with His own righteous blood.
“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come, with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, that is, not of this creation. Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of eternal inheritance.”

Hebrews 9:11-15

As Jesus was teaching His disciples, He opened their eyes as to who He was and His very purpose.
“Then He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’ And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are all witnesses of these things.’”
Luke 24:44-48
There is an inexpressible, undeniable and all-consuming gratefulness of the crucifixion of Christ realized in the heart of God’s remnant. Picturing the inexhaustible worthiness of the Savior and heir of all things pouring forth His blood from a rugged tree for the transgressions of mankind, bearing the full wrath of God, is one that is eternally enamored. Just as horrid of a sight it is to see the King of Kings brutally scourged to an unrecognizable level and nailed to a cross, it is even more horrid to know God’s full wrath and infinite hatred toward sin and rebellion. An infinitely rebellious creature such as I should, according to the law, die for even one sin and suffer in hell for eternity. On the contrary, an infinitely glorious and righteous God-Man, Jesus Christ, according to the law, should never die because He never transgressed the law. Yet, it pleased God to bruise His Son.
“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8

The Creator of all things willfully separated Himself from perfect Triune love and harmony to be born of a virgin. He subjected Himself into the hands of sinners to be placed on trial; being accused of blasphemy. He withstood the mockery of Pontius Pilate and Roman soldiers and ultimately nailed to the cross as a sinless God-Man. After He died, He rose again on the third day in glory. He now imparts His Holy Spirit to those whom He has chosen in eternity past to reveal Himself in righteousness. Those to whom He imparts His Spirit are the nations that He has died for. That is His Bride. It is finished. The work is done. The infinite transgressions of these people are now nailed to the cross, and forgotten forevermore. They have now been reconciled to God because of the death and resurrection of the Savior [Romans 5:11] They now receive the Holy Spirit by faith, this great Grace from the Creator of Heaven and Earth, all things seen and unseen, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He has the authority to forgive sins. He forgives them for us by dying to bring us to Himself. It is for our eternal good. It is for His ultimate Glory. Once He becomes our Savior, then He becomes our Treasure.

#2) Do you desire to ‘mature in the faith’ or are you maturing in the faith?

2008-11-17T20:06:00.000-08:00

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

Hebrews 5:12-14

When a newborn baby proceeds from its mother’s womb, it is a rather helpless being. It is completely dependent on someone to take care of it in all ways. Mother’s in particular attest to the truth of all the time and effort that is required to raise a child from infancy. Namely, a child cannot proceed from the womb expected to devour any solid food. The stomach and digestive system is sensitive and delicate as it cannot absorb hard or non-liquid substances. In fact, it does not even go past the mouth, for an infant has no teeth. It cannot chew anything. The baby is born only able to drink milk or purely liquid substances. Since it is unable to consume or “take in” anything else, milk is the only thing that satisfies and nourishes the child. It is the same with all other mammals of other types on the planet. Without milk, there is no life. With milk, there is potential to satisfy the desire of hunger that also provides the ability to grow and develop into other types of foods to consume. Eventually, the baby will no longer need only milk as the majority of its diet, but other more solid foods will be the majority.

Spiritually speaking, the difference between milk and solid food demonstrates the progressive stages of spiritual maturity in the Christian. The writer of Hebrews beautifully and harmoniously portrays the spiritual and physiological contrast that humans [Christians] face daily. As even an atheist would tend to agree about the requirements for the nourishment of an infant, so it is regarding the Christian and the progressive stages of maturity. In essence, the level of maturity divides Christians [professors] in the form of doctrine. According to Hebrews, it is in the exercising of the spiritual faculties [the Holy Spirit] to discern good and evil that differentiates one who eats solid food and a babe who drinks mostly or only milk.

One who is ‘unskilled in the word of righteousness,’ may typically be one who has developed itchy ears and purposefully diverts the word of God to believe and practice fables and lies developed by men.
“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Upon conversion [if truly converted], although this person is perfectly aware of the truth of the word of God, he needs to be taught the basic principles. Because milk is the majority of the spiritual diet, he delights in the basics. His soul produces very minimal effort to seek to understand the deep things of God. If a man has an adult physical body, a diet consisting mostly of milk does not provide the nutritional value it needs. An adult would be malnourished very soon after consuming only milk. As milk is the necessary means for a baby to develop into an adult since it is a sign of birth, so it maintains that solid food is the necessary means for an adult to survive and be nourished enough to continue and thrive. In the same way, a man who delights in the basic spiritual principles cannot thrive. His own sin will be the stumbling block that prevents him from discerning good from evil. His judgment of the sinful nature will be like sap running down a tree. It is not quick, but drips slowly while soaking up everything in its way. He may even delight in his sin for a season, not recognizing how heinous it is before the infinitely Holy God.

“Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits. For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”

Hebrews 6:1-6

Those who have been truly wrought of the Holy Spirit cannot and do not ultimately forsake the faith. The pendulum of the Christian faith in the sinner sways whichever way the Sovereign Lord wills. It is the Lord who grants the precious gift of repentance as well is well as unveiling the eyes and ears to have faith. The production is the eternal salvation of the soul. A man alone cannot believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved, but it is the efficacy of the Holy Spirit alone that transforms the heart to have affections for God. Therefore, the only true enlightenment is by the Spirit and what God alone has done. Man is able to foster mimics of the same effects, but these effects are not ultimately produced by the righteousness of the Spirit. One who is religious cannot and will not ultimately come to true faith, apart from God bringing the soul to life. They, like Judas Iscariot, may walk with Jesus’ people for a time. They may also appear righteous before men. But, in the end, they crucify the Son of God and put Him to an open shame by the way they live their lives. It is their true hatred for God that dominates the affections to the eternal ruin of the soul.

However, to the chosen vessels who truly bear the name of Jesus Christ and whose names are written in the book of life, solid food [by Grace] dominates the spiritual diet. Solid food rejoices in sound doctrine and the soul consisting of this diet is never satisfied with only milk. Although milk plays a role at the beginning of every Christian life, the ever increasing sanctification provided by the Spirit causes the diet to shift. This is none other than the Grace of Our Lord alone, providing the way. The religious self-effort of man ends him up in utter despair and ruined in sin. That is the natural tendency of every man. Hebrews exhorts, “But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.” Hebrews 6:9 Our earthly glorifying of The Lord is viewed dimly due to the presence of sin in and among God’s people. But, in the things that accompany salvation, the emission of sound doctrine provided by the Spirit and the Word is the cross hairs nearing the bulls eye.

Spiritual milk initiates the basic understanding of the word of God. Words like prayer, reading, God’s will, seeking, knowing and being obedient are probably understood most often in the predominately milk diet [not that these are less important or ever become that way]. Words like, propitiation, expiation, justification, mediation and reprobation are more likely to be understood and theologically practiced in a predominately solid food diet. The purpose of Paul and the writer of Hebrews speaking about ‘solid food’ is not to cause a believer or new believer to feel inadequate in knowledge or spirituality [although we truly are]. Neither is it to exalt or glory in the knowledge of man. Eating solid food or practicing sound doctrine is what best reflects the Glory of God in the accuracy of the teaching of His inspired Word.

What we say about our Creator is either true according to His Word, or it is false, according to His Word. The way we grow more intimate with our Father is by understanding more of who He is. Like our earthly fathers, we know more about them by spending time in communion with them. We find out how they think, react and respond to certain situations. In the end, we grow to love them more by knowing them more. It is the same with our Creator. The more time we spend in communion with Him, the more we understand how He thinks and the more intimate the relationship becomes. Thus, it creates a greater understanding of His infinite glory and our eternal worthlessness. As we grow to understand of the true Character of God in that, he hates as well as loves and he condemns as well as justifies, the effects produced are the breaking of the hearts of feeble men where they stand, in humility. The more we see and understand His Holiness, the more we see our unholiness and thus desire to be Holy. The more we see and understand His hatred for sin and rebellion, the more we see our sin and rebellion and learn to hate it, etc.

The lifelong blessedness of solid food, i.e. practicing sound doctrine, provokes an orthodox [biblical] view of the illumination of the person of Jesus Christ. The blessed ability to see the eternal counsel of God in the person of Christ is indeed an anointed understanding. It is not only an understanding, but a multitude of facets are sought to be treasured and understood because of their eternal worthiness. These spiritual facets are the simultaneous understanding of particular doctrines and the role that Jesus Christ plays in each. Eternality, Love, Sovereignty, Hate, Mercy, Grace, Glory, Justification and Reprobation are all biblical doctrines that explain Jesus Christ and His eternal counsel in redemptive history. Only the illumination caused by the Holy Spirit can open our eyes to see the blessedness and eternal reality of the Glory of God and His fame. We understand this by seeking God in His word with a humble heart, moving on to perfection and laying aside the temporal desires of this world that fade before our very eyes.

“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end.”

Hebrews 6:10-11

#3) Were you ever baptized? [Why or why not?]

2008-11-01T12:49:00.000-07:00

In the history of Christendom, baptism has played a significant role in the church. The purpose of this post is to not discuss the history of circumcision in the Old Testament, beginning with Abraham. Nor is it to discuss the differences between credobaptism and paedobaptism. Since I am a protestant believer and was born-again in a Baptist church, I was nevertheless personally ‘immersed in water’ after my conversion. I am not a proponent of infant baptism and will simply defend ‘believer’s baptism’ or ‘credobaptism’ based off the New Testament Scriptures on what the Apostle Paul teaches as well as Jesus Himself. Ultimately, the purpose should highlight the importance and commandment of a [new] believer to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins.

Although baptism reflects newness of life, it is clearly not what saves the soul. It is merely a symbol or outward reflection of the inward change of life. Water itself cannot save the soul or forgive sin as much as it cannot become a pig and fly. There is no more power in water [sprinkled or immersed] than there is in a tree or stone. Immersion is the sacrament in the New Testament that publicly displays that a believer’s heart has been circumcised and is indeed ‘putting off the sins of the body.’
“In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.”
Colossians 2:11-13

In the task of baptism, the purpose and evidential power clearly lies solely in Jesus Christ. According to the whole counsel of Scripture and of God, it is only He who can forgive sins [John 1:29]. It is only Christ who laid His life down and took it back up again with His own power; so we trust and depend on that very act to ‘die’ to our flesh and this life to be raised by Him in the last day. In the process of immersion, the submersion represents our death and burial to sin and flesh in this life and the ascension out of the water represents our resurrection to a new life in Christ.
“Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-6
Just as Christ was glorified as well as the Father in His resurrection, so will we be glorified in our resurrection because of what Christ gave us access to by His death and resurrection. Baptism represents our death to sin [and its dominion] and union with Christ, just as marriage between a man and woman represents the sacrificial relationship between Christ and the church.

Perhaps the most convicting commands for baptism in the New Testament are from Jesus Himself as He correlates it with the Great Commission.
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’” Mark 16:15-16
I do not want to exaggerate baptism over the importance of preaching the gospel or believing. Without the preaching of the gospel and the Holy Spirit illuminating the eyes and ears of the heart to the stark truth of its wretched and hopeless condition without the new birth, there would be no belief or repentance. There would be no cause or concern for the need of baptism. Without belief and the repentance of sins that causes regeneration, baptism may only serve to rinse the body of a little dirt. It would therefore be impossible to truly display the glory of God in the public declaration of the forgiveness of sins if you are indeed dead in them. If one is baptized without true repentance or regeneration [the indwelling of the Holy Spirit], then it merely blasphemes God by claiming a miracle that has never taken place [that you are saved when you are really not]. It does indeed represent an earthly and sensual proclamation to do what one could never do on one’s own. To publicly claim to have died to your flesh and have been in union with Christ through the act of your baptism, and truly be dead in sins, is nothing other than Judas kissing Jesus on the cheek prior to delivering him to the Romans. Unless the Grace of God in His goodness snatches the soul out of the miry clay and the pit of hell, an unregenerate baptism is simply a publicized betrayal.

On the other end of the spectrum, there may be true believers who have never been baptized. Or, they may have been baptized at one point as an unbeliever, but then were truly converted at a later date. According to God’s word, I do not believe there is justification to not be baptized again. To reiterate, if one is truly converted by the Spirit and ultimately lead to repentance, then the fact that one is baptized [again] does not affect the justification process. But consider the humbling and conscience provoking example of Jesus Christ Himself.
“When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, then heaven was opened.”
Luke 3:21
This event set the perfect example for the rest of New Testament believers. The only difference is that Jesus Christ did not need baptism. Hence, John responded to Jesus’ request to be baptized by asking, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me? [Matthew 3:14]” According to the eternal decree of God for the purpose of John the Baptist, he was a righteous man. He was filled with the Holy Spirit in the womb [Luke 1:15]. He baptized sinners in the Jordan daily as well as commanded them to repent. Yet, he first exclaims to Jesus that it is he who needed to be baptized by Him. John’s reverence for the Lord displayed Jesus’ true glory and power to forgive sins. For the first time among John’s many baptisms, he baptized One who has never sinned. This public act not only demonstrated Jesus’ perfect righteousness, but now John was physically reminded that he was truly not worthy of unloosing the Savior’s sandal.
“When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He said the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”
Matthew 3:16-17

In the infinitely proficient sustenance of Jesus’ baptism, His light continued to shine in the darkness. He explained in the Gospels that he did not come to be served, but to serve. Just as it is a great miracle and unfathomable gesture of Mercy for the Son of God to wash the feet of His disciples, so it is exactly what He explained His character and purpose to be. Just as Jesus physically washed the feet of His disciples as a perfect example, so we are to spiritually wash each others feet in sacrificial love and care for one another [John 13:14-15]. The same applies in the public baptism of Jesus. He justly and righteously does not need to be cleansed of any sin, for He knew no sin. Just as the King of Kings should justly and righteously have His feet washed all day by his disciples, He perfectly displays His own righteousness by the infinite kindness of His character to do as He did; to serve in such a way that fallen sinners do not naturally desire. If the eternal Son of God, who knows not sin, humbly came as a God-Man from the perfect Eternal counsel of the Trinity to be subjugated in the hands of sinners and ultimately nailed to a cross, what word do we bring against Him as infinite and justly condemned sinners? It is impossible to be changed by Him and not desire to serve and wash the feet of others. Just as the very act of the baptism of the sinless Christ weighs heavy on the conscience of those who have infinitely transgressed His name, so we should eagerly desire by the Spirit of God to perfect all righteousness by our baptism in demonstration of our union with Christ and unrelenting public gratitude for His infinite forgiveness of our sins.

#5 and #4.) What is your relationship to sin and when someone attempts to discuss your personal sin, do you get offended?

2008-10-24T21:17:00.000-07:00

(Since #5 and #4 are so closely related, I decided to tie them together.)

Once a soul is born-again and made alive by the spirit, its relationship to sin changes. Namely, the diametric change of the soul’s destiny causes a completely new life and formulation of character in the current life on earth. It is no longer a slave to sin. In accordance to the relationship with God and His eternal decree, one who was once viewed and judged as a child of wrath [prior to conversion] fit only for destruction, is now viewed and judged as a child of God and judged according to the righteousness of Christ. Therefore, the response and relationship to sin should and must represent the necessary character change from an unrepentant to a repentant heart.
“ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”
2 Corinthians 5:17-18

Once the new birth has taken place, there is a deep sorrow for sin that envelopes the heart and affections to lead the soul to repentance, treasuring the cross of Christ and His blood shed for atonement. Sorrow for sin and zeal for repentance is the signal of a broken heart before God in search of humility while casting down selfish ambition, self-sufficiency and the sinful nature. Paul states,
“Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter.”
2 Corinthians 7:9-11
The conviction instilled by the Holy Spirit upon the new birth heightens and magnifies sin to an unbearable level that leads only to repentance. The very purpose of the coming of the spirit is to convict the world of sin, righteousness and judgment, i.e. our own natures [John 16:8]. It stirs holy fear in the soul that sins against the infinite God Almighty and is to be set apart from the rest of the world. Zealousness for repentance demonstrates the urgency caused by the spirit to obtain the obedience shone forth by the supreme example of Jesus Christ Himself; it brings forth the true joy in overcoming sin and temptation that provides the assurance of salvation. If one has not been wrought by the spirit, there is no zeal, indignation, holy fear or ultimate desire to be obedient, which simply brings forth death.

One who thinks he is in control and can handle his sin is not really battling it but is indeed embracing it. ‘For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places [Ephesians 6:11-12].’ Paul acknowledges and exhorts that we ‘wrestle’ or battle against spiritual wickedness, namely Satan, demons and our sinful nature. We cannot truly be changed by the Gospel of Grace if we do not persuade the continual diligence of battling evil and the desires of the flesh that we naturally desire to do [Galatians 5:19-21]. If we do not acknowledge the reality and ever presence of evil, then we do not know the benchmark in which to battle. In the same way, if we do not see or know the holiness of God and the infinite greatness of it, then we cannot see the utmost evil that dwells within us with any accurate measure. Therefore, if you are a Christian, then you are never “in control” of sin. If God has regenerated your soul, then a battle indeed takes place at all times. To the churches of Galatia,
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
Galatians 5:16-17
To walk in the Spirit is to not lust against the flesh. To lust against the flesh is to not walk in the Spirit. The reiteration of the “lusts” demonstrates the consistent battle between the two that must take place until the body is glorified.

Perhaps the greatest and most thought provoking example of the reality of battling sin in the New Testament Scriptures is that of the Apostle Paul in Romans 7. How could he be so incredibly gifted with the revelation of God, writing more of the New Testament than any other author and publicly declare the unceasing battle of spirit and flesh? If the Apostle humbly confesses the reality of battling his own body of death as a pleading disturbance, how much more must I, a common sinner? Paul does not make this declaration because he is the greatest of all chosen ones of God. His declaration is such that, even he has a body of death, tainted with sin as all sinners. It once again, leaves no room to boast in our abilities, but only Christ and His ability to forgive and kill sin.
“For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will do to, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no long I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the veil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no long I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.”
Romans 7:14-21
This acknowledgement completely depletes the soul and conscience of any self-sufficiency to battle sin whatsoever. The body is dead. It is incapable of battling such uproar of dominant lusts from the pit. Even the supposed good desired by the body is a slave and sold under sin. It knows nothing but sin. Sin serves to merely please the fleshly desires only the body knows. The body and sin have perverted and perfected the greatest atrocities committed by man to oppose God. It is only the Spirit that can will to do good, yet the body perverts the good and desires to do evil. Only the Spirit can hate the flesh, but the body loves, desires and approves the flesh because if fuels the fire of perversion and corruption.

The spirit, by its power, reminds the sinner of his true indebtedness to God. Although man naturally does not have the ability or desire to pay the debt of his infinite transgression of the law, the enactment in the comforting of the Holy Spirit pierces the heart with humility and grief; this causes man to recognize his utter helplessness. It reminds the soul that we know sin according to the law [Romans 7:7] and the debt owed must necessarily be nailed to the cross by Jesus Christ in His substitutionary death. The end result is repentance.

How do you respond to the reminding of indwelling sin, believer? Are you learning to mortify sin daily or are you able to discern a sinful situation from one that is not necessarily? There are professing believers who hate to be reminded of personal sin. There are those who will proclaim to read the Scriptures, yet when one asks, “Hello Sir, how are you learning to kill your natural wickedness before God?,” they respond as such to prove to read something other than the Holy Scriptures, or nothing of any spiritual importance. The response may be that they still think they are a ‘good person’ or suddenly become extremely uneasy in attitude and character. There appears to be one justification for sin listed after another. For some reason, the conversation to the one avoiding personal sin confrontation travels in every direction but toward the word of God. I will say that if one is going to justify sin at all, it is according to the word of God, and what Christ had to have done for them.

Those who treasure the holy law of God learn to treasure Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit. If one is truly born-again by the spirit, it is a great joy to be reminded of sin! Charles Spurgeon said, “If your sin is small, then your savior is small. But, if your sin is great, then your savior is great!” It is true that the better you consider yourself, the smaller your savior is. What need do you have for a savior if you are not part of the ungodly that Christ died for? If you are not sick, then you are not in need of the Great Physician to heal your soul. It is joyful for the believer to be reminded of personal sin and that he falls infinitely short of moral perfection because it reminds them of the once and for all sacrifice for sins. It reminds him to be on the sure path to life and not on the sure path to eternal destruction. For those who are in Christ, there is no provision to sin more [Romans 6:1-2]. The path that leads to life is only seen by those who died to sin and have become alive to Christ. Only those who are broken hearted over sin with great humility, while seeing the infinite Excellency and perfect sufficiency of Christ to forever forgive sins will receive with great joy the rebuke of it. We cannot repent from sin while clinging to it. To repent is to cling to Christ and see ourselves as the filthy worthless worms we are without Him. Hear about your sin and you may have life! If you care not to hear, then you care not about Christ and do not have life; for He came to die for sick, ungodly sinners and give them life.

#6) Do you ever share your faith with others or have an extreme desire to do so?

2008-10-17T07:21:00.000-07:00

“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. ‘He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. ‘And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; ‘they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hand on the sick, and they will recover.”

Mark 16:15-18

The progression of the Christian faith upon regeneration should, by the very definition of sanctification, cause the Spirit to continually supersede our selfish ambition and desires. If one has been changed by the Spirit to hate the things he used to love and love the things he used to hate, certainly there must birth a holy desire to share the infinite love and justice of the Creator by commanding sinners to repent. Mind you, not everyone will be a George Whitefield or Jonathan Edwards; but, upon the new birth, the unceasing compassion and discernment for a lost soul to become converted for the glory of Christ becomes an ever-present conviction.

Focus your minds and hearts on the calling of the forerunner.
“John answered them, saying, ‘I baptize with water, but there stands One among you whom you do not know. ‘It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.’” John 1:26-27.
The one who baptized with water was to make the way known for the Savior to come and was incredibly blessed from birth [Luke 1:42]. Consider what Zacharias prophesied of his son,

“And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest;
For you will go before the face of the
Lord to prepare His ways,
To give knowledge of salvation to His
People
By the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on
High has visited us;
To give light to those who sit in
Darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of
peace.”

Luke 1: 76-79

The very purpose of the birth of John the Baptist is to proclaim the coming of the Messiah to the world. Although he baptized everyday, he did not proclaim to have the power to forgive sins. In fact, he confessed, “I am not the Christ” [John 1:20]. How can one man draw so much attention by baptizing for the forgiveness of sins and yet not be the one to personally forgive them? So that the Scriptures may be fulfilled, Sovereignty was expressed in that the Pharisees did not understand and were looking to accuse him of blasphemy by asking, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, or the Prophet [v.25]?” Although John was the prophesied one that Zacharias was speaking of, his defense consistently pointed not to himself, but to that of Jesus Christ and His complete sufficiency for the forgiveness of sins. This purpose was so that the very life of John the Baptist, as the one to ‘prepare the way of the Lord’, could decrease and the glory of Christ could increase [John 3:30].

Charles Spurgeon stated, “Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that.” Although no born-again Christians today are an official forerunner for the coming Messiah, the passionate zeal and truth proclaimed about the state of man from John is no less the responsibility of all those whom God has saved for His good pleasure and glory. We are not saved unto lies, but unto truth. We are saved from lies, the devils cunnings and the ultimate wrath of God Almighty. Our souls are given few options to oppose the very nature we are given upon the new birth. E.g., we are saved unto holiness and not wickedness [1 Peter 1:15-16]. We are no longer condemned before God but justified by His glorious Grace. How does one respond who knew well the unregenerate and natural state of man and then suddenly converted? What about the one who was dead in trespasses and suddenly brought to life? Is there no thankfulness, no proclamation, no zeal to speak life of to others of the Messiah and the forgiveness of sins through Him? John spoke,
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ‘This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” John 1:29-30

We need not consider with hubris this Gospel that is able to convert a sinner’s soul in an instant, but with the utmost humility. The Baptist said, ‘of whose sandal strap I am not worth to loose’ [v. 27]. Therefore, in considering the current fallen and wretched state of man, we neither are worthy to loose the strap of the Messiah’s sandal or necessarily worthy to speak a word of this good news. But it makes it all the more necessary when God decrees it worthy as He chooses such vessels of honor according to His infinite wisdom to proclaim the Gospel of Christ to all nations [1 Tim. 2:21]. According to His wisdom, it causes the sinner to boast in nothing other than the cross of Christ that shames all worldly wisdom and living.

“For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God-and righteousness and sanctification and redemption- that, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.’”

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

As we are individually effectually drawn and called to the Messiah empty-handed, so it maintains throughout that Christian life as the Spirit of God imparts the wisdom of God to those who may be despised and unimportant according to worldly standards and wisdom. As the spirit continually reminds the sinners soul to ‘glory only in the Lord,’ so it should speak and proclaim through us this eternal decree [The Gospel] that brings the shameful wickedness of men and all of their ways to naught and ashes.

Oh, to be only blessed enough to have a sinner ask like the Philippian jailer, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”! Acts 16:30. But, this is not typically likely as the world continually stands in rebellion shaking her fist at the God, seeking a way that seems right to man, but ending in destruction. May we also respond accordingly to these types and all others by telling them to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and they will be saved, them and their household [Acts 16:31]. Evangelism is not [just] a spiritual gift or a calling to some followers of Christ, but it is a commandment to all believers to preach the good news. We are not to wait until someone approaches us as the jailer, but to seek those who are lost where they stand, as our Savior did. As our Sovereign and good Lord places His sheep amongst the wolves in various daily scenarios, we are to act and speak the light of Christ, proclaiming our unworthiness and His worthiness.

As believers demonstrate the particular mandate of sharing the good news of Christ with those who have not yet been converted, we must be reminded of the very cause of our own conversion. Namely, God has illuminated our hearts of the wretched condition of our own souls in that we are a fallen people and in desperate need of a Savior. We have committed sin against the Lord God Almighty. We know this by the Law presented to us in our own conscience that we sin against Him.
“For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of man by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.”
Romans 2:12-16

I do not remember Jesus saying in the Scriptures to make His Gospel known with cowardice and nonchalance. It is as foreign to the Scriptures as a believer not preaching at all [sharing the Gospel with unbelievers]. If we are unsure of the truth of what we proclaim about Our Savior spilling His blood for our atonement, then why should we have assurance of salvation? If we speak with such weakness, and lax knowledge, we make the crucifixion and resurrection of the Messiah of no value to anyone. If your own life has not been transformed and made new enough for other people to know this has taken place, then you do not preach the Gospel to yourself enough [you must start there!], or regeneration has not taken place. Take heed our calling Christians and do not worry about an offense. The Holy Spirit of God does not take into consideration a sinner being offended or reminded of what he really is in the eyes of God. When do we realize that it is truly only God who is offended because we infinitely break His Law [Romans 3:23]? Do we not see the very reason Jesus was scourged and crucified? He was an offense to the Roman government [accused of blasphemy]! Martyrdom does not happen by agreeing with the world and what it stands for. Because it hated our Savior first, so it will hate any of His followers. This world is passing away and needs only to be reminded of the ultimate wrath and destruction pending [1 John 2:17]. Be as bold as a lion. May you decrease and the glory of Christ increase. Proclaim the Christ, “who takes away the sin of the world!”

“Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, ‘Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?’”
Luke 3:7

#7) When you read the bible, do you find yourself very anxious to finish?

2008-10-13T13:22:00.000-07:00

When discussing the necessity, inerrancy and reliability of the Holy Word of God, one may quickly discover the true human condition upon earth and treasure the anecdote [who is Christ] that brings forth breathe and life to the soul. Others may peruse to please their senses and sinful nature by attempting to find loopholes or escape the human condition and reality of judgment out of complete irreverence and rebellion to God. Still others will read out of a monotonous disposition, gazing over particular words, yet casually leaving others out as if to look forward to a task being complete and marking it off as if it is pleasurable to God.

God’s Word is not contingent upon man and his response. But mans condition and response is already acknowledged and expertly explained throughout all of Scripture. Sinners have not changed since the fall. We have not become better or become ‘more advanced’ as a people. We have naturally demonstrated a self-sufficient heart, mind and rule that contributes to the infinite corruption of the soul. “Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die’” [Genesis 3:4]. Oh how many sinners are convinced every day that they will ‘not surely die!’ We are convinced by our deceitfulness of heart and Satan himself that we may be ‘just like God [v.5]’ if we simply disobey God. Our disobedience and sin results in separation, philosophy, self-governance and ultimately death [Genesis 2:17]. Therefore, God has decreed His Word to be the only foundation for knowledge, truth and life by portraying the nature and results of the human condition [namely, our fallen nature caused by sin resulting separation from God] through the revelation of the Holy Spirit. The greatest ordinance in the eternal realm is not the fall of man or presentation of the law to demonstrate man’s fallen nature, but it is in the perfect display and shining forth of the Father’s glory in the coming forth of His Son, Jesus Christ and His redeeming power; who is also The Word of God.

“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, and apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know who I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”

2 Timothy1:8-12

The apostle displayed the truth of the Scriptures not only with the words of Scripture, but with his very life. Paul considered himself a prisoner of Christ. He was no longer a slave to his flesh, carnal thinking and death, but a slave to God [Romans 6:16]. Being a ‘slave to God’ or a ‘prisoner of Christ’ is a way of he spoke in human terms that we are now slaves of righteousness or holiness [v.19]. This is the contrary of our nature. Our nature represents being slaves of sin, all sorts of doctrine and death. So, Paul is explaining that he is no longer a prisoner of death but of life. He is no longer a prisoner of Satan, but of Jesus Christ, ‘who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.’ Although he was in literal chains as a prisoner [2 Tim.1:16, 2:9], he publicly demonstrated that he was a prisoner of truth and of sound doctrine by being a prisoner of Christ. He also spoke of the eternality of God’s word that never passes away. For, ‘His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,’ is the source of truth.

“Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.”

2 Timothy 2:9

So is the word of God to those who have been writ by the Holy Spirit. It leads and guides us into all truth, exposing darkness along the way [Ephesians 5:11]. It reminds us constantly that we are not indeed self-sufficient creatures but utterly dependant on the very words of God to be holy and righteous. God’s word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path [Psalm 119:105]. Since we are like sheep that have gone astray, susceptible to the utmost evil and corruption, the precepts written and illuminated in God’s word are the perfect enlightenment to shine light upon our natural darkness.

“Oh, how I love Your Law!
It is my meditation all the day.
You, through Your commandments,
Make me wiser than my enemies;
For they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all
My teachers,
For Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients,
Because I keep Your precepts.
I have restrained my feet from every
evil way,
That I may keep your word.
I have not departed from Your
Judgments,
For you Yourself have taught me.How sweet are Your words to my taste,
Sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Through Your precepts I get understanding;
Therefore I hate every false way.

Psalm 119:97-104

The word of God is not simply a resource, but it is life itself [John 1, Revelation 19:13]. It is also a judge [2 Timothy 4:1]. To disregard the rule and authority of Scripture is to blaspheme the Judge as well as the source of all life. Children of God rest in the promises of God revealed in His word. They must meditate upon the promises and precepts daily in order to grow and understand their Creator intimately. To know God and to love Him is to commune with Him in the reading His Word by the illumination of the Holy Spirit. If His word is truly a light to our paths, then we are learning evermore the discern good from evil and the presence of sin in the process of sanctification. We read the bible because it is the revelation of God in human terms to remind us of our human condition, the nature of evil, judgment, our utter nakedness and helplessness before a Holy God and the Good News of redemption through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

#8) What do you consider “fellowship” and how often do you have it?

2008-10-07T15:10:00.000-07:00

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God said:

‘I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be my people.’

Therefore

‘Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.’
‘I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and
Daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.’”

2 Corinthians 6:14-18

There is a thin line to walk considering the text that Paul has brought to light in the second letter to the Corinthian church. He does not merely say, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers,” and then move on. He follows this seemingly straight-forward statement with, [1] “What fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness?”
[2] “What communion has light with darkness?” [3] “What accord has Christ with Belial?” [4] “What part has a believer with an unbeliever?” [5] “What agreement has the temple of God with idols? Just incase the first question is misunderstood, Paul followed up with four more questions, using different examples to represent the same spiritual context. What began possibly as something that could be debated, ended with a crystal clear depiction of what it means to “not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers.”

What exactly does Paul mean? The first thought or comparison made by many Christians [including myself], is in the context of marriage. Of course no one expects a Christian man to marry an unbelieving woman or vice versa. Marriage is reflected in the context of two people becoming one for the rest of their lives on earth. It is beyond a commitment or partnership, but a covenant. The husband must be able and willing to essentially love and lead his wife, while willing to sacrifice his life for her sake. The wife must be able and willing to respect and succumb to her husband’s leadership. That is understandable.

What does is mean to be “unequally yoked together with unbelievers”? The doctrine of justification generously explains and answers the series of Paul’s questions, demonstrating the difference between one who is justified and one who is not [or the difference between a believer and unbeliever]. In Romans, Paul speaks of the faith of David and Abraham:

“But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness from works:

‘Blessed are those whose lawless
deeds are forgiven,
And whose sins are covered;
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord
shall not impute sin.’”

Romans 4:5-8

Speaking of the faith of Abraham,

“He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore ‘it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.”

Romans 4:20-25

When Paul speaks of righteousness vs. unrighteousness and light vs. darkness, it is not comparing the good with bad people. Neither is it comparing one person who has sinned more or less than another. Rather, it is comparing someone who is dead to one who is alive; one who has been made alive to Christ and one who is not [Ephesians 2:1]. This explanation leaves no room for a ‘middle ground’ defense or compromising effort when being unequally yoked with unbelievers. For, one is either living in the darkness or the light as one is either dead or alive. There is no such thing as ‘somewhat alive’ or ‘basically dead.’ The main and fundamental difference is the righteousness of Christ imputed to us, which is the only decree that causes a sinner to ultimately live. Otherwise, we are all infinitely dead in sins.

If one has received the righteousness of Christ by faith [justified by faith/born-again], then they will in essence be drawn or led by the Holy Spirit to ‘bear witness’ with other believers that have the same status with God.

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors-not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

Romans 8:11-17

Because Jesus Christ is the only one to live a perfect life and never sin, there is no boasting amongst the ones who are justified by faith. It is not our own righteousness that is imputed or glorified, but Christ’s alone. The implication of this status is monumental because it sets the soul into stark contrast to the rest of the world. The soul that has life is dispersed amongst souls that remain dead. Just like we obtain certain attributes from our earthly fathers, we obtain the exact [imputation] righteousness from our ‘Abba Father’ in Christ. It is due wholly to the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ and His resurrection [Romans 8:11].

Those who are justified before God have a different relationship to sin than those who do not. The unjustified sinner loves his sin. The justified sinner is learning to hate it more and more. In Matthew 18, Jesus is teaching on what to do with a sinning brother, one who is professing to be in the faith.
“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” Matthew 18:15-17
If one is a brother, then he is to be treated as a brother. Namely, you fellowship with and enjoy each others presence and words because you are both justified and ‘bear witness’ with one another. However, the presence of public sin presents the issue of an unrepentant heart. Jesus explains that even after appearing to him with a couple of witnesses and before the church, to “let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.” These are extremely harsh words coming straight from the Son of God regarding sin. At one point in fellowship, we are to treat someone as a brother, and the next as a heathen and a tax collector? One may say, “Blame the church!” or “Why would you sacrifice fellowship with someone who apparently needs it?” That is just it. They do not want fellowship. Jesus said, “But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, ‘that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established’ [v.16]” and “And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church” [v. 17]. Tax collectors and heathens do not want to hear the rebuke to repent because they spurn it rather than simply ‘not repent’.

If we are to discontinue fellowship with professing believers after display of [public] unrepentant sin, then how much more important is it to be in fellowship with ones who are overcoming sin by the Grace of God and displaying His Glory? The sheep must and will be separated from the goats, just as the wheat from the tare. Peter explains sharply,

“For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?

Now

‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved,
Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’”

1 Peter 4:17-18

It is difficult enough for a saint to be in the world but not of it. Despite the attempts to fit in and fellowship with those who have not yet been made alive by the Spirit, it is unfruitful and impossible to be encouraged to live by someone who is dead. When Jesus walked this earth prior to His crucifixion, He called his disciples individually to simply “follow Him.” They immediately left everything to follow Jesus. So it must be with every Christian in order to be saved from their sins. They must not only leave and despise their sin, but flee those who hate God because they enjoy and relish in sinful lifestyles. It is the utmost hypocrisy to love God and sin, just as it is impossible to love God and to continually fellowship with unbelievers. Apart from the preaching of the Gospel, what commonality can you find with words? With the infinite number of sins and struggles that can be expressed and confessed affectionately among believers who have been changed by Grace [bearing witness], what are these things to one who cares not to change? One lives his life to glorify his Creator and to ultimately commit his spirit to Him. The other wants to live for what his eyes see and enjoy his sin in the meantime. One clings to the ever-present thought and eternally changing destiny of, “The Creator of Heaven and earth came as a man to shed His blood and die to save me from my sins and eternal death,” while the other has no concept of it and in fact hates the very utterance. What do you have in common?

Live with those who live and preach life to those who are dead.

#9) Are you more comfortable inside or outside the church?

2008-09-29T15:00:00.000-07:00

“I know there are some who say, ‘Well, I have given myself to the Lord, but I do not intend to give myself to any church.’ Now, why not? ‘Because I can be a Christian without it.’ Are you quite clear about that? You can be as good a Christian by disobedience to your Lord’s commands as by being obedient? There is a brick. What is it made for? To help build a house. It is of no use for that brick to tell you that it is just as good a brick while it is kicking about on the ground as it would be in the house. It is a good-for-nothing brick. So you rolling-stone Christians, I do not believe that you are answering your purpose. You are living contrary to the life which Christ would have you live, and you are much to blame for the injury you do.” –Charles Spurgeon

I enjoy the above quote from Mr. Spurgeon as practical biblical truth has exposed any intent of the human heart or excuse it attempts to provide concerning the local church. It appears that not much has changed concerning this since the 19th century [or the 1st]. I posed the question, “Are you more comfortable inside or outside the church?” not to pompously prove one point, but to prove many points from one perspective concerning the [religious] affections and desires of the heart to either be with and serve Christ’s people, or not.

First, the purpose of the local church must be defined. It may be easier to first define what it is not. The local church is not [necessarily] a building. Its purpose is not to be attended only on Easter Sunday, Christmas or other major holidays. It is not a place to get free coffee or to be treated as a place to ‘hang out’ once a week. When observing and meditating upon the epistles of the Apostle Paul to the churches throughout the Mediterranean world, the purpose of the local church becomes clear. It is to demonstrate and proclaim the Gospel by the gathering of believers in a local body [part of the Body of Christ, which includes every Christian in every nation of all times] to serve and edify one another using the spiritual gifts that God has provided each for the ultimate glory of God [simplistic].

Concerning the professing Christians that do not attend church [or worship] at all, they are not even mentioned by Paul. In fact, they are generally called pagans. Of all immoralities and perversions committed within the church, the believers are compared to people “outside of the church.” There is no defense for them in the Scriptures, for believers outside of the church do not exist. If one has been truly born-again of the Spirit, then one has received at least one or more spiritual gifts to contribute to the local body or church, i.e. the Body of Christ [1 Corinthians 12:27]. Paul lays it out in a systematic manner:

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant:
You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”
1 Corinthians 12:1-11

Paul teaches that the particular individual is not the one with power, but ‘the same God working all in all’ [v. 6]. Nevertheless, ‘the Body’ is the primary example used to describe the church. He also uses the simple yet elaborate spiritual paradox of comparing the human anatomy of a body to the spiritual body of Christ [or the church]. He was not necessarily a doctor or an anatomist, but one who has received this revelation from God, who made the Body of Christ and also the human body. As individual physical parts separate themselves from and thus affecting the physical body, it contrasts into the spiritual body when individual spiritual gifts contribute to the entire body of Christ.

“For in fact the body is not one member but many. If the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,’ is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing [ears]? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling [nose]? But now God has set the member, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.”
1 Corinthians 12:14-18

Because born-again Christians are part of the Body of Christ, they are grafted in or sealed for the day of redemption [Ephesians 1:13-14]. Since you are sealed into the church by the Sovereignty of God in the enacting and indwelling of the Holy Spirit, then you are particularly gifted to serve as part of the Body, in the church. One may be gifted in prophecy or discerning of spirits. Another may be gifted in knowledge or interpretation of tongues. In contrast, one may be a nose and another, a foot. One may be an eye and another, an ear. The purpose of the analogous example in comparing the spiritual body with anatomy is that once grafted in or sealed, it is impossible to be detracted without affecting the body. Also, one cannot say that the nose is more important than the ear, for they each comprise an important and necessary part of the body.

“And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you’: nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.”
1 Corinthians 12:19-22

Charles Spurgeon’s example of the ‘good-for-nothing’ brick seems like a harsh example to one who may say, ‘Well, I have given myself to the Lord, but I do not intend to give myself to any church.’ When such a statement is examined in 1 Corinthians [e.g.] of how Paul describes the local church as being members of the body of Christ, one who makes such a statement is simply lying. If one claims to be a Christ-follower, then according to 1 Corinthians 12, they are part of God’s family. Thus, if one is a Christ-follower, being part of God’s eternal family, then they are specifically gifted to serve God’s people in the local church for the edification of believers. They are a nose, hand, eye, ear or foot [have acquired certain gifts by the Holy Spirit]. To make such a proclamation of following Christ while having no desire or do not intend to give themselves to a local church is committing a fundamental biblical fallacy and ultimately sinning against God. It is impossible for a separated foot to call itself part of the leg. It is the same with a separated hand calling itself part of the arm. If they are completely detached from one another, then they clearly do not serve the exact purpose of their existence. The arm can lift itself, but it cannot grab without a hand. The leg can take a step forward, but it cannot plant without a foot. The foot detached from the leg is useless just as the hand detached from the arm is useless. Spurgeon ended with, “you are much to blame for the injury you do.” It is true that if you profess Christ and do not regularly attend a local fellowship or congregational gathering, you are injuring yourself spiritually as well as the local body.

#10) What is your born-again experience?

2008-09-26T17:25:00.000-07:00

“There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
This man came to Jesus by night and said to him,
“Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God;
for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered and said to him,
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old?
Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

John 3:1-8

This powerful excerpt from the Word of God is a humbling and eye-opening truth that many people misunderstand, including Nicodemus, the great religious leader of the day [John 3:10]. In modern society, the term ‘born-again’ has taken on so many different meanings, that it seems to not only have no power in the world, but it has lost its power from the pulpit as well. If we truly understand and heed what Jesus is actually saying about being born-again in the context of which He taught it, then we leave no room for error or our own interpretation of what it means. Therefore, the more we understand what Jesus is saying, the more we realize the immediate implications, the miracle of regeneration and ultimate eternal ramifications of the soul.

Nicodemus was very learned in the Scriptures of the Law. He was one whom others sought for guidance and he taught others. Yet, the term ‘born-again’ confounded all of his knowledge because, according to Jesus, it was something that could not be learned. “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb?” he asked. Nicodemus’ inquisition was not primarily focused on eternal miracles but simply on righteousness according to the law, as he was a Pharisee. It is clearly a foolish question to inquire about the biological impossibly of one returning to his mother’s womb after he is born into the world. Certainly he knew this was an impossibly, but term born-again had never entered his mind prior to Jesus’ teaching.

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” [v. 5]. There must have been a fear-stricken ignorant state of mind in Nicodemus as this implication was completely foreign to everything he has ever learned or taught. As Jesus shifts gears from earth [natural birth] to heaven [supernatural birth or ‘born-again’], he opens up the true spiritual or heavenly realm.
“That which is born of flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit [v.6].” This verse implies a diametrical difference between the two births. The fact that we are all born [in the flesh] from a woman does not mean that we are all born-again. Even if we all wanted to be born-again [which many people claim to be], apart from the granting and predestinating of God by exuding Grace, it is as much of an impossibility as it is to be born from a woman. “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit [v. 8].” No one can see wind or how it works in everyday circumstances. It is uncontrollable and unalterable by any human force. It comes whenever and from wherever God wills it to come and goes wherever God wills it to go. He made it and designed it. So it is with the salvation of the soul.

Although the ‘experience’ of being born-again may vary from individual to individual, the ultimate realization of being born of the Spirit is the same. It is receiving life to the soul by Grace and the Holy Spirit of God through faith. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.” Ezekiel 36:26-27
It is a completely new life of faith. We literally pass from death to life as our hearts are revolutionized by the Spirit. Paul teaches,
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” 1 Corinthians 2:12-13

In John 3, Jesus was not only teaching the difference between natural birth and spiritual birth, but also ascertaining the difference between carnal knowledge and spiritual knowledge. Nicodemus proved his carnal mindedness and unregenerate state when he asked Jesus, “How can these things be?” [v. 9]. He was clearly not born again as he did not know what it meant to be “born of water and the Spirit”, which was Jesus’ very definition of the new birth. Since Nicodemus was a natural man, having no spiritual faculties of knowledge and wisdom given him by the Spirit, he was ignorant of the profound yet only primary event in the true Christian life [on earth]. Although Nicodemus probably knew more of the Scriptures than most modern day Christians, he remained in spiritual ignorance as he was dead in his sins.
“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corinthians 2:14

After reading the Gospel of John, it becomes clearer that merely believing or inquiring is not enough to be born-again. Jesus ends the encounter with Nicodemus by proclaiming, “Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen, and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?” John 3:11-12
In two sentences from Jesus, everything that Nicodemus studied, represented, stood for and defended all of his life was immediately brought to ashes. It is not a mistake or a mere chance that one of the most religiously learned Pharisees of the time was confounded and embarrassed with real spiritual knowledge. Jesus not only told Nicodemus that he did not believe heavenly things; He said that he did not even believe the earthly things. Namely, Nicodemus was not questioning Jesus as God but as “someone that has God with him” [v.2]. Jesus was merely a religious leader to Nicodemus; someone who could stir up a crowd with his signs and wonders. Jesus was not his Lord as he was the disciples [whom He was with that evening]. He did not waste time or even attempt to debate with Nicodemus but cut him to his heart in only saying that he must be born-again and that every deed performed thus far in his life is only worthy of eternal damnation. Nicodemus attended numerous religious services as he was a religious teacher! He fasted, gave to the poor, tithed, prayed and read the Scriptures. Yet, it was all for naught as it did not glorify God but pleased his self-righteous religiosity. He wanted to make a name for himself. It was not done out of faith in Jesus Christ.

“He who believes in Him in not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:18-21

Jesus preached the correspondence of believing and repenting in the process of being born-again. If we are to be saved, we need not only believe that Jesus is the Son of God, but also repent of the infinite sins we have committed against Him. If we find ourselves believing that Jesus is the Son of God but love the darkness or our sin, then we blaspheme the perfection of His Name. “He who says, ‘I know Him,’ and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:4
When true believers acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God, we abide in Him by walking as He walked [1 John 2:6]. One who is born-again wants his deeds to be exposed as the original disciples did. Peter could not walk with Jesus having sin in his heart for Jesus said, “Get behind Me, Satan!” The truth of the Gospel and saving knowledge is coming to the light, who is Christ, so that our [evil] deeds can be exposed to the reality of judgment. These sins that are exposed are ultimately nailed to the Cross on which He hung and, by His blood, Mercy and Grace, are no longer remembered. This miracle of miracles results in eternal life. Otherwise, we are like Nicodemus, merely making intermittent inquisitions to Christ while leading an infinitely blasphemous life.

The Sovereignty of God [A.W. Pink]

2008-09-22T15:19:00.000-07:00

I am currently reading a book by A.W. Pink called “The Sovereignty of God.” Until now, I have not written a blog post regarding a particular book.

I enjoy books that display sound doctrine in the sense that The Sovereignty of God is about a scriptural attribute of Him. He is not discussing things that may or may not be true about God [like the case is with many books], but of His very nature. Pink does an extraordinary job of not only expositing particular verses, but exemplifying God’s Sovereignty in each of them. So far, this book is a great deal of encouragement as it provides a biblical defense for what is so little preached in today’s society.

Most Christians, even among the reformed spectrum, do not attribute all things to the Sovereignty of God. Some verbally attribute that ‘God was Sovereign’ over certain situations, but not every situation. For example, some may attempt to say that God is Sovereign over ‘good’ things but not the ‘bad’ or ‘evil’ things. This book doesn’t necessarily have to prove that God is Sovereign, but simply enlightens the topic to show that God is Sovereign in every way over all things [created and eternally universal]. His decrees are infinitely beyond the scrutiny and compartmentalization of fallen sinners. Consider the following paragraph by A.W. Pink:

“Let us pursue a similar course of reasoning in connection with the human race. Is God governing this world of ours? Is He shaping the destinies of nations, controlling the course of empires, determining the limits of dynasties? Has He prescribed the limits of evil-doers, saying, Thus far shalt thou go and no further? Let us suppose the opposite for a moment. Let us assume that God has delivered over the helm into the hand of His creatures, and see where such a supposition leads us. For the sake of argument we will say that every man enters this world endowed with a will that is absolutely free, and that it is impossible to compel or even coerce him without destroying his freedom. Let us say that every man possesses a knowledge of right and wrong, that he has the power to choose between them, and that he is left entirely free to make his own choice and go his own way. Then what? Then it follows that man is sovereign, for he does as he pleases and is the architect of his own fortune. But in such a case we can have no assurance that ere every man will reject the good and choose the evil. In such a case we have no guaranty against the entire human race committing moral suicide. Let all Divine restraints be removed and man be left absolutely free, and all ethical distinctions would immediately disappear, the spirit of barbarism would prevail universally, and pandemonium would reign supreme. Why not? If one nation deposes its rulers and repudiates its constitution, what is there to prevent all nations from doing the same? If little more than a century ago the streets of Paris ran with the blood of rioters, what assurance have we that before the present century closes every city throughout the world will not witness a similar sight? What is there to hinder earthwide lawlessness and universal anarchy? Thus we have sought to show the need, the imperative need, for God to occupy the Throne, take the government upon His shoulder, and control the activities and destinies of His creatures (Pink, The Sovereignty of God, p.34-35) .”

Some may scrutinize Pink and many biblical teachers by writing a book on the Doctrine of the Sovereignty of God. Many consider it a difficult doctrine as it strips the thought of free-will that most men have. However, the purpose of the book is not to take away all power and free will of man [although it does]. It is not to demonstrate a comparison between man and God. Neither is the purpose to see just how many things God is Sovereign over or even how depraved man is [although it does this as well]. No. The purpose of this book for believers is to cause us to throw ourselves upon Mercy of God in utter dependence of His Sovereignty; which means that He is good. If God is good, then he will not be anything other than good. On the other hand, If God is Sovereign, then he will not be anything other than Sovereign. He is not in control sometimes and other times not. He is not Sovereign over most things but not some things. Otherwise, He would not be Sovereign. To be Sovereign is to rule and reign with absolute dominion. Resting in the Sovereignty of God causes complete humility in the hearts and minds of believers; thus it causes complete dependence upon Him and gives Him Glory. It reminds us that we have nothing in our hands to give to God but to trust Him for everything [I mean everything].
“For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever.” Romans 11:36
It is only when we realize that of [from] Him and through Him and to Him are all things that we see and understand God’s Sovereignty. How can the One from whom everything came to be, not maintain and sustain absolute control over everything He has made?

Ten questions to teen [professing] Christians in a dating relationship {or teens thinking about dating}

2008-09-11T12:58:00.000-07:00

10.) Do your parents know and particularly, your father? [If so, how do they feel?]

9.) What is your relationship like with your parents? [Are you close or do you have good fellowship?]

8.) What is your born-again experience? [If you believe yourself to be a Christian, what does the term ‘born-again’ in John 3 mean to you?]

7.) Are you ready for marriage (spiritually, financially, emotionally)? [If not, to the male, what is your reason for pursuing a relationship? To the female, what is your reason for accepting?]

6.) Do you attend church regularly?

5.) Do you understand the practice of church discipline? [i.e. the explanation in Matthew 18]

4.) Does your church allow teen dating relationships?

3.) What is your understanding of the Word of God? [How do you interpret Scripture and do you believe that it is God’s infallible and inerrant Word?]

2.) Do you believe you would be a good mother or father at this point in your life?

1.) Do you believe your relationship glorifies God?

This is clearly not an exhaustive effort as a book could be written on the subject. They are serious questions to consider and should be fairly easy to answer as each are tied into one another, creating a domino effect.

And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.”
Luke 18:18-23

The Da Vinci Case

2008-09-08T20:27:00.000-07:00

The sustenance created in the works of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) has undoubtedly made a profound impact on many facets of life. He was known to be a scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer. He pioneered in numerous categories that contributed to his astonishing resume, launching his gifts, skills and abilities to label him as one of the most diversely talented people to ever live. As modern day artists recognize, perhaps his greatest works were his drawings and paintings. Also being a recognized philosopher, the vividness of his worldview and thoughts of [or obedience to] Christianity was depicted on the oil canvas [or panel] and his personal lifestyle.

One of Da Vinci’s most famous paintings is The Last Supper. This particular painting is supposed to represent the very moment in which Christ explained that someone would betray Him prior to His crucifixion. Leonardo captured the scene that was obtained from none other than the Holy Scriptures, portraying the possible reaction from each one of the disciples as they wondered with terror who would betray the Christ.

“So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them; and they prepared the Passover. When evening had come, He sat down with the twelve. Now as they were eating, He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful, and each of them began to say to Him, “Lord, is it I?”
Matthew 26:19-22

As one of the most brilliant artists and minds of all time, certainly there was a thought process in developing the facial structure, mood and personal reaction of each of the disciples as the prophetic tongue of Jesus predicts the blasphemy of betrayal by Judas. “One of you will betray me.” But, what could Da Vinci know about the Last Supper that did not come from the Scriptures? He must have at least vaguely pondered the life of each disciple as he developed the face of what he believed to be Andrew, John, Peter, Judas and ultimately Jesus. As some paintings can take months or years to develop [some of Leonardo’s works were never completed], undoubtedly specific philosophies and ideas of religion or Christianity took form in his mind. Certainly, he believed in God; enough to paint Him.

Although religion uniquely played a role in Renaissance art, the predominant world philosophy of the time was humanism in the form of ‘free thinking.’ In observance of his specific paintings, Da Vinci was clearly a free thinker. Due to subtle and blatant perversions of Christianity and The Gospel, he put himself in the category of a humanist. All of his ‘religious ideas’ originated from Scripture, yet he was not seen or known as a Christian. Most of the creative beauty in his art was the mood, detail and anatomical correctness and clearly not the orthodoxy or the truth of what is displayed on the canvas. It is living proof that although men are praised from other men on ingenious creativity and knowledge, the carnal mind that is at enmity with God only proves it to be in vain and genuinely ignorant.

I do not know whether Leonardo Da Vinci claimed to have had faith in God. However, I suppose that if he ever boasted in his abilities, the resulting effort would be to simply gaze at the appearance of his completed art works and creative innovation on military artillery [e.g.] that was approximately four-hundred years ahead of his time. Or, we could acknowledge the fact that he could have had any career he wanted [at least ten different]. These things speak for themselves and do not need a man to defend them with words. But, what is the difference in the spiritual faculties of a man who paints orthodox representations of Scripture for the purpose of the church and also unorthodox, i.e. blasphemy? Also, what is the difference between faith and works? Despite the profession of faith from Mr. Da Vinci, his works speak of not only faith, but particular mindset on that faith. For example, if one consistently paints biblically orthodox representations of Scripture, then what you say about God may be true. However, if you mix fresh and salt water together in your art works, then how could you speak a believable word?

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?” (James 2:14).
When one speaks of faith, there are many forms that it may take on. I may exclaim to the world that I have faith that makes me a good and respectable person. My faith may cause me to worship a bucket full of water so as to not die of thirst. I may also have faith that trees maintain a certain divine characteristic that leads me to a divine green paradise. So, when one says, “I have faith,” it is a very broad and empty statement. It does not specify the object of faith, but merely declares a faith of some type. It is like saying, “I am a person.” The consistency of the fruit that follows any proclamation of faith lies in the works or deeds the faith produces. In other words, even if I claim to have faith in God, but do not define the specificity of that faith and what it means or who my God is, then it is an utterly empty and powerless statement. It is dead. Even if it is properly defined in words [or in the case of Da Vinci, his paintings that may be biblically accurate] the deeds [or lifestyle] prove the true believing of the faith [orthodoxy vs. unorthodoxy]. For even James says, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17).

Since God is the creator of all things, His Name and promises sustain what is to be a true work [or deed]. Namely, these true works spring from a heart and soul that is brought back to life from the dead by the spirit (James 2:26). It blossoms in the heart of one whom God has caused to see the graciousness and great Mercy of the Savior, Jesus, and abhor the indwelling sin that boasts in self and man [humanist thinkers]. The great dependence on the works of men have left them boasting in life and on the works that they themselves, have produced. Instead of seeing the majesty and brilliance of God in the creation of the human hand and its ability to be gently versatile, the humanist glories in the mixture of colors the hand produces on the canvas as human brilliance.

John Calvin said, “Let us not lift ourselves proudly above other men, as though we were more worthy than they are, for we know that it is our God that hath chosen us, and setteth us apart from others, by His mere goodness and free mercy. We must know, moreover, that men are very faulty, when God offereth them His Word, and they receive it not. This is spoken that unbelievers and rebels might have their mouths stopped, that they might not blaspheme the name of God, as though He had been wanting on His part; and to the end that all the faithful should, in humbleness of heart, glorify God for His grace and mercy toward them: for we see how He calleth all those to whom His Word is preached, to salvation”. -John Calvin (Sermon, the Salvation of All Men).

When observed in the truth and light of the Word of God, the greatest of minds born among women and praised among evil men, peril and melt before the living God, who has great patience to sinners. It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God. When man glories in his own knowledge and wisdom, he commits his soul to the evil one, who is a mastermind of deception and carnal knowledge.

“Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” James 3:13-15
One who has a true understanding of God gives glory to Him. He sees his own helplessness and inability to contribute anything holy or acceptable to God apart from the mediation and intercession from Christ Jesus. The only safe measure for sinners is to hide under His wing, as a mother hen gathers her chicks. The only real knowledge is what stems from God Himself because everything comes from Him.
“All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” John 1:3

Consider deeply, the Gospels that represent the heart of Christ. Sinners gathered to see and hear the only one who healed the sick, poor and the lame. In the case of the man born blind,
“He answered, ‘Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.’” John 9:25
It is not a choice of the matter for a blind man to make himself see. Would he not do it on his own supposing he could? Perhaps the greatest longing for one who cannot see, would indeed be to have sight. It is the same for those who cannot hear. They long to hear but cannot cause themselves to hear. So it is with the blind man at the pool of Siloam. He declared, “Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” John 9:32-33

As each sinner is born utterly blind, deaf and under the wrath of Almighty God, only the ones who have received sight and ears to hear can see the majesty of the One who opened them. This spiritual reality causes complete renouncement of self and dependence upon the natural faculties of man that are useless; a blind man cannot cause himself to see! The miracle of being able to see after being blind since birth produces the equal miracle of causing one to treasure and seek the One who secures the soul unto salvation.

“Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is he sir, that I may believe in him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.” John 9:35-36

So it is with faith. One is either blind, or he can see. One can either hear, or he is deaf. The one who is blind cannot define the glories of seeing as the deaf cannot describe the glories of hearing. What is it to one who is blind for all his life, did not yet die, but then could see? It is doing things that he could not do before. Then, he could walk; now can see where he is going. Then, he could eat; but now can see what he is eating. Then, he imagined the beauty of creation; now he revels in all of its majesty. Then, he was a hopelessly blind beggar who depended on his natural talents and abilities; now he sees the One who is the Christ and says, “Lord, I believe, and he worshiped him.”

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:17-18

The Balance Beam

2008-08-24T13:23:00.000-07:00

I was watching women’s gymnastics in the 2008 Olympics and more specifically, the balance beam. I still consider myself somewhat of a novice when it comes to what is good and what isn’t on the beam. For example, the commentators, who typically are seasoned gymnasts, make known every tiny mistake that is made, whether I see it or not.

China started off on the beam. Everything looked ok; smooth and enjoyable to watch. It looked as if it was easy and that most anyone can do it with enough practice. It appeared to be an unimaginable virtual world as I glanced in the background of what the high definition camera captured. Thousands of people were glaring at one person, sliding, twisting, jumping and flipping on a four inch wide beam. As the difficulty level rose, so did my adrenaline by trying to picture myself on that beam. I could even feel my palms begin to get clammy with each twist and turn.

The first girl made a few mistakes that I did not necessarily notice until the commentator said, “You see she had a balance check, there; that’s a deduction.” Apparently a “balance check” is when, at any point, the gymnast adjusts their balance during a move or in transition. In many cases, it may represent a slight leaning, extra pause or the most obvious, falling completely off the beam (which I’m assuming is simply a fall, since they are only “checking” the floor). They deduct points with each of these seemingly trivial mistakes that continually frustrated me, the viewer. The problem that I had with these deductions is that each one of them was verbalized by the commentators so that millions of people know that, “she had a balance check” or “she missed the third flip on that turn.” Very few people would know that any of these things happen, unless they fall off the beam or don’t stick the landing. Probably the only reason I am frustrated, is in my selfishness, knowing that I most likely could not even walk across that beam without having a “balance check.” These girls are doing flip twists, using hands and feet along with intricate balancing techniques, not including the dismount, which I will never be able to do for the rest of my life. And if they make a slight slip or movement not in the original routine, it is brought to the attention of millions in a matter of seconds. Tyranny.

I tried to imagine if God were the same way about my sin. After watching a ‘Mark Driscoll’ sermon last week, an illustration he used penetrated my mind regarding the forgiveness of sins. He stated, “Imagine if God sent you a statement each month of all the sins you committed.” I thought about that sermon as I watched the balance beam event in the Olympic women’s gymnastics. Each move or slight deviation from perfection is clearly a deduction, and frowned upon. Justifiably so, our sins are the same in the eyes of God. Sin is defined as “missing the mark.” We all miss the mark everyday and in more ways than we even realize. If we are not morally perfect, i.e. perfectly fulfilling the Ten Commandments all the time in thought and deed, then we are missing the mark. So God, in His divine justice and righteousness, could remind us just how short we have fallen from His infinite Glory by sending in monthly sin statements. But we are clearly reminded of our fallen nature by our own conscience, His Spirit and His Word. For God says,

“Then you will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight, for your iniquities and your abominations.”
Ezekiel 36:31

If the judges of the balance beam are just, then they will deduct anything that falls short of a perfect routine. In the same way, because God is just, He must punish anything short of His righteousness and glory, i.e. sin and rebellion. His very name is at stake. “Therefore say to the house of Israel, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “I do not do this for your sake, O house of Israel, but for My holy name’s sake, which you have profaned among the nations, which you have profaned in their midst; and the nations shall know that I am the Lord,” says the Lord God, “when I am hallowed in you before their eyes.”
Ezekiel 36:23
The obvious difference in the judgment between gymnast judges and God is that man is fallen and fallible, tainted with sin. A man’s observance of a gymnast on a balance beam may or may not result in a deduction. It is a glorified opinion. All faculties of judgment, visual observations and rationale are a mere creation of God (among all things). Yet our sin distorts and perverts everything that may seem perfect or may possibly be perfect from our sight. In other words, there is no such thing as a ‘perfect score’ on this earth because every one of us is fallen and rebellious. Even in the Olympics, the standard in which we are judged is indeed, another man. All world records are set and broken by sinful man. We have made ourselves our own standard; that way we never fall short because man’s ways are good in his own eyes.

In the spiritual realm, the only standard is absolute moral perfection. The standard is to be exactly the way that God declares Himself to be in His Word. It is a command. Anything less is infinite rebellion and deserving of infinite punishment because He is just and His very name is at stake. There is not a possibility that God will ‘miss’ a sin as if He were a judge for the Olympic gymnastics. He sees all, knows all, decrees all and judges all in His righteousness.

“Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

As each gymnast steps on the balance beam, the performance of the act is subject to the strictest judgment that the very experienced human judges can offer. But, even the greatest judgment offered by man is fallible. It falls infinitely short of what a true righteous judgment is because the standard is finite and fallen. This is why the Olympic Games are perilous, mundane and worthless in the eyes of God [for those who do if for their own glory] because it consists of man glorying in himself by judging himself according to his own standards. The greatest athletes in this world are glorified and seen as great because of his accomplishments in the eyes of man.

Anything other than the demonstration of perfect faith and righteousness according to the law is infinite blasphemy in the eyes of God and makes a mockery of His Name. Therefore, any judgment according to man is irrelevant to the judgment of God and His ordained precepts. In this perfect decree, the illumination and preciousness in the shining forth of the Father’s Glory is represented in none other than the perfect Supreme Being, Jesus Christ.

“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, his in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the world of His power, when he had Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.”
Hebrews 1:1-4
Because Christ is the exact representation of the Father or, in His being, the visible image of the invisible God, the only satisfaction that is even possible to the Father, the Creator of Heaven and Earth and ultimate judge, is the righteousness of His Son. It is infinitely important to realize the standard in which we are judged. We are judged in accordance to the Law or according to the exact righteousness of the Father. The treasure of the Triune Covenant lies in perfect righteousness, love and harmony as the Father glorifies the Son and the Son glorifies the Father. It pleased God to bruise His Son in that Christ Himself upholds all things by the word of His power, and having purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high (Hebrews 1:3). This perfectly glorifies and satisfies the Father in the Supreme exactness of His Son. The standard is to be exactly like God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Because God’s Name is so glorious, His infinite love is proved in the sacrifice of His Son. Although He is perfectly just in punishing all sin by sending every sinner to hell because His name is so beautiful and Holy, His perfect decree and covenant was to incarnate this righteousness in Christ. During this incarnation, the consecration from the Son to the Father represented the perfection in the form of a Divine Man, i.e. God in the flesh. Since the death of man is caused from his own sin, the only true gift that any man can ever receive is eternal life through Christ. The only true gift man can receive is God giving Himself to man, by the death of His Son.

“And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned. For the judgment which came from one offense resulted in condemnation. But the free gift which came from many offenses resulted in justification. For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

Romans 5:16:17

The Olympics are enjoyable to watch. But, injustice is seen all over the screen as flaring opinions launch into the air about what is just and what isn’t. Each race, dive, routine or game is judged according to the standard of a rebellious soul. Although God is indeed completely good and Sovereign over all these things, the real judgment is to come. The true judgment is on how we treat one another or speak to one another. The true judgment is according to our deeds in convergence to the God [god] that we serve.

“And as it is appoint for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.” Hebrews 9:7-28

Count it all Joy

2008-08-14T13:20:00.000-07:00

“My Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” James 1:2

When I was first filled and illuminated by the Holy Spirit as a late teen, enlightened by the Scriptures along with the Grace and wisdom of God, I was sure there would be few problems that occurred throughout my life until glorification. I did not necessarily know what a trial was. Any tribulation in my life up until salvation was the only real challenge I thought I would encounter, forever. My preconceived ideas of Christianity involved simply praying to receive what I want, and receiving favor because I now “belong to God.” After all, The Creator of the Universe had chosen me before the foundation of the world for me to bear His name and glorify Him throughout all eternity. Would God take anything from me that I have? Would He not give me something that I want? Would He cause me hurt and pain?

It turns out that my preconceived ideas about being a Christian were exactly the opposite of what is true. Although being saved is the greatest thing and highest calling for a human being in the history of the Universe, it is also the most difficult [on earth]. It is great because it means that Jesus Christ has passed over our sins by 1.) shedding His perfect blood to bring us back to life or justifying us and 2.) reconciling us with God so that we inherit eternal life instead of eternal destruction. But, it is difficult upon the new birth because we are now literally separated from the rest of the fallen world. The ground we live on is cursed and every human being naturally hates God until He performs the miracle of salvation within the soul.

Once the new birth takes place, i.e., the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, we are guaranteed eternal life (1 Corinthians 1:22). It is the most profound mystery of all time. It perplexes the greatest of worldly minds and thinkers (who are still fools in the eyes of God). Yet, in the midst of this infinite blessing, there can and will develop the greatest trials, obstacles, temptations and tribulations known to man. This can only be true to the Christian, mainly because only he has obtained knowledge of the truth, by the Spirit, to accurately represent a biblical worldview. We are no longer at one with the world. Those who love the world are at one with it and do not disagree with it. One who loves the world develops personal philosophies about life and how they (personally) come to knowledge of “truth.” It is a most pleasing doctrine to a man that is cut off from the Grace of God as they revel in self-lordship.

As the unregenerate or unsaved person encounters a trial of some sort, the only natural avenue to take is to pity oneself while simultaneously pleasing the flesh and senses with some sort of idol worship. Many result to drugs or anything that causes them to obtain a certain temporary feeling of relaxation or comfort. Apart from Grace and adoption by the Heavenly Father, it is a steadily declining state that never fully recovers. When a trial arrives or a storm comes, what is already an infinitely deadly sinful state simply enrages into a forest fire of sin. Although, there are various circumstances of trials and tribulations, the wicked heart remains the same as God either effectually causes it to glorify Him or to continue into further sin and ultimate destruction. A primary example is the story of Cain and Abel. As they both brought forth an offering, one was clearly favored over the other and therefore, one glorified God while the other did not.

“And in the process of time it came to pass that Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. Able also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat. And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, but he did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against his brother and killed him.”

Genesis 4:3-8

What seemed to be a level playing ground from conception and birth, irrevocably played out into what was to be the first murder in the history of mankind. The favor and Grace of God upon Abel over Cain was extolled in the particular trial that Cain was presented. Namely, his offering was not accepted or respected by God. It was a predicament for Cain that, indeed, caused him to be very angry. Instead of being delivered, his anger developed into rage that caused him to murder his very own brother. Since he did that, the Lord said,
“So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.” Genesis 4:11

Because the regenerate soul has a different eternal destiny than the unregenerate, he is dealt with differently. His sins are atoned for and they are not ultimately used against him. Although sin is and will be involved in almost any trial due to the deceptiveness of our own hearts, it is ultimately used for our good and the ultimate glory of God. For example, a seemingly impossible perceived situation or scenario by man will be one that develops into a possible storm with a difficulty that is unable to be substantiated by any human being. Thus, the purpose is clearly not in or of ourselves.

As Christians, it is our duty to recognize that we cannot create or deliver ourselves from any trial. Because of this fallen world, they will inevitably come. As the same temptations in the Christian arise in the trials to please the flesh because of our fallen nature, we are called to count it all joy when these various trials come about. James tells us to let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4). Only the Holy Spirit can genuinely do this work as we are caused to see the ultimate perfect work of Jesus Christ and how He responded to the various trials and temptations. After the perfect impossible storm has indeed risen and bloomed into full growth, the agony that sometimes causes the Christian soul to cry will bring him to his knees, giving him power to plead for deliverance instead of falling into sin.

Because the unregenerate soul is ignorant in the knowledge and power of God, he is self-sufficient in all of his ways. That is, when trials arise, he will attempt to overpower them, in his utter weakness. James is quite aware that Christians have the propensity to attempt to be self-sufficient and reminds us that in the moment we do so, we prove to be double-minded and unstable in all our ways (James 1:8). We begin to expect things from God because we believe, in our ignorance, that we should be able to produce and provide things ourselves. We believe in the midst of a calamity and/or trial that we can deliver ourselves. Despite any and every circumstance known to man, in complete humility, we are called to be subjected to the wisdom and will of God. He causes us to be that way.

We truly apply the Gospel in our lives when, in the midst of various trials, we continually learn to rest in Christ. “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Many Christians have read and reread the above Scripture without truly applying it or interpreting what it actually means. It is truly an impossibility to know Christ and what “resting in Him” even means without first being called to be a Christian. Jesus first says,
“Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Matthew 11:27
If Christ has revealed Himself to you, causing the new birth, then as long as you are on earth, you are resting in Him. To rest Him is to love Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength. To rest in Him is to trust that He is your deliverer from all spiritual warfare or any trial and tribulation. To rest in Him is to know that He created all things, knows all things and is Sovereign over all things, including every trial or scenario. To rest in Him is to repent, believe and know that all of your sins are forgiven, forever.

Every trial for the Christian is purposed to continually conform us into the image of Christ. Trials and tribulations, despite how long and unruly they seem, are the necessary means that God has chosen to sanctify those He loves and disciplines. We must cast our crowns before the feet of the Holy One that delivers us from them, knowing that we truly have nothing and deserve nothing. To obtain patience, we must demonstrate patience. To obtain kindness, we must demonstrate kindness. To get, we must give. To live, we must die. Rejoice in your trial, Christian. Know that God is making you like His Son. What is impossible with man is possible with God. Rest in Him and count it all joy.

“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
James 1:12

The Heart of True Worship

2008-08-05T20:29:00.000-07:00

After attending a few 'Shane and Shane' concerts in the last few years, I have developed a specific liking to their worship style music. I know that each song is specially anointed to illuminate a certain attribute of God or harp on a specific verse or chapter in Scripture to allow me to dwell on His glory. But, it is not just the words that are amazing. It is not just the eternal life-changing truths resonating through my soul that make all the difference. No, I like the amazing giftedness and harmony between Shane Everett and Shane Barnard. As one who appreciates the acoustic guitar and its finesse beauty, I enjoy the astounding musical talent in the string picking of the Shane’s. The euphoric worship atmosphere created by them has attracted many Christians from everywhere and from different walks of life.

As the concert begins, the heart pumps harder in anticipation of high hitting notes in the voice of Shane Barnard along with the seemingly perfect harmonizing of Shane Everett. Unlike many musicians, Shane and Shane sound just as amazing live in concert as they do in their recordings. Many impromptu adjustments to instruments and genre in particular songs keep the audience on the edge of the chair, if sitting at all. There is an unlimited appreciation in each song, that anticipates the next and so forth. Non-charismatic worshipers suddenly become charismatic as they worship freely, with hands in the air, at one with God. The concerts are so spiritually powerful, uplifting and invigorating that it is almost a disappointment when it is over. At the time of the concert, I feel closer to God than I have in a long time. During the concert, it is as if I just got saved all over again. After the concert, I am disappointed that I have not pursued God as I had during the extravagant, talented, anointed show that musically exudes my God better than most any other musician I know of.

Imagine the same effect without hundreds of people surrounding you thinking and feeling relatively the same. Take away the microphones, amplifiers and speakers. Subtract the sound board, along with the guitars and even the stage. Take away the concert altogether. Does that produce the same affect? Does it tap into the emotions in the same manner? Most importantly, do you think, feel and worship your God in the same way?

I notice a subtle wicked transition in my own heart when comparing certain musicians and/or particular events to worshiping God or knowing God more intimately. Shane and Shane are a perfect example to illustrate the obvious affect they have on me, not only spiritually, but emotionally. Why does God seem bigger and more glorious when the acoustic guitar sounds big and glorious? Why do I necessarily meditate on the angelic heavenlies more or to a greater extent when I hear an angelic-heavenly voice?

The truth of the matter is that God does not change at all from before the concert, during or after the concert, song or major event. In fact, God has not and will not change throughout all of eternity. He is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He is exactly how He has revealed Himself in Scripture. I am the sinner who has fallen from perfect fellowship. I am the one who changes from one minute to the next. I am the one who may worship the true and living God one day and turn right around to worship Baal or some graven image the next.

The type of worship setting, musical artists, church or conference should not make the difference in how we worship God or what we “expect from Him”. What should and does make the difference is first how we truly seek His presence in all things, every day. Not just at a Shane and Shane concert, Together for the Gospel conference or New Attitude conference. Christians are called to worship God and give Him glory in everything. We are to worship Him the same three months before the concert, the night before, the day of and the drive to the concert as we do during and after.

Even for true Christians, worshiping an imaginary God or idol is an easy trap to fall into at such events and in general. Even in the Old Testament and throughout all Scripture, we have been ones to have unclean and deceitful lips from a deceitful heart. Beginning with Adam and Eve to Israel, to the first century church A.D to modern day Christians. What comes most naturally to us is the propensity to sin and develop idols without even being aware. King David, however, was clearly not only aware, but prays what is called an imprecatory prayer that curses the enemies of God. That included anyone who ‘worshiped’ with unclean lips and heart. David did not want that to be him.

“Hear a just cause, O Lord, Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
Let my vindication come from Your presence;
Let your eyes look on the things that are upright.

You have tested my heart; You have visited me in the night;
You have tried me and have found nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Concerning the works of men, By the word of Your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
Uphold my steps in Your paths, That my footsteps may not slip.

I have called up You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who save those who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.

Keep me as the apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.

They have closed up their fat hearts;
With their mouths they speak proudly.
They have now surrounded us in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,
As a lion is eager to tear his prey,
And like a young lion lurking in secret places.”

Psalm 17

In David’s heart of worship, he had the humility and knowledge of the divine justice and mercy of God. God had particular mercy on David that caused him to continually plead for it. He also revealed to David His righteous judgment and justice on the wicked that caused him to continually plead deliverance from the wicked and Satan (the destroyer).

May our hearts of worship stem from the same premises and revelations that God has revealed to David in the Psalms. Let’s not observe the brand name of an acoustic guitar that rots away, yet the concert lights shine so brightly upon. May we not dare think about food or drink that we will not need in eternity while appearing to be worshiping God in spirit and in truth. Please do not obsess over who is a quality worship leader and great singer or not. But, may we meditate upon the precepts that God has ordained. May we pray for our enemies who do not know the Grace of God. We shall surrender our very thoughts, desires and wills upon the great Mercy of Jesus Christ, the perfect One who gave His life on a rugged tree. Let’s reflect in our consistent heart of worship the desire to be continually delivered from the ever present sin in this life until we pass into glory.

Building God-Glorifying Relationships In a God-Hating Society

2008-07-28T19:24:00.000-07:00

It would probably be an understatement to say that most Christian single men and women eagerly desire marriage. However, if you were to abstractly view the culture of our world and everything it desires, it is virtually the exact opposite. Everything pure, wholesome and potentially a blessing to anyone that desires a Godly marriage is something that seems to be forever lost and indeed, is. We must only turn on the television to ABC or FOX and even the TV Guide Channel to see the subtle and blatant perversions of some type of relationship, physically or verbally. The lies that we see on television and in the public everyday affect the emotions and should stir righteous anger by the grieving the Holy Spirit in believers. Because we are in the world and not of the world, believers must continually separate and discern within ourselves what we truly desire in a relationship in accordance with God’s Word.

Through personal experience, I assume that most (single) Christians have seen movies and/or television shows that are of a perverse nature. Much of what is on the television screen regarding certain sitcoms, series shows and movies is a purposeful fabricated design and perversion to please the senses. It is created drama for your viewing pleasure; otherwise we would not desire to watch it. Virtually every scenario, particularly between a male and female, displays a heightened sense of emotional and sexual attraction that we may or may not personally experience. The part that most viewers don’t cognitively realize is that even though they are viewing a scripted scene, they are still viewing ‘real’ people on the set (so says the press anyway). The more viewing of these types of relationships that we see, the more we subject our emotions and thought lives to being affected by them. We begin to compare ourselves to a particular person or picture ourselves in a particular scene. If we desired to be in a relationship prior to viewing, we now desire more; at least the parts that are supposed to arrive after marriage.

After having observed some type of dramatic premarital or extramarital relationship for thirty minutes to an hour, it may cause us to feel as if we are lacking some type of drama in our relationship lives. Or specifically to Christians, it should cause extreme grievance in our hearts as it attempts to make foolishness of our obedience to God’s Word and what Jesus Christ says about relationships. If we are living our lives under the authority of Scripture, then a battle must take place when we are ever personally engaged with such television shows or movies that say “Sex outside of marriage is great” or “It is alright to cheat on your spouse.” The ‘freedoms’ that are presented in these relationships are simply lies to create more bondage to the flesh and to have you remain ignorant of the blessedness of a lifelong marriage.

Perhaps the most depressing part of our television culture is that it takes an increasing amount of drama and sexual scenes developed by writers and producers to even interest young viewers; the more sex and drama, the more viewers. In other words, the more sin and rebellion, the more interesting it becomes to watch. Why? It is not necessarily the drama itself or the sex itself that causes these reactions and responses. Rather, it is the powerful and inevitable comparison affect the shows and movies play to provoke a personal application to our lives. As sinners, we naturally compare ourselves to other people. We do not look for what we already have, we develop an envy strategy to pick out what we do not have and then compare accordingly. For example, you see someone kissing in a movie. We think to ourselves about the simple fact that we have either kissed recently or not; or never. We are naturally inclined to these things because God has instilled them in us. It is His desire that we experience them, powerfully, freely and blessedly, in the context of marriage.

What the culture of our favorite drama series, movies and sitcoms is sure not to represent is a relationship that is wholesome and God-honoring. It is less than a needle in a haystack, a virtual non-existence. This fact not only stems from our already wicked hearts, but has preceded each generation. For example, “as statistics show”, divorce is more prevalent today than twenty years ago. But, we don’t ever seem to do the research prior to that. Perhaps the ‘statistics’ prior to the 20th century are irrelevant. Divorce apparently has been happening since the fall of man. In fact, Mark recorded the Pharisees asking Jesus “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” (Mark 10:2). The Pharisees, already having an acceptance of this in their hardened hearts, provided the justification that Moses gave them in the law. They said to Jesus, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.” (Mark 10:4) It is exactly what happens in modern day divorce. Nothing has changed. People still divorce for the same reasons today that they did three-thousand years ago. It is seen in television shows, movies and real life. Because of its popularity and ‘freeing’ nature, it is just as common as marriage (50+% divorce rate). But Jesus settles the dust of any justification on the issue by speaking clearly,
“Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. ‘But from the beginning of creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ‘and the two shall become one flesh’, so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. ‘Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.’” Mark 10:5-9

The obvious and precious divider that separates true believers from unbelievers is, upon conversion, the possession of the Holy Spirit. It is, in essence, “the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.”(John 14:17). It is what convicts of our sin, righteousness and judgment in the world. Since the world neither sees nor knows Jesus Christ as far as blood-bought, righteous knowledge, they cannot and will not obey Him. It proves that this world is passing away, along with its passionate lusts.

Even though the new birth provides discernment to believers, it is only because of it that we can truly honor and glorify God in any relationship. Therefore, since we now know the things about relationships that God loves, we now learn to hate the things that He hates, because it does not bring honor or glory to Him; namely, the selfishness of defrauding one another emotionally and/or physically outside of marriage. It is clear that when such situations arise, we are not to be comfortable and nonchalant but discern, repent and take immediate action. Paul explains the serious matter that, “Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.” (1 Corinthians 7:2).

As Christians, we are not to be ashamed of the Gospel and how it changes our view of personal relationships along with what we allow our eyes to see on the television screen. The flippant decisions made by our culture show just how easy it is to be in a relationship of any type, except one that honors God. According to what Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians, it is difficult enough for true Christians to maintain purity. Due only to the Grace of God, by the illumination of the Holy Spirit, we are able to honor relationships and ultimately marriage for what ordained it to be from the beginning. Marriage is the precious china that our Creator has, in His Sovereignty and goodness, set into place to represent the relationship between Jesus Christ and His church. It is a powerful, yet delicate, sacrificial representation that truly only belongs to those who have been redeemed. Because of the blood shed on the Cross of Calvary, for the forgiveness of our sins in particular, we can now glory and humbly participate in the greatest act of sacrifice between two people on earth. It is merely a representation on earth, but mainly a preparation for the eternal marriage between the church and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea. Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, God Himself will be with them and be their God.” Revelation 21:1-3

Redeeming the Time

2008-07-16T09:52:00.000-07:00

“Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,
And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth;
Walk in the ways of your heart,
And in the sight of your eyes;
But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment.
Therefore remove sorrow from your heart,
And put away evil from your flesh,
For childhood and youth are vanity.”
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10

“Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw new when you say,
“I have no pleasure in them”:
While the sun and the light,
The moon and the stars,
Are not darkened,
And the clouds do not return after the rain;”
Ecclesiastes 12:1-2

“Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed,
Or the golden bowl is broken,
Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain,
Or the wheel broken at the well.
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit will return to God who gave it.”
Ecclesiastes 12:6-7

It is the wisdom of God speaking to the futile soul to say that we must rejoice in our youth and remember our Creator before the difficult days come. Each justified sinner is allotted a certain number of days to glorify the Lord of the Universe and serve each day as if it were the last to breathe (Psalm 90:10). It is not as if the wisdom of man plays a certain role in determining the wisdom of God. In fact, the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men (1 Corinthians 1:25). The All-knowing, Eternal Creator is not limited at all in wisdom as we are utterly limited in our own wisdom and mortality. That is why the “foolishness” and “weakness” of God is no foolishness or weakness at all but simply transcends man in His very being as the Sovereign and Omnipotent Creator.

The responsibility of man is recognizing the weakness of our flesh and the true vanity of anything to do with it; the higher the propensity to discern our own evil, the greater the recognition and fear of God in His righteous judgment of sin. The true lack of the wisdom of man is seen in the foolishness of his own iniquity and folly that comes as natural as breathing, yet causes death. We must not live for a moment as if the flesh is eternal, but “die daily,” knowing the flesh will die and then the judgment according to our deeds. May we have a heightened ever-present sense of that reality and a character of the Psalmist, who writes:

“Remember how short my time is;
For what futility have You created all the children of men?
What man can live and not see death?
Can he deliver his life from the power of the grave?”
Psalm 89:47-48

The time of youth is a precious vapor that vanishes as quickly as it arrives, just as all flesh. Therefore, the optimal season, in which the harvest is ripe and the fruit is abundant to produce more is when one is young, spiritually vigorous in anticipation. Day by day, year by year, the energy is lessening as judgment is arriving. Drawing ever so closely to the Savior, even while young, we must remember how infinitesimal our time on earth truly is in light of the eternal realm. Seize each moment to speak the truth in love. Endeavor on a studious approach to His word and partake in the divine knowledge. Pray for someone you have never prayed for. Feed the hungry and clothe the naked. Display the Glory of Christ in your actions. Perhaps most importantly, use the ordained means of conversion by preaching the words of eternal life that brings life to a dead soul.

“Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:27-28

The clock is ticking…

Believers, Use the Power

2008-07-11T11:16:00.000-07:00

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry.
Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the Pinnacle of the temple,
And said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’

and,

‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’”
Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And he said to Him, “All these things I will give you if You will fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘you shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.”

Matthew 4:1-11

The Son of God, in His greatness and perfection, certainly did not need to quote The Scriptures “that are written” to the devil. If there is One person who could rebuke the devil without words, it is Jesus Christ Himself. He could have caused the devil to disappear instantly, without remorse and it would be as if he never was. I imagine, the devil fully knowing [James 2:19] who He is, trembling as He uttered the words, “If You are the Son of God.” Jesus did not falter, stumble or stutter but simply rebuked the slimy ‘ole devil with, The Word of God [Matthew 4:4]. Although He was tempted, no sin has ever been uttered, nor actualized of the minutest proportion in the Son of God. He knew no sin [Hebrews 4:15].

The demonstrative purposes from the God-Man are certainly a sobering reminder that, if the perfect One of God is tried and tempted as a man, yet fully God, then we, having a completely fallen nature are most certainly always a target of prey from Satan, the one who is condemned forever. You are an antelope and Satan is a fallen lion, seeking any flesh to devour and bring to death with him [1 Peter 5:8]. He knows his time is short. If you are not careful, watching and praying, you will be seen in the open, most vulnerable and weak to fall. The world is always offered to you with its greatest lusts. One is just around the corner, but it most likely will not be noticed until temptation has already arisen, maybe even now. For, that is how the devil works, disguising himself as an angel of light [2 Corinthians 11:14]. The devil himself is a wolf in sheepskin. He covers truth with lies and lies with truth, as he quotes the Scriptures back to Jesus, blaspheming God [Matthew 4:6].

Jesus Christ, having infinite power and glory, was only able to be tempted because of His incarnation [Phil.2:5-11], thus in the territory of the devil, being the prince of this world [John 14:30]. He made Himself this way so that He can have compassion on those who are ignorant and going astray, since he himself is also subject to weakness [Hebrews 5:2]. Otherwise, as He is, The King of Kings stomps the serpent’s head under His feet. In other words, Christ is truly unapproachable to be tempted apart from His incarnation. Even in His fully human nature prior to crucifixion, He was perfectly consecrated and in perfect fellowship with the Father. He is the omnipotent One from whom all things came to be. Although He is the Bread of Life, being fully human, He ate food on earth. Although He is the living water, being fully human, He drank water on earth. In the same way, although He is the Son of God incarnate, He [because He had chosen to subject Himself] rebuked the devil with the Word of God on earth. If our perfect example does this, we are to do the same, with great tenacity.

Much of the application for the fallen soul is learning to use the power of God with the words of God. Our Savior has shown by example how to rebuke evil and the devil, not only with words, but specific words in the Scriptures. The devil already knows that he is overthrown. For it is written,
“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And he has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.”
Colossians 2:13-15
Many situations have arisen and will arise that may or may not be inherently evil at the time of arrival. Since sin is always in the fallen human heart, even upon regeneration, any scenario may become evil instantaneously. The Apostle James warns of the process that, ‘each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed’ [James 1:14]. The abundance of Christians think that temptation applies to certain areas of life and not every area of life [lust of flesh, eyes, pride]. Even if we have exhausted every avenue to sin, we will simply create new and unique avenues to rebel. One arena may actually lead to another avenue. To avoid confusion and from blaspheming, it is important to realize that all evil enticement is derived from our already wicked hearts and the devil. It is not from God, because God Himself cannot be tempted, nor can He tempt [James 1:13]. God is not fallen, but we are the fallen creatures.

Believers must realize the power of the truth of God, quickly discerning good and evil to prevent a fire eruption. Put the coals out before they get hot. Namely, a particular verse of Scripture always applies to a specific area of life, and/or situation. It allows us to cut the head off of the serpent before we are quickly convinced to participate in his evil works. Although the devil does not verbally ask the questions as he did the Messiah, he manipulates the Word and the peace of God by potentially turning a blessed scenario into a demonic enticement.
“Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.” James 1:15
The intercession takes place when the comfort of the Holy Spirit tears down the strongholds with quick discernment and fear of God within the soul that would otherwise not even be a “temptation” apart from Grace. The Word of God to fallen sinners is indeed a sword for battle. It is the only thing that defeats the devil and his cunning attempts to bring down a saint of God. He will try every opportunity that is available. It will not be when you see it, but it happens in your own heart before the temptation arises. It is like a snake in the grass, not knowing where he is until he has bitten you. May our comfort rest in the righteous knowledge of the Holy One and not of the demons who say, “What will you do with us, ‘O Son of God?” We will not be sent into the swine, but are already covered by His blood. Therefore, because of His righteousness and the Cross, He clothes our infinitely unworthy unrighteous deeds with His infinitely worthy perfectly righteous deeds, leading to eternal life.

Evaluate the decisions you must make everyday. Why do you make the decisions you do? Without leaning in a legalist manner, compare it in light of specific Scriptures. Just as the devil lied to Jesus, attempting to use the Word of God against Him, so may we, who are evil, attempt to justify a scenario using Scripture and still not honor God [Matthew 4:6]. The devil is plotting right now for your fall and it is a way that you do not expect. He is the ultimate son of perdition, prowling, seeking and blaspheming everything in sight. His only purpose is to steal, kill and destroy [John 10:10]. Even the things you do not see, he uses those to his advantage to capture your particular desires of worldly affections. May you discern good from evil, the will of God from your own perversions and the Grace of God from demonic presence. Take your Sword and ‘Fight the fight of faith.’ Search the Scriptures and do not tempt the Lord Our God. Allow the God of Peace to enlighten your soul by worshiping God and serving only Him.

John Piper Is Not A Great Preacher

2008-07-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

The seemingly common difficulty about being a pastor or theologian in a generation where sound doctrine has subsided into circus-like myths is the inevitable truth of being compared to others. Few pastors can withhold the unleashing at others; yet many also prove themselves unfit by being unable to defend the Gospel from the pulpit. This is an age where the Gospel should be most heard and recognized than ever before, but itchy ears seem to have won the majority vote, pleasurably avoiding the responsibility of breaking hearts and killing sin (this is the Sovereignty revealed). The situation puts even more pressure, higher focus and amplifies the ridicule on the very few faithful stewards of God's inerrant and infallible Word. The more error that is seen and discerned within the church and culture, the more precious and treasurable the truth is when it is heard and revealed. Namely, this is preaching the Scriptures. One of faithful stewards who does not plaster his credentials and resume in the foyer, nor waste the precious moments to redeem the time by speaking of the shortcomings of particular pastors, but streamlines the infinite worth of the Glory of God and the Supremacy of Christ over all creation with passionate conviction to the winning of souls and the making of disciples of that, oh so little preached truth, is Dr. John Piper.

Praises from Africa

2008-07-01T18:51:00.000-07:00

Today, we landed. Sweat dripped from the brow.
Hunger pangs are felt as never before. Backpack strapped;Book in hand. Ready.
I have never been here and is different than expected. Longer plains and many species to see.
Hot winds cause a toil travel. I thirst, but I am hunting. I did not know what I was up against.
I hope it is worth it as I want to forsake it already. Let me be; I am on a mission.
It is not for me.

Village is on the horizon. Scarcity is well known. I may not be accepted, but some will find out.
Believe me and see, they do not have what you have. Poverty is a disease. Babies dead; Children weak. I hold one and cannot see through the water.
Mother's sick and father is lost. Rice is low as it is too much cost.
The dead are living and the living are dead.

They gather around as they see the book. Meditating and translating;these are important.
Dusk has arrived as the Scriptures are opened. Crowds upon crowds, what will I say?
The weak and hungry thought I had food. The sick and dying thought maybe a cure.
Some were angry, yet some listened. I was here to tell of their condition.
None had ever heard and none ever had seen, the truth that caused them to believe.
Hearts were pierced and their conscience within;
The book spoke about the presence of sin. Some had fallen to their knees;
Some were wailing under the trees. This may cause death, but for me it is gain.
I care not when I leave, whether sooner or later.
I am not here for myself, but to preach Jesus Christ, Our Savior.

Cries from Hollywood

2008-06-28T14:41:00.000-07:00

My feature film debuts soon. Maybe I will be alive when it releases.
My character is not who I really am, but it is who I want to be;at least for a time.
The attention I receive snatches at my soul, as if I have no control.
Everybody knows me. Flashes from the carpet, second and third efforts to make a name for myself, leaves me blinded and unable to see; this I know. Maybe I will make it. But, Wine will be near because it makes me alive.

I think I know what to do. Who am I? I am an actor, perhaps you are not.
But, I like to laugh, like you. I like to paint too. As I look at my palms, each line is art to me. There is always something I feel I can't see. You don't understand; money is not the problem. Should I spend on you? Maybe you don't know me.
I am not a robot; my feelings are for all.
Remembrance comes natural as it is what I do. Maybe it covers how I feel right now? My reflection seems different than yesterday's.

Please don't solve the problem I do not have. Standing is easy; it is the walking thats not.
I miss the laugh; the one that you have. I don't do much anymore.
I sit here and wait; no one has called back. Eyes are jaded, can you see?
Hearts are beautiful when they beat fast. I am not sick, though I may need your help.
I am for all to see, but keep this discreet. I love to pretend, but now I am not.
Remembrance comes natural as it is what I do. Not at all. Not at all.
I do not remember you. I am faced with myself. What do I do?
Will you remember me? Take my eyes to show the world.
Where I am going, I do not know. But, maybe I will make it.

Character reflects Understanding

2008-06-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

There seems to be much simplicity in making a statement to be a professing Christ follower. Many times, it is even a note or a comment to be a Christian. “Yes, I am a Christian, so what’s for dinner?” In fact, most Americans proclaim to be one. It is part of American culture to proclaim God and attend some sort of religious service on Sunday. That is just what you do. Not many people have a problem with you proclaiming to be a Christian until you speak of what is required in such a proclamation. This separates the Christians and professors, which proves that words cut to the heart. God uses words to reveal Himself and His Glory, but He also uses character to realize the words into actions.

As a Christian, our character reflects our understanding of the Gospel. What we speak, how we treat people are all ways to proclaim or demonstrate, publicly, who we are as a person. Christians are to be careful instead of whimsical in each interaction with believers and unbelievers alike. We should be careful to reflect Godly character. Paul teaches,
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
If we are born-again, we prove to understand the Gospel with the simple, yet so difficult concept of, “esteeming others better than ourselves.” However, if we do not understand the Gospel, we publicly demonstrate, to our Creator and everyone surrounding, that we do not fear Him. If we do not consider others better than ourselves, then we do not fear God and simply put self before others.

If we understand the Gospel, we reflect the fruits of the Spirit in our character. Namely, these are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against these, there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). There is an overflowing understanding of the responsibility to be conscientiously different from the world. It should not be an act to reflect Godly attributes in the morning, but not at night, or vice versa. Although we sin because of our old nature, upon conversion, it is the will of God to demonstrate His love for His children by portraying it through His children to others; which causes His commands to not be burdensome.
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.” 1 John 5: 2, 3
A true saint is caused to know true righteousness and the difference in a feeble attempt to be religious because of the realization of the perfection required. Rather, it is a soul provocation, caused by the Holy Spirit, in utter humility, to embrace and display the righteousness of Christ, rather than our own, which is none.

If we reflect understanding of the Gospel, we will “be Christ” to others. The mysteriously majestic privilege to reflect the light of Christ that is not at all within us naturally, but simply as a chosen people, is the highest calling of a human being from the Creator of Universe to demonstrate the eternal realm on earth and ultimately, the Kingdom of Heaven.
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10
If we are one of His peculiar or special people, a royal priesthood, then by the Sovereign will of God, we will be set apart from the fallen world to continually, more consistently at an increasing level, reflect Christ in us in the process of sanctification. It glorifies Him to show His light through us to not only make public shame of the sin of unbelievers, but also believers, which causes intense division among the peoples. This is because the perfect character of Christ is diametrically opposed to the whole world and primarily why the world hates Him (Jesus’ compassion alone on outcast people who were lame, blind, deaf and otherwise worthless to society caused immediate recognition and intense strife, not among irreligious but the “religious” people).

Since the fall, sin of all sorts has caused intense pain and suffering among the human race. Because our sins (as believers), which are many, are forgiven, so we must forgive the sins of others. Many Christians understand the forgiveness aspect of Godly character differently at different levels because we have all have sinned and have been sinned against differently. Yet, sin is sin, regardless of the depth, tone, shape or form. Jesus did not die for some sins of all people, but He died for all sins of some people. The Doctrine of Atonement obliterates any act of self-justification because of our utter helplessness without it. If Christ did not die, then we are not forgiven and still dead in our sins. But, since He died in perfect righteousness (and resurrected), our sins are able to be forgiven. Therefore, since we all have infinitely broken God’s law, our undeserved forgiveness from Christ to us should reflect in our character, from us to others in compassionate love and sacrificial gratitude of His Mercy. This also reminds us that when we sin, we not only sin against others who have sinned, but ultimately against Jesus Christ, who never sinned, yet shed His blood to redeem us.
“Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me not water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. ‘You gave me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. ‘You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. ‘Therefore, I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.’ Then He said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’”
Luke 7:44-48

Jesus personally proves the wisdom behind the two great commandments, to “Love the Lord God with all your heart mind, soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself.” If you obey and reflect these two, then you will obey and reflect the rest of the commands. If you do not obey these two, then you cannot obey the rest. True Godly character displays Christ-likeness in the assurance by the Spirit of God to produce the fruits of the Spirit in becoming more like Him. The Gospels indicate that Jesus, being the Author and Finisher of our faith, emphasized the infinite value of relationships to publicly demonstrate His power, while ascertaining the difference between good and evil, the reality of faith and ultimate Glory, in His character or who He actually is as the God-Man. In the same way, as His children, we are to be salt and light to the world; to friends, family, enemies, strangers, foreigners so they may see our good deeds and glorify Our Father in Heaven.

“'You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven'.” Matthew 5:13-16

The Pleasures of Sovereignty

2008-06-17T19:37:00.000-07:00

"By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.
He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap;
He lays up the deep in storehouses.

Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.
For He spoke, and it was done;
He commanded, and it stood fast.

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;
He makes the plans of the people of no effect.
The counsel of the Lord stands forever,
The plans of His heart to all generations.
Blessed is the nations whose God is the Lord.
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.

The Lord looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
From the place of His dwelling He looks
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works.

No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for safety;
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.

Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
Just as we hope in you."

Psalm 33:6-22

"Opposition to divine sovereignty is essentially atheism. Men have no objection to a god who is really no God, a god who shall be the subject of caprice, who shall be a servile follower of their will, who shall be under their control. But a God who speaks and it is done, who commands and it stands fast, a God who does as he will among the armies of heaven and among the inhabitants of this lower world, such a God as this they cannot endure. And yet, is it not essential to the very being of God that he should be absolute and supreme? Certainly to the scriptural conception of God, sovereignty is an absolute necessity."

-Charles Spurgeon

Happy Father's Day

2008-06-14T11:15:00.000-07:00

I was listening to a Christian radio station the other morning on the way to work and a lady happened to call in talking about Father's Day weekend. She spoke of the fact that she was a single mom and that her children have grown up thus far without a continual father figure in their lives. I thought it was sad, but was thanking God in my soul that, for sure, the topic was about to veer into the spiritual realm, speaking of,you know, God. But, it did not. The DJ on the radio show apparently bore witness with the caller, proclaiming that she was also a single mother with several children. With the absolute perfect opportunity for the DJ to reflect the Gospel, doors wide open to not only the lady on the phone, but particularly, all single moms listening in the entire city, she went in a completely different direction. The DJ proceeded to speak about "all of the men" in her children's lives that represent a "father figure" to them. Confusion immediately set in for me. I asked myself, "Let me get this straight, this is a 'Christian' radio station (mind you, I understand the entirely liberal nature of these programs), speaking of 'fatherhood' on "Father's Day weekend", from the single motherhood perspective and instead of talking about true fatherhood in Christ, we are now talking about "several men" representing a father figure to these children? Worst of all, the fact that these men were either Godly or not was not mentioned.

First, I would like to clear a few things up. Coming from an unbelieving, divorced family, with a single mother, I have firsthand experience with this situation (as do many people these days). From what I know, it seems that the worst possible thing to speak about, if you are a single mother, is the fact that your children have a "father figure" from "several" men. The concept confuses me as a twenty-five year old, young professional. I can imagine how confused these children must be, regardless of age or maturity. There would seemingly never be any consistency in not only the relationships between these children and the men, but also the children and mother. It seems like an excuse for the mother to "do something" while she is possibly on the way to being married again (or for the first time). But, that should be her goal, if she is a Godly (saved) woman (It is not my place or goal to speak of or reflect the situations as to why these women are single in this particular post; that is another time). For the sake of her children, she should train them up as God-fearing children, as she reflects her Godly character.

Second, the whole purpose of this story is to demonstrate The Gospel of how God becomes our Father. Even in seasoned married homes (as I realize this is an amazing blessing and means of God's Grace), mother's, father's and children are all sinners. We have all fallen short of God's perfect standard (Romans 3:23). Jesus demonstrates and proves to us over and over again in the Gospels of just who we are. He reveals Himself to the Samaritan woman at the well (where, at this time in culture, Jews and Samaritans are enemies and men did not speak to women).

"The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst, nor come here to draw." Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband,' "for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; in that you spoke truly." The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on the mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where one ought to worship." Jesus said to her. "Woman, believe Me, the hour is coming when you will neither on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we know what we worship, for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). When he comes, He will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you an He."
John 4:15-26

If God is our Father, then Jesus Christ has revealed Himself to us as The Messiah. Whether we grew up in a Christian home, have a divorced family, or have foster parents, we (God's elect) are all adopted individually at the very moment of our conversion. When we know that Christ is the Messiah, not a but The Messiah, the One who came to save sinners, then only at that moment is when we recognize where we have fallen infinitely short in every area of our lives. In this case, Jesus reminded this Samaritan woman of her overall sinfulness by bringing up her unrepentant relationships with men. It was most likely the most sore subject of her entire life being reminded that, although she thought she had something, without Christ, she had nothing. Or, being at the well, where there was physical water to draw, she was dead and bone dry in her soul without the Living Water, who is Christ (v. 13,14).

What we "Christians" fail to realize most of the time is that anything God-honoring or Christ-exalting coming from us, really comes from Him. Any righteousness that we have, is really Jesus' righteousness. And the only true Father we have, or will ever have for that matter, is our Abba Father. It is our Heavenly Father. Because of our sin, we don't even realize the substitutes we have every day, for our Heavenly Father, who delivers us from our sins. In the spiritual sense, we are just like the two ladies on the radio, talking about every other father while failing to mention the only Father we have for eternity.

"He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worth of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who find his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10:37-39

Come and drink from the Living Water, our perfectly loving, forgiving and everlasting Father.

Perfect Resume

2008-06-07T12:38:00.001-07:00

I am a Christian. However, my resume does not say that I am. It states the “Objective” of the job I am seeking to obtain. It is my personal statement of the exact job I want, displaying the characteristics of the position. Following that, the next category is my “Job Experience” which is simply a label of the past jobs I have had and how long I have worked there. Next I must defend the fact that I am educated by listing my “Education” in showing the name of the institution (hopefully accredited) by which I obtained my degree or diploma and the type it is (e.g. BA, BBA, BS, MBA, PhD).

Then or finally, depending on type of resume, I gladly list my “Skills” or “Accomplishments” that qualifies me and matches perfectly the “Job Description” or “Responsibilities.” These skills can range anywhere from “Microsoft Office skills” to “Sales skills” to “Management skills.” These are good skills to have, but what do they mean? What does it mean for me to say that I have a particular skill in at least one area of life? Honestly speaking, at the very most, it is a highly elevated opinion of myself that may or may not be true, because it is an opinion. It is not based on fact. My job experience merely lists the fact that I have had a job, or not. My education says that an admissions director, somewhere, graciously accepted my application to be admitted into the University, after paying my $25 application fee, of course.

What does my resume culminate? I am a living, breathing, walking human being, created in the image of Creator Jehovah with a soul and spirit. What do I have to stand in my defense when it comes to obtaining a job, according to the world? I have a piece of paper with words in a language comprehensible by a specific culture or ethnic group that either qualifies me or not, for a particular job. (Sad day)

What does it mean to be a true Christian? Among many other things, it means that Christ Himself has stood, on the Cross, and still stands in our defense, interceding before the throne of God Himself.
“I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 1:4-8
I do not put on my resume as a skill, that I am “regenerated by the Holy Spirit of God through Christ,” or that I am, “A descendant of Abraham,” or that I am part of, “True Israel.” I do not put that I have been, “rescued from certain death and eternal damnation by the blood of Christ,” as part of my “Experience.” That would be a comical act in applying for a position where the hiring manager most likely has not been delivered from his/her sins. But, because these things are personal truths of revelation, based on the Scriptures, which are the promises of God, they are no less true in the world because they aren’t on my resume (obviously).

Firstly, 1 Corinthians 1:5 says, “that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,” meaning all true knowledge comes from the revelation of Christ in us, by our testimony. Therefore, because this is an infallible truth, by revelation, it is imparted by perfect knowledge because Christ is perfect. We are “enriched” with this “full knowledge,” saturating the soul, delighting in the pleasurable truths that change the former desires of the carnal mind and worldly affections into a spiritual mind and Godly affections, conforming and transforming the soul by this gift.

Secondly, we are partakers of the Divine nature of Christ. The righteousness of Christ is imputed by revelation in the illuminating knowledge of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:1-7). Being heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven, the knowledge, namely, Holy knowledge of one mysteriously changed by the grace of God in Christ, is greater or infinitely superior than the knowledge of one who is ignorant of, “the deep things of God,” or in a lost state of being, i.e. unregenerate. This righteous knowledge, which is the righteousness of Christ given to us, is an undeniable, unstoppable, impenetrable authoritative truth that displays the Glory of God in us and through us to the world, disrupting any and every systematic avenue to glorify oneself in the flesh; which are the pleasures of this world, knowing only sensation. The knowledge of God portrays the reality of spiritual warfare (in the work place, home, missions field) and supersedes all worldly knowledge in every case.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down of strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-6

Thirdly, Christian, God fulfills His promises by swearing by His Own Name (Hebrews 6:13-20). If you have righteous knowledge of God, it is because God swore by His Own Name to give it to you, through the atoning death of Christ. It provides the assuredness of the promise by confirming that, “in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us” (Hebrews 6:18). There is no greater worth in the Universe, and no greater name than God Almighty. For Him to make a promise by His own name, it proves that it is impossible for it to faulter because it is impossible for God to lie; He will not break a promise or covenant that He has decreed for His purposes and Glory. He has made everything and He is good. If He made the promise to Abraham, He made it to you, infallibly, as a descendant and fellow heir. Therefore, if God is with you, who can be against you?

You may not have the “most impressive resume,” according to the world’s standards; nor may you ever. But, dear friend, if you belong to Jesus Christ, He has already written your resume for you. He wrote it with His Blood. Because of His promises, in that, He so loved you He gave His life, you are not only overcoming the world daily, but you have indeed, overcome the world.

“This hope we gave as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” Hebrews 6:20

Humble Orthodoxy

2008-05-29T19:16:00.000-07:00

"Your words were found, and I ate them, And your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts." Jeremiah 15:16

While attending the New Attitude conference in Louisville, KY, 2008, there are many provocations and convictions to mention and aspire to. Although the general preaching theme was on the Scriptures, the reading of it, studying, using for Spiritual Warfare, understanding Adoption and so forth, there are other things to mention.

For me, the lack of knowledge of Scripture in a God Glorifying way became more and more apparent after hearing pastors like Josh Harris, Mark Dever, Al Mohler(in Q&A session), John Piper and C.J. Mahaney. I have a lack of discipline in being a consistent student of God's Word. Although I "read" my bible about everyday, many times I do not read to know God more or to find something new that I haven't read before, but rather to fulfill a duty, a calling, if I am a Christian. There are many Scriptures that I have memorized to defend the Christian faith Apologetically and to convict of sin. But many times, it is a script. Sometimes there is no life in the way I quote Scripture because I have said them before and again and again. Sometimes, the Bible is only a book.

"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." John 1:1-3

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16,17

The Bible is clearly not only a book. It exactly reflects this world and worldview. It explains the literal creation of life, the fall of you and me in our first parents and portrays the Absolute Sovereignty, Glory and Perfection of God in Jesus Christ. When a Scripture is repeated, God speaks. In the Old Testament, God spoke. In the New Testament, God spoke. By His Spirit today, He speaks....through His Word, to His people.

The Bible is living and active. It is called, "The Word." Jesus is also called, "The Word." If you are one of His followers and have been born-again by the Spirit effectually calling you to repentance, then you learn about your God that saved you, through His Word. It is in the reading of The Bible that we realize how utterly puny, rebellious and God-hating we are by nature. The longer we go without reading and meditating upon the eternal truths, the bigger, more confident we feel in ourselves, our sinful nature, this earth. For by nature, we are children of wrath that reflect God's righteous judgement of sin. But, only by the Grace and Mercy of God in Christ Jesus, we are adopted as sons (Galatians 4:5).

As a Christian, may you literally Treasure the Word of God. Consider yourself blessed if you own one. Many countries in this sin-saturated world will persecute, arrest and even kill people with the Word of God(i.e. Asia,Africa, South America). People don't hate the Bible because it is just a book, they hate it because it is THE WORD OF GOD that explains the condition of man, the deepest intents of the soul and that it commands all men to repent of sin and believe the Gospel, or perish. The Word of God contains undisputable revelation and propositions.

Although Jesus is the Word, His Word contain His words in the Gospels, speaking more about hell than any other doctrine in the bible. If we aren't treasuring the Word in our Bibles, thanking God we are able to speak and read it in freedom, then we are simply treasuring something else. If you treasure your Bible, then it is likely that you treasure Christ. But if you do not treasure your Bible, then it is impossible to treasure Christ, for you know about Him by reading about Him. Read your Bibles. Treasure them to Treasure Christ, for they contain the words of eternal life, for the Glory of God.

"Then Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you also want to go away?' But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:67,68

John Piper and the Prosperity Gospel

2008-05-22T20:30:00.001-07:00

Something this depraved world, particularly the United States needs to hear about "Christianity" and what the true costs of being a Christian is (humility, sacrifice,giving,dying). Piper brings to life the scenarios with strong conviction that streamlines focus on the Glory of God when we are truly resting in Him instead of believing the, oh so many, lies.

Trees and Fruit;Fruit and Trees

2008-05-13T19:19:00.000-07:00

"Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit." Matthew 12:33

When one observes an orange, either newly or ripely, sprouting from a tree, it must be concluded that it is an orange tree. When one observes an apple, either newly or ripely, sprouting from a tree, it must be concluded that it is an apple tree. Grape vines produce grapes and nothing else. Fig trees produce figs and nothing else. Orange trees do not produce apples and apple trees do not produce oranges. Simply by the visualization of the fruit, regardless of how large or small, one is able to conclude the type of tree, bush or vine.

Jesus powerfully draws out, in simple context, the spiritual application of compare and contrast. While one does not know the depths of the soul as does Christ, we can visually see and hear the types of "fruit" that another person produces. As a matter of fact, Jesus speaks volumes by saying,
" Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. " Matthew 12:34-35

Are you a Christian? Do you claim to be changed by the Grace of God in Jesus Christ? If so, what are your desires? What do you spend most of your time doing? What do you think about during that time? Although "none do good," in the eyes of God because of our fallen nature, regeneration will kindle the fire to obey the law of God and find the totality of our affections set upon the way our Savior did things.

In what type of language do you joke or jest? Figuratively, the type of language we use shows the type of "tree" we are by producing the necessary fruit to carry out the actions the words are producing. If I am explaining a coarse joke or responding to a comment full of jest, I am not producing good fruit, but evil fruit, revealing the abundance of my heart. Gossip, slander and the like are simply other forms of showing the abundance or predominance of the heart, by what the mouth speaks. For Jesus says,
" For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." Matthew 12:37

The abundance of our hearts produce the words that decide our actions. Likewise, the abundance of the fruit on a particular tree decides the type of tree it is, despite similarities on the branches and leaves, i.e. the difference in true spiritual fruit and religiosity. This abolishes any Antinomian thought of "free grace" without a changed life.

Why are words so important? God has decreed that His Word is what saves a sinners soul. It is the means to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As believers, our interests and participations cannot be divided so that our words affect our actions to the detriment of a soul. Paul speaks,
"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for the necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:29-30
May your soul contemplate the words in which you speak, to the edification of believers so that they may walk in Grace and for the salvation of a soul that has not yet been transformed by Grace through faith. You, born-again believer, are the example our Creator has chosen to use to speak His Word with boldness and the power of the Holy Spirit. May the abundance of your heart reveal the words to the saving of a soul, for the Glory of God in Christ Jesus. I leave with the convicting reality of the words of James,

"For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh." James 3:7-12

I Cry

2008-04-14T18:09:00.000-07:00

As I contemplate the Infinite and Eternal worth of the Savior, I am reminded of the wretched condition of my body of death, and again, Grace. The Doctrines of Grace replay over and over until I can eloquently repeat them with my mind, while searching the Scriptures. My re-born life and closeness to God has amounted to how much I can learn and know about Him; the way that He thinks, decrees, judges, loves and hates. I am known as a person with “spiritual knowledge”, one who “knows” God and understands the fundamental differences between "Calvinist" and "Arminian" Theology. I read authors like Charles Spurgeon, John Piper, John Owen, Jonathan Edwards, D.A. Carson, Vincent Cheung, Luther and Calvin. I am bored at times in church because I already know most things that are preached and understand the truths sometimes in a way that seems more passionate than the preacher, as if possessing a treasure that he does not know about (?). I enjoy debating the difference between my choosing of God in my salvation and God choosing me. I also enjoy discussing the theology in the middle, like perseverance, sanctification, free will, common grace, "Lordship salvation", and the losing of salvation. I thrive on reading as many books as I can, to have read as much if not more than the next born-again Calvinist Christian. At the end of the day, my conscience may approve of these things that are good, and check them off the list. Now that I have worked on Theology and Doctrine for a little while, I think I will touch up the Christian cake a little more with some Apologetics. Christian Apologetics is a thought process of “defending the faith” that ultimately differentiates the way of thinking between a believer and unbeliever in understanding our (biblical) worldview. I appreciate the gifts of many great apologists that help my knowledge of defending the Christian Faith, e.g, Van Til, Augustine, Cheung, and Clark. Because of the Grace of God, I am full of knowledge of Him.

Yet, I am sad, and broken, again.

In the midst of my pursuance of the knowledge of God and the way that He thinks, the understanding of Doctrine, Theology, Apologetics and Scripture, I am breaking my own heart in the process. The only One who gives me true knowledge, understanding, patience, and endurance of the faith, is the One seems to be placed on the backend. I must now grow in another way. I must understand God in another way. I must be broken in another way. Instead of repeating in my conscience, “God is Sovereign over my sin,” I need not to justify the very thing that separates me from my Creator and Sustainer, Jesus Christ. I must realize that Jesus is not a concept or mere words. He is not just Theology, or the the One who speaks the red words in the Bible. He is not a fad, label or a "Homeboy." He is the God-Man that saved me from my sin, i.e, death, hell and the full wrath of God. I know that it is only by His blood that I can see His face, for who He is. It is only by His blood that I can see my sin for what it is. It is only by His blood that I can know the difference between saved and lost. It is only by His blood that I can have compassion for someone who does not know Him. It is Jesus Christ Himself that I need; not Theology, Doctrine, or Apologetics; But, only His Word. All of these great things are derived from the Scriptures, but when not applied to my very life, they are utterly worthless and useless.

May I learn to mortify sin by rewinding 2,000 years ago to that dark day of the crucifixion. As I see Mary and John in tears at the foot of the cross, His righteous, pure blood inches closer to the ground from His wounds. I am vaguely picturing myself in the midst of that day, yet knowing exactly what happened. I know that it quickly became dark the moment His hands and feet were nailed. The full wrath of the God of Heaven is placed on the only One in all of the Universe, before time, that could bear it, and die to bring me back to God. I was trying to picture myself crying at the cross with Mary and John, but, without the Grace of God, I am one of the Roman soldiers to mock and ridicule Him as the “King of the Jews” and scourge Him as if He was worthless and blasphemous. I would be one of them to spit upon him as the crowns of thorns were placed around His head.

I only cry now as I see my responsibility to the rest of the world once I have been rescued from certain death and damnation to the worst placed in all creation, hell. I not only cry about that, but fall to my knees in repentance and inexpressible gratitude that I am not no longer separated from the One that created me In His Image. I now have Him. He is my life (Gal. 2:20). I now know what it means to be brokenhearted over the sin that crucified the perfect Christ. Oh, how glorious and precious is the Lamb of God! This is the one the prophets were speaking of!

God, I do not deserve one word of knowledge of you. I do not deserve to be in your presence or to have you die for my sins. I do not deserve the computer to type this on or the program that it is in, or the fingers I am using to type, or the chair I am sitting in, or the roof over my head to give me shelter, or the food that I am about to eat. I do not deserve the very life that I have; that I can see, and walk and hear and think, communicate, respond, laugh, and cry. I have a broken body with a broken-heart for my wretchedness.

May I never veer from the Cross, where it all began; where I met my first love; where I loved for the first time; where I understood forgiveness for the first time, Grace for the first time and Mercy for the first time. Lord, it is only because of the Cross that I can understand who you really are and not what the world makes you. It is only because of the Cross that I can understand that you chose me before the foundation of the world to walk in and with you. It is only because of the Cross that I can shed light to the (professing) atheist in his non-acknowledgement of what he already knows, due to his own sin and rebellion. It is only because of the Cross that I can never lose the work of Grace that you have begun. And because of these things, may I have a broken-heart in humility because of the One who made me who I am, in every way, the One who is the way, the truth, the life, the One who has sheep that know His voice, that One who is Truly Righteous, Holy and gives His undeserved Amazing Grace and Mercy to the ones who’s hearts He breaks and restores, Jesus Christ. It is finished.

The Eternality of God and Futility of Man

2008-03-01T10:15:00.000-08:00

“Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever You had formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Psalm 90:1-2

It is a burdensome task in the attempt to fathom the infinite Creator in all of His greatness and brilliancy from eternity past. According to the Holy Scriptures, God always was, always is, and always will be. He is not limited in any way.

The frailty of man is not only represented in the biological fact that he is limited and fully constrained by his own physical body and sinful nature, but he is so inept and independent of God, because of sin, that he does not even realize it. I suppose that if all men saw God and all that He is, then man would universally understand their dilemma before Him and dependence upon Him, falling to their knees.

Among the unregenerate man who has not yet been rescued and ransomed by the Grace of our King Jesus, he is even ignorant of the things that are freely given him in each second that passes his life. Hardness of heart and a fallen nature has attributed to the utmost nonsense of a man’s own independence of God and the lack of acknowledgement of the things He merely upholds with the power of His hand.

“The voice said, ‘Cry out!’ And he said, ‘What shall I cry?’
All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the Lord blows upon it; Surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:6-8

Being wrapped in sinful human flesh, with blood flowing through various veins and arteries, and air to our lungs, reminds us that our days our numbered and are indeed, futile. Our blood saturated in sin cannot continue to flow forever and will fade as a blade of grass, cut from the root. The lungs breathing the wretchedness of the fallen earth will wither as a flower in the wind. Our lives are given by a Breath from the Lord and will be taken away by the same (Isaiah 40:24).

“For we have been consumed by Your anger, And by Your wrath we are terrified. You have set our iniquities before You, Our secret sins in the light of your countenance. For all our days have passed away in Your wrath; We finish our years like a sigh. The days of our lives are seventy years; And if reason by strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow. For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
Psalm 90:7-10

But, the God of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of the Universe, will stand forever. He does not wither and does not fade. He does not seek counsel as no one gives Him counsel (Isaiah 40:14). He is infinitely Holy, unsearchable and immeasurable, for all the nations before Him are as nothing as He has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand (Isaiah 40:12-15). Our lives are here and then they are gone, but the Eternality of The Godhead has always been and always will be. The futility and meaninglessness of our lives on this earth melt before the Holy God of the Universe as He stands in complete Sovereignty, dominion and authority, for most of us knowing no different from the time we were brought from our mother’s womb until the time we return to the earth, as dust.

May we “Cry Out!” that all flesh is grass! One day you will see the grass, the next, you will not. One day, you see the flower, the next, you do not! It is the same with the lives of feeble men. One day we are here, the next we are not.

“In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”
Genesis 3:19

“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting! Amen and Amen.”

Psalm 41:13

The Ultimate Sacrifice

2008-01-12T14:18:00.000-08:00

When you think of the reality and temporal pleasures of sin in this life, you will think about and know it as one of two kinds of people. You know sin as a child of God or you know sin as an enemy of God. Either way, a sacrifice is required.

If you were born from a woman into this earth, you, at least, began your life as an enemy of God and therefore a slave to sin. Since you only know how to sin, you love it because you are more acquainted with it than anything else in your life. You know sin because it is the very essence of your nature. It is who you are and you care more about it than anyone or anything else on the face of the earth, including your closest relatives. Your father, mother, sister and brother are only likened to you by the blood in your earthly body. You are only related to them by the flesh. Since you are born into sin, you have no means of knowing or communicating with your Creator, thus being cut off from Him in every way. Therefore, you enjoy the following defining characteristics of the flesh in some shape or form more than your family or your own life.
“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21.
Also, for the majority of mankind in regard to God’s judgment of sin in the last days, it seems people will be as follows:
“For people will be lover of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” 2 Timothy 3:2-5

Sin is loved more than family and friends because we are born hating God.
“The haters of the Lord would pretend submission to Him, But their fate would endure forever.” Psalm 81:15
We cannot love our family until we at least meet them and recognize them for who they are. Even then, we don’t know what love truly is. Sin is loved and practiced naturally all day and night because it lives within us (John 3:19). It comes from a human heart that is hard as stone. If the human soul is maintained and manifested in an unregenerate, unrepentant state, then it is naturally a living sacrifice for evil since it only knows evil. Therefore, it stands currently condemned before God. Jesus Christ Himself blatantly and shockingly clarifies this fact to the Jews and Pharisees,
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is not truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” John 8:44, 45
If the Devil himself is and has been a liar from the beginning, then we also are living a lie. We will continue living our lives as if there is no God, unrestrained, yet unpardoned from sin. If sin, i.e. the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life, did not stop the Pharisees from denying the incarnate Christ as God, what stops us now as Christ is at the right hand of the Father and will one day return? Human nature remains the same. Rebellion is prevalent. Blindness and deafness to Holy things show the heart to be careless of The Gospel. The absolute, just wrath of God has been demonstrated to mankind as proclaimed in His word and is seen in this world evermore today.

The apostle Paul explains very clearly about the evidence of the flesh that resides within the human soul. They are thoroughly labeled to cover every sinful action or reaction of a human being. Even if one were to declare that there is no God, they cannot deny that they perform the very characteristics of the flesh as explained in the bible. In fact, they are experts and have mastered the flesh. When you speak to someone, the words that proceed out of your mouth are being judged by God.
“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” Matthew 12:36
Not only are the words judged, but the very thought processes are being judged as explicitly.
“Their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; Wasting and destruction are in there paths.” Isaiah 59:7
There are many more Scriptures in the word of God that speak of the iniquity from human thought. For example, Jesus says, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.” Matthew 15:19

“But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, ‘Why do you think evil in your hearts?’ For which is easier, to say ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk.’?” Matthew 9:4, 5
If the suggested “hidden sin” of thought is judged in righteousness, it goes without mentioning judgment of the physical act of sinning listed in the above works of the flesh that Paul describes in Galatians and 2 Timothy. It is a continual lifestyle practiced by the entire human race as slaves to their own desires of wickedness and defilement (Romans 6:16). There is no understanding of holiness and purity. There can be no reverence or true worship of Jesus Christ. We are deaf and blind to our own passions. The mind, body, soul and everything we stand for, including our unregenerate existence, is alienated from and hostile to God. We would rather die and perish eternally with unrepentant sin than to yield our lives to the only One who can promise eternal life. For, we are born dead. We truly have a worthless existence. This is historical human nature after the fall of Adam, indeed.

“For when you are slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.” Romans 6:20
When we are slaves to sin, it shows that we are freed from “righteousness.” We are not free from it in the sense that we are not responsible for our actions and deeds, i.e., our sin against an infinite and morally perfect God. We are free from righteousness in that we do not fear God and have no concept of His Character or who He really is. We don’t understand His attributes and the fact that he judges sin. Yet, we are fully consecrated to our own selfishness and pride. Although we claim to be moral creatures (as God created us to be), with various definitions of right and wrong, we are still completely in bondage to the flesh. We have no care or concern that we are in a perilous existence, but ultimately living according to our mere pleasure or desires of this world. We do what comes natural. We sin. Spiritually speaking, it is as if we are in a pitch dark room our entire lives with no concept of the light, while being judged by the light. We live and walk in the darkness.

The unregenerate human being does not look at the Word of God with reverence because he doesn’t believe that it applies to him. It is not real to him because it is foreign to his soul. He sees the words but they are foolishness to him (1 Corinthians 2:14) and he is bound in chains with no way of escaping from the snare and power of the Devil and this world on his own. He is dead to God, without fear and in union with Satan, tuned in to this evil age, although he may be religious.

As fallen human beings inherited from the sin of Adam, it is to our moral failure and demise that we do not comprehend the offense we are against the Almighty. It is our failure to not acknowledge and know Jesus Christ as the just, sin bearer of the world, perfectly fulfilling the law, whereas we cannot and will not. Because of sin, it is impossible in thought, deed, ability and willingness for us to bear our own sins or to repent for them.
“For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.” Romans 2:12
It is a case closed trial and for the majority of mankind, the verdict is guilty, sentenced to eternal destruction (Matthew 7:13). We have indeed inherited death and all have turned aside to be thrown into the fire. This is what we truly are in the eyes of God, according to His Word.
“as it is written: None is righteous, no, not one, no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3:10-18

Concerning anyone in an unrepentant state, who has not rested in Christ, know that each step could be the last. Each breath could be the last. Each night when you fall asleep, you might not wake, though you are already dead. Each day you drive your car could be the last. You do not know if you will live another minute, much less where you will vacation next year. Why do you concern yourself with retirement decades from now when you do not concern yourself with your eternal destiny this very moment, not knowing if you will live tomorrow? Either way, you will die. You will not have money in eternity. You will not be married in eternity (Matthew 22:30). You will not be able indulge in fantasies or let the mind wander in eternity (Revelation 21:8). You will either be with Christ in eternity as His dear ransomed sheep, or suffering with Satan in the lake of fire and brimstone that burns with sulfur because you have offended Almighty God and have broken His Law. It is called Hell and its horrors are unfathomable to the human mind. But there is a way to know if you are a sheep or a goat.

Only by the shedding of blood is there forgiveness of sins (Hebrews 9:22). And by the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, shedding His blood on the cross for sinners, in complete, infinite humility, we who were far off have been brought near.
“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” Romans 5:8, 9
Jesus Christ is God incarnate that came down as a servant, a babe, from Heaven as the firstborn of all creation. He has the highest status in Heaven, earth and the entire cosmos (Philippians 2) throughout all of eternity, and is eternity in Himself (Psalm 90). He, Himself, is the Word of God and nothing was made that was not made from Him (John 1:1-5, Ephesians 3:9, Revelation 19:13). He is the Mediator between God and man. He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Although sinless, He temporarily sacrificed the perfect Triune love, harmony and unity to pay the penalty of sin by having the full wrath of God placed on Him, on the cross. His innocent blood was poured out as a ransom for many (Matthew 27:4, Mark 10:45). That is the ultimate sacrifice for sheep that have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6). This is true love represented (John 3:16). We, who were under wrath, are now under grace. We, who lived in darkness, are now called into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). We, who did not know God, now know Him. We, who did not fear God, now fear Him, and rightly, only Him (Matthew 10:28, 2 Timothy 1:7). We, who were dead, have now been made alive. We, who were orphans, have now been adopted (Galatians 4:5, 6). We, who were mortal, have now been swallowed up in immortality (1 Corinthians 15:53, 54). We, who were lost, have now been saved. We, who would curse the day of our birth before living according to ordinances, commandments or a law, now consider it great joy with conviction to observe, follow and treasure the Holy Law of God, but it is not on our own; and if it is true, it is caused by Him, as He writes it on our hearts (Ezekiel 36:26-27, Hebrews 8:10).

The true children of God have greatly rejoiced in this sweet salvation that has allowed us to know, love, fear, embrace, treasure, revere, cherish, worship and abide in the Lord Jesus Christ.

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 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. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:1-10
Although the regenerate and truly repentant heart of man knows that he was formerly an offense against God Almighty, dead and under His wrath, he has now been accepted and justified by faith because of the sacrifice of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Just as we have infinitely broken the law, Christ has infinitely and perfectly fulfilled the law, satisfying, in completeness, as God incarnate, the wrath of God for all that have been appointed to eternal life (Acts 13:48). And because of that, we have been made alive, by grace through faith. It is a supernatural miracle of God; the event of regeneration, where a heart of stone is made into a heart of flesh. This is salvation or the act of being saved. Only now is our sin forgiven.

“This day the Lord your God commands you to observe these statutes and judgments; therefore you shall be careful to observe them with all your heart and with all your soul. Today you have proclaimed the Lord to be your God, and that you will walk in His ways and keep His statutes, His commandments, and His judgments, and that you will obey His voice. Also today the Lord has proclaimed you to be His special people, just as He promised you, that you should keep all His commandments, and that he will see you high above all nations which He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor, and that you may be a holy people to the Lord your God, just as He has spoken.” Deuteronomy 26:16-19

Since we are, in every way, unrighteous and unholy, God imputes the righteousness of His Son to us by providing His very Spirit because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 4:22-25). It is not an active force or a wind. It is comparable to such in the sense that we do not understand it, yet it gives us understanding and life because He dwells within believers.
“The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the spirit.” John: 3:8
According to Jesus, we must be born again to inherit the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit initiates and confirms, instantly, the process of salvation that provides a beautiful illumination with strong conviction and consciousness to the soul of God’s majestic holiness, righteousness, justice, wrath and mercy (although we do not understand the great depth of these). The Holy Spirit provides a wonderful intertwined understanding of the true character of God. Salvation provides a whole new life, for old things have passed and new things have come. The born again believer is given an entirely new nature as he became alive to God and therefore becomes a spiritual creature. Although he may look the same physically, he is radically changed inwardly. It creates an understanding and an undeniable appreciation for creation. He acknowledges God as the Creator of all things as the scales of blindness fall from the eyes. This is the new birth.

Only a born again Christian has a true, yet only relative understanding of sin. Since they are no longer slaves to sin, they are able to abhor and despise it as Christ does because they have His Spirit (Romans 8:11). We are now slaves to God.
“But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.” Romans 6:22 Although sin is more evident and freely practiced in the life of the unregenerate, it is hated instead of loved in the life of the Christian because of the recognition, discernment and conviction by the indwelling Spirit that it offends God and breaks His law. The Christian is caused to stare at the Cross of Calvary and the righteousness of Christ in the eye. Indwelling sin is not understood at all in the unregenerate because it is at one with the soul. They are in perfect harmony and do not dispute one another.

The Spirit Himself is morally perfect in obedience to the law of God because He is God. It enables the regenerated soul to see God for who He really is in light of His Word. It is the only thing that makes our sin saturated bodies alive. Without it, we are completely dead. But, with it, we are completely alive, although we actively battle sin and will sin because we live in dead bodies until we pass into Glory (Romans 7, 8 John 14:19) Spiritual warfare has then conceded within the flesh caused by the indwelling Spirit and the battle has now begun. The Spirit, being fully God, reflects perfectly and completely the righteousness of Christ, being without sin. It is what raised Christ from the dead and enables believers to obey the law, produce the fruits of righteousness and make war against the flesh.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23
The Holy Spirit means everything because Christ is everything; He gave everything, which was Himself, perfectly, infinitely Holy and Glorious. It is the only thing that can truly override, and shine through our selfish ambition to make us holy. It is the mark of God, a seal, to those that are being saved (Ephesians 1:13).

If the truly regenerated man has backslidden and fallen into sin, he is not allowed to stay there and must put it off. Because of the new condition of his soul, he realizes that he is living in sin and separating himself from intimate fellowship with His Savior. He is not truly satisfied and does not have joy because he is rebelling. Great men and women of God in the bible have fallen into such grievous sin, such as murder, sexual immorality and rejecting the Son of God to His face. Since that is true, we are certainly not alleviated from it yet because of the present evil age. This shows that the heart is still wickedly deceitful above all things and still capable of the utmost evil. The regenerate may weep bitterly as Peter did or plead to God for His great Mercy like King David. Once we are in a state of falling away, the heart slowly becomes calloused to the things of God and it becomes more difficult to see His Glory and attributes in light of holiness and righteousness because of the blanket of sin. That is why 1 John speaks on the very heart of the issue of sin in a true believer.
“Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:7-9
If we are indeed one of the Saints, we are not satisfied in the condition of habitual sinning because we, once again, are dead to it.
“But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” Ephesians 4:20-24
We must put off the old man, repent and walk in the Spirit because we now have the ability and unceasing desire to do so. If this does not happen, and we continue in the same unrepentant sin, then we are living proof that we have never been changed by His Grace and are still living in a perilous existence.

Sin and death are foreign to the souls of believers.
“O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55
We now inherit eternal life instead of eternal destruction. Death has no part with the soul of the one who rests and abides in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
“He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 25:8 We are now citizens of heaven and are now alienated from this earth instead of alienated from God.
“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 3:20
The Apostle Paul reminds believers or “brethren” that we do not belong to this earth. Since Satan is the prince of this world, we are now enemies to it, and although we may seek at times, we do not find our ultimate home here. Furthermore, we are sheep that have been found and are being led by our Shepard, despite our selfish longings and desires caused by indwelling sin, the things of this earth can no longer quench any satiable desire. We now have a longing to be like Jesus Christ and with Him personally because we are His children and belong to Him.

As transformed humans by the power and dominion of the Holy Spirit, abolishing sin and death forever, we are being formed more into the image of Christ as each moment passes. The closer we are to our physical death, the closer we are drawing to the Lamb that was slain. Like Thomas, may we continually see the scars in His hands and put our hands in His side, so that we may not be unbelieving, but believing, that Jesus Christ is our Lord and our God. May each meal with Him be more blessed than the last as we dine with Him and He with us. May we rejoice in the continuing unspeakable joy because of the promises of God revealed in His Word. Since we are only able to communicate with God through His Spirit, Word and prayer on earth, while living in a wretched human body, sold under sin, John reminds us that, in Heaven, it will be as follows:
“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2, 3
Brethren, there is no joy, gift, revelation, knowledge, illumination or discovery in the history of the Universe greater than seeing the Son of God as He is. He came to this earth as a Lamb to be slaughtered, pitied and spit upon. He was rejected by most people, mocked and laughed at as He was eventually sent to the cross to die, and bring us peace with God. But when His children see Him, He will be in Glory as we will be in Glory, made perfectly pure, like Him, Holy and Righteous; For we shall see Him as He is.

Amen