But God being rich in mercy ... (Part 3)

Ephesians 2: 1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Men do evil things because men by nature are evil. Even what good we do - we do for our own misguided purposes. This section of scripture carries on the thought that spiritually dead men cannot save them selves.

This is written to believers. I think this is an important thought to keep in mind. The idea no the truth of God’s sovereignty in salvation is never something taught to the lost but rather to the believer. So that when we look back on our state we can give all glory to God. Not thinking there was something good in us or better than someone else. It all depends upon God’s mercy.

We did not enter this world with a pure nature. Paul makes it clear that the redeemed once lived among the heathen of this world. We followed hard after this world. We worked hard at sinning. Feeding our passions yet unfulfilled. Sin driving us on to consume more and more of this world's pleasures.

Jeremiah 9:5 "Everyone deceives his neighbor And does not speak the truth, They have taught their tongue to speak lies; They weary themselves committing iniquity.

It is our native language “sin”. This is the natural man. Paul says we are by nature (just who we are) children of wrath. This is who we are without Christ.

There is nothing in us to make us commendable to God. We cannot remove the blot of sin, nor change our rebellious nature. It is something that must be wrought by God. Man is very religious – but he is more interested in a god of his own making. One that will approve or somehow ignore his sin. We are but slaves to sin – free from righteousness. This is the freewill we exercise. A will that shakes its fist at a holy Lord.

We do not want God’s grace or mercy in our flesh. We simply want to be left alone

It takes a miracle to change the desperately wicked heart of man. It took one in my life. Where men think they rule God will overrule? This is the truth of man’s condition. Dead. Hopeless. Headed for Hell. A child of satan.

All you can do in this state is to cry out to the Lord for mercy.

What is the message your church preach? What message is it that you preach? Is it a message to try and reason people into the kingdom of God? Is it a message of just needing to change directions to get a better life? Then that is not the true gospel.

We must preach the holiness of God and the sinfulness and utter helplessness of man. If a person is saved knowing he deserves hell and can never save himself. That he must trust only in the finished work of Christ, then his confidence will rest in the work of God and nothing else.

I fear many today trust in an isle they walk, a prayer, a preacher, a song or a feeling. We can only find true salvation in Christ not in any work of our own

Titus 2:11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

sherman

Next time I will finish this series off with verse 4.

Does God hate?

This was recently brought into question at church as to whether this is an attribute of God. It was said that this is merely an “Anthropomorphism,” that is applying human characteristics to God in order to make Him understandable. One example of this would be speaking of God holding the waters of the oceans in His hand. Since God is spirit and not contained by a physical body the term hand is being apply to convey a truth or idea.

The first argument that will normally come to mind is that “God is Love”. This truth is found in 1 John 4:8

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

There is one important fact that is usually left-out at this point. God is God and not a man. God soverignly defines what love is. It is not some kind of fuzzy squishy love. But rather it is strong, purposeful, and correcting just to name a few aspects. We must not try to make our definition attributes apply to the Holy God. God is above all things Holy. If we keep this fact in mind we can avoid these types of mistakes. God is Love. God is Wrath. God is Mercy. God is Righteous. Each one of these and many more must be understood in light of His Holiness.

Now with that ground work layed I would like to examine the scripture that was brought into question.

Romans 9:13 As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”

It would be easy enough just to stop here and deal with this passage, but I think it may be better understood by going back to Malachi 1:1-5. This is the section from which it is lifted.

Malachi 1:2 “ I have loved you,” says the LORD. “ Yet you say, ‘In what way have You loved us?’ Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” Says the LORD. “ Yet Jacob I have loved; 3 But Esau I have hated, And laid waste his mountains and his heritage For the jackals of the wilderness.”

Notice the people of Isreal do not even understand how God has loved them. He starts off by explaining His utter detestable view of Edom and how He has destroyed them. It is because of Edom’s wretched sinfulness. Yet the people of Jacob are wicked, but God corrects them as a feather would a child. The rest of the book speaks of discipline, restoration and renewel. All of this because God chose to have mercy on Jacob and to not have mercy on Esau. They both deserved the same treatment. Yet God has chosen to exercise the giving of grace to some.

This is the nature of man. Spiritually dead. Destine for Wrath.
Vessels of Wrath - Romans 9:21-23; 2 Timothy 2:19-21
By nature Children of Wrtah - Epesians 2:3
The wrath of God abides on unbelievers - John 3:36

This is man at his best:

Psalm 36:1 An oracle within my heart concerning the transgression of the wicked: There is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, When he finds out his iniquity and when he hates. 3 The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good. 4 He devises wickedness on his bed; He sets himself in a way that is not good; He does not abhor evil.

God hates evil. If we love God we will hate sin likewise, starting with our own sin.

Psalm 97:10 You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked

Proverbs 9:10 “ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; Pride and arrogance and the evil way And the perverse mouth I hate.

So, does God Hate?

Let the scriptures speak on the subject.

Psalm 11:5 The LORD tests the righteous, But the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates.

Zechariah 8:17 Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor; And do not love a false oath. For all these are things that I hate,’ Says the LORD.”

Hebrews 1:8 But to the Son He says:“ Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”

Revelation 2:6 But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

Yes, God does hate... But not as a man does. Man is corrupt in his nature where as God is perfect in His nature. God's hate has a righteous purpose, not based on emotional self-centeredness as in man so many times.

James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Yes, God has hatred, anger, vengeance and wrath as well as love, mercy, and longsuffering just to touch on a few. But as everything God does, He does it righteously. He is Holy, Holy, Holy!

Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?

The primary teaching of this section out of Romans 9 is that God choses by His sovereign counsel apart from anything in us that could somehow merit this favor. There is nothing good in any man. We may not completely understand it but nevertheless scripture teaches it and we know it to be true. We can always trust that whatever God does it will be Wise Right and Good.

Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

Sherman

But God being rich in mercy...(Part 2)

Let’s come back to this thought of all men being spiritually dead. Paul goes on here to describe unsaved men as dead men walking in this world according to the desires of the flesh under the control of satan.

This is the same evil spirit that has been and continues to control the thought and actions of men since the fall. Man as his best is dead---hating God and loving himself---none seek after God---none understand!

Romans 3:10 as it is written, "THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;
11 THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;

We may find many people in this world that are splendid neighbors and citizens, but lost. The standard if Godliness is not other men, but GOD! Man can be very religious but apart from regeneration by the Holy Spirit they are simply trying to cover up their sinful nature with man made religious activity.

When a man is dead all he can do is lie there and continue to decay. The dead do not even want life.

John 3:19 "This is the judgment, that the Light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil.

The reason any of us believe and love Christ is because He gave, me a dead man, spiritual/eternal life. There is no goodness in man. No divine spark. There is nothing but evil and rebellion.

This concept effects even how we preach the Gospel. If we can sway man, reason him into the kingdom, then our message had better be exciting, attention getting, a “big” show. But if we are preaching to dead men we had better put our trust in the Work of the Holy Spirit, plainly preaching the Word of Truth. We had best trust in the Supernatural power of God not in man’s marketing methods!

The answer to sin is not to call it a “dysfunctional disorder”, “disease” or “addiction” , but to call men to repentance! All men are of one sinful race of Adam----ALL in need of a Savior. We are by nature children of wrath more on that thought another

We are by nature children of wrath more on that thought another time……………

1 Corinthians 1:21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

But God being rich in mercy...(Part 1)

Over the next few postings I am going to examine part of Ephesians chapter 2. This section of scripture lays out a basic understanding of man's spiritual condition.

Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.

Paul starts out this section of scripture by explaining who we were apart from the grace of God. It will become clear as we work through this scripture that all men are sinners completely separate from God, even unable to respond to Him.

The description here says apart from God we are spiritually dead. Now dead men are completely incapable of responding to an external command. They are complete incapable of initiating an internal response. There is no life. In fact the only thing a dead man can do is continue to rot more.

Left in our sinful condition, separated from Christ, we like a corpse rot more and more. Sin works its way in our flesh to destroy us more and more. Man will never improve and can less corrupt in his flesh. There is no hope for improvement of his condition only expectation of things getting worse. It is because of our own sin that we are spiritually dead.

Romans 8:6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

In the flesh, our depraved nature separated from God, we are totally unable to please God, respond to Him, or obey Him. This is essential to our understanding of the nature of our salvation. It is wholly of God.

The only difference between unsaved men is the extent of their rottenness. Man apart from Divine intervention will never seek after God. We exercise our freewill apart from any outside compulsion. And that freewill is to feed our lust, to rage against a Holy God, and to want nothing to do with Him as we head straight for HELL.

I will leave you with the same thought I started with. But God being rich in mercy... it is in this that true saving faith is found.

The Narrow Way

The narrow way is narrow by definition. It is define by Jesus Christ. The narrow way is only found in Him

John14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.

There is but one way to God.
There are many wrong ways that seem right to man but lead to hell.
The way is much needed by sinful man.
Many think they have found the way in man made religion but are much mistaken.
Men seek after teacher to broaden the narrow way.
False teachers seek to broaden the narrow to increase followers to feed their own lusts.
Men are religious out of fear of hell or fear of man. Not out of a love for the King.
Men trust in their self righteousness resulting in pride.
The narrow way is at enmity to the lusts of the flesh, the pride of man and the love of worldliness.
Wicked men seek to impede others from following the narrow way.
To Follow God alone must be the concern and purpose of your heart.

In Matthew 4:17 we find where the narrow way begins, at repentance.

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

This is the central theme for the Sermon on the Mount as well as the ministry of Christ.

Because the way is narrow, men want someone to make the way easier. The want a way that does not require profound sacrifice and devotion to someone other than themselves.

False teachers will not preach the whole counsel of God. They will seek to minimize sin. They will dilute the exclusiveness of the way of salvation.

Husbands, fathers, young men, it is imperative that you know your bible. It is essential that you think biblically. You must know why you believe what you believe. Take all of scripture that speaks on a matter. Do not disregard that which does not fit your lovely idea on the matter. Take the whole counsel of God. Let scripture interpet itself. Be ready and willing to conform to what scripture declares. Give liberty where scripture is silent or unclear. Be dogmatic where scripture is plain. Protect your family and the flock from false teachers. Spur one another along the narrow way.

Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone.

True salvation will always result in a transformed life. A lip confession without a heart change reality shown in the life is a false confession. Not salvation by works, but an internal change that reaults in a heart the desire to obey Christ.

Law, Liberty, License

Where do we as believer's in Christ stand with the Mosaic Law? Is any part of the Law binding on the disciple of Christ? What is the purpose of the Law?

I have been taught over the years probably the most common view of the Law in evangelical theology. This view appoarches these questions by dividing the Law into three separate parts; cerimonial, civil and moral. The teaching goes something like this. The civil code was applicable only to the nation of Israel which no longer exists in the form as known in the Old Testament so it has passed away. The cerimonial code was merely a foreshadowing of things to come which have passed away since Christ completed them. Leaving the moral code of the Mosaic Law still enforce today. After examining this view over the years I find myself at odds with it.

I do not agree with biforcating the Mosaic law into two parts (moral and other = part passed away the other still in force) nor do I hold to the idea of antinomianiam (against law = Lawlessness).

There are aspects of the moral code found in both the ceremonial and civil codes. There is no clean break between these man imposed dissections nor does the Word demand such divisions.

Matthew 5:17-20 17 "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 "For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 "Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Christ fullfilled all of the Law perfectly on our behalf. Does that mean we can do whatever we want to? We will get to that point later. First let's deal with the moral law of God.

The Mosaic Law contains principles and requirements that reflect God's eternal moral character, but it is not identical. The moral law of God is unchanging as is the moral character of God. The moral aspects of God are binding to all men in every era and land. They are based in the Holiness of God. They existed apart and before the Mosiac Law and continue after the Mosaic Law.

A distinction can be made between the Law and the eternal percepts we find in Christ. The greek word "nomos" is used to refer to the Law in scripture (Matthew 5:17). The greek word "entole" is used to refer to the precepts of Christ (1 John 2:7).

1 John 2:7-11 7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

The proof that we know Christ is found in our desire and adherance to the precepts of the eternal character of Christ. It is never because we subscribe to the Law of Moses. The obedience Christ wants from us is not legalistic obedience but gracious obedience - not based on fear but on love. Christ connects our obedience to love.

John 14:15 15 "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

It is worth noting that the fruit of the Spirit and the works of the Law are two very different things. Fruit is produced naturally - it comes forth because of the nature of the source. Work is produced through external effort - it is not naturally occuring.

So why was the law given? Paul answers this question.

Galatians 3:19 19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.

The key words are added and until.

The law was added to the Abrhamic covenant but did not nullify that covenant. To show the exceeding sinfulness of man and the need for a savior. The law reveals we are under a curse in great neediness of God's mercy.

This is the significance of Christ bearing the curse for us. In His ressurrection we see the blessing of the Abrahamic covenant. The Law only brought a curse. The Promise to Abramham brought a blessing. The Law was added but only for a time - until Christ came, died and rose again. Christ is the end of the Law for the believer.

Romans 10:4-13 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?' (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or 'WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)." 8 But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART "-- that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

The Old testament pointed toward the ending of the Mosaic Convenant. This does not mean there is not value in the studying the law.

2 Timothy 3:14-17 4 You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

So what is left? God is left and God's moral precepts have never changed.

One other point that needs to be mentioned. Have you heard some use the term we are not under the law but under grace? The only way I have ever heard the used in when some seek to justify their sin. This is as great of an error as one saying we must keep the Law. Paul addressed this in Romans 6 and in Galations 5. Others will say it is all about love, this statement is true only make sure it is love as God has defined it.

Legalism = The return to the yoke of the Law.

License = The return to the yoke of SIN.

Both of these are grevious errors!

So where are we to stand?

Christian Liberty. It is neither license nor legalism.

Liberty = The freedom from sin. The freedom to obey Christ out of true love. The freedom to produce good fruit, fruit of eternal value.

Galatians 5:16-18 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Elders: Equals or 1st Among Equals

The idea of elders leading out among those that gather together as the church is not an idea of man but of God. The scriptures teach us that elders are to rule and watch over the local flock. What does God have in mind when it comes to ruling?

Mark9:35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

God’s design of ruling is to be a servant. We are to put the good of others before one’s self. This applies not only to the elder but to all believers. We are to serve in a way that we honor and glorify Christ.

Many times we call the elders the “ministers”. This is a great misnomer. Elders are responsible to equip the flock for ministry, help them lead each other into maturity, teach and apply the Word and are accountable to God for their oversight. They are to exercise their care of the flock after the servant-pattern of Christ. The flock is to be the ministers as equipped by those so gifted.
(Acts 20:28; Heb. 13:17; Eph. 4:11-12; 1 Thess. 5:12; 1 Pet. 5:1-3)

The elder is the one who is doing the work of an elder because God has called him to that not man. Whether or not man recognizes it does not change the reality of it.

It is the ordination of God and not the ordination of man that matters. The church is simply to recognize what God has already done. Too many men in the evangelical church have called themselves to the work and pay of an elder - not God.

Leaders that wish to be called pastor should reflect upon Matthew 23:8-10. If this is to be our practice then we should refer to some as brother encourager, brother giver, sister hospitality. Christ set us an example to follow. He was God in the flesh and yet He submitted Himself to an equal authority, the Father. As well He submitted Himself to lesser authority, His parents and the government. We are to submit ourselves to one another in the fear of God. We must not set any person or position higher than that which we give to every fellow believer. We must guard against that which leads to pride.

Shall we have just one elder or a plurality of elders? I believe that the Bible teaches a plurality of elders and there is no precedence to put off implementing what God's word teaches.

Paul had elders (plural) appointed where there were none. No where do we find the case for a one man show. There is great danger in one elder leading. A lack of accountability. A tendency toward pride. A desire to maintain power and control. It could lead to the following a man and not Christ.

Shall we have a head elder, one more equal than the rest? Looking back at Mark 9:35 that view must be eliminated. All elders must be equal but each one should lead out where they are most gifted by God.

The elders must be willing to come together and honestly and openly examine each item before the church by the word of God. They must fast and pray until they come to a consensus. That consensus should then be brought before the church. And the church should follow after Christ.

Christ is the only head of the church - not a man. He is the sole authority and the final authority. We must have godly men serving the one true God to bringing glory and honor to Him through His body the church.

There can be no single self sufficient elder. There can be no elder more equal than the others. It is not about power or prestige, but it is about our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ.

The elders are to rule and serve, but only according to the wisdom of God, not according to the dictates or desires of man.

Sherman

(These were a few thoughts I had on elders. We are currently dealing with some issues akin to this at the church we attend. They maybe a bit out of order and incomplete, but may perhaps be useful to some.)

The Revolving Door in America

Marriage, Divorce and Remarriage

The Christian churches are rife with programs that address blended families (we do seem to like terms that dress things up), divorce recovery, single again classes (sometimes again and again and again). This gives at least an outward appearance of love and acceptance, when it may really be an enabling excuse factor. Divorce and remarriage is a problem both of American society and the evangelical churches in America.

CNSNews.com Staff Writer January 21, 2002 states “Barna Research Poll, which indicated that 33 percent of born-again Christians end their marriages in divorce, roughly the same as the general population, and that 90 percent of those divorces happen after the conversion to Christianity.”

I am somewhat surprised it is not higher in churches than in general society. Many divorcees that attend church often remarry, as opposed to non-church going people that sometimes just live together. How many of those of those remarriages end in divorces - I don’t know.

It seems that the church has become more a reflection of society instead of the light of society. God’s people have always had the calling to be the headlights and not the tail-lights.

Deuteronomy 28:13"The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully, 14 and do not turn aside from any of the words which I command you today, to the right or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

The most prevalent view that I have found in churches and church going people (whether in California or in the Bible Belt) today is one called the exception clause (maybe better put “for any cause”) from Matthew 5:32 and Matthew 19:9. This view holds that divorce is allowable when adultery has taken place in the marriage or when the unbelieving spouse leaves according to 1 Corinthians 7:15 (more on this one later).

Matthew 5:32 But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a woman who is divorced commits adultery.

Matthew19:9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery.

I would like to take a different slant on this passage from Matthew 5 and 19 than some may have taken in the past. Years ago I would have agreed with the popular view, but as I have grown and had cause to study out the issue I have become convinced that this view is in error. I am sure what I am about to share is not an original thought - although I haven’t read anything else with articulating this view. I would like to look at the example we have in Joseph the husband of Mary.

Matthew 1:19 And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly.

The Bible calls him a righteous man. I believe that we can conclude from this that the action he was contemplating was also righteous. Joseph found Mary to be pregnant during their betrothal period. During this time of 9-12 months it would prove or disprove a woman’s purity. I believe this to be the proper understanding of the comments of Christ on the subject. That this being a binding relationship that had not yet been consummated could be dissolved (DIVORCE) and the man be under no penalty or obligation (free to re-marry).

The EXCEPTION CLAUSE I believe is just that. We are always looking for a legal loophole. God has imparted to the believer a heart of reconciliation, not a heart of escapism.

Dating, marriage, divorce and remarriage have been to easily accepted by the main-stream (sounds a little too much like of the world not just in the world) Christian community. This philosophy has been perpetuated, programatized and approved of by churches. It advocates a trying it before you buy it philosophy and if you don’t like it throw it away and get another one.

Let’s now look at the unbeliever married to the believer:

1 Corinthians 7:5 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.

I have heard some people use this excuse, “Well so and so is acting like an unbeliever so I can divorce them.” No where in here do I find that the believer is allowed to initiate the divorce. It is only the unbeliever that is free to leave. Again there seems to be this underlying desire to put a spiritual stamp of approval on ungodly actions. God’s stance on divorce has not changed.

Malachi 2:16 "For I hate divorce," says the LORD, the God of Israel, "and him who covers his garment with wrong," says the LORD of hosts. "So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously."

OK, now what do we do with those that have been divorced and remarried but get saved after-the-fact or a believer that repents from the sin of divorce.

Some would say they must separate - rather a divorce to mend the sin of divorce (this is a very simplified view of this doctrine). This doesn’t seem consistent to me with other scriptures that deal with sin. How about, “Let him who was a covenant breaker break them no more.” Do we fix one sin by committing another?

Ephesians 4: 28 He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.

The real question might come down to after the person repents what action should they take. Are they living in a continual state of adultery while they remain in the remarried state? It would seem that this sin is not unlike other sins and not somehow worse. All sin separates us from God! I have known people that are saved yet remarried but still see the fruit of God at work in their life and a brokenness over their past. If it is a perpetual state of adultery this could not be. Rather I would say the act of remarriage is the sin of adultery. I know that there are many who would and could debate this opinion, but please read on.

If you have one who as a “believer” and has a track record of divorce and remarriage as well as justifying their actions, this is a major problem and warning sign to us. For the one that is still looking to justify their actions - there is no repentance - no desire to conform to the word of God. This is inconsistent with a true believer’s heart.

The church must teach the truth about the importance and sacredness of marriage. But we must not close off fellowship with those that come from broken marriages that have repented and turned. We must be careful not to define what their turning will result in - what it must look like. We don’t find in scripture Christ telling the Samaritan woman the course of action she must take if she is to prove she is really saved. Let God move their hearts to conform and obey His Word. Let us give counsel as we best understand the scriptures but let God do any separating or bringing together. Let us not set some sins as more unforgiveable than others. We are all at best wretched worms in desperate need of God’s mercy and grace.

These are just a few of my thoughts on the subject. It is not meant to be an exhaustive treatment of the issue. I would challenge each one to examine what scripture has to say on the subject. Approach it as best you can without preconceived notions. Can you arrive at your views from scripture alone, not following predetermined arguments or logic? Let the word interpret itself and diligently apply it to your own heart first. Share your life with others be involved fellowshipping and spurring one another on to good works.

Conspiracy Theories – Living in a Spirit of Fear

Many are the people today that worry and fret over tomorrow. This is to be expected by the non-regenerated soul, but should not be a part of the Christians character. Too many people who claim the name of Christ are becoming enthralled in the realm of conspiracy theories. They live in fear of what tomorrow will bring and tend to be consumed with irrational concerns. Fear is immobilizing. It effectively makes one ineffective.

Excessive worry, whether over what the government is doing, tracking and up to, only serve to lead us into the sin of worry and fear.

Nothing that takes place in the world will take God by surprise. The Lord is sovereign.

Psalm 115:3 But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.

There are many interesting conspiracy theories out there from the erosion of civil rights to the dilution of the Bible by various versions and texts. These have only served to divide the church against itself and to church’s attention from our main mission of being a witness and making disciples. This is not of God.

2 Corinthians 5:20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

This draws our attention from the things God has told us to be busy doing – even more so as His return draws nearer. God has revealed in His word that the world is not getting better but worse. He has told us about these things so we would be even more concerned with things of eternal value and not worried about the way of the world.

He has not given the believer a spirit of fear.

Luke 12:5 "But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed, has authority to cast into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!

Romans 8:15For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

We need to be consumed by our love for God, by our concern for pleasing Him. There can be many excesses in life. Whether it is worrying about every little minuet item or whether it is an excess of something that is good such as bible reading. These things can bind, impair, consume and destroy one.

Here is a test for you. Measure it by this scripture.

James 3:13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.


If the item falls into the description of verses 13-16 it is not of God. But if it passes the test of verses 17-18 you can rest in it as being of God.


Ecclesiastes 7:16 Do not be excessively righteous and do not be overly wise. Why should you ruin yourself?

This scripture warns us not to be overly focused on one thing above another setting our own righteous standards. God’s righteousness will result in more of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Our own efforts of righteousness will be no better than that of the Pharisees that brings bondage and condemnation. Our only righteousness is to be found in Christ

There is one area where we can rest assured that we cannot go into excess over. This is found in the fruit of the Spirit. This must be cultivated by walking in the Spirit and not giving place to our flesh and its own ideas.

Galatians 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Do not fret about this world. It is all going to burn. Rather be concerned about pleasing the Father and walk by the power of His Spirit as you submit your way in preference to His way.

The Matter of the Covering


1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. 4 Every man who has something on his head while praying or prophesying disgraces his head. 5 But every woman who has her head uncovered while praying or prophesying disgraces her head, for she is one and the same as the woman whose head is shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, let her also have her hair cut off; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, let her cover her head. 7 For a man ought not to have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man. 8 For man does not originate from woman, but woman from man; 9 for indeed man was not created for the woman's sake, but woman for the man's sake. 10 Therefore the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 However, in the Lord, neither is woman independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as the woman originates from the man, so also the man has his birth through the woman; and all things originate from God. 13 Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God. 17 But in giving this instruction, I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it.

For many years I had questioned this simple section of scripture. Pastors and teachers, many of which I love and respect, were quick to explain it away as a cultural item, not for today. So we went on in our lives not following this simple command, but never completely forgetting about it. Even though in reality it has only passed away from most churches over the last 40-50 years.

Let me start out with this simple premise; nothing in the text would make me think this was simply a cultural practice. Paul even appeals to what nature teaches (this does not mean that the long hair replaces the covering). We should be careful not to add what scripture does not declare. The practice of culturalizing scripture has its own precarious pitfalls. Where do you stop? (any where you like). For some they will stop with this particular scripture. But to other anything that doesn’t fit their liking is not off limits (i.e. homosexuality).

I don’t claim to completely understand this scripture, but that should not stop anyone from obeying what they do understand. Many people that do embrace the simple covering also omit certain things in this same section of scripture. It may be due to what they have been previously taught or a lack of considering the issues.

Verse five clearly deals with the subjects of praying and prophesying. The context of this scripture in its most simple understanding seems to be done in the context of the church body. I believe it is linked to the section following dealing with problems in the Lord’s Supper. I do not see a break in Paul’s train of thought here.

The question I would like to bring up at this point is what is the context of the woman’s praying and prophesying? I have already established it as being in the gathered church body. But many will protest that the woman is to be silent in the assembly and is not allowed a position of authority. Let me address these one at a time.

The context of the woman being silent from 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 is linked to the questioning of the prophets. It appears to be a stepping out of line by questioning whether that was really the word of God being spoken. The woman in this context is clearly operating outside of the authority of her husband. I believe this is important to the proper understanding of the woman’s role in the body.

1 Timothy 2:11 A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

The next issue is quite clear. The woman is not to be teaching/preaching or in a position of authority in the church body. But this does not preclude sharing of testimonies or asking questions to clarify what a teacher may mean. Let me make this clear -this does not mean to cloak a teaching or mini-sermon in the form of a question or testimony.

Experience in general shows that women in general will dominate conversations, sharing and questions and men will tend toward silence. But I believe this to be true mainly because men refuse and have not been taught to take their rightful places as the spiritual leaders, but have instead abdecated this to their wives in many circumstances. With that said lets examine another possibility.

When each member in the body of Christ is being obedient and functioning in their proper positions – how do women praying and prophesying fit into church? I do not have a definitive answer, but that does not mean we should ignore it or excuse it away anymore than the covering. I believe that a woman properly taking her place under the headship of her husband could both pray and prophesy within the body without violating 1 Timothy 2:11-12. She would only do so under the authority of her husband not usurping or ignoring it. I believe that we should strive to teach men and women to take their proper position and trust the leading of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers that are seeking to know and honor Christ.

I think we lose some very important parts of the body of Christ when we artificially suppress or ignore what scripture has spoken on. Whether it is either out of fear or ignorance it is still wrong. This will never work if we operate in the flesh, whether it is women improperly exercising freedom in these things or whether it is men artificially stifling what God would have us do.

My intent here is to encourage all of us to look beyond our own biases. Whether it is ignoring the command of the covering or push aside how should a woman pray or prophesy within the body.

A few final thoughts:

The covering type, size and color are never addressed. Let us not make up things where the word is silent.

The wearing of the covering appears to be related to the gathering of believers. If some wear it all the time, let them not look down on those who do not.

A woman can wear a covering but not be in the God given position in relationship to her husband or male authority. As well a woman can be completely in her proper role and yet be uncovered. It is not a prerequisite to salvation.

In 1 Corinthians 11:16 Paul tells us not to be contentious over the issue. I have heard the verse taken many different ways, but it appears to me that Paul is simply saying let us truly love one another and not fight over the issue of the covering.

This command is only mentioned once in the word. That is not to diminish it, but rather let us concentrate more on loving one another for Christ it was of supreme importance for the believer.

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

I believe the veiling is a beautiful thing. It seems so right when a godly woman wears one. But let us not raise it or any other pet doctrines above all other things. Especially loving the brethren and helping each other on to the full maturity and stature of Christ.

Discouragement of the Flesh

vs.

Encouragement of the Spirit

Recently we received a letter from a friend of admonishing us in various areas. Some of the admonishment was needed – others seemed unfounded. Some given by the Spirit, but yet others seemed to be in the humanness of the flesh - really their definition (method) was unfounded in scripture. I have to wonder if I have done the same in the past to others unaware of my own lack of love in doing so. The Lord had recently shown one of these items that was brought up. specifically the lack of consistency in disciplining some of our children (some times we don't quite see what we are doing - even when we know what to do). These things should be brought out in a loving, humble manner.

One was in particular very hurtful to both of us. It seemed to leave a crushing hopeless blow. It was said of us that we could never pass a home-study for adoption. We just had too much junk and didn’t keep the place clean enough. Now we don’t have a dirt - dust free home because we do live here. This is a home not a museum. To help understand the magnitude of this hurt it may help to know our hearts. It has been our heart to adopt a special needs child, but only in God’s timing and is His way. Was what they said true? I didn’t believe so – but yet I pondered over the matter. It just hurt. We still love these friends, but I think a few things must be gone over in love and covered in the word.

But God – (that is may favorite saying of the Lord) He had different plans. Not but a day later we received a card with a very generous amount of money from some dear friends that know our heart and desire to adoption. They wanted to bless us and help in paying for our home-study. In a time of what seemed to be deep sadness the Lord turned into an overcoming blessing and encouragement. God had gone before us and made an answer clear. Even before the admonishment was in the mail - the other card had been sent on its way from California. Don't worry about what others may do or say, but seek the Lord and discern His way.

Oh how good and blessed the Lord has been to us and always is.

Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11

To Know the Joys and Trials of Life

We have had several events of life come our way during the past two weeks. God has used these event to effect change not only in our lives, but in the lives of many people. God does not work in only one dimension, but in many dimensions through seemingly unrelated events. I t is quite probable that many of these events and how they have worked in the lives of us and so many others will remain a mystery to us this side of eternity.

The first event I will bring up is the baptism of my oldest son, Samuel. He came to us wanting to be baptized (he had made a profession of faith as a child many years earlier). Over the past few months I had noticed several changes in his character. God had done something new in his life, so he requested for a public baptism (as well as asking that I preform the baptism). It was with great joy we set about planning this event at a local lake by the public park. It was here in the presence of many fellow believers from our small congregation along with an on looking world that Samuel and another young man were baptized by their earthly fathers while announcing to all their belief and obedience to the Heavenly Father. This time was followed by a sweet fellowship. We broke bread together, ate, shared our faith with one another, and sang praises to our God. It just seemed to be the way ought to be for the body of believers.

John14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

The next event seemed to flow naturally into our lives. We were contacted by some dear friends in California about a downs baby that was in need of an adoptive home. For many years now we have had on our hearts to do something in the area of adoption. This was seemingly laid right in our hands. I knew that walking through this door could open us up for disappointment and hurt, but there was really no question - it was our heart to obey. We were and are now just as confident that God is completely in control. He has a purpose for everything He brings into our lives. This particular child was not to be ours. The birth mother selected another family to receive the child. I will freely admit that I do not understand the way things worked out. I have even questioned myself...did I truly understand God's leading correctly. In the end I know that God lead us this way - my obedience is required no matter the cost. The question is are we willing to follow God no matter the hurt, disappointment, confusion, persecution. Willingly obey Him. For this I know whatever comes into my life is for my good and God's glory.

Psalm 39:4 "LORD, make me to know my end And what is the extent of my days; Let me know how transient I am. 5 "Behold, You have made my days as handbreadths, And my lifetime as nothing in Your sight; Surely every man at his best is a mere breath. Selah. 6 "Surely every man walks about as a phantom; Surely they make an uproar for nothing; He amasses riches and does not know who will gather them.

Well God has a way of putting my disappointment and questions back into perspective. I was feeling down and confused. What was wrong in my life? What was the purpose? Did I clearly understand the Lord. All of these questions quickly went by the wayside as I found out that one out of our small body of believers, a young brother of a dear friend, had died in a single vehicle accident. A mother had lost a son. Several brothers had lost one of their own. Still others had lost a dear friend. But knowing that this young man was a believer brings a sense of joy and peace that mingles with our sorrow. We have no way of knowing the purpose of God in this death. We do not know the impact and change that may be wrought in the lives of others because of it. But again we can trust in the Lord in all things. What the world may see as a senseless waste God will turn into something that will last through out all eternity.

Just in case that wasn't enough, another dear family was touched by a death. They lost an unborn child after knowing and preparing for the child for 17 weeks. They already have several children, so some may think that this is not very significant. Oh how wrong that assumption would be. Every child is a special blessing from the Lord. No matter how many there are - there is room for another. Again we know that God has a purpose that is for their good in all of this even if we can't see it now.

What does all of this really mean?

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. 6 He will bring forth your righteousness as the light And your judgment as the noonday. 7 Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes. 8 Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. 9 For evildoers will be cut off, But those who wait for the LORD, they will inherit the land.

First know that nothing that has happened has taken God by surprise. The only reason any of us have breath in our bodies right this moment is that it has so pleased the Father to make it so. Scripture is so clear about how very short our life span is ion earth. What are you doing with the life God has entrusted to you? You are accountable to Him for what you have lived for. Our purpose was to bring glory to God. This is what we were designed to do. God calls each of us to obey Him and Him alone. Obedience is synonymous with faith and belief. You cannot have one without the other. God gives us the grace and power to obey what He has commanded us to do. Would you take time to consider your life? In fact it is really not yours at all. It is merely borrowed. You one day will have to give an account to the One who owns that life. This life offers a fleeting reward and pleasure. If you seek and follow after the world - you will have obtained all of your reward which will bring forth death for all eternity. Instead choose life. Humble yourself and follow God. Find life in Christ. Be conformed into His image by His power.

May the Lord open up all of our eyes to the brevity of life, our accountability to a sovereign God. Choose life and not death.

1 Corinthians 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God.

Can You Make
“Unclean” Pigs “Clean”
?

My wife and I were discussing the true nature of man and how clearly we can see some of the biblical examples in our animals. Afterwards she sat down and typed out the following blog. I think it is well worth reading.

What a silly question. And I would have never thought about this until…………….we got 2 piglets awhile ago. And I just got to thinking about this passage: Matthew 15:1-20. If you are not familiar with this passage, please read it or these thoughts may not make sense to you.
Our piglets are so cute. (You can see them on the trisonchickery blog)We named them salami and pepperoni. Now we did not get them for pets, though they are cute. So I got to thinking……………..if we were in charge of their diet (what goes in the mouth), then is it possible to actually have “clean” pigs!? If we only gave them fruits and vegetables and fish to eat, then they would be the healthiest pigs around! And we gave t hem lots of shade so they do not have to waller in mud. So far they have stayed pretty clean ----- on the outside that is.
Is it possible to change an “unclean” animal to “clean” by what man does? Well, as I have observed, their diet & hygiene did not change their hearts. They still are selfish little pigs. They bite each others ears. Push one another out away from the food trough. They squeal and chase each other in frustration. They steal anything they can get from each other. One will simply jump in and “hog” up the entire water trough so the other can not get a drink. They are constantly bickering and only looking out for themselves.
I thought what an interesting lesson. It truly is not what goes into the mouth that makes them unclean, but the heart. As for the heart of the pig was made that way by God. So no matter how “man” dresses it up, cleans the outside, feeds it the most organic diet, it will NEVER be a “clean” animal.
So it is with us too. We can do “churchy” activities. We can attend Bible studies, sing in the choir. We can say many a prayers. But that does not make one “clean”
"'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'" Matthew 15:8-9
No matter how we disguise it or dress it up---it is not what goes into the mouth that makes us “unclean”.

Matthew 15:10-11 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, "Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.'"

The question is…….what comes out of your mouth? When you are not at church or with your “churchy” friends? When you are offended. When someone has done you wrong? Do you tear them apart to make you feel better? Do you have evil thoughts against those who you don’t care for? Do you have a craving to gratify the flesh in what you read and watch on TV or movies. Lowering your standards saying well everyone else at church watches it…..it must be OK. Though it has many sexual innuendoes and immodesty through out it, you say it isn’t so bad so that it can feed your flesh?

"Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. Matthew 15:17-19
This my friend is what makes you “unclean”. It is your actions. For actions come from thoughts and thoughts come from the heart:

As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19

The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45

So what is in your heart? Is it repentance that leads to salvation? Are you seeking the wisdom of God found in the fear of a Holy God. Is it the Truth of God’s Word on a daily, moment by moment basis. Feasting on His Word and allowing the Holy Spirit to teach you these concepts. Humbling yourself and to remember you are but dust. Do you desire to find out what pleases God and obey it?

What is in your heart?Only God can make the “unclean” “clean”

The Path of Least Resistance


One basic principle of electricity is that it will seek the path of least resistance to complete a circuit. People are very much the same way. Most people go through life looking for the easiest way to travel. Whether we a speaking of a physical path or a spiritual path people tend to seek the path that appears to be the most pleasing. As it is with many things, man simply does not see clearly. His vision is obscured by his own wicked un-regenerated heart.

There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12

I have pondered over this thought as we have spent some time studying Matthew 7:13-14. It speaks of the board path and the narrow path. One leads to life and the other leads to death. Man’s way always leads to death. The path he chooses is the path of least resistance, at least as far as this world is concerned. I would like to take a look and see what God’s Word speaks about the truly least resistive path.

The first thing I that needs to be made clear is the condition of man’s mind. Have you ever heard someone say “that’s why God gave me a brain” in the context of refuting what scripture has to say?

Romans 8:5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

God’s Word is clear about the condition of man’s mind. Man’s mind is hostile to the things of God. In our flesh it is impossible, not just difficult, to live a life pleasing to the Father.

So is the path this world on truly the path of least resistance. The majority of men believe that to be true. But again we must consult God for the true answer.

1 Peter 3:8 To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For, "THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. 11 "HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. 12 "FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL."

Think of it. God is very careful to look out for the needs of those that belong to Him. That is too wonderful for me to comprehend. But notice what it says about those that don’t belong to God. God Himself is against them. God is not just indifferent to them, but He has set His very purpose against them for destruction. That is a terrible and terrifying place to be.


Matthew 11:28 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

Christ gave us the answer. God’s way will always be the path of least resistance. Will you resist man or God? You will either serve this present world and suffer the consequences under God’s eternal judgment, or serve God and God alone enjoying His favor eternally. There is no middle ground. No balance. With God you are either with Him or against Him. And if you are not with Him, He is against you!

Psalm 30:5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning.

May the Lord open our eyes and ears that we may truly discern the path of least resistance. Remember, the purpose of seeking God is not to change His mind, but rather it is to conform us to His will. His will is always for our good and for His glory.

What Makes a Building a Church?
The Steeple or The People

My wife recently drove past a church that our family had driven past on many occasion and my children said, “Look mom that church has a steeple” This church actually was a very small log cabin turned into a church building-----at least that is what it looked like. But it had the usual billboard out front with a name, label and logo calling it a “church”.

Does a building have to have a steeple to be an official church building? What made that congregation add a steeple to the old log cabin? Does the steeple make the building or the people any more holy?

Can you just imagine how goofy it looks to place a steeple on a log cabin? It did not match. It did not belong. The goofy steeple is not what is really wrong but it is the heart. How much time, energy and money was spent on that steeple…….and does that change the hearts of the people?

This much is true a building nor a steeple can never change the heart of the people. For only God can do that. It makes my mind to wonder why that small congregation felt the need to put up a steeple after not having one for so long. Do we identify a church with a steeple or its people? A steeple cannot reflect God’s glory. That is something only His true children can do. We tend to get things mixed up. We need to focus our energy, time and money on people not the steeple! It seems that we have forgotten that the believer is to be a pilgrim in this world. This is not our final home. Why are those that call themselves after the name of Christ building structures that look more like monuments of men.


When we feel the need that you have to “make it up”, shouldn’’t we consider what exactly are you trying to sell? Seems like we are trying to market “Salvation”. It is something to think about is it?

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:10-17

I cannot find a biblical model of the church that speaks of programs, entertainment, compromise, joke telling, video clips, “Self” help classes, Seeker messages, God in a box services, alternate obedience, delegated home leadership, rewards, circus games for getting money, etc…………………

So is it the Steeple or the People that makes the “church”?

The Many and The Few

"But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved." Matthew 24:8-13

Since the time of the apostle until now there have been false teachers of false doctrine. There have been false converters claiming to know and follow Christ, only to fall away when trails came. This will continue and also increase as the time of Christ return approaches. Today we have many false prophets still leading people astray.

Living it what is called the Bible Belt of America brings in own special set of problems. There are so many different flavors of what is called Christianity that the lines have been badly obscured of what it means to follow Christ. In the South it is much a part of the culture, not unlike a religious social club. Going to church is what people do on Sunday's here. The church buildings are much more of a competing corporation than a light to a lost and dying world. One pits itself against another trying to lure in new members with marketing programs that would work as well for Wal-Mart.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 2 Timothy 4:3

This type of philosophy of building the church has resulted in many false converters. People that are trusting in religion, church membership, a prayer, baptism...many different things other than in the finished work of Christ. People have found it easy to have a little religion mixed in with there lives. They are still very much a part of the world yet claim to follow Christ. Preachers don't often use the "r" and "s" words, repentance and sin. People are called to make a decision for Christ as if He is something you can just add to your life. The gospel is changed into simply give your heart to Jesus without ever calling for the death of the flesh.

Let us speak the whole counsel of God. God is love, but He is also wrath. He offers grace and mercy, but He will dispense judgment and punishment. Many today will not endure the truth of God's word. They are not interested in devoting their entire soul, mind and strength to God, but would rather be told how God can serve them. They are like the people of Israel that God spoke to through Isaiah 58 (it would be good for each one to go back and read this entire chapter). They had a religiousness on the outside, but their only goal was to have God do their bidding, only as long as He stayed out of their day to day business.

Cry loudly, do not hold back; Raise your voice like a trumpet, And declare to My people their transgression And to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek Me day by day and delight to know My ways, As a nation that has done righteousness And has not forsaken the ordinance of their God They ask Me for just decisions, They delight in the nearness of God. Isaiah 58:1-2

For the believer there is a warning here in Matthew 24. Notice in verse 12 and 13, "THE MANY or MOST" grow cold in their love toward God. Sin in the life of the believer will always douse their love for God. There is no place for the love of the fleeting pleasures of this world in the life of one who claims to follow Christ. I cannot minimize what scripture teaches here. Endurance, finishing strong in the faith, is synonymous with salvation. Examine your own heart. What do you long for, the things of God or the things of this world?

I have included the words to the hymn "Be Thou My Vision”. I have only recently learned this song. Even though it was written some 1200 years ago, it has become my favorite.


Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.
Be Thou my battle Shield, Sword for the fight;
Be Thou my Dignity, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heaven’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

This one line really speaks to my soul, "Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art". Have we forsaken everything in this world and consider it as nothing--and embraced only Christ?
Is Christ the surpassing desire of your heart? Has this world and it ways faded from your view? Are you living for eternity? Do you hate your sin the way God hates sin? If you know Christ, you have been set free from sin and death to serve the risen Lord.

SRW

Why are we left behind?

This may seem to be a strange title for this subject matter due to certain popular “Christian” books, but it really is appropriate. After we are converted, born-again, saved, come to know Christ; why does God, generally, leave us here on this earth? When we experience salvation we are complete in Christ, trusting wholly in His redemptive work for our salvation. So why doesn’t God immediately take us to be with Him forever? May I suggest that we take a look into scripture for an answer to this question.

For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. Hebrews 10:14

1. The first point that came to my mind was that God has chosen the preaching of His Word to spread the gospel for the salvation of men.

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Corinthians 1:17-18

2. Our lives were designed to bring glory and honor to God from the beginning. When God saves us and frees us from the law, He has set us free to do what we should be doing anyway “Obeying and serving Him.” The faith that God has created in us, He also sustains. In our frail human weakness His strength and faithfulness are shown to be true to an unbelieving world.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9

3. God has saved us for a purpose. His purpose, not yours or mine. A portion of this purpose includes making disciples, teaching them to obey what Christ has commanded. We are to show to the world a love that they do not know nor can they comprehend. We are called to mature in Christ – to become like Him.

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ— from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:11-16

Spiritual growth is not an option, rather it is a requirement. As one of God’s elect, when God is finished with you here He will take you to be with Him. The Bible knows nothing of vacationing or retiring from Christianity. You are either in full time Christian service until death, or you never were one of His.

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Philippians 3:12-15

This is not meant in any way to be an exhaustive treatment of this topic, or else this would be a book not a blog. Take time to search out your own heart. Are you obeying what you know from God’s Word? Are you seeking to follow Christ with all your heart through the power of the Spirit?

REJOICING IN REFINING

A dear brother preached a short message one recent Sunday morning. Such a simple message it was. But oh who deep the simple truth can cut-right to the heart, my own heart. When we go through testing, when we are squeezed, put under pressure--what comes out of my heart? Do I rejoice as the impurities come to the surface? Do I gladly ask the Master to skim of the dross or do I excuse it, hide it, stir it back in?

The Lord placed in my heart a simple poem and prayer. I don't normal share things like this, but I have felt impressed to do so.

Oh Lord, lay me bare,
Let me not cling to the unclean sin there.
Take my heart make it pure,
Let my desire be to love, not just endure.
As you make me to die to self,
Making me fit for eternity’s wealth.
Tear my grip on this life of mine,
Gladly surrender it to my Lord divine.
Others will see as I am put to the test,
Am I really different from the rest?
Take my self righteous pride,
And show me what’s really inside
Purify my heart and all of me
Let my life give glory only to THEE!

Rejoice as God shows you things that must be abandon. Follow the Lord-pursue holiness.

1 Peter 1:6-7 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-- of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

You must be Born Again

Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." John3:3

Entering the Kingdom (Being Born Again = salvation) is accomplished by the power of God - outside yourself. It is the work of God.

"For I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands and bring you into your own land. "Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from 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 be careful to observe My ordinances. Ezekiel 36:24-27

Salvation is a cleansing that comes from God who sends the Holy Spirit to indwell your heart and give you new life. It produces a changed heart and mind that desires to obey and follow God. If that change has not taken place then there is no new life.

"He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36


Christ is not something you can just add to your life.

Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. Colossians 3:1-5

Christ must take preeminence in your life. It means preferring obeying, serving, and loving God more than anything this world has to offer.

What is the standard of “good”?

It’s not being better than someone else. It’s not avoiding a certain severity of sin (I’m not as bad as they guy on death row). Most people have the wrong standard. They somehow think God is like them in judging what is good and bad. Since God is God its not what we think His standard is, but it is what He has declared the standard of “good” to be. By looking at God’s Law we can see the standard by which “good” is judged.

The Law is a tutor that brings us to Christ.

Have to ever come to an end of yourself? Realizing there is no way you can save yourself. You can never be “good enough”. Self righteousness and self justification must die. All you can do is cry out for mercy from God. By trusting in what Christ did and ceasing to trust in what you can do.

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, Then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. Galatians 3:21-25

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." Galatians 5:13-14

Have you ever come to the point where you understand the utter wickedness of your own heart and the pure holiness of God? Do you understand that there is nothing you can do to save yourself? You can never be good enough. Do you understand that the only thing you deserve is judgment and Hell? Can you see honestly into your own heart and motivations? The love spoken of here comes only from God. It is not motivated for what you get out of it. It is not self-centered. It can only be accomplished by the empowerment of His Holy Spirit.

One last thought about the “called out ones”

Is your life characterized by righteousness that flows from the Spirit of God within? A life that is characterized by sin (lawlessness) will not come to a godly end.

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you--unless indeed you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5