I was once asked by an individual what I thought about divorce and remarriage. He was confused because the bible said one thing, and the early church fathers were split on their take of the issue.
The role of women in ministry can also become a thorny issue to deal with. Was it a cultural issue for a specific time, or is it a command for today as well? There are about as many answers to this as there are commentaries dealing with Paul's instructions concerning women.
My point is not to argue these issues out in this post. I prefer to let the bible speak clearly, after all it is God's book, inspired by Him, for our benefit. We would do well to clear our minds of all preconceived ideas, and come to the word of God with an open heart and mind. After all it is the will
of God that we are seeking, right?
As the early Anabaptist leader Conrad Grebel said "I believe the word of God without a complicated interpretation". The bible can be hard to understand in many instances, but yet God desires us to dig in and seek out the truth. He is not going to hide truth from an individual who desires to apply it to his or her life. We get into trouble when we want to know what the bible says about something, but we are unwilling to put it into practice in our lives. We cloud things up when we depend more on human tradition, and interpretation, then upon the illumination of the Holy Spirit.
We are to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:17-18). We need to watch ourselves so that we are not led astray by the errors of unprincipled men.
Is it ok to use commentaries? Yes, but use discernment! They are written by fallible men, often with a denominational slant. We need to train ourselves to come to the Word with an open mind and heart, realizing that this is the last word on what is true in the eyes of God!
To earnestly contend for the faith, that was once for all entrusted to the saints, to promote the full gospel of Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to deliver us from this wicked generation.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Convictions Worth Dying For.
It seems that a majority of "Christians" today do not hold too tightly to their convictions. They may hold to various beliefs and convictions, but are easily persuaded to compromise, lay these beliefs aside, or just remain silent.
I understand that there are some things that are personal, and we are not to judge another on these things (Romans 14:1-13). This is not what I am referring to. I am writing here about Jesus Christ, and our unwavering commitment to follow Him as Lord of our lives, no matter where it leads us, and how much it costs us.
The Anabaptists of the sixteenth century are a little known group of people who grew out of the reformation. They followed Christ with an all out passion. Their property was confiscated, they were imprisoned, tortured, and put to death for their beliefs.
What were these beliefs that meant so much to them? They believed that the scriptures were for them, that they were to be believed and lived out. They believed that the kingdom of God was within them, Christ was the head of the Church, not a city council or other form of human government. They rejected the notion that the consecrated bread became the body of Christ during communion. They saw the communion elements as symbolic of Jesus body and blood. They saw that infant baptism was not biblical. They believed that one was to be baptized upon a true confession of faith. They took the words of Jesus to love ones enemies quite literally. They went out as missionaries throughout Europe preaching repentance from sin and faith towards God, baptizing all who truly believed. Revival followed them. Multitudes embraced the message of the gospel and were baptized as a seal of their surrender to Christ.
They were at odds not only with the Roman Catholic Church, but were also branded as rebels and heretics by the leaders of the reformation as well. It was Martin Luther himself who declared that they must be put to death for their rebellion against church authority. This did not discourage or stop them. They picked up their cross and followed Christ all the way, many of them to the death.
We need the boldness and conviction that these Christians, and many others throughout history had. Many today are suffering untold horrors in other lands while we waffle and waver and remain silent, afraid to ruffle feathers and go against the current. We see so much worldliness in the church and do nothing. We follow along as we see a church fighting spiritual battles in the political arena. We have become materialistic, storing up treasures on earth instead of heaven. We know nothing of true cross bearing for the sake of Christ. The modern message of Christ has become so watered down and distorted, but most of us say nothing, sadly many of us do not even realize this is happening.
God, grant us the grace to stand for you! Wake us up and give us courage! May we hold firmly to Godly convictions, and change this world for you.
I understand that there are some things that are personal, and we are not to judge another on these things (Romans 14:1-13). This is not what I am referring to. I am writing here about Jesus Christ, and our unwavering commitment to follow Him as Lord of our lives, no matter where it leads us, and how much it costs us.
The Anabaptists of the sixteenth century are a little known group of people who grew out of the reformation. They followed Christ with an all out passion. Their property was confiscated, they were imprisoned, tortured, and put to death for their beliefs.
What were these beliefs that meant so much to them? They believed that the scriptures were for them, that they were to be believed and lived out. They believed that the kingdom of God was within them, Christ was the head of the Church, not a city council or other form of human government. They rejected the notion that the consecrated bread became the body of Christ during communion. They saw the communion elements as symbolic of Jesus body and blood. They saw that infant baptism was not biblical. They believed that one was to be baptized upon a true confession of faith. They took the words of Jesus to love ones enemies quite literally. They went out as missionaries throughout Europe preaching repentance from sin and faith towards God, baptizing all who truly believed. Revival followed them. Multitudes embraced the message of the gospel and were baptized as a seal of their surrender to Christ.
They were at odds not only with the Roman Catholic Church, but were also branded as rebels and heretics by the leaders of the reformation as well. It was Martin Luther himself who declared that they must be put to death for their rebellion against church authority. This did not discourage or stop them. They picked up their cross and followed Christ all the way, many of them to the death.
We need the boldness and conviction that these Christians, and many others throughout history had. Many today are suffering untold horrors in other lands while we waffle and waver and remain silent, afraid to ruffle feathers and go against the current. We see so much worldliness in the church and do nothing. We follow along as we see a church fighting spiritual battles in the political arena. We have become materialistic, storing up treasures on earth instead of heaven. We know nothing of true cross bearing for the sake of Christ. The modern message of Christ has become so watered down and distorted, but most of us say nothing, sadly many of us do not even realize this is happening.
God, grant us the grace to stand for you! Wake us up and give us courage! May we hold firmly to Godly convictions, and change this world for you.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Saturday, May 17, 2014
God's Hatred.
The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates.
Psalm 11:4-5 NASB
We don't like to think that God would hate someone. We tend to think that God is all about love. We would agree that God hates the sin, but surely He does not hate the sinner, but that is not what this verse is saying. In God's view, the sinner and the act are not separated. The act of sin is such that it flows out of the heart. This is a heart that stands opposed to God and His rightful rule over ones' life. This is the attitude of the heart spoken of in Romans 8:7.
There are many passages in the Bible that call the individual by the name of his or her sin. 1 Corinthians 5:11 mentions immoral persons, revilers, drunkards, and swindlers. Murderers, sorcerers, idolaters, and liars are referred to in Revelation 21:8. There are probably many more, but these suffice to make the point, that a person who lies is a liar, one who kills is a murderer, one who steal is a thief, one who is unfaithful to a spouse is an adulterer, etc. In the eyes of God, the sin is not separated from the individual. God hates the sin, and hates the sinner as well.
You might wonder, what about John 3:16? Doesn't God love the lost? Yes He does! He loves the lost so much that He sent Jesus Christ to die for each and everyone of us! He has made every provision necessary for us to be forgiven, restored, and delivered from our sinful lifestyles. He is not willing that any should perish. He is longsuffering toward us, giving us ample time to repent of our rebellion against Him (2 Peter 3:9). Yes He loves us, but sinful man does not want anything to do with this God who loves him.
God is a holy God. He is also perfectly just in all His ways. Righteousness and justice are what His rule is founded upon (Psalm 89:14). As such, He has a perfect hatred toward sin. He must judge it, His very nature demands it. What would we think of an earthly judge who coddled criminals, and overlooked serious crimes? We would all think it was wrong, an injustice! How much more then is God perfectly just in all of His ways? When I say that God hates, I am not referring to the type of hatred that we see in so many individuals. This is not an exasperated or hardened heart type of hatred that is found in fallen man. This is a holy hatred that the holy God has for evil. We often fail to understand how evil sin really is, how wicked the individual sinner is, and how abhorrent this all is to God. We often fail to understand that vengeance belongs to God, and He will act on it (Hebrews 10:29-31). Sin is an in your face act against God. I understand that scripture differentiates between unintentional sin, sins of weakness, and such. This is not what I am referring to. What God hates is rebellion. The mindset that I am in charge of my life. I will do whatever I want, and I don't care how it affects God or anyone else. Self on the throne instead of God! It is out of this mindset that we see so much evil in the world. This is what God hates, these are the people that God hates, and will someday punish.
Jesus Christ gave of Himself for us, to redeem us. He bore the judgment for our sin, so that we could be forgiven, so that we could live in God's loving presence. As I mentioned, God loved us enough to make a way for us to be spared His wrath. It is up to us to submit to Him, receive His pardon, and let Him change our lives completely.
Consider yourself a defendant in court. You have just been found guilty of murder and are now waiting for the judge to pass sentence. You have appeared before this judge many times. When you were fourteen, he let you off with a warning. You were caught with the wrong crowd, and he wanted to give you a second chance. The next year it was petty theft, and you had to check in with a probation officer. Over the next decade you were in and out of jail for various offences. Theft, drugs, DUI, domestic violence. You received suspended sentences, reduced sentences, time off for good behavior, and so on. You appeared before this judge over and over and over. He was lenient, he was kind, he was patient. Now you are waiting for sentence. The crime is more serious this time. You know it looks bad, but this judge has always seemed fair in the past. He asks you to rise, and make any final statements you would wish the court to hear before sentencing. You tell the court how you messed up again, how you have struggled to live a productive life, how sorry you are. You tell how you will never do it again, you will reform if you just get another chance. You remind the judge of his past kindness, and ask for mercy. What you hear next shocks you to the core. " I have dealt with you for the last twelve years. I have shown mercy over and over. I have been lenient toward you in the hope you would reform and become a productive citizen. You have shown by your actions that I was wrong. I never want to see you in my court again. I sentence you to be taken to the place of execution in three days, where you will be hung by the neck until dead. Guards remove the prisoner!"
This might seem harsh or shocking to some. God loves us. Even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God is giving us time to repent of our sin, our hostility toward Him. He does not want to see us die (Ezekiel 18:23,32). However, if we neglect our salvation (Hebrews 2:2-3) there is nothing left for us.
Choose Christ today, and abide in His love. Let Him wash you, cleanse you and make you a new creation (1John 1:9, 1 Cor 6:11, 2 Cor 5:17).
Psalm 11:4-5 NASB
We don't like to think that God would hate someone. We tend to think that God is all about love. We would agree that God hates the sin, but surely He does not hate the sinner, but that is not what this verse is saying. In God's view, the sinner and the act are not separated. The act of sin is such that it flows out of the heart. This is a heart that stands opposed to God and His rightful rule over ones' life. This is the attitude of the heart spoken of in Romans 8:7.
There are many passages in the Bible that call the individual by the name of his or her sin. 1 Corinthians 5:11 mentions immoral persons, revilers, drunkards, and swindlers. Murderers, sorcerers, idolaters, and liars are referred to in Revelation 21:8. There are probably many more, but these suffice to make the point, that a person who lies is a liar, one who kills is a murderer, one who steal is a thief, one who is unfaithful to a spouse is an adulterer, etc. In the eyes of God, the sin is not separated from the individual. God hates the sin, and hates the sinner as well.
You might wonder, what about John 3:16? Doesn't God love the lost? Yes He does! He loves the lost so much that He sent Jesus Christ to die for each and everyone of us! He has made every provision necessary for us to be forgiven, restored, and delivered from our sinful lifestyles. He is not willing that any should perish. He is longsuffering toward us, giving us ample time to repent of our rebellion against Him (2 Peter 3:9). Yes He loves us, but sinful man does not want anything to do with this God who loves him.
God is a holy God. He is also perfectly just in all His ways. Righteousness and justice are what His rule is founded upon (Psalm 89:14). As such, He has a perfect hatred toward sin. He must judge it, His very nature demands it. What would we think of an earthly judge who coddled criminals, and overlooked serious crimes? We would all think it was wrong, an injustice! How much more then is God perfectly just in all of His ways? When I say that God hates, I am not referring to the type of hatred that we see in so many individuals. This is not an exasperated or hardened heart type of hatred that is found in fallen man. This is a holy hatred that the holy God has for evil. We often fail to understand how evil sin really is, how wicked the individual sinner is, and how abhorrent this all is to God. We often fail to understand that vengeance belongs to God, and He will act on it (Hebrews 10:29-31). Sin is an in your face act against God. I understand that scripture differentiates between unintentional sin, sins of weakness, and such. This is not what I am referring to. What God hates is rebellion. The mindset that I am in charge of my life. I will do whatever I want, and I don't care how it affects God or anyone else. Self on the throne instead of God! It is out of this mindset that we see so much evil in the world. This is what God hates, these are the people that God hates, and will someday punish.
Jesus Christ gave of Himself for us, to redeem us. He bore the judgment for our sin, so that we could be forgiven, so that we could live in God's loving presence. As I mentioned, God loved us enough to make a way for us to be spared His wrath. It is up to us to submit to Him, receive His pardon, and let Him change our lives completely.
Consider yourself a defendant in court. You have just been found guilty of murder and are now waiting for the judge to pass sentence. You have appeared before this judge many times. When you were fourteen, he let you off with a warning. You were caught with the wrong crowd, and he wanted to give you a second chance. The next year it was petty theft, and you had to check in with a probation officer. Over the next decade you were in and out of jail for various offences. Theft, drugs, DUI, domestic violence. You received suspended sentences, reduced sentences, time off for good behavior, and so on. You appeared before this judge over and over and over. He was lenient, he was kind, he was patient. Now you are waiting for sentence. The crime is more serious this time. You know it looks bad, but this judge has always seemed fair in the past. He asks you to rise, and make any final statements you would wish the court to hear before sentencing. You tell the court how you messed up again, how you have struggled to live a productive life, how sorry you are. You tell how you will never do it again, you will reform if you just get another chance. You remind the judge of his past kindness, and ask for mercy. What you hear next shocks you to the core. " I have dealt with you for the last twelve years. I have shown mercy over and over. I have been lenient toward you in the hope you would reform and become a productive citizen. You have shown by your actions that I was wrong. I never want to see you in my court again. I sentence you to be taken to the place of execution in three days, where you will be hung by the neck until dead. Guards remove the prisoner!"
This might seem harsh or shocking to some. God loves us. Even while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God is giving us time to repent of our sin, our hostility toward Him. He does not want to see us die (Ezekiel 18:23,32). However, if we neglect our salvation (Hebrews 2:2-3) there is nothing left for us.
Choose Christ today, and abide in His love. Let Him wash you, cleanse you and make you a new creation (1John 1:9, 1 Cor 6:11, 2 Cor 5:17).
Friday, April 25, 2014
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