In an earlier article we were told that Jesus Christ would one day return to set up His kingdom, but what if an imposter comes and claims to be the Messiah? Actually the Scriptures warn of that exact thing. In fact, there will be many anti-Christs or false messiahs. Jesus gave a very clear warning about this in Matthew 24:23-27: “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.”
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Jesus Christ’s warning is very clear. These false christs and false prophets will even do amazing signs and wonders in order to trick people, but when the true Christ comes, there will be no doubt who He is. His coming will be as quick and powerful as lightning lighting up the whole sky from one horizon to the other. There will be no speculation on if He is the Messiah or not, because there will be no doubt.
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Although there will be many anti-Christs, there will be one specific anti-Christ called the beast who will rise to preeminence in the last days before the real Christ returns to earth again. “Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.” Revelation 13:18 A score is 20, so 3 score would be 60. 600+60+6=666. That is the number of the Anti-Christ.
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As was shown earlier, these false Christs and prophets would be able to do signs and wonders. Let us be reminded that the ability to do the unexplainable is not proof that someone is from God. Even Pharaoh’s magicians were able to copy many of the things that God gave Moses the power to do. This beast and his false prophet will as well deceive people with wonders. Revelation 13:13-18: “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”
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The fact that there are false messiahs should concern us. Jesus Christ is the true Messiah. He gave His life for us, but the beast would like to take your life from you. When Jesus was on this earth, He told His followers, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:10-11
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Make sure you trust the true Christ before it is too late. What if the false christ comes along and deceives you instead? 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10: “Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
Friday, November 28, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Gabby's Ground Rules
Fall has always been a busy time of year for me. When I was on the farm, harvest time meant late and sometimes all nights in the field. We wanted to get things done before the weather turned bad. Then when I spent a few years as a contractor, I found myself facing similar deadlines as I desired to finish outside work before the bitter cold of winter set in. Now as a pastor, I get to work from a nice heated office most of the time. Now that is not the reason that I went into the ministry, but it does have its perks.
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Still, I have that desire to get things finished up outside before the snow flies. One of my goals this fall was to have the garden all tilled up and ready for winter. Once this goal was met, I sat back with a sigh of relief. The feeling inside of me was actually more than relief. As I looked at the deep black dirt of the garden, all tilled and ready, I felt a sense of pride. Of course the familiar Proverb says that pride goes before a fall. This actually comes from Proverbs 16:18 which says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” I should have known better, I have preached against pride.
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So how could tilling up the garden possibly humble a man? I would like to introduce you to Gabby Groundhog. No I did not kill him as I worked in the garden, but I should have called him before I planned to dig. I heard the ads on the radio about Gabby’s Ground Rules: always make the Iowa One call before you dig. I did not. Furthermore, I had decided to make the garden a bit bigger, and tilled up an area that had not been tilled before, and that is where the phone line was. Yep, not only had I taken out our phone service, but I had cut the line to our neighbors across the alley as well. My wife enjoys reading the “Great Goofs” sections in the back of my handyman magazine, and she tried to make me feel better by reminding me of what others had done.
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We found out later that the line was only seven inches deep, and some have tried to make me feel better by saying that it should have been deeper. That did not help as I went to bed that night realizing what I had done. By the time I realized my mistake, it was around 10 p.m. so it was too late to call for repairs and I had no idea how many others were without a phone. I went to bed feeling really guilty. I told my wife that I would feel better in the morning once I was able to call the phone company and admit to them what I had done. I was up early and called the phone company and listened to a recording that said they would open at 7:30. I called then, reported what had happened, and immediately felt better.
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I had learned long ago, that confession is the best way to deal with guilt. Now cutting the phone line was not a sin. Iowa law does not even require the Gabby call for gardening. Still I felt bad about it until it was taken care of. How much more shouldn’t we feel that way about sin and our relationship with God. Proverbs 28:13 warns, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
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Jesus Christ did not die on the cross to fix phone lines. He did not even die in order to make all our problems go away, but He did die to take care of our sins. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9.
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I feel good knowing the phone line is fixed, but I feel even better knowing that all my sins have been fixed. I no longer have to worry about the penalty or guilt of sin. Anyone who has truly surrendered to the Lord, trusting Christ alone as Savior, can truly say, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12. That is why I am able to sleep at night.
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Still, I have that desire to get things finished up outside before the snow flies. One of my goals this fall was to have the garden all tilled up and ready for winter. Once this goal was met, I sat back with a sigh of relief. The feeling inside of me was actually more than relief. As I looked at the deep black dirt of the garden, all tilled and ready, I felt a sense of pride. Of course the familiar Proverb says that pride goes before a fall. This actually comes from Proverbs 16:18 which says, “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” I should have known better, I have preached against pride.
-
So how could tilling up the garden possibly humble a man? I would like to introduce you to Gabby Groundhog. No I did not kill him as I worked in the garden, but I should have called him before I planned to dig. I heard the ads on the radio about Gabby’s Ground Rules: always make the Iowa One call before you dig. I did not. Furthermore, I had decided to make the garden a bit bigger, and tilled up an area that had not been tilled before, and that is where the phone line was. Yep, not only had I taken out our phone service, but I had cut the line to our neighbors across the alley as well. My wife enjoys reading the “Great Goofs” sections in the back of my handyman magazine, and she tried to make me feel better by reminding me of what others had done.
-
We found out later that the line was only seven inches deep, and some have tried to make me feel better by saying that it should have been deeper. That did not help as I went to bed that night realizing what I had done. By the time I realized my mistake, it was around 10 p.m. so it was too late to call for repairs and I had no idea how many others were without a phone. I went to bed feeling really guilty. I told my wife that I would feel better in the morning once I was able to call the phone company and admit to them what I had done. I was up early and called the phone company and listened to a recording that said they would open at 7:30. I called then, reported what had happened, and immediately felt better.
-
I had learned long ago, that confession is the best way to deal with guilt. Now cutting the phone line was not a sin. Iowa law does not even require the Gabby call for gardening. Still I felt bad about it until it was taken care of. How much more shouldn’t we feel that way about sin and our relationship with God. Proverbs 28:13 warns, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
-
Jesus Christ did not die on the cross to fix phone lines. He did not even die in order to make all our problems go away, but He did die to take care of our sins. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9.
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I feel good knowing the phone line is fixed, but I feel even better knowing that all my sins have been fixed. I no longer have to worry about the penalty or guilt of sin. Anyone who has truly surrendered to the Lord, trusting Christ alone as Savior, can truly say, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12. That is why I am able to sleep at night.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
The King is Coming
By the time many of you read this, yet another election cycle will have come and gone. As we listened to the debates and the political adds, it quickly became apparent that no man is able to solve all the problems that this world, or this country, or even this county faces. In fact, as we go to vote, we often fear that those elected may actually make the problems worse. I am writing this on election morning, so I do not know who has won the races.
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What would happen, if instead of electing a group of imperfect humans to oversee our affairs, we could just have God as our King? What if He came down to earth and ruled it? Those who understand how just, fair, honest, loving, and merciful God is would actually look forward to that idea. Those who hate the idea of living under God’s standards of right and wrong would fight against that idea. Well, to a certain extent, that represents the spiritual battle that is happening in our world right now.
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The King, the Lord Jesus Christ, came to earth around 2000 years ago. At that time, many expected Him to set up a kingdom and to rule the world. That is what they expected the Messiah to do when He came. Instead of setting up the kingdom, He began first by proclaiming the kingdom. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matt. 9:35. The word gospel, means “good news”. Luke 8:1 emphasizes the good news of the message of Christ’s coming kingdom. And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,.
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The good news of the gospel is really the good news of the coming kingdom of our God and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. When He came, He preached the kingdom and told how to get into His kingdom. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3. We are born again by putting our complete trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. John 3:3 is in the same chapter as John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. In Matt. 4:17, Christ made it clear that we must repent because the kingdom was near. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
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The message of the coming kingdom is the message we are to proclaim. Even as Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father), He said, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done,” and “for thine is the kingdom the power and the glory forever and ever.” The kingdom is to be a priority. In Luke 12:31, we are told to be more concerned with the kingdom of God, than with our physical needs, “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
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Christ spent much of His time here on earth speaking of His coming kingdom. Christ will one day return to set up that kingdom, and when He does, He will decide who is allowed in, and who will be cast out. That is why His message of “repent for the kingdom is at hand” is so important. That is why we as well need to proclaim the news of His coming kingdom. 2 Timothy 4:1-2 makes it clear, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
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As we saw in John 3:3, you must be born again to enter the kingdom. The scriptures are clear that not everyone will enter. In fact, few will. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt. 7:14. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. Luke 13:28. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph. 5:5.
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I have some good news, the King has come, and He is coming again. I also have a warning- except you repent and are born again, you will not be ready when He returns.
-
What would happen, if instead of electing a group of imperfect humans to oversee our affairs, we could just have God as our King? What if He came down to earth and ruled it? Those who understand how just, fair, honest, loving, and merciful God is would actually look forward to that idea. Those who hate the idea of living under God’s standards of right and wrong would fight against that idea. Well, to a certain extent, that represents the spiritual battle that is happening in our world right now.
-
The King, the Lord Jesus Christ, came to earth around 2000 years ago. At that time, many expected Him to set up a kingdom and to rule the world. That is what they expected the Messiah to do when He came. Instead of setting up the kingdom, He began first by proclaiming the kingdom. And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matt. 9:35. The word gospel, means “good news”. Luke 8:1 emphasizes the good news of the message of Christ’s coming kingdom. And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him,.
-
The good news of the gospel is really the good news of the coming kingdom of our God and Savior the Lord Jesus Christ. When He came, He preached the kingdom and told how to get into His kingdom. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. John 3:3. We are born again by putting our complete trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. John 3:3 is in the same chapter as John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. In Matt. 4:17, Christ made it clear that we must repent because the kingdom was near. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
-
The message of the coming kingdom is the message we are to proclaim. Even as Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father), He said, “thy kingdom come, thy will be done,” and “for thine is the kingdom the power and the glory forever and ever.” The kingdom is to be a priority. In Luke 12:31, we are told to be more concerned with the kingdom of God, than with our physical needs, “But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
-
Christ spent much of His time here on earth speaking of His coming kingdom. Christ will one day return to set up that kingdom, and when He does, He will decide who is allowed in, and who will be cast out. That is why His message of “repent for the kingdom is at hand” is so important. That is why we as well need to proclaim the news of His coming kingdom. 2 Timothy 4:1-2 makes it clear, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”
-
As we saw in John 3:3, you must be born again to enter the kingdom. The scriptures are clear that not everyone will enter. In fact, few will. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matt. 7:14. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. Luke 13:28. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Eph. 5:5.
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I have some good news, the King has come, and He is coming again. I also have a warning- except you repent and are born again, you will not be ready when He returns.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Am I Sorry?
All little kids, no matter how cute or wonderful they are, are naughty at some point. Most of us learned as children that when we are naughty, we are supposed to say, “I’m sorry.” We probably learned that about the time that we were taught to say “please” and “thank you.” But did we really learn what it meant?
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The basic definition of ‘sorry’ is to feel regret for an action. The problem is that there are a lot of reasons why we may feel regret for something. Consider a little boy who puts his gum in the hair of a little girl at school. There are a lot of reasons why he may be sorry that he did it. He may be sorry that the teacher yelled at him. He may be sorry that the little girl doesn’t like him anymore or that his friends thought it was a dumb thing to do. He may be sorry that his parents were disappointed in him and will not buy him anymore gum. There are a lot of reasons for him to be sorry and to wish he had never put his gum in her hair, but the little boy is not truly repentant unless he is sorry because he realizes it was wrong.
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Most people are like the little boy. We are sorry because our sinful actions hurt us rather than benefit us. In other words, unless there are consequences for our sins, we really are not worried about offending God. Someone who has really surrendered to God is not as worried about the consequences of the sin as the sin itself. Even if the teacher did not catch him and his friends thought it was cool, he still would not pull the gum stunt because it was wrong.
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Merrill F. Unger in The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary tells us that repentance includes humble self surrender to the will and service of God. There is a real difference between Biblical repentance and worldly sorrow. The apostle Paul actually dealt with this subject in II Corinthians 7:9-10 when he tells us, “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
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When it comes to salvation, the difference between real repentance and worldly sorry over results or consequences of our actions is a difference between heaven and hell. Jesus Christ made it clear that repentance was a life or death issue when He clearly warned, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
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Romans 3:23 makes it clear, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. Are we simply sorry that God knows we are sinners? Are we just sorry that the rest of the world knows we have sinned? Are we only sorry that things haven’t worked out so well because of our sins? Or are we truly repentant that we have offended a holy God, and are so sorry that we are committed to Him in such a way that we want Him to change our lives for His Glory?
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That is what real repentance is about. Being so sorry for sin that we are committed to God in such a way that we want Him to change our lives for His Glory. That is essentially what it means to be ‘born again’. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). Things become new as we recognize that our old way of excusing sin must be put aside as we surrender our wills to the service of God. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
-
The basic definition of ‘sorry’ is to feel regret for an action. The problem is that there are a lot of reasons why we may feel regret for something. Consider a little boy who puts his gum in the hair of a little girl at school. There are a lot of reasons why he may be sorry that he did it. He may be sorry that the teacher yelled at him. He may be sorry that the little girl doesn’t like him anymore or that his friends thought it was a dumb thing to do. He may be sorry that his parents were disappointed in him and will not buy him anymore gum. There are a lot of reasons for him to be sorry and to wish he had never put his gum in her hair, but the little boy is not truly repentant unless he is sorry because he realizes it was wrong.
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Most people are like the little boy. We are sorry because our sinful actions hurt us rather than benefit us. In other words, unless there are consequences for our sins, we really are not worried about offending God. Someone who has really surrendered to God is not as worried about the consequences of the sin as the sin itself. Even if the teacher did not catch him and his friends thought it was cool, he still would not pull the gum stunt because it was wrong.
-
Merrill F. Unger in The New Unger’s Bible Dictionary tells us that repentance includes humble self surrender to the will and service of God. There is a real difference between Biblical repentance and worldly sorrow. The apostle Paul actually dealt with this subject in II Corinthians 7:9-10 when he tells us, “Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
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When it comes to salvation, the difference between real repentance and worldly sorry over results or consequences of our actions is a difference between heaven and hell. Jesus Christ made it clear that repentance was a life or death issue when He clearly warned, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
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Romans 3:23 makes it clear, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. Are we simply sorry that God knows we are sinners? Are we just sorry that the rest of the world knows we have sinned? Are we only sorry that things haven’t worked out so well because of our sins? Or are we truly repentant that we have offended a holy God, and are so sorry that we are committed to Him in such a way that we want Him to change our lives for His Glory?
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That is what real repentance is about. Being so sorry for sin that we are committed to God in such a way that we want Him to change our lives for His Glory. That is essentially what it means to be ‘born again’. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). Things become new as we recognize that our old way of excusing sin must be put aside as we surrender our wills to the service of God. “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Does It Really Matter?
My little brother was about 11 years younger then me, so I was able to watch him get into all kinds of trouble growing up. Much of the trouble he got himself into was due to his exploring spirit and his wild imagination. When he was just a toddler, he came running into the house crying “I spilled the beans”. His excitement mixed with terror told us that he had done more than let out a secret. We followed him outside as he led us to a silo filled with corn. The silo had a sliding gate on one of the doors that we would open to let the corn out when grinding feed. Dusty had watched me do it, and wanted to try it himself. Since he was still too young to know the difference between corn and beans, he was also too young to figure out how to shut it once it was opened and he had run a huge pile of corn onto the ground. Fortunately he ran away instead of being buried.
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Not long after that, he decided to put a cape over his back and jump off of a chair as if he could fly. After he broke his arm, he discovered that he could not defy gravity. Dustin learned a very important lesson that day. You cannot change reality by wishing it so, or by denying the facts. It comes down to an issue of truth. Truth does exist. Often a denial of truth is a denial of the consequences of that truth. But denying that gravity exists does not allow one to fly.
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This issue is no less critical in the spiritual realm than it is in the physical. If we deny that God exists, it does not change the truth. Though most people do not deny God’s existence, they often ignore important truths from the Scripture. One of the key truths is that Christ Himself represents the truth and the way. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
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That truth may sound quite narrow, but so is the truth of gravity here on earth. Absolute truth does not leave wiggle room, 2+2=4. That is truth, and that is reality, no matter if folks are offended by it or not. There was a time when Christians were much more dogmatic about what they believed. There was a time when truth was much more valued as well. You see, truth is not about our feelings or what we wish something to be, it is about what it actually is. According to John 14:6, that means that Jesus Christ is the only way to a relationship with God. 1 Timothy 2:5 tells us, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”.
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Some may wonder why I am so concerned about truth. The answer is because truth matters. That is why we must constantly go back to the Scripture in order to find out what the truth is. This is not just the issue of a broken arm. These are matters of eternal consequence, life and death, and heaven and hell. The truth clearly relates to issues of sanctification . Notice what Christ prayed about God’s Word, truth, and sanctification. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17).
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What it comes down to is the fact that doctrine matters. Doctrine is just a big word that means teaching. It matters what is taught because the truth matters. The Apostle Paul complemented those at Berea for not just believing what he was teaching, but actually looking it up for themselves. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11) Paul told Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Tim 2:15).
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Timothy was a young preacher, and Paul warned him not to back down from the truth. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” (2 Timothy 4:3). Paul’s warning to Timothy applies to our age as well. Sadly, instead of wanting to hear the teaching of truth, many want to have their ears tickled. Some pastors have given into that pressure. By God’s grace, I want to preach the truth and not compromise it, because the truth is not mine to give up. Yes, truth does matter.
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Not long after that, he decided to put a cape over his back and jump off of a chair as if he could fly. After he broke his arm, he discovered that he could not defy gravity. Dustin learned a very important lesson that day. You cannot change reality by wishing it so, or by denying the facts. It comes down to an issue of truth. Truth does exist. Often a denial of truth is a denial of the consequences of that truth. But denying that gravity exists does not allow one to fly.
-
This issue is no less critical in the spiritual realm than it is in the physical. If we deny that God exists, it does not change the truth. Though most people do not deny God’s existence, they often ignore important truths from the Scripture. One of the key truths is that Christ Himself represents the truth and the way. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)
-
That truth may sound quite narrow, but so is the truth of gravity here on earth. Absolute truth does not leave wiggle room, 2+2=4. That is truth, and that is reality, no matter if folks are offended by it or not. There was a time when Christians were much more dogmatic about what they believed. There was a time when truth was much more valued as well. You see, truth is not about our feelings or what we wish something to be, it is about what it actually is. According to John 14:6, that means that Jesus Christ is the only way to a relationship with God. 1 Timothy 2:5 tells us, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus”.
-
Some may wonder why I am so concerned about truth. The answer is because truth matters. That is why we must constantly go back to the Scripture in order to find out what the truth is. This is not just the issue of a broken arm. These are matters of eternal consequence, life and death, and heaven and hell. The truth clearly relates to issues of sanctification . Notice what Christ prayed about God’s Word, truth, and sanctification. “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:17).
-
What it comes down to is the fact that doctrine matters. Doctrine is just a big word that means teaching. It matters what is taught because the truth matters. The Apostle Paul complemented those at Berea for not just believing what he was teaching, but actually looking it up for themselves. “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11) Paul told Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (II Tim 2:15).
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Timothy was a young preacher, and Paul warned him not to back down from the truth. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;” (2 Timothy 4:3). Paul’s warning to Timothy applies to our age as well. Sadly, instead of wanting to hear the teaching of truth, many want to have their ears tickled. Some pastors have given into that pressure. By God’s grace, I want to preach the truth and not compromise it, because the truth is not mine to give up. Yes, truth does matter.
Solomon and Communism
As we come upon this political season, I often wonder why communistic/socialistic ideals seem so attractive. If communism is such a huge benefit, then why are so many citizens from Marxist countries seeking to come to the United States. For example even certain politicians seem to suggest that perhaps we should be more like Cuba, yet so many citizens of Cuba risk their lives to come to our country. Part of the mystery can be explained by the fact that the grass often seems greener on the other side of the fence. That may explain why some Americans think that communism has much to offer. This, however, does not explain why those from Cuba who have made it to the United States do not want to go back and, in fact, want their families to come here too. They truly have found a better place.
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For years I have been puzzled why anyone would even consider pushing communism when it so obviously is not in the best interest of the citizens it claims to benefit. I actually started to understand it a bit better as began to read about the wisdom of Solomon in I Kings 3.
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Two harlots were living in the same house. They each had a baby. It seems that one of the babies died during the night, and come morning there was a huge dispute over whose baby was living and whose had died. Each claimed that the live baby was hers. The dispute was brought before King Solomon who, in his wisdom asked that a sword be brought and ordered the baby cut in half.
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The mother of the baby asked that the child be given to the other woman, because she would rather lose her offspring to another than to have him killed. The other harlot was ready to let the baby be killed. In this manner, Solomon was able to deduce who the real mother was.
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One thing puzzled me for years as I read this story. Why would the other harlot be willing to have the baby killed? I could not understand such a desire until I began to read and listen to those with a Marxist/communist/socialist/entitlement mindset. You see, it was not as much about improving her own situation as it was about making sure that her rival did not have more than she had.
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It is a whole new variant on keeping up with the Joneses. Instead of working hard in order to get as much as the neighbor, the communist mindset says to take everything away from the neighbor so they do not have more than you do. Never mind the fact that you are BOTH worse off, at least they didn’t outdo you. You are both equally poor.
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We live amongst surprising wealth. Even the poorest amongst us seldom go without food. Only when we compare ourselves with those who have a larger house, nicer car, bigger TV, etc. do many of us seem poor. Such comparisons are not wise. May we as Christians, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5. This should serve to guard us against communistic covetousness.
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At the same time, we should also guard against greed and pride, and we should never compromise Christian values just to get ahead. There is no reason why you have to keep up with the Joneses. It is okay to have a smaller house or older car, especially if it is because you are giving to those who truly have needs instead of spending it on yourself. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27
To read past articles by Pastor Miller, please visit bancroftbaptist.blogspot.com
-
For years I have been puzzled why anyone would even consider pushing communism when it so obviously is not in the best interest of the citizens it claims to benefit. I actually started to understand it a bit better as began to read about the wisdom of Solomon in I Kings 3.
-
Two harlots were living in the same house. They each had a baby. It seems that one of the babies died during the night, and come morning there was a huge dispute over whose baby was living and whose had died. Each claimed that the live baby was hers. The dispute was brought before King Solomon who, in his wisdom asked that a sword be brought and ordered the baby cut in half.
-
The mother of the baby asked that the child be given to the other woman, because she would rather lose her offspring to another than to have him killed. The other harlot was ready to let the baby be killed. In this manner, Solomon was able to deduce who the real mother was.
-
One thing puzzled me for years as I read this story. Why would the other harlot be willing to have the baby killed? I could not understand such a desire until I began to read and listen to those with a Marxist/communist/socialist/entitlement mindset. You see, it was not as much about improving her own situation as it was about making sure that her rival did not have more than she had.
-
It is a whole new variant on keeping up with the Joneses. Instead of working hard in order to get as much as the neighbor, the communist mindset says to take everything away from the neighbor so they do not have more than you do. Never mind the fact that you are BOTH worse off, at least they didn’t outdo you. You are both equally poor.
-
We live amongst surprising wealth. Even the poorest amongst us seldom go without food. Only when we compare ourselves with those who have a larger house, nicer car, bigger TV, etc. do many of us seem poor. Such comparisons are not wise. May we as Christians, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5. This should serve to guard us against communistic covetousness.
-
At the same time, we should also guard against greed and pride, and we should never compromise Christian values just to get ahead. There is no reason why you have to keep up with the Joneses. It is okay to have a smaller house or older car, especially if it is because you are giving to those who truly have needs instead of spending it on yourself. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27
To read past articles by Pastor Miller, please visit bancroftbaptist.blogspot.com
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Should Christians Be Christ Like?
I could not help but notice a recent news headline that asked whether Miley Cyrus (Hanna Montana) should represent Christianity. The writer did not make a claim one way or the other about being a Christian, but simply raised the question about the recent scandals that the actress had been involved in concerning immodest dress and other rebellious behavior. The article seemed to imply that Miss Cyrus was a hypocrite.
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After reading the article, I could not help but think that Miley was not all that different from most people who use the title Christian. Sadly we live in a culture where most people who call themselves Christians really don’t think it is necessary to live like Christ. It is not my purpose in this article to speculate on whether or not Miley is genuine, but simply to cause each one of us to “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5a.
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How much confusion does such an approach cause? Why do so few seem to understand it? Does a commitment to Christ actually mean that we should be concerned about what God thinks, or does it mean we can just accept His grace and then tell Him to leave us alone and let us live our own life? Does the Bible have anything to say about such things?
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The Scriptures often speak of those things that are opposed to God as being of the world. An example is found in Christ’s words in John 15:19 “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” Folks may wonder what a preacher means when he speaks out against worldliness. He is talking about those sinful things that are commonly practiced by the world, but that should not be done by Christians.
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So does God really expect Christians to be different from the rest of the world? 1 Peter 1:16 says, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” The context of this verse is telling Christians that they should not model their life after the things that they used to follow, but should model it after the standards of God (read vs. 14-16 of I Peter 1).
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Some may argue that we should act like sinners to reach sinners with the truth of God. First, how can we effectively share the truth of God when we ignore it ourselves? Further, the Scripture deals with this very attitude. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” Matthew 5:13-15.
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Jesus challenged Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. Being born again means, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. In other words when we are born again, there must be changes in our lives. A born again person is naturally different from the rest of the world. We do not live righteously just so God lets us into his kingdom [we simply are able to look forward to it by His grace (Eph. 2:8-9)], but we must also understand that if we have truly come to Him there will be evidence of a change (Eph. 2:10).
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The first of the ten commandments says that we should have no other gods before us. When asked about the first and greatest commandment Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37. Sadly too many people today have made popularity their god, and have bowed at the alter of worldliness, compromising the standard of the clear teachings of God. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1.
-
To read past articles by Pastor Miller, please visit bancroftbaptist.blogspot.com
-
After reading the article, I could not help but think that Miley was not all that different from most people who use the title Christian. Sadly we live in a culture where most people who call themselves Christians really don’t think it is necessary to live like Christ. It is not my purpose in this article to speculate on whether or not Miley is genuine, but simply to cause each one of us to “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5a.
-
How much confusion does such an approach cause? Why do so few seem to understand it? Does a commitment to Christ actually mean that we should be concerned about what God thinks, or does it mean we can just accept His grace and then tell Him to leave us alone and let us live our own life? Does the Bible have anything to say about such things?
-
The Scriptures often speak of those things that are opposed to God as being of the world. An example is found in Christ’s words in John 15:19 “If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.” Folks may wonder what a preacher means when he speaks out against worldliness. He is talking about those sinful things that are commonly practiced by the world, but that should not be done by Christians.
-
So does God really expect Christians to be different from the rest of the world? 1 Peter 1:16 says, “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” The context of this verse is telling Christians that they should not model their life after the things that they used to follow, but should model it after the standards of God (read vs. 14-16 of I Peter 1).
-
Some may argue that we should act like sinners to reach sinners with the truth of God. First, how can we effectively share the truth of God when we ignore it ourselves? Further, the Scripture deals with this very attitude. “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.” Matthew 5:13-15.
-
Jesus challenged Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. Being born again means, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. In other words when we are born again, there must be changes in our lives. A born again person is naturally different from the rest of the world. We do not live righteously just so God lets us into his kingdom [we simply are able to look forward to it by His grace (Eph. 2:8-9)], but we must also understand that if we have truly come to Him there will be evidence of a change (Eph. 2:10).
-
The first of the ten commandments says that we should have no other gods before us. When asked about the first and greatest commandment Jesus said, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37. Sadly too many people today have made popularity their god, and have bowed at the alter of worldliness, compromising the standard of the clear teachings of God. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1.
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To read past articles by Pastor Miller, please visit bancroftbaptist.blogspot.com
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