Q: When we die, if we are spirits in Heaven, how will we recognize others? According to II Cor. 5:1-8, it seems a case could be made for an intermediate body, before our resurrection body. Can you shed any light on this?
A: You are correct in understanding that the new body is not given until the resurrection of the dead, thus it is natural to ask what happens between our death and our resurrection. Much of what happens during this time period is a mystery. Some suggest that we will sleep during this time and have no conscious awareness of any events. The events of Luke 16:22-31 tell what happened to an unsaved rich man and to a man named Lazarus.
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Lazarus went to a place called the bosom of Abraham, and the rich man went to the place of torments in hell. Although these places are near to each other- near enough that they can see each other- they cannot go back and forth, because of a great gulf between. This passage provides more detail about the intermediate state than others. I find it interesting to note that the rich man was able to see both Abraham and Lazarus. This would suggest that he could either see their bodies or else recognize their spirits. Perhaps even more intriguing is that the rich man wanted Lazarus to use his finger to dip water on his tongue. Tongues and fingers are body parts, suggesting some sort of body.
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2 Corinthians 5:1-8 KJV 1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
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Notice how vs. 1 speaks of a tabernacle being dissolved and a house put in its place. A tabernacle could be taken down and put back up quite quickly, a house was more permanent. The house of vs. 1, would be eternal/forever in the heavens. Our bodies now are temporary, but our resurrection bodies will be forever.
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Though this passage gives us hope for our final bodies, it is not clear enough about what is happening during the intermediate state. Vs 3 speaks of being clothed with a body, but based on the context, that likely refers to the body we will have for the eternal state. Ultimately, we have very little information about the bodies of those in that intermediate state. We know very little about what happens during that time. Although it seems that men can see each other, there is no indication that they can actually see us here on earth. On the other hand, we are not told that they cannot.
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The II Cor 5, passage show, however, that we will have bodies during the eternal state. How recognizable we will be then is questionable, for remember that we will be as the angels. (Matt. 22:30).
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I do find it interesting that although Abraham was from a different time in history than the rich man, he still recognized him. Perhaps God will just give us the insight.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Question on Election
The following question came after a question box was placed in the back of the church. I plan to post other questions and answers as well.
Q: How do we reconcile election, for example Rom. 8:30, Eph. 1:5, with verses such as II Peter 3:9 and John 12:32?
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A: The balance between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility has been a perplexing challenge for many a theologian. J.I Packer in his book Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, calls this challenge an antinomy, which he describes as an “appearance” of a contradiction between conclusions which seem equally logical, reasonable, or necessary (18).
William Pettingill writes:
There is no doubt that God’s absolute sovereignty is taught, and clearly taught, in the Word of God, and just as clearly is man’s responsibility also taught in the Word. Our difficulty comes when we seek to “harmonize” these two doctrines. Such a task seems to be beyond the power of the human mind. Let us believe all that God has said on the subject and be content to wait for further light as to the harmony between these things. We may depend upon it “the Judge of all the earth” will “do right.” Let us preach to men as if everything depended upon them, and then let us pray to God for them as if everything depended upon God. (Bible Questions Answered, 208)
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Let us now consider the afore mentioned verses:
Romans 8:30 KJV 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Ephesians 1:5 KJV 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
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Predestined means predetermined. That fact that God has decided to do certain things and that He will in fact do them should surprise no one. Eph. 1:5 clearly tells us that He determined that believers would be adopted by Christ. Notice the verse that comes right before Rom 8:30:
Romans 8:29 KJV 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
This tells us that not only did God determine that certain things would happen, but that He based His determination on what He knew would happen- His foreknowledge.
1 Peter 1:2 KJV 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
We should be aware that there is a debate about whether or not knowing what would happen is determining what would happen. That is often at the core of the whole election debate. Election is clearly taught in scripture, but the big question is if it is based on what God knew man would do or if it is based on what God has decided that man would do.
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I must be quick to remind us that God is all powerful and that whatever He does is just. We also recognize that He allows man to do evil. Consider as well how often God gave “if then” promises. (If you will do this, then I will do that). I like to refer to such things as man’s limited freewill. Man does not have total freedom to do whatever he wants to. However, God often allows or permits us to act. We must also realize that God has the power to stop us at any time. That is why we are limited. We are not robots programmed by God, nor do we have freedom to do whatever we want to do.
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Let us also consider the other verses:
2 Peter 3:9 KJV 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
John 12:32 KJV 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
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I believe that II Peter 3:9 is teaching that within man’s limited freewill there is an offer of salvation to all, not just certain elect. We must also be aware that God knows that some will never accept that offer. He is all knowing and is never taken by surprise. That He would harden those that He already knows would reject Him no matter what, and use them for His specific purposes should not surprise us. I am not convinced, however, that God never interferes in such matters of drawing men to Himself or else I would be slow to pray for His power to influence a lost soul.
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John 12:32 clearly teaches that He does draw men to Himself- all men. That He might make that drawing irresistible to some is His right and even my prayer. With that in mind, we must be quick to point out that without His drawing, no one would get saved. John 6:44 KJV 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
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Regardless of how we interpret election, may we praise God for His justice and control over everything. How much freedom He gives man will not be known this side of eternity. I pray that He limits my freedom when it comes to sin so that I might better glorify Him. I also pray that He limit’s the freedom of my unsaved neighbor to reject Him so that he as well might glorify Him.
Q: How do we reconcile election, for example Rom. 8:30, Eph. 1:5, with verses such as II Peter 3:9 and John 12:32?
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A: The balance between God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility has been a perplexing challenge for many a theologian. J.I Packer in his book Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God, calls this challenge an antinomy, which he describes as an “appearance” of a contradiction between conclusions which seem equally logical, reasonable, or necessary (18).
William Pettingill writes:
There is no doubt that God’s absolute sovereignty is taught, and clearly taught, in the Word of God, and just as clearly is man’s responsibility also taught in the Word. Our difficulty comes when we seek to “harmonize” these two doctrines. Such a task seems to be beyond the power of the human mind. Let us believe all that God has said on the subject and be content to wait for further light as to the harmony between these things. We may depend upon it “the Judge of all the earth” will “do right.” Let us preach to men as if everything depended upon them, and then let us pray to God for them as if everything depended upon God. (Bible Questions Answered, 208)
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Let us now consider the afore mentioned verses:
Romans 8:30 KJV 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Ephesians 1:5 KJV 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
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Predestined means predetermined. That fact that God has decided to do certain things and that He will in fact do them should surprise no one. Eph. 1:5 clearly tells us that He determined that believers would be adopted by Christ. Notice the verse that comes right before Rom 8:30:
Romans 8:29 KJV 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
This tells us that not only did God determine that certain things would happen, but that He based His determination on what He knew would happen- His foreknowledge.
1 Peter 1:2 KJV 2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
We should be aware that there is a debate about whether or not knowing what would happen is determining what would happen. That is often at the core of the whole election debate. Election is clearly taught in scripture, but the big question is if it is based on what God knew man would do or if it is based on what God has decided that man would do.
-
I must be quick to remind us that God is all powerful and that whatever He does is just. We also recognize that He allows man to do evil. Consider as well how often God gave “if then” promises. (If you will do this, then I will do that). I like to refer to such things as man’s limited freewill. Man does not have total freedom to do whatever he wants to. However, God often allows or permits us to act. We must also realize that God has the power to stop us at any time. That is why we are limited. We are not robots programmed by God, nor do we have freedom to do whatever we want to do.
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Let us also consider the other verses:
2 Peter 3:9 KJV 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
John 12:32 KJV 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.
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I believe that II Peter 3:9 is teaching that within man’s limited freewill there is an offer of salvation to all, not just certain elect. We must also be aware that God knows that some will never accept that offer. He is all knowing and is never taken by surprise. That He would harden those that He already knows would reject Him no matter what, and use them for His specific purposes should not surprise us. I am not convinced, however, that God never interferes in such matters of drawing men to Himself or else I would be slow to pray for His power to influence a lost soul.
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John 12:32 clearly teaches that He does draw men to Himself- all men. That He might make that drawing irresistible to some is His right and even my prayer. With that in mind, we must be quick to point out that without His drawing, no one would get saved. John 6:44 KJV 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
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Regardless of how we interpret election, may we praise God for His justice and control over everything. How much freedom He gives man will not be known this side of eternity. I pray that He limits my freedom when it comes to sin so that I might better glorify Him. I also pray that He limit’s the freedom of my unsaved neighbor to reject Him so that he as well might glorify Him.
Friday, June 26, 2009
What is God Telling Us?
Are you cheating on your taxes? Many taxpayers would honestly answer, “I hope not, that’s why I hire an accountant.” The tax code is complicated enough that it is difficult to know which deductions are allowed and which ones are not, so the interpretation of the code is often left to the professionals.-There is a parallel in the area of Scripture. Many Christians are like their taxpayer counterparts, thinking that believing the Bible is beyond comprehension, and to be left to the professionals to interpret. Is that the correct approach to take?-From the time the first books of the Old Testament were given, even children were to study and learn them. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 commands, “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.” Paul was able to encourage Timothy concerning the Word of God, because he had learned as a child. “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15 -The writer of the book of Hebrews encourages the reader to move beyond the basic understanding of the Bible that is gained in childhood, and to reach the point of actually being able to understand it well enough to teach it. “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:12-In other words, the Scripture must be used so it can be understood and taught. It must be studied. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”-Notice that the passage says ‘rightly dividing the word of truth’ and that it also warns about not being ashamed. The call to interpret the Scripture correctly is an important admonition. Still the challenge should not be neglected.-I believe one of the reasons why the challenge is often avoided is because of a misunderstanding of even how to interpret the Word of God. Some are intimidated because they do not realize that a reader is supposed to take the work of God quite literally. But aren’t there figures of speech and even symbolism in the Bible? Yes, of course, but they are to be read according to the rules of the normal use of language.-To clarify- what I am suggesting is that we are to take the Bible literally within the structure of the normal use of language which allows for figures of speech and symbolism. The context will clearly show when such devices are being used.-There is an approach that says that the Bible doesn’t really mean what it says and that the statements really symbolize some other truth that only the enlightened are able to divulge. If you have such a belief, then it would be easy to give up on studying the Bible, because how could you possible know what it had to say? You are thus at the mercy of whoever you happen to listen to and you have no way of knowing if they just made it all up.-On the other hand, if you believe that the Bible means what it says, that means that you actually have to study it to understand it. Spiritualizing the words is actually the lazy way out for the preacher. He can either make things up or just repeat what someone else has come up with. But if the words really mean what they say, that means that the preacher has to both explain them as they are and deal with supposed contradictions. By the way, a preacher who really trusts that the Bible came from God is not worried about contradictions. He knows that God does not contradict, so there has to be an explanation. Some are easier to explain than others. Some may not find a ready explanation, but that never gives us the right to say that the Bible says something different than what it says.-Many of the problems vanish when verses are simply read in the context of their surroundings- both the context of time and setting as well as the context of words. That means as a Christian, studies the Bible, they should also be studying about the setting of the original audience. For example if the book of II Timothy is to be taken literally it is helpful to know that it is written to a leader in the church of Ephesus during the first century A.D. -On the other hand, if that book is nothing but a spiritual allegory, why even bother going to all the work of finding out about the background of the book because it doesn’t really mean what it is saying anyway? This approach ends up minimizing the significance of the Word of God.-God is not the author of confusion. He wants us to both understand and to obey His word.
Get To Work
One of the things that I admire about small town America it the work ethic. I just finished talking to my cousin, and he was upset about a coworker who was going to do as little on the job as he could because he had union job security. We live in a society were it seems more and more people are taking without giving anything back. It is sad when a man who doesn’t want to work hard cannot be fired, and when someone who does not want to work at all can have most of their needs met through government programs. My wife recently read that in some states, government programs were offering free cell phone service for low income individuals. (These were not just emergency 911 phones either). I have no problem with low income people having cell phones- I am one of them- I just do not believe someone else should pay for it.
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What happened to the idea that we should work for what we get instead of looking for free handouts? Some might say that what I am suggesting is an old fashioned idea. I will agree, the idea of a work ethic is quite old fashioned, because it comes straight from God. The Scripture goes so far as to say that if a man doesn’t work, he should not eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
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That is a pretty bold statement. If anything is a necessity, it would be food, yet the Scripture makes it clear that free food is not to be available to those in the church who are unwilling to work. Consider that there are those who have real needs. How immoral would it be to let a widow starve because all the available resources had been given to those who were just too lazy to work. Even as we consider helping out widows, we are given specific instructions in I Timothy 5, so that those most deserving of the help get what is available.
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Man has been expected to work ever since he was created. Even before Adam sinned, God gave him work to do. “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:15. God did this even before he commanded Adam not to eat of the forbidden fruit. Work is not a punishment of sin, it is just part of what man was made to do. In fact, there are few things as fulfilling to man as an honest days work. The big secret is that work is fun. If that is part of what we were created for, why shouldn’t it be?
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But lets face it, work can be hard. Certain aspects of an enjoyable job are not so much fun. This is a part of the consequence of sin. Because of sin, man would have to sweat for his food, instead of having easy work to get it. Genesis 3:19 clarifies, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
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Even during hard times-especially during hard times- work is still the best way to prevent poverty. Proverbs 24:33-34 warns, “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” Proverbs 20:13 says as well, “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.” In hard times, we recognize that a job may not be as easy to find as it was before, but the harder you work, the more likely you will be to have and keep a job. Further, if even a hard worker cannot find a job, this should remind us not be so prideful in our work ethic that we forget to trust God and lean on Him for help. That trust in Him should not be an excuse for becoming a sluggard though.
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Instead of being lazy, we should follow the example of the hard working ant. “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:” Proverbs 6:6. Sadly, a lazy man will come up with all kinds of excuses why he cannot work. Proverbs 20:4 shows little patience for such excuses, “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” If you keep making excuses for not working, do not be surprised if you end up with nothing. Proverbs 13:4 is clear, “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.”
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If you have not been working and are not sure how to get started, try doing what I did at a time that I was without a job. I showed up a the job site and told the potential employer that I was willing to work for him for free for the first day so that he could see if he wanted to hire me. I had a job by mid morning the first day I went job hunting.
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I am not guaranteeing a high paying job, but if we are satisfied with having our basic needs met (1 Timothy 6:8 “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content”) there are still plenty of opportunities for those willing and able to work. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Ephesians 4:28
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What happened to the idea that we should work for what we get instead of looking for free handouts? Some might say that what I am suggesting is an old fashioned idea. I will agree, the idea of a work ethic is quite old fashioned, because it comes straight from God. The Scripture goes so far as to say that if a man doesn’t work, he should not eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 says, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
-
That is a pretty bold statement. If anything is a necessity, it would be food, yet the Scripture makes it clear that free food is not to be available to those in the church who are unwilling to work. Consider that there are those who have real needs. How immoral would it be to let a widow starve because all the available resources had been given to those who were just too lazy to work. Even as we consider helping out widows, we are given specific instructions in I Timothy 5, so that those most deserving of the help get what is available.
-
Man has been expected to work ever since he was created. Even before Adam sinned, God gave him work to do. “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” Genesis 2:15. God did this even before he commanded Adam not to eat of the forbidden fruit. Work is not a punishment of sin, it is just part of what man was made to do. In fact, there are few things as fulfilling to man as an honest days work. The big secret is that work is fun. If that is part of what we were created for, why shouldn’t it be?
-
But lets face it, work can be hard. Certain aspects of an enjoyable job are not so much fun. This is a part of the consequence of sin. Because of sin, man would have to sweat for his food, instead of having easy work to get it. Genesis 3:19 clarifies, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”
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Even during hard times-especially during hard times- work is still the best way to prevent poverty. Proverbs 24:33-34 warns, “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” Proverbs 20:13 says as well, “Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.” In hard times, we recognize that a job may not be as easy to find as it was before, but the harder you work, the more likely you will be to have and keep a job. Further, if even a hard worker cannot find a job, this should remind us not be so prideful in our work ethic that we forget to trust God and lean on Him for help. That trust in Him should not be an excuse for becoming a sluggard though.
-
Instead of being lazy, we should follow the example of the hard working ant. “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:” Proverbs 6:6. Sadly, a lazy man will come up with all kinds of excuses why he cannot work. Proverbs 20:4 shows little patience for such excuses, “The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.” If you keep making excuses for not working, do not be surprised if you end up with nothing. Proverbs 13:4 is clear, “The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.”
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If you have not been working and are not sure how to get started, try doing what I did at a time that I was without a job. I showed up a the job site and told the potential employer that I was willing to work for him for free for the first day so that he could see if he wanted to hire me. I had a job by mid morning the first day I went job hunting.
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I am not guaranteeing a high paying job, but if we are satisfied with having our basic needs met (1 Timothy 6:8 “And having food and raiment let us be therewith content”) there are still plenty of opportunities for those willing and able to work. “Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.” Ephesians 4:28
Friday, April 10, 2009
Marriage
I grew up listening to Paul Harvey. He recently passed away shortly after losing his lovely wife “Angel.” I enjoyed hearing him announce the anniversaries of couples who had been married for many decades. His love for his own wife and his admiration for those who had stayed with their commitment to their spouses was clearly apparent as I would listen to his noontime visits. Paul Harvey has since passed on, and so has the meaning of marriage.
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I am so grateful for my own wife. Proverbs 18:22 says, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” I truly found a good thing. She was worth waiting for, and I hope I do not take my special “angel” for granted. Many of my friends were married before I was, but I was committed to waiting for the right one. Proverbs 31:10 asks, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” I was looking for such a prize.
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In my quest for a mate to love and cherish, I always knew that I was looking for a woman. In earlier times that would have been so obvious as to not even to be stated. Today things have changed so much. Our Iowa Supreme Court has trampled on the very meaning of the word marriage, suggesting that two people of the same gender can be united in matrimony. By the way, there is a vote every couple of years on whether or not these judges should be retained. All the judges currently on the Iowa Supreme Court voted against the ban on same gender marriage. Typically the section on the election ballots pertaining to judges is ignored because people do not know anything about them. Well folks, I’m not telling you how to vote, but do not forget next election, that you know something about each and every one of these judges now. Further, it would be wise to know what kind of judges you would expect a candidate for Governor to appoint as well. If I understand it correctly, if enough people vote no on a judge, then the Governor must appoint an new one.
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Enough on politics though. I am not as alarmed over what is happening in our courts as I am over what is happening in our churches. Recently a preacher named Rick Warren suggested that he was more concerned over the economy than he was over what had happened here in Iowa concerning homosexual marriage. Other so-called pastors actually said that this decision was good. What is going on when people who call themselves “Christians” so blatantly go against what the Bible teaches?
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Now I understand that not everyone will agree with what the Bible teaches on this issue. I actually expect those who reject God and His Word to disagree with me. That is understandable, but I must make it very clear what the Bible says about this issue for the sake of those who claim to be “Christian.” If you believe God and His Word, you cannot ignore these verses.
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“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” Ephesians 5:31
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“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Leviticus 18:22
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“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:26-32
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“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,” 1 Corinthians 6:9
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Some folks get angry when such verses are used. It is almost as if they believe that if the rest of us ignore these passages, then God will too. I am just a man. I have no right to change or ignore the word of God. Further, it is my job to warn about what God says, even if it steps on some toes. It is time that more “Christians” took a stand for the Word or God, or else quit calling themselves “Christian.” This challenge includes the wolves in sheep’s clothing who call themselves pastors and yet reject the clear teaching of the Word of God.
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Some may argue that my call for people to quit calling themselves “Christian” will lead to fewer Christians, and therefore I should be careful what I ask for. Think about it, if they do not stand for what Christ taught anyway, why would we want them to call themselves by His name when they are really just imposters? Is God glorified by that, or does it just confuse the rest of the world about what it means to be a Christian? “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 1:9
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I am so grateful for my own wife. Proverbs 18:22 says, “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” I truly found a good thing. She was worth waiting for, and I hope I do not take my special “angel” for granted. Many of my friends were married before I was, but I was committed to waiting for the right one. Proverbs 31:10 asks, “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” I was looking for such a prize.
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In my quest for a mate to love and cherish, I always knew that I was looking for a woman. In earlier times that would have been so obvious as to not even to be stated. Today things have changed so much. Our Iowa Supreme Court has trampled on the very meaning of the word marriage, suggesting that two people of the same gender can be united in matrimony. By the way, there is a vote every couple of years on whether or not these judges should be retained. All the judges currently on the Iowa Supreme Court voted against the ban on same gender marriage. Typically the section on the election ballots pertaining to judges is ignored because people do not know anything about them. Well folks, I’m not telling you how to vote, but do not forget next election, that you know something about each and every one of these judges now. Further, it would be wise to know what kind of judges you would expect a candidate for Governor to appoint as well. If I understand it correctly, if enough people vote no on a judge, then the Governor must appoint an new one.
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Enough on politics though. I am not as alarmed over what is happening in our courts as I am over what is happening in our churches. Recently a preacher named Rick Warren suggested that he was more concerned over the economy than he was over what had happened here in Iowa concerning homosexual marriage. Other so-called pastors actually said that this decision was good. What is going on when people who call themselves “Christians” so blatantly go against what the Bible teaches?
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Now I understand that not everyone will agree with what the Bible teaches on this issue. I actually expect those who reject God and His Word to disagree with me. That is understandable, but I must make it very clear what the Bible says about this issue for the sake of those who claim to be “Christian.” If you believe God and His Word, you cannot ignore these verses.
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“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” Ephesians 5:31
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“Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.” Leviticus 18:22
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“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:26-32
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“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,” 1 Corinthians 6:9
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Some folks get angry when such verses are used. It is almost as if they believe that if the rest of us ignore these passages, then God will too. I am just a man. I have no right to change or ignore the word of God. Further, it is my job to warn about what God says, even if it steps on some toes. It is time that more “Christians” took a stand for the Word or God, or else quit calling themselves “Christian.” This challenge includes the wolves in sheep’s clothing who call themselves pastors and yet reject the clear teaching of the Word of God.
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Some may argue that my call for people to quit calling themselves “Christian” will lead to fewer Christians, and therefore I should be careful what I ask for. Think about it, if they do not stand for what Christ taught anyway, why would we want them to call themselves by His name when they are really just imposters? Is God glorified by that, or does it just confuse the rest of the world about what it means to be a Christian? “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 1:9
Friday, April 3, 2009
Daydreaming
I’ll admit it, I’m a day dreamer. In fact, I usually fall asleep at night thinking about something. Throughout the day, if I am not actually doing something, I am generally thinking about something. I’m guessing we all day dream. How often don’t you find yourself thinking about sports, your job, your family, or your favorite television show?
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Recently I have been day dreaming about building a garage. I may never do it, but I think it would be fun. The problem is that with my carpentry background, I do not just day dream about the size and kind of garage, but I also daydream about how to build it. Of course it would be better to use 2x6’s than 2x4’s, but is the extra cost justified? What kind of siding should I use? I could go with wood, steel, vinyl, or even cement board. Then there is the roof. Asphalt shingles vs. steel- steep pitch vs. flatter pitch- hip vs. gable- rafters vs. trusses.
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As I daydream on this one little subject, I quickly realize how long I could spend thinking about it and still have unanswered questions. Suddenly, my daydreaming led to a demand to find answers for some of my questions. How much does a 2x4 actually cost compared to a 2x6? How long of a 2x4 can I by? I was actually able to find these answers fairly easily. All I had to do was look at the Menard’s ad. Soon, my daydreaming had actually led to study. Not only did I have the Menard’s ad before me, but I also had a calculator and a piece of scrap paper. Soon I knew how much more it would cost to use the 2x6’s and that I could easily get a 20 ft long 2x4.
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As I said, I spend a lot of time daydreaming, but I do not always think about building things. I also day dream about God. I think about Him and what He has told us through His word. The Scripture uses the word “meditate” (to ponder--imagine) rather than daydream. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8. Psalms 77:12 says, “I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.”
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When I daydream about the things of God, I often come up with questions that I do not have the answers to, just like when I day dreamed about building the garage. I obviously will not find the answers to the most important questions of life in the Menard’s circular. I will however find them in the Bible. Now the Bible is much bigger than the Menard’s add, so I may have to work a bit to find the answers. 2 Timothy 2:15 encourages, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
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It will take work and study to find Bible answers, just like it took work and study to find out the cost difference between 2x4’s and 2x6’s. In the garage example, I received help in my study from my calculator. I could have done it by hand, but it would have took a bit longer. There are also study helps for Bible learning. One of the most basic is the concordance. An exhaustive concordance is a book that lists all the words in the Bible. It then tells you which verses those words are found in. It is very helpful in finding what the Bible says on a particular subject.
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The other tool you should have is that piece of scrap paper. Write down the verse and jot a few notes as you study, then think about what you have learned. Meditate on it and then search for the answers for your new questions. As you do this, do not neglect prayer. Ask for God’s help in your study.
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If you have internet access, you do not even have to buy a concordance. You can find one online for free at places like blueletterbible.org. At this site, all you have to do is type in the word your are looking for, hit search, and it will bring up the verses. Then you can click on the verse that you want, and it will bring you right to that chapter so that you can look at it in context (this is very important to be sure you apply it correctly). Then you can also click on other study helps including the Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge which is a link to other verses on the same topic. Take some time to use this tool, and you will quickly find that the Bible has more answers than you ever imagined. It will give you endless material to daydream about.
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Recently I have been day dreaming about building a garage. I may never do it, but I think it would be fun. The problem is that with my carpentry background, I do not just day dream about the size and kind of garage, but I also daydream about how to build it. Of course it would be better to use 2x6’s than 2x4’s, but is the extra cost justified? What kind of siding should I use? I could go with wood, steel, vinyl, or even cement board. Then there is the roof. Asphalt shingles vs. steel- steep pitch vs. flatter pitch- hip vs. gable- rafters vs. trusses.
-
As I daydream on this one little subject, I quickly realize how long I could spend thinking about it and still have unanswered questions. Suddenly, my daydreaming led to a demand to find answers for some of my questions. How much does a 2x4 actually cost compared to a 2x6? How long of a 2x4 can I by? I was actually able to find these answers fairly easily. All I had to do was look at the Menard’s ad. Soon, my daydreaming had actually led to study. Not only did I have the Menard’s ad before me, but I also had a calculator and a piece of scrap paper. Soon I knew how much more it would cost to use the 2x6’s and that I could easily get a 20 ft long 2x4.
-
As I said, I spend a lot of time daydreaming, but I do not always think about building things. I also day dream about God. I think about Him and what He has told us through His word. The Scripture uses the word “meditate” (to ponder--imagine) rather than daydream. “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8. Psalms 77:12 says, “I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.”
-
When I daydream about the things of God, I often come up with questions that I do not have the answers to, just like when I day dreamed about building the garage. I obviously will not find the answers to the most important questions of life in the Menard’s circular. I will however find them in the Bible. Now the Bible is much bigger than the Menard’s add, so I may have to work a bit to find the answers. 2 Timothy 2:15 encourages, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
-
It will take work and study to find Bible answers, just like it took work and study to find out the cost difference between 2x4’s and 2x6’s. In the garage example, I received help in my study from my calculator. I could have done it by hand, but it would have took a bit longer. There are also study helps for Bible learning. One of the most basic is the concordance. An exhaustive concordance is a book that lists all the words in the Bible. It then tells you which verses those words are found in. It is very helpful in finding what the Bible says on a particular subject.
-
The other tool you should have is that piece of scrap paper. Write down the verse and jot a few notes as you study, then think about what you have learned. Meditate on it and then search for the answers for your new questions. As you do this, do not neglect prayer. Ask for God’s help in your study.
-
If you have internet access, you do not even have to buy a concordance. You can find one online for free at places like blueletterbible.org. At this site, all you have to do is type in the word your are looking for, hit search, and it will bring up the verses. Then you can click on the verse that you want, and it will bring you right to that chapter so that you can look at it in context (this is very important to be sure you apply it correctly). Then you can also click on other study helps including the Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge which is a link to other verses on the same topic. Take some time to use this tool, and you will quickly find that the Bible has more answers than you ever imagined. It will give you endless material to daydream about.
Cell Phones
Cell phones are wonderful inventions. As long as you have your phone with you and it is changed up, you can make a call from almost anywhere. Unfortunately telemarketers are starting to get a hold of some of the numbers. Suddenly it seems almost impossible to get away from them- unless you live in Bancroft. Fortunately the reception in town is bad enough that you can hope your call will be dropped if a telemarketer happens to call you.
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Now I really should not complain because the reception is better in some parts of town, and even in some parts of the house, than in others. For example, I get the best reception of all in my office. That is truly a blessing, because that is where I make most of my calls. I‘ve learned however, that if I have an important call, I should not walk around with the phone. I recently did that with my brother and the call was dropped. I talk to him often enough that he has gotten used to it and knows that I am not just hanging up on him.
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In spite of the challenges of dropped calls, the cell phone is still a useful tool. I really like the caller ID feature. This lets me know the number and often the name of the person calling me. Sometimes, however, I get calls that have no identifying number. After a while, I figured out that these are often the telemarketers. Aha, that gave me a caller idea. If I am in the middle of something and do not want to be disturbed, I do not have to answer the calls with no number by them. If it is really important, they can always leave a message.
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As I write this, I must ask if there are any lessons we can learn about God based on the illustration of the cell phone. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” With the cell phone we often wait to make our calls until we have free minutes, but we should not just wait for our free minutes to talk to God.
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Now I must ask, do we ever have to worry about dropped calls with God? Our first thought may be to say no, but is that really what the Scripture teaches? Psalms 66:18 makes it clear that, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” May we be careful not to shut down communication between God through sin. Thankfully, that problem is easier to rectify than a lost cell phone signal. For, “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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Essentially sin is the only thing that can interfere with our communication with God. We are not dependant on signals, towers, satellites, or even other men. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” I Timothy 2:5.
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Finally, I cannot make a call on my cell phone if I have no battery. Without power, my phone is useless. We have already established that if we regard sin in our hearts, the Lord will not hear. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. That means that all humanity has the problem of sin standing between them and their prayers to God. The only way to have our sins forgiven is through Christ alone. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:24-26.
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These verses make it clear that Jesus is the justifier, no one else. The sin problem for all humanity is presented in verse 23, then Jesus Christ is presented as the solution. It is through His righteousness, not our own. This fact is made even more clear as we read the very next verse of this passage: “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” Romans 3:27.
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When our sins are forgiven so that we can be reconciled to God, we have nothing to brag about, because it was through the righteousness of Christ, not through any of our own works. This brings us to a final point, I have to pay to use my cell phone, but I do not have to pay for salvation- Christ paid it for me by grace. Romans 11:6 says, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Titus 3:5-7 affirms, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
-
Now I really should not complain because the reception is better in some parts of town, and even in some parts of the house, than in others. For example, I get the best reception of all in my office. That is truly a blessing, because that is where I make most of my calls. I‘ve learned however, that if I have an important call, I should not walk around with the phone. I recently did that with my brother and the call was dropped. I talk to him often enough that he has gotten used to it and knows that I am not just hanging up on him.
-
In spite of the challenges of dropped calls, the cell phone is still a useful tool. I really like the caller ID feature. This lets me know the number and often the name of the person calling me. Sometimes, however, I get calls that have no identifying number. After a while, I figured out that these are often the telemarketers. Aha, that gave me a caller idea. If I am in the middle of something and do not want to be disturbed, I do not have to answer the calls with no number by them. If it is really important, they can always leave a message.
-
As I write this, I must ask if there are any lessons we can learn about God based on the illustration of the cell phone. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray without ceasing.” With the cell phone we often wait to make our calls until we have free minutes, but we should not just wait for our free minutes to talk to God.
-
Now I must ask, do we ever have to worry about dropped calls with God? Our first thought may be to say no, but is that really what the Scripture teaches? Psalms 66:18 makes it clear that, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:” May we be careful not to shut down communication between God through sin. Thankfully, that problem is easier to rectify than a lost cell phone signal. For, “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.
-
Essentially sin is the only thing that can interfere with our communication with God. We are not dependant on signals, towers, satellites, or even other men. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” I Timothy 2:5.
-
Finally, I cannot make a call on my cell phone if I have no battery. Without power, my phone is useless. We have already established that if we regard sin in our hearts, the Lord will not hear. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. That means that all humanity has the problem of sin standing between them and their prayers to God. The only way to have our sins forgiven is through Christ alone. “Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” Romans 3:24-26.
-
These verses make it clear that Jesus is the justifier, no one else. The sin problem for all humanity is presented in verse 23, then Jesus Christ is presented as the solution. It is through His righteousness, not our own. This fact is made even more clear as we read the very next verse of this passage: “Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.” Romans 3:27.
-
When our sins are forgiven so that we can be reconciled to God, we have nothing to brag about, because it was through the righteousness of Christ, not through any of our own works. This brings us to a final point, I have to pay to use my cell phone, but I do not have to pay for salvation- Christ paid it for me by grace. Romans 11:6 says, “And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Titus 3:5-7 affirms, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
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