I have been installing new windows in the parsonage. We replaced the windows in the living room, dining room, kitchen, and bathroom with plans to replace the bedroom and office windows next year. Of course our little boys were all excited about the project. They got to watch daddy work and they even got to crawl up and down the ladder outside.
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They definitely noticed the change as our house was renewed by having the old windows taken out and the new ones put in. It reminds me of Ephesians 4:22-24, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
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We could see a difference between the old windows and the new ones just by how they looked, but the real difference is in how they perform. The new windows open and shut easily whereas the old ones did not. Then come next winter we expect them to be much less drafty than the old ones.
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The Ephesians passage is not about windows, but about believers in Christ. Like the windows, righteousness and true holiness is not as much about how it looks on the outside as how it actually performs.
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Consider the differences listed in the Ephesians passage: In the next verses we are told not to lie but instead to speak the truth. Then we are told not to lose control when angry, but instead let the go of wrath at the end of the day. It comes down to following God instead of doing what the devil wants us to do. That means not stealing, but instead working so that you can earn extra to give to others in need. True righteousness and holiness means being careful that bad things don’t come out of your mouth but instead giving words of encouragement and grace. Finally Ephesians 4 ends by instructing that instead of bitterness wrath and anger, the believer should be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving.
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Chapter 5 of Ephesians then goes on to talk about the importance of love and thanksgiving. It also shows how fornication, impurity, covetousness, filthy vulgar foolish talking, prostitution and idolatry are definitely not part of righteousness and true holiness.
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These comments may be stating the obvious, but too often man tries to come up with his own list as to what righteousness and true holiness looks like while forgetting what God has already told us about it. Fruit naturally grows on a healthy plant.
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A spiritually healthy Christian who is living a life close to God will naturally have fruits of the Spirit. Ephesians 5:9 says, “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)” Paul further elaborates in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
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Set aside pride for a moment and honestly evaluate if you have the fruit of the Spirit in your life. If not, ask yourself if you are really trusting in Christ. If you are but the fruits are still not there, then ask yourself what your focus has been. Have you been so focused on yourself and trying to look good to others that you have actually missed out on glorifying God through natural fruit?
Friday, July 29, 2011
Friday, July 15, 2011
God Became Man for Sinners
Have you ever wished you could be in two places at once. We had that challenge a few weeks ago. A wedding and a graduation were scheduled on the same day, so my wife and I had to split up. She and the boys went to the graduation, and I went to the wedding. It would’ve been nice if I could’ve just duplicated myself and sent one of me to each place.
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It is impossible for me to do such a thing, but it is not impossible for God. He can be in more places than one. Further, although He is a single God, He is composed of three separate distinctions: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
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All three parts of the trinity are one God each with a separate purpose. Consider that our hand does not have the same purpose as our head, but they are still both part of a single body. The body illustration is insufficient to describe God though. Apart from the Son, who took on human flesh, God is Spirit.
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This brings us to a very important concept. Who is Jesus Christ, the man who was born in Bethlehem and died on the cross? Was He a man who stove hard to be sinless so that He might attain the right to be included in the trinity, or was He always God who took on the job of coming to earth as a man to die for our sins?
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The answer is clear. Jesus always has been God- even before He was born in Bethlehem. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2) As God, Jesus was even involved in the creation of the earth. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16-17)
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Many other verses show Jesus is God and show that He always has been God. He did not have to attain that position by living a good life. So what are some of the implications of thinking that Jesus attained Godhood, rather than always possessing it? Some people think that they as well can attain Godhood. This is the grave error of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons). It is also the error of some holiness teachers who think that if Jesus could attain sinlessness, then so can other men.
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Jesus DID become a real human man, but He was able to remain sinless because He always has been God. Mere men do not have the same ability, that is why we are so dependant upon Christ. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10) “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)
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Harry A. Ironsides tried to obtain sinless perfection and quickly realized it was a losing battle. He finally realized that he needed to strive to do right and trust Christ’s forgiveness when he could not. He went on to bring great comfort to others in the same struggle by writing the book, Holiness: The False and The True. What a reminder of I John 1:9- 2:2, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
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It is impossible for me to do such a thing, but it is not impossible for God. He can be in more places than one. Further, although He is a single God, He is composed of three separate distinctions: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
-
All three parts of the trinity are one God each with a separate purpose. Consider that our hand does not have the same purpose as our head, but they are still both part of a single body. The body illustration is insufficient to describe God though. Apart from the Son, who took on human flesh, God is Spirit.
-
This brings us to a very important concept. Who is Jesus Christ, the man who was born in Bethlehem and died on the cross? Was He a man who stove hard to be sinless so that He might attain the right to be included in the trinity, or was He always God who took on the job of coming to earth as a man to die for our sins?
-
The answer is clear. Jesus always has been God- even before He was born in Bethlehem. “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Micah 5:2) As God, Jesus was even involved in the creation of the earth. “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.” (Colossians 1:16-17)
-
Many other verses show Jesus is God and show that He always has been God. He did not have to attain that position by living a good life. So what are some of the implications of thinking that Jesus attained Godhood, rather than always possessing it? Some people think that they as well can attain Godhood. This is the grave error of the Latter Day Saints (Mormons). It is also the error of some holiness teachers who think that if Jesus could attain sinlessness, then so can other men.
-
Jesus DID become a real human man, but He was able to remain sinless because He always has been God. Mere men do not have the same ability, that is why we are so dependant upon Christ. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10) “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)
-
Harry A. Ironsides tried to obtain sinless perfection and quickly realized it was a losing battle. He finally realized that he needed to strive to do right and trust Christ’s forgiveness when he could not. He went on to bring great comfort to others in the same struggle by writing the book, Holiness: The False and The True. What a reminder of I John 1:9- 2:2, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.”
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Don’t Pull up New Believers
Early this spring, my oldest son helped us plant the garden. As he saw us hoeing the ground, he wanted to do the same, but we warned him not to hoe the ground we had already planted. Once the plants started to grow, we had a whole new problem- weeds. As I started to pull weeds, my young helper saw what I was doing and like so many little boys, he copied his father. Unfortunately, instead of pulling a weed, he pulled a newly sprouted zucchini.
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Sometimes we as Christians are like little boys in the garden. We end up digging up seeds before they have started to grow, or we stop growth before the plant even gets solid roots. In other words, our actions may end up discouraging unbelievers from wanting to learn more about Christ or they may hinder new believers from growing more faithful to Him.
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Paul dealt with the issue of immature believers in Romans 14. There were some who thought that they couldn’t eat certain meats, but mature believers understood the truth of I Timothy 4:4, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving”. Even though there was nothing wrong with eating meat, Paul showed that it was good to avoid it so that the immature brother would not stumble (Romans 14:21).
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Imagine if all the men in your church decided to grow beards for a centennial celebration and at that same time an Amish man trusted Christ and started to attend. Since married Amish men are expected to have beards, the men of the church might decide to apply the principles of Romans 14 and keep their beards as not to offend their new brothers weak conscience.
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Suddenly the church has a new challenge. Should wearing beards become a new requirement for the assembly? If that is made a requirement, what will be the next issue that comes up? Soon there will be a whole list of things that have to be done so that someone’s weak conscience is not offended. Soon the things on the list will contradict each other and even scripture.
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A closer reading of Romans 14 solves the problem. First of all, verse 3 shows that with the original issue of eating meat, the person that was offended by eating meat should not despise the one who ate it, nor was the one who ate it to despise the one who didn’t. In other words, don’t nit pick each others behavior in things which the scripture does not require or forbid.
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Then we find a very important follow up in Romans 16 where Paul clearly states, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). In other words, if someone becomes divisive over an issue that is not commanded or forbidden by scripture, we are to mark them and avoid them.
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Romans 14 was addressed to those who were dealing with someone who was weak in the faith- an immature believer. They were to be given time to get their roots and grow in maturity, but during that time they were to be taught proper doctrine. If the new believer thought eating meat was wrong, and they saw other Christians doing that, it would’ve stunted their early spiritual growth. Because they were still immature in the faith, they were not ready to take that all in, but as they grew they needed to learn what was and what was not expected of them. They needed to learn Bible doctrine so they could teach others rather than dividing the body. Have you been studying the Word, so you can understand what God really does expect?
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Sometimes we as Christians are like little boys in the garden. We end up digging up seeds before they have started to grow, or we stop growth before the plant even gets solid roots. In other words, our actions may end up discouraging unbelievers from wanting to learn more about Christ or they may hinder new believers from growing more faithful to Him.
-
Paul dealt with the issue of immature believers in Romans 14. There were some who thought that they couldn’t eat certain meats, but mature believers understood the truth of I Timothy 4:4, “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving”. Even though there was nothing wrong with eating meat, Paul showed that it was good to avoid it so that the immature brother would not stumble (Romans 14:21).
-
Imagine if all the men in your church decided to grow beards for a centennial celebration and at that same time an Amish man trusted Christ and started to attend. Since married Amish men are expected to have beards, the men of the church might decide to apply the principles of Romans 14 and keep their beards as not to offend their new brothers weak conscience.
-
Suddenly the church has a new challenge. Should wearing beards become a new requirement for the assembly? If that is made a requirement, what will be the next issue that comes up? Soon there will be a whole list of things that have to be done so that someone’s weak conscience is not offended. Soon the things on the list will contradict each other and even scripture.
-
A closer reading of Romans 14 solves the problem. First of all, verse 3 shows that with the original issue of eating meat, the person that was offended by eating meat should not despise the one who ate it, nor was the one who ate it to despise the one who didn’t. In other words, don’t nit pick each others behavior in things which the scripture does not require or forbid.
-
Then we find a very important follow up in Romans 16 where Paul clearly states, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them” (Romans 16:17). In other words, if someone becomes divisive over an issue that is not commanded or forbidden by scripture, we are to mark them and avoid them.
-
Romans 14 was addressed to those who were dealing with someone who was weak in the faith- an immature believer. They were to be given time to get their roots and grow in maturity, but during that time they were to be taught proper doctrine. If the new believer thought eating meat was wrong, and they saw other Christians doing that, it would’ve stunted their early spiritual growth. Because they were still immature in the faith, they were not ready to take that all in, but as they grew they needed to learn what was and what was not expected of them. They needed to learn Bible doctrine so they could teach others rather than dividing the body. Have you been studying the Word, so you can understand what God really does expect?
Friday, June 17, 2011
An Object Lesson to Remember
When we lived in Albert Lea, my friend Steve would open the Sunday School with intriguing object lessons. He might brings some kitchen utensils or other items to drive home important Biblical truth. I do not have Steve’s talent for such things. I once did an object lesson with a flashlight for a group, but more often my object lessons are impromptu. For example, my boys might come up to me with their toys and I will use the toys to teach them some lesson, or I might be on a job site and use what we are working with as a conversation starter. As we consider the Last Supper, we should understand that Christ used a very important object lesson that we still repeat today.
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As Christ and His disciples gathered in the upper room they observed a very significant meal. Understand that this was the evening right before Jesus would be crucified the next afternoon. Further this was the time of the Passover celebration when the Hebrews would commemorate their deliverance from Egypt and the protection of their firstborn by God. During that time no leaven was allowed and a special lamb would be killed.
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The Passover time actually lasted over a week, with the main meal observed after the lamb was killed, but all leaven disposed of the day before. The Lord’s Supper seems to have occurred on the first meal after all that leaven was gone. It is in such a setting that He brings forth a powerful object lesson, using items that He has right there before Him.
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“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19-20)
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Christ had been teaching that He would die, but I don’t believe His disciples had really come to grips with that truth- that He would die as the ultimate Passover lamb- so He brings forth this very vivid object lesson. He tells them at the beginning that He will not be eating the Passover with them again until He suffers. Then He shows that His body and blood will be given for us.
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Notice that He also gives a clear command. That command is to repeat this object lesson and to remember Christ. When He died that next day and rose again three days later, He provided forgiveness. When He gave that object lesson, He was looking ahead to the cross, as we repeat it, we look back to what He has already done.
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What He did on the cross was completed, it does not have to be redone each time we observe Communion. We are simply repeating an object lesson to remind us of what He already did. “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once.” (Hebrews 10:10) Therefore, the Lord’s Supper does not forgive our sins, it is an illustration that helps us to remember that He forgave our sins.
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In Luke 22:19, we are told that Christ gave thanks. That Greek word for “thanks” is “eucharisteo.” I fear many observe Eucharist without even knowing what the word means. May the meaning of the word remind us that we have much to be thankful for as we remember that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins as He willingly went to the cross. If you have not trusted Him as your Savior, do so today, and understand why this repeated object lesson is so precious to His followers.
-
As Christ and His disciples gathered in the upper room they observed a very significant meal. Understand that this was the evening right before Jesus would be crucified the next afternoon. Further this was the time of the Passover celebration when the Hebrews would commemorate their deliverance from Egypt and the protection of their firstborn by God. During that time no leaven was allowed and a special lamb would be killed.
-
The Passover time actually lasted over a week, with the main meal observed after the lamb was killed, but all leaven disposed of the day before. The Lord’s Supper seems to have occurred on the first meal after all that leaven was gone. It is in such a setting that He brings forth a powerful object lesson, using items that He has right there before Him.
-
“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” (Luke 22:19-20)
-
Christ had been teaching that He would die, but I don’t believe His disciples had really come to grips with that truth- that He would die as the ultimate Passover lamb- so He brings forth this very vivid object lesson. He tells them at the beginning that He will not be eating the Passover with them again until He suffers. Then He shows that His body and blood will be given for us.
-
Notice that He also gives a clear command. That command is to repeat this object lesson and to remember Christ. When He died that next day and rose again three days later, He provided forgiveness. When He gave that object lesson, He was looking ahead to the cross, as we repeat it, we look back to what He has already done.
-
What He did on the cross was completed, it does not have to be redone each time we observe Communion. We are simply repeating an object lesson to remind us of what He already did. “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once.” (Hebrews 10:10) Therefore, the Lord’s Supper does not forgive our sins, it is an illustration that helps us to remember that He forgave our sins.
-
In Luke 22:19, we are told that Christ gave thanks. That Greek word for “thanks” is “eucharisteo.” I fear many observe Eucharist without even knowing what the word means. May the meaning of the word remind us that we have much to be thankful for as we remember that Jesus Christ paid the penalty for our sins as He willingly went to the cross. If you have not trusted Him as your Savior, do so today, and understand why this repeated object lesson is so precious to His followers.
Friday, June 3, 2011
A True Love Relationship
Through the years, I have watched other couples. It seemed like so many relationships were forced. It was like the two people didn’t even like each other, but they stayed together because they figured the other person could advance their popularity. Then I saw other couples where it was as if God had placed them together (I believe He did) and no one could pull them apart. That is what I found when I met my wife.
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As I reflect on relationships, it seems that so many of them are based on personal advancement. Gals strive to look just right so that they can get the most popular guy, and guys strive to be popular so they can get the best looking girl and then become even more popular. It is as if relationships become nothing more than stepping stones in a cosmic popularity contest.
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When I met Crystal, it wasn’t about how popular she could make me. It was about two people who fell in love and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together no matter what anyone else thought.
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What about your relationship with God? Which kind of relationship is that? Do you simply call yourself a Christian because it is popular, or do you really want to live your life in a close relationship to Him? Would you be a Christian, no matter what anyone around you thought?
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Relationships that are based on popularity so often become performance driven. In other words, they are based on what the other person in the relationship can do for you. Once the other person does not measure up to your expectations, or you to theirs, the relationship starts to fall apart.
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True love is much different. There is a lifelong commitment regardless of performance. We had lunch with such a couple recently. She suffered from a stoke and was not the woman she used to be, but her faithful husband was right there with her day by day, showing his true love.
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I fear too many Christians approach their relationship with God on a performance basis. If they pray and God does not give them what they want, they draw away from Him. Further many think that if they do not do everything perfectly, that God will abandon them. They have missed the truth of Romans 5:20, Romans 5:20b, “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” We should never use that as an excuse to sin, but rather to remind us of 1 John 2:1, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
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Once we trust Christ, we have a loving dedicated relationship with God that will last forever. We do not have to worry about Him divorcing us simply because of our sin. At the same time, once we see that love, we should return it. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37) “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2)
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There will be performance of loving deeds and obedience in a true love relationship, but what a contrast they are to a performance driven relationship that simply does things for ones own benefit. No wonder those who have a true love relationship with God are more interested in His glory than their own.
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As I reflect on relationships, it seems that so many of them are based on personal advancement. Gals strive to look just right so that they can get the most popular guy, and guys strive to be popular so they can get the best looking girl and then become even more popular. It is as if relationships become nothing more than stepping stones in a cosmic popularity contest.
-
When I met Crystal, it wasn’t about how popular she could make me. It was about two people who fell in love and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together no matter what anyone else thought.
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What about your relationship with God? Which kind of relationship is that? Do you simply call yourself a Christian because it is popular, or do you really want to live your life in a close relationship to Him? Would you be a Christian, no matter what anyone around you thought?
-
Relationships that are based on popularity so often become performance driven. In other words, they are based on what the other person in the relationship can do for you. Once the other person does not measure up to your expectations, or you to theirs, the relationship starts to fall apart.
-
True love is much different. There is a lifelong commitment regardless of performance. We had lunch with such a couple recently. She suffered from a stoke and was not the woman she used to be, but her faithful husband was right there with her day by day, showing his true love.
-
I fear too many Christians approach their relationship with God on a performance basis. If they pray and God does not give them what they want, they draw away from Him. Further many think that if they do not do everything perfectly, that God will abandon them. They have missed the truth of Romans 5:20, Romans 5:20b, “But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” We should never use that as an excuse to sin, but rather to remind us of 1 John 2:1, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”
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Once we trust Christ, we have a loving dedicated relationship with God that will last forever. We do not have to worry about Him divorcing us simply because of our sin. At the same time, once we see that love, we should return it. “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” (Matthew 22:37) “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2)
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There will be performance of loving deeds and obedience in a true love relationship, but what a contrast they are to a performance driven relationship that simply does things for ones own benefit. No wonder those who have a true love relationship with God are more interested in His glory than their own.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Memorial Day 2011
As we consider the lost lives of our soldiers today, I cannot help but think of a great milestone in our recent military conflicts. Less than a month ago, the major target of our soldiers, Osama Bin Laden, was killed
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Though few like to contemplate the eternal destiny of a US soldier who rejects Christ, there is little argument about Osama‘s fate in Hell.
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Since Bin Laden was also a warrior, the question must be asked, “Why do we consider our own soldiers heroes and Osama a villain?”
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The answer is simple. There is a difference between good and evil. Good and evil are not based on ones perspective, but are based on the unchanging character of a holy God. I will not suggest that our country has always done what God has expected- though we should have. But Mr. Bin Laden clearly violated the principles and teachings of our God and creator. Osama justified killing innocent people, whereas our Bible teaches that innocents should be protected.
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Some have called our brave soldiers and the politicians who gave them their orders murderers because they must kill in battle. The Apostle Paul clarified that rather than murderers, rulers and the soldiers under them are ministers of justice to restrain evil.
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Romans 13:3-4 KJV 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
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God uses rulers and soldiers to restrain evil. As we consider that many of our soldiers have given their lives for this ministry of service, we should be thankful to both them and God that evil men do not go unchallenged in this wicked world.
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I do not celebrate Osama Bin Laden’s eternity in the Lake of Fire. I wish that instead he had repented and been the recipient of God’s grace in spite of all the evil he did. But I am glad that our God does not leave evil unchecked either in this life or in the next.
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Let us also be somber as we remember that many of our countrymen have crossed from this life to the next as they were used in God’s eternal plan, and that the battles fought were more than flesh and blood, more than gun and sword, but were for the holding back of the spread of true evil.
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Today we remember- we reflect on those soldiers who gave their lives for our good. May we also remember that there is a difference between good and evil, between truth and error, and between a hero and a villain. Let us remember the heroes as we honor their sacrifice of life for what is good.
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As we consider the battle for good and evil, let us not forget that Jesus Christ gave His life in order to defeat sin and death. Because He died, our evil (our individual sin) can be atoned for if we believe and trust Him.
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Though few like to contemplate the eternal destiny of a US soldier who rejects Christ, there is little argument about Osama‘s fate in Hell.
-
Since Bin Laden was also a warrior, the question must be asked, “Why do we consider our own soldiers heroes and Osama a villain?”
-
The answer is simple. There is a difference between good and evil. Good and evil are not based on ones perspective, but are based on the unchanging character of a holy God. I will not suggest that our country has always done what God has expected- though we should have. But Mr. Bin Laden clearly violated the principles and teachings of our God and creator. Osama justified killing innocent people, whereas our Bible teaches that innocents should be protected.
-
Some have called our brave soldiers and the politicians who gave them their orders murderers because they must kill in battle. The Apostle Paul clarified that rather than murderers, rulers and the soldiers under them are ministers of justice to restrain evil.
-
Romans 13:3-4 KJV 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
-
God uses rulers and soldiers to restrain evil. As we consider that many of our soldiers have given their lives for this ministry of service, we should be thankful to both them and God that evil men do not go unchallenged in this wicked world.
-
I do not celebrate Osama Bin Laden’s eternity in the Lake of Fire. I wish that instead he had repented and been the recipient of God’s grace in spite of all the evil he did. But I am glad that our God does not leave evil unchecked either in this life or in the next.
-
Let us also be somber as we remember that many of our countrymen have crossed from this life to the next as they were used in God’s eternal plan, and that the battles fought were more than flesh and blood, more than gun and sword, but were for the holding back of the spread of true evil.
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Today we remember- we reflect on those soldiers who gave their lives for our good. May we also remember that there is a difference between good and evil, between truth and error, and between a hero and a villain. Let us remember the heroes as we honor their sacrifice of life for what is good.
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As we consider the battle for good and evil, let us not forget that Jesus Christ gave His life in order to defeat sin and death. Because He died, our evil (our individual sin) can be atoned for if we believe and trust Him.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
When Will Jesus Return?
By the time many of you read this, May 21st will have come and gone. For some of you that date has little significance. For the Millers, it is quite important, for it is the first birthday of our youngest son.
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The date also has some significance for those who have been listening to Family Radio. I personally am not a listener, for they have promoted many unbiblical doctrines. Among them is the idea that we can know the date of the Lord’s return. Harold Camping, the president of Family Radio set the date of God’s judgment and the rapture of the elect as May 21st, 2011. So what should our response be to those who set such dates?
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Christ was very clear in teaching that only God the Father knows the timing. “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” (Mark 13:32)
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It is tempting to think that Camping and his teaching will become irrelevant after May 21st, but as we look at the history of past date setters, that might not necessarily be the case. In the 1800’s William Miller taught the 2nd coming would be between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. When it didn’t happen, a new date of Oct 22, 1844 was set.
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After that date came and went, some followers left, but many just tried to find a new explanation. Out of this came Ellen G White (founder of 7th day Adventism). They decided that Jesus was moving in heaven on that date, not coming to earth. (Notice the extreme they went to to defend the false teaching)
Another group, led by Jonas Swendahl taught that 1844 was just the beginning of the last generation and that meant the 1844 date was 30yrs off. He set the date at 1874. When that date came and went, one of his followers, Charles Taze Russell decided 30yrs wasn’t long enough for a generation and so he added 70 yrs to 1844 to bring the date to 1914 and founded Zion’s Watchtower Tract Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses). The date was later changed to 1925, 1941, and 1975.
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Harold Camping himself has a history of date speculation. In 1992, he published the book 1994? 1994 has come and gone, yet Camping has now predicted 2011. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 gave those in Old Testament times a way to test the prophets. If their predictions did not come true, they were to be rejected. We shall see if Camping and Family Radio are rejected, or if their followers will come up with some sort of excuse.
-
Much of Camping’s errors come about because he applies a spiritual meaning to the text instead of just reading it with the normal use of language. This is a dangerous interpretation method. It allows the individual teacher to decide what the hidden meaning is. All kinds of ideas can then be created with no real Biblical support.
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May we, instead, study the clear meaning of scripture rather than being led astray by every wind of doctrine that comes along. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” (Ephesians 4:14-15).
-
The date also has some significance for those who have been listening to Family Radio. I personally am not a listener, for they have promoted many unbiblical doctrines. Among them is the idea that we can know the date of the Lord’s return. Harold Camping, the president of Family Radio set the date of God’s judgment and the rapture of the elect as May 21st, 2011. So what should our response be to those who set such dates?
-
Christ was very clear in teaching that only God the Father knows the timing. “But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.” (Mark 13:32)
-
It is tempting to think that Camping and his teaching will become irrelevant after May 21st, but as we look at the history of past date setters, that might not necessarily be the case. In the 1800’s William Miller taught the 2nd coming would be between March 21, 1843 and March 21, 1844. When it didn’t happen, a new date of Oct 22, 1844 was set.
-
After that date came and went, some followers left, but many just tried to find a new explanation. Out of this came Ellen G White (founder of 7th day Adventism). They decided that Jesus was moving in heaven on that date, not coming to earth. (Notice the extreme they went to to defend the false teaching)
Another group, led by Jonas Swendahl taught that 1844 was just the beginning of the last generation and that meant the 1844 date was 30yrs off. He set the date at 1874. When that date came and went, one of his followers, Charles Taze Russell decided 30yrs wasn’t long enough for a generation and so he added 70 yrs to 1844 to bring the date to 1914 and founded Zion’s Watchtower Tract Society (Jehovah’s Witnesses). The date was later changed to 1925, 1941, and 1975.
-
Harold Camping himself has a history of date speculation. In 1992, he published the book 1994? 1994 has come and gone, yet Camping has now predicted 2011. Deuteronomy 18:20-22 gave those in Old Testament times a way to test the prophets. If their predictions did not come true, they were to be rejected. We shall see if Camping and Family Radio are rejected, or if their followers will come up with some sort of excuse.
-
Much of Camping’s errors come about because he applies a spiritual meaning to the text instead of just reading it with the normal use of language. This is a dangerous interpretation method. It allows the individual teacher to decide what the hidden meaning is. All kinds of ideas can then be created with no real Biblical support.
-
May we, instead, study the clear meaning of scripture rather than being led astray by every wind of doctrine that comes along. “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” (Ephesians 4:14-15).
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