Following Judah's Lion

2012-03-10T18:36:00.003-05:00

Once Again
The Gospel Deteriorates

There is nothing that can uncover the hidden hypocrisy of professing believers like the sin of the lost. Let a lost person sin, or advocate sinful behavior, and evangelicals by the millions will act as surprised as a child on Christmas morning. How can these people say such things and behave like this? Don’t they realize they are chipping away at our culture? And of course out comes the moral talisman called the “Judeo-Christian ethic” which is nothing more than a moral gospel. It is a man made concept designed to suggest a melding of the morality of Judaism and Christianity. Fairy tale land.
And this past week we saw the spectacle surrounding Ms. Fluke, a lost young woman who dared to ask for insurance for birth control. Release the hounds! And in a stunning display of spiritual compromise and carnal accommodation, evangelicals by the millions suggested that Rush Limbaugh was correct in calling her a slut and a prostitute. Can there be any deeper gospel departure? The church has long ago relinquished any credibility.
And preachers by the thousands ascend the ecclesiastical rostrum to denounce the woman and denounce the sin of promiscuity. How bold! Talk about shooting fish in a barrel. So you denounce sinful immorality as if you are some martyr? How about denouncing the sin of divorce and remarriage to those who sit in your pews? Are they not chipping away at your cultural climate? You who wish to reign down condemnation instead of redemption, clean out your own house.
How many of your church members had sexual relations before they were married? And how many were professing believers at the time? And those who did not “go all the way”, how many of them committed some level of immoral behavior before they were married? And they knew it was wrong, but but this woman is dead in tresspasses and sins. So go ahead and pontificate about the sins in your own church before you castigate a lost young woman. Judgment must begin in the house of God.
But evangelicals no longer see sinners like this young woman through the eyes of redemption. They no longer believe in the love of God which gave His only begotten Son for such as that. They see people as moral miscreants. Cultural enemies. Liberal malefactors. Sinful lepers. But surely not objects of God’s redemptive love. Sinners now are catalogued into classes, with the most disgusting class being those sinners who commit sins that are easily rejected by believing hypocrites. Sluts and whores and homos and lesbians and perverts of all stripes provide ample ammunition for our self righteous moral outrage.
You want moral outrage? The average evangelical church is filled with the sin called the love of money. Millions upon millions of professing believers are strapped with debt because of their unbalanced lifestyle. And the church itself is in debt to the world. The love of money runs as strong in God’s house as does immoral activity in a gay bath house. Does that not outrage you?
And this just in:
I Cor.5:9-11 - I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
11But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolator, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
We are called to eat with people like Ms. Flute. We are called to have some level of company with her so as to share the love of Christ with her. We are supposed to be Jesus to sinners like her. But alas, we reject the Scriptures in favor of some moral outrage and a strong desire to return to the good ole days. We are such hypocrites. Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world, but do not fear, we will take care of that for Him. The church has become a moral Jezebel.
But let us get to the heart of the matter. Let us expose the putrid underbelly of the western evangelical church. This woman’s sexual behavior is just a disguise for the real issue. There are men and women all around us who practice an immoral lifestyle, and there are people within the church as well. But the reason this young woman received such moral outrage is because she suggested that her health insurance provide her with birth control. And that might elevate our own premiums.
Oh yes, when it comes to our pocketbooks all bets are off and the gospel deteriorates into a moral argument with dead people. Any incursion into our finances will be met with carnal weaponry disguised as moral outrage and a stand against sin. We are so pompous and self righteous. God forbid anyone suggest praying for this woman without first making sure everyone knows where we stand on immorality. And if someone like Rush Limbaugh, happily married four different times, must be our spokesperson, then so be it.
If the devil himself was for lower taxes and traditional marriage we would support him. Blind guides! You strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. You parade your moral outrage while your churches are dark during the week and your televisions are blazing! Your staff salaries are exorbitant but you recoil at any suggestion of higher taxes. Your god is money and your idol is your own best life. You will gladly support almost any war, but you loudly protest this young woman’s suggestion of health insurance coverage. The dead are burying the dead and the church is consumed with covering the event.
And thank God this is an election year since all the moral issues can be front and center without a shred of redemption through Jesus Christ. What if Ms. Fluke was celibate but was a humanist? What if she was a devout Mormon who denied the deity of Jesus Christ? Would she have met with the same vicious verbiage? Jesus died for this young woman and millions just like her.
Mk.2:15-17 - And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.
16 And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners?
17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
That’s right. Jesus was a friend to sinners. Jesus would be considered a compromiser toady in many circles. Many sinners followed Him. I guess they did not hear His moral outrage. But in truth, the only moral outrage Jesus ever exhibited is to the self righteous leaders in the temple. What would we think if Jesus stepped back into time, and instead of rising to denounce sinners like Ms. Fluke, He denounced His own church? Perhaps like the pig farmers in Matthew chapter eight, we would do this:
“And, behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they besought him that he would depart out of their coasts.”
Don’t worry, though, Jesus has already left us.

2012-03-10T07:42:00.004-05:00

Living in His Holiness

I Pet.1:13-16 - Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.
There is little talk of holiness in these days of boasting and careless living. But here it is direct from the Spirit’s mouth. We are called to be holy because our God is holy. In the Old Testament the High Priest would wear a turban with the words “HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD” emblazoned upon it. It was a powerful reminder that God is holy, and His High Priest was to be holy as he went about ministering unto the Lord. This holiness thing is nothing to pass over glibly.
The word “holy” in both the Hebrew and the Greek indicate a dedication to something and a separation from something else. Of course Biblically it means we are to be separated unto God and separated from the world. And that process is also called “sanctification” which is us being changed into the very spiritual image of the Lord Jesus. It is a glorious endeavor to which we must surrender fully.
But in a complete reversal to what usually occurs in this world’s system, as we become more like Jesus from the inside out, we become more and more humble. The world boasts in it accomplishments, but we must always be quick to give God all the glory. We can only boast in Christ and His redemptive labor, and God forbid we ever think more highly of ourselves than we should. Our life is a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow. There is no time to expend on temporal thing which do not profit in the kingdom.
II Tim.2:1-5 - Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
These words have become wind and so ignored in this present Christian climate. We no longer desire to keep ourselves unspotted from this wicked world, and if we do have a form of separation it is usually legalism and an expression of self righteousness and judgment. And instead of the weightier issues of the Spirit, we have created a “do and don’t” list which satisfies the religious flesh. And instead of holy vessels clothed with humility and filled with the grace of our Lord Jesus, we become moral judges that are filled with doctrinal hubris and theological combativeness.
But we have not learned this from Christ. This is a concoction of our own making. But the Spirit is drawing many people back to the Words that proceed from the mouth of God. Christ is calling us to surrender to a holy way of living. And this holiness is not predicated primarily upon the externals which should be residual. This kind of life grows deep inside the spirit of believers through a steady diet of prayer and God’s Word accompanied by a relentless pursuit to bring our hearts into a sacrificial obedience. And everything that the world deems important is of little consequence to a believer who is dedicated to seeking Christ and his own personal transformation.
We cannot be self satisfied with not smoking, drinking, or cursing. That must never be an end unto itself. No, we are called to much greater heights of Christlikeness that is so pungent in this fallen culture that it wafts among those with whom we live. And when people are confronted with an unmistakable difference in our lives, it is not some outward legalism or some worldly activism. They do not see us as moral megaphones that scorch the ears of everyone with loud and modern presentations of the Mosaic Law. No, a thousand times no!
We must be beacons of redemption that exude love and grace, sprinkled with salt and light, and that create a thirst for the Savior whom we serve. Let the game of moral badminton continue, but for us we seek to present and emulate the Risen Christ! How dare Christ’s body be sullied by all the earthly causes and the alliances with the children of wrath. They do not need us to reinforce their fallen morals and aid them in convincing themselves that righteousness can be gained through morality, political activism, and nationalistic fervor. What in God’s dear name have we done to His gospel?
Fallen television hosts invite evangelicals on their program and feel no conviction whatsoever in their presence. Of course the world desires a dialogue about the things that concern them, but how many invitations would be forthcoming if our lives were holy and our lips spoke only of Christ and the things of His kingdom? It is way past time for the church to fall on our collective knees and plead and beg and cry out to God to change us once again. We are incapable of changing ourselves, in fact we are incapable of realizing we need to change.
Our natural man recoils at the tension that always exists between what He is and what we are and what we should be. But such is the glory of that journey. The journey itself radiates His glory in our lives. Not that we have arrived since that glory awaits us, but when we diligently seek His heart and when we place ourselves upon His altar it is precisely that process which glorifies our Wonderful Master. And that, brethren, is true holiness.
But the natural man grasps at anything that can be a substitute for genuine discipleship. Anything. Yes, anything but humility. Anything but the prayer closet. Anything but showing uncomfortable love. Anything but denying self. Anything but presenting our hearts daily for the Spirit’s inspection. Anything but a life of moderation and voluminous time spent alone with Him. Yes, the flesh desires anything but those things. But they are the manifestations of holiness through an unholy vessel. And therein lies the breathtaking miracle of grace.
We are still imperfect. And we still stumble. But still in the midst of process the Spirit is able to take a crucified heart and infuse it with the very image of the Christ. It is almost impossible to comprehend. But this can only take place when we deny ourselves and embrace Him which goes way beyond the average and accepted paths that are presented in western pulpits. Preachers are more interested in encouraging rather than challenging. They desire to bless rather than correct. They teach earthly schemes rather than spiritual pursuits. In fact, many times churches bring the unholy right into the gathering that is supposed to be sanctified toward worship.
And as the lunch time arrives, millions pour out into their cars and resume their unremarkable lives that openly refute what their lips say they believe. Holy living has long since been swept aside for the more alluring aspects of this earthly life. Like a child standing on his tip-toes to see over a fence and watch a ball game, the church has looked longingly at the world’s party and desired an invitation. And since the world had no interest in the things pertaining to Christ, the church invited the world into its midst. And an unholy amalgam was formed. No longer holy, the church became the world with a little self serving temperance.
Like a man who smoked four packs of cigarettes a day reveling in the fact that he is down to two packs, so is the church when we claim we are not like the world just because we are not gay or shoot heroin. Somewhere long ago we have lost any thirst for Christ and His kingdom. We have become content with the shallow counterfeit and to even consider something more spiritually strenuous is considered extremism. Well, the Spirit is calling us to holy living that cannot happen overnight or because we spend ten minutes a day reading The Daily Bread. No, this path is a priceless treasure and God will not just toss it around like so much effortless pragmatism.
The path to holy living not only leads to Christ Himself, but it exists only in and through Christ. He is the beginning and the destination, and every step is His. It is most remarkable how the church has morphed into a system and in so doing she has left her first love, the Lord Jesus. But without a radical and sacrificial commitment to seek and obey and emulate Him, all is lost and we are only a handful of religious shills for the very world that hates our Beloved Savior. Jesus is our path, and that path is holy.
Gal.2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Phil.1:20-21 - According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Acts 4:13 - Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
Lk.9:23-24 - And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.

2012-03-08T16:08:00.005-05:00

Who is My Neighbor?
Who is My Enemy?

Lk.10:27-29 - And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
Matt.5:43-48 - Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
The spiritual path that follows Jesus is completely at odds with anything else in this world. Even the religions that teach self flagellation and denial of the needs of the flesh are camouflaged expressions of self righteousness.
Col.2:22-23 - Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?
23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.
It is one thing to deny the flesh, but without the Lordship of Jesus Christ it is meaningless and elevates the capacity of man’s own will. It is, as the Scriptures identify, worship of man’s will and not the Lord Jesus. But the path that follows Jesus is completely unique, and if correctly manifested, it is remarkable among all the other paths. The true disciple will stand out as dissimilar and distinct in a fallen environment of all kinds of religious evils.
This path cannot be predictable by the flesh. And this path many times, if not most times, proceeds into territories that seem unconventional and at odds with reason. Even among professing believers this path is rejected because it seems so out of touch with the worldly realities that so often control our thinking. It is exactly why believers by the millions lead such predictable lives that blend in so nicely with the culture in which they live.
But in answering the question “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus gave the parable of the Good Samaritan. In essence, our neighbor is anyone in need. Anyone. But of course the flesh desires to minister to someone who deserves it according to our own assessment. The flesh never considers the fact that we ourselves did not deserve anything form God except eternal judgment, but when self righteousness is on the throne those things are incidentals which have no bearing on our thoughts, attitudes, and lives. Usually we believe our neighbor is someone who thinks and acts like us, or at least is not at odds with what we believe. God forbid we show any kindness to someone who repulses us - like a filthy, bleeding Samaritan who probably got what he deserved. Or for that matter the gay transvestite dressed as a nun and marching in a gay pride parade in San Fransisco.
But Jesus builds upon the concept of our neighbor by commanding us to show love, yes I said LOVE, to our enemies. Now the flesh runs for cover and demands to know just who is our enemy? Like the question about who is our neighbor, the flesh hopes that this enemy-love is an ethereal concept that is a little sermon filler but not a practical expression of Christ that violently encroaches well into entrenched life patterns within evangelicalism. It may be good for some discussion about situational ethics or the tension between the gospel message and humanitarian deeds, but after the shallow give and take all things remain the same since the fathers slept.
But just who is my enemy? You see, if I give some serious thought about that, and if I identify such persons, then I become responsible for the active part of the command. So let’s put it all on the table with all the inward distress of watching an autopsy. Of course if you wish to avoid that kind of spiritual introspection, then you may remain in the luxury of your own cozy hammock. You have arrived and only need a few minor adjustments on your path to discipleship. Here is where you get off. So long.
Who is my enemy? The Muslims? The liberals? The felon? The socialist? The homosexual? The atheist? The humanist? I mean let us be specific here. Who is your enemy? Without that identification we all can disobey the command to love our enemies without being exposed. But this teaching of our Lord is dramatically different than anything the disciples had ever heard. It was radical indeed. But somewhere along the many centuries after the Lord Jesus ascended the church has rejected this crucial teaching that separates us from the darkness.
God reached down with Incarnate love to His enemies and gave His only begotten Son for the ungodly. And we so glibly embrace that love as recipients, but openly refuse to exhibit that same love toward those who we deem “ungodly”. Do we not recall the servant who gladly received forgiveness from the king but quickly refused to show forgiveness to his fellow servant? What in God’s dear name does that parable mean if it doesn’t show us our hypocrisy?
The church has strayed from the path of Christ which should be lined with all kinds of expressions of selfless and unconditional love. The pitiful and disgusting elements of fallen morality and political wrangling have crept into our hearts and minds until the true gospel has become nothing more than a doctrinal statement. We are willing to die for a fallen nationalistic system, but we are not even willing to love needy sinners, to say nothing of giving our very lives for their salvation. Paul wished himself accursed for his countrymen, and Moses asked God to kill him rather than kill those who hated Moses.
But the flesh needs an enemy. In fact, the flesh demands enemies so that it can magnify the sins of others and excuse its own transgressions. We consider ourselves friends of God when we make His enemies our enemies. But God calls us to love His enemies in this age of gospel love. God’s love is nothing like earthly love. And unless we seek God’s heart concerning His love for this world, we not only will not exhibit that love, we will never understand our own path of faith. This kind of love begins in the heart and works its way into the mind which works its way into our hands, feet, and lips. And when that miraculous metamorphosis takes place, we are then true imitators of the Lord Jesus.
But until that path is explored once again, the church will walk a carnal path of morals, religions, unholy alliances, and a fleshly construct that is actually too embarrassed to even suggest it mirrors the Christ of the gospels. And instead of being living sacrifices for Christ and the lost, the church will have a cornucopia of delectable enemies from which to choose to occupy its time.
The gospel will have to wait for a more convenient season when there aren't as many enemies.

2012-03-05T18:54:00.002-05:00

Cast out the Bondwoman

Gal.4:22-31 - For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.
23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.
24Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
30Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
Gal.5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
The Scriptures declare this true story to also be an allegory. Most believers have heard this story, but remain ignorant of its panoramic implications. But in reality, tucked away in this Old Testament narrative, lives Christ and His redemption. It is the classic story of man attempting to help God with his own power and ingenuity. And it is a tragic story, as well as a story which elevates the grace and majesty of Almighty God.
God had given His word to Abram that he would bring forth an heir out of his own bowels. But Sarah had other plans, and Abram listened to those plans and carried them out. Sarah had an Egyptian handmaid named Hagar and beckoned her husband to lie with her and conceive a child. Sarah thought since she was barren that together they could concoct a plan to make God’s plan happen. Such is the fallen reasoning of man.
But the Scriptures make it clear that Hagar was a slave, and that an important point in the metaphorical application. Hagar not only represents the schemes as opposed to the promise of God, she also represents the bondage which was the Mosaic Law. This portion of Scripture contrasts the freewoman with the bondmaid and makes an open application concerning the law and grace. Perhaps the most revealing statement is this:
“Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”
This verse does not command us to put the son of the freewoman first, but then to obey the son of the bondwoman. The law is good and holy in that it pointed to Christ. And just like John the Baptist, after the law brought us to Christ, it was to die. Wasn’t Jesus capable of rescuing John the Baptist from the hand of Herod? Then why didn’t He?
Jesus said that no man born of a woman was greater than John the Baptist. God has chosen the cousin of Jesus to proclaim the “Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world”! However John had many disciples, and Christ must have no other gods before Him. So John went to his reward early because his mission had been accomplished and fulfilled. Jesus said He came to fulfill the law and so He did. The divine mission of the law was complete.
When you or I as a believer desire to submit to the dictates of the law, in essence we are entering Hagar’s bedroom and committing spiritual adultery. And even though we are desirous of obeying God, we are attempting obedience by the works of the flesh and not the gift of faith. It is quite ingenuous how the evil one uses such things to subtly lure us into legalism and self righteousness. No one can obey the law, and just in case someone thought they could Jesus made it clear that even thoughts broke the law.
And when we parade around Ishmael, the son of the flesh, we compromise Isaac, the son of promise (God’s Word). In the New and lasting Covenant, we do not commit adultery because we love Christ, the Spirit convicts us, and the New Testament forbids us. It is not because of the Ten Commandments. The result is the same, however the motive and power comes from faith in the Lord Jesus and the power of the Spirit of God, not outward obedience to stone tablets.
The Law made no one righteous,, and it still doesn’t. Obey all the commandments and you still are not one ounce closer to God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Do you obey your earthly father because of the laws of the state or because of love and respect? Hagar is flesh; Isaac is Spirit. Hagar is human energy; Isaac is divine power; Hagar is sight; Isaac is faith.
Those who wish to follow the law are debtors to the entire law. See you at church this Saturday!

2012-03-04T19:39:00.002-05:00

Pagan Documents

Maryland has become the eighth state to recognize gay marriage. That changes nothing unless you are worried that America just might become a pagan nation. Please be advised that horse left the barn on July 4, 1776. Pagans believe in a “Creator” who endows them with rights, especially the right to be happy. What a decidedly pagan statement. Let us explore the revered document further.
“That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
That is the calling of man? To be safe and happy?
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (Not in the Declaration of Independence)
Sometimes the path to true discipleship leads to anything but safety and earthly happiness. Again, pagan principles. The same document refers to those “merciless Indian savages". I exhort you all the read “Through the Gates of Splendor” and then tell me which is Christian, that book or the Declaration of Independence. Some “merciless Indian savages” murdered Jim Elliot, Ned Saint, and three other Christian martyrs.
And their shining and redemptive example bore the fruit of eternal souls. Many of those “savages” from Equator became believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Even some of those who actually murdered those missionaries. And Jim Elliot’s widow herself was involved in the glorious endeavor! Did Jim and Elizabeth Elliot pursue life, liberty, and the pursuit of earthly happiness? No, they pursued the glory of Christ and in so doing they found life, liberty, and eternal happiness!
So please do not suggest that any of the documents drawn up by the founding fathers were Christian. They were nothing more than pagan pursuits dressed up in faint religious garments which eventually gave a license to commit genocide to those “savage Indians” as well as use Africa men and women as if they were animals. Those same documents license abortions, pornography, divorce, gay marriage, and a laundry list of sins and iniquities. All of them legal and all them in accordance with the original documents.
I find it amusing when believers suggest they want “strict Constitutional constructionists” on the Supreme Court. If taken literally and with strict adherence to its verbiage, the Declaration of Independence leads to humanism. That is unless a sinner can get life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness with out Jesus Christ. You see, Jesus is not even mentioned. What about the Word “Creator” you ask? Jefferson approved of that nebulous term since it did not offend his deists views. And besides, any preacher that was interviewed today and refused to say the name of Jesus would be castigated, and many have been by the same believers who revere those nebulous documents. Joel Osteen would approve of the word "Creator".
You want pagan? Let us begin with the Declaration of Independence and work our way out for a couple of hundred of years. America did not become what it is because it turned away from the founding documents. It is what it is because those documents are pagan and they have been instrumental in arriving at the present destination.
Return to God’s Word and let every man be a liar.

2012-03-04T06:34:00.002-05:00

An Online Interview

On Saturday I gave an interview to an online radio station. The moderator is a godly woman named Susan Puzio. The topic was the fairy tale about America being a Christian nation.

Here is that interview.

2012-03-03T07:12:00.005-05:00

Ravenous Wolves that Smile

Rick Warren has embarked upon a campaign to bring Christians and Muslims to a greater understanding and appreciation of each other. He has attended Muslim events, spoken to Muslim groups, and even ate the meal that observed the breaking of the fast associated with Ramadan.
Read about it here.
Christians should build bridges to lost people, in fact our lives should always reflect Jesus without having to make it an organization. But a bridge built without the gospel is not just a bridge to nowhere, it is a bridge to a lost eternity. I abhor the hatred that so many professing believers openly show for Muslim people. It is outrageous and in no way reveals the teachings and heart of the Savior. Much of it can be attributed to a fallen spirit of nationalism and embracing the country over the teachings of Jesus.
But what Warren is doing is unscriptural and gives the Muslims a false hope. You see, when you compromise based upon good intentions, the initial compromise begins to grow and expand. That is exactly why believers are not to have close friends who do not share their faith in Jesus Christ. How many people have struck up a friendship with a Mormon only to find that they are warm and friendly, and in that environment they begin to consider Mormonism?
A preacher once said, “It is never right to do wrong in order to accomplish a right”. he was correct. In fact, what Warren is doing countermands Scriptural principles and foreshadows what the antichrist will accomplish during the Tribulation Period. I do not suggest that we take the gospel and stuff it down people’s throats, but when you agree not to share the gospel you not only become a stumbling block, but you besmirch the glorious labor at Calvary.
Building bridges without the gospel are earthly and of the flesh. Long ago Rick Warren began to compromise and this pattern increased in scope and in depth. And today Rick Warren holds much influence over millions of professing believers. He is very dangerous spiritually, and his wealth and winsome personality only add to the effectiveness of his deception. He is deceived and he is leading others into his deception.
Men and women died because of the gospel. Refusing to share it is to reject it on some level. Why would God give such grace to the martyrs as they went to their deaths, but he allows millionaire preachers like Warren to live a life of popularity among believer and unbeliever alike? He doesn’t. Warren calls his Muslim neighbor “my Muslim brother”. The entire spectacle is in a word “cowardice”.

Mk.8:38 - Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.

Be aware, brethren, that sometimes ravenous wolves have a wonderful smile.

2012-03-02T18:13:00.002-05:00

The Deepest Tragedy of All

This world has seen and continues to see incalculable tragedies. Every week we read of hundreds, if not thousands, of people killed in some accident. There are millions that starve, and many millions that die of diseases that are easily cured in the west. Children are molested, marriages are broken, teen suicide is rampant, and violence stalks the classrooms.
Read the history books and relive the millions that perished in the plague, or the millions that died in the Inquisition, or the millions that died at the hands of the Nazis. Millions died under Stalin and Mao, and many died under Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Attila the Hun, and millions under Caesar’s Rome. Millions of women have died in childbirth as well.
How many families have had a loved one taken by car accident? How many planes have gone down with no survivors? How many blacks were lynched? The Mexican landscape is littered with the dead bodies of those murdered by drug lords. Many thousands have been slaughtered in Libya, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Syria, and in China. And the unborn are systematically murdered and their murder has lined the pockets of greedy doctors. The human story is one filled with tragedy.
Tragedies are common to man and only differentiated by their magnitude. But when human time is no more, and when God summons all creation to stand before Him, then and only then will we understand that the deepest and most profound tragedy of all is how man has compromised, changed, and completely ignored the gospel message. When we more fully understand the suffering and humiliation involved in redemption, and when we see just Who it was that suffered in our place, we cannot but stand amazed at our indifference. That is a tragedy without equal.
Death fills the pages of our news. But no one speaks of spiritual death, or as the Scriptures declare, the “second death”. It is most beyond us to even imagine what it will be like when the conscious souls of unredeemed sinners realize for the very first time that they have lost everything. The enormity of such a narrative cannot be imagined by a human mind or heart. When a condemned man was brought to the gallows, and the noose placed around his neck, I often wonder about the level of fear that must fill his being.
But when that same man hears that eternal judgment is pronounced against him, and when he awakens to the fact that he is headed for a lost eternity, what emotions will fill his being then? What kind of fear will grip his soul? What screams will be heard within his soul and audibly by those present at his formal execution, an execution that will continue forever? Does it seem so very antiquated to speak of such things? Does it seem so absurd in these days of spiritual enlightenment? Are my words just spiritual fear mongering?
Again I say, the tragedy of all tragedies is when a sinner descends into the lake of fire knowing he could have escaped. Christ died for the entire world, and yet billions do not know it and billions do not care.
Matt.7:13-15 - Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
The world loves the beatitudes found in the Sermon on the Mount, but it is ignorant of the powerful warnings in that same sermon. Jesus Himself told us that only a few would find the gate to eternal life, and yet that gate is open for whosoever will believe in Him. What a colossal tragedy!
Lk.12:4-5 - And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
Very few even think about eternity, and fewer still about eternal judgment. The western church has grown too sophisticated and self centered to think about such things, and preachers are wary of losing members. Is it not incredulous that we who say we believe in eternal life and eternal death hear so little about it? It’s as if it doesn’t exist, or more probable that we do not actually believe it. And the tragedy grows exponentially with each passing day.
The labor that was accomplished at Calvary puts to shame the greatest glories of the created universe. No star, no supernova, no galaxy, nor the entire universe itself can be compared to a six hour event outside the city of Jerusalem. The universe itself is far beyond our comprehension. We grasp at straws in our attempts to understand creation’s mysteries. Man puts a motorized skateboard on the surface of Mars and applauds his feat. But a supernova expends more energy is one nanosecond than the Sun will in its lifetime of billions of years. God has no equal.
But God could not just wave a magic wand to extricate us from our spiritual predicament. Most religions portray their God with the power and knowledge to help men achieve immortality. But who could concoct a narrative where the God they believe in would come as a man and die in suffering and pain? Who might invent a God with human spittle on his face? Who would suggest such a thing? This is no religious fiction; it is a surpassing reality. And although the crucifixion appears as a tragedy, the real tragedy is in its rejection.
And so we live in a spiritual tragedy of epic proportions. It isn’t just the unbeliever that adds to this tragedy, but preachers and teachers by the thousands have abandoned the gospel through multifaceted errors and enticing words of man’s wisdom. The cross has become an offense, not to the unbeliever, but to the church. An excruciating tragedy that must grieve the heart of God. And in a future reality, this tragedy will be laid bare for all to see. And billions of souls will become a part of this monstrous tragedy.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. Be vigilant, lest we become unwitting enablers to the tragedy that has been and is and is to come.

2012-03-02T14:59:00.000-05:00

The Economy

Complaining about the economy is unchristian and is on several levels antithetical to the teachings and example of the Lord Jesus.

2012-03-01T02:52:00.002-05:00

Jesus Has Left the Building

The average western Christian is interested in politics for one overt and subliminal reason. He or she wants his earthly life to be better. And when I say better I mean primarily in the economic sense. The church and its members has morphed into a narcissistic entity that demands it rights with a ballot in one hand and the constitution in the other. And President Obama is very unpopular among the evangelical right wing because the economy has suffered under his administration.
God gave the church a glorious opportunity to rise above earthly circumstances and show the world the light of Christ and His gospel. The darkness could have watched as believers eschewed complaining or worry or condemnation. And while everyone else was exhibiting those things, many people would be almost forced to ask us about the hope that lies within us. But instead of joining the Jesus wing of our faith, many joined the Huckabee, Focus on the Family, and the founding fathers expressions of our faith.
Believers by the millions exchange political notes and bemoan the present moral climate as well as the economic “hardships” we all are enduring. Around the dinner table and in church and on the phone and at work, believers share their observations and complaints with any ear which will listen. Even the pulpits breathe political fire and rail against that socialist Obama who if re-elected will ruin what our forefathers fought for.
And now they warn us of $5.00 a gallon gas this summer? This just may be the second half of the tribulation period. And of course God must work most effectively through the political process which He Himself instituted. With all this hand wringing and Glenn Beck’s doom pronunciations, the church houses are lit during the week well into the night with followers of Jesus on their face before God repenting and beseeching His intervention. I think not.
True Christianity is no longer in vogue in the west. What is called Christianity today is an amalgam of moral convictions, patriotism, evangelical voting blocks, massive building programs, information about the Bible, and the traditional to and from on Sundays. But while we spend much energy making money and complaining that we do not get to keep enough of it, there are all kinds of desperate situations around the world. And there are literally thousands and thousands of dedicated believers who have left this disgusting compromise and now are being a living sacrifice for the cause of Christ in places where not only are there no western comforts, but where their lives are in mortal danger.
We complain about rising gas prices while millions upon millions of children are blessed if they eat one small meal a day. Believers rot in prisons, and families are broken up, not by divorce which is a rich man’s game, but by having their father hauled off to prison or their parents die of Aids. Hundreds of millions of people do not own a pair of shoes, while our closets burst at the seams. Believers all over the world actually pray for their daily bread while we complain about the service at the local steakhouse. And while western believers are inundated with how to overcome stress, millions try and overcome hungry bellies.
The evangelical worth his salt speaks out against socialism and foreign aid, but they see nothing wrong with massive building debt, exorbitant staff salary packages, a lifestyle known for entertainment, self gratification, and the conscience salve crumbs we call missions, all while millions are without "common necessaries". This election year is not only unseemly because it exhibits with stark clarity the hollow redundancy of politics, but it has completely uncovered the unpleasant underbelly of the western church. The demonic Pied Piper plays, and the church dances with enthusiasm.
Jesus has left the building. Deceived people claim that unless America repents God will judge her. Well, America is a country not a person or a church. God isn’t dealing with countries as He did in the Old Testament. God deals with His church and with each individual believer. And this just in: We as believers are in the midst of the judgment of God and we don’t even know it. God has given the church over to a reprobate mind and believers now practice a self serving religion which mirrors anything but the life and teachings of the Lord Jesus.
And the people love to have it so. It is true that we do not go hungry, and we do not fear for our lives, and we have medicine and doctors. And because of our wealth we say we are blessed. That is all true. But the situation we live in is desperate. The faith once delivered to the saints is in a freefall meltdown. World mission is like a hobby, and judging by the financial discrepancy between what is spent on us and what is spent on reaching people with the gospel, the meltdown is in full force. We do not need a little tweaking or some minor adjustments of a week long missions emphasis that comes and goes.
We need a massive revival that forces us to gaze deeply into the mirror of God’s Word and see how far we have strayed. We need to once again refuse to be a friend to this world’s systems and once again be a friend to sinners. Perhaps the Spirit could change our hearts so we would hate politics and love gay people. Maybe we could hate war and love prisoners. How about hating patriotic compromise and love the Muslims? We should hate our own moral pride and embrace fully the grace of God which should break us and clothe us with humility.
I mentioned the word “meltdown”. It would be good if we had an ecclesiastical meltdown which burned away the carnal dross from the institutional church. This melt down would toss everything into the fire and allow only that which was of God to survive. And if it was not uncomfortable, or if nothing that God burned up surprised us, then the fire is not hot enough. And if the church house remained dark and empty during the week nights, then we would just be playing another spiritual game.
We need a meltdown. The power the church operates in now comes from a reactor empowered by the flesh. It is a gargantuan task that can only be accomplished by God’s Spirit. But like the swine farmers in Mark chapter five, many believers are in love with their pigs. Those farmers saw that the man had been delivered of demons, and instead of rejoicing, they begged Jesus to depart from their city. The true ministry of Jesus is often unappreciated by the masses, especially by the entrenched religious crowd within the church. And if Jesus has a negative affect upon our finances, well many will wish He would leave their midst.
If true revival ever breaks out among us evangelicals, there will be many who will long for the old days when their pigs were well fed.

2012-02-28T16:18:00.002-05:00

A Reunion

Although I reject violence now, I was a witness to many miracles the Lord did in the lives of American soldiers. And I do admire those who place their lives for the cause of others. Those of us who reject war must never turn a self righteous eye to others who have shown much bravery.
I heard a soldier named Tim Lee who had lost both his legs in Vietnam, and because of that he gave his heart to Christ. Tim recounts in his testimony how a Christian black man in his company named Lee Gore pricked his heart. On the very last day in Vietnam before Tim Lee was to return home, he stepped on a mine. Losing blood, both his legs, and perhaps his life, his friend Lee Gore picked him up and rushed him to medical attention and saved his life.
Tim Lee became an evangelist. He had not seen or heard from Lee Gore for over 9 years, and the church where he would preach located Lee Gore and secretly flew him to the service. It was a patriotic service with which we are all familiar, but that is not the issue here. At the end of his message, this is what happened.

A Reunion!

2012-02-28T05:17:00.002-05:00

A Powerful Immoral Vessel

Believing followers act surprised when unregenerate sinners act like unregenerate sinners. And when they espouse political positions that are counter to Biblical morality, believers seem outraged. But we are supposed to reach out to the lost, not cloud the gospel with all kinds of moral and political wrangling.
What would the average evangelical believer do if he had met the woman at the well in John chapter 4? He might have mocked her in a newsletter or blog. He might have picketed the well for allowing such a woman to drink there. He might have called his representative to find out where he stood on divorce and cohabitation. He might have provided proof that the founding fathers of that well never meant for a woman such as this to use it.
But Jesus did none of those things. In fact, He exposed His knowledge of her sin to reveal to her who He was. And after she knew He was at least a prophet, her heart becomes curious.
Jn.4:25-26 - The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
You cannot be shouting and condemning and still reach out in God’s redemptive love. But the template presented by THE Redeemer is redemptive. Of course the woman was a sinner, and in fact the disciples it seems were somewhat perplexed that the Master would even speak to such a woman. Do you want to play a part in that skit? Go ahead and befriend an openly gay man in order to draw him to Christ and watch the evangelical Bourgeoisie question your heart and mark you as a compromiser.
This woman had five husbands and was now living with a man who was not legally her husband. Her credentials as a sinner were unquestioned. Morality? She had none. She even had some knowledge of Scriptural things, but she was probably considered a mongrel and an enemy of true Jewish ethnicity. A Samaritan? She wasn’t worthy to even be spoken to. She is exactly why Jesus told her about the defense of marriage act.
But what if she was a Muslim in today’s evangelical climate. What if she practiced Sharia Law? Or what if she was a lesbian? Or what if she had just been to a pro-choice rally? What if she was Nancy Pelosi, Rosie O’Donnell, and Rachael Maddow all rolled up into one? There are millions of professing believers that would look with disgust at such a person. How do I know that? Because they already do.
But what if instead of a Samaritan woman it was Benjamin Franklin who came to the well with one of his many mistresses? What if George Washington came being attended to by a dozen slaves? What if it was Thomas Jefferson while reading a copy of the Bible in which he removed all vestiges of Christ’s deity? There are millions of professing believers who would treat such men with honor. How do I know that? They already do.
But regardless of this woman and her open immorality, look what happened.
Jn.4:28-30 - The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
30 Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.
Let me ask you this. After you were saved did you go witness to your whole city? And in light of who this woman was, to say nothing of her social standing because of her gender, she boldly tells all the men that Jesus is the Messiah! And she was so exited that she left her waterpot! And when she was telling the men about Jesus, she didn’t even have time to adjust her living situation. But the men were so taken by her passion, they left the city and went to meet Jesus. Wow! The first altar call and it was given by a Samaritan woman and the entire city went forward!
Jn.4:40-42 - So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days.
41 And many more believed because of his own word;
42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
Wow, theology 101 already! I love this story because it exposes our own hypocrisy and moral self righteousness. The western evangelical church prides herself on her moral stands and conservative credentials, but we don’t have an ounce of the power and passion of this loose woman. We hold up our Bibles and loudly claim to believe it entirely, but it is apparent we don’t believe this story. Oh we believe Jonah and the great fish, but not how Jesus ministered to sinners.
We love dirt and gossip. Instead of Jonah and the revival we see Jonah and the great fish. Instead of Rahab the woman of faith, we see Rahab the Harlot. Instead of Samson who gave his life for God we see Samson and Delilah. You see, the natural man needs to demean others as stepping stones to his own elevation. We are very afraid of being vulnerable and being seen in the sinner’s pig pen, even if we have gone into the muck and mire in order to present life through Jesus Christ. Someone might think we are partaking of their sin. Relax, we are not partaking of their sin, we have enough of our own.
You know what? If we could replace ten thousand evangelical preachers with the spirit of this Samaritan woman, warts and all, we might have a revival that would cause the entire nation to leave their comfort zone and go out to meet Jesus. But I guess we will have to live with what we have. But be encouraged. There are enough liberals, gays, abortion doctors, immoral people, and all kinds of sinners in general to satisfy our unspoken need for an excuse for our powerlessness. I know Greek and Hebrew and my systematic theology is orthodox so how can I sully that with associating with known sinners?

I'm just glad someone didn't get a hold of that Samaritan woman and disciple her to be just like us.

2012-02-26T11:20:00.007-05:00

Enter Politics - Exit Christ

It appears that United States soldiers inadvertently burned some copies of the Quran. No one suggests it was malicious. President Obama apologized for the mishap to the Muslim community. Enter politics.
Three of the Republican candidates, who claim to be Christians and believe the Bible, condemned the President for apologizing. They say you do not apologize for a mistake, and anyway what about the acts of violence perpetrated upon Americans. This illustrates with observable clarity the vicious hypocrisy that grows in the fertile but fallen ground of American politics.
If you accidentally and inadvertently step on someone’s toe, do you apologize? Of course. And has anyone heard of the golden rule? If I’m not mistaken it’s in the Bible. So let me get this straight. The dictates of the Scriptures, and the moral conduct of Christians, can be altered when our enemies act in a way inconsistent with what Jesus taught? Our faith is now reactionary and dependant upon the actions of others?
Let us burn the Bible and start all over since it means nothing anymore. And this new Bible should have as its template the Constitution of the United States. And in this new edition of the Bible, Jesus could give us an update.

Jesus says,
“Dear brothers and sisters,
After reviewing some of the things I said in my last book, I realize now they were way too difficult and completely unrealistic. Having proof read some of my previous comments, let me present you with some updates that are much more pragmatic and culturally acceptable:”

* Hate and kill your enemy.
* Worry about the economy.
* Be overtly proud about where you were born.
* Reject humility since it suggests weakness.
* Yield your allegiance to Jesus and your denomination and your country and even your political party.
* Go ye into all the world and spread the gospel and democracy.
* When you are persecuted squeal very loudly.
* Watch and pray and legislate.
* Blessed are the politically active.
* If someone smites you on your cheek, go to war.
* Feed the poor sparingly lest you appear liberal.
* If someone asks you for your coat, tell him to get a job.
* If Caesar is conservative, support him.
* The founding fathers are the modern day apostles.
* Vote without ceasing.
* Rejoice evermore if the Republicans win.

“OK, these are a few of the changes I have made. Look them over and let me know if I need to change anything else. After all, I am YOUR servant.” - Jesus

2012-02-26T05:57:00.007-05:00

The Law is Death

Gal.4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?
10 Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Col.2:16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.
Rom.2:23-29 - Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.
25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.
26 Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision?
27 And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?
28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
Go ahead and try and keep the law. But the warning is this: If you choose the law to be your way of redemption then you have surrendered grace. And when grace disappears you are bound to keep the law perfectly and completely. One minor transgression and you die forever. One disoebdient bite of a piece of fruit and you are damned. Perhaps that gives you pause?
In reality every single person born is already a law breaker from his first breath through his great uncle Adam.
II Cor.3:7 - But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away:
Most evangelicals would never believe that a sinner could be saved by obeying the Mosaic Law. They would espouse a salvation that is purely by grace through faith. But then why would these same believers believe that obeying the Mosaic law after salvation could sanctify them? Notice the above verse says that the glory of the Mosaic law was to be done away. Why? Because its glory was in its prophetic headlights that shined on the Lord Jesus, and inherrant in that glory was its demise after Christ died.

Heb.7:18For there is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness thereof.
19For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
Why did millions of gallons of animal blood have to be shed? Why was the blood applied to all the furniture in the Tabernacle? Why was the blood sprinkled on the mercy seat on the Day of atonement? And why was it all to cease one day? Because all of it pointed to Jesus and provided a shadow and example of what was to come. And when Jesus shed His blood and died for the sins of the world the Mosaic law ceased as it pertains to God’s people.
II Cor.3:9-11 - For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory.
10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth.
11 For if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth is glorious.
The Mosaic Law is called the ministry of condemnation, while the New Covenant is called the ministry of righteousness. And there is no doubt that the Mosaic Law was of God and had glory, and that glory was in its weakness. You want some Biblical meat? Here it comes.
Heb.7:1-12 - For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
4 Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.
5 And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:
6 But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.
7 And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.
8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.
9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.
10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12 For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
We first read about this mysterious figure called Melchizedek in Genesis.
Gen.14:18-19 - And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
After Abraham rescues Lot he meets Melchizedek and receives bread and wine from this high priest. Now the priesthood was to come through the tribe of Levi and also through Aaron. But look at Hebrews 7 verses 1 - 3 and notice that Melchizedek had no lineage and was “made like unto the Son of God”. Many people believe that Melchizedek was a Christophany, or a per-incarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus. I believe this very well could be true. The bread and the wine are probably a very specific prophetic shadow of both the Lord’s Supper as well as the Lamb of God’s coming sacrifice.
But who could know that back then? There needed to be some vehicle by which God could direct and nurture and teach his people about His redemptive plan. Just like the fire by night and the smoke by night, God had to guide His people carefully to the ultimate payment for sin, the cross. And so God chooses a servant named Moses and gives him the redemptive road map called the law. This law had many commandments and God knew no one could keep them all.
But since God changed the priesthood, what else did God change?
Heb.7:11If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be called after the order of Aaron?
12For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the law.
But God also provided a way to receive forgiveness for their sins, the blood offering. And Jesus, the High Priest after the order of Melchisedec, is both the administrator of the sacrifice as well as the sacrifice itself. The blood sacrifice is the core element in the law. Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. So day after day, month after month, and year after year the priests would sacrifice animals for the forgiveness of sins. But those priests offered the sacrifice for their own sins as well. But in this New Covenant, we have a better Priest, a better sacrifice, a better promise, and a better Lamb. The law has accomplished that for which it was given, and now we rest completely in Christ and we serve Him. We do not serve God because we read it upon tablets of stone.
We serve Christ because we love Him with our whole hearts and we are His servants. We have been bought with a price, and we gladly belong to Him. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. We praise God for the law that came through Moses, but God Himself has come and now lives within us. If the law could sanctify us then God need not send the Holy Spirit for our guide. The life of a believing follower of the Lord Jesus is not a dualism. Jesus is Lord. So when we do not lie it is because the New Testament teaches us, as well as the Spirit, not to lie. It isn’t because the commandments of stone say the same thing.
If you desire to obey the Law of Moses, you must obey it all. The divisions of ceremonial law and moral law and sacrificial law are man made divisions meant to accommodate a misguided desire to obey some of the law.
Rom.10:4 - For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
When we sin now the Lord does not treat us as lawbreakers but as children in need of correction. Our freedom is not a license to sin, far from it. If we have been born again, and if we have a love for the Lord Jesus, we will not need the law for obedience. There are commandments that overlap the Old and New Testaments, but we are creations of the New Covenant not vestiges of the Old.
Gal.4:3-7 - Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
Now in full disclosure, and with an honest attempt to avoid legalism and judgment, I do not celebrate holidays or any days for that matter unless you count Sunday. No Christmas, no Easter, no Thanksgiving, no President’s day, no Memorial Day, no 4th of July, no day at all. I consider all the days I just mentioned to be heathen, and observing "Christian" days is not only a throwback to the law, but it indicates we do not celebrate those things every day. Paul calls those things the “beggarly elements” while Christ is the substance.
Do with that what you will, I place no man in my bondage, but any embracing of the law is an affront to Christ and His grace. Christ fulfilled the law, and in that the law is holy (separated for its divine purpose).
Gal.2:21 - I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
Gal.3:12 - And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
How do you gain the righteousness sufficient to be saved and justified before God? Everyone knows it is by faith and faith alone in the finished work of Jesus Christ. Then how can we add to that righteousness by obeying that same law which cannot gain one iota before God?
Gal.3:1-3 - O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?
2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Paul is clear here. He is not speaking of salvation by the works of the law, he speaks of sanctification by the works of the law. Both are equally hollow in large part because no one can obey the law. No one. Outwardly or mentally. Christ was often accused of breaking the law and often the accusation was accurate in man's understanding. Paul’s life was in constant jeopardy because he taught believers to forsake the Law of Moses, and Paul had to convince James that the Gentiles need not abide in the law. James was a hard shell Jew who had much to learn.
The entire book of Galatians, as well as Romans and Hebrews, was written to refute the melding of the Law of Moses with the covenant of Promise, the covenant of the Spirit. To embrace any part of the law is to embrace a part of Hagar, but Isaac is our foreshadow, he being the son of Promise. "Cast out the bondwoman and her son". If you have placed yourself under the law then be set free today. Remember, I did not steal from my earthly father because it was against the law. I did not steal from my father because I loved him and he was my father and I was his son. I hope I need not make the obvious application in the Spirit.
I realize there many believers who are still zealous of the law and will aggressively defend its place in our lives. They are wrong. Let me leave you with these verses that openly rebuke, reprove, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Gal.5:1-6 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing.
3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law.
4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.
5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

2012-02-25T12:03:00.002-05:00

In the Vortex of Religious Death

God has spoken. His words are life. And His blood is eternal life. Stop for a moment and look at the spinning vortex of religious death. Listen to all the human voices that deny His words and speak their own. All around us the whirlwind swirls with demonic versions of Christianity that appeal to the flesh. If these are not the last days I shudder to think what they would be.
Like a giant puzzle neatly put together but then completely broken apart by a swirling wind, so is God’s truth in this culture. And you have pieces of truth here and pieces of truth there and they are all mixed in with falsehoods and error and man made schemes. Imagine a bridge spanning a deep and yawning chasm. If you remove a part of the railing it makes it more dangerous but it still is intact. But if you remove a piece of the floor the entire bridge collapses. No one can cross anymore.
This is what has happened in today’s Christian community. Considerable parts of divine truth have been removed, replaced, and in general manipulated in order to tickle itching ears and soothe the fallen religious consciences of millions of church goers. It is not just unfortunate, but it is certain death. There is only one guide that can point and lead us into a secure eternity. That is God’s Word.
I Pet.1:23-25 - Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
The music is over and the crowd begins to quiet down. A man rises and turns toward the crowd, a Bible in hand. He places the Bible on the wooden pulpit. He begins to tell a joke. The people laugh. The man holds up his Bible and the people hold up theirs as well. They recite the same mantra they recited last week. The man’s smile is infectious, and he and his wife look like they stepped off the top of a wedding cake.
It does not matter what day it is. The man talks about being persistent and determined. He speaks about embracing your own self worth. He speaks about advancement and prosperity. He may say the word Jesus at the very end, but Jesus seems so out of place in the entire spectacle. As I watch and listen I can imagine some movies I saw decades ago called “A Thief in the Night” and “The Mark of the Beast”. It depicted what the earth would be like when the Bride is taken away. And there it was, a smiling preacher telling encouraging stories about how human effort is divine in and of itself. It’s as if these men have thrown out God’s Word and started all over from scratch by creating their own Bible.
I had just been saved back then, but I never realized that these prophetic movies and their portrayal of lost preachers would be realized even before God comes for His church. And it isn’t just the Joel Osteens of this culture, but there are a literal myriad of false teachers and preachers swirling around and being spread through television, radio, and all kinds of literature and recordings. We are surrounded by damnable lies from all corners.
Regardless of where you live these kinds of churches are within driving distance, and if you are a "shut in" the television will gladly supply you with an abundance of heresy. Christian television is a disgrace and serves up a steady diet of apostasy while making a few men and women rich. The situation is much worse than can be adequately described and understood. I firmly believe no orthodox preacher should ever pay to be on Christian television and lend it any credibility. Go on secular television and reach the lost.
We stand in the eye of a vortex of religious death. Many places around the world have to deal with a few cults, but the basic gospel is preached in their churches. China, India, South America, and others have their problems, but they pale in comparison to the whirlwind of apostasy that is sweeping across the United States and Canada. We live in a culture and religious climate of death itself. Yes, like a marionette the strings of the flesh make the lifeless human puppets seem to dance around and enjoy much activity, but in reality they are dead and pursuing the path that leads to eternal death.
There will be millions of sinners who have been deceived by false preachers who will meet the second death. They believed the lies spoken by heretics who used the name of Christ for their own benefit and made merchandise of millions of people. There will be millions of patriotic, religious people who will be forever separated from God because they were deceived when they saw born again believers joining forces with them and the evil one convinced them that the were alright in God’s eyes.
Do not remain ignorant, if you join your life to a fallen cause and become yoked with lost souls you have become a tool of deception. The true and faithful believer should never be joined and compromised by unbelievers over abortion, homosexuality, marriage, nationalism, or any issue. They have no part in us if they do not know Christ, and they will never taste our salt or see our light if we are all in one giant melting pot. I wonder just how many millions of unbelievers in America feel very religious and God fearing since they embrace certain moral issues and they revere the founding fathers? And how many believers are reinforcing that deception? Think long and hard about that since for millions eternity hangs in the balance.
This current voracious hunger for spiritual licentiousness is destroying the hope for millions of souls who might otherwise be presented with the truth. The days are evil, and like the sound of a speeding locomotive the vortex of religious death continues to systematically gather passengers and carry them to a certain eternal death. The situation is desperate. We must watch and pray and be a light to the darkened souls who walk among us. Let the dead bury the dead. Let the fallen expend their energies in politics. Let the lost pursue success and money.

We must be about our Father’s business.

2012-02-24T06:54:00.005-05:00

We Have Been Forgiven

Matt.26:27-28 - And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it;
28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
Eph.17 - In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
I Jn.2:12 - I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
All too often we have taken the glorious simplicity of the faith we call Christianity and we have accessorized it with man made commandments and man made traditions and a systematic theology whose complexity rivals the Unites States tax code. And in our religious enthusiasm to exegete every nanoparticle of Scripture and then act as if we have a complete and working knowledge of every single mystery, we obscure and sometimes obliterate the absolute core of our faith which is the forgiveness of sins.
And if being mature in the faith means taking for granted the forgiveness of our sins, well then we have moved into a degraded level of maturity. And at the core of our so called maturity and what is glaringly obvious and pervasive in the evangelical community, is the minimizing, and in many cases the absence altogether, of the cross of Jesus Christ. It seems as if we no longer need the forgiveness of our sins, and our original sin cleansing encounter with Christ where we were raised from death to life, is nothing more than an historical fact on our spiritual résumé.
To say the current emphasis inside evangelicalism is gospel wanting and weighted heavily toward man and things is to be generous. It highlights a profound lack of understanding concerning the depth of our sin and the labor needed to provide divine forgiveness. And since we consider ourselves spiritually erudite, the western church has taken Christianity, repacked it with attractive and alluring ribbons and frills, and presented it without the uncomfortable aspects of His passion. And when the faith is not burdened by such antiquities such as stripes and thorns and sweat and spears and spit and punches and all that repulsive blood, well we can now present a spiritual narrative which does not make us look foolish.
And voilà, you have a reasonable faith that is designed as a manual for mankind’s earthly success. And now we have molded the Christian faith into part of a well rounded western lifestyle that is wonderfully inconspicuous within the culture. Just as God intended. Fortunately we have learned a lesson from those ignorant and Neanderthals we call the “martyrs”. I mean how ridiculous is it to die for something you believe in? Today’s expression of the faith is so much more rational and defensible without resorting to extremism and a rather cultish behavior.

But satire aside, the church has turned her back on the cross and the forgiveness of sins and has morphed into a religious side show. How dastardly! How cowardly! There is no salvation without the forgiveness of sins and there is no forgiveness of sins without the shedding of blood. If that seems like so much antiquated folklore then move on, the cross is not for you. And since the Osteen-esque church has jettisoned any resemblance to Biblical Christianity, then every believer will have to choose who they will serve.
And the choice that must be made is not like choosing what to eat at some local buffet. This choice may well impact your eternal destiny. Am I being a little melodramatic and sensational? Compared with what Jesus suffered on the cross my words are profoundly tepid. If your sins are not forgiven then you are headed for an eternal existence that is conscious and separated from God. I cannot describe such an existence however it is beyond unpleasant and it is forever. I know, what place does such verbiage have in this feel good religion they erroneously call “Christianity”.
But we must once again bathe ourselves in the glorious knowledge that we have been forgiven of our sins. We were not just some ambivalent sinners; we were consistent and studied practitioners of the art of sin. We could take sins already being practiced and make them a deeper and more devious projection of our darkened hearts. And when we became bored with the usual sin menu, we were adept in inventing new and more prolific expressions of sin. And in our fallen reason and fallen practice we became sin evangelists. We were some piece of work!
But one day by the grace of God’s Spirit we were brought face to face with a Holy God. And suddenly we became aware, albeit with a limited knowledge and appreciation, that we were sinners. And our spirits were awakened to our need of forgiveness. What could we do? Penance? Offerings? Good works? What could wipe the slate clean and wipe out the handwriting of ordinances that condemned us? Mantras? Incantations? Religious talismans?
Oh but then there was that glorious moment! For me it was on top of Garrett Mountain in Wayne New Jersey in March of 1975. In a moment, after God had pursued me relentlessly, I suddenly realized who Jesus really was! I can only share with you a limited narrative since what I experienced on the inside cannot be fully communicated. All of us who are believers came to that moment when the Lord Jesus comes alive with a sacred explosion in your spirit. And then something eternal happens.
The weight of your sin which you had gotten used to is lifted, and you breathe your first breath of redemptive air! I am reliving it again as I type. I mean if we ever lose sight of what He has done for us and who we were and who we are by His matchless grace, then we have lost everything. I have done hard drugs with needles, I have been drunk beyond reason, I have been in street fights, and I have engaged in all sorts of debauchery and immorality, but nothing - NOTHING - NOTHING - has ever compared with what I experienced that night in March.
And that is what is bewildering to me as it concerns this western, bastardized version of the faith in Christ. Have they actually had the born again experience? I had never heard the term “born again” on the night in March of 1975. But not too many days afterward I read the term and my heart leaped within me. I thought, “Yes, that is exactly what it felt like!” Of course, because it was God’s Word. I walked in forgiveness. And even though I still sinned and still was in God’s family classroom designed to make me like Jesus, I felt the eternal weight of sin had been lifted.
In some ways those days were unvarnished and unclouded by all the wrangling over all sorts of side issues. I was in love with Jesus and He was in love with me. I do not minimize the process of maturity we call sanctification, but what I do confront is when maturity expels the childlike faith that always glories in the cross and rejoices in the forgiveness of sins. That is not maturity, that is humanism. I am not ashamed to tell you that I have been saved for 37 years and yet I am almost overcome with emotion as I again revisit the cross of my Redeemer. Have we become so jaded and so doctrinally elite that we can no longer shed tears when we think about our Glorious Lord? Have we become so “mature” that we dare not weep in praise and worship before the Crucified and Risen Christ? If that is our lot than we of all men are most miserable.
So here we are in this world. The evil in tomorrow will take care of itself. But we have been forgiven. We did not deserve it, and in fact we have sinned many times since we were initially forgiven. Redemption is not a license to sin, but it is a covering for sin. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. It doesn’t say that man does not sin, but that God does not mark down his sin against him. Where does it go then?
It was nailed to the cross and it is now at the bottom of the sea of God’s forgetfulness. Listen, let’s be honest here, even after I was saved I still deserved hell just based upon the sins I committed after I came to know Christ. And yet I stand before God clothed in the sinless righteousness of Jesus Christ. Cleansed, redeemed, forgiven. What does the world have to compare with that?! Spurgeon once observed,
“When we get to that Celestial City, and when upon that first moment we lay our spiritual eyes upon the Risen Christ, we will think ourselves a thousand fools to ever have been attracted to anything in this present world”.
Amen, amen, and praise the Lord.

2012-02-23T21:34:00.002-05:00

What is Life?

Lk.12:13-21 - And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.
14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?
15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.
16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
What is life? Is it just the beating of one’s heart? Is it just breathing? Is it the enjoyment of things? Jesus, the Creator of all life, makes it very clear that life is none of those things. And yet, in this day of extreme hedonism the church has slowly but surely adopted a world view of life.
We have millionaire preachers flying in private jets. We have believers accumulating much money. We have believers surrounding their lives with all sorts of earthly accoutrements. And the church has assimilated material prosperity into its theology. Poor Abraham, he never realized his experience would be used and abused in order to make it seem like God desired all of us to have what God gave him. Gone are the spiritual lessons. Everything is now material and self centered.
“Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
Even in the face of such a direct and clear admonition preachers can manipulate and twist it to accommodate their worldly lusts. And in so doing not only are they promulgating error, but they are missing life itself.
Col.3:1-4 - If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Did you catch that phrase? “Christ who is our life”. OK, let me add some words from His own sacred lips.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Come on, how much clearer can it be? And unless you have a personal agenda of lust you cannot deny that our life is Christ. And yet millions upon millions of professing believers walk around draped in death and without the life that can only be found in Christ. The church has relegated Jesus Christ to a redemptive theology but has kept Him outside the daily life experience of His professing followers. Houses and cars and clothes and success and salaries have crowded Him out.
Jn.15:4-5 - Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
To abide in Christ entails much more than embracing an orthodox doctrinal statement.
Rev.2:2-4 - I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:
(And I know you have uncovered false teachers like Bell and Osteen and that you are diligent to confront evil men…)
3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.
(And you have remained faithful to my Word and the faith once delivered to the saints.)
4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.
And here we find an admonition to us who embrace an orthodox theology and even rebuke false teachers and heretics by name. Sometimes in our clear sighted energy to warn others of the errors of false teachers we neglect to lay ourselves before Christ. We sometimes are satisfied with defending Biblical truth. But the Spirit recognized the labors and patience of the Church at Ephesus, but reveals a serious flaw in their spiritual walk.
They had left their first love. This is no minor or fringe issue. In fact, the Spirit warns the believers at Ephesus that their candlestick is in jeopardy if they do not repent and return to their first love. Do you not think that this is a solemn issue that must be identified and addressed? What does the Spirit mean when He says “thy first love”? The word love is used loosely as a pronoun and obviously refers to Christ Himself. That much is clear.
But how can we who boldly espouse an orthodox doctrinal statement leave Christ, our love? That is the penetrating question that is rarely addressed within the church and within the hearts of individual believers. But it is not just an important question, it is the paramount aspect of a disciple’s life. Jesus must be our very life, and he must be our first and continuing love.
All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
We must guard against getting so caught up with chasing error that we fail to see how far we have strayed from Christ Himself. That is not only possible, but it is a very slippery slope. Our relationship with Christ should be much more intimate and personal than just checking theological boxes. He is not just some doctrinal fort to be defended.
“Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.”
We are His bride and His wife. That metaphor is meant to indicate an intimacy in the Spirit that surpasses head knowledge alone. God has left behind the stone tablets and has placed His very being inside the believer. How intimate is that? And yet how often do we live with a spectacular awareness of that immeasurable reality? And with that incredible truth, Paul makes this sweeping statement.
Gal.2:20 - I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
So class, Who IS our life? Is it not obvious that we have allowed all sorts of distractions and sins to rob us of the surpassing glory of His life in this present spiritual subsistence? Again Paul states a unfathomable truth.
Phil.1:21 - For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Say it out loud. Meditate on the veracity of its words. All of us know this sentence, yet how many know its experience? In light of just the verses I have shared in this post, does it not seem obvious that there must be more - MUCH MORE - to the life of a believing follower of Jesus the Christ? And if our love for Jesus should make our love for our mothers look like hate, then where of where has such love gone? Have we not allowed that love to be parsed out among the things of this world?
Brethren, we have much work to be done with God and the road ahead can be a glorious path of repentance and revelation. To know Him is to love Him. And if our love has waned it is because we have relied on knowing Him from a past understanding and not a revelation of Christ that is as fresh as today. Our life is not just a string of adjectives.

Our life is the Lord Jesus Christ.

2012-02-23T05:22:00.002-05:00

Democracy for Dummies

From the Associated Press:
Just two dozen ultra-wealthy donors are behind a surge of million-dollar contributions to the new breed of political committees during the presidential campaign.
Millionaire and billionaire executives have unlocked their personal bank vaults to write seven-figure checks to support the campaigns of Democratic President Barack Obama and the Republicans vying to oppose him: Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul.
More than half of the $60 million collected so far by the new group of independently run super political action committees supporting presidential candidates came from just 24 wealthy Americans, according to an Associated Press review of financial reports filed by the campaigns. The super-sized checks amount to $33 million, and in some cases, the contributions of $1 million or more represent most of the money that several super PACs have collected.
**************
And just how was this money spent? It was used to manipulate shallow minds through attack adds and slick commercials that inflate a candidates record as well as make absurd promises. So in effect, a handful of rich people are driving the election. So what else is new? And most of the Republican candidates promise lower taxes, a balanced budget, an increase in military spending, an abundance of great jobs, affordable health care, and one everlasting gobstopper for every American. And you believe them?
And President Obama promises to keep abortion legal, legalize gay marriage, listen to the war generals, and refuse to drill for oil because he treats the earth like a person. Believe him. And there you have it. Fallen man from all stripes attempting to promise a utopia on earth without the gospel. I would love to know which liar you will vote for this year.
All you followers of Jesus Christ, I hear the echo of a voice not bought and paid for by man. It is saying, “Come out from among them and be separate”. It does not surprise nor sadden me when I see the fallen spectacle of American politics. But it does sadden me when I see professing believers rolling around in that fallen pig pen. Hey Joshua, speak to us once again.

“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

And the people answered and said, “God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods.”

Is that your answer as well?

2012-02-22T19:16:00.002-05:00

You’ve Been Changed - But
Are You Being Changed?

The last fifty years has seen many changes in the way evangelicals practice and live out their faith. It is obvious that none of us are perfect or even completely surrendered to the Lord Jesus, but that can never be an excuse for a lack of passion and pursuit of holiness and a life poured out for His glory. But some of the changes have been instrumental in steering the church and the individual believer way off course. And today we are mired in a dangerous mixture of the flesh and the spirit, which in effect is actually only flesh.
When our vision becomes clouded with the accoutrements of this present world we ourselves become slaves to them. And what began as honest expressions of the Christian faith has now morphed into talent shows and a continuing curiosity about the faith with no tangible and observable change in behavior or commitment. Many evangelical services are well crafted performances that are designed to arouse emotions and create an air of excitement and entertainment. And at the end of such displays, the masses leave just as they came. When that happens you can be sure they have not met with the Risen Christ.
With the advent of electricity, radio, television, and commercial recordings things began to change significantly in the culture and in the church. Music became a paid ministry and many gospel singers made a good living from their recordings. And people by the millions were blessed by the music. But something very clandestine happened as well.
Music, gospel and worship music, replaced the Word and became the spiritual mainstay among evangelicals. And many singers and groups became the focus instead of Christ. It was not designed to happen that way, but it did. And now the music in the average evangelical service is the driving force and is given the most time and prominence. There is nothing wrong with worship music when it is accompanied by a bold and broken proclamation of God’s Word, but so often that is not the case.
And the same is true of Christian books. Concordanceses and maps and commentaries and translations and yes, blogs are legion. How many have we read and been “blessed”? But how many scores of Christian books have we read without being changed by the Spirit through them? It is not enough to read books just to be interesting. But Christian books by the millions are bought and consumed without any substantive change in people’s hearts and lives. But one thing does change. Many authors have become wealthy.
But with all the music and all the books why is there still so little change in the lives of evangelicals? Why is there no revival due to the mountain of books and Cds and music and videos? We as western believers are overflowing with information about the Bible and the gospel. But the question is not how much do you know, but how much have you changed? And so often we are satisfied with recalling the early years of our conversion and recounting how we were changed back then. But how have you been changed lately?
One of the most prominent signs of a backslidden church is contentment. Not contentment in Christ, but content in where we are spiritually.
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;”
What is wrong? Why is this church content? Look what God says in the following verse.
“…anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”
The reason we are content with our present spiritual condition is that we are blind to the things of the Spirit. We cannot see ourselves as God does, and so we create a false assessment of ourselves and of the church at large. Our view of the Crucified and Risen Christ has been obscured by the things of this world. And in order to pacify the flesh we entertain ourselves through all kinds of Christian gimmicks. And we have taken good things like music and books and have made them hollow idols. The entire spectacle is a pitiful expression of Christ.
Our desire and our pursuit must be to allow the Spirit to change us. And if we are not being challenged and changed by the Spirit then we are walking according to the flesh. If any man basks in the glory of the Risen Christ he must be changed. This kind of Christianity that lives and breathes without sacrifice and without a consistent experience of crucifying the flesh is not Christian at all. It is a religion that has stolen the precious name of Christ and uses it for its own aggrandizement.
Being changed and conformed into His image is a painful, humbling, and glorious experience. The flesh will resist death using all the tactics at its disposal. It will attempt to convince us that we are normal and comparable to other believers. It will lie to us and suggest that we are not in need of any dramatic change. It will become religious in an attempt to pacify us. It will throw up our Bible knowledge to us and entice us to admire our Biblical acumen. It will remind us of how we have supported missions and how we have witnessed to the lost. All of this in a bold attempt to keep us from stepping into a deeper revelation of Christ and a deeper obedience to His Biblical voice.
I Jn.4:16-17 - And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
Do you not see it? Are your eyes still in need of salve? Has blindness so overtaken you that those words do not stir you to pursue that love made perfect? And how shall we minimize and dilute the phrase “as He is so are we in this world”? That challenge is not attained in a spiritual hammock. This is serious business and it requires much sacrifice and spiritual labor. Nothing is born of God without genuine travail.
Look fully into the face upon the cross. This is not some religious folklore or some Christian mythology. This is the way of life; this is the forgiveness of sin; this is the blood soaked Lamb; this is our banner, our faith, and our very life! The things of this world are our enemy, and they are closing in all around us. The desire of the enemy is to call our eyes to look away and gaze upon the lust of the eye and the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. But we must not just gently refuse; we must boldly and with conviction rebuke such temptations and look with love and faith to out Glorious Lord.
And while we look in worship and faith we are changed.

We abhor the flesh and all that is in this world. Change us, O Lord, into the image of Your Dear Son. We have no King but Jesus. We have no life but Yours. We are Your humble servants so speak Lord, Your servants are listening. We truly believe Your coming is nigh and the days are evil. But we need the power of Your Spirit to change us and use us for Your glory. And as the disciple who You loved said, we desire to be in this world who You are.
We cannot do that. You must do it in and through us. We beseech You, Lord Jesus, change us with an excruciating depth that breaks open this earthen vessel and brings forth the light of Your cross and resurrection. That can be, should be, must be our one desire.

2012-02-22T08:12:00.002-05:00

A God Mandated Divorce

Heb.4:17 - Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.
The Spirit uses the name Ephraim, the second son of Joseph and one of the tribes in the Northern Kingdom, to refer to the ten tribes in the Northern Kingdom usually called Israel. The Lord says that these ten tribes are joined to their idols so let them have what they want. These tribes worshiped all kinds of idols and were enamored by their own strength. They even resorted to worshiping Baal. It was a deep time of spiritual apostasy.
But there are many prophetic looking glasses in Old Testament narratives such as this. God’s people were joined to idols, which can also be translated “married to idols”. Idolatry was rampant and when God’s people become married to idols it affects every single aspect of their spiritual walk. In fact, in many ways, it is such a sin that it causes a breach between the believer and His God. But God is relentless and He strongly convicts His people and commands them to repent.
Hos.11:8 - How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? how shall I make thee as Admah? how shall I set thee as Zeboim? mine heart is turned within me, my repentings are kindled together.
God’s hearts is filled with compassion, and so He still desires repentance. He wants restoration through repentance. God refuses to completely give up on His people. And so it is today.
The sin of nationalism continues to grow with breathtaking velocity and ferocity in these last days. The caustic verbiage and unholy allegiances are being practiced with great intensity. Millions of believers are married to their idol. And one of the tragic aspects of nationalism is that it is a Trojan Horse for all kinds of compromise and sin. But let us define nationalism and its Siamese twin patriotism.
When a sinner is born again he is translated from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God’s dear Son. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, has changed. Now that sinner usually does not realize the extent and the specifics of that change. When I was born again I knew I was different on that very first day, however letting the Spirit illuminate me to God’s will in all areas is a journey. Sometimes little steps and sometimes big steps are part of the process, but we should always be in the process of change. That change is geared toward making us like Jesus.
The easiest things to see are those which are obviously sin. Lying, immorality, drunkenness, drugs, and other things are easily recognized as unlike Christ and many times they are the first things to go. That is a good thing. But after we come to a level of maturity the Lord expects us to sharpen our listening skills in the Spirit and also to continue to be transformed with the same vigor we had in the early days of our conversion. But so often we get content and become spiritually petrified.
But one of the most difficult areas in which to change are those that are not of God but are accepted and practiced within the evangelical community. So when we are saved, and when we begin to worship at a local assembly, we can easily become deceived if that assembly practices something that is not in accordance with God’s will. Why? Because there are people in that fellowship who love and serve Jesus, and they being more Biblically knowledgeable than are you, there is a tendency to not only refuse to question that practice, but usually we unknowingly adopt such a practice.
And that is exactly what happened to me and in fact several generations of new believers. We came in as blank slates but in love with Jesus. And the more mature believers nurtured us and prayed for us and little by little we matured and our lives began to exhibit outside what had taken place inside. It was and still is a glorious time! There is nothing that is too much sacrifice for our wonderful Lord.
But hidden in the ecclesiastical construct was a subtle but devious sin. And this sin was so clandestine and so prevalent and so embraced that we did not even question it. In fact, we embraced it and taught it to those who came after us. Many of us taught it to our own children. I did. And I also taught it and practiced it to my congregations. It was the sin of nationalism, and in Biblical parlance that is the sin of idolatry.
I did not mean to lead people astray, I really didn’t. I desired to walk holy and with integrity before my Lord. But such is the nature of deception. You that follow Rob Bell or Joel Osteen or Rick Warren or others would do well to reexamine just what is being said and taught. But our generation became captured by the same deception, and without malice we were married to our idol. But it was extremely difficult to see and perhaps even more difficult to turn from.
When you even raise the question of patriotism being incongruent with the teachings of Jesus and His Word you will be looked at as if you have become unhinged. But it is not only important, but it is imperative that believers individually and the church at large divorce this idol. We must see it for what it is: a colossal weight on our spiritual integrity and an enormous hindrance to the gospel message. And shouldn’t that be what we are all about, the spreading of the gospel?
We have been caught in a snare and instead of asking God for the power to escape we have allowed the evil one to surreptitiously incorporate this idol into our very theology. And now we even pledge allegiance to this snare. Take a moment and look around and give some thought to the condition of the western church. Does it seem like God’s power is coursing through her veins? Are we penetrating the culture with the message of God’s wonderful grace? Or is the culture penetrating the church until the difference between God’s people and those that are lost is indistinguishable.
And if you see a problem, then it behooves us who desire to please Christ to place everything upon the altar and ask the Spirit to burn away that which is not of God. But let it be said that we have not just dabbled at idolatry, we have become married to it. And like Israel we have brought Baal right into our gatherings of worship. Does not just the suggestion of such a thing deeply disturb your spirit? Do we really desire Christ or are we going to settle for that which satisfies our carnal religious obligations?
But count the cost.
II Sam:24:24 -…neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.
David desires to offer unto the Lord a sacrifice, but instead of offering a free gift from someone else, David pays for it. He will not offer something to the Lord that cost him nothing. What a profound and glorious attitude! And if you desire to take a painful and uncomfortable inventory of your own spiritual life, and if that inventory includes an inspection of things that are “settled law” within evangelicalism, then be prepared to pay dearly in church circles. There are many things about which people will discuss, but there are some things that have become golden calves and precious to their hearts that will result in criticism and more if you dare question their spiritual veracity.
But in view of the price that Christ paid for our redemption and ransom, do we not owe Him - say - our very lives!? What is too high a price? Are we going to protect our reputation in the sight of men? Are we afraid to upset the status quo? Are we way too comfortable to even enter the prayer closet with open Bible in hand and beg the Spirit to do whatever surgery is necessary? Is it just about heaven or is it about serving the Lord Christ with all our hearts in view of heaven?
Our mandate is clear. We must divorce our idols whatever they may be. Of course we have some smaller idols, and they should be addressed as well. But the idol of nationalism has in these last several years risen to the top. And the Spirit of God is shining a light upon it and we can no longer feign ignorance. This is one divorce that God demands. God will never approve of spiritual bigamy, and when we are married to Christ and idols we are spiritually lawless. We are putting Christ to an open shame.
Forget about the Osteens and the Warrens and the Bells for a moment and allow the Spirit to search your own heart and life. Are you so certain about this issue, and have you fasted and prayed so deeply, that you will not even entertain the searching of God’s Spirit? If so, then this post is not for you. But if you are reading this and feel the slightest nudge to step into a more sacrificial path of personal scrutiny, I strongly encourage you to follow through. Yes, there will be times of discomfort and maybe ridicule, but I can assure you, Christ will more than fill that void and you will be granted by His grace a vision of God’s glory that surpasses understanding.
May God grant you the power and the perseverance to seek Him with your whole heart.

2012-02-21T18:59:00.003-05:00

Never forget for even one moment.

This is life and life everlasting.

2012-02-21T14:24:00.001-05:00

Nationalism Breeds Muslim Hatred

This morning Rev. Franklin Graham went on Morning Joe, a talk show, and did a disservice to the gospel.

HERE IS THAT INTERVIEW

In this new breed of Christianity, nationalism overwhelms redemption and sinners are categorized into subsets rather than seen as sinners for whom Christ died. I was saved while watching Billy Graham, however nationalism has overtaken his son. When you go on international television and express such hatred for Muslims, you obscure the true gospel. When you come as an American, you cannot come completely as a Christian.
And the panel on this television show were quick to sense a double standard even though they are probably lost. All this hand wringing over who is in charge in Egypt or what is in the president’s heart is counter productive to the cause of Christ. And even while openly questioning President Obama’s faith, Rev. Graham suggested support for Santorum, Romney, and Gingrich - two Roman Catholics and a member of a cult. What a picture of gospel compromise.

2012-02-20T16:54:00.003-05:00

Nationalism, Patriotism, and Politics
Idolatry or God’s Way?

I remain simply astounded at the response to my posts on nationalism, patriotism, and idolatry. I am convinced the Spirit is actively doing a work of grace in many, many hearts. Just so everyone knows where I am in my journey I want to share. But do not think that your perspective has to mirror mine, or that you will be bullied if you are in a different place. But it would be edifying for brothers and sisters to sharpen each other’s iron.
I was brought up in a middle class home that went to a Lutheran church. I was baptized as an infant and I went for three years to catechism after which I was confirmed as a member. But I was still lost. But I was raised in a common patriotic family who watched the 4th of July parade and voted Republican. We always displayed a flag on the fourth.
But in 1975 I was born again. My life was changed and I was delivered from drugs and immorality and violence. But one thing that did not change was my patriotic perspective. I never questioned it and since all the new believers I met were also patriotic Americans it just seemed like a non-issue. And even after I became a pastor I held patriotic services on the fourth of July weekend. I can remember pledging allegiance to the flag on that Sunday as well as singing a couple patriotic songs. We were good American Christians.
During those years I can remember listening to radio and television people who held “conservative” political perspectives. Some would castigate the “liberals” and mock and berate them. And since being a politically active conservative seemed to be the evangelical way, I never questioned the Biblical nature of such verbiage.
When Iraq invaded Kuwait I can remember the patriotic pitch rising dramatically, and even in evangelical churches there was a frothing of the mouth concerning the coming war. The emotions ran high, and if someone even questioned all it they were considered liberal or at least some 60’s hippie throwback. And I can remember listening to the radio and television updates about how the coalition (America) was winning the war. Even the phrase “shock and awe” was a rallying cry!
It was around that time that men like Rush Limbaugh began what we now call talk radio and now talk television. And since we were all patriotic Americans who revered the Constitution and the founding fathers, we didn’t notice the caustic and self righteous rhetoric. Mocking liberals and demeaning jokes about President Clinton were commonplace and accepted even among preachers. The snowball got bigger and bigger and the evangelical church became very smug and self assured.
But in the late 1990’s something began to eat at my insides. I could not put my foot on it but something just seemed wrong with all the saber rattling and incendiary language. I would speak with my best friend about it and he too was feeling uncomfortable. One day he asked me for Scriptural support for a violent overthrow of the American government if we disagreed with its tax policy. I thought he had lost it!
I told him there was absolutely no Scriptural grounds for violence over money, none. Then he asked me why then would God support the Revolutionary War? And where was Scriptural support for that war? I was stunned. I had never even considered the Scriptural validity of the Revolutionary War. In the crowd I ran with that would have been considered treasonous just to ask such a question. In some circles it still is. I did a study of the New Testament just to allow the Spirit to guide me without any preconceived attitudes. It soon became obvious, I had been sold a bill of goods.
Our allegiance is to Christ and Christ alone. To pledge allegiance to any earthly government is a form of spiritual treason. It does not mean you are not saved or that you do not love the Lord Jesus, but it does mean you are blind to that form of open idolatry. If we are to be honest, it is indefensible. But I was blind and I had to repent. And I would suffer criticism and even verbal persecution from some who were my friends. It was surprising how personally believers take even a discussion in this realm.
And then there was the battle of self righteousness and any air of superiority. Whenever the Spirit guides me into a truth that substantially changes the way I think and behave, the devil and my flesh immediately urge me to feel superior to others with whom I had agree not too long ago. Isn’t the flesh such a diabolical and clever enemy? I still need to guard against that kind of feeling.
And in November of 2000 I cast my last vote for George Bush. And during the last 12 years I have examined many things concerning politics and the New Testament. While we are called to obey the authorities, we are never called to join with them. Politics is an unholy alliance of the saved and the unsaved. And when we resort to the ballot box, we dilute the gospel. The world sees us involved in changing the outside of the cup and subsequently they are not confronted with the eternal aspect of the gospel message. They see us as a moral religion not a faith of redemption.
So now I ask for your thoughts. This thread is open for testimonies, perspectives, and a general discussion.

2012-02-19T21:36:00.002-05:00

Humbly Enduring Persecution

It has become quite fashionable in these last days to complain about persecution and to fight political fire with political fire. When the government seems to come against our Biblical beliefs, the church suddenly rises up in indignation and gathers its forces to do political and legislative battle. No longer content to endure persecution with humility and patience, the church morphs into a democratic force and arises to the battle.
When our religious rights have been violated, we speak loudly with condemnation and appeal to the Constitution as if persecution is something new to God’s people. The fellowship of His sufferings is something very unpleasant and not on the usual prayer menu. And since we live in a democracy, the church now employs carnal weapons in order to alleviate any discomfort or restrictions. Paul and Silas pray their way out of jail, and then refuse to leave when the doors pop open. Today we call our representative or our Senator and voice our complaint/concern. It never occurs to us to go to jail for Christ.
And so in the west you have different religious forces that guard their rights with a ballot box in one hand and the Constitution in the other. And not content with just being a voting block, the church over the years has given birth to many additional political organizations. Morals and the family are usually the cornerstones of these politically religious movements. And without intent, these political organizations remove the gospel focus and do battle on the political, moral, and democratic battlefield.
But let us consider something. Throughout the New Testament the Scriptures deal with the reality of slaves. And instead of recommending a revolt, or at least a spoken protest, the Spirit directs slaves who know Christ to obey their masters with humility and integrity so that their masters might see Christ in them. What an astounding spiritual directive! It does not mean that slavery was right in God’s sight, but it does shine a light on just what kind of sacrifice our lives should be.
Eph.6:5-6 - Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Col.3:22-23 - Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
I Tim.6:1 - Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
Ti.2:9-10 - Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;
10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.
I Pet.2:18-19 - Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. (harsh and unreasonable)
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Look at these verses. Let the magnitude of their instruction sink deep into your spirit. These are not some situational ethics or some minor moral dilemmas. These verses exhort slaves to serve their masters with heartfelt virtuousness and authenticity. Can you imagine such a thing in these days of “I demand my rights!”? The average believer has trouble working for less pay than he or she deems to be appropriate, much less to work with honor as a slave so that Christ can be magnified.
Where have we gone wrong? And when did it become unbiblical to suffer in unfair and unjust circumstances so that Christ might be glorified and made manifest to a lost world? Take a step back and see a wider perspective. Living in a democracy has robbed us of the glory of persecution for Christ’s sake. The slightest governmental incursion into our so called democratic rights is cause for a call to political arms, without even considering the possibility that Christ may desire us to be persecuted and if necessary go to prison for our faith.
As soon as we engage in the political war with carnal weapons we have removed any vestiges of humility and it is no longer about Christ, but it is now about us. Slaves are commanded to be humble and obedient, but free believers can get embroiled in the fallen game of political leverage? And instead of obeying the clear teaching of God’s word we can instead appeal to a fallen document called the Constitution? Please, the Constitution is not our guide or even our concern. The Word of God is our mandate and to its dictates and directions we must bow, joyfully.
The recent suggestion that the current administration is engaging in an attack on religion is true. But what is left out of that statement is that all governments are at odds with Christianity and are used of the evil one to surreptitiously dilute the power of Christ. And sometimes the ones that seem the friendliest to our faith are the most dangerous. Woe to the church that yokes itself with a fallen government and its fallen kingdom. Surely we as believers must anticipate persecution and we must endure it with humility, faith, and joy. The machinations of men and their governments are not our concern or our calling. The gospel is our mandate, and we must not let the seeming good derail the glory and the power of the message of Christ.
I Pet.4:12-13 - Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
Oh what a privilege it is to suffer for His name’s sake. Do not let democracy swallow up that glorious privilege. Oh that our lives were so filled with Christ that persecution was more greatly warranted. And if we are commanded by law not to do something God has commanded us to do, let us treat it as a holy sacrifice unto our Great God and let us humbly, yet openly, defy the law. And if the law forbids us to do something God has told us to do, then like Daniel let us fling open the window and humbly on our knees let us obey God.
There may come a day when we are hauled away because of our steadfast faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. That, my friends, would be a royal honor. Let us humbly prepare our hearts to do whatever the Lord asks of us. And let us not be entangled with the affairs of this world, but let us present our bodies a living sacrifice before God. O Lord, do with us what would most glorify You.

2012-02-19T10:17:00.004-05:00

The Blessing

The word “blessing” has been completely mangled in the believer's vernacular and in fact is now more humanistic than it is spiritual. The average western believer that receives some monetary benefit or earthly promotion or even a good deal on some material item often claims that “God has blessed me”. But in context, the word blessing predominately refers to a praise, and in the Book of Revelation the word always refers to blessing God.
Rev.5:12-13 - Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
Rev.7:12 - Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.
As you can see, the word blessing refers to blessing God. But throughout the New Testament the word consistently refers to spiritual blessings.
Eph.1:3 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
Gal.3:13-14 - Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Do you not see it? These blessings are spiritual in nature and are of far greater weight than anything this earth can give us. Even the blessing of Abraham is a promise of the Spirit, not any material additions as some theologies erroneously teach. How many western believers reach for the pottage and ignore the birthright? The western church has assimilated the carnal cravings of the culture and adopted them into their theology. And in so doing they have made their religion about themselves and not about Christ.
Where is the hunger and thirst for spiritual blessings? Do we now interpret our lives through the prism of earthly wealth? Nowhere in the New Testament did believers go around proclaiming “God has blessed me!” because they received a check in the mail. In fact, many times the early believers rejoiced in persecution, and their blessings were found in Christ and not in the carnal fruit of Cain’s hands. And here is the only verse in any of the gospels that uses the word blessing.
Lk.24:53 - And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
The undertow of the western culture has captured the church and now the church has not only surrendered to the culture, it wallows in it. Material goods and financial prosperity are now hallmarks of western Christianity. And the word blessing has been kidnapped and forced to bow to the culture. And yet let me share with you a New Testament metaphor as it pertains to the blessing of God.
I Cor.10:16 - The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
Look! The Spirit calls the wine in communion the “cup of blessing” and correlates it to the blood of Jesus Christ. What a blessing, and yet that connection to the word blessing is almost completely ignored because the usual blessing-fest in church is completely tethered to material and temporal things. Is that the depth of our spirituality? How can a refund check compare to a deeper revelation of the Person of Christ? Why have we so degraded the sacred things of the Spirit in favor of the temporal ups and downs of this present life?
Christ Himself refused the temporal “blessings” offered to Him by the devil in the wilderness so He could proceed to embrace the “blessing” of the cross! And yet we call some unexpected money a blessing? Even the unsaved get money, and in fact, the unsaved have much more money than do God’s people. So the unsaved are blessed of God? Donald Trump is divinely blessed while Corrie Ten Boom was cursed? Hugh Hefner is blessed but the poor Chinese believer is abandoned? Look how we have demolished the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Yes, it is time to reevaluate everything. We must cleanse our minds of the temporal and allow the Spirit to renew them in the captivity of the Eternal Christ. Away with all this fanfare concerning the thorns and thistles of this present world. Away with the obsession with more and more money and things. Away with this new religion that calls itself Christian but is nothing but humanism. None of us are perfect, and on our very best day in our entire Christian life we were still in desperate need of God’s grace. But that does not mean we change the mark and lower the standard.
A little boy looked up and saw the moon in the sky. He picked up a stone and threw it at the moon and the stone fell to the ground. He did the same thing again and again. And old man who was sitting on the porch called out to the boy and asked him what he was doing. The boy told him he was trying to hit the moon with a stone. The old man laughed and said,
“You’ll never do it.” The boy looked over at the old man and said,
“Maybe so, but I’m getting closer than you are!”
We will never achieve perfection this side of heaven, but God has called us to seek holiness and walk in His truth. The church has lowered the bar to accommodate her own worldly lusts. And thousands of churches have left the faith and now preach an amalgam of cultural desires and practices but they still claim to be following Jesus. They are not.
Our blessings are in Christ and in heavenly places. The things of this world may be used of God, but they are not our heart’s desires. Many times God uses sickness for His glory. Many times God uses a demotion for his glory. And human weakness is God’s specialty for glorifying Himself. Remove the carnal glasses of this temporal world and gaze deeply into the wonderful kingdom of God’s Spirit. It is there we will find our blessing. When God divided the Promised Land between the tribes of Israel, there was one tribe that received no land at all. It was the tribe of Levi. Why did God not give them any earthly inheritance?
Deut.10:8-9 - At that time the LORD separated the tribe of Levi, to bear the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to stand before the LORD to minister unto him, and to bless in his name, unto this day.
9 Wherefore Levi hath no part nor inheritance with his brethren; the LORD is his inheritance, according as the LORD thy God promised him.
Oh please my brothers and sisters, remove the sandals from your hearts for this is holy ground! The Levite’s inheritance was the Lord Himself. In God’s Dear Name, who can know such a thing? And this was not just for the sake of Levi, it was also for those of us who would come much later. Do you not see it? Can your heart not wallow in such glory? Look and see and look and live! Let others drink at the world’s trough and call it a blessing. We have the Lord Christ! And what parcel of land can compare with the surpassing glory of knowing and serving our Wonderful Redeemer?
Our inheritance is not caught up in that which is rusted by time or eaten by moths.
I Pet.1:3-5 - Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
You desire a blessing more than the inheritance which is now reserved for you? And yes, the inheritance includes a new body. Yes, the inheritance includes the final declaration of forgiveness. Yes the inheritance includes being in God’s eternal dwelling place. Yes, the inheritance includes all that and immeasurably more. But the glory of our inheritance is something far greater than all these, and far greater than our minds can envision.
I Jn.3:2 - Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
Our inheritance, after the similitude of Levi, is Christ Himself. And the Scriptures can only give us a glimpse in this glory since human words are pitiful conduits of explanation. But one day, one day of eternal blessing, we shall see the Risen Christ as He is. Oh how great is our Wonderful Lord! It would have been way beyond what we deserved if Christ had prepared a perfect place for us separate from where He is. That would have been an eternal blessing.
But Christ Himself said He was preparing a place for us where He would be. You desire a blessing? Go ahead and hold some green paper in your hand with some picture of a man, and if you think that is a great blessing then look up to the heavens. THE blessing of all blessings awaits all those who know and love Him. And when we receive that blessing in the heavenlies that is Christ, what will we do?
We will BLESS the Lord forever!

2012-02-18T19:27:00.005-05:00

Joel Osteen - Pagan Religion

I am a strong, and some might say a combative, Arminian. But Spurgeon is my favorite preacher and I am often edified by Calvinist preachers.

This is an excerpt by a man of God named John McArthur.

And perhaps you remember THIS.

2012-02-18T14:08:00.002-05:00

The Amalgam of God’s Glory
The Cross

Gal.6:12-15 - As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.
13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.
14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
The fallen human heart is always seeking for affirmation and self esteem. It will inflate its accomplishments and worth to achieve some admiration, and if it runs out of creative options, it has no problem stealing glory from another source, any source. And if you think that our hearts will not cross the line as it pertains to God’s glory you would be wrong. Verse 13 clearly shows that man will even attach things to God’s cross in order to present a vain attempt to rob even a little of God’s glory. But as I said, it is all in vain.
God receives all glory for everything. The stars, the seas, the planets, the mountains, and all creation itself glorify the Creator. From the endless expanse of space to the tiny electron, God’s glory is evident.
II Cor.4:3-6 - But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Gather all the infinite fragments of God’s glory, and interlock them all like pieces to a puzzle, and you will see the face of Jesus Christ hanging upon a cross. It is the mystery of all mysteries which confounds the wise and brings to nothing the religious intellect of man. But nonetheless, the glory of God as can be seen by mortal man shines forth through that pitiful and battered figure nailed upon two Roman planks. So unexpected, so confounding, and so unlike our natural caricature of God, but still the cross radiates God’s eternal glory.
But how can God suffer? And to what purpose could these sufferings be assigned? Jesus Himself acknowledged that He could call a literal horde of angelic beings and destroy the earth, and yet He submitted Himself to the whips and scorns of wicked men. And before He actually dies, He presented Himself to receive immeasurable sufferings which were meant for mankind.
How often we make those sufferings little more than a doctrinal ingredient in the redemptive process. But it is literally impossible to comprehend the agony coursing through that borrowed frame. God the Son, the Eternal Word, experiences pain in a protracted form of torture that was much more than physical. And the mystery of these sufferings is only deepened when we realize that God the Father was complicit in the entire event. Isaac was rescued by the voice of God, but that same voice watches silently as His only Begotten writhes in inconceivable torture. Isaac lives but Jesus must die. And the glory of that comparison struggles to make itself known to fallen man.
But one day the Spirit enlightened our darkened hearts and we became aware that those sufferings were more than just human pain. And even in a limited understanding, being led by that same Spirit, we embraced those sufferings as our own and we were born into God’s family. But now, many years later, how often do we pause and recall those sufferings with love and passion? Do we bow our heads with worship and meditate upon those sufferings which indeed included us?
Gaze upon that blood soaked frame as it lifts itself to breath, and listen to the gasps and groans that can never fully reveal the agony being inflicted upon God’s Lamb. Can you still see and feel the glory that exudes from every pour and every wound? And now in 2012, while we enjoy the eternal benefits of faith in His finished work, do we actualize His sufferings in our hearts and minds? In fact, do we seek to be partakers of that suffering in some small ways that cannot compete with His but can bring honor to that hideous spectacle?
Oh the glory of those redemptive wounds! Oh the glory of those lacerations of His head! Oh the glory of the ripped and torn flesh! And oh the glory of the mystery of blood redemption! Oh the glory of the cross forever!!
How can God suffer is a question that brings us further into the mysterious glory. But let us take another colossal step inside the mystery that surrounds the glory of God. How can God die? Go ahead and shake your head in awe and wonder. Do not retreat into some redundant doctrinal mantra. God died. How are we supposed to process that conundrum to say nothing of dying with Him. The Creator has died. And this death was not some quick and antiseptic version, this was a public spectacle that entailed open torture and violence.
It is quite beyond the human mind to fully comprehend both the significance as well as the process inherent in the crucifixion. We are very comfortable with our statements of faith, and they are involuntarily used as an excuse for our lack of deep meditation and introspection as it concerns the cross. So once you know the surface facts that can serve as doctrinal contentment? Please, let that never be our heart’s attitude. If we gazed upon that rugged tree for a million years we could not mentally and spiritually embrace the depths of its sacrifice and redemptive labor.
But in the end, with all of God’s power and wisdom, and with all of creation’s fathomless wonders, there is but one place where God’s glory perfectly coalesces. I am an amateur astronomer and I get awestruck when I study the universe. When I watch a documentary on the human body I stand amazed. When I see a special on atoms and molecules I am spellbound. All of true science astounds me and makes me appreciate the power of our Great God.
But after seeing all that, there still is only one place where the amalgam of God’s glory can be seen in all its fullness.

The cross.

Halleluiah.

2012-02-17T16:02:00.006-05:00

Experiencing the Spirit's Ministry Afresh

Several years ago I began to feel as though I was an outcast and that something was wrong with me. I saw clearly that the visible western church had strayed significantly from the path of Christ. But I thought very few saw what I saw. But in the last 3 to 4 years the Lord has opened my eyes. From the e-mails I receive and some of the comments I began to understand that the Spirit was moving in other hearts. You are out there and I feel a yoke of the Spirit with you.
Ok, now we are here. Now what? Some of you still attend a local church but your heart still longs for something more. Many of you, like me, are between churches and cannot seem to find the energy to search. In fact, it appears to me that there are strangers like us scattered all over the place and with all the many, many, many church buildings that litter the neighborhoods there still is a tangible spiritual dearth. It is sometimes almost overwhelming and sometimes my heart breaks.
I am vigilant concerning the spirit of self righteousness that often knocks on my heart’s door and begs me to let it in. And even though I write some of the things I do, I want to say before God that I am often convicted deep into my own spirit as the Spirit of God reveals how much more I could know of my Redeemer. To say I am imperfect is to brag.
But I still feel a sense of God’s moving. And although I do not have all the answers I still desire to follow the smoke and fire wherever it might lead. I do not look for a fellowship where everyone agrees with everything I believe, but I do seek a collection of believers who are set to seek the heart of God in an unusual way. And even though I am an ordained minister I still need the encouragement of other believers.
Let us pray one for another that regardless of where we live or where we are in our walk with Christ, that the Spirit will guide us into the place where we can grow and serve others. I believe that prayer is the lost key to walking with God. I say without fear of contradiction that prayer is the most difficult of all the spiritual disciplines. I mean deep and searching and selfless prayer that actually makes contact with heaven and allows the ministry of the Spirit to cut away the flesh that keeps us from spiritual power.
Another aspect of following Christ that is difficult and in direct conflict to our culture is humility. The very moment we think highly of ourselves is the very moment we diminish Christ. He must increase and we must decrease must be the constant mantra of our heart. Have you ever been granted just a blurry glimpse of the Risen Christ? I don’t mean with the earthly retinas. I mean has the Spirit ever pulled back the veil ever so slightly in your prayer time and you were undone with praise, gratitude, worship, and a profound sense of awe?
And there it is. The local church has left exhorting believers along those lines and they have become content with counting noses and coins. And when you see what has happened to God’s gathering bride, your heart is grieved. The Spirit came on Pentecost to speak of Jesus to a lost and dying world, and his mouthpieces were to be the lips and lives of Christ’s followers. But the Spirit is hard pressed to find those willing vessels in today’s pragmatic and esoteric ecclesiastical expressions. Jesus is no longer front and center in our theology to say nothing of our living practice. And I now believe there are many, many other believers who feel as do I. So in the midst of spiritual decay and even apostasy, my heart senses a growing awakening, albeit in a remnant.
Oh let us rush once again to the well of living water and drink long and deep. Incline your ears and hear the Spirit calling you out from Martha’s kitchen and into a reserved seat next to Mary at the Master’s feet. All of us by now have come to the conclusion that nothing on this earth satisfies. Only Jesus can bring inward contentment. But He can and does bring much more than that. Sometimes, not all the time, we feel such exhilaration about our Savior that our chest almost bursts open. And most times we cannot share that kind of experience with anyone who could actually relate.
But perhaps that is changing. For too long those who were thirsty for more of Christ were afraid of the excesses that seem so prevalent in certain doctrinal camps. But God has not given us the spirit of fear, and we can walk in bold humility and seek God with our whole hearts in ways that are no longer practiced in most evangelical circles. I desire more of Him and less of me.
This may be a new beginning for many of us, and that beginning may already be in progress. But in these past several years I have come to know that there is much, much more in Christ and that the ministry of the Spirit has been sorely neglected among so many evangelicals. The question of the gifts of the Spirit has always been the focal point when discussing the Spirit’s ministry. But in so doing we have almost ignored His main ministry of revealing Christ and leading us into God’s holy presence. The gifts of the Spirit, regardless of how you view and define them, are ancillary to the revelation of Jesus Christ.
We are on a journey that requires sacrifice, selflessness, humility, God’s Word, and a dedicated commitment to a life of prayer. And on this journey we will encounter some distress, some distractions, some persecutions, some frustrations, much repentance, much self reflection, and many wonders in the depths of grace. But mostly we will encounter the Lord Jesus.

If you desire to experience Christ and be changed, well,

You Got to Want It

2012-02-17T05:05:00.004-05:00

Human Idolatry - George Washington

George Washington is known as the “father of our country” mainly because he led a violent overthrow of the British government over a dispute over taxes. Many thousands died in the Revolutionary War, and if you agree with war as a remedy for a dispute over taxes then you should revere Washington. But as a follower of Jesus Christ your Scriptural foundation for such a position is vacuous. In fact, that position is at odds with all that Jesus taught and lived. But in this day of nationalistic forever, even among professing believers, that point seems irrelevant.
George Washington inherited 10 slaves at the tender age of 11. He steadily increased his human portfolio throughout his earthly life. The human property were integral in Washington becoming our richest president. Later in life Washington seemed to be conflicted about trafficking in humanity, however it cannot be determined whether it was a genuine change of heart about slavery or his apprehension concerning his legacy. In any event Washington never freed one of his slaves before he died.
Washington ordered the administration of the whip on unruly slaves, and many who knew him were shocked at how differently his verbiage was when he spoke to his slaves. Even women slaves occasionally felt the whip as well. When one of his woman slaves was whipped, Washington supported his manager with these words, "Your treatment of Charlotte was very proper, and if She, or any other of the Servants will not do their duty by fair means, or are impertinent, correction (as the only alternative) must be administered."
Adult slaves slept on a bare wooden pallet while children slept on a dirt floor. They were fed with little variety and somewhat like animals. Washington attempted to appear compassionate when he insisted he never compelled a slave to work when they were “really sick”. And he directed a certain manager to administer the whippings since he wasn’t as harsh as the others. But the facts undermine any attempt to soften the harsh realities of owning slaves.
Perhaps the most grievous example of Washington’s treatment of his slaves involved a slave named Ona Judge. This slave served Martha Washington since she was 10 years old. When she was 22 years old she realized that she was to be sold away from her family. Upon hearing that news she ran away with the help of the underground railway in Philadelphia. George Washington was incensed. He called her an “ingrate” and the “little mulatto” since she was much lighter than the rest. One can only surmise how that came about.
Washington ordered her to return, but this young woman entered into negotiations for her return. Evidently she wanted some assurances for her remaining with her family. Washington again was incensed and refuse to negotiate with a slave. Washington attempted to deceive her into a meeting at which she would be kidnapped. Ona got wind of the scheme and did not show up. Sensing that his reputation would suffer if the situation continued, Washington let her go reluctantly.
Another one of Washington’s slaves was named Hercules. He was the long time cook at Mount Vernon. After Washington left the presidency Hercules escaped. Washington told those who would attempt to recapture him to do it surreptitiously since Hercules was very clever. He never was captured. But several years later a visitor at Mount Vernon asked the little six year old daughter of Hercules if she missed seeing her father. The little girl replied, “Oh no, he is free now!” This my friends was the father of this country?
In his last will and testament Washington commanded that at Martha’s death all the slaves should be freed. But Martha, fearing the negroes would murder her to be free, let almost all of them go free. It is evident that the public school romancing of Washington’s biography is fanciful and ignores large portions of his life. We can always expect men to elevate one of their own. It happens all over the world. Washington D.C. is home to these monuments: U.S. Grant, Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, Kennedy, Eisenhower, George Mason, Roosevelt, LBJ, Martin Luther King, as well as many war memorials.
Visit Washington D.C. and see all the colossal monuments to the glories of men. The entire spectacle is no less abhorrent than the high places in the Old Testament or the worship of the golden calf. No monuments to Jesus. A Christian nation? It is much more modern, but it is nonetheless idol worship. But what is most disturbing and spiritually unsettling is that millions of professing believers actively participate in such idolatry as well as support the founding father’s fairy tale. We mock the Egyptian pyramids built to honor certain pharaoh’s while we built great monuments to our own human heroes.
But since we were raised in such idolatry we do not question it. And although we proudly proclaim to believe the Bible we never seem to apprehend what it actually teaches. I know, I was there and I am sure there are still many areas of blind spots that still remain. But this kind of human idolatry is an affront to Almighty God. And until we repent and start a journey of humble cleansing we will continue to see the visible church stuck in neutral and without the power available to the followers of Jesus.
I Cor.10: - Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

2012-02-16T19:01:00.004-05:00

Elders of a Different Faith

Heb.11:1-2 - Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
I Tim.5:17 - Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.
Little by little, piece by piece, the bottom of the hourglass grows by assimilating the sands from above. The transformation is determined and constant and will not cease until all falls into the voracious bottom. And just like that hourglass, the natural gravity is transferring sound doctrine into error filled teaching. And with that same determination and constancy it will not cease until there much more on the bottom than remains on the top.
The western church has been straying for some time. And the cumulative effect grows exponentially. But there is an amazing component to this growing apostasy. It wasn’t the congregation at large that walked away from the faith en masse. No, it was the elders who were ordained to feed and watch over and protect the flock that led the masses away with the dexterity and cleverness of a Pied Piper. And error compounds error until that error encroaches into the gospel itself. And then you have a different faith altogether.
It is time for us to come out and say with conviction and sadness that many streams of the catch all label of evangelicalism no longer practice Christianity. Is the faith that calls itself Christian so expansive and so esoteric that almost anything can say it’s Christian as long as the name of Jesus appears somewhere? And if that is so then the Scriptures are irrelevant, and to be honest, are misleading.
But that is not so. Never. And we must not only defend the faith of Christ, we must embrace and display it. The evil one is very shrewd and he not only leads people astray by denying truth, but he also deceives many of us into energetically defending truth while not so energetically manifesting that truth in practice. This is the challenge which lays before us. In these days of doctrinal apostasy it is necessary to Scripturally confront the growing deception. However it is also paramount that we humbly take inventory of our own personal allegiance to the truth we defend. And by allegiance I mean more that aligning our doctrinal statements with Scripture.
I speak of aligning our lives with what the Scriptures teach. Is the Scriptural phrase “For me to live is Christ” observable in our lives? Is “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” a description of our lives or of our theology? How about “He must increase but I must decrease”? Is that apparent in us or does it just describe John the Baptist?
But today there are literally thousands of Pied Pipers who appeal to the flesh and create elegant bridges to nowhere in their so called theology. They are captivating and entertaining, but they are hollow communications that soothe the conscience rather than point to Christ. Although we do not worship the written revelation, we must never, ever compromise its authority and exclusive role as arbiter of all we know about God.
I love demonstrative and freedom in worship. I love worship music that exalts Christ and that either uses Scripture or speaks truth. I have no problem with a genuine altar call as long as it doesn’t get stale and traditional and that we don’t use it as an assembly line for conversions and members. I have no problem with a man of God getting emotional as he delivers God’s Word.
But what has been constructed today is a theatrical display that tickles the ears and sends people away feeling good about themselves but oblivious to their spiritual condition. And these ecclesiastical thespians have less power than cheerleaders at a high school football game. Rob Bell says “love wins” but he might as well say “Cubs win” since his teachings are not just hollow, they are eternal death. You think I am too harsh? You will not think that one nano-second after your spirit crosses over into eternity.
There are churches who sing and play secular songs from all sorts of entertainers. The church which will hold Whitney Houston’s funeral sang her songs during the Sunday service. And all over the country churches construct services designed to excite the flesh and make people happy they came. Finney once remarked that if a lost sinner could smile and feel good as he left the church after you just preached, then you preached nothing.
But these are not just churches with a slightly different perspective or a little more dangerous way to evangelize the lost. No, these churches have changed the gospel and have sculpted a religious practice that denies the Risen Christ and denies the Suffering Savior as they hold a carnal party they call “worship”. Do you not think that Jesus would scourge the whole mess if He came and walked among us?
These modern elders do not have a good report. And they do not labor in the Word, and they certainly do not even care about doctrine. And unlike the elders in the Book of Acts they are not dedicated to prayer. They watch more television than they pray. They play golf more than they pray. They give more attention to the words of men than the Word of God. They dress in the current fashion and shop in upper class stores. Most drive very expensive cars and live in luxury.
The deception has found a home inside the hearts and minds of men who claim to believe the Scriptures. They no more believe the Scriptures than does Hugh Hefner, and in fact you might think they consulted Hugh Hefner on the issue of sex. Make no mistake, these men do not speak for Christ. They do not speak for God’s Word. They do not speak for the first century apostles. These men may have been ordained somewhere, and in their own church they may be called elders. In fact, they may be recognized as elders throughout the western world. And they may well be elders.

But they are elders of another faith.

From such turn away.

2012-02-16T15:44:00.001-05:00

Politics from a Secular View

Let us for a moment just expose politics from a purely secular perspective.

*Gingrich is funded primarily by a billionaire.
*Santorum is funded primarily from a billionaire.
*Need I tell you who funds Romney?

And you thought this was for the people, by the people, and of the people. Wrong.

2012-02-15T16:27:00.002-05:00

Standing

You can stand in immense wealth. You can stand with great insight and knowledge. You can stand in great health and vigor. You can stand with great passion for noble causes. You can stand with great personal conviction. You can stand with great and soaring rhetoric. You can stand with great sincerity. You can stand with a great and alluring appearance. You can stand with great and demonstrable talent.

But what is it without which no one can ever stand?

Forgiveness. Without it you will fall forever.

2012-02-15T07:27:00.002-05:00

The Voice of God

Ps.29:1-11 - Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters.
4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire.
8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever.
11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
It was March of 1975. I had been confirmed as a member of the Lutheran church as a teenager, however I was lost. But in March of 1975 I had been born again one cold night on top of Garret Mountain in Wayne, New Jersey. That week I drove into Manhattan and bought a brand new King James Bible. When I got it home I carefully took it out of the box and opened it. I has no idea where to start.
So I began by reading the words in red. As for theology and doctrine I was a clean slate. But something wonderful began to happen that week. I suddenly began to understand what I was reading. I do not mean I understood the general meaning of the words because I was quite fond of the English language and literature. But this was more than understanding phrases and sentences. The understanding I experienced was more enlightenment than it was understanding. I did not know it then, but God’s Spirit was giving me illumination that I did not posses until then.
So many people attempt to manipulate the voice of God, and even some erroneously claim to have heard His audible voice. That is a very transparent way to elevate one’s spiritual status in the view of others and is also a way to downplay the miracle and power of the written revelation. There is such a thing as the voice of God but it is unlike the voice of man. It comes through the miracle of the Spirit’s ministry through the Word of God. Oh yes, there are nudges and inward witnesses and even some phrases and directions that are received by a process that cannot be explained except to those who have experienced them.
But in this modern world with its technology on one end and its emotion on the other, the magnificence of God’s written revelation has been minimized. The depth and power of the miracle of the written Word cannot fully be explained. Even the thought that God desired to communicate with such rebels is indeed breathtaking. And to understand the mechanics involved with communicating eternal truths, to say nothing of His very Being, through the medium of human language is beyond us. And yet, God did it.
And in March of 1975 I experienced the wonderful and exhilarating experience of having my spirit being taught by God’s Spirit. I not only understood the linguistic meanings of the Word of God, but I began to see and understand things that were not obvious in the general understanding of the words. And that began a journey that would illuminate my soul and change my very life. This is not deciphering some code. No, it far greater and with much more expansive and applicable detail than that.
And while your being is being enlightened by God’s Word, it is also being cleansed by that same Word. I mean let’s face it and be honest before the world, knowing, understanding, obeying, and being changed by God’s Word is without equal as it pertains to the realm of the Spirit. I can recall singing a hymn I had sung many times before. But as I sang it this time my heart began to pump a little faster and my eyes welled up with tears. Why? Why, you ask? It was because I was singing it with understanding and for the first time my heart was truly worshiping God in truth.
The Psalmist says, “The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.” Only someone who has heard the voice of the Lord can rejoice in that statement. In a mystery, those words projected through pen and paper, carry in them the power and voice of Almighty God. The Word has always existed, and it was not created initially through the Bible writers. No, no. The Word is eternal, but in a glorious mystery the Word of the Spirit traveled through the pens of man and became the written revelation of that Eternal Word.
And it is counter productive to be a strong proponent of inerrancy while employing and exhibiting attitudes that are in contrast to the teachings of the Word you seek to defend. When I was born again, and when I began to be illuminated by the Spirit, I had no knowledge of the inerrancy debate. But that did not restrict the Word from becoming a life changing force for me. Personally, I believe the written Word is inerrant, but maybe in a deeper mystery than is usually presented in the normal systematic debate.
But again, let us not be as Abram and chase away the birds from the sacrifice and in so doing we neglect the sacrifice itself. We are followers of Jesus the Christ and we are consumers and obedient children of His gracious written revelation. The world does not need to see the unending debates concerning the Scriptures. What they need to see is a living and breathing manifestation of those Scriptures.
But I ask you. Have your heard the voice of God speaking through His Word? Do you read the Scriptures like a magazine or is your heart open and broken before Him as those ink words become spiritual food to your soul? Have you ever wept as you read His Word just because of the sheer weight of its glory? I exhort all of us to journey back into God’s Word as if it was your first time. Read it as if it came from the very mouth and heart of God. Place yourself upon the altar of Gods Word and receive the cutting away of the flesh and the grafting in of the new skin of the Spirit.
Has the wineskin of your salvation experience grown old and predictable? Are you clinging to revelations of days gone bye and have you stopped seeking the freshness of the Word today? Repent and ask God to renew your wineskin so that He may once again pour in some new wine from His Word that breaks up the fallow ground and brings forth some new fruit which has been dormant for way too long. Regardless of how much we know about the Word, or how much doctrine and systematic theology we claim to know, there are still immeasurable depths and fathoms of revelations that remain untapped.
I do not speak of some self serving and contrived communications. I speak of illuminations about the Lord Jesus and all His Majesty that patiently await the written alabaster box to be broken and the fragrance of His glory consume His followers and permeate the world. The voice of God changes men’s hearts.

2012-02-14T10:41:00.002-05:00

The Voice, the Vainglory, and the Victor

Is.40:3-8 - The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:
5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
Here comes a voice crying out from within a wilderness, both literally and spiritually. John the Baptist was in God’s eyes the greatest man ever born of a woman. Why? Because he had the unsurpassed honor of identifying God’s Incarnate Lamb. But before John said, “Behold the Lamb of God which takes away the sins of the world” he called out a distinct and desperate warning for people to repent. This voice came just before Christ would reveal Himself.
There is a voice today that is comprised of many different voices. Some are more caustic than is necessary, while some are a little tepid. Some have a list of false teachers while others have a different list. But certainly there are these voices crying out to a spiritual wilderness which continues to grow by leaps and bounds every day. The darkness gets deeper.
The genius of this darkness is that the author has wrapped it in alluring words and promises. It even appears as a form of light, but it is still a deadly darkness. But still the voices that can trace their lineage to the Baptist also grow every day. God by His grace is awakening deceived souls, and out of this group come more and more voices.
The Redeemer is returning and will judge the nations. And those who have directed sinners to a false hope, a false gospel, and a false Jesus will give an account. But the prophetic voice of warning and correction still calls out to reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. In other words there is still time for repentance. Hear the voice of the Spirit and repent.
Is.40:13-15 - Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or being his counsellor hath taught him? 14 With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are as a drop of a bucket, and are counted as the small dust of the balance: behold, he taketh up the isles as a very little thing.
Is.40:25-26 - To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
Is.40:27-29 - Why sayest thou, O preacher, and speakest, O church, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
It is almost unbelievable how much vainglory is running through the evangelical community. Vainglory is when men try and take the glory from God by elevating themselves and constricting the Person of Christ by making Him earthly and consigned to the whims of man. The false teachers insist that they are God’s instruments when they are enraptured by the things of this world. They teach utter nonsense and claim it comes from God. But the God they mention is one created by their own evil imaginations.
Look at the verses above and see how men elevate themselves into places of prominence in their own eyes. These are those to whom Paul addressed as “somewhat in conference”. But Paul says they added nothing to him and in God’s eyes it does not matter who anyone is or thinks they are. Instead of elevating the Lord Jesus in their teachings and lives they elevate themselves. They preach a god who runs to serve man, not One Who empowers His followers to be His servants.
But these Scriptural revelations are a breathtaking look into the nature and power of Almighty God. Instead of minimizing His power, they amplify it. And when we are offered just a glimpse of who God is and what He is capable of, well then we see who we are and the profound need in which we stand. But modern man with all his technological advances is not impressed with God as He is. They are bent on creating a God who is nothing more than a glorified man.
And when you have a utilitarian deity, then your preaching is not about him but about what he can do for you. And the subject of redemption seems to be on the back burner while finances, relationships, health, and even sex are the front and center topics of the day. If a man could preach for one millions years with a God given anointing, that man would still not have scratched the surface in revealing all of our Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. But that awesome God has given way to the preaching of man and his interests.
Is.40:31 - But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
But behold, there is a Victor over all of this. While the entire world reels to and fro from a mountain of continuous sin there is One who rules and reigns above all creation. This Victor is not slack and He is not blind to all that happens. Where is that victory? It is in the very loins of the Victor Himself! Oh yes, God lives in the eternal victory inherent within Himself. This is no clash between good and evil or God and Satan. Far from it, in a glorious mystery the God of this universe has not relinquished one atom of His power and victory.
“How is that possible“?, some ask. Well those that ask such things are ignorant of the power and might and wisdom of Almighty God. The depth of God’s sovereignty passes human understanding. How can God be ruling and reigning when such chaos consumes this world? It is past our present understanding, but when the Victor returns to claim His spoils all flesh will bow before Him, and even though we still might have a limited understanding of how, on that day we will all know everything is possible for the God whose glory covers every creature. Without lifting a divine finger, all of us will realize how severely we have limited Him based purely upon the vision of His Eternal Being.
And when we experience the fulfillment of the promise made to all who believe, we will be consumed with the glory of His grace. It is on that special day when we lay eyes upon Him that we will see Him as He is and we will know as we are known. That day, that unfathomable day, will be like living a fairy tale except with a reality that can never be imagined before that day. The Victor will be admired and worshiped by all creation and the power of His beauty will overwhelm the expanse of heaven.
So go ahead and close your ears to the voices that now cry in the wilderness to prepare for that day. Go ahead and change the glory of the incorruptible God into a divine errand boy whose charge is the welfare of humanity rather than the eternal glory that is His alone. Go ahead and speak of things and success and money and prestige and health and all things earthly. Go ahead and preach everything but this Suffering Savior and His redemptive labor. Go ahead and reduce the resurrection into a new start for your earthly dreams.
But there is only one Victor. And one day this Victor will appear as a Divine Equestrian as He rides back into His creation. And all those who diminished His glory, and stole the majesty of His Person, will be called to give an account. Ultimately there is only one victory and one Glorious Victor. So let us turn our eyes upon Jesus, and look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace!

2012-02-12T09:39:00.003-05:00

He is Still Despised

Is.53:3 - He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Who would want Him? And if they despised Him back then, how much more is He despised today? Oh most people would not say they despise Him, and many will draw near to Him with their lips, but their hearts are far from Him. The chamber of the heart is a sacred and hallow place. Most who profess Him have neglected that place and have exchanged it for the soulish place of self.
The ultimate paradox is that the all powerful Creator of the Universe lowered Himself even unto death for our sakes. And His calling today is not a calling of elevation and pride. It is not of self centeredness nor is it of personal gain. The entire Christian life is paradoxical and antithetical to earthly understandings. The first shall be last; he that loses his life for my sake shall find it; he that humbles himself will be exalted; he that dies shall live; and many, many more confounding statements represent the mysteries of the kingdom.
Jesus is despised and rejected still in 2012. Oh men may use His name, but for the most part that is not the true and living Jesus. The humble Servant Who had nowhere to lay His head, that Jesus is despised. Weakness in today’s market place is considered counter productive, and those that are meek may lose out with all this world has to offer. The Christ that walked in abject humility and allowed Himself to be mocked and scorned by His own creation is not esteemed.
It is the robust, masculine Jesus that is preached by men like Mark Driscoll that is esteemed. It is the prosperous Jesus that is preached by T. D. Jakes and Kenneth Copeland that is esteemed. It is the pragmatic fix all Jesus that is preached by Rick Warren that is esteemed. It is the seed faith Jesus that was preached by Oral Roberts that is esteemed. It is the self ego Jesus that is preached by Robert Schuller that is esteemed. It is the feel good Jesus that is preached by Joel Osteen that is esteemed. All those Jesus’s are esteemed, but the Crucified and Risen Jesus is rejected and despised.
Phil.3:10 - That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Conformable unto His death? No one desires that kind of faith, and no one wants to follow that kind if Jesus. The masses want a form of resurrection power that makes them prosperous and successful. But who seeks the fellowship of His sufferings? Think about that phrase - “His sufferings”. That is not being stuck in traffic. That isn’t having your air conditioner go out. That isn’t even like having diabetes or not being able to sleep well. His sufferings go much deeper and go into the depths of a disciple’s heart.
His sufferings change a person more and more into His likeness, first on the inside and then with a living revelation of that Jesus. Have we forgotten that Christ lives inside us through the Person of the Holy Spirit? And His presence within us, although a glorious mystery, is not for our personal aggrandizement. To use Jesus as a stepping stone for earthly success and prosperity is blasphemous. All those teachings I mentioned rob the very essence from the faith that believes in and follows Jesus. In effect, all who embrace such teachings are following a mirage.
Lk.18:17 - Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.
A little child? But watch as preaching peacocks strut across the stage and claim to hear God’s audible voice and some even claim to have visited heaven. Listen as snake oil salesmen sell some self serving religion with deft and artful manipulation. Watch the masses traverse sea and land just to hear their favorite preacher tell them fanciful stories about a genie called Jesus. And the modern preachers are more thespians than they are men of God.
But what could be more humble than a little child? That portrait of Jesus is rejected wholesale in favor of a western Jesus who is more a valet than He is the Risen Christ. We are called to emulate the Jesus who walked upon this very earth.
Phil.2:4-8 - Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Jesus, the Eternal Word and second Person of the Godhead, came down in the likeness of sinful flesh. How can we even understand such condescension and selflessness? But the Spirit commands us to have that same mind in our own lives. And in so doing we are supposed to care about the welfare of others above our own cares. Jesus was a servant with no earthly reputation which would draw men unto Him. Anyone who would follow Him would find footsteps of self sacrifice and even pain. This world is no friend of Jesus.
Lk.16:19-25 - There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
A curious teaching. Look at verse 25 and try to twist that principle. The rich man spent his life pursuing prosperity and success, but Lazarus was dealt a much different hand. And Jesus made that an issue. Of course we know that no one goes to heaven because of pity, but there is an authentic teaching here that puts in perspective the material things of this world. And once the perspective on the material world is skewed, then the theology begins to erode until it becomes nothing more than pep talks and strategies for earthly success and prosperity. And as our Lord taught, that is a grievous error and leads to spiritual shipwreck.
Let me return once more and emphatically state that most of what is being taught and practiced in the western evangelical church is false. The suggestion that Jesus wants everyone to be financially prosperous is not only patently false, but it rips to shreds the very fabric of the faith once delivered to the saints. When one’s financial status becomes part of the discipleship equation then you no longer are preaching gospel truth.
The true Jesus is still despised and rejected even in churches that bear His name. Let us humble ourselves and begin to search out the more selfless aspects of Christ and how they must apply in this hedonistic culture. If it is very bad today, then should Jesus tarry our children will be surrounded by a false church. It is most alarming, but this Laodicean church was prophesied in Scripture. But every single one of us has a choice. Many are entangled with this false church. Many others go to church but are far too busy to seek Christ and His Word. Millions go through the ecclesiastical motions week after week without even questioning the demonstrable lack of spiritual power.
Do you wish to trace the gospel narrative of the Lord Jesus? Well get used to animal stench and straw for that is where it begins. And I need not illuminate you as to where it all leads. Oh yes, there is a glorious resurrection, however the path to the empty tomb is littered with blood, sweat, and tears.

2012-02-10T16:04:00.001-05:00

One More Step Toward Eternity

* Israel might attack Iran
* North Korea has nuclear weapons
* The world’s economy is uncertain
* Bombs still explode in Afghanistan
* The child porn business booms
* Abortion runs unrestrained
* Hatred abounds
* Drug addiction is an epidemic
* Violence is everywhere
* Divorce is rampant
* Perversion is a lifestyle
* Unemployment is very high
* Earthquakes are commonplace
* Racial tensions continue
* Religious hatred thrives
* Modern tsunamis lurk
* Iran may get a nuclear weapon
* India and Pakistan have nuclear weapons pointed at each other
* China continues to grow economically and militarily
* AIDs and Malaria kill millions in Africa
* A comet might destroy Earth
* I have an insulin dependent case of diabetes
* I’ve had 3 heart attacks
* Four years ago my wife of thirty years ran off with an unbeliever
* I can only sleep about 4 hours a day

Well, some ask, you must feel real anxious about everything that’s going on.
No, I count it all joy, and in fact, it’s just one more step toward eternity. To be completely honest with you, eternity is the only thing I can completely count on tomorrow.
Praise the Matchless Name of Jesus.

2012-02-10T03:05:00.004-05:00

How Ugly Can it Get?

This is a teaching example for the body of Christ. There is an uproar concerning the United States government requiring Roman Catholic health institutions to offer contraception for their members. This regulation has been in effect for many years. Anyway, why would the body of Christ really care how the fallen culture plays volleyball with all kinds of moral issues? The conservatives are incensed because they feel it violates the Constitution which protects religion from the government's interference, while the liberals are all fired up to defend it. Another worthless spectacle within Fallendom.
But during the annual Conservative Political Action Committee’s conference that issue was addressed. Many virulent words were hurled at President Obama, but one conservative named Cal Thomas, who claims to be a born again Christian, made a statement concerning an MSNBC commentator named Rachel Maddow. After a clip was made with Ms. Maddow taking the pro-contraceptive view, Cal Thomas made this comment.
“I’m really glad, Genevieve, that you played the Rachel Maddow clip. I think that she is the best argument in favor of her parent’s using contraception. I would be all for that! And all of the rest of the crowd at MSNBC, too, for that matter.”
Rachel Maddow is an openly gay woman and I suppose the comment by Mr. Thomas had that in mind. Now this ugly verbiage comes from the lips of someone who sings praises to Jesus on Sundays? Do believers have any interest at all in following in the footsteps of Jesus? Is it all now about conservative politics and moral issues, while redemption is altogether ignored? The arrogance and moral hubris is astounding!
This is exactly what participating in politics leads to in the lives and mouths of professing believers. The tongue is a world of iniquity and these kind of professing believers have no qualms about providing empirical evidence to support that verse. How can anyone feel that way about a lost person? I doubt he would have made that statement about a white family man who held the same position, but because she is openly gay he received the applause he desired from the self righteous crowd ready to froth at the mouth about anything against President Obama or his policies. On second thought, Mr. Thomas did expand his ugliness to include everyone at MSNBC. Such charity.
Brothers and sisters, the world is at war with itself, and supposed followers of Jesus seem only too happy to join in the fallen fray. We should, we must do better.
Col.4:5 - Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Does anyone really believe the Bible anymore? It is most amazing to hear believers who loudly profess their view of Biblical inerrancy while at the same time openly ignore its teachings. The test of inerrancy lies predominantly with our adherence to its teachings and much less with our systematic theology about such things. The tangible hatred believers have for sinners is an affront to all that Jesus taught and lived. But the undertow of the political and nationalistic sewage continues to pull professing believers into the dung from which Christ rescued them years ago.
Oh how the Spirit must be grieved when He sees redemption kicked to the curb in favor of incendiary invectives being hurled at those who so desperately need to see the love of God through living persons. I fear this election year will see a further and colossal unraveling of the Christian faith because believers will get caught up in its worthless theatrics. If you are going to make such ugly statements about lost sinners, then please do the Lord Jesus a favor.
Don’t mention that you happen to believe in Him.

2012-02-09T17:51:00.002-05:00

The Priority of Jesus’ Words

Lk.10:25-42 - And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?
27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.
28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.
29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
38 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.
39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
Many times we miss the underlying truths of God’s Word. We are content to scratch the surface while there are nuggets of treasure still just below the surface. A Jewish lawyer attempts to confound and trick Jesus. He desires to know Jesus’ thoughts on what he needs to do to inherit eternal life. Of course Jesus knows all about his motives, and as is sometimes Jesus’ way He asks the lawyer a question right back. “What does the law (Word) say,” Jesus asks.
The lawyer rightly says that we should love the Lord with all our hearts and we should love our neighbors as well. Jesus acknowledges the truth of that statement and exhorts the man to do it. But again the lawyer wants to pin Jesus in a corner, and he asks, “Who is my neighbor?” It is at that moment that Jesus begins a parable we call the Good Samaritan.
The parable reveals the kindness by a Samaritan, a social outcast due to his mixed ethnicity, and Jesus juxtaposes it against the ambivalence of a priest and a Levite. It is most striking, and even more so in the Jewish culture. Let me offer that same parable with a western culture tilt:
2012 Frueh Paraphrase - all rights reserved. (smile)
Lk.10:30-37 - And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from New York to Philadelphia, and fell among carjackers, which took his wallet, beat him, and stole his car left him half dead.
31 And by chance there came a certain evangelical pastor driving that way: he slowed down and saw the beaten him, but he drove right by.
32 And likewise the president of a Baptist University , when he rode by, slowed down and looked on him, and drove right by.
33 But a certain convicted felon, as he drove a very old car, came to where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion on him and pulled over.
34 And this felon went over to him, and bound up his wounds the best he could and called 911, and he put him in his own car and drove him to the hospital. He waited with the man all night long.
35 The next day the felon had to leave but he was so concerned with the injured man he left his phone number and promised to check in on him.
36 Which now of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who had been assaulted?
37 And he said, He that showed mercy and concern for him. Then said Jesus unto him, You go and do the same thing.
That might bring out a little more of this parable’s meaning when it comes in a western culture setting. But the Jewish version is much more pungent since the Jews hated the Samaritans and considered them mongrels and kin to the Gentiles. Most of us do not hate felons. The parable is replete with principles of humility, self righteousness, and how God does not favor persons based upon their religious status as defined by man.
Ok, we get it. But no sooner does the social gospel proponent clap his hands and the liberal humanitarian celebrate his Scriptural good fortune, then Jesus is invited into Martha’s house and will put a new twist on all it. We learn that Martha had a sister named Mary. And the Scripture says this:
And she (Martha) had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.
But what was Martha doing? The Scripture says:
But Martha was cumbered about much serving…
OK, Martha was busy getting things ready in the kitchen. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, it seems to reveal a servant’s heart that to a lesser degree mirrors the Good Samaritan. And the social gospel proponent and the liberal humanitarian applaud Martha’s work and may consider Mary’s place at Jesus’ feet much too impractical and ethereal. What good is Mary doing for the world?
But when Martha complains to Jesus that Mary is not helping with the kitchen work, Jesus responds with a stunning revelation.
“And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”
What? Jesus just rendered a convicting parable about doing good works to others and now He applauds what Mary is doing? Oh yes, here we have another example of how we must interpret the entirety of Scripture and not just cull out certain sections and make points that are only partially true and are in need of a more complete revelation. Humanitarian deeds are very important in the life of a believer, and they serve to aid in the furtherance of the gospel. However, we must never neglect the study, meditation, and daily consumption of God’s Word. That, says Jesus, is the better part.
And therein lies an immutable truth concerning a disciple’s life. We must be ravenous for more of Jesus, and that hunger cannot be satisfied but through God’s Word and a careful and expansive life of prayer that in effect builds upon the foundation of God’s Word. The connection between the Word and authentic prayer is unmistakable and is an important mystery. The neglecting of both the Word and prayer in the church is most distressing and renders Mary’s part as incidental and subservient to all the pragmatisms of the western church.
But no one can be a dedicated disciple of Jesus Christ without a determined journey to understand and emulate God’s Word along with the indispensable infusion of power through the ministry of prayer. This fast paced culture has robbed the church of the glories connected with time spent in God’s presence without the pressure of time and earthly duties. But Jesus pulls the carpet out from under the lawyer who is versed in the Word, but He also pulls out the carpet from under Martha who is consumed with earthly endeavors at the expense of her spiritual needs.
We must first establish a pattern of seeking Christ through His Word and prayer, then we can establish a pattern of good works that are not redemptive on their own, but shine a living light upon Him who is redemption alone. The social gospel is a lie, but striving to minister some social justice in the course of spreading the gospel is the way of Jesus. Jesus is the only Redeemer, but He also was the most profound teacher of all. I love how He teaches that we should be like the Good Samaritan, but then He proclaims that sitting at His feet and listening to His words is the best part!
What a Savior!!

2012-02-09T06:29:00.002-05:00

The Gospel and the Gays

The California Supreme Court overturned Proposition 8 which banned same sex marriage. Of course many in the evangelical community had apoplexy over such a thing. Why we as believing followers care about the moral or religious practices of a fallen government perplexes me. As it pertains to Christ honoring practices we would do well to examine the church. We have more than we can say grace over. Let the dead marry the dead.
But the gay issue continues to exhume gospel issues which must be addressed and prayed over.
************
His name was Bobby Griffith. He grew up in a Californian suburb, and his family belonged to a conservative Presbyterian church. From a very young age he felt a little different. Because he knew what his church believed as well as his family’s derogatory remarks, he suppressed his feelings. He attempted to date girls and drum up some feelings for them, but again his attempts fell short. He thought often of suicide.
He confided in his older brother and out of concern his brother confided to their mother. Bobby’s mother was confident that God would change Bobby’s same sex attractions. His mother felt that counseling and Scripture would “cure” her son. The church’s position was Scriptural, however their approach was intransigent and void of any redemptive perspective. Bobby sunk deeper into a walking depression.
Many, many months passed and things did not change, although Bobby made earnest attempts to alter his feelings. But he was still haunted by them. Eventually Bobby struck up a relationship with another young man. But that only heightened his sense of self loathing. He had let his family down and he could not escape the growing feelings of worthlessness and depression. He eventually became distraught at his failure to over come the ever present feelings. He hated himself.
This is from Bobby’s diary:
“I can't ever let anyone find out that I'm not straight. It would be so humiliating. My friends would hate me. They might even want to beat me up. And my family? I've overheard them....They've said they hate gays, and even God hates gays, too. Gays are bad, and God sends bad people to hell. It really scares me when they talk that way because now they are talking about me.”
After a long struggle Bobby went to a highway overpass, waited for a tractor trailer, and fell in front of the truck to his death. That was on Aug. 27, 1983.
That was a true story. And now I will share a personal perspective and conundrum concerning this very issue. If you have all the answers you need not read this post from April 8, 2008. It is called
An Inconvenient Truth

2012-02-08T09:18:00.001-05:00

Rage Against the Machine

Rarely did Jesus in His incarnate form exhibit anger. He showed some frustration at the ignorance of the Pharisees and sometimes his own disciples. But in reality there are only two events where He showed genuine anger. One was the time where He railed at the Pharisees and called them vipers, blind guides, and hurled many other invectives their way. Why was there so little anger in His earthly ministry? Well it is obvious that His mission was redemption and that anger and wrath would be reserved for a later date.
But there is another time where Jesus not only spoke words of righteous indignation, but His passion was so ignited that He literally became physical.
Matt.21:12-13 - And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Mk.11:15-18 - And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
Jesus enters Jerusalem with the cross in His heart and with the temporary accolades of the people. He comes riding upon a borrowed donkey. Some royal procession, huh? The entire scene is breathtaking in its utter simplicity and profound spiritual significance. But as He enters the city of peace He sees what has become of the practices in the Temple, His church if you will. In a matter of days this will all be over and fifty days later God will do a new thing upon the earth. God will have given birth to His Son’s own Bride. Just amazing.
But just the spectacle of how commercial men had made a place which was meant for prayer raised the ire of the Holy One. This Temple was to seek God and His forgiveness, but carnal men, including Temple leaders, had constructed a bastardized replica where men could make money and other men could teach falsehoods. We must sit up and take notice of this event since it seems so out of the ordinary for the Savior. And with all the sins around Him, this is the one that elicited such a dramatic response?
A woman was caught in the very act of adultery and yet no anger. The devil tests Him in the wilderness and yet no anger. Men say He displays miracle power by the devil and yet no anger. Evil men spit upon His face and still no anger. He is beaten and tortured but still no anger. And wicked men nail Him to two wooden planks and instead of anger He asks for forgiveness for them. This is something very special.
But when Jesus gets to the Temple and sees how they are using it for their own prosperity and have disfigured the sacrificial process and made it a business, well that is what angers He who is filled with grace and truth. The place of spiritual meditation and prayer had been turned into a machine that operates for the benefit of man. That required an angry response from Christ who was only days away from death. It is quite remarkable and is indeed prophetically applicable in this ecclesiastical age where the Christian faith has been changed, diluted, and mangled into a religious machine dedicated to the happiness and the glorification of man.
As anyone who has read my heart via this blog I am a strong proponent of grace. I believe God’s gracious offer of redemption is for all men, and I am no legalist. But that cannot be an excuse for silence in the face of such an heretical onslaught as is being observed today. And just like that Temple in Jerusalem, this modern church has become a vehicle for human prosperity and a platform for all kinds of false teaching and practice. But the spectacle is not disorganized and in a state of disarray. On the contrary, the false church is a well oiled machine that operates with precision, glossy pamphlets, well produced videos, and meetings that are anything but disheveled.
So the unbiblical expressions of Christianity are powerful forces of communicative skill and have an amazing and relentless energy that continues to seep into every area of evangelicalism, to say nothing of a lost culture. The intelligence and percipience of men like Bell and Warren is impressive. They seem to know just what cracks in the doctrinal foundation to attack with great cunning and deft. Their precise appeal to the superstitions and discontent of the masses is stunning and quite effective. Their advertisement campaigns are of the Madison Avenue variety.
And men like Joel Osteen use the power of positive and encouraging words along with the imagery of a smiling face to attract great and swelling crowds. People in general are not interested in truth especially if it seems to be negative. And if those words require any sacrifice or alterations in their personal lives it is most unwanted. But when you watch Osteen and others appear in the enhanced imagery of a well produced television program, and when you hear a redundant message of think positive thoughts and God will elevate you into your own dreams of prosperity and honor, then you realize there is a trance like quality to it all.
The machine continues to operate with the internal combustion of powerful deceptions and alluring delights that appeal to the fallen nature in all of us. During the early 1960’s the Beatles came to America and experienced more than what could just be described as popularity. I had their records and many posters. But it was the imagery of television and the new phenomenon of picture cards and posters that propelled them into the culture changing phenomenon they became. Do you not remember what the ten commandments warned against?
Not only were they not to have other gods before God, but they were forbidden to make likenesses of those gods in any form. But what a man places before himself will affect that man, and if given enough time, that man will desire to become what he sees. So we combed our hair like the Beatles, we dressed like them, and we memorized their lyrics, and most of us chose our favorite Beatle. It was a real phenomenon. But back then I had no idea what was really going on. We were involved in idolatry.
But that same spectacle continues today with other singing groups as well as Hollywood stars and even politicians. But amazingly it is being practiced within the so called evangelical community. Preachers have been presented to the public with enticing words of men’s wisdom and with air brushed imagery, and like the Beatles of old they are drawing disciples unto themselves. And within the evangelicals many chose who is their favorite preacher. I am of T.D.Jakes, I am of Warren, I am of Bell, I am Osteen, and a veritable host of others. Men are not drawing people to Jesus. Men no longer shun the spotlight upon themselves. Men no longer even preach the cross. Men preach themselves and being quite successful at it, they have become wealthy. And they have changed God’s church into a modern den of thieves.
We are called to speak out against such things and humbly reject it all. Ours is the gospel and its furtherance. But make no mistake, the New Testament is filled with warnings and castigations concerning false teachings and the charlatans that make a nice living from those deceived supporters. One day the Author and Founder of the Church of Jesus Christ will return to elicit accountability from all sides. And this time He will not be turning over a few wooden tables. This time He comes in a frightful wrath which will consume everything in its path which stands without the blood of the Lord Jesus. It is most impossible to imagine much less lay out in human words.
The term “rage against the machine” is usually meant to stand against secular institutions of war and hedonism. But I have expanded it to mean to stand against what man has done to the church. Until Jesus comes we must follow Him with brokenness and humility and sacrificial faithfulness, but we will also be called to stand against the living apostasy that still calls it self God’s church. We will faithfully rage against that machine.

2012-02-07T21:39:00.007-05:00

Humility in Christ

Prov.15:32-33 - He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul: but he that heareth reproof getteth understanding.
33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.
I Pet.5:5- …Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
One of the foundations of the Christian life, and one of the most neglected issues, is humility. The church by and large has lost any Scriptural vision of humility, and for all intensive purposes the church now practices anything but humility. Being planted in a culture of self elevation we have slowly but surely been assimilated. In fact, many movements including the prosperity teaching, Schuler’s self esteem, Joel Osteen’s fleshly nonsense, and many other teachings teach the exact opposite from what the New Testament and the life of Jesus reveal.
And these self serving distortions come from men who claim to believe in the grace of God. How can anyone who understands even a particle of God’s grace ever project anything else but abject humility? But even more amazing is how can they teach self esteem and pride while claiming to believe the Bible? Not one of us exhibits pure humility, but if that is not taught as our direction than self righteousness in all sorts of forms is guaranteed. But the church by and large is not interested in learning humility and walking out that journey.
Humility in the west is seen as weakness and is reserved for Gandhi and Rev. King, but not for the average believer. And because Jesus was God in the likeness of sinful flesh He seems to be an object of study but not of emulation. We desire to know the power of His resurrection but not the fellowship of His sufferings. We want miracles without spit running down our face. We want a crown of gold but not a crown of thorns. It is evident we have lost sight of the life of the Lord Jesus.
Godly humility is much deeper than allowing a car to go before you in line. It is much more than self deprecation. It goes much deeper than just being meek. Humility of the Christ brand is a painful denial of self and a constant awareness that your entire life belongs to God. To say that is a challenge in this culture is to dramatically underestimate that challenge. And to be sure that challenge is a command and should indispensable to a Christ reflecting walk.
I am appalled at how the church has allowed itself to adopt all kinds of self righteousness. I have gone by many Christian schools that loudly proclaim to be “training champions”. Champions? Really? The only time the word champion appears in the Bible is as it refers to Goliath. We are servants, not champions. I saw a sign on the lawn of another Christian school that claimed they were voted the best Christian school in the county for 2011. Another one said, “Still praying in the classroom!” So even a formal prayer is a source of boasting?
The lack of humility leads to all kinds of spiritual mischief. Prayerlessness, greed, judgment, unforgiveness, pride, competition, and even such things as hatred and mental murder are a direct result of a lack of humility. Why do I feel such a spirit of humility when I have spoken to Haitian, African, Russian, and many other believers? And where is that spirit in us western believers?
We have lost sight of a Holy God and we only want to portray Him as a divine Facebook friend who chats with us about anything. But most believers visit Facebook more often then they find themselves in deep and serious prayer with the Father of Lights. And when we lose a revelation of the Risen Christ, we begin to create a mental revelation of ourselves which is inflated and incongruent with who we really are. Being a child of God doesn’t mean we are arrogant.
Having Christ as our older brother in no way releases us to judge everyone else. Having the Holy Spirit in us should guide and mold us not anoint us to fix everyone else. The path that leads to the Holy of Holies is a path of incredible humility and brokenness. This new Christianity that boasts of itself and treats God like a divine genie is an affront to all we know about our Master. Without humility, we are living a lie.
Moses was the meekest man on earth. Paul said he was the least of all the apostles. Humility is the active agent in prayer, witnessing, and in the Christian walk. We must seek it, cultivate it, and do personal sentry duty to watch out for the cleverness of the flesh that lifts up imaginations that are against the knowledge of Christ.
II Cor.10:3-5 - For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Every single particle of pride is an enemy of Christ. If He relinquished His rights why do we demand ours? If He placed Himself in the hands of wicked men why do we castigate lost sinners? If He was willing to die for us why are we not willing to die to ourselves? There is a divine power in humility that cannot be tapped into by any other route. It is not just a command to humble ourselves under His mighty hand, it is a privilege.
A lost man named Gandhi changed an entire nation through humility and nonviolence, and yet God’s own people continue to believe that ego and violence are part of God’s approved arsenal. Oh if we could only believe these words:
Matt.16:24-26 - Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Mk.8:35 - For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Lk.9:23-24 - And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Jn.12:25-26 -He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.
Look! All four gospels compel us to lose our lives and find His! Do we doubt those words? What kind of followers hear those words and yet do the exact opposite? And for those of us who speak correction and rebuke to the western church, we have a very great challenge. We are most susceptible to pride and we must endeavor with great passion to remain humble. I speak for every true minister that discerns such things, we battle as well. Self righteousness attempts to grow every single day, but we must bear witness that we are imperfect vessels and walk in grace and are in need of God’s forgiveness every single day.
Do not think that humility is a low hanging fruit that is easily plucked. It is most difficult to clutch true humility to our hearts. Pride is a clever sin which comes in many clandestine forms. Believers can be prideful about their doctrine; believers can be prideful about their intellect; believers can be prideful about their knowledge of Hebrew and Greek; believers can be prideful about their discernment; and in stunning display of how treacherous sin is, believers can become prideful about their humility. Amazing.
But there is a humility which pleases God and empowers any believer willing to deny himself and embrace his cross. These words are not just poetic metaphors. This is the Christian life already trod by nail pierced feet. Let those who have ears hear what the Spirit is saying in these days of spiritual lethargy and carnal indulgence. Jesus is coming with vengeance and great power, but until that day we are called to be His voice. And grace is still His voice. And that voice must emanate from a life that is selfless and broken before Him and the entire world.
Like Noah we must be filled with compassion for those who are without while the ark remains open. Our lives are secure with God in Christ. This world cannot add nor subtract to what God has given to us by the sacrifice of His Dear Son. If we die today we die in His redemptive fullness. But those who walk in darkness need the gospel message and they need to see vessels of light who require nothing for themselves but through much prayer and many tears beseech them to open their hearts to Him who alone has the power to save.
Lord, crucify us so that Your life may resurrect within us and shine Your everlasting gospel through our lips and our lives. We hate our flesh and we have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. We must decrease but He must increase. God forbid we offer unto You that which cost us nothing. Take us, Lord, and use us for Your glory alone.

2012-02-07T11:57:00.002-05:00

An Unholy Alliance

I have promised to continue to confront the errors of compromise that seem much more pronounced during an election year. I must humbly admit to being an enthusiastic participant in former years, and I did not leave my nationalistic and moral crusade on the basis of any intellectual prowess (God forbid!) or because of my exhaustive study on the matter. I give all the glory to the grace of God and the ministry of the Holy Spirit in an often stubborn vessel.
The United States government has decreed that religious institutions and charities must provide free birth control products including “day after” pills which are a form of abortion. That has started a firestorm, especially among Roman Catholics whose church policy is against all unnatural birth control products. It will become a huge political issue and the squawking has already begun.
The Biblical way is not to murmur and complain. You have only one choice if something like that goes against Biblical teachings: Obey the Lord and disobey the government and if necessary go to jail while singing praises to Jesus.
Or we can do what the world does: Complain and protest and fight fire with fire and in general look to politics to solve your grievances. Has it ever occurred to anyone that sometimes God wants to use persecution to bring out the best in His people so as to lift up the name of Jesus? But no wants to receive any persecution and professing believers will complain loudly rather than suffer for His name’s sake and allow the Spirit to use for good what was meant for bad.
When we have received wrong information concerning who we are it affects every one of our thought patterns. For instance, for those of us who were born in America, we have been told we were born here since we surely cannot remember the event and where it took place. We rely on information that has been given to us. And when we believe that report we consciously and subconsciously began to think like an American. We believe what we have been told and therefore our thought patterns tend to be swayed in that direction.
I did not become a born again believer until I was 22 years old. But I have known literally thousands of people who were born into a Christian home and they were raised in the faith. And almost without exception they were raised to believe that America was founded as a Christian nation, and that God Himself created America in a way that can only be deemed as special. Generally these are saved people who genuinely desire to serve God and do the right thing as well as believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation.
But since they believe in America through a warped sense of divine favor, the entire practice of their faith has been compromised. Even though I was not brought up in a Christian household, after I became a believer I discovered that the one common thread that ran through almost all Christian denominations regardless of their theology was the spirit of patriotism. And for two decades I embraced that philosophy.
But when we embrace a patriotic spirit and when we consciously and unconsciously look at things through that prism, it significantly alters our view of Scripture and the gospel itself. Our statements of faith remain intact but our practice of that statement of faith is observably mutated. We have taken the faith called Christianity and modified it to fit into a nationalistic mold which in effect changes its very nature in many ways.
It is time the church allows the Spirit to purify her and bring forth a fresh vision of who Jesus has called us to be. Regardless of how moral or how prosperous any nation claims to be, that nation is not the church and is utterly fallen. But the devil is well equipped to appear as an angel of light and to entice believers into worshiping idols. It would be well for us to realize that good intentions do not guarantee Biblical results. It has to be obvious that something must change and that with the darkness so deep and pervasive the church of Jesus Christ seems to exhibit precious little light.
II Chron.26:16-20 - But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.
17 And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:
18 And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, It appertaineth not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither shall it be for thine honour from the LORD God.
19 Then Uzziah was wroth, and had a censer in his hand to burn incense: and while he was wroth with the priests, the leprosy even rose up in his forehead before the priests in the house of the LORD, from beside the incense altar.
20 And Azariah the chief priest, and all the priests, looked upon him, and, behold, he was leprous in his forehead, and they thrust him out from thence; yea, himself hasted also to go out, because the LORD had smitten him.
King Uzziah goes into the Temple and desires to light some incense in honor of Jehovah. And the Scriptures say that generally Uzziah did that which was right in God’s sight. But when he goes into the Temple, even though his intentions may have been pure, God smites him with leprosy. And the priests gather to remove him from that holy place. And yet today preachers by the thousands invite politicians to come and offer a word in the very place where God is supposed to be worshiped?
I do not claim that withdrawing your allegiance from any nation or government, to say nothing of a political party, is the end all to spiritual revival. In many ways it is just the beginning of a personal winnowing process in which the Spirit reveals more and more chaff that has been allowed to gather in our lives. But nationalism continues to be more than just a hindrance in the church; it is killing our spiritual power. Let me illustrate something.
The Chinese people pay income taxes as well as some corporate taxes. Now we all know that the Chinese people have no representation in their government. So in essence they could rightly claim that they have “taxation without representation”. If we embrace America as the model, we could encourage the Chinese people, including believers, to take up arms and violently overthrow their government like the founding fathers did. And to put the icing on the cake, we could openly suggest that God would be in favor of it. This is of course in direct violation to everything the New Testament teaches.
Do you see how absurd that would be? But a lie, if it is taught over the span of many generations, becomes the truth. And this lie that God orchestrated the Revolutionary War and that America started as a Christian nation is not some innocuous assertion. It has led to much self righteousness, a carnal competitive spirit, moral hubris, and unholy alliance with Christ and a fallen culture. And after decades of such teaching much of the western church has become identified with western culture and practice with a light sprinkling of religion.
This philosophy has had many unbiblical effects. Many believers enthusiastically support “just wars” which usually means if it is the best interest of America. Even indiscriminate violence like bombings and drone hits are considered necessary collateral damage, even when innocent women and children meet a violent death. Another effect is that westerners, including believers, view American lives as more precious than any others. It is the nature of the beast called nationalism.
Another pronounced effect is what nationalism and patriotism has done to the gospel, both in definition and practice. Moralism is now widely accepted and believers by the millions spend all kinds of energy attempting to change their culture through political leverage and the power of organized voting blocks without the gospel. And in metaphorical terms the camel’s nose is not only sticking under the ecclesiastical tent, but the camel is now seated inside the tent.
I hope and pray that many thousands of believers will first be spiritually disturbed by what they are witnessing this election year. And then I pray they will allow the Holy Spirit to lead them into a fresh journey of freedom without the bondage of earthly allegiances. May God receive all the glory for all of it!

2012-02-06T07:04:00.008-05:00

Politics or the Bible - Not Both

As a believing follower of Jesus Christ I am astounded, simply astounded, at how many professing believers are publicly backing Newt Gingrich. Now in full disclosure I am a non-participant in the political process so I do not have a “dog in this fight” but I cannot help but see some incredible things as this election year goes forward.
For many years the Republican party has given lip service to the abortion issue, even though men like Rick Santorum have always spoken much more passionately due primarily to the Roman Catholic Churche's obsession with abortion. So that issue is somewhat moot since it isn’t going to change. But how can a believer endorse someone who has proven he has no fidelity at all? Of course there is forgiveness but that is between him and God, but regardless how intelligent he thinks he is or how clever he is as a debater, that man should not be a leader.
The Scriptures give some pretty high standards for being an elder. So do you not think that the principle of high standards should carry over into politics, especially if you believe God is in politics? (I disagree) But it has been absolutely breathtaking to see believers who believe in moral issues completely ignore a man’s open pattern of infidelity and deception. But as I listened to preachers defend their support I realized it was based primarily on issues of national security and economics.
Of course both Gingrich and Romney complain about the governments “attack” on religion and matters of faith. I guess these verses don’t mean what they say?
Matt.5:10-12 - Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Don't worry, the evangelicals whine every bit as much. The entire narrative of the Christian faith seems to indicate no free ride, and in fact, persecution should be expected. But this is politics. People get heartburn because Romney is a Mormon but they can easily elect a serial philanderer? Strange days indeed. Adultery no longer carries the moral weight it once did. And because there is not one evangelical in the race believers are forced to choose the lesser of many evils. If it wasn’t so sad it would almost be comical!
It is most unusual to see evangelicals take up sides with the Roman Catholic Church. I guess these verses are just poetic philosophy?
II Cor.6:14-17 - Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
But the fallen world beats the political drum and those who profess to follow Jesus dance to their beat. And in the process believers by the millions are yoked with unbelievers along the way and while ignoring commands to the contrary and their gospel calling, they participate in and support a fallen process that is as humanistic as New Age crystals. But the crystals do not have something politics thrives on: an obscene and nauseating amount of money wasted upon manipulating people and castigating your opponents.
I guess it's only going to get better/worse. I can only hope for a brokered convention because if that happens all the divisive and personal attack rhetoric will seem innocuous compared to the wheeling and dealing of a brokered convention. I will have my popcorn ready. But I must admit, even though I get a fleshly thrill at watching such utter nonsense, I still grieve when I see professing believers and preachers being interviewed on the convention floor and in the midst of a carnal circus.
Stay tuned.

2012-02-05T09:55:00.006-05:00

God's Unspeakable Gift

II Cor.9:15 - Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

The word “unspeakable” in the Greek means indescribable. The actual sentence is preceded by the words “the exceeding grace of God in you”. We use many terms with great familiarity with the word “grace” being among them. But rarely do we take the time and energy necessary to unfold the meaning of such words. And grace, God’s grace, is so deep and so inconceivable that it requires a contrite heart clothed in abject humility and a hunger and thirst to understand more fully just what this gift of grace entails.
We have all heard the definition of grace which says it is “unmerited favor” and in a very surface way that is true. However that is doctrinal nursery school when we examine the deeper elements of that surpassing grace. To begin to understand just what the grace of God actually is, we must first examine who we are and Who God is. Let us take a look in the Biblical mirror and see who we are.
We are more than just passive sinners who mistakenly got caught up with the things of this world. We are a thousand times more sinister than that, and our spiritual DNA was so altered in Adam’s mouth that at the moment an egg is fertilized in the Fallopian tube it begins to grow rapidly into a nine month miracle of God who also breathes that first breath as an enemy of God. Oh yes, life comes from God but that does not exclude the ravages of sin that has disfigured the entire human race.
So we are born with a debt incurred by Adam but was passed down to us, Adam’s heritage. Each individual sinner is born with the weight of this debt, and just in case you think that is unfair, all of us willingly add to that debt through personal acts of sin. So now we stand before God not only guilty through Adam, but with a great and compelling guilt based solely upon the indictment of our own sin. And when our sin is presented in the courtroom of God’s justice, there is no reasonable doubt. We stand guilty!
And instead of the human race seeking forgiveness and redemption, it joins forces together to form an existence that winks at sin and creates religions that soothe our conscience without interfering with our sin. And in thousands of years we have invented all kinds of sin as well as expanded and built upon sins already being practiced. In spiritual reality, we are dead in our sins and if nothing changes before physical death we are vessels being prepared for eternal judgment.

And let me lead us into a more disturbing portrait of ourselves, unless you’ve already had enough and fled to safer theological ground. Here we are, condemned and fallen and observable enemies of God. As Spurgeon put it, “We were not just unwitting sinners who unconsciously broke God’s commandment, no, we were caught with the weapons of warfare that were used against God and we were all enthusiastic participants." You don’t like that, well take it up with Spurgeon!
But here comes the divine offer of redemption and forgiveness straight from the veins of God Himself. What would we do? Perhaps the whole human race en masse would embrace it and rejoice in God! Perhaps we would be so overwhelmed by such an offer that we surrendered by faith and live lives that gloried our Creator. A thousand times yes! But in reality it is a thousand time no! Sinners by the billions refuse this offer, choosing instead to supply their own redemption or just ignore the issue entirely.
And there is even a more monstrous expression of a fallen nature that is bound and determined to oppose God. Within the church, even from some who profess to know Christ and His redemption, there are many movements to change, alter, and eviscerate the power of the gospel by changing the very nature with enticing words of men’s wisdom. Could there possibly be any more dastardly scheme? God designs and executes the redemptive offer for all mankind at the cost of His Son’s life, and sinful man takes that plan and modifies and refashions it to such an extent that thousands now preach a mutation of the gospel. And this new and “improved” gospel is powerless to save and only tickles the ears and consciences of sinners who are complicit with those who preach such heresies.
But this is a short synopses of the who we are that is in no way unabridged.
And before we examine who God is let us remember that before the first word of creation was ever spoken, God knew all of this. I mean come on, if God knew who we are and what a disgusting mess we would willingly make of His wonderful creation and yet He still implemented His plan, well what does that say about God? And when I say we are going to address who God is I hope we all realize how limited we are in fully defining the Eternal Creator, but suffice to say that even a small and obstructed glimpse is more glorious than can ever be adequately captured by the lips or pens of man.
But even with that truth, it is still a glorious privilege to speak of our Wonderful God and His wonderful works! Before time was there was God. Pristine and august and self existent without need of anything. All the attributes that are usually associated with certain works were inherent within the loins of the Godhead. Again, when I speak of such things I often get goose bumps since like a child gazing into the great expanse of space, the things he can see gives him a small glimpse of just how much he cannot see or even know.
And then there is the mystery of the Trinity and the communication process within the Godhead. We often assign anthropomorphic qualities to God and suggest the Father asked, "Who will go for those sinners?’, and the Word replied, “I will.” Oh my friends, that may satisfy our earthly thought patters but it is colossal reductionism. The glory of the Godhead and all its in house workings is one of the greatest mysteries that can never be known. But we do know that the Second Person of the Trinity set in motion a plan for His arrival upon this planet.
Thousands of shadows and types rolled out the prophetic red carpet which ended in the house of bread, Bethlehem. Now remember, this was God coming to His own creation so one would think of a great welcome with all the necessary ornamentation and the presence of earth’s dignitaries to welcome this King. But instead we smell the stench of animal odors and we see a bassinet lined with straw and doubling as an animal’s feeding trough. To even attempt to describe the love that agreed to such condescension is only to diminish its glory.
And the condescension of which I speak is not just the atmosphere surrounding this extraordinary birth. No, the animals, the trough, the straw, and the entire scene must bow to the fathomless condescension of being born in the likeness of human flesh. Suppose for a minute that someone had brutally murdered your only child and that murderer was not remorseful in the least. In fact he continued to commit all kinds of crimes openly and with great enthusiasm. Now someone comes to you and says, “A plastic surgeon wants to work on your face. He believes he can make you look exactly like the man who murdered you only child.”
Would you agree to such a thing? Well, times that by the millions and you may approach the kind of selfless humility and debasement that Christ embraced when he came in the likeness of sinful flesh. Go ahead and gasp since we are stepping on holy ground. Does it not unsettle your emotions to meditate on something so wondrous, so astonishing, and so inconceivable? And we still are just touring Bethlehem. Isn’t our God beyond all we could ask or think?
That Word Incarnate, now known as Yeshua (Jesus) goes about doing all kinds of compassionate deeds as well as teaching the mysteries of the kingdom. And all the while His heart is set for Jerusalem, and more specifically an event of such unfair wickedness that most will never recognize it as the pathway to eternal life. Jesus lives and walks with sinless determination and even though He is headed for the wooden altar for which He came, He still cannot resist ministering to sinners along the way. The Sinless Lamb touches the lepers with His power and His love.
But Jerusalem looms. It is here we will find out just who God is. Isaiah was granted a vision of this mystery.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
The chosen One of Israel was stricken? And to add to the confusion, this verse seems to indicate that we mistook the burdens of our sorrows and grief for the afflictions of God Himself. What is he saying here? Is the prophet suggesting that we caused this grief and this sorrow and this affliction, and yet we blamed it on God?? Oh no, this can never be and we cannot but dismiss such a thought.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
Oh please, my ears cannot hear and my heart cannot receive such news. Where was I in the prophet’s words and how did my iniquities fall upon this man? We must refuse such picturesque gore and we must retreat to the comfort of the Glorious One who comes to deliver us and lead us into victory! There can be no symmetry in these two visions of God’s coming Messiah, so we are forced to reject the written mural that so shames us and portrays Him as receiving punishment rather than dispensing it.
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities
Who can know this blasphemous conundrum? Who can describe the color red to a man born blind; and who can teach an ant to speak; and who can see the center of the Earth; and who can understand this saying? The same God who will send this Messiah, chosen before anything was, will be pleased to bruise Him? Can our hearts know any deeper insanity than this? How many days or months or years of meditation will this require before the illumination comes forth? And when this illumination comes forth and guides the mind into the trustworthiness of this mystery, will it bring us any closer to comprehension?
And how shall we approach the travail of His soul? To what shall we liken the travail that is an offering for sin? And how can we embrace such massacre knowing it is the looking glass into the wretchedness of our own selves? Count the sufferings of all mankind throughout history; enumerate the oceans of tears spilled by human grief; listen to the pleas of countless children as they suffer without an ounce of understanding; and multiply the heartaches that stalk humankind until they pounce upon each and every sinner born of woman. The answer to those tallies are worthless comparisons to the griefs pronounced in and upon this man.
But let us go further into a reality filled with violence, pain, and savagery. Step into the inventory of sins, all sins, committed and omitted by mankind as a whole. How many documentaries and accounts of one serial murder's sins have astounded our senses and disgusted our sensibilities? How many massacres has history provided for us in a sterilized context of literary comfort, and yet even with a reality buffer it can still manage to evoke emotion? How many sins are accumulated in one sinner’s life? One hundred? One thousand? Untold millions?? How many sins have been committed in totality among the complete compilation of human kind? And how many are added to that figure daily?
And yet in six hours Almighty God will be satisfied? What does it feel like to suffer for one sin, and yet in six hours the Messiah will suffer for all the sins of the world? And He had no sin of Himself but was willing to suffer for others; others that would despise and reject Him? We live in an amazing age of technology and knowledge. Quantum mechanics, the Theory of Relativity, the Hubble telescope, organ transplants, moon walks, vehicle trips that pass between Saturn and its rings, all these and more reveal a time of great human achievement.
So how can the bloody wounds of one Jew be the doorway to eternal life? How can the sufferings of this son of Judah satisfy the Creator in our place? Has God not seen what we have accomplished? Is He blind to the lifestyles we have carved out in His creation? Are we still to believe that God can only be satisfied by the gruesome wounds inflicted upon this pitiful figure? Can we allow ourselves to believe this Jew was the divine Messenger that would become the Servant of His enemies?
Who can describe your wounds, O Lord? Yes we can see the blood and the ripped skin and we can hear your cries, and we can see and understand the sufferings your body endured. But how, O Lord, can we ever touch the depths of your inward sufferings? With what tool do we measure how you suffered for so many sins and in so little time? And where can we find a place where we can touch the spiritual dimensions worthy of the staggering depths of Your sufferings? We cannot, dear Jesus, we cannot.
We are resigned, joyously resigned, to fall before Your cross and worship You. O for a thousand tongues to sing, and how can it be, and O sacred Head now wounded, and lead me to Calvary. There are no words, no human words that will ever suffice in describing what You have done. And there is no expressions of the heart that can be compared with Your scarlet labor. Sacred is the place and hallowed is the sight. The stone will soon roll away to be sure, but when I survey that wondrous cross I am undone. It is there I find my life among the dying, and it is there I find comfort in those sufferings. Please continue to bid me to be an audience again and again before this Suffering Servant as He writhes for me. To say I did not deserve this sacrifice is to shamefully state the obvious and make a clumsy attempt at some false humility. Let the awesome spectacle speak for itself, for in the silence of a beaten and bloody corpse the God of all Creation has and will continue to speak forever. Tetelestai...it...is...finished.
So if any man of woman born would desire to see the glory of God you need not look at the highest mountain tops, you need not look across the greatest ocean, you need not gaze into the deepest heavens, you need not be carried to the highest place in the universe and see the immensity of the wondrous creation made with just a Word. No, to see the unveiled glory of Almighty God go to a little hill outside Jerusalem, fall to your knees and lift your eyes, and look fully at the event that completely revealed the express image of His Person and the brightness of His glory.
Do I dare ask, “Can you now understand why the Spirit calls it the Unspeakable Gift?”
Selah, selah, selah…

2012-02-05T06:01:00.003-05:00

The Reality of Eternal Death

Slowly but surely the whole world is gravitating toward death. Eternal death. I know it seems so surreal and mythical compared with the modern and sophisticated taste. Our eyes and ears are directed toward entertainment, sports, politics, and the latest earthly story of some intrigue. But the dull and unmistakable drone of death continues to await the coming masses. Oh it seems just so many words.
Everything is at stake for everyone. But since the human spirit is drawn by the sirens of today, the things of eternity are rarely considered outside some fallen theories that seem to include almost anyone. Even the word death has been confined to the cessation of a heartbeat, and a declaration of a doctor. But death is much deeper and with much greater consequences than that scenario and it is beyond our capacity to imagine.
In order to clarify this issue the Scripture refers to the second death which separates it from the physical death which all will walk through. But in reality, no one ever really dies and disappears from the reality of existence. No one. One million man years from now everyone who reads this will still exists in a conscious state in the realm of the eternal. A new body for sure, but still alive. And there are only two places of existence on the other side of death.
You may call them what you will, but one place is with the Creator while the other place is eternally separated from all that is God. Heaven, paradise, Beulah Land on one side and hell, Hades, and the lake of fire on the other. No human words can sufficiently illuminate these places. One is the unfathomable glory of God’s dwelling place, while the other is the unsearchable torture of being separated from God’s dwelling place, forever.
Jesus Himself tried repeatedly to warn people about the existence of hell as well as its eternal horrors.
Matt.5:29-30 - And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
30 And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Jesus frequently employed the literary device some call Hebrewism which is using an exaggeration in order to make a very important point. Here the Master says that avoiding hell is so important that even dismemberment would be preferable to being cast in hell. Pretty strong words. But juxtapose the words and passion of Jesus against the tepid, unconvincing, and infrequent mention of that eternal place of judgment by so called preachers. In fact, it has become theologically acceptable to question the very existence of such a place.
Lk.12:4-5 - And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
The fear of God has become passé and somewhat Neanderthal in this modern age of spiritual enlightenment. Sunday after Sunday after Sunday the people make the trek to church and sing songs, talk with friends, support the building program, and listen to a man tell stories that are supposedly based upon the Bible. Then they all leave tearless and absolutely unafraid of anything but having to wait in a long line at the restaurant. I mean let us be painfully transparent, either the Bible is not true or we have constructed an ecclesiastical structure which has nothing to do with God’s Word.
Rev.1:17-19 - And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.
19 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
Make no mistake, Satan does not have the keys to hell, Jesus does. I have heard many people say that God does not cast anyone in hell, they do it themselves. While it is surely true that a person’s unredeemed sins will decide their eternal destination, it is also true that God is still eternally in charge. This modern milquetoast Jesus has no resemblance to the one before whom the Apostle John fell. And if John, who loved Jesus and rested his head upon the very bosom of the Incarnate Christ, if he was so moved by the Risen Christ that he fell at His feet like he was dead, well, my friends, do you think we will have any less reaction?
The fear of God has given way to a new and man made religion that worships a caricature rather than the august Lord of All Lords. And in so doing much spiritual truth has been sucked out of the visible church until we have settled for a religion whose power and purpose centers around helping and aiding the western culture. Even the short term mission projects, although beneficial on some level and sometimes can change hearts, have become a satisfying entertainment to the congregation. Many are proud of their teenagers rather than broken for the lost of this world who are in grave, eternal danger.
Rev.20:10-15 - And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
Now either these words are true or they are mythology. And if they are true than we know that human words cannot do the truth the justice it deserves. And if sinners will be cast into the Lake of Fire forever, I ask you, how can that not bring us at least some nights of sleeplessness? And if we ever pray more than a Polly want a cracker prayer, how does God not prick our hearts deeply about the eternal prospect of lost souls, even ones we know and love?
Awake, thou that sleepest and Christ shall give you light. The things we say we believe are not only incredible and profound, if they are to be believed they should be massively distressing. Come on, eternity is at stake. Eternity!? If indeed eternity is a reality, and all who die live in one of two places forever, and if indeed we have the only answer for lost mankind, then what in God’s dear name are we doing??
How have we slipped into this comfortable and relevant Christianity while hell burns? Paul wished himself in hell if it would save his brethren. Are we even willing to be inconvenienced to help save some. And don’t hide behind the tired “You don’t save anyone only God can save”. We all know that but that phrase is nothing more than an embarrassing excuse for our lack of vibrancy and passion in our witnessing. The fact remains, there are sinners headed for hell who need to hear about Jesus. What are we willing to do about it?
Are we willing to jump start our pitiful prayer lives and find new and explosive power in prayer that both affects others and changes us? Are we willing to allow God to break our hearts for others? Are we willing to beseech God tirelessly to change our church services so they may be a more accurate reflection of the presence of God? Are we willing to spend less on ourselves so that we can give generously to missions of all kinds?
Are we willing to embrace the reality of eternity with such passion that our lives become gospel lights along the darkened path toward the reality of the second death?

2012-02-04T18:21:00.006-05:00

Believers in Jesus
or
Followers of Jesus
or

Both

There are many who claim to believe in Jesus as an historical character. Many claim to believe He is a central figure in one of the world’s great religions. Many claim to believe He was a good teacher and they claim to believe in His teachings. Millions claim to believe in Him as Savior, personally. Many claim that He is the only way to eternal life. Many claim to believe that He was God in the flesh. Many claim to believe he was born of a virgin. Many claim to believe he died for their sins and that He rose again from the dead.
Many claim to believe what the Bible teaches about Jesus. Literally. They claim to believe He is the Redeemer. They claim to believe that Jesus was the Son of God and preexisted as the Word. Many believe he did many miracles through His earthly life. Many believe he was loving and compassionate. Many believe He ascended into heaven. Many believe He will return one day.
Many believe all sorts of things about Jesus. Some true and some false. It is important to believe the truth about Jesus. No one can inherit eternal life without a sincere faith in the true and living Jesus. You could feed billions of starving people every day of your life and still not have one ounce of good works that could find their way into redemption. Jesus paid for our sins and became our scapegoat and Passover Lamb and He endured the punishment that every one of us deserved. Salvation is all of grace through personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus called sinners to believe in Him. But Jesus also called men to follow Him as well. Now what does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? That phrase suggests an obedience to His teachings and a determination to retrace the footsteps of His life. And that, my friends, is a major league distinction that goes beyond lip service or an embrace of some systematic theology. Following Jesus is a monumental challenge and without a profound personal sacrifice as well as the power of the Spirit of God it is impossible. And because it is difficult many who say they believe in Jesus do not make much of an attempt to follow Him. In fact, church attendance seems to be their primary claim to being a follower.
But there is an intense spiritual dimension to following Jesus - one that translates so observably in a sinner’s life that others must take notice. A life that follows Jesus is remarkable in the midst of the commonplace exhibition of professing Christians that are unexceptional and insignificant. What is acceptable as a believer in Jesus falls short of what should be acceptable as a follower of that same doctrinal Jesus. That is exactly why I often refer to us as believing followers of the Lord Jesus.
If we just do a cursory study of the life of Christ as revealed in Holy Writ we might just find that we have seriously diluted the power of His life and in so doing we have conveniently lowered the demands of exhibiting that life through the prism of our own. The standard believer must be pro-life and morally conservative as well as profess to believe the Bible. But as it pertains to loving our enemies, or giving two coats when one is requested, or living a life of self sacrifice, or visiting prisoners, well those things take a back seat to the dictates of the western lifestyle. But still we claim to believe in Jesus.
No wonder the world is blind to the Savior. It is no surprise that our faith has been defined by what we say rather than what we do.
Matt.7:24-27 - Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Notice Jesus does not say that the wise man is one who hears and believes His words. No, Jesus teaches that the wise man is one who hears His words and does them. And we have heard many a preacher emphasize those words while being completely ignorant of just what Jesus said to do. But there is a generation of broken and hurting people who are so caught up in the blindness of sin that they desperately need a living manifestation of Jesus. Let us just take a peek of a few of His teachings and commands.
Matt.5:3-12 - Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
These are a collection of teachings that are treated as some Hallmark Card sayings but are in reality some of the most demanding behavioral admonitions. The church reads them like so much poetry but not vital to a life that follows Him. I mean meek, merciful, pure, peacemakers, and all the rest? Listen as western believers squeal as they are in the slightest bit persecuted. And instead of rejoicing, we document the offenses and set about to legislate the remedy.
Matt.5:31-32 - It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
32 But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Need I even address this?
Matt.5:38-42 - Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
This kind of selfless attitude is almost lost to the church. The modern believer demands his rights and looks out for the slightest intrusion of his personal space. The depth of humility here is way beyond what is even understood much less what is practiced.
Matt.5:43-48 - Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Our heart’s view toward our fellowman is very telling. And even further, what is in our heart toward our enemies? These words from our Master’s lips say we should not only have an attitude of love, but we should demonstrate such love toward our enemies. Do we say we believe Jesus here or do we demonstrate our belief in Him by living these words?
Matt.6:17-18 - But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Who fasts anymore?
Matt.6:19-21 - Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Any meaning approaching literal on these verses died when capitalism showed up.
Matt.6:22-34 - The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
29 And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
These verses all deal with the effect of money and material things has on our hearts and lives. We are never supposed to worry about these things, yet listen to believers complain about the economy, or gas prices, or a list of other things. Does that represent a following of the Savior?
Matt.7:1-5 - Judge not, that ye be not judged.
2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
Pretty self explanatory. God help us all.
Matt.10:37-39 - He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
These are but a very small sampling of commands and teachings that require more than a verbal belief. They require great sacrifice to our ego, esteem, comfort, and in reality a complete death to the enemy we know as self. I would suggest that even a minor inventory would open up a Scriptural Pandora’s Box of things about which the New Testament teaches that should be a demonstrable part of a disciple’s life but which have long since faded off the scene.
And in the light of such grievous disobedience and ambivalence, should we expect this Sunday morning to hear pronounced pulpit calls for repentance? Should we expect many, many tears and changed hearts in response to the correction of God’s Spirit? Should we expect a deep remorse over how we have treated our Master and His teachings? Should we expect wailing and the beating of our breasts? A commitment to change our attitude toward the material things of this world? A release of all worry about money and the economy?
Or should we expect the same redundant visit to the building we now call church? And should we still expect to see ourselves as the followers of Jesus? Of course, after all we’re not Muslims.

2012-02-04T16:21:00.001-05:00

A Missionary Couple Goes Home

Two wonderful followers of Jesus, missionaries to Mexico for thirty years, were welcomed as martyrs into the presence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They were murdered by those who wished to silence the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But I am reminded of a true story that happened on the streets of New York City. When David Wilkerson packed up his belongings and went to New York City to witness to the street gangs he was confronted by a gang leader named Nicky Cruz who pulled out a knife and demanded Wilkerson shut up or else he would stab him. Rev. Wilkerson replied,

"You could cut me in a thousand pieces and lay them out in the street and every piece would love you."

Let us pray that another believer will reach out to those murderers with the unconditional love of Christ Jesus through the cross. I did not know the Casias couple but I am proud to call them brethren and I am humbled by their sacrifice. They are living in their reward, and I am sure that today they have no regrets at all.

2012-02-04T08:36:00.002-05:00

The Poison of "Christian" Television

Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

It was called the Industrial Revolution. This from Wikipedia:
“The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 1790s to 1860s where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, transportation, and technology had a profound effect on the social, economic and cultural conditions of the times. It began in the United Kingdom then subsequently spread throughout Western Europe, North America, Japan, and eventually the rest of the world.
The Industrial Revolution marks a major turning point in history; almost every aspect of daily life was influenced in some way. Most notably, average income and population began to exhibit unprecedented sustained growth. In the two centuries following 1800, the world's average per capita income increased over tenfold, while the world's population increased over sixfold. In the words of Nobel Prize winner Robert E. Lucas, Jr., "For the first time in history, the living standards of the masses of ordinary people have begun to undergo sustained growth ... Nothing remotely like this economic behavior has happened before".
In a dramatic series of technological advances most of the world’s population began to enjoy quantum leaps of prosperity in their personal lives. Nothing quite like it had ever happened before, and it not only changed the way people lived, it changed the way people thought. Many good things happened, but many unfortunate things surfaced as well.
People were energized to invent and create, and the spirit of industriousness blossomed. But as people’s earthly lives were enhanced by material goods and more effective conveniences, something else grew along side of these advances. Contentment seemed to dissipate, and what once brought people satisfaction no longer seemed to satisfy. The sense of gratification for a hard days work turned into a source of discontent and envy concerning others who did not have to work as hard.
This kind of disgruntlement began to fester and many read about new inventions that made the lives of others much easier. And now millions no longer had only their own lives with which to be satisfied, now they could compare their lives with the lives of others. And as they saw what others might be enjoying, they began to be displeased with their own situation. And with the invention of the telephone these displeasures could be easily voiced among each other and reinforced in each other’s hearts.
With the invention and spread of electricity it became easy to appeal to people’s dissatisfaction by presenting things that would make their lives easier. Through a growing mass communication the sales industry grew exponentially and sweet talking representatives could persuade the most stubborn consumers. With the growth of personal income, as well as individual education, the entire economic structure burgeoned beyond anyone’s expectation. The average person became enraptured with the things of this world.
Somewhere around A.D. 1900 two inventions came forth in embryonic form. They were the motion picture and an extremely primitive version of the picture tube television. It wasn’t too long before motion pictures became available through theatres, but it wasn’t until the middle 1930’s that the television came upon the scene. Many people thought the television would be a passing fad and would soon become just a memory. They were wrong. Although it took many years to develop what we call the broadcast companies, the television was here to stay, to say the least.
And while the television was being perfected, the revolution which had provided comforts, conveniences, and even luxuries continued with great vigor. Much of the world became obsessed with new technology and with the onslaught of visual communication much of the world became addicted to the form of media we call television. Of course radio became very popular, but it quickly relinquished it premier status to television. In my lifetime I witnessed the phenomenon where almost every home had one black and white television, and soon every home had a color television. And today it is rare to see a home which only has one television. Do they even sell black and white TVs anymore?
As I mentioned that part of the television revolution was the commercial. What a gold mine that became. Millions of people were sitting in front of their favorite television program and suddenly there is a salesman right in their home and selling a product through famous endorsements, catchy jingles, and fanciful sale’s pitches about how no one can live without the product. Even poison like cigarettes and hard liquor became a mainstay through the television airwaves. And in 1960 the first televised presidential debate aired. Today, televised debates and political adds manipulate the susceptible minds of people as they watch. Of course the theme is redundant - “I’m good and he’s bad”. How adolescent.
But when television began to catch on in the 1940’s another genre saw the potential of reaching into millions of homes. It became known as Christian television. Now at the beginning it was predominately evangelistic in nature. Billy Graham, Rex Humbard, and to a limited extent Oral Roberts presented the gospel or at least the Person of Jesus Christ. But as is many times the case, the carnal nature of man began to take over and it all centered around money and influence.
Under the guise of preaching the gospel, men now promoted their own ministries and manipulated people through slick visuals, special music, and accomplished appeals for money. And in return for a gift the person was sent professional pamphlets which were carefully constructed to elicit more communication and a faithfulness to that particular ministry. Men and women began to draw disciples unto themselves. And many of these television ministers saw an increase in their personal wealth.
Whether you like him or not, many thousands of sinners came to Jesus Christ through the ministry of Billy Graham. I am one of them. Yes, there were problems with the way he complimented the Roman Catholic Church and even endorsed men like Oral Roberts and Robert Schueller, but all in all he was more gospel oriented than most of the rest, and he seemed to eschew the abundant wealth that many of his contemporaries embrace.
But Graham was an evangelist. Most of today’s Christian television is now directed at professing believers and their pocketbooks. All the different teachings on the same television station has become a doctrinal toxic waste dump. And today the station itself raises money in addition to what it charges those who buy television time. And false teachers like Paul Crouch or Marcus Lamb have become very wealthy from the gifts and offerings they receive, and in addition they have become greatly responsible for providing false doctrine to the body of Christ. Christian television has become the greatest detriment to the true body of Christ.
Prosperity, scandals, and just a continuing stream of falsehoods now mark what is called Christian television. It is most unseemly and carnal and it has millions under its spell. Many people are enamored with the different television personalities and their own local pastors cannot compete. But many local pastors are now willing partners in the entire religious mess. The advent of Christian conferences also lend a platform to advertise a Christian TV personality and draw a crowd which for all practical purposes are nothing more than pocketbooks with legs.
And these Christian caricatures on television have not only led people far away from the faith of Jesus Christ, they also have become great stumbling blocks to unbelievers who watch and mock. These unbelievers have more discernment than millions of Christians. Christian television today should not be supported by believers. Even if there is a ministry that has some worth, your money still funnels into the station which spreads lies and heresies through other programs.
Find yourself a solid local fellowship, not perfect but solid. And if you cannot find one, well then begin one in your home and pray that God will lead you to some humble man of God who will take seriously the shepherding of God’s precious flock. And personally devour God’s Word daily. This blog is basically an exhortation, but it should never take the place of personal devotion to God’s Word and prayer. Allow the Spirit to use godly teachers in your spiritual walk, in fact there are online sites which offer free sermons by godly men of old and even some today.
But never rely wholesale upon any preacher for your spiritual food. Crack the Book, open your heart, and begin a wonderful journey which will not only build up your faith, but it will change you into His image. Christian television is the enemy of that process.
Eph.5:10-11 - Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

2012-02-03T08:08:00.002-05:00

That Most Holy Name

Rom.10:13 - For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Phil.2:9-11 - Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
God has many names throughout Scripture. Many, if not most, of those names are descriptive of His power and attributes. These Old Testament names are but a few:
Adonai-Jehovah -- The Lord our Sovereign
El-Elyon -- The Lord Most High
El-Olam -- The Everlasting God
El-Shaddai -- The God Who is Sufficient for the Needs of His People
Jehovah-Elohim -- The Eternal Creator
Jehovah-Jireh -- The Lord our Provider
Jehovah-Nissi -- The Lord our Banner
Jehovah-Ropheka -- The Lord our Healer
Jehovah-Shalom -- The Lord our Peace
Jehovah-Tsidkenu -- The Lord our Righteousness
Jehovah-Mekaddishkem -- The Lord our Sanctifier
Jehovah-Sabaoth -- The Lord of Hosts
Jehovah-Shammah -- The Lord is Present
Jehovah-Rohi -- The Lord our Shepherd
Jehovah-Hoseenu -- The Lord our Maker
Jehovah-Eloheenu -- The Lord our God
It is not a surprise that the infinite God has all kinds of wonderful names. He is far beyond our ability to comprehend, and His own revelation of Himself is what we know of Him. I would have to believe that His names could well be infinite. In Revelation He has a name which only He knows. It is quite the powerful mystery.
God reveals Himself to Moses by saying, “I AM that I AM”. We call that the tetragrammaton which is the term given to YHWY. But little by little God reveals Himself to fallen man through many names and many acts. But there is one name that God reserved for His Son, and it is that name which the Father honors above all others. That name is Yeshua, or Jesus.
Let us be completely honest. The concept of the Trinity is way beyond us. Oh we use simplistic object lessons like the three part egg, but in the realm of the spirit and the divine Godhead it is a profound mystery. Just thinking on it should place us in awe of this Great God, the Creator of all that is and ever shall be. Being an amateur astronomer I can tell you that there are things in the physical universe that are beyond our ability to understand. And that is the creation, so how much greater is the Creator Himself?
But although God reveals Himself in three persons, He reserves one name to elevate and through which redemption must come. Now this name, Jesus, is translated in many languages, but it does not change the fact that through the name of Jesus comes salvation.
Acts 4:12 - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
What a glorious name! There is power in that name. There is the power to save a lost soul who calls upon that name in faith. Man has complicated salvation and required all sorts of human works and religious ceremonies in order to be saved, but Biblically all a sinner has to do is call upon the name of Jesus. Why? Because that name represents Him who died for our sins and rose again from the dead. That name carries the everlasting gospel.
But sadly, that name has become a curse word. It is avoided in mixed company. It has been maligned, and in many cases it has given way to the more generic and politically correct term “God”. And when someone like Tim Tebow says, “I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” it makes headlines because the average person does not hear that kind of talk from his church going neighbors. Such is the pitiful state of western evangelicalism. The lost neighbor is much more likely to hear from his divorced and remarried Christian neighbor terms like “pro-life” or “traditional marriage” or “moral decay” than he is an open reference to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Why have we become so reticent to use that glorious name in public? Why are we so shy about Him when He was so bold for us? The name of Jesus carries with it the mysteries of the Creator God since it was Jesus Who created everything. And Jesus Himself assured us that when we ask in His name the Father hears us. But so often we have made that name an epilogue to a short and benign prayer that seems to have less passion than ordering a Happy Meal through the drive through window.
Let us once again fall in love with that name and the One who bears it. People need to know we are not a moral club or a political fellowship or even an “I believe in God” group. We are believing followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, and we not only believe in His death and resurrection, but we openly and unashamedly believe He will return one day!
Of course if we desire people to believe that we believe that, we are going to have to make some adjustments in the way we live.
Eph.3:14-21 - For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
May the name of the Lord Jesus Christ be praised, honored, and worshiped in front of all living creatures. And may the lives of those of us who claim to love that name shine as the stars of heaven for His glory alone!

2012-02-02T17:12:00.003-05:00

The Gospel for the Wretched

Rom.7:24 - O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
So often the evangelical church has become some kind of moral policeman. And many times preachers have spoken as if they speak for God. And when sinners exhibit lifestyles that are unbiblical as it pertains to the conduct commanded of believers, they castigate them. It is oh so easy to hurl invectives at the wretched mob of lost sinners, especially those who are the most public and demonstrative in their unrighteous displays.
Like shooting fish in a barrel preachers think so highly of themselves and often label themselves as “standing for truth” as they confront immoral behavior among lost sinners. So many have been lured into the ministry of cleaning the outside of the cup while being completely clueless about the nature of the gospel as well as the grace wherein they stand without a speck of righteousness accomplished on their own. And in so doing the gospel is now seen by the unregenerate as a set of moralistic rules and regulations with the name of Jesus pasted on the back.
But how quickly we forget that we were once a card carrying member of that fallen race, and that when Christ went to the cross He went for that entire wretched mob from whom we were plucked. From the serial adulterer, to the self righteous church goer, to the rich corporate executive, to the practicing gay couple, to the porn addict, to the kind and gentle new ager, they all remain equal in God’s eyes. They all are lost and fall short of His glory. If God desired to identify and take quantitative and qualitative inventory of the sins of lost sinners there would be no time for the gospel.
It is this kind of moralistic Christianity that has defanged the church and made it little more than a familiar cultural entity. No more does the church upset the culture by the strength of its humility; no more are things altered due to the constant prayer and fastings; no more are people overwhelmed by the sheer and unconditional love exhibited toward sinners.
Many now identify western Christians by their moral or political convictions and not that they remind them of Jesus. This is very sad. Many of the church epistles deal with issues, practical and moral, but we must not forget that they were written to believers who have the guidance and power of God’s Spirit. A lost man can never understand the things of the Spirit. He is only too willing to debate moral issues on a platform of culture, politics, and human reason. And much of the church has fallen for that ruse.
And after several decades of Christian political action groups and men like Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell leading moral crusades the church began to lose her spiritual moorings and ended up not only vulnerable to movements like the emergent church, but spiritually adrift. And in the midst of ever deepening darkness the church has continued to lose what light she still had, until today where millions upon millions upon millions of professing believers exist side by side with the darkness with little if any impact at all.
And armed with incredible technology, a prosperous congregation, Madison Avenue advertising techniques, and a literal plethora of activities, the church only twitches like a dying animal. She has been assimilated and now sees the gospel as some relic of days gone bye. Look at the wording about such a church in revelation.
Rev.3:16-18 - So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
Notice the word “wretched”. God uses that very word to describe a prosperous and self absorbed church. Are we so spiritually deaf that we cannot even see the obvious and striking similarities to the western church of today? And are our personal relationships so important to us that we refuse the voice of God’s Spirit in order to maintain the status quo? Will we ever be able to be painfully serious about these things?
Look at the first verse of that passage. A lukewarm church makes God sick. I am not under the delusion that we can be perfect this side of eternity, but I believe I could take an unbeliever, read the New Testament to him, and ask him if what he sees in today’s church in any way resembles what he just heard. And if that unbeliever might see a disconnect, then why oh why cannot the born again followers of Jesus Christ recognize what a desperate situation exists in the church today?
It is time for us to buy gold from God that is tried in the fire. It is time to run to the prayer closets with great fervor and passion, and like Jacob of old not let go of God until he reigns His Pentecostal fire down upon us once more! I do not speak of what passes for God’s fire today. I am not referring to some contrived dog and pony show that only elevates a person and lines his evil pockets. I am speaking of the fire of repentance that sets us free from the chains of this fallen culture, and sends us into the darkness with the unmistakable incandescence of the everlasting gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! We need a move of the Spirit that cannot be traced to any man or movement, but has been kindled in the prayer gatherings in homes and churches and parks and lunch breaks. And pastor’s conferences that were to be centered on church growth morph into all night prayer meetings. And what was billed as a Christian get together to hear about political candidates ends with believers weeping on their faces before the Consuming Fire!
Dear friends we don’t need more organization, we don’t need more conservative politics, we don’t need more eloquent preaching, we don’t need more buildings, and we do not need more Washington prayer breakfasts like the one today. That kind is an affront to the character and integrity of a Holy God. God forbid we ever have a get together just to pray without food and a special speaker. And even though it makes people feel religious, in reality it just adds condemnation upon them.
We don’t need any new and innovative ideas, and we don’t need some more enthusiasm. What we need is a resurrection. Like spiritual zombies the church is packed with activities and programs that serve to corral and organize people but spiritually are ecclesiastical sarcophagi. They seem to be alive but they are dead men walking. We need God’s Spirit to do in us what we cannot do in ourselves.
Is.64:1-6 - Oh that thou wouldest rend the heavens, that thou wouldest come down, that the mountains might flow down at thy presence,
2 As when the melting fire burneth, the fire causeth the waters to boil, to make thy name known to thine adversaries, that the nations may tremble at thy presence!
3 When thou didst terrible things which we looked not for, thou camest down, the mountains flowed down at thy presence.
4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
5 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved.
6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

Our sin is wretched before us. Even so, let thy will be done in us our Redeemer and Lord…

2012-02-02T12:44:00.001-05:00

In Full Disclosure

I believe abortion is murder - pure and simple without qualifications and with no exceptions. I do not vote or get involved with politics, but I encourage those believers who still do to at least vote for someone who is pro-life even when the spotlight of an election is not on him. In this year’s election that would have to be Rick Santorum. To vote economically at the expense of attempting to prevent murder is at odds with all that is Christian.
I have supported the local Crisis Pregnancy Center and have also given money to families who adopted babies from mothers who may have otherwise had them aborted. However I will always feel somewhat guilty since I did not adopt any children personally. I often feel hypocritical on the issue of abortion. I share this to encourage those who read this to adopt unwanted babies if you are able. And if you can convince a mother who is going to have an abortion to let you adopt, I believe God will bless you for that.
If I had it to do over again I would certainly do some things differently.

2012-02-02T07:28:00.002-05:00

Total Depravity (or Just Plain Lost)

The phrase “total depravity” is used to describe the condition of an unregenerate sinner. The word depravity or even depraved does not appear in the Scriptures, but the phrase is somewhat useful if it not expanded to meet the requirements of someone’s systematic theology. To be clear, no sinner can either save himself or even aid in his salvation. It is a total work of God.
Salvation is by grace through faith and faith is not a work but a gift of God. Time and time again the Spirit calls to sinners to make a choice. Jesus beckoned some to follow Him and some of those he beckoned refused. The entire issue centers around the question of free will. Does a sinner have free will, and its twin brother being has Jesus died for every sinner.
It seems very simple, but of course man has made it complex. We are called to preach the gospel to every creature and unless every creature has the offer of salvation then most to whom we preach are being taunted. But of course the gospel is a universal offer of redemption to ever sinner for Christ has tasted death for every man.
Heb.2:9 - But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.
See, simple and clear. So then what does total depravity mean? As I alluded to before it does not mean that a sinner cannot seek God, or even that he has no consciousness of God. It simply means that no sinner can do any works that have redemptive value. But listen to what Jesus says here.
Matt.19:23-24 - Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
If God chooses who will be saved, and if those who he chooses have no choice in the matter, then there would be no degrees of difficulty. Why would it be more difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom as opposed to a poor man? Its obvious what is being taught here. The rich man’s wealth affects his heart and he cannot bring himself to leave his riches to follow the Lord Jesus. That is why it is more difficult and the teaching here is very clear.
Lk.11:52 - Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered.
Here again, Jesus is rebuking the experts in the Mosaic law that their actions were keeping some who might have entered God’s kingdom from entering. And if those who might have entered could not enter because they were not chosen, then why is Jesus rebuking these men? It is obvious. There is such a thing as deception, and this deception is not just about temporal things. In fact, if a sinner is completely depraved and cannot seek God without God drawing him without his will, then how can he be any more deceived? A completely dead corpse cannot be deceived. And who can be a stumbling block for a dead man?
Lk.13:34 - O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!
Here again Jesus acknowledges that He called and the sinners in Jerusalem said no. The entire concept is very simple. God desires all to be saved and that the gospel should be preached to every sinner. Man is depraved, but he still has a residue of the knowledge of God. He cannot save himself or even help God in that respect, and he cannot know who Christ is without the revelation of the Holy Spirit.
In closing I want to make perhaps the most important point. Regardless of all the nano-doctrines and the endless disputes over just how depraved sinners are, the material point will always be that they are lost. And of what good does it do to accurately define the lost condition? It really only serves to create a doctrinal tournament and provide a competetive spirit while at the same time diminishing the God given panacea for those same lost sinners. Many times the passion for doctrine eclipses any passion for sharing the gospel.

Let us never lose sight of that salient point by obsessing over the finer points of systematic theology.

2012-02-01T16:04:00.001-05:00

Bishop Eddie Long

and

The Spirit of Antichrist

Bishop Eddie Long reached an out of court settlement with the young men who accused him of untoward and perhaps illegal acts committed upon them. I believe he missed but a few Sundays away from his pulpit. Last Sunday a man called Rabbi Ralph Messer ministered at the church where Eddie Long is pastor.
What you will witness is almost unbelievable. And after you witness this debacle, perhaps your imagination can now grasp how the antichrist will rise to power.

Here is that video.

Flee the wrath to come. The end is gaining velocity.

2012-02-01T13:10:00.000-05:00

Evidence of Faith

“Provide us with evidence of your faith!”

If you provide your doctrine and theology as your prime evidences for your faith then your faith needs a resurrection since it is dead.

2012-02-01T07:09:00.004-05:00

Seeking the Face of Jesus

Eph.1:15-23 - Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Paul mentions the “spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him”. What a declaration! How many believers consistently beseech the Lord for that spirit? Is it our daily practice to seek a fresh revelation of Him? Or have we become enamored with this world and while toiling in Martha’s kitchen we have become ambivalent about Mary’s place before His feet? Oh what have we done to the faith once delivered to the saints?
So many times the doctrinally orthodox community tends to ignore, if not reject, the notion that a believer can fellowship with Christ in the realm of the spirit with a surprising intimacy. They suggest that it is enough to embrace the foundational truths of the faith, but they make no mention of pursuing the very face of Jesus through fasting, prayer, and seasons of deep and penetrating Scriptural meditation. I would like to take issue with that entire spiritual construct.
When a sinner is granted a revelation of the Lord Jesus as the only Savior and the only way to eternal life, that sinner believes on Christ and is born again. He becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus. But it should not stop there. We have become children of God and we now have access to our Father through the Lord Jesus. We are now inhabited by the Holy Spirit who desires to lead us into all truth. And our relationship with Jesus should never be merely historical. We are sometimes bound to the narrative of what Jesus did for us when we were saved and how He changed our lives. That is always good.
But how has Jesus changed your life today? And the most wonderful thing the Spirit can do for you today is to open the veil and allow a soul shaking revelation of the Risen Christ.
Ps.27:7-9 - Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. 8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek.
9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
When two lovers sit across from each other they gaze into each other’s faces. It is that face where their lips speak words of love and affirmation. They do not sit in a booth and look down and read their lover’s biography. No, they enjoy the intimacy of visual contact and seasons of affirmation and sharing. Many times their appetite is interrupted by the sheer weight of their loving emotion. A lover will think many times during the day of the set rendezvous later in that day. A lover will think about their partner, and even write quite embarrassing notes of affection that are never meant for the eyes of others.
If it is late and they are tired, these lovers somehow find additional strength to elongate their time together. Which lovers go day after day without spending intimate time together? What lovers depend upon the knowledge of the other they gleaned when they originally met, and with that knowledge they are satisfied? And after they are married their relationship changes in some ways, but they still enjoy some times of intimacy. In fact, a marriage that has no intimacy is dead even though the marriage certificate is still valid.
II Cor.:6 - For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
What is the Spirit telling us here? What does it mean when He uses the phrase “in the face of Jesus Christ”? And if the knowledge of the glory of God is in the face of Jesus, then we should seek it. Or do we just read those words, overlook any real meditation about them, and point out the excesses of our charismatic friends? And do we allow excesses to rob us of the glory that is found in seeking His face?
It is quite possible that the western church has lost the desire to spend the necessary time required to seek the face of God. Prayer itself is a perfunctory exercise which is practiced sparingly and almost always without tears and passion and an unction to actually experience His presence. And while we criticize the Roman Catholic Church because of their vain repetitions, we ourselves speak redundant and powerless “bless us” words.
The spiritual practices that demand our full attention as well as the freedom from the constraints of time have been lost to the western church. We have been sold a bill of goods, and even if we see it now and acknowledge our pitiful condition, it is most difficult to summon the strength to break out of our cultural prison. And if we repented and decided to pursue prayer and meditation once again with vigor, sacrifice, and brokenness we would be looked upon as fanatics who have become unbalanced. But I am convinced that the things of this present world could not be compared with the spiritual rewards in such a journey.
II Cor.3:17-18 - Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Again we see the Spirit teaching us that it is possible to behold the glory of the Lord, and in that experience we ourselves are being changed. So what does that tell us about our lives if we are not pursuing a spiritual life that seeks God’s face and God’s glory? It tells us that we are not being changed, and the “I gave up smoking, etc.” recounting of our original conversion experience has become an historical account of change that has long since died out. We’ve become satisfied with those changes, many of them outward, and we have little interest in a refining and transformation in the present. But it would do us well to remember that many of the outward changes God made in our lives during those first few years can also be made by unbelievers.
But the inward man who is made in the image of Christ, well the unbeliever has no part in him. But many believers treat him as some intangible doctrine rather than a living, breathing entity within us. That inward man remains unnourished and the carnal man stands in for him, and after several years that carnal man can even act religious. He goes to church and sings the songs and gives money to the cause and does a host of other outward oblations. But still, the inward man is neglected and powerless.
But if the face of Jesus can be experienced, and if believers can experience the presence of God’s glory, wouldn’t we all rush with delight to seek such? We are so captured in this cookie cutter Christian existence that we have forgotten Him except as a doctrine to defend against the usual evangelical suspects. But Jesus desires so much more with us. Yes missions; yes fellowship; yes praise; yes clean living; yes all those things.
“But why don’t preachers exhort us to do what you are saying.” One reason is because many are busy running a church and paying bills and keeping people content. And perhaps its that many, many pastors do not even know what I am saying and hear my words as some kind of moon-man talk. What separates us from the Joel Osteen’s of the evangelical world? Is it only because of what we say and preach, or should it also be because of the observable depth of our devotional life? Carnal pastors are asking couples to be intimate with each other daily for a week or a month. How about being intimate with Jesus daily?
But what would Jesus say to us if He came down for a few precious moments? Perhaps,
“I love each and every one of you. But I continue to stand ready to meet you in ways about which you cannot even dream. I am calling, calling, calling. I wish to meet with you beyond programs and convenient places in your life. I will reveal Myself to anyone who diligently seeks Me. In the secret place of the Most High I stand eager to embrace you with a glory that will change you. In fact, one hour in my genuine presence will change your life more deeply that listening to scores of sermons. But if you spend that kind of time with Me, then the messages might mean much more than they do now. Come and let us dine together.”

If we ever plan on seeking His face we must do it quickly.

2012-01-31T21:15:00.003-05:00

The Exalted Christ

Heb.1:1-6 - God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high:
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
6 And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.
Remove the shoes from your hearts for you are on holy ground. It is quite beyond us to fully understand what took place at the Incarnation. Oh we can construct some convenient theology with shallow words that describe a “God made as a man” kind of flannel board presentation. But we cannot speak words of resplendent glory which radiate that which that truth demands. Jesus, the Word, was always God from all eternity past.
Even the Trinity is a mystery which is why so many mangle it. But the non-negotiable essence of the Trinitarian revelation is that Jesus was always God. He was not a result of sexual relations in the spirit world as the Mormons teach. They teach that Jesus and Satan were the two eldest brothers of God and had to earn their deity. That is not only a convoluted mess, but it is damnable heresy.
Jn.1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
But somehow a few humans caught a shaded glimpse of His glory. And this God dwelt among man for several decades while He revealed Himself and journeyed toward His ultimate mission, the cross. I have been to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan and I’ve watch people stand back and admire a Rembrandt painting. And those who can actually understand just what they are seeing and the depth of the artistic talent and expression are the ones who are most affected.
The ones who know Christ and His eternal beauty and redemptive glory are those whose lives are forever affected, not just as stand back admirers, but as the clay that has been affected by the Potter’s hands. But in an incredible truth Jesus is not a work of art by the Universal Artist, He IS that Artist!! Who can know the depth of that glorious mystery? The writer of Hebrews says He is the “express image of his person” which is to say that Jesus is God in human, visible form.
That is the colossal truth for all eternity. It comes with all the hows and whys that are hidden in the Godhead. Time had been on a journey which ultimately led to Bethlehem, and on that night God sent an angelic choir to announce the event and serenade His only begotten Son. Many religions suggest that man is or can be God, but Christianity reveals that God has become a man. It is the fathomless condescension that was required to rescue us from the kingdom of darkness and the sentence of eternal death. Why would God who could do anything seek out our love at such a high cost?
The human mind reasons, “Well Jesus was God so He knew after He died He could be brought back to life.” Yes, and Jesus even prophesied that very fact. But God the Son still experienced the suffering of human death, excruciating death. But it is impossible to understand how Christ suffered for sin in that one human frame. And when suffering is on a universal scale it has to be beyond our poor ability to comprehend. In effect, Jesus endured the punishment of eternal hell for every sinner in the space of about six hours. Bow your pitiful head and meditate upon that.
But God the Son hid His glory inside of human flesh so that He might provide a ransom for our souls which were prisoners of sin. I realize that sin is no longer a relevant topic today. The whole world lies in the wicked one. They are oblivious to their impending doom. But Jesus, the Christ of God, is holding out redemption to whosoever will believe in Him. To say He is beautiful is to diminish His glory.

Brilliant as the Sun and with the incandescence of a billions stars, the Risen Christ rules and reigns from His throne.

To know Him is to love Him and to love Him is to serve Him.

2012-01-31T00:11:00.010-05:00

Evil is Relentless

It never rests. It never takes a break or a sabbatical. It never sleeps. It never is exhausted. Evil fills the earth and continues to widen its territory. It reigns in the hearts of billions, but it still desires more and more. It is all around us, and if we succumb, it will arise in our own hearts. It comes with many disguises including religion. It comes as portraying itself as Christianity, and it even comes portraying itself as Christ Himself. Evil knows no boundaries and is never embarrassed.
It loves to play dress up as patriotism, and its favorite - war. Violence is a delicacy and the blood and guts feeds its perverted sense of self. It is often fueled by human pride. Evil has no problem expanding its territory through human ingenuity, greed, and avarice. The love of money is seemingly in its lineage. And although it is poisonous to the human soul, human beings embrace evil as if it were their life’s blood. Quite fascinating indeed.
When defeated on one battle ground it never sulks, but it has another plan already in progress. It is sophisticated and with millions of diabolical tentacles that extend to the ends of the earth. It is most eager to enter a hospitable heart and life. And once it finds refuge it resists eviction with cunning and powerful suggestions. Deception is its currency. It is most beyond the comprehension of the human mind.
Born into it, it doesn’t take too long before we exhibit it and later embrace it. While we live in a fallen state we are its ambassadors in the form of pawns. We think we know who we are but in reality evil is using and abusing us at its will. Although evil is orchestrated by an entity named Satan, it still is a major league force throughout the world. Its ramifications are massive and eternal.
Lately I have been accused of creating fear. I would feel badly if there wasn’t something about which to fear! We have lived so long under the canopy of cotton candy Christianity that when anyone brings forth the foreboding teachings that are inherent with the New Testament Scriptures it becomes very uncomfortable. And especially in a hedonistic culture that feeds upon self esteem and positive everything there is always an underlying desire for everything to fit into the human scheme called the pursuit of happiness and pleasure. The western populace has little time for that which disturbs the party.
And if it makes you uncomfortable then ignore it all. Let these words just roll off your back and go back to watching television. Read your Daily Bread for five minutes today and tell your conscience you have fulfilled your religious oblation and let us all worry about approaching comets and asteroids rather than the return of the King spewing divine fire. Yes, over the top rhetoric that just might meet you again on the other side.
I set no date, but be assured there is a date certain.
Eph.5:15-17 - See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
But for those of us who have entered the Ark by faith, we are safe. We can hear the thunder and the rain pounding outside. We have not been given the spirit of fear, but with each bolt of prophetic lightning it only reminds us that He is coming quickly. And that is our hope and for what we all eagerly await. The Son will come in glory and with the company of angelic beings.
But until that day the evil multiplies with great velocity. Men are inventors of evil things and like those who once danced around a golden calf the world dances around the golden calf of self pleasure. The newest form of entertainment is celebrated like it’s a cure for cancer. How many are satisfied with the same mobile phone for ten years? What home has only one television? Who owns a car for ten years? The things of this world are no longer trappings, they have become honored companions.
It is impossible to venture three blocks from your own home without being assaulted by lustful pictures of some kind. Television is a continuing source of fallen refuse. Evil stalks the entire human race. In North Korea it comes as starvation, while in America food is a god. In Iran it comes as totalitarianism, while in America it comes as freedom used to feed our voracious appetite for pleasure and material possessions. Evil camouflages itself as a Satanic cult while it lives and breathes in the very ecclesiastical structure that claims it comes from God.
Evil flourishes just as well in the hospital nursery as it does in the cemetery. From the President to the street sweeper, evil is no respecter of persons. From Dahmer to the judge who sentences him, evil operates with cunning and precision. Evil allows itself to be identified through the serial murderer, but it works tirelessly to conceal its greatest project, the damning of the entire human race. In fact, evil will do good deeds as long as the deeds change the nature of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
And therein lies the only hope for those who wish to escape the eternal consequences of evil. The shed blood of Jesus Christ is that hope and evil attempts to make that sacrifice seem like religious folklore and a mere example of human cruelty. Evil is well aware that when faith touches that bloody sacrifice it looses all claims to that sinner’s soul. And evil will do almost anything to retain ownership on any given soul.
So go ahead and call me a fear monger. But there is coming a day when my words will seem tepid and most understated. And on that day many will wish they had heeded passing voices like mine. This is no trifle; this is no game. In fact, to say this is serious is to dilute it substantially. This is so much more than mere serious. This is life and death on a greater basis than can be fully realized in the constrictions of this three dimensional existence.
This is eternal death. A sinner dies and after his death he is fitted with a spiritual body. He is then put to death again, however he cannot die. He is continually in the very throws of death with all the agonies that entails, and yet he still cannot die. A thousand years pass and still he dies; a million years and again he is dying; and in this inconceivable state he himself has a consciousness that continually informs him that this will never end. He is imprisoned in the torture of a death state without any hope of even a subtle abatement, to say nothing of complete escape.
These words are too melodramatic and sensational, you suggest, as your being recoils at such a thing. This cannot be and God will never be a accomplice to such a ghastly picture. Perhaps you are correct. Perhaps my words do not really describe what awaits a sinner who dies as an enemy of the Holy One. Yes, perhaps you are absolutely correct.
Perhaps any human words are immeasurably inadequate to fully reveal the monstrous consequences of God’s justice for unredeemed sin. Perhaps. But while you take a fleeting and ambivalent moment to consider it, just remember evil relentlessly pursues this entire planet. And things in your rear view mirror are larger than they appear. Much larger...

But the end of all things is at hand:

be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

2012-01-30T18:50:00.002-05:00

Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit

I want to once again make it clear who Rob Bell is and what he teaches. Many still view him as just a modern communicator who attempts to convey the gospel through clever communicative bridges. But that is far from the truth.

I refer you to this previous post.

2012-01-30T15:35:00.002-05:00

The Confusing Evangelical Ether

Out in the atmosphere, metaphorically and literally speaking, of evangelicalism there is an incredible confusion. The simplicity of the gospel has been rejected for a complicated and convoluted array of representations that are hardly recognizable as the gospel itself. What once was a glorious narrative of redemption through faith in the death and resurrection of the Incarnate Christ has been dismantled at the molecular level of Biblical truth. The cleverness of man’s intellect and communicative prowess has replace the power of the Holy Spirit.
No longer do men need a sanctified life. The sheer weight of their communication and Madison Avenue advertisement techniques are enough to elicit the popularity they seek. Men like Rob Bell, Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, and others have become the Pied Pipers of evangelicalism and now command a sizeable following based upon books, Cds, conferences, television, and careful strategies to advertise their “ministries” and create a human thirst that can be quenched without the Spirit.
Confusion on this scale has come in on the wings of the expansive technology of communicative media. Mass communication has sorely wounded the spiritual integrity of the visible church. I believe I am generous when I say professing believers and lost sinners are confused. Confusion is deception, and God is not the Author of such things. And a new phenomenon has emerged in this spiritual climate.
Doctrine has become almost irrelevant to the average evangelical. Now I have spoken loudly and often about the doctrinal Bourgeoisie who have made doctrine itself an idol and a god of sorts. But doctrine, or Biblical truth, must remain very important especially as it pertains to Christ and salvation. And a perfunctory statement of faith is never adequate to establish the authenticity of one’s discipleship. Cold and dead are such words if they are not exhibited by living and vibrant epistles that radiate the very Person of Jesus Christ. Some challenge, eh?
And it is very easy to either ignore humanitarian deeds or to see them as spiritually redemptive. Both of those views are Biblically wrong. And the confusion about those things have been rather central to the spiritual slide in the church. While one church points to their orthodox statement of faith as the evidence of their discipleship, the other church points to their ministry to the poor and needy as their proof. We as believers should have both things observable in our spiritual walk.
But how often have I run across a believer who is considered mature in his fellowship, and he remarks how wonderful Rob Bell's Nooma series is. Or he may say that he admires Rick Warren. Or, God forbid, he may say he and his wife watch Joel Osteen. And this is from someone who has been save quite a while and should be able to discern much better than that, but because of the immense confusion he has been captured in deception. Now he may stay in the Baptist church he now attends, or like many thousands he may go join a church like Mars Hill in Michigan. The point being he is now vulnerable to great compromise.
I cannot tell you how my heart breaks over such things. I must confess that about twenty years ago I became interested in Kenneth Copeland’s ministry for about one year. Praise God my eyes were opened before it was too late. But that is why I have a heart for the deceived, and also why I speak out from time to time to warn believers that there are wolves out there. The deception grows while the sand continues to run quickly to the bottom of the hour glass.
Are you confused? I do not mean about the fringe issues about which we all discuss and sometimes disagree. This is not about free will or no free will. The issues about which I speak are central to the gospel. They are non-negotiable. If you are confused I suggest you take one week and read the New Testament through from Matthew to Revelation. Ask the Spirit to speak to your heart and reinforce the bedrock truths upon which our faith is built. And do not just look for doctrine, but also open your heart to seek His face and lengthen the cords and deepen the stakes of your own spiritual walk.
Again, there is much confusion of which none of it is of God.

2012-01-29T18:33:00.003-05:00

Receive the Wilderness as a Sacrament

Every Christian goes through periods that can be aptly described as wilderness experiences. Regardless of who admits it or not it is a reality of all who journey the path of the cross. These are times where either God’s presence seems to virtually disappear, or where God’s direction does not seem available regardless of how earnestly we seek it. John the Baptist ministered in the wilderness. God brought the Children of Israel out of Egypt and into the wilderness. And Jesus Himself battled the devil in the wilderness.
The wilderness can be a place of despair, but it can also be a sacred place of seeking a deeper and more committed relationship with the Father through the Lord Jesus and the power of the Spirit. In the wilderness the water is not so readily available. Spiritual food must be sought with diligence. And we cannot lean on the expected presence of God. And our emotions cannot be used inadvertently to augment the power that should define our spiritual walk. The wilderness is an opportunity for all who will see it as such.
It is in the wilderness where God reveals Himself as the I AM. It is in the wilderness where we see water come from a Rock, which is later revealed as Christ. It is in the wilderness that God gives the designs for the Tabernacle which is replete with shadows and images of the coming Messiah. It is in the wilderness that God’s people learn of blood sacrifice. It is in the wilderness that God grants a glorious peek into the Land of Canaan. And it is from this wilderness that the very first step into the Jordan River is taken. God uses the wilderness for His glory!
It is in the wilderness that the Lord Jesus quotes God’s Word to the enemy of our souls. It is in this wilderness that Jesus is tested and remains sinless and unmoved from His redemptive mission. It is in the wilderness that Christ repels Satan and orders Him to depart!
And those who wish to follow in the footsteps of Jesus should not be surprised when they lead through some kind of wilderness experience. And when we find ourselves in such a wilderness we cannot lose heart nor leave our passion to follow Him. Many false teachers suggest that every wilderness is of the devil and God desires to rescue you immediately. Of course they suggest money will motivate God to do this.
But they are liars and must be rejected out of hand. God can and does use the wilderness to mold His followers into the image of His Son. It is not a place of destruction but a place of instruction. Because of the compromise and even apostasy of the western church many believers have found themselves in a wilderness and looking for a divine direction. Have patience, and quoting from the Princess Bride, “You rush a Miracle Man and you get rotten miracles!” We need to learn patience and absorb the glory of the fellowship of His sufferings.
Deut.8:2-3 - And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no.
3 And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.
The Lord our God will never leave us nor forsake us, but His ways are not our ways. But we must always remember that during times of testing, and even suffering, the Potter is molding His precious human clay into a vessel that shines forth His glory. Those who desire only times of earthly pleasure and prosperity are being molded into vessels that shine forth the fallen glory of this temporal existence. But those vessels who have gone through the fire with their eyes upon Him have the image of the Redeemer burned into their souls.
II Cor.4:6-7 - For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
Jam.1:2-4 - My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
I pet.1:6-9 - Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.

Receive the wilderness as a sacrament before the Lord your God.

2012-01-29T09:46:00.007-05:00

Lucifer's Legacy as the End Approaches

Although the entire episode is wrapped in mystery, God still gave us a glimpse. We do know that a created angel named Lucifer somehow rebelled against God in God’s own dwelling place. It seems quite inconceivable, but such is the colossal power of deception. We would do well to remember that.
But then this creature, along with a third of the other angels, were thrown out of God’s presence and cast down to this planet. Does that seem like so much legend, myth, and fairy tale to you? Again, that is the power of deception. And armed with the deception which spelled his doom, Lucifer, now call Satan, begins to create his own legacy and forms an evil heritage that will last forever.
Yes, I said forever. Does that not bring fear into anyone’s heart these days, or do the pleasures of today drown out the warnings of tomorrow? Satan is busy securing souls for his eternal heritage which will be “enjoyed” apart from the divine presence he once knew. This is no Dungeons and Dragons game, and neither is it Lord of the Rings. This is the eternal war that continues to be waged in the world of spirits while the effects ravage the planet. This is no sport or some tournament between good and evil. The gravity of this conflict cannot be expressed in words, and no one can be fully aware of all its ramifications until the battle is over.
Satan has appealed to all sorts of human reasonings in order to stake his claim. He has orchestrated the invention of all kinds of religions with all kinds of gods. And by appealing to the intellect of man he has attempted to make the true faith appear too simplistic to be believed. Lust and greed have been essential in his plan, and hatred and violence have been well worn tools as well. The entire earth is enveloped in a cloud of deception and mankind loves to have it so.
Nowhere is that deception more pronounced than in the west where sin has been refined into a science that is studied and practiced with great creativity and relish. And beneath the carnival-like atmosphere of the western culture lives a sinister power that has ensnared the entire populace, save a few that have bowed their hearts to the Lord of Life. It is most ingenious of fallen man to create clever little levels of sin in order to soothe his fallen conscience. Open hedonists like Donald Trump are almost worshiped while the little goth girl in the mall who has been molested by her father is looked upon with disdain. The gay man is vilified while the serial adulterer runs for president.
Yes, man is no innocent bystander in this eternal conflict. He has been a willing partner in this diabolic scheme. And if God should chose this day to end it all, billions would be lost. Again, does that stretch your reality? Does is seem much too drastic and does your grounded intellect keep you from laying hold of that sobering truth? It seems more like a horror flick than actual, tangible truth. And that is just one more method of spiritual deception employed by him who hates God with an unmeasured hatred and expends all his energy attempting to dilute God’s glory.
Tick-tock, tick-tock, and time keeps passing with the predictable integrity of the rising of the Sun. Wristwatches by the billions display its measurement with inanimate precision, but without a syllable of foreboding or omen. And like a fisherman steadily reeling in his catch, so is the spirit of antichrist reeling in unsuspecting and uncaring souls. And in the midst of this horror, evil men preach nonsense and falsehoods to soothe the hearts and scratch the ears of sinners who stand in desperate need of the truth.
And it isn't just the Osteens and the Bells and the Warrens that have propped up spiritual deception within the church. No, it's the entire western ecclesiastical structure which has transformed the church from a culture invading spiritual force into a religious business. Preachers by the tens of thousands ascend the pulpit and with dry eyes they are ignorant of the approaching storm and refuse to warn people who sit in its very path except with an occasional nod to some abstract statement of faith or an innocuous gospel appendage that is nothing more than a preface to the awaiting lunch table. The redundant mess has been essentially abandonded by God's Spirit save the power to mercifully save some souls.
And the end of all hope walks steadily up the path without confrontation by God's own people. If we all realized what was at stake we might sell everything and go from house to house with tears and a passion that might very well frighten the average person, but just might awaken many dead hearts to the very seriousness of their situation. But sadly, the church continues with a disgusting ambivalence and a demonic self centered approach to Christ which openly attacks His sovereign glory! It is a reproach to the gospel and has morphed into an open religious sore that oozes death rather than life.
Oh, does that now offend you? Will it offend you when you stand in His glorious presence and watch as billions upon billions of souls are cast into the Lake of Fire? Will you be offended then? Will it offend you and me that we might have done so much more but we were content to let things slide into a spiritual malaise? Are we offended that Satan has attacked the glory of our Great God, and does that offense drive us into a holy passion to spread His gospel through lips and lives?

And what will you do when the end comes?

I Pet.4:7 - But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Rev.16:13-15 - And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
There is an end to all of this. It may come tomorrow, or it may come next year, or it may even come one hundred years from today, but make no mistake, the end is coming. It is this very thing, the end, that terrifies people. No one wants the music to stop; no one wants the party to end; no one wants to face the eternal unknown. But the end looms large for mankind collectively, and for each one of us individually.
And that is the question that hangs over all of us like the mythical Sword of Damocles, however this is no myth. There is an appointment with the Creator that has each and every sinner’s name etched in the indelible ink of God’s decree. And while we play and party and fulfill our religious obligations, that future appointment continues to step with determination toward the present. And when your name is called, and when my name is called, what will we do then?
The answer is that at that fearful moment there is nothing more that can be done. And think about that. There will be no second chances, and no excuses, and no reasoning. And everything that we have hidden which we alone know will be summoned forth before the King of the Universe. All our supposed good deeds will have no place when redemption is at stake. If you stand before the Holy One clothed in your unrighteousness and without the covering of God’s bloody sacrifice, you will quake and tremble as you suddenly realize you have lost eternity.
Words can only paint a poor picture of that day, to say nothing of communicating the extreme regret and the tears and pleading and horrific screeching emanating from hell bound souls. This is no horror flick. The reality of this scene will be the ultimate nightmare, monstrous in its subsistence, and eternal in its adjudication. And will God allow billions to watch as others are cast into the lake of fire before their turn comes? I am not naïve, I realize that this subject has long since passed off the evangelical landscape and made room for men like Rob Bell who speak words of lying comfort to all who will listen and line his pockets with filthy lucre.
Go ahead, place all your eggs in one basket. Ignore the many, many warnings of Scripture and incline your ears to the false sirens of today’s sophisticated communicators. Take that chance if you will, but remember, if you are wrong you have lost everything. But I am saved, you say. Are you? Then why are you dancing with those who are outside the ark? Why then do you not believe and heed the Words of Almighty God? Why do you have no fear of God in your soul?
How can you profess a cross bearing discipleship and live as if there is no God? How can those who claim His name go day after day with such a paltry exhibition of the Christ that they so easily blend in with those who deny Him? What kind of Christianity have we created in this western, hedonist culture? Why has the church bowed to its surroundings, while the culture flourishes and is only too glad to allow this milquetoast brand of faith to join its party? Why is the pinnacle of our so called discipleship displayed within the parameters of 45 minutes on Sunday morning?
I am not an evangelist that keeps records so I can print them in my newsletter and raise more funds. I am a literal nobody who speaks by God’s grace the unpleasant truth to many who desire nothing more than sweet stories and religious fables. And I have no righteousness of my own, and I fall very short of God’s glory, and my imperfection is well documented. But I also have met the Redeemer and He has changed my life forever. And that, my friends, is the very question. Have you met the Redeemer, and has He changed your life, and if so, where is the evidence of that glorious transformation?
Prophetic stories have become familiar and doctrinal traditions, but reality stalks the earth. Do not wait. Do not turn a deaf ear. And if you are reading this by some providential mistake, listen to what the Spirit speaks to your heart. There may not be much time, but one thing is for sure. Tomorrow we all will be one day closer to that great and terrible day. Today is the day of salvation. Run to the Savior and find eternal life. Today.
The Spirit is calling the church to an elongated season of deep repentance. We all need the cleansing of the Spirit that not only washes us from our iniquities, but sets our lives on a new and vibrant course which simultaneously walks in resurrection power and the humility of Golgotha. We need more and more and more and more of Jesus, and much more indeed. Lucifer continues to build upon his damnable portfolio of souls while the church dances to the melodies of this fallen world. “Arise, and shine“, speaks the Spirit. There is little time and there is much to do. Millions upon millions upon millions of souls lurch on the precipice of eternal damnation.
God has provided the way of eternal life. Today is the day of salvation for those outside of Christ, and today is the day of the Great Commission for those who have been redeemed.

Satan gathered his minions and asked for suggestions as to how better deceive the masses. One demon stepped forward and said, “Let’s tell them there is no heaven!”
“Very good”, said Satan.
Another demon said, “Let’s tell them there is no hell!”
“Even better,” said Satan.
A third demon stepped forward and said, “Let’s tell them there is no hurry!”
“Yes,” said Satan, “That is the best!”

Satan is a liar.

2012-01-28T18:57:00.001-05:00

War - The New Voyeurism

The church has made such wonderful strides since the unenlightened days of former centuries. I remember watching as the priests blessed the warriors in the movie Braveheart. Wasn’t that so ignorant and unsophisticated? I mean come on, men speaking for God and claiming He is blessing either side or war in general?
Of course then I remembered hearing many a Sunday morning prayer from the pulpit asking the same thing for the American troops. Yes, we sure have changed. But there is one beneficial aspect of today’s wars.

We can watch the war on television while we eat dinner. Amazing!

2012-01-28T09:14:00.001-05:00

Hatred or Love

Ti.3:1-7 - Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
5 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;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
What is hate? Far too often we define hate as what white supremacy groups practice, or the protests by the Westboro Baptist Church. We like to view hatred as those who dislike Blacks or Jews or even gays. And with that kind of constricted definition we can insulate ourselves from being hateful. I mean we would never use a racial slur or an anti-Semitic term.
But there is a visceral hatred being practiced and openly displayed in thousands of evangelical churches. And this kind of hatred hides behind pillars of morality and the suggestion that the culture is decaying. This type of hatred identifies its objects with man made terms such as liberal, socialist, and an array of other labels. Hatred of this nature is not only tolerated among millions of professing believers, it is embraced.
This hatred is at the heart of American politics, and its Siamese twin is self righteousness. Many who pledge allegiance to the flag and proudly tout the founding fathers and passionately embrace the Declaration of Independence, also dislike the way this democracy now operates. They like the freedom they enjoy but they dislike the freedom others employ. They desire their own pursuit of happiness but desire to restrict the pursuit of happiness by others.
The work of Christ and the Kingdom of God must never be intertwined with the fallen methods of improving the culture. In fact, most people vote and support those who they deem more likely to improve their own earthly situation. But politics, and democracy in general, is filled with self interest and a serious brand of competition that leads to aggression toward those who are opposed to your views. And as we have seen lately, this kind of hatred and verbal assaults are even practiced among those who are supposed to be on the same side.
The entire specter of politics brings out the very worst in people and compromises the very teachings that believers say they espouse. Believers will watch television and allow certain fallen feelings to be aroused in their hearts when they hear liberal or conservative politicians. And many believers will talk among themselves about this one or that one. They will even use derogatory language and in some cases out and out lies. That, my friends, is a clandestine form of hatred.
Hatred is so antithetical to the gospel and to the redemptive plan of God. And we as believing followers of the Lord Jesus are not just commanded not to hate, but we are called to love our enemies. And as challenging as that is, it is impossible if we do not even consider it a command. Our natural hearts are not programmed to love, much less love our enemies. And most of these so called “enemies” are creations of a fallen system which has captured the hearts and minds of those who claim to live in another kingdom. Hatred feels good to the flesh and strengthens and reinforces ties between those who hate the same targets. There is no such thing as soft hatred; it is all hatred.
The two greatest commandments cannot be separated. Loving God without loving sinners is a fraud. Yes, there is such a thing as loving people without loving God. That is humanism. But if we love God, and if we are aware of what took place on the cross, then we must love sinners. And when the Calvinists claim God hates the non-elect they are liars. God is love, and the mystery of that love is profound. We do not have the luxury to hate others while still claiming to represent Christ. And if God does hate the non-elect, then the Westboro Baptist Church is a bold witness for Christ.
I exhort all of us to seek out the love of God in our hearts.
Jude 21 - Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

2012-01-27T06:35:00.003-05:00

"Christian" Television

You walk into a store and look at the cake section. The clerk informs you that this cake is 90% inedible, but if you cull out that 90% there is 10% that is very tasty. Would you buy it?

Christian television is that cake.