“Fools depise wisdom and insruction.”  (Proverbs 1)

“…[F]or he that is not against us is on our part.”  (Mark 9)

 

We have known men that refused to read books or any kind of spiritual literature if the writer was not of their own denomination.  In fact, some of these men would not read any thing if the quotes were not KJV, even if the writer was a baptist.  Some went so far as to cast doubt upon a persons salvation if they used a different version of the Bible than the King James.  It could go without saying (but I’ll say it any way) that these men would absolutely never read anything written by a Catholic.
We remember being influenced for a times into this way of thinking, except we never went so far as to cast away one who used another version as quotes in their works. I can remember the internal stuggle I had when thinking about reading C.S. Lewis for the first time.  Billy Graham was the same, I was told he was an agent of the Pope and he was the Pope’s puppet.  I came to learn, however that these, somewhat ignorant mens were puppets as well. The only difference their puppet master reigned in Indiana.

One need not read the proverbs very long before they read of text from above.  Solomon makes it clear that, “The person who rejects wisdom and instruction is a fool.  That word would fit a lot of persons today that fill the pews of many churches.  These persons here that a man was a Catholic monk, that man is judged immediately and is as good as non existent.  Men here the name Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Ratzinger, Hyles, John Wesley, Billy Graham. Bro. Lawrence, Lewis, Pink, St, Athanasius, Madame Guyon or a woman in general…Joyce Meyer, Jimmy Swaggart, or mention the word, Catechism, or secular entities such as Lucille Ball, Harry Potter, Buffy the Vampire slayer, etc. and their eyes glaze over and say, I have no use for him or her.They say yeah, but there Catholic, or even, Mother Theresa split Hell wide open.

Let’s take the above one (1) at a time:
1. Augustine, Augustine was one of the wisest men in all of Christ-ianity (outside of the inspired writers).  Outside of Scripture, he may have been the greatest. Without Augustine, humanly speaking we would all being praying to saints.  Augustine was the grandfather of the reformation.  Luther said that next to Scripture Augustine was the most valuable resource available to him. Calvin quotes him more than anyone in his “Institues of the Christian Religion.”  If you want to read a work on the Trinity, Augustine is your man.  His, “City of God”  is untouchable.
2. Luther, again humanly speaking, without Luther, like Augustine and Calvin, we would all be. “Hailing Mary.”  Luthet has one of the most stirring biographies one will read as well as good films depicting his life.  One cannot read his, “Here I stand, I can do no other..” Will inspire and give goosebumps.  Humanly speaking, again, I would not be the man I am today without Luther, Augustine and out next entry.
3. Calvin, First of all, Calvin did not invent Calvinism nor did he desire the death of Michael Servitus.  God “invented” the doctrines of grace that are today referred to calvinism.  The Cathloic church and society itself had a warrant for Servitus’ death.Calvin would have been in violation of law if he did not have the great blasphemer arrested.  The heretic was sentenced to burn and Calvin….the “heartless and cold” Calvin begged him to recant over and over, night by night but to no avail, Calvin then, in mercy…these were different times, sought the city gov’t to behead him instead of burning him alive.  As to Calvin inventing Calvinism, this is bad history and is a flat lie as well as a logical fallacy.  Calvinism or the doctrines of grace are solidly backed by Scripture and cannot be denied, lest one refuses to research them or chooses to “disbelieve” them.
An analogy: Jodi Arius, a murderer of an ex-boyfriend some years back is a good example of chosen blindness syndome, (my choice of name).  This woman stabbed her Mormon ex-boyfriend, twent-seven (27) times, almost decaptitated him, and shot him in the head.  She claimed it was self defense…Michael Meyers and Jason Vorhees would go down with less!!!  It was not self defense, obviously.

In her interrogations they presented her with evidence against her. They even had a picture of her feet and pants in the pictures!!!  Apparently she wqas taking picture of him showering before she “defended herself.”  Well, as God would have it, the camera went off during the murder.  All this evidence is laid out before her, and she denied, denied, denied, and actually invented two (2) other persons who broke in, killed him, and left her alive.  She admitted in the interrogation that if she were a third (3rd) party and she saw all the evidence she would think the person GUILTY, but after saying that she again denied it!!! To this day, she claims self defense after all the evidence is laid out.

Reader this is a kin to “Calvinism.”  One can use Scripture…many Scriptures, one could use logic, theo-LOGIC truths, and even history and the chooser of blindness will say, “i see it, I read it, but I cannot accept it of believe it.  Many a believer will ask their pastor at some point aboiut the teachings of “Calvinism” and the pastor will reply in a reductionary and accusatory manner.

I take different positions, depending on the situation when it comes to being called a “Calvinist” or “Augustinian”  My reason?  It’s a man’s name. I want to be called by my Lord, Master, and Saviour’s Name, Christ-ian.  The thing with that is, is everyone thinks they’re Christ-ian, even the vile Jehovah Witnesses and Mormons take the Name of Christ-ianity now a days as do catholics.

So, Reader, when a person says, “I’m Christ-ian,” what are they saying.  Analogy:I went to a fast food resaurant for lunch,”  Okay, but which one?  “I own a motor vehicle” which type?  “Honey, could you get me my (one of fifty (50)) sweater?” which one?  “I’m reading my Bible,”  There are sixty-six (66) different books. which one is being read?  You see my point.  “I’m Christ-ian,”  okay, which type?  There are, I believe, over one hundred (100) different species of Baptist.

However, when one is referred to as a “Calvinist,”  most persons know where they are coming from and what they think , in terms of faith, society, and politics.  Calvinism isn’t only a thing of religion, it is an outlook upon all things.

Back to the man himself. Calvin was one of the most persecuted of saints in all of Christ-ian history. Calvin is even mentioned in Fox’s Book of Martyrs.”  Calvin was not a cold and heartless man, one needs only read his letters. Calvin was a man of evangelism.  Persons believe “Calvinist are arrogant and do not evangelize.  The opposite is true.  The “Calvinist” knows there is an elect body in the world that will most certainly come to Christ and that knowledge of certainty drives them to speak the Gospel to all creatures. Calvinist’s look upon all of manking as elect, they know all of mankind is not elect but we know not who is and who is not therefore, we preach to all creatures.  As far as arrogance…the Calvinist is put to his knees in humility, thanks, and praise for the Salvation, they have received.
4. Ratzinger, or better known as, “Pope Bendict”.  Yes, Reader not only a Catholic but THe (to be pronounced thee) Catholic at one point.  Barring his Mariology and veneration of saints, this man was sound on theology…Readers, an example of the closed mind, if I said this man’s name or quoted him in a church service I could be considered as “heretical” as the Pope. Many of you know this to be true.  However, his books “Life of Christ,”  The Life Of Saint Paul,”  and his books on Christ-ian doctrine, IE. Faith, Holiness, Justification….yes,!!! justification are SOUND.  This is most likely the reason he was not pope for very long.  One of his prized possessions?  Calvin’s “Institutes of the Christian Religion” with leather cover and binding.
5. Jack Hyles, This man has been reffed to as the Baptist Pope. and he was pretty big on legalism, but He has good stuff to.  In his book on witnessing, he encoursges us to walk up to persons or even groups of persons and ask them, “Are you Christ-ian.”  Just like that, In the stead of small talk, he went straight to the most important issue a person will ever face  or a question they will ever be asked, “Are you saved?”  “Are you a Christ-ian,”  “Are you saved,”  are life defining moments and person defining truths. This man, like Calvin was dragged through the mud due to rumours and a book on Hyles having an affair.  I know not whether he did or he didn’t, but we’.. discuss that when we look at Swaggart.

Readers’ I recognize this article has grown longer tha I had expected. We will continue, (DV), in a sequal.

Godspeed.

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, neither ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love [H]im.”                                                                                                                                    (1 Corinthians 2)

“But we know…the whole world lieth in wickedness.”  (1 John 5)

“But wait…”  (Acts 1:4)

 

…There’s more!!!  Have you ever thought what it would be like if voice over actors spoke in everyday life as they do in commercials?  Most, persons hearing them, would most likely grow bored of it pretty quickly. I suggested to my daughters that we should all speak to each other in that “commercial-speak” for an entire day…they, of course disagreed.

After thinking about commercial speak and as my mind has a certain bent to it, I thought about the commercials and related them to the Kingdom.  I realized after thinking about this, we actually are walking and talking commercials!!!  We are advertisers for Christ and His Glory.  Please do not mis-take me, I’m not being funny or irreverent.  We are, in fact and deed, representatives of the King and His Rule.

In being faithful to Scripture, and this will annoy some, not all Christ-ians are Ambassadors from the Kindom of God’s [D]ear Son (2 Corinthians 5; Colossians 1).  If one really looked at that passage one would see that Paul was speaking specifically of himself and his associates or fellow labourers. Ambassadors are the ministers of Christ, whether they be preacher, pastor, missionary, or teacher.

Let me use an analogy to explain. All Americans are representatives of this great country, but not all Americans are ambassadors. The position of the American ambassador is appointed by the president.  The same is true in the Kingdom of Heaven; all Christ-ians, as citizens of the Kingdom, are respresentatives of the Kingdom but only those appointed by the King are official ambassadors. This should not be offensive or insulting to Christ-ians, it should be realized as a sound fact of Scripture.  To say we all are ambassadors for the Kingdom is a kin to saying all the Israelites were prophets, like Moses. The Israelites were representatives of God but it was only Moses and Aaron that were the official ambassadors of God.

The same is true in business.  All employees are representative of their employer’s company but not all are considered to be the official spokes-person of that company. I was a teen-ager once and I worked at KFC. As an employee of that franchise I was a representative but Col. Sander’s was the Spokesman.  Full disclosure: my employment at KFC was terminated.  In my youth I was very skilled with “colorful” language. The official reason for my termination was a customer’s complaint of hearing a, “Barrage of filthy language.” coming from the kitchen.  Looking back with, my Christ-ian perspective, I am very embarrased by my behaviour when I was young.  I was a poor representative for the restaurant’s franchise.

“…Let every one that nameth the [N]ame of Christ depart from iniquity.” Since we all are representatives of the Lord Jesus and His Kingdom, we must be a proper and proud representative.  Paul tells us to depart from iniqiuty if we are going to be called by the name of Christ-ian. This is a very important doctrine that speaks to our behavioue in society. If one is a speeder or if one has a “lead foot” one should not have a Christ-ian symbol on the vehicle.  If you wear a Cross necklace or wear a t-shirt that has Scripture on it, you must, while bearing these adornments upon your person, behave as a Glad and Good Christ-ian.

Years ago, I saw a person wearing a company’s shirt, with the company’s logo on it. I worked for that company which was being represented by a person, who was not an employee. I mentioned this oddity to the company’s owner. Upon hearing this, he sent his employees to find the guy in the shirt with the company logo on it and buy it from him. The owner was angry and was very sensitive about a non-employee wearing the company’s logo on a shirt. Some of his employees didn’t understand, at first, why this would be an issue. The owner explained to the employees that the non-employee man could, perhaps,  be a criminal and he could rob a store and he’s wearing the company’s name on his shirt.

The parallel is exact. We all as representatives of Christ and His Kingdom must be on our best behaviour for we must be Christ-like to those who watch and observe us. Readers, they really do watch and observe us, therefore give them a good show and remember Who you are standing in the Stead of because we know that He paid for the Shipping and handling of your whole person. The Shipping and Handling was very expensive as the translation of your person was shipped from earth to Heaven….the shipment may be in transit, but the delivery is guarenteed.

Godspeed.

 

 

“…[N]o man can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”  (1 Corinthians 12)

“Ye call [M]e Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.”  (John 13)

“Peter said unto [H]im, Lord….”  (John 13)

“And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with [T]hee, [T]hou Jesus of Nazareth.”  (Luke 4)

 

We would call your attention to the third (3rd) and fourth (4th) of the passages above. In these passages from John 13 and Luke 4 Our Master is being addressed.  In the passage from John 13, it is Peter and in the text from Luke 4, it is a demon speaking through a man. Both Peter and the demon are speaking to the same Man bnut do you note a difference in the manner in which the Master is addressed?

Peter, Christ’s friend and future Apostle, uses the word, Lord when speaking to Christ. The demon, however simply uses Christ’s [N]ame without giving Him His rightful title of Lord.  This is important reader.  The greater portion of Christ-ians also address the Master without the title of Lord.

We have made this arguement many, many times regarding the Lord’s proper title.  We have made the point that if one was to meet the President of the United States, one would not use his first name when speaking to the man. One would not call the Queen of England, Liz but instead one would address her as, “Your Highness” or “Your Majesty.”  Also, parents, when raising their children to be respectful, teach them to call men, mister and women, Miss or Mrs. But our Lord and Saviour, is just Jesus.  Reader, This is an affront to His Highness and His Majesty.

Christ Himself in John 13 tells [H]is disciples (You, Reader, are His disciple, are you not?) they do well when they call [H]im Master and Lord,  “…for so I am,” says The Son of God. Christ wants His disciples to call Him Master and or Lord.  Why deny Him this respect and reverence?

Reader, even the false believers give Christ His rightful title in Matthew twenty-five.  Christ says of these feax believers, “And these shall go away into everlasting punishment…”

In the first passage quoted above we learn that no man can call Christ, Lord except by the Holy Spirit.  Know ye not that it is our priviledge to have God’s Son as our Lord and Master?  The late and I’m sure very much missed, R.C. Sproul spoke about this very passage this morning.

Sproul taught his students that the very first (1st) Christ-ian creed was, “Jesus is Lord.”  Sproul made the point that in saying, “Jesus is Lord, ” would be a dangerous matter. Therefore, no man could call Christ, Lord except it be by the Holy Spirit, because it was so dangerous to call Christ Lord when Caesar wanted the title. Another thought was that no man could call Christ, Lord in truth and with meaning except it be by the Spirit.

We are not alone in decrying the disrespect our Master receives by being denied His title of Lord or Master.  Authors, A.W. Pink and Sir Robert Anderson both wrote upon this subject. Pink wrote a tract concerning how one should address Christ. The tract is called, “That Worthy Name.”  Sir Robert Anderson wrote a book called, ” The Honour of His Name.” While it is good that men write upon this overlooked doctrine, We need no other word than that of Paul, who proclaims every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Christ as Lord.  As that is the case, why is He denied His title of Lord or Master by His own people??

Anderson and Pink make the point that it is Christ’s enemies that call Him by His Name only and do not address Him as Lord. It is His friends that address Him correctly, as Lord or Master.

One might ask about the use of the Master’s Name in the Gospels.  One must remember the Narrative of the Gospels is inspired by the Holy Spirit and He may address the Lord as Jesus. Also, in the few times where Paul uses Christ’s Name only is when He is speaking to His Humanity.

 

Reader, if you are a radio listener, you might listen to the preachers and “observe” how the preacher uses the Name of God’s Son.  Does he call Him Lord or simply Jesus? Those who understand the importance of this doctrine call Him, Lord Jesus or Christ.

 

“…[D]o your own business.”  (1 Thhessalonians 4)

 

I can remember it like it was yesterday.  My earthy father was working on the car.  I must have been ….well, ..under ten (10) years old.  I was watching my Dad work on the car….Think a Christmas Story when the father is fixing the furnace…it went something like this….”$%&^^%$&##%^^%@@$%%T^!!!!!”  and  “$$%^^^&%$##@@@!@#%^&*)(*&^%$#@#$%^&*”

As I was watching and listening, my Dad asked me, “What’s for Supper?”  and I answered….”None of your business” and went inside and sat down at the ki. I was wearing cowboy boots and grreen shorts with a white line down the side and I think a “STar Wars” Shirt, which would put my age at six (6).

In, from the cold, came my Dad.  He walked up to me and asked me, “Son, what did you say to me?”  and I said “None of your business”  (He thought I was saying None of your business about what I said) my Dad’s reaction? was, Whack! Whack Whack, he paint brushed me as I continued to say “None of your business” as he repeatedly asked me, “What?” “What?”  Finally, my Mom stepped in and said, “Okay, Stub, that’s enough!”  My Mom then washed me up.

Why did I say that to my Dad?  I was six (6) and heard my cousins say, “None of your business” to each other earlier that day. I simply repeated what I heard. I doubt if I knew what I was actually saying to my Dad.

[Important sidenote: I was never comfortable around my Dad after that for a number of years.  But Thanks and Praise be to God, in 1989, along with his son, my ……(Goosebumps, Readers, I have goosebumps)….along with his son, my Dad came to Christ and that man that I knew to be a hard man became a man that cried at Hallmark commercials. If ever there was a new creature in Christ my Dad is that man. Today my Dad and I have a great spiritual relationship. Please don’t get me wrong, I was never an abused child. My Dad was a hard man, but he was also a man that would come into my room at night (I pretended to be asleep) and he would tell me how much he loved me.  There was another time my Mom wanted me to be spanked and my Dad came into my room and spanked the pillow as I cried out in pretend pain.  Readers, I love my Dad and I like my Dad.]

Enough of the mooshy mooshy and back to my point in this article. My point in this article is minding one’s own business.   Solomon the second (2) wisest manbehind Christ, Who is Wisdom incarnate, said, “He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.”  Reader, what do you think happens when you release the dog?  The dog will likely snap at you.  You might be thinking my dog wouldn’t do that.  Aw, Reader, we are not talking about your dog but a strange and stray dog.  Let me prove it to you, what do all parents tell their children concerning strange or unknown dogs?  “Don’t pet the dog”  or “stay away from the dog.”

Well then, another way to say to someone, “Mind your own business” is “Stay away from that dog.”  If you are a reader of my past articles you may have reads that I, as, a shepherd or pastor is suppose to meddle in person’s business. Am i being a hypocrite?  No, it is my business to meddle in yours.  Meddling is my trade.  As a shepherd, I am to look underneath your wool with my rod (Psalm 23).

Minding your own business is  made a Biblical principle by none other than Christ, Himself.  In John 21, Our Lord tells Peter what type of death he shall face when he is an old man. Peter responded by asking about John’s end. Christ, sharply says to Peter, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou [M]e.”  In other words Our Lord tells Peter to  mind his own business and not to woory or concern himself with God’s will for John.

In a Parable our Lord tells us that a group of men worked for a quoted amoiunt of money.  Later other men came seeking employment.  The owner gave the latter men the same amount of money as those that worked all day.  The men that worked all day were upset. These men thought they should get more than those that came later in the day.  However, it is none of the all-day worker’s business what the owner gives the late-in-the-day workers.  Can not the owner do what he wills with his own?  Another lesson in this parable is don’t ask a question you don’t want an answer for.  If the all-day workers minded their own business and the later-day workers minded their own business, all would be happy.

Humanly speaking, if (l)ucifer had minded his own business…if Eve and Adam would have minded their own business, sin would not have entered Creation.  If Haman had minded his business he would not have been hanged with his entire family. If Ananias and Sapphira minded and were true in their business, they would have not died and nbecome an example for those that would lie to God.  If King Saul would have minded his own business, he would not have stepped into the office of priest and then be rejected by God.  If Nadab and Abihu had minded their business they would not have been consumed by the Fire of God’s Glory. If Korah had minded his own business, he would not have been swallowed by the eath along with his sons. If Miriam had minded her own business, she would not have been, divinely struck with leperosy. The example of those minding other person’s business and the dire effects  are many.

Reader,
Mind your own business and not the business of others.

“Being filled with all unrighteousness…”  (Romans 1)

“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these…”  (Galatians 5)

“For men shall be…”  (2 Timothy 3)

 

Our Apostle, in his magnum opus, begins with the fact that the entire world was infected with the spiritual disease of sin and this has, in fact, terminated the life of the spirit within man. Lest God, in His grace, quickens, regenerates, makes alive again, resurrects the spirit that lies dead, there is no hope of man ever relating to God in the spiritual. God is Spirit and He communicates and communes with other spirits.  God does not commune with spirits that are dead due to trespasses and sins.

God, through the life, death, and resurrection of His Son, the Lord Jesus, has made it possible for the withered and deceased spirit to be resurrected. This spiritual resurrection is only possible through the Works of the Godhead;  The Father elects those that will be given to the Son and the Son will live a sinless life on the elect’s behalf. The Son secures that election of grace through the salvation that is empowered by His Sacrifice and Resurrection.
Christ called this spiritual resurrection, being born again or born anew, or born from above. Being born again speaks to a newness of life, a newness of direction. The person who has been born again from above will find they hold new principles and with these new principles they seek to follow new practices.  These practices the born again seeks to follow can be described as godly, righteous, holy, good, clean, and pure.

But what about the spirits that remain dead in their trespasses and their sins?  Paul, our Apostle, in his letters to the Romans, to the Galatians, and in a personal letter to Timothy lists the traits of those remaining in Adam, IE. The dead in spirit.  We will, (DV), share Paul’s list of traits in bullet point form but first (1st) let us address the words of Paul from above, “Being filled with all unrighteousness…”   Being filled with all manner of unrighteousness equates to an ability; the inclination to perpetrate any and all sins. When a person says, “X is not capable of that.” The person is wrong, wrong, and wrong. When a person says, “X would never do that,” This person is wrong, wrong, wrong, as well.  [A] Being [that is] filled with all unrighteousness will present themselves through…

 

*Fornication: Physical, Mental, & Emotional
*Wickedness:  Evil
*Covetousness:  Not content with what God provides and wants what others have.
*Maliciousness:  Evil; Badness
*Full of envy:  Controlled by envy
*Murder:  Dispatching a person to their destiny and doing so with criminal intentions
*Debate:  Strife; Contentious
*Deceit: Baiting someone, Guile, or Manipulative
*Malignity:  Evil Disposition
*Whisperers:  Detractors
*Backbiters:  One who speaks against
*(h)aters of God: Those who are spiritually dead in their trespasses and their sins.
*Despiteful:  Ill will and Mean
*Proud: The sin of (s)atan
*Boasters: Taking on great airs
*Inventors of evil things:  One who finds out more…more ways 2 sin & 2 offend God and the godly.
*Disobedient to parents:  Not persuaded
*Without understanding:  1 Corinthians 2:14-16
*Covenantbreakers:  Breaks Trust
*Without natural affection:  Parents not loving their children, children not loving their parents, homosexuality.
*Implacable:  irreconsilable.
*Unmerciful:  Without kindness
*Adultery:  Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
*Uncleanness:  Impure.
*Lasciviousness:  Excess, licensiousness or giving self the license to sin excessively
*Idolatry:  Worshipping anything or ANYONE other than God. Celebrities can be idolized.
*Witchcraft:  A charm or remedy
*Hatred:  An Opposition w/ or w/out emotion or affection. Full disclosure- this is my definition.
*Variance:  Contentious, strife, quarrel.
*Emulations:  Zeal, Zealous to do wrong.
*Wrath:  Wrathful in mind.
*Strife:  Contentious.
*Seditions:  A standing apart. Rebellious.
*Heresies:  Unsound teachings,
*Drunkenness:  Alcoholism.
*Revellings:  Self indulgence, pampered, or spoiled.
*Lovers of self:  Self-centered, Self-concerned, Self loving and at the expense of others.
*Blasphemers:  Speaking ill of God; Doing that which is bad, evil, or wicked and directing it towards God.
*Unthankful:  Not acknowledging God and all that He does and all that He provides.  This is a gateway to greater sin.
*Unholy:  Ungodly, Not Christ-like, impure, not set aside for God’s use, not sanctified.
*Trucebreakers:  Breaker of trust
*False accusers:  Liars who harm others with their lies.
*Incontinent:  Without Strength…without spiritual strength.
*Fierce:  Savage
*Despisers of those that are good:  Looks down upon those that do good. They see no benefit in good works.
*Traitors:  Breakers of trust, No loyalty.
*Heady:  Falls forward…This person has such a big head (pride) that he falls forward.
*Highminded:  Prideful, looking for ways to “[move] on up.” Not grounded, not sober-minded.
*Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God: Idolatry.

Reader,
The old nature, the old man, the carnal nature, the flesh is still with us.  Our inclinations, our weaknesses, our vices will remain, lest we mortify them through the Spirit, or until we die or He comes back. I hate to be the one to tell you,  but if you overcome a sin(s), a new one will introduce itself. With the above being true, we must ever be seeking God’s forgiveness and grace.  We must ever be reminded of our Lord and Saviour and what He did and does for us. We might also praise God, Who uses sin, that was introduced by (s)atan, to aid us in staying humble and keeping us from becoming highminded or proud.

Godspeed.

 

“Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God.”  (Romans 14)

“All things are lawful unto me but all things are not expedient”  (1 Corinthians 6)

 

Christian liberty is an important topic in the Christ-ian’s life and experience.  A large number of Christ-ians begin their experience in a fundamental Baptist church. There is a reason for this.  The Independant, fundamental, King James only group, camp, or circle are one of the last churches that go door to door with their style of witnessing. Therefore it makes sense that they would have the greater amount of persons attending their services.
The fundamentalist church has a main focus on standards and thou shalt nots.  These standards, for the most part are not Biblical but man made.  They have replaced the laws of God with the traditions of man, thereby limiting a Christ-ians liberty, that was established by Christ Himself,  “Standfast in the liberty, wherewith Christ has made us free”  (Galatians 5).

Since many of us began in the church described above, it is important to write upon the believer’s liberty.  The truth is, the effects of the fundamentalist church can remain with a person for years and they will not be aware of it until it pops up out of nowhere.

In our texts above we find Paul teaching on this subject of Christ-ian freedom.  In Romans 14, the entire chapter is dedicated to liberty.  In the end of this chapter Paul asks us, Do you have faith (liberty)? Have it to thyself before God.  Augustine said something similar, “Love God and do as you will.”  The point in both is God. Paul tells us to enjoy of freedoms, keep them to thyself (as in they are no one’s business but your own…and God’s.  Augustine exhorts us with the same counsel,  Love God…and then do as you will.
Paul in 1 Corinthians 6 makes a bold proclamatiom, “All things are lawful unto me…”  “But all things are not expedient unto me.”  All things are allowed to Paul as they are to you and I…however they are not in our best interest.  If you have an addictive personality, you must limit yourself…but it is you that is limiting yourself out of a desire to serve and please God.

John the apostle also lays down a principle.  If your conscience does not bother you then all is well.  However, before one applies this principle one must make certain all is well between you and God; God and you.

Christ taught the same liberty.  Often time in the Gospels the Pharisee would seek to limit much of what Christ and His disciples did in their day to day activities.  Christ would eat with sinners and the Pharisee were on hand to judge.  Christ and the disciples would pick and eat corn on the Sabbath and the Pharisee were on hand to judge.  Christ and the disciples would eat with unwashen hands and guess who was present to condemn?
Christ’s reponded the same in each situation, He would correct the Pharisee in public and then go on doing as He was doing.

Before ending our study on liberty, let me speak on Peter and his dire warning.  Do not use your liberty as a cloak of lasciviousness [paraphased]. Our liberty is to show what Christ has won for us and not an opportunity to abuse it with sin.
As much as liberty allows us to act freely before God and man, it also allows us to NOT do things. Liberty allows us not to sin so freely but to obey God and to sin-less before Him in love.

Godspeed.

 

 

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”  (Ephesians 6)

 

In this article we will (DV) write upon things parents should not say or do and things they should do that maybe they aren’t.

We would preface this article with three (3) points or three (3) responses.
1. Fathers are necessary in proper and profitable parenting.  The text above makes clear that it is the father that is to raise the child, with the mother, in the nurture and admonishon of the Lord.
2. Some persons take offense when another seeks to provide instructions in certain private areas such as parenting, these offended parties might think it is none of this writers business on how they parent their children. We would respond with two (2) salient and Biblical facts.
A. It is the fool that refuseth instruction.  (Proverbs)
B.  It is most definitely the shepherd’s appointed task to look underneath the sheep’s wool to make certain all is well, even that which is deemed private.  As Sherlock Holmes would say, “It is my business,” to get into yours.  (Psalm 23)

The third (3rd) point we would make is in defense of those spiritual leaders who may not have children. Whenever a person, without children, makes a suggestion concerning another person’s child, the latter’s irritation rises and they become offended, “Do you have children,?  Then who are you to advise me !?”
The Word of God lays out principles on parenting, as the man of God takes in and hides the Word of God in His heart, those parental principles are part of that which is hidden. Therefore, the man of God, who is thouroughly furnished with his God-given spiritual gifts, and God-given intellect and ability to sympathize is a source that can assist in parenting; this resource from God should be respected and appropriated.

 

In this article, (DV), we will look at some of the words parents use when parenting their child.  It seems to us the form of this should be bullets points to make our study simple.

• “I’m gonna leave you here.”  We were at a restaurant and we overheard a mother threaten her child with desertion if she did not obey. Of course, this mother would not leave her child behind, all of us know that, but the child being a child does not.  All parents want their children to listen to them, hear them, and acknowledge them, but this is one time we do not want the child hear us… Never threaten to abandon your child.
• “Someone is going to take you.”  This can be a threat or a profitable and very proper warning. Whether it is a threat or a warning depends upon the when and where and how of the statement.  If you are in the store and the child(ren) are being childish, as they are children  (sinners sin, dogs bark, cats meow, and children act childish) and you pull out, “Stop it or someone is going to take you a way.”  This is a threat.  The proper and profitable way to teach, warn, or alert your child to the dangers of the world is in a safe place wher the child(ren0 is/are comfortable.  This type of lesson must be taught, “be-times” in order to be profitable.
• “I’m gonna beat you” or ” I’m gonna bash your head in.”  neither of these are acceptable and neither of these are an act of a parent in their proper mind and or disposition. This is mental, emotional, and physical abuse, if carried out.  This is the person (Not parent) taking frustrations out upon a defenseless child. The child will remember this and so will God. “Have you not heard,” “Do unto others as you would have done unto you?”  “Have you not heard,”  “Judge not lest ye be judged?
  Reader, the above admonishons include God.  “Do unto others as you would have [God] do unto you.”  “Judge not [in a manner] lest ye be judged” [by God] in that same manner.
• “I’m going to spank you.”  The above are not acceptable parenting nor are they proper or profitable, however, this warning can be proper and profitable if followed through.  If you, arrogantly and foolishly, draw a “red line” and then not back it up or enforce it with a controlled response, your word loses power and credability.
• “You’re gonna get it.”  This was part of a gimmick Chris Jericho used in his latest run in the WWE.  He would threaten others with, “You’re gonna get……….IT!”  This new gimmick “put over” Jericho (Wrestling lingo). However, Even though it worked for Jericho, it will not work in parenting.  Imagine what you child is thinking when you pull this one out.  They must think, “What is, ‘it’?  Most of the time a parent doesn’t know what, “it” is either.  Parenting is planning and producing that which has been planned.
• “I won’t love you.” Need I even comment on this ?  The parent’s love is unconditional!!!  We love our children because God, “first loved us.”
• Other unprofitable parent-speak includes,  “You’re Stupid!”  “You’ll never amount to anything!”  “Get out of here!”  “I don’t care if you ever come back!”  All of these decry a failure in parenting and lovingly nurturing God’s creation, a creation that has been entrusted to you.  God is watching as His Eyes, “Behold the evil and the good.”

Two (2) other situations the parent wants to avoid is, ” I told you so,”  without using this as a teaching and mentoring moment and an opportunity to comfort, and confirm your child.  The other situation to avoid is ending an arguement, disagreement or a contraversy, by using parental authority.  This appeal to authority is an illogical fallacy and it fails to educate anything proper or profitable to the child(ren). In logic, this appeal to authority is considered weak and it is considered to be a “dirty trick.”  This appeal to authority even has a name!!!  It is called, “Arguementum as Verecundiam.”

 

In order to avoid improper and unprofitable parenting, take the time to teach and train the child(ren) in the home. This will allow you to avoid acting like a child yourself by threatening your children in public.  A method we used, when our children were little, was using the store’s floor. Usually there are squares or shapes and when we were standing and looking at something or standing in line, we would tell the children to, “Pick a square.”  This worked. They would select a square on the store’s floor and they would remain there until time to move.  This was used when they were overly excited as children are proned to be.

As to the similarity between children and “Sponge Bob Square Pants,” Children, like a sponge, retain much of what they see, hear, and feel.  Our child(ren) will remember the way they were treated in their childhood and like the “Babe in the manger,” they, too, will grow up and address many things that were and are wrong. True or false; good or bad; right or wrong, research the Menendez brothers.  I know persons, in the church and out of the church, that are at enmity with a parent. Your kid’s will remember.  THis is a reason God ordered the Israelites to include the young in their killing during warfare. Chrildren, like sin can come back and “find you out.”

The parent should raise the child(ren) as the plant-person nurtures a plant. When nurturing and training a plant, one puts it into a window as to receive benefits from the sun.  The observant plant-person learns quickly that the plant will, by itself, reach toward the sun.  The parent can learn from this, set the child(ren) before the Son, S-o-n, and watch them lean and reach toward Him.

Godspeed.

“Except thou take away the blind and the lame, thou shalt not come in hither: thinking David cannot come in hither. Nevertheless David took the strong hold of Zion…”                                                                                                                                         (2 Samuel 5)

“…[A]s [Elisha] was going by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked [Elisha]…And he turnedback, and cursed them in the [N]ame of the LORD. Anfd there came fprth two she bears… and tare the forty and two children of them.”

 

When persons read the recorded event, as recorded in, 2 Samuel 5, (from above) they might feel like King David did when God slayed Uzzah for touching the Arc of the Covenant. They may feel afraid or that Gpd was too harsh or severe.  This reader, is pure sentiment and emotion. Of course their sentiment is understandable. However, one must decide how they will approach the ways of God. Should a person think God is like them, (Psalm 50) they will be shocked and put off by some of the mighty and magnificent acts of the Godhead.  If, however, we approach God and realize He is an Other, Who is Higher than we and His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts, we may not be so surprised by what He does.

The enemies of David and of God, set at the front lines, the blind and the lame.  Their thought was David would be too kind to mow over the blind and the infirm. However, we read that David took the city. We are too, it seems, to accept that David went forth, inspite of the blind and lame. There appears to be some of the blind and lame that survives as david denies them entance into the city after he had taken it.  This would lead us to realize the blind and the lame were not innocent in the matter but they were there, not against their will, but in support of their king. David, loving God and hating those that opposed God’s will, went forth, in spite of the blind and lame, and took the city in God’s Name abd according to God’s will and purpose.

If we, accept God’s view of man as depraved, who’s imagination is evil all the time, we may not be so surprised by God’s actions or mans.”  God, as far as the Arc was concerned, warned that it must not be touched and that it must be carried with the two (2) staves or long rods.  Uzzah, as noble as his intentions may have been, disobeyed God’s long standing rule.  Uzzah also demonstrated a lack of trust in God. could God not protect His arc without man’s help?  We also see David put God’s will and purpose ahead of the blind and lame.  God’s will is above all else…our pleasure, our sentiment, our feelings, our love for others, our ways and thoughts, our understanding or right and wrong.

We also have the recorded event of Elisha and the forty-two (42) irreverent and God-hating children.  Elisha was walking in God’s will and a large group of children can forth and began to mock the man of God and therefore God Himself.  Elisha, recognizing these children as future adult haters of God and threats to Israel, “turned back…and cursed them in the [N]ame of the LORD.”  The immediate sequel to the actions of the children and the prophet of God cursing them in God’s Name, two (2) she bears came from the forest and killed the 842) forty-two children.
Upon reading this, many sentimental readers might think God was harsh and severe.  However, we are not told of what age these children were. These children could very well have been older teenagers and therefore accountable for their actions.  These children were the offspring of God’s enemies. We might conclude, therefore that these youth are being raised in the ways of their parents and nation, who were enemies of God.  This is why God ordered His chosen nation, Israel to destroy the young as well as the adults when they took a city…the youth, if left alive, would await the day they might avenge their families.
Research Haman, who was an Agagite, who sought the destruction of Israel. Samuel had told King Saul to destroy all the Agagites but Saul kept the King alive and some how this king must have procreated with a woman as Haman was a surviving member of the Agagites and he sought the genocide of the Jews, this can be studied or researched in the book of Esther.

Reader, we must not be deceived by wolve’s in sheep’s clothing even if that sheep’s clothing takes the form of a handicap or an age that would cause us to put down our guard or our whole armour of God.

Sentiment must never get in the way of Christ-ian duty or our loyalty to God and that which He deems right, good, and true. Handicaps and age does not change a person’s carnal or sinful nature. It is God, Alone that can change a person’s nature and make all things new.  Revelation states, “Let him that is filthy be filthy still.”  Nothing can cleanse a person other than the Blood of Christ. Handicaps, infirmities, and age does nothing, in terms of changing a person in their relation to depravity or their standing with God.

The handicapped, the infirm, and the aged, will remain handicapped, infirm, and old if they are brought before Christ as part of the resurrection of the condemned and they will be cast away in their feeble condition and be outside the mercy of God forever, having never loved the Son of God.

Gpdspeed.

“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all [different types] men.”  (Romans 13)

 

Sherlock Holmes and Professor James Moriarty were fast enemies. They were both hardliners or extreme in their roles in life and being so they were polar opposites.  Holmes was a man of honour and justice and would not relent until both be satisfied.  Moriarty on the other hand was a master criminal. He was the “Most dangerous man in all of London, next to Charles Augustas Milverton, the master black mailer and Sebastian Moran, great game hunter and lieutenant to Moriarty. Another commonality between the two (2) opposites was their genius. These men had respect for the other’s abilities but they could not exist together in the city of London…one had to go. Even with their genius and respect for one (1) another they could not be peaceable with one another.

This is true in life, whether we want to admit it or not.  Reader, There are some persons you will not be able to be at peace with, whether it’s you that are not comfortable around them or they are not comfortable around you. This is not a moral failing.  As One must love one’s brother, one’s neighbor and one’s enemy, it is not essential to “like them.” There is a difference betwenn the two (2). Loving is desiring God’s best for another, praying for another, blessing another, and not cursing them or wishing something bad happens to them or being the channel whereby something bad happens.  One must “overcome evil with good” and never “recompense evil for evil.” One must not and cannot use the love them but not like them principle in order to be un Christ-like towards them as that would dishonour God, who is kind to the “just and the unjust.”

I have heard other Christ-ians equate liking and getting along with someone with the concept of Biblical love.  If you’re one that dislikes a person and do not mix with them no matter how you try to…it is fine and not a moral, ethical, or Christ-ian failing. I know “Whom I have believed” and I can tell you, He did not and does not like everyone He brushed shoulders with.

When you see Christ in His dealings among the Pharisee (John 8), the Saducee, the Herodians, the scribes, lawyers, the priests, and royalty one cannot say He liked them. In “The Case of the Self Exalting and Self Honouriing Pharisee” Christ, as Man did not like them and as God did not love them. Our Master, in one exchange, condemned some (not all) of the Pharisee in a public setting, for they bore the “Proud look” in their faces and harboured pride deep within the darkened crevices of their deceived, deceiving and hardened hearts.
Sketched upon the visage, the countenance or the canvas of the face is the revelation of the intents, purposes and motives within the heart and mind of the Pharisee. The anti -virtues were paraded before the Lord, Who “[Looks] upon all things” and “knew what was in the heart of man.”  The expressions of contempt and murderous intent were shouting at our Lord, for that which resides within the heart of the Pharisee are those anti-virtues….the seven (7) things that God hates (Proverbs 6).

Our Lord, in His sinlessness, strength of Character, and sincerity condemned these men as He said, “Ye are of your father, the devil and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.”
The Observing Christ said the devil was their father twice. He told them that they would be the ones to murder Him and “bear false witness” against Him with their “lying tongues,” and they had the hands that would “shed [His] innocent [B]lood.” The Pharisee found pleasure in “running to mischief” and entertaining the “heart that devises wicked imaginations.”  There was no way that Christ and the Pharisee would get along. The Pharisee were actively “sowing discord among [the] brethren” of Israel.  (Proverbs 6)

There is also, “The Adventure of the Envious, Frustrated, and Self-Willed King and the Sovereign’s Selected Successor.”  God had rejected and set Himself in opposition (Biblical hatred) to King Saul and elected the shepherd, David bar Jesse, to sit upon the throne. God had put a heart that was styled after His Own within the Poetical Shepherd-King. God could and would trust this man that would reign and be jealous over the Honour and Glory of God. God would get along well with King David. Of course there would be instances when God had to deal severely with His chosen king because David, as great as he was, was a man, “proned to wander” as are we all.

Though God and David would get along well, the rejected king and the elect king could not and would not.  The envious, frustrated and self-willed king would seek to hunt David down and kill Him. However, with God as his Strength and Defender, Who would teach David’s “fingers to fight and hands to war” and would be “for him” so that no man could then be, “against him” would give David the Refuge for his person, his spirit, and his God-trusting heart, thereby establishing David’s reign as King.

We also have, “The Case of the Two Tired and Tried Traveling Preachers.”  Paul and Barnabas, though both saints, friends, associates, colleagues, fellow-labourers, and proclaimers of the Gospel came to a point where they “Two …[could not walk] together” as Elijah and Elisha had in the Old Testament. They were in disagreement over Barnabas’ nephew, John Mark.
John Mark (Writer of the Gospel of Mark), being an associate of the traveling preachers, “departed” and returned home during the missionary journey.  Barnabas wanted to bring John Mark back into the fold after he had departed but Paul would not have it. These two (2) great men broke company over this non-negotiable. Right or wrong, these two (2) parted company just as Abraham and Lot in the Old Testament.

Reader, as Christ-ians we are to love those around us…in the Biblical sense. We’re not speaking of affection or feelings, necessarily, but of being Christ-like and doing and desiring that which is best for others. But there will be times and seasons when there is no possibility of getting along with others.  This does not relect any failure or weakness in your Christ-ian character…it is simply the way things are.  Of course, this is not an excuse to give up or to cast people off. We must attempt to help others and seek what is best for them, but when the possibilities of being at peace are trampled upon and are abused…it is what it is and it is time to move on.

Godspeed.

 

 

“But this I say, he that soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.                                                                                                                                     (2 Corinthians 9)

 

We have played a game with our children that was a cause of laughter.  I would say something like, “Crazy person say, what” but i would say it in a whisper of in a manner that was undistiguishable, and the child would say, “what?”  This game is the origin of our third title, “Scrooge say, What.”  If I were to say “Scrooge say, What,”  would you respond by saying, “What?” and declare yourself a cheap and greedy Scrooge who holds back money from God, thereby robbing Him of what is His,?  “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed [M]e. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed [T]hee? In tithes and offerings.  Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.”  (Malachi 3)

Do you, Reader, know the difference between burglary, stealing, thieving, and robbery?  Robbery is robbery because it is purpatrated with a gun or weapon, making it a crime of violence.  God considers, withholding offerings from Him as robbery!!! a violent and aggressive act against God.  My reader, this is a most seroius subject.
Let me remark with the prerequisite preface,  I am not seeking any money from anyone.  That is not the purpose of this article.  If you know this writer, you probably know that money, mammon, lucre hold zero (0) interest or attraction to me.  I thank God for my wife who is a hawk when it comes to spending…she is a sound steward of God’s money,  did I just say God’s money?

We did say God’s money because every thing under the sun belongs to him.  He owns everything and this includes all the money.. all your money, and everything else. How do I know this? Because money has wings and it flies away.  God can bankrupt anyone, any corporation, any company, and non-profit company, any foundation, and family, and person He is please to abase and humble.

The second (2nd) title, “Does you right hand know Nin-jit-su?”  is inspired… not Inspired..inspired, but just inspired from our Lord’s, “But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth…” (Matthew 6).  The Ninja was a japanese warrior that was covert and performed his tasks from the shadows in relative silence.  The ninja (plural form) was an enemy to the Samurai.  The Samurai had a code of honour called the Bushido code, but the ninja was thought to be more of a mercenary without codes or honour.  Since the ninja performed in secret and from the shadows, I used that metaphor or analogy to demonstrate the Lord’s meaning in His, “Let not the left hand know what the right hand doeth.”  It seems our Lord, Who gave all, would have a person give without counting the money.  In other words, I think He was saying we should not hold the money, tightly, in our left hand and count the money with the right hand. This is what the Pharisees did with their tithes and Christ condemned this behaviour, attitude, practice, habit, or greed.
I think it is safe to say that our Lord was using hyperbole when He used the left hand/right hand statement.  Scripture is clear on our management of God’s money and part of that management is knowing how much one has.  Christ’s point was, however, that when one gives one should give cheerfully, happily, with zeal, with freedom as one knows God will provide all that one needs and money should not be a constant source of concern…

He discusses God’s provisions in His sermon from the mount….He shows us that God provides for the sparrows, and the plant life. He then, with logic, declares that we are greater and more important to God than the birds and the plants. Therefore we need not be overly concerned with that is is needed and necessary as God has obligated Himself to provide for His people….Christ then points us to the Kingdom of God and tells us to ssek that first…..we should seek God’s will, God’s purpose, God’s pleasure, as He promises to know what’s happening with us and to provide for our needs…even before we know them ourselves…He does this as we are “seek[ing]… first the Kingdom of God…”

As to the doctrine of tithe.  I take the position that the tithe is an Old Testament precept.  In the New Testament, we read of offerings and not tithes.  The only mention of the tithe is when Christ condemns the Pharisees concerning their greed when it comes to tithes.  Other than that there is no mention of the tithe in the New Testament.  However, that does not relieve the Christ-ian of cheerful giving.  The tithe was ten percent (10%) of money or crops. The Christ-ian concept of giving is giving freely and happily knowing God will be well pleased and other believers will be helped and the Gospel shall grow. God’s purpose in offerings is the support and financing of those that serve in the Gospel.  God says they that serve in the Gospel should be provided for by the Gospel….that is to say, you and me, who have benefited so much by the Gospel.

Tithes limit the giving of a Christ-ian as cheerful giving frees the Christ-ian to give with faith, an and hope.  In the O.T. everything was precise, specific,particular, and peculiar. The “blue print” for Tabernacle, for example was specific that God had to “Download” the ability and understanding in to His servant, Bezaleel.  The Ark  and the Arc are specific and particular, likewise.  However, in the New Testament their is liberty in the formation of the Church.  This principle should extend to the givings and offerings of God’s people.  Nothing specific, nothing particular or precise.  We should give freely.., Paul decides what one can give, decide upon it, and give.  God doesn’t want us or the watching world to think His Gospel is dependent upon the money of a man…No sharing of His Glory, remember?

Both Christ and His Apostle teach that those who give to God will be provided for as God is in no man’s debt.  The cheerful giving benefits far more than it does God… for our Lord say, “it is better to give than to receive.”

One final suggestion, giving should not be limited to your local church.  There are many opportunities to cheerfully give in this world.  Any giving in the Name of Christ, will be honoured by God…this I know.