“New creatures in Christ”  (1 Corinthians 5:17)

Transformed by the renewing of your minds.”   (Romans 12)

 

I remember years ago when I was very young I found my brother watching cartoons and I exclaimed with great wonder, “YOU watch cartoons?!!!” and this person, who is decades older than I am replied, “Well, Yeah.” I was in shock and couldn’t fathom my oldest brother was watching cartoons. I thought cartoons were for kids. I also thought adults were grown up. I was wrong on both accounts!

I explained to my kids years ago that I, like them are still growing up.  This “confession” was made while my kids were discussing how much I have changed as a father over the passing years. We were discussing how I have allowed them things as the years have gone on. We were discussing specifically how I allowed my oldest daughter to get double ear peircing in her ears. She approached me with the plans to have a long discussion on this extra peircing. She approached me and asked me for my permission and I said, without flinching, “Sure, why not?”

She was confounded as years prior I absolutely forbidden it as it was “worldly.” She asked why I had changed my mind. I confessed to her that I, like her, am still growing up. She was granted insight that day that most do not have, including many adults. I feel sorry for adults who believe aging is equivelent to growing up.  Augustine understood this when he said, “Business is the adults play.”  C.S. Lewis understood this as he said, Paul told Timothy to put childish things away [paraphrase].  He explained that when he was a child, like most children, pretended to be adults, therefore, as he is a grown up now he has put away adulhood. He would forever look down upon adulthood. As smart a man as he was he never really became an adult.

When I give bithday wishes to some persons I counsel them to, “Escape adulthood as often as possible.”  My children often say to me, “Babies and children love you.”  or You are so good with kids.”  This is because I am one.  There is nothing so boring to me as a grown up.  An adult that has lost it’s wonder of God’s universe is a sad creature. Scripture…Christ, Himself, who was beloved by chidren warns the grown ups that we must have childlike faith.  This tells me to stay young.  Children can recornize one of their own and this is why children are drawn to child-like adults and shy away from “grown ups.”  I said earlier that “grown up” adults are sad and boring.  There is one thing more sad that that and that is “grown up” children.

Paul told Timothy, Don’t let any man despise thy youth.”  Ofcourse he was encouraging Timothy a young man not to let older Christians set him aside as a young man and therefore inadequate to be a minister of Christ.  Let me take this abit out of context… I say to those of you who are, Young at heart, “Don’t let “grown up” adults despise thy, “youth at heart.”

By God’s grace, I shall be a “child-like” adult forever and ever.  To the adult “grown ups”, Don’t bore me with your adulhood.

Godspeed.

“But if not…”  (Daniel 3:18a.)

“If I Perish I perish…”  (Esther 4)

“Let us go and die with [H]im…”  (Thomas in the Gospels.)

“[The Lord Jesus saith unto Peter,] the cup which [M]y Father hath given [M]e, shall not I drink it?”  (John 18:11)

 

Many have said, “Lord, I believe” but haven been proven unfaithful. Peter, when asked by the Lord will you also go away from me? Peter answered, in the negative and said, to whom else shall I go?  Peter, here is speaking for the (12) twelve disciple but we know that (1) one of the (12) twelve would depart and betray the Lord. Note this also, The Lord asked this of Peter and the others after many other “disciples” and many other “believers” departed and followed Christ no more (John 6).

Paul in his writings to Timothy states with a broken but strengthen heart, “all have forsaken me.” All, includes Demas and Titus, of whom we read much and Paul’s letter to Titus is a book in the Canon! We know that John Mark, the author of The Gospel of Mark and Baranabas’ nephew was a deserter once. But we also know that the bonds of Christ’s great love constrained him to return as this has been the testimony of so many, this writer included.

My point is this, many have forsaken God after saying, “I believe.”  How can we forget Peter, who denied His Lord just hours after promising not to?!!! Not only did Peter deny and forake his Lord once but (3) three times!!!  This is not to belittle Peter, God forbid. It is to re-enforce Paul’s warning, “Take heed, lest ye fall.” Peter with broken heart was restored to his greatness and place of faithfulness by the (3) three times Christ asked him, “Peter, do you love me?” Peter was used of God to give us all hope. To give hope to all that fail the Master.

All of the men that fail God or betray Him or deny Him and those who apostatize themselves from Him all began with, “I believe.”  “I believe” is a long way from, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Many have said these words, only to fall away. We see them in Scripture, we see them in history, we see them in our lifetime.  How many began their race but were beset from that race? How many have started with much promise and ended with failure?

My friends, the Words of Scripture are all pure and are all true, including these, “he that endureth [continues, perseveres, walks with God] until the end shall be saved.” These are sober and grave Words spoken by Christ, Himself.  Hear the words of Paul, “And you that were sometimes alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath [H]e reconciled in the [B]ody of [H]is [F]lesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in [H]is [S]ight: IF YE CONTINUE IN THE FAITH GROUNDED AND SETTLED, AND BE NOT MOVED AWAY FROM THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL…” (Colossians 1:21-23a.)  What hard words are these, beloved?  Have you never heard these words before?  Many have not for many read not the Word(s) of God and many preachers refuse to teach and preach the whole counsel of God as they should. Reader, do not say, “This does not line up with what I have been taught.”  Do not fall victim to, “This is just one man’s interpretation.”  Beloved, I lie not…these are the Word(s) and teachings of Holy Writ.

Scripture and the doctrine of perseverance teaches this truth. This doctrine warns of the possibility of NOT Continuing and of NOT enduring.  The winner of the race is not the one who starts the fastest but ends first. He that was first shall be last and he that was last shall be first.

Some preachers will tell you that examining your faith and your salvation is a great offense to God and His love.  These preachers are not speaking God’s truth. Paul said, “examine thyself to see if you are in the faith.”  Peter said, “Make your calling and election sure…” he did not mean be sure you have said the sinner’s prayer. God forbid!  Peter is telling you that your life and your works will make certain of you election and calling. The proof is in the works.  James said, “Without works, faith is dead.”  Christ said, “By their fruits you shall know them.”

My readers, it is your works, your life style, your choices, your words, and what you do with your time that shows faith, for faith can be seen. When you look into the mirror of God’s Word, what do you see? Do you see a person who is sinning less? Do you see a person that loves God more? Do you see a person that loves people more? Do you see a person who is growing in grace and the knowledge of God? Do you see a person that gives any thought to being Christ like? Do you see a person who has attended Church but has not changed for the better? Do you see a person that desires God’s will over your own? Do you see a person that has been decreasing so that Christ might increase? Do you see a person who can say, “I am crucified with Christ?” Do you see a person who lies when singing hymns? Do you see a person who is happy in their state of sin? Do you see a person who is going through the motions?

From our quoted texts above, The (3) three Hebrew men were ordered to bow to a graven image and they refused. They said, we will not bow for our God is able to deliver us, but if not, we still will not bow to your image.  Reader, this is living faith. This is God’s grace manifested before believers and unbelievers alike. Most of you know of the events of which I speak but for review, these (3) three faith-filled lovers of God were, in fact, thrown into a fire to be burned alive, however, when the outraged king looked into the fire he saw a (4th) forth Man, like unto the Son of God. Yes, their faith was tried and tested and proven and God, as God will do, honoured that faith.

What about Esther? Did her words and life back up her faith? The words of Esther are, “If I perish, I perish.” She was putting her life and the lives of the Jews into the Hands of God. Persons in that culture did not approach the king per their whims. No, lest the king calls for you and extends his sceptre to you- you are not to approach unto the king. If this policy is broken the person who approached un-called for would be put to death. Because of this protocal Esther said, “If I perish, I perish.”  These are words and works of a living faith.

The next (2) two passages are from the New Testament. Christ says to His disciples that it is time to enter Jerusalem.  His disciples knowing that to enter Jerusalem is a death wish tried to warn Him off from His actions. Then Thomas said, “Let us go and die with [H]im.” Some might think these are words of doubt and dread. But nay, o’ man, these be the words of loyalty anf faithfulness.

Then, we have the Words of Christ, ” the cup which my Father giveth unto [M]e, shall I not drink it?” or in other words, All that Christ has taught them, all that Christ has shown them comes down to this moment and this cup. And He drank from that cup because Adam ate from that fruit. Yea, The Works, the Words, the Ways of Christ all supported His Faith, never did He at any time falter, fall, or fail.

My Reader, What doth thy faith say and do?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [H]is purpose.”  (Romans 8:28)

While it is true that God works things together for our good, the passage found in Romans 8:28 speaks to the verses prior to it. Romans 8:26 and 27 tell us that we do not know what we should pray for as we ought. The Spirit, however, will intercede on our behalf and will form our requests and petitions in acceptable prayers. The Spirit, we are told uses groanings which cannot be uttered. These groanings seem to be a language that is spoken between the Godhead. We learn further that God will search the hearts of the pray-er and the [M]ind of the Spirit thusly the spirit is making intercession on our behalf and our prayers. It seems that these are the things that work together for our good and the good of our prayers.

Having said all of that, it is still true that God will work all things together for our good. it is kind of like when an athlete makes a sports drink. The athlete will mix eggs, protein, celery, creatine, and others nutrients together, he will shake them up and will pour it down his throat and this drink will work for his good. I doubt the sports drink tastes very good and I doubt that the athlete enjoys the drink or the drinking thereof but he knows it benefits him.

This is true of life’s events, even the ones that taste bad.  Many a Christ-ian can look back at difficulties, hardships, tough times, trials, tribulations and say, “It was worth it because…”  This is why the passage says, “And we know…” This “we know” does not mean we will know all things concerning difficulties but for the believer it is good enough knowing  that God has promised.

What about sin though? Is sin one of the things that work together for our good? This, I confess may be hard for some to swallow but, yes, sin will work for our good. God is a Sovereign and All Wise and All Good God and because of this He can, will, and does work sin together for our good. While God hates sin He is still Sovereign over it. If God were not sins Sovereign God would not be sovereign, for when we say God is sovereign we are speaking in terms of absolutes. The nations upon this earth are said to be sovereign entities. However, this is not the same as God is Sovereign over all nations and all nations are less than nothing to God (Isaiah 40). God is absolutely Sovereign over all things. Nations are sovereign within their borders and no other nation can cross those borders legally without invite or allowance. But God is Sovereign in Heaven and upon earth, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  “God sits in the heavens and doeth as He pleases.” “None can say, “What doeth [T]hou.”  “Who is His counsellor?”

Therefore, God can subdue sin and use it as He pleases. God did not introduce sin but now that it is introduced it is subservient to His will. This can be seen in a court of law. A judge may forbid a piece of evidence from being used by the prosecutor but if the defense brings it in by mistake, the presecutor may use it against the defendant. God did not bring sin in to the picture, (s)atan did. Now that it is in play God will use it to bring glory to Himself and he will use it to benefite His people.

Let me ask you a question. What if you overcame all the sin in your life? Even those pet sins or those sins that refuse to die? If you could do that you would feel great and you would maybe feel a bit too proud?  God uses sin to keep us humble. God uses sin to keep us vigilant against that sin and other sins.

God uses the sinners sin against the sinner. Look at Haman in Esther. Haman hated Mordecai and all the Jews. Haman came up with a way to have Mordecai and the Jews killed. Haman had everything…riches, the king’s favour, and family, and high position in the palace but instead of dwelling upon all that he was obsessed with the fact that Mordecai the Jew would not bow to him. Haman was overcome with hate and vengeance. He had gallows put up for Mordecai to hang and he had the king sign a declaration allowing all Jews to be killed on a certain day.

However, God turned this around. Esther brought all of this to the king’s attention and it was Haman and Haman’s sons that would hang on the gallows and it was the Jews that were afforded the right to destroy those that would have destroyed them. They were given an extra day as well!!!  God used the hatred and murderous heart, and great pride of Haman to bring an end to the enemy of His people. As for the Jews, God took the sin of murder and genocide and changed it into self defense on the part of the Jews and God was greatly glorified in the Jews’ victory.

Does God not use our sin in order to bring us to Him?  Isn’t it through repentance of sin and belief in Christ that God saves us?

Isn’t sin the thing God will use against (s)atan and all sinners to send them away to eternal torment?  (s)atan introduced sin to mankind and it is sin that will bring about his doom.

Isn’t Christ’s victory over sin the cause of great delight and the cause for hope?

God uses all things to bring Himself Glory and to bring good to His beloved people, even sin.  An analogy: A robber breaks into a home. The home owner is awakened and investigates. The owner finds the robber and they wrestle for the robber’s gun. The home owner wrests the gun away from the robber. The home owner, who dislikes guns, will use the robber’s gun against him. He will use the gun to keep the robber subdued so the police can take him away and lock him in a cell to await judgement.

Think about this… employment is due to sin (Man kept the garden prior to sin but this is not the employment we speak of). Government is due to sin. Labour pains are due to sin. The breakdown of all things is due to sin. Sickness and death is due to sin. The weeds in your lawn are due to sin. the hatred that is in the world is due to sin. Sorrow and sadness is due to sin. Mental and emotional troubles are due to sin. The break-up of families is due to sin. Selfishness, self-centeredness, and pride are due to sin.

Even though God is Sovereign over sin and He uses it or our benefit, we should in no way, shape or form tolerate sin in our lives. There should never be any warm affection for sin except a burning hatred thereof. We must continue to mortify the flesh through the Spirit. We must mortify the flesh as it cries out for and lusts after all manner of sin. We cannot mortify sin but we can mortify and subdue the flesh that sin appeals to. We must reckon ourselves dead to sin and all it’s temptations. For we are, in fact, dead to sin as we died with Christ at Calvary. One who is dead does not suffer temptation. [We] are crucified with Christ. We are risen unto new life with Christ. We must now serve righteousness as we served unrighteousness in the past.

Reader, You and I will not be sinless in this world but we will sin less in this world as we walk with God and as God continues to work all things together for our good. All the pain, all the suffering, all the persecution, all the afflictions are part of our predestinated end…Christ-likeness. All the negative mentioned in the last sentence is the backdrop for all the good we enjoy in this life and praise God!!!….there is so much good in this life in spite of sin and isn’t the goodness part and proof of Christ’s victory over sin and God’s reign over defeated sin?

 

O’God, My God, Thank you for all the good and all the bad that you are using to make me more like my Elder Brother, the Lord Jesus. O’God, my God, Thank you for allowing me to see you work things together for my good. My faith has grown and has become stronger and has developed into hope. O’God, my God, Thank you for being my Center, my Anchor, my Refuge and my High Tower. Thank you for being my Strength and my Hope. Thank you for being my Whole Armour of God. Thank you for being my God, O’God. Thank you for being my LORD and my Lord, Thank you for being my Saviour, my Redeemer, and my Surety. Thank you for being my All in All and for being that which defines me and my life.

“Blessed are the persecuted.”  (Matthew 5)

Though our false prophets, err, rather the western main-stream media does not often report it, our brothers and sisters in Christ are being persecuted around the world. Part of this persecution includes the choice or converting to (i)slam or death. Other types of persecution is torture and the loss of home and family.  Church family, This is the worse case scenario!!! Many of our family members have had their heads sawed off with a (12-13″) twelve to thirteen inch knife.  It takes (5) five muslims to hold a Christ-ian down in order to saw of the head. This sawing can take up to (15-20) fifteen to twenty seconds and the Christ-ian is aware for many of these seconds and the Christ-ians sounds like a pid squeling as air escapes the opend throat.

Others are put into cages and lowered into acid vats and the muslims watch and cheer as the Christ-ian cries out to God and dissolves.  Many of our sisters are beaten and raped and sodomized repeatedly by these things called muslims.

It is at this point that I want to say, “Don’t you care?”  However, I know that one should not appeal to guilt but to Christ-ian love.  One must appeal to, “What would Christ have you do?” or “What does your conscience tell you to do?” or “What would you have others do for you if you were the persecuted?”

Scripture tells us in Hebrews 13  that we should put ourselves into the shoes of the persecuted and act from there.  In other words try and put yourself in their place, in their mind.  What are they feeling, what are they thinking?

Paul, as he endured great persecution, would inform the Church through his epistles of his suffering as he desired them to understand the cost of following Christ and to warn them of what was to come. He would also covet the prayers of those that were still safe from persecution. He would also want them to know that Christ and others believers were the reason for his continual endurance.

It is the same today. Our family in Christ are suffering because Christ and the Church is worth it. They are suffering as an example to us as persecution will come our way. They covet our prayers as they continue to endure all things for Christ’s sake and ours. I have seen Christ-ians lose their heads as blood thirsty muslims saw them off. In addition to the horrible sight I also see courage, defience, love for Christ, honour, trust, hope and Scripture’s truth. I see all of that on the part of my Christ-ian family.  What I see on the part of the blood soaked and blood thirsty muslim is cowardice as they wear masks, dishonour, a love for death and devil, and hopelessness.

These men and women, boys, and girls have no hope but unfathomable wrath and fury from the God that Loves those whom the muslim’s have killed.  God promises retribution and vengeance upon the wicked. For the God-condemned muslim murderers it is only a matter of time. Their destruction is beyond question or debate. Their ridiculous beliefs of virgins and peace with Allah will turn out to be eternal toment “virgin-free” with their Allah aka Satan. How ironic it is that we, here in the U.S. are called the “White (s)atan” by the middle east while all the time they serve the real (s)atan. This irony is on par with the irony we see in the life and death of Haman of Esther.

What should we do about this persecution?  We can’t stop it or end it and that is for sure. What should we do?  As mentioned above, in Hebrews 13 we are told to get inside the minds of the persecuted and to pray from that knowledge and understanding.  One could also get books that describe Christ-ian persecution. The most famous is “Fox’s Book of Martyrs.”  There are many other titles available. One might go onlive and investigate this subject. “Voices of the Martyrs” is a good place to start. Youtube has much to offer.  One could give financially to persecution relief funds.

Something else one could do is study the holocaust as this is persecution of God’s Jewish people and it is a type of persecution many are experiencing today and many will experience soon. Watch movies that depicts the holocaust and Christ-ian persecutions.

It breaks my heart to know and to see my Christ-ian family suffering under persecution. It breaks all the more to see other Christ-ians troubled very little by this knowledge of persecution. Paul taught that when one body member suffers the whole body suffers. But it seems that few body members are feeling any pain at all when other members of Christ’s Body are being boiled alive in acid and others are having their heads sawed off.

Body of Christ, Stand up and be heard, tell others of this persecution, pray fervently for those enduring it.  While the (m)uslim may separate a Christ-ian from his or her head, the (m)uslim will never separate the Christ-ian from the Head of the Christ-ian Body or His love.

Why does God allow this persecution?

1. God is a “BIG Picture” Thinking God. He knows that the suffering in this world can not be compared to the Home that awaits us or the joy and pleasures that are therein.
2. This persecution draws a distinct line between righteous and unrighteous.
3. Those that persecute God’s people are filling up their cups of sin and God is filling up His cup of wrath and fury, and our cups runneth over.
4. This persecution proves the veracity of Holy Scripture that has prophesied concerning this persecution.
5. This persecution is the beginning of the wheat and tare separation.
6. Persecution is a refining process and has always been a refining process. Those that suffer and endure persection until the end will come forth as gold and will be saved.
7. Did Christ not suffer and endure persecution? Are we greater than the Master? He says We are not.
8. Persecution and death is that which propels us to God and allows us to behold His Glory and to be with our Bless-ed Lord forever and persecution is the final nail in the persecutors end.
9. If God came to you and said, “With your approval, You are about to suffer and endure great persecution, but through this persecution much good will come and I will be greatly honoured and glorified.” What would you say?  NO? The truth is we have approved, we have concurred. We have approved of this persecution when we became a Christ-ian.
10. Much grace will be given when the time of Christ-ian persecution arrives. There are records of saints singing while they burn at the stake.  There are records of saints beseeching God not to lay their murder to the charge of their murderers.  There are records of saints clapping their hands and praaising God as their flesh burned away. There is even a record of Christ Himself accompanying (3) three Hebrews in a fiery furnace!!! (Daniel). Stephen said, as he was being stoned, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7). This is the only place we read of Christ standing after His ascesion and prior to His return. Except!!! when He stood with Paul during his persecution…”The Lord stood with me.”  It appears, brethren, that Christ will stand with all that suffer persecution for His great Name’s sake and for the sake of righteousness.  Truly, blessed are they who are persecuted.

While the above is true it speaks to the spiritual. We are a tripartite being as we are spirit, souls, and body.  The spirit is blessed in timesof persecution andGod is made near, and we may grow spiritually and garner treasures in Heaven, we are still suffering in the body. Therefore, while we read, say and believe, “Blessed are they who are persecuted,” We must still pray for the persecuted and find ways to send relief for their bodily needs.

What should one pray?

1. That grace abounds where pain is present and that faith may be increased where needed.
2. Thanks should be given for the care He gives.
3. Ask for ways you can aid.
4. Ask God to give you a heart for the persecuted.
5. Pray that you might learn from this persecution.
6. Pray that God would cut down and destroy those that are persecuting His/our people.
7. Pray for those in authority where you live so that the times of peace we enjoy may be lengthened and that we may be allowed to worship God in peace.

 

Body of Christ,
Do not put the persecuted out of your mind but think upon them often and pray as though you are the persecuted as you will be soon enough.
Godspeed

“…”Thou hatest all workers of iniquity”  (Psalm 5)

“…[D]epart from [M]e, all you workers of iniquity.”   (Luke 13:27)

“…Esau, have I hated.”  (Malachi 1 & Romans 9)

 

 

What frightening words. These words are as true as they are frightening. The Words from Psalm 5 are spoken by none other than King David and the Words spoken in Luke 13 are uttered by Christ Jesus!!!  We learn from both these verses that there are workers of iniquity and both David and Christ have no love for them.  This truth flies in the face any church tradition and current day church teaching.  Church teaching and church tradition state that God loves everyone. But reader, this cannot be.

Before we move on to our explanation, that we believe is unassailable let us tell you why we should open this “can of worms” in the first place.  Some might wonder, doesn’t this writer know that this has the potential of causing trouble and even turning others on him?  Doesn’t he know that it may not be even necessary to bring this up? My answers are yes, yes, and no. My reason for opening this subject up is simple.  By demonstrating that God does not love everyone it will bring into focus the preciousness of the love of God for those that are loved by God.

Years ago I attended an awards banquet for a company I worked for. During the awards ceremony I realized that all the men that were in the same position I was received the exact same award as I did. The only difference was the person’s named.  The award had no value and no one stood out above anyone else.  You see, if God loves everyone His love is not a peculiar love or a precious love. Why are Christ-ians any different from non-Christ-ians. Church tradition states at this point that God’s love is different and that he doesn’t love sinners in the same way as He does Christ-ians.  This beloved, is too easy an answer and has been accepted for far too long.  While God is kind to sinners He does not love them. Scripture tells us that God allows the rain to fall on the gardens of the lost as well as the just. This is not love but kindness. Not all Christ-ians have gardens and they must purchase their foods from the unjust, therefore the rain that falls upon the gardens of the wicked are for the sake of Christ-ians.

Who are the workers of iniquity spoken of in Psalms 5 and Luke 13?  before I can answer this you must know that God knows who will and who will not come to Christ and believe and be saved.  Those who will never come to Christ and will never believe are workers of iniquity. These are those that God is said to hate and will send away into everlasting torment outside of His blessed Presence.  These are the persons that will live all of their lives in rebellion, hating God and His righteous standards.  How can anyone teach and believe that God loves these persons.  Is He kind to them? No doubt. Does He love them? No way.

Does God send those He loves to Hell? The answer should be simple. But this is where church will interject and say, God doesn’t “send” any one to Hell, it is the sinners choice. In Luke 13 is it not apparent that He sends them away? In Matthew 25, He sends them away as well! It is simple, if God loves everyone them He does send those He loves into ever lasting torment. Therefore since it is apporant to believe God will send those He loves to hell, He does not love everyone.

Another difficult doctrine for some to accept is whether or not Christ died on Calvary for everyone. The answer is simply, No, in no way did Christ dies for everyone at Calvary. If Christ bore the sin(s) of all persons at calvary why does He state to those in John 8, “You will die in your sins”?  Why does Stephen plead with God not to lay the charges of his murder against his murders if Christ died for their sins already?  Why does the threat of sin remain through out the New Testament if Christ paid for them at the Cross?

In the Book of Isaiah 53 it is written that Christ would bare the iniquity of “many” and not all? In Matthew and Mark when Christ is speaking of His Blood that will be shed, during the last Supper, He said it is shed for “Many” and not all. Readers, it is clear from Scripture that Christ shed His Blood for “many” and not all.  In John 10 when Christ speaks of laying His Life down He does so for His sheep and never the goats. In Matthew 25 it is clear that the goats are the workers of iniquity that must depart from Him. These goats are the same as Luke 13’s workers of iniquity as well as the workers of iniquity in Psalm 5!!!

Some questions to consider: Did God love Pharoah? For we are told that God hardened the heart of Pharoah and in Romans 9 we are told that God raised up this wicked man for the sole purpose of his destruction. How can anyone believe Pharoah was loved by God?  What about the “ites” of the Old Testament? The death of the “ites” were ordered by God. In many instances God ordered the death of all, including the elderly and the children and everyone in between.  How can these have been loved by God? What about the kings in the New Testament?  What about Herod who was eaten from the inside out by worms? Did God love him? What about Judas who was ordained to destruction in the Old Testament, Did God love him?  What about the angels that were ordained to fall with Lucifer, did God love them?

Reader, the above examples are only a very few that could be given but they should be more than enough to make the point for Scripture’s teaching on the love of God and its preciousness.

What should this accurate and sound teaching do for soul winner? If the above is true how can we say, “God loves you.” when witnessing? The answer is simple.  We cannot tell lost persons that “God loves you.”  No where in Scripture do we find any warrant for this? Scripture says, “Christ died for sinners”  but never for “you” until that “you” has become an “us” or a “we.”  It is true that Christ died for sinners but isn’t it clear from the above that these are sinners that will believe and come to Christ seeking His gift of salvation and not the “workers of iniquity” that will not ever come to Christ in belief?

The promise of eternal life is offered to those that will believe but never to individuals before belief is exercised in the work of Christ on their behalf.

In fact, the argument could be made that those who will come to Christ have always been the sons of God.  In Galatians 4:6 it is clear that the cause of God’s Spirit being sent into the hearts of some is due to their previous and eternal sonship, “and BECAUSE ye ARE [already] SONS, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts…”  In this remarkable passage we read that the “cause” of God sending forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts is because we “are” [present tense] His Sons [already…prior to receiving the Spirit!!!]. It is taught by the church that we receive the Spirit after becoming His Sons or that it is His Spirit that causes us to become His sons but Galatians 4:6 teaching differently.

In Ephesians 1:3-5; we are told that we are chosen and elect in Christ and this choosing and election took place before the foundation of the world. This election took place before the foundation of the world. It is not said that we will become the elect at some future date after making a choice to become elect. If that were true we are then the electors.  This teaching is to be found in Roman 8;  2 Thes. 2;  1 Peter 1; John 1, 6, 10;  Phil 1 and other Scriptures.

What about John 3:16 and 1 John 2:2?  Don’t these passages prove beyond doubt that God loves the world and that God loves the whole world? There are a number of definitions for the word, world.
1. The earth
2. the world system
3. “The World of the ungodly”
4. The World without qualification
5. …[F]or [T]hou wast slain, and hast redeemed US to God by [T]hy [B]lood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation…”

Which of the above fits our meaning?  Earth, itself? The world system, that lies in wickedness? The world of the ungodly?  If there is a world of the ungodly, would there be a “world of the godly?” The world without qualification meaning every person? or the definition given in number 5. This definition is from Revelation 5:9 and best fits out need. Therefore, “For God so loved us out of every kindred, out of every tongue, out of every people and out of every nation…”  In John 15 Christ says, He “called us out of the world.”  In John 17 Christ refuses to pray for the world and only for those that are given Him out of the world by the Father.

In 1 John 2:2, John says to his jewish readers that Christ died not for their sins only but for the sins of the whole [gentile] world.  The key to properly understanding this passage is 1. To whom is John writing and 2. To whom was John an Apostle? In Galatians Paul states that he is an Apostle to the gentiles while Peter, James and John would go to the Jews.  Therefore, in 1 John, the author, John is stating that Christ did not die for the sins of the jews only (as the jews thought) but for the sins of the whole world as in the gentiles.

You see, beloved readers, the truth of God’s Love is not a difficult doctrine to understand. It is most clear from Scripture that God loves those that will believe and does not love, but hates all workers of iniquity and as He hated Esau, “Esau, have I hated.”
What does it mean when we say God hates?  To answer this we must define wrath. God’s wrath is a release of God’s anger and fury upon the wicked.  Hate, however, is God’s opposition to unrighteousness and all iniquity. When God expands upon His hatred for Esau, He says, Esau/Edom will build and I will tear down. They will rebuild and I will destroy. They will build high in the mountains thinking they are beyond Me but I will again, destroy and tear down.

God is said to resist the proud. This could be re-stated as God hates the proud, as well.  The word, resist means to set in array against as in war. While there is certainly anger and emotion in God’s hatred, He is not contolled thereby as humans so often are.  God is not consumed with thoughts of revenge and hatred as we humans are for His ways are not our ways…

How can God tell us to love our enemies if He hates His? Again when we are told to love enemies it is not an emotional love or an affectionate love as one would have for friends and family. When God tells us to love our enemies it is more of a “be kind” to your enemies.  In Matthew 5 we see this love defined. We are to pray for enemies, bless our enemies, and to desire God’s kindness for them. But to have an affectionate love for them, No.  However, by treating our enemies in this fashion we may come to love them affectionately as they might come to love us as well and more importantly they may come to love God.

Reader, you have a choice to make. After reading the above argument concerning the preciousness of God’s love for those that will come to Him seeking His gifts of faith, mercy, grace and salvation, will you believe Scripture or will you stick to the teachings of others?

I have often pondered why it is that the church is so strict upon its teaching of an unqualified love of God for all.  Is this their attempt to “defend God?”  Is it so they can answer the tough questions like, “Why does God allow …”  or are they genuinely convinced of this unqualified love of God? or is it because it is what they have been taught to believe? or is it to make witnessing easier?

The world has fallen for this false teaching. Even unsaved sinners believe “God love everyone.”  Should this not give us reason enough to pause and rethink the current teaching on God’s love?

Is a proper understanding of this doctrine necessary? Yes and no.  Yes it is necessary to understand this doctrine if one is to be sound in their understanding and sound in their teaching and no not if one desires to keep the peace and keep teaching false doctrine. Can a saved person believe God loves everyone? Can a man be a good preacher if he is wrong on this doctrine? The answer to both the above questions is yes. Should this doctrine divide brethren? No.  If this doctrine threatens peace among the brethren shouldn’t it be contained? No! All major doctrine has at one point or another in church history been a divider or the brethren. Did not Christ’s teaching divide a nation and still divide?  Didn’t His blessed truths cost Him His Life at Calvary? The deity of Jesus Christ was a huge divider in the late 200’s. Justification by faith cost hundreds of thousands their lives in the 1500’s. The teaching on God’s requirements for the believer’s holiness has cost many a Bible teacher their ministry. Calvin’s defense (right or wrong) of the Lord’s Supper caused him to be exiled from his home and ministry. The Scriptures being translated into the people’s language caused Tyndale to be burned at the stake. Many, many of God’s beloved lost their lives for Scriptural and divine truth in the past and will again in the near future.

In closing, one other thought to ponder. If we love God because He first loved us, what about those that will never love Him? ( 1 John 4) Can it be said He loves them that love Him not if His love is the cause of love?

Godspeed

Greetings in the Name of Him that said, “And Esau have I hated” and “God hates all workers of iniquity.”

 

Your friendly neighborhood preature will be off line until Saturday afternoon (DV). While I am off line I would invite you to read my upcoming article that will answer the question, “Does God love everybody?”  I know what the church and very good men of God say about this but I am going to disagree with them. You may ask me like the pope asked his cardinal’s, Does this…this monk, Martin Luther know more than the church?!?!” and obviously Luther thought he did and in fact, he did.  So if any ask,”Does Brian think her knows more than other pastors?  The answer is obviously……….Yes.  This writer does believe he understands this truth more than they else he would not disagree with, right.  However, this writer is prepared to admit freely and humbly and happily these pastors know more than me and have a better understanding on other truths.

I invite you to pose your questions prior to this writer taking up the topic.  If you have questions please ask them in a Christ-ian spirit as I will not address any asked out of spite or anger. Although after saying that methinks we will answer most answers and questions even if none are posed.

In our article (DV) we hope to discuss the diffrences between differnt loves, the meaning of kindness, mercy, and common grace.  We will put forth simple arguements that we trust anyone, even a child would understand.

Another invitation, Please feel free to ask your writer and brother any other questions you may have concerning Scripture and personal difficulties. We understand discretion so all questions will be confidential, IE. No names will be mentioned.  We have been asked the most personal of questions and have been faithful to the questioner and to discretion. One caveat. however, Do not seek to pit me against your pastor or minister. If I am asked a question that is doctrinal we will give the more common points of view and leave the questioner to God to uncover the real meaning. To cause discourse between brethren is one of the things God hates.

I look forward to returning and addressing this long misunderstood topic.  While I understand the nature of a question like this and the cost of answering it according to Scripture, we must be faithful to Scriptural truth. This is not a topic that should cause discourse or dispute between brethren. The misunderstanding of this subject has caused all manner of trouble for the good people of God, the Church, and the faith itself.

Some questions that will be discussed:
1. Does God love everyone.
2. If God loves everyone why have so many gone to hell and why do so many continue to go to hell?  Does God send those He loves to hell?
3. Did Christ die for those that go to hell.  This will have a multifold answer.
4. Does it even matter what we believe on this subject.
5. If this topic stirs up differences, why bring it up?
6. If God tells us to love everyone including enemies, how could He not love everyone.
7. Doesn’t John 3:16 say God loves everybody?

With a topic such as this one will be forced to make a choice between (3) three:
1. Will I believe church tradition and church teaching in spite of Scripture?
2. Will I believe Scripture over what Church tradition says?
3. Will I make the mistake to despise others that disagree with me?

Godspeed, and pose your questions on facebook or message me on facebook if it is to be kept private.

“Brethren, Pray for us.”

“Absolom rose up early…”  (2 Samuel 15:2a.)

“…[T]here was none to be praised as Absolom for his beauty…”  (2Samuel 14:25a.)

“And [Joab] …thrust [three darts] through the heart of Absolom…”  (2 Samuel 14b.)

 

Absolom is a very important young man to understand for the Church today. He is a very important young man for Church leaders to understand especially. Absolom is dead but his wicked spirit is alive, well, and very active in the Church today…very active. He is active at some point in EVERY Church’s history at one time or another and if he isn’t the church may be dead and without the Holy Spirit. Absolom is only interested in the Church where he sees value and a pastor that he believes may be easy to take down and we will discuss the types of pastors he puts into his cross hairs. I have seen Absolom in every Church I have been associated and I have heard stories from pastors of whom I am associated with if not their Church. Onto exposing Absolom.

It is said in the Holy Gospels and in the epistles of Paul that both these (M)men arose early in the morning before day braek to pray and to spent time with God. Many ministers follow this method and some do not. We do not suggest that a specific time is better than another. Whatever time works better for an individual is best or the individual for God is listening always. I know pastors that stay up most nights and commune with God as everyone else is asleep. this works best for them. I know some that arise before daybreak and this works best for them and I know pastors that sleep until late in the morning, pre noon and this works for them.

Absolom rose early in the morning as well, however his purpose was not to seek God. Absolom knew not God nor did he retain God in his thoughts. Absolom rose early in the day so that he could stand in the gates. The gates were a place where important men would convene to meet. Job was a man that met at the gates as is the husband of the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31. Persons who would come to the gates in order to seek time with the king and seek his royal and wise, and just counsel.

Absolom did not meet to seek counsel of the king, King Davis, his father. Nor did he seek to give sound cousel out of the goodness of his dark and ambitious heart. Absolom sought to cut off those persons that sought counsel of the king, King David. Absolom’s purpose was to meet these seekers and be a help to them in order to ingratiate himself and to win over their affections and loyalty, thereby robbing it from King David.

We are told that people loved Absolom and praised him for his great beauty. I’m sure they loved him for his appearance but they loved him for his counsel as well as he would seek to come down upon their side of disputes. We know that people then and now love good looking persons. The jews prior to King David desired Saul for their king due to his beauty, even Samuel they great judge and prophet fell for his appearance. Today is the same as persons are drawn to others according to their appearance. This is a fault of human nature and a mark of the fall. Eve took the fruit because it was good to look at. Many persons choose a spouse according to their looks. I am not a viewer or a respector of realities shows that make a farce out of loce and marriage. However I have been unfortunate enough to catch others watching it and I have observed in the fw seconds that I can bear it, all the contestants are attractive. We are a foolish people because of the fall and we never learn from past mistakes.  Absolom was nice to look at and he had winsome traits though they were all for appearance sake. It is said of our Lord that there was nothing that would cause others to look upon him as a standout based upon appearance. Paul certainly was not known for his beauty.

In time, Absolom was successful and won the hearts of the foolish people.  King David, Absolom’s father was exiled from his throne. David was forced to escape in order to avoid being killed. Eventially David regained his kingdom but only after many good persons were killed. Absolom also was killed.  His death came upon this wise. He was riding upon horseback and was caught and was hanged by a thick branch by his long and luxurious hair. He did not die from this however.

Joab, David’s general was informed by a soldier that he saw Absolom hanging in a tree. Joab, the wise general who was very knowledgeable about the nature of war and the nature of the enemy took (3) three darts, found Absolom and thrust them through Absolom’s ambitious, treacherous and loveless heart. This however had been forbidden by the King. He did not want Absolom killed. One can understand this as David was a man after God’s ownheart and loved his children inspite of their foolish actions.

The aftermath saw David broken hearted and lamenting his son. While this is understandable, it caused many of his faithful and loyal soldiers and Joab his loyal general great frustration. Joab confronted to kind and explained to him that he should be lamenting the loss of many good soldiers and not the traitorous Absolom that caused these deaths. David, composing himself spoke to his soldiers and thanked them for their love and loyalty and queched the understandable frustration and anger of his army.

What can be learned frm this event?  As we said before, we have seen and experienced this same scene of betrayal in every church we have ever been associated with.  In one case we saw a few “believers join a church and speak of their past church in negative terms. They won over the elderly pastor, who like many pastors desire to see their ministry and influence expand.  Before one could realize what was happening a large number of other members from that same “bad” church began attending and very soon joined the church, gaining voting rights.

These new member for all intents and purposes were great new members. They joined in and helped, they brought good ideas, they even started a mid week service at their home of which I attended. I really enjoyed these people and valued them. But then they started introducing some of their beliefs and they were very “charismatic.”  Let me be clear, I could enjoy and good charasmatic service and I have. That is until they begin introducing unscriptural teachings.

Before long the elder pastor lost his wife of decades. He was of course lonely. The leader of this new group began to “comfort” him. I am not suggesting there was anything sinful on his part and I do not think there was. However, this woman possessed the Absolom spirit just as John Baptist had the spirit of Elijah and the anti Christ will have the spirit of Judas. The pastor in the ensuing weaks announced his engagement to this Absolom and Absolom began introducing new doctrines, including reading her poems and speaking of Christ in the first Person!!!

Before long the dam had to break and it did. Your writer’s gift of speaking truth was unleashed that day amidst much chaos.  Fists were drawn and curse words flew. Many good hearts were broken that morning and the church lost at least half her members and I believe, if my memory serves me the Absolom was made associate pastor soon thereafter. I was loyal to that elderly pastor and knew his beliefs. abefore the chaos started I asked him in front of all what his posotion on the gifts were…the charasmatic gifts were. Within seconds of his answer I knew he has changed and lined up with the charasmatic witch…err, leader.

This has happened at some point or another in any and all churches that have spiritual life. However, in most that stick to Christ and sound doctrine stand and the spirit of Absolom is cast out.  What kind of astors are subject to these attacks? Typically this will happen to pastors that are older, pastors that lead a smaller church, big hearted and forgiving pastors and pastors that seek, at great expence to grow “their” church.  Not all of these qualities have to be present in a single pastor. I know pastors that did not seek to grow the church at all costs but were still put in Absolom’s cross hairs. The new pastor is also a man that is sought out for destruction as well as a young minister. The absolom spirit seeks for any qualities that he can exploit. Another pastor that is selscted for taking down is the pastor with a younger and spiritually young congregation or does not have many members or helpers that are watching his back.

Counsel to the targeted Pastor:

1. Simply adhere to the Lord’s Words and beware of the Absolom spirit.
2. Do not be deceived by every  “well meaning believer”
3. Never, ever put a novice in any kind of position of leadership. If they want to help out let them scrub the toilets, clean to dishes, put chairs away. Never put them into aposition that needs to be voted on until they have scrubbed to floors to Martin Luther’s satisfaction.
4. Never ever allow them time alone with the flock…never ever. If you see them talking with someone in a corner, check it out.
5. Let any new members know, tacyfully, that you are aware of the Absolom spirit and you will not be fooled or put up with any kind of usurping in the church.
6. Develop a good and faithful group of men of likeming.
7. Find and engage the services of a Joab that is not one to suffer a fool or an Absolom and give him a reasonable amount of liberty to deal with problems so thay you have plausable deniabilty.
8. Understand you are a type of David and the church is a type of a kingdom of which, under Christ, you are responsible. You must protect the kingdom at all costs even putting (3) three stakes through the heart of Absolom and all his loyal followers (I speak spiritually and do not suggest physical harm to anyone.”

Counsel to the Usurper Absolom:

1. Don’t seek to usurp control of a church…simple.
2. Do not mistake and older or elderly pastor with an easy target. You may have one man in your target but you have put yourself in the cross hairs of an almighty God that is more pleased with the pastor than he is with you.
3. Beware of the pastor’s Joab, you don’t want him on your trail, especially if the pastor has given him liberty to ask for the church. The pastor may speak love and forgiveness from the pulpit but Joab is able to discern your goals and he may act as he loves the church and the pastor more than he likes a usurper.
4. Look into the Scriptures. Christ told His enemies to search the Scriptures because they speak of Him. I counsel all usurpers to search the Scripture for they speak of you.
5. Ask yourself, Is God pleased with my ambition? Is God pleased with my plans? Is God pleased with me and how please will He be if I go forward?
6. This is probably the most important. Examine yourself to see if you are even in the faith.  Do you even believe in Christ and by believe I mean, love, trust, and obey.  Would a lover of Christ seek to harm one of Christ’s servants?  Didn’t David forbid himself from harming Saul? Are you trusting Christ with your future if you feel the need to act in God’s place? Are you obeying God’s Word(s) or the examples like Absolom and Ditrephes (3 John) or anyone else that sought to hinder God’s servants.
7. Do not only examine your faith but also your motives and intents.  Ask God to reveal these to you, David did.
8. What are the traits in your life that speak to you salvation, if saved you be. Do you display the traits of Christ or Absolom, Judas, Diotrephes or the wicked kings that sought to destroy Israel. I suggest if you are a usurper you share traits with the latter (4) four than the Former.
9. Note, While the pastor is a leader in the Church, Christ Himself is the Head of the Church and the Master of the pastor.
10. Repeating number (1) don’t do it…just don’t or if you have begun, stop for their are many that stand against thee…The Triune God, the pastor, the church leadership, and atleast (1) one Joab that is willing, ready and able to stick (3) darts in your heart…figuratively speaking.

    In closing, Pastor(s) while the church is a place of love for God and His people, and thhe neighbors and the enemy, it is a place that demands protection for it is (s)atan’s number one target after you.  You can love the usurper at the same time you are putting him outside the church. After this Absolom has been put out, realize that he is the old man with the old nature for he is not one of Christ’s but he is like his father the devil and he is captive to the devil’s will and commands (2 Timothy 2:25-26) for even Christ “was taken” to the pinnacle and the top of a mountain. If we find the devil difficult to battle how much for impossible is it for his agents when they are happily within his control.

    Also remember that Absolom was not the first to be cast from a kingdom, but Christ saw him fall as lightning from the Kingdom of Heaven and John in his (3) third epistle suggested the removal of Diotrephes. Also if Paul commanded the church to put out certain memebrs fro sin how much more must a usurper be cast out?
    There is a scene in a movie called “The Apostle”. This film stars Robert Duvall as a minister on the run for a crime of passion he perpetrated while intoxicated. He was of the Lord to discover his long time wife of adultery with his youth pastor. [Sidenote: Pastors beware of you sinday school teachers and all leaders in your church…Hey, it is what it is].
    the pastor after his crime of passion runs from the law and finds himself in a small southern town without a pastor as the previous pastor was forced to retire due to a heart condition. Anyway…
    The retired pastor joins up with the pastor on the run and they start up the church…I get goosebumps as I type this.  And God blesses mightily.  One service a hateful and Christless man shows up to cause trouble.  He begins to trouble the evening service and inquirer why all the n-word’s are there. After the minister tries to calm the situation down and realizes that due to the troubles intoxication there was only one thing left to do. The preacher took the much larger man out side and pummeled him with his fists. One church member said, “I didn’t know a preacher could hit that hard.”
    As with all films I cannot endorse every little thing in this one but I can endorse some of it especially the ending.  The Gospel message was good and someone comes to faith. Goosebumps and tissues…I can promise.
    After Duvall puts and end (for a season), he returns inside the Church, wiping his hands free of blood and with tears says, “I’m sorry about that bit I will not let anyone hurt this Church…I love this little church and the people began to sing praises to the God of that church.
    I say all of that to say this…sometime the church must be protected. I recall one time many years ago during a service, (3) three punks…err rather young men entered and began to cause trouble. Of course we attempted to ignore them but after a few minutes it became impossible as they grew louder and demanded attention. We were the first to ask them or rather tell them to keep quiet. They hearkened not therefore, I took them out side and began to warn them err, rathet speak gently to them. As it was easy to see things were about to get physical and I was outnumbered or rather they were. As it was (4) against them, the Triune God and myself, (2) two other men came out. One of these men were a large and imtimidating man that wasn’t always the nicest of guys and a (7′ plus) seven foot plus gentleman.
    The boys left promising to return on the following wednesday evening with their father(s)  and I suggested they bring a few more than just themselves and their dadies. Surprisingly they showed up !!!  After the service ended their small army asked to speak to me outside. We didn’t have a pastor at that time and the two men that were with me were not there as they worked evenings. We went out and sugeested we would not put up with any trouble and that we would call the police. They laughed and told me they were friends with the police officers on call. So I suggested we settle it a different way and apparently if “God be for [me] [none] can be against me” and things ended peacefully.

    My point is this, if you have something worth something others will seek to take it from you…even your Church and your ministry for Absolom will seek a ministry prior than seeking to usurp the church. And if some seek to usurp the church they most likely are not under the control of Christ the Head so do not fear putting them out of your misery.
    I am aware of the length of this article but it was necessary and it has been on my heart for sometime now.

Godspeed.

“My God is So BIG… so Strong and so Mighty, There’s nothing my GOD cannot do…”  (A Children’s Song)

“Come, ye blessed of [M]y Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.”  (Says Christ the King in Matthew 25:34)

“…[A]t [T]hy [R]ight [H]and there are pleasures  for evermore.”  (Psalm 16:11)

“For I reckon that the suffering of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”  (Romans 8:18)

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”  (Our King)

 

Many unbelievers have tough questions (they think) but rarely do they have any good answers. If you have been a Christ-ian for any length of time you have been asked, “Yeah, but, If God is or if God is good, why all the bad?” Some think they really got us with that one. The truth is the scorning unbeliever will not accept any answer you give them nor would they willingly accept any answer God Himself would give them. They are born scorners. Paul tells us not to bother with trick questions and silly discussions because they do not generate anything good.

However…..
Why does He allow all the bad? We can understand bad things happening to bad and evil persons. but why do bad things happen to good people? Why are babies and children allowed to suffer?  Why does God allow His own people to be tortured and killed? Why? Why? Why? Why do good and godly women get cancer? Why does a pastor have a car accident and lose his entire family? Why? Why? Why?

There are different answers to these questions. Some of the answers will not be well received…some will think the answers are cold. Some may accept the answer but find no peace or rest in them. But based on many years studying Scripture, and many years reading the works of godly men and women, and many wonderful years walking with my Great and Good God, and after many years of simply observing people I think we can answer some questions.

Why do bad things happen to good people?
The Scriptures tell us in many places and in many ways that there are no good people. Let me explain. There are (4) Four standards we humans used for estimating others and ourselves. (1). Comparing persons with other persons. (2). Using ourselves as a standard. (3). Judging persons by an accepted moral or social standard. (4). By using God’s standard, which is His son.
The first way is called unwise and foolish by Paul. One cannot make up a standard out of thin air. There must be a bar of standard. The Hollywood awards are in this categorie. The second is an evil standard of judgement that betrays one’s self as full of pride and contentiousness. “Well I’m just say’in” or “I would never do that” or Let me tell you what I would have done.” These types of comments belong to this categorie. The third is social law and order. For society to operate civilly there must be certain moral, ethical, and societal standards and laws. These standard come from God’s law and the conscience He has embedded within most persons on this planet. These standards are legal laws, and social standards such as waiting for one’s turn in line and not throwing someone out of their chair at the table and eating their food. Then there is the standard God has set for righteousness. That Standard is His Own Son, Christ Jesus. If the human laws and standards are required to move abouit in society then Christ Jesus is the Standard all men must meet inorder to please God and live with God forever in Heaven. Therefore, while we might say, “S/He’s a good person” we are using one of the first (3) three methods of estimation. However, where it counts, from God’s point of view, there are no “good persons.” So, bad things do not happen to “good” persons for, “There is none righteous, no, not one.”  “None doeth good, no not one.”   “All have fallen short…”  Even Christ Himself asked a man who thought Christ was just a man, “Why calleth ye [M]e good?”

Meeting God’s Standard is impossible, of course. To be on par with Christ is to be sinless in thought, feeling, and action as well as not being tainted by sin, which is passed down through the blood line of one’s father. Thus the need for a virgin birth and a Second Adam that would live sinlessly so that His merit could be imputed unto those who would/will trust in Him, His death (which was not required as He was sinless and spotless) in their stead, and His resurrection in their stead. This is the manner and foundation upon which God will justify sinners and save them from their sin and all it’s penalties.

“Why does He allow bad things to happen to babies and children?”
These are the facts…the world is a fallen place and humanity is a fallen and depraved world. Fallen man will procreate and some will abuse their young in terrible ways. This is the way of the fallen world…it just is. One cannot give a reason why God allows bad things to happen to the young in every individual case but in general, while many children will endure suffering at the hand of parents, they will grow up and decide to use that bad for good and some will not. Some will use that bad as an excuse to keep the cycle of depravity going. Some will grow and come to God and will use their time of suffering to help a great many persons, see Joyce Meyer. Some times it is the aweful that makes a person truly good. I said not all answers would be helpful.

Why does God allow horrible things to happen to His own people?
There are a few answers to this question.

1. God allows ungodly men who will remain ungodly to fill up their own cups with sin, thereby earning the wages of God’s great and Holy wrath upon them for all eternity. This is Biblical. The passage that reads, “If God be for you, who can be against you” is a great comfort to a great many, however, if you want to understand this truth better you must look at the negative aspect… If God be against you, who can be for you?
2. God knows the heart of His people. He knows that His people are honoured to suffer for Him, His sake, and for the sake of righteousness. For we say, “We are led to the slaughter…for [T]hee.
3. God is a “BIG picture God.”  He knows that the suffering of this life cannot compare to the joys and pleasures that are to come in Eternity and so do those that suffer and so will those that will be called to suffer. Read the accounts of those martyred for the Sake of Christ…instead of fear there is inspiration, hope, and honour to those blessed to suffer and endure pains for the sake of their Christ.
4. We that believe look forward, like Peter and the other Apostles to suffering in the service of our great Master. In times of persecution the Church has only grown and only grown stronger.
5. Those who are honoured with the call to suffer are those who have already died to self and sin. They know that to suffer for a short time in this life is to gather a much greater treasure in the world to come.
6. Undoubtedly to suffer for Him here is to receive there His, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of Thy Lord, which has been prepared for you since the foundation of the earth.”  “and so shall [we] forever be with the Lord.

Godspeed.

“…[A]sk for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said we will not walk therein.”  (Jeremiah 6:16)

If a preacher stops “grow[ing] in the grace and knowledge of [his] Lord and Saviour” or if he stops learning or if he begins to grow lazy in his times with God and in his study or if his attention or priorities get out of order so to will the flock that God has entrusted to him. As goes the pastor, so goes the Church. Not only is that a spiritual principle it is a logical truth and has  been proven by the experience of many.

Often in today’s “Christendom” the preacher’s focus is diverted from prayer and the Word of God and is put on administrative duties or “new ways” of growing the church, or new ideas of “reaching the people.” This is not good and it’s effects can be seen in the Church today.

There are many reasons for this. Pressure from the people to grow the church, pressure put on self to grow the Church (thereby “proving” ones’s self-worth), or pressure to come up with new gimmicks to satisfy the carnal in the Church, etc. This is due to competition with other churches, or other pastors, keeping the deacon board happy, keeping one’s job, pride, etc. Another reason is the set up of Church government. The Word gives the Church a structure for it’s governing of the Body of Christ. There is the pastor, the elders, and then the deacons.

The pastor is to focus upon the Word of God, His time in prayer, (time spent loving God) and the flock that has been entrusted to him. “Peter,…’Feed [M]y sheep.”  The elders are to serve as counsellors for the pastor and not necessarily to the pastor and they should have the pulse of the people. The deacons are to keep up with the day to day responsibilities and needs of the Church and community. Each body (Pastor, Elders, and deacons) is in place so the body above them, in terms of office and not worth, is free to do what God wants them to do. Another idea, I believe, is expansion or progression of all the men in the positions mentioned above.

The elders develop into pastors , evangelists, and missionaries that are sent out to carry the Church’s message, IE. THe Gospel and influence others. The deacons are to grow (spiritually, cognitively and in wisdom and understanding)  into the position of elders. As that dynamic works other good men, that are spiritually young but full of the Holy Ghost, will replace the deacons that have also grown…grown into elders and the cycle of spiritual life and spiritual influence continues.

In most churches this is not the case. The Pastor is doing his job, the job of the elders, and in many cases the job of deacons while the deacons sit as his advisors and in many cases his judges. For this reason the Pastor is not walking the “old path” of study and prayer, nor are there elders among the people, and the deacons are a board, as I said of deciders and judges. The Church is anemic because of this. Why are these things the way they are?

These things are the way they are because little value is put upon the study of God’s Word and the inestimable value of time spent in prayer that a preacher needs as well as the inestimable value of the pastor himself. This comes, undoubtably from the value the members of the Church put upon their own time in reading, study, and alone time with God. If the body of the Church understood the value of time in the Word and time alone with God they would be insistant upon the pastor spending his time in the “old paths.” They are not insistant upon the pastor spending time with the Word and with God, therefore, they betray their lack of understanding on the value of the Word and prayer. Not only is this a diagnosis upon the Church’s self infected-anemia it is also an indictment from a preacher on the outside that sees what is going on on the inside. It is Ezekiel looking through the whole in the wall and it is Daniel translating the writing upon the wall. It is a disciple of the Master that is judging the Church by her juiceless and tasteless fruit. It is a man of God that is heartbroken over the Church’s lack of moral and spiritual authority and her influence in this present evil world that lieth in wickedness, as well as a Church of God, the Body of Christ, the little flock of the great Shepherd that loves the world more than their Lord and Saviour.

Understand me clearly…I am speaking of the Church “at large” and in general and not every individual Church. I know good churches and their pastors and I am thankful for them. I saw an article recently about the Church’s decline in this country and it is a burden upon me and I’m sure many shepherds.

Every preacher has in mind what they would preach if they had only one sermon left. If I had only one sermon left I would speak on a number of things.

1. The Great Glory of God and the God of Great Glory
2. How God’s great Glory sustains His people
3. Walking continuously with this God of Great Glory.
4. The need to return to the “old paths”

We will (DV) write about number (4) four.
We have been teaching and preaching the Word of God in one manner or another for over (20) twenty years. We have taught through many of the Books of Scripture, expositorally. We have taught on the great men and women of the Bible. We have taught on the great doctrines of God’s grace, we have taught children, teens, adults, and the elderly. We have spoken in different churches and churches “of color”. We have discussed the Truths of God’s Word with people of cults, and of other “faiths” as well as those of no faith and those with faith in science. We have written many articles on many different topics on many sites. We have spoken to countless people about Christ. We at one time taught (6) six times per week. We have never preached the same sermon twice, except on one occasion and that one occasion is why we never preach the same message twice. We have taught thousands of messages.

I say all of that and yes,  I am bragging. I am bragging upon my faithful Lord and Master Who has called me to His servive and entrusted me with His whole counsel. I am boasting with a puffed out chest that He allowed all of this and has given me a spirit to minister His Word to His people. So, yes, I am bragging and I am boastful.
I have experienced things with God that I share with very few people. I have seen His magnificent works and they are marvellous. He has shown Himself mighty on my behalf many time. He has loved me so very well and has given me a joyous and joyful heart that is full of love for Him. I have seen Him humble persons with His goodness even when they doubted Him and I thanked Him for the great faith He has given me because He allows me to trust Him when others are doubtful. I have seen persons sorry for not trusting when they should have only after seeing His faithfulness and I thank Him that that doubt has been mortified through His Spirit and all the tribulations in this life. My God is so Good. MY GOD IS SO BIG, SO STRONG AND SO MIGHTY… THERE IS NOTHING My  God CANNOT DO!!!.

I have written all of the above for (2) two reasons.

1. Because my heart and mind are filled with the love, the joy and the wonder of my Great God.
2. Because after saying all of that I would say this:
   After teaching for the years cited above and teaching on the whole counsel of God, I have learned that what is so important in the Christian life are the “old paths.”  I can teach you on supralapsarianism v. sublapsarianism. I can teach on the deep Truths of God’s Word and some of the deep and wonderous Truths of God Himself, for He has shown me His mysteries (Matt. 10) and has shared with me many secrets (Psalms). I can discuss creation v (de)evolution as well as Arminianism v Calvinism, I can speak to the differences between the different faiths of the world and the mild differences within the differing beliefs in our Christian faith. I can even discuss some of the ideas theologians and ministers have that they can not share with their flock. However, it is still the “old paths” that still matter and give foundation to the deep Truths of the Word of God.

So if I would have one message left to preach or if I were asked for my last words on my death bed or the burning stake, after speaking on the Glory of God, I would teach this…………………..Beloved, Prayerfully Read and prayerfully study your Bibles consistently and spend much time with God in prayers of thankfulness, prayers of praise and worship, prayers of petition, prayers of confession, and times of silent, wordless prayer and communion in His Presence and upon thy face. I would further encourage you to, “Be ye Steadfast, Unmoveable, always Abounding in the Work of the Lord; Be ye vigilant; Gird up the loins of thy minds; Keep thyself in the Love of God and enjoy thy salvation that is safely kept by Christ Jesus, Who is both Lord and Saviour, Who gave Himself for me, as He has great love for me.

Remain ye on the old, but  good path of righteousness, never meandering to the right or the left.

“The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways.”  (Proverbs 14:14)

 

There are (6) six main reasons for murder. These reasons are Revenge, Sex-related, Drugs, Money, Anger, and A Man Compelled by pathology. Just as there are reasons to murder there are reasons for backsliding. Backsliding is, spiritually speaking, an attempt to murder a living relationship.”

There are reasons behind a Christ-ian to backslide. These are not good or acceptable reasons but reasons they are.

1. Spiritial leadership, absent or weak.
   God called Moses to Mt. Sinai. Moses was with God on Sinai for a lengthy period of time. Moses was communing with God and was being given the Law. While Moses was atop Sinai the people called upon Aaron and it was decided that a golden calf would be made for the people to worship. This god was made up of the golden earrings of the people.
   A cause of backsliding is an absent or weak spiritual leader. This can be seen in the contemporary Church. While there are good and faithful undershepherds out there, they must be sought out and they must be proven.  I find sound teaching on radio but to find soundness on television is not an easy task. One must always listen with caution the best of the better teachers and preachers available. My philosophy on preachers and teachers is this….if they are alive there is always time for them to fall. It sounds bad, I know. It seems for every good teacher there are many bad teachers. If the flock is being fed with unsound teaching, they will not be what they are to be.
   However, We cannot put all of the blame upon the weak or absent spiritual leadership. No, not at all. Why does the church suffer such weak leadership? Why does the Church allow unsound teaching in her pulpits? Because they are backslidden.  “What came first, the weak leader or the backslidden saint?”
2. Associations: If one would be wise, one would walk with wise men.  If one is to serve God faithfully, one would be in the company of those that serve God faithfully. If one is to grow cold in one’s love for God, one will dwell in the company of those who are already cold in their love for God.
   For one to grow cold all one must do is, cease from prayer, cease from reading the Bible, and cease the study of the Bible, cease from thinking upon God and let other things capture your thought-life.
3. Success in the world: It is a great shame that whenever some believers are in a good place they forget God. This is truly heart-rending. It tends to be a cycle.  When times are hard, run to God.  When times are easy, forget God. It’s similar to children and (s)atan Claws. When do children think about this idol? At X-mas time and only at X-mas time. The immature believer tends to think of God when they need something. This is truly shameful. This may be the reason there are not more wealthy Christ-ians. Christ said we could not serve God and mammon. It seems that it is an either or dynamic. In 2 Chronicles 25:2 we read of King Amaziah who, “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, but not with a perfect heart.” This is sad commentary. This is “going through the motions”
4. Love for the world:  How does one know if one has love for the world or is in love with the world?  The answer is heartbreakingly simple. One knows that one loves the world when the world is more attractive than the Church. Are you for excited by your favorite t.v. show or a message from the Scriptures? Do you long to see lost friends or family members than you do your church family?
   Granted, an action adventure film is probably more exciting than a Bible study for some or for most, but if you could only have one or the other for the rest of your life, which would you choose? What about reading? Is the fiction or non-fiction more exciting to you than time in the Book of God?  What if you could only have one or the other for the rest of your life?
   Reader, The Scriptures tell us that friendship or love of the world is to be God’s enemy. Yet! Scripture also states that He has given us richly all things to enjoy. A Christ-ian may enjoy the world and the things therein but the Christ-ian cannot love the world. Whereas, the Christ-ian can both love and enjoy God.

Results of backsliding:
Self centered/Absorbed: Instead of being Christ centered and seeking to please Him in all thy ways, the backslider becomes self centered and self absorbed. Everything becomes about feelings or what’s best “for me.”  A: “I’m not going to Church today.”  B: “Why not?”  A: “I don’t feel like it.”  C: “Hey, A, Wanna go X?”  A: ” Yeah, sure.”

Spiritually Indifferent:  A: “Christ may come today!!!”  B: “Ho-Hum”  C: “Hey, B, Wanna go to Church? B: “Naw.”
Spiritual indifference is similar to Spiritual Depession. There is no excitement at all…anywhere…at anytime.

Loss of [F]irst [L]ove:  Even the Lord Jesus Himself holds no sway or excitement over you. Being Backslidden is like being lost but not.

With that last statement let us be clear. If a backslider is similar to a lost person without being lost, it is easy to mistake a backslider for a lost man and a lost man for a backslider. There are many lost persons in the Church who are thought to be backslidden. How can one tell? What has the general tenor of life been? Has this persons served God faithfully for decades but seems cold? Probably saved.  Has this person confessed Christ and within a year is back to the old life? Probably lost.