“”For the Lord knows the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish”                                                                                                                                                (Psalm 1:6)

“”…the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows them that are His…”                                                                                                                    (2 Timothy 2:19)

“I never knew you”  (Matthew 25:12)

 

There are many different ways to “examine yourself ” to see whether or not you are in the faith. Both Paul and Peter exhort us to “Examine ourselves”, To work out [our]own salvation with fear and trembling.” and  to “make [our] calling and election sure (or to prove it] respectively). John uses his first epistle to show us ways or tests to prove our salvation. With all of these exhortation one should “take heed”. Having said this, let me answer a probable objection that some of my readers may have.

It is said or rather has been said and will continue to be said by some church “leaders” that one should not “question their salvation because this offends the Lord”   Their “encouragement” is dangerous and unscriptural as the above texts show.  When one examines, tests, or seeks to prove their standing with God does not put God or His promises in question. These tests question ourselvse and whether we have truly believed or do truly believe because to have truly believed is to believe still. This is important because many preachers, for too many years, have presented a false Gospel to their hearers.

The false Gospel that has been preached has been called “easy believeism” or even better stated, “cheap grace”, by D. Bonhoeffer.  Paul termed it, “another Gospel” which means a false Gospel; a false Gospel of any type and not another accepted Gospel. This false Gospel has within it a measure of truth. This Gospel is presented without mentioning sin, law, repentance, or the nature and heart of the Gospel, which is submission. There is no mentioning of being sorrowful or mourning for one’s rebellion against the One Who loved [us] and gave Himself for [us]. There is no mention that salvation is a return to a life of loving obedience full of gratefulness and thankfulness.

What has been offered and will continue to be offered is simply a way of evading hell by simply believing some facts or simply saying a prayer and raising one’s hand. I am not a fan of the raising of the hand thing, however, I know preachers that use it, but are very clear on what that prayer and the raising of the hand means. It is made clear that if you say this prayer you are showing your love and gratefulness and willing submission to Christ as both Lord and Saviour and it must always be both, Lord and Saviour and in that order.

Let me explain why Christ must be both Lord and Saviour and why it must be in that order: Some speak of the Gospel, as an invitatation and an offer which one can accept of reject. The Gospel, however, is far more than an invitatation or offer, the Gospel is a command. The Scriptures state clearly that God commands every (hu)man everywhere to repent and believe and again, in that order, which is a main point of salvation. By parable Lord Jesus shows the Gospel as compelling or as mandatory.

A king sends out his servants to invite many to a dinner. All of the invited make excuse and reject the invitatation. The king then sends A Servant to compel others to attend. In this parable the Servant (singular) is the Holy Spirit and the servants, plural, are the prophets of God. This parable shows the irresistable drawing of the chosen or the elect. The above parable is actually a combination of (2) two parables.

In our Lord’s dissertation on being the Bread of Life, He states clearly and dogmatically, that no one comes to the Father, lest the Father draws them. The word draw means to drag or to compel.

When Christs speaks of Himself as the Good Sheperd, He states that those of His flock will  hear His Voice and will recognize Him by His compelling voice and will come to Him. Some would call this robotic or that this compelling Voice cancels free will. This is not true. The compelling voice is recognized as being the voice of love, care and attention. The irresistable voice is not resisted because it is the voice of familiar, familial love, attraction, purpose and an ordained destiny.

However, on the other hand, maybe God does cancel our free will. Foreknowledge also, somewhat must cancel out free will andit is written , “There is no other [N]ame given under heaven whereby we MUST be saved.” It is further written, “God is not willing that any [of us- see previous verse] should persish but that [all of us] should come to repentance.” In Scripture sinners are called servants of sin…does not that, too, cancel free will? It is said of Satan that, “he takes captive as he wills.”  It is also said that the devil blinds the minds of them that believe not. Does that not, too, cancel free will?  hmmm? Therefore, methinks that if we are going to have free will (in spiritual matters) cancelled out; isn’t it better to have a loving God cancel it rather than a hateful Devil?  Besides this, does not your boss, in many ways, kill your free will?  Doesn’t illness and weather kill your free will? Doesn’t the need for money kill your free will?

Christ must be presented as Lord and Saviour, because it is Scriptual, logical, and common sens-ical. The Scriptures present our Lord and Saviour in that order. Logic tells us that for one to repent and believe, & in that order, one must understand that to be saved by Christ one must be happy and willing to submit and subject themselves to His terms and conditions.

His terms and conditions are these: Stop, turn around and do things My Way and submit to My Ways forever. Repentance, one would think, comes after believing.  However, one cannot repent and believe unless they reverse their world view, lifestyle and life through repentance. To believe is to obey lovingly, and willingly. Therefore, one cannot believe, lovingly and willfully, until they stop their rebellion against God’s Ways and subject themselves, happily and willingly, to His love and His acceptance.

To be clear: for a person to be saved, said person must repent and believe in, on, and before the Lord. The Lord Jesus will be Saviour to those who repent and believe.

Does a person have all these thoughts when they come to Christ? If so, it would look like this……

“Okay, first I receive you as Lord err, rather you receive me as your servant…{To self: Let me think about this…]  Okay, Yes, I receive you as my Lord and you receive me as your servant. Since I received you as my Lord, I will seek to obey you and to do what is right. [To self: okay, so far so goood] Now that I have received you as my Lord and promised to be obedient, you will now be my Saviour????? Yeah, is that right? Did I get it right?”

Reader, this is why Salvation is a work of God.  While the above is accurate, Salvation is the work of God, Alone. While no one itemizes their salvation in the above manner, the terms are known and accepted by the one crying out to God for His forgiveness and Salvation. As the one crying out to God knows God’s terms; this is proven to be a work of God, Who is the Author and Finisher of our faith.

“Study to show thyself approved, a workman that needs not be ashamed, rightly dividing the [W]ord of truth.”  (2 Timothy 2:15)

 

Our method of exposition will be 1. Demonstrate other passages and other words that have been abused and misinterpreted.  2. To answer this question:  Can one ever be approved of God in their own person?  3. Provide the incorrect interpretation, and 4. Provide the proper interpretation, 5. Compare Scripture with Scripture.  This method will cover our bases and will give us a sound understanding of this, all this often, misinterpreted passage of Scripture.

This passage along with others are all to often taught inaccurately.  “Without a vision, the people perish,”  is another Scripture that is abused.  This verse is usually taught by a young pastor, a missionary, or an evangelist….both seeking funds.  They will say to the congregation, “without your vision of the future this church/mission/ministry will fail….don’t you care?”  BUT what they mean is this, “without your vision of my future, I will fail….don’t you care about me? ….so, support me, please.

Let me be clear, there is no-thing wrong with supporting ministries, in fact, there is much wrong with NOT supporting ministries.  If you are not a church attender, you should….must give to other ministries lest you rob God!

Back to, “without a vision…” The proper meaning behind this passage is “without [a God-given vision to a prophet; the people will perish.”  In other words, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but by every [W]ord out of the [M]outh of God. (Matthew 4); and “I have meat to eat that ye know not of” (John 4:32).

A word that is often abused…mostly by legalists…normally, I would called them Fundamentalists but I have been asked to call them legalists by a pastor friend of mine. I greatly repect and love this man therefore, I will (DV) call them legalists. Legalist tend to abuse the word, “peculiar” as in peculiar people, as in 1 Peter 2:9.  The legalist, in order to maintain power and control interprets this verse as directing us to be peculiar or strange.  However, if this legalistic preacher…I’ll not call him pastor, did his homework or preached expositorally, he would know that peculiar means peculiar treasure, enclosure, beyond ordinary, or for acquisition.

In Exodus 19:5 God says to the Israelites, “Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto [M]e… Then in Titus 2:14, we will be a peculiar people that is purified unto God. Finally in           1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a peculiar people…”  This time peculiar means acquistioned or purchased and kept. Therefore, As Christ-ians we are a purchased people…I am/you are a purchased person. Wehave been purified and presented to God as a peculiar treasure and we are kept safely within a treasure’d chest.  The closest the legalist comes to being accurate is, “beyond ordinary”.  But that does not mean strange or odd, though we may be viewed as strange and odd to non-Christ-ians. Beyond ordinary means extraordinary or above being ordinary. Therefore, we are treasured by God….. above the ordinary.

I wrote that we may be viewed as strange or odd, though peculiar does not mean strange or odd. On one hand we are strange and odd because we are a minority, humanly speaking. The truth is, Spiritually speaking, we are what what God wants us to be and the onlookers are the “freaks of nature” They are the people and persons that are going against God’s grain. As it has been said, “(1) one with God is Majority.” Ask Athanasius. Really, look up Athanasius and you will see (1) + God =  Majority, actually, (0) + God = Majority.

On the other hand, persons and peoples have come to know what to expect from us. In that vein, we are not so strange and odd.  By comparison, the demon possessed, animalistic Muslims, have made us almost lovable but that will change. By the way, when talking heads say, “radicalized,” they mean converted. Soon, methinks, born again will = Radicalized Christian.  All it will take is someone/thing to be attacked by a “Christ-ian(s)”, in name only or a “Brother- so called.”

Is it possible for a person to show himself or herself approved by God in his or her own person? The answer is obvious, is it not? Cain was not accepted in his own person nor was his sacrifice accepted. It is written, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Even today when you go for a job you bring along a resume which is other persons speaking for you. In the Proverbs it is stated, “Let another praise thee,” meaning your word does not equate to much until one knows you.

Christ will say to those who trusted Him not, “I never knew you.” Not only does your word mean nothing but He never knew you or loved you to begin with .  If it was written, “Abraham never knew Sara” it would mean Abraham was never intimate with Sara. The answer to the question, “Can a person be approved by God in his or her own person? Is NO.

The manner in which this passage has been presented to many is this:  Study, study, study your Bible and other good Christian books and in so doing you will find God’s approval. This also extends to the “right” music, the “right” hair length, the “right entertainment”, etc. This teaching is heretical.  It is a perversion of the Gospel.

The Gospel has already made you and I approved in Christ. There is no adding to. To add to is to say, “Christ is insufficient,” to say that is to blaspheme.  In the O.T. The Israelites added flavouring to the manna and God was greatly offended and angered. “How much more” will God be offended and angered if someone seeks to add something to Christ’s finished work?…..hmmm, Catholic?….hmmmmm?…hmmmmm?…..nudge…nudge….elbow…elbow.

The correct interpretation:  Be diligent to do right, as a pastor, rightly dividing the [W]ord of truth. This means to know and understand the Scriptures for it is your trade, pastor. As a carpenter knows his trade so must a pastor know his. Rightly dividing the [W]ord of Truth, This I learned from Pastor Ron Ruben:  To rightly divide the truth is to know which passage is appropriate for what need. In other words, there is a person who is struggling with x. I, therefore, need to rightly divide the [W]ord of Truth and share with this person the proper Scripture so they can be helped.

By helping others on this journey, I am (ap)proving  myself to be a trusted and experienced servant of God and there is therefore, no reason to be ashamed.

“…[W]hosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.”  (Matthew 20:26 b. -28)

 

To be great is to minister or to serve others. But what is it to be great?

When I was a young and ignorant believer I heard a sermon on being a servant.  This thought of being a servant made my flesh kick. I would never want to be considered a servant. Being a servant is for the lowly. This is what I thought as a young and ignorant believer.

What I have come to know is to serve others is (1) one of the great joys of my life. I have found that to leave people and places better than we found them is a higher calling. To leave a place better than you found it is to simply pick up debris from a parking lot or pick up merchandise from off of the floor in a store. To pick up debris from off the street is to leave a place better than it was. To engage a fellow human and to leave them in a better state is to leave them better than you found them. To tell a stranger, “You look nice today,” is to leave them better than you found them…..be careful and be wise as to whom you say this…stick to an older person as not to mix messages.

The above may sound corny to some but is this not what Christ did? Did He not leave mankind and this earth better than He found it?

What is it to be great? To be great is to be loved, respected, appreciated, and to make a difference for good in another’s life. To be great is to serve as Christ served.  To be great is to be Christ-like in word and works. To be great is to live for others and the well being of others. To be great is to love fully as Christ did. This is Christ-ian greatness.

This world, which lieth in wickedness, sees greatness in a different light or rather darkness. The world sees greatness as financial, as an impressive house (Whether it be a home or not or paid for or not), as a world class education, material possessions, and everyone’s envy for his materialism. Let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with the above (Except the envy) “things” or “stuff” as long as they are just “things” and just “stuff”.  As long as you own them and they do not own you.  They are fine as long as they serve you and you do not serve them in an idolatrous way.  They are fine as long as you can let them go or if God may take them.

This view of greatness is (1) one more difference between the Christ-ian and the non-Christ-ian. They see greatness as having much more than others; we see greatness as doing much for others. Power and want calls to them; Needs and service calls to us. They may serve as a business; we serve as a calling and a pleasure. They want to be more than their fellow man; we want to be more and do more for our fellow man. They want to be pleasured by others like a god; We want to be a pleasure to God. They want to be god-like; we are Christ-like and want to be more and more Christ-like. They want to be served; we want to be of service.

It is ironic that in our society we are so interested in the Samurai of old Japan.  These men were men of honour, loyalty, strength, courage and respect. They had a code of honour that was backed up by their life and the loss thereof. They respected life and if in their life they bring dishonour upon their life, they would end it by ritual. I’m not saying this is right, but it was their culture. They would end their life if they dishonoured it but today, in this wicked world, if a woman becomes pregnant out of wed lock and brings dishonour to her family she kills the baby. I’m not suggesting that she kill herself…good grief!

The Samurai was a man of great capabilities. He was more than capable in fight and war. Many were capable writers and artist. They saw their master as one to obey and defend at all costs, even their life. To die in war or for their master was an honourable death.  Oh! and did I mention the word Samurai means “one who serves.”  Yes the Samurai that many are so fascinated by are servants to others.  What made the Samurai great was not his sword, or his abilities but his service to others. Many are fascinated by the Samurai and would like to be Samurai but to be Samurai is to be a servant and that is the irony.

The greatest men were servants. Lincoln = servant to the people; Douglas Macarthur = servant to his country; Einstein = servant to science; All great entreprenuers = servants to their customers; Ghandi = servant to his nation and servant to the inspiration of others.

The greatest man, Who lives now and forever; Lord Jesus came to be a servant to man and to be the servant of God. Christ thrust dignity into the serving of others.

Christ is called King of kings and Lord of lords. Let us also call Him Samurai of the samurai.

 

“THou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20)

“Let Us make man in [O]ur [I]mage.”  (Genesis 1)

 

Murder is an interesting study.  I have spent a lot of years studying the crime of murder. Serial murder, crime sprees, sexual crimes have been a focus of my studies. Learned have I that anyone is capable of anything at anytime any place, no exceptions…well, there is one exception and that exception is the Holy Ghost indwelt person of God. When the Spirit of Life came to live with in us, He brought a love for life as He is the Life and His Life was and is the Light of man. A person of God might kill in self defense or in time of just war. The person that kills in self defense is said to do so because of biology. I disagree. The man or woman of God might kill to defend life because the life they now live, they live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved them and gave Himself for them. We will defend the Christ-life that indwells us. We will defend ourself for our families sake, our ministries sake and for God’s sake. We will defend ourselves because we are remade in the Image of God in Christ and God, in Christ, through the Spirit inhabits us. We do not defend our own person for we are dead to this life and this world, that lies in wickedness.

With that exception, we again state that anyone is capable of any evil at anytime. In fact when authorities begin to investigate a murder they ask the question, “Why here and why now.” These are the first leads they follow.

Murder is the greatest form of God-hatred, pride, theft and self-centeredness.

Murder is the greatest form of God-Hatred because God made man in His Image. God gave man the ability to think, feel, and act; to remember, look forward and to imagine; to procreate, raise up a child, and to teach. Yes, God made man in His Image and to then assault and murder that Image is akin to building a tower, climbing that tower and seeking to kill God, Himself. Murder is an assault upon God Himself. to assault or kill a Christ-ian is an even greater crime against God.

Murder is the greatest form of pride and self-centeredness, (l)ucifer’s “I wills,” excepting. To murder another person is to claim God’s right for one’s self.  To take life belongs to God Alone and to murder is to claim one’s “deity.” To murder is the greatest form of pride as it says, “My desire(s), my wants, my needs, my satisfaction, my lust, my finances, my revenge is far more important than your needs and your families needs and all that you do and would have contributed to society.

Murder is the greatest form of theft as it is stealing all that is and all that could be in the life of the murdered and the family of the slain. It also steals from the world that may have benefitted from the life of the murdered.

 

With all of that said, let me state that murder is or should be a capital offense. Why do I state this: 1. It is logical as to murder is illogical. To murder goes against self interest as each person benefits one another in some way, shape or form.  2. It is biological as procreation is a driving biological need, therefore, to murder goes against biology.  3. It is against society’s moral laws as it harms society.  4. The (4th) forth and most important reason is God said so.  When Noah exited the ark God gave him the (1st) first rule of government and that rule was death to all murders. God takes murder Personally.

The arguments against capital punishment are futile at best. 1. It is state sanctioned murder -Wrong, It is state sanctioned killing not murder; it is for the betterment of society and it upholds the sanctity of life.  2. It does not deter murder -Who said it was suppose to? To deter is not the point  3. How can a person be pro-life and pro-capital murder -One is innocent and the other if guilty…good grief.

The purpose to capital punishment is to commit the murderer to God’s court as humans are not able to justly punish the crime of murder and murderers do not change nor can they be rehabilitated.

Note: In the above I am not writing about crimes of passion or the knee jerk kind of killing or the mentally ill. We certainly are not writing about a child killing in the spur of the moment. We are writing about deliberate, planned, and premeditated murders, and serial murders.

“He says to them, But [W]hom say you that I Am? And Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar jona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but My Father which is in heaven.”  (Matthew 16:15-17)

In life there are things one wants to get right.  One wants to get a spouse right, a career right, a home right. One wants to choose the right contractor, the right doctor, and the right vehicle. If you incorrectly choose any of the above you choose trouble. The wrong spouse can bring a lifetime of pain and emotional agony and can bring terrible results.  The wrong spouse can bring great unhappiness to the offspring of a wrongly chosen spouse.  The wrong career choice can make one unsatisfied and can corner one into a way of life that will disallow one to change careers. The wrong career choice will effect not only you but everyone around you. The wrong contractor will bring headaches and arguments. By choosing the wrong doctor can mean the difference between life and death. It is said that a house and a vehicle are the (2) two largest purchases a person makes, with that said, one does not want to get these purchases wrong.

However, there is something far more important than all of the above combined. You can get all of the above wrong but there is Someone you must…you must…you must get right. That Someone asks you a question. This question comes from the most important Man that lives or will ever live….Jesus Christ, The Son of God.  The question is, “Whom say you that I am?” Your answer to this question and to this Questioner will determine your eternal existence. All persons have a soul [Side note: Your soul weighs (22) twenty-two ounces…research it] and inside this soul is a spirit. The spirit inside of this soul [Greek word is Retainer] is either dead or it has been made alive. The spirit is dead from conception and will remain dead through birth, through youth, through life, all the way until the body sleeps and is put into the grave. Once the body sleeps the soul and the dead spirit will fall into eternity where it shall suffer torment forever and ever as it will exist outside the mercies of God.

Except the dead spirit be quickened by an Outside Love, there is no hope. However, There is an Outside Love that will quicken and breathe new and eternal life into the spirit, so there is hope. How does one’s spirit become quickened or made alive eternally? The One Way that a spirit will be made alive eternally is by answering Christ’s question…”Whom say you that I Am?” correctly. Before we give you the right answer, let’s look at the wrong answers, via C.S. Lewis’ “Trilemma.”

Generally speaking, those who answer wrongly answer thusly, “Jesus was a good man” or “Jesus was a good teacher.”  These answers cannot be true unless Christ is Who He says He is.  But first, let’s look at the claims Jesus Christ made, in order that we might see, whether or not He was a good Man and a good Teacher:

“I am the way, the Truth, and the Life, no man [can] come to the Father [in heaven], but by Me.”

“If you are not with Me, you are against Me.”

“Before Abraham was, I AM.”      [I AM is the Name of Jehovah in the Old Testament(Exodus 3).  Christ’s enemies knew exactly what He was saying; they took up stones to kill Him. But His time was not yet come.]

“Your sins are forgiven.”   [Only God can forgive sin(s)]

“I am the Lord of the Sabbath…”

“Ye call Me Lord and Master and in so saying, ye do well, for so I Am.”

“My kingdom is not of this world”

“You have no power over Me.”   [Christ to Pilate]

“I will take [My life] up again.”

“You have said: nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall you see the Son of man sitting on the [R]ight [H]and of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

No man could make these claims and be considered a good man or a good teacher. The man that makes these claims is either a liar, a lunatic, or He is, Who He says He is, there are no other choices. Therefore, to be a good man or to be a good teacher is out of the question. Sherlock Holmes would say, “Once you have eliminated all possibilities, whatever is left, no matter how improbable it may seem, it must be the truth.”

There are many witnesses to Lord Jesus’ identity: There is John the Baptizer, there are the works that He worked, The Old Testament prophecies, God the Father and God the Holy Spirit, the Words He spoke, the (12) twelve (Paul), the (500) five-hundred that saw Him alive after the crucifixtion, changed lives, the recently beheaded and the boiled alive of our time.

Whom say you that He is?

I/We say, Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last.  He is the Word of God Who became flesh and dwelt among us. He is the Son of God and the Son of man. He is Lord and Saviour. He is my Lord and Saviour. He is I AM. He is the Altogether Lovely One. He is the Blessed Hope. He is my Blessed Hope. He is the Author and the Finisher of my faith. He is the One Who gave His Life for me. He is the One with Whom Brian K. Loder is crucified with: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.

Reader, Whom say you that Jesus Christ is?

“He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”                                                                                                                                           (Philippians 2:8 b.)

…”Let down your nets….nevertheless at Your [W]ord I will let down the net.”                                                                                                                                                            (Luke 5:5)

 

In these passages we will see the great differences that can be found if attention is paid. Sherlock Holmes has said that great inferences can be found in trifles.  While I have found this to be accurate it must be said that there is nothing trifling in Holy Scriptures.

Let us begin with our passage in Philippians.  Let me draw your attention to the words, “obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”  In this passage, the Holy Spirit is stating that the Lord Jesus was obedient unto or up to and including death, specifically the death of the cross. In other words, Christ was obedient to the Father, specifically the death of the cross. This verse is accurate and can be and should be trusted.

It is unfortunate that many translation and many preachers change this to, “obedient to death…” Do you, reader, see the difference in meaning? Do you see the change in doctrine? Let me explain. “[T]o death” means our Lord was obedient to death.  That is to say, death was Lord and Master over Christ!!!  It would necessitate that, when Christ said to Pilate, “You have no power over [M]e” He was wrong or He was lying. Pilate did, in fact, hold power over our Lord. Furthermore, when we are told that Christ “gave up the Ghost,” Scripture is again, wrong. Scripture teaches us that “the wages of sin is death.”  As that is true, then Christ earned death as sin is the wage of sin and Christ was obedient to death.

Do you see, reader, The vast difference (2) two letters, (Un) can make in a major doctrine?  The words “is it” and “it is” changes a question into a declarative statement of fact. Anothet example is, “Are you the Christ?” This is a question the priests asked our Lord,  To which He replies, “I am.”  What if Christ would have said, “Am I?”  The words, I am and Am I make all the difference to our faith, does it not?” Please let us be very careful in the word choices we make for they can make all the difference in life.  To any future brides out there, the word combination, “I do” can change your life for the better or the worse. Whereas the words, “Do I ?” can change your life for the better.  The words, “I will,” changed all of eternity for Lucifer and the world. However, “Will I” can give us time to consider the future.

We have considered the difference (2) two letters can make in one life or in many. Now we shall consider (DV) the difference (1) one letter can make.  First, reread Luke 5:5 from above…………………………………………………………………..Did you see the difference?………………..If not, the difference is the “s.” Christ told Peter to let down the nets. Peter replied that they have toiled all night with no gain but at this Man’s word he will let down the net(). As they pulled in the net the ship began to topple for the net was past full. Help was needed to pull in the catch. Consider the catch Peter would have had if he let down the netS. There was help to be had so there was no risk to the ship or any risk of loss. The lesson here is full and complete obedience to our/your Lord. Another lesson here is: attention should be paid to every jot and to every tittle that proceeds from God’s Word.

What happens when we do obey?  Let us see. In Mark 4:35; We read the Words of our Lord, “Let us pass over to the other side.” After this is said, we find the disciples in the midst of a great storm with tremendous and powerful winds. This storm was so great that these very accomplished and experienced fishermen were frightened for their lives.  We also find the Lord asleep in the hinder part of the ship!!!  The disciple run to Him and cry out and accuse Him of not caring for their lives. To this offensive and hurtful insult the Lord replies, PEACE, BE STILL. All is now calm except for the Lord.  “Why are you so fearful? how is it that you have no faith?” These are the words our Lord chasens the disciples with.

I have a theory. Whenever I hear the words, “Be still” my mind runs immediatley to Psalm 46:10. In this Psalm we read, “Be Still and know that I am God.” When I hear Christ say, “Peace, Be still,” in Mark 4 i cannot help but think Christ is shouting, “Peace…” to the storm and then He turns to the (12) twelve and says, “Be still…” which causes their minds to say, ” And know that He is God…”  No sooner do they quote the Psalm,  they then say….”What manner of [M]an is this.” Now to my point….what happens when we listen closely to our Lord and believe?             In Mark 5:1, we read, “And they came over to the other side of the sea…”  Did you catch it? in Mark 4:35, Christ said, “Let us pass over to the other side.”  and then in Mark 5:1, “And they came to the other side of the sea….”  Christ always keeps His Word…always. It matters not what happens in between His promise and its fulfilment.  It may matter to us but it matters not to His Faithfulness. Another example?

Another example, Mark 14:13; “And He sends forth (2) two of His disciples, and says to them, Go you into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him.        Mark 14:16; “And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as He had said to them……”  “[A]nd found as He had said unto [me]. These (8) eight words are (8) eight words that you should keep close by.  These words will comfort you, encourage you, and will be proven true over and over again by you. Let’s be clear….the Words are meaningless unless there is something or SOMEONE to back them up.  Dear Reader, These words are meaningful and trustworthy because of Whom it is that said them and supports them and sustains them. There is soveriegn power behind each and every Word written in this Book. Every Word is a Pure Word, says Solomon.

In fact, Peter says, this Word (The Bible) is a more SURE Word of Prophecy, than if “G/god” were to speak directly and audibly to you.

Godspeed

 

“And he shall turn the heart of the father to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”  (Malachi 4:6)

“And it came to pass, when [Jephthah] saw her, he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! you have brought me very low, and you are one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth to the LORD, and I cannot go back.  (Judges 11:35)

 

First off, If you know anything about Jepthah, the Judge of Israel you probably think He killed his daughter……methinkssssssssss……No! Jepthah did what most fathers want to do…….he kept her away from “declaring [her] generation.”  By that I mean to say, he didn’t allow her to marry and have children.  Jepthah did not kill his daughter as a sacrifice to his LORD.  How do I know this? Because I know Whom I have believed. God would not accept human sacrifice.  Look at the false god (m)olech or (s)atan in disguise. The worshippers of (m)olech would throw their children to him. (m)olech was a furnace or outdoor fireplace made in the shape of a god. And yes the wicked worshippers would throw their babies into the outdoor fireplace.

Our God said, referencing the outdoor fireplace, that such a thought never entered His Mind. Therefore, He would not accept the slaying of Jepthah’s daughter as a sacrifice. Also remember God stopped Abraham from killing Issac.  For God to accept human sacrifice would have caused all kinds of confusion with the Cross.

Now that we have concluded that matter and gave Jepthah his good name back we shall continue (DV).

The point of this article to call attention to what is called the family annihalator, which we shall refer to as FA from this point. It is well known that fatherhood is a disrespected institution in this country. As the cliche goes the dad is always made out to be the fool in many of the television shows. To be fair it is getting better.

Also, one must look at the families and see that many fathers, regardless of skin color, are not there for their kids. Whether it is by divorce, abandonment, career, or self-centeredness the children do not have a father to look up to; instead they have fathers that they can look down upon.

It is thought that a child views God through the lens of their own father. If the father is absent, the child may have no view on God. If the father is abusive, they might see God as a punishing and hard God. If the father is a weekend or every other weekend father, then God might not be trustworthy.

I know of a father that takes his kids to the store and steals things right in front of them.  What will become of these kids? Do they have a moral compass and know that stealing is wrong? I don’t know that they do. Fatherhood has become a thing of the past; one might say, we are living in a post-fatherhood culture today. This breaks my heart.  Is it any wonder that Super Hero movies do so well?  Kids are looking for a father.

It seems to me that the effects of a fatherless home manifests differently with boys and girls.  Boys without a father tend to be more violent and girls tend to “fall in love” more easily with boys as they are seeking a male figure in their life.

That is what fatherhood seems to be in this country and that is wrong, but things can always get worse.  The FA is a man that kills his entire family and it seems like it happens out of nowhere. It is thought that there are certain triggers to cause a man to kill his family. 1. Financial troubles  2. Family is in despair and the father feels incapable of doing anything about it.  3. Honour Killings  4. Mental Infirmities  5. Revenge  6. Self righteousness.

Some men have  idealistic pictures of what a family is and when their family does not meet that standard, he kills them. In the barbaric religion of (i)slam, a father will kill his daughter if she dishonours him in anyway. Mental infirmities must be dealt with; a father who is mentally ill can do anything. Revenge killings: These are more often than not a married couple that were high school sweethearts or they are bound together due to an unwanted pregnancy. Bitterness and resentment settles in and all these couples think about is, what if.

The signs of a F.A. are   1.Socially awkward  2. No family or friends to speak of  3. He is somewhat abusive in a kidding kind of way.  4. The abuse gets real and it is ugly.   5. He must have control and be seen as powerful. These (5) five signs seem to be credible.

I have often thought that the Church body would benefit greatly if there were an “A Salt Ministry.” By that, I mean, good men would visit the home of an abused wife or the home where the children are mistreated and have a discussion about the lack of parental skills. In this “A Salt ministry” the abuser would be controlled and paroled very often.  The abuser would feel like he is being watched and he would feel a bit under the custady of good men that watch his temperment.

“And He sighed deeply in His spirit…”  (Mark 8:12 a.)

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, ….how often I would have gathered your children together, as a hen does gather her brood under her wings, and you would not.”  (Luke 13:34)

 

There are (2) two topics we would like to discuss in this article. The first is keeping or guarding one’s heart and the second is the spiritual sigh and what it says.

I am a confessed meddler. I poke my nose into other person’s business…”for that is my trade” as S. Holmes would say.  The shepherd, with his rod and staff, would always look under the sheep’s wool to make certain everything was as healthy on the underside as it appeared on the outside.  This means the shepherd or pastor must look underneath or behind the scenes, if you will, of those for whom he is responsible for.

Everyone has a church face…I never did and that put some people off. Others thought me different because I did not have a Church smile on my church face.  The Lord has gifted me with discernment and we are able to read between the lines or like I said before, “look under the wool.”  We do not apologize for this, in fact the pastors that do not meddle should be apologizing. In other words your business is my business.

I listen to Christ-ian radio programs and on some of these programs other listeners will send in their prayer requests and then they are read over the air and the listening audience is meant to pray for these people. Many of these requests are prayers that need not be made. Sometimes or many times a commom request is, “Pray for X because s/he feels s/he is growing apart from the Lord.”  I groan in my spirit and sometimes out loud.  This is not something one seeks others to pray about, this is something one handles.

I’ve been to many prayer meetings and many requests are no more than attention seeking devices or gossip.  Again, I groan.  The Christ-ian life comes down to two rather simple actions. 1. Read YOUR BIBLES!!! and  2. PRAY!!!  It doesn’t get any simpler than that.  I also hear person calling radio stations and asking the most basic questions. This ought not to be….The answers are in the BOOK.  I know, I might sound harsh, but I’m right.  In order to keep one’s heart right with God one must READ THE BIBLE and PRAY OFTEN.  If you are reading your Bibles you are communing with God which means your mind and thought are in a good place which means it’s not in a bad place.  If you are praying or walking with God you are walking on holy ground which means you are not walking upon unholy ground.

I know there are deeper spiritual needs that people need there shepherd for and that is fine. I’m not talking about counseling others through difficult times, I’m talking about Christ-ianity 101.

“Would you pray for me. I’m seeking God’s will on divorcing my spouse because I’ve fallen in love with someone else. My spouse is just not meeting my needs”

“I have an unspoken, would you pray for that, please?”

“Pastor, I’m pregnant and am considering an abortion, would you seek God’s will in this matter.”

“I have a bad cold, would you pray for me?”

The answer to the above prayer requests is ….NO! NO! NO! and Good Grief, NO!  These need not be prayed for or about. We have the Lord’s will revealed in these matters already, there is no need for prayer.  Divorce is a no;   Unspoken request? No!  You tell me the problem.;   Abortion? NO!    Pray for your cold?   No! Take some cold medicine.

I’m not trying to be mean nor am I being mean, I am shepherding God’s flock.  Do you know what a shepherd would do to a sheep that continually wonders off?  The shepherd would break the leg of that sheep. This was an act of love.  The church needs more leg breakers than hand holders or glad handers. The church needs more grimaces and frowns than false faced church smiles.

Christ-ian reader, you must take your walk with God seriously. Your relationship to Him is the most important one in your life and you must guard it with all you’ve been given and gifted with. Your walk/relationship with God transends any and all human bonds. If you want good relations with others, you must be right with Him.  This unity with Christ must be cultivated, fertlilized, and weeded regularly.  There is no more precious thing in this world than one’s walk with God.

 

Our next topic is on the language of sighing.

You will find our Lord sighing often in the Gospels. You will find Paul writing about the language of sighs and groans in Romans. Paul tells us that the Spirit will interpret our sighs and groans before God. I understand well the language of our Lord’s sigh. Do you?

I get it when He looks upon Jerusalem and sighs and says that He would have been happy to gather them all into one safe place, but they would not. I see or meddle as I said before and what I find causes me to sigh deeply in my spirit because there is not much I can do about what I see because like Jerusalem, they would not be willing to do what is needed to be right…humanly speaking.

We see people hurting physically, children living in aweful family environments, marriages failing, persons sick and some terminally ill, we see pastors enduring great stress because of others, we see missionaries serving God in terrible conditions, we see persons needing help and not knowing that they need help and I sigh deeply in my spirit.

We read what people post and I can read between their lines and I sigh. I see the elderly in failing health and children that are suffering from physical and other infirmities and I sigh. I see these things and I notice no one elso does and I sigh. I share these burdens with others and others care not to see what I see or to get involved and I sigh.  If I could I would build a great spiritual compound and call all of these persons in where they could be safe and get all the help they need but it is not possible, (humanly speaking, as all things are possible with God,) so I sigh.

However…. I also see a wonderful Christ-ian couple who love God and are loved by God, I see this couple adopt (3) children from China. These beautiful children have cleft palettes and this couple adopt them and bring them to America and these children receive the medical attention needed….and I rejoice.  I am so proud of this couple…their names are Chet and Anne Evans, they are so good and loving….and I rejoice in tears.

I know of a woman who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer but she still thrives in spite of no chemo or radiation… and I rejoice.

I have a brother in law…..a brother and friend who was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, but he had it removed and is well….and I rejoice.

I know of a dear Christ-ian woman, a pastors wife that was diagnosed with lymphoma almost a decade and a half ago and she thrives in her service to her Lord and His flock….and I rejoice.

I have a brother that was saved in his (60’s) sixties…. and I rejoice.

I have learned that life is made up of Sighs, groans, and rejoicing.

Job said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”                                                                             Paul said, “I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able…”                           Christ Jesus our Lord said, “Believe..in Me.”

I will answer Job, Paul and my Master thusly,  “I will trust Him, Too”; “I am persuaded as well”; and to my Master, ” I do and I will for Thou are Worthy.”   However, I will answer them all in the language of Sighs and Groaning, for this is the language we all know well.

“But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For to whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…  (Luke 12:48)

 

When one ponders the extremes of Scripture Such as, which verse is the saddest, best, most meaningful, or scariest, the answer depends upon whom you are asking and at what point in their life they are at. If you were to ask a young evangelist or missionary which verse inspires him, he might say, “The fields are white unto harvest.”  If you were to ask an elderly person which is the verse they look to the most they might say, “I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”  If you were to ask a new convert, they might quote John 3:16. If you were to ask a sober minded preacher what verse holds the most gravity to him he might quote Luke 12:48.

Luke 12:48 is part of a parable of our Lord Jesus. We will (DV) summarize the parable for you. A lord goes away for a time and he expects his servant to keep all things in order. He is right to expect this. He is not asking anything above the servant’s  responsibility. The servant then has a choice, will he keep the household in order or will he let things go and put things in order just before the lord returns? The servant may think according to this line; the lord will not know if all things were kept in order while he was gone or if thing were let to slide and put back in order just before his arrival. However, the servant knows not when the lord would return.

Paul states in Philippians 2:12-14: “Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Do all things without murmuring and disputing…

The above passage teaches us the right attitude to have while our Lord is away.

The servant in the Lord’s parable has the choice of being a good servant or an idle or rogue servant. The servant might take this opportunity and take the lord’s place and “begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken…” The servant could also think like the Philippians and obey his lord, not as in his presence only, but much more in his absence.

If the lord came home unexpectately and found the servant drunk and basking in pretensionistic, false glory  and the menservants and maidens abused and used according to the servant’s pleasures, the wicked servant will be “cut asunder.”

If the servant is a Phillippian thinker, and does right in the lords absence he will be made “ruler over [the lord’s] household.” It will be said of the good servant, “Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he comes shall find so doing…”

So, if you were to ask a preacher, “What is the scariest or most sobering or grave verse in the Bible?  The preacher might answer with Luke 12:48.

To be clear, I will (DV) use pop culture. Peter Parker A.K.A. SpiderMan was told by his uncle that “To whom much is given, much will be required.” This is a grave statement. Parker’s uncle was quoting from our text, Luke 12:48.

With all of that said, it seems that the preachers, pastors, evangelists, missionaries, prophets, ministers, priests, church leaders, Sunday School teachers, Apologists, self proclaimed “apostles”, Bishops, Popes, etc. ect. ect. shall reap much derision from the Lord if they/we/I/ you are not “[found] so doing.”

In the Lord’s parable, Christ speaks of being beaten with few stripes and being beaten with many stripes. This should cause all of you/us in the Lord’s work to take and behold. This may be why Paul says to us, “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Let us think of Judas, he spent (3) three years with the Christ. Judas learned at the Master’s very feet. With all that he was taught and given, one would think that he, like the other (11) eleven, would use it for God’s Glory. Judas, however, did not use it for God’s Glory, but for personal gain. Judas was a lover of money. Lord Jesus even said, one cannot love two masters, meaning money or loyalty. Judas heard the Lord’s teaching on this subject and he chose the money over loyalty to the Son of God. Judas hanged himself. Much was given Judas and much was required of Judas….his very life and soul.

We, in the service of the Lord, need to always think about our time and gifts. Are we using them circumspectly or are we not?  One of the reasons we write on this blog is to use our time rightly. In writing these articles, I have spent, somedays (8) eight to (12) twelve hours on a single article. Somedays we might spend (12) hours and write (3) three or (4) four articles. We write what He puts into our mind. When my Lord returns, I want Him to Find me “so doing” not for gain or reward, but because He is the Master and He is O’ so good to me and my family.

I heard an evangelist say, “If the Lord took everything from me…..I would still have to say, God has been so good to me.”

Because of the Lord’s Grace, Mercy, Goodness and His Love, we, His Servants, are happy…O’ so very happy…..to be what He expects us to be and to be doing what He expects us to be doing…Even so, Come , Lord Jesus.

Therefore, when we continue to seek Biblical and spiritual knowledge we are, in truth, digging ourselves deeper and deeper into His derision if we are wicked servants. However, if we be obedient servants we shall be greatly pleased by our Lord’s, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

My readers, You must understand that this does not only apply to those in service to God, but it applies to all. This warning applies to all that know the Lord. No one is exempt’d.  God has given us much knowledge and wisdom and understanding. If we /you do not use all of that for God’s Glory, you too, might find a few or many stripes waiting for you.

God has given all believers, “All spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1); God has made all believers, partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1); The Spirit has grown His fruit within us (Galatians 2:20); Think of it this way, God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and omniscient………and He dwells inside of your mind and heart.

You and I have been given much; Therefore, much is required of us while our Lord is away. So, this truth of Luke 12:48, is not meant to sober up the ministers of God only, but it is meant to sober up all of God’s people.

Our Lord Jesus expects much because He gave so much.

“Thou shalt not worship any other god before Me.”  (Exodus 20)

 

One of the most prominent sins of our time and most overlooked is idolatry.  Idolatry can cover so many other sins and is the answer to many persons actions and decisions.

Celebrities try and use their influence to get their worshipers to vote their will, buy their products, dress like them and be like them. Their worshipers will cut their hair like them and will schedule their lives around their gods appearances on television or on film.

What makes a celebrity?  Those who are celebrities today were “regular” persons before they were celebrities, were they not? Before they were celebrities they waited on tables, painted houses, lived with their parents, hung out with other “regular” people. No one cared anymore about their thoughts or opinions than they did anyone else’s.  Nor did they care about their style of dress or hair style than anyone elses.

I do not have many people calling me, writing me or stopping me in the street to ask my opinion on matters. However, put me on T.V. or the radio, and many would be seeking my thoughts on what one of the most prominent sins of our day might be. I will have become important and my thoughts and opinion would become a matter of great importance. Some would even start dressing as I do and shaving their heads and wearing a beard…..why, what is different? I’m not.  So what is different? Why would others all of a sudden think I am now important?  The answer is simple. Persons see me differently because T.V. and other people have told them too.

So, there is the answer. Persons worship other persons because T.V. and other people tell them too. This is nothing more than marketing or advertising.  Why do persons go to a restaurant or store and purchase a new item? The answer is because T.V. told them too.

All celebrities were regular persons before T.V. and other regular persons said they weren’t.  I am a preacher that people do not cross the street to come and hear from. Put me on T.V. or let me publish a book and churches around the country, if not the world, will be calling me.  Can you see what I’m saying? I know that some would argue that persons would become interested in a new celebrity because they now are aware of them as before they were not. I suppose this could be argued because there is a small amount of truth in it as it is true for some persons. However, it is not true of all. There are many persons that are aware of the talent that regular person have but see no greatness in them as they are just regular people that can sing, dance, act or preach. However, as I said before, once T.V. says they are special, everyone else will see them as special…even those that have known them for years. You see celebrity like idolatry is only an allusion.

God, Alone, is to be worshiped because all that is said about Him by Himself and others that have experienced Him is absolutely true.  One can experience God for themselves and they will know that His Glory and Power is all TRuth.  It has been said by those that have met their celebrity idols that the worst thing one can do is to meet their celebrity idols as they are never what they pretend to be or what T.V. or others say they are.

When I was a young man I met my favourite wrestler in an airport….he signed his autograph but it was an irritation. Another time I met him and he was very harsh, to be fair though, I did follow him into the washroom. The next time I met him he was making out with a woman on my car.  The last time I met him he was happy and friendly. This last time I met him there were a lot of other persons present and he wanted to look good. This is celebrity and idolatry.

There is a psychological infirmity that causes T.V. watchers to believe that their favourite actor/actress knows them as well as the mentally ill person thinks they know the celebrity. This illness has caused many to be hurt and even killed. This is celebrity and idolatry.

However, as I wrote before, to worship God is to worship One Who is Who He says He is. To worship God is to worship what others, who know Him, says He is. There are no smoke and mirrors. There are no bait and switch tactics. When you meet God, He is All that He claims to be and More. When you come faith to face with the Lord Jesus Christ, you come Faith to Face with Truth Personified.  Christ is Everything the Bible says He is. Christ is Everything His servants say He is. Christ is Everything He says He is. Christ is Everything you could ever hope Him to be and then more.My reader, turn your back upon your false gods and idols and turn your eyes upon Jesus, the Lord and Saviour.

I will give you all a pop quiz. This pop quiz will show you if you are an idolater or not. This pop quiz will show you if you have truly come faith to Face with Christ. Pop Quiz… What would you do or how would you feel if you came face to face with your favourite actor or actress?  Would you feel overwhelmed…overly excited…would your emotions be inordinate?  If you answer yes to this question you are an idolater and are guilty before God. This also tells you that your idea of God is far to small and you have never really experienced His greatness. I do not say you are lost, I simply say, you may have been saved and stopped there.

My reader, you are in a very bad and dangerous place.  I understand the worship of celebrity. I’ve been there and done that and had many t-shirts and autographs to prove it. I have fun stories concerning many celebrity types in the wrestling world, and even the soap opera world. I knew Kerry Von Erich, a good guy, was depressed and on heavy drugs before he killed himself and the world found out.  I knew the life style that Shawn Michaels was living before he was saved and confessed all.  I knew Jake “the Snake” Roberts was getting divorced before his wife did.  I understand the worship of celebrity or rather idolatry.

You see, I was an idolater, too. I worshiped celebrity, too. When I was a young man I did what all sychophants and idolaters do. But I met God in the Person of Jesus Christ. I found out how strong and so mighty my God is. I found out all that He has done for me and will do for me. I learned all that I could do for Him and others, with His Spirit literally living inside of my mind and heart. After experiencing Christ, every one and everything became very small.  I became equal to all the persons around me, if not more.

We are not saying that one cannot be entertained by celebrity anymore than we are saying one should not be thankful when a waiter or waitress brings food to one’s table. In fact, one should be more thankful to the waiter or waitress as they are bringing  life sustaining food.

How should you act if you meet a celebrity?  You could thank them for entertaining you and maybe educating you in/on different matters or helping you see things a little differently.  You should not ask them for their autograph as it will become a golden calf. You should not run around telling everyone that you met this person. Instead, you might tell others of how that celebrity met you and benefitted from it, as you gave witness to Christ…perspective is very impotant to one’s world view.

So to summarize this article, let me ask you some questions. 1. Are you an idolater of celebrity?  2. Do you think the celebrity is better than you or other persons? 3. Have you experienced the greatness and glory of God through Christ? 4. Do you understand that celebrity is really nothing more than the T.V. or other persons telling you that you should idolize and worship the celebrity? 5. Do you feel silly idolizing a celebrity. 6. Have you discovered that you have not truly met God in Christ and that you are guilty of worshiping a false god in the very Presence of the True and Living God?

Think these things through thoroughly….your life and future depend upon it.