“…for [the Spirit] dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I Will not leave you comfortless: I will come unto you.”  (John 14:17.b, 18)

 

Sometimes a preacher can be under the impression that his listeners know exactly what he is talking about. I have been guilty of this. We assume that others are as familiar with the Word as we are.  This is a humble but insensitive mistake to make. By this assumption we intimate to God how little we understand the greatness of the gift He has so graciously given us and the highness of the office He has called us to fill. The knowledge and understanding He has placed in the preacher is an extraordinary gifting and we should serve Him with a sense of awe and thankfulness for counting us faithful and calling us to minister to Him and His chosen.

The preacher should try to keep in mind that his listeners need to know exactly what he is teaching. A servant of God speaks so often about salvation and assumes the listeners know what he is being saved from. A preacher can speak upon the cross so often (which he should) that he forgets to speak of the resurrection. These are not sleights or charges against any preacher; these things simply happen to a servant who is spending one’s life in service to God and His Word. The more one speaks the probability of saying something incorrect increases. The principle from Scripture would be …one that lives by the (s)word will die by the (s)word.

Another doctrine that a preacher or teacher may speak on and assume the listeners understands in Christ living in the believer or “Christ living in one’s heart.” The text quoted above makes it clear that Christ “will come to [the believer].” What exactly does He mean? Christ taught His disciples that He would soon leave them and return to the Father. Of course they were confused and heart broken. He sought to encourage them with His promise that He would not leave them comfortless but He would pray the Father to send Another Comforter. This Comforter would not speak His own independent Mind or Words but would speak the Words of Christ.

Christ called this Comforter the Spirit of Truth. This Spirit of Truth would teach them, guide them, and bring all that Christ taught them to their memories. This would aid them in their ministries, help them to become more and more Christ-like, and allow them to pen the inspired Gospel records.

The question of the listeners still remains, however. Where does the Spirit actually reside or is His dwelling in the believer simply a meta-4 4 some other spiritual truth? The indwelling Holy Spirit is not a metaphor but an actuality. The Holy Spirit resides with in the believer’s mind, with in the believer’s heart or emotions, with in the believer’s conscience, and with in the believer’s instincts.

The Indwelling Spirit of Christ brings a soundness to one’s thinking and He helps to banish illogical fears. He directs one’s understanding and gives wisdom. He will train the believer in the correct use of the emotions and teach him/her to use them appropriately. The Holy Spirit will enable and teach the cooperating believer to love as Christ loved and taught others to love. The conscience will be His tool to reprove, correct, and instruct the Christ-ian that is sensitive to this reproof, correction and instruction. In the times of decision the all-knowing, all-wise Spirit will act as a compass through His use of the indwelt’s instincts. While all the above is very beneficial to the Christ-ian, the Spirit’s main purpose is to make one Holy, for God is Holy.

When the Spirit takes up His residency with in the elect servant of God He imparts the “divine nature” of Christ (2 Peter 2), He brings with Him “all spiritual blessings” (Ephesians 1), and begins to sow the seeds of His fruit (Galatians 5). He also brings with Him a gift (1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4) or several as He wills. He turns on the light so the believer can let his light so shine. By this light He will show His living temple what sin is and how to walk with out stumbling (1 John 1, 2). Yes, the Holy Spirit has made a new creature in Christ’s likeness. (1 Corinthians 5:17)

The Spirit is not a meta-4 nor is He simply a force; The Spirit of Christ a living Entity,  Who will “dwelleth with you and shall be in you” forever. Now that is Awesome.

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” (2 Peter 1:2)

“But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said,  Behold, I thought, [Elisha] will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the [N]ame of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper…so he went away in a rage.” (2 Kings 5)

 

I have learned over our years of Bible study that one can read the inexhaustible Living Word of God and pass over a great truth over and over and over again only to read it again and find a life altering truth. It is like hearing something from a close, longtime friend and realizing, “You’ve never told me that before!” This is one reason we say the Scriptures are alive and and trust the Holy Spirit to guide us through the truths that can never be exhausted.

As an under-shepherd to Christ’s “little flock” we have the privilege to hear the difficulties of other Christ-ians and the honour to counsel them in accordance to the healing Balm of Scripture. Those who take the Word seriously will seek to put into effect the teachings of God and His chosen instruments that were moved by the Holy Spirit to pen the Inspired and inspirational, and inspiring truth(s) of God. It is unfortunate, however, that some of those that come “seeking” counsel never apply the healing balm or drink from the cordial of God’s grace, mercy and peace.. This demonstrates, on their part, a lack of seriousness and or faith.  As well as the lack of desire to truly seek and find help, peace and to experience the graciousness of God.

In the title we used the word borderline personality. In full disclosure we are not clinically trained in any kind of psychology but we have been trained extensively on human behaviour. This training has come from the Word of God, His indwelling Spirit, time spent observing human behaviour, and much experience working with our subjects of study and observation.

The person that manifest this disorder tends to be incredibly self centered, self concerned, and could not really care about anyone else. This person cannot bare to listen to, or care about the successes or difficulties of others with out hijacking the discussion and making it about them. They will not suffer anyone to pull away from them and they are ever on the watch for that pull back. This person thinks that they should be the center of everyone’s total focus and everyone’s world. One way they try to keep that place of attention is by making their life a soap opera with all the drama without the commercial time outs.

The border liner will seek every opportunity to broadcast their, mostly, self created problems and then ask your advise before saying, “A ha, anyway…” One seeking to counsel this person will grow frustrated. One must point out this person’s lack of serious desire to help themselves. One must then cease to “tune in” to their drama. This person will try to con you by telling you that you’ve got him or her all wrong. Once you tell them that you are finished listening to their inflated and self caused problems they will most likely advertising for your “viewership.” One would be wise to keep an eye out for any backlash, however, because it could be severe.  If one is a male and is counseling a female one must never…ever spend a second alone with her. One must never speak about another person known by the border liner because she will use anything to pull you back into her T.V. series life.

 

It is not only the borderline personality that will ignore sound Biblical counsel, but one who is of little faith as well. In the second passage quoted above one reads of Naaman, the leper. He was fearful of this life taking disease. Naaman was told by his young, captive house maid about the great prophet, Elisha and how God works through him. Naaman, with all his pomp and glory, travels to the home of Elisha to seek his aid. Elisha sends his servant out to instruct the proud Naaman to dip himself in the dirty water of Jordan (7) seven times and he would be healed. Naaman was greatly angered. He felt humiliated by Elisha’s lack of awe concerning his great pomp and pride. Naaman saw Elisha’s servant as an insult, “Does this prophet not think me worthy of his attention?” must have been his thought. Naaman was furious because he did not get the treatment he though himself worthy. He stomped and snorted and despised the prescription of God’s prophet. His servants then suggested that Naaman should at least try Elisha’s directions. Naaman swallowed his pride, dipped himself (7) seven times in Jordan and was healed.

We would draw your attention, reader, to the first text quoted above from 2 Peter 1:2. It was the Apostles desire, as it is the desire of all godly ministers, that the people of God are blessed by God’s grace and peace. The Apostle not only desires grace and peace in the life of the believer but that the grace and peace of God be multiplied in the believer’s life. This is the desire of God, Himself.

Peter places a condition on this experiential grace and peace. Peter adds, “…through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.”

This condition placed upon the experiencing of God’s grace and peace are consistent with other of God’s offers. For example: One can be saved and find eternal life in Christ through repentance and the life-changing belief in His finished work and the “continuing” in that belief which is manifest through one’s love and happy obedience to Christ’s Authority. Note Peter’s words again, “through…Jesus our Lord.”   and not merely through Jesus our Saviour. To know the grace and peace of God is to obey Christ [your] Lord. To understand Christ’s Gospel is to understand it as a submission to His Mastery over one’s life. Submission to His will is implied by the commandment to repent and believe.

“It is written” in other Scripture that one must love Christ and obey Him. Scripture teaches plainly that they that love not Christ are damned. Scripture also teaches that Christ is the [A]uthor of eternal life to all that obey Him.

Christ asked, “Why call ye [M]e ‘Lord, Lord’, and do not the things I say?” and “Ye call [M]e, Lord and [M]aster and ye say well; for so I am.” Christ further weeded out faux disciples by telling them, “If ye continue in [M]y [W]ord, then are ye my disciples indeed…” The implication is simple, if ye continue not in His word, ye are not His disciples. Christ also warned that in the final day many shall say unto Him, ‘Lord, Lord’ but He will reveal that he “never knew” them and He shall order the many to “Depart from [M]e, ye workers of iniquity.” [Compare Christ’s Words to the many with Psalm 5:3.] Christ asks Peter, “Do you love [M]e” and Peter replied, “Yea, Lord [Y]ou know that I love [T]hee.” Christ responded, “Feed [M]y sheep.” Christ’s point is this …if you love Him you will serve Him in loving worship and happy obedience.

The doctrine in the above paragraph is not explained to sinners by many preachers today. Many present “Jesus” merely as a Saviour from Hell and not that the Lord Jesus came to save His people “from their sin.” The Lord came to seek and to save sinners from the prison of sin, the power of sin, the pleasure of sin, and the penalty of sin. Some “Bright morning”He shall save us from the very presence of sin.

Paul proclaims the good news, that if the sinner would call upon the [N]ame of the Lord he/she will be saved. He further instructs, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised [H]im from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” This confession can only come from a Spirit- indwelt and purified heart; for the mouth speaks from the heart.

Am I saying that one who calls upon the [N]ame of the Lord and confesses the Lord Jesus must actually say the word Lord in one’s prayer? First of all, the “sinner’s prayer” demonstrates the internal, purifying work of God’s Holy Spirit. The prayer is not the cause of one’s regeneration but the fruit thereof. If the prayer was the cause of one’s salvation one could then boast of one’s choice to pray, meaning their salvation is ultimately not of God’s unmerited favour alone but of one’s own wisdom and prayer.

I am not suggesting that the sinner must utter the word Lord in his or her confession. I am, however, stating that when one’s regeneration and conversion to Christ is of God the submission to the Lord’s authority and the subjection of one’s will to Christ’s will is a fruit of regeneration, conversion, repentance and subsequent and consequential belief.

If the Gospel preacher proclaims Christ’s right to reign in one’s life from the beginning to end this foundational doctrine will be understood by all his hearers, whether they be saved or lost. This doctrine if further demonstrated in the men that came to Christ of their own volition. Christ told one to sell all his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor. Lord Jesus told another to let the dead bury their dead and to follow Him then and there. You see, He was calling upon their loyalty, love, submission and subjection to Him and to Him Alone. The men were not willing to follow Christ on His terms and they departed.

On the other hand, if a minister presents Christ to the masses as the Saviour from hell and life’s hardships many will respond affirmatively. Who wouldn’t respond to this offer? If one has any natural respect for God’s Word or have “tried everything else” why not “try ‘Jesus’?” However, this offer is only a half truth. To be clear, Christ is the Saviour…THe One and Only Saviour, “whereby we must be saved” and He will be a very present [H]elp in one’s hardships. However, He will not be the Saviour of or to or for those who knowingly intend to continue living in sin. Christ will not be Saviour to those who willing and knowingly refuse Christ’s call for a life subject to His wise and perfect counsels, rebukes, and admonitions…He simply will not.

Scripture does not present Christ, as Saviour, Alone. One does not decide to “make Him Lord of their life” at some point in the future. Scripture presents Him as the Sovereign Master of one’s life. Scripture presents Him as the Lord, Who is Saviour to the repentant and believing sinner.

One can often tell where a preacher stands on this doctrine by the manner in which he refers to God’s Son. Those who refer to Him as, “The Lord Jesus” are usually those who know Him and present Him as Lord of all and over all.

Years ago, a church, We were a member of, installed a preacher as the new pastor. This man would always refer to God’s Son as, “the Lord Jesus.” It was a noticeable difference from other preachers I knew. As I grew in the faith of Christ I learned the great importance of not only knowing Christ as Lord but addressing Him and speaking of Him with His title of Lord. To put doctrine into perspective – one does not address the president or royalty by first name as that would be disrespectful and a breach in protocal. One addresses the president as, “Mr. President, Sir” and royalty with, “Your Majesty.” Yet the vast mass of Christ-ians today address and speak of God’s Son as just, “Jesus.” If one studies the New Testament closely, one will notice that it was the enemies of Christ (Demons and religious/political leaders) that addressed Him as just, “Jesus.” His loving servants, however, addressed Him as Lord and Master.

In our quoted passage above, Peter teaches that grace and peace will be multiplied in one’s life by the “knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.” So important is it for the believer to “Know [H]im Whom they have believed.” To know God is the prescription to the multiplication of grace and peace in one’s life abundant. To know God merely objectively or to be cognitive of God is not what Peter is speaking to. Peter wants the believer to know God as an Old Testament husband “knew” his wife. The believer is to know God intimately, personally, lovingly.

The only way one can know God and live in this multiplying grace and peace is to know the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus is the “express [I]mage of [God’s] [P]erson.” Christ said, “I and [M]y Father are [O]ne.” Christ refers to Himself as the I am of Exodus (3) three, as Alpha and Omega, and as the First and the Last. Christ revealed Himself to be the God that sat with Abraham and the God that Isaiah beheld as, ” [H]is train did fill the temple.”

Isaiah learned that day that once one experiences Christ, the God-Man all other human kings are mere men appointed by God, Who is able to turns their hearts whither soever He pleases. When the Christ-ian understands and knows, experiencially, the Lord Jesus all those other things; all the circumstances, all the situations, all the fears, and all the doubts that steal the believer’s peace and blinds them to God’s grace will become a slain and beheaded Goliath; their mountain will be moved, their red sea shall part, they shall walk upon the water, they will lift up Christ before others, and their weakness shall glorify God’s Strength and great Glory.

Therefore, My beloved reader, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through [your] knowledge of God and Jesus [your] Lord.”

Godspeed.

“Submit yourselves to every ordinance of men for the Lord’s sake…”                                                                                                                                             (1 Peter 2:13)

“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.                                                                                                                                              (Romans 13:1-2)

“Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is God’s                                                                                                      (Your Lord and Master, Jesus Christ)

 

Most fair minded persons and peoples all around the world can agree that murder, stealing, adultery, lying and disobedience to parents are wrong and should be disciplined appropriately. The Christ-ian would add to this list bowing to and worshiping other gods and or graven images, taking God’s Name in vain, and covetousness. There is not a Christ-ian that would take exception to this list or would remove anything therefrom.

However, what about speeding? or using foul language, or rolling through a stop sign? Does God care if we play our music too loud, or splice into another’s cable T.V.? Does God care if we illegally chew bubble gum in Singapore or spit on a city sidewalk? Does God care if we stay in a public park past dusk? Does God take exception to us if we snub our noses to the above questions?

The answer to all the above questions is Yes, Si, Oui, Ja, Sim, Ken, Sea, Jes, Hai, Ndiyo, and  Da. God does care if one speeds. How can one ask Him for traveling mercy when one goes outside the speed limits? It is the same as asking God, “Please don’t let me get caught as I steal this money” or “God, please let me get away with this murder” or” God, please keep my spouse from catching me cheat.”

Christ-ian, if you haven’t yet learned, let me bring you up to speed. The world loves to point out the failings of the Christ-ian. The Psalmist knew/knows this. The Psalmist wrote about the persons who love to say, “Aha, Aha.” When a well known preacher falls the world eats it up and drinks it in. They then drag out and dust off the tiresome, “The Church is full of hypocrites.” We must remember we, as Christ-ians, represent Lord Jesus and His ways, His words, and His teachings. As the saying goes, you and I may be the only “Jesus” others see. We may be the only Bible others will ever read. These are reasons not to jay walk but to cross the street at the cross walk when the little white walking man says so.

The Word of God teaches that the person who names the Name of Christ must depart from all iniquity. This means one may not litter, one may not speed, especially if there is a symbol of Christ-ianity  adorning one’s vehicle, and one may not refuse to wear a seat belt. This also extends to the Christ-ian employee. The Christ-ian employee must rigidly adhere to their employer’s rules and policies. The Christ-ian employee must understand that God has placed him or her under their employer’s authority and there is Divine Reason behind that placement. The Christ-ian employee is God’s agent in the work place. As God’s agent one must demonstrate loyalty, honesty, dedication to the job, and cooperation with others regardless of one’s feelings. One must model Christ in one’s dealings with one’s employer, fellow employees, and clients.

If one is pulled over by a police officer for speeding and the police officer sees a symbol of one’s faith adorning one’s vehicle… what might they think? If one spits on a sidewalk while wearing a Christ-ian witness T-shirt…How much ammunition have you given the small minded and petty God-haters? How much joy does it give the enemy to hear a believer cursing while wearing a WWJD rubber bracelet?

To put the above into perspective: Would you, beloved reader, be happy if a person were to adorn them self in a T-shirt with your likeness and name on it? Would you remain happy if this person were to engage in unlawful acts while wearing your name and face? Of course not!

We that invoke the Name of Lord Jesus Christ must…must…must be self aware at all times so as not to give the enemy camp ammunition to decry and assault the Faith of Christ.

“You must love [m]e and hate your…[family]. Said by THe Lord Jesus.

Recently we wrote on the functional family and contrasted it with the Dis-functional family. We sought to make the argument that the family functional and the family dis functional are based in the thought processes of the parents and what the children learn from the parent’s examples. If interested one can read this writer’s article mentioned above one can find it in the post entitled, “Objectivity vs. Subjectivity.”

In the present article we write (DV) upon the nucleus family as well as the extended family.

This past Friday and the Saturday previous we spent time with my family. We enjoyed this time with both our immediate, nucleus family as well as our much loved extended family. This past Friday we attend the wedding of my nephew who has served his country in the time of war and continues to do so while wearing the blue. So proud of him we are. We, in the spirit of objectivity, studied our family and their actions and listened to their words.

As we watched and listened to my family a sense of thanksgiving and a humble pride grew in my heart. I experienced happiness, fun and most importantly joy. I thanked and praised God for planting me in this garden, called family.

Related to this word family is the word familiar. This should tell us and teach us that a family should be familiar with each member of this blood-bonded group of persons that compromises and compliments one’s family. By being familiar with one another one is aware of, cognitive of, and brought up to speed with, and are on the same page as each other. This familiarity allows one, provokes one, encourages one to help, pray for, be proud of, inspire one another and to aspire one another.

This institution of family is a fine example, a finite microcosm of the like-minded unity of the divine Trinity. Because of this finite likeness (s)atan seeks to destroy the family unit by sowing weeds into the garden. Often times these weeds take the form of religion and politics as well as money problems, self-centered thinking, etc.

It is a great folly to base one’s love and acceptance of a family member, nucleus and extended based upon one’s view points or opinions upon the weeds mentioned above. “You don’t love God or go to the church of my liking then I do not love you.” “You don’t support the politician or political part I do, then I reject you.” To love one based upon the degree that one agree with you is the opposite of Christ’s teachings.

Most have heard the saying, “Blood is thicker than water.” There are two thoughts to its origin. One origin say’s that Blood represents blood-kin and the water represents the waters of baptism. The point being a person will always side with one’s birth family over one’s church family. The second thought of origin is blood = Blood Covenant and water = water birth. The point of this is the Church family outranks the birth family in the priorities of the Blood Bought of Christ.

It seems to me that the only time the above should come into play is when one family comes against the other. The best way to avoid this choice is to be true to Christ above all others and all else. Christ teaches that the Christ-ian must love Him and hate one’s family. This word has been compromised by many a misguided Bible teacher. It has been taught by many fearful preachers that Christ simply meant a comparison. They will say that if one’s love for Christ is compared to one’s love for others one would call one’s love for others hate. This is false teaching. Christ meant what He said and still say’s today as He is the Living Lord of Glory. Christ also teaches that one should love one’s family so how do we line these teaching up?

When Christ teaches to love Him and hate one’s family He is teaching His preeminence in one’s life. He is also directing His servants to love Him by living for Him in spite of all opposition even if that opposition comes from well meaning family member. One must oppose/hate one’s family if they oppose Christ’s will His servant. This can be seen when John and James turn from their father to follow Christ and Peter and Matthew leaving their family and professions to follow Him. It can also be seen when Job’s wife told him to curse God and die but He remained faithful.

This devotion to Christ does not have to mean the lengthy alienation from one’s family (However, sometimes it does as in the Jewish faith and Muslim cult). It is the cult that seeks to separate one from family and friends. Faith in Christ should cause one to be a peacemaker in one’s family. We will admit that Christ can/will and does divide families but let us be sure that it is the unbelieving that cast us off and not the other way around. It is not one’s love for Christ that divides but another’s hatred for Christ and opposition to Christ that divides. This is known to be true by both believers and unbelievers alike.

I am so thankful to God for the love I feel for all of my family and for their love to me and mine. It is a source of great “comfort and joy.”

I am THe (to be pronounced THEE) richest and wealthiest man on this earth. I enjoy God’s unconditional love, grace and the riches of His never ending mercies. I enjoy, the many times tested, love of my wife and children, my mother and my father, my brothers and sisters (the plurality of brother and sister includes in-laws, however, the specification of ‘in-law’ means nothing to me), my nephews and nieces, my aunts and uncles, my cousins and my friends. I am loved by my mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters by faith in Christ. My life is so enriched by each and every member of my beloved family. I am so proud of my brothers and sisters and the persons their children have become and are yet to become. It is to my utmost joy to see my nephews, nieces and cousins raising their own children today.

If one is or has lost “faith” or hope in a family member or friend be certain that love remains intact for…”the greatest of these (faith, hope, and love) is love.”

Imagine if you will, A world shattering event takes place. To whom would you turn? Would you be able to put together a group of family and friends that could complement or fit together? In my family there are strategic thinkers, there are those with medical training, their are those with carpentry skills and are skilled with air conditioning and heating, There are some with military training and there are some with skills in self defense and skills in offense. There are those who can work with plumbing and electricity, and there are those who are able to grow crops. etc. In this world and during these times one must be familiar with family and friends. Personally speaking, I have my group in mind and a place in mind if ever needed. Our group includes family, friends, pastors w/ needed skills and experience, and former co-workers and their family.

#myfamilyisbetterthanyours

“…[Y]ou…were dead in trespasses and sins…” (Ephesians  2:1)

 

On Sunday evenings there is a very popular television program called, “The Walking Dead.” On this program there are groups of persons that unite in the cause of surviving hordes of flesh eating zombies. Some of these camps of individuals are attempting to remain true to morals and ethics the best they can; other camps have forsaken all morals and ethics and began to live according to the Darwinian evolution’s code of “Only the strong survive.”

It is thought by some of the viewing audience that the title of this show refers to the zombie hordes. However, it has been said by the “Walking Dead” production team and one of the cast members that the title refers to the human cast. The air-breathing persons that fight for survival or a mere existence are not really living but are the truly dead.

Methinks it was the church father St. Augustine that said the death process begins at birth. In the Book of Job, Job said that he was conceived in sin. His point being that is that sin is passed down through the blood, therefore the child is spiritually dead at the time of conception. An argument could be made that since every part of a person is corrupted with sin including his loins and her eggs.

In the beginning of mankind God said to Adam, “In the day you eat thereof ye shall surely die.” In spite of this divine warning Adam “took and ate.” In that day Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel, and Seth became the progenitors of the walking and spiritually dead human race. Because of Adam’s rejection of God and became subject to his wife’s will many Spiritual and Biblical principles came into play such as the need to love Christ and hate one’s family and the need for the wife to willingly to submit herself to her husband to name a few. Illness and death as well as (s)atan being promoted to the god of this world became realities.

 

Other Biblical mandates came such as the unbelievers in God’s Son became “condemned already.” In other words those who refuse to return to the pre-sin days of Eden and live lives under the reign of God merely exist under the condemnation of an incensed Holy God.  Christ’s invites mankind to return to Eden with the words, “Repent and believe”; “Come unto [M]e” but “[they] would not.”

The Scriptural text we chose and paced at the top is a quote from Paul. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit taught that all unregenerate mankind are “dead in trespasses and sins.” This is a reiteration of Christ’s, “condemned already” promise. The rest of Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 2:1 reads thusly, “And you hath [H]e quickened who, were dead in trespasses and sins…” the thought continues in verse (4) four – (5) five, “But God, [W]ho is rich in mercy, for [H]is great love wherewith [H] e loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved…” To be clear and sound in my interpretation of Scripture we must point out that this Pauline teaching is intended only for those already saved and not for those still “dead in trespasses and sins.”

The Bible therefore, places all persons into two camps. All humans belong in Adam and are members of the old creation or they are “in Christ” and belong to the new creation, 2 Corinthians 5:17. The old creation merely exist under God’s condemnation and are spiritually dead in trespasses and sins. The new creation lives abundant lives full of grace and joy. The old creation existence is temporal and will exist outside of God Presence in Hell forever. The new creation will live forever in the blessed Presence of God.

We are reminded of a tri-fold tract from years ago. This tract depicts a woman on the front. One’s attention is drawn to the woman’s beauty whose hair and makeup are perfect. She is adorned in expensive jewelry. She has it all together and is to be envied. When the tract is opened the woman is in great disarray, her hair is disheveled, the makeup is running and her jewelry is gone. There is a massive flame engulfing her, yet it does not consume her. The lesson of this Gospel tract is to demonstrate that the Christ-less may appear to be living a life of satisfaction and fulfillment but it is a mirage. The existence of the walking and spiritual dead is a self deception and self delusion.

How does one know to which camp one belongs? The answer is simple. Do you, beloved reader, love Christ? Do you love His Word? Do you walk in His ways and in accordance to His teachings? Do you love the men and women that comprise Christ’s blood bought church? Or are you of the camp that loves self and leans onto your own wisdom and understanding? How do you feel about Christ-ians? Those in the first camp are the living and those in the second camp are spiritually dead that merely exist a temporal existence under the condemnation of Holy God.

In closing, beloved, two which camp do you belong? Are you living a truly abundant life with Christ as your leader or are you the walking dead without hope in this existence and hopeless concerning the next? If you choose to ignore this warning or if you choose to it off you have made the choice to mock God and He will not be mocked…”for as a man soweth so shall he reap.”

“But if you have respect of persons, ye commit sin…”                                                                                                                                                         (James 2:9)

“…[J]udge righteously between every man…” (Extract from Deuteronomy 1:16)

If one were to skim through our many articles one would find a number of the said articles have been dedicated to the art of thinking properly and how to put thoughts into articulation. This article you are reading fits into that category. In order to think fair mindedly one needs to know the basic difference between objectivity and subjectivity.

Subjectivity is based in opinion and or feeling. For example, a headache is subjective as there is no real way to quantify it or qualify it. The headache is subject to one’s pain threshold. A missing limb, on the other hand, can be looked at objectively. The missing limb is not open to debate or subject to one’s feelings or opinions. The sky is blue is not open to debate, therefore, it is an objective fact. If one states that blue is the prettiest of all the colors they make a statement that is subject to their opinion or the way the color blue makes them feel.

The Christ-ian should think objectively on matters of import. A Christ-ian that thinks in subjective terms is more likely to prejudge or presume something based on emotion and/or personal experience. Basing one’s conclusion on emotion or experience does not translate into right or wrong; true or false, good or bad. To be an objective thinker one must wait upon data and facts to be collected and diligently considered.

Objectivity and subjectivity, I believe, is what separates the two main political parties in this great country of ours. What I am about to write is not to be taken as any kind of sleight against anyone. The left wing, liberal minded progressive is more given to subjectivity whereas the right wing, conservative minded traditionalist is more objective. The subjective minded person bases more and relies more upon emotion. The objective minded person looks more to data, facts, and logic. These two ways of decision making, methinks, is suppose to balance our country out.

Some examples: The case of the Syrian refugees. The subjective thinker sympathizes with the refugees and the objective thinker considers the dangers and other possible consequences of welcoming Syrian refugees. The subjective thinker is basing their opinion on emotion and the objective thinker is basing their opinion upon logic. Again, both are needed for balance.

The objective thinker is likely to say, “it is what it is.” The subjective thinker is more likely to say, “Yeah, but I feel….”

In families that are close and function well together one would probably find one parent to be a subjective and the other parent to be objective. However, each parent considers the other’s point of view fairly and a decision or conclusion is made. These parents then teach their children how to use both modes of thought and how to process their thoughts critically and fairly. If one is capable of using both modes of thought one will be a balanced and fair minded thinker.

In families where both parents are subjective thinkers everything is a drama and disfunction runs amok. In this family any sleight is considered personal and must be answered with escalation. In this household there resides the spirit or mindset of the passive aggressive individual. Domestic, mental, verbal and physical abuse is more likely to be found in this type of household. Individuals trapped in this environment are also more likely to be given to paranoia.

In families where both parents are objective thinkers the home atmosphere may be cold and more rigid than not. If in the home, the objective thinker overwhelms the more subjective thinker one could anticipate a child like Sheldon Cooper from “Big Bang” fame. In the family where the subjective thinker overwhelms the objective thinker or in the home where subjective thought is the only mode of thought one could anticipate a child akin to Carrie White of Steven King’s “Carrie” fame.

The Scriptural texts above speak to objectivity in judgment. An example : Imagine that you are a judge and there is a controversy stirring about. This controversy has as it’s agents a friend of yours and an enemy of yours. The two state their case to you and await your thoughts and conclusions. Your friend is a really good friend and the enemy is one that you want nothing to do with. However, as you are thinking objectively you conclude that your friend is wrong and your enemy is right. You, as an objective thinker and having no respect of persons, decide for your enemy.

Alternatively, if you were thinking subjectively you would most likely decide for your friend. By deciding for your friend you have sinned by having respect of persons in judgment and have judged unrighteously. To judge subjectively is not Christ-like.

One can study Christ’s objectivity as He reproves His disciples and His enemies alike. Christ based His judgments upon the objective Word of God, whereas the Pharisee and scribe based judgments on subjectivity, “…[L]ove thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy.” Their counsel was emotion based; Christ’s counsel is based upon the objective Word of God, “Love thine enemy.” He is teaching that one should base one’s actions upon the Word of God….”You may hate me but I choose to love you.” This active love is based upon the objective Word of God.

The Christ-ian should remain neutral in all matters and keep one’s thoughts to one’s self. When enough evidence is provided one can then draw one’s own conclusion which is based on the objective evidence.

If one were to appropriate these helps one might find their stress levels decreasing and their mind clearing. The way one thinks has a great effect upon one’s health and outlook.

Godspeed,

BKL

“…[W]hen [man]knew God, they glorified [H]im not as God, neither were they thankful; but became vain in their imagination and their foolish hearts were darkened…Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts…”                                                                                                                                         (Romans 1:21, 24 a.)

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18,19)

 

Thankfulness is the mark of one who is aware of one’s dependence upon God. It is also a mark of humility. Thankfulness is one of the many ways to acknowledge God in all thy ways. To be thankful is to glorify and praise God for His goodness and all His works.

Unthankfulness is the gate way sin to all other sin according to our first text above. Unthankfulness is the spirit of ambition and prideful independence away from God. This ungracious mindset is one of the means whereby sinners seek to keep God out of their thoughts and considerations. By the sinful neglect of acknowledging God is sinner’s way of glorifying Him not for all His kindnesses to them.

The wise person sees God’s blessing everywhere and are full of thanks in the trying times as well as the joyous times. The grateful are quick to praise and glorify God. The ungrateful are gods unto themselves; they see all there fruits as the just desserts of their efforts.

A Thanksgiving Day experiment: Watch and listen closely to family and friends as they names that which they are “thankful” for. Ask yourself who they are thanking specifically. Generally speaking, you will find that what is meant by thankful really means, ” I’m glad I have what I have.” This can be likened to those who say, “I’m sorry” when they are caught. We all know that they mean, “I’m sorry I got caught.”

Another way to spot the unthankful is their use of the word “I.” [ A personal note: one may notice I use the words “we”, “us”, and “our” often in these articles. The “we” is not the royal “we” but a “we” that acknowledges that what is written has been taught us by God and His faithful servants.] The unthankful use the word “I” repeatedly…count them next time you hear someone speaking about their accomplishments.

An expression of thanks should be the Christ-ians default mindset. The Christ-ian should be breathing thankfulness for all of God’s attention and His mercy that is new each morning and is everlasting. By breathing thanks to God one learns to perpetually dwell in His Presence. Christ-ian is synonymous with Person overflowing with thankfulness toward God.

One must be thankful in times of illness, loss, confusion, and pain as the Christ-ian knows these shall all work together for their good…this is faith.

“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”                                                                                                                                              (Proverbs 18:13)

“A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.”                                                                                                                                                (Proverbs 29:11)

 

In the words of Arnold Schwarzenegger, ” I’m not a potty poopa!” However, I am a sober minded preacher/pastor/prophet and I take God’s Word seriously.

In the Scripture text above,  the inspired wise man, who is the son of David, the man after God’s own heart teaches us that one is wise if one keeps one’s judgments in the neutral position until all data and or facts are collected and diligently considered. Solomon continues to teach us that one should keep one’s thoughts, ponderings, considerations to one’s self until all data and or facts are made manifest and clearly seen. Following the above admonitions one will prove one’s self to be wise and just in one’s judgments.

The opposite is answering a matter before any evidence is seen and considered and this proves a person to be a fool and given to folly. If one speaks one’s mind without a guard upon one’s lips one betrays one’s self and reveals one’s self to be a fool given to folly. This can be dangerous as learned by the presuppositions and prejudiced judgments of the people and the media in the shootings by police over the last (2) two years. This folly of prejudgment also ruins established relationships and possible new relationships.

As to the presidential election, let us take heed to the inspired wise man’s teachings.

Let us not gloat or demonstrate a boastful spirit. Let us not answer this presidential matter before we see what happens and how the president elect governs. Let us keep our thoughts and predictions to ourselves lest we prove our selves foolish. The Media, political pundits, and commentators have all proven themselves to be given to this foolish folly. However, they are the type that are ever learning and never coming to the truth.

Beloved, Let us compose ourselves and be steadfast in our patient vigilance. Let us keep our thoughts to ourselves or at least keep our thoughts from the Christ-less as we must not give them ground to call God’s people foolish. Let’s wait to answer this matter and all future matters until evidence is proffered.

“What if God, willing to shew [H]is wrath, and make [H]is power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction…” (Romans 9:22)

“God worketh all things according to [H]is will…” (Ephesians 1:11)”

“…For there is no power but of God: the powers that be of are of God.”

The above passages should not be new nor should there principles be unfamiliar to God’s people or even those who are not God’s people. If they are new or unknown this is due to the preachers not proclaiming the most fundamental and foundational  teaching of God in Scriptural and or the people of God not spending time with God; neither in prayer or Bible study and this is an indictment upon the “church!”

In the first text from above Paul is demonstrating God’s purposes in Egypt during the life of Moses and the captivity of God’s people. Paul teaches clearly that God, in order to manifest His glory through wrath, raised up Pharoah’s as king and “god” of Egypt for the sole purpose of hardening his heart and then bringing destruction as well as manifesting His power and goodness to the liberated children of Israel. There is always a two (2) edged sword in God’s purposes.

In the second text above, we see that all that “comes to pass” is in accordance to the Triune Counsel of Jehovah. All that God does is in perfect keeping with His sovereign purposes and pleasures as seen in the early part of Exodus, Romans chapter nine, the book of Esther and the passion of Christ.

In the third text from above one can take perfect comfort in that all…all powers upon this earth from the “god of this world” down to the manager of any business entity and this is not to be qualified therefore, as I wrote in the title, I can with certainty declare the winner of the 2016 presidential election. God is and so are His people…regardless of the outcome.

If one was to compare God’s dealings with Pharaoh and another king many centuries later one will see the complete power of God. In God’s dealing with a king named Cyrus one will see the same purpose of God which is the freeing of His people. You will see, also that this was to manifest His power, however, the way He brought about His will and manifestation of His power is the opposite of the manner in which He over-powered Pharaoh. With Pharaoh He destroyed Egypt and her king and humiliated their “god(s)”. With Cyrus, God simply whispered in His mind to over-power him!!!

Why does God then allow wickedness to take power? Again, it is to manifest His power and will as shown above. God also allows wickedness to take power so that this wicked power and those that support this wickedness will fill up their cups of wrath. In the book of Roans chapter one Paul teaches that the very faithfulness and love the lost have for the powers of wickedness is God’s wrath and judgment upon them all!!! The unthankfulness, ungodliness, unrighteousness, and the vast homosexual agenda is not only a demonstration of their hatred for God but God’s surrendering them all to their hatred for righteousness and love for unrighteousness. This is also an expression of God’s hatred for all workers of iniquity (Psalm 5:3). Again, God is always the winner.for nothing can stop Him, stay Him or overturn His purposes and powers…nothing, no one, nada…zero. Since this is true then all of the righteous always triumph and the unrighteous always loses.

In closing……tomorrows Bible Times headlines shall read…

“God Wins!!! God Wins!!!”

Godspeed.

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man I put away childish things…”

C.S. Lewis, commenting on this passage said and I paraphrase, when one is a child the one thing that is desired most of all is to be an adult. Lewis then said he “put away” wanting to be an adult when he became an adult. He wanted to keep that child-like spirit from growing old and dying. Because of that mindset we are gifted with his “Chronicles of Narnia” series and his science fiction trilogy. The child-like spirit is required in a Christ-ian to live a life of faith…for Christ teaches we must have the faith of a little child. We must be born of His Spirit and grow up all over again. This is one reason Christ-ians are so loyal and loving toward their Heavenly Father…He raised us from new born babes and taught us what we needed to know.

In keeping with this theme we would like to write about the original Super-powered Super Hero. We will first present His attributes or His supernatural powers and let you deduce of Whom we write.

The Original, true, and only Living Super Hero has the ability to call men to His service without their resistance;  He can change one fluid into another, which means He can change a rock into bread, though He chooses not to. In fact, if man does not praise Him the very rocks would sing His praise!

This Super Hero walks on water and can pass through walls; and can perceive the very private thoughts of men. This Hero has the power to forgive sin and to save a person… soul, spirit, and body!!! This Hero with (3) three cords has the authority to run prominent business men from His Presence…in fact, by His spoken Word, He can send large, armoured soldiers flying backward!!! and intimidate them so that His beloved friends can remain free.

Our Hero is able to defeat demons by His will and spoken Word, withstand the fiery darts of (s)atan, and cause storms and life-threatening waves to heel like a trained pet…after just waking up from a deep sleep!!! This Hero has apprehended and submitted His former enemies by His Compassion and Sacrificial Love.

The God-Man has the power to heal all manner of wounds and chase away all fears. God-Man has so much power that it is over-flowing and is bestowed upon His chosen sidekicks. He supplies His sidekicks with a super suit of imputed righteousness, a helmet of Salvation, boots that allow us to live in faithful and loyal service to our Hero, He provides us with a double edged sword, a shield of persevering faith and…a utility belt of truth!!!

He gives us the supernatural powers to love others, forgive others, put others first, bless those that hate us and pray for them that curse us…these truly are supernatural powers that have their source in the divine nature our Hero has put within us through the “radio-active” infusion of His Own Holy Spirit…”Holy Righteousness, Blessed God-Man!!!”

Our Hero has the ability to walk next to us, in disguise, at times. He is able to put His thoughts in the minds of His Holy, sainted sidekicks to help others. He is able to encourage and embolden  His over-comers and those who are more than conquerors. Our Hero…The God-Man has the power to keep all promises and to hear all cries for help and salvation.

In closing…God-Man rides a white charger, has x-ray vision, can send forth fire from His eyes, and can fly to Heaven!!! My Hero has also defeated death and mocks the grave….He has moved a great large stone with His will and He speaks to His sidekicks through secret coded messages in a Book that others cannot receive or discern.

The God-Man even told His sidekicks not to reveal His true identity after His true Nature and Identity were revealed by His Father in Heaven through His many heroic works and transfiguration into the Returning and Reigning Man. This incredible Alpha-Omega Man can hear all the prayers and cries of all His people and discern them separately without distraction!!! I live with (4) women and when they all talk at once i cannot discern who said what!!!  What Manner of Man is this God-Man?

This Ever Living Eternal-Man has always existed and always will; it is said of Him that no man can stop Him nor stay His Hand or His Over-whelming, pride and sin defeating Super Will. Some suggest that He is Supremely Sovereign without exception or qualification.

What manner of Man is this?

A message to all Bat Men, Supermen, Wonder Women, Iron men and persons considered heroes… Bow to God-Man… The True, The Original, the Most Copied and Plagiarized Man that lives. Real Heroes…humbly, thankfully, and gladly bow their knee to the God-Man.

Go Forth, ye members of the “Righteous League of God’s Kingdom” and remember, you can change from your meek and humble secret identiy into New Creature, Spirit-filled men and women of God by ducking into your prayer closet.

Have you deduced this God-Man’s secret identity?

BKL