There is a legitimate question that many (saved and unsaved) have asked over history and the question is this: Can a Righteous and Just God send a person to hell who has never heard about Jesus, doesn't know about Jesus, or anything about the Gospel? In other words, would it be "fair" of God to do that to a person? A secondary question could then be, if God wouldn't send people to hell for not knowing Jesus, then is there another way? Jesus Himself answers this in John 14:6 "I Am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by me." Now, if anyone was able to come to the Father and make it to heaven another way, then that would make Jesus Christ a liar. If Jesus Christ is a liar then not only is He not that person's savoir He is not my savior because a liar is no one's savior. The Apostles reiterated this in Acts 4:12"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." If Jesus Christ is not the only way, He is none of the way.
It is a tough question to answer and fortunately I don't have to answer it. The Apostle Paul has already answered the question for us in the first chapter of Romans. The scripture reference is Romans 1:16-28
"16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it (The Gospel)is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that due penalty for their error which was fitting. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not proper."
The Apostle Paul does not pull any punches here. He discusses 4 factors that answer this tough question. For easier memory, let's allow each point to start with the letter "R".
Factor #1 is the Revelation Factor. What is the Revelation factor? All people have some light. Picture in your mind the end of time that is known as the Great White Throne Judgment. The heathes or unsaved stands before God and says to God "But God, we never heard the Gospel, we didn't know how to be saved. We didn't even know we needed to be saved. We are innocent by reason of ignorance." Much like in a courtroom God calls His prosectuting attorney, Paul, and Paul calls 2 witnesses to testify against them to prove that they are guilty. The first witness is creation. Look back at Romans 1:19-20 "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God has showed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse "
If there is a creation, you have to have a creator. If there is a finely made piano, someone had to make it. The Bible says in Psalm 14:1 "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God." After creation makes it's case, Paul calls his second witness and that is conscious. Look closely at verse 19. "manifest IN them".. this is conscience. "God has showed it UNTO them... this is creation.
Fast forward to Romans 2:14-15 "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves. Which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another."
Therefore, all people have these 2 witnesses.. the outward objective witness called creation and the inward subjective witness called conscience.
So Factor # 1, The Revelation Factor and that is that all people have at least some light. Look at John 1:9 " That was the true Light, which lights every man that comes into the world." The light being referred to here is Christ. So the bottom line is... ignorance of Christ is no excuse. It doesn't say they have all light, just some.. enough to convict them. Think of the Ethiopian Unich in Acts that was seeking God. God saw this and divinely arranged to have Phillip sent to him to reveal Christ to him. If anyone seeks God, God will show Himself to them. John 7:17 says "If anyone will do his will, they shall know of the doctrine."
Factor # 2, The Refusal Factor. This means light refused increases darkness. Look in verses 21-22 "21 For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools."
When someone hears truth they must act on it. They can not put it in their back pocket and say "that's very interesting, I'll spend it some day if I need it." If someone disregards or refuses the light, they will regress into more darkness than they had before. Look at Proverbs 29:1 "He, that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." The opposite of light and truth is not error, it is sin. Why does someone refuse the light? It is not because of an intellectual problem, it is because of a heart problem. The idea of Godly things makes them uncomfortable because if they admit that there is a God, then they will have to change their way of thinking and their lifestyle. On one hand their lifestyle is unrighteousness, but on the other hand creation and conscience tells them that there is a God. That puts them in a quandry. Their lifestyle says that if they admit there is a God that they are going to have to change the way they live. They can't seem to find God the way a thief can't seem to find a policeman. So when they uncomfortably turn away from the light, they move deeper into darkness. Look at Matthew 25:29 "For unto every one that has shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that has not shall be taken away even that which he has."
Notice when someone continually refuses the light, God will turn them over to the darkness that they love so much. Look back at Romans 1:26 "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections... and again in verse 28 ".. God gave them over to a reprobate mind." Look also at Matthew 13:15 Jesus says "For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Notice, God did not close their eyes... they did it to themselves through their heart being hardened. Again, another powerful verse is in 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 "10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." Wait.. read verse 11 again!!! I thought it was Satan that sent delusions but not so.. it says God will send them strong delusions. Why? so that they should believe a lie. God sends delusion so they will believe a lie. Why? So they may be condemened or damned. Why would God do that? keep reading "... who believed not the truth but had pleasure in their unrighteousness." They had the truth, they heard the truth but they willing turned from the truth because they wanted their sin too much. God says "ok, if you want your sin, you got it, but the baggage that comes with that sin is delusion, believing a lie and damnation."
Let's look at a practical example of how this works. Suppose a man comes to church for the first time in a long time and he happens to come on the Sunday when the preacher speaks on giving. He then storms out of the church and says "I am never going back to church. All they EVER talk about is money." He doesn't investigate to see if the things discussed are biblical, he just storms off. His greed gets the better of him. His problem is not between truth and error, but truth and greed and he chooses his greed. A few weeks later, he is sitting at home on a Sunday Morning, he's got the TV on, a carton of cancer sticks and a six pack of embalming fluid by his side when he hears a knock at the door. It is two of Jehovah's false witnesses. They say to him, "we are here to tell you there is no hell." He smiles and says, "come in." And they proceed to tell him this lie and he believes their lie. He's damned and destined for the very hell he says he doesn't believe in. Why??? Because he believed not the truth when he heard it and had pleasure in his unrighteousness.
All people have some light. This is the Revelation Factor. Light refused increases more darkness. This is the Refusal Factor.
Factor # 3 is the Reception Factor. The reception factor is this... light obeyed increases light. It is the polar opposite of the Refusal factor of light rejected increasing darkness. Look back to Romans 1:16-17 "16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. The Revelation factor is God gives you truth, you believe that truth, God gives you more truth. For example, a man through creation and conscious believes there is a God and God speaks to him and reveals more truth to him. The Ethiopian Unich was like that. He believed what he was reading in the prophet Isaiah but just needed to get more truth. He was living up to the light he had been shown to that point. Since he believed what he read, God sent more truth through the person of Phillip. He was going from "faith to faith." God will get His word to anyone, anywhere if they seek him. In Acts 10, a Gentile named Cornelius was seeking and God sent Peter to his house even though the law said a jew was not to enter the house of a Gentile. Why did God arrange this? Look in verses 3-4 "3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God." Cornelius was seeking God through prayer and his prayer was answered. God sent Peter to tell Cornelius how he and his house could be saved.
This is also a lesson to us that are saved. The reason some of us do not understand certain parts of the Bible, quite frankly, is we are not being obedient to the parts we do understand. Why should God show us any more in His Word until we obey what He has already showed us. We must live up to the Light we do have before God will give us any more light.
For example, some have accepted Christ as their savior but have never presented themselves for believers baptism. They say they have a $50 hairdo they don't want to mess up. Then one night they are reading a scripture and can't figure out why they can't understand it. I am not trying to be harsh here, just real. Some of us need a good spiritual "enema" to get the crap of the world out of us. Here is a piece of advice.. if you want to understand more of the Bible, obey the parts you do understand, then you will understand more of those parts you don't understand. Understand? Go back to John 7:17 "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."
Factor #4 is the Reckoning Factor. God is not primarily going to judge us by the sin we commit, but by the Light we reject. Look at Romans 2:5,11-13 "5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasure up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; "For there is no respect of persons with God. For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law." What these verses are saying is we who have been exposed to more light are going to be held more accountable than those who have never heard the Gospel and have had little light. An example in scripture is Luke 12:48 "But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more."
It is going to be bad enough for the heathen in deepest, darkest Africa to die and go to Hell, but it is going to be infinitely worse for those of us in this country who have had so much light it is blinding to close their spirtual eyes and ears to it, die and go to Hell. Many in America are ego maniacs thinking they are too good to be Damned but they will be in for a rude awakening come judgment day. Matthew 10:14 "And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet." Much like Creation and Conscience will be used as a testimony to condemn the heathen who never heard, the dust from a soul winner's shoes will be used as a testimony for those who openly and willfully reject the Light. Those who fall into the dust shaking category are just storing up for themselves wrath against the day of wrath. Much like how the saved store up for themselves treasure in Heaven, the lost who know better are storing up for themselves wrath upon wrath and it will not be pleasant for them at all.
Matthew 11:24 "But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for you."
So to sum it all up... there is NO excuse for anyone on the face of the earth to pardon them from God's judgment if they have not trusted Jesus Christ as their savior. Creation and Conscience lead people (who want to) to seek God's Light and once they do, God will give more Light. If they choose not to, God will turn them over to their sin for destruction and damnation. This all may sound like too much "fire and brimstone" talk but quite frankly, this country needs this kind of talk to wake people up out of their sleep and free them from the wrath to come. I have ABSOLUTELY no pity for anyone in America who dies and goes to Hell because everyone who has lived here has had more opportunity for Light than anywhere else in the world, but they willingly love the darkness instead of the Light. It is a self imposed damnation.
Is God Righteous, is God Just? You better believe it. And, like Paul, I am not ashamed of the Gospel. In our churches today we need more Gospel preaching and less entertaining. I'd rather scare someone into Heaven by telling them of the consequences of their darkness than entertain and lull them into Hell.
The Revelation Factor, the Refusal Factor, the Reception Factor and the Reckoning Factor. Something to think about.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
The Tithe That Binds
It always confused me in the church when on one side we are supposed to be under grace and not under the law for salvation purposes, but are instructed to give as though we were under the law (the Tithe) as most often quoted from Malachi 3:10 and not under grace. It seemed like a contradiction. It seemed to me that we should either live entirely by Grace in all aspects of life or live entirely by the Law in all aspects of life, not live a hybrid life. For those who insist that we should "tithe" be careful what you say because biblically the tithe is a lot more than just 10%. I found an informative article on this from the late Dr. Hank Lindstrom of Biblelineministries.org simply entitled "Giving" and I learned quite a bit about this matter of giving. I hope you will as well.
GIVING
True Biblical giving from the heart to the Lord. The Lord himself illustrates this kind of giving. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)." God displayed His love toward us by giving Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Nowhere do we ever find in Scriptures that we must give anything in order to be saved. Salvation is given by God and received by us through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
"Herein is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." I John 4:10.
Giving, therefore is a way of physically demonstrating our love to the Lord. It is "The proof of your love" according to II Corinthians 8:24. Also, it is a way "to prove the sincerity of your love" as II Corinthians 8:8 tells us.
Under the Old Testament law the believer was obligated to practice the giving of tithes. In the New Testament we are not under the law (see Colossians 2:14-17), but under grace. The people under the Old Testament laws of tithing gave about 22-25% of their income. The first tithe was 10% of everything that the people produced from the land and of animals (Leviticus 27:30-33). There was a second tithe in Deuteronomy 12:6-7, and a third one in Deuteronomy 14:28. The first was called the Levites tithe, the second was called the festival tithe, and the third was called the poor tithe. The first tithe was 10% of their gross income, the second tithe was 10% of the remaining 90% (or 9%). The third tithe was 10% of the remaining 90%, once every three years (or 3%). Ten, nine, and three percent totals to 22%. In addition to that, there was profit sharing on the corners of the fields (Leviticus 19:19), a temple tax (Nehemiah 10:33), and the Sabbath land rest (Exodus 23:11), when you couldn't grow any crops every seventh year.
New Testament giving is grace giving. Someone once asked, "Should we give less under grace that we should give under law?" The example for grace giving is Jesus Christ, who "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich (II Corinthians 8:9)." Notice that Jesus gave everything. He gave His life. We should also first give our lives for Christ's service. "But, first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God."
Willingness, not law, is the key to grace giving. "If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that man has, and not according to that he has not (II Corinthians 8:12)." Also, "Every man as he purposes in his own heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver (II Corinthians 9:7)."
There are several things we can learn from the following passage, which sums up New Testament giving.
"Upon the first day of the week, let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." I Corinthians 16:2.
1. "Upon first day of the week." Scriptures do not say much about what Christians should or should not do on Sunday, except that they should assemble with believers in worship (Hebrews 10:25), and do their giving (I Corinthians 16:2). Giving should be on a regular basis. God set aside each Sunday as that day.
2. "Let every one of you." Every believer is to give. Although having nothing to do with salvation, giving is something every Christian should do.
3. "As proportionate to how much God prospers you."
4. "Lay by him in store." A percentage should be set aside from your income first, before you pay your other bills. Then this money should not be used for any purpose except to give to the Lord. "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase (Proverbs 3:9)." Firstfruits speak of the first percentage of your earnings, and not what is left over. God doesn't need our money, but God wants to use us so that He might reward and bless us. Have you prayed about your giving lately?
It is the giver that is blessed by the Lord for his giving. "It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)." Jesus said in Luke 6:38, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure pressed down, and shaken together, and running over shall give into your bosom." Your blessing is related to how much you give. "But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully (II Corinthians 9:6)." A farmer who plants a small crop cannot expect a large harvest. If you only give a little, then you can only expect a little in return. If you give a lot, then you can expect a greater return.
The amount you give, a little or much, is based upon how much you have to give. According to I Corinthians 16:2, giving is to be "as God has prospered you". If you have little, then little will be required of you. If you have much then much will be required of you. In the story of the widow's mite, she is said to have given more than the rich men who cast large sums of money into the treasury. She gave all that she had. She gave 100% whereas the rich men only gave a small percentage. (Read Luke 21:1-4).
God asks us to prove Him as to giving to see if He will bless us abundantly as a result. "Prove me now herewith, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it (Malachi 3:10)." Have you ever thought about testing God in giving. God wants to bless you and to pour out a blessing you will not be able to contain (Malachi 3:10). Why not take God at His Word and give?
Our giving to see that souls are won to the Lord and that fruit is gathered with eternal life (John 4:36) will mean fruit (souls) will be added to our account in heaven. "Not because I desire a gift; but I desire fruit that may abound to your account (Philippians 4:17)." Souls won to the Lord indirectly through your giving will be added to your account in heaven. Isn't that great!
THE PERSON WHO DOESN'T GIVE CHEATS HIMSELF OF HEAVEN'S BLESSINGS.
GIVING
True Biblical giving from the heart to the Lord. The Lord himself illustrates this kind of giving. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16)." God displayed His love toward us by giving Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. Nowhere do we ever find in Scriptures that we must give anything in order to be saved. Salvation is given by God and received by us through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9).
"Herein is love, not that we loved God but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." I John 4:10.
Giving, therefore is a way of physically demonstrating our love to the Lord. It is "The proof of your love" according to II Corinthians 8:24. Also, it is a way "to prove the sincerity of your love" as II Corinthians 8:8 tells us.
Under the Old Testament law the believer was obligated to practice the giving of tithes. In the New Testament we are not under the law (see Colossians 2:14-17), but under grace. The people under the Old Testament laws of tithing gave about 22-25% of their income. The first tithe was 10% of everything that the people produced from the land and of animals (Leviticus 27:30-33). There was a second tithe in Deuteronomy 12:6-7, and a third one in Deuteronomy 14:28. The first was called the Levites tithe, the second was called the festival tithe, and the third was called the poor tithe. The first tithe was 10% of their gross income, the second tithe was 10% of the remaining 90% (or 9%). The third tithe was 10% of the remaining 90%, once every three years (or 3%). Ten, nine, and three percent totals to 22%. In addition to that, there was profit sharing on the corners of the fields (Leviticus 19:19), a temple tax (Nehemiah 10:33), and the Sabbath land rest (Exodus 23:11), when you couldn't grow any crops every seventh year.
New Testament giving is grace giving. Someone once asked, "Should we give less under grace that we should give under law?" The example for grace giving is Jesus Christ, who "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through His poverty might be rich (II Corinthians 8:9)." Notice that Jesus gave everything. He gave His life. We should also first give our lives for Christ's service. "But, first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God."
Willingness, not law, is the key to grace giving. "If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that man has, and not according to that he has not (II Corinthians 8:12)." Also, "Every man as he purposes in his own heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver (II Corinthians 9:7)."
There are several things we can learn from the following passage, which sums up New Testament giving.
"Upon the first day of the week, let everyone of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." I Corinthians 16:2.
1. "Upon first day of the week." Scriptures do not say much about what Christians should or should not do on Sunday, except that they should assemble with believers in worship (Hebrews 10:25), and do their giving (I Corinthians 16:2). Giving should be on a regular basis. God set aside each Sunday as that day.
2. "Let every one of you." Every believer is to give. Although having nothing to do with salvation, giving is something every Christian should do.
3. "As proportionate to how much God prospers you."
4. "Lay by him in store." A percentage should be set aside from your income first, before you pay your other bills. Then this money should not be used for any purpose except to give to the Lord. "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase (Proverbs 3:9)." Firstfruits speak of the first percentage of your earnings, and not what is left over. God doesn't need our money, but God wants to use us so that He might reward and bless us. Have you prayed about your giving lately?
It is the giver that is blessed by the Lord for his giving. "It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)." Jesus said in Luke 6:38, "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure pressed down, and shaken together, and running over shall give into your bosom." Your blessing is related to how much you give. "But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully (II Corinthians 9:6)." A farmer who plants a small crop cannot expect a large harvest. If you only give a little, then you can only expect a little in return. If you give a lot, then you can expect a greater return.
The amount you give, a little or much, is based upon how much you have to give. According to I Corinthians 16:2, giving is to be "as God has prospered you". If you have little, then little will be required of you. If you have much then much will be required of you. In the story of the widow's mite, she is said to have given more than the rich men who cast large sums of money into the treasury. She gave all that she had. She gave 100% whereas the rich men only gave a small percentage. (Read Luke 21:1-4).
God asks us to prove Him as to giving to see if He will bless us abundantly as a result. "Prove me now herewith, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it (Malachi 3:10)." Have you ever thought about testing God in giving. God wants to bless you and to pour out a blessing you will not be able to contain (Malachi 3:10). Why not take God at His Word and give?
Our giving to see that souls are won to the Lord and that fruit is gathered with eternal life (John 4:36) will mean fruit (souls) will be added to our account in heaven. "Not because I desire a gift; but I desire fruit that may abound to your account (Philippians 4:17)." Souls won to the Lord indirectly through your giving will be added to your account in heaven. Isn't that great!
THE PERSON WHO DOESN'T GIVE CHEATS HIMSELF OF HEAVEN'S BLESSINGS.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Sin Responsibly
At small group last night, we were talking about how sometimes we try to negotiate with God or with ourselves to convince ourselves that what we are about to do is "not so bad as long as we don't go overboard or if it is in moderation." Hearing that made me think of the slogan the beer companies use that says "Drink Responsibly" so I immediately blurted out "sin responsibly". This made for a good laugh but the more I thought about it, I believe there is a lesson to be learned from this.
The primary scripture I'd like to focus on is in 1 John 1:8-10
"8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us."
Rather than putting the phrase in the order of "Sin Responsibly" we should turn it around and "responsibly sin" or be responsible (accountable) when we sin.
We may be new creations in Christ, but the old Adamic nature has never left us and will not leave us until we reach Heaven and are perfected. Therefore, if we think that being saved makes us immune from sinning, we have a serious problem. John tells us if we have that philosophy we are only deceiving ourselves. So at a glance it looks pretty bad for us all. Thank God that it doesn't end at verse 8. Verse 9 tells us that if we confess our sins that God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us. Another way of saying confess is to be responsible for our sins by acknowledging our sin. When we do this, we "sin responsibly".
Conversely, as verse 10 says, if we do not sin responsibly but blow our sin off as not really being sin, we make God a liar and His Word is not in us.
So, what does it mean to "Sin Responsibly"? It means to acknowledge the fact that we are still sinners who sin daily and it means that we honestly confess those sins to God for His grace, forgiveness and cleansing.
Just so we are straight and you don't misunderstand what I am saying... I am not saying that if we "sin responsibly" that it makes it ok for us to abound in sin. Paul addressed this in Romans 6:1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid." God is faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins to Him, but that does not mean we use that as an excuse to increase in our sins knowing that they will be forgiven.
To wrap this up. Our goal should be to not sin at all, but since this is not possible because of our human nature, we need to quickly recognize our sin, ask forgiveness for it (repent of it), and in doing so, God will be faithful to forgive us and He will cleanse us from it. If we follow this pattern, we will be able with a clear concious to say that we did indeed "Sin Responsibly".
The primary scripture I'd like to focus on is in 1 John 1:8-10
"8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us."
Rather than putting the phrase in the order of "Sin Responsibly" we should turn it around and "responsibly sin" or be responsible (accountable) when we sin.
We may be new creations in Christ, but the old Adamic nature has never left us and will not leave us until we reach Heaven and are perfected. Therefore, if we think that being saved makes us immune from sinning, we have a serious problem. John tells us if we have that philosophy we are only deceiving ourselves. So at a glance it looks pretty bad for us all. Thank God that it doesn't end at verse 8. Verse 9 tells us that if we confess our sins that God is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us. Another way of saying confess is to be responsible for our sins by acknowledging our sin. When we do this, we "sin responsibly".
Conversely, as verse 10 says, if we do not sin responsibly but blow our sin off as not really being sin, we make God a liar and His Word is not in us.
So, what does it mean to "Sin Responsibly"? It means to acknowledge the fact that we are still sinners who sin daily and it means that we honestly confess those sins to God for His grace, forgiveness and cleansing.
Just so we are straight and you don't misunderstand what I am saying... I am not saying that if we "sin responsibly" that it makes it ok for us to abound in sin. Paul addressed this in Romans 6:1 "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid." God is faithful to forgive us when we confess our sins to Him, but that does not mean we use that as an excuse to increase in our sins knowing that they will be forgiven.
To wrap this up. Our goal should be to not sin at all, but since this is not possible because of our human nature, we need to quickly recognize our sin, ask forgiveness for it (repent of it), and in doing so, God will be faithful to forgive us and He will cleanse us from it. If we follow this pattern, we will be able with a clear concious to say that we did indeed "Sin Responsibly".
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Mission Impossible
I found this article in an old word document I had saved a while back. I don't even know who it is from so I can not give proper credit where credit is due. This article addresses the controversial passage in Hebrews 6:4. Enjoy the article and hopefully it will get you to think about this passage and what it truly means. Enjoy.
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“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance” (Hebrews 6:4,6).
Now the first question which arises is this: Were these people about whom the apostle is writing saved or unsaved? They were either one or the other, and the correct answer depends on the correct interpretation. There are first of all those who assert that these people had been saved, but then had “fallen away” or backslidden, and consequently had lost their salvation, and were again un-regenerates and unsaved. We call this “falling from grace”. It is the teaching that one can be born again and on the way to heaven, and then through some sin or sins, or losing faith, be ultimately lost and go to hell in the end. We shall come back to this later.
But first we must state the opposite view. It is the view that these folks who “were once enlightened” and were “partakers of the Holy Ghost” were not saved at all, and never had been saved. They are said to be Hebrews who were professing an outward confession of faith, but had never been truly born again. This is the view of those who teach the eternal security of believers. We can understand why they should, therefore, insist that these folks were never saved, for if they were and then “fell from grace”, it would upset their entire doctrine of “once in grace, always in grace”.
THE TWO VIEWS DISCUSSED
These are the two views commonly held by Bible students. We want to examine both of them, and see if they are in accord with the rest of Scripture. First, will you notice that if this passage teaches that a man can be saved today, and then backslide and lose his salvation, he never can be saved. He is forever lost. Notice carefully what it says. “It is impossible to renew them again unto repentance.” It is impossible. Then a person can only be saved once, and if he loses that, there is no more hope, and there is no use to invite him to come and confess and be saved again, for it is impossible. Now the very people who insist that the persons in Hebrews 6:4-6 were once saved and then lost their salvation, are the very ones who are incessantly inviting backsliders to return, and folks who have lost their salvation to come and be saved again. What a contradiction!
Instead, if a person comes to us and says, “I was saved once, but fell away, and I want to be saved again,” we should tell him, “Go away, there is no hope for you; it is impossible to renew you again to repentance”. This interpretation breaks down completely, and we must look elsewhere for the true meaning.
Examine with me, therefore, the opposite view of the “security” people who believe in the doctrine of “Once in grace, always in grace”. (Now remember, we are merely trying to show the true interpretation of the passage, and not condemn either the Arminian or the Calvinist. We respect the sincere convictions of both, and love them, even though we may differ on many things.) The view of this school of interpretation is concisely stated in the notes on this passage in the Schofield Bible:
Hebrews 6:4-8 presents the case of Jewish professed believers who halt short of faith in Christ after advancing to the very threshold of salvation, even “going along with” the Holy Spirit in His work of enlightenment and conviction (John 16:8-10). It is not said that they had faith (Page 1295, Footnotes).
This interpretation is followed by almost all fundamental and Calvinistic students.
It is argued that professors may pose as believers and yet not be possessors; for if Hebrews 6:4-8 teaches that a man can be once saved and then lost, he can never repent and be saved again. So there is no use inviting such a one to come back to Christ, since it is impossible for him to repent. As someone has said, “You have a through pass to perdition.”
For this reason our good friends reject this interpretation and insist that these folks never were saved at all. They were mere professors and not possessors. But that presents the same difficulty. Remember, it says of these that it is impossible to renew them to repentance. Do we believe that if a man has been a false professor, a mere church member, a religious hypocrite, there is no chance for him to be saved? It is true that if a person has once made a profession of Christ, but later it proves to be not genuine, there is no hope for such a one to ever be saved? It would be difficult to reconcile this with the invitation of the Gospel, and the message of “whosoever will may come”. We have all seen hundreds, yea, thousands, who formerly had been religious professors, but had gone into sin, then have come to Christ and found Him as willing to forgive as He is to any other.
WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
Who then is right? There is an element of truth in both views, but both miss the point entirely. The writer of Hebrews Six is not talking about losing salvation. He is talking about repentance. It does not say, “It is impossible to renew them unto salvation”. What a gloomy Gospel it would be-telling people in this day of grace that it is impossible for them to be saved. I trust you have followed us thus far. As we study the context of the entire epistle we must conclude that the author is writing to believers who have been born again. This is evident from the many fruits of the Spirit which had been present in their lives. Moreover, these believers had been saved a long time, and had progressed far on the way of Christian growth. Then they had lost their first love and instead of going forward, they began to fall behind. We repeat, without apology the “heart” of Hebrews in Chapter Five:
“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and [ye] are become such as have need of mild, and not of strong meat" (Hebrews 5:12).
These folks should have been mature, but instead they had lapsed into spiritual infancy, and so the apostle opens the Sixth Chapter of Hebrews with this plea:
“Therefore leaving the principles [the ABC’s, the baby food], of the doctrine of Christ, let us go unto perfection” (Hebrews 6:1).
The word “perfection” means maturity. It is so used also in Luke 8:14, where the seed among thorns is said to “bring no fruit to perfection" [maturity].
And then follows the dire warning of our Scripture. It is possible for a believer who has gone a long way on the path of service, to fall by the wayside, and as a result the Lord in chastening sets his ministry aside and he becomes one of God’s “castaways”. He is not lost, but his usefulness is ended, and he will have to bear his judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ, when all the believer’s works shall be tried with fire. This is the meaning of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians Three:
“If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: for he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (1 Corinthians 3:15).
This was the thing Paul feared above all things. Paul did not fear losing his salvation. He was sure of that, but he feared losing out on the reward and the crown. He feared that after a lifetime of preaching he might in a careless moment succumb to the flesh and be set aside. That he did not fear losing his salvation is clear. He says:
“...I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12).
But there was something Paul did fear. He says in 1 Corinthians Nine:
“Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:24, 26 & 27).
How this passage has confused people! But notice carefully, Paul is NOT talking about salvation, but about rewards and a crown for faithfulness. He is talking about “running a race”. Surely the sinner must not run to get into heaven or to obtain salvation. That is a free gift. A dead sinner cannot run.
Paul knew better. He knew salvation did not depend on our running, but upon the grace of God. What Paul feared was that after a life of service, he might play the fool, lose out on the reward and make it necessary for God to put him on the shelf. It is possible for a Christian to fall away until God “retires” him from service, waiting to deal with him at the Judgment Seat of Christ, to see all the wood, hay and stubble go up in smoke, and he be saved “so as by fire”.
The word “castaway” is translated in the Revised Version as “rejected”. It means “disqualified to receive a reward”. Again let me remind you, Paul is NOT thinking of salvation, but of earning a crown. Sinners are not in a race; only Christians run for the prize. He expresses the same ambition in Philippians 3.
THE SIN UNTO DEATH
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark [finish line, the goal] for the prize [crown] of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”(Philippians 3:13 & 14).
This, we believe, will explain the passage in Hebrews Six. He is speaking of Christians who began the race, but fell by the wayside. There comes a time when after repeated warnings and admonitions the Christian continues in disobedience and “willful” sin, until God shelves him, to deal with him at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The passage refers to the sin unto death, the result of presumptuous, willful, continued disobedience against better light. Such may never repent here below, but be among those who shall be “ashamed at His appearing”.
It is a serious thing to be a child of God. It carries grave responsibilities; and willful continuance in known sin against clear and better light must call for the chastening of the Lord. The Bible admonishes us:
“Let a man examine himself...For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:28, 31 & 32).
CHAPTER TWELVE - GOD’S CASTAWAYS
Is it true that the Bible's teaching of grace and security leads to carelessness and license? What about Christians who have been truly born again and then fall into sin? What about some who apparently were saved, but fall away and die without giving evidence of repentance? Is it true that when we are saved, and all our sins, past, present and future, are put under the blood, it will then make no difference how we live? These are questions of grave importance and are constantly being asked. Here we are able to give an answer.
Various groups have sought to answer the question: What is God going to do with believers who fall into sin and die before repenting? The Catholic Church has its answer in “purgatory”. The Arminians have their answer in “falling from grace”, and they say that such believers are lost again. Certain holiness groups have another answer. They say that only the “sanctified” ones will be raptured when Jesus comes, and the others will have to pass through the Tribulation. Now these are all attempts to answer the question: What happens to believers who die in unconfessed sin?
Well, I hear some of you say, “I don’t believe any of those explanations are correct”. But let me ask you; do you have a better answer? Or have you an answer at all? Before rejecting any solution, you should have a better one to replace it. We should never reject someone else’s interpretation unless we can give a better one.
We certainly cannot accept a doctrine which teaches that God will do nothing about it. Common sense as well as the Bible teaches that we cannot claim to be Christians and continue in sin. Let's re-examine this problem in the light of Scripture. Our first definite proposition is that God does hold believers accountable. In 1 Corinthians Eleven Paul teaches that because believers will not judge sin in their own lives, God visits them with chastening, which may take various forms.
“For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep" (1 Corinthians 11:30).
Living in known, willful sin and disobedience will bring physical chastening in the form of weakness and sickness. If this chastening fails to correct, God may take that child of His by death, to be straightened out at the Judgment Seat of Christ. In the same vein, the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews Twelve:
“Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Hebrews 12:11).
Notice the last phrase,
“It yields [works] the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby.”
But what about those who are NOT exercised thereby, those who, instead of repenting and returning under the chastening of the Lord, become bitter and rebellious, and continue in their disobedience? With such God deals in a different way. He may either take them by death (1 Corinthians 11:30) or cease dealing with them here, and take them out of service, putting them on the shelf. These are the folks referred to in that controversial passage in Hebrews Six, which because of its importance we quote once again:
“For it is impossible...If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance” (Hebrews 6:4,6).
It is definitely not a matter of salvation, but a matter of chastening; not condemnation but judgment of their sins. It is a solemn warning against the “sin unto death”. The epistle has many such warnings. In Hebrews 2:1 the apostle, speaking to believers says:
“Therefore we” [the writer includes himself as a believer] “ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”
Or consider the opening verse in Chapter Four:
“Let us” [again the writer includes himself] "therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it” (Hebrews 4:1).
The warning again is not against losing salvation, but coming short of the “rest” of the believer’s victory. There are two kinds of rest, sharply distinguished in the Scriptures. There is a “rest” of salvation, which is God’s free gift; and a “rest” of service, for which we must labor. The one is the rest of salvation; the other is the rest of reward.
BELIEVERS CAN FALL SHORT
Now with this twofold possibility of Christian experience in view, turn again to Hebrews Six. The whole Book of Hebrews is written to believers, and has to do with their rewards: NOT salvation. They are called “holy brethren” in Hebrews 3:1. They have a great High Priest (Hebrews 4:15). They are admonished to come “boldly” unto the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). But the all-conclusive evidence about the people addressed in Hebrews 6:4-12 is found in the description of these believers. Notice carefully of whom it is said to be impossible to renew to repentance, if they fall away. It is said they:
“...were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come” (Hebrews 6:4 & 5).
If that is not a description of true, born again believers, then language means nothing, and we cannot understand anything in the Word of God any more.
Five marks of the believer are given:
GOD’S CASTAWAYS:
1. They were once enlightened.
2. They had tasted the heavenly gift.
3. They were partakers of the Holy Ghost.
4. They had tasted the good Word of God.
5. They had knowledge of prophecy.
The exponents of the doctrine that these people were not truly saved, but were mere professors, have attempted an answer to this description, but it fails to stand under examination. They tell us that unconverted sinners do see the light of the Gospel, they taste the heavenly gift and the good Word of God, but have never appropriated or “eaten” it. Being “partakers” of the Holy Ghost is made to mean that they did not actually possess the Holy Spirit, but had merely “gone along with” Him in an outward profession.
COMPARE SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Is this argument defensible in the light of other Scripture? What do these words, “enlightened”, “tasted”, “partakers”, mean when used elsewhere in the Bible? If we know this, then we shall be able to know what the Holy Spirit means in this passage.
First then the meaning of the word, “enlightened”. It is the translation of the Greek word, photizo, and means to “make to see”. The word is translated twice as enlightened (Ephesians 1:18; Hebrews 6:4) and once as “illuminated” (Hebrews 10:32). What is its meaning in Ephesians 1:18?
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”
In the one other instance where the word is used we read:
“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated [the same word], ye endured a great fight of afflictions (Hebrews 10:32).
In both references the application is strictly to born-again people. By what rule of interpretation then can we say that in Hebrews 6:4 it does not mean “to see”? Can an unregenerate sinner see the riches of His glory? If he can, then Jesus was wrong when He said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see...” (John 3:3).
TASTE AND SEE
The word, “taste”, in our Scripture is genomai in the Greek and means “to experience and to eat”. This is its meaning wherever else it is used. It occurs once earlier in Hebrews 2:9 and says that Jesus
“...by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
The same word is used. Does it mean to taste only, and not partake of it? As one Bible teacher says, “It is one thing to taste - another to eat.” To what pains men will go to defend their theories. The same word, genomai, is used in 1 Peter:
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious" (1 Peter 2:2 & 3).
The meaning of the word is clear from these other passages. By no method of reasoning then can we say that in Hebrews Six it means to “touch” but not to appropriate.
PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
But in addition we are told that these people were “partakers of the Holy Spirit”. This is made to mean that they had agreed with and gone along with the Holy Spirit, but had never received Him. As one has put it, “They were neither sealed nor indwelt nor baptized nor filled with the Spirit”. Just because it does not go into detail means nothing. These operations simply are not mentioned, because all of them are implied in being partakers. But we submit the following unassailable proof that these people were indwelt by the Holy Spirit as born-again believers:
The word “partakers” is metochos in the original. It is translated “partakers” in five passages (Hebrews 3:1; 3:14; 6:4; 12:8; and 12:10). It is translated “fellows” once (Hebrews 1:9).
GOD’S CASTAWAYS
We need do little more than quote the passages where it occurs to see the real meaning of the word.
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus" (Hebrews 3:1).
“For we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Hebrews 3:14).
“But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers” (Hebrews 12:8).
“...that we might be partakers of his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10b).
In addition to these, the word is used in a few other passages, but all with the same meaning - to participate, to be part of. In Hebrews 1:9 Jesus is said to be anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows. The word “fellows” is a translation of the same word as “partakers”.
In 1 Corinthians 9:10 we are said to be “partaker[s] of his hope”. In 2 Timothy 2:6 a slightly different form is used, but the meaning is the same.
“The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”
In 1 Corinthians 10:17, 1 Peter 4:13; 2 Peter 1:4. In every instance it means to share to the fullest extent.
Now we have left our verse in Hebrews 6:4. Here it is stated that partakers of the Holy Spirit can fall away. By what rule of interpretation can this be construed as not being full participants? An illustration follows. The same soil can bring forth fruit or briers. If the soil is cultivated, it will produce fruit; if it is neglected, it will produce briers. The same good seed in Mark five fell on good ground, yet some yielded only thirty-fold, other sixty-fold, and only a small part of it one hundredfold. Every man’s work shall be tried with fire, and the “briers” of neglect and disobedience go up in smoke. But the apostle hopes his warning will take effect and trusts that they will bring forth fruits that “accompany salvation.” God says He will remember their
“work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:11).
Obedience and self-judgment and faithfulness and diligence in our service will result in full assurance. It is not a matter of salvation, but of reward and assurance and fruit, and the final approval of His “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. Christian, walk carefully, with your eye on the goal. How fitting the conclusion of this passage:
“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).
Examine yourself, judge every known and doubtful sin, confess to Him, and be clean, and you need never fear the judgment, against which we are so earnestly warned.
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“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Spirit, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance” (Hebrews 6:4,6).
Now the first question which arises is this: Were these people about whom the apostle is writing saved or unsaved? They were either one or the other, and the correct answer depends on the correct interpretation. There are first of all those who assert that these people had been saved, but then had “fallen away” or backslidden, and consequently had lost their salvation, and were again un-regenerates and unsaved. We call this “falling from grace”. It is the teaching that one can be born again and on the way to heaven, and then through some sin or sins, or losing faith, be ultimately lost and go to hell in the end. We shall come back to this later.
But first we must state the opposite view. It is the view that these folks who “were once enlightened” and were “partakers of the Holy Ghost” were not saved at all, and never had been saved. They are said to be Hebrews who were professing an outward confession of faith, but had never been truly born again. This is the view of those who teach the eternal security of believers. We can understand why they should, therefore, insist that these folks were never saved, for if they were and then “fell from grace”, it would upset their entire doctrine of “once in grace, always in grace”.
THE TWO VIEWS DISCUSSED
These are the two views commonly held by Bible students. We want to examine both of them, and see if they are in accord with the rest of Scripture. First, will you notice that if this passage teaches that a man can be saved today, and then backslide and lose his salvation, he never can be saved. He is forever lost. Notice carefully what it says. “It is impossible to renew them again unto repentance.” It is impossible. Then a person can only be saved once, and if he loses that, there is no more hope, and there is no use to invite him to come and confess and be saved again, for it is impossible. Now the very people who insist that the persons in Hebrews 6:4-6 were once saved and then lost their salvation, are the very ones who are incessantly inviting backsliders to return, and folks who have lost their salvation to come and be saved again. What a contradiction!
Instead, if a person comes to us and says, “I was saved once, but fell away, and I want to be saved again,” we should tell him, “Go away, there is no hope for you; it is impossible to renew you again to repentance”. This interpretation breaks down completely, and we must look elsewhere for the true meaning.
Examine with me, therefore, the opposite view of the “security” people who believe in the doctrine of “Once in grace, always in grace”. (Now remember, we are merely trying to show the true interpretation of the passage, and not condemn either the Arminian or the Calvinist. We respect the sincere convictions of both, and love them, even though we may differ on many things.) The view of this school of interpretation is concisely stated in the notes on this passage in the Schofield Bible:
Hebrews 6:4-8 presents the case of Jewish professed believers who halt short of faith in Christ after advancing to the very threshold of salvation, even “going along with” the Holy Spirit in His work of enlightenment and conviction (John 16:8-10). It is not said that they had faith (Page 1295, Footnotes).
This interpretation is followed by almost all fundamental and Calvinistic students.
It is argued that professors may pose as believers and yet not be possessors; for if Hebrews 6:4-8 teaches that a man can be once saved and then lost, he can never repent and be saved again. So there is no use inviting such a one to come back to Christ, since it is impossible for him to repent. As someone has said, “You have a through pass to perdition.”
For this reason our good friends reject this interpretation and insist that these folks never were saved at all. They were mere professors and not possessors. But that presents the same difficulty. Remember, it says of these that it is impossible to renew them to repentance. Do we believe that if a man has been a false professor, a mere church member, a religious hypocrite, there is no chance for him to be saved? It is true that if a person has once made a profession of Christ, but later it proves to be not genuine, there is no hope for such a one to ever be saved? It would be difficult to reconcile this with the invitation of the Gospel, and the message of “whosoever will may come”. We have all seen hundreds, yea, thousands, who formerly had been religious professors, but had gone into sin, then have come to Christ and found Him as willing to forgive as He is to any other.
WHAT IS THE ANSWER?
Who then is right? There is an element of truth in both views, but both miss the point entirely. The writer of Hebrews Six is not talking about losing salvation. He is talking about repentance. It does not say, “It is impossible to renew them unto salvation”. What a gloomy Gospel it would be-telling people in this day of grace that it is impossible for them to be saved. I trust you have followed us thus far. As we study the context of the entire epistle we must conclude that the author is writing to believers who have been born again. This is evident from the many fruits of the Spirit which had been present in their lives. Moreover, these believers had been saved a long time, and had progressed far on the way of Christian growth. Then they had lost their first love and instead of going forward, they began to fall behind. We repeat, without apology the “heart” of Hebrews in Chapter Five:
“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and [ye] are become such as have need of mild, and not of strong meat" (Hebrews 5:12).
These folks should have been mature, but instead they had lapsed into spiritual infancy, and so the apostle opens the Sixth Chapter of Hebrews with this plea:
“Therefore leaving the principles [the ABC’s, the baby food], of the doctrine of Christ, let us go unto perfection” (Hebrews 6:1).
The word “perfection” means maturity. It is so used also in Luke 8:14, where the seed among thorns is said to “bring no fruit to perfection" [maturity].
And then follows the dire warning of our Scripture. It is possible for a believer who has gone a long way on the path of service, to fall by the wayside, and as a result the Lord in chastening sets his ministry aside and he becomes one of God’s “castaways”. He is not lost, but his usefulness is ended, and he will have to bear his judgment at the Judgment Seat of Christ, when all the believer’s works shall be tried with fire. This is the meaning of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians Three:
“If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: for he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (1 Corinthians 3:15).
This was the thing Paul feared above all things. Paul did not fear losing his salvation. He was sure of that, but he feared losing out on the reward and the crown. He feared that after a lifetime of preaching he might in a careless moment succumb to the flesh and be set aside. That he did not fear losing his salvation is clear. He says:
“...I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day" (2 Timothy 1:12).
But there was something Paul did fear. He says in 1 Corinthians Nine:
“Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway” (1 Corinthians 9:24, 26 & 27).
How this passage has confused people! But notice carefully, Paul is NOT talking about salvation, but about rewards and a crown for faithfulness. He is talking about “running a race”. Surely the sinner must not run to get into heaven or to obtain salvation. That is a free gift. A dead sinner cannot run.
Paul knew better. He knew salvation did not depend on our running, but upon the grace of God. What Paul feared was that after a life of service, he might play the fool, lose out on the reward and make it necessary for God to put him on the shelf. It is possible for a Christian to fall away until God “retires” him from service, waiting to deal with him at the Judgment Seat of Christ, to see all the wood, hay and stubble go up in smoke, and he be saved “so as by fire”.
The word “castaway” is translated in the Revised Version as “rejected”. It means “disqualified to receive a reward”. Again let me remind you, Paul is NOT thinking of salvation, but of earning a crown. Sinners are not in a race; only Christians run for the prize. He expresses the same ambition in Philippians 3.
THE SIN UNTO DEATH
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark [finish line, the goal] for the prize [crown] of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”(Philippians 3:13 & 14).
This, we believe, will explain the passage in Hebrews Six. He is speaking of Christians who began the race, but fell by the wayside. There comes a time when after repeated warnings and admonitions the Christian continues in disobedience and “willful” sin, until God shelves him, to deal with him at the Judgment Seat of Christ. The passage refers to the sin unto death, the result of presumptuous, willful, continued disobedience against better light. Such may never repent here below, but be among those who shall be “ashamed at His appearing”.
It is a serious thing to be a child of God. It carries grave responsibilities; and willful continuance in known sin against clear and better light must call for the chastening of the Lord. The Bible admonishes us:
“Let a man examine himself...For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world” (1 Corinthians 11:28, 31 & 32).
CHAPTER TWELVE - GOD’S CASTAWAYS
Is it true that the Bible's teaching of grace and security leads to carelessness and license? What about Christians who have been truly born again and then fall into sin? What about some who apparently were saved, but fall away and die without giving evidence of repentance? Is it true that when we are saved, and all our sins, past, present and future, are put under the blood, it will then make no difference how we live? These are questions of grave importance and are constantly being asked. Here we are able to give an answer.
Various groups have sought to answer the question: What is God going to do with believers who fall into sin and die before repenting? The Catholic Church has its answer in “purgatory”. The Arminians have their answer in “falling from grace”, and they say that such believers are lost again. Certain holiness groups have another answer. They say that only the “sanctified” ones will be raptured when Jesus comes, and the others will have to pass through the Tribulation. Now these are all attempts to answer the question: What happens to believers who die in unconfessed sin?
Well, I hear some of you say, “I don’t believe any of those explanations are correct”. But let me ask you; do you have a better answer? Or have you an answer at all? Before rejecting any solution, you should have a better one to replace it. We should never reject someone else’s interpretation unless we can give a better one.
We certainly cannot accept a doctrine which teaches that God will do nothing about it. Common sense as well as the Bible teaches that we cannot claim to be Christians and continue in sin. Let's re-examine this problem in the light of Scripture. Our first definite proposition is that God does hold believers accountable. In 1 Corinthians Eleven Paul teaches that because believers will not judge sin in their own lives, God visits them with chastening, which may take various forms.
“For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep" (1 Corinthians 11:30).
Living in known, willful sin and disobedience will bring physical chastening in the form of weakness and sickness. If this chastening fails to correct, God may take that child of His by death, to be straightened out at the Judgment Seat of Christ. In the same vein, the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews Twelve:
“Now no chastening for the present seems to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Hebrews 12:11).
Notice the last phrase,
“It yields [works] the peaceable fruit of righteousness to them which are exercised thereby.”
But what about those who are NOT exercised thereby, those who, instead of repenting and returning under the chastening of the Lord, become bitter and rebellious, and continue in their disobedience? With such God deals in a different way. He may either take them by death (1 Corinthians 11:30) or cease dealing with them here, and take them out of service, putting them on the shelf. These are the folks referred to in that controversial passage in Hebrews Six, which because of its importance we quote once again:
“For it is impossible...If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance” (Hebrews 6:4,6).
It is definitely not a matter of salvation, but a matter of chastening; not condemnation but judgment of their sins. It is a solemn warning against the “sin unto death”. The epistle has many such warnings. In Hebrews 2:1 the apostle, speaking to believers says:
“Therefore we” [the writer includes himself as a believer] “ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.”
Or consider the opening verse in Chapter Four:
“Let us” [again the writer includes himself] "therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it” (Hebrews 4:1).
The warning again is not against losing salvation, but coming short of the “rest” of the believer’s victory. There are two kinds of rest, sharply distinguished in the Scriptures. There is a “rest” of salvation, which is God’s free gift; and a “rest” of service, for which we must labor. The one is the rest of salvation; the other is the rest of reward.
BELIEVERS CAN FALL SHORT
Now with this twofold possibility of Christian experience in view, turn again to Hebrews Six. The whole Book of Hebrews is written to believers, and has to do with their rewards: NOT salvation. They are called “holy brethren” in Hebrews 3:1. They have a great High Priest (Hebrews 4:15). They are admonished to come “boldly” unto the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). But the all-conclusive evidence about the people addressed in Hebrews 6:4-12 is found in the description of these believers. Notice carefully of whom it is said to be impossible to renew to repentance, if they fall away. It is said they:
“...were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come” (Hebrews 6:4 & 5).
If that is not a description of true, born again believers, then language means nothing, and we cannot understand anything in the Word of God any more.
Five marks of the believer are given:
GOD’S CASTAWAYS:
1. They were once enlightened.
2. They had tasted the heavenly gift.
3. They were partakers of the Holy Ghost.
4. They had tasted the good Word of God.
5. They had knowledge of prophecy.
The exponents of the doctrine that these people were not truly saved, but were mere professors, have attempted an answer to this description, but it fails to stand under examination. They tell us that unconverted sinners do see the light of the Gospel, they taste the heavenly gift and the good Word of God, but have never appropriated or “eaten” it. Being “partakers” of the Holy Ghost is made to mean that they did not actually possess the Holy Spirit, but had merely “gone along with” Him in an outward profession.
COMPARE SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE
Is this argument defensible in the light of other Scripture? What do these words, “enlightened”, “tasted”, “partakers”, mean when used elsewhere in the Bible? If we know this, then we shall be able to know what the Holy Spirit means in this passage.
First then the meaning of the word, “enlightened”. It is the translation of the Greek word, photizo, and means to “make to see”. The word is translated twice as enlightened (Ephesians 1:18; Hebrews 6:4) and once as “illuminated” (Hebrews 10:32). What is its meaning in Ephesians 1:18?
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.”
In the one other instance where the word is used we read:
“But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated [the same word], ye endured a great fight of afflictions (Hebrews 10:32).
In both references the application is strictly to born-again people. By what rule of interpretation then can we say that in Hebrews 6:4 it does not mean “to see”? Can an unregenerate sinner see the riches of His glory? If he can, then Jesus was wrong when He said, “Except a man be born again, he cannot see...” (John 3:3).
TASTE AND SEE
The word, “taste”, in our Scripture is genomai in the Greek and means “to experience and to eat”. This is its meaning wherever else it is used. It occurs once earlier in Hebrews 2:9 and says that Jesus
“...by the grace of God should taste death for every man.”
The same word is used. Does it mean to taste only, and not partake of it? As one Bible teacher says, “It is one thing to taste - another to eat.” To what pains men will go to defend their theories. The same word, genomai, is used in 1 Peter:
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious" (1 Peter 2:2 & 3).
The meaning of the word is clear from these other passages. By no method of reasoning then can we say that in Hebrews Six it means to “touch” but not to appropriate.
PARTAKERS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
But in addition we are told that these people were “partakers of the Holy Spirit”. This is made to mean that they had agreed with and gone along with the Holy Spirit, but had never received Him. As one has put it, “They were neither sealed nor indwelt nor baptized nor filled with the Spirit”. Just because it does not go into detail means nothing. These operations simply are not mentioned, because all of them are implied in being partakers. But we submit the following unassailable proof that these people were indwelt by the Holy Spirit as born-again believers:
The word “partakers” is metochos in the original. It is translated “partakers” in five passages (Hebrews 3:1; 3:14; 6:4; 12:8; and 12:10). It is translated “fellows” once (Hebrews 1:9).
GOD’S CASTAWAYS
We need do little more than quote the passages where it occurs to see the real meaning of the word.
“Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus" (Hebrews 3:1).
“For we are made partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end” (Hebrews 3:14).
“But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers” (Hebrews 12:8).
“...that we might be partakers of his holiness” (Hebrews 12:10b).
In addition to these, the word is used in a few other passages, but all with the same meaning - to participate, to be part of. In Hebrews 1:9 Jesus is said to be anointed with the oil of gladness above His fellows. The word “fellows” is a translation of the same word as “partakers”.
In 1 Corinthians 9:10 we are said to be “partaker[s] of his hope”. In 2 Timothy 2:6 a slightly different form is used, but the meaning is the same.
“The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.”
In 1 Corinthians 10:17, 1 Peter 4:13; 2 Peter 1:4. In every instance it means to share to the fullest extent.
Now we have left our verse in Hebrews 6:4. Here it is stated that partakers of the Holy Spirit can fall away. By what rule of interpretation can this be construed as not being full participants? An illustration follows. The same soil can bring forth fruit or briers. If the soil is cultivated, it will produce fruit; if it is neglected, it will produce briers. The same good seed in Mark five fell on good ground, yet some yielded only thirty-fold, other sixty-fold, and only a small part of it one hundredfold. Every man’s work shall be tried with fire, and the “briers” of neglect and disobedience go up in smoke. But the apostle hopes his warning will take effect and trusts that they will bring forth fruits that “accompany salvation.” God says He will remember their
“work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Hebrews 6:11).
Obedience and self-judgment and faithfulness and diligence in our service will result in full assurance. It is not a matter of salvation, but of reward and assurance and fruit, and the final approval of His “Well done, thou good and faithful servant”. Christian, walk carefully, with your eye on the goal. How fitting the conclusion of this passage:
“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).
Examine yourself, judge every known and doubtful sin, confess to Him, and be clean, and you need never fear the judgment, against which we are so earnestly warned.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
A Good Humor Break
I thought it was time for a little light hearted humor but still making a point at the same time. I grew up listening to the old hymns. The old hymn lyrics talk about Christ and what He has already done for us by His death on the Cross. Then one day while doing the study on Galatians about Grace vs Law (works), I thought about how those who are determined to live by the Law and works would title those same hymns. I have come up with this list:
Old Hymn title
Great Is Thy Faitfulness
Because He Lives
Victory In Jesus
How Great Thou Art
I Walk Through The Garden
Just As I Am
Love Lifted Me
Only Trust Him
In The Sweet, By And By
'Tis So Sweet (To Trust In Jesus)
Wonderful, Merciful Savior
The Old Rugged Cross
New hymn titles for the Grace Challenged who just have to try to work for it:
Great Is My Faithfulness
Because I Give
Victory In Service
How Great I Art
I Weed In The Garden
Justice, I Am
Only Trust Me
For The Poor, I Will Buy And Buy
'Tis So Neat To Circumcision
Metaphorical, Allegorical Savior
And my personal favorite:
Old, Rugged And Cross
Old Hymn title
Great Is Thy Faitfulness
Because He Lives
Victory In Jesus
How Great Thou Art
I Walk Through The Garden
Just As I Am
Love Lifted Me
Only Trust Him
In The Sweet, By And By
'Tis So Sweet (To Trust In Jesus)
Wonderful, Merciful Savior
The Old Rugged Cross
New hymn titles for the Grace Challenged who just have to try to work for it:
Great Is My Faithfulness
Because I Give
Victory In Service
How Great I Art
I Weed In The Garden
Justice, I Am
Only Trust Me
For The Poor, I Will Buy And Buy
'Tis So Neat To Circumcision
Metaphorical, Allegorical Savior
And my personal favorite:
Old, Rugged And Cross
The so called Unpardonable Sin
This article is not my own, but it is really good and I thought worthy of posting. Enjoy.
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Author Dr. Henry Morris insightfully clarifies the true nature of Pharisees' sin:
"The unforgivable sin of speaking against the Holy Spirit has been interpreted in various ways, but the true meaning cannot contradict other Scripture. It is unequivocally clear that the one unforgivable sin is permanently rejecting Christ (John 3:18; 3:36). Thus, speaking against the Holy Spirit is equivalent to rejecting Christ with such finality that no future repentance is possible. 'My spirit shall not always strive with man,' God said long ago (Genesis 6:3).
…In the context of this particular passage (Matthew 12:22-32), Jesus had performed a great miracle of creation, involving both healing and casting out a demon, but the Pharisees rejected this clear witness of the Holy Spirit. Instead they attributed His powers to Satan, thus demonstrating an attitude permanently resistant to the Spirit, and to the deity and saving Gospel of Christ" [Henry M. Morris, The Defender's Study Bible (Iowa Falls, Iowa: World Bible Publishers, 1995), emphasis added.].
Respected Christian theologian Dr. F.F. Bruce writes
"…Speaking against the Son of man might be due to a failure to recognize Him for what He is. So Paul recalls how in his pre-Christian days he thought it his duty to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. But if, having seen the light on the Damascus road, he had deliberately closed his eyes to it and kicked out against the goad which was directing him into the true path, that would have been the sin against the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit persuades and enables men to accept Christ and enjoy the saving benefits of the gospel [John 16:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14; Acts 7:51], but if anyone refuses to submit to the Spirit's gracious constraint, preferring to call good evil and evil good, how can the gospel avail for him? The deliberate refusal of the grace of God is the one sin which by its very nature is irremediable" [F.F. Bruce, Answers to Questions (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1973), pp. 46-47.].
"Anyone who rejects the Holy Spirit's convicting influence and does not repent will not be forgiven, 'neither in this world, neither in the world to come' (Matthew 12:32)" [Ray Comfort, "The Unpardonable Sin," The Evidence Bible (Gainesville, Florida: Bridge-Logo Publishers, 2001).].
“Jesus thus regards blasphemy against the Spirit—permanently rejecting his identity (Matthew 12:18) as attested by the Spirit's works (12:28)—as the worst of sins”
[Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993).
The situation was similar at the biblical city of Capernaum, where Jesus Christ performed an extraordinary number of miracles and taught many important public lessons. In the end, most of the people of Capernaum remained unrepentant. Like the Pharisees, they persistently rejected the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit who bore witness to the true identity of Jesus Christ, their Messiah.
They turned away from the abundant light graciously provided to them, and chose to remain forever in their unbelief. They persistently refused to listen to anything the Holy Spirit was telling them. Like the Pharisees, they chose self-imposed blindness. For this reason, they were strongly judged. "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…" (Luke 12:48). Thus, along with nearby Chorazin and Bethsaida, Capernaum received a very stern warning from Jesus, "It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee" (Matt. 11:21-24).
Bible researcher Larry Richards points out,
"This reference to an unforgivable sin has troubled many unnecessarily. Those who are concerned that they have done something for which Jesus will not forgive them show a very different attitude from the Pharisees, who refused to accept even the most compelling evidence that Jesus was the Son of God. The person who rejects the Spirit's message about Jesus will not be forgiven. Anyone who seeks Jesus' forgiveness certainly has not committed the unforgivable sin" [Larry Richards, 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Fleming H. Revell, 1993), pp. 241-42.].
"…once you accept Jesus, that part of the Holy Spirit's job is complete, thus you can't blaspheme His work. Naturally, He continues to work with you, and you can be stubborn and resist Him as a Christian, but you can't blaspheme Him. Live unproductively, carnal and unspiritual, possible. But commit the unpardonable sin? It's just not possible for a true Christian. Remember what Paul said: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1).
A true Christian cannot commit a sin for which there is no forgiveness. We are protected by the power of God (1 Peter 1:5). Although we can certainly grieve the Holy Spirit, he still seals us for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). The Apostle Paul was confident "that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6, NKJV).
Bear in mind, however, if someone who claims to be a Christian is responding to the Holy Spirit and Christ in a way very similar to that of the Pharisees, despite the strong witness of the Holy Spirit and abundant exposure to the truth of God's Word, it is highly doubtful that the person was ever saved. Only God knows for sure. The evidence clearly points to an unregenerate heart.
"…for a tree is known by its fruit. …For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:33-34, NKJV).
******************************************
Ok, this is me again. Hope you enjoyed the article.
Let's look now at Mark 3:28-29 and see that even the so called unpardonable sin is not completely unpardonable.
28 "Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit has never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation."
Notice the verse says "is in danger of eternal damnation." To be in danger of something is to be in trouble if you continue on your present course, but is not irreversible. Anyone, no matter how much they have blasphemed, can still come to Christ and accept His forgiveness. Only if the person dies before coming to Christ will it be truly unforgiven.
Look at Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
Now once someone dies without Christ it is truly too late for them. Unlike how some religions teach that a living person can pay the penalty for a deceased loved one, this verse clearly states that the person dies and the only thing after that is judgment. There is no mention of death then penance paid to alleviate future judgment or any of that.
Also, while a person can literally be saved right up until death (for exhibit "A" see the thief on the cross), it is not wise for anyone to go that avenue. The Bible talks in several places about if someone rejects the word of God, that their hearts will become hardened. See these verses.
Proverbs 29:1 "He, that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
Hebrews 3:15 " While it is said, To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation."
Psalm 95:8 "Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness."
Acts 7:51 "You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do you."
The bottom line is this, only an unsaved person can commit the sin of rejecting Christ. And if that person has a change of mind that is known as repentance, and accepts the atoning sacrifice of Jesus as their only means of righteousness, then it is never too late.
*****************************************
Author Dr. Henry Morris insightfully clarifies the true nature of Pharisees' sin:
"The unforgivable sin of speaking against the Holy Spirit has been interpreted in various ways, but the true meaning cannot contradict other Scripture. It is unequivocally clear that the one unforgivable sin is permanently rejecting Christ (John 3:18; 3:36). Thus, speaking against the Holy Spirit is equivalent to rejecting Christ with such finality that no future repentance is possible. 'My spirit shall not always strive with man,' God said long ago (Genesis 6:3).
…In the context of this particular passage (Matthew 12:22-32), Jesus had performed a great miracle of creation, involving both healing and casting out a demon, but the Pharisees rejected this clear witness of the Holy Spirit. Instead they attributed His powers to Satan, thus demonstrating an attitude permanently resistant to the Spirit, and to the deity and saving Gospel of Christ" [Henry M. Morris, The Defender's Study Bible (Iowa Falls, Iowa: World Bible Publishers, 1995), emphasis added.].
Respected Christian theologian Dr. F.F. Bruce writes
"…Speaking against the Son of man might be due to a failure to recognize Him for what He is. So Paul recalls how in his pre-Christian days he thought it his duty to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. But if, having seen the light on the Damascus road, he had deliberately closed his eyes to it and kicked out against the goad which was directing him into the true path, that would have been the sin against the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit persuades and enables men to accept Christ and enjoy the saving benefits of the gospel [John 16:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14; Acts 7:51], but if anyone refuses to submit to the Spirit's gracious constraint, preferring to call good evil and evil good, how can the gospel avail for him? The deliberate refusal of the grace of God is the one sin which by its very nature is irremediable" [F.F. Bruce, Answers to Questions (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1973), pp. 46-47.].
"Anyone who rejects the Holy Spirit's convicting influence and does not repent will not be forgiven, 'neither in this world, neither in the world to come' (Matthew 12:32)" [Ray Comfort, "The Unpardonable Sin," The Evidence Bible (Gainesville, Florida: Bridge-Logo Publishers, 2001).].
“Jesus thus regards blasphemy against the Spirit—permanently rejecting his identity (Matthew 12:18) as attested by the Spirit's works (12:28)—as the worst of sins”
[Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament (Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity Press, 1993).
The situation was similar at the biblical city of Capernaum, where Jesus Christ performed an extraordinary number of miracles and taught many important public lessons. In the end, most of the people of Capernaum remained unrepentant. Like the Pharisees, they persistently rejected the convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit who bore witness to the true identity of Jesus Christ, their Messiah.
They turned away from the abundant light graciously provided to them, and chose to remain forever in their unbelief. They persistently refused to listen to anything the Holy Spirit was telling them. Like the Pharisees, they chose self-imposed blindness. For this reason, they were strongly judged. "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required…" (Luke 12:48). Thus, along with nearby Chorazin and Bethsaida, Capernaum received a very stern warning from Jesus, "It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee" (Matt. 11:21-24).
Bible researcher Larry Richards points out,
"This reference to an unforgivable sin has troubled many unnecessarily. Those who are concerned that they have done something for which Jesus will not forgive them show a very different attitude from the Pharisees, who refused to accept even the most compelling evidence that Jesus was the Son of God. The person who rejects the Spirit's message about Jesus will not be forgiven. Anyone who seeks Jesus' forgiveness certainly has not committed the unforgivable sin" [Larry Richards, 735 Baffling Bible Questions Answered (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Fleming H. Revell, 1993), pp. 241-42.].
"…once you accept Jesus, that part of the Holy Spirit's job is complete, thus you can't blaspheme His work. Naturally, He continues to work with you, and you can be stubborn and resist Him as a Christian, but you can't blaspheme Him. Live unproductively, carnal and unspiritual, possible. But commit the unpardonable sin? It's just not possible for a true Christian. Remember what Paul said: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1).
A true Christian cannot commit a sin for which there is no forgiveness. We are protected by the power of God (1 Peter 1:5). Although we can certainly grieve the Holy Spirit, he still seals us for the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). The Apostle Paul was confident "that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6, NKJV).
Bear in mind, however, if someone who claims to be a Christian is responding to the Holy Spirit and Christ in a way very similar to that of the Pharisees, despite the strong witness of the Holy Spirit and abundant exposure to the truth of God's Word, it is highly doubtful that the person was ever saved. Only God knows for sure. The evidence clearly points to an unregenerate heart.
"…for a tree is known by its fruit. …For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:33-34, NKJV).
******************************************
Ok, this is me again. Hope you enjoyed the article.
Let's look now at Mark 3:28-29 and see that even the so called unpardonable sin is not completely unpardonable.
28 "Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Spirit has never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation."
Notice the verse says "is in danger of eternal damnation." To be in danger of something is to be in trouble if you continue on your present course, but is not irreversible. Anyone, no matter how much they have blasphemed, can still come to Christ and accept His forgiveness. Only if the person dies before coming to Christ will it be truly unforgiven.
Look at Hebrews 9:27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment."
Now once someone dies without Christ it is truly too late for them. Unlike how some religions teach that a living person can pay the penalty for a deceased loved one, this verse clearly states that the person dies and the only thing after that is judgment. There is no mention of death then penance paid to alleviate future judgment or any of that.
Also, while a person can literally be saved right up until death (for exhibit "A" see the thief on the cross), it is not wise for anyone to go that avenue. The Bible talks in several places about if someone rejects the word of God, that their hearts will become hardened. See these verses.
Proverbs 29:1 "He, that being often reproved hardens his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."
Hebrews 3:15 " While it is said, To day if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation."
Psalm 95:8 "Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness."
Acts 7:51 "You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do you."
The bottom line is this, only an unsaved person can commit the sin of rejecting Christ. And if that person has a change of mind that is known as repentance, and accepts the atoning sacrifice of Jesus as their only means of righteousness, then it is never too late.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Don't Tempt Me
There are a couple of ways people primarily react when they are faced with temptation. Some just give in to it. There are many in the world today who believe if it feels right, just do it and don't worry about if it is right or wrong, and so these people live like animals. Animals eat when they want to eat, sleep when they want to sleep, mate when they want to mate. And no wonder, we are taught at an early age in school that we come from animals and we are all just a more sophisticated ape.
Others try to fight temptation in the flesh but fail miserably. We can not fight temptation in the flesh. I heard a story of a little boy who was sitting underneath an apple tree in his neighbor's yard and his neighbor came out and asked him, "You aren't trying to steal one of my apples are you?" to which the boy replied, "no, I am trying NOT to steal one of your apples."
A better way is not to give in to temptation or to fight temptation in the power of the flesh, but to deal with temptation through the power of the Word of God. By doing this, we can actually turn our temptations into triumphs.
The key scripture is found in 1 Corinthians 10:12-14
"12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry."
I am going to present several things that will help you turn your temptations into triumphs. To help you remember, I am going to let each one start with the letter "S".
First is the Subjects of Temptation. Who is tempted? Look back at verse 12. Let him who thinks he stands take heed. This is telling us that we are ALL subject to be tempted. Just because we are saved does not make us immune from being tempted. I mention that to say that it is not a sin to be tempted. We know this because Jesus was tempted and He had no sin. This verse is basically a warning against pride. No one thing will make you a bigger sitting duck for Satan than pride. It was pride that made Lucifer, son of the morning, into Satan Prince of Darkness. The proud person is tempting Satan to tempt them.
Ok, that brings up a thought.. if God is so loving, why does he allow temptation to come upon us.. why doesn't He just kill the Devil? Because we then would not have the ability to be overcomers. Think about football. It would be much easier for a football team to go onto the field and cross the goal line if they went out at 2 am when there was no other team to defend them and they could run across the goal line as many times as they want. Why do they wait until the other team is there to cross the goal line? Because that is where the victory is. There is no victory in scoring when there is no opposition. And God has not called us to a life of ease, but to a life of victory.
Now notice the Source of Temptation. Look in verse 13, no temptation has overtaken you but such is common to man. None of us have harder temptations to deal with than anyone else. We have no special temptation designed for us. There are 3 sources of temptation... the world, the flesh, and the Devil.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 the Bible says, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Notice we are triune beings... body, soul and spirit. Also notice that there are 3 sources of temptation.. the world, the flesh and the Devil. Each one of the sources lines up with each one of our beings.
Before going any further, I probably should define what I mean by "the world". What is the "world?" I am not talking about the people of the world.. God so loved that world that he sent Jesus to die for it and if God loved that world, we should love it too. It is not talking about the things in the world... the rocks, the trees, the bees and the fleas... God created this world and said it was good. But the Bible says we are not to love the world. Let's look at a few scriptures to back this up.
1 John 2:15
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
Romans 12:2
"And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
James 4:4
"You adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity (or warfare) with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
Ok so if it is not the people in the world or the things of the world, what is the "world"?
When the "world" is mentioned here it is talking about a system, an order, a philosophy. The greek word is "cosmos". It is entrenched and systematized evil (much like our government today) and we are not to love it.
The Bible mentions this in the Epistle of Peter. 1 Peter 3:3 states, "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel." The word "adorning" is translated world in many other places in the Bible. We could just as easily read the verse as "Whose cosmos let it not be the fixing of the hair, the wearing of make up, etc.
That's why when a woman wants to put her face in order, she uses "cosmetics". The Bible is not saying it's wrong to fix your hair, wear jewelry and wear makeup. Some overly religious people think it's a sin if a woman wears makeup. I think it's more of a sin if some don't. If we say it's wrong to wear jewelry and make up we'd also have to say it's wrong to wear clothes because it mentions apparel. The Bible is obviously not saying in order to be spiritual we should go around buck naked.
What the Bible is saying is, whose cosmos or world, let it not be of the fashion store, the jewler etc.. Don't let that be what your world revolves around. So as not to make it look like I am picking on women, the same is true for men. Whose cosmos, let it not be sports, or your job, or your car. Don't let that world mold and control you. OK, here is an "ouch" moment but I am going to say it anyway, if Jesus Christ is not # 1 in your life, you are worldly. You have bought into this world's system. This is the world and is the first area of temptation. Let's call the world the "External Foe".
The next area of temptation is the Flesh. What is the flesh? It doesn't mean the epidermis. It means that old sinful nature, an inherited predisposition to sin. Sin is an inside job. For example, you don't have to teach a child to be selfish, you have to teach a child not to be selfish. We can not put all the blame on Satan. You have heard the expression, "The Devil made me do it." Well, I heard about a little boy who called his sister a dirty name, hit her with a broom stick and spit on her. His mother chastized the boy and said, "The Devil made you do that." The boy said, "The Devil made me call her a bad name and hit her with the broom, but spitting on her was my idea." I think we would be amazed if we sat down and counted up how many times our sin is our idea. So the flesh is the second area of temptation and let's call it the "Internal Foe". The World is the external foe and the flesh is the internal foe.
The third source is The Devil. Let's call the Devil the "Infernal Foe." The Devil wants to get us to sin and will encourage it as best as he can. The Devil uses the world and the flesh to get us to sin. Think of the world as being a match, think of the flesh as a pool of gasoline, and think of the Devil as being the one who strikes the match and throws it. This is the anatomy of a sin. So when we are tempted we are going to be tempted in the areas of the world, the flesh and the Devil... the external foe, the internal foe and the infernal foe. These are the sources of temptation and they are common to man.
Ok, on to the third "S". The Seat of temptation. Where will we be tempted? Not, how will we be tempted, but where? Go back to the scripture in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 where it talks about our body, soul and spirit be preserved blameless. When we are tempted it will either be in the area of the spirt, the soul or the body.
The world will tempt us primarily in the area of our soul. Ok, what is the soul. It is not the same as the spirit. The soul in the greek means psyche.. roughly it is our mind, emotion and will.. your ego. The world, this cosmos will primarily tempt you here. That's basically what it means to be worldly is to be on an ego trip if you are a worldly christian. A good biblical example of this is Abraham and Lot. Abraham gave Lot a choice of land and Lot chose the plush green valleys of Sodom in greed. The credit card industry flourishes because of this. The world has convinced us that we have to have it all and we have to have it now. So many of us will use the false god of credit to obtain it and then suffer the consequences later.
Ok what about the flesh. The flesh is not the body, but it wars against the body. Our bodies will be subject to temptations in the area of appetite, lust, laziness, violence, etc. The flesh uses the body as a vehicle of expression.
The best biblical example of this is David and Bathsheba. David was filled with lust in his body from seeing Bathsheba taking a bath. The lust desire overcame him and he gave in. The healthy sex drive he was given by God was under attack from his old nature and he gave in and fell.
Ok, now the Devil. The Devil wars against our spirit. The difference between the spirit and the soul is this: the soul is self concious and the spirit is God concious. We know God through our spirit. Plants have a body, but they don't have a soul and a spirit. Animals have a body and a soul, but no spirit. Animals have mind, emotion and will but they can't know God. Only man has all 3 and therefore, we are made in the image of God. Only man can know there is a God and only man can worship God. In fact, the Bible says that God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit. The Bible goes on to say that our spirit bears witness with His spirit that we are children of God.
The Devil's main focus is to take our focus away from God. The Devil is not primarily going to try to get us drunk or to commit adultery. The Devil wants to drive a wedge between our fellowship with God. Let's look at another scriptural example. We have already seen that Lot is an example of the world tempting the soul, David is an example of the flesh tempting the body, and Peter is an example of the Devil tempting the spirit. In Luke 22:31-32 the Bible says, "31 And the Lord said, Peter, Peter, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brothers." When Peter denied Christ 3 times, he wasn't on an ego trip, he wasn't tempted of a sexual sin, his faith faltered. Satan attempts to seperate us from God.
Finally, the last "S" is the sudbuing of temptation. How are we going to overcome temptation. 3 words to remember.. flight, faith, and fight.
The Flesh
When weu are tempted with the lust of the flesh, remember the word flight. God does not tell us to fight this kind of temptation. Instead, He tells us to flee (see 1 Corinthian 6:18, 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:9-11; 2 Timothy 2:22).
Have you read the story of David and Bathesheba lately? David wouldn't have ever given in to the temptation of his flesh if he'd had done as Joseph did when Potiphar's wife approached him. Compare those two stories (2 Samuel 11 and Genesis 39).
What did Joseph do? He ran for his life! What did David do? He lingered and watched Bathsheba. Then, he entertained his lustful thoughts that led him to commit two heinous sins in the flesh – adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah.
What is the application for you and me? If there is a magazine, a movie, a television program, or even a person that arouses thoughts in you that you know are wrong, then, we are to flee. Just get away. Saturate that place with your absence. Proverbs 6:27 says, "Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" You and I are to flee.
The World
How do you and I overcome the world? The key word is faith. First John 5:4 says, "For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith." We are not told to fight the world, we are told to have faith in God instead. What does faith do? Faith makes God real to you. Let's return to First John: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). When we say that someone is "wordly," we are saying that this person loves the world and the things in this world more than God. The love of the Father is not in them.
Suppose you're driving and you notice the oil light blinks red on your dashboard. What do you do? Take a hammer and break the light? No! The light is a warning that your engine is out of oil. To solve the problem, you pour oil into the crank case. Right? Of course.
Now, if you are worldly, warning signs will illuminate that you have fallen in love with the world (which means you have fallen out of love with the Lord Jesus Christ). Don't fight the warning light.
The Devil
The key word in overcoming the devil is fight. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." First, we submit to God, then we resist the devil – not in our own strength, but in His strength.
Instead, most of us say to the devil, "If you'll leave me alone, I'll leave you alone." But he's not going to leave us alone until we resist him in the Lord Jesus Christ (see Revelation 12:11).
The devil cares nothing for your resolutions or good intentions. But he fears the blood of Jesus Christ. When the devil comes after us, we need to show him Jesus!
Get on the offensive. Tell Satan, "I bring His Word against you. I bring His blood against you. You are trespassing on my Father's property and in the name of Jesus be gone!" Flee the flesh. Have faith against the world. Fight the devil. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Ephesians 6:10).
Others try to fight temptation in the flesh but fail miserably. We can not fight temptation in the flesh. I heard a story of a little boy who was sitting underneath an apple tree in his neighbor's yard and his neighbor came out and asked him, "You aren't trying to steal one of my apples are you?" to which the boy replied, "no, I am trying NOT to steal one of your apples."
A better way is not to give in to temptation or to fight temptation in the power of the flesh, but to deal with temptation through the power of the Word of God. By doing this, we can actually turn our temptations into triumphs.
The key scripture is found in 1 Corinthians 10:12-14
"12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry."
I am going to present several things that will help you turn your temptations into triumphs. To help you remember, I am going to let each one start with the letter "S".
First is the Subjects of Temptation. Who is tempted? Look back at verse 12. Let him who thinks he stands take heed. This is telling us that we are ALL subject to be tempted. Just because we are saved does not make us immune from being tempted. I mention that to say that it is not a sin to be tempted. We know this because Jesus was tempted and He had no sin. This verse is basically a warning against pride. No one thing will make you a bigger sitting duck for Satan than pride. It was pride that made Lucifer, son of the morning, into Satan Prince of Darkness. The proud person is tempting Satan to tempt them.
Ok, that brings up a thought.. if God is so loving, why does he allow temptation to come upon us.. why doesn't He just kill the Devil? Because we then would not have the ability to be overcomers. Think about football. It would be much easier for a football team to go onto the field and cross the goal line if they went out at 2 am when there was no other team to defend them and they could run across the goal line as many times as they want. Why do they wait until the other team is there to cross the goal line? Because that is where the victory is. There is no victory in scoring when there is no opposition. And God has not called us to a life of ease, but to a life of victory.
Now notice the Source of Temptation. Look in verse 13, no temptation has overtaken you but such is common to man. None of us have harder temptations to deal with than anyone else. We have no special temptation designed for us. There are 3 sources of temptation... the world, the flesh, and the Devil.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 the Bible says, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Notice we are triune beings... body, soul and spirit. Also notice that there are 3 sources of temptation.. the world, the flesh and the Devil. Each one of the sources lines up with each one of our beings.
Before going any further, I probably should define what I mean by "the world". What is the "world?" I am not talking about the people of the world.. God so loved that world that he sent Jesus to die for it and if God loved that world, we should love it too. It is not talking about the things in the world... the rocks, the trees, the bees and the fleas... God created this world and said it was good. But the Bible says we are not to love the world. Let's look at a few scriptures to back this up.
1 John 2:15
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."
Romans 12:2
"And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
James 4:4
"You adulterers and adulteresses, do you not know that the friendship of the world is enmity (or warfare) with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
Ok so if it is not the people in the world or the things of the world, what is the "world"?
When the "world" is mentioned here it is talking about a system, an order, a philosophy. The greek word is "cosmos". It is entrenched and systematized evil (much like our government today) and we are not to love it.
The Bible mentions this in the Epistle of Peter. 1 Peter 3:3 states, "Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel." The word "adorning" is translated world in many other places in the Bible. We could just as easily read the verse as "Whose cosmos let it not be the fixing of the hair, the wearing of make up, etc.
That's why when a woman wants to put her face in order, she uses "cosmetics". The Bible is not saying it's wrong to fix your hair, wear jewelry and wear makeup. Some overly religious people think it's a sin if a woman wears makeup. I think it's more of a sin if some don't. If we say it's wrong to wear jewelry and make up we'd also have to say it's wrong to wear clothes because it mentions apparel. The Bible is obviously not saying in order to be spiritual we should go around buck naked.
What the Bible is saying is, whose cosmos or world, let it not be of the fashion store, the jewler etc.. Don't let that be what your world revolves around. So as not to make it look like I am picking on women, the same is true for men. Whose cosmos, let it not be sports, or your job, or your car. Don't let that world mold and control you. OK, here is an "ouch" moment but I am going to say it anyway, if Jesus Christ is not # 1 in your life, you are worldly. You have bought into this world's system. This is the world and is the first area of temptation. Let's call the world the "External Foe".
The next area of temptation is the Flesh. What is the flesh? It doesn't mean the epidermis. It means that old sinful nature, an inherited predisposition to sin. Sin is an inside job. For example, you don't have to teach a child to be selfish, you have to teach a child not to be selfish. We can not put all the blame on Satan. You have heard the expression, "The Devil made me do it." Well, I heard about a little boy who called his sister a dirty name, hit her with a broom stick and spit on her. His mother chastized the boy and said, "The Devil made you do that." The boy said, "The Devil made me call her a bad name and hit her with the broom, but spitting on her was my idea." I think we would be amazed if we sat down and counted up how many times our sin is our idea. So the flesh is the second area of temptation and let's call it the "Internal Foe". The World is the external foe and the flesh is the internal foe.
The third source is The Devil. Let's call the Devil the "Infernal Foe." The Devil wants to get us to sin and will encourage it as best as he can. The Devil uses the world and the flesh to get us to sin. Think of the world as being a match, think of the flesh as a pool of gasoline, and think of the Devil as being the one who strikes the match and throws it. This is the anatomy of a sin. So when we are tempted we are going to be tempted in the areas of the world, the flesh and the Devil... the external foe, the internal foe and the infernal foe. These are the sources of temptation and they are common to man.
Ok, on to the third "S". The Seat of temptation. Where will we be tempted? Not, how will we be tempted, but where? Go back to the scripture in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 where it talks about our body, soul and spirit be preserved blameless. When we are tempted it will either be in the area of the spirt, the soul or the body.
The world will tempt us primarily in the area of our soul. Ok, what is the soul. It is not the same as the spirit. The soul in the greek means psyche.. roughly it is our mind, emotion and will.. your ego. The world, this cosmos will primarily tempt you here. That's basically what it means to be worldly is to be on an ego trip if you are a worldly christian. A good biblical example of this is Abraham and Lot. Abraham gave Lot a choice of land and Lot chose the plush green valleys of Sodom in greed. The credit card industry flourishes because of this. The world has convinced us that we have to have it all and we have to have it now. So many of us will use the false god of credit to obtain it and then suffer the consequences later.
Ok what about the flesh. The flesh is not the body, but it wars against the body. Our bodies will be subject to temptations in the area of appetite, lust, laziness, violence, etc. The flesh uses the body as a vehicle of expression.
The best biblical example of this is David and Bathsheba. David was filled with lust in his body from seeing Bathsheba taking a bath. The lust desire overcame him and he gave in. The healthy sex drive he was given by God was under attack from his old nature and he gave in and fell.
Ok, now the Devil. The Devil wars against our spirit. The difference between the spirit and the soul is this: the soul is self concious and the spirit is God concious. We know God through our spirit. Plants have a body, but they don't have a soul and a spirit. Animals have a body and a soul, but no spirit. Animals have mind, emotion and will but they can't know God. Only man has all 3 and therefore, we are made in the image of God. Only man can know there is a God and only man can worship God. In fact, the Bible says that God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit. The Bible goes on to say that our spirit bears witness with His spirit that we are children of God.
The Devil's main focus is to take our focus away from God. The Devil is not primarily going to try to get us drunk or to commit adultery. The Devil wants to drive a wedge between our fellowship with God. Let's look at another scriptural example. We have already seen that Lot is an example of the world tempting the soul, David is an example of the flesh tempting the body, and Peter is an example of the Devil tempting the spirit. In Luke 22:31-32 the Bible says, "31 And the Lord said, Peter, Peter, behold, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and when you are converted, strengthen your brothers." When Peter denied Christ 3 times, he wasn't on an ego trip, he wasn't tempted of a sexual sin, his faith faltered. Satan attempts to seperate us from God.
Finally, the last "S" is the sudbuing of temptation. How are we going to overcome temptation. 3 words to remember.. flight, faith, and fight.
The Flesh
When weu are tempted with the lust of the flesh, remember the word flight. God does not tell us to fight this kind of temptation. Instead, He tells us to flee (see 1 Corinthian 6:18, 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:9-11; 2 Timothy 2:22).
Have you read the story of David and Bathesheba lately? David wouldn't have ever given in to the temptation of his flesh if he'd had done as Joseph did when Potiphar's wife approached him. Compare those two stories (2 Samuel 11 and Genesis 39).
What did Joseph do? He ran for his life! What did David do? He lingered and watched Bathsheba. Then, he entertained his lustful thoughts that led him to commit two heinous sins in the flesh – adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah.
What is the application for you and me? If there is a magazine, a movie, a television program, or even a person that arouses thoughts in you that you know are wrong, then, we are to flee. Just get away. Saturate that place with your absence. Proverbs 6:27 says, "Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?" You and I are to flee.
The World
How do you and I overcome the world? The key word is faith. First John 5:4 says, "For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith." We are not told to fight the world, we are told to have faith in God instead. What does faith do? Faith makes God real to you. Let's return to First John: "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him" (1 John 2:15). When we say that someone is "wordly," we are saying that this person loves the world and the things in this world more than God. The love of the Father is not in them.
Suppose you're driving and you notice the oil light blinks red on your dashboard. What do you do? Take a hammer and break the light? No! The light is a warning that your engine is out of oil. To solve the problem, you pour oil into the crank case. Right? Of course.
Now, if you are worldly, warning signs will illuminate that you have fallen in love with the world (which means you have fallen out of love with the Lord Jesus Christ). Don't fight the warning light.
The Devil
The key word in overcoming the devil is fight. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." First, we submit to God, then we resist the devil – not in our own strength, but in His strength.
Instead, most of us say to the devil, "If you'll leave me alone, I'll leave you alone." But he's not going to leave us alone until we resist him in the Lord Jesus Christ (see Revelation 12:11).
The devil cares nothing for your resolutions or good intentions. But he fears the blood of Jesus Christ. When the devil comes after us, we need to show him Jesus!
Get on the offensive. Tell Satan, "I bring His Word against you. I bring His blood against you. You are trespassing on my Father's property and in the name of Jesus be gone!" Flee the flesh. Have faith against the world. Fight the devil. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Ephesians 6:10).
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
When It's Good To Be Simple Minded
I have often heard christians say one of the hardest things to do is to witness to a lost person about Jesus Christ. Yet the Bible says in 1 Peter 3:15 we are to "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
We do not need to be overly theological or try to impress someone with our knowledge of scripture in order to witness to a lost person on how to be saved. Salvation is a simple concept of belief. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:3, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." In addition to that, 1 Corinthians 14:33 states, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." Now by law of inverse, if God is not the author of confusion, Satan has to be the author of confusion and he has done a good job of it in regards to clouding this simple concept of salvation. In Proverbs 11:30 the Bible says, "He that wins souls is wise" and in Matthew 4:19 Jesus calls us to be "fishers of men".
Here are the key points that we should show a lost person we are attempting to witness to:
1) Establish the fact that all people are sinners.
A few scripture references if needed would be Romans 3:10, 23; Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9; and James 2:10
2) Establish the fact that the penalty for sin is death.
scripture references Romans 6:23 and Ezekiel 18:20
3) Establish the fact that we must be perfect to enter heaven.
scripture references Revalation 21:27; Habakkuk 1:13; and Psalm 5:4
4) Establish the fact that man can do nothing of himself to obtain this perfection.
scripture references Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16 and Romans 4:5
5) Show how God provided a sin-bearer and imputes to man His righteousness.
scripture references 2 Corinthians 5:21; Phillipians 3:9; Isaiah 53:6; and 1 Peter 3:18
6) Establish the fact that man needs only belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior for salvation.
scripture references John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; John 1:12; and Acts 16:31
7) Establish the fact that man can be certain of his salvation now, and that his salvation cannot be lost because eternal life is eternal.
scripture references John 6:37-39; John 10:28; 1 Peter 1:5; Hebrews 10:10-14; and 1 John 5:13
Of course, there are no set steps in leading a person to Christ. This is a general plan that has proven very successful in actual practice, the emphasis being shifted from one point to another, depending upon the need of the particular individual. Repentance is not left out of the above steps, but is included with different wording. One of the counterfeits Satan is using today is the misuse of the word "repent." To insist upon repentance that in any sense includes a demand for a change of conduct either toward God or man is to add an element of works or human effort to faith. Penance is payment for sin. Penitence is sorrow for sin. Works and something of self is turning from sin. But repent (metanoeo) means a change of mind. Repentance in salvation means a change of mind from any idea of religion that man might have and accepting God's way of salvation. Man's great need is to understand God's way of salvation and to accept His sacrifice. Nowhere does the Scripture use the phrase "repent of sin" to be saved. Scripture says in Acts 20:21, "repentance toward God" (change of mind), and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, back to the initial scripture verse in 1 Peter 3:15 and notice the last 3 words.. (meekness and fear) "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
We should always present the Gospel message to the lost person in a gentle and humble manner. We are to talk to them, not down to them or at them. In this verse, fear does not mean we should be afraid to witness but the word fear here is used in the sense of respect and honor. The Bible says that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We are representing God when we witness to the lost soul and how we treat them will reflect either negatively or positively on God. Also, we will ultimately have to give an account to God how we witness to the lost (or worst yet, how we didn't witness to the lost) so we need to do this carefully, positively and truthfully. The Bible says "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" .. this includes witnessing.
What if we do not warn the lost? Is there a penalty? Paul says, "Woe (judgment) is unto me, if I preach not the gospel (I Corinthians 9:16)." The believer will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ (I Corinthians 3:11-15) and will be held responsible for not giving the gospel. According to Ezekiel God will hold believers responsible for telling unbelievers how to be saved, (Romans 1:14-16).
Ok so you say, but what if they do not accept the gospel? God says we are no longer responsible once we have told them. "Yet if thou warn the wicked (the unbeliever), and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way (his way of salvation), he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul (Ezekiel 3:19)."
If you are afraid to witness to someone your own age, then why not lead a child to the Lord? Why not invite someone to a church service where they will hear the gospel? Give out clear gospel tracts. Explain the gospel in a letter. Pray for God's courage and wisdom. God will bless you as you obey Him.
So let's keep things simple and as Joe Friday used to say let's present "Just the facts". If we try to make things too complicated we will end up turning the person away from God and not towards God. Don't let fear keep you from witnessing either, just keep it real and above all else... keep it simple.
We do not need to be overly theological or try to impress someone with our knowledge of scripture in order to witness to a lost person on how to be saved. Salvation is a simple concept of belief. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 11:3, "But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ." In addition to that, 1 Corinthians 14:33 states, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints." Now by law of inverse, if God is not the author of confusion, Satan has to be the author of confusion and he has done a good job of it in regards to clouding this simple concept of salvation. In Proverbs 11:30 the Bible says, "He that wins souls is wise" and in Matthew 4:19 Jesus calls us to be "fishers of men".
Here are the key points that we should show a lost person we are attempting to witness to:
1) Establish the fact that all people are sinners.
A few scripture references if needed would be Romans 3:10, 23; Isaiah 64:6; Jeremiah 17:9; and James 2:10
2) Establish the fact that the penalty for sin is death.
scripture references Romans 6:23 and Ezekiel 18:20
3) Establish the fact that we must be perfect to enter heaven.
scripture references Revalation 21:27; Habakkuk 1:13; and Psalm 5:4
4) Establish the fact that man can do nothing of himself to obtain this perfection.
scripture references Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:16 and Romans 4:5
5) Show how God provided a sin-bearer and imputes to man His righteousness.
scripture references 2 Corinthians 5:21; Phillipians 3:9; Isaiah 53:6; and 1 Peter 3:18
6) Establish the fact that man needs only belief in the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior for salvation.
scripture references John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10; John 1:12; and Acts 16:31
7) Establish the fact that man can be certain of his salvation now, and that his salvation cannot be lost because eternal life is eternal.
scripture references John 6:37-39; John 10:28; 1 Peter 1:5; Hebrews 10:10-14; and 1 John 5:13
Of course, there are no set steps in leading a person to Christ. This is a general plan that has proven very successful in actual practice, the emphasis being shifted from one point to another, depending upon the need of the particular individual. Repentance is not left out of the above steps, but is included with different wording. One of the counterfeits Satan is using today is the misuse of the word "repent." To insist upon repentance that in any sense includes a demand for a change of conduct either toward God or man is to add an element of works or human effort to faith. Penance is payment for sin. Penitence is sorrow for sin. Works and something of self is turning from sin. But repent (metanoeo) means a change of mind. Repentance in salvation means a change of mind from any idea of religion that man might have and accepting God's way of salvation. Man's great need is to understand God's way of salvation and to accept His sacrifice. Nowhere does the Scripture use the phrase "repent of sin" to be saved. Scripture says in Acts 20:21, "repentance toward God" (change of mind), and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, back to the initial scripture verse in 1 Peter 3:15 and notice the last 3 words.. (meekness and fear) "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear."
We should always present the Gospel message to the lost person in a gentle and humble manner. We are to talk to them, not down to them or at them. In this verse, fear does not mean we should be afraid to witness but the word fear here is used in the sense of respect and honor. The Bible says that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. We are representing God when we witness to the lost soul and how we treat them will reflect either negatively or positively on God. Also, we will ultimately have to give an account to God how we witness to the lost (or worst yet, how we didn't witness to the lost) so we need to do this carefully, positively and truthfully. The Bible says "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" .. this includes witnessing.
What if we do not warn the lost? Is there a penalty? Paul says, "Woe (judgment) is unto me, if I preach not the gospel (I Corinthians 9:16)." The believer will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ (I Corinthians 3:11-15) and will be held responsible for not giving the gospel. According to Ezekiel God will hold believers responsible for telling unbelievers how to be saved, (Romans 1:14-16).
Ok so you say, but what if they do not accept the gospel? God says we are no longer responsible once we have told them. "Yet if thou warn the wicked (the unbeliever), and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way (his way of salvation), he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul (Ezekiel 3:19)."
If you are afraid to witness to someone your own age, then why not lead a child to the Lord? Why not invite someone to a church service where they will hear the gospel? Give out clear gospel tracts. Explain the gospel in a letter. Pray for God's courage and wisdom. God will bless you as you obey Him.
So let's keep things simple and as Joe Friday used to say let's present "Just the facts". If we try to make things too complicated we will end up turning the person away from God and not towards God. Don't let fear keep you from witnessing either, just keep it real and above all else... keep it simple.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Will work For Rewards
I was at my first KAIROS Teaming this morning and a subject came up that troubles me in the fact that so many confuse salvation and discipleship. You can be saved and on your way to heaven and not be a disciple. This is the condition of everyone who is initially saved. As a young believer we can not handle the meat of the word nor usually have a desire to become a disciple until we grow some spiritually through milk (reading the Word, serving in some capacity in the church, etc).
You can also be a disciple and not be saved. This seems like it couldn't be so, but Judas was a disciple of Christ but was never saved. The Bible talks about Jesus knowing that Judas never believed.
Biblical scholar M.R. Dehaan in his book "Hebrews" made a great statement that hit this right on the head. He said, "There is a vast difference between coming to Jesus for salvation, and coming after Jesus for service. Coming to Christ makes one a believer, while coming after Christ makes one a disciple. All believers are not disciples. To become a believer one accepts the invitation of the Gospel. To be a disciple one obeys the challenge to a life of dedicated service and separation. Salvation comes through the sacrifice of Christ. Discipleship comes only by sacrifice of self and surrender to His call for devoted service. Salvation is free, but discipleship involves paying the price of a separated walk. Salvation can not be lost because it depends upon God's faithfulness, but discipleship can be lost because it depends upon our faithfulness." DEHAAN, M. R. Hebrews. Zondervan Publishing House, 1959. (p. 117)
Salvation is the Bible is ALWAYS presented as a FREE gift, but Discipleship costs.
Let's look at a few of the verses that reference both Salvation and Discipleship and notice the contrast.
Salvation Is a Free Gift.
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to thee, Give Me to drink; thou would have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water. (John 4:10)
Every one that thirst, come to the waters, and he that has no money; come, buy, and eat; yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isa. 55:1)
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev. 22:17)
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 6:23)
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast. (Eph. 2:8, 9)
But in contrast with the freeness of salvation, note that, REWARDS ARE EARNED BY WORKS
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Matt. 10:42).
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. (2 Tim. 4:7, 8)
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Rev. 22:12)
Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (1 Cor 9:24, 25)
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Cor. 3:11-15)
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (Rev. 2:10)
[Not "life" - the Smyrna saints had this - but a "crown of life." Crowns are symbols of rewards - of distinctions earned. It may be remarked that four crowns are mentioned: that of joy, or rejoicing, the reward of ministry (Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19); of righteousness, the reward of faithfulness in testimony (2 Tim. 4:8); of life, the reward of faithfulness under trial (James 1:12; Rev. 2:10); and of glory, the reward of faithfulness under suffering. (1 Peter 5:4; Heb. 2:9.)]
When I think of crowns, I think of the old hymn "Old Rugged Cross". The lyrics say, "I will cling to the Old Rugged Cross, and exchange it one day for a crown."
The "Old Rugged Cross" speaks of salvation as we are saved by trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone.
We will only be able to exchange it for a crown if we have lived the christian life and been a disciple for Christ.
A second thing to notice is that salvation is always spoken of as a present possession whereas rewards are future attainments. Let's look at some of the many verses that reference this fact.
Salvation Is a Present Possession
He that believes on the Son has everlasting life. (John 3:36)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears My word, and believes on Him that sent Me, has eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life. (John 5:24)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me has everlasting life. (John 6:47)
Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace. (2 Tim. 1:9)
And He said to the woman, Thy faith has saved thee; go in peace. (Luke 7:50)
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5)
And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. (1 John 5:11)
But, Rewards Are a Future Attainment
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father, with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works. (Matt. 16:27)
For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14:14).
And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Rev. 22:12)
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away. (1 Peter 5:4)
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day. (2 Tim. 4:8).
After a long time the Lord of those servants comes, and reckons with them. Matt. 25:19.
God's purpose in promising to reward with heavenly and eternal honors the faithful service of His saints is to
1) win them from the pursuit of earthly riches and pleasures
2) to sustain them in the fires of persecution
3) to encourage them in the exercise of Christian virtues.
You can also be a disciple and not be saved. This seems like it couldn't be so, but Judas was a disciple of Christ but was never saved. The Bible talks about Jesus knowing that Judas never believed.
Biblical scholar M.R. Dehaan in his book "Hebrews" made a great statement that hit this right on the head. He said, "There is a vast difference between coming to Jesus for salvation, and coming after Jesus for service. Coming to Christ makes one a believer, while coming after Christ makes one a disciple. All believers are not disciples. To become a believer one accepts the invitation of the Gospel. To be a disciple one obeys the challenge to a life of dedicated service and separation. Salvation comes through the sacrifice of Christ. Discipleship comes only by sacrifice of self and surrender to His call for devoted service. Salvation is free, but discipleship involves paying the price of a separated walk. Salvation can not be lost because it depends upon God's faithfulness, but discipleship can be lost because it depends upon our faithfulness." DEHAAN, M. R. Hebrews. Zondervan Publishing House, 1959. (p. 117)
Salvation is the Bible is ALWAYS presented as a FREE gift, but Discipleship costs.
Let's look at a few of the verses that reference both Salvation and Discipleship and notice the contrast.
Salvation Is a Free Gift.
Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that says to thee, Give Me to drink; thou would have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water. (John 4:10)
Every one that thirst, come to the waters, and he that has no money; come, buy, and eat; yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. (Isa. 55:1)
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that hears say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. (Rev. 22:17)
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Rom. 6:23)
For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man should boast. (Eph. 2:8, 9)
But in contrast with the freeness of salvation, note that, REWARDS ARE EARNED BY WORKS
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. (Matt. 10:42).
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness. (2 Tim. 4:7, 8)
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Rev. 22:12)
Know you not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. (1 Cor 9:24, 25)
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (1 Cor. 3:11-15)
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life (Rev. 2:10)
[Not "life" - the Smyrna saints had this - but a "crown of life." Crowns are symbols of rewards - of distinctions earned. It may be remarked that four crowns are mentioned: that of joy, or rejoicing, the reward of ministry (Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19); of righteousness, the reward of faithfulness in testimony (2 Tim. 4:8); of life, the reward of faithfulness under trial (James 1:12; Rev. 2:10); and of glory, the reward of faithfulness under suffering. (1 Peter 5:4; Heb. 2:9.)]
When I think of crowns, I think of the old hymn "Old Rugged Cross". The lyrics say, "I will cling to the Old Rugged Cross, and exchange it one day for a crown."
The "Old Rugged Cross" speaks of salvation as we are saved by trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ alone.
We will only be able to exchange it for a crown if we have lived the christian life and been a disciple for Christ.
A second thing to notice is that salvation is always spoken of as a present possession whereas rewards are future attainments. Let's look at some of the many verses that reference this fact.
Salvation Is a Present Possession
He that believes on the Son has everlasting life. (John 3:36)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hears My word, and believes on Him that sent Me, has eternal life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life. (John 5:24)
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me has everlasting life. (John 6:47)
Who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace. (2 Tim. 1:9)
And He said to the woman, Thy faith has saved thee; go in peace. (Luke 7:50)
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:5)
And this is the record, that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. (1 John 5:11)
But, Rewards Are a Future Attainment
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father, with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works. (Matt. 16:27)
For thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. (Luke 14:14).
And, behold, I come quickly; and My reward is with Me, to give every man according as his work shall be. (Rev. 22:12)
And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that fades not away. (1 Peter 5:4)
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day. (2 Tim. 4:8).
After a long time the Lord of those servants comes, and reckons with them. Matt. 25:19.
God's purpose in promising to reward with heavenly and eternal honors the faithful service of His saints is to
1) win them from the pursuit of earthly riches and pleasures
2) to sustain them in the fires of persecution
3) to encourage them in the exercise of Christian virtues.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
E5
I think we are all guilty at one time of another of trying to get around rules. In the movie "The Firm", young lawyer Mitch McDeere (played by Tom Cruise) is in discussion with his mentor, Avery Tolar (played by Gene Hackman) about a client they are about to meet. As the discussion goes on Hackman asks Cruise, "you think I'm talking about breaking the law?" to which Cruise replies, "no, I'm just trying to figure out how far you want it bent." Then Hackman replies to him, "As far as you can, without breaking it."
What does the Bible have to say about this conversation? The Bible is not a rule book, it is primarily a book of principles. Instead of us trying to get around the rules we should look at the principle of the situation. I am so glad the Bible is not a rule book. If it were it would be so big that no one could carry it. The Bible does not give a rule for every situation but it does contain principles that we can apply to whatever circumstance we find ourselves in. There are 5 principles that, if we apply them to our lives, will help us in our decision making. To make them easy to remember, I am going to let them all start with the letter "E", hence the title of 'E5".
The first is the principle of Expediency. When I think of expediency, the word expedition or journey comes to mind. I am on a journey. The scripture reference is from the book of Corinthians.
(1 Corinthians 6:12) - All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
There are lots of things lawful for us, but do they bring us closer to God. Good things can be hinderances if they keep us from the best things. Before doing anything, we should think does it bring us to our appointed goal or is it an anchor that keeps us out of God’s harbor.
The second is the principle of Enslavement.
(1 Corinthians 6:12) - All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
The Bible talks about how we are slaves to sin. While it is true we are all sinners, the question is do you have sin or does sin have you? Some examples of things that enslave people are lust, pornography, appetite, alcohol, TV, sports, and nicotine. Now there is nothing wrong with watching TV, liking sports, or even alcohol if those things are done in moderation and they do not take 1st place in your life ahead of God. However, anything that enslaves you other than Jesus Christ is wrong.
The third principle is Example. There are several scripture references
(1 Corinthians 8:8-13) "But meat commends us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we don't eat, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, lest I make my brother to offend."
(Romans 14:13) - Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
(Romans 14:21) - It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak.
What does this mean in practical terms. Lets use alcohol for example. Suppose I like to drink alcohol and I am always around my impressionable nephew who watches what I do as a Christian. If he sees me drink, he may be encouraged to drink. He starts to drinks, gets addicted to alcohol and becomes an alcoholic. No one knows who is going to become an alcoholic, it just happens. The principle of example says that, yes it is lawful for me to drink but not if my drinking will cause someone else to stumble. The phrase that comes to mind is "Lead by example."
The fourth principle is Edification. To edify means to build up. Everything we do either builds us up or brings us down. The scripture reference is (1 Corinthians 10:23)
"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not."
Think about what you watch on TV or what music you listen to. The content of the programming may be lawful, but is it relaxing and refreshing us or is it putting bad thoughts in our minds. I like recreation as much as anyone else but I am careful to guard what I take in. I want to watch and listen to things that encourage, refresh and build me up, not poison my mind. It goes back to the old expression, "Junk in.... Junk out"
The fifth principle is Evangelism. We are all given the ministry of reconciliation so in that sense you could say we are all ministers. The scripture reference is 1 Corinthians 10:32-33.
"Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." No matter what things we may do for the sake of the Kingdom, if we are not earnestly trying to bring the lost to a salvation through trusting in Jesus Christ, we are not doing our ultimate Christian duty.
We all sin and come short of the glory of God, but the next time you find yourself in a sticky situation, try not to think simply about the rule of law, think about handling the situation using Christian principles that God teaches us in His word.
What does the Bible have to say about this conversation? The Bible is not a rule book, it is primarily a book of principles. Instead of us trying to get around the rules we should look at the principle of the situation. I am so glad the Bible is not a rule book. If it were it would be so big that no one could carry it. The Bible does not give a rule for every situation but it does contain principles that we can apply to whatever circumstance we find ourselves in. There are 5 principles that, if we apply them to our lives, will help us in our decision making. To make them easy to remember, I am going to let them all start with the letter "E", hence the title of 'E5".
The first is the principle of Expediency. When I think of expediency, the word expedition or journey comes to mind. I am on a journey. The scripture reference is from the book of Corinthians.
(1 Corinthians 6:12) - All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
There are lots of things lawful for us, but do they bring us closer to God. Good things can be hinderances if they keep us from the best things. Before doing anything, we should think does it bring us to our appointed goal or is it an anchor that keeps us out of God’s harbor.
The second is the principle of Enslavement.
(1 Corinthians 6:12) - All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
The Bible talks about how we are slaves to sin. While it is true we are all sinners, the question is do you have sin or does sin have you? Some examples of things that enslave people are lust, pornography, appetite, alcohol, TV, sports, and nicotine. Now there is nothing wrong with watching TV, liking sports, or even alcohol if those things are done in moderation and they do not take 1st place in your life ahead of God. However, anything that enslaves you other than Jesus Christ is wrong.
The third principle is Example. There are several scripture references
(1 Corinthians 8:8-13) "But meat commends us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we don't eat, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? But when you sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, lest I make my brother to offend."
(Romans 14:13) - Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
(Romans 14:21) - It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbles, or is offended, or is made weak.
What does this mean in practical terms. Lets use alcohol for example. Suppose I like to drink alcohol and I am always around my impressionable nephew who watches what I do as a Christian. If he sees me drink, he may be encouraged to drink. He starts to drinks, gets addicted to alcohol and becomes an alcoholic. No one knows who is going to become an alcoholic, it just happens. The principle of example says that, yes it is lawful for me to drink but not if my drinking will cause someone else to stumble. The phrase that comes to mind is "Lead by example."
The fourth principle is Edification. To edify means to build up. Everything we do either builds us up or brings us down. The scripture reference is (1 Corinthians 10:23)
"All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not."
Think about what you watch on TV or what music you listen to. The content of the programming may be lawful, but is it relaxing and refreshing us or is it putting bad thoughts in our minds. I like recreation as much as anyone else but I am careful to guard what I take in. I want to watch and listen to things that encourage, refresh and build me up, not poison my mind. It goes back to the old expression, "Junk in.... Junk out"
The fifth principle is Evangelism. We are all given the ministry of reconciliation so in that sense you could say we are all ministers. The scripture reference is 1 Corinthians 10:32-33.
"Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved." No matter what things we may do for the sake of the Kingdom, if we are not earnestly trying to bring the lost to a salvation through trusting in Jesus Christ, we are not doing our ultimate Christian duty.
We all sin and come short of the glory of God, but the next time you find yourself in a sticky situation, try not to think simply about the rule of law, think about handling the situation using Christian principles that God teaches us in His word.
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Line Between The Two
Everytime I hear about someone being tragically killed it makes me think for a minute about what if that had been me... what kind of impact (if any) would I have left on this world for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. Riding home last night I heard a song I had not heard in a while and it brought all this to memory. Christian recording artist, Mark Harris, wrote a thought prevoking song called 'The Line Between The Two" refering to the line on a grave stone that seperates the date we were born and the date we die.
The Bible, in the epistle of James, says that our life is a vapor that only lasts a short while. The Bible also talks about "redeeming the time for the days are evil." The thing is, we never know how long our own vapor will last or, in the case of the grave stone, how long the line between the two will run. There is coming a day when Christians will stand before God (what the Bible calls the Judgement Seat of Christ) and give an account for how we lived. This has nothing to do with salvation, this is for those who are already saved. The unsaved will have their own date with Diety at the Great White Throne Judgement. At the Judegment seat of Christ our works will be examined to see what our rewards (or lack of rewards) will be.
Question, how much of your "line bewteen the two" have you offered as a serving sacrifice to Jesus Christ and how much of that line has been all about you? I believe when we take an honest look at the answer to that question, we will find ourselves embarassingly one sided to self (myself included).
On this Labor Day weekend, try to reflect on what you can do to "Labor" in the name of Christ and the Gospel. It could be sharing your testimony with an unsaved friend, co-worker or family member that desperately needs to hear the Good News. Or like in Matthew 25 it could be something simple like visiting the orphan, the widow, the sick, the imprisoned. Jesus taught us when we do this in His name, we are doing this for Him.
Much like football, christianity is a not a "non contact" sport. We are called to spread the news that only Jesus saves and not keep this truth bottled up inside us. An isolated Christian is a paralyzed Christian. Just make sure you don't go to the extreme on the other end and get caught up in the world and the people of this world. We are to be in the world, not of it.... insulation, not isolation.
"The Line Between The Two"
Mark Harris
A beginning and an ending, dates upon a stone
But the moment in the middle is how we will be known
Cause what defines us can be found within a line
Finding reason for our time
chorus
And the years go by, how they seem to fly
They’ll all be over soon
When our life is done, did we live and love The way we wanted to
Cause everyday that we leave behind Goes on to tell the truth
Of how we lived in the line between the two,
Will I walk straight, will I be true
Will I finish strong
Will I stand up for the moment
When I could right a wrong
Because the legacy we have will never change
It’s how we spend our days
Chorus:
And the years go by, how they seem to fly
They’ll all be over soon When our life is done,
did we live and love The way we wanted to
Cause everyday that we leave behind
Goes on to tell the truth
Of how we lived in the line between the two
I could live a life for just myself
Or I could live a life for someone else
But I’ll live and die just to hear You say
Well done my son come and be with Me
chorus:
And the years go by, how they seem to fly
They’ll all be over soon
When our life is done, did we live and love
The way we wanted to
Cause everyday that we leave behind
Goes on to tell the truth
Of how we lived in the line between the two
The line between the two
The Bible, in the epistle of James, says that our life is a vapor that only lasts a short while. The Bible also talks about "redeeming the time for the days are evil." The thing is, we never know how long our own vapor will last or, in the case of the grave stone, how long the line between the two will run. There is coming a day when Christians will stand before God (what the Bible calls the Judgement Seat of Christ) and give an account for how we lived. This has nothing to do with salvation, this is for those who are already saved. The unsaved will have their own date with Diety at the Great White Throne Judgement. At the Judegment seat of Christ our works will be examined to see what our rewards (or lack of rewards) will be.
Question, how much of your "line bewteen the two" have you offered as a serving sacrifice to Jesus Christ and how much of that line has been all about you? I believe when we take an honest look at the answer to that question, we will find ourselves embarassingly one sided to self (myself included).
On this Labor Day weekend, try to reflect on what you can do to "Labor" in the name of Christ and the Gospel. It could be sharing your testimony with an unsaved friend, co-worker or family member that desperately needs to hear the Good News. Or like in Matthew 25 it could be something simple like visiting the orphan, the widow, the sick, the imprisoned. Jesus taught us when we do this in His name, we are doing this for Him.
Much like football, christianity is a not a "non contact" sport. We are called to spread the news that only Jesus saves and not keep this truth bottled up inside us. An isolated Christian is a paralyzed Christian. Just make sure you don't go to the extreme on the other end and get caught up in the world and the people of this world. We are to be in the world, not of it.... insulation, not isolation.
"The Line Between The Two"
Mark Harris
A beginning and an ending, dates upon a stone
But the moment in the middle is how we will be known
Cause what defines us can be found within a line
Finding reason for our time
chorus
And the years go by, how they seem to fly
They’ll all be over soon
When our life is done, did we live and love The way we wanted to
Cause everyday that we leave behind Goes on to tell the truth
Of how we lived in the line between the two,
Will I walk straight, will I be true
Will I finish strong
Will I stand up for the moment
When I could right a wrong
Because the legacy we have will never change
It’s how we spend our days
Chorus:
And the years go by, how they seem to fly
They’ll all be over soon When our life is done,
did we live and love The way we wanted to
Cause everyday that we leave behind
Goes on to tell the truth
Of how we lived in the line between the two
I could live a life for just myself
Or I could live a life for someone else
But I’ll live and die just to hear You say
Well done my son come and be with Me
chorus:
And the years go by, how they seem to fly
They’ll all be over soon
When our life is done, did we live and love
The way we wanted to
Cause everyday that we leave behind
Goes on to tell the truth
Of how we lived in the line between the two
The line between the two
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