After being told by an angel that Lord Christ has risen from the dead Mark records this of the women:
" And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid."
This is where the earliest manuscripts of the Gospel end (interesting place for Mark to end, don't you think?)
Here are a few observations about these women; They were probably the most faithful followers of Christ at that time, they were filled with tremendous love for their teacher/savior and they were very courageous women (at least compared to the disciples who at this time had fled in fear.)
These faithful followers of Christ were stricken with awe, astonishment and fear at the historical event of the resurrection.
How does this event effect today's church? How does effect me? How does it effect you? Have we become too "familiar" with this event?
Much of today's church simply "emerge". What I mean is they put their feet up (shod with flip flops), sip on their starbucks, take a bite of their scone, and at the same time offer their praise to the Lord for the resurrection.
Perhaps some of us would do well to stand in bewildered awe at the resurrected savior....to stand in fear of God and think biblically about what happened at the cross. Let the awesomeness and amazement of this event astonish us.
(I am not saying we should not rejoice and be filled with unspeakable joy) Thoughts inspired by a sermon I heard from Covenant Presbyterian Church in St Louis.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Saturday, November 7, 2009
What Is This?
The crowd - "Our Fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat.'" Jn 6:31
Manna in Hebrew literally means "What is this?"
1. It by the free grace of God we are saved from sin, through faith. It is not by endeavoring to meet certain criteria or to have our "good" deeds outweigh our bad deeds. What!?.....What is this?
2. The triune God allowed wretched men to strip, humiliate, mock, slap, spit upon, scourge and nail him to a tree. What!?.......What is this?
3. The infinitely holy God came down veiled in human flesh and was made sin that we might be made the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21) What!?.....What is this?
4. The perfectly pure God came to this earth and was made a curse in order to redeem his beloved from the curse of the law. (Gal 3:13) Huh?!.......What is this?
5. The altogether lovely and beautiful Holy One became a worm in order to rescue his people from sin. (Psalm 22:6) What is this?
6. He chose a peculiar people for himself before the foundations of the earth to love, to predestine, to call, to justify and to glorify. (Eph 1, Rom 8) based on nothing done, thought or spoken by these unworthy sinners. What is this?.
This is a stumbling block to the self-righteous...
This is foolishness to them that are perishing...
This is love, this is truth, this is life, this is the way, this is where mercy and truth kissed......This is Jesus.
"I am the bread of life" Jn 6:36
Manna in Hebrew literally means "What is this?"
1. It by the free grace of God we are saved from sin, through faith. It is not by endeavoring to meet certain criteria or to have our "good" deeds outweigh our bad deeds. What!?.....What is this?
2. The triune God allowed wretched men to strip, humiliate, mock, slap, spit upon, scourge and nail him to a tree. What!?.......What is this?
3. The infinitely holy God came down veiled in human flesh and was made sin that we might be made the righteousness of God (2 Cor 5:21) What!?.....What is this?
4. The perfectly pure God came to this earth and was made a curse in order to redeem his beloved from the curse of the law. (Gal 3:13) Huh?!.......What is this?
5. The altogether lovely and beautiful Holy One became a worm in order to rescue his people from sin. (Psalm 22:6) What is this?
6. He chose a peculiar people for himself before the foundations of the earth to love, to predestine, to call, to justify and to glorify. (Eph 1, Rom 8) based on nothing done, thought or spoken by these unworthy sinners. What is this?.
This is a stumbling block to the self-righteous...
This is foolishness to them that are perishing...
This is love, this is truth, this is life, this is the way, this is where mercy and truth kissed......This is Jesus.
"I am the bread of life" Jn 6:36
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Atonement Perfectly Performed
"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they, shall hear my voice" (John 10:16). Equally positive is this. This is no uncertainty, no contingency. There is no (if) they are willing to listen." How miserably man perverts the truth of God, yea, how wickedly he denies it! It is not difficult to understand what is the cause of it; it is lack of faith to believe what the Scriptures so plainly teach.
These "other sheep" Christ must bring because necessity was laid upon Him. He had covenanted with the Father to redeem them. And they would be brought, they would hear His voice, for there can be no failure with Him. The work which the Father gave His Son to do shall be perfectly performed and successfully accomplished. Neither man’s stubbornness nor the Devil’s malice can hinder Him. Not a single one of that favored company given to Christ by the Father shall perish. Each of these shall hear His voice, because they were predestinated so to do, and it is written, "As many as were ordained to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48). "They shall hear my voice" was both a promise and a prophecy.
A.W. Pink
These "other sheep" Christ must bring because necessity was laid upon Him. He had covenanted with the Father to redeem them. And they would be brought, they would hear His voice, for there can be no failure with Him. The work which the Father gave His Son to do shall be perfectly performed and successfully accomplished. Neither man’s stubbornness nor the Devil’s malice can hinder Him. Not a single one of that favored company given to Christ by the Father shall perish. Each of these shall hear His voice, because they were predestinated so to do, and it is written, "As many as were ordained to eternal life believed" (Acts 13:48). "They shall hear my voice" was both a promise and a prophecy.
A.W. Pink
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sufficient Grace
"Sing amazing grace all you want. If the grace you're singing about is insufficient to save, if it's not powerful enough to save without additions... I'm not sure how amazing it really is. And the amazing grace of The Reformation was a grace that saved completely."
James White
James White
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Taught by God
After probably about six years of being consciously reformed (Calvinistic), I have been sorting out some of my thoughts regarding this very Biblical theology. Calvinism has come to be defined by five points (TULIP). While I am in complete accord with the so-called five points of Calvinism, I have recently been steering away from using these five truths to define Reformed theology.
Calvinism is not simply a response to the five points of the Remonstrants. It is a Biblical theology that exalts God. It elevates God's holiness, freedom and glory; while at the same time radically eliminating man's contribution to anything worthy of praise. The more I understand the attributes of God, the more Christ increases and the more I "decrease".
When "taught by God" (Jn 6:45), this God-honoring, Christ-exalting and flesh-withering (to borrow language from Pink) theology serves to make my worship pure, sweet, emotional, rational and truthful. What a great blessing to be able to render to God, by His grace, the honor due Him.
Calvinism is not simply a response to the five points of the Remonstrants. It is a Biblical theology that exalts God. It elevates God's holiness, freedom and glory; while at the same time radically eliminating man's contribution to anything worthy of praise. The more I understand the attributes of God, the more Christ increases and the more I "decrease".
When "taught by God" (Jn 6:45), this God-honoring, Christ-exalting and flesh-withering (to borrow language from Pink) theology serves to make my worship pure, sweet, emotional, rational and truthful. What a great blessing to be able to render to God, by His grace, the honor due Him.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Condescension
His dwelling place was beauty passed description. - Yet He was born in a stable for beasts.
His garment was glorious light and the train of His robe filled the temple (Isa 6:1); He has girded about His chest a golden band (Rev 1:13). - He hung naked, in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom 8:3) cursed from a tree. (Gal 3:13)
His hair, which is white a wool and white as snow. (Rev 1:14) - Was soaked red from His blood caused by His afflicters.
His eyes, which had ever beheld worship and the adoration of the hosts of heaven. (Isa 6:3) - Were filled with spit from those He came to save. (Matt 26:67)
His ears, which had eternally received worthy praise and adoration from the citizens of Heaven. (Isa 6:3) - Were filled with blasphemy, a mocking laughter and cursing from those He created.
His voice, which is as the sound of many waters (Rev 1:15) and spoke into existence all of creation. (Gen 1) - Uttered "My God My God why have you forsaken me." (Matt 27:46) His mouth had gall and vinegar thrust into it.
His head, which is crowned with many crowns and crowned with glory. - was crowned with thorns, shoved on His head by sinful tormentors.
His hands which brought healing to anyone He touched. - were pierced through by those for whom He cried out "forgive them, for they know not what they do."
His feet, which are like fine brass refined in the furnace (Rev 1:15) which walked on streets of gold, whose shoes no one, no created being is worthy to untie. - had nails pounded through them.....nails were hammered though these feet worthy to be washed with tears!
His back, that at the very sight of, caused Moses' hair to turn white. - was scourged by wicked hands.
God the Son emptied Himself, walked on this earth and gave His life. The redeemed of God will seek to understand and will marvel at the humiliation of Jesus for eternity.
His garment was glorious light and the train of His robe filled the temple (Isa 6:1); He has girded about His chest a golden band (Rev 1:13). - He hung naked, in the likeness of sinful flesh (Rom 8:3) cursed from a tree. (Gal 3:13)
His hair, which is white a wool and white as snow. (Rev 1:14) - Was soaked red from His blood caused by His afflicters.
His eyes, which had ever beheld worship and the adoration of the hosts of heaven. (Isa 6:3) - Were filled with spit from those He came to save. (Matt 26:67)
His ears, which had eternally received worthy praise and adoration from the citizens of Heaven. (Isa 6:3) - Were filled with blasphemy, a mocking laughter and cursing from those He created.
His voice, which is as the sound of many waters (Rev 1:15) and spoke into existence all of creation. (Gen 1) - Uttered "My God My God why have you forsaken me." (Matt 27:46) His mouth had gall and vinegar thrust into it.
His head, which is crowned with many crowns and crowned with glory. - was crowned with thorns, shoved on His head by sinful tormentors.
His hands which brought healing to anyone He touched. - were pierced through by those for whom He cried out "forgive them, for they know not what they do."
His feet, which are like fine brass refined in the furnace (Rev 1:15) which walked on streets of gold, whose shoes no one, no created being is worthy to untie. - had nails pounded through them.....nails were hammered though these feet worthy to be washed with tears!
His back, that at the very sight of, caused Moses' hair to turn white. - was scourged by wicked hands.
God the Son emptied Himself, walked on this earth and gave His life. The redeemed of God will seek to understand and will marvel at the humiliation of Jesus for eternity.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Behold Your God
Here are some things we need to understand about God. He alone is Holy. God is altogether separate from all of creation. God is perfect and perfectly content in Himself. The triune God needs no creature of earth nor creature of heaven to add anything to His self-actualization. When God created men and angels it did not add to His perfection.
Humankind has sinned against this infinitely Holy and beautiful God. God could be absolutely content if He left all of humanity to suffer the consequences of their rebellion against Him. (eternal damnation) In fact, God would get glory in the just punishment for their sins. The Bible teaches the citizens of Heaven rejoice when God executes His justice. (Rev 15:3-4, 16:4-6)Perhaps in a similar (yet I hate to compare the economy of God to men) way citizens of earth rejoice when a convicted criminal gets a just sentence for his crime. Even man in is fallen state salutes justice and is disturbed when the punishment does not fit the crime.
I will say it again, God would be content, worshipped, and glorified were He to pardon no human.
“But God”......what sweet words to a regenerate heart. God had a plan since before the foundation of the earth that would display His glory in a way never before comprehended by the company of angels. Out of pure and holy love, God chose to save a people for Himself..... a bride to God the Son. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died.” (Rom 5:8) Ephesians 1 teaches us we were loved by God before He made us, before He forgave us....”just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.......by which He made us accepted in the BELOVED”
God, wanting to “make known the riches of His Glory on vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory” (Rom 9:23) willed the salvation of many out of every tribe, tongue, and nation. The angels had never seen anything like this....God would become man in a hypostatic union and die.....yes the divine Son would suffer wrath, suffer the penalty due for these scornful rebels. No Savior was provided for the rebellious angels of ancient who sinned against God.....no redemption, no reconciliation, just righteous judgement. No wonder “angels desire to look into” (1 Pet 1:12) these matters. They had never beheld the glory of the father in any fashion near this....Ever!
I will say it again, the infinitely holy God the Son died to save unworthy sinners. But let us know this...He rose again for our justification. He is the song of the angels, He is the melody of the church....He is the praise of all creation. If rocks could cry out, believe me they would. Behold your God....Behold His Glory!
Humankind has sinned against this infinitely Holy and beautiful God. God could be absolutely content if He left all of humanity to suffer the consequences of their rebellion against Him. (eternal damnation) In fact, God would get glory in the just punishment for their sins. The Bible teaches the citizens of Heaven rejoice when God executes His justice. (Rev 15:3-4, 16:4-6)Perhaps in a similar (yet I hate to compare the economy of God to men) way citizens of earth rejoice when a convicted criminal gets a just sentence for his crime. Even man in is fallen state salutes justice and is disturbed when the punishment does not fit the crime.
I will say it again, God would be content, worshipped, and glorified were He to pardon no human.
“But God”......what sweet words to a regenerate heart. God had a plan since before the foundation of the earth that would display His glory in a way never before comprehended by the company of angels. Out of pure and holy love, God chose to save a people for Himself..... a bride to God the Son. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died.” (Rom 5:8) Ephesians 1 teaches us we were loved by God before He made us, before He forgave us....”just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.......by which He made us accepted in the BELOVED”
God, wanting to “make known the riches of His Glory on vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory” (Rom 9:23) willed the salvation of many out of every tribe, tongue, and nation. The angels had never seen anything like this....God would become man in a hypostatic union and die.....yes the divine Son would suffer wrath, suffer the penalty due for these scornful rebels. No Savior was provided for the rebellious angels of ancient who sinned against God.....no redemption, no reconciliation, just righteous judgement. No wonder “angels desire to look into” (1 Pet 1:12) these matters. They had never beheld the glory of the father in any fashion near this....Ever!
I will say it again, the infinitely holy God the Son died to save unworthy sinners. But let us know this...He rose again for our justification. He is the song of the angels, He is the melody of the church....He is the praise of all creation. If rocks could cry out, believe me they would. Behold your God....Behold His Glory!
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Flat Christianity
Most of today's American Christianity can be compared to a bottle of non-alcoholic ale, that has been left open for two days.
1) It is lukewarm having lost their first love.
2) It's teaching is stale, unflavorful words of men. Dull in their effect on sin.
3) It has lost it's fizz and no longer bubbles with the living water of Christ and His word. It lacks biblical passion.
4) It offers no Godly pleasure of gladened heart, resting joyously in the finished work of Christ.
1) It is lukewarm having lost their first love.
2) It's teaching is stale, unflavorful words of men. Dull in their effect on sin.
3) It has lost it's fizz and no longer bubbles with the living water of Christ and His word. It lacks biblical passion.
4) It offers no Godly pleasure of gladened heart, resting joyously in the finished work of Christ.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Gethsemane
The Christ "began to be sorrowful and troubled" (Matt 26:37) as He went to a place called Gethsemane. He looked at the "cup" he was to drink and the distress was overwhelming. This man...this God....this man beheld the fiery of God's wrath in a more immediate sense than he had up to this point and he sweat blood. My goodness.... he sweat blood thinking of what he was to endure; "he fell to the ground" (Mk 14:35) pondering the weight! What did his divine mind's eye see? What caused the theo-anthropos such unthinkable anguish?
The Captain of my salvation "began to be sore amazed and to be very heavy" Mark (14:33) as he peered over the consuming fire, the place where he would utter "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?" My Lord....my savior.....oh my Christ..... what did you see......what did you see!? What could possibly cause you to ask this cup to pass?
My Prince of Glory "being in agony he prayed more earnestly". (Luke22:44) What does this mean? What suffering was he swimming in at the very thought of the torment soon to be upon him? Help me to understand this solemn truth and worship Jesus!
The King beheld his decided destiny and took the cup and drank it. Why did he do it, what emotion, what unction caused him to drink every last drop? It was love. It was "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross". (Heb 12:2) The love for his bride, and the joy of their redemption.
Words can't paint the feelings this historical seen causes me to experience when I, by grace, embrace it.
The Captain of my salvation "began to be sore amazed and to be very heavy" Mark (14:33) as he peered over the consuming fire, the place where he would utter "My God, My God why have you forsaken me?" My Lord....my savior.....oh my Christ..... what did you see......what did you see!? What could possibly cause you to ask this cup to pass?
My Prince of Glory "being in agony he prayed more earnestly". (Luke22:44) What does this mean? What suffering was he swimming in at the very thought of the torment soon to be upon him? Help me to understand this solemn truth and worship Jesus!
The King beheld his decided destiny and took the cup and drank it. Why did he do it, what emotion, what unction caused him to drink every last drop? It was love. It was "for the joy that was set before him endured the cross". (Heb 12:2) The love for his bride, and the joy of their redemption.
Words can't paint the feelings this historical seen causes me to experience when I, by grace, embrace it.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Cabin Fever
Enemies of the Truth have once again been slithering their way into “Evangelical” Christianity. This first segment of Cabin Fever is going to very briefly mention the doctrine of penal substitution. Two of the fastest growing movements under the umbrella of evangelicalism have recently slandered this foundational truth. Shack-o-philes and The Emergent Church.
Of late I listened as William Young, author of The Shack, flatter himself as he openly rejected the Biblical teaching that Christ suffered the wrath of God while He hung on the tree. Young’s false god in the Shack teaches that she does not need to punish sin because the consequences of sin in our lives are punishment enough. One person rightly responded to this error by stating...according to Young, humans have already satisfied the punishment for sin, therefore Young’s unjust and unloving god would simply arbitrarily be sending an unbeliever to hell, as everyone has atoned for their own sin.
Another apostle of error, Steve Chalke (an Emergent Church Leader) likens penal substitution to some kind of “cosmic child abuse”. This reference is so full of folly, words can’t correctly state how excuseless it is to make such a comparison.
These attackers, along with countless others throughout the history of Christianity, all seem to get worked up about God punishing His innocent Son. They do not like the idea and do not believe the Bible would teach... that in God’s court, in God’s economy...He has found His Son innocent but has proclaimed and treated Him guilty.
Here is a thought....in the annuls of human history and human courts....can anyone think of a man whom the court found innocent, but proclaimed guilty and treated as such?
Of late I listened as William Young, author of The Shack, flatter himself as he openly rejected the Biblical teaching that Christ suffered the wrath of God while He hung on the tree. Young’s false god in the Shack teaches that she does not need to punish sin because the consequences of sin in our lives are punishment enough. One person rightly responded to this error by stating...according to Young, humans have already satisfied the punishment for sin, therefore Young’s unjust and unloving god would simply arbitrarily be sending an unbeliever to hell, as everyone has atoned for their own sin.
Another apostle of error, Steve Chalke (an Emergent Church Leader) likens penal substitution to some kind of “cosmic child abuse”. This reference is so full of folly, words can’t correctly state how excuseless it is to make such a comparison.
These attackers, along with countless others throughout the history of Christianity, all seem to get worked up about God punishing His innocent Son. They do not like the idea and do not believe the Bible would teach... that in God’s court, in God’s economy...He has found His Son innocent but has proclaimed and treated Him guilty.
Here is a thought....in the annuls of human history and human courts....can anyone think of a man whom the court found innocent, but proclaimed guilty and treated as such?
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
The Subtlest of All Satan's Snares
In Ephesians 1:3 we are told that God "hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ," and not the least of these is faith!....In Philippians 1:29 we read, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake."
The second error is in separating the Spirit’s communication of faith from the merits of Christ’s sacrifice. "Why did we at first believe? Why do we still exercise that faith and walk by it? Only because it was covenanted for on our behalf when Christ undertook to die for us. It should help us to pray better, ‘Lord, increase our faith’ when we remember at what a cost that faith was procured for us. And certainly this alone will keep us from one of the subtlest of all Satan’s snares, pride of faith. . . . How easy it is to live proudly on faith! Faith will do as well as works for Satan’s purpose of leading us to give to man the glory that is Christ’s" (From Papers of the Sovereign Grace Union Conference, 1923).
Impenitence and unbelief are the thick clouds which dissolve under the blessed beams of the Sun of Righteousness.
Via AW Pink
The second error is in separating the Spirit’s communication of faith from the merits of Christ’s sacrifice. "Why did we at first believe? Why do we still exercise that faith and walk by it? Only because it was covenanted for on our behalf when Christ undertook to die for us. It should help us to pray better, ‘Lord, increase our faith’ when we remember at what a cost that faith was procured for us. And certainly this alone will keep us from one of the subtlest of all Satan’s snares, pride of faith. . . . How easy it is to live proudly on faith! Faith will do as well as works for Satan’s purpose of leading us to give to man the glory that is Christ’s" (From Papers of the Sovereign Grace Union Conference, 1923).
Impenitence and unbelief are the thick clouds which dissolve under the blessed beams of the Sun of Righteousness.
Via AW Pink
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Foreknowledge
I recently had a discussion with a friend of mine who believes God predestines people to salvation based on knowing beforehand they would believe rather than on God's sovereign freedom. Part of the discussion went something like this....
Me-- "So....do you consider it better to believe the Gospel than not to believe?"
Friend-- "Yes...of course it is better to believe"
Me -- "Let me ask you this....Do you think it is wise to believe the gospel?"
Friend --"Yes"
Me-- "Well one more question....Do you think it is virtuous to believe?"
Friend --"Yes"
Me-- "So let me get this straight. Your argument is that God looked into the future and saw that you were better, more wise and more virtuous than the person sitting next to you in the pew who does not believe, and presdestined you accordingly?"
Friend.................ahhhhhhh.....well......I am not saying that..................................
Brothers and sisters... Let us embrace God's Grace and stop making the Gospel dependent on man for God to save people.
Me-- "So....do you consider it better to believe the Gospel than not to believe?"
Friend-- "Yes...of course it is better to believe"
Me -- "Let me ask you this....Do you think it is wise to believe the gospel?"
Friend --"Yes"
Me-- "Well one more question....Do you think it is virtuous to believe?"
Friend --"Yes"
Me-- "So let me get this straight. Your argument is that God looked into the future and saw that you were better, more wise and more virtuous than the person sitting next to you in the pew who does not believe, and presdestined you accordingly?"
Friend.................ahhhhhhh.....well......I am not saying that..................................
Brothers and sisters... Let us embrace God's Grace and stop making the Gospel dependent on man for God to save people.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Cursed
"As the fatal sin which diffused the curse over the human race was connected with the forbidden ‘tree,’ God wisely ordered that the last Adam should expiate sin by being suspended on a tree: and He appointed in the law (Deut. 21:22, 23) such a symbol of the curse as reminded all men of the origin of the Divine curse on the world. He would not have the curse removed in any other way" .
G. Smeaton : Via The Satisfaction of Christ (studies on the atonement) AW Pink
Additionally, I find it interesting that our Lord wore a crown of thorns as He satisfied God's wrath on the cross....since part of God's curse after the fall was the land would bring forth thorns and thistles. ( Gen 3:18) Just an observation I have heard.
G. Smeaton : Via The Satisfaction of Christ (studies on the atonement) AW Pink
Additionally, I find it interesting that our Lord wore a crown of thorns as He satisfied God's wrath on the cross....since part of God's curse after the fall was the land would bring forth thorns and thistles. ( Gen 3:18) Just an observation I have heard.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
IN CASE YOU HAVE NOT HEARD
Let me begin by saying God is a Holy God. Among other things, that means He is altogether different, altogether perfect, and altogether righteous. God, in His wisdom has given humans a moral law to obey. You are conscience of this law, which is why you get upset at things like injustice. (for if there is not an absolute right and wrong who cares how somebody treats someone else.) God has commanded absolute perfect obedience to His law.
You have disobeyed a holy God. You have broken almost every single moral commandment He has uttered. Read Matthew 5-7 if you disbelieve me. God is more than simply displeased with sinners. He has a holy, intentional, and steady anger that everything He has commanded has been violated. The consequence for your unholy behavior is eternal condemnation.
This is a just sentence. I look at it this way....the severity of the punishment is in proportion to the authority of the one giving the law. Think of the consequence of disobeying an order from a child verses a Federal Marshall. You have transgressed the law of one whose authority is infinite, earning yourself infinite/eternal consequences. Let me reiterate that this way...A Hopeless Eternity.
God is not only just, He is loving. He chose to come down to this earth, veiled in flesh (Jesus) and suffer the consequence of sin (on the cross)for an unworthy people. Jesus, being the infinite God, was able to pay the price for anyone and everyone He wanted to. He commands everyone and everywhere to repent, which means turn away from sin, and believe that Jesus died for sinners, was buried and rose again for their justification.
To learn more about repentance and belief, pick up a Bible and read it. Find a good church and attend. Learn how Jesus came to this earth and intended to save people from theirs sins. Learn how He actually accomplished this purpose when came to earth. He did not come to make salvation possible, but rather came to make it certain, for those He foreknew.
You have disobeyed a holy God. You have broken almost every single moral commandment He has uttered. Read Matthew 5-7 if you disbelieve me. God is more than simply displeased with sinners. He has a holy, intentional, and steady anger that everything He has commanded has been violated. The consequence for your unholy behavior is eternal condemnation.
This is a just sentence. I look at it this way....the severity of the punishment is in proportion to the authority of the one giving the law. Think of the consequence of disobeying an order from a child verses a Federal Marshall. You have transgressed the law of one whose authority is infinite, earning yourself infinite/eternal consequences. Let me reiterate that this way...A Hopeless Eternity.
God is not only just, He is loving. He chose to come down to this earth, veiled in flesh (Jesus) and suffer the consequence of sin (on the cross)for an unworthy people. Jesus, being the infinite God, was able to pay the price for anyone and everyone He wanted to. He commands everyone and everywhere to repent, which means turn away from sin, and believe that Jesus died for sinners, was buried and rose again for their justification.
To learn more about repentance and belief, pick up a Bible and read it. Find a good church and attend. Learn how Jesus came to this earth and intended to save people from theirs sins. Learn how He actually accomplished this purpose when came to earth. He did not come to make salvation possible, but rather came to make it certain, for those He foreknew.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Raising the Pandemic Alert to Phase Five
The Non-Worldly Health Organization (an organization I am starting up ;-)) urges being in Christ, diligent prayer and study to combat this emerging plague. I recommend reading Ephesians six.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Do You Kiss the Word!?
"In France, there once lived a poor, blind girl who obtained the Gospel of Mark in raised letters and learned to read it with the tips of her fingers. By constant reading, her fingers became calloused, and consequently her sense of touch decreased until she could no longer distinguish the letters & words. She became so desperate for the Word of God that she literally cut the calloused skin from the ends of her fingers in an attempt to restore sense of touch, but in so doing actually resulted in completely destroying her sense of touch.
Faced with the inevitable reality that she must now give up her beloved Book, with weeping & tears she pressed the Braille copy of Mark to her lips, saying “Farewell, farewell, sweet word of my Heavenly Father!” To her surprise, she discovered that her lips were even more sensitive to touch than her fingers had been & she was able to distinguish the individual letters. All night she "perused" the Word of God with her lips and overflowed with joy at this amazing provision from her LORD."
Via; http://www.preceptaustin.org/inductive_bible_study.htm
I confess,tears welled up in my eyes after reading this.........for many reasons.
Faced with the inevitable reality that she must now give up her beloved Book, with weeping & tears she pressed the Braille copy of Mark to her lips, saying “Farewell, farewell, sweet word of my Heavenly Father!” To her surprise, she discovered that her lips were even more sensitive to touch than her fingers had been & she was able to distinguish the individual letters. All night she "perused" the Word of God with her lips and overflowed with joy at this amazing provision from her LORD."
Via; http://www.preceptaustin.org/inductive_bible_study.htm
I confess,tears welled up in my eyes after reading this.........for many reasons.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Some Considerable Sense of Evil
Here are some quotes I put together from the renowned Jonathan Edwards' Religious Affections
"Surely it cannot be unreasonable to suppose, that before God delivers persons from a state of sin and exposedness to eternal destruction, he should give them some considerable sense of the evil he delivers from; that they may be delivered sensibly, and understand their own salvation, and know something of what God does for them."...
"The woman that had the issue of blood twelve years, was not delivered, until she had first "spent all her living on earthly physicians, and could not be healed of any," and so was left helpless, having no more money to spend; and then she came to the great Physician, without any money or price, and was healed by him, Luke 8:43, 44
Before Christ would answer the request of the woman of Canaan, he first seemed utterly to deny her, and humbled her, and brought her to own herself worthy to be called a dog; and then he showed her mercy, and received her as a dear child, Matt. 15:22
The Apostle Paul, before a remarkable deliverance, was "pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that he despaired even of life; but had the sentence of death in himself, that he might not trust in himself, but in God that raiseth the dead," 2 Cor. 1:8, 9, 10.
The leper, before he is cleansed, must have his mouth stopped, by a covering on his upper lip, and was to acknowledge his great misery and utter uncleannesss by rending his clothes, and crying, "Unclean, unclean," Lev. 13:45.
There was first a great tempest, and the ship was covered with the waves, and just ready to sink, find the disciples were brought to cry to Jesus, "Lord save us, we perish;" and then the winds and seas were rebuked, and there was a great calm, Matt. 8:24, 25, 26. "
"Surely it cannot be unreasonable to suppose, that before God delivers persons from a state of sin and exposedness to eternal destruction, he should give them some considerable sense of the evil he delivers from; that they may be delivered sensibly, and understand their own salvation, and know something of what God does for them."...
"The woman that had the issue of blood twelve years, was not delivered, until she had first "spent all her living on earthly physicians, and could not be healed of any," and so was left helpless, having no more money to spend; and then she came to the great Physician, without any money or price, and was healed by him, Luke 8:43, 44
Before Christ would answer the request of the woman of Canaan, he first seemed utterly to deny her, and humbled her, and brought her to own herself worthy to be called a dog; and then he showed her mercy, and received her as a dear child, Matt. 15:22
The Apostle Paul, before a remarkable deliverance, was "pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that he despaired even of life; but had the sentence of death in himself, that he might not trust in himself, but in God that raiseth the dead," 2 Cor. 1:8, 9, 10.
The leper, before he is cleansed, must have his mouth stopped, by a covering on his upper lip, and was to acknowledge his great misery and utter uncleannesss by rending his clothes, and crying, "Unclean, unclean," Lev. 13:45.
There was first a great tempest, and the ship was covered with the waves, and just ready to sink, find the disciples were brought to cry to Jesus, "Lord save us, we perish;" and then the winds and seas were rebuked, and there was a great calm, Matt. 8:24, 25, 26. "
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
A Weeping Prophet?
Not a Prophet "proper"....but definitely one from whom the word of God "sounds forth". 1 Thess 1:8
By the way, on a side note...Does the the Word of God sound forth from you??? Does it sound forth from me?
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