Christmas—No Time For The Meek

It’s the Christmas season again, and once again we hear stories of shoppers resorting to violence and reckless behavior. Reports come of shoppers storming department stores, doing anything they think necessary to get the best deal. It doesn’t surprise us any more at the excesses they go to trying to get the the hottest gift items even resorting to violence. We are hardly fazed by the lady who used pepper spray on fellow shoppers. We have grown to expect that holiday shopping is most successfully accomplished by those individuals that are the most aggressive. Those who don’t shop early, aggressively are left only the pickings left behind by the forceful. Indeed, we have grown to see, the Christmas season is not for the meek.

By this time anyone who has read this blog before is probably figuring that I’m about to embark on an extensive discourse on how our secular society has gone off the deep end and needs to find the real meaning of Christmas, and they would be right. Frenzied shoppers are only one evidence of a society that has totally missed the point. There are attempts by secular media to set people straight. Consider the Christmas specials on TV that emphasize that Christmas is for giving, or family or some such idea. However, those that follow God’s Word are quick to remind one and all that Christmas is nothing without Christ.

Nevertheless, even among Bible teaching, Bible preaching churches there is evidence that secular ideas have influenced what we truly think about Christmas. Consider the following. This year Christmas falls on a Sunday. Many Bible believing churches are altering their schedules to accommodate this situation. Morning services have been canceled in some churches. Sunday School classes have been scratched in others. And in those cases where the weekly services have not been changed church members have made plans not to attend. Why? The reason most given for these accommodations and plans have been made is so families can have their time together on Christmas morning. After all, is there anything more important than family?

Now before you give up on me, thinking I’m going too far, I want to emphasize that I do believe that family time at Christmas is very important, and the opening of presents together around the Christmas tree is special. However, the real meaning of Christmas must not be gifts and such, but Christ Himself and the fact He came to earth to die for our sins. In my opinion this year presents a great opportunity for teaching our families that Christ comes first at Christmas. The old saying is true, our actions do speak louder than our words. While is is possible to miss Sunday morning services and still honor Christ, why not make a strong statement by our actions that Christ comes first? Why not change our regular Christmas routine than our regular worship? Gifts can be exchanged the night before or even after the family worships the Christ of Christmas together with fellow believers. If we are truly concerned about our families won’t we consider that we need to show by our actions that Christ comes first?

I know not every strong believer will agree on the above discussion. I bring it up to make a point. We as believers must be on guard concerning how secular thinking has influenced our practices. We also need to keep in mind that whatever we do, we must honor Christ and never let our hearts stray from the message of the Cross. All the images of Christmas, the winter wonderlands, Santa, even the Babe in the manger, may have a place in our hearts, but must not take away from the fact that Christmas would be meaningless if Christ had not gone to Calvary. This Christmas, remember He came as a Child, lived as a Man and suffered agony on the Cross to pay for our sins. He gave His all for us, shouldn’t we give our all to Him?

Dusty

It’s been over a month since Hurricane Irene and while things have settled a great deal my wife and I are still adjusting to changes. There are the minor inconveniences due to ongoing repair work to our house and yard. Then, there is also the fact that going somewhere can be a challenge as we must consider which roads are still closed and can we get there from here. However, the biggest challenge to our sanity and health is the cloud of dust that hangs over our neighborhood.

The road in front of our house had been washed out by the flood and has been repaired with a gravel/stone-dust mixture which makes for a good driving surface. However, we’ve found that this surface when dried out give off a fine white powdery dust that causes allergy type symptoms, coats vegetation and permeates into the house. Heavy traffic on our street stirs up this dust making the problem worse. I’ve found myself falling into anger at the drivers who zip by apparently oblivious to the problems they’re creating for those of us who live here. Our house survived Irene, but will we survive this dust?

Then when I pause to think, I am reminded of God’s goodness in spite of all that has happened. Yes, we did survive Irene, but only because of God’s goodness. We’ve seen more of His blessings each day since the storm. One by one problems have been solved and things are returning to some resemblance of normal. The dust problem too will pass. God has been impressing upon me for me to look on the things I am gaining, not on the things I have lost (sounds a lot like counting blessings, doesn’t it). It really has to do with looking to Him, the author and finisher of my faith. He loves me and if I love Him, I will trust Him.

One of the blessings we have received recently came on a Sunday morning two weeks after the storm. As we passed by the bleak opening of our ruined garage, we heard the plaintive cry of a small animal. Going into the garage we looked to see a kitten poke her head over the edge of a box on a high shelf where she had taken refuge for the night. She was cold, hungry and very needy. Needless to say, our hearts were broken and she is now part of our family despite our efforts to find where she came from and despite the protests of our dog. Being the color of dust, and other reasons, we decided to call her Dusty (although this name changes from week to week).

Dusty, as did Irene, has reminded us of our relationship to our heavenly Father. When we found her, she was so needy. We could not ignore her pitiful cry for help. She appeared to need us desperately and we were ready to help. Now she is beginning to get bolder. She reminds me of what it is like to have a cat for her independence and stubbornness grows everyday. She ignors discipline getting into mischief, often puttinh herself into harm's way. She still needs our help, but no longer does she seek for it as she once did, crying desperately. Now she demands things as only a cat can demand (cat owners will understand).

And so I think of how it is between me and my heavenly Father. I came to Him desperately at the beginning crying out for Him. As I’ve known Him longer, I take Him for granted, becoming more independent, going my own way, doing my own things, putting myself into harm's way, then demanding help when I feel the need. Oh, to have that desire for God I once had. I pray I can love God more each day instead of drifting from His tender care.

Lessons From Irene

It's been over a month since Hurricane Irene visited us here in upstate New York. While progress is being made, things are far from being back to normal. As time passes, I have had more opportunity to reflect on what did and what could have happened and consequently I have gained a greater appreciation of God's love. As I look around the outside of our house and see the evidences of how the water traveled I am awestruck at all the little things that worked together to keep our home not only in tact but dry. Even the insurance adjuster called it a "miracle" house. God is good.

As I reflect on things, I realize that God allowed Irene into our lives not to punish us but simply because we were where we were. Maybe you would like a better reason than this, but if you live near a creek and are just above the hundred year flood plain, you  are not going to escape a five hundred year flood should it occur. In other words, our house got flooded as did others in the area, just because it was where it was. God tells us in 1 Corinthians10:13 that believers will go through difficult times as will those who do not know God. However, the difference is that God tempers things so that we will not be overwhelmed if we trust in Him. My thought then has turned from why this happened to what can I learn from this. As I have done this several things have come to mind.

First of all, God has been showing me that He loves me and wants my love. Before Irene incidents had occurred that had me fretting and concerned. I even blogged about them calling them "little foxes". Through them all I felt God was whispering, "Do you love me enough to trust me?" I was struggling with this and in my opinion I was beginning to surrender this area of my life to God's keeping. I began to make that commitment to love and trust Him more. I thought I had made good strides. Then came Irene, and God's prompting to love Him more was renewed in earnest. Since then  my resolve has received daily testing as new problems and concerns arise. Daily, is the temptation to doubt God's love and provision. Daily, I am reminded of the miracle of our house that is standing. Daily, I am reminded of God's love. If God could preserve our house why do I doubt that He will work out the minor details in due time? I thank God for love His for me, His child, and in so doing, I ask Him to help me to love Him more each day.

Irene taught me also to not measure my days according to my losses, but instead trust God for what He gives. The night following Irene we were unable, due to flood waters, to get near enough to our house to determine its status. I spent a sleepless night wondering what we woulud fing when the waters receded. Towards morning came this thought. It was not for me to dwell on my losses rather to look to God and be thankful for what He was giving us back. Consequently, I was able to look past the torn up yard, the totaled car, the decimated garage and damaged front porch  and be thankful that the four corners of the house were square and the house was still standing on a solid foundation.  My heart lept with joy when I entered the house and saw all that was inside was safe.

Irene also reminded me of how temporary or earthly homes are. We are not called to be citizens of this world but rather to be citizens of heaven. All here below is temporary. All we have could be lost in an instant in a flood or other catastrophic event. Many in our area lost so much more than I did, but they are starting to rebuild. However, even with the rebuilding, nothing is permanent.1 Peter reminds us that this world will come to an end. My fleshly body will come to an end. But, there is more. Eternity is more. Without eternity, life would be futile--meaningless. Christ is the key to eternity. He is our only Hope.

I think the most important lesson from Irene, is that I need to keep my focus on God. Men will let me down. Promises are made then broken, but the God Who has shown Himself faithful continues to do so. Daily we are reminded of His faithfulness. There are the big things such as the miraculous preservation of our house, but there are the little things as well. God is good. God is faithful. He sent His Son to take my place at Calvary. He will care for all my needs. No hurricane can separate me from His love.

Bears, Phones And Now Irene

In my last blog, I related how God was teaching me to trust Him. Minor annoyances (although they did not appear minor when they happened) were threatening to rob me of my peace and joy in Christ. As the Bible mentions the little foxes that spoil the vine, I had my issues with bears bouncing off my car causing damage, and phones not working interfering with my wife's plans to end her daily commute and instead work from home. I began to see that these are indeed minor annoyances and that God was urging me to trust Him and that not trusting was unbelief and my way of not letting God be God. As I began taking tentative steps in this direction, I thought I had learned my lesson. And then came Irene.

For those of you who don’t know, we live in the mountains of upstate New York and a week ago last Sunday received twenty inches of rain from Hurricane Irene in a span of less than eight hours. Normally mountain peaks and valleys are water collectors. They direct the rain waters into creeks which then flow into larger streams, rivers and reservoirs. When heavy rains come creeks swell but usually stay within their banks, but not so with the rains of a hurricane. The pristine creek behind our house became a raging river over a hundred feet wide and carrying a tremendous destructive force, destroying houses, vehicles and personal property—with our house in the middle.

We (my wife and I) had heard the weather report and had gone to bed Saturday night with the intent on checking the creek in the morning. Our plan was to watch during the day with the intent of going to our daughter’s house should it look like the creek was rising. We fully expected our house to remain untouched in that our house is a foot above the hundred year flood plain. We expected no more than that. However we wanted to be safe rather than sorry and so our plan to go to higher ground if the creek began to get close. From the weather reports, we figured that might be sometime around the middle of the day.  The worse we expected was power outages—just a minor inconvenience. At seven in the morning the creek had risen to the base of the maple right outside our sunroom--past the hundred year flood mark. There were still at least four hours of heavy rain to come. We decided to leave.

We were unable to get to our intended destination because the road in that direction had already washed out. We stayed instead with some friends hoping and praying their house would remain above the deluge. From the vantage point of their front porch we watched fascinated as evidence of the water’s destruction floated by. We saw parts of houses, fuel tanks, ATVs, trees, all of which I imagined slamming into our house downstream. The water rose, threatening the houses across the street. A volunteer fireman at the house had an emergency radio but even there news was spotty. Rumors abounded. I went to bed (but not to sleep) that night wondering what the next day would reveal.

The next morning I walked down the street to our house, fearing what I would find. As I drew near I could see our garage first. It was standing, but had suffered great damage. As I got close enough to see the house itself, it too had suffered damage, but the main part was sound. The water had passed through the crawl space under the house leaving the slab and the columns the house rests on intact. Inside, the house was dry. Tears of relief and joy flowed. God is good. Our home had been spared. There was and still is debris scattered all over our yard. Our garage has massive damage to its foundation. One of our cars is probably totaled. We will need excavation work as well as repairs to the house, but overall, we fared much better than many downstream from us.

I share all of this for a reason. Throughout this ordeal I have felt God continuing to urge me as He did with the bears and the phone, “Love me enough to trust me.” I have no doubt it was God’s intervention that spared our house. I can fill up pages of text with the little things that spared our house from greater damage. Yet, even though God has saved our house, I still get ‘the worries’ as new problems come up each day. There is a long way to go until things will ever resemble anything like normal. But, with each new fear, I have the assurance, God saved our house, He can solve these lesser things as well. God, help me to love You enough to trust You.

Bears And Phones

I have found that recently I have fallen into the trap of judging my days according to circumstances rather than simply knowing the sufficiency of Christ who is over all circumstances. Accordingly, God, I believe, has sent two incidents to remind me that He is still in control and that if I love Him, I can trust Him. From the title of this blog you probably have guessed that these incidents involve bears and phones.
First, the bear. It was at the end of our church’s Daily Vacation Bible School week. By all our standards it had been a very successful week. The truth of the Body of Christ having many members with different gifts was borne out as church members used their individual gifts to fill every need. Each night children came and a clear presentation of the Gospel was given and received. On Tuesday night while returning home from the church, a bear cub tried to out race our car. He couldn't nor could we avoid him. When I got out to check him, he lifted his head and a snort from the woods reminded me his mother was not far away and not happy with my presence. I decided wisely not to linger. As I returned to the car (rather hurriedly) I thought how things were fine after all. The cub scurried away, there was no significant damage to the car. VBS was going well. Life was good. Then Friday came. VBS went okay. Some key helpers were not able to be there, but we were able to cover things and the demanding week was over. We had much to be thankful for. Then the bear…This time it was not a cub. It came out of the blackness of the night, and as the cub a few nights before, was trying to outrace the car. There was no time to swerve. There was impact. I soon learned a few things that I hadn’t noticed before.

First, bears bounce. When we looked back the bear was gone. Second, it is hard to explain how a bear hit your car to an insurance company representative (“No, I did not hit a deer [that was two years ago]… it was a bear not a racoon… we did not hit it, it ran into us… No, bears are faster than you think”). Third, when a full-sized bear hits a compact car in its side, it will do more damage to the car than to the bear. Fourth, having rental coverage on your auto insurance comes in handy. Fifth, hitting a bear tends to put a definite damper on your day. Suddenly, the blessings of the week seemed overshadowed by this latest circumstance in my life. However, I knew the car would be repaired and we would be responsible only for our deductible. Things were not too bad.

Then, the phone… Not a regular phone, but one needed for my wife to work from home. She has commuted for a year (one and a half hours each way) to a job that promised the opportunity to work from home. The time had finally come, the internet connection was enabled, but the phone did not work despite our best efforts. More commuting will be necessary until a new phone is successfully installed. What a disappointment. A friend, in passing, asked how I was doing that day and I related the story of the phone. Once again, I was allowing circumstances overshadow my whole day.

Some of you may be asking what’s the point to all this. After all, you have faced situations much worse than a dented car or a few more days of a lengthy commute. If not, you undoubtedly know someone who has.  Yet the Bible in The Song of Solomon 2:15 mentions that it is the little foxes that spoil the vine. It is little things that get our eyes off our heavenly Father and on to our selves more so sometimes than the major events in our lives. We become satisfied with how things are, but we forget Who is really in control. We forget that God is God and we are not. We proclaim our worship and praise for Him, but fail to trust Him for the little things in our lives. We fail to recognize the sin of not loving God enough to trust Him.

The car will get fixed. The phone, well, that is pending. I pray for the grace to trust God in all these things. He is faithful, and while things don’t always work out the way we expect or desire them to, Romans 8:28 still rings true. All things do work together for good for those who are in Christ. Lord, help me to love you enough to trust you in every thing.

I Went For a Walk Today/Will This Cause Global Warming?

I went for a walk today, which is nothing new of late because I am currently responding to a challenge by my wife to have a healthier lifestyle. My goal started out as an attempt to lose weight (was I really up to 260 lbs.?) which required watching what I eat and getting more exercise. The exercise of choice is power walking with our dog, Pippin. I am currently up to around four miles a day. I have had success losing over 30 pounds. Pippin looks great!

However, in my desire to be a responsible world citizen, this exercise program brings me to a quandary . Might I be adding to global warming? If indeed carbon dioxide gas is a major cause of global warming as we are being led to believe, then my increased exercise might be adding to the problem. Here’s how I have it figured: If I walk four miles a day, that’s four miles worth of increased respiration and four miles worth of increased oxygen consumption and four miles worth of increased carbon dioxide emissions. To make matters worse, by taking Pippin with me, I’m causing her to do the same. How could I be so irresponsible? Wouldn’t it be better for me to abandon this health kick, gain the weight back, ignore the fact that I feel better with less weight (how could I be so selfish?), shorten my lifespan and thus decrease my carbon imprint on this earth?

For those of readers (all two of you) who think I have lost my mind at this point and will soon denigrate in to mindless ramblings, you may not be far from the truth. There is that danger here, for I do enjoy mindless ramblings, especially when I am the one doing the rambling. However, on the other hand (perhaps a greater danger here), there is a point to all this.

It should be obvious that all I have written up to this point is tongue in cheek, and that I do not hold the current politically correct conjectures concerning global warming in high regard. To say that I believe all the rhetoric advanced by the other side, would be not be accurate either. I do believe that it can be demonstrated that we do live in a period in which global temperature has warmed. I also believe that it can be equally demonstrated that our earth has gone through cycles of both global warming and global cooling and that we may just be at the warm end of one of those cycles. After all, in the 1970’s there were the concerns of global cooling. In any case, I have not seen any convincing evidence that there is anything man can do that will greatly affect natural temperature cycles. But then again, I may be burying my head in the sand as global warming enthusiasts would not doubt claim I am doing.

As a believer in Christ though, I see another side to all this. While I do believe that there is a need to live responsibly in this world God has given us, and if there is anything we can reasonably do to inhibit adverse climate change, then we should do it providing the evidence is clear (I’m not giving up my walks, though). However, global warming is not to me one of life’s major problems, spiritual cooling is. We do have a trend, not only in America but worldwide, where men are simply turning their backs on God. What has been declared sin according to God’s Word is now given legal status by the law of the land. Men who stand up for Biblical principles are denigrated and dismissed as bigots. Churches of every denomination, in an attempt to retain relevancy and stem declining attendance, embrace popular thought including that concerning global warming, neglecting the warnings that are real in Scripture and more important have ceased proclaiming the Gospel. Preachers who dare to insist that God’s judgment is coming are let go in favor of those who are more politically correct.
The truth of the matter is that the world is in decline both spiritually and physically. God created the earth perfectly, but according to Romans 8:21-23 all of creation is under the curse brought on because of man’s sin. Our world is deteriorating and will continue to do so until Jesus returns when global warming will be the least of man’s problems. The plagues described in the Book of Revelation are not to be seen as merely symbolic. God has promised to judge the earth. This world will dissolve (2 Peter 3:10) and a new (or renewed) earth will come into being (2 Peter 3:13). Sin, which is man’s rebellion, will be no more. All will be good. This is not mere conjecture, in that it has basis in God’s Word. If we are serious about the status of our planet we must heed the Bible’s warnings. What other book is there where it could be said (and backed up) that 100% of its prophecies describing events already taken place have come true? Why should we then doubt that the rest of what the Bible says is in store for this earth will take place as well?

If we were able to solve the issue of global warming, we have done little to save this earth from its ultimate destruction. As a believer in Christ I see the only solution to man's problems is found in the message of the Cross of Jesus Christ. It was on the Cross that He made the way for my salvation. It is the Cross that has become our banner for it shows us the evidence of God’s love. The message of the Cross (that men are sinners, Christ died for our sins, and that receiving Him brings eternal life) brings us the story of redemption which is for eternity. This world will pass away, but life in Christ is forever.

End of The World?

Flash: The world did not end, my computer is back.


It seems that every time I turn around it picks up a virus and my computer goes down. In a time where conspiracy theories run rampant, new predictions of the end of the world surface daily and economic collapse is said to be imminent, I turn to my computer to help me regain some of the sanity I still have left. When it is not working, it is the end of the world (at least it seems that way to me). Maybe these computer viruses are indeed a part of a worldwide conspiracy to disrupt the normal flow of things, bringing a total economic collapse and along with it global warming. I don’t have any idea where it could all lead, but then I’m consumed with worry about whether or not I’ll ever get my first Social Security check if the budget impasse is not resolved in Washington. But now my computer is back and I can take comfort that at least something is going right-- at least until the next virus shuts it down again.

Tongue in cheek aside, it does appear that every time we turn around new conspiracies are being exposed, new predictions about the end of the world are made and more concerns bought about concerning issues of the environment, including global warming. To say we live in turbulent times is an extreme understatement. There is no question that things are rapidly changing. Case in point, ten years ago, my computer was not as important to my daily routine as it is now. Today, I receive my daily mail over it, I can do my work on it, I can even get instant news and weather reports on it, and more importantly, I can even find out who the Mets are going to trade next. Yes, things are indeed changing rapidly but, is all this change for the bad? Who knows?

When I engage in this line of thought, I realize that things are not as uncertain as they seem. There are answers to many of life’s questions even though not all will be made clear this side of Heaven. There is a Book which makes many predictions about things that are to come, and while many disagree concerning the meaning of the predictions in this Book, the outcome is clear. The end is in sight. However, the end is not an end at all, but a new beginning of a new Earth which will last for eternity. Someone has said it this way, “I’ve peeked at the end of the Book and guess what, we win”. While this statement in my opinion is overused, there is truth in it if the “we” mentioned is true believers in Christ.

There is no question that things are escalating around us. Changes are happening at a frightening pace. The end of things as we know it is coming. Whether it be in a few years or fifty, this one thing is certain, Jesus is coming. We don’t know the date. God does. We can have the assurance that He is in control even though things change, and even when my computer doesn’t work.

This writer can’t imagine how anyone taking an honest look at the current events in our world can deny the veracity of the Bible. It’s all there. The depravity of man, the propensity toward evil, but also the Grace of God, all described in this Book, are constantly being revealed in our modern world. Where can we turn but to the One Peter described as being the only One with the words of eternal life? “Neither is there salvation in any other, there is no other name under heaven whereby we must be saved ( Acts 4:12)”. To the believer is the comforting thought that we are to cast all our care on Him (Jesus) for He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). I can rest assured even when things go wrong.

Why Do They Do This?

I recently made an expensive mistake. Again! I clicked on an email even though I should have known it was a fraud. But they made it look so important and after all who wouldn't want be drawn to answer an email from the IRS. Only afterward and my computer was shut down-- hijacked actually by a virus that promised to go away if I would subscribe to a computer fix-- did I remember that the IRS does not contact through email. I said "again" because I had a similar thing happen before. After telling myself how dumb I was and pledging never to fall for such a thing again, I had to fork out cash for a legitimate fix that has left my computer without all the programs I had on before causing me to take time to reinstall the necessities.

After I reacted to the "How dumb can I be?" question, I the began asking why people do such things as this. It's no question that the instigators of such a virus were trying to get something from me, either cash or my credit card info, or both. That they caused the problem in the first place, does not seem to affect their conscience. Is what they did illegal? Probably so, but to my knowledge, I have no way to catch them and prove what they did. Maybe they would have fixed my computer if I had paid them the cash, maybe they would have just taken my credit info and run with it for as far as they could. I don't know.

This experience reminded me about the world we live in. Sin is rampant. People are unconcerned with what they do to others as long as they come out ahead. However, do they come out ahead? There is a saying, "What goes around, comes around", meaning how I treat others will come back to affect me. While this is a secular saying, there is a biblical basis to it. Galatians 6:7 says,"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." While, I do take some comfort that the instigators of my recent computer woes won't really get away with it in the long run, there is a larger issue here. What happens here on earth only affects us temporarily. My computer is fixed,  I'll recover. But eternity is forever.

In 1964, a tragedy hit our family. My oldest brother was killed in an auto accident caused by a drunk driver. Talk about indignation, anger and a desire for revenge. My father certainly had from a human standpoint the right to all of these. He made a request of these authorities at the time, and I don't know if it was honored or not. Dad asked that he be allowed to visit in the hospital the men responsible for this terrible accident. But Dad did not seek to vent his anger on them, or seek revenge in any manner. He wanted to share with them the Good News about Jesus Christ. The actions of these men had cost my Dad his son, but Dad wanted to give them heaven.

So now when I commiserate on the problems I attribute to others, I need to get such an eternal point of view. Time here is too short to waste being bitter. God sent His Son to redeem a lost world. I may regret a monetary loss, but God will provide (He already did). I need to seek to concentrate on the message of the Cross. I no longer have to pay for the deeds I have done (we all have fallen short of God's perfect standard). Jesus paid it all. My debt has been paid. I just have to receive His forgiveness by receiving Him into my life.

As I write this I don't know who may read it, but whoever reads this, there is one thing I can guarantee. You have problems. People have disappointed you or will do so. Life is too short, but eternity is forever. I beg you to consider the claims of Christ. I beg you to read His Word (start with the book of John). Receive Him into your life: John 1:12 and all will be different.

Strangers In A Strange Land

Hebrews 11: 8-16 describes followers of God as sojourners looking for a city not built by hands. First Peter 1 echoes this by referring to believers in Christ as strangers on this earth. In a world that is so increasing growing hostile to those who stand on the truths of the Bible, this truth is more and more clear. True believers in Christ are citizens of another country than the one in which we dwell. Our allegiance is to that heavenly country where Christ is first and foremost.

It is easier to pen these words than to actually live them. The Church of Christ has been under attack so much in recent days, both from within and without. We have endured the condemnation of Harold Camping who has declared that Christians who attend a local church are not truly saved, and now many believers are facing outrage, ridicule and rejection, because of their stand on moral issues. We ought not to be surprised (and yet we so often are), because the Bible describes us as in a spiritual war that does not cease. There is a real enemy who is trying to distract and destroy us and to rob us of peace and victory. We need to remember the truth of Hebrews 11 which is we are merely sojourners here. This world is not a friend to the Gospel and certainly not to the believer in Christ. We are the most vulnerable when we try to fit in.

What has lulled us to sleep in my opinion is that we live in a country that is special in many ways. It is certainly different than most in that it was founded upon Christian principles. Believers have rights and privileges that do not exist elsewhere. However, as we see our country turning increasingly to the secular, we see these principles being abandoned and our religious freedom being threatened. When we protest as is our right as American citizens we are seen by society as the ones who are intolerant because we refuse to condone lifestyles that are clearly contrary to what is taught in Scripture. We ought not to be surprised when legislation is passed that goes against our moral convictions. The Bible is no longer seen as objective truth from the mouth of God, but something to be changed by interpretation to fit the present circumstances and to conform to political correctness. We seek to warn in love, but we receive back bitterness and hatred.

Romans chapter one describes the progression of the depravity of man. Basically, it tells us that man in his pride has left the truths of God and claiming to be smarter than God has set up his own way of doing things and in so doing has fallen into the deepest depravity. Having changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipping and serving the creature more than the Creator, these have been given up unto vile affections: which involves lifestyles contrary to what is by nature (not my words--see Romans 1:25-28). The Bible then calls this having a reprobate mind “…to do those things which are not convenient”. But when we suggest that God means what he says we are called intolerant, and sel-righeous, because we refuse to look for an interpretation that allows for reasonableness.

Either the Bible is seen as truly being the Word of God, or it is just another book. As Christians we depend on the fact that it is, indeed, the Word of God. Without this being so, we have nothing on which to stand and nothing on which to base our salvation. But as the Word of God we must take the Bible to mean what it says, even if we do not like what it says. It is not to be edited, or changed by interpretation. When it says, “Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? (Matthew 19:4-5)”, we don't have the luxury that allows us to change meaning in an attempt to be politically correct.

The key to understanding the Bible is that it is the story of our salvation. Man has sinned and the wages of sin brings death. All the evil that’s in the world, all the tragedy that man brings upon man, even death itself, is because of our sin. Jesus died so that we do not have to bear the penalty of our sin and so that we don’t have to continue to live under the destructive power of that sin. Pointing out sin, which is living contrary to God’s will, is not an intolerant act of self-righteousness if done through the love of Christ. Our motive needs to be one that seeks to warn so that others can avoid the consequences of activities that ultimately will only bring destruction. Love takes risks. We may receive anger in return. But the potential reward of loved ones turning away from things that destroy and to a life in Christ outweighs the risk.

Believers in Christ will always be misunderstood. We are citizens of another country, a heavenly one. Many of those with whom we share our time on this earth will not hear what we have to say, but if we are true to God’s Word and act in His love—not out of self-righteousness there are those who will and bring praise to Jesus' name.

Bring Them In

I know the last blog on this site was talking about Harold Camping’s attack on the local church. However, I feel there are still more things to be said. Camping’s teachings may not have pulled away so many from the local churches if they were doing what God has called us to do. The emphasis, I said in the last blog, has to be on the Gospel, which is the Truth that we are sinners bound for Hell, but Christ paid for our sins on the Cross at Calvary and whosoever receives the Lord Jesus is saved (see I Corinthians 15:1-5; John 1:12; Romans 10:13). I said in that earlier blog that if a church is teaching this, it is on the right track. However, a church can have the correct doctrine about salvation and still lose its focus.

Camping’s claim that the Holy Spirit has left the local church is unsupportable from Scripture. However, it is easy to see how many might believe Camping when many churches have left the sound teaching of Holy Spirit which is the Gospel. The focus has become how to bring people in the doors of the church, but not on how we help them understand the simple truths of the Gospel. It has become unpopular to speak of sin and even more unpopular to suggest that there is only one way to heaven. Some churches boast of their show on Sunday mornings with sayings like, “Come, be greeted with
a smile by one of our friendly Volunteers, enjoy coffee, experience upbeat and uplifting music by our band and be inspired and encouraged by a creative, compelling, and practical message.” Where is the Gospel in such an invitation? I would daresay that in many our churches there is more of an emphasis on the praise and worship team than on an evangelism team.

How can the local church think it is doing its job when this is so? But that is not all that can be pointed out that’s wrong in our local churches. We have been quick to denounce someone as outrageous as Camping who has continuously made false predictions, yet we stand by saying nothing about others on the airways claiming unction from the Holy Spirit, yet preaching a false Gospel. Indeed it is a false Gospel when one says that Jesus’blood on the Cross did not pay for our sins, that his suffering in Hell did. It is a false Gospel that says Jesus is God and we to will be little gods like Him when we are saved. It is a false Gospel that says Jesus gives us salvation but we have to keep it. We applaud when Sky Angel takes Camping’s programs off the air, but what about these other false teachers as well?

The Gospel is clear. Jesus is uniquely God, the Son.  He is not a god, nor are we. He is not the angel Michael or any other angel. Jesus is not a man who became God. He is God, and as such the only one Who could pay for our sins. He did it all. He even gives us the grace to believe (Ephesians 2:8-10). Jesus Christ changes lives. We are short changing people when we water down or minimize the Gospel in any way, manner or fashion. Our world is in a terrible mess. Congressmen commit immoral acts, lie about it and then say they only did that to avoid embarrassment, and people buy it. Ours is a world of sinners in a desperate situation. Getting people into church however we do it is fruitless unless we give out the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Judgment is coming (just not on October 31). However, God's invitation is still valid and still clear. Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Shout it on the rooftops, shout it in the streets.  Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost.

What's Wrong With This?

We have been witness to a direct attack against the Church, the Body of Christ. The recent pronouncement of the end of the world from the airwaves and on billboards across the country also carried a condemnation of all organized local churches with the judgment that no one in these churches are saved (or they wouldn’t be in these churches). This is indeed an attack on the local church as well as an attack on The whole Body of Christ for there are believers in local churches despite the claims otherwise. Salvation is based on the Gospel, not on where one worships, and as long as a church preaches the Gospel, it is on the right track.

However, some of the criticisms that have been made concerning the local church are valid. There have been many strange doctrines drifting into the local churches.  There are issues with leadership. The time has come that we must ask how good a good job our churches are doing to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We must consider whether the local church has drifted from this primary path and is more focused on “church growth” than on winning souls. We must be careful not to replace the Gospel with programs designed to bring people in our doors without offending anyone.

Many of our churches have become lazy in getting out the Gospel. We get so satisfied with what we are and the fellowship we enjoy with our friends in the church that we forget to reach out to a lost and dying world. Other churches err in the other direction trying so hard to attract the lost that while trying not to offend anyone  that the Gospel has been so watered down as to become recognizable. Still other churches have sought the excitement that comes from new and different things and in so doing have brought in teachings and practices contrary to to the clear teachings of Scripture.

The local church must stand firmly on the simple Gospel that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and that whosoever calls on Him, shall be saved. When we back away from this or add to it in any way we compromise our message. While our methods may differ as will our styles of worship and many minor nonessential doctrines, the Truth that Jesus saves through faith alone must be held sacred for it is sacred. There can never be any compromise on that. As long as we have this Truth there is life in the local church.

The recent pronouncement of the end of the world was changed when the world did not end. It has now been proclaimed that the world has been judged with the result that no more can be saved. We can dispute this point vigorously from Scripture going from verse to verse or we can show that the
local church is alive and well by winning lost souls to Christ. This does not happen by concentrating on the things that are superficial but rather on dwelling on the Truth of the Gospel, letting it change us from within.

October 21?

What does it take for heresy to die?

Most know by now of Harold Camping and his prediction that Judgment Day was coming on May 21
and would continue until October 21. You may be also familiar with his teaching that God has judged the organized church and unless someone comes out of organized churches he cannot be saved. You would think that the fact that Christ did not come back on May 21 (Camping and those who believe his teachings, were not raptured as he predicted with the strongest confidence), Camping would admit his error, be discredited as a false prophet, withdraw from being a teacher on Family Radio, and people would stop listening to him. However, none of this is so. Camping did not admit his error as those of us who listened to his Open Forum on May 22, were to find out. Camping insisted that his dates and proofs were correct and that God just had not given him the full implications of what May 21 meant. Camping now insists that God did judge the world on May 21 but that it was a spiritual coming not a literal one. Camping also stated that the Holy Spirit has been removed from the earth and no one can now be saved that was not already saved. On October 21, he says, God will visit
the earth in final judgment, completely destroying it while rapturing out true believers. The saved will go to heaven while the unsaved will be simply annihilated (Camping does not believe in a literal hell).

As I have thought on these things, the question has arisen, why have I spent so much time thinking about someone whose prophesies have been disproven over and over again by time (Camping has predicted some 7 or 8 dates for the coming of Christ)? October 22 will come and again, Camping will face the embarrassment of having to explain how the end of the world has not occurred. Time will take care of this heresy, right? Perhaps so, in the eyes of most people, but if history repeats itself, Camping will have some explanation. His heretical teaching will continue. People will continue to be deceived.

What really hurts many of us is that a once sound Gospel ministry (Family Radio) has been taken over to propagate false doctrines. How did this happen and what are we to do to keep ourselves from ending up the same?

Indeed, there are many false preachers in the world today. Many are spreading false teaching without falling under the same scrutiny as Camping, whose nationwide billboard campaign declaring the end of the world caught the eye of the media in a big way. However, these other false teachers are just as dangerous. Many started out, as did Camping, in straight mainline Christian churches having orthodox doctrines, yet now make claims as outrageous as  those of Camping.  They function by and large without much public scrutiny. Others soft sell their heretical views pulling people in with
promises of a better life here and now appearing to be in agreement with mainline Conservative Christianity but seldom, if ever do they present a clear Gospel message. Believers in Christ need to be ever on guard to spot false teachings and warn of their dangers.

To spot the counterfeit, we must be thoroughly familiar with the truth. That is why I have made no sustained effort to refute Camping’s teaching here. We need to know the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ and proclaim it. 1 John 4:1-6 tells us to test the spirits to determine the truth in them. In this passage we are warned to consider what teachers say about Jesus, Scripture and the Gospel. Those who have fallen under the spell of false teachers have not considered what they are saying about Jesus Christ. They ignore the fact that false teachers do not proclaim that Jesus is  truly God, the
Son, but rather they call Him a son, or a god. In addition, false teachers water it down the Gospel, adding works to it, or even failing to mention it at all. When they exalt the Scriptures they only give lip service as they put their own interpretations over the truths found in God’s Word alone.

Let the reader search the Scriptures thoroughly considering those to whom he ought to listen.

[ Blogger’s
note: Read the companion blog: Test The Spirits]

Test The Spirits

[Blogger's note: As you read down the blog page newer blogs appear at the top and so on. I
submitted these latest two blogs so they will be read in the right order if you
read down the page. In other words, the blog titled “October 21?” ought to be
read first. These two have been written together, but “Test The Spirits” should
be read second.]

What does it mean in 1 John 4: 1-6 to test the spirits? These are dangerous times theologically. This is so evident as we witness the debacle Harold Camping (but also so many others) has caused. While sounding so knowledgeable or performing signs and wonders or being attractive in other ways, many teachers have left sound teaching and are teaching the doctrine of demons (1Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;). Any teacher promotes either true doctrine supported by the Word of God or false doctrine which is initiated by demons. There is no middle ground. We are told to test the teachers by testing their teachings which demonstrate the true spirit within them. Unfortunately, false teachers are not always forthcoming with what they believe. Some slip false ideas in the middle of otherwise non objectionable content. John gives us some things to look for by as we examine the doctrines of those who would teach us.

 I John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are
of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

The first test we see from this passage is a question. “What is being said about Jesus Christ?” Does this teacher teach that Jesus is God the Son, the second person of the Trinity? If a teacher is wrong or unclear on who Jesus is, he will be wrong or unclear on virtually everything else that is important. The doctrine of who Jesus is, lies at the heart of the Gospel. Only the Jesus of the Bible, God the
Son, could die for our sins, any other Jesus falls short. Any teaching that claims Jesus is a god (with the emphasis that we can be gods too), or a man on a higher spiritual plane, or an angel is teaching a lie. Camping’s teaching on this are, at best, unclear. He seems to be teaching that Jesus is God the Son but then makes statement that seem to indicate Jesus is a mode of God. In Revelation 7, according to Camping the archangel Michael is Jesus. So, is Jesus the Son of God, a mode of God or an angel?  Camping  is unclear. At best, he muddies the waters. At worst, he denies that Jesus is God, the Son. This ought to have been a clear warning bell to any who would follow his teachings.

The second test to give any teacher is what do they say about the Word of God? 1 John 4:6 clearly
warns against those who differ from the teachings of the apostles. Those who add to the Bible are false teachers. While adding openly by proclaiming new revelation or covertly by maintaining that they have the exclusive ability to explain it, they add to Scripture undermining its authority. Camping has done just that. While stating he only looks to the Bible to prove his statements he spiritualizes a lot of text that is meant to be taken literally, leaning heavily on allegory and supports his views through his system of biblical numerology to promote his views. While it is evident that numbers in the Bible often have special significance, to base one’s theology on a system that nowhere is supported in Scripture puts one on very shaky ground, and then to continue to lean on this extrabiblical support of his views in spite of the the fact that his system caused him to repeatledly make false predictions (7+ different times for the comimng of Christ), is a travesty. Warning bell number two.

The third test of a false teacher is "what do they say about the Gospel? The Spirit of Truth,  speaks the Truth and that is the Truth of the Gospel. False teachers are those who deny that we can come to Christ by faith alone in what he did for us at the cross. Some add works to the Gospel. Some say he saves by grace, but we must keep it. Some confuse the issue telling us that Jesus did not purchase our pardon at Calvary, but in hell where he suffered at the hand of the devil. Camping teaches that Jesus paid for our sins in some mystical way before Creation and that Calvary was just a demonstration of what He did in eternity past. In addition, he denies that just anyone who calls on the name of the Lord is saved, but states we are saved only if God so chooses. His tract entitled, “I
Hope I Will Be Saved” urges that any one desiring to be saved to “beg, beseech and to plead” and if God plans to save you he will do it in His time. A person, according to Camping, waits on the Lord carefully and prayerfully, reading the Bible. The fact that this tract has been pulled from Family Radio’s website demonstrates further how Camping limits the Gospel by denying that anyone can now be saved since God has judged the world on May 21. Camping  has thus destroyed the message of the Gospel that states thatwhosover, shall call, shall be saved.” In addition, Camping now closes
the Gospel’s invitation despite God’s clear indication that any time we have before He comes is because He is not willing that any should perish but that all would come to repentance (2Peter3:9). Warning bell number three.

The events of recent days shows us what happens when we do not test the spirits. This blog is not an attempt to attack anyone, however Camping has repeatedly attacked the Church, the Bride of Christ. He has also done much damage to the Gospel message. The message of the Cross must remain clear. Those who claim to preach the Truth must stand the scrutiny of that Truth. I do not doubt that Camping is a sincere man, but his teachings do not hold up to the test of Scripture. We are to watch out for false teachers no matter what form they take. We need to continue to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

May 22

May 22^ndis right around the corner. I am waiting. Not so I can gloat and say, “I told you so” to all those who are trusting in Harold Camping’s prophecies, but to pick up the pieces. Our focus ought not to be on of who was right and who was wrong, but rather on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God sent His Son because it is His desire that none “should perish, but that all should come to repentance                (2 Peter 2:9).” We ought to seek how we can help those who have been swayed by Camping’s false doctrines to find significance of the true Gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Camping’s date is not the most important issue here. It will come and go, and I do not have to claim any special unction from God to say so. However, the damage that has been done to the local church and the preaching of the Gospel will continue long after May 22, as long as people adhere to Camping’s teachings. The fact that Camping has set seven previous dates for Christ’s return and has been wrong seven times, has not deterred his followers. If Camping holds true to form to what he has done before, he will simply regroup and eventually we will hear of a new date he has set. Consequently, the damage he has done will in all likelihood continue.

We need to not gloat at this man’s failure, but rather point out the truth of the Gospel that “Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord, shall be saved (Romans 10 :13)”. Camping’s gospel is uncertain for he says you may call but God may or may not save you. The Bible clearly says “Whosever.” We need to continue to spread this truth and not add to it. Jesus said, “All that the Father gives me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out (John 6:37).” One can ask, “But how do I know if God has chosen me to be saved?” The answer is that He has chosen the “whosoevers” of this world that will come to Him. One can have this certainty. There is salvation in Christ to any that will come.

False teachers will come and go, but the Gospel is here to stay until Jesus comes. The Church--the Body of Christ remains and needs to continue to proclaim this message, "But as many as received Him to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." The question to all is are you a "whosoever" who will receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If so, then come unto Him and God has promised to do the rest. This is the Gospel we must preach if we are to reach a lost and dying world.

But, what about those who have followed the false teachings of Camping? They mostly are sincere
in their beliefs. Many have put life on hold expected that they will not be here after May 21. Some have sacrificed life savings, family relationships and their futures because of their beliefs. Many will wake up on May 22 disappointed, disillusioned and destitute. How do we convince them that it was
not God that let them down, but rather a false teacher when they have already exchanged the truth of God for this lie? How do we convince them that they can be reconciled to the Body of Christ through the Blood of Christ?

Indeed, May 22 will not be the time to say, “I told you so.” It will not be the time for gloating that we were right and they were wrong, while it will be clear that once again Camping has shown himself a false prophet. It will be the time to show Christ’s love that is expressed so clearly in John 3:16 that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. We must reach out in God’s love helping as we can, sharing this truth, that it is not that we are saved by convincing God by repenting long enough and hard enough (as Camping teaches) but that God simply wants us to receive His Son into our lives. God does the rest.

What Went Wrong?

During my high school and college years I felt it was a privilege whenever I was able to listen to Family Radio. The programming of Family Radio was sound—good Christian music, Bible reading and sound biblical teaching. Living in the Catskills, we could not get the programming but had to wait until we were visiting friends or relatives in the New York City area. Listening to Family Radio was a real treat. When I went away to college and then served as a home missionary I was in an area where I could get Family radio all the time. I was encouraged in my walk for Jesus Christ. 

Lately, however, the ministry of Family Radio has changed. Its president, director, CEO or whatever title he goes by, has taken over most of the teaching ministry and promoting his own peculiar endtime views. He denounces the organized church, and has set May 21, 2011 as the date for
Christ’s return. Apologetic Index, an encyclopedia listing cults and cultish ideas, now lists Camping and Family Radio as a cult. So what went wrong? How did a ministry that for so long was a champion of the Gospel come to the point that it is now recognized as a cult?

Before we look to answer that question let’s look at the issue whether Camping’s teaching constitute a cult. This we can do by considering what makes something a cult and not simply unorthodox teaching still within the realms of true Christian faith. But first we must consider that the core of
true Christian faith is the Gospel which is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ                   (I Corinthians 15:1-5). The core teaching of the Gospel is that  all men are sinners and that Jesus, Who is God the Son, died for our sins and that believing this and accepting this by faith, we can be saved. What marks groups as cults is that they usually teach another Jesus, Another way to God,
and another revelation other than the Bible.

Another Jesus. Camping’s Jesus is not the Jesus that is taught about in the Bible, where He is presented to be God, the Son. Camping sated in a debate that Jesus is a mode of God. In addition, Camping states that Jesus is, in fact, the archangel Michael (The End Of The Church Age…And After, p.56). A mode of God cannot save. An archangel cannot save. Only God the Son, the second Person of the Trinity could pour out His Blood for us. Only the Jesus of the Bible can save.

Another way to God. While Camping proclaims, it is only through faith in Jesus that one can be saved, note that he also proclaims that only those that God chooses to give the gift of faith to believe
are truly saved. If a person wants salvation, all he can do is to repent, pray and hope that if he repents long enough and shows God his sincerity that perhaps God will choose to give him the faith that enables him to believes with “all his heart, soul and mind.” With this teaching, Camping cuts out the heart of the Gospel that teaches “whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be
saved” (Romans 10:13) and replaces it with a hope so/ works religion.

Another revelation. Camping supports his interpretation of the Bible with his belief that this has been given to him by the Holy Spirit and that those who do not agree with his interpretations do not
agree do not have the Holy Spirit and therefore are not truly saved. In other words one must not just believe the Bible, but Camping’s interpretation of the  Bible. That these interpretations are an entirely new revelation is clear. Only those who withdraw from organized churches and follow his teachings are saved. This is clearly apostate teaching.

It is clear then that Harold Camping’s Family Radio is a cult, but how did it get to be so? Back to the question, “What went wrong?”

There is much that cannot be known as I sit here at this computer. However, we can deduce from known facts certain things about the man and his organization. Camping was a wealthy businessman before getting involved in the Christian Radio ministry that has become family Radio. Camping did not start the ministry, but gained virtually absolute control over it. In the beginning, he had the support of many Godly preachers and ministries. The fact that this ministry has been so solid in the past, but now is so corrupt of the Gospel is mindboggling. It also explains why so many believers that have been  blessed by Family Radio over the years, have been reluctant to draw away, despite
Camping’s heretical teachings. By hosting solid Gospel programs and associating with solid Gospel teachers, Camping somehow became identified as one of them.

But how did things get so? One writer has pointed out that it is dangerous to put too much power over a Christian ministry in the hands of one man. The point made is that there needs to be accountability. In Christian ministry we must always be testing of the spirits. When someone comes with money and a plan we must consider what they are all about. By the time they reveal themselves to be false prophets, the ministry could be so dependent on them that it is nearly impossible to back out from under their control.

But how did Camping get to where he is in his beliefs? The answer to this we probably never know. What has been reported is that he was a member of a Dutch Reformed Church that removed him from membership when he began expounding his heretical views. Clearly, Camping does not respect
spiritual authority of those God has placed as leaders over us. When his church denounced him, he then, since has denounced his church (and all organized churches).

I have not meant this blog to simply a denouncement of Camping and Family Radio. But time itself has a way of doing that. May 21 will come and go and Camping will face the same questions he faced in 1994 after the first date he had set for the end of the world did not come to pass. If history repeats itself, he will probably set a new date without admitting he was wrong. So how do we as
true believers in Christ seek from going so wrong that the true Gospel of Christ is unrecognizable in the Gospel we teach?

First, we must adhere to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Camping insists the Holy Spirit has revealed his teachings to him. But we must test the spirits. Any spirit that denies that Jesus is the Second Person of the Trinity is not of God and ought not to be listened to. Any spirit that denies
the simple Gospel is not of God must be avoided.

Second, we must adhere to sound biblical study. Camping bases much of his ideas on an allegorical interpretation rather than a literal interpretation of Scripture. In addition he takes the unbiblical tradition of Numerology to support his positions. In this, he can make the Bible say whatever he wants it to say while supporting this with the belief that the Holy Spirit is directing him. The Bible is clear in what it says. We don’t need to resort to unsound methods of study to get new meanings.

Third, we must respect spiritual authority. Who has God used to teach us in the past? What do they say? It’s not that they cannot be wrong but we must seriously consider what they say. We must not ever get to the point that we are unteachable—for that is spiritual pride.

Justice Or Vengeance?

I guess it’s about time I weigh in on what everybody is talking about. The recent demise of a well-known terrorist leader has brought dancing in the streets in some quarters while others are questioning whether we should be rejoicing at the taking of human lives.

What I am referring to is the recent raid on a terrorist stronghold in Pakistan resulting in the death of the terrorist leader hunted by our government since 2001. Here a man who was responsible for the death of thousands was finally located and justice was done according to most sources. I’m not questioning the facts as they have been given to us, I’ll leave that to the news commentators. What concerns me are the divisions beginning to arise in the Body of Christ as we react to this news. Some of us rejoice that this wicked person has been sent to Hell. Some of us are not sure that the taking of human life is ever justified. Then there are those of us who are simply happy that a person who has continuously plotted against U.S. citizens has been stopped.

The question that is brought to my mind is, whether this was an act of justice or vengeance. Indeed is there a separation between the two or is justice just another way of expressing vengeance? The answer to this is found in the idea of law. Man has agreed for the most part to be governed by law. Law is established that sets just punishments for the violation of each point of the law. Without this, societal living breaks down into chaos. If we are to function as a society, we must have law. While terrorists do not respect the laws of our country, they do subject themselves to them to it when they attack our citizens. Without this assumption, our nation cannot effectively operate alongside
other nations in the world.

However, there are those Christians who point out that this is the age of Grace, not Law, and as such we should not seek vengeance, especially not death, for those who do us harm. The problem of this point of view is that it does not take an accurate consideration of what Grace is. Grace is when God gives us forgiveness for our wrongdoings on the basis of the blood shed on the Cross by Jesus to satisfy God’s demands of a holy and just God. We who have accepted this Grace are then forgiven by Grace and have been given the power to live by Grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). Law has none effect for the believer in this: we will not enter the condemnation of the Law because we will not come in conflict with the law Galatians 5: 22 ff), because when we live by Grace we will obey the law. However, it is when we do not live by Grace, but rather by our old flesh that we violate the laws of God and man and are subject to the consequences.

Civil law has been given to govern the lives of men. While God forgives the penitent sinner, there is still the law of man to reckon with. Without such law man cannot be governed. Is it just to require a killer to pay for that crime with his own life? The Bible says so. In fact, the death penalty was to be given in more cases than murder alone. Why should we expect the rules to have changed since
Old Testament times? Consider the thief on the cross next to Jesus who repented and was promised Paradise. This man was forgiven by God but still had to pay the penalty exacted by the laws of men.

We must not confuse Grace with leniency. Our sins are forgiven but at a great great cost—the death of our Savior, Jesus Christ. God, since He is a just God, cannot excuse sin. Those who are saved are so because we are identified with Christ Who died on our behalf. To excuse the sins of men is to cheapen our estimation of what Jesus did for us.

 And so we are asked, “Are men today under Law or Grace? But before you answer that one, consider this: No one is under Grace unless he chooses grace by accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Without Grace we are subject to the Law. Unbelievers refuse Grace, therefore are not living by grace. Believers who violate the laws of man are not living by grace either. As a result, those
violating man’s law, believers and non-believers alike are are subject to that law.

What about the taking of human life? In this, let’s appeal to the rules of fairness. Is it fair to expect that a man who takes a human life should forfeit his own? Is it fair to expect that a person who is defending himself, his family or his country cannot use deadly force. How can we as Christians oppose laws based on the ideas of fairness that have been implanted in every man?

So in conclusion, concerning the issue at hand, I cannot rejoice that another sinner has entered Hell, in fact that grieves me. I however, can rejoice if justice of the law has been done, for it is this justice that enables us to have order in this world.

Why I Believe

As a four year old I bowed my head and asked Jesus into my heart. I do not have a clear memory of this and so I go on what others told me. So is this enough on which to base a life of belief? What did I know at the age of four and what did I believe? Was I merely accepting what was being taught by
those close to me? Was it their faith or did I truly have faith of my own?

However, I am no longer four years old. I have continued in that belief I expressed so many years ago. While it may be that my early belief began as an acceptance of my parents' belief, somewhere along the line that belief changed to a belief of my own. My faith has been challenged over the
years, and I no longer believe because of what others have said, but because I have reasons of my own to believe. So why do I believe in the God of the Bible? Why should any educated person of reason believe the God of the Bible is true?

The first reason I believe in the God of the Bible is that there is no reason not to. While there have been attempts to discredit the Bible with all its claims concerning God, all such attempts have fallen short. True Science, by that I mean what can actually be proven and not hypotheses and conjectures, is not in conflict with the Bible. As I say this, I realize there are those who will say, “But what about…?” and will talk about some apparent contradiction between Science and the Bible. My answer is this. Science is an ongoing thing. All the evidence is not in. As more evidence is received, time and time again, the conflict between Science and the Bible recedes. More often than not, it is the conjectures that get in the way. It is my observance that when the assumption that there is no God is put aside, there is no real reason to deduce from the evidence that He does not exist.

A second reason I believe in the God of the Bible is where else can I go? As Peter said to Jesus “Who else has the words of eternal life?”, I consider the same. Who else has the solutions to this world’s problems? Who else has the answers to the evil caused by man’s sinful nature? Who else brings
forgiveness? All efforts to solve these issues are a band aid approach at best. They only cover up the real issue which is man’s separation from God. Only the God of the Bible sent His Son to be a propitiation for our sins. Only God can reconcile us to Himself. Only God can give us everlasting peace.

A third reason I believe in the God of the Bible is that I have seen answers to prayer. God makes promises in His words—promises He intends to complete. Over and over, God answers the prayers of those who have received Him and are prepared to put Him to the test by trusting Him to keep His Word. Over and over we have seen the words of prophecy come true in our time. God answers prayer and watches over His children.

A fourth reason I believe in the God of the Bible is changed lives. People are changed when they trust in Him. It’s not a matter of trying to do better only to fail, but a change from within. Those who were once headed in one way now walk totally different. Those suffering all sorts of physical difficulties still have that smile--that joy in their heart. God changes lives.

And then there is that still small voice. It is hard to explain this to those who don’t believe in the God of the Bible, however the Bible promises God’s presence with all who have received Him. He indwells
through the Holy Spirit. I can’t see Him, or hear Him audibly, but He makes His presence known when I allow myself to be quiet before Him.

And so you can see. My faith is still there. As a child I did not question it. As an adult, it has been questioned, but still stands. My invitation to anyone who reads this is, “Come, see that the Lord is good.”

Two Dogs

For a long time I have described the struggle in the Christian life to the struggle between two dogs. I’m sure you have heard this illustration in one form or other. It all comes down with someone (usually an old Indian) having two dogs that would fight. An onlooker asks which dog usually wins, to which the owner of the dogs replies, “The one I feed the most.” The spiritual application is usually then made that we have two natures in us and that the one that we feed the most is the one that wins. I'm not sure I’m ready to entirely put this illustration aside, I do realize it is just that, an illustration, and not Scripture, and as such, imperfect at best. I do, however, want to consider this idea of two dogs.

We have in our extended family two dogs. Poodles who belongs (she thinks we belong to her) to my wife and I and Newfy who belongs to my eldest daughter and family (the names od the dogs have been changed to protect their identities on the internet). Poodles is a Poodle—Jack Russell mix and grew from puppyhood under the watchful eye of a German Shepherd. Consequently, we describe Poodles as a Jack-a-Poo with a German Shepherd attitude. Newfy is a Newfoundland mix who is gentle despite her size. We often have the two dogs together at our house and the result is almost comical.  Poodles, the older of the two, makes it clear she quite disapproves of our allowing Newfy into our home which she considers to be her territory exclusively. Consequently, all 13 pounds of her, will charge  at  90 pound Newfy whenever Newfy comes close to something Poodles considers to be hers. The usual result  is that Newfy initially backs away, but eventually ends up with the bone Poodles is protecting. Newfy’s size ultimately wins out. Despite her determination, Poodles is no match for Newfy’s size. No matter how much we feed Poodles she can never stand successfully up to Newfy when Newfy decides to take a stand. The only way Poodles could consistently defeat Newfy is for Poodles die and to be reborn as a dog the size of Newfy.

Colossians 3: 9-10 says this: Lie not one to another seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man after the image of him who created him. These verses are often taken to mean that when we are in Christ we have two natures and whichever one we feed the most, that is the one that will have the most influence in our lives. However, note that this passage is saying to Christians that we have put off the old man. It is an accomplished fact. This has happened when we received Christ. In Romans 6 we see reference to this for it states that we have been buried with Christ and have risen to new life. The old man is dead. It is not for me to strengthen the new nature over the old, but to live in the new nature. 

We struggle in the Christian life, so often being defeated because we are trying to strengthen ourselves spiritually rather than trusting in God to do the work within us. Paul said it this way: For
that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.  If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwells no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwells in me (Romans 7:15-20).  Paul is sharing his personal struggle with sin. He is  admitting to having the same frustration most believers in Christ have. He relates how he wants to live the Christian life, but finds that the more he tries to do so, he messes up. While he has the will to do right, but he finds no ability in himself to do so. The key to Paul’s dilemma is the words in the flesh. Paul is saying that in his own strength and power neither he, nor anyone else, can expect to live a life that is victorious over sin. 

In a world where the word sin is taboo, and to talk about sin even from the pulpit, is considered archaic, to suggest that we ought to and can live life in a changed way seems out of place. Why should we avoid sin? Why should we live in a way other than in our flesh? After all, God gave us all things to enjoy. Why should we impose archaic values on ourselves? But when we consider that sin is doing things our way instead of God’s way, and that the ways of sin is destruction, we want to avoid it in any way we can. But how can we defeat sin in our lives if we are as weak as Paul says?

Paul tells us the answer in Ephesians 2. By grace are ye saved, he says, through faith and not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). So we cannot be saved by our own strength, i.e. our flesh and are saved only through God's grace which is His free gift to us. But wait, there is more. In the next verse Paul says this: We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works which God has before ordained that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). We have been saved by grace, and we have been created in Christ to live by grace. It is not a matter of feeding my new nature, but to live in my new nature—by grace. 

To live by grace is to live according to the new relationship we have with God when we trust in Him. We draw closer to Him as we read His Word and talk with Him. We learn to trust Him and enjoy His love. We recognize our constant need for Him and let Him do His work in us by stepping aside and letting Him be God and recognizing that we are not god. We come to the end of our efforts in the flesh and realize the only way to victory is to let Him have full reign in us. In other words, feeding Poodles extra does nothing. It only makes her fat. I need to be Newfy. That happens only by grace.

Is Anybody There?

You might be thinking that from this title I am wondering if anyone is reading these blogs. And you would be right. I know I haven’t been consistent in writing a blog each week, nor even each month. Sometimes I wait until I have an inspiration concerning a topic I think is of great importance.
Sometimes I am waiting for the time to write. Sometimes I wonder if anyone is reading this anyway. All of these things become excuses not to write regularly and as such don’t encourage a regular readership, because if I am not writing regularly why should anyone check regularly to see if there is something new?                                                                                                                                  

Seriously, I invite those of you who read these blogs to give me feedback. The site itself makes provision for comments and I would welcome yours. Even just a few words are fine. Also, should you think that the topic is a good one, pass it on to others, letting them know what you think. This
writer’s goal is to write things that are relevant to people in the society in which we live, encouraging them to place their faith and trust in the God of the Bible and to encourage believers to strengthen their walk with Him. But as I write, is anyone there?

But apart from myself and these blogs, there is another sense to this same question, “Is anybody there?” We live our lives with all kinds of deep and meaningful questions. We live and work and do and wonder what it is all about. Is there any meaning, any purpose, to what we do? Does anybody
really care? Our lives pass on in such a short span of time, will anybody remember? Is there any lasting significance to what we do? Is there Anybody there?

History books are full of people who have attempted great things to leave their mark on this world. Some have been successful and some have not. Some are known for good some for evil. We hear rumors about those currently who behind the scenes are attempting to manipulate the
political and economic scene to make a society that conforms to their ideals. Sometime is appears that chaos is just around the bend. And so things continue, this search for significance. And all the while we see a world in turmoil with events happening so quickly that things seem on the verge of getting completely out of hand. And we ask, “Is Anybody there? Does Anybody see?”

I know that this blog so far is very pessimistic. In fact, if from what you have read so far you may be wondering how this writer even bothered to get up this morning and why he bothers to write. You may even be wondering why you are bothering to read all this. But, there is a reason to keep on doing the things we do. There is hope for this world. There is Somebody there.

There is a Book that tells us of this Somebody. It begins with, “In the beginning God…” As written so many time before in these blogs, there is no attempt to prove God’s existence. This book just states it. That’s how it is with us. We need to start somewhere. Will we trust the God of the Bible or not? If we do He gives us a sense of significances we do not know otherwise. He is not only there, but He cares about us He sent His Son to take our place on a cruel Cross of execution, to pay our debts, so we can be reconciled to Him (John 3:16).

I've heard it said, "How can an intelligent thinking person believe in God?" To this I respond, "How can an intelligent thinking person not take God up on His challenge to prove that He is by taking Him up on His promises (Malachi 3:10). God has promised to make you a child of His if you will only receive Him (John 1:12). The only way to know for sure is to take Him at His word. Ask Him into your life. When you do so you'll know the answer to the question, "Is anybody there?"

With all the happenings we see around us, with all the horrifying things we see in this world, we understand, God is there. He sees. He cares. He cares about me. He even invites me into a personal relationship with Him where He adopts me as His child . All is not futile. There is a reason to get up in the morning. God is there.