Amazing Sovereignty and Love

"Are not fiue sparrowes solde for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But euen the very haires of your head are all numbred: Feare not therefore, ye are of more value then many sparrowes."

Luke 12:6-7 - 1611 KJV

Imagine you work for a busy and very large grocery store, and you are the only one that is working there. You are in charge of maintaining the entire store now; all the stock, customer services and house-maintenance. You have lost your mind, there a customer spills something, there another has a question, every 10 minutes a product runs out of stock and customers are storming at the customer service desk complaining about it, now you must go in the back of the store looking over hundreds of pallets of stock to find that one product, you find it at the bottom of the pallet, you must remove all the product above it, it drops and spills all over the floor, you must clean it up, you take another of its kind out to fill it on the shelf... Another product is out of stock.

I think you get the point. If we were in charge of everything in a grocery store at once we would lose our minds, there is no way we could possibly even imagine doing that. What now if you had to be in charge of every single sparrow that ever existed, and made sure it existed as long as it was fore-planned to? That would be impossible... at least maintaining a grocery store all by yourself would make a little profit if it is not busy.

God is omnipotent, which means he has unlimited power, and all that He plans out to do will be done. God can manage 1,000,000,000 grocery stores all by Himself at once and then also take charge of all the sparrows. This is impossible for even the angels to fully comprehend. Now, how could a single being be able to take charge of all life at once, and even count all the single hairs upon every one our heads (Luke 12:7a)? How can a being so immutable hear the prayers of all men at a clap? How is this even possible? If God would waste His time counting all the sparrows and determining when they die, are not we then less important? Nay, man, but say to yourself for remembrance "Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows" (Luke 12:7b). These things are worth thinking about, but in reality we will never understand them, are we God's counselors? Are our thoughts His? (Romans 11:34). What then? Should we just sit back and forget it all because God has it all already under control? No... We shouldn't.

This is the great mystery of God, and His outstanding work, creation, screams His omnipotent power. This is why we shouldn't sit back and forget it, because God wants us to proclaim of His glorious power, and all that power is pointing to the Gospel. This amazing power of His is what so interests us as people, all of us deep inside wish we had all this much power, and frankly we would probably do anything to attain it if we were able to. If a man had half of the power an angel of the Lord has, people would be all over him, worshiping and praising him. Yet we tend to neglect our duties to profess our faith in Christ and to worship God who created us. This is how corrupt we are deep inside because of sin. But isn't it amazing that a God so powerful and omnipotent would make such a humbling way for us to be saved from the punishment we deserve? Christ, who was God manifest in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16) paid it all on the Cross. Christ was crucified and shed His blood just for us. Why would such an unlimited God humble Himself down to worms like us? 1 Corinthians 1:18 says that "the preaching of the Cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." It is indeed foolish for those that perish to think that such wretched sinners as us would have favor in the sight of God on Christ's behalf. Do you ever look down on a filthy worm and love it unconditionally? That is exactly what God is doing when He loves us sinners, because He is perfectly Holy and in Him there isn't an ounce of darkness (1 John 1:5). We are filthy worms compared to Him but yet He loves us like a bride (Ephesians 5:25). This is that joy which so fills the hearts of us Christians, knowing that the all-powerful and omnipotent God that became human and suffered for us, His Church, suffered tremendously and gave us His very life on the cross. Choosing this path may be an easy "YES" for those who are His and those who have His spirit, but oh is it so hard to follow for those that prefer their sins, and oh, how few there be that enter therein (Matthew 7:13-14). Why should we then neglect our duties to worship Him? How much more can we repay Him that He has given us? Nay I say, nothing. We can pay nothing back to Him, save our faith, which is that thing God so lovingly rewards us with in Christ. This saving faith alone is what justifies, not by works lest we should boast (Ephesians 2:9), and it is Christ's imputed righteousness in us that God sees us fit for salvation (Philippians 3:9). This is that love God showed us on the Cross and continues to show us now, and is the reason us Christians should be rejoicing. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Today we live in a world that teaches to please yourself, and to live for yourself. We live in an age where personal satisfaction and greed for more money triumphs all other things. The elite of this world have enough money to feed every single human being in the world with abundance of food, and there is enough space for each individual existing to own at least a few acres of land. Yet our hearts seek it all, to take it all, to have it all. I am not speaking of all people here as if it is a complete fact that all your hearts desire all the wealth in the world, nay, some people understand the penalties of greed. However, I am assured that if any man here in this congregation including myself were to be granted enough power as to stand up to God's thrown; that is, if we were all-powerful and all-knowing, our sinful and greedy nature would make haste to fasten itself upon our conscience so that we become dangerous and fierce dictators. This is why socialism does not and will not work, for it is like a blind man leading another blind man into a ditch (Luke 6:39). The state, which is led by sinful and greedy men, cannot fix the state of other greedy men, trying to do so will hastily bring in a totalitarian government that will trample upon its citizens much like the Soviet Union did to the Russian people. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, had this chance of rule, God gave them charge over all creation. They however disobeyed God's only commandment not to eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This disobedience is what caused all humanity and creation forever to be completely depraved and dead to sin (Romans 5:12). We are dead to our sins at birth (Psalms 51:5, Colossians 2:13). This is the reason why God must quicken us while we are yet dead to sins (Ephesians 2:1-5), and to replace our stony hearts with hearts of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), so that we can see and freely accept His gift of eternal life. Our free will and personal obedience before that we are born again by His will alone (John 1:13) have no contribution or subservience to our salvation whatsoever. But this is the reason we need God both in personal and in public life. The God who can and does change hearts, the God who says to care for those who are in need, and the God who came for the sick (Mark 2:17); it is this God that we urgently need in society and in our own lives. It is no wonder that God reminds us in Matthew chapter 6, instead of worrying about what we shall eat, and what we shall be clothed withal, that we ought to "seek [ye] first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things (water, cloths, food) shall be added unto you."

Replacement Theology?

Let's be Biblically honest here: God's people are no longer defined genealogically, they are defined Christologically.

"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: 'I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan." (Revelation 2:8)

... Poverty as a consequence of slander and accusations .... The source of their persecution: the Romans. Fomenting the Roman persecution was the inciting accusations of ethnic Israelites about whom Jesus here says are not worthy of that ancient and honorable name. "I know the slander [blasphemy] by those who say they are Jews and are not." My friends that is a profoundly important statement. When we watch the flow of redemptive history, the storyline of the Bible unfold and we move from the epic of promise into the epic of fulfillment, God's people are no longer defined genealogically, they are defined Christologically ... Christocentrically. You say "what do you mean?" True Jews are those who follow Jesus as their Messiah. They are characterized by a birth not of the flesh, but of the Spirit. They are marked out by a circumcision not of the flesh but of the heart. So who then are these people? These people who claim to be Jews by virtue of their bloodline, but according to Jesus himself, they are not. Jesus defines them for us: "They are a synagogue of Satan." It is like what Jesus says to the unbelieving Pharisees in John chapter 8, who claimed the paternity of Abraham. He says: "You are of your father the devil." You see beloved, this is why we need to think clearly at this point. This is what is so utterly wrong today when people refer to the Judeo-Christian God. [They say] "Christians and Jews really in the end worship the same God." NO! ...To reject Jesus Christ is to reject the full and final revelation of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The truth is there is no such thing as an orthodox Jew, beloved, unless he is a Christian because if the Jews really believed in the Old Testament they would believe in Jesus Christ. If a person does not believe in Jesus Christ then, according to John chapter 5, then he does not believe in Moses either. "Moses spoke of me," Jesus said. And so Paul says in Romans chapter 2 "A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly nor is circumcision merely outward and physical", no "a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly and circumcision is circumcision of the heart by the Spirit not the written code." 

Now friends, people often ask me, "Do you believe that the church replaces Israel. The answer is "no of course not!!!" The church does not replace Israel. The fact is, Jewish people who reject Jesus Christ are apostate from Israel. Following Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of true Judaism. Everything in the Old Testament pointed to Him. Israel and the church, then, are not in radical discontinuity, rather, the later is the consummated expression of the former. Beloved, a failure to appreciate that has profoundly determined strange things in our [own] country. By virtue of the influence of American evangelicalism we say silly things like "Always side with Israel, no matter what Israel does always side with Israel. God will take care of America if we always side with Israel. They are God's people." [But] Jesus says they are a synagogue of Satan. And is there a reason then why American evangelicals are notoriously ineffective in their evangelism of Arabs? 

Jesus is] The full, final, ultimate expression of Judaism. You are Abraham's seed. C'mon ... Tear those pages out of your study Bibles.

~Excerpt from Dr. Arturo Azurdia III's 81 part series on the Book of Revelation.

Romans 13 and Answer to Anonymous

Inquiry from anonymous to me: "Some of the more famous and egregious examples of morality in the New Testament include provisions which would have required Germans to venerate Hitler (1st Romans 13: 1-5), rejoice as he exterminated the Jews (1 Thessalonians 2: 4-5), treat women as second class citizens (1 Timothy 2:11-12), all in addition to the views you expressed on homosexuality. It seems to be the case, then, that if you are one of those chosen for an eternal reward in heaven, you have to be a really horrible person who would make an outstanding Nazi. Especially when you look at all the text that makes a virtue out of blind obedience to other men (1 Timothy 6:1, Ephesians 6:5-6, Titus 2:9-10, 1 Peter 2:18, 1 Corinthinas 7:21-24, basically all of Paul's letter to the Romans).

So my question is, if the President of the United States was promoting the ethnic cleansing of Muslims, would you obey, or would you resist the genocide understanding that you would be denying yourself a place in Heaven and securing yourself a place in hell?"





Answer: Those are horrific interpretations of those Scriptures.
Romans 13:1 says, "Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." If this is so, what about the bad governments like the Nazis or the communist regimes where they killed millions?  If God is the one who sets up governments, are we supposed to obey those bad governments?
The answer is no.
We are to obey governments unless they violate Scripture.  Acts 5:29 says, "We must obey God rather than men." Whenever a government violates biblical teaching, Christians are obligated to disobey that government.  For example, if a government were to declare that we should kill all Asians, or immigrants, or people with Down's syndrome, we should disobey.  Governments are run by people and often become corrupt.  Furthermore, the Bible never tells us to obey governments in contradiction to the revealed word of God.

1 Thessalonians 2:4-5 "But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. For neither at any time used we flattering words*, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:"

I do not see anywhere in that text where it says to rejoice in the slaughtering of Jews.

1 Timothy 6:1 "Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed."
This verse is teaching to respect authority, why is that a bad thing? Do you count your boss at work worthy?

Ephesians 6:5-6: Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Again, I see nothing wrong with servants obeying their masters. In Biblical times, a servant was a servant because he had to pay off debts.

1 Peter 2:18: Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
Here is the verse many have problems with, but let me explain something: To be froward means to be habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition to someone or something like a law. Someone that is being forward is being willfully contrary to someone or something and is not easily managed. Similes of the word forward are crookedness, to go wrong, go crooked, backsliding, twisted, distorted, or crooked so now let’s explore what forward means in the Bible and use it in the context in which is it written. Since the word “forward” is used more often in the King James Bible that is where I will try and biblically define the word.

Since we know what forward means we can see why God detests a forward heart as the psalmist writes “A froward heart shall depart from me: I will not know a wicked person” (101:4) because “the froward is abomination to the Lord” (Prov 3:22) so “Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee” (Prov 4:24). If “Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord” (Prov 6:14). As far as Solomon is concerned “All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them” (Prov 8:8) because he realized that God hates a forward mouth (Prov 8:13) as “the froward tongue shall be cut out” (Prov 10:31b). For those who have not the Spirit of God it is normal that “the mouth of the wicked speaketh forwardness” (Prov 10:32). The point in this paragraph is “They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the Lord” (Prov 11:20).

Peter wrote “Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward” (1st Pet 2:18) showing that even if someone is froward of heart and mouth to us, we should not respond in kind because then we lower ourselves to their level. David wrote that “With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavory” (2nd Sam 22:27) so we have a choice. We can chose what comes out of our mouth and show ourselves as being pure or we can speak with a froward mouth and show ourselves unsavory to God. Regarding any nation or people and even any person God says “I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith” (Duet 32:20) so a froward mouth or heart is an evil, wicked heart and means that they are habitually disposed to disobedience and God resists such people. For those who refuse to repent Solomon writes “Thorns and snares are in the way of the forward [but] he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them” (Prov 22:5).

As for 1 Corinthians 7:21-24, that is a bad passage to use to prove your point, this is speaking of our releasing of spiritual bondage in Christ Jesus. 

Answers to LGBT Criticism

Inquiry: Isn't God love and Jesus says to judge not?
Answer: God is love, but God is also righteously just. He punishes sins and Jesus says He will come back to throw the wicked into the lake of fire (one of the types of people not going to heaven mentioned in 1 Corinthians chapter 6 being homosexuals).

Inquiry: Doesn't the Bible also say wearing mixed fabrics and eating shelfish is a sin?
Answer: You fail to understand that Scriptures have an old and new law. The old being only for the Israelites of that time, the new being universal (which applies to the whole world). Homosexuality is a sin condemned both in the new and old law (Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:8-10).

Inquiry: Why are you condemning homosexuality, when heterosexuals sin all the time?
Answer: Because heterosexuality itself isn't a sin, while homosexuality itself is a sin. I condemn those  sins committed by heterosexuals just as I condemn homosexuality.

Inquiry: Why do you hate homosexuals?
Answer: I don't, I hate homosexuality. Hating actions from a person is different from hating the actual individual.

Inquiry: Times have changed, it is the 21st century now.
Answer: God hasn't changed, nor will He ever (Malachi 3:6). That includes His opinion on these things.

Inquiry: How does this affect you?
Answer: Well, how does mine speaking against it affect you? I am commanded by Scripture to reprove what Scripture says is wicked (Ephesians 5:11). Sin ultimately affects all men, and since mainstream media and even the government has shown support for this sin, it is ultimately a Christian's duty to warn society of its coming disaster for such.


Inquiry: Homosexuality doesn't hurt anybody, the lifestyle is no different than heterosexuals'.

Long answer:
Documented facts about the homosexual lifestyle:

• Homosexuals more likely to suffer from depression: "A new study in the United Kingdom has revealed that  homosexuals are about 50% more likely to suffer from depression and engage in substance abuse than the rest of the population, reports Health24.com . . . the risk of suicide jumped over 200% if an individual had engaged in a homosexual lifestyle . . . the lifespan of a homosexual is on average 24 years shorter than that of a heterosexual . . . While the Health 24 article suggested that homosexuals may be pushed to substance abuse and suicide because of anti-homosexual cultural and family pressures, empirical tests have shown that there is no difference in homosexual health risk depending on the level of tolerance in a particular environment. Homosexuals in the United States and Denmark - the latter of which is acknowledged to be highly tolerant of homosexuality - both die on average in their early 50's, or in their 40's if AIDS is the cause of death. The average age for all residents in either country ranges from the mid-to-upper-70s."(onenewsnow.com/Culture/Default.aspx?id=255614)
• Breast Cancer higher among Lesbians: "Breast cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed among women and is the leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States, following cancers of the skin and lung. Recent research has identified risk factors for breast cancer that may differentially affect lesbian and bisexual women, including nulliparity and higher rates of alcohol consumption and overweight, that may place this population at geater [sic] risk than heterosexual women of developing breast cancer." (Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, glma.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=feature.showFeature&FeatureID=319&E:\ColdFusion9\verity\Data\dummy.txt)
• "In CDC's study of the sexual profiles of 2,583 older homosexuals published in Journal of Sex Research, Paul Van de Ven et al. found that "the modal range for number of sexual partners ever [of homosexuals] was 101–500." In addition, 10.2 percent to 15.7 percent had between 501 and 1000 partners. A further 10.2 percent to 15.7 percent reported having had more than 1000 lifetime sexual partners. Paul Van de Ven et al., "A Comparative Demographic and Sexual Profile of Older Homosexually Active Men," Journal of Sex Research 34 (1997): 354." (See more statistics on Promiscuity at http://www.carm.org/statistics-homosexual-promiscuity)
• 2% of U.S. population is gay yet it accounts for 61% of HIV infection:  "Men who have sex with men remain the group most heavily affected by new HIV infections. While CDC estimates that MSM represent only 2 percent of the U.S. population, they accounted for the majority (61 percent; 29,300) of all new HIV infections in 2009. Young MSM (ages 13 to 29) were most severely affected, representing more than one quarter of all new HIV infections nationally (27 percent; 12,900 in 2009)."  (Center for Disease Control, cdc.gov/nchhstp/newsroom/HIVIncidencePressRelease.html)
• "Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) represent approximately 2% of the US population, yet are the population most severely affected by HIV and are the only risk group in which new HIV infections have been increasing steadily since the early 1990s . . . ” (Center for Disease Control,  http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/msm/index.htm)

Homosexuality and reduced Lifespan

1. Gay men lifespan shorter than non gay men: "The life expectancy for gay and bisexual men is 8 to 20 years less than for men in general.Robert S. Hogg et al., "Modeling the Impact of HIV Disease on Mortality in Gay and Bisexual Men," International Journal of Epidemiology 26 (1997): 657." (Exodus Global Alliance, exodusglobalalliance.org/ishomosexualityhealthyp60.php)
2. "In 2007, MSM [Men Sex with Men] were 44 to 86 times as likely to be diagnosed with HIV compared with other men, and 40 to 77 times as likely as women." (Center for Disease Control, http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/msm/index.htm)
3. Domestic Violence higher among homosexuals: "'the incidence of domestic violence among gay men is nearly double that in the heterosexual population.'(Gwat Yong Lie and Sabrina Gentlewarrier, "Intimate Violence in Lesbian Relationships: Discussion of Survey Findings and Practice Implications," Journal of Social Service Research 15 (1991): 41–59." (exodusglobalalliance.org/ishomosexualityhealthyp60.php)
4. Sex of women with women at greater health risk than women with men: "For women, a history of sex with women may be a marker for increased risk of adverse sexual, reproductive, and general health outcomes compared with women who reported sex exclusively with men." (American Journal of Public Health,  ajph.aphapublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/97/6/1126)

By-ends

By-ends: "Why, they [the pilgrims, including Christian], after their headstrong manner, conclude that it is duty to rush on their duty all weathers; and I am for waiting for wind and tide. They are for hazarding all for God at a clap; and I am for taking all advantages to secure my life and estate. They are for holding their notions, though all other men are against them; but I am for religion in what, and so far as the times, and my safety, will bear it. They are for religion when in rags and contempt; but I am for him when he walks in his golden slippers, in the sunshine, and with applause."

 From John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress"

I will allow the interpretation of such an allegorical quote be determined by you, the Christian. This quote from the Pilgrim's Progress has been a great mind-opening thing to me to see. For, there be many Christians who follow likewise the thinking of by-ends.

Biblical proof for TULIP (Doctrines of Grace)

 2 Timothy 2:15 - "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

For the many hundreds of years this debate has been going on, the Church has historically split and decided the side regularly called the Calvinist side is the correct one. The reason why we are not getting anywhere today is because both sides continually rely on emotion and human reason to argue their case, namely the Arminians who cry "not fair! not fair!"

Let us not reason by emotion, but, as the Scripture says, "Study [Scriptures] to shew thyself approved unto God."

 It is God who appoints people to believe (Acts 13:48), chooses who is to be holy and blameless (Eph. 1:4), calls according to His purpose (2 Tim. 1:9), chooses us for salvation (2 Thess. 2:13-14), grants the act of believing (Phil. 1:29), grants repentance (2 Tim. 2:24-26), causes us to be born again (1 Pet. 1:3), draws people to Himself (John 6:44,65), predestines us to salvation (Rom. 8:29-30) and adoption (Eph. 1:5) according to His purpose (Eph. 1:11), makes us born again not by our will but by His will (John 1:12-13), and works faith in the believer (John 6:28-29). I will provide all five points of TULIP, (otherwise known as Calvinism) and give ample Biblical support of each.

 

Total Depravity:

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17:9‬ ‭

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭3:10-12

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:1-5‬ ‭

“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:11-12, 14‬ ‭

“And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father"

John 6:65

Unconditional election (Predestination):

“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1:4-5, 8-9, 11‬ ‭

“(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)

For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭9:11, 17-23‬ ‭

“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭1:9‬ ‭

“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:7‬ ‭

“According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:11-12‬ ‭

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:28-30‬ ‭

“Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭

Limited Atonement:

“Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

‭‭Titus‬ ‭2:14‬ ‭

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭

“I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

‭‭John‬ ‭10:14-15, 27-28‬ ‭

“Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:12‬ ‭

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:25‬ ‭

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6:20‬ ‭

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”  ***Note: "were" healed, not "are going to be healed if you accept the healing."***

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭2:9, 21, 24

Irresistible Grace:

“It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6:63-65‬ ‭

“All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6:37, 39‬ ‭

“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6:44‬ ‭

“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2:1, 6, 8‬ ‭

“And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?”

‭‭Daniel‬ ‭4:35‬ ‭

“But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭115:3‬ ‭

“Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?

Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭9:19-21, 24, 27-28‬ ‭

“Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” ***Note: a man cannot be born by the spirit by his own power or free will (John 1:13)***

‭‭John‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

John 1:12-13

Preservation/Perseverance of the Saints (eternal security, or, once saved always saved): 

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:5‬ ‭

“And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6:39, 44, 54, 58‬ ‭

Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God."

1 John 5:13

"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:"

Philippians 1:6

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:35, 38-39‬ ‭

How should I preach?

What should a preacher do when preaching the Gospel to the lost? Is it to be something that is of pure love, or something that warns them of their sin and exhorts them to come to Christ?
This is something I have personally struggled with tremendously throughout my later childhood and now. I read in the Gospels where Christ preached meekly, “And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.” (Luke 5:31) - in Matthew 5:5 we see Jesus giving the sermon on the mount, saying that "blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth!"

What is it then? Is it the job of a Christian to preach meekness, and meekness alone, without a tint of any condemnation? Was Jonathan Edwards, the 18th century preacher who sparked the second great awakening in America, and who God used to convert 500 souls to Christ the day he gave his sermon 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God' in error for mingling meekness with judgment?

Though Christ in the Gospels did preach love and meekness, he also preached condemnation and justice! 5 chapters after the sermon on the mount, Jesus says "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34) - after John 3:16, the 'verse of God's love', Jesus tells Nicodemus that: "He that believeth on him [Jesus] is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:18) and, again, in verse 36: "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."
Paul writes in Ephesians 5:11: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.”

What is my point?
Plainly, that a Christian ought to take the effort to understand the Scriptures, and know when to preach with meekness, and when not to preach with meekness.
This is something that takes much time and study... Something I need to work on.

I recommend 'The Bruised Reed' by Richard Sibbes to anyone interested in this topic. Sibbes understood this topic very well.

Contemplating on the Caribbean Sea

                            Contemplating on the Caribbean Sea

Penned between March 30 and 31, 2016 as I was meditating upon the Glory of God and His Word while sailing the Caribbean on a cruise-ship.

Forward: upon much thoughtful meditation, I have determined upon one thing; that is, to live forever for the Glory of Christ, and to do and to write those things which insist upon my love of God's Word, and continuously embark on my endeavors to see spiritual growth and the love of the Gospel to grow in and around other believers. To find where I derived all these contemptlations, search the Scripture, or do a quick Google search of the main-themes that I write about, and you should find them.

Conclusion 1, that sin is the transgression of the law, whereas love is the fulfillment of the law. Therefore, to love is to transgress sin, and to sin is to transgress love.
Conclusion 2, that there are many transgressions that are mistakenly thought of as being loving, such as fornications.
Conclusion 3, God is love. In Him is no darkness at all.
Conclusion 4, that though there be many things that Christians are called to do and not to do, Christian piety ought also to consist of unwavering and ever-growing humility and humbling of oneself. More importantly, to love God and to love your neighbor.
Conclusion 5, Christians ought to love the things of God more than man, and ought also to make the effort to live for God rather than for themselves. Trusting in God will bring about those things that are necessary for our earthly bodies.
Conclusion 6, that Scripture is the ultimate rule of faith and practice for a Christian, and that no measure of carnal-minded worship, oral tradition, or popery can in any wise usurp or replace that infallible rule of faith.
Conclusion 7, that Christ is the head, first fruit, physician, mediator, teacher, guide, instructor, and husband of the Church.
Conclusion 8, that the Church is the whole body of believers, chosen elect and regenerated saints who put their entire hearts to the great caretaker and shepherd who died on the cross in their place, taking upon Him their transgressions and raising them up for the last day.
Conclusion 9, that no form whatsoever of postmodern or 21st century culture can change, alter, add to, or diminish from the Word or the triune nature of God. Nor can any decisions made by any legal authority on earth change or take away from the Gospel or the Law. In conclusion: God does not change, He is the same God of the creation, Old Testament, New Testament, and today. In conjunction, His opinion on all matters doth not change.
Conclusion 10, that to rightly follow and obey God is to completely and utterly deny all self interests, desires, and opinion that do not conform to the image of Christ and to base ones mind only upon Scripture. And that, a desire to love God means that one must learn to love what God loves, and hate what God hates.
Conclusion 11, that it is comely and expedient for a Christian to strive for continual community, fellowship, and like-mindedness with other Christians. Also, that the fellowship of the saints ought not to be chiefly for gainsay and good feeling, but also shall be that of continuous and effectual exhortation, godly correction and uplifting assurance to that which pertains to heavenly things and to Scripture.
Conclusion 12, that as daily feeding of food nourisheth the body and sustains life, so does daily reading of God's Word, meditation upon His glory, and self evaluation sustain spiritual fruit and life.
Conclusion 13, that daily prayer and repentant humility is necessary for a healthy Christian living.
Conclusion 14, that Christians are the salt and light of the world, and it's their duty to expose, renounce, and reprove evil while solidifying, exhorting and endorsing Christ-like holiness.
Conclusion 15, that reproving and rebuking evil must be done in a spiritual mindset, and no form of carnal conclusions or emotion shall persuade Christians as they reprove it.
Conclusion 16, that personal opinion or notions that are not wrought by God or approved by continuous mediation in Scripture has no place whatsoever in a Christian's decision making process or theological foundation.
Conclusion 17, a wise man is open to correction. A wise man will love those who rebuke him.
Conclusion 18, it is a shame and folly to answer a man or his inquiry before hearing it first.
Conclusion 19, it is foolishness to be double minded, or be carnal-minded and spiritually minded at the same time.
Conclusion 20, affliction and persecution are part of our calling, and without them there would be no trial and building up of our endurance toward Christ.
Conclusion 21, pride comes before the fall.
Conclusion 22, we were all once dead to sin and trespasses, what could we have possibly done to be saved without that undeserving grace of God!
Conclusion 23, God can use bad for good.
Conclusion 24, those who call good things bad and bad things good shall expect great and terrible punishment.
Conclusion 25, the Sciptures define what is good and bad, and so canst no man say nay to God.
Conclusion 26, it is important not to let the sun come down upon your wrath. Rather, be angry and sin not.
Conclusion 27, children are a dear blessing from God, and so likewise all children, born or unborn, are made in the image of God.
Conclusion 28, marriage, which God hath plainly expressed to be between one man and one woman, is likened unto a covanent made between the husband and wife. A marriage can in no wise be kept if the husband is unloving, or the wife swallowed up in her own ways.
Conclusion 30, husbands, love thy wife as Christ loveth the Church. Wives, submit to thy husband. A man doth not own his own body, but his wife. A woman doth not own her own body, but her husband. Above all, God created all.

Afterword: these things that I have written have but one purpose, that is, to lift up the hearts and souls of God's children. My purpose is in no wise to lift up myself for my own self, though writing this has indeed helped me; but rather, I wish to see the life of my brothers and sisters in Christ to be more Christ-centered - where God is exslted. I strive to see the day where my beloved brothers and sisters walk in their daily lives looking up to God, to see His fantastic glory and wait upon His omnipotence to give them joy, peace and comfort. And though our afflictions may be for a season, our gracious God doth not slack, nor will He forget His children. Rather, He shall use all things in our life for His good.
I did not include the citations of Scripture I derived my contemplations from for one reason: so that my beloved brothers and sisters may search themselves these things in which I find so sweet and comforting to know about. I wish for all to learn and to enjoy for themselves the sweet savour of our Lord that is incensed upon each and every word of Scripture.

Soli deo Gloria, Sola Scriptura, Solus Christus, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia.

An Incorruptible Inheritance

The natural man is inclined to find their comfort outside of Christ, in a worldly inheritance that is perishable and temporal.
But how much better it is to find our refuge in Christ, who is literally the light of this world (John 3). This inheritance is "incorruptible", "undefiled", and "fadeth not away" (1 Peter 1:4), so it ought to be a Christian's duty to perpetually exhort one another and oneself to "lay up [for yourselves] treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal".

Objection: "But I have a hard time conceiving this. It is too hard for me to think about God all the time and reject myself and my desires. How do I know I am storing my treasure in heaven? Why can't I just please myself? God will forgive me, right?"

Resolution: God's Spirit is that of effectual regeneration to those whose hearts are replaced with flesh and whose eyes and ears are opened. One who is truly under the state of grace is transformed into the likeness of Christ (Ephesians 1, Romans 9). To therefore find no comfort in Scripture, religious duties, or in Christ bears witness that you have no spiritual fruit. The reality of this is clear, for "my sheep will hear my voice, and they will follow me" as Christ said in the Gospels. One who is born again and regenerated by the Holy Spirit cannot deny the change within, the immediate quickening within one's heart to follow God and love Him with all the heart. So those of you who profess Christ, but prefer the carnal substitutions of this world over Christ's spirit, have no spiritual fruit.
You therefore need to humble yourself before the Lord and beg God for the spirit of repentance and renewal of mind.

As the great baptist confession says of this matter:

CHAPTER 13; OF SANCTIFICATION

Paragraph 1. They who are united to Christ, effectually called, and regenerated, having a new heart and a new spirit created in them through the virtue of Christ's death and resurrection, are also farther sanctified, really and personally,1 through the same virtue, by his Word and Spirit dwelling in them;2 the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed,3 and the several lusts of it are more and more weakened and mortified,4 and they more and more quickened and strengthened in all saving graces,5 to the practice of all true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.6
1 Acts 20:32; Rom. 6:5,6
2 John 17:17; Eph. 3:16-19; 1 Thess. 5:21-23
3 Rom. 6:14
4 Gal. 5:24
5 Col. 1:11
6 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:14

Paragraph 2. This sanctification is throughout the whole man,7 yet imperfect in this life; there abides still some remnants of corruption in every part,8 wherefrom arises a continual and irreconcilable war; the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh.9
7 1 Thess. 5:23
8 Rom. 7:18, 23
9 Gal. 5:17; 1 Pet. 2:11

Paragraph 3. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail,10 yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome;11 and so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, pressing after an heavenly life, in evangelical obedience to all the commands which Christ as Head and King, in his Word has prescribed to them.12
10 Rom. 7:23
11 Rom. 6:14
12 Eph. 4:15,16; 2 Cor. 3:18, 7:1

Why worry about Internet groups?

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭6:14-18‬

I am asked many times why I worry about things that go on in Internet groups and fandoms, and why I should preach so much against their sins. People of modern times, even professing Christians, have the notion that it is nobody's business what others do in their lives. This apathetic notion has taken on more extreme measures - causing people to openly live out sinful lives and even endorse it in their music and television shows.

The spiritual state of any society can be measured by its fruits, for as Christ says: "By their fruits shall ye know them" (Matthew 7:16). Therefore the very fact that almost every popular song out there is about sexual love or any such endorsement of fulfilling carnal desires is a reflection of where our society is at spiritually. Walking into any restaurant, observing any of my colleagues and the music they listen to, and walking around any corner on the street will openly reveal the apostasy of modern times. I have seen self-professing Christians many times speak favorably about celebrities such as Beyonce; who is by no doubt satanic, and openly worships the devil by both her deeds and her music.
Now, the same reason that any Christian should reject the wickedness of popular media is the same reason they ought to reject God-deprived groups of the Internet. A Christian's first desire is to love God and to follow Him by the set statutes given through Jesus Christ and through the Gospel alone. This means therefore that the Christian must reject those things that God rejects, and accept those things that God accepts. The extreme measures by which many Internet fandoms such as Anime, Furry, Brony, and copious others should be rejected by the Christian, or at least those Christiand who are in these groups should speak out and rebuke their sinful counterparts, because we cannot be unevenly yoked with darkness. The Internet is a very, very integrated part of society today, to ignore the Internet is to ignore too much that indicates the spiritual depravity of society.

Now, to answer the questions concerning why I even spend time and energy against Internet groups is two-fold. That is:
1.) The very fact that Christians cannot stand up against only some things that are sinful, but ignore the rest or simply put it off as 'none of their business'.
2.) My history on the Internet, and seeing the wickedness therein and how many Christians have fallen into its trap.

It is hypocritical for a Christian to reject certain carnal sins, and then ignore or even accept another. I have seen several poor servants of Christ fall into spiritual afflictions and stumbling blocks because they refused to leave the groups they were affiliated with.

The spiritual state of any society can be determined by its fruits; glorifying God's creation more than God is a disastereous sin. It is an abomination for a man to worship the works of one's own hands, or to worship animals. Even worse is to mix humanity (God's image) with four-footed beasts and creeping things.

The Definition of Marriage

 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith

CHAPTER 25; OF MARRIAGE
 
Paragraph 1. Marriage is to be between one man and one woman; neither is it lawful for any man to have more than one wife, nor for any woman to have more than one husband at the same time. 1
1 Gen. 2:24; Mal. 2:15; Matt. 19:5,6
 
Paragraph 2. Marriage was ordained for the mutual help of husband and wife, 2 for the increase of mankind with a legitimate issue, 3 and the preventing of uncleanness. 4
2 Gen. 2:18
3 Gen. 1:28
4 1 Cor. 7:2,9
 
Paragraph 3. It is lawful for all sorts of people to marry, who are able with judgment to give their consent; 5 yet it is the duty of Christians to marry in the Lord; 6 and therefore such as profess the true religion, should not marry with infidels, or idolaters; neither should such as are godly, be unequally yoked, by marrying with such as are wicked in their life, or maintain damnable heresy. 7 
5 Heb. 13:4; 1 Tim. 4:3
6 1 Cor. 7:39
7 Neh. 13:25-27
 
Paragraph 4. Marriage ought not to be within the degrees of consanguinity or affinity, forbidden in the Word; 8 nor can such incestuous marriages ever be made lawful, by any law of man or consent of parties, so as those persons may live together as man and wife.9
8 Lev. 18
9 Mark 6:18; 1 Cor. 5:1

 

Did Christ die for all men?

If Christ is the Saviour of every single man, even the people that are in hell, would that make Christ a failed Saviour?

The word 'Saviour' is a noun describing the subject as having saved a person. Notice it's a past-tense action that precedes the noun, because nouns of this nature are usually given to someone after they have done that thing which the noun describes.
It is not a noun meaning 'going to save' or 'wants to save.'

This means that Jesus Christ can be viewed at in two ways:

1.) That He is a potential Saviour, that requires our permission.

2.) He is an effectual Saviour and has effectually 'purchased the Church with His blood (Acts 20:28).

Here's an analogy:
Let's say I am clinging unto the top edge of a large canyon - if I let go I die.
Now a man, a savior, is put in place to save me.

A.) He reaches half way down and tells me I need to, out of my miserable state and total inability of strength, to reach out the other half way. As a result, because I am so burdened by gravity (sin), my hand slips and I fall to my death.

B.) He reaches all the way, grabs my hand, and pulls me up.

Is A or is B a saviour?
Now... Is Christ a Saviour?

My dream

It is not often that I remember perfectly a dream that I have had, but last night I had this dream that I cannot keep from sharing because of its relevance to this blog. I will first explain the details of the dream, then explain the meaning and significance of it the Holy Spirit wrought in me to share.

During my dream last night, I lived in the East Coast. I remember I was on the beach, and lived in a beautiful summer cabin. There was not a care in the world, everybody did what pleased them and it seemed to be a utopia. 

When all of a sudden there exploded tragic news. In 12 hours there was going to be a gigantic tsunami wave that will wipe out the entire East Coast. Authorities ran around the beaches with mega-phones telling everyone to get out of the water and escape from the East Coast.

I was panicked, I was on my knees praying to God to spare me and my family as soon as we were in the car rushing West. Or... Rushing West for awhile.

I quickly learned that very few people took heed to the warning, and fled West. I remember as I was on the road with my family, still being well within the impact area of the incoming tsunami that was supposed to wipe out entire states, my family decided many times to stop at McDonald's or somewhere else to get something to eat or drink, or stop for the washroom. I was the only one in the family crying "NO! LET'S KEEP ON GOING, WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE TONIGHT!"

However, they didn't care. They thought they had plenty of time before they had to worry about the incoming wave. So they infrequently drove West, enjoying the cares of their lusts while I was sitting in the back seat trembling in fear about the imminent destruction - praying to God continually to spare me.

Another thing I noticed in my dream was how few cars I saw driving away from the East Coast. Not many people apparently gave heed to the ample warnings, and decided they would stay on the beaches and 'live it up.'

The story did not go on much further. I woke up wondering what the dream was about. That was when the Holy Spirit prompted in me this allegory; much like the allegory of John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress:

-The East Coast resembles the carnal world, that is heaping up wrath for itself.

-The West resembles Heaven, for those who will flee from their lusts.

-The tsunami wave resembles the wrath and displeasure of God.

You see now. God gave me a dream much like He gave John Bunyan when he wrote 'The Pilgrim's Progress." The dream is about the present world, and the depraved spiritual state of many.

We as Christians must decide on whether to deny ourselves and pick up the cross (Matthew 16:24), or to, as Proverbs 6:10 puts it : "Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:" 

But then once God's wrath (tsunami wave) is upon you, woe is you. How will you be able to stand up for yourself then?

Finding Refuge in the Gospel

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High."

Psalm 46:1-4

Whatever it is, either spiritual or physical, of any temporary struggle, infirmity, or affliction, we can be assured in this: That God, the omnipotent and omnipresent Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, hath effectually wrought in us His perfect spirit of grace, whereby we are called to be the sons of God, and wherefore having the spirit of adoption, we cry "Abba, father" - (Romans 8:14-15).

The question now, as pertaining to my blog, is how this assurance of peace with the Father has any relevance to living a Christian life in the modern world. We are told by the world to rely on ourselves; to find refuge in our knowledge and understanding, and to look to those who profess to be wise to give us the answers to life. 

Howbeit, we still find ourselves in an earnest desire to know truth and to be loved withal. This earnestness of our flesh is a continual and perpetual struggle, in that, whatever we may know about science, ourselves, and those around us, there will always be that fervency of desiring divine knowledge, love, and truth. If this earnestness did not exist, then there simply wouldn't be religion - which is today a broadened term defined amongst many circles of monotheists, pagans, and even some evolutionists.

Yea, religion today is a very broadened thing, a universal acceptance of a deity of any kind, sort, or spirit. We may indeed expect there to be a clash within ourselves, a question of 'which religion is right, then?' Aye, but there is only one religion, that of Christ, which alone is reliant upon the works of a Saviour, a King, a Sovereign. This Christ, even the Lord Jesus Christ, did so effectually atone for our sins, in that whatever pretenses we may have about our spiritual state or condition, it is alone the grace of God whereby we are saved. Other religions rely on personal achievements and works to earn salvation.

That being said, - that salvation is not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9) - if one is truly a born again Christian, he or she must find their comfort and strength in the Gospel. Our faith is a two-edged sword that cuts through all evil (Hebrews 4:12). There are, however, many out there who profess to be Christians, but will live for the world, and will strive to gain comforts and conformity in the world. "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36. Do not let your faith be gone with the wind due to afflictions, cares of this world, and other lusts; for, a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways (James 1:8). But rather, let your mind, body, and soul be in submission to Christ Jesus, and be in daily meditation upon His word. Scripture is your spiritual food, if you are to deprive yourself from your food, how do you expect yourself to grow?

As many look to the world for comfort, still many people of religious conviction will look to images, music, and other man-made helps to find refuge. This is indeed the deception of the Catholic Church, who look to images, pictures, and statues to help them in their worship. We are not to look to these things for help - but rather, we are to look solely upon the inspired word of God by which we are given in Scriptures. Scripture alone, as well as our faith, fervent prayer, and supplication, are the only means by which a Christian may endure in his faith and grow therein.


Find therefore, in this modern world, your refuge in the Gospel, and not in the works of the world or of man. For indeed, our God is there when we need Him, and by faith alone and by Scripture alone we may behold Christ's glory. Just ponder on how magnificent it is for us that we have the Gospels, which do so effectually proclaim His glory and works to us! This alone should uplift the Christian to glorify God!