The God of Life, Adopts

Why would God need to adopt us?  Are we not God’s Child already?  Is there something that separates us from God?  Why doesn’t God just snap his fingers and make everything right?  Is everyone going to be adopted by God?  All these questions hit to the heart of how God is the God of Life and does what even most people are unwilling to do; adopt rebellious orphaned children.  This article addresses all these questions with what God himself reveals.

 Foundational Adoptionism

Paul makes very bold statements in Galatians 4:4-5 and Romans 8:14-17.  This was not an entirely new concept in Jewish culture.  There are a couple instances in scripture where an outsider (non Jew) was brought into the Jewish nation and ‘adopted‘ by Jewish families giving them legal rights as heirs (Moses, Esther, and Genubath, 1 Kings 11:20).  But Paul reveals something grander than being adopted into the Jewish nation.  That we are actually adopted, by God himself, into the Kingdom of God without even becoming a Jew.

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him” (Romans 8:14-17)

God’s Glory and Christ’s Work Alone

 Jesus himself elaborates this revelation of Holy Adoption in John 1:12-13. But Jesus’ revelation of God’s adoption differs from Jewish traditional and customary laws.

“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who 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)

We are NOT born children of God by default.  Our family blood line does not make us children of God.  Our actions, lifestyles, governmental laws, court rulings, or regulations do not make us children of God.  We do NOT will ourselves into adoption.  We do NOT perform an alter call, say a emotional prayer, and choose within our selves to become a child of God.  Jesus’ key words are monumental; “HE GAVE”.  We do not take, claim, buy, earn, or merit.  He gave.

Realistically, when an infant is adopted, did that infant choose it?  Did they work hard and earn it?  NO.  That infant has no idea what is going on.  Everything is done on their behalf.  Now, applying to us, we are in a worse state than that of an orphan infant. We are DEAD in our sin.  We haven’t even been spiritually born yet! 

We CANNOT buy, earn, or merit our adoption by God in the first place.  Jesus had to REDEEM us from ourselves!  We had to be redeemed by Christ before we can even receive God’s adoption.  To put it more plainly, Paul states:

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, ‘Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree’” (Galatians 3:13)

All those (not everyone) who are “led by the Spirit of God” have been “redeemed” by Christ and because they are redeemed, they have been adopted and thus, will be led by God himself, just as a father leads his children.  This how all those who are redeemed can call him “Abba! Father!”  Which, in English would better be rendered “daddy” or an intimate child-father name.

The Legality

 The adoption process to claim a child, who is not of your own, as your own, takes a lengthy, costly, process.  Consider the lengthy costly process of God?  He sacrificed His Only Begotten Son to pay the ransom of the spiritually dead, MADE them born again, and adopted them, and GAVE them the rights of His Only Begotten Son; righteousness and heirs to eternal life with Him in eternal perfection.

Once Christ has redeemed us, GOD gives us THE RIGHT to be a Child of God and His Spirit is our witness with us before the throne of God.  This RIGHT, proven by the witness of The Holy Spirit and our NEW born again spirit, gives us legal justification to inherit what is Christ’s.

The Family Identity

Each and every family has their own personal traits, traditions, and characteristics whether your see it or not.  When we say Son Of something, it can be literal or symbolic of that characteristic.  Before we are adopted by God our familial characteristic is “son(s) of perdition” which actually means “who is doomed to destruction” (John 17:12; 2 Thess. 2:3).  BUT once we have been born again, redeemed, and adopted, our NEW family characteristic is “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God“.  We are lead by The Holy Spirit and grow into reflecting the very natures of our heavenly father; gracious, selfless sacrificial love, forgiving, merciful, compassionate, justice seeking, truth seeking, and so on.

BUT WHY?

God doesn’t have to do any of this.  He already has a perfect Son who lives with him in eternity.  He has a perfect Triune relationship within himself.  Why go out of his way to redeem and restore the “sons of perdition” and his corrupted infected creation?  Why pay the price he paid with Jesus for a creation that are dead in their hatred and disobedience toward him?  The answer is more simple than everyone thinks.  He is The God of Life.  LIFE is part of his nature.  Why did he create anything at all?  He is a life creator.  Why keep Adam and Eve alive after their rejection of him or keep all those who hate God alive everyday?  He is a life sustainer.  Why make all those who are dead in their sin born again and spiritual alive?  He is a life giver.  He is the God of LIFE.  Even those who will never accept him, who will always hate him, are not annihilated from existence.  They too will eternally live, just apart from Him as they desired, for all eternity.  Thus, he is the God of Life in every way.

People may ask, how does he let babies be aborted, infants die, or innocent children get killed?  These people often forget that this life is not it.  There is still a continued existence after this life.   Babies who were aborted, infants who died, and innocent children that got killed have just moved on into the next life and rightly perfectly judged by the absolute just God; their creator.  They are still living.

God’s Plan

God planned to adopt his lost rebellious wicked children and redeem them; from before the foundation of the world!  

“He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.” (Ephesians 1:4-6)

Just as Jesus stated in John 1:12-13, The Holy Spirit stated (through Paul) that He, God The Father, CHOSE his Children before the world was formed.  He literally “predestined” his children “for adoption”!!  Right here is when a lot of simple minded Christians cringe when they read the word “predestined”. 

So lets look deeper at this word. “προορίζω”  translated ‘proorizō’, which literally means “to predetermine, decided beforehand; to foreordain, appoint beforehand“.   Same word is also used in Acts 4:28, Romans 8:29-30, 1 Cor. 2:7, and Eph. 1:11.  There is no other way to understand that word other than “predestined: something predetermined beforehand, foreordained, and appointed beforehand“.  With that said, his children were chosen before creation and he already knew who he was going to adopt as his own before creation was created.  Period.  That is what HE, himself, reveals in Holy Scripture.  That was his plan from before creation.  His plan for all those who have been adopted before they were born.  That is his plan for all those who will be adopted before they were born and while they are lost, rebellious, wicked, and spiritually dead in their sin.

God desires all sinners to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4) and is wishing that no one should perish (2 Peter 3:9).  He takes NO pleasure in killing the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23).  But, he is a loving and Just God.   Therefore, he gives people exactly what they ultimately desire; separation from himself (Romans 1:21-32).  Which he would also already have knowledge of before the foundation of the world.  Making them just objects of his wrath and proof of his righteousness and justice (Eph. 2:3).

Abortion

Abortion is the most contrary action, desire, and concept in absolute opposition to the very nature of the God who creates, sustains, gives, and keeps life eternally.  Adoption is the most accurate and godly action, desire, and concept to the very nature of a God who adopts to himself those who he has redeemed through his Son.  The God of Life redeems and adopts the most rebellious, troubled, and needy; sinful wicked self-righteous humanity.  Christians that support abortion degrade, belittle, and even reject the adoption of God.  They don’t know if that child was chosen by God, and they don’t care.

Orphans and Adoption

Children are extremely valuable and important to God (Luke 18:15-17; Matthew 18:4-5, 19:14; Mark 7:27, 10:14).  Caring for and protecting the most in need is part of our duty as sons of God.  The Holy Spirit, through James stated:

“Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”  (James 1:27)

We can dive into the Old Testament and see what God feels about the orphans.

“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.” (Deuteronomy 10:18)

‘doing justice for the fatherless and the oppressed so that men of the earth may terrify them no more.” (Ps 10:18)

“Provide justice for the needy and the fatherless; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute.” (Ps. 82:3)

 “Learn to do what is good. Seek justice. Correct the oppressor. Defend the rights of the fatherless. Plead the widow’s cause.” (Isaiah 1:17)

We can go on and on in scripture where God makes it absolutely clear what he calls his chosen children to do for the orphans.  Abortion is direct disobedience and contrary to what God calls for Christians to do.  Abortion is oppressive and unjust where as adoption is freedom from oppression and offers justice to the orphan.  Abortion strips the child of any rights, even a right to life, while adoption gives children rights and inheritance.  Gives them the opportunity to come to Christ Jesus!

Adoption Agencies

The world will tell all kinds of horror stories about adoption.  They will use real life sinful examples.  But they fail to see that the whole world is full of sin and abortion is a far greater devastation than terrible adoptive families.  The damaged or abused child from wicked adoptive parents, still get to live, breath, and hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and come to Christ and be a child of God himself.  THIS ALONE makes the worst adoptive experience greater than abortion.  With that bias ignorance hateful propaganda pushed by pro-choice supporters and advocates, let us look at actual God Glorifying adoption organizations! 

• Bethany Christian Services, https://www.bethany.org/
• Infant adoption, International adoption, Foster Care adoption, and post-abortion support!
• Family Counseling, refugee services and foster care. 
• Support Bethany

• All God’s Children International, https://allgodschildren.org/
• Sponsor a Child, international adoption

• National Council For Adoption, https://www.adoptioncouncil.org/
• Vast amount of adoption information

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The Importance of The Gospel Message

Why is telling people the gospel so important?  Can’t you just live a happy wealthy life and tell everyone around you that God is blessing you?  Isn’t that good enough?  Why does it matter if we tell anyone about the person, works, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God’s power for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.” –
Romans 1:16

  Here we see that THE GOSPEL IS GOD’S POWER, FOR SALVATION.  That is massive!  The Gospel message is the power of God used to bring about eternal salvation.   The two most important things in all reality:  God’s power; and eternal salvation.  And IT, The Gospel, is that!

“But we must always thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God has chosen you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth. ¹⁴ He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

The Gospel is so important that it is God who we should be thanking!  It is so important that it is that which GOD does himself FOR YOU.  He hand picks those for eternal salvation.  Being personally chosen by the infinite eternal all-powerful Creator of all reality is huge.   The way in which he does it is through the “calling” of The Gospel.    God chooses when and where you hear THE truth, his truth, The Gospel; and believe.

What is more important in life, money?  being physically fit?   Having a strict diet?  A secure good paying job with benefits?  What good is all that if the value of money can be lost.  Your health can change in an instant.  Your diet becomes unmanageable and too expensive.  Your employer lays you off.  What then?  The salvation bestowed to us through faith in The Gospel is something that can NEVER be taken away.  It is something that can NEVER lose its value.  It is, in value and size, eternal.  The Gospel is ETERNALLY valuable and in worth.  The Gospel doesn’t get old, unhealthy, crippled, or pass away due to age; it lasts for ETERNITY.

Helping someone eat right, get in shape, and land a good paying job is nice and all, but NONE of those are ETERNALLY valuable in and of themselves.  Being used by God, and serving Him to help someone understand and believe in The Gospel, now THAT is worth more than all things we can do for someone else.  THAT is REAL love.

Consider what John the Apostle wrote:

“Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed. Those who believe without seeing are blessed.”  ³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples that are not written in this book. ³¹ But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name.”  John 20:29-31

The Gospel was more important that writing down everything Jesus did on earth.  The WHY Jesus did what he did was more important that every single detail of what he did.  The WHY he healed and went to the cross and not all the facts and events of every single healing.  The Gospel is ENOUGH so that you “may believe” that Jesus is THE Savior and THE Son of God.  That you may BELIEVE in the person and work of Christ.  And “by believing you may HAVE life [eternal]”

Why would you NOT want to give that to those who you love?  Do you really love your family if you don’t share with them the most important message in all eternity?  Do you teach your children the gospel?  Do you study it with your spouse?  DO YOU understand and believe the ETERNAL VALUE and IMPORTANCE of The Gospel?


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The Blessing And Priviledge of Oppression

There are two ways to view oppression and persecution; (1) as being a victim and the negative societal effect or (2) as a righteous opportunity with positive eternal effects.  But how do we properly see oppression and persecution through the eyes of God?  We must take to heart what Jesus spoke and believe it, trust it, and apply it.  Are you an oppressed victim or a victorious servant?  Does how you handle oppression bring God glory?  Is he pleased with how you live under oppression?  We need to look at what Christ Jesus reveals to know and see how oppression can be turned on it head.  How oppression can be a blessing and privilege in the life of a Christian.

Jesus’ Absolute Warning

Jesus gave us a heads up when it comes to living out your faith and proclaiming the gospel.  “I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33).  Is Jesus a liar?  Did he say you may experience hardship?  No, he said, with an absolute, you WILL have trouble.  In John 15:18-23 Jesus states “If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you...If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you….The one who hates Me also hates My Father.“ Jesus, God, makes it clear, the world (all those who have not in Christ) does hate you.  Sorry, you can’t appease everything no matter how hard you try.  This form of hate can be in various ways.  And did they persecute Jesus?  Yes.  Therefore, they (those who are not in Christ) WILL persecute you.  Again, the persecution can come in various ways.  Hate can be disguised to seem nice and ‘good’.  It can be in form of government systems or individual feelings.  It can be disguised as help and assistance when in fact it is subtle oppression through economic slavery.  But, no matter what, if you are IN Christ, you WILL be hated and persecuted.  If you are not, are you faithfully and obediently following Christ and called out of the world, or does the world love you as their own still (John 15:19; Romans 1:32)?  Guess what, you may fight for generations to become freed from government and societal oppression; but, you will still have oppression in the world.

In the Face of Hate, Oppression, and Persecution.

Being hated, oppressed and persecuted is meant to break you down and control you physically and mentally.  It demoralizes and dehumanizes.  It devalues the individual mentally and physically.  It attempts to force a dominance of the oppressor over the oppressed.  But, Jesus, flips the table (literally and metaphorically).  The Sermon on The Mount is THE go-to sermon for all those who experience hate, oppression, and persecution.

The poor in spirit, are those who have been broken down by hate, oppression, and persecution.  Their self worth is devalued, their hope is struggling, and their will to continue on is jeopardized.  Jesus declares, that they are vastly worthy, their hope is greater than anything of this world, and the will to continue is taken away from things of this world and placed at the feet of God Almighty (Matthew 5:3). 

Those who mourn, are those who have lost everything.  Their worldly freedoms, possessions, even family members and friends taken away by the oppressors.  The sense of freedom, individuality, and value ripped from them unjustly.  They mourn for their losses.  But Jesus declares that they WILL be comforted, by God Almighty (Matthew 5:4).

The gentle are taken advantage of.  They are used and abused by the oppressors.  They lose out on worldly success, material gains, and relationships that could foster protections and societal growth.  Yet, Jesus declares they WILL inherit the earth.  How?  Jesus, himself, will subdue the oppressors and deliver justice (Matthew 5:5).

Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness hunger and thirst because they struggle with revenge and the natural desire to seek their own justice on the oppressors.  They know, their own justice is not sufficient and their own revenge would not truly satisfy or be justified, so they hunger and thirst for something greater- true divine justice and rightness.  Jesus declares that they WILL be filled through the work of Christ Jesus (Matthew 5:6).

The merciful are blessed.  The fact that they show mercy to the unjust deeds of the oppressor already reveals they have the inherent sense of the Godly nature of Mercy.  Thus, they show mercy because they know it is more right than to not be merciful and seek to punish the oppressors.  It is because they show mercy, they will be shown mercy from God.  The oppressor on the other hand, who is not merciful in their oppression, will not be shown mercy (Matthew 5:7).

The pure in heart are blessed.  They are those who recognize the inner rightness of God’s Law.  They exhibit, in their heart, characteristics of God himself;  Selflessness, love, forgiveness, mercy, kindness, seek goodness, truth and honesty; in the midst of being oppressed.  Because they are self aware of these, they can more clearly see God himself.  Thus, they are rewarded with the greatest of these, they WILL see God.  In some way they “are” already blessed, they see the characteristics of God (Matthew 5:7).

The peacemakers are blessed.  They seek peace in the face of injustice.  At times, they even willingly submit to the oppression just to maintain peace.  These are not those who are already at peace but they are peacemakers.  Their efforts to seek peace is why they are already blessed.  They overcome evil with good.  But this is even true for those who were the oppressor, who then, breaks away to seek peace and not oppression.  All those who seek peace are declared children of God because they share in Christs passion for reconciliation (Matthew 5:8).

To sum it all up, those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed.  Righteousness is found in all those above.  The humble, the sinner who knows he is a sinner and needs a savior, the gentle, those who desire righteousness, who are merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. The truest form of these is found in Christ Jesus and that is why they will inherit the kingdom of God (Matthew 5:9).

Those who are insulted and persecuted for their unwavering open faith in Christ, are blessed.  The hateful, oppressive, persecutors will stop at nothing.  They will make up lies about the faithful. Distort, manipulate, misquote, vilify, slander, and unjustly judge.  But, despite all that WILL happen, Jesus declares to “be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven” (Matthew 5:11).

True Freedom while hated, oppressed, and persecuted

Faith in Christ Jesus is TRUE freedom.  But how so, if those who have faith in Christ are hated, oppressed and persecuted still?  Being free in Christ means you are not a slave to the mind set and sinfulness that lead people to become hateful, oppressive and persecute.  We are given the ability to not fall into that sinfulness, and if we do, we are empowered to be freed from it.  Not only free from that slavery, but also free to exhibit characteristics that rise above it.  Mercy, forgiveness, grace, selfless sacrificial love, and kindness are Godly attributes that can not be taken away by haters, oppressors, and persecutors.  They have NO power to stop you from being merciful.  They can not stop you from forgiving them.  They can not stop you from showing them grace and kindness.  They have no power to stop you from being selfless.  You are free (John 8:36).  And THAT is the blessing and privilege of being hated, oppressed, and persecuted!  How so?

Haters, Oppressors, and Persecutors are Actually Slaves.

Those who are haters, oppressors, and persecutors are this way due to their slavery to their sin.  To the sinful desires of their heart.  They are blind and in bondage to their sin.  Thus, the sin in the heart is manifested in their hatefulness, oppression, and persecution.  In reality, they are the ones actually oppressed by their sin because they know no other way and without Christ are powerless to resist their sinful desires.  They are bound by the Law of Sin and not by the Law of Life which is only found in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2).  This is the truth, and it is knowing and believing this truth is what sets people free (John 8:32).

The Privilege

Being hated, oppressed, and persecuted in this world the becomes a greater opportunity to magnify the attributes of God and serve God through it.  We bring glory to God when we bless the oppressors and pray for those who persecute us.  An opportunity that we would not get other wise.  Paul states “Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. ¹³ Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.” (Romans 12:11-15).  Jesus even declares “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may show yourselves to be sons of your Father in heaven. For He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:44-45).  In the face of evil and unrighteousness, hatred, oppression, and persecution; the children of God, who are in Christ, are given the unique opportunity and ultimately the privilege to not only glorify God in that oppression but also worship God through it.  An opportunity that no one else gets.  The faithful who are not oppressed do not get that opportunity.  The worldly who are oppressed by their sin, don’t get it either.  In some ways, it is even a test and judgement.  

Your Right of Freedom From Oppression?

It is a privileged not to be oppressed.  We are all sinners and are not worthy in our own merit to be delivered from oppression.  Paul states “For government is God’s servant, an avenger that brings wrath on the one who does wrong” (Romans 13:6).  God declares “By me kings reign” (Proverbs 8:15) and “the Most High has power over human kingdoms.  He gives them to whomever he wishes” (Daniel 4:17).  God may not even approve of the rules that mankind desires, but he still allows them to rule as judgement over the people (Hosea 8:4).  We can even look at Egypt where God judged Egypt by hardening the heart of Pharaoh (Exodus 9:12).  God guides the hearts of rulers and leaders for his will and purpose (Proverbs 21:1).  When a government becomes oppressive, it is because God allowed it for his judgement.  Not necessarily a judgement on God’s people in that nation or region, but over those who approve and support the evil of that government.  They are handed over to their sin (Romans 1:24).  It is not God’s people who suffer because in reality, they are free in Christ and already have the great reward waiting for them.  Jesus even tells us “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). But because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), and all have fallen into sin (Romans 3:23), and no one is good (Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:3; Romans 3:10-12), who are we to demand some kind of right of freedom from oppression? (Isaiah 64:8; Romans 9:20). This is only reserved for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:2), given as a gift from God alone (Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:34, 6:23).  Freedom from spiritual and worldly oppression is a gift from God- not a right.  

As made known in the first paragraph, Jesus makes it clear, that oppression WILL happen and looking at the lives of the Prophets, Apostles, and the early church; freedom from the worldly oppression is far from a right we can demand.  Does God deliver people from oppression, in the worldly sense?  Yes, but it is only at the will of God for his purpose and is not a right for use to demand.  Instead, we are to “Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).  We are even called to “count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds...Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him”  (James 1:2, 12).  Thus, we are called, in Christ, to rejoice, pray, and give thanks all while being oppressed.  

Should we call on God to bring about justice and free the oppressed from worldly oppression?  Yes, it is a duty within the church to defend the oppressed and seek justice.  But we must also, at the same time, remain Christ-like, eternally focused, and remind ourselves that we have something greater waiting for us in heaven, greater than a freedom from worldly oppression.  Our more important mission is to proclaim the gospel to free the spiritually oppressed and this, will lead to freedom of systematic worldly oppression because it alone changes the hearts and minds of the culture. Changes in systems and public policy is a result of changed hearts and minds- from proclaiming the gospel, while under the systems and polices that are oppressive.

The blessing and privilege of oppression magnifies the gospel message and the attributes of God shining even brighter through those who exhibit them in the face of hate, oppression, and persecution.  Not all Christians have the honor to exhibit this intense mature faith- but all should seek and desire it.  When exhibited, they are the undeniable salt in the world and the brightest light that exposes the evils of oppression in a more clear way.  This transforms cultures and nations, governments and public policies.  It brings undeniable honor and glory to God and projects the righteousness of Jesus Christ for all the world to more clearly see. And that is a blessing and privilege to be chosen by God to participate in his plan of that magnitude. 


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Steven Furtick and What God Can’t Do

The lead pastor over at Elevation Church in North Carolina, Steven Furtick, is a rock star.  He is a big personality with high dollar speaking engagements.   He gets his audience all ralled up with his engaging public speaking style and use bold words and statements.  He even got his masters in divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  Even Oprah added him to her top list of spiritual leaders (John 15:19)… With all that said, lets get into what really matters; TRUTH.

THE PATTERN OF TEACHINGS:

A)  Does not understand the SOURCE of the doctrines of Grace.

In a video posted in 2008, Steve states his church is about ‘kingdom multiplication’ which is good, but then continues on to state “…if that doesn’t get you excited and you need the doctrines of grace as defined by John Calvin to excite you, you in the wrong church. Let me get a phone book. There are 720 churches in Charlotte. I am sure we can find one where you can stuff your face until you’re so obese spiritually that you can’t even move.”  That’s an interesting statement to make.  Is Steven’s definition of the doctrines of grace true or is John Calvin’s?  Are they both true?  Are they both wrong?  See, he already misses the mark.  He assumes the doctrines of grace is defined by man whether its him, or John Calvin… This is due to the ultimate problem with him.

Quick tangent, the doctrines of grace affirm that man is completely lost in his sin and it is only by the grace of God through the person of Jesus that salvation is possible.  It is not up to man’s sinful free will, but God’s sovereignty over his creation (Rom. 9:22-23; Eph. 1:4-5).  It further states that because of man’s enslavement to sin he is unable to freely choose God (1 Cor. 2:14).  Therefore, the doctrines of grace include God’s electing and predestining people to salvation (2 Thess. 2:13), which is by God’s choice, not man’s (John 1:13; Rom. 9:16), and that the saved are eternally secure because their salvation rests in Christ’s work, not man’s faithfulness (John 10:27-28).  This is defined by the Bible.

Matt Slick said it well:  “Mr. Furtick is entitled to not agree with the doctrines of grace, but to mock them as he did is uncalled for and is potentially a serious spiritual error on his part.  It seems that he is not only ridiculing those who hold to the doctrines of grace, but that he is also mocking the very doctrines which the scriptures teach.  Is not God a God of grace?  Of course he is (Rom. 3:24; 11:6, Eph. 2:8; 2 Thess. 1:12).  Mr. Furtick’s mockery divides the body of Christ, helps to create a holier-than-thou attitude and potentially risks a direct violation of scripture.“

B)  Does not understand that true Leaders are Servants.

In 2014, a discussion regarding a Children’s Coloring book from his church arose.  The text in the coloring book reads, “We are united under the visionary,” and “Elevation Church is built on the vision God gave Pastor Steven. We will protect our Unity in Supporting His Vision.”  Who’s vision?  Pastor Seven.  Children are taught to “protect” and “support” Pastor Seven.  Sounds odd to be teaching children to be loyal to their Pastor and what he in-visions instead of Christ and his completed works.  Again, another issue his church that is man focused rather than Christ focused. But, no big deal right?

Around that same year, there was an info-graph produced by Elevation Church that made the following statements

1. We serve a Lead Pastor who seeks and hears from God.
3. We serve a Lead Pastor we can trust.
7. We serve a Lead Pastor who pours into us spiritually and professionally.
16. We serve a Lead Pastor who goes first.

The interesting thing about these statements is that they are Pastor Steven focused.  Who do they serve?  Jesus did not come to be served but to serve (Matt 20:28).  Why would a ‘godly’ pastor want to be served and “go first”? (Matt 20:16)  Again, no big deal, just another instance of a narcissistic leadership.

This brings us to the premise of his problem:  Narcigesis – A biblical hermeneutic where one reads themselves into the bible and writes God out of it.

C) Does not know how to find the TRUE meaning of the passages.

In 2016 Steven gave a message and used the temptation of Jesus as his biblical justification for his message (https://www.facebook.com/StevenFurtick/videos/1139336036087810/).  He understood the scripture to be speaking about HIM and how HE can defeat temptation.  The problem is that Satan was specifically talking TO and ABOUT Jesus… not us.  “If you really are the Son of God…“.  THE reason for this story to be in the gospels is that WE can understand who JESUS is.  Where Adam failed, Jesus succeeded.  Adam was created good but not perfect, Jesus is the perfect eternal Son of God.  Where Steven Furtick WILL fail, Jesus Will NOT.  This passage is ABOUT JESUS and helps us get to know Jesus in a deeper way.

Steven Furtick is The Son of God?

In that same sermon, Steven applies the title “The Son of God” to himself.  This may have been a mistake, but, it would fit the context of his message… Another instance where Steven applies The Son of God title to himself is when Furtick claims the “Father” spoke to him that morning, reminding “me that He loves me and that He’s pleased with me”. So Furtick is NOT talking about Jesus here – he is talking about himself.  The exact words that God The Father literally spoke to Jesus at this baptism (as prophesied in the OT).  He stated ““If you are the son of god? You don’t have to tell me who I am! I know who I am. I’ve always been the Son of god. I’ve always been a child of god. In fact I just spoke with my Father this morning and He reminded me that He loves me and that He’s pleased with me!”  Does he not know the difference between being a child of God and who THE Son of God is?  Because they aren’t the same.  He continues on to attempt to explain what he just said “I’m not the ‘son of god of god+’ that you say I am! I’m a son of god because god says I am. I’m not confident because of what I can do, I am confident because of what god says He WILL do!” He starts to recover and then starts heading down a good road to proclaiming the Gospel Message, the most important message mankind needs to hear… “I’m not forgiven because I’ve earned acceptance, I’m forgiven because god says He has forgi- help me preach!”  And then, he changes the topic… he fails to proclaim the Gospel message to millions around the world watching and listening. “Help me preach!“?? He’s the one given, by God, the platform to preach the most important message in all eternity… and doesn’t.

Steven Furtick gets pointers from Satan?

One of the most shocking examples of Stevens failed narcissistic interpretations is when he uses the instruction from Satan, the turn stones into bread and states “I’m not going to do it because I think I can, I am doing it because God says I can!”. Jesus rejected Satan’s instruction because it was NOT the will of God at that time Satan instructed Jesus to do it. It was never in God’s will for Jesus to turn stone into bread during this temptation…  Not sure where Steven thinks God is telling him to.  Steven isn’t even part of the equation at this portion of scripture.  Its all about Jesus.

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me [Jesus]…” John 5:39-40 

D) Does not understand that Jesus Is God and that HE is not.

Icing on the cake of his Narcigesis regarding salvation and the sovereignty of God.  In 2018, good ol’Stevie posted a video where he made some heretical shameful sinful belief claims.  The heresy of Pelagianism is named after its founder, Pelagius of the (354-420).  The inherent sin of Pelagianism is that, with an inflated view of man, they have a deflated view of God. A man who is powerful enough to save himself does not need a God powerful enough to save him unilaterally and without assistance.

Stevie attempts to explain Mark 6:5 through Narcigesis interpretation.  Steven focuses on the phrase, “could do no” (or “can’t”), in an attempt to explain that Jesus is less powerful than your unbelief.  Jesus, The Son of God, GOD HIMSELF, is less powerful than… you.  Your unbelief is so strong, that the God, WHO CREATED IT ALL, can’t overcome it.  This is the greatest form of Narcissism.  When YOU are more sovereign than God.  Steven has successfully disgustingly misinterpreted the true meaning of the passage and disgraced the deity of Christ.  This is a big deal.  This goes to the HEART of Knowing WHO GOD IS!  Christ cannot be fully God if He is thwarted by man’s unbelief.

John Gill explained it best:  “Or miracle; not that Christ had no power in himself to work miracles, though their unbelief and contempt of him were very great; but it was not fit and proper that he should do any there, since such were their prejudices against him: it is an usual way of speaking with the Hebrews, when either it is not “fit” and proper that a thing should be done, or they “will” not do it, to say it cannot be done; see Genesis 19:22; and even it is said of God himself, “So that the Lord could no longer bear, because of your evil doings”, Jeremiah 44:22. Not but that he could if he would, but he would not; nor was it fit and proper that he should; the same is the sense here: besides, in Matthew 13:58 it is said, “he did not many mighty works there”; and so the Arabic version here, “and he did not many mighty works there”; he did not think it proper to do any of any great consequence, nor did he. Wherefore the Jew (u) has no reason to object this to the divinity of Christ, as if there was a want of power in him. Christ is omnipotent, and he has given proof of his almighty power, by the miracles which he has wrought; and though he wrought no mighty work “there”, yet he wrought many elsewhere, which sufficiently attest the truth of his proper deity: the emphasis lies upon the word there; though he did not work any considerable miracle in that place, he did in others; which shows, that it was not a defect of power in him, that was the reason of it, but something else; and Matthew gives the reason of it, and says, it was “because of their unbelief”: not that their unbelief was an over match for his power; he could have removed that, if he had thought fit, but he did not do it; he, who is the author and finisher of faith, could have took away their unbelief, as the man that brought his dumb child to Christ, concluded he could; and therefore said to him, “Lord, help my unbelief”, Mark 9:24.”

The Totality of Scripture

We must consider the TOTALITY of what the whole of scripture teaches.  Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). It is God who grants belief (Ephesians 2:8).  John 2 completely refutes Steven’s notion as well, for both Mary and Martha conceived of His ability in proximity (vv. 21, 32). Martha confuses Christ’s promise to raise Lazarus as an eschatological promise (v. 24) and still objected to Him rolling the stone away after He corrects her (v. 39). Combine this with other instances of healing the multitudes and demoniacs who were restored without even the prior ability to ask, and we see faith is not a prerequisite for Christ’s miracles.  The Lord does as He pleases – and people throughout the span of the Scripture acknowledge this without hesitancy (Psalm 115:3, 135:6; Daniel 4:35; Jonah 1:14).  It is God who will specifically violate one’s unbelief; if this were not so, why would any individual cry out to the Lord, “Help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). Furthermore, there would be no hope for any sinner if Christ could not override unbelief, for we know that Satan has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the glorious gospel (2 Cor. 4:4).

CONCLUSION

Over the past 10 plus years, Steven Furtick has shown that he doesn’t really know how to properly interpret scripture due to this narcissistic tendencies which is why he seemingly agrees with the 5th century heresy Pelagianism.  The lack of church discipline is incredible.

It is a shame that none of his followers seem to have discernment nor does it seem that the South Baptist Convention has a problem with his sinful approach to teaching Holy Scripture.  But, none of this comes as a shock either, human sinful nature and scripture has already warned us about wolfs and goats.

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Who are YOU?

You, your being, your essence, your identity, who you are.  What makes you, you?  The modern world uses conditional compound labels to construct who people are.  Race, politics, religion, family heritage, social economic class, sexuality, and other social constructs are used to build someone’s ‘identity’.  African American or Italian American.  Liberal or Conservative. Christian or Muslim.  Heterosexual or Homosexual.  Wealthy or poor.  Throw a bunch of these labels together and boom- you?  What if our true essence of being and eternal identity is not found in those? 

John sets the premise for true identity in John 1:12-13

But to all who did receive Him,
He gave them the right to be children of God,
to those who believe in His name,
who were born,
not of blood,
or of the will of the flesh,
or of the will of man,
but of God.

John distinguishes two groups.  Those who receive Jesus and those who do not.  He goes even deeper and states that those who did receive Jesus are ones who believe in His name and thus are given the right to be children of God.  The reverse means that those who do not receive Jesus, do not believe in His name and are not given the right to be children of God.  But, he doesn’t end there.  

Those who did receive Jesus; who believe in His name and are given the right to be children of God are not born into this, are not self-willed into it, are not given it by others- but only by God.  Their identity is NOT found in their “blood” which is the body, which is skin color and physical features. Our identity is NOT found in the “will of the flesh” which is our lifestyle, chosen religious preferences, or political associations.  Our identity is NOT found in “the will of man” which is government labels, family heritage, or cultural history.  What ALL these have in common are identifiers from a worldly perspective of identity.  God declares out identity comes from something greater, God himself.  At the core of all that he said; their true identities are from God and in Christ Jesus.  That’s it.  

People who make the claim they are Christian because they are White, conservative, heterosexual, and wealthy… are believing in social constructs to justify themselves. Other people will add on to their claimed Christian title.  For example, they will say they are an African American liberal homosexual Christian.  Again the problem is they are not basing their Christian identity in the one thing that John makes clear.  All those other labels are of the world, not of God.  

Paul expands on this issue of identity when he states in Galatians 3:28:

^“There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” 

He also states in Romans 10:12:

“For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.”

Race, ethnicity, genders, social economic class, or political affiliation do not define who you are before the Lord.  The only defining factor is belief in Christ Jesus or not.

So why the additions of labels?

In each and every single person is the natural desire to justify ones self.  When those who claim to be Christian buy into the thought that their identity is found in Jesus plus something else, they are going against what John and Paul are saying about who they actually are.  It is a very simple truth and is confused and corrupted by the desires and thoughts of the world. 

Faith in Jesus + Anything = Nothing, in the eyes of the Lord
Faith in Jesus + Nothing = Everything, in the eyes of the Lord

History

History repeats itself because the there is a common thread in all the human heart- sin.  The Apostles had to address this self identity being defined by cultural association.  They had to beat it into the heads of the early church that here is NO difference between Jew or Gentile.  The church has always struggled with this- humanity has always struggled with this.  The creation of constructed racial definitions such as “white” and “black” added to this worldly way of thinking.  In history, some in the church think that in order to be Christian, one must act “white” or accept “whiteness” as a standard of Christian living.  This goes against what the Apostles taught.  Yet others think that associating more with African heritage some how makes them more true in their identity.  Whether its a greater association with someones “whiteness” or “blackness” or any race-ness; the essence of the problem is the same:  Identity = race + faith.  This then leads to disunity in the body of Christ.  Instead of being “all one in Christ” the church is then divided up by race.  Instead of there being “no difference” there are.   As one focuses on their own adherents to their race, they not only exclude others but segregate themselves.

The early church struggled with Jew against Gentile.  Then struggled with White against Black.  Looking at the most common rhetoric in the church today, it seems to be now swinging toward Black against White as some see that leaving “white evangelicalism” is godly direction to take.  But what does that mean for those who are labeled and judged as “white evangelicals”?   As each generation struggles with disassociating itself from its brothers and sisters of different racial backgrounds.

Faith in Labels

When anyone thinks they ‘become’ Christian because their family was or thinks they are Christian because they are Pentecostal they are buying into the lie that Faith + Something = Identity.  Simply having faith that someone is a White Christian or a striving to identify as an African American Christian is not only placing faith in Jesus but also faith in their race as something that ALSO gives them identity.  Even believing having a more ‘liberal’ world view and supporting worldly causes with some how justify their faith in Jesus before the world is the same thing. It comes down to not faith in who Jesus is or what he has done but faith in something about you.  That is idolatry. 

Label Worship and Idolatry

If your will to adhere to a particular label prevented you from solely focusing on Jesus Christ and proclaiming his name alone, than you are actually serving the agendas of that label as your master.  If you are unwilling to part with that label so that you can solely focusing on Jesus Christ and proclaiming his name alone, that label is in fact your idol.  We must ask ourselves, are we willing to deny our worldly constructed racial definitions (or any worldly label) so that our desires and minds are absolutely focused on Christ alone?

If your family was the foundation for your faith, what would you do if God called you to leave your family (Luke 14:26)?  What if God made something explicitly clear about a particular desire, and required you to leave that desire, could you (1 Cor 6:9-1)?  What if politics was getting in the way of proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, could you leave politics?  What if your adherence to your race, ethnicity, or culture was becoming divisive and causing disunity, could you deny yourself and leave the issue of your race and ethnicity for the sake of the Gospel and unity?  Would you risk your own worldly identified group hate you for the sake of proclaiming truth in Christ?  If the answer is no, than your identity is not resting in Christ Jesus alone.

In eastern cultures there is a greater dependence on family heritage and governmental or political party affiliation.  Do you have value, meaning, and purpose because you are part of a communist party?  Are you scared to shame and dishonor your family by following Christ instead of the defining religion of the family?  In those identities that only seem to give meaning and purpose, are still worldly constructs.

Identities become Enslaving

When people who claim to be Christian can become so consumed by their additional identities they become enslaved to the labels.  Over time of putting effort into conforming to a particular identity, people lose sight of life with out it.  Faith in a particular sexual identity leads to the greater focus on their sexuality than without it.  Faith in their racial identity leads to a greater focus on IT than on the gospel for all races. The enslaving focus leads to division and self segregation.  A simple test is:  Luke 9:23 “He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”.  Are you willing to deny EVERYTHING about yourself, even to the point of sacrificing your body, for Christ?  If your culture, race, and any associations that define you; are you able to see past them and forsake them for Christ?  If you can not forsake your racial identity (or any worldly identity), who is then really your master?

YOU

God declares that YOU are truly YOU in Him alone.  There is NO difference but ALL are one in Christ.  It is through Christ alone we find our true identity of who we are before the throne of our creator.  God won’t ask us if we were a good white person, or black person.  He will weigh us by how faithful we are to Christ’s work and how we loved ALL races, not just the ones we associate with.

You are made in the image of God created for his glory to worship him.   You are defined by your faithfulness to the person and work of Christ and not by anything else.  The only defining factors at God’s judgement are between the faithful and the wicked.  The world and all people will be identified by this alone.  The Absolute essence of our true identity of who we are, comes down to faith in Christ or not.  Those who have faith in Christ are ONE and are NO different for all those who believe have been adopted by God to become Children of God and baptized into THE SAME body.  All other dividing factors are carnal.  But, this does not negate the usefulness of the diversity in creation for God’s glory.

Evangelism

Even though we can rest in our true identity without focusing on race, sexuality, political associations, and cultural heritage; it can still be used as means of ministry and evangelism.  Some people within the world with a worldly mindset will only listen to those who they associate with.  Thus, the identifiers of the world, can used to reach the world.  They are not the focuses that define the identity of believers but focuses that are greater than identity.  For example, those who struggle with same sex attraction, by deny themselves to follow Christ, can better reach others who believe their same sex attractions define them.  Those who relate racially, can reach those of the same race who are only willing to listen to those they relate to.  Instead of those as defining factors of ones identity, they are actually tools to better reach those who are slaves in their belief those factors define them; with the hope of freeing them from that enslaving carnal identities.  Because in the end, true freedom is only found in Christ and not in any identity of this world.



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The Choking Thorns

Jesus’ metaphor for the seed sown among the thorns (Matthew 13:22; Luke 8:14) is extremely relevant to today’s issues of the Western church and the current social issue of systemic injustice.  This is a much heated debate that needs to be addressed.  How it is addressed and how solutions are sought are key.

Sources of Information

It is no question that the sources for American news are less reliable.  Yet, some within the church cherry pick what they see in the news and take it as true while disregarding other stories from the same news sources.  They fail to see that all the information projected from news sources are framed and constructed.  So that even if you believe one and not the other, it is still within the frame of what they want you to think.  When people show their support for one view over another, they are still following the way of the framed thought.  White privilege is partly to blame for Black injustice is two sides of the same coin; racism.  The framed debate projects racism with racism. We are taught to generalize one race because they are wrong to generalize another.  To say black people are potential criminals is wrong but to say that white people are potential racists is acceptable;  but both use the same racist reasoning.  This is trap of the framed debate.

Jesus said that some let “the worries of this age… choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful”.  But what is the fruit God desires?  Is it racial and gender equality?  Is it drafting more pro-choice or pro-life laws?  Is it gun control or second amendment rights?  If you notice, all these ‘desires’ are focused on one thing- the world.  If a society as a whole is secular or atheistic YET has racial and gender equality, which is also pro-life with strict gun control laws; is it then fruitful and pleasing to God? No, because it still lacks the thing that pleases God; faith in the gospel message.  A message that is left out of the framed public forum.

Awareness of Injustices

When digging into the (race) Lives Matter framed discussion, there is somethings extremely important lacking.  The framed discussion does not allow for TRUE discussion of the value of life.  Certain area of injustice is focused on but leaves out much greater injustices.  For example: The Black Lives Matter framed debate, leaves out the MILLIONS of African American lives that are unjustly killed by other African Americans AND by abortion.  No one seems to be fighting for a solution to the greater need which is causing a greater amount of loss of life.  WHY?  Because the sources of information that gets projected to the culture tells the culture that those are LESS important or something different altogether.  WHY?  Ultimately it comes down to who is to blame and indoctrinated victimization.  Just as Eve did not take responsibility for her sin and blamed Satan; she was just a victim.  this FRAMED movement does not want to take responsibility for its lack of seeking justice for the MILLIONS of African American lives that are unjustly killed by other African Americans and by abortion; because they are just victims of a system. 

But it goes much deeper than the value of life and responsibility.  This framed debate has successfully chocked out the word.  The solutions that are fought for are worldly solutions.  The HEART of humanity is never addressed.  The culture is taught (built into the framed debate) that humanity can come it a solution through its own laws and reformed systems.  The big failure is that by thinking we need to reform laws that some how we can correct systematic injustices is the solution; fails to see that ALL systems of laws and governments are built and imposed by sinful humanity.  That is like pealing off one bloody band-aid and put on a new band-aid.  Eventually, that band-aid too will become dirty; because the gaping wound is not treated.  What is the gaping wound?  That we sinful by nature.

Black on Black homicides may be influenced by a system that makes those who commit those acts have to in order to survive but will God still not hold them accountable for their act too?  African American mothers who abort their babies are taught that they have to in order to have a chance at a decent life; are they not going to be held accountable by God too?  Why is it, they get a free pass in the debate but not the police who take lives unjustly?  More African Americans kill other African Americans than by police. Let’s look at some statistics to shed light on what information is lacking the worlds framed debate.  Remember, the framed debate of injustices is focused on police.

The Unspoken Numbers

In 2017, 737 (updated to 768) people have been shot and killed by police in the United States. Of that number, there were 329 whites, 165 blacks, 112 Hispanics, 24 members of other races, and 107 people whose race was unknown.

So far in Chicago alone, in 2016, there have been 533 murders and 2,880 shootings. On average, a person is shot every two hours and 17 minutes and murdered every 12 and a half hours. In 2016, when Colin Kaepernick, an NFL quarterback, started taking a knee during the national anthem in protest of police injustices against African Americans, Chicago witnessed 806 murders and 4,379 shootings. Most of the murder victims are black. Adding to the tragedy is the fact that Chicago has a 12.7 percent murder clearance rate. That means that when a black person is murdered, his perpetrator is found and charged with his murder less than 13 percent of the time.  THAT is an injustice for all people.

The 2013 FBI Uniform Crime Report, a compilation of annual crime statistics, shows: 83 percent of white victims were killed by white offenders; 90 percent of black victims were killed by black offenders; 14 percent of white victims were killed by black offenders; and 7.6 percent of black victims were killed by white offenders.  BUT WAIT, 90 percent of black victims were killed by black offenders and statistically, black offenders killed more white victims than white offenders killing black victims.  Why is this injustice not part of the debate?  But there is more data left out of the debate.  2010 Bureau of Justice Statistics report concluded that 93 percent of black homicide victims from 1980 through 2008 were killed by black offenders and the black offending rate (34.4 per 100,000) was almost eight times higher than whites (4.5 per 100,000).  It can be argued that those numbers are outdated but according to 2017 numbers 169 people shot and killed by police were black (22%) 337 people shot and killed by police were white (44%).  The most updated census estimated data calculating the population of African Americans reported a population of 42,975,959 (total population multiplied by 13.3%).  That means, in 2017, African Americans had a 0.0004% chance of being shot by police. To put those odds in perspective, the chances of getting into a car wreck is 1 in 20 (National Center for Health and Statistics).  That means, African Americans have the same chances of getting into 2,000 car wrecks as getting shot by police.  What are the odds of getting into at least 1,000 car wrecks?  This does NOT even take into account the data on African American abortion rates.

The CDC reports that African Americans make up 35% of abortions in 2016.   And these are only the reported cases.  Not all states or clinics are required to report their data.  1.3% of these abortions were of potentially viable babies after 20 weeks.  Since 1973, there have been an estimated 17,950,566 abortions by African Americans.  That comes out to 417,455 a year (total divided by 43 years).  Given that the African American population is estimated to be around 42,975,959, then include the estimated aborted persons annually, we can conclude that a chance of being aborted as an African American is 0.009%.  This number is even higher considering not all cases are reported.

African Americans have a 22.5 times higher chance of being killed by abortion than by police.  Yet, still, have a higher risk of being killed by other African Americans than by police.  Why are these injustices not part of the framed debate?  That’s the point.  The debate is framed.  Framed in such a way to make people blame others and feel victimized.  

Would It Matter?

Even if those statistics were part of the debate, would it matter?  The framed debate does NOT still include the issue of the heart of humanity.  The solutions debated, even if including those numbers, still would not include the heart changing message of the gospel.  Other worldly solutions would be sought.

No getting around it

Those who selectively project news and frame in ways to get the culture to think and feel the way they want it to; also, have a HEART issue.  Those who cherry pick the news within the framed information have a heart issue.  Those who create the systems and perpetuate the injustice within it, have a heart issue.  Those who advocate for justice based on the selective reported news, have a heart issue.  WE ALL DO.   We can not escape the problem of the heart through seeking worldly social just laws.  Just as works do not cause salvation; laws do not cause morality.

THE SOLUTION

THE only REAL lasting solution to the injustices (and there are injustices in the system no doubt) that minorities face is through proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Only JESUS can HEAL.  Only GOD is the perfect judge and jury.  Isaiah 1:17 tells us to SEEK JUSTICE.  BUT we aren’t seeking true justice when we exclude/avoid Jesus from the debate.  When we constantly point fingers at police or other races as the cause for the injustices while ignoring greater factors we fail to honestly seek divine justice.  When we perpetuate the worldly framed debate we are guilty of perpetuating the framed debate that excludes God’s justice and Jesus’ healing.  We are guilty of dividing the church and making others feel excluded as we allow others segregate themselves.  No matter the worldly solutions, unity and truth is NOT proclaimed.  That needs to change for there to be any REAL change.

Abortion and Black on Black crime needs to be INCLUDED in the debate ALONG WITH police brutality and systemic injustice.  AND the gospel NEEDS to be proclaimed.  The heart of God needs to be sought.  The focus in the community needs to be on Christ Jesus and not whose to blame.  EVERYONE is to blame because EVERYONE is sinful.  The local communities need to hold accountable those who justify committing sinful acts.  Repentance needs to be sought and the grace of God needs to shine.  Without this, the church fails in glorifying God and sinks deeper into thinking and living like the world.  This is evident in the discussions and stats.  Because currently, the seed that fell is being choked by the framed debate of the world.  The church is irrelevant in the debate and fruitless.  That needs to change first!

Also read Racism and God  and  The Absolute Greatest Message To Tell Everyone

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The Son of God and sons of God

Throughout the Bible, various persons are stated as being sons of God or as God but what makes Jesus more unique than all them?  We must first properly understand what scripture means when it calls Jesus and others a son of God.  This helps us properly understand the uniqueness of Jesus.

sons of God

First let us understand who sons of God are.   Rulers and kings are refereed to as gods (Ps 81:6) but are they literally gods?  Of course not, there is only one God (Isa 46:9).  So to properly reconcile the passages and correctly understand them together, the kings and rulers were god in the sense they had the ruling authority and power like God but in their own role and position in the world.  Just like how Moses is described in Exodus 4:16, he was “as God” and not The God.  Therefore we can see that men being gods is referring to their position and status in the world as being like God.

God himself adopts men (and women) to become his children (Ephesians 1:5).  The children of wealthy parents are heirs to the wealth of the father.  Thus, those who are adopted by God have the God given rights to his Christ’s inheritance (Ephesians 1:11; Colossians 3:24; Hebrews 9:15) which is the total sum of eternal salvation.  And thus, sons (children) of God (Romans 8:14) are heirs to a divine inheritance which in a worldly sense was typically passed down to the first born male in that culture (Romans 8:16–17).  

Then who are the sons of God in Genesis 6:2-5?

This takes more discernment and inclusion of more passages to help interpret.  Sons of God can relate to angels (Job 2:1,1 38:7, Psalm 29:1, 89:7). We also need to understand that angels are spiritual beings (Hebrews 1:14), they can appear in human form (Mark 16:5). The men of Sodom and Gomorrah wanted to have sex with the two angels, in the form of men, who were with Lot (Genesis 19:1-5) but this does not say they are literally IN physical bodies.  

A point made in Gen 6 is that these sons of God had sexual relations with the daughters of men.  BUT Jesus declares heavenly angels do not marry (Matt 22:30) and marriage includes becoming one flesh (Gen 2:24).  The idea it seems that angels (sons of God) had sexual relations of women.  This is present in The Book of Enoch 15.  This book was written between 300 and 100 BC but was not seen by Ancient Israel as a book written by God.  But this seems to also be supported in 1 Peter 3:19-20 and Jude 6-7.  How can angels marry and become one flesh with daughters of men?  We see throughout the Bible instances of Demonic possession (Matthew 4:24, 10:1; John 7:21, 8:48; Mark 1:25-27, 5:15; Luke 4:51-56; Acts 8:7).  In light of the sum of all these passages we can see that fallen angels did not need their own literal physical bodies but could possess men, and then be capable to have sexual relations with women; for the purpose of sin and leading women and the people of the days of Noah away from God.  Their unique offspring are named Nephilim.  Which also explains why they are in the post-flood era (Numbers 13:33).  The offspring, being unique, and empowered by their parental figure, a fallen angel, explains why they were “mighty men who were of old, men of renown”.  Because they had the support of supernatural beings.  Demons were worshiped in ancient cultures (Deuteronomy 32:16-17).   These angels were sons of God in the sense they were directly created by God and did not have an earthly father.  Their beginning is from God but their rebellious sinful acts is out of themselves.  Like Eve, they saw something they desired and chose to take it for themselves (Gen 3:6, 6:2).  

So what makes Jesus’ claim of being The Son of God different?

Jesus is the “Son of David” because He is the fulfillment of God’s promise that David would always have a descendant on the throne (2 Samuel 7:10–13). In these cases, Abraham and David become more than people or patriarchs; they become the embodiment of an idea—specifically, God’s work in humanity. To be a son is to partake in the grand purpose of another’s life (Matthew 13:38; Luke 6:35).  But Jesus did not have an earthly father.   Luke 1:35 declares, “The angel answered, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.’”

Son can also refer to a person’s character or identity. A “son of Aaron” was a priest, a “son of Asaph” was a musician and songwriter (2 Chronicles 35:14–15), and a “son of the prophets” was a prophet (2 Kings 2:3). “Son of” was also used metaphorically to identify one’s nature or a personality trait.  John 17:12 where Judas is described as the “son of perdition.” John 6:71 tells us that Judas was the son of Simon. What does John 17:12 mean by describing Judas as the “son of perdition”? The word perdition means “destruction, ruin, waste.” Judas was not the literal son of “ruin, destruction, and waste,” but those things were the identity of Judas’ life. Judas was a manifestation of perdition. In this same way, Jesus is the Son of God. The Son of God is God. Jesus is God made manifest (John 1:1, 14).   Hebrews 1:3 expresses this very clearly, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being.”  Jesus is God’s Son in the sense that He is God made manifest in human form (John 1:1, 14).  The Jewish leaders understood exactly what Jesus meant by the phrase “Son of God.” To be the Son of God is to be of the same nature as God (John 19:7;  Matthew 26:63-64). 
 
But does Psalm 2:6-7 mean The Son of God is created by God alone?

John 3:16, which reads in the King James Version as, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” The phrase “only begotten” translates the Greek word monogenes. This word is variously translated into English as “only,” “one and only,” and “only begotten.” 

So what does monogenes mean? According to the Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature (BAGD, 3rd Edition), monogenes has two primary definitions. The first definition is “pertaining to being the only one of its kind within a specific relationship.” This is its meaning in Hebrews 11:17 when the writer refers to Isaac as Abraham’s “only begotten son” (KJV). Abraham had more than one son, but Isaac was the only son he had by Sarah and the only son of the covenant. Therefore, it is the uniqueness of Isaac among the other sons that allows for the use of monogenes in that context.  So if angels are called sons of God, and believers in Christ are adopted and become children of God, what then makes Jesus, as the Son of God one of a kind with a specific relationship?  

What does Jesus have that no other can offer?  He is not only sinless and only acceptable sacrifice for sin for all time but he is also the only one that existed before creation with God the Father, came down in the form of man, but is the embodiment and exact likeness of God in nature.  John 14:7 and John 10:30 are literal just as Hebrews 1:3, Colossians 2:9 and Ephesians 3:19 point out.  This unique specific relational position that only Jesus Christ possesses is “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature” which “all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form”.  Jesus was with God equally glorified before the creation of the world (John 17:5) and not only with God but was God (John 1:1).  This is THE Son of God.  More than just a child that will inherit the wealth and authority of the father.  More than being simply like God or acting as God in this world.  He is OF God in glory, nature, and deity.  And there is only ONE God that is glorious and divine; thus, the unique sonship of Christ is God incarnate.

 
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Commonalities of Cults

There are many subgroups of the Christian faith.  These subgroups tailor their teachings and focuses in different ways.  That is exactly how the Body of Christ functions BUT there are some groups that claim to be ‘Christian’ when in fact, they are not.  Some deny being ‘Christian’ but claim to have similar beliefs and ‘more correct’ views than that of orthodox Christianity; but how can you identify a cult?

The Teachings

Cults proclaim a NEW teaching or a more correct teaching revealed by a NEW prophet or writing.  Regardless of the source for their teaching, it is new a part from Christian orthodox.  They may even teaching an old teaching that was NEW in prior history but which is still outside of orthodox Christianity.  New writings are generated by the new prophet or group and followers are obligated to rely on the new writing along with or instead of The Bible.  Essentially, Cults teach that The Bible is not enough, cherry picked sections are only ones correct, or over all incomplete.

• Doubt or discredit the primary source (The Bible) as sole authority
• Generate secondary source(s) of authority to make new/morphed teachings authoritative
• Only approved teachings come from secondary sources.

 

The Rituals

Cults push followers to focus on their works by adhering to certain rituals or even abstaining from certain Christian orthodox acts such as communion and baptism.  Some even morph these acts and teachings of the acts to fit their new or more correct revelations.  Some rituals include financial indebtedness and status gains.  Essentially, they become controlling, isolating, and works based.

• Self centered rituals- “do this yourself to be good in yourself”
• Materialistic or worldly focus rituals- “give something tangible to get something tangible in return” 
• Pseudo love-  A false sense of loving others that which actually gratifies and justifies the self.
• End goal is deity of the self- “work hard and become a greater self or best self”

Verifiable

Their revelations and teachings tend to be non-verifiable and use circular reasoning to justify them.  A prophet is a prophet because it was revealed to him that he was.  Or the writings are divine because they were written by someone who said his writings are divine.  Some claim that they were given revelations in visions or by angels, and that’s that.  Essentially, the founder and their writings are unverifiable and have to be believed simply based on claim alone.

• Unable to verify or not supported with known history or testable natural phenomena
• Circular justification – “It is true because it is said to be true” 

Morality

Cults typically strive to be ‘good’ and do good.  They attempt to satisfy psychological, emotional, and intellectual issues of their followers.  They make their followers feel accepted and feel as though they have a purpose.  Some even provide financial security and promises of material and spiritual rewards.  But, this begins to fall apart once someone starts to question the groups teachings and wants to leave the group for what ever reason.  Those who question and desire to leave are guilt tripped, become more isolated, and more controlled by the group and its leadership.  The threat of destruction from God or their version of holy judgement is often deployed.  Those who do leave are shunned, and persecuted.  Those who remain in the group are caused to be depend greatly on the group.

• Emotional or materialistic moral justifications – “I feel or have therefore it is or should be” 
• Right and Wrong is defined through the secondary source of authority; which teaches how adherents should think and feel.
• Selective encouragement/ social conditioning- “You did good because you did what the organization/religion approves of; you did bad because you did what the organization/religion does not approve of”
• Decent or questioning the organized religion is a moral absolute evil.

Limit Learning

Cults often limit the source of their followers studies.  The groups that use the bible as part of their system discourage studying the bible alone and require the use of their writings.  This indoctrination allows for the cult to interpret how they want the bible to be interpreted to match their new teachings while at the same time allow the follower to feel as though they are learning what the bible says; even when they are not.  This is another form of manipulation and control.

• Instructed how to think only through secondary sources of authority as primary means to understand.
• Studying sources outside of the secondary authoritative source is discouraged by the organization or religious leaders and approved teachers.  Some may even actively restrict access to outside sources.
• Self teaching and self study is discouraged without the use of approved teachers or materials.
• Isolation is imposed to limit reaching outside sources of information.

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Who and What Is Satan?

Scripture reveals everything we need to know to recognize Satan and his schemes and temptations.   We will address where he came from, who he is, what he does, how he does it, and what his effects are and what they look like in the world around us.  We are commanded to test the spirits, and we can’t do that if we don’t know the difference.

 Where did Satan come from? 

He, and all the other angels of heaven were created at some point during creation (I John 3:8).  After he became full of pride and sin, he was caste out of heaven and to earth.  He was not annihilated from existence because, through being sin, he came dead already.  The death that which is separation from God.  He was not sent to hell but was allowed to remain on earth (Revelation 12:9).  Through his continued disobedience and deceptions on earth we see God’s power and righteousness more clear and greater- but by only those who haven’t been blinded by him

In Ezekiel 20:13-17 we read:

You were the signet of perfection,
 full of wisdom and perfect in beauty

Satan was made by God in perfect beauty with extraordinary wisdom.  He was given all the most beautiful wealthiest gifts and status. 

You were an anointed guardian cherub.
    I placed you; you were on the holy mountain of God;
    in the midst of the stones of fire you walked.
¹⁵ You were blameless in your ways
    from the day you were created,
    till unrighteousness was found in you.

He was anointed by God for a high role in the hierarchy of angels.  When he was created he was extremely powerful and beautiful; he WAS the standard of angels.  BUT, all that splendor and power ultimately corrupted him.  In the process of that corruption, sin was born in him. 

In the abundance of your trade
    you were filled with violence in your midst, and you sinned;
so I cast you as a profane thing from the mountain of God,
    and I destroyed [banished] you, O guardian cherub,
    from the midst of the stones of fire.
¹⁷ Your heart was proud because of your beauty;
    you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor.
I cast you to the ground;

He became so proud of himself and all his power and beauty that he then thought he could make himself to be like God and above God.  And THIS is the essence of all sin.

“I will ascend to the heavens;
I will raise my throne
above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
on the utmost heights of the North.
I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
I will make myself like the Most High.” (Isaiah 14:12-14)

He was ordained and placed by God himself a high status, with deep wisdom, wealth, and power.  A kind that no other angels had.  This closeness to God lead to a natural desire with all that he had, to be greater than God.

This pride lead to his rebellion and fall.  But his rebellion with a third of the angels failed, and thus, he enlisted the support from man by tempting them to succumb to the same choice that he made – to love themselves so great they also desired to become autonomous from God, defy Him, and be their own god.

It is important to notice how Satan uses others for his agenda.  Isaiah was also speaking of the King of Babylon, and Ezekiel was also speaking about the King of Tyre.  Satan enlisted angels, Eve, and others throughout history. 

Why would a wise and powerful angel, who was so close to God, think a rebellion would be successful?

It is important to see that his wisdom was not perfect and since he was not God, neither was his power.  Secondly, his pride corrupted him, thus infecting his limited knowledge.  He became so blinded by his own pride, that he really thought he could win.  Therefore, believing he could win, he then tried. 

Did God create an evil angel?

No, scripture is clear that God did NOT create Satan evil, but Satan, in his own self became evil.  Then, after sin was birthed in him, he was caste out of God’s presence.  Same with mankind.  Man was NOT created evil, but good (notice perfect is not stated).  It was then, when temped by Satan, did that same sin and corruption spread into the minds and hearts of mankind.

But Why Create Satan?

If God is all knowing and perfectly loving, why create a being that would ruin creation in the first place and save all the heart ache?  First, consider this:  What is greater than executing a punishment? Mercy.  What is greater than hatred?  Forgiveness.  What is greater than never being able to earn something?  Grace.  What is greater than never knowing what is right?  Truth.  How could you see righteousness without anything less?  How meaningful is a love that costs nothing?  By allowing Satan to do what he did, God’s glory shines brighter.  By allowing creation to be corrupted, he then gets to restore it in a greater, grander, most glorious way.  Its not about the necessity of evil, but it is about illuminating what already exists to a greater extent.  We would not see the vastness of God’s righteousness, glory, and love, if Jesus did not have to suffer on the cross. How would we ever see the greatness of God’s Love, Mercy, Forgiveness, and Grace; if he never revealed it?  And how could he forgive, if he never needed to?  How could forgiveness exist without something to forgive?  He allowed sin so that He would show the creation that he loves, that he is greater than all.  And at the end of time, when we see all that has taken place, and we will fully know God and his absolute glory, perfect love, mercy, forgiveness, and completely understand his amazing grace.

God is not ignorant or lack knowledge of time.  He is outside of time, created time, and had knowledge of all time at once.  He knew Satan would pull his dirty tricks and infect the world.  Which is why he already knew his Son would be sent to redeem the world.  This is hard for our finite minds to grasp because we see things through the lens of time.  We must see and understand God through his attributes, one of which is his eternal attribute.  He is eternal.  Thus sees all of time.  He is all knowing and good.  Thus he already had the perfect plan to redeem his creation, before it was created.  Which also he uses to reveal himself in a greater way to his creation, through his creations downfall.  Though God is not responsible for sin, he works around it for a greater end- His eternal divine glory revealed to creation on the most grandest scale.

If Satan is so obviously evil, how is he ABLE to deceive? 

Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. (2 Corinthians 11:14-15)

Satan masks his agenda and temptations like something good and desiring.  This pseudo-light is actually darkness and corrosive BUT is purposefully not made to seem that way.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.  Gen 3:1

With this pseudo-light and false hope that seems like God’s light and hope, but is actually not, he is crafty in how he presents it to individuals.  The Apostles warned of this false light and pseudo-gospel.

“But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!” (Galatians 1:8)

It is critical to see HOW Satan deceived Eve.  They were in the very presence of God! Yet, were still able to be deceived.  How?  To see HOW it is possible to be deceived by Satan, we look at HOW he deceived in scripture.

HOW he deceives

Gen 3:1-8 Satan start off distorting what God said and in question form.

“he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

Notice that Satan adds in some words that God did not say, but speak as though God did say it.  He rephrases God in a different way.  His confusion and deception leads Eve to consider what he is actually asking.  God never actually said “any tree” yet, Satan says “has God said?” 

Eve then honestly responds with what God told her.

“The woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; ³ but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’””

She was faithful to the Lord in her response.  That is exactly what He said and she needed to have complete faith that what He said was true.  But then Satan, after distorting what God said, follows up with casting doubt on what God specifically said.

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! ⁵ For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

After distorting and proposing doubt, he then manipulates the meaning of what God meant by “you will die”.  God was speaking about his spiritual relationship with man (James 1:15).  THEN Satan proposes the ultimate temptation in all the universe; to be like God.  THE sin that was born in Satan.  She then felt, for the very first time, temptation due to the distortion, doubt, and twisting the meaning of Gods words.

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.”

She considered the question and meaning that Satan proposed.  This temptation lead her to consider what Satan told her and forget what God made clear.  She saw, was delighted in herself, and desired to be like God [his wisdom].  She then felt justified in her self.  She took for her self and disobeyed God.

Now fast forward to Jesus in Matthew 4:1-11.  Satan goes to the second Adam, the Son of God and God incarnate, and pulls out the big guns to get him to stumble just as he got Adam and Eve to stumble.  Satan sees the Son of God in the form of man, tired and hungry in the body, and goes straight to the point.

“the tempter came and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” ⁴ But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’””

He was hungry in the body so Satan challenged him to satisfy himself, knowing he was fully capable of doing so.  The point was for Jesus to do a selfish act and satisfy himself.  That the pride of who he was would over shadow his mission of God the Father.  Where Adam and Eve failed, Jesus did not.  He did not forget the Words of God and instead of considering Satan’s idea, he quoted from the Words of God alone. 

Realizing Jesus had a firm knowledge of Gods words, he then attacks that.  He distorts what God said to confuse Jesus and manipulate him to spark a prideful selfish act. 

Then the devil *took Him into the holy city and had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, ⁶ and *said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written,

‘He will command His angels concerning You’;

and

‘On their hands they will bear You up,
So that You will not strike Your foot against a stone.’”

⁷ Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Satan even quotes Psalm 91:11-12.  BUT again, distorts the meaning and purpose.  Satan attempts to tempt Jesus into thinking about himself.  It is not for Jesus to take selfish advantage of the protections of God but so that God The Father’s will is done, not his.  By proving to Satan this is about him, that would be a prideful and selfish act.  He has nothing to prove to Satan.  He only seeks the approval of his Father in Heaven.  Again, Jesus responds with Deut. 6:16 and uses God’s words alone. 

Then, here comes the biggest temptation yet.

“the devil *took Him to a very high mountain and *showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory; ⁹ and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.””

Seems like an easy request with massive rewards.  Jesus could have all the kingdoms of the world, given to him; no more struggles with the dark forces in the world.  All he would have to do is bow down and worship Satan; and all the world would belong to him right then and there.  Of course, Satan, the great deceiver, would never really allow that; after all, he is still be the prince of the world  and be worshiped. 

Jesus could avoid the torture, pain, suffering, and try to put an end to it all right there; of course after worshiping Satan.  BUT, that wasn’t why he came.  He knew why he came.  He came TO be tortured, feel the pain of the world AND suffer FOR the world. AND he already knew he was going to retake the whole world and reconcile it back to God at his second coming anyway.  He kept his focus on God’s Will, God’s purpose, and God’s glory, not his own.

“Then Jesus *said to him, “Go, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.’””

Jesus did not even consider his offer.  Instead, he again, quotes God’s word and the ultimate purpose for everything; to worship God and God alone.  Satan had no more tools greater than these, so he left him alone.  Also notice that once Jesus said “Go”; he left.  Even though Satan is opposed to God’s interests, he must still obey God’s commands. 

In each one of Satan’s temptations we see that they are all self-centered for self seeking satisfaction and tickle a desire to satisfy wants, and be like God in control and power.  A side note: notice that Satan’s temptations are very similar to the modern health, wealth, and happiness teachings of modern charismatic preachers.  The most important take away is Jesus’ responses to all the various temptations: God’s Word.

He distorts and twists God’s words by manipulating the meaning or adding in words that were not said.  After this, He then attempts to tickle a self-centered, self seeking, self justifying, prideful, desire to be like God or be our own god, in our own way.

His temptations are appealing and at times seem to satisfy an actual need.  But he doesn’t do it for us, he tempts us to do it ourselves.  He didn’t give Eve the apple, she took it.  He didn’t give Jesus bread, he told him to turn stone into bread.  He leads us to see something in a selfish light and encourages us to take it for ourselves.

Satan’s Authority

After being caste out of heaven and into the world, he still maintained his power (1 John 5:19).  John 12:31 states that He is the ruler of this world.  Ephesians 2:2 states the he is the prince of this world and is at work influencing all those who follow his scheme.  God allows him to have control in the world but only those who God has not called for himself (Colossians 1:13).  Those who do not believe in the true gospel message of scripture have been caught in Satan’s snare and do his will, knowingly or unknowingly whether they believe it or not (2 Timothy 2:26; James 1:13,14).  Satan is the god of this world in the fact that he is worshiped and his ideals are worshiped (2 Corinthians 4:4).  Thus because people of the world knowingly or unknowingly worship Satan and his ideals, they are his (John 8:44) until God redeems them from Satan’s grasp (I John 3:8). 

Satan Hunts

Satan searches the world for opportunities (1 Peter 5:8-9) to plant a selfish desire in our hearts and minds.  He seeks to do this by confusing us about what God clearly means in scripture.  He whispers in the ears of those who are or seem weak (Matthew 4:1; Luke 4:2) and tries to infect them with a selfish desire to be like god in their own way.   Satan roams the earth, even embedding himself with believers (Job 1:6-8).   Satan leads man to put mans interests before God’s (Matthew 16:23).  When people reject the person and work of Jesus, Satan swoops right in and influences their hearts and minds (Mark 4:15).

What other characteristics of Satan does the Bible teach us?

Satan influences people to do things contrary to what God desires (1 Chronicles 21:1).  Satan has the ability, when allowed by God, to inflict health issues (Job 2:6-7).  Satan tries to accuse those chosen by God of things worthy of condemnation but God rebukes Satan (Zech 3:1-2).  The best weapons against Satan, is God’s Word (Matthew 4:10).   “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:10-11).   Simple belief in God does not protect you from being deceived, Satan and the Demons believe in God (James 2:19)

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9

 Other Religions 

You can see Satan’s influence in other religions.  Some claim to have been visited by an Angel or given information by an angelic source; yet seem to forget God’s words in Galatians 1:8.  Those religions then have self justifying rites, rituals, or belief systems that its followers must perform regularly or adhere to in order to be saved or maintain their supposed salvation.  These religions distort and twist God’s words by manipulating the meaning or adding in words that were not said.  They even generate their own writings and justify themselves.  Their teachings tickle a self seeking, self justifying, prideful, desire to be the originator and maintainer of their own salvation- through that chosen religion.  They seem satisfying as long as the religion is consistently practiced or performed enough, for less devote followers, to feel satisfied and justified in their efforts.  Secularism and Atheism is no different, this too requires a faith in something else besides biblical truth; a religious like devotion.  These religions seem appealing, self justifying, and self satisfying.  See the similarities with what Satan offered Adam and Jesus?

Questions to ask yourself:

1. Is someone else telling me how I should understand God’s word?
1. How do I know they are not distorting, twisting, and manipulating the true meaning?
2. Am I blindly believing what I am told to believe about the bible?
1. Are they telling me they are most correct, simply because they say they are?
3. Does what I am taught, lead me to justify myself by what I do?
1. Am I taught that I make myself right in God’s eyes by my works?
4. Is my religion based on a revelation from a later angelic source outside of scripture?
1. How do I explain Galatians 1:8?
1. If I am told by the religion establishment how to explain Gal 1:8, how do I know what I am told is true?  Simply because they say they are?
5. Does what I am taught, make me feel righteous based on how devoted I am in my deeds to the faith?
1. Am I taught that can earn and merit my place with God by how devoted I am to what I am told by the religious establishment?
6. Does what I am taught lead me to a greater devotion to God or the religion?
7. Does what I am taught lead me to see a greater need for Jesus and love for others?
1. Or does it lead me to feel a greater need for the religious establishment- as though it was god?
8. Do I really know who Jesus is or do I just believe what I am told about him by a religious establishment?
1. How do I even know the religious establishment is teaching the real Jesus?  Simply because they say they are?
9. Is my faith in The true God or in the religious establishment?

Satan’s temptations can seem appealing, may seem right, and may even seem like truth BUT the end result is always the same.  Worship of the self.  There is no greater deception than to convince people to worship themselves or a counterfeit god(s) that makes themselves feel justified by their works or what they are taught.

How is Christianity is Not a Scheme of Satan?

1. Faith is solely based in the person and works of Jesus; not the self or religious establishments.
2. The Bible is directly influenced by God, it interprets itself
1. Vague passages are understood in light of explicit passages
2. What is not explicitly stated is understood through what has been explicitly revealed.  What is not explicitly stated is understood through what is revealed about the Character of God himself in scripture (2 Timothy 2:15). 
3. Correctly understanding the language and culture the Bible was written in helps in correctly understanding the true meaning of what is written.
4. The Bible is correctly understood in light of the totality of scripture, not self interpretations of cherry picked verses (2 Peter 1:20).
3. Everything done in action and deed is for God’s Glory alone (Matthew 22:37,38).
4. The Gospel message as stated in scripture, does not and has not changed.
1. It is solely about the purpose, works, and person of Jesus. 
5. The mindset and focus of the Christian is eternal and heavenly and not material or earthly.  
1. Good deeds for others is not for personal validation or satisfaction but for salvation of others and God’s Glory.
2. Christians seek God’s Will and not their own.
6. Christianity is not faith in the church but faith in Christ, who is the head of the body of believers.
1. The difference between the visible church and the invisible church are those who claim to be Christian for selfish self seeking worldly means and those who are Christian because of faith in the gospel message which compels them to love, serve, and worship God.
7. Christians are saved by grace through faith.  This grace is unearned and unmerited. There is no amount of effort, deeds, or works that can earn the free gift of God (Ephesians 2:8-9).  This free gift from God is only through faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:16; 14:6)

Ability to Reject Satan

Because of Christ, man has been enabled by God to reject Satan; but only through faith in Christ (Mark 16:17).  Faith in Jesus enables us to then resit Satan (James 4:7).  And at the end of it all, the source of sin, Satan, and all his followers will be caste into Hell forever (Matthew 25:41).  

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Who Is Jesus Really?

The debate about the historical existence of Jesus is not a debate at all.  Genuine historians, even secular non christian historians accept the fact that Jesus actually existed.  E.P. Sanders, a highly respected secular historian stated: “…we have a good idea of the main lines of his ministry and his message. We know who he was, what he did, what he taught, and why he died. ….. the dominant view [among scholars] today seems to be that we can know pretty well what Jesus was out to accomplish, that we can know a lot about what he said, and that those two things make sense within the world of first-century Judaism.”  So, who is Jesus?


A Moral Person

We can most definitely conclude that, in the least, he was a ‘moral’ person.  But even stopping at this claim runs into problems.  Moral people don’t lie about highly serious and offensive matters.  Jesus did just that.  To the point that the Jewish community was so offended, they had him killed.  Stopping at ‘a moral person’ does not explain who he was.  In fact, he could not be a moral person if he lied his whole life up to his death, for lying about how he claimed to be.  He would actually be a liar, counterfeit, and con-artist.  The ‘moral person’ identity just does not cut it and falls a part.  

A Good Teacher

Maybe some could say that he wasn’t necessarily a moral person, but he was a good teacher.  He did teach and gain a rather large following.  But if what he was teaching was a lie or simply untrue, how then could he be a good teacher?  If he was upsetting people and spreading lies about them, how is that being a good teacher?  It is not.  Thus, we must take into account what exactly he taught to determine if he was a good teacher or not.  This is the problem for those who just want to go only as far as to say he was a good teacher but deny what he taught as though they were untrue or lies.  Just being a ‘good teacher’ is insufficient in who Jesus was.

A Lunatic 

If we do not believe in the supernatural or spiritual, we must then conclude that Jesus was just a crazy person.  If there is no God than he can not be a good person because he had to have been a manipulative compulsive liar that got himself and his followers killed.  For the same reasons we then can not conclude that he was a good teacher.  Therefore, given the nature of his teachings and if there is no god, than he was just crazy.  But, if there is a God, and he did do good works in the name of God and taught highly moral spiritual truths then he can’t be some ancient lunatic. 

A Prophet of God

Because just being a moral person fails or just being a good teacher fails, rational people when investigating the person of Jesus, must then go a step farther and take into consideration what exactly he taught.  Thus, they can conclude that he was a prophet of God.  He taught of spiritual things and religious truths coming from the God of the bible.  He lived a moral life according to the practices of that religion in that region.  But as we dig into what exactly he claimed; just being a Prophet of God falls short according to his claims.  It is clear that he made claims of deity, hence the reason for the offensive nature of his message and for the local religious community to kill him.  Claiming that Jesus was just a Prophet of God also falls short of his own claims and insufficient in his absolute identity.

A god

When applying what is recorded about him in the bible, his miracles and claims, some are then forced to admit that he very well could be a god.  These would though reject him being The Almighty God maker of heaven and earth.  How could he be that, being a man and getting killed?  Some people just stop there.  The fact that he was a man and was killed is enough for them to say that he was some sort of demigod or a god of a lesser extent.  But this is where the truest of his characteristics that makes who he actually was comes into play.  We must examine the totality of scripture and look deeper before we can make an educated decision about him.  Claiming that he is ‘a god’ is only taking into account some hints in scripture but ignoring the defining statements about his being and nature.

The Archangel?

When we make assumptions that aren’t in scripture it is easy to draw untrue conclusions.  Some believe that Jesus is nothing more than an angel.  Hebrews 1:5-8 makes a distinction between Jesus and angels.  This passage even shows that angels worship Jesus (Hebrews 1:6).  Again, some change the words around to say “bow down” instead of worship, but the word used is the same word used for worshiping God.  THEN the next verses actually proclaim Jesus’ deity.  “Of the angels he says…his ministers a flame of fire” then in verse 8: “But of the Son he says, YOUR throne, O GOD, is forever and ever…”.  Angels may be called sons of God (Genesis 6:2-4; Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7) (see The Son of God section), but THE Son of God is reserved for Jesus (Hebrews 1:8; Matthew 4:3-6).  

The major issue with this belief is that the Archangel is limited in power and authority; Jesus is not.  Jesus rebukes Satan directly with righteous authority but the Archangel “dared not bring a judgement of blasphemy” against Satan and then calls on the Lord to rebuke him.  Jesus is the eternal God incarnate (John 1:1, 14) (see God Himself section) while the archangel is only a created creature.

Some attempt to use 1 Thessalonians 4:16 as a proof text but again they fail to understand the verse and make false assumptions that are not specifically stated in the text (lead by outside biblical influences).  No where in that verse does it state that Jesus is the archangel.  2 Thessalonians 1:7 does say that Jesus will come with angels.  Given what both texts actually state, we see that Jesus will come with the archangel who issues the shout.  When this argument fails in light of what the text actually states, some resort to Job 38:7 where it calls angels sons of God. Again, Hebrews 1:5 refutes this and they fail to understand the uses and difference between ‘sons of God’ and The Son of God.   Check out more information at http://www.4jehovah.org/.  To get a foundational understanding of Jesus, we must first look at who ancient Israel was looking for.

Who Was Ancient Israel Waiting For?

Ancient Israel was looking for someone who was coming.  Moses, all the way down to their last prophets, proclaimed that someone was going who would free them from bondage and be a great king.  It starts in Genesis 3:15 where “he” would come from Eves offspring.  This “he” will be a descendant through Abraham and will bless “all nations” (Genesis 12:3).  This coming ‘he’ will be out of Judah which the rule and scepter belongs (Genesis 49:10).  He will come from Jacob with the scepter (Numbers 24:17).  This ‘he’ will be a great prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-19).  He will be out of the line of David and the kingdom will be his (2 Samuel 7:12-16).  This ‘he’ is anointed by God and declared his begotten Son (Psalm 2:1-12).  This anointed holy one who is coming will not be abandoned in death nor will he see corruption (Psalm 16:8-11).  He will not be understood, instead, he will be mocked, his body will be tortured, his hands and feet will be pierced and his garments will be taken but through all this he will be vindicated and God will be praised (Psalm 22:1-31).  He will be unjustly hated and afflicted, yet he is righteous and God will be praised (Psalms 69).  He will rule, people will follow after ‘the day of your power’ and he is the highest Priest forever (Psalm 110:1-4).  He will be the corner stone of God’s kingdom, yet rejected (Psalms 118:22-24).  He shall be born from a virgin and his name means God with us (Isaiah 7:14).  This child will be the mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, wonderful Counselor, and he will have no end (Isaiah 9:6-7).  He will be a Nazarene from Jesse which is from a low status (Isaiah 11:1, 53:3).  He will perform many healings (Isaiah 35:5-6). Someone will go before him and proclaim his arrival (Isaiah 40:3-5; Malachi 3:1).   He will be preceded by Elijah as the voice in the wilderness (Malachi 4:5-6).  He is the direct servant of God the Father who will bring perfect justice to all nations (Isaiah 42:1-6).  He is the Suffering Servant of God (Isaiah 52:13-53:12).  He is anointed with The Spirit of God and the gospel to all (Isaiah 61:1-2).  He will come declaring the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31).  He will be one like a son of man and given glory and an everlasting dominion where people of every nation will serve him (Daniel 7:13-14).  A count down till his arrival is predicted around 30AD (Daniel 9:24-27).  He will be born in Bethlehem but actually be from somewhere else (Micah 5:2).  He will at some point come out of Egypt being called God’s son (Hosea 11:1).  He will be King riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9).  Just as stated being the Suffering Servant of God, he will be betrayed for 30 pieces of silver and pierced (Zechariah 11:12-13, 12:10).  

To sum up the key points of identification that they Jewish people would have been looking for:

•  A single male individual 
•  A descendant from Abraham, Judah, Jacob, and David
•  Rightful ruler over all nations
• A great prophet like Moses- who speaks with God directly.
• The Anointed One
• The begotten Son of God
• The Highest Priest 
• He will be like a son of man
• Born by a virgin in Bethlehem, then go to Egypt where God will call him back.
• Someone like Elijah will proclaim his arrival.
• He will be made known around 30 AD.
• He will be praised as a king and ride a donkey.
• He will be rejected and betrayed for 30 pieces of silver then pierced.
• Wont be recognized and instead will be hated, mocked, and tortured.
• Will physically pay for the sins of people and bring justice to all nations.
• Will die but wont stay dead.
• He will remain righteous, blameless, and be glorified.

Symbolism of Messiah’s Life 

He is the willing sacrifice (Genesis 22:1-18).  He is the Passover lamb (Exodus 12:1-51).  He will be lifted up, become the sin of the people so that they can be healed (Numbers 21:6-9).  

Now, with the key points of identification from the Old Testament, let us now compare with the witness of the New Testament.

• A single male individual (Galatians 4:4; Luke 24:25-27)
•  A descendant from Abraham (Acts 3:24-26), Judah (Luke 3:33), Jacob (Matthew 2:2), and David (Matthew 1:1; Luke 2:1-7; Revelation 22:16)
•  Rightful ruler over all nations
• A great prophet like Moses- who speaks with God directly (Matthew21:46; Luke 24:19; John 7:40; Acts 3:22; Luke 1:76-79)
• The Anointed One (Matthew 12:15-18; Luke 4:17-21)
• The begotten Son of God (Luke 1:32-33; Mark 1:11; Hebrews 1:5; Acts 13:33)
• The Highest Priest (Hebrews 5:5)
• He will be like a son of man (Matthew 12:8; Mark 8:31; Luke 6:22; John 3:13-14)
• Born by a virgin in Bethlehem (Matthew 1:22-23, 2:1-6), then go to Egypt where God will call him back (Matthew 2:13-15).
• Someone like Elijah will proclaim his arrival (Matthew 3:1-3, 17:9-13; Mark 1:1-3; Luke 1:16-17, 76, 7:27).
• He will be made known around 30 AD. (Matthew 24:15-16; Mark 13:14-15; Galatians 4:4)
• He will be praised as a king and ride a donkey. (Matthew 21:1-7)
• He will heal (John 6:14; Matthew 11:4-6; Luke 7:20-23.
• He will bring a new covenant of God (Luke 22:20; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 8:6-13)
• He will be rejected and betrayed for 30 pieces of silver then pierced. (Matthew 26:14-15; John 19:31-37; Revelation 1:7)
• Wont be recognized and instead will be hated, mocked, and tortured (Matthew 27:39, 43-44.46; John 19:24; John 15:25
• Will physically pay for the sins of people and bring justice to all nations (1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 1 Peter 1:19; John 3:14-18; Acts 8:32-35).
• Will die but wont stay dead (John 1:29,36; Acts 2:22-32, 13:35-37).
• He will remain righteous, blameless, and be glorified (1 Peter 2:21-25; .

 As you see, as time went on, more and more was gradually revealed about this person.  By the time all the prophets ended, they have all the details they needed to recognize the person perfectly.  Some did.  But some, blinded by other things, did not.  However, we do see some key details that leave the door open for what Jesus himself will reveal once he arrived.  

It is important to notice already that he is God’s own Son.  This makes him of divine origins.  He was ‘born’ by a virgin in Bethlehem but ‘is from ancient of days’.   He is glorified and his kingdom has no end.  Death doesn’t even kill him.  He is not merely a man, though he ‘is like a son of man’ he is more than that.  He is not just a high priest, he is The highest Priest.  He is not just chosen for a task, but he is The only Anointed One that can fulfill the task.  Anything and everything human, he is that plus more.  But that is where the Old Testament ends at describing him.  Why? because he then comes to describe himself in a greater way than the prophets of the Old Testament ever could.  A declaration only reserved for God.  But before we get to that ultimate declaration, let us first reflect on what he has made known about himself up to this point.

Jesus Is The Perfect Life

Jesus was blameless and lived a perfect life.  He was perfectly without sin (1 Peter 2:22; 1 John 3:5).  Be be in union with God The Father, he must be sinless to begin with (John 10:36-38).  Isaiah even declared that he never committed any sin (Isaiah 53:9).  This sinlessness was pleasing to God The Father (Luke 3:22).  Even the sinner on the cross knew Jesus never did anything wrong (Luke 23:40-43).  Though temped, he remained without sin.  Jesus was, also, able to avoid sin. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Psalms 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” When Jesus was tempted by the devil, He did use scripture to overcome the temptations and defeat the devil (Luke 4). 2 Peter 2:9 says, “. . . the Lords knows how to rescue the godly from trials. . .” and Isaiah 28:26 says, “His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.” Hebrews 4:15 says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin..  This made Jesus alone the perfect sacrifice for sin. 1 Peter 2:24 explains: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed”.  If only God is perfect and holy, how then can Jesus be perfect and holy?  The fact of his life points us to the ultimate claim.

Jesus Is The Perfect Satisfying Sacrificial Lamb 

Every year, Israel had to sacrifice a spotless lamb for the sins of their people to temporarily satisfy God as payment for their offenses against him.  But it was not perfectly satisfying because they had to do it every single year.  Even the high priest had to do a very specific ritual to atone for his sin before he could conduct the ceremony to atone for the rest of the people’s sin.  Every year.  Jesus Christ came as the perfectly satisfying sacrificial lamb to perfectly pay for the sins for all those who believe, once and for all.  Isaiah 53:5-6, 11-12 makes this clear.  “with his stripes we are healed… the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all… for the transgression of my people was he stricken… He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities… and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”  His sacrifice satisfied God’s justice.  He interceded for the sinner, bore their sins, and this perfectly pleased God.  “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ” (Romans 8:1).  Hebrews 10:1-18 makes the value of his sacrifice absolutely clear.  we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10).  How is it that only Jesus was absolutely perfectly pleasing and satisfying to God?  This fact of his perfect satisfying sacrifice points to his ultimate claim.

Jesus Is The High Priest 

Hebrews 2:17, 4:14 makes clear that it is Jesus who is the ultimate High Priest for us.  High Priests were responsible for making intercessions for the people to God himself by offering sacrifices.  They alone would enter the Holy of Hollies on the Day of Atonement and place blood on the Ark of the Covenant (Hebrews 9:7).  See the symbolism already?  Jesus offered the perfect sacrifice on the actual Day of Atonement where he offered himself.  But he being the ultimate sacrifice secured atonement for all eternity (Hebrews 9:12).  He alone is our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14) and enables all who believe to come to the throne of grace and obtain mercy.  The fact that he alone has the authority and power to enable sinners to enter the holy of hollies points to his ultimate claim.

Jesus Is The Greatest Prophet

The Prophets of God would receive direct truths from God himself and they convey these truths to God’s people.  They never had the authority to speak divine truths themselves except for which God instructed them to do.  Not only was Jesus understood to be a Prophet of God (see verses above) be he, himself, made prophetic proclamations with authority.  He made prophetic announcements regarding those who were following him (Matthew 26:21-25, 31-34).  He made prophetic proclamations of truth regarding specific cities (Matthew 11:20-24).  He even stated what was going to happen to The Temple itself (Matthew 24:1-2; Luke 21:20-24).  Jesus declared that he was not only going to be killed but will rise back up three days later (John 2:19-21, 12:38-40; Mark 8:31, 14:58).  He then spoke of future events like his second coming and events leading up to it (Matthew 7:15-23, 24:4-5, 11, 23-26; Luke 21:8).  He had the authority to speak the words of God The Father that no other prophet would or could do.  Not only did he relay what God said but he, himself, had knowledge of the unseen and of the eternal (John 3:11-12).  Even stating that he has been entrusted with divine judgement; an authority that God only has (John 5:22-23, 27).  This divine prophetic knowledge and authority points to his ultimate claim. 

Jesus Is The Messiah and Christ

Remember, the people of Israel were waiting on the foretold Messiah who is called Christ to save them.  But, they of course, were thinking of a valiant war general who will lead the Jewish army against Rome, win, and free them from the rule of the Roman Empire. But some of them recognized the Christ as a savior in the spiritual sense too.  Peter understood this when he proclaimed it in Matthew 16:16.  The Apostles proclaimed this every day in the temple (Acts 5:42, 17:3).  Jesus himself even claimed this title as Christ in John 4:25-26.  Jesus Christ saved all those who believe from the penalty of sin and freed them to truly worship God in spirit and truth (Hebrews 9:28; 1 Corinthians 15:23-24).  After paying the price for sin and satisfying God’s perfect justice, he was resurrected from the dead (Acts 2:31; Romans 7:4).  Thus making him the only possible Messiah that could completely redeem people from their sins and save them from the wrath of a just and righteous God. 

Jesus Is The Second Adam and son of man

Adam was the first man. Created from the dirt and brought sin and death into the hearts of all mankind.  Jesus is revealed as the second Adam.  The first Adam, which was from that which was created (dirt), the second Adam was from that which eternally existed, the presences of God.  The first Adam brought sin and death into the world, the second Adam brought life and salvation to the world (1 Corinthians 15:45-49).  From the place of eternity he willingly and voluntarily humbled himself and entered the world in the form of man.  A limited form.  The first Adam was proud and took the self-centered initiative to disobey God.  The second Adam humbled himself and took a selfless God-centered initiative to perfectly obey God, even until death.  Where he came from and his perfect contrast to mankind points to his ultimate claim.

Jesus Is The Son of God 

This claim is huge in and of itself.  God does not need to reproduce.  He speaks and creates.  The idea of being the Son of God is not in offspring-family standing, because again, God does not need to reproduce.  The designation of being the Son of God means that he is of the same nature as God because he is “of God”.  Being the Son makes him have rights to inherit all that is God’s.  That phrase “like father like son” is exactly what is being expressed here.  Jesus, being the Son of God, is described as being the exact radiance of the glory of God.  Exact imprint of God’s nature.  The exact authority and power of God.  Where he alone gets to sit at the right hand of God because he is exactly like his Father in every way (Hebrews 1:3; Luke 1:35).  A right that not even angels in heaven have.  A right that no person has or will ever have.  He alone, is The Son of God in spirit and nature.  The Jewish religious leaders understood this and that’s why they wanted to stone him for blasphemy.  Not because he was a godly righteous person; because, after all, they thought they were (John 19:7).  But simply because he claimed to be directly related to God himself because his claim was OF God in spirit and nature.  The word “son” can also mean “possessing the nature of” given the context.  An example in Ephesians 2:1-2 we see “sons of disobedience” this isn’t literally “son” by birth but “son” in nature, the sinful nature. Same in 1 Kings 20:35 where we read about the “sons of the prophets”, not literally being the offspring of Prophets; they were equal in nature.

Another important fact is even Demons knew the difference between The Son of God (John 5:25) and being sons or children of God (Luke 20:36; John 1:12).  A recognition they never gave to the Apostles.  This Son of God is granted the same glory of God (John 11:4).  We aren’t talking about Jesus being the Son of a god, but THE only Son of THE God The Father (2 John 3).  Now Adam was a son of God in the fact he was created directly from God and had no earthly parents.  BUT, he was not The Son of God in nature and spirit; hence by disobedience.  The most important truth is that Jesus, The Son of God has been with God for all eternity (John 1:1-18).  If this was not true, than Adam would have been counted as someone who has seen God The Father; either that or Jesus is a liar.  Jesus is the Son of The Most High, a unique position no other will ever have in all eternity (Luke 1:32, 35).  

Jesus was not only The Only Begotten co-eternal Son of God literally (not by offspring), but also in nature and spirit.  Colossians 2:9 expresses this perfectly.  “The fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form”.  ‘The Fullness’, which means he is not lesser or lacking but complete and equal.  John declares that Jesus is THE Son of God; equally eternally God (1 John 5:20).  AND BAM, there it is, the ultimate claim.

“God the Father, the angel Gabriel, His own disciples, the Apostle Paul, and even the demons acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God. Although Adam, angels, Israel, peacemakers, and Christians are all called “sons of God” the Scripture designates Jesus as the unique Son of God. He possesses the same nature as the Father – God. However He is not a literal offspring for He has existed for all eternity. The Bible often uses the word “son” in the sense of “possessing the nature of.” Jesus is the “Son” of God in this sense- possessing the nature of God. The title “Son” does not, in any way, suggest the Son if inferior to the Father.” – Don Stewart

The Ultimate Claim: Jesus Is God Himself

Jesus makes himself equal to God (John 10:30) and the religious leaders who knew scripture front to back knew exactly what he was stating (John 10:33).  God The Father told Moses that his name is IAM (Ex 3:14), Jesus then claims that name (John 8:58).  John 1:1-14 is undeniable.  Jesus’ blood was shed for the church, Acts 20:28 tells us that GOD bought the church with HIS OWN blood.  Thomas declared that Jesus was both Lord AND God (John 20:28).  Peter says the same when he connects Jesus as being both savior and God (2 Peter 1:1).  Isaiah understood this too when he called the coming child that is to be born, mighty God and eternal father (Isa 6:9) and stating his name is Immanuel which literally means “God with us” (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23).  The author of Hebrews also understood the connection of Jesus as God (Hebrews 1:8).  So did Paul in his letter to Titus in Titus 2:13.  Jesus accepted the divine worship of his followers (Matthew 2:11; 14:33; 28:9, 17; Luke 24:52; John 9:38).  Then Paul in Colossians 2:9-10 bluntly declares in Jesus dwells the fullness of Deity.  The early christian church, after the Apostles, understood this all through its history to this very day.  Please read this page that addresses objections to these passages.

Attributes of God The Father and of Jesus:

• Omniscience:  (1 John 3:20; Psalm 147:5; John 16:30)
• Omnipresent: (Proverbs 15:3; Jeremiah 23:24; I Kings 8:27; John 1:48; Matthew 18:20; 28:20)
• Knows the heart of mankind  (1 Kings 8:39; Jeremiah 17:9-10; John 2:24-25; Rev. 2:18, 23)
• Sanctifies (Exodus 31:13; Hebrews 10:10)
• Our Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:6; 1 Corinthians 1:30)
• Immutable: (Malachi 3:6; Hebrews 13:8)
• Only God to be served (2 Kings 17:35; Col. 3:24)
• Only God to be worshiped (Exodus 34:14; John 5:23; Revelation 5:11-14 compare with Rev. 4:10-11; Revelation 22:8-9)
• Only God is due glory (Isaiah 42:8; Jn. 17:5)
• Only God is prayed to (Exodus 23:13; John 14:14)
• God is the first and last (Isaiah 44:6; 48:12; Revelation 1:17-18; 22:12-13, 20)
• Only God is the great judge (Psalm 98:9; Deuteronomy 32:39; Jeremiah 17:9-10; John 5:21-22; Revelation 2:18, 23)
• Only God can forgive sins (Mark 2:7; Daniel 9:9; Mark 2:10-11; Luke 24:46-47)
• God is Lord of Lords and Lord of all (Deuteronomy 10:17; Revelation 17:14; 19:16; Matthew 11:25;
  Acts 17:24, 10:36; Jude 4) 
• God is the savior and there is only one (Isaiah 45:21-22; Titus 2:13; 2 Peter 1:1; Isaiah 43:11)
• God created the universe and there is only one creator (Psalm 102:25-27; John 1:3; Colossians 1:15-19;10. Hebrews 1:10-12; Isaiah 44:24).

Once we truly understand that Jesus Is THE Son of God and Lord God himself, we can then begin to understand THE ONE TRIUNE GOD and know God himself in a deeper more intimate way, the way he wants us to.  (The Triune God of Christianity)

Also read Manuscripts of The Bible and Textual Criticism | Why The Bible is Divine: Miracles  | Why The Bible Is Divine: Christology  | Why The Bible is Divine: Prophecy  |  Is God Perfect? Does God Make Mistakes?  |  Test, Discern, and Righteous Judgement  |  The Absolute Greatest Message To Tell Everyone  |  What is ‘Doctrine’ and does it matter?  |  Modern Secular Historians and The Bible  |  Correctly Interpret and Understand The Bible  |  Early Accounts of Christianity from Non-Christians  |  Did the Apostles distort what Jesus taught?  |  Why The Disciples of The Apostles Matter Today  |  The Satisfaction of Christ Jesus  |  Christology; Pre-incarnation  |  DANIEL 9: Timeline To The Messiah  |  The Virgin Birth  |  Jesus Christ’s Hypostatic Union  | Jesus, The Son of God |  Jesus, The One Like a Son of Man  |  Has The Bible Changed?  | God The Father  | By Christ’s Work Alone  | God’s Glory Alone  |  The Triune God of Christianity  |  Scripture Alone  |  Witnessing to Jehovah’s Witness: Identity of Jesus  |  Witnessing to Jehovah’s Witness: The Watchtower  |  Jesus Is God

If you have any questions or comments about this article please contact us or join our discussion forms

Do Christians Need to Attend Church?

In the age of TV Evangelism, Podcast sermons, and everything we ever need at home, some people question why bother attend church.  They hangout with their Christian friends at times and get a sermon Sunday morning in their bedroom on TV.  What does the Lord say about being actively involved in a local Christian community?   First we will look at specific verses and then we will look at the actions and expectations of the foundational church. Then we can address the excuses and hit at the real problem.

THE STRAIGHT FORWARD

Hebrews 10:23-25

²³ Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, ²⁵ not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Explicitly stated here to NOT avoid ‘worship meetings’.  These meetings was when the local christian community would gather and worship God together with music, teaching, sharing resources, and prayer; all together.  Sitting at home watching a Televangelist is not this.

Ephesians 1:22

²² And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, 

Colossians 1:18a

He is also the head of the body, the church; 

Christ Jesus is head of the church;  Avoiding church is like avoiding a meeting organized by Christ himself.

Acts 2:41-42

⁴¹ So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. ⁴² And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.

Here we see the early church were devoted to each other.  Devoted to attending ‘worship meetings’ and obey what Christ instructed them with the Lords supper as well.  Which, can not be done or obeyed by avoiding the meetings.

1 John 1:3

what we have seen and heard
we also declare to you,
so that you may have fellowship along with us;
and indeed our fellowship is with the Father
and with His Son Jesus Christ.  

John boldly says that all the things they have seen and heard and declared to the church, so to enable, and for the purpose of, allowing fellowship to take place!

Romans 12:9-18

⁹ Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. ¹¹ Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. ¹² Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. ¹³ Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. ¹⁸ If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Paul drops the mic in Romans 12 when he makes it absolutely clear that the community of believers, and local body of Christ is family and focused on each other!   Sharing, serving, rejoicing, weeping, showing honor, and just about everything that makes up a community is what believers are CALLED to BE.   All of which can not be done when sitting at home watching TV sermons. 

Also read Me, Myself, And I and “Doing Me” 

ACTIONS OF THE CHURCH

There are actions and events that is meant for the body of Christ alone.  People who do not attend church fail to serve the Lord through the opportunities the Lord gives the church.  They miss out on spiritual fellowship and service.

Acts 14:27

²⁷ After they arrived and gathered the church together, they reported everything God had done with them and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. 

Those who chose not to gather with the rest of the church were left out of the loop in regards to God’s Will.

2 Timothy 2:2

² And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Another statement that those who do not attend church fail to abide by here.  They are uncommitted to any local body and thus are not being taught or grow in fellowship and faith.

Hebrews 13:7

⁷ Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. 

It is impossible to ‘carefully observe’ and ‘imitate’ someone’s faith if ‘church avoiders‘ are not in fellowship with them on a regular basis.  Thus, another request from the Apostles that non church goers won’t benefit from.

Acts 2:44-47

⁴⁴ Now all the believers were together and held all things in common. ⁴⁵ They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need. ⁴⁶ Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved. 

 The early church met EVERY DAY!  they met in the temple to hear the teaching of scripture and went privately, more like small groups, to houses to do what Jesus commanded them to do; communion.  They were joyful and humble and helped each other!  Their common attitude and meeting together everyday built family like relationships!  They grew in faith and matured together.  All of which, can not be done by avoiding attending modern christian community gatherings.

1 Peter 4:10

¹⁰ Based on the gift each one has received, use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God. 

Every believer is given gifts for the sole purpose of building up the church.  The gifts purpose is to be used to serve others!  What a waste of a gift if people never attend church.

1 Corinthians 12:12, 14-27

¹² For as the body is one and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ… ¹⁴ So the body is not one part but many. ¹⁵ If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” in spite of this it still belongs to the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” in spite of this it still belongs to the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted. ¹⁹ And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? ²⁰ Now there are many parts, yet one body.  ²¹ So the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² But even more, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary. ²³ And those parts of the body that we think to be less honorable, we clothe these with greater honor, and our unpresentable parts have a better presentation. ²⁴ But our presentable parts have no need of clothing. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, ²⁵ so that there would be no division in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. ²⁶ So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. ²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.

So how effective is the eye without the brain… or the arms without the heart… If you left to go out to eat and left your stomach at home; how well are you going to eat?  So, how effective are you for the Lord if you are not part of a local community of believers?   How effective are you for the Lord if you are not part of His body?  How do other believers benefit from your testimony, resources, knowledge, and gift if you do not fellowship with them?

Also read An Inconsiderate Faith 

THE LORDS SUPPER

1 Corinthians 11:23-26, 

²³ For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, ²⁴ gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper He also took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant established by My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” ²⁶ For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

Luke 22:19

¹⁹ And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”

If Christians don’t attend a christian community meeting, how are they faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ in sharing with him His communion?  He said “Do this”; are you?

THE GREAT COMMISSION

Matthew 28:19-20

¹⁹ Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

This is known as The Great Commission because it is stated for ALL believers.  It is not a suggestion but an expectation; Go, disciple, baptize, and teach.  Are you being faithful to the Lord by following this commission?  It is impossible to follow Jesus in this regard if Christians do not regularly meet with a local Christian community. 

Ephesians 4:12

¹² for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 

Another example of how not attending church makes it impossible to be a faithful servant to the Lord; seeing how a ‘church avoiders‘ can’t train or build up the body of Christ, if they’re not in fellowship with it.

Acts 20:28

²⁸ Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock that the Holy Spirit has appointed you to as overseers, to shepherd the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood. 

No one can help guard and protect local believers if they don’t fellowship with the local church.

1 Peter 5:2-4

² Shepherd God’s flock among you, not overseeing out of compulsion but freely, according to God’s will; not for the money but eagerly; ³ not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 

Some people may think their wise and trained in the bible, but by not being in fellowship with a local Christian community, they fail to be a shepherd and are actually being an example of the wrong sort for the local body of Christ.  This also exposes how ignorant they are in regards to scripture and how selfish they are in regards to The Body of Christ.  Ultimately their issue isn’t with the local church but with the One who is head of the church- Christ Jesus.

Thus, being an individual and not associating or being in fellowship with a local Christian community that meets regularly, is actually being unfaithful to the Lord and failing the Body of Christ.

Also read All Christians Are Missionaries 

THE EXCUSES  

What If I don’t Like Any Local Churches?

Get over your self and don’t hypocritically judge.  Recognizing flaws in a local body PROVES that YOU need to serve and help that local body.  Unless the church is teaching and pursuing heresies and things that which God hates; they need your service and gifts.

What If I Don’t Like Their Worship Music Style?

Get over your self and worship God!  There are no modern churches that sing the same songs in the same ways that the earliest church did.  Period.  Classical hymns, modern hymns, contemporary, gospel choir, WHATEVER!  Go, serve, and worship that God that has saved your soul!

But There Are No Local Churches That Have Ministries For My Family/life stage Needs?

Get over your self and start them!  Clearly you have recognized a need and you have the experience and knowledge of that need… sounds like that local church NEEDS YOU.  Children, elderly, women, teens, college students, single adults, married couples groups, whatever, “GO and MAKE and TEACH” just as Jesus has commissioned you to do.

But I Don’t Know Anyone?

Informal communication is the easiest for those who are just not outgoing.  Email people at the local church listed on their website or facebook message them from their facebook page.  Introduce yourself and tell them that you want to get connected! boom.  If you are out going, just show up one Sunday and introduce yourself to a greeter and ask to be introduced to someone who runs the ministry you want to be part of.  OR just bring a close and willing friend; but make sure they encourage you to meet someone there and get connected at that church.

But They Will Harshly Judge Me and Make Me Feel Unwelcome!

You just hypocritically and harshly judged them.  They are sinners just as much as you are!  Remember, Christ Jesus is head of HIS church and will deal with the members of his body as he sees fit.  You are not the judge and jury of what belongs to Him.  If this does happen, you call it out, and report it to elders and deacons of the church just as holy scripture calls us to do.  Christ Jesus is a far better judge than you and I when it comes to sinners.

What If It Is Too Far?

Visit our Church Finder page; I’m sure you can get yourself to a local church, especially if Jesus, the Apostles, their disciples, and the early church could do all their travels in ancient leather flipflops.

But Their Meetings Do Not Fit My Schedule

Search around, Churches meet at different times throughout the week as well.  Go to bed early so you can wake up early. If your current working hours prevent you from being faithful to Christ Jesus and His body, you may want to re-evaluate your life priorities. 

THE REAL PROBLEM

Ever wonder where all these excuses and failed justifications for avoiding church come from?  Its simple.  Our Hearts and our Sinful Nature.  In just about every case it is flat out selfish thinking and self-centeredness.   In reality, in the eyes of Christ, there are no justifications for not being part of his body, especially when he has called you and enables you through the power of the Holy Spirit. Those who cling to these excuses need to truly examine themselves and ask: Do I Truly Love Jesus Christ?  In some cases these people may not really be saved but just wanting to act and feel like they belong to a religion. Are you just trying to be faithful to a religion by watching a person of the same religion preach on TV or do you desire to be faithful to Jesus Christ as your LORD and Savior by worshiping him through your service in His Body? 

GET INVOLVED

When you find a church to get involved with; make sure it is a healthy, gospel-centered, Christ-focused Church body. There are a lot of meetings of people that claim to be ‘christian‘ but WHAT they worship and WHAT they teach can expose their man-centered worldly-focused worship.  Please see our Health Church test and Teachings test to be secure in that you are being taught by and involved with those who truly love AND KNOW Jesus Christ as LORD GOD and Savior as revealed in God’s Holy Word.  Confessional churches tend to be more gospel-centered, Christ-focused Churches in that no matter who their current pastor or church leadership is, they have firm understandings of what they hold to be true and are grounded in what has always been taught in the faith.  They do not have to be of a specific denomination and not all of them are.  Be careful of churches that focus on material gains and wealth– those tend to be man-centered worldly-focused in their core.  In the same way, be cautious with the more charismatic churches who can also lean man-centered worldly-focused disguised as ‘spiritual’.  Keep in mind, ‘non-denominations’ are a type of denomination of its self.  Don’t focus on any type of denomination or lack of, but focus on finding a healthy, gospel-centered, Christ-focused church first and foremost.

If you have any questions or comments about this article please contact us or join our discussion forms

What did Qaudratus of Athens teach?

He is the first Christian apologist and is counted as one of the 70 Apostles in the Eastern Orthodox churches and was a friend of the Apostles according to Eusebius of Caesarea.  He would have known John and by style of writing he was directly influenced by John and Paul’s writings. He wrote an apology (argument for) letter to Roman Emporer Hadrian when he came and visited Qaudratus’ city.  Eusebius had an copy of his letter and stated he was very orthodox with the other Apostles.  Eusebius then quotes him:
“But the works of our Saviour were always present, for they were genuine:— those that were healed, and those that were raised from the dead, who were seen not only when they were healed and when they were raised, but were also always present; and not merely while the Saviour was on earth, but also after his death, they were alive for quite a while, so that some of them lived even to our day.”  Eusebius called him a “man of understanding and of Apostolic faith.” and Jerome supported the apostolic connection, calling him “disciple of the apostles”.  The author who wrote against the Montanists used Quadratus as an example of a true prophet of the church.  He was the bishop of Athens and according to Jerome he was martyred by locals who hated Christians; he died around 129AD.

What Did He Write?

His Apology seems to have survived until 6th cent., for several passages were quoted in controversy between the monk Andrew and Eusebius.  According to P. Andriessen and supported by Michael W. Holmes, Qaudratus is the author of the Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus.  “Mathetes” literally means “a disciple”.  The subject and ideas used are very similar to Johannine and Pauline style and is the earliest copy of an apologetic writing dated around the time of his death. An ancient manuscript of Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus was burned in 1870 but fortunately it was published and printed in the 16th century.

What Did He Teach?

Key Teachings:

• God’s Sovereignty in Salvation, Grace alone
• God’s Omniscience
• God’s calling and election
• Anti-legalism
• Diversity & Equality in the church
• Total Depravity
• Saved by Faith in Christs works, Justification
• The Word theology
• Deity of Jesus
• Jesus the Son of God
• Limited Atonement 
• Apostolic Authority & Lineage

Sovereignty of God
Chp1.  I cordially welcome this thy desire, and I implore God, who enables us both to speak and to hear, to grant to me so to speak,…we might through the power of God be made able…you shall know those things which the Word teaches, by whom He wills, and when He pleases…For whatever things we are moved to utter by the will of the Word commanding us

Omniscience
when our wickedness had reached its height, and it had been clearly shown that its reward, punishment and death, was impending over us; and when the time had come which God had before appointed for manifesting His own kindness and power,

Legalism
the Christians do not observe the same forms of divine worship as do the Jews. The Jews, then, if they abstain from the kind of service above described, and deem it proper to worship one God as being Lord of all, [are right]; but if they offer Him worship in the way which we have described, they greatly err. 

Levatical Law & Jewish Observances
He that made heaven and earth, and all that is therein, and gives to us all the things of which we stand in need, certainly requires none of those things which He Himself bestows on such as think of furnishing them to Him. But those who imagine that, by means of blood, and the smoke of sacrifices and burnt-offerings, they offer sacrifices [acceptable] to Him, and that by such honours they show Him respect,–these, by supposing that they can give anything to Him who stands in need of nothing… their scrupulosity concerning meats, and their superstition as respects the Sabbaths, and their boasting about circumcision, and their fancies about fasting and the new moons, which are utterly ridiculous and unworthy of notice

Election
to glory in the circumcision of the flesh as a proof of election, and as if, on account of it, they were specially beloved by God

Diversity & Equality
the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe. For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out by any singularity.

Nationalism
inhabiting Greek as well as barbarian cities, according as the lot of each of them has determined, and following the customs of the natives in respect to clothing, food, and the rest of their ordinary conduct, they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of life. They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners. As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers.

Abortion
They marry, as do all [others]; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring

Social Justice
They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives. They love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. They are poor, yet make many rich; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonoured, and yet in their very dishonour are glorified. They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are reviled, and bless; they are insulted, and repay the insult with honour; they do good, yet are punished as evil-doers.

Sin Nature
The flesh hates the soul, and wars against it, though itself suffering no injury, because it is prevented from enjoying pleasures; the world also hates the Christians, though in nowise injured, because they abjure pleasures. The soul loves the flesh that hates it, and [loves also] the members; Christians likewise love those that hate them. The soul is imprisoned in the body, yet preserves that very body; and Christians are confined in the world as in a prison, and yet they are the preservers of the world. The immortal soul dwells in a mortal tabernacle; and Christians dwell as sojourners in corruptible [bodies], looking for an incorruptible dwelling in the heavens…Having therefore convinced us in the former time that our nature was unable to attain to life

Saved by Grace, not works & Depravity
this was no mere earthly invention which was delivered to them, nor is it a mere human system of opinion, which they judge it right to preserve so carefully, nor has a dispensation of mere human mysteries been committed to them, but truly God Himself, who is almighty, the Creator of all things, and invisible, has sent from heaven, and placed among men, [Him who is] the truth… so that being convinced in that time of our unworthiness of attaining life through our own works, it should now, through the kindness of God, be vouchsafed to us; and having made it manifest that in ourselves we were unable to enter into the kingdom of God…Having therefore convinced us in the former time that our nature was unable to attain to life

Christs Works alone in Faith
God Himself, who is almighty, the Creator of all things, and invisible, has sent from heaven, and placed among men, [Him who is] the truth, and the holy and incomprehensible Word, and has firmly established Him in their hearts…This [messenger] He sent to them. Was it then, as one might conceive, for the purpose of exercising tyranny, or of inspiring fear and terror? By no means, but under the influence of clemency and meekness. As a king sends his son, who is also a king, so sent He Him; as God He sent Him; as to men He sent Him; as a Saviour He sent Him…And He has manifested Himself through faith, to which alone it is given to behold God.

Deity of Jesus & Son of God
God Himself, who is almighty, the Creator of all things, and invisible, has sent from heaven, and placed among men, [Him who is] the truth, and the holy and incomprehensible Word.  He did not, as one might have imagined, send to men any servant, or angel, or ruler, or any one of those who bear sway over earthly things, or one of those to whom the government of things in the heavens has been entrusted, but the very Creator and Fashioner of all things–by whom He made the heavens…This does not seem to be the work of man: this is the power of God; these are the evidences of His manifestation…and no man has either seen Him, or made Him known, but He has revealed Himself…He revealed and laid open, through His beloved Son, the things which had been prepared from the beginning,…He was aware, then, of all things in His own mind, along with His Son, according to the relation subsisting between them…He sent His only-begotten Son

Limited Atonement 
He Himself took on Him the burden of our iniquities, He gave His own Son as a ransom for us, the holy One for transgressors, the blameless One for the wicked, the righteous One for the unrighteous, the incorruptible One for the corruptible, the immortal One for them that are mortal…that the wickedness of many should be hid in a single righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors!

Justification 
what other thing was capable of covering our sins than His righteousness? By what other one was it possible that we, the wicked and ungodly, could be justified, than by the only Son of God?

Christs Second coming
For He will yet send Him to judge us, and who shall endure His appearing?

Sin
He permitted us to be borne along by unruly impulses, being drawn away by the desire of pleasure and various lusts. This was not that He at all delighted in our sins, but that He simply endured them;…Having therefore convinced us in the former time that our nature was unable to attain to life

Christian Living
he who takes upon himself the burden of his neighbour; he who, in whatsoever respect he may be superior, is ready to benefit another who is deficient; he who, whatsoever things he has received from God, by distributing these to the needy, becomes a god to those who receive [his benefits]: he is an imitator of God. Then thou shalt see, while still on earth, that God in the heavens rules over [the universe]; then thou shall begin to speak the mysteries of God; 

Apostolic Authority & Lineage
I do not speak of things strange to me, nor do I aim at anything inconsistent with right reason; but having been a disciple of the Apostles,…I minister the things delivered to me to those that are disciples worthy of the truth. For who that is rightly taught and begotten by the loving Word, would not seek to learn accurately the things which have been clearly shown by the Word to His disciples, to whom the Word being manifested has revealed them, speaking plainly [to them], not understood indeed by the unbelieving, but conversing with the disciples, who, being esteemed faithful by Him, acquired a knowledge of the mysteries of the Father? For which s reason He sent the Word, that He might be manifested to the world; and He, being despised by the people [of the Jews], was, when preached by the Apostles..the grace of the prophets is known, and the faith of the gospels is established, and the tradition of the Apostles is preserved, and the grace of the Church exults

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Reformation Day (October 31st)

On October 31st the Church commemorates what was perhaps the greatest move of God’s Spirit since the days of the Apostles.  On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany that provoked a debate that culminated finally in what we now call the Protestant Reformation.

Martin Luther was an heir of Bishop Augustine of Hippo.  He was a law student turned Augustinian monk.  He Initially protested the pope’s attempt to sell salvation. He diligently studied scriptures and was lead by the Holy Spirit to deeply understand and proclaim the primacy of the Bible over church tradition and the means by which we are found righteous in the sight of God.  He also translated the bible into German and put the Word of God in the hands of the common people which the Catholic church violently opposed.  Following in the attempts by godly men before him like John Wycliffe (1384AD) and Jan Hus (1415AD).  The Catholic church even banned John Wycliffe’s writings and burned Jan Hus alive along with digging up the remains of John Wycliffe in 1428AD and burning those as well.  But that didn’t stop the Holy Spirit from moving in the hearts and minds of those who were called.

In 1518 Huldrych Zwingli wrote very similar things about the corruptions in the church with out even knowing Martin Luther or reading his writings.  These men were compelled by the Holy Spirit to call for the repentance of the Catholic church. In 1530AD William Tyndale did the same and was later executed for it in 1538AD.  As the Holy Spirit continued to move within the hearts of believers like John Calvin and John Knox who also spoke out in 1536AD and 1540AD.  It wasn’t until with The Peace of Westphalia of 1648AD that the reformation settled and the reformers were less oppressed and persecuted by the Catholic church.

Martin Luther chose to do this a day before the church wide celebration of ‘all saints day’ on November 1st.  The date was set by Pope Gregory III, who dedicated a chapel in honor of all saints in the Vatican Basilica then In 837, Pope Gregory IV (827-844) ordered its church-wide observance.  Then the next day, November 2nd is ‘All Souls’ Day’ for prayer and almsgiving in memory of ancestors who have died. People pray for the souls of the dead, in an effort to hasten their transition from purgatory to heaven by being purged and cleansed from their sins.  The concept of purgatory was made official church doctrine at the 1274 Council of Lyons. The council wrote that Christians who had not shown sufficient repentance for their sin needed to be cleansed by purgatorial punishments. Furthermore, the council taught that these punishments could be relieved for oneself (or for those who had died) through “the sacrifices of Masses, prayers, alms, and other duties of piety.”  A teaching that focuses on works, materials, worldly things, and an invented concept called purgatory which is foreign to scripture.  

The Reformation brought to light sins and corruptions in the Catholic church such as:

• Sacred Tradition (not stated in scripture) is equal to Holy Scripture.
• Restrict, control, and limit the translations of Holy Scripture in common languages.  The Catholic church only authorized bible translations in a language that common people could not read thus leaving people utterly dependent on bishops and pops.
• The authority of the position of Pope which is no where found in scripture and is not mentioned in church history till 400 years after the Apostles.
• Papal simony and nepotism.  Nepotism is the favoring of family members for bishop and papal positions.  Papal simony is the monetary or material payment for spiritual services or church positions.  Like using money to pay for sin. 
• Church usury.  Usury is requiring interest on a loan.  The Catholic church would offer loans but would require extreme high interests where people would not easily get free from owing the Catholic church. 
• Pay off sins by giving to the church (selling indulgences)
• Worship of Mary
• Intersession of and devotion to saints
• Prayer to the dead
• Dependence on Works with grace (Semi-Pelagianism) 

Unifying Principles of the Reformation are known as the Five Solas (Alones).

The authority of Scripture Alone that teaches Salvation is through Christ’s Works Alone, by God’s Grace Alone, through Faith Alone, all for God’s Glory Alone.

For close to 1,000 years the single unified church (catholic church, low case “c”) continued to drift away from dependence on God and heavenly things and more on man and worldly things.  The reformers were raised up by God to convict the church and redirect the focus back on God and eternity.  Parts of the church remained unrepentant and unwilling to concede to the absolute dependence on God and has remained as the Catholic church (with a capital “C”). 

Even today, the Five Solas help guild our hearts and minds into a deeper understand and reverence of God.  It is mankind’s natural tendency to drift away and depend on our selves, our possessions, and efforts; so the reformers and the principles of the Reformation remain valid and extremely important today.

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The Absolute Greatest Message To Tell Everyone

This may seem like a no brainier to most Christians; that Jesus is the only way to salvation.  But what does that actually mean? Just telling someone that Jesus loves you is only telling them half the saving message of Jesus.  Tell them to love God is not telling them the full life changing news that they need to hear.  So what is the full message that everyone needs to hear in order to be saved?

The Foundation

Acts 4:12 “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.”

John 14:6 “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.“

The foundation of salvation is the person and work of Jesus.  He is the focal point of true eternal salvation.  But not just saying some guy 2,000 plus year ago died for you because he loves you.  It is more grand and deeper than that.  The person, Jesus, was not just a person.  The work of Jesus was not just his miracles and teachings.  
 
“It”, The Message

The message is that Jesus was the only begotten Son of God himself (John 3:16).  That means he is directly and intimately related to God himself (John 10:30).  He is the only begotten Son because there is no one that will ever exist like him.  He is divinely and eternally in union with God The Father (John 1:1).  He came into the world for the purpose of being the payment for people’s sin through the cost of his own life (1 John 3:8).  Because of who he is, he is the only acceptable payment for sin (1 Peter 2:24; Romans 6:23).  It is through this payment that people can be freed from their sin and given the right and justified standing before God that no one could do otherwise.  As the perfect payment, he appeased God’s wrath and pending judgement for sin.  And through this payment, people are no longer seen as unrighteous but are credited Jesus’ righteousness before God (Romans 4:3).  Through Jesus alone and his work at the cross, people can become children of God, freed to truly worship and please God, and have eternal life with God. THAT is absolute good news!  This is called ‘the gospel’ which means the good news.

Also read Jesus, The Son of God  |  By Christ’s Work Alone  |  The Triune God of Christianity  |  The Amazing Grace of God  |  Why “Good Friday” is so Good  |  The Resurrection of Jesus Christ  |  The Break Down of The Gospel Message

First Thing First

1 Corinthians 15:2-3 “You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you–unless you believed for no purpose.  For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance“

Mankind’s primary need is salvation.  Food, water, belongings, feelings of happiness, status, any anything else you can think of is secondary to our need for a right standing before God.  The Holy Spirit, through Paul, “implores” everyone to be reconciled to God first and foremost (2 Corinthians 5:2).  There is no need that the Gospel Message of Jesus Christ can’t meet (Matthew 6:33). The Holy Spirit, through Paul, makes it absolutely clear that this message is ‘of first importance’!

Also read All Christians Are Missionaries

The Scope

The scope of Jesus’ work on the cross is for all people of all time (Romans 1:16).  God so loved the world, he gave Jesus (John 3:16).  Everyone everywhere is invited to accept and believe in this work of Jesus on the cross.  There is no cultural, social, or racial favoritism with God.  All need to be saved and all who believe in the Gospel will be saved (Romans 10:12-13; Matthew 11:28).  No age limit, no ‘I need to clean myself up first‘ effort; but all those who just ‘come’ to Jesus in faith for who he is and what he has done (Revelation 22:17; Isaiah 55:1)

The Value

The value of Jesus’ work is directly related to who he is.   The power in the gospel is supremely more valuable than all people, works, and messages.  Through faith in it, ALL sins are forgiven.  That includes past, present, and future sins (Colossians 2:13).  Faith in it, out weighs ALL sin.  It is so valuable, it alone justifies us before God; and gives us the eternal spiritual peace we can not have otherwise (Romans 5:1).  This justified stance in the sight of God enables us to receive eternal life (Titus 3:7).  The person and work of Jesus is absolutely sufficient for the greatest need.  It it foolish to some but to those who believe, they experience the absolute power of God in their life through believing the gospel message (1 Corinthians 1:18).

Also read The Satisfaction of Christ Jesus

It is Simple

God is perfectly righteous and holy, man is not.  Man needs to be made holy and righteous; but man can not do it on their own.  Jesus came and lived the perfect righteous and holy life, for man.  He paid for mans unrighteousness and unholiness on their behalf on the cross.  He was then risen from the dead to prove the absolute life giving power of what he had done on the cross.  Everyone is invited to believe this.  To ‘believe’ means to trust absolutely.  To believe Jesus is the Son of God and perfect sacrifice for your sin (John 1:12, 3:16, 36; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 10:9-10).

Also read The Joy of TRUTH 

Credits Righteousness

It is not merely ‘good’ advice or a suggestion that we try to do ourselves.  Only through the divine person of Jesus and his perfect work on the cross; we are delivered from the wrath of God and given the righteousness of God (Romans 1:17-18).  When we have faith in the gospel message we are saved by God’s grace and not by our efforts (Ephesians 2:8).  It is this faith that credits us righteousness and not by how hard we try to be ‘good’ (Romans 4:22).

Also read; The Self and The Center of Everything

The Simple Break Down of Truth

• Everyone is a sinner (Isaiah 53:6; Romans 3:10, 23)
• Jesus paid for our sin (Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:24)
• Jesus rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3)
• Jesus alone justifies us (Romans 4:25)
• Faith in this enables us to please God (Romans 1:17; Hebrews 11:6)

Avoiding The “S’ Word

Some people feel that talking about sin is too ‘negative’ and ‘turns people away’ from hearing the message. This is a sad lie. The existence of sin and the need to deal with sin is one of the primary elements of the eternal life changing message of salvation.  If we do not address sin, we do not truly see such a dire need for salvation from sin.  God, Jesus, and The Holy Spirit (through the apostles) speak of sin.  If they speak of sin than it can not be wrong to do so when proclaiming the good news.  At the heart of avoiding the discussion of sin; it is really an effort to appease man and not God.  It is a fear of offending man and not a fear of the wrath of God over that person.  Positivism and Emotionalism has crept its way into the modern evangelical church which has resulted in the view that talking about sin is wrong.  Hyper-Grace theology and the pseudo-power of ‘positive thinking’ are the false teachings that resulted from this; which make people feel comfortable about not talking about the whole gospel message.

Also read: An Inconsiderate Faith  |  Repentance  |  Supernatural Positive Thinking  |  Hyper-Grace theology  |  Don’t Judge Me  |  The Other Side of The Real Jesus  |  How “Love is Love” is Unloving.

Faith In The Gospel; not in you.

There is no ‘perfect’ gospel presentation.  We are still imperfect humans using fallible human language speaking to people with imperfect minds.  You may use the best words, best ideas, and best analogies, but if that person is not meant to hear it; they won’t.  It is the job of the Holy Spirit to illuminate hearts and minds.  We are just called to proclaim the good news!  We need to have faith in God, that HIS message will be used for God’s Will to be done and for his glory; whatever the result may be.  Our faith is in God and his truths and not how well we try to present the gospel.  We do not lead anyone into saving faith through our gospel presentation; the Holy Spirit does, through it.  Even if it is filled with mistakes or we forget to say a specific detail.  The Holy Spirit may lead that person to investigate our presentation and lead them to receive it at a later date.  Who knows, but only God does.  Our work in faith is proclaiming the good news of salvation through the person and work of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior to all who we meet.

Also read: God Does ALL The Work  |  God’s Glory Alone

Ashamed of The Gospel?

When we purposely avoid presenting the gospel message to someone it is actually because we are insecure about it ourselves.  Or we are embarrassed and ashamed of it because in our hearts we think it is silly. Or we fear the opinions of those who we have the opportunity to present it to; out of fear of offending them or being made fun of by them.  Either way, the greatest message is not proclaimed because of our lack of faith.  It is critical that we preach it to ourselves daily and deeply understand it and trust it!  This security of what we know to be true emboldens us to proclaim it to the rest of the world.

Also read; The Beauty of Accountability  |  God’s Truths are Not a Matter of Opinions  |  Faith Without Works is Dead  |  When Our Faith is Just Lip Service

The Gospel is NOT a Lifestyle

The gospel is not seen by how we live our lives. People see the characteristics of God himself through us like selfless love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, kindness, and goodness but that does not explain WHY we exhibit those qualities.  The life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message to be proclaimed in words that explains WHY we do what we do.  We are to give the explanation of why we have this faith and absolute hope of the future (1 Peter 3:15).  Paul made sure he clarified it, proclaimed it as a message to those who heard it, and expected them to pass the message along (1 Corinthians 15:1-3).  Faith comes by hearing the gospel message! (Romans 10:17).

Also read: Radicalized Christians?  |  Me, Myself, And I and “Doing Me”  |  Christians that are ‘too christian’

It Is Worship And Love

Presenting the full gospel message to someone is a form of genuine love for that individual and worshiping God.  This is exhibiting faith, that which pleases God; while remaining obedient to God which glorifies God.  This exhibits genuine love for that individual even if they do not see it or understand it.  It is an act of genuine love in that you are concerned about that persons peace with God and mindful of God’s glory.  God allows you to be a participant in an opportunity in that individuals eternal destiny.

Also read: Maximal Opportunities to Desire God

Summery

Understanding and believing in absolute faith that Jesus is not only Lord but also Savior from sin, as presented in the full gospel message; saves eternally.  Avoid and ignore the need for a savior from sin or Jesus as Lord in your life and the gospel message becomes incomplete. Making the gospel message a secondary message and not priority belittles the power in the message.  Not proclaiming the gospel at all will never save anyone.  That is why The Gospel is the greatest conversation you need to have with everyone!

Also read Hyper Spiritualism  |  Spiritual Legalism  |  The Glorious and Blessed Hope  |  Your Feelings Do Not Determine Truth  |  Jesus Is Coming Back!  |  The Essential Truths of The Christian Faith

If you have any questions or comments about this article please contact us or join our discussion forms

God Does ALL The Work

It is ultimate satisfaction and relief to know and trust in God.  He does all the spiritual eternal work for us. The pressure and burdens of trying to love him, do good, and stay faithful to him all our life is on Him.  When we have faith in Jesus Christ, we experience the peace and joy from God doing all the work in our lives from beginning to end. From before the beginning of time, to us being lead and coming into faith, to us growing in faith, to our bodily death; God does all the work.  This is a deep and hard issue to accept.  It even turned away disciples of Jesus in his day.

God Chooses Us

Ephesians 1:4-5 “He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will“

John 6:64 “Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.”

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”

John 15:19 “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it, the world hates you.”

God knew you before you knew yourself.  In knowing every decision you would and could ever make, he saw in the maximal opportunities if you would desire to know him.  He sees an opportunity and takes it; before you were ever born.  The fact that anyone is chosen by God before they were born is solely “according to His favor and will”, not ours.  That takes the burden off of us and on him for his will to be done in all perfect goodness.

God makes it clear in scripture that HE does the choosing of those who he will have believe in him.  In this choosing, Christ dies for their sins and their sinful debt has been paid already.

Romans 8:27 “And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.“

Romans 8:33 “Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect?  God is the One who justifies.“

God is the one that searches our hearts even before our earthly birth.  Those who will at one point desire God in faith, God WILL intercede on their behalf; all according to God’s Will and not mans.  God is the one who elects and justifies, not man.  God does all the work before we are born.

Also read Finding God’s Will  |  God’s Truths are Not a Matter of Opinions  |  Unconditional Election  |  God’s Glory Alone

God Enables Us

John 6:65 “He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

Colossians 1:12 “giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.”

Romans 8:3 “What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did.“

Romans 8:8 “For the mind-set of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit itself to God’s law, for it is unable to do so.”

Jesus makes it absolutely clear that “no one can come” to God “unless” God has first enabled them to. God does the work of searching, interceding, and enabling faith.  The flesh (body and mind) is limited and is explicitly unable to come to faith on its own; thus, God does for man.  There is no witty mind blowing argument that will suddenly sprout faith and bring to live a soul.  God alone enables what is unable by man.

Romans 8:11 “And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you.” 

He alone has the power to save through his spirit.  He does all the work in choosing his own for salvation.   

Also read Supernatural Positive Thinking |  Faith Without Works is Dead

God Leads Us

John 6:29 “Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

John 6:37 “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” 

John 6:44 “Jesus answered. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them“ 

Jesus again makes it explicit clear that it is “the work of God” to believe; not our works, efforts, and thoughts.  God The Father “gives” and “draws” those whom he has chosen to Christ Jesus and they “will come to” him, no doubt.  Mankind does not will themselves or draw themselves to salvation.  God does all the work in giving and drawing those to Jesus. 

John 6:45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’^{(Isaiah 54:13)} Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. 

Romans 8:14, 16 “All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons… The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children“ 

Romans 8:28 “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.“ 

God has seen and conducts those spiritual life bringing teachable moments and leads them by his Spirit for his purpose to salvation.  Again, he does all the work in teaching, enabling, and leading to salvation.

God Frees Us

Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed”

Galatians 5:1 “Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery”

Romans 8:21 “that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children.“

John 8:32, 36 “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free... So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ”

Romans 8:2 “the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

All of God’s work that brings us into salvation frees us from sin, and frees us to actually know him.  Where we can have an intimate personal fatherly relationship with him, for his purpose and glory.  God does all the work in freeing us from our sins!  Mankind may work to leave one sin but will inevitably fall into another sinful lifestyle without Christ Jesus.

Also read How To Fight Your Sin  |  When the claim of Freedom is really Blind Pride  |  Freedom for The Law and Sexuality 

God Gives Us Life 

John 6:63 “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.”

2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

Romans 8:2 “the Spirit’s law of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.  

Romans 8:6 “For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.“

You can not be more clear than this: “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing”.  In this true freedom from sin and freedom to know God, we are given true eternal spiritual life.   The Spirit gives life, not the will or efforts of mankind.  God does all the work in making people spiritually alive.

Also read By Christ’s Work Alone 

God Changes Us

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Matthew 3:11 ““I [John The Baptist] baptize you with water for repentance, but the One who is coming after me is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to remove His sandals. He Himself will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Ezekiel 36:26 “ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” 

God is the one who changes our lives forever.  Even John The Baptist recognized the fact he was just using earthly elements that did not compare to what God himself will do.  God declares HE WILL give a new heart and spirit.  Mankind tries to change their lives but they only transition from one sinful lifestyle or sinful object of worship to another, knowingly or unknowingly.  God does all the work in changing a persons heart, body, soul, and mind!

Also read The New You Forever |  If Your Not Fighting Sin, Your Living It.

God Empowers Us

John 6:45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’^{(Isaiah 54:13)} Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.

James 1:25 “But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works—this person will be blessed in what he does.” 

Romans 8:4 “…accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.“ 

Romans 8:26 “In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us” 

Those who are in Christ and saved are taught by God on how to please Him and glorify Him.  Everyone who is saved, learns and grows because of God’s enabling, freedom, leading, and teaching.  Not just teach but also help and intercede in us, for us.  When we are growing in knowledge and trust, we will absolutely grow in faith, but when we are not growing, God is still helping and interceding on our behalf.  

Also read Spiritual Legalism |  How Old Are You, Spiritually?

God Keeps Us

John 6:37, 39 “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away… And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.“ 

John 6:47 “Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.“ 

John 6:51 “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.“ 

 God makes it absolutely clear he will “never” drive anyone away and that he will lose “none” of everyone that was chosen by God.  They are given “eternal” life and will “live forever”.  It is impossible to be given eternal life and live forever to lose it later.  Then the life that was given was not eternal or forever.  But God says it is; therefore anyone given eternal life forever is eternally saved forever.  This is an absolute work of God alone.  

John 5:57 “Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me.“ 

1 Peter 2:16 “As God’s slaves, live as free people, but don’t use your freedom as a way to conceal evil. 

Romans 8:34 “Christ Jesus is the One who died,
but even more, has been raised;
He also is at the right hand of God
and intercedes for us.“

Romans 8:38-39 “For I am persuaded that not even death or life,
angels or rulers,
things present or things to come, hostile powers,
height or depth, or any other created thing
will have the power to separate us“ 

We are eternally saved forever because of Jesus; and he does not make mistakes.  He does not change his mind and one day in the future to take away ‘forever’ and exchange it for ‘maybe next time’.  It is forever because even when we do fail, he intercedes for us, and keeps us.  The Holy Spirit, through Paul, stated that nothing, “not even death or life” or “any other created thing” can separate us.  You are created; thus you can not separate yourself from God.  God does all the work of keeping us secure in his promises.

Also read God’s adaptive and fluid Plan?  |  Once Saved, Always Saved  |  The Amazing Grace of God

God Completes Us 

John 6:39-40, 44 “And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.  For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day… and I will raise them up at the last day.“

Romans 8:1 “no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus”

1 Corinthians 15:53 “For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.“

2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

Because there is no more condemnation that exists for those who are chosen and saved; there is no condemnation. period. God will not lose any of them for any reason, and they WILL have eternal life.  But not just that, we WILL be raised up and be made holy and complete!  God will not only save us in this life, raise us from the dead, but will also give us a glorified perfected imperishable immortal ‘bodily’ substance like Christ’s resurrected body.  That is our completeness and perfection that “comes from the Lord”.  All by God’s will and purpose.  God does all the work in making us ready for the life after this one.

Also read The Glorious and Blessed Hope |  The Satisfaction of Christ Jesus  |  Jesus Is Coming Back!  |  What Happens When We Die  |  The Joy of TRUTH

Without God

So what about those who God does not choose?  Does God choose everyone?  In Matthew 1:21 Jesus makes it clear he will save HIS people from their sins.  He did not say all people, but only his.  He also does not state that all people will be saved but only those whom the Father gives (John 6:37-40).  The prophet Isaiah makes it clear when he states “bore the sins of many”… not all (Isaiah 53:12).  Jesus’ death could have saved every single person to ever exist; BUT not every single person, when given the maximal opportunities to accept this offer, will accept it.  It is unlimited in power but limited in scope.  Why? Because God searches the hearts of all those who will ever exist before they are born; He knows when each person is given the maximal amount of opportunities to desire Him, whether or not they will or wont.  God then chooses those who will but still gives the maximal opportunities for those who wont out of his love, kindness, and just nature. God does all the work in being perfectly just in his judgments on those who will forever reject him; knowing this before they are born.

John 6:53 “Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.“

John 6:63 “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.” 

John 6:61, 66 “Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? … From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” 

2 Peter 2:19 “They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption, since people are enslaved to whatever defeats them.” 

Romans 8:10 “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.“ 

For those who are given, and will be given, the maximal opportunities to know God; but will forever reject him: there is no spiritual life.  The flesh counts for nothing, they are slaves to one sin after another, and they can never please God.  Sounds harsh? Well it is, its harsh that they will forever reject God despite his perfectly justifiable offer of salvation and in his kindness allowing them to exist still knowing they will forever hate him.  They will forever desire to be without God, so God grants them that; for all eternity.

Also read Born This Way  |  Follow Your Heart?

Conclusion

The hardest truth to accept is the fact that God does all the work and we do not.  We naturally desire to be God (Romans 5:12; Romans 8:7–8; 1 Corinthians 2:14) and this includes control over our own destiny with effort and thoughts.  At the end of the day, it is God in absolute control and it is God who does all the work.  The fundamental difference between those who are chosen, drawn, taught, empowered, and kept by God is that they desire to be like Christ (Ephesians 5:1) and not be God (Genesis 5:3).

For those who have been chosen and will be chosen; this is a RELIEF!  This is peace!  This is joy!  Knowing that God will work everything out for good (Romans 8:28) on their behalf for his perfect will and glory.  Those who are chosen for all eternity, have NOTHING to worry about because God Does ALL the work!

If you have any questions or comments about this article please contact us or join our discussion forms

Why God is not the Islamic ‘Allah’

The Arabic name for God is ‘Allah’ which literally means ‘the God’.   Although in name alone, this may be true.  The major distinction comes from who Allah is understood to be by his attributes and Characteristics.  In this article we will look at the fundamental differences in how God Justifies and saves mankind.

Proper Name

The first major difference between Islam and Christianity is the respectful holy proper name of God.  Christians believe it is ‘YHWH’ and pronounced ‘Yahweh’.  Arab Christians will say Allah-Alab which means “God The Father”.  Islam believes the only proper name is ‘Allah’.

The older form of the ‘four letters’ which is ‘God’, is represented by ‘YHVH’ that expresses the self-existence of God (Exodus 3:14); found in an old 650BC manuscript (over 1,000 years before Islam). There is a debate on how exactly this was originally pronounced.  Jews were so concerned with mispronouncing the holy name of God they quit saying it out loud in fear of blaspheming it (Leviticus 24:16).  Vowels were later inserted for a the pronunciation ‘YaHWeH’ which came the name ‘Yahweh’ (800 years before Islam). The vowels came from Adonai (“Lord”) or Elohim (“God”).  It was then later translated as ‘Jehovah’ or ‘LORD’ (500 years before Islam).  This is also problematic for the Jehovah’s Witnesses religion. 

The Trinity

The Triune God is denied by Islam.  Even Muhammad mistakenly understand Christianity and thought Christians were referring to three separate gods.  They deny the existence of The Holy Spirit and The Son as God. Although the Godhead is difficult to understand scripture is clear there are 3 distinct persons with in God himself.  

Also read Islam: Muhammad’s Fatal Mistake  |  The Triune God of Christianity  |  Jesus, The Son of God

Legalism

Islam relies heavily on the works of man to earn Allah’s mercy.  Where salvation is based on the works of man and not on the total Grace of God.  But without the person of The Son, salvation is impossible.  Without The Holy Spirit, being made holy and sanctified is impossible (Romans 8:6; 2 Corinthians 3:17).  Christians can trust completely in God for salvation and being made holy (Hebrews 10:22) but Muslims have to trust in their own works to earn God’s mercy.  Some even become comfortable in trusting in their religious routine and habits to justify their perceived earned mercy.

Also read By Christ’s Work Alone  |  Born This Way  |  The Joy of TRUTH

Can You Work Hard Enough?

For Christians, the person and works of Jesus’ selfless sacrifice on the cross is enough and credited to them by faith.  Can man work hard enough? No, Jesus makes clear the standard for man is too high; the standard of perfection (Matthew 5:48).  Clearly, no one can be perfectly holy and righteous in their whole life; thus man is not able to meet this standard.  This is why Jesus’ life is required on mans behalf.  He is the perfect life that we can not live (Hebrews 10:10; Romans 8:1–8).  Which is why everyone, Christian and Muslim is called to repent and believe in Jesus (Mark 1:15).  Where anyone who receives Jesus as THEIR life and THEIR sacrifice can then be children of God and true worshipers of God (John 1:12).  

Allah, according to Muhammad, offers no such thing.  Instead they must work hard to earn Allah’s mercy.  This profound and impossible hard work is why Muslims are extremely devout because they fear if they are not, they will be receive mercy. 

Also read Being Justified by God  |  Did the Apostles distort what Jesus taught?  |  The Satisfaction of Christ Jesus

Enslaving Faith

Islam actually enslaves peoples minds and hearts to believe they can work hard to earn God’s impossible standard (2 Corinthians 4:4).  Christians recognize they can not possibly meet God’s perfect standard and understand they need someone outside of themselves.  Islam keeps the burden of being holy on unholy imperfect people.  Christianity puts the burden of holiness and perfection on someone who is holy and perfect; God himself in Jesus Christ. 

Also read Do Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Mormons Worship The Same God?

Responding to Muslims

Christians must pray for Muslims; for The Holy Spirit to reveal the truth of their perpetual hopelessness in their own imperfect efforts.  And pray that God leads them to know the true freedom of mercy and forgiveness through the person and work of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:24–26).  It is important to understand that Muslims and all those who depend in their own efforts are actually victims of their sinful hearts and of spiritual blindness.  Christians need to be compassionate, forgiving, gentle, and gracious toward all people in the hope that God leads them to truly know and worship God himself in an intimate personal fatherly way.  And not as some distant spiteful god named Allah who will not show them mercy for not being able to work hard enough to meet some perfect holy standard.   

Muslims fear Allah’s wrath if they do not merit his mercy;  Christians desire God’s Grace because they understand their imperfect nature and deeply appreciate his forgiveness and trust him through Jesus Christ in which he has saved them.   

Also read How Christians NEED to Respond to the Anti-Christian World   |  Radicalized Christians?

Conclusion

We see that the god of Muhammad does not solve the fundamental problem of meeting and maintaining a perfect and holy standard.  Muslims trust in their efforts as some kind of individual point system to win God’s mercy out of fear of his Judgement.  The singular Truine God takes that burden off imperfect man and places it on his perfect and holy Son through our fundamental faith in Jesus Christ. 

Muslims: trust in personal efforts for possible salvation which depends on them through works.
Christians: trust in the person Jesus Christ for absolute salvation which depends on Jesus Christ through faith.

Also read The Glorious and Blessed Hope  |   The Amazing Grace of God  |  Jesus Is God  |  The True Gospel Message for Salvation

If you have any questions or comments about this article please contact us or join our discussion forms

Spiritual Legalism

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Have you ever heard the phrase “Let God bless you” or “Allow God’s love in”?  How about being told you need to “Empty yourself so that God can…” or “Claim a blessing…”?  Sounds focused on God right?  It is suppose to.  The reality is it is actually focused on YOU and YOUR works.  This article will explain why this is nothing more than legalism with a ‘spiritual’ sound.  It goes to the heart of how we understand our selves and how we understand God himself.  First we need to correctly know God, and correctly understand ourselves in the light of truth.  Then we can see the legalism that is disguised in spiritualism.

God is God, you are not.

If God was contingent on you letting him do something, or for you to first allow him to do something; than you and your will is superior to God. This makes God’s will conditional to your will. Thus; this teaches that you are God and God serves you in what you allow him to do.

Job 42:1-6 God helped Job understand this exact issue when he stated “no purpose of yours can be thwarted”.  In Daniel 4:34, Nebuchadnezzar even recognized that all things are in control by God and owned by God and not him.  He was a king and still recognized God’s supreme sovereignty.  Deuteronomy 10:14 makes clear that e v e r y t h i n g belongs to God.

Also read God’s adaptive and fluid Plan?  |  Supernatural Positive Thinking  | Your Feelings Do Not Determine Truth

God needs man’s permission first?

Those who cling to some sort of man-focused control will use examples like Jesus not doing works in his own home town due to the home towns disbelief or the fact that not all people will be saved.  But they fail in understanding this:  God sees all absolute maximal opportunities to bring people to salvation; we don’t.  God could save all people if he so chose to, and he desires to, but because he is also perfectly loving, he humbles himself and gives people what they infinitely want; which may not him.  He does not stop being supremely sovereign in his will to give people what they infinitely will desire.  He sees all opportunities to save people, and if there is one opportunity in the maximal possibilities where someone will be lead to desire him and be saved (read John 6); He will take it and lead that person to know him and that person will be saved.  Jesus made clear that some of the Pharisees he called out are not going to enter heaven, God already knew in all the maximal possible opportunities, they would not accept him.  Same with the people in his home town, and those in the future who will not be saved. 

In everyone’s life time, they are given the absolute perfect amount of opportunities to come to God, and if they will chose none, they will infinitely reject God.  Regardless, God in his perfect kindness, love, and righteousness gives them all perfect maximal opportunities so that when they stand before Him in judgement; he remains the perfect and just judge and they are without excuse.

John 4:48 is another misunderstood verse by those blinded by spiritual legalism.  In this verse, Jesus is actually rebuking those who need to see to believe.  Jesus is not validating some sort of visible tangible work to have faith, but rather he is expressing a weakness in man that some times man doesn’t trust in God’s words alone.  Adam and Eve exemplified this in their disobedience.  But he preforms works so that some do come to faith despite their weakness. (also read Scripture Alone)

But what proponents of permission fail to understand is God’s will is done regardless and some times what we ask for, that actually happens, was going to happen anyway due to already being part of God’s plan.  Not because they asked and it happened, but because they asked for what was already going to happen.  They were in line with God and not God lining up with them.

Also read The Self and The Center of Everything  |  Unconditional Election  |  Do You Want To Hear God Speak?

Legalism

Legalism is based on what you do and your ‘works’ that makes you right, closer to God, or ‘more spiritual’.  If you have to first act or think a certain way to become more ‘spiritual’ or righteous, that is by definition; legalism, in a religious context.  Legalism is just perpetuated self-righteousness and in some cases a blind self will to be like God- in control.

If you have to first do ‘X’ and then God can do ‘Y’; you are putting yourself in God’s throne, knowingly or unknowingly.  If you have to first do ‘X’ and then you can be closer to God or more ‘spiritual’; you are depending on your works and not God.

It is not what you DO that makes you closer to God; it is God who makes you closer to himself.  It is not what you DO that allows for God to act; it is God who acts regardless because he is God.

Instead of the legalism being focused on going to church every week, praying 3 times a week, reading your bible twice a week, and 30 minute daily mediation… this type of legalism makes you feel like you are being spiritual and not traditionally legalistic by focusing on your feelings and thoughts; when reality it is the same thing with a different context.

Also read More Valuable than Money  |  By Christ’s Work Alone  |  Fasting

Natural Tendency

It is natural for all people to desire to be like God (Romans 3:10-12).  This is the exact weakness that Satan preyed on and will continue to do for all time until God (not you) puts this to an end (Gen 3:5).  Humanity naturally desires to hold on to some degree of absolute control of their physical and spiritual condition.

Also read God’s Glory Alone  |  Born This Way  |  Follow Your Heart?

Blaming Others

When someone is in sin, it is a natural tendency to blame someone else.  This was the first used by Adam and Eve (Gen 3:12-13).  Eve blamed Satan for her sin.  This continues today.  People ‘rebuke’ Satan for their sin.  They focus on the flesh and fail; but say things like “Satan stole my joy” and are taught to rebuke him.  The heart of the issue is never addressed; the heart of the sinner (Matthew 15:19).  Again this is another form of legalism in the sense that you have to first rebuke Satan, and then God can come back in your life.  At its premise it is still a dependence on what you do in order for God to be God.

Also read The Beauty of Accountability

Legalism is Weakness in Faith

Spiritually Legalistic people are actually weak in faith (Romans 14:1).  This is because they are ignorant or think lowly of the majesty and sovereignty of God. Because they do not have faith in the grandeur of God’s supreme sovereignty and put that faith in their thoughts, feelings, and efforts.  It is a mindset that is focused on things of this world to achieve spiritual benefits (Colossians 2:20-23).  Jesus is greater than our efforts (John 1:17).  To say someone is not worshiping God right when they don’t “let” God or “allow” God to work or they aren’t trying to do something right be make themselves more close to God is passing a wrongful judgement on them (Romans 14:10).  We contend for the faith, not of worldly efforts of thoughts and feelings (Jude 3).  “The Carnal man” is someone that has their minds set on worldly efforts for spiritual gain (Romans 8:5). Sometimes teachers don’t understand this because they are still blinded by their spiritual legalisms (1 Cor 2:14).

Also read The Holy Spirit or Emotionalism?

Seek and Work for God in Faith

We are called to do good works in faith and services for God for his Glory.  But our works are good because we first have faith in Jesus Christ and are done in faith; not because of anything we actually do is good in its own merit (Romans 5:1; Galatians 3:24).  God calls people who are already saved to be doers of what God wants and not just hearers (James 1:22).  Because we seek first the kingdom of God and HIS righteousness (Matthew 6:33), he gives us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4)… which are things that are in HIS will in the first place.  We are commanded to love God with all our body, soul, and mind and our neighbors as our self (Luke 10:27).  Notice God’s expectations for us it is not focused on our selves; it is primarily focused on him first then others, in light of what HE has done; not us.

Also read How To Fight Your Sin  |  Faith Without Works is Dead  |  If Your Not Fighting Sin, Your Living It.

A True Relationship with God

Growing in faith and closeness with God has everything to do with our complete focus on him and what he has done for us.  When we focus on him, his Holiness and Glory, we then better know our selves which lines up our will with his.  We then seek his will and ask for his will to be done over our own.  We desire what he desires and he receives the due glory in us and through us.  This is what frees us from all kinds of legalism, self-righteousness, and works based thinking.  True relationship and spirituality.

Luke 9:23 – “Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me”

Also read What is ‘Doctrine’ and does it matter?  |  How Old Are You, Spiritually?

If you have any questions or comments about this article please contact us or join our discussion forms

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Racism and God

What does God say about racism, discrimination, and prejudice?  How to address this issue and what is the solution?  We need to understand the value of all people, the equality in God, and how to bring together each side and lead them to the throne of God.

The idea and term is misleading from its premises.  There is only one race, the human race.  Within the human race are different cultural and ethic groups.  The idea of “race” in the political climate is a socially constructed idea. 

First we need to understand the value of the whole human race.  Each and every person from every culture and ethnic group are created in the image and likeness of God himself (Genesis 1:26-27).  Every person is loved by God to the point that God gave his son as a sacrifice for every person
(John 3:16).  The rejection of this love and sacrifice is on each individual person; but the value given to each person is made know.  Every person of every culture and ethnic group are equal in worth.

Discrimination and Prejudice 

God does NOT show favoritism (Deuteronomy 10:17; Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11; Ephesians 6:9).  Each and every person is perfectly and justly held accountable for their own stance before God.  Whether they are made right before God or still under His wrath; each is given an equal perfect opportunity to be made right in his presence through his son Jesus Christ.  Those who reject his son, will be equally and perfectly judged accordingly.

God even commands us to love just as he loves (John 13:34).  God’s love is equality in truth and sacrifice.  If his love does not show favoritism, does not discriminate, or is prejudice but equal for all, than we are to be also.  But this love includes applying the truth in love to all people.  Even the truths that some cultures collectively reject.    

Also read Don’t Judge Me | God’s Truths are Not a Matter of Opinions

The Holy Spirit spoke through the Apostle James in James 2:4-8 where he made it clear that unequal favoritism or partiality is evil.  To discriminate against someone and to be prejudice toward any ethnic or cultural groups is sin. Only in Jesus Christ is there true ‘racial’ equality (Ephesians 2:14; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11).     

Collectivism

This is the practice or principle of giving a group priority over each individual in it.  Instead of rightly judging an individual, the entire group the individual is a member of, is judged.  This is unbiblical and not how God himself works.  Discrimination and prejudice spawns from collectivism.  God knows YOU personally (Luke 12:7).  And each individual will give an account before God for every word they say (Matthew 12:36).  God judged entire cities and nations only because he knew every single individual sinful heart of every person in that city or nation.  The church needs to reject falling into the belief of collectivism and get to know each and every person they interact with. 

Read: Can We Rightly Judge with Statistics? 

To Racists

Anyone who is racist or discriminates is hypocritically judging.   The log in their eye is blinding them from their own self-righteousness and disobedience to God’s fundamental command in john 13:34.  First they need to remove the log and see themselves before a holy and righteous God, humble themselves, and repent (Matthew 7:5).  Because they are most likely blind to their own sin, the church needs to be the light in the world and gracefully, mercifully, and lovingly be the hands, feet, and voice of Christ to the racists.

Also read Radicalized Christians?

To Victims of Racism

Similarly, victims of racism need to be unconditionally forgiving and remain obedient to Christ and love just as Christ loves them despite their own sins against him.  The Holy Spirit, through Paul, in Ephesians 4:32 calls everyone to be kind, compassionate and forgiving just as Christ has forgiven.  Becoming bitter and lashing out hatefully toward racists is hypocritical as well. 

Also read Did God Cause Evil? |  Rioting Christians?

To Both Sides

The focus needs to be taken off the self, sins, the flesh, the world, and on Christ and his holiness and forgiveness.  The he said she said keeps eyes focused on problems of the world and off the absolute forgiving love and self sacrifice of Christ himself for both sides.  Seek first the kingdom of God, not of things of the world, and all these things, like peace, justice, and love, will be given to you (Matthew 6:33).  Both, racists and victims of racism are sinners.  Both need Christ equally and both are called by God to be forgiving and loving unconditionally (Revelation 5:9).

Also read The Beauty of Accountability 

How to Respond to Racism 

Without The Gospel Message in the conversation; it is just a back and forth discussion of the flesh.  Racists need to be lovingly held accountable for their evil thoughts (James 2:4) and lead to repentance.  Those who experience racism need to forgive and pray for the racist’s repentance (Matthew 5:44).  Showing Christ’s self sacrificial love in the face of racism and leading all racist conversations and situations to an opportunity to present the gospel message is the ONLY way to truly change race relations and the hearts of those who are racist.  It will also stifle prejudice within the victim.

Also read The Church and Politics  |  All Christians Are Missionaries

Without Christ and The Gospel message IN the race relations discussion; there will be NO true lasting solution.  Since this IS a growing issue in America, the Church needs to be the front runners with steering the conversations toward Christ (Romans 6:13).  This is NOT to say to avoid discussions on racism and oppression.  That would be wrong in itself.  The discussions of racism and oppression NEED to happen and the church need to lead it.  BUT, when those discussions occur, The Gospels NEEDS to be preached. 

Also read God’s Judgement on America | God and The Government

 

If you have any questions or comments about this article please contact us or join our discussion forms

What is ‘Doctrine’ and does it matter?

The word doctrine comes from a Latin word, doctrina, which means, “that which is taught.”  and it refers to the Christian teachings on Scripture, God, man, Christ, salvation, church, and the end of all things. Simply put, doctrines are organized teachings by their subjects.  The Doctrine of something is simply the organized explanation of what is taught about that something.  When it comes to Jesus, who Jesus is and what he did, is simply the doctrine of Christ.

Illogical and Irrational

It is illogical, and irrational to say ‘doctrine’ does not matter or is not necessary or important.  Simply asking “what is the bible?” and ANY sort of answer to this question is formulating or explaining some sort of personally held ‘doctrine’ of the bible.  Answering the question “Who is Jesus?” is formulating or explaining a doctrine of Jesus.  The illogical concept of ‘doctrine does not matter’ is a doctrine of why it does not matter and is contradictory from its premise.  

God and The First Organized Doctrines

God himself first organized and formulated the very basic teachings that relate to mans relationship with God and man’s relationship with man in the 10 Commandments (Ex. 24:12).  That which is taught was meant to show man how they are fallen and sinful.  A standard of only 10 basic commands that they could not even keep perfectly; but something to strive toward imperfectly, and have faith in God, that he will have mercy on them and redeem them from their short comings revealed through the 10 Commandments.  Paul explains this in Romans 3.

The Pharisees

The Pharisees and other Jewish religious groups failed to understand this.  They created over 600 man-made additional laws in an attempt to justify themselves as able to keep the 10 Commandments.  Their invented doctrines was an attempt to side step the fact the 10 Commandments exposed them as sinners and reveal their need for mercy and a savior.  They failed to see and understand true doctrine.

Since ALL people can not escape doctrine and believing in some sort of teaching (even if it is a teaching that states doctrine does not matter) we see that there are different kinds of doctrine.  The Pharisees show us there is bad doctrine and Jesus shows us there is true doctrine.

Attempts to avoid and or side step knowing true doctrine ultimately is an attempt to justify one owns feelings and desires.  Where bad doctrine naturally leads to false doctrine.  This comes from the natural desire for self-righteousness.

Also read Have you been deceived by The World?

Jesus and The Fulfillment of Doctrine

Jesus taught on the doctrine of God (John 4:24), the doctrine of humanity (Mark 10:6), the doctrine of sin (Matthew 15:18-19; John 8:34), the doctrine of redemption (John 3), the doctrine of the sovereignty of God (John 6), the doctrine of the church (Matt 16), the doctrine of things to come (Matt 24), and there are hundreds of verses that Jesus spoke that can all be organized by subject.  Thus to believe that doctrine does not matter is a belief that Jesus himself opposed.

Also read The “Jesus didn’t say it” Reasoning | Jesus Is God

How do you know WHAT to believe?

The Apostles themselves made it explicitly clear the importance of true or ‘sound’ doctrine.  When Paul (under the direct influence of the Holy Spirit) wrote to Timothy, he states: “…constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following” (1 Tim 4:6).  In his next letter to Timothy (under the influence of the Holy Spirit) Paul gives a explicit warning: “…For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers…” (2 Tim 4:3).   In his letter to Titus he also very clearly states: “holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict.” (Titus 1:9).  Lastly, in his first letter to Timothy, Paul states this: “If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing;“

Therefore; when considering the absolute existence of bad and true doctrine; anyone that states doctrine does not matter, does not fully understand ‘that which is taught’ from God and his Apostles.

What is Sound Doctrine?

“Sound Doctrine” is simply anything non-contradictory that agrees with what is taught in scripture.  Bad doctrine is recorded in scripture as well.  That which was taught by Satan to deceived Eve.  That which is taught by The Pharisees and many other instances in scripture where people are recorded as teaching something that is not of God. This gives us a prime contrast and helps us discern true doctrine as well.

Also read Why The Disciples of The Apostles Matter Today

How do we know that which is Sound Doctrine?

Any teaching from scripture that magnifies faith in the person, teachings, and works of Jesus Christ and of which solely gives all praise and glory to God.  God’s recorded redemptive history, from the Old Testament all the way to the close of scripture, is for God’s Glory and to reveal The Christ for all the world to see and know!

Also read What Is Reformed Theology? | God’s Glory Alone | By Christ’s Work Alone | The Gospel Message

True Doctrine

Those who have placed their faith in The Gospel message (life, death, and resurrection of Jesus) have already accepted the Doctrine of Christ and the Doctrine of the Resurrection. From there, because they have been granted repentance, born again, baptized by the Holy Spirit, and adopted by God through the work of Jesus Christ; are entrusted to continue in Sound Doctrine and grow in knowledge of God.

Genuine Faith compels us to desire to know God more and more.  We know God more and more by learning and believing the truths he has revealed about himself in scripture and applying our faith and trust in Him in our daily lives.

NO one is saved by how much doctrine they know.  Knowing vast amounts of bible verses and having the ability to articulate complicated eternal truths does NOT make anyone righteous or justified before God.  The reverse is also true.  No one is saved by how little importance they place on knowing The Bible either.  Trusting in your feelings and emotions over divinely revealed truths written in scripture does not escape anyone from the natural attempt to justify themselves.  No one is justified before God by avoiding ‘doctrine’.  The Pharisees avoided (were blind to) the true doctrine of Jesus Christ and invented their own ‘tests’ of faith to justify themselves; much like emotionalistic christians today.

Also read God’s Truths are Not a Matter of Opinions | Your Feelings Do Not Determine Truth | The Triune God of Christianity 

How do you know what a FALSE Doctrine is?

This is a problem for those who avoid learning true doctrine.  At some point, even they have to admit a certain teaching is false because they even have to compared it to a true doctrine.  To know what is false, you first have to know what is true.  If those who belittle doctrine are confronted with the statement: “Jesus is not the way, not the truth, and not the life, everyone man may come to God and go around me” they are forced to either say this statement may be true, or they are forced to compare it to John 14:6 and unwillingly validate true doctrine and determine that statement to be false (or bad doctrine).  Also, this doctrine and the Gospel Message are so critical, that it impacts the eternity of someone’s soul!  Thus, proving the absolute importance of knowing sound doctrine.

Also read Guard Your Heart | The Joy of TRUTH | The Holy Spirit or Emotionalism? | False Doctrines and Teachings

Doctrine IS the CONTENT of Faith

What do people have faith in?  If anyone claims to have faith IN Jesus, then they must believe a doctrine about Jesus.  Jesus was born by a virgin, lived a sinless life, was crucified, died and rose from the dead three days later; Jesus is Lord God and Savior.  THAT is a doctrine that Christians must have faith in, in order to be saved (1 Cor 15)!

The question all humanity must ask themselves is; WHAT is their faith in?  The “what” is Doctrine.  But the “what” can either be false and bad or true when it comes to eternal redemption and salvation.

Also read Scripture Alone | Essential Teachings of Christianity
 
Relationship With God

The more we get to know someone the closer we are with them.  The more we get to know God, the closer we are to him.  He teaches us His eternal truths about himself and we grow to trust, obey, and have faith in Him more and more.  He empowers us to not just be hearers of his truths but be doers (James 1:22).  As we live out our trust and faith in his revealed truths, he grows us, matures us, and makes us more wise in discerning his will and truths (Ps 51:6).  This relationship is founded on and is directly connected to studying, knowing, and trusting his word (Ps 119).  Because it is The Holy Spirit through scripture that grows us closer to him (Col 1:9; 2 Tim 3:16).

The relationship is not a one way street based on your feelings and emotions any given day.  His word is true and his will is unchanging; that is why we can absolutely trust in him and depend on him in our daily lives.

The desire to know God’s word and learn more and more about who he is, what he is done, and what he has promised is far from ‘legalism’.  Ironically those who confuse knowing scripture with legalism tend to be antinomialist.  Which is just as spiritually harmful as legalism but at the other end of the spectrum.  Antinomialist only think they have a relationship with God, when in fact their lives are lived in a self-righteous lawless state; where their feelings, desires, and emotions knowingly or unknowingly invent their own version of God and invent their own standards of what pleases their version of god.  Twisting and misunderstanding God’s word while incorporating feelings and emotions as truth is often used to justify this state of mind and belief.   

Also read God’s adaptive and fluid Plan? | Finding God’s Will | The Self and The Center of Everything | The Satisfaction of Christ Jesus | How Old Are You, Spiritually? | Do You Want To Hear God Speak? | The Other Side of the Real Jesus

True Doctrine is Freedom

Jesus promised us freedom in him!  Freedom from the slavery of sin and freedom to have the ability to trust, obey, and have faith in who He is and what he has declared in scripture.  Though we are not perfected yet, we are no longer slaves to sin and the penalty of it. We are restored, can know him, and long for the day He brings us home to him.  Trusting and beveling in his true doctrines he has declared frees us to follow him and glorify him.

Also read The Glorious and Blessed Hope | Once Saved, Always Saved | Follow Your Heart?

Summery:

1. Doctrine is ‘that which is taught’ or the content of a teaching and faith
2. “Doctrine does not matter” is a doctrine
3. “Doctrine is not important” is a doctrine
4. There is false and bad doctrines and true doctrine
5. True Doctrine must first be accepted in order to have saving faith (The Gospel message).
6. God empowers those whom are saved to understand true doctrine.
7. Knowing true doctrine protects against believing in false or bad doctrine.
8. Jesus taught doctrines of God
9. The Apostles (via The Holy Spirit) instructed believers to hold to Sound (true) Doctrine.
10. True Doctrine is supremely important and ultimately matters.

If you have any questions or comments about this article please contact us or join our discussion forms

What Is Reformed Theology?

Reformed Theology is expressing specific areas of the study of God, and magnifying key elements that are, and have been, easily corrupted. It guides people into a more deep and clear understanding of God.  It came about during the period known as the reformation when the church had become widely corrupt and lost; to bring the church back to its foundations and original teachings.  It brings the focus back to the apostolic teachings and dependence on God.

It can simply be summarized as this: to focus on Scripture, accept salvation by grace through faith, magnify Christ, and live for God’s glory.  More specifically it can be stated like this: Scripture alone is the absolute standard, and in it, God makes it clear that through Christ’s works alone are we saved, by God’s grace alone, through Faith alone, all for God’s eternal glory alone.

Five principles came about in response to the corrupted teachings of the 16th century.  These five principles are known as the five ‘solas’, Latin for ‘Alone’.

The 5 Solas.

• In Scripture Alone (Psalm 119:18; Psalm 138:2; 2 Tim. 3:14-17)
• Salvation is through Christ’s Works Alone (1 Tim 2:5-6; Col 1:13-18)
• By God’s Grace Alone (Ephesians 1:3-8)
• Through Faith Alone (Galatians 3:6-11)
• For God’s Glory Alone (1 Cor 10:31; 1 Peter 4:11; Rev 1:6, 7:12; 2 Peter 3:1; Eph 3:21; Rom 11:36)

In understanding the power and majesty of God’s Grace, 5 more principles helped the reformers explain the immensity of God’s Grace. 

The absolute dependence and need for God’s Grace, how God chooses whom to save by his own will, how those who are chosen are atoned for, the power of God’s grace in the chosen, and the absolute security of God’s grace over those whom were chosen and atoned for.

The 5 Principles In Saving Grace

• Total Depravity of humanity (Mark 7:21-23; Jer. 17:9; Rom. 3:10-12, 6:20; 1 Cor. 2:14; Eph. 2:3,15)
• Unconditional Election by God (John 1:12-13; Phil. 1:29; John 6:28-29; Acts 13:48; Eph. 1:1-11; Rom. 8:29; 9:9-23)
• Particular Atonement by Christ (Matt. 25:32-33, 26:28; John 10:11, 15, 17:9; Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25-27; Isaiah 53:12)
• Irresistible Grace of God (Romans 9:16; Philippians 2:12-13; John 1:12-13, 6:28-29, 37; Acts 13:48;
• Once Saved, Always Saved (John 6:47, 10:27-28; Romans 8:1; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Phil. 1:6)

When applying all 10 principles to understanding scripture we can rightly know scripture, and what the Apostles themselves taught.  These principles also help us filter out false teachings and keep our natural self idolizing desires in check.

Why did these 10 principles come about?

They came about in response to continued corrupted teachings in the church which some were:

• Sacred Tradition is equal to Holy Scripture.
• Restrict, control, and limit the translations of Holy Scripture 
• The authority of the position of Pope
• Papal simony and nepotism
• Church usury
• Pay off sins by giving to the church (selling indulgences)
• Worship of Mary
• Intersession of and devotion to saints
• Prayer to the dead
• Dependence on Works with grace (Semi-Pelagianism)

The church was using their power to suppress the minds of the people, control what was being taught, support the dependence on a works based faith, promote idolatry of saints and relics, and make a lot of money.  It was only a matter of time before Christ corrects and disciplines his Church.

Basic History of The Reformation

In 1054AD, the eastern churches broke fellowship with the western churches.  The schism was growing before the 11th century over the western Roman Pope’s claim of universal authority, over the understanding of The Holy Spirit, and the practice of communion. The Western (Latin) church rejected the 692AD Quinisext Council (Greek) church decisions in which they rejected many western customs as unorthodox.  From there they continued to grow apart until it was made official in 1045AD.

Between 1378–1416AD, the Western Roman catholic church continued its decline and corruption.  John Wycliffe spoke out against the privileged status of the clergy, veneration of Saints, the Sacraments, the position of the Pope, and advocated for the translation of the Bible into the local tongue. In 1384AD he completed his own translation of the bible in common language.  He died in 1384AD.

The Council of Constance declared Wycliffe a heretic in 1415AD, and banned his writings.  Also in 1415AD the western church condemned Jan Hus for similar objections to the western church teachings and had him burned alive along with his writings.  In 1428AD the western church had Wycliffe’s remains pulled from the grave and burned. These violent brutal actions sparked what is known as the Hussite War that lasted till 1438AD where followers of Hus actively resisted the sanctions of the Roman catholic church.

As the western church continued to develop other forms for corruption; Martin Luther wrote his 95 theses statement against the church corruption in 1517AD.  Martin taught that salvation is not earned by good deeds but is received only as a free gift of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ as redeemer from sin.  He strongly disputed the claim that freedom from God’s punishment for sin could be purchased with money. He challenged the authority and office of the Pope by teaching that the Bible is the only source of divinely revealed knowledge from God.  A year later, in 1518AD, Huldrych Zwingli wrote his critique of the corruptions in the church called the 67 Confessions.  He did not read or have any connection to Martin Luther, yet wrote a document that had a lot in common prior to 1520AD.  In 1521AD Martin Luther was excommunicated by the western church. In 1529AD, Martin and Huldrych met to discuss their issues, find unity, and reform the western church from within but disagreed on the essence of communion.  In 1530AD William Tyndale spoke against King Henry V’s divorce after completing a New Testament translation in 1525AD.  Martin Luther translated the bible into German in 1534AD.  In 1536 William Tyndale was executed for heresy and unlicensed possession of Scripture in English.  

Around the same time, John Calvin also began teaching the reformers (Luther and Zwingli) corrections of the corrupted church and published his writing called The Institutes of The Christian Religion in 1536AD.  John Knox became a priest in 1540AD in the Church of England and traveled back and forth from Geneva and England where he met John Calvin.  Martin Luther died in 1546AD.  John Calvin sought to unify the reformed church and collaborated with other reformed church leaders; they wrote the Consensus Tigurinus in 1551AD; he also reached out to England and the Archbishop of Canterbury in attempts to unify the church as a whole.  In 1559AD John Calvin established the Geneva academy where the teachings of the reformers were unofficially centralized while John Knox continued the reformation in England and Scotland.  John Calvin died in 1564AD and John Knox died in 1572AD.

Right before John Knox died, the Roman catholic church launched is counter offensive in an attempt to suppress the reformers teachings.  The Council of Trent of 1563AD established the Roman Catholic church reconversion strategy and in the process more defined and separated itself from the ideals of the reformers.  The Roman Inquisition was established and reformers were hunted and tried before a Roman Catholic tribunal.   The same tribunal that condemned Copernicus and Galileo’s theories of the solar system in 1616AD.  The Puritan Movement later followed in the 16th and 17th century and was a continuation of reformation ideals.

As the reformers writings and ideals spread which caused a lot of conflict within the Roman Catholic Church and each nation that it influenced.  The Peace of Westphalia of 1648AD essential concluded the reformation and empowered reformed churches to conduct themselves more freely.

The corrupted ideals that defined the western church could not contain the leading of The Holy Spirit in the spread of Reformed Theology.  By the end of the 16th Century, The Roman Catholic Church became a separate entity; while the reformed churches sought to bring the universal church back to focus on Scripture alone, believe salvation by grace through faith, magnify Christ, and live for God’s glory alone.

Why the Rejection of Reformed Theology?

At the core of the theology, it touches on 3 fundamental areas.  (1)God is supremely God, (2)Man is sinful, (3) and only Jesus Christ can save.  Thus it brings all the glory to God and takes away any glory man tries to take for themselves.  It confronts self-righteousness head on and declares God is sovereign over all his creation, including man. It makes God, his work, word, and glory, the absolute focal point.  This is why the Roman Catholic Church and others reject it.  In some humanistic ways, they want to retain and control some sort of glory in man.  They want to believe in some way their works, words, traditions, efforts, status, and materialistic value has overpowering and manipulative influence over God’s sovereign will.  Ultimately they want to claim some kind of glory for themselves. Reformed Theology takes all that away and puts all the focus on God.

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