Dishonest and Deceptive Christians

If you are going to speak against or debate a position different from your own, you need to represent that position honestly and convey it truthfully with integrity. In other words, you need to study that position to make sure you understand correctly what it is they teach and believe in order to ensure you represent their position truthfully and honestly. If you are merely going to make statements that condemn a position based on your dislike thereof, and make those statements in ignorance and dishonesty, misrepresenting the other position, then you are merely lying to your hearers and leading them astray by your deceptions. I will give you an example:

"A hyper-Calvinist believes that everything is predestined and thus God, they have no problem saying, is the author of sin. A hyper-Calvinist believes that predestination and foreknowledge are the same thing; what God predestines He divinely decrees and thus they believe in what we call double predestination. That God has elect and chosen some to be saved, and others He has chosen to be damned, and God gets the glory. A hyper-Calvinist believes that invitations are an insult to God. That predestination is the highest of all doctrine."

—Ergun Caner

This is typical of how cults and most Arminianist-based faiths debate, how they attack positions different from their own. Without a correct and proper understanding of what the other position believes, they just make up a bunch of absurd nonsense in order to deceive their hearers into thinking they are teaching the truth. They demonize the other positions without dealing with them fairly, justly, honestly, or truthfully. Cults are well known for doing this so that they can keep their numbers up and their members confused. The above quote is chock full of fallacious statements deliberately meant to misrepresent his concept of Calvinism or hyper-Calvinism.

Not only is everything Mr. Caner says above incorrect, proving he knows nothing about hyper-Calvinism and could not be bothered to study it, but he interchanges Calvinism and hyper-Calvinism throughout his entire sermon. Not only that, but his attempts at explaining the Greek deliberately avoid and ignore the context as well as other passages of Scripture that use the same words. He attempts the typical ignorance in explaining the word "all," the word "world," and the word "whosoever," all the while making fallacious accusations in regard to those who exegete and interpret these words correctly according to their contexts. Dave Hunt plays the same fast and loose games with the texts, making the same fallacious accusations.

People like Ergun Caner and Dave Hunt would do well to educate themselves by reading this blog entry and this blog entry, two letters to two different groups of people.

Arminianists and non-Reformed (people who do not fit the full definition of Arminianism) like to camp out on certain verses that use "all," "world," and "whosoever." If they were true students of the Word, they would look those words up in their original Greek to see what precisely they mean, while also looking up their occurrence elsewhere in Scripture. These people like to say that "all means all and that's all that all means," and that the word "world" is inclusive of "each and every individual without exclusion." What do these people do with Romans 5:18? "So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men." Unless you are a Universalist, the second "all" cannot mean "each and every individual without exception."

Let us look at some other problems for these people. Romans 7:8a: "But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness." There is a limitation on the word "all." Romans 8:32: "He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?" Does this mean God is going to give us divine powers? I mean, if all means all... Romans 11:32: "For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all." Again, unless you are a Universalist, all cannot mean "each and every individual without exception." Romans 14:2: "One man has faith that he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats vegetables only." Can he eat a rock? 1 Timothy 4:10: "For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers." A very Arminianist commentary, by I. Howard Marshall and Philip H. Towner, had this to say: "Adoption of the traditional translation of malista (μαλιστα) as 'especially' leads to some strange exegesis. These problems disappear if we accept the other possible translation: 'to be precise, namely, I mean.' 'All' is thus limited here to believers."¹ 1 Timothy 4:15: "Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all." Did each and every individual on this planet without exception see Timothy's progress? Of course not!

Emotional ignorance is no excuse for poor exegesis and bad study habits. In fact, villainizing the other position as Ergun Caner has done, and as Dispensationalists frequently do, whether intentionally through deception or out of sheer ignorance and laziness, is not only dishonest but cowardly. Whatever our presuppositions, we need to approach Scripture openly, honestly, and with great humility, so that if it teaches something contrary to what we believe we might humble ourselves and conform our beliefs to the truth of the text. If one says, "Yeah, that's what the text teaches, but I don't accept it," that is fine. At least they are being honest. But when they purposefully ignore what the text says and lie about it, that is an entirely other matter. Misrepresenting the other position by setting them up so you can easily knock them down is dishonest. Unfortunately, and sadly, there are many professing Christians who will deliberately lie about certain information in order to try and make their case. If you have to be dishonest, then you have won nothing and proven nothing. You have only proven you are a liar who cannot play fair. I do not like it when professing atheists do it, and I like it even less coming from those who profess to know Christ Jesus.

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¹ This quote was not copied directly from the book, but written down by my own hand from hearing the reading of the quote from the book by James R. White. Exact rendition thereof may appear entirely different.

Questions For Potential Suitors

from Wretched

We are not barbarians. Dads should not threaten a potential suitor with a fire-arm. At least not a loaded fire-arm. But that doesn’t mean a Dad shouldn’t put the young man on the hot seat.

Below are some questions that may help you determine if a young man will have access to your daughter. Your mileage may vary. Start with #30.

1. Share your salvation testimony.
2. What is the Gospel?
3. Share the most recent Bible verse you have memorized.
4. Can you recite all 66 books of the Bible in order? Try.
5. How often do you read your Bible?
6. When was the last time you read your Bible?
7. Tell me about your participation in your local church.
8. Can you recite the Nicene Creed for me?
9. If you are a virgin, why? If you are not a virgin, tell me what you have learned.
10. Tell me everything you know about the Protestant Reformation.
11. What is your approach to protect your sexual purity as well as my child's?
12. What Scripture verses guide your interactions with the opposite sex?
13. Explain your doctrinal views on the Bible, the Trinity, salvation, the Church.
14. What Bible verses are presently the most challenging in your personal walk with Christ?
15. Where is he convicting you now?
16. How has God grown you as a Christian over the last year?
17. Do you agree with that plan? Are you following that plan?  
18. What do you believe is God's plan for premarital relationships with the opposite sex?
19. Is your conscience clean before the Lord in your dealing with my child?
20. Have you crossed those boundaries in your relationship with my child?
21. What are the boundaries that you have set in order to maintain purity?
22. How would you describe the role of the husband in marital relationships?
23. Do you see issues or concerns in this area?
24. What is the role of your parents after marriage?
25. Have you discussed this area with my child?
26. What are your thoughts regarding children?
27. When was the last time you looked at pornography?
28. Do you have the ability to provide for my daughter? If not, what is your plan?
29. What is your theology of financial stewardship?
30. Tell me about your little brothers and sisters.

User-Friendly Nonsense

Even though it is not my intention to offend anyone with this article, I know that I am going to step on some toes. It is unavoidable. But I am in no way attempting to judge anyone. The purpose of this article is meant to have people look at the bigger picture and to have them examine themselves to see what kind of insignificant things they have placed as concerns and/or priorities in life and/or ministry that really have no importance at all. We live in a time of convenience and comfort and sometimes get sucked into it, having unreal expectations. Read on and you will see what I mean.

Since when did the pulpit one preaches the Gospel from become an inconvenience? Since when did it require comfort for the preacher? Since when was it a necessity to be user-friendly? Last I checked, the mandate was to preach the Gospel. There was nothing in there about comfort and user-friendliness.

Do we ever read or hear of anything where Martin Luther complained that his pulpit was not "user friendly"? Did John Calvin ever complain that his pulpit was not "user friendly"? How about John Wesley? What about George Whitefield? Jonathan Edwards? Surely Charles Spurgeon complained that his pulpit was not "user friendly." No? So why is that an issue with preachers today?

If these great preachers of the past were alive today, and heard about preachers complaining that their pulpit was not user friendly for all who spoke from it, what do you suppose they would have to say about it? I am certain that I do not have to tell you because I think you already know...

Where Does Morality Come From?

A man I work with, after telling him that we do not get our morality from animals, in a conversation regarding homosexuality, said that we do not get it from a book written two thousand years ago either. This is an area that is a huge problem for fools like him. People like him want to think and/or believe that morals are relative. If that is the case, if morals are determined by you and I, then what is right and wrong? If morals are relative, determined by the individual, then what if my morals say it is okay to rape and murder your daughter? If morals are something we determine ourselves and do not come from a book written two thousand years ago, or from someone outside of us, then by what right can you judge me and say I did wrong by raping and murdering your daughter? You cannot!

This is what post-modern stupidity looks like, saying that there is no absolute truth and that truth is just relative to the individual.

The fact of reality is that morality comes from Someone outside of us. That Someone is God, and He wrote that morality down for us in a book. That book is called the Bible. Without the morality contained in that book, we would be left to ourselves and we would do whatever seemed right in our own eyes: raping and murdering someone's daughter, for example. Morality did not come from evolution. It did not come from society getting together and agreeing on certain things. Morality is intrinsically written upon our hearts by the Creator. We know what is right and wrong, what is true and false, but choose to suppress it in unrighteousness. We do not want to be caught having done something we know we should not have done, so we lie, even though we know intrinsically that lying is morally wrong.

So, yes, morality does come from the Bible, which was given to us by the Creator. Because He is holy and perfect, He determines what is or is not moral. We had no say in the matter and we have no say in the matter. If God did not set the standards of morality, then mankind would be left to themselves and men would do whatever was right in their own eyes. The system of right and wrong would be determined by each individual, which means if you sneezed in my direction I could lawfully kill you for it. Be thankful the Bible makes morality clearly known to men, because without it we would be more wicked than we already are.

Pa-Rum-Pa-Pum-Pum

Once again, Christmas time is upon us. As per usual, millions of people will be celebrating this day with numerous theological errors. Let us face it, most Christmas carols are rooted in tradition rather than theological accuracy. While there is nothing wrong with listening to and enjoying these songs, we need to remember that we do not receive our theological beliefs from Christmas carols, Christmas pageants, or any other such things. Our theological beliefs must come from Scripture alone. Traditions and inaccuracies do not take away from our enjoyment of these songs, but we do need to be aware of them and make sure they do not creep into our theology and the practical application thereof. Let us face it, we can say we believe one thing, but our actions demonstrate what it is that we truly believe.

The ironic thing here is that while the world hates Christ Jesus and wants nothing to do with Him or His children, they sing along with these songs on the radio without paying a single piece of mind to what the lyrics are saying and what they mean. They have never given it any thought. Probably because they are incapable of such thought, but I digress. So, let us observe a few of the inaccuracies that exist in our Christmas carols.

1. Scripture says absolutely nothing about there being only three wise men; it merely mentions three gifts, all of which had to do with burial rites (Matt. 2:1-12). Not to mention that the wise men were not at the nativity scene; they showed up when the child was around two years of age (Matt. 2:11, 16).
2. The herald angels did not sing anything; one angel made a proclamation and then a host of angels spoke, "Glory to God in the highest" (Luke 2:8-14).
3. It is extremely doubtful that the nativity scene was silent; "No crying He makes?" Really?!? One wonders if the author had ever been around a newborn baby before. Maybe the author presumed that because He was God, He would not cry. Whatever the reason, Scripture tells us that He was like us (Heb. 2:17; 4:15) and that He cried (John 11:35).
4. There was no little boy with a drum—anywhere in the narrative.
5. "Joy To the World" is actually about the return of Christ at the end of the age to usher in eternity—not about His birth.

Christmas time is celebrated incorrectly every year by millions of Christians. While we have the freedom in Christ to celebrate or not celebrate Christmas however we choose, there is consistently one prevailing thing missing from both sides of this pendulum: the true meaning of Christmas, and Who and what it is we ought to be celebrating. God Almighty sent His only begotten Son in the form of human flesh to dwell among us in order that He might save His people from their sins. That is the true meaning of Christmas. The Gospel of Christ Jesus. If we are not celebrating this fact, we might as well not be celebrating anything at all because we have become like the heathen.

The true meaning of Christmas: God Almighty sent His only begotten Son in the form of human flesh to dwell among us in order that He might save His people from their sins.

While Jesus was not born on December 25, and while we should be celebrating this every day of the year, when we celebrate it on December 25 it should be that much more special to us and hold that much more of a place in our hearts and minds than it currently does. In light of the true meaning of Christmas, perhaps many of us would like to re-think how we celebrate it each year and make sure we are actually doing so in remembrance of His birth, life, death, and resurrection. Let us remove the idolatry and adultery from our celebration and center our celebration around the true meaning of Christmas—the Gospel. Whether or not you have a tree, hang decorations, or exchange gifts is secondary to what you need to be doing. Let us celebrate Christmas right!

Deitiphobia

Simply put, homosexuals are Deitiphobes. Not only them, but also those who accept and support them. Deitiphobia is the fear of God. Not the fear they should have, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments; His praise endures forever" (Psalm 111:10), "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10), but the fear of knowing precisely Who He is, what He wants from us, and submitting and conforming to His will.

Realistically, however, every non-believer is Deitiphobic. You try to talk to them about God and they will have none of it. Yet, they will try and treat "science" as if it is a god. Science this, science that. Even though it is a fact that science cannot explain everything. There are hundreds of things science cannot explain and never will be able to. Science is not the end-all be-all. Science is only science if it adheres to the scientific method. The moment it goes beyond that, it ceases to be science. Period!

I had one guy at work tell me he will not believe anything regarding natural medicine until he has seen the scientific data in support for it based on the scientific method. (I am not talking about those Old Wives' Tales "Home Remedies," but about actual Natural Medicine.) I was tempted to point out the hypocrisy in his statement by asking him if he has ever seen the scientific data in support of all "modern medicine" based on the scientific method. The answer is clearly "No," but he has a bias. He is exercising blind faith in "modern medicine" because it professes "science" behind it. There is a place for doctors and medicine, just as there is a place for natural medicine. One needs to be wise and do their research to know when which is which. It is not good to rely solely on natural medicine and it is not good to rely solely on "modern medicine." "Modern medicine" is not all it is cracked up to be. People would do well to open their eyes and pay attention to the sordid past that "science" and medicine have. There is a reason it is called "practicing medicine," because what they think they know today will be proven wrong tomorrow. Even today, "modern medicine" does as much harm as it does good. But we are off topic.

Homosexuals and those who support them like to try and call Christians and anyone who disagrees with their choice a "homophobe." Likewise, many people will try and call anyone who exposes the truth regarding Islam an "Islamophobe." I think it is high time we cast the die back at their own teeth by correctly identifying them as Deitiphobes. Of the three terms, the only one that holds any truth behind it is Deitiphobia. The other two are merely manipulative terms concocted as a means to try and silence the truth from those opposed to them.

It is rather ironic how the people behind both fallacious terms, "homophobe" and "Islamophobe," have the exact same character, mentality, and agenda against Christians: "Convert! Or lose everything!" In the Middle East, that is the ultimatum from Islam toward Christians. In North America, that is the ultimatum from the LGBT toward Christians. And who is falsely accused of being guilty of "hate" crimes? People need to wake up and open their eyes and take a closer look at the behaviour and actions of the homosexual community if they want to see what real hate crimes look like. Unfortunately, a great number of people in society have been emotionally manipulated and brainwashed into ignoring their common sense and logic in order to support the fallacious and illogical arguments of the LGBT community. Demonstrates how much of their brain they actually put to use...

Rules For Bible Study

The first rule when reading/studying/interpreting the Bible is:

     Context, context, context!

The second rule when reading/studying/interpreting the Bible is:

     Compare Scripture with Scripture! (Examine the whole counsel of the Word of God.)

The third rule when reading/studying/interpreting the Bible is:

     Wrestle with and submit to what the text actually says, and conform your beliefs accordingly.

When a preacher/teacher preaches/teaches the Bible expositorily verse-by-verse, they need to remember these three rules. As they go verse-by-verse, the tendency is to isolate the current verse or passage from its immediate (surrounding verses), sectional (surrounding chapters), and/or canonical (other passages) contexts. This can lead to false interpretations and doctrinal errors that can have grave consequences. Preaching/teaching the Bible expositorily is the best method, but the above three rules must remain in tact the entire time.

So, when you are preaching through Matthew and you arrive at 5:31-32 or 19:3-9, or you are preaching through Mark and you arrive at 10:2-12, Rule #2 ensures that you consider the whole counsel of God's Word on the matter, which includes Luke 16:18; Romans 7:2-3; 1 Corinthians 7:10-16, 39; Hebrews 13:4; Malachi 2:13-16; Deuteronomy 22:13-21; 24:1-4; and the narrative of Jesus' birth regarding the state of His parents. Remember, there is no room for experiential interpretation. All your work must be exegetical. Do not force the text to say something it does not, just because that is what you desire it to say even though you have just been confronted with the fact it says something completely different.

Rule #3 acknowledges that if you are doing proper Bible study, you are going to encounter things that go against how you have been raised and/or what you have been taught, whether by your parents, your pastor at your church, or professors at Bible schools. At this point, you seriously need to wrestle with what the text has just revealed and then you need to submit to it and conform your beliefs in accordance to what the text actually says. To do anything less is rebellion. Remember, children of the King delight in the truth. Better to swallow your pride and correct your beliefs than to proudly and stubbornly continue preaching/teaching false doctrines and lies.

Adhere to those three rules and you should never go wrong.

Salvation After the Rapture?

"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way." 2 Thessalonians 2:7

If you are not familiar with it, the Christian Zionist, or Dispensationalist, uses this verse to teach that after the "Rapture" the Holy Spirit will be removed from the Earth and that He will no longer indwell or influence men. Among the hundreds (if not thousands) of nonsensical and illogical beliefs bound up in this bankrupt system of theology, this one has got to be the most astounding.

The Dispensational system of theology teaches that even after the "Rapture" people will be getting saved. There are a couple monumental problems with this.

First, if all the Christians were removed from Earth at the "Rapture," who could possibly tell the remaining people about Jesus? Who could disciple them properly? Who could tell them about sin, repentance and faith? That is right... No one! "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?" (Rom. 10:14). All the Christians have been removed. Who is going to preach to the lost? If someone could miraculously believe, they would then be a Christian, which, logically, would "rapture" them out of the world since, according to Dispensational theology, Christians are not supposed to experience the wrath of God poured out on the world. If you are a believer, you are a Christian and you belong to the Church. Simple as that.

Second, if the Holy Spirit is removed from the Earth and no longer indwells or influences men, how could the remaining people possibly get saved? You cannot exercise something that has not been given to you. Read your Bible! Faith is a gift from God. If God does not grant you faith, you cannot and will not believe. Every change that must accompany salvation is brought about by the Holy Spirit. If He does not first make you born again from above, giving you a new heart with new desires and granting you faith so that you may believe, then you remain dead in your sins. You can only exercise faith once the Holy Spirit has changed you in order that you will exercise faith. "A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit" (Matt. 7:18). An unregenerate person with a heart of stone (bad tree) cannot choose to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. They cannot regenerate themselves nor give themselves a heart of flesh. Likewise, a regenerate person with a heart of flesh (good tree) cannot choose to reject Jesus as Lord and Saviour. They cannot unregenerate themselves nor give themselves a heart of stone. If the Spirit has regenerated you and given you salvation through faith, you will exercise the faith you have been granted because you can do nothing less. If the Holy Spirit has not regenerated you and given you salvation through faith, you cannot exercise a faith you do not possess.

Jesus has been reduced merely to an object by the Dispensational system of theology. All you need to do is exercise something you do not possess (faith) and you can save yourself. Their system of theology teaches that your salvation is in your hands; that you can choose to accept or reject Christ Jesus. Jesus is the object and you and/or your faith are the source.

The Bible teaches us that Jesus is both the object and the source of our salvation. If you do not believe, it is because you do not belong to Him. What do John 3:18 and 3:36 say? What does John 10:26 say (see also John 8:47; 18:37; 1 John 4:6)?

The Book of God

by Unknown Author

"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness—that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2 Timothy 3:16-17

This book contains:

    the mind of God,

    the state of man,

    the way of salvation,

    the doom of lost sinners, and

    the happiness of believers.

Its doctrine is holy,

its precepts are binding,

its histories are true, and

its decisions are immutable.

It contains . . .

    light to direct you,

    food to support you, and

    comfort to cheer you.

This book is . . .

    the traveler's map,

    the pilgrim's staff,

    the pilot's compass,

    the soldier's sword, and

    the Christian's charter.

Here Heaven is open—and the gates of Hell are disclosed. Christ is the grand subject,

our good is its design, and

the glory of God is its end.

This book should . . .

    fill the memory,

    rule the heart,

    and guide the feet.

It is . . .

    a mine of wealth,

    health to the soul,

    and a river of pleasure.

It . . .

    involves the highest responsibility,

    will reward the greatest labor, and

    condemn all who trifle with its sacred contents.

Read it to be wise,

believe it to be safe,

and practice it to be holy.

Read it . . .

    slowly,

    frequently,

    and prayerfully.

This Book—the Book of Books, the Book of God, the Bible—is the revelation of God to man!

Your Worthy Walk

"No, I can't dance, I can't talk
Only thing about me is the way I walk"

—Genesis, "I Can't Dance"

Whether or not we can dance, talk, or sing, or anything else we can or cannot do, the only thing about the Christian is the way he/she walks. Our walk speaks volumes. The world, whether Christian or non-Christian, is watching. If our walk does not match our talk, they will know it and they will call us out on it. No amount of excuses will let you off the hook. Even the non-Christians know how Christians are supposed to behave. Christians cannot be and should not be hypocrites.

Galatians 2:11-14 teaches us to (1) watch our lifestyle and not to act hypocritically, and to (2) act in a manner that is worthy of the truth of the gospel. "As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him" (Col. 2:6). In other words, walk as if you have truly received Him. "Bear fruits in keeping with repentance" (Luke 3:8). If you truly belong to Christ, you will be marked with an undeniable difference in your way of life. We are in this world, not of it.

Walk worthy of...

• "...walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called," Ephesians 4:1
• "...conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ;" Philippians. 1:27
• "...walk in a manner worthy of the Lord..." Colossians 1:10
• "...walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." 1 Thessalonians 2:12

Ephesians 4:1 has nothing to do with vocation. Compare it with 1 Thessalonians 2:12. You were called to be sons and daughters of the Most High. Ergo, walk in a manner that is worthy of that calling, a manner that proves you were truly called and set apart. If you are not sons and daughters, then you are illegitimate children and have no part with Christ. Many professors of Christ try to make excuses for the sin they live in, the way they walk or talk, but if they were of Christ, rather than try to make excuses for being caught in their sin and called out on it, they would hate those aspects of themselves and continually pray for the Lord to remove it from them. Prayer and the Word are our weapons against besetting sins that hold us back and trip us up. If we are not doing battle, then we need to re-examine our claim of faith.

The Experiential Interpretation of Romans 7

"The Apostle Paul says, 'There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,' and he says that on the heels of the remarkable testimony of his battle with sin in Romans chapter 7, where he says he has this inner turmoil not doing what he wants to do and doing what he hates and when he would do good evil would be present with him."

—Dr. Rick Horne, "Take Ten Looks" from Timothy Brindle's album The Restoration

Dr. Rick Horne, along with a great number of Christians out there, is sadly mistaken. In fact, he is outright wrong, and, unlike most of our post-modern society, I am not afraid to say it. Romans 7 is not a testimony of Paul's battle with sin. People seriously need to learn what it means to conduct exegesis. There is no room for, and no excuse for, experiential interpretation. Our experiences do not interpret the text. In fact, our day and age, with its individualism and rampant acceptance of sin, offers absolutely nothing into the interpretation of Scripture in the least. Scripture, like many parts of the world still today, functioned on the base of familial units. If you want to understand Scripture correctly, you need to understand familial units. Many places in the world today still operate thus, where the children reside with the parents until they get married, and later in the parents' life are looked after by their children, even contributing to the family while living at home. The familial unit often extended beyond just immediate family and would include extended family. Everyone looked out for everyone else, something our Western society and culture lost following the Renaissance. But that is neither the here nor there of this article.

Paul did not ask if Christians would continue to sin or even struggle with sin. So what was the question he asked? For that answer, we need to examine the preceding verse to the section frequently ripped out of context—verse 13. Verses 14-25 are cited in isolation of the immediate context 99% of the time. The rhetorical question Paul asked in verse 13 was, "Did that which is good [the Law] become a cause of death for me?" He provides a strong denial to his question and then proceeds to give an answer. Paul did not finish answering his question with the remainder of verse 13 only to shift gears into a completely unrelated issue for the rest of the chapter.

In order to understand precisely what Paul is getting at with Romans 7:13-25, we still need to keep it in context with Romans 7:7-12. The entire chapter is dealing with the Law and man's relation therewith. In Romans 7:7-12, Paul, using the historical-present 'I', says, "I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, 'You shall not covet.'" Because of the Law, he noticed all sorts of covetousness within. The good he wanted to do (Do not covet), he did not do, but what he did not want to do (covet), he did. In both Romans 7:15 and 7:19, there are two Greek words used, and they are used in the reverse of each other to paint an undeniable picture that those who falsely misinterpret Romans 7 refuse to address. These words are prasso (πρασσω), meaning "to perform repeatedly or habitually," and poieo (ποιεω), meaning "to purpose." So, continuing to speak using the historical-present 'I', these two verses read thus:

15: For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I do not repeatedly or habitually practice [prasso] what I would like to do, but I purpose to do [poieo] the very thing I hate.
19: For the good that I want, I do not purpose to do [poieo], but I repeatedly or habtiually practice [prasso] the very evil that I do not want.

Putting the two verses together, he is saying, "I do not repeatedly or habitually practice what I would like to do, but I repeatedly or habitually practice the very evil that I do not want" and "For the good that I want, I do not purpose to do, but I purpose to do the very thing I hate." Does that sound like a Christian?!? Not in the least! Interestingly enough, 1 John 3:4-10 also uses both of these Greek words, and this passage clearly tells us that a person who purposes to sin and repeatedly or habitually practices sin is not of God. He/she is of the devil!

For you preachers and teachers out there who continue to lie about Romans 7 and deal with it from an experiential interpretive standpoint, rather than an exegetical interpretive standpoint, if you are not going to give the Word of God the due treatment and respect it deserves, then might I suggest you step down from your position. The church needs leaders appointed by God who hold His Word in the highest regard and do their work diligently. There can be no haphazard work. In preaching the Bible verse by verse, we need to do so exegetically and we need to be comparing Scripture with Scripture so as to give the most accurate interpretation of the text—as a whole.

Romans 8 is the normal Christian life. "As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him" (Col. 2:6).

Love Thy Selfie

by Jerry Sheppard

"For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy." (2 Timothy 3:2, ESV)

It is no secret that "self love" is on the rise today. So much so that the present generation is three times more "self-centered" than the previous generations. It is one thing to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Mark 12:31, ESV), but it is quite another thing when you have an unhealthy view of yourself. For another Scripture says, "I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he [or she] ought to think" (Rom. 12:3, NASB). It is hard to focus on others if our focus is too much on ourselves. The Apostle Paul instructs, "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others." (Phil. 2:3-4, NASB).

At present, there is much in music, the social media, magazines, movies, and so on, in our society that promotes the "self" life. Modern technology is boasted to help make our lives easier, but instead it has fed our egos and inflated our self-esteem in such a way that we think too highly of ourselves. Many people from various age groups have become narcissistic, self-entitled, and privileged. Such people get easily offended if you don't feed into their over-inflated perception of themselves. Such social websites as Facebook is chock-full of profiles of young people who have numerous "selfie" photos. It's like they are obsessed with themselves and addicted to the attention they get from the number of "Likes" and complimenting comments they get.

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Church-going Atheists

by Frank Hall

"The fool says in his heart: There is no God!" Psalm 14:1

To deny the existence of God is to be an atheist--and all atheists are silly fools. However, those who profess to be atheists, and live according to their profession, are more honorable fools than the millions of painted hypocrites who profess faith in Christ and yet live like infidels! At least professing atheists are consistent fools! Atheists say that there is no God, and being true to their profession, they live as if there were no God. But there are untold multitudes of church goers who, in their pretentious religiosity, denounce atheism as an abomination--and yet they live just like atheists! These church-going atheists are pathetic because they lack the honesty and courage to speak what they say with their lives and in their hearts every single day--that there is no God!

Men and women who say that they believe in God, and yet live like Hell, are atheists at heart--and that makes them the most foolish of all fools!

"I'm a drunk, but I believe in God.

 I'm a profane worldling, but I believe in God.

 I'm a vile, filthy fornicator, but I believe in God.

 I live like Hell, but I'm going to Heaven.

 I don't worship God, but I believe in God.

 I don't read the Bible or practice its teachings, but I love the God who wrote it."

Such stupid gibberish betrays the atheism that is bound up in the hearts of religious hypocrites around the world! If you want to know what someone believes, look past what they say, and just consider how they live. All who say that there is a God in the heavens, and yet refuse to honor God's Son, are nothing more than atheists masquerading as Christians.

I wonder, what does your life say? Does it prove your profession to be true--or blast it to pieces?

Three Attitudes A Christian Should Avoid

by Jerry Shepperd

The problem I see with the church and with many fellow Christians in general today is indifference to their own faith. I'm sure there are a number of reasons for that. Personally, I think there are three primary reasons why a lot of Christians will not make a stand for Christ and the principles we hold to, because such believers are too much like the world.

1. The Compromising Christian: Their reasoning is, we need to be like the world in order to win unbelievers out of the world. Such misguided believers misinterpret Paul's words: “I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some" (1 Cor. 9:22, NASB). The question this raises is, what difference does Christ make, then, in a sinner's life? If we are to behave like those in the world, then how can we show those in the world the difference Christ has made in our lives? The fact is, Paul became "all things," whether a Jew, Gentile, Roman, slave, or free, in order to win them to Christ. By no means does this imply he practiced the various corruptions and sins in order to be like a pagan, Roman, or any other person who he was trying to win to Christ. He could behave according to the custom and behavior expected of a Roman citizen, or as a Jewish citizen for that matter, without adopting their questionable, sinful practices. However, the saint is called to be like Christ. Paul puts it this way, and instructs us to: "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts" (Rom. 13:14, NASB).

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The Disciple's Prayer

"Pray, then, in this manner: 'Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.'" Matthew 6:9-13

This prayer is frequently and erroneously referred to as "The Lord's Prayer." However, not once did Jesus pray this. In fact, He had no need to; He was perfect, without sin. The Lord's Prayer is found in John 17. The prayer found here is The Disciple's Prayer. Jesus was teaching His disciples how to pray—not what to pray. Notice that He did not tell them this was the prayer they were to habitually pray, but rather they were to pray "in this manner." We need to examine the structure Jesus provides for us, because this is how our prayers out to be patterned after. The structure of The Disciple's Prayer is:

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.

We should begin our prayers by acknowledging that God is our Father in heaven and that we honour Him. This is an important step in humbling ourselves before Him and telling Him that He is our God and that we trust His Word and wisdom.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.

We should let Him know that we understand that He is in control and in charge of all things, that His kingdom will continue, and that it is His will and not our own that we are to listen to and obey. His authority governs both Heaven and Earth.

At this point, we should acknowledge all that He has done for us, all the bountiful blessings He has provided for our good, all the trials He has blessed us with in order to learn what we need to learn, and every good thing in our lives.

Give us this day our daily bread.

We should then petition Him for our needs and the righteous desires of our hearts—not our whims or worldly desires. The righteous desires of our hearts will conform to His will. "Our daily bread" is not merely food, but all the daily necessities for our growth and salvation.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

We should lay before Him our sins and transgressions, asking forgiveness and for the strength to forgive those who have sinned against us. If we remember that we have something against a brother, or a brother has something against us, we need to rectify it. This is our opportunity for repentance, for our weaknesses, for our thoughtlessness, for our disobedience, for our sins of commission or omission.

And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

We should pray for His guidance in our walk and the power to overcome sin. We need to have self-mastery, or self-control, so as to conquer the adversary. Remember, Romans 6:11 tells us to "consider yourselves to be dead to sin." In other words, reckon it to be true.

For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

We should close by once again acknowledging that this is His kingdom and that He has all the power. The glory of what we do belongs to Him for all that He provides for us. We should close in the holy name of Christ Jesus our Saviour and Redeemer.

7 Biblical Tests For Christians and Music

by Ed Stetzer

Christians disagree about music style as much as any other issue in the body of Christ. More than likely, you've experienced this firsthand. As I've already written, conflicts over music have been common through out church history. Christians have listened to and enjoyed all of kinds of music. But should they?

In seeking to determine what is the right music for a church, it's important that we use biblical principles in our evaluation. That's not always easy—the Bible doesn't contain music notes. God never gives us His musical preferences.

While it may be difficult, I do believe it's possible to evaluate musical preferences using God's word. The following seven tests each relate to biblical principles that we can apply to our music to determine its suitability.

1. Message Test

This may be the simplest of all the tests. Examine the words of the song and consider its message. Does this song communicate the Word of God? Does the message appeal to our higher nature, or do the words appeal to our lower nature? If we seek to glorify God, it's important that the message of the songs be consistent with what God has already told us in Scripture.

2. Purpose Test

All music was written with a purpose in mind. Here we ask, "For what purpose was this song written?" or "What is this trying to promote or encourage?" Determine whether the music is sad, joyful, uplifting or soothing. Music that may be appropriate at one time may not be appropriate at another. Some music may even be intended to promote sinful choices or ways of thinking. When we apply the purpose test to our music, we choose songs whose purpose lines up with our own as Christians and the values of our local church.

3. Association Test

No music exists in a vacuum. An otherwise good song may be rejected because of its associations. The key question for this test is, "What does the music bring to mind in the heart of the worshipper?" Don't confuse the question. It's not what does it inspire in myheart, but what does it inspire in the heart of the worshipper.

This will depend on the context. When I spoke to a group of pastors, some of whom were Jamaican, they agreed that a variety of musical styles could be appropriate for their churches, but not reggae. For them, that style of music was about drugs. I then asked if it would be OK to use reggae music in my church where it does not have the same connotation. They agreed. The music was not the problem, the association was.

For example, many believe rap music connected to violence and misogyny. To others, however, it can simply be a vehicle to rage against sin and "the world powers of darkness" (Eph. 6:12 HCSB). Lecrae, epitomizes this in the intro track to his album Rebel:

And I rap the bread of life cause they dyin' to eat
I'm a rebel you know the kind that die in the street
Cause you refuse to conform,
won't eat the king's meat yeah

Christ rebelled by shunning the culture
He eatin' with sinners givin' Pharisees ulcers
He never got married, He was broke plus homeless
Yeah, that's the God I roll wit

What Lecrae has done in "Rebel Intro" is to take a form and to use it for a different meaning. The form of rap is no less godly than the form in most of our hymns. It is a canvas waiting for a picture. The target of the rebellion by Lecrae and others like him is the prevailing cultural attitudes that are contrary to Christ.

4. Memory Test

Memories and past experiences are often associated with significant songs. This can be positive or negative. The memory test asks, "Does the music bring back things in your past that you have left?" Remember, repentance is a significant step in conversion. If you have left the darkness, don't sing songs that make you want to return. This is often a personal issue, as some may struggle with memories associated with a song that can be enjoyed free of those thoughts by other Christians.

This means no one can claim a style of music they don't enjoy violates some policy of "offending our brother." That's not scriptural. What the Bible does teach is that we ought to avoid a practice if it causes people to sin. Listening to contemporary music does not cause a senior adult to sin, though it may offend. There is a distinct difference between the two.

5. Emotions Test

Music stirs our emotions—both negative and positive ones. The emotions test asks, "Does the music stir our negative or sinful feelings?" Christian music should stir our passion for godliness, prayer and righteous living. If music causes you to crave sin, it is wrong; no matter how innocent it may appear. We should always evaluate how music affects us emotionally.

6. Understanding Test

This seeks to determine which type of music we understand the best. Some people enjoy and understand classical music, while some don't. Others enjoy and understand country/western (though I'm not sure why). Other people—also known as "those who are right"—hate it. Those who appreciate classical music would find it easier to worship God listening to a recording of Handel's Messiah than a southern gospel quartet. This will depend on the person, their tastes and what it is that best encourages their worship.

7. Music Test

This test, like many of the others, is a "cultural" test that will differ from place to place. It looks at the song to determine its merits based on hymnology. Is the song singable? Does it make your heart join in the song? A song may have Christian words and be sung by a dedicated follower of Jesus Christ, but the music can be flat and leave the audience empty. That particular song will probably pass out of existence because it fails the music test.

Conclusion

These tests lead us to one simple fact: God can use any form of music. He has no musical style or preference. With the exception of the message and purpose test, the biblical tests listed here are all really about reflecting a biblical grid.

When you or your church is choosing music, it is important that you think through these issues. You may have the freedom to choose, but use discernment to choose wisely. Any musical style can pass the test in the right context, but it takes wisdom and a biblical perspective to determine whether that is the case. Hopefully, these seven tests can help you in that process.

The Rich Man and Lazarus: NOT a Parable!

It is no wonder more and more people are doubting the existence of hell, or simply downplaying it, when even individuals such as John MacArthur falsely refer to the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16 as "a parable." In John's latest book, Parables, on pages 157-174, he does precisely that.

What is a parable? A parable is a figure of speech using "like," "as," or "than" for comparison. A parable is a story designed to illustrate the truth of reality. Since a parable uses an illustration in order to convey a truth of reality, if the rich man and Lazarus is a parable, what truth of reality is it conveying for us?

Look at every one of Jesus' other parables and note how they illustrate something completely different from what He is actually saying. So, if this is a parable, what truth of reality is it revealing to us?

This story uses an actual person's name, which Jesus' parables never did. The story clearly says, "And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment" (v.23). If the Greek word "hades" (αδου) merely refers to the grave, how can an individual have consciousness, as is clearly demonstrated here, and also be "in torment"? If it is merely a grave, how does torment tie in with it? How is he able to lift up his eyes?

The parables Jesus told always referred to something else, to some spiritual form of reality. So, again, if this is a parable, what truth of reality is it revealing to us?

An Infallible Test

by Samuel Davies

"If anyone does not love the Lord--a curse be on him!" 1 Corinthians 16:22

If you truly love the Lord Jesus Christ--then you earnestly study and endeavor to please Him by a life of universal obedience. Love is always desirous to please the person beloved; and it will naturally lead to a conduct that is pleasing. This, then, you may be sure of, that if you truly love Jesus--then it is the labor of your life to please Him.

The only way to please Jesus, and the best test of your love to Him--is obedience to His commandments. This is made the decisive mark by Christ Himself: "If anyone loves Me--he will obey My teaching. He who does not love Me--will not obey My teaching." John 14:23, 24.

Jesus repeats this theme over and over in different forms: "Whoever has My commands and obeys them--he is the one who loves Me," verse 21. "If you love Me--you will obey what I command," verse 15. "You are My friends--if you do what I command." John 15:14. "This is love for God," says John; that is, it is the surest evidence, and the natural, inseparable effect of our love to God, "that we obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome." 1 John 5:3; that is, they will not seem grievous to one who obeys them from the principle of sincere love.

Here, then, you who profess to love the Lord Jesus--here is an infallible test for your love! Do you make it the great aim of your life to keep His commandments? Do you honestly endeavor to perform every duty which He has required--and that because He has commanded it? And do you vigorously resist and struggle against every sin, however constitutional, however fashionable, however gainful--because He forbids it? And is the way of obedience pleasant to you? Would you choose this holy way to heaven, rather than any other--if it were left to your choice?

Your not loving God--if it continues, will certainly lead you to Hell. You are fit for no other place! Where should the enemies of God be--but in an infernal prison? There is the same propriety in throwing you into Hell--as in shutting up madmen in bedlam--or rebels in a dungeon! Why, you are devilized already! You have the very temperament of devils! Enmity to God is the grand constituent of a devil--it is the worst ingredient in that infernal disposition; and this you have in your hearts, and, as it were, incorporated with your habitual temperament! And what do you think will become of you? Judge for yourselves--must you not be doomed to that everlasting fire, which was prepared for the devil and his angels--whom you resemble?

"If anyone does not love the Lord--a curse be on him!" 1 Corinthians 16:22

The Gospel of Christ Admits of No Compromise

by Jared Waterbury

"So then, any of you who does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple!" Luke 14:33

The gospel of Christ admits of no compromise. It demands our ALL. If it required less, it would be unworthy of its great author and finisher. I rejoice that it requires ALL--this is its glory. When we are brought to yield to its claims, and give up ALL--then, and not until then, will it throw around us its arms of mercy.

And do we talk about self-denial? Do we say, "It is hard to give up ALL!" I am ashamed to use such language--and ashamed to hear it used.

What did Christ give up for us? Let that question blot out "self-denial" from the Christian's vocabulary. When you think the Gospel makes severe requisitions by requiring ALL--go up to Mount Calvary and weep over such suggestions. See the blood of your Immanuel so freely gushing from a heart that never exercised towards you any emotion but love--love unspeakable--love unsought--and love for the guilty vile! Go hide your head in shame and penitence at such a thought.

It is a glorious privilege, my friend, to give up ALL to Christ. The soul that feels the constraining influence of His love, asks not how little may be given consistently with obtaining the heavenly reward--asks not for the lowest standard of discipleship. It burns with an ardent desire to devote ALL, and to aim at perfect "conformity to His death."

Determine, by the grace of God, that you will forsake all, and follow Christ. Do not, like Peter, follow Him afar off--but, like Mary, sit at His nail-pierced feet--like the beloved disciple John, rest upon His sweet bosom.

The Most Monstrous Iniquity

by Charles Spurgeon

"Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her!" Ephesians 5:25

"I am the Good Shepherd. The Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." John 10:11

If Christ on His cross intended to save every man--then He intended to save those who were eternally lost before He died! If the doctrine of universal atonement is true, that He died for all men--then He died for some who were in Hell before He came into this world, for doubtless there were even then myriads there who had been cast away because of their sins.

Once again, if it was Christ's intention to save all men--then how deplorably has He been disappointed, for we have His own testimony that there is a lake which burns with fire and brimstone, and into that pit of woe have been cast some of the very persons who, according to the theory of universal redemption, were bought with His blood! That seems to me a conception a thousand times more repulsive than any of those consequences which are said to be associated with the Christian doctrine of special and particular redemption.

To think that my Savior died for men who were or are in Hell, seems a supposition too horrible for me to entertain. To imagine for a moment that He was the Substitute for all people, and that God, having first punished the Substitute, afterwards punished the sinners themselves--seems to conflict with all my ideas of divine justice. That Christ should offer an atonement and satisfaction for the sins of all men, and that afterwards some of those very men should be punished for the sins for which Christ had already atoned--appears to me to be the most monstrous iniquity that could ever have been imputed to Saturn, to Janus, to the goddess of the Thugs, or to the most diabolical heathen deities. God forbid that we should ever think thus of Jehovah, the just and wise and good!

We do not believe that Christ redeemed the damned. We do not believe that He poured out His life blood for souls already in Hell. We never can imagine that Christ suffered in the room and stead of all men, and that then afterwards these same men have to suffer for themselves.

We hold to this--that Christ laid down His life for His sheep, and secured the salvation of every one of them.

Hallowe'en Hypocrisy

It irritates me to no end the way parents (especially professing Christian parents) outright lie to their children about Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy. It is no wonder your children start questioning the things you say to them and stop trusting you when they find out you have been lying to them for however many number of years. Christian parents should know better! As bad as this is, what I find to be the most hypocritical is what parents do once a year.

Parents spend an exorbitant amount of time trying to teach their children not to talk to or take candy from strangers. Yet, once a year, they hypocritically undermine their own authority and teachings by sending their children directly to the strangers' doors in order to beg for candy. What a great way to confuse your children.

"Do not take candy from strangers, Billy! Do you understand me?"

"Okay, Billy, go up to the door of that stranger's house and say 'Trick or treat' so you can get some candy."

If parents were only doing this with the houses of people they knew, whom the children also knew, it would not be so bad. But when you are taking or sending your children to the doors of complete strangers, you merely expose the depth of your own hypocrisy and how nothing out of your mouth can be trusted.

Hallowe’en should not be practiced or participated in by professing Christians anyway. Yes, I am quite aware of the numerous ignorant Christians who will attempt to defend their participation in Hallowe’en, the same way they would ignorantly defend every other wrong deed they have committed in the name of "freedom" or "grace" (such as "witnessing" in a bar or strip club--Apparently they do not realize you can wait outside for people to leave and then witness to them.).

If you do not want your children taking candy from strangers, then have the intelligence to not participate in the stupidity that is Hallowe’en. Otherwise, if you do not care if your children take candy from strangers any other day of the year, then go ahead and send them out on Hallowe’en. Be consistent in what you say and do.

It Is ALL Homosexuality

Pansexual, polysexual, omnisexual, and ambisexual are nothing more than various terms for bisexuality. Why? Because there are only two genders: male and female. These other terms merely exhibit a greater mental confusion than those who claim to be bisexual. Pansexuality is defined as someone with a sexual attraction to (or sexual relation with) people of either gender, regardless of whether they are straight, gay, transgender, androgynous, etc.

The simple reality is this: All of these terms are nothing more than different forms of homosexuality, just as pederasty is. Anyone who has sex with someone of the same gender is committing homosexuality. Homosexuality is not an identity, it is an act a person commits. Anyone who attempts to find an "identity" in sex is a colossal idiot. That is like trying to find your identity in being an adulterer, a fornicator, or a rapist. Absolutely absurd!

Transsexuals, or transgendered individuals, are nothing more than homosexuals, too. Changing your external appearance so you can get away with committing homosexual acts does not change a thing. You were born a man, you have a penis, you are a man, regardless of the physical changes you make to yourself or the changing of your name (Ahem! Bruce Jenner.). You were born a woman, you have a vagina, you are a woman, regardless of the physical changes you make to yourself or the changing of your name. You are not a woman trapped in a man's body or a man trapped in a woman's body. If you think or feel that way, you are in need of severe mental help and ought to commit yourself so that you can receive that help.

Homosexuality is homosexuality is homosexuality. That is what professing homosexuals do not understand. It does not matter how you dress it up or what title you call it, homosexuality is still homosexuality. Whether they called it homosexuality or not back before the word "homosexual" was ever invented does not change the fact it is still homosexuality. Pederasty, bisexuality, pansexuality, polysexuality, omnisexuality, ambisexuality; it is all homosexuality. They are not different genders. Look at any creature on this planet and you will see two different types: male or female. You are either one or the other.

Biology and nature inform us that the penis was created to be inserted into the vagina and the vagina was created to receive the penis. The penis does not belong in the anus. Period! Talk about humiliation and degradation. Falsely slapping the label "love" on it does not make it alright, nor is it loving in the least. It is not even an expression of love. Homosexuality, like fornication, adultery, rape, incest, polygamy, bestiality, necrophilia, and pedophilia, is an expression of lust. Pure and simple. It has nothing to do with love whatsoever. It is truly sad how society has forgotten what love actually is and has associated the act of sex with love (beginning in the 60s).

"And [Jesus] answered and said, "Have you not read, that He who created them from the beginning MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE, and said, 'FOR THIS CAUSE A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER, AND SHALL CLEAVE TO HIS WIFE; AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH'? Consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate."" Matthew 19:4-6

That verse deals with the fact of two genders (male and female), it deals with the fact of proper sexual conduct (a man and a woman), and it deals with the correct definition of marriage (one man with one woman for life). Homosexuality, regardless of its appearance, is not an appropriate form of sexual conduct (nor is bestiality, necrophilia, or pedophilia), nor is the union of two homosexuals "marriage" by any stretch of the imagination. Homosexuality is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord our God and it is a perversion of both human and sexual natures.

Christian or Jesus Follower?

Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love Me; for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me." John 8:41

Here, Jesus says that the dissimilarity between the Jews and Abraham makes them bastards. Hence, their claim to be the children of Abraham is only a nominal one. Their true father is the devil (see 8:44).

Likewise, this is also true of most people who call themselves Christian, but who bear no evidence in keeping with that name. Their claim to be Christian is only a nominal one because their true father is the devil.

The New Testament scriptures are very clear on what it takes to be a Christian and what a Christian looks like. Someone who claims to be a Christian and does not pursue holiness but revels in the same lifestyle they did prior to their "conversion" is not a Christian in the least. 

Some fools these days refuse to call themselves "Christian" (for a number of illogical arguments) but instead call themselves "Jesus Followers." I am sorry to say, but the two are one in the same. A Christian is a Jesus Follower, and a Jesus Follower is a Christian. Whether you call yourself a "Christian" or a "Jesus Follower," if you do not bear any evidence to support that claim, then your claim is false and you are neither. You do not belong to Jesus or the Father, you are still dead in your sins, your father is the devil, and you will find yourself in Hell when you die. I am sorry, but the Bible is very clear on this. Faith alone will not save you. You need the right kind of faith, and works must proceed from that faith.

Kinds of Faith

1. Intellectual or Historical Faith.
   This apprehends the truth intellectually as a result of education, tradition, rearing, etc. It is human and does not save. Matthew 7:26, Acts 26:27-28, James 2:19
2. Miracle Faith.
   This is faith to perform or have performed a miracle and may or may not be accompanied by salvation. Matthew 8:10-13, 17-20, Acts 14:9
3. Temporary Faith.
   It seems similar to intellectual faith except that there seems to be more personal interest involved. Luke 8:13
4. Saving Faith.
   This is a reliance on the truth of the Gospel as revealed in the Word of God (intellectual, emotional and volitional [act of will] faith).

TO BELIEVE (verb) in the full sense is to rely on, trust in, commit oneself to the object of belief.

People who claim to be "Christians" or "Jesus Followers" get angry when you tell them this stuff because they do not read their Bibles. If they happen to, they sure are not paying any amount of attention to what is being said. When I read the New Testament, I am convicted on every page. The church has been preached a false gospel for so long that Christians and people who think they are Christians believe lies about how they can be. Stop listening only to what some pastor says and open your Bible and read it for yourself! The way to heaven is a narrow road because so much is demanded of you. Why do you think Jesus tells people to count the cost of what it means to follow Him? There is no "Your best life now." There are no promises of "health, wealth, or prosperity."

If you are a Christian, then you are a Jesus Follower. If you are a Jesus Follower, then you are a Christian. Quit being a fool and trying to segregate these terms as if they are completely different from one another. Whether you call yourself a Christian or a Jesus Follower, you had best be a Jesus Imitator, a Jesus Mimicker. If you were on trial for being a Christian or a Jesus Follower, would there be enough evidence to convict you? If you do not bear the evidence the New Testament talks about, then you are not a Christian. Pure and simple.

The Ignorance of Modern Americans

Quite recently, several U.S. Supreme Court judges forcibly legalized same-sex "marriage" in all 52 States. There are several problems with this:

1. Supreme Court judges do not have that kind of authority. They would do well to learn their place and to honour and uphold it correctly.
2. Every State operates independently of every other State. Taxes are different between States. Laws are different between States.
3. The public/people can override the judges' ruling. Remember, the U.S. government is a "government of the people, for the people, by the people."

The U.S. government is not a dictatorship, despite Muslim President Barack Obama's attempts at otherwise. However, the sad reality of modern day America is that most people have rolled over and relinquished their rights. They need to wake up and realize the above three facts.

Homosexuals account for less than 2% of the American population. How is it that a less than 2% population is manipulating and controlling the other 98% population, forcing them to do and/or accept what 100% of the population knows intrinsically to be unnatural; a perversion of both human and sexual natures?

As this law was forcibly passed illegally, other perverts have begun to fight for their "rights." Pedophiles and Zoophiliacs have been arguing that they cannot help the way they are—that they were born that way. By these arguments, we were all born helpless to our vices. Murderers cannot help themselves, they were born with those tendencies. Rapists cannot help themselves, they were born with those tendencies. Adulterers cannot help themselves, they were born with those tendencies. Fornicators cannot help themselves, they were born with those tendencies. Thieves cannot help themselves, they were born with those tendencies. Liars cannot help themselves, they were born with those tendencies.

We all know the above arguments are unsound and nothing more than a crock of dung. It is an attempt at excusing and justifying one's sins. Homosexuals are merely paving the road for other perverts to follow. The simple fact is, what is happening in the U.S. today is both the cause of and result of God's judgment. Read Romans 1 and you will see it. Study the history of past civilizations such as Rome, Greece, Babylon, and Sodom and Gomorrah, and you will see it. Unless people smarten up and start standing up for the truth, being a "government of the people, for the people, by the people" the way it was intended, things are only going to get worse.

Muslims and homosexuals have one major thing in common—both attack Christians with the ultimatum, "Convert, or lose everything!"

Feeding Sheep, or Amusing Goats?

by Charles Spurgeon

An evil is in the 'professed' camp of the Lord, so gross in its impudence, that the most short-sighted Christian can hardly fail to notice it. During the past few years this evil has developed at an alarming rate. It has worked like leaven, until the whole lump ferments!

The devil has seldom done a more clever thing, than hinting to the Church that part of their mission is to provide entertainment for the people, with a view to winning them. From speaking out the gospel, the Church has gradually toned down her testimony—then winked at and excused the frivolities of the day. Then she tolerated them in her borders. Now she has adopted them under the plea of reaching the masses!

My first contention is that providing amusement for the people is nowhere spoken of in the Scriptures as a function of the Church. If it is a Christian work, then why did not Christ speak of it? "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature—and provide amusement for those who do not relish the gospel."

No such words, however, are to be found. It did not seem to occur to Him. Where do entertainers come in? The Holy Spirit is silent concerning them. Were the prophets persecuted because they amused the people—or because they confronted them? The 'concert' has no martyr roll.

Again, providing amusement is in direct antagonism to the teaching and life of Christ and all His apostles. What was the attitude of the apostolic Church to the world? "You are the salt of the world"—not the sugar candy; something the world will spit out—not swallow.

Had Jesus introduced more of the bright and pleasant elements into His teaching, He would have been more popular. When "many of His disciples turned back and no longer followed Him," I do not hear Him say: "Run after these people, Peter, and tell them we will have a different style of service tomorrow; something short and attractive with little preaching. We will have a pleasant evening for the people. Tell them they will be sure to enjoy it! Be quick, Peter, we must get the people somehow!"

No! Jesus pitied sinners, sighed and wept over them—but never sought to amuse them!

In vain will the epistles be searched to find any trace of the 'gospel of amusement.' Their message is, "Therefore, come out from them and separate yourselves from them... Don't touch their filthy things..." Anything approaching amusement is conspicuous by its absence. They had boundless confidence in the gospel, and employed no other weapon.

After Peter and John were locked up for preaching, the Church had a prayer meeting, but they did not pray, "Lord, grant unto your servants that by a wise and discriminating use of innocent recreation we may show these people how happy we are!"

No! They did not cease from preaching Christ. They had no time for arranging entertainments. Scattered by persecution, they went everywhere preaching the gospel. They turned the world upside down—that is the only difference from today's church.

Lastly, amusement fails to effect the end desired. Let the heavy-laden who found peace through the concert not keep silent! Let the drunkard to whom the dramatic entertainment had been God's link in the chain of their conversion, stand up! There are none to answer! The mission of amusement produces no converts!

The need of the hour for today's ministry is earnest spirituality joined with Biblical doctrine, so understood and felt, that it sets men on fire.

Lord, clear the Church of all the rot and rubbish the devil has imposed on her, and bring us back to apostolic methods!

The God of This Generation

by Arthur Pink

"Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases!" Psalm 115:3

Ah, my reader, the God of Scripture is no make-believe monarch, no mere imaginary sovereign; but King of kings, and Lord of lords! To countless thousands, even among those professing to be Christians, the God of the Scriptures is quite unknown.

The god of this generation no more resembles the Supreme Sovereign of Holy Writ, than does the dim flickering of a candle, the glory of the midday sun!

The god who is now . . .

    talked about in the average pulpit,

    spoken of in the ordinary Sunday School,

    mentioned in much of the religious literature of the day,

    and preached in most of the so-called Bible Conferences—

is the figment of human imagination, an invention of mushy sentimentality!

The heathen outside of the pale of Christendom form gods out of wood and stone, while the millions of heathen inside Christendom manufacture a god out of their own carnal mind! In reality, they are but atheists, for there is no other possible alternative between an absolutely supreme God and no God at all. A god whose will is resisted, whose designs are frustrated, whose purpose is checkmated, possesses no title to Deity—and so far from being a fit object of worship, merits nothing but contempt!

"I know that You can do anything, and no plan of Yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2

"Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!" Revelation 19:6

Who Does He Think He Is?

by Frank Hall

"Is it not lawful for Me to do what I wish with what is My own?" Matthew 20:15

How dare people walk their pets on leashes to control them!
How dare parents force their children to obey their rules!
How dare employers insist that their employees do their jobs!
How dare governors rule over the people!
How dare policemen take criminals to jail without their permission!

How dare God have His way with His creatures!
How dare the Potter make one vessel unto honor, and another unto dishonor!
How dare God love and hate whom He will!
How dare God the Father choose to save whom He will!
How dare God the Son die for whom He will!
How dare God the Spirit call whom He will!
How dare the Almighty have His way with all men, in all places, at all times!
How dare God save and damn whom He will!
How dare God judge us!
How dare God call us into question!
How dare the indisputable Sovereign of the universe do . . .
    what He pleases,
    when He pleases,
    where He pleases,
    how He pleases, and
    with whom He pleases!

Who does He think He is—God?!?

"Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases!" Psalm 115:3

"I know that the LORD is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The LORD does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths!" Psalm 135:5-6

"All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: What have You done?" Daniel 4:35