Be A Real Woman

“Our generation is so busy trying to prove that women can do everything men can do, women are losing the unique qualities that set us apart; the God-given femininity and unique way our Creator designed us. Women weren't created to do everything a man can do... Women were created to do everything a man can't do." —Unknown

The lioness does not try to be the lion. She embraces her role as the lioness. She is powerful, strong, and nurturing. She does not mistake her meekness for weakness. The world needs more kind, compassionate, humble, faithful, persevering, confident, fierce, bold, pure, and tender-hearted women.

Be one of them.

True Faith

Genuine faith is not a mere mental assent to the facts and truth about Christ Jesus. Faith involves actions that work with your faith and perfect or complete your faith. Those actions must also be done in faith, or else they amount to absolutely squat.

I have repeatedly made the point pertaining to James 2 that we are also justified by our works, but that these works are not "works of the Law" nor "good deeds," but are "works of faith" or "faith in action" or "living faith."

I also often talk about repentance, obedience, and holiness. Well, Romans 1:5 illustrates perfectly what I keep trying to bring to the forefront of the minds of my brothers and sisters in Christ. "Obedience of faith." You see, mere behavioural modified obedience will accomplish nothing. Our obedience must be done in and by faith. "Without faith it is impossible to please Him."

What do Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38 say? "The just/righteous shall live by faith." "Shall live" is an action. It speaks of what every facet of their life will look like and be identified by. How will the justified righteous person live? "By faith." Their entire life—their words, their actions—will be seasoned by faith. This is pointing to both "a man is justified by faith" and "a man is justified by works." What the justified righteous person does is driven by their faith, but their faith is perfected or completed by their works. Abraham believed God and proved it by his actions. Both Paul and James use Abraham as their example for what they are saying. There is no contradiction between them. Their words are in complete agreement.

Sadly, many Reformed and Baptist brethren are ignorant of the dichotomy here and so attempt to lump all works together and then, via eisegesis, attempt to claim that everywhere in the Bible faith is opposed to works of any kind. All the verses they attempt to use for proof texts of this false teaching backfire in their faces. These brethren somehow miss those three little words, "of the Law." Here are some of the verses they attempt to use:

"For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since indeed God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith is one." Romans 3:28-30

"But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness." Romans 4:5

"For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Romans 10:4

"But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace." Romans 11:6

"Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified." Galatians 2:16

"I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly." Galatians 2:21

"Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." Galatians 3:5-6

"Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, that we may be justified by faith." Galatians 3:24

"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works [of the Law], that no one should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

"And may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith." Philippians 3:9

The Law is clearly in view in every single one of these verses. Yet, these Reformed and Baptist brethren attempt to join good deeds and works of faith in with works of the Law. Maybe this is due to being influenced by the poison of Dispensationalism, which rejects repentance, obedience, and holiness as necessary in a Christian's life. In order to maintain their false interpretation of a "carnal Christian"—someone who can believe in Jesus yet live like the Devil and somehow make it into Heaven, they must.

I pray that I have been able to help clarify the issue and reconcile the words of Paul and James. Romans 1:5 demonstrates what I have been trying to clarify between Paul and James for quite some time. We are not obedient for the sake of being obedient; our obedience must come from faith. Otherwise our obedience is merely behavioural modification, which is still disobedience. It is obedience for the sake of attempting to try and earn something, which is legalism. If you are obedient merely for the purpose of trying to gain God's favour, then you are merely engaging in works-salvation. We are obedient because something has already been earned on our behalf, and we accept it as being applied to us by faith. Jesus did what we cannot. We would be fools to attempt to try and earn something we are incapable of earning. The intelligent thing to do is to accept what Jesus did on our behalf and thank God for it.

See the uselessness of mere morality. Honesty, morality and such things may be very good among men. But all these things put together, without faith, do not please God.

Without saving faith, all moral virtues are but splendid sins!

You will as surely be lost if you trust to your good works, as if you had trusted to your sins!

Trust Jesus, and you are saved.
Trust self, and you are damned.

—Charles Spurgeon

We strive for holiness not in order to gain favour from God, which would be legalism, but because God demands it and commands it and because of what has already been earned on our behalf. We strive for holiness because it pleases Him. Unless we renew our minds and change our way of thinking, we are only going to hinder ourselves. Jesus asked, "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?" Will He? Will He find it in you? Or are you being so influenced by the world around you that your faith is being corrupted and removed? If your faith is genuine and true, it will be evidenced by your entire life. Everything you say or do will reflect your faith and be rooted in your faith. If it is not, you need to ask yourself if you are in the faith to begin with. Let these words penetrate your heart and mind, and meditate on them deeply...

"THE JUST / RIGHTEOUS ONE SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

Invoking the Name of Science

It amuses me the number of people who know absolutely nothing about science who attempt to invoke the name of science as a cover for their pseudo-scientific philosophical religious nonsense. Many of these individuals ignorantly flap their gums in videos they upload on YouTube and in comments they make on social media sites to their own detriment. They invoke the name of science where little to no science actually exists. These people know nothing about what is or is not science, and yet they like to throw the term "science" around like they have any semblance of an idea what they are babbling on about. Many of their so-called "scientific" heroes, such as Richard Dawkins and Bill Nye, know absolutely nothing about science and what is or is not science as well.

The reason these fish are true and accurate is because they are based on reality. Those individuals who choose to willfully remain ignorant in their religious beliefs concerning Evolution still attempt to invoke the name of science as a cover for their fairy tale (a frog turning into a man). Science is based upon that which is testable, observable, and repeatable. If it is not testable, observable, and repeatable, then it is not science; it is outside the realm of science. If it begins and ends at a hypothesis, then it is not science. It is that simple!

Science is filled with numerous unchanging scientific laws, such as the Laws of Thermodynamics. The first law utterly obliterates the theory and belief pertaining to the "Big Bang." The second law utterly obliterates the theory and belief pertaining to "Evolution." There are other scientific laws that destroy these theories and beliefs, too, that I am amazed that any true scientist would attempt to back them knowing what these laws state. To do so makes a contradiction out of these laws.

If you want to remain blind and believe in the fairy tale of Evolution for the reason of man's existence, then you go right ahead and do so. But do not be so ignorant as to attempt to invoke the name of science where zero science exists. You people keep invoking the name of science for your beliefs, but when real science is presented to you, you cannot argue let alone defend your position. Your ultimate answer always ends up as, "I don't know."

For as long as people have attempted to disprove the Bible, you think they would learn better after the many years and numerous times that history, archaeology, and science have proven the Bible's recordings trustworthy and reliable. A book that proves itself that accurate and trustworthy over and over ought to be trusted above all else. But the ignorant never learn. They just keep tying themselves to that railroad track and letting the stupid-train run on over them again and again.

If you have no real science to back up your argument or position, then do not attempt to invoke the name of science, because you will only find that the science opposes your nonsense.

Hyper-Calvinism 4

Hyper-Calvinism also tends to claim that everything we do and say is the direct result of God's control. So the decisions and choices we make every day (not "free will"), are really the decisions and choices of God. Rather than take personal responsibility for the screw ups in our lives, Hyper-Calvinism will attempt to blame it all on God. "I had no control over it. God made it happen. After all, He is sovereign."

Yes, God is sovereign. Yes, all things are in His control. However, that does not mean that He steps in and personally directs every little detail of our lives. While there is no such thing as a "free will," we do make decisions and choices in our life, even if influenced by our circumstances and surroundings. I still get to decided whether I want to eat liver or not, or whether I like it or not. God does not decide that for me. My decision might be influenced by my circumstances and surroundings, but it is nevertheless my decision.

Hyper-Calvinism will even attempt to claim that God chooses who goes to Heaven and Hell; that God chooses who to save and who to damn. That is not true. God only chooses those to whom He will save, because otherwise all men (each and every individual) would end up going to Hell. We have imputed sin, inherited sin, and personal sin. We deserve to go to Hell 100 times over. Anyone who denies this does not know themselves, let alone their Bible. If it were not for the saving grace of God, all of us (each and every one of us) would be destined for Hell. God chooses whom to save by His free grace for His glory, so that all of creation sees what a good and kind God He is. If God chose to let us all go to Hell, not only would we absolutely deserve it, but God would still be a good and kind God and His justice will have been served. His holiness will not have been marred.

The actions in your life will not be the fault of God. If you wind up in prison for your decisions, God is not to blame. If you have a failed marriage, God is not to blame. Sure, God could have supernaturally reached down and prevented you from pulling the trigger or stabbing someone or robbing a place. Sure, God could have supernaturally reached down and prevented your spouse from leaving, or you from screwing up your marriage. But if that is how God did things, then you would be nothing more than a mere plaything for God. God does not make certain men rape certain women. That choice is of their own doing. Why did you do the things that led to your being in prison? Why did the things happen that led to your failed marriage? All these questions stem from the skeptic/doubter/atheist question, "If God is good, why is there evil in the world?"

Because sin exists. Because you are a sinner. Because you sin.

If you honestly want God to supernaturally reach down and fix the problems with the world (which He will do, when Jesus returns to judge the world), to get rid of sin and evil, guess what? You would no longer be here. You would be among the first to go because of your wretched sinfulness. Oh, you do not think you have committed any heinous sinful acts? Your self-righteousness, like that of the Pharisees, would be your condemnation. You have no direct line into Heaven apart from the saving grace of Christ Jesus. If you do not have that, then you would be part of the problem that you are asking God to fix.

Adam and Eve were the only human beings to have absolute free will. God placed them in the Garden of Eden and gave them one simple command: "Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil." Eve was deceived into eating the fruit, but Adam was not. Adam freely chose to eat. Because Adam was our representative, his sin is our sin. Had we been placed in the garden, we would have done the exact same thing. Do not lie to yourself and claim that you would have done anything different when you can look inside yourself and see the kinds of sins you have freely committed of your own accord.

Since Adam, we are born with a tendency toward sin. We love to sin. Just look inside yourself at all your planned and habitual sin. Look inside your mind at the lies you concoct in your mind should you be caught for the sin you commit. That is called premeditation. Not only are you planning on sinning, but you are also planning on sinning further by trying to cover up your sin if ever found out.

God does not put the thoughts that go through your mind in your head. Neither does the devil; stop giving him more credit than he deserves. God did not make you do the foolish things you have done in your life. Neither did the devil; again, stop giving him more credit than he deserves. Rather than take personal responsibility, people attempt to say, "The devil made me do it." Trust me, the devil has bigger things on his plate than being concerned about you. You are nothing and nobody to the devil.

If you are walking down a corridor and you arrive at a T-intersection, going left and right, your decision is already set. God did not choose which way you would turn. You did. The question gets asked, "Could you have chosen differently?" Yes, you could have. But a further question asks, " Would you have chosen differently?" No, you would not have. Every choice you would ever make in life is already seen and know because God is outside of time and sees it all at once. From God's point of view, you have already made those decisions. So the decisions and choices you make are already set in stone because God has seen them all. He did not make them for you. The only decision that God makes on a person's behalf is salvation, because if God did not intervene and left it up to us, each and every one of us would reject God because of our hatred and sin. God is not to be blamed for our going to Hell; that is all our doing. But all the glory for us going to Heaven belongs to God, because if it was not for Him, none of us would be there.

Anatomy Lesson For Feminists

Like it or lump it, no matter how you dice it and try to justify it, abortion is murder!

Finding the Balance

"A man is not justified by the works of the Law

but through faith in Christ Jesus."

Galatians 2:16

What will a man not be justified by? "Works of the Law." What kind of works? "Of the Law!" This is important for us to note and to grasp. Why? Because, while this statement is true:

"For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law."

Romans 3:28

This statement is also true:

"You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone."

James 2:24

In the passage from Romans 3:28, there is an important distinction to be made. The same distinction we made in Galatians 2:16. A man is justified by faith apart from what? "Works of the Law." What kind of works? "Of the Law!" I am curious how my Reformed brethren have missed this fact for centuries. I understand how Dispensational-based faiths have missed it, because they are lawless to begin with. After all, according to their theology, as long as you simply believe in Jesus, you can continue to live like the Devil and still make it into Heaven. Repentance, obedience, and holiness do not actually mean a thing.

While the Reformed credo of "Sola Fide" states that we are justified by faith alone, without the need for works of any kind, the Bible makes it abundantly clear that it is "not by faith alone." If they want to refine what is actually mean by "Sola Fide," then I welcome hearing it. But as it is typically defined everywhere I search for it, it is in direct contrast, and contradiction, to the Bible. And as such, I reject it.

Our only rule of faith and practice is the Word of God. We have . . .

       no creed to defend,

       no denomination to maintain, and

       no confession to bind our minds.

"What do the Scriptures teach?" That is and must be our only concern. If the plain teachings of Holy Scripture appear to destroy or contradict our understanding of any doctrine, then let us relinquish the doctrine, or acknowledge the fact that our minds are both depraved and minuscule, and bow to the revelation of God.

—Don Fortner

Now, Romans 3:28 flows into the discussion of chapter 4, wherein Paul uses Abraham as his example to prove that justification is by faith. But James also uses Abraham as his example to prove that justification is by works. Paul says, "if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God" (Rom. 4:2). But James asks, "Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?" (James 2:21), to which the obvious answer is, "Yes!" He continues with this telling statement: "You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected" (v. 22). Faith alone is useless, worthless, dead, and in vain. Faith and works must go hand in hand. James says that Abraham's "faith was working with his works," and that "as a result of the works, faith was perfected," or completed. In other words, faith without works is imperfect and incomplete.

Ask yourself, when Abraham offered Isaac up as a sacrifice, what kind of "work" was he committing? Was it a "work of the Law," to which Galatians 2:16 and Romans 3:28 address? Of course not! The Law would not exist for another 400 years! Was it a good deed, those works that we were created for and ordained to do (Eph. 2:10)? Of course not! So what kind of "work" was it? It was a work of faith. Faith in action. Living faith.

People who claim that "everywhere in the Bible, faith is always contrasted against works of any kind" do not know their Bible! When Peter asked to walk on water, his stepping out of the boat was a work. When the woman with the issue of blood believed that touching Jesus' garment would heal her, her reaching out to touch it was a work. Both were works of faith. Faith in action. Living faith. 

Catholicism teaches that we are saved based upon our own merits. Sola Fida (and anyone who holds to it), as far as I have been taught and have found through my research, teaches that we are saved based upon our faith alone. Both are false and incorrect! Read James 2:14-26 some time. The first couple of verses are talking about good deeds, which follow after salvation. These are the "works" that we were created for and ordained to do (Eph. 2:10). But Abraham's offering Isaac as a sacrifice was by no stretch of the imagination a good deed.

While we were created for and ordained to do good deeds, they can quickly fall into the same category as "works of the Law." C. J. Mahaney defined legalism as: "seeking to achieve forgiveness from God and acceptance by God through my obedience to God." In other words, anything that is viewed as or used for gaining some kind of favour or acceptance from God is legalism, and it will only damn you. Allow me to make myself perfectly clear: You cannot earn favour with God! Period.

Anytime you do something in order to gain acceptance from God, you are on a slippery slope. That is works-based salvation. There is nothing you can do that will put you in right standing with God. Jesus was the only person who could do anything, and He did it. We accept it by faith, and that faith is demonstrated through our actions. Repentance, obedience, and striving for "the holiness without which no one will see God" (Heb. 12:14) are a part of that faith. They may be things you do, but they are works of faith. Faith in action. Living faith.

If by the use of "Sola Fide" they are including works of faith (faith in action; living faith), then I am in full agreement with it. But, if by the use of it they mean what every site and book I have encountered describes it, as a mere mental/heart faith without action of any sort, then, I am sorry, but I disagree fully. It contradicts the Scriptures themselves, which use the precise words, "not by faith alone," but it also contradicts every instance of faith seen in the Bible.

The balance on this issue is found between the two extremes. On one hand, you have the extreme taught by Catholicism. On the other hand, you have the extreme taught by Dispensationalism. I do not advocate legalism of any kind. But I do advocate repentance, obedience, and holiness as taught in the Bible.

Facing Reality and Truth

"Pursue . . . the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14

"Nothing unclean . . . shall ever enter into [Heaven] . . ." Revelation 21:27

Dispensationalism and Charismatic churches teach the lie about "carnal Christians," as if there are two classes of Christians. There are not! You are either a Christian or you are not. You are either holy, or you are carnal and worldly. It is impossible to be both. Those who teach the lie of a "carnal Christian" should try reading their Bible closely some time and paying attention to what it actually says, because it contradicts their doctrines of demons.

Romans 8:13 says, "for if you are living according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." The flesh and the Spirit are constantly contrasted and opposed to one another. Being of the flesh is always negative, while being in the Spirit is always positive. As long as you are living in and according to the flesh, your destiny is eternity in Hell. If you submit to the Holy Spirit and conform your life to that of Christ, practicing holiness and putting sin to death, your destiny will be eternity in Heaven.

A "carnal Christian" is living according to the flesh. Ergo, these people will die and spend eternity in Hell. A "carnal Christian" is not pursuing holiness, let alone the holiness required in order to see the Lord. Ergo, they will never see the Lord. A "carnal Christian," living according to the flesh and lacking holiness, is unclean. Ergo, they will never enter Heaven.

Ergo, they were never "Christian" to begin with

Without holiness, no one will see the Lord. Nothing impure or unclean will ever enter into Heaven. "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?" (2 Cor. 13:5). If you are genuinely a Christian, you will pursue/strive for that holiness that will enable you to see the Lord. The Greek word means to suffer persecution "for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord"; to press forward "for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

Bank on this fact: there is no such thing as a "carnal Christian." It's an oxymoron; a contradiction in terms. This is an excuse used for the sinful behaviour of false converts who have been Pope-ishly declared to be "Christian" when no transformation has ever taken place in their lives.

The Role of Prayer

In Acts 6, the elders addressed the problem of widows who were not being cared for by appointing believers to care for them so that the apostles could devote themselves "to prayer and to the ministry of the word" (Acts 6:4). Biblical churches emphasize the ministry of the Word. The centrality of preaching is never disconnected from fervent, faithful prayer. In Acts 6, prayer comes before the preaching. Prayer is the power behind ministering the Word.

Pray for God's people (the church). Pray for the people within your local church. Pray that they will receive and understand the teaching of the Word, and that the Holy Spirit will guide them as they apply it. Pray that the members of your local church (and the church in general) will deal with sin, forsake ungodliness of all forms, and grow in sanctification, Christ-likeness, and usefulness. Bring before the Lord any and all specific needs, spiritual and otherwise, of the members of God's church (local and otherwise). Pray that God's Word will have free course in your local church, that the biblical truth preached and taught will go forth unobstructed (2 Thess. 3). There is a profound and urgent hunger for in-depth Bible teaching.

True Christians pray, and want to pray more effectively.

The Consent of Fools

by Charles Spurgeon

Any kind of fad which rules the hour, draws a mad crowd after it. No matter how absurd or ridiculous the mania, the worshipers of fashion cry: "These are your gods!" Yes, Satan is marvelously well obeyed by his servants!

Yet many of you church people look around on society—to follow its customs and fashions.

You watch the general current—and then float upon it.

You study the popular breeze—and shift your sails to suit it.

You ask: "Is it fashionable?"

If it is fashionable, then you must do it.

Fashion is the law of multitudes—but it is nothing more than the common consent of fools!

To follow the fashions and customs of the times, is to be an enemy of God.

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God?

Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world, becomes an enemy of God!" James 4:4

The Root and Foundation of All Theological Mistakes

by Charles Spurgeon

I believe that it is a mistake about God Himself, which has been the root and foundation of all the mistakes in theology. My conviction is that Arminian theology, to a great extent, makes God to be less than He is.

The basis and groundwork of Arminian theology lies in attaching undue importance to man—and giving God the secondary place.

I do not believe in an atonement which is admirably wide, but fatally ineffectual. I had rather believe a limited atonement that is efficacious for all for whom it was intended—than a universal atonement that is not efficacious for anybody, except the will of man be joined with it.

Again, to think that my Savior died for those 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—conflicts with all ideas of divine justice.

Where Is Christ In Your Theological System?

by Charles Spurgeon

"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself." Luke 24:27

"These are the Scriptures that testify about Me!" John 5:39

Take this Book and distill it into one word—and that one word will be JESUS! The Bible itself, is but the body of Christ, and we may look upon all its pages as the swaddling bands of the infant Savior—for if we unroll the Scripture, we come upon Jesus Christ Himself.

Where is Christ in your theological system? He Himself is . . .

     the Doctor and Doctrine,

     the Revealer and Revelation,

     the Illuminator and the Light of men.

He is exalted in every word of truth, because He is its sum and substance.

He sits above the gospel, like a prince on His own throne.

Doctrine is most precious, when we see it distilling from His lips and embodied in His person.

Sermons are only valuable, in proportion as they speak of Him and point to Him!

Free Will

Why is the idea of "free will" so important to people?

To deny the perfect freedom of the human will is to acknowledge the fallenness and incapacity of humanity. People love to hear that the human race is "basically good" and "full of potential," and that if you would simply follow your dreams faithfully, you can be or do whatever you want. We hear these lies all the time! Our minds are saturated with the elevation (worship) of human free will.

In the King James version, one of the things Paul says in Colossians 2:23 about false religion, he calls it "will worship." This captures the essence of where all false religion ultimately points—the worship of the human will, the worship of self.

The heretics Pelagius, Joseph Arminius, and Charles Finney all taught in one way or another that you do not need God for your salvation, your sanctification, or for anything else. You have the power to effect it in and of yourself. So when the Bible commands you to "repent and believe," despite it also stating that man is unable to do so, you have the power to repent and believe in and of yourself. And when the Bible commands you to "Be holy, for I am holy" and to "be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect," you do not need Jesus to help you because you have the power to be holy and perfect in and of yourself.

Why is the idea of "free will" so important to people? Because they do not want to admit the depravity of their own heart. Though they know the thoughts and intents that flow through their mind on a daily basis, and how wicked they know themselves to be, nevertheless they want to attempt to deny this and pretend that it does not exist. They want to believe themselves "basically good," despite their thought life convicting them otherwise. The idea of "free will" puts man in charge and does what man has always desired—to worship self.

Christians who believe in the idea of "free will" do so at the expense of the words of Jesus and the truth of God's Word. Jesus Himself made it clear that "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him" (John 6:44), and that "no one can come to Me unless it has been granted him from the Father" (John 6:65). Romans 6 makes it clear that man's will is slave to sin and the devil. John 3 makes it clear that you need to be born again from above, which eliminates any participation on man's part in being regenerated and born again spiritually. Not only that, but John 1:12-13 also makes it clear that you do not become a child of God by (1) natural descent, (2) human decision [i.e., the human will], or (3) human declaration. Likewise, Romans 9:16 makes it clear that it does not depend on (1) man's will, or (2) man's efforts. Romans 9:19-23 ought to be a sobering realization to anyone who truly loves God.

Hebrews 12:2 states that Jesus is the author (initiator) and finisher (perfecter) of our faith. Philippians 1:6 states that what God begins in us He will finish by bringing to completion. There are literally dozens upon dozens of passages in Scripture that the Arminianist (the Christian who advocates the idea of "free will") must ignore and/or discard in order to argue for the concept of "free will." Why do they do this? Because they want man to be at the helm; they want man to be in charge. When you begin to accept the truth that all humanity deserves to spend eternity in Hell, and that without the grace of God choosing to save you for no other reason than God's glory, then you will worship God like you have never done so before. There was nothing in you that merited salvation. You did not deserve it. It was God's goodness, grace, and pleasure that chose to save you for no other reason than God's glory. Apart from Jesus, you are nothing!

"By grace you have been saved" (Eph. 2:5, 8), "not of yourselves" (v.8).

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ADDENDUM:

It actually exists!!! Here is a set of highlighters. Do you notice the black one on the right? That's called a (hide)lighter. It covers up text, though still remaining legible. After copying the page, it becomes illegible. This is the Arminian's tool of trade for reading and studying the Bible. In fact, it is the tool of trade for every denomination and every Christian who does not strictly adhere to the Word of God as their sole and final authority on all matters pertaining to doctrine, congregational practice, family life, and personal holiness. If it disagrees with their theology, they just (hide)light it. *POOF!* No more pesky verses that contradict their position.

Choice Quotes from Martyn Lloyd-Jones

The tragedy of sin, is that it affects man in his highest faculties.

Sin causes us to become fools, and behave in an irrational manner.

Modern man, far from being ruled by reason, is ruled by lust and passion.

The man who refuses to face the fact of his own death, is a fool!

The more Christian a person is, the simpler will that person's life be.

I'd rather hobble into Heaven, than walk into Hell!

God is nowhere more hidden, than in most churches!

Some tend to think that Christianity is a matter of being nice.

But niceness is purely biological. One dog is nicer than another dog!

We must never parade ourselves!

Do you think that you deserve forgiveness? If you do, you are not a Christian.

When a man truly sees himself, he knows that nobody can say anything about him that is too bad.

The trouble with man is not intellectual—but moral.

If you claim to love Christ and yet are living an unholy life, there is only one thing to say about you: You are a bare-faced liar!

To divorce forgiveness of sins from the actual living of the Christian life, is nothing but rank heresy!

Christians are generally at their best, when they are in the furnace of affliction and being persecuted and tried.

If you are not holy, you are not a Christian.

There are no shortcuts in the Christian life—no simple remedies.

Nothing we do in the Christian life, is harder than prayer.

The state of the world today, is nothing but an appalling monument to human failure.

Intellectual pride is the last citadel of self.

We have come to realize that a man can be educated and cultured, and still be a beast!

The biggest hoax in the world for the last 150 years, has been the theory of evolution!

The natural man is always looking at himself and admiring himself.

I would rather make bricks without straw—than try to live the Sermon on the Mount in my own strength.

No difficulty in believing the gospel is intellectual—it is always moral.

The whole trouble in life, is ultimately a concern about self.

A man is not a Christian unless he can say with Paul, "I am what I am by the grace of God!"

Many who go to the psychiatrist are like the woman in the Gospels—they are nothing bettered, but rather grow worse!

There is little difference between a fashion parade, and a dog show!

By definition, a Christian should be an enigma to every person who is not a Christian.

The first sign of spiritual life, is to feel that you are dead!

Painted Pageantry To Go To Hell In!

by Charles Spurgeon

"You are to give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

Many people think that, when we preach salvation, we mean salvation from going to Hell. We do mean that, but we mean a great deal more.

We preach salvation from sin. We say that Christ is able to save a man; and we mean by that, that He is able to save him from sin and to make him holy—to make him into a new man.

No person has any right to say, "I am saved," while he continues in sin as he did before. How can you be saved from sin, while you are living in it?

You will always know whether you are delivered from the guilt and condemnation of sin, by answering this question: "Am I delivered from the love of sin?"

It is faith that saves us—not works. But that faith which saves us, always produces works.

Does the world satisfy you? Then you have your reward and portion in this life. Make much of it, for you shall know no other joy!

If your religion does not make you holy, it will damn you! It is simply painted pageantry to go to Hell in!

If you have lived like the wicked, then you will die like the wicked, and be damned like the wicked!

Your Best Life Now

Many Christians disagree with the "Your Best Life Now" and the "Health, Wealth, and Prosperity" theology—or at least they say they do, but they sure do not live like it.

If you know anything about humans, human behaviour, and the human mind, if you pay attention to any of it in the least, you know precisely how mankind operates. For example: As soon as a preacher says that it is not wrong to have money or to own possessions, which is true, what is the first thing people start to do? Accumulate (or try to accumulate) these things for themselves. They are self-seeking, trying to enhance their fleeting vapour-of-a-life in this world even though it is not their home, they are just passing through, and they cannot take it with them when they die.

What was it that Acts 2:45 and 4:32 had to say? There are countless dozens of other passages I could pull out here, but the rebellious and disobedient will only push them to the side or try to weasel out of them by some way or another. Some of the happiest and most fulfilled people on the planet are those who have very little to their name. Do you believe the Bible? Do you obey it? Or do you secretly believe, and clearly live out, "Your Best Life Now" and the "Health, Wealth, and Prosperity" theology by your daily actions?

For these individuals, the words of Christ have fallen upon deaf ears.

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Like A Fish

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it!" Matthew 7:13-14

The wide gate with the broad road is like a dead fish floating with the stream. The narrow gate with the narrow road is like a fish swimming against the stream. In which way are you walking? How does your life look?

Are All Muslims Terrorists?

On November 19, 2015, Hillary Clinton said, "Let’s be clear: Islam is not our adversary. Muslims are peaceful and tolerant people and have nothing whatsoever to do with terrorism."

Some people out there want to argue that "Not all Muslims are terrorists." Sorry, but this argument is void of facing the facts of reality and the truth. Even if there were an iota of truth to that statement, you still need to acknowledge that more than 90% of terrorists are Muslims. When you examine all the terrorist attacks around the globe, what is the common denominator? Islam!

Not all "Muslims" are actually Muslims. If they do not hold to everything the Qur'an teaches and Muhammad said, then they are nothing more than nominal Muslims. In other words, they are "Muslim" by name only, and not by practice. They are not true Muslims.

All true Muslims hold to the teachings of the Qur'an, the teachings of the Hadiths, and the teachings of Muhammad. By doing so, all Muslims are terrorists!

Some people out there want to argue, "I know many Muslims and they are very nice people." The question you need to ask is: Are they Muslim, or are they simply Arab? Because it is true to say, "Not all Arabs are bad people." You can be Arab without being Muslim. But the same statement cannot be said of Muslims—not if they are true Muslims who actually follow and obey the Qur'an and Muhammad. If the people you know identify themselves as Muslim, either you are talking to nominal "Muslims," or else you are talking to those Muslims who will lie to your face about the truth of their religion until they are in a position of power to start flexing their muscle against you.

Islam has engaged in terrorism for the past 1,400 years! Read some material concerning Islam from throughout those 1,400 years and you will see that it is no different than it is today. Islam has never been a religion of peace, nor will it ever be so. Only an ignorant fool would attempt to claim otherwise. More than 90% of the acts of terrorism committed around the world today are committed in the name of Islam. To say that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism is not only ignorant and wrong, but it is also dangerous. You cannot fight a threat you refuse to name. Those who embrace Islam are 100% terrorists!

"Islam is as dangerous in a man as rabies in a dog." —Sir Winston Churchill

You do not see Mormons making car bombs, blowing up markets, or driving trucks into crowds of pedestrians yelling, “JOSEPH SMITH IS THE GREATEST,” do you? You do not see Jehovah's Witnesses making car bombs, blowing up markets, or driving trucks into crowds of pedestrians yelling, “CHARLES TAZE RUSSELL IS THE GREATEST,” do you? You do not see Buddhists making car bombs, blowing up markets, or driving trucks into crowds of pedestrians yelling, “BUDDHA IS THE GREATEST,” do you? And you certainly do not see Christians making car bombs, blowing up markets, or driving trucks into crowds of pedestrians yelling, "CHRIST JESUS IS THE GREATEST." No Christian, taking the entire Bible literally, has ever committed acts of terrorism! Ever!!! People hate Christianity because they still hate Christ Jesus. They will welcome and embrace any other religion except for Christianity, because they do not want to look into that mirror and see how wicked and depraved they truly are and how they are accountable to God for their every thought, word, and action.

Muslims will move into an area and those living there will form a sort of "committee." When a house comes up for sale in that area, they will pool their resources and purchase it. They will then hold on to that house until they can sell it to other Muslims. By doing this, they take over entire areas and then turn them into No-Go Zones, where non-Muslims are not allowed to enter—in their own country! This is happening all over Europe right now, and it is starting to happen in Canada and the USA. The White Oaks Mall area of London, Ontario is seeing this happen right now. Muslims are buying up property and only selling to other Muslims. Very shortly, within the next few years, non-Muslims will not be allowed to enter this area, and our sick, perverse, twisted government will sit back and let it happen and not do a thing to stop it.

People who ignorantly side with Muslims and Islam are eventually going to have to face up to the facts, but by then it will be too late. Even then, in their prideful ignorance, many will still attempt to defend Islam. They will see their country falling to pieces, and yet they will insist in keeping their head buried in the sand denying the truth of reality. This is what Leftist Millennial Social Justice Warriors are good at—denying the truth and reality. They will attempt to argue and claim that you are filled with hate and are vilifying Muslims, but there is zero hate and vilification where the facts and the evidence are concerned.

Muhammad's "revelations" were self-serving. Whenever he wanted to get his own way, suddenly "Allah" would give him a "revelation" that allowed him to do precisely that.

• Muhammad wanted to marry the divorced wife of his own adopted son? Boom! Allah gave him a "revelation" (surah 33:37).
• Muhammad wanted to have more than the four wives allotted by the Qur'an? Boom! Allah gave him a "revelation" (surah 33:50).
• Muhammad wanted his followers to quit coming over early and staying late after a meal, asking him all sorts of questions? Boom! Allah gave him a "revelation" (surah 33:53).
• Muhammad wanted to have sex with 6-year-old Aishah? Boom! Allah gave him a "revelation." The marriage was consummated when she was 9 years old.

It seems that "Allah" had nothing better to do with his time than to sit around all day waiting to make Muhammad's most neurotic and perverse fantasies come true. "Allah" was nothing more than Muhammad's alter ego. Make no mistake about it, a Muslim's god is Muhammad—not Allah. They only threaten and attack you when you talk bad about Muhammad—never about Allah.

"I have fabricated things against God and have imputed to Him words which He has not spoken." —Muhammad (the false prophet of Islam)

This statement is the only truth that Muhammad ever spoke. How do we know this? Because of how Allah said he would deal with false prophets, and how Muhammad died, admitting by his own words that he was a false prophet: Allah Killed Muhammad.

"If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you ... saying, 'Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,' you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. ... But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has counseled rebellion against the LORD your God..." —Deuteronomy 13:1-5

"But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die." —Deuteronomy 18:20

The Difference Between the Godly and the Ungodly

by James Meikle, "The Traveler" June 14, 1758

There is a wide difference in both principle and practice, between the the godly and the ungodly.

The affections of the godly are spiritually refined, and their desires are exalted.

The inclinations of the ungodly are corrupt, and their desires are groveling.

Sin has but a tottering standing, and a momentary abode, in the godly.

But sin has fixed its throne, and taken up its eternal residence, in the ungodly.

In the godly, grace and sin struggle for sovereignty.

In the ungodly, sin domineers and there is no struggle.

The godly is deeply concerned about world to come.

The ungodly has no concern about eternal realities.

The speech of the godly is seasoned with grace.

The discourse of the ungodly is insipid and vain.

The godly has his hope fixed on God.

The ungodly has no fear of God before his eyes.

The godly use the world without abusing it.

The ungodly, in using the world, abuse both themselves and it.

The godly sees God in his daily life, and rejoices in Him with his whole heart.

The ungodly says in his practice: "There is no God!" and wishes in his heart that there were no God.

The godly adores the Creator above all else.

The ungodly worships the 'creature' more than the Creator.

The godly uses God's name with profoundest reverence, and departs from iniquity.

The ungodly profanes God's name with impudence, and adds iniquity to sin.

The godly redeems his time.

The ungodly trifles away his time.

The godly studies his duty in obedience to all God's precepts.

The ungodly shakes himself loose from every command of God.

The godly forgives his foes.

The ungodly lays a snare for his foes.

The godly commits it to God to avenge wrongs done to him.

The ungodly, fiery and tumultuous, seeks revenge.

The godly loves purity in all things.

The ungodly wallows in impurity.

The godly is content with his condition.

The ungodly covets all the day long.

The godly is pure in heart.

The heart of the ungodly is like a cage full of unclean birds.

The godly walks at liberty in the ways of God.

The ungodly is the servant and slave of sin.

The Holy Spirit rules in the heart of the godly.

Satan rules in the heart of the ungodly.

The godly has his citizenship in Heaven.

The ungodly has his citizenship in Hell.

As there is such a wide difference in their principles and practices, so also in their eternal destinies.

God is faithful; He has promised felicity to the pious, and threatened vengeance to the wicked.

"The wicked is thrust out in his wickedness; but the righteous has hope in his death." Proverbs 14:32

The godly are under the blessing of God's love.

The ungodly are under the curse of God's justice.

The godly with joy, draw water out of the wells of salvation.

The ungodly shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.

To the godly, pertain all the exceeding great and precious promises.

To the ungodly, pertain all the threatenings of God.

Heaven shall be the palace of the godly!

Hell shall be the prison of the ungodly!

While the godly shall dwell through eternity with God,

the ungodly shall be driven away into everlasting darkness!

Thus, the righteous and wicked are separated in their life, and divided in their death. They are divided . . .

     in their principles,

     in their practices,

     in their choices,

     in their joys,

     in their thoughts,

     in their company,

     in their speech,

     in their fears,

     in their expectations,

     in their death, and

     through eternity itself!

The Only Way To Kill It

by Charles Spurgeon

"In all these things we are more than conquerors, through Him who loved us!" Romans 8:37

We go to Christ for forgiveness—and then too often look to the ourselves for power to fight our sins.

Christian! Take your sins to Christ's cross, for the old man can only be crucified there!

The only weapon to fight sin with, is the spear that pierced the side of Jesus!

To give an illustration: You want to overcome an angry temper—how do you begin? It is very possible you have never tried the right way of going to Jesus with it. How did I get salvation? I came to Jesus just as I was, and I trusted Him to save me. I must kill my angry temper in the same way—it is the only way in which I can ever kill it! I must go to the cross with it, and say to Jesus, "Lord, I trust You to deliver me from it."

Are you covetous? Do you feel the world entangle you? You may struggle against this evil as long as you wish—but if it is your besetting sin, you will never be delivered from it in any way but by the blood of Jesus. Take it to Christ! Tell Him: "Lord, I have trusted You, and You save Your people from their sins. Lord, this is one of my besetting sins—save me from it!"

You must be conquerors through Him who has loved you, if conquerors at all.

The Spirit's Leading

"Every Day!" Author unknown, 1872

"As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14

Here is a mark of divine sonship: All who follow the leadings of the Holy Spirit, they are children of God.

The Spirit leads His followers to the looking-glass of Divine truth. Here they discover their spiritual deformity and impurity. Here they see what they are, and what they need.

The Spirit leads them to the throne of grace, and there He helps their infirmities, and makes intercession for them according to the will of God.

The Spirit leads them to the cross! When they see Jesus dying for their sins, atoning for their transgressions, they lose the burden of guilt.

The Spirit leads them in the path of loving obedience, and they experience the blessedness of keeping Christ's commands.

The Spirit leads them in the track of the Good Shepherd, and enables them to hear His voice and to follow Him.

"As many as are led by the Spirit of God--they are the sons of God."

Many, alas! are following the leadings of a very different spirit—"the spirit that works in the children of disobedience!" He leads, by paths of unbelief and sin, to endless misery and ruin! Beloved reader, beware of following his leadings, and prayerfully yield yourself to the guidance of the Spirit of truth and love.

"Show me Your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long." Psalm 25:4-5

    Spirit of Truth, my Leader be,

    And seal adoption mine;

    Impress Christ's image on my heart,

    The pledge of bliss divine!

The Spring of True Obedience to God

by Charles Spurgeon

"This is love: that we walk in obedience to His commands." 2 John 1:6

Love to God is the spring of true obedience to God.

One who is not obedient to His commandments, is evidently not a true believer; for although good works do not save us. yet, being saved, believers are sure to produce good works.

Though the fruit is not the root of the tree, yet a well-rooted tree will, in its season, bring forth its fruits. So, though the keeping of the commandments does not make me a child of God, yet, being a child of God, I shall be obedient to my heavenly Father. But this I cannot be, unless I love God.

A mere external formal obedience is not sincere obedience in God's sight. He abhors the sacrifice, where the heart is not found. I must obey Him because I love Him, or else I have not truly obeyed at all. See then, that to produce the indispensable fruits of saving faith, there must be sincere love for God.

"If you love Me, you will obey what I command." John 14:15

"Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me." John 14:21

"If anyone loves Me, he will obey My teaching." John 14:23

"He who does not love Me will not obey My teaching." John 14:24

They Are All Gone!

by Charles Spurgeon

"If you, O Lord, should keep a record of our sins—Lord, who could stand before You?" Psalm 130:3

"I—yes, I alone—will blot out your sins for My own sake, and will never remember them again!" Isaiah 43:25

"You will tread our sins underfoot, and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea!" Micah 7:19

All our transgressions are swept away at once, carried off as by a flood! They are so completely removed from us that no guilty trace of them remains! They are all gone!

Oh, believers, think of this, for it is no little thing.

Sins against a holy God,

sins against His loving Son,

sins against the Gospel—as well as against the Law,

sins against man—as well as against God,

sins of the body—as well as sins of the mind,

sins as numerous as the sands on the seashore, and as great as the sea itself

—all, all are removed from us—as far as the east is from the west!

All this evil was rolled into one great mass and laid upon Jesus! Having borne it all, He has made an end of it forever. When the Lord forgave us, He forgave us the whole debt. He did not take the bill and say, "I strike out this item, and that item"--but the pen went through it all: Paid in full!

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth—so great is His faithful love toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west—so far has He removed our transgressions from us!" Psalm 103:11-12

"My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!

   My sin, not in part but the whole,

   Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,

   Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!"

          Horatio Spafford

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

How many of you have heard the statement, "Respect is earned; not given"? Is this statement absolutely true, or is it only partially true given certain circumstances? A lot of ignorant young people these days spout off at the mouth with this argument, and they do so falsely having zero clue what they are talking about. They heard it said somewhere once and thought it sounded good and so they attempted to rip it off and use it for their own disobedience and rebellion.

Imagine this scenario, if you will. A teacher and an unruly student are talking about something in class. The teacher answers the student in what is perceived as a "diss" against him. The student demands to be treated with respect. The teacher then answers, "Respect is earned, Mr. So-and-so; not given."

The truth of the matter is that respect is both given and earned. Respect is due, and must be given, to authority figures: parents, teachers, bosses, one's elders, the police, etc. Where respect is earned is with those under authority: children, students, employees, youngsters, etc. In certain circumstances, there is even such a thing as mutual respect. The majority of problems in this country today stem from the idiots who removed all discipline from children, allowing them to disobey authority figures out of rebellion, leaving them answerable to no one. They have and show zero respect for anyone, and then you wonder why.

Where these ignorant children of today err is in mistaking respect for trust. Trust must be earned. In certain aspects, we automatically place it the primary time. If that trust has been violated, it then must be earned back. If that trust has been broken by someone in authority, you are still obligated to show them respect. You do not need to trust them, but you still owe them—or at least their position—respect.

"Give to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:7-8

"Respect to whom respect." Give respect to whom respect is due. Do not owe (have an obligation to pay, or be under moral obligation to give) respect to anyone. If you withhold respect from those to whom it is due, you owe them. Do not owe anyone by making sure you give respect where it is due: parents, teachers, bosses, one's elders, the police, etc.

The disobedient, rebellious, emotional snowflakes today need to pull their heads out from where the sun does not shine and start giving respect where it is due, before they disrespect the wrong person and get their derriere handed to them.

Young people and those under authority are to whom respect must be earned! For those in positions of authority, respect must be given!

"Every person is to be in submission to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid; for it does not bear the sword for nothing; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil. Therefore it is necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath, but also for conscience' sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing.
Give to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; respect to whom respect; honor to whom honor. Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." Romans 13:1-8

"Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you." Hebrews 13:17

Ham's Sin

Yesterday, I watched a video on YouTube put up by Rachel Stephens titled "Try not to VOMIT when you learn Ham's sin! | Genesis 9:18-28." In this video, she claims that the sin of Noah's son Ham was that he had sex with his own mother. Let us observe the text, shall we:

"Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside." Genesis 9:22

Apparently the plain English text of this verse is not good enough for Rachel Stephens. She feels the need to impose on the text, via eisegesis, a perverse interpretation based on collapsing context. Collapsing context is the act of taking two verses that share a similar word or words (regardless of context) and trying to unite them in order to teach some doctrine. How does she arrive at her completely and utterly false interpretative nonsense?

"You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, that is, the nakedness of your mother. She is your mother; you are not to uncover her nakedness. You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father's wife; it is your father's nakedness." Leviticus 18:7-8

"...Because your lewdness was poured out and your nakedness uncovered through your harlotries with your lovers and with all your detestable idols..." Ezekiel 16:36

"She uncovered her harlotries and uncovered her nakedness; then I became disgusted with her, as I had become disgusted with her sister." Ezekiel 23:18

Because the phrase "uncover the nakedness" in these passages refers to sexual intercourse, Rachel assumes that the same is true of the passage in Genesis. Because of what the Leviticus passage says, she assumes that the phrase "saw the nakedness of his father" actually refers to his mother, Noah's wife. So the description on her video reads, "SO GROSS! Noah drank too much before he went to 'be fruitful and multiply' with his wife – unfortunately, HIS OWN SON, Ham, got to her first."

Now, if the phrase "saw the nakedness of his father" actually meant sexual intercourse here, it would mean that Ham had sex with his father—not his mother. However, sexual intercourse is not in view here. The passage opens by saying:

"He [Noah] drank of the wine and became drunk, and uncovered himself inside his tent." Genesis 9:21

Who is undoubtedly described as being naked here? Noah. Noah's wife is not mentioned whatsoever in this passage, unless you force collapsing context upon the text, which is the act of eisegesis. How does this section end?

"When Noah awoke from his wine, he knew what his youngest son had done to him." Genesis 9:24

Now, one could argue that something done to the wife could be said to be "done to him," but let us take the text at face value for what it says. It says that Noah uncovered himself, that Ham saw his nakedness, told his brothers, and the brothers covered up his nakedness without seeing it. That is it. You have to perform some pretty grand exegetical gymnastics in order to arrive at the idea that Ham had sex with his own mother, or even his own father.

Concerning the passage on incest in Leviticus 18:6-18, Keil and Delitzsch, considered to be the greatest of the Hebrew scholars, acknowledge that the phrase "uncover the nakedness" in this passage means to have sexual intercourse. However, in our Genesis passage, no such connection is made. The Hebrew text and grammar do not support such a sick, twisted, and perverse interpretation. Keil and Delitzsch comment:

"In ignorance of the fiery nature of wine, Noah drank and was drunken, and uncovered himself in his tent (v. 21). Although excuse may be made for this drunkenness, the words of Luther are still true: "Qui excusant patriarcham, colentes hanc consolationem, quam Spiritus S. ecclesiss necessariam judicavit, abjuciunt, quod scilicen etiam summi sancti aliquando labuntur." This trifling fall served to display the hearts of his sons. Ham saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without. Not content with finding pleasure himself in his father's shame, "nunquam enim vino victum patrem filius resisset, nisi prius ejecisset animo illam reverentiam et opinionem, quae in liberis de parentibus ex mandato Dei existere debet," he just proclaimed his disgraceful pleasure to his brethren, and thus exhibited  his shameless sensuality."

Even John Calvin writes:

"We know that parents, next to God, are most deeply to be reverenced; and if there were neither books nor sermons, nature itself constantly inculcates this lesson upon us. It is received by common consent, that piety towards parents is the mother of all virtues. This Ham, therefore, must have been of a wicked, perverse, and crooked disposition; since he not only took pleasure in his father's shame, but wished to expose him to his brethren."

No commentator or Hebrew scholar has ever postulated that this passage teaches that Ham had sex with his mother, or even his father. No such connection has ever been made. It takes a perverse mind who cannot read Scripture for what it says to come up with such a wild speculative fantasy of complete and utter nonsense. Rachel Stephens is a false teacher, and she needs to be avoided.

WARNING!!!

Attending Christian school for your entire childhood, going to church every Sunday with your parents, being baptized, reading the Bible, praying, speaking Christian-ese, spending four years in a Bible College or Seminary . . . none of these things makes you a Christian! Experiencing all of this and turning your back on it merely exposes you as an apostate; a false convert. You were never saved to begin with! You neglected to actually receive salvation. Faith cannot be borrowed; it is not a hand-me-down. If you never appropriate it and make it your own, it does not matter how Christian your parents might be, you can speak all the Christian-ese you want and undergo all the behavioural modification you want, merely imitating genuine Christians, but you yourself will never be a Christian because of it. Real salvation consists of a permanent change that cannot be reversed or undone.

"As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore." John 6:66

"They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us." 1 John 2:19

There are many pastors standing in the pulpit, many ministers serving in the church, many people sitting in the pews who think they are Christian but have neglected to actually receive salvation. Scripture repeatedly talks about those who think they are saved but whom Christ says, "I never knew you!" At least three times Scripture warns us to examine ourselves to see if we are truly in the faith or merely self-deceived (2 Cor. 13:5; Phil. 2:12; 2 Pet. 1:10). There are many ways in which you can miss the Kingdom, and miss it you will if you try to enter by any other way except through Jesus and according to His mandates. The way into the Kingdom is narrow. You do not get to negotiate the terms of your entrance. If you do not enter by the means with which Christ has set in place, then you will never enter the Kingdom! The only person you are fooling is yourself.

"The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; Who can understand it?" Jeremiah 17:9

"Unless one is born again from above he cannot see the kingdom of God... he cannot enter the kingdom of God" John 3:3, 5