Unless you have lived in a cave all of your life, the fact that there is opposition to the observance of modern Halloween should be no surprise to you. If you are reading this blog, I am equally sure that you are savvy enough to research the origins of this event as there is no shortage of information available on the internet about this particular day. Well then, you may ask, just why are you adding to the already abounding information about Halloween? My intent with this post is not to add more information to your files but instead to get you to process and think about that which you have learned.
Halloween's modern observance, apart from giving candy to kids, is about scaring, being scared, death and dying. For some, this day is a time for an office party or the likes in which it is okay to imbibe in drinks and other faculty diminishing provisions without restraint. It can be difficult, then, to try to lump all participants into one nice neat box when describing this day and the way it is observed. Yet, we are called to be salt and light in this world and find it necessary then to address this day and its common observance.
Haunted houses, witches, spiders, spooks, goblins, ax murderers, graveyards and ghosts inhabit this event. Shouldn't these things wave a red flag in the Christian's mind? Christianity does not deny the existence of demons and devils and Satan and the likes. However, we find through the reading of God's Word that these entities are our enemies and not our friends or even associates. Death and dying, as the end result of sin, are what Jesus came to defeat as our enemy and as such we are not to celebrate death and dying in the physical sense but we are to celebrate new life and everlasting life that is found only in Christ Jesus. Satan and his evil hordes are defeated through the power given to us by Jesus Christ. Why then would or should a Christian dress up like any of the such as if to honor those that are our enemies? Why then would or should a Christian participate in any events in which theses enemies evil character is celebrated or used in the intention to drive fear into the hearts of others? Can you really conceive of Jesus or the Apostles participating in these events?
By the way, I can offer you a way better option for your pumpkins than to carve a scary face in them in order to ward off wayward spirits. Carve them up into pieces, boil em down until they are soft. Blend them. Add egg, cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar and few other ingredients to taste and after a little more cookin', voila, pumpkin pie. Ummmmm Umm!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
WHO CAN BE SAVED?
Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
These two verses are interesting in so many ways but there is just one aspect of these verses I would like to consider at this time. The idea to consider is that "God shall take away his part out of the book of life". I have searched commentaries and many have either skipped over this or glossed over it. And yet, this single phrase is so bound with truth. The argument amongst many 4pt vs 5pt Calvinists usually exists in the area of the extent of the atonement. This debate not only exists amongst themselves but also amongst Calvinists and non-Calvinists as well. How this phrase is interpreted can tie knots in our theology IF our theology is built more on philosophy than the revealed Word of God. So let us look at this phrase very closely and see what God has revealed to us.
The first clue to the understanding of this phrase is actually in verse 17. The Gospel call is universal in scope and is not bound by any limits whatsoever. "Whosoever will" is as broad a call as a call can be. The call is made to all men without distinction of any sort. The call made to all men is genuine without any reservation of any sort. It is not just a Gospel for the "elect". It is the Gospel for the WHOLE WORLD. The Gospel is Good News TO AND FOR all. How does that impact verse 19 then you may be wondering?
The idea that Christians can lose their salvation is not in sight here, that is one thing that is for sure. But that is NOT the MAIN idea of that phrase. There is a difference between having your name removed verses having your place removed. In the book of life, there is a "place" for all names to be written down. Just because there is a place for that name does not mean that all will be written down. For example, here in Louisiana, when we go to vote, there are many names recorded in a register. The only ones who can vote are those who sign their names in their place. There is the offer to all to vote, but only the signer can vote.(Please do not push this illustration too far, it will fail as will ALL of men's illustrations but its reason for being used illustrates clearly what is being said.) I'll say it once again. The book of life, as it were, has an available place for ALL. The all here is not just without distinction, but all in its entirety. The call of verse 17 illustrates that. However, those who reject the truth of God's word or add to God's word will/can not be saved but not only that, they will LOSE/FORFEIT their opportunity to be saved, their place will be removed. II Thessalonians 2:11-12 teach the same thing. Listen. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." For what cause? It is mentioned in verse 10 and verse 12. The did not receive or believe the truth! And the sending of the strong delusion is equivalent to having your place removed from the book of life. When that happens, there is no hope of salvation. When the truth of salvation by faith in Jesus is rejected, what other alternative is there to salvation? There is none. God's word teaches that there can come a point in time where a line can be crossed and one can forfeit any hope of ever being saved. Not that they would want to be as is clear from their rejection of the truth and Jesus.
Why then is this important? Because 5pt Calvinism teaches that there is only a chosen group that can be saved and that the others, though the Gospel they may hear, cannot respond nor would they want to respond because they are not among the chosen. I am saying, that is not so. The opportunity for ALL to be saved is apparent in Revelation 22:17-19. I am saying that the Gospel offer to any is a genuine offer and has potential. What the person does in response to that offer is what determines one's eternity.
In conclusion, I am not saying ALL will be saved. I am saying that the opportunity for ALL to be saved is legitimate. There IS NOT a secret list in heaven of those who can be.(while I believe it is known who will be). There IS the book of life. Upon those pages, every human born into this world has a place in the book and the opportunity of having their name written in their place if they will receive/believe the truth. Rejection of that truth can and will result in losing that opportunity and not only that, but the place as well. The Scriptures testify that TO DAY if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts...
These two verses are interesting in so many ways but there is just one aspect of these verses I would like to consider at this time. The idea to consider is that "God shall take away his part out of the book of life". I have searched commentaries and many have either skipped over this or glossed over it. And yet, this single phrase is so bound with truth. The argument amongst many 4pt vs 5pt Calvinists usually exists in the area of the extent of the atonement. This debate not only exists amongst themselves but also amongst Calvinists and non-Calvinists as well. How this phrase is interpreted can tie knots in our theology IF our theology is built more on philosophy than the revealed Word of God. So let us look at this phrase very closely and see what God has revealed to us.
The first clue to the understanding of this phrase is actually in verse 17. The Gospel call is universal in scope and is not bound by any limits whatsoever. "Whosoever will" is as broad a call as a call can be. The call is made to all men without distinction of any sort. The call made to all men is genuine without any reservation of any sort. It is not just a Gospel for the "elect". It is the Gospel for the WHOLE WORLD. The Gospel is Good News TO AND FOR all. How does that impact verse 19 then you may be wondering?
The idea that Christians can lose their salvation is not in sight here, that is one thing that is for sure. But that is NOT the MAIN idea of that phrase. There is a difference between having your name removed verses having your place removed. In the book of life, there is a "place" for all names to be written down. Just because there is a place for that name does not mean that all will be written down. For example, here in Louisiana, when we go to vote, there are many names recorded in a register. The only ones who can vote are those who sign their names in their place. There is the offer to all to vote, but only the signer can vote.(Please do not push this illustration too far, it will fail as will ALL of men's illustrations but its reason for being used illustrates clearly what is being said.) I'll say it once again. The book of life, as it were, has an available place for ALL. The all here is not just without distinction, but all in its entirety. The call of verse 17 illustrates that. However, those who reject the truth of God's word or add to God's word will/can not be saved but not only that, they will LOSE/FORFEIT their opportunity to be saved, their place will be removed. II Thessalonians 2:11-12 teach the same thing. Listen. "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." For what cause? It is mentioned in verse 10 and verse 12. The did not receive or believe the truth! And the sending of the strong delusion is equivalent to having your place removed from the book of life. When that happens, there is no hope of salvation. When the truth of salvation by faith in Jesus is rejected, what other alternative is there to salvation? There is none. God's word teaches that there can come a point in time where a line can be crossed and one can forfeit any hope of ever being saved. Not that they would want to be as is clear from their rejection of the truth and Jesus.
Why then is this important? Because 5pt Calvinism teaches that there is only a chosen group that can be saved and that the others, though the Gospel they may hear, cannot respond nor would they want to respond because they are not among the chosen. I am saying, that is not so. The opportunity for ALL to be saved is apparent in Revelation 22:17-19. I am saying that the Gospel offer to any is a genuine offer and has potential. What the person does in response to that offer is what determines one's eternity.
In conclusion, I am not saying ALL will be saved. I am saying that the opportunity for ALL to be saved is legitimate. There IS NOT a secret list in heaven of those who can be.(while I believe it is known who will be). There IS the book of life. Upon those pages, every human born into this world has a place in the book and the opportunity of having their name written in their place if they will receive/believe the truth. Rejection of that truth can and will result in losing that opportunity and not only that, but the place as well. The Scriptures testify that TO DAY if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts...
Monday, October 1, 2007
GOSSIP AND ITS COMPANIONS
I Peter 2:1-3 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, as newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
MALICE...GUILE...HYPOCRISIES...ENVIES...EVIL SPEAKINGS
Malice-the intent, the thought/s, the inner thinkings
Guile-deception
Hypocrisies-appearance is contrary to reality
Envy-displeasure at the sight of another's excellence or joy
Evil Speakings-slander, backbiting, even includes the idea of defamation
NONE of these things leads to the growth of a Christian. They are not beneficial. Instead, they are destructive. These words are contrary to the teachings of Christ and they are contrary to the leading of the Holy Spirit in the Christian's life. Where gossip exists and abounds, you can be sure that in some form or distribution, you will find the others, malice, guile, hypocrisies and envies. And, where these things abound you will NOT find a Christian abounding in Christ. In fact, you most likely will not even find a Christian who reads the Word of God.
If you contend that you do not have any of those motives or intentions when you gossip, then pray tell, WHY DO YOU GOSSIP? If you contend that you can gossip and not possess any of these other qualities than you are self deceived. You are self justified. Gossip is NEVER with the intent of doing good. It may come under the disguise of doing good but the root of gossip is ALWAYS sin. If you truly have the other persons best interest at heart, go TO them do not talk ABOUT them. Also, to spread such even though you may not be the instigator, aligns yourself with the sin and not the right.
As I have asked in an earlier post, do you really desire to grow in the Lord? If the answer is yes, you have not but one option. Put Gossip AWAY from you.
MALICE...GUILE...HYPOCRISIES...ENVIES...EVIL SPEAKINGS
Malice-the intent, the thought/s, the inner thinkings
Guile-deception
Hypocrisies-appearance is contrary to reality
Envy-displeasure at the sight of another's excellence or joy
Evil Speakings-slander, backbiting, even includes the idea of defamation
NONE of these things leads to the growth of a Christian. They are not beneficial. Instead, they are destructive. These words are contrary to the teachings of Christ and they are contrary to the leading of the Holy Spirit in the Christian's life. Where gossip exists and abounds, you can be sure that in some form or distribution, you will find the others, malice, guile, hypocrisies and envies. And, where these things abound you will NOT find a Christian abounding in Christ. In fact, you most likely will not even find a Christian who reads the Word of God.
If you contend that you do not have any of those motives or intentions when you gossip, then pray tell, WHY DO YOU GOSSIP? If you contend that you can gossip and not possess any of these other qualities than you are self deceived. You are self justified. Gossip is NEVER with the intent of doing good. It may come under the disguise of doing good but the root of gossip is ALWAYS sin. If you truly have the other persons best interest at heart, go TO them do not talk ABOUT them. Also, to spread such even though you may not be the instigator, aligns yourself with the sin and not the right.
As I have asked in an earlier post, do you really desire to grow in the Lord? If the answer is yes, you have not but one option. Put Gossip AWAY from you.
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