Points of Contention: Seeking truth in a world of deception
A collection of mostly theological writings I've composed over the years. Warning: Not for those who are easily offended by truth. Potential grammatical errors ahead.
Prologue
During the course of a lifetime of various and sundry writing endeavors, I have produced not less than a few works which are brief, lacking the sufficient word count fill a single page. In fact, most of the following collection of writings were conceived to be read in just several minutes or less. They contain random thoughts I was compelled to record as events and new discoveries in life became of significant interest to me. As I began the work of combining them into a single volume, I discovered that I had ample material for a modestly sized book. It seems that those who employ the use of conciseness of expression can find themselves in rather good company. The Tell-Tale Heart written by Edgar Allen Poe has a word count of 2,230. For a short story it is painfully anemic in length yet it’s popularity rivals that of many great works of literature which are themselves next to impossible to read in one sitting.
Regarding myself and the content you will find within, I am a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ and therefore a seeker of Truth in all things. The comments I write and conclusions I draw are mine alone. They are meant to encourage the reader but were originally written as a means for me to work through a few matters of life on my own as I journey through the days I have been granted.
Without the support and encouragement of friends, family, and my relationship with The Lord of all things, this work would not have been possible. I humbly thank you for reading.
Jim Richardson
July 4th, 2014
Subject Index
Does absolute truth really exist?
When bad things happen to good people
Defining life after conception
Don't smoke this weed
Lies disguised as truth
The Name of Jesus Forbidden
The wickedness of men
Sabbath rest vs. Sabbath day- Is there a distinction?
Conforming to the pattern of this world
The Importance of Genealogy
Real Hope and Change...available for free
The dreaded “A” word
An Unholy Hole
Genealogical Facts You Can Bank On
God, I'm Praying But You're Not Listening
Not So Blind Faith
What Is Truth?
The Instruments of Death
Encouraged by the Preeminence of Christ
Owe No Man Anything
The Darkness of Hell
The Appearance Of Wisdom
Test Some Things
I know who you are
Heavenly culture shock
Living in contemporary society
Loving your impossibly rude neighbor
Denominational Separatists
American culture in 2014 and beyond
*All writings by Jim Richardson
Does absolute truth really exist?
There are many truths in this world which originate from many religions and/or belief systems. In my opinion, it makes logical sense that they cannot all be true because they all teach different things about god and what His specific nature is. For example the Christian believes in one God and the Hindus believe in 330 million gods, at last count. Obviously these two religions cannot both be true otherwise you would have a schizophrenic god.
Anyone can see clearly that creation itself has an order in design that is so precise it boggles the mind. To most people this certainly demonstrates nothing that was brought about by mere chance or macro evolution. The Bible teaches and logic dictates that God would not reveal himself in a schizophrenic manner but instead he would choose to reveal himself through his creation with logic and precise order. Whether or not you choose to believe the Bible is the Truth He chose, I personally believe intellectual honesty dictates that there is only one absolute truth knowable amidst a sea of many false truths. Once this truth is accepted then a discussion of which belief system is true would naturally follow.
But which truth should we believe? For example according to the Bible, God commissioned Moses to write the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. These books warn of the danger of false gods and belief systems that would arise in the midst of God's written and oral word already revealed. In other words there are many Johnny-come-lately religions that have come into existence, invented by man, not God, which have deceived many. Yet today in our present world many people place these belief systems on the same or even higher credibility level than the original Biblical writings. This is a good springboard for my question:
In your opinion, does absolute truth exist and is it knowable and/or attainable? Before you brush this question off as irrelevant, be aware that your children are most likely asking the same very questions or at the very least will be taught the answers automatically as they get into higher education. The answers they receive may not agree with yours if you haven't already planted seeds of your own.
In today's modern society we know that relative truth abounds. It is nearly impossible to find common ground with relative truth proponents since there is no common frame of reference in order to establish any factual basis. I have found that most often they do not wish to be confined to a single truth for a variety of reasons, most often pride. I was there once myself, so I can certainly relate.
Have fun with these questions yourself. Just know that we can all agree to disagree agreeably and maybe we will all learn something in the process.
When bad things happen to good people
It's not surprising when bad things happen to bad people as it is usually a result of bad behavior. But when bad things happen to good people there is a natural tendency to blame the wrong people. Things are often made worse as a result of the desire to reach a solution and fix the problem without first gaining understanding of it's cause. It's all too easy to assume that things should go right when you do the right thing. I think of Jesus, who wisely said: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
New believers in Christ often assume that life should be a bed of roses now that they have "God on their side". I've met many people who led the "Christian life", confessed to the world that God existed and who encouraged others to believe the same. Life was good for a season.
But then John 16:33 kicked in and their world was rocked. They began to suffer the stinging arrows of this world and had had enough. Suddenly they began to question whether God really did exist. Was Christianity simply a crutch for the weak minded, they would ask. They had the Source, but didn't "plug-in". The time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, They will refuse to listen to the truth and will turn to myths. (2 Timothy 4:3,4) This world is full "teachers" willing scratch that itch and even that feels good, but only for a season.
God never leaves us, we choose to separate ourselves from Him. He does not slip in and out of existence at the whim of our thought processes or because we say so. This very thought seems to be the primary apologetic for those who choose not to believe in their Creator. I have a superior one: For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse (Romans 1:20). Since we are without excuse, where do we go from here?
Romans 13:14 is an incredible apologetic which by itself, provides a concise strategy on how to live the Christian life successfully. It states: Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
First, clothing yourself with Christ. This is done by putting on the full armor of God so that you will be able to take your stand against the devil’s schemes. This armor is specified in Ephesians 6:10-17.
Second, recognize that you’re surrounding yourself with not simply a thought or idea but instead with the Lord and creator of all things who, being made in the likeness of man died for us and rose again to immortality.
Third, Philippians 4:8 tells us to think about “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Do this and you will learn how to gratify the desires of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus illustrated it best in Luke 12:34 when He said: “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. We are clothed with either the wisdom of this world or with the wisdom of God hidden in Christ, as they can never co-exist together with agreement.
Defining life after conception
In the news recently I heard about the murder trial of the Philadelphia abortion doctor accused of killing babies in a clinic that mainly serves low-income women. This left me wandering in thought. Those who are pro-life certainly value the concept of choice. They however, make preparations concerning pregnancy before conception, by choice. They would argue that this is the morally responsible thing to do. Those who claim to be pro-choice claim the right to make this decision after conception regardless of the eventual fate of the fetus, possibly terminating a life. They argue that the rights of the individual trump those of the unborn fetus.
Here's the rub as I perceive it: How ever one chooses to define it, a life has been created upon conception. This life should be defined as a human being if only for the fact that it will not alter it's design in the womb and become something else. It has a genetic code and was designed to become a human being. Moreover it is unique in all creation in that it possesses a soul and person hood from day one. I am certain of this for at least two reasons. One, nobody can claim or prove the exact moment of person hood other than from conception. Three, six, nine months, which is it? Since nobody knows exactly, benefit of the doubt has to be applied from a moral, physiological and logically consistent standpoint. The second reason concerning our soul comes from the pages of the most read book on the planet. Jeremiah 1:4-5 says: Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” This is one among many passages where The Lord assures us that our soul is created at conception and person hood begins in the womb.
Personal morality is one thing, government intrusion is another. Those who choose to live by a moral code of ethics are forced to walk the thin line between personal conviction and the laws of the country they live in. We can do little to change that individually. However, we have every capability to change the hearts and minds of those within our sphere of influence. For the love of God is the most powerful force in the universe. To Him, all life is precious, especially life created in His own image.
Don't smoke this weed
As every homeowner knows, weeds are particularly nasty for a variety of reasons. I have concluded that their primary task for existence is to remind us of "the curse" of Genesis 3:18. They thrive precisely where you don't want them to. No matter how hard you work to get rid of them they always seem to come back with increasingly greater zeal. If you catch them early they are easy to remove. The longer you wait to remove them the deeper and more resistant their roots become. At this point if you are not careful in extracting the entire weed, the roots will snap, remain under ground and simply grow back in a short period of time. Some weeds also have a knack to attach themselves to neighboring plants and trees growing in the midst of them, eventually choking the life out of them while simultaneously destroying their beauty. Certain weeds also like to attract hundreds of small little flying insects that jump up all at once when the weed is disturbed making removal even more unpleasant.
This of course got me thinking how sin is almost exactly like this. It also creeps slowly into your life, changes your life, influences your life, and ultimately will severely impair and damage your life. Reread the paragraph above and replace the word "weeds" with "sin". My own personal conviction was magnified after doing so. Romans 8:20 reminds us that the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. In our struggle against the "weeds" of life there is great hope in The Lord Jesus Christ.
So what then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Be mindful of the weeds but know that He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world.
Lies disguised as truth
Voices of disdain and frustration with those responsible for governing this great country are growing in greater number and frequency. They include a broader political spectrum then ever before. Truth has been set aside for the wide berth of personal agenda. She mourns as her branches have been stripped bare and thrown away. Joy in the hearts of many has withered into despair. Metaphorically speaking, fire has devoured the open pastures, flame has burned all the trees of the field, even the beasts of the field cry out. The seed has shriveled, the storehouses are in shambles and the barns are broken down. This is a picture of American culture in 2013.
What is The Lord's solution? It may sound radical to many but here goes: "Consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of The Lord and cry out to Him. Turn to Him with all your heart. Return to The Lord for He is merciful, slow to anger and great in kindness. He promises to send new wine and new grain. He will remove those who are doing you harm to a barren and desolate land. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied. You will never be put to shame. He will pour out His Spirit and will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth. A fountain of life shall flow from The Lord."
This is what The Lord told the prophet Joel in 800 B.C. We can complain about injustice and inequality until we are blue in the face but the real power to change the hearts and minds of men lies in The Lord alone. We must turn to Him and seek His wisdom and pray for our appointed leaders in government. They are simply men and women. Many seek personal agendas and many do not know The Lord. But there are many who do. The Lord listens and answers the prayers of the righteous. So let us put our feet to the fire and endeavor to make our requests known.
The Name of Jesus Forbidden
Today those in authority continue to target educational institutions and other public forums in order to eliminate and/or prohibit the invocation of The Name of Jesus. How? By suppressing the Truth.
A mere 2000 years ago: "The priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” Acts Chapter 4
Fascinating! They personally observed miracles being performed by "uneducated, common men" which were also witnessed by all the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Yet the priests, the captain of the temple and the Sadducees decided....behind closed doors....to suppress the truth.
The wickedness of men
Was the Lord truly justified in destroying all of mankind save Noah and his family in the account found in Genesis chapter 6? Recently I spoke with a believer who was struggling with the justification of this. If God is love he argued, what could cause Him to perform this display of total destruction?
This question is answered quite simply and succinctly in Scripture…and of course I love when this is the case. Genesis 6:5-8 says:
“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repents me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.”
Notice the condition of those living during this time. Scripture denotes a sort of double whammy, if you will. Each and every thought of men, women and children were consumed with evil at every waking moment. There was not the slightest sliver of light emanating from their depraved minds. By the grace of our Lord, Noah was somehow able to break free of this bondage and live a life pleasing unto the Lord. This in of itself was a miracle. To this, the impossibility of building a massive ark seems to pale in comparison.
This demonstrates to us all that our God is a patient God, not wanting anyone to perish. The Lord declared that his Spirit should not strive with men always, that He would leave them to be hardened in sin, and ripened for destruction. Let this be a lesson to us in our own lives today as we live them……for Him.
Sabbath rest vs. Sabbath day- Is there a distinction?
I believe that Scripture draws a clear distinction between the eternal Sabbath rest of our Lord, which was lost for mankind in the garden, and the Sabbath day which is enjoined to the Mosaic covenant found in Exodus chapter 20. There are some who argue that there is a permanent obligation to uphold a Sabbath “day” observance instituted at creation by God Himself as one of the creation ordinances supposedly prescribed for the people. This appeal is based upon Genesis 2:2-3. Yet these verses neither prescribe nor command adherence to a Sabbath “day” of rest for man. Therefore the principle of a weekly Sabbath day of rest cannot be based on the so-called creation ordinance. I’ll do my best to explain my hermeneutic reasoning in a moment.
Historically, the institution of the Sabbath day comes with the travel to the promised land (Ex. 16:23) and the Sinai legislation (Ex. 20:11). This covenant was given by God to Moses on tablets of stone. There is a highly significant passage which buttresses Duet. 5 and Exodus 20 and confirms when the Sabbath command (not the promised Sabbath rest) was instituted:
You came down also at Mt. Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them just ordinances and true laws, good statues and commandments. You make known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them precepts, statutes and laws, by the hand of Moses, your servant. Nehemiah 9:13,14 (See also Ezekiel 20:12).
This text confirms that the Sabbath day of rest command was instituted with the giving of the law by Moses. In fact the context immediately preceding and following these verses gives a brief synopsis of the Israelite forefathers beginning with the creation of the world, then the Abrahamic covenant of grace, then also the giving of the law at Mt. Sinai, followed by the disobedience which led to bondage in Egypt and so on.
Moses makes it quite clear as to who the Sabbath was given to, what it represented and once again a reference to Genesis 2:2-3 is made:
Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. Exodus 31:16
(Please note Genesis 17:13 states that circumcision is stated as an “everlasting/ perpetual covenant“. Certainly proponents of an eternal sabbath day since creation should also argue that we are yet still bound to the covenant of circumcision, as well as the Sabbath command, because it’s also designated as perpetual throughout their generations……correct?)
At this juncture it’s vitally important to observe that mention of any command to observe the Sabbath day is conspicuously absent from any of Moses account throughout Genesis and even then not until Exodus chapter 16. After Exodus 20 the floodgates of Sabbath observance commands flow forth from the same author who penned the entire Pentateuch. Certainly a command so integral and holy to the Israelite forefathers would have been mentioned with the same frequency both before and after the Mosaic covenant took effect. Nehemiah 9:13,14 provides us with a clear explanation as to why Moses never mentions it.
So what of the Sabbath rest mentioned in Genesis 2:2-3. It was a permanent rest God entered into after He finished His creation. It is the only day of the seven which has no evening. It was also the rest that Adam and Eve enjoyed for an unknown period of time in the garden until they sinned. Following the fall, the effects of sin produced “hard” work and banishment from the garden where they had previously walked with the pre-incarnate Christ. A seventh day of rest for Adam and Eve prior to the fall can neither be implied nor logically deduced since they were presently already enjoying God’s rest.
After the fall, Scripture is almost entirely silent concerning the Sabbath until the giving of the law. Most assuredly there were laws and regulations that reflect God’s holy nature that were passed down from generation to generation, some of which are not recorded in Scripture since they were most likely orally communicated. Moses also records various offerings given unto the Lord. Almost certainly there was a weekly time of worship, as present believers now enjoy, that was manifest in some manner, this is not in dispute.
I believe the New Testament illuminates and typifies the pre-Mosaic view of Sabbath rest. We need only to look at the very heart of the law, Christ Jesus. For presently even believers in our Lord Jesus Christ remain under the Law of Christ instead of previously being under the supervision of the law (Gal. 3:19-25) which included the Sabbath day. The law of Christ reflects His very nature and is indeed eternal. Yet we are justified by grace as was our forefather Abraham, who also was not under the covenant of law, but enjoyed and was justified by a covenant of grace. Scripture says that through the Law no one will be justified (Gal. 2:6). In fact, Paul goes on to say that all who rely on the law are under a curse (Gal. 3:10). This includes the Ten Commandments. If you are in doubt about this then I would invite you to delve into 2 Cor. 3:7-18 which talks about the ministry that brought death engraved on letters of stone. This law was added until Christ would fulfill (not abolish) its requirements (Gal. 3:15-25). Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us. He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus. Christ forgave all our sins, having cancelled the written code and nailed it to the cross (Col. 2:14). Therefore we are not to judge anyone in regards to any Sabbath day, which was a shadow of things to come. The substance/ reality is found in Christ. Scripture also says that the righteous will live by faith and that the Law is not based on faith (Gal. 3:11,12). This includes any commandment including the fourth one as Paul makes clear in Romans 7:7,8 where he quotes and argues straight from the Decalogue.
In summary, if a distinction between the eternal Sabbath rest of God and the Sabbath day of the Mosaic covenant is not made then Christians who worship on the first day of the week are guilty of abandoning an ordinance declared from the beginning of creation. Seventh Day Adventists would argue that the Sabbath day (Saturday) is morally binding not only until Christ returns but for all eternity. Yet in fact the New Testament clearly demonstrates that the first day if the week is the day of worship for the early church. This can be demonstrated easily by a quick perusal of the early church history which is very well documented. However, it is never called the Sabbath by the Apostle Paul, Peter, James, John, Timothy or anyone else. It is instead referred to as the Lord’s Day. The Law, the whole Law, was the schoolmaster that brought us to Christ. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the Law (Gal. 3:23). There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God, for anyone who enters God’s rest, also rests from his own work, just as God did (Genesis chapter 2). Let us then make every effort to enter that rest and be not like our forefathers who were unable to enter His rest due to unbelief (Heb 3,4). They kept the Sabbath day yet never entered into His Sabbath rest (which is found in Christ) thus the distinction which I have posited from the very beginning.
How then is the Christian walk accomplished without the Law and the fading ‘ten’ one will most certainly ask? Scripture tells us: Live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. If you are led by the Spirit you are not under Law. (Gal. 5:16, 18). For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending His own Son to be a sin offering (Rom. 8: 3,4). Christ in the end of the (entire) law so that there might be righteousness for everyone who believes (Rom. 10:4)
Conforming to the pattern of this world
How should Christians respond to and behave in today’s world? Should we try our best do fit in, to act and dress like everybody else? Should we listen to music that sounds like the worlds music? Or, should we be totally alienated from the world? Paul addresses these questions in his letter to the Romans.
He writes: Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
What does it mean for us not to conform to the pattern of this world? For starters, it means we should not behave like everyone else in the world just for the sake of “fitting in” or being liked or accepted. Instead, Scripture says that we as Christians are to be transformed or changed by renewing our minds. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come (2 Cor. 5:17).
To renew our minds, we simply have to be careful what we are “feeding” our minds. There is an expression, “garbage in–garbage out.” If we give our minds ungodly things to think about, then our behavior is very likely to match those nasty kinds of thoughts sooner or later. But if we fill our minds with good things, then it becomes so very much easier to act in ways which makes God and us happy.
Since the Holy Spirit is always with and in the believer (essentially right next to us wherever we go) then this ought to influence the movies/ TV we watch, the books we read and the music we listen to. If it does not, then we must ask if we are truly renewing our minds to that of Christ’s.
We should also be very careful of the friends we spend our time with. What do we fill our minds with when we are with them? Are they helping us to put good things in our minds or are they unknowingly hurting us by filling our minds and time with bad ideas and things?
This may sound old fashioned but we must also be mindful of our appearance and the clothes we wear. Dressing modestly, especially for women must be considered in the public “arena” if we are to not cause others to stumble. If you doubt this, simply ask any man what their number one struggle is every day!
Here’s the application: Renewing your mind includes things like daily Bible reading, prayer, weekly worship, spending time with friends who also love God and want to please Him and finally, more prayer!
This is often not easy as there remains an endless supply of “worldly” stimuli that contends earnestly for our attention and thoughts. The Bible views man’s mind as a battlefield where Satan and his evil spirits contend against the truth and hence against the believer. Paul says that the goal of the warfare is to take the thoughts captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). Thoughts from our mind give birth to sin therefore it makes perfect sense to guard those thoughts at all costs! We must decide to stand firm in the faith and be willing to be held accountable to our Christian brothers and sisters around us. Scripture says that a cord of many strands is not easily broken!
Lastly, our children especially must be taught that they (and we) do not need to adapt to the world’s ungodly affairs and changing trends to somehow be able to “relate” to the world better. In 1 Corinthians chapter 9 Paul sought to win people to Jesus Christ by being sensitive to their needs and identifying with them but always within the constraints and teachings of Christ’s law (He was not suggesting that he engaged in or tolerated their sin to share Christ). Paul says that we are nothing less than a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that we may declare the praises of him who called us out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Pet. 2:9). If Christians behave just like the world does, then they will wonder what the value of knowing Christ is!
May the world see us through His light.
The Importance of Genealogy
A book by Richard Dawkins called The God Delusion, once at #4 on Amazon, has concocted a disturbing premise that Christians need to assuredly and swiftly answer. Here is a quote: "Begin in Genesis with the well-loved story of Noah, derived from the Babylonian myth of Uta-Napisthim and known from the older mythologies of several cultures. The legend of the animals going into the ark two by two is charming, but the moral of the story of Noah is appalling. God took a dim view of humans, so he (with the exception of one family) drowned the lot of them including children and also, for good measure the rest of the (presumably blameless) animals as well. Of course, irritated theologians will protest that we don’t take the book of Genesis literally anymore. But that is my whole point. We pick and choose which bits of scripture to believe, which bits to write off as symbols or allegories. Such picking and choosing is a decision, just as much, or as little, as the atheists decision to follow this moral precept or that was a personal decision, without an absolute foundation." p.237-238
Well, not quite Mr. Dawkins. The Lord has revealed through His written word a very thorough record of the genealogies of our Lord found in the New Testament writings of Matthew and Luke. Since they wrote under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit, we can assume that this information is important. A genealogy is by definition comprised of a list of real people who lived real lives and that the first person on that list is just as real as the last. Thanks to the Pharisees’ fascination with genealogies they were able to accurately trace the line of Christ. There are also many places in the Old Testament including Chronicles that provide further genealogy listings.
Luke traces the line of Christ through his mother, Mary. That is why 3:23 reads (or should read if it does not) “Jesus… being the son (as was supposed of Joseph) of Eli…” Matthew traces the line of Christ through Joseph even though this was not biologically the case.
Scripture also attests to the importance of these genealogies beginning with Adam:Romans 5:13,14, “for until the Law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed where there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.”
The first part of this statement communicates the utter degeneracy of the post-sin, pre-flood era, and their great hope in the last Adam. Romans 5:15,16 contrasts the two Adams:
“But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. And the gift is not like that which came through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment arose from one transgression resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift arose from many transgressions resulting in justification.”
Adam’s original sin resulted in the spiritual death of the entire human race, except for the second Adam, Jesus Christ. Without Adam there is no original sin as recorded in Genesis chapter 3 and henceforth no need for a blood sacrifice by Christ the Savior.
Romans 5:17 tells us about realms of power and authority related to sin.“For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.
Romans 5:19 begins the summary, “For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.”
Adam’s sin was imputed to all, and therefore all were made sinners.
Therefore, in Adam we all died. In Christ, we can all live. This is the essence of the baptism of the Spirit.
1 Cor 15:20-28 and 35-49, tells us what Adam has to do with our future life in God.
“But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.“
In conclusion, Richard Dawkins assertion that theologians pick and choose which bits of scripture to believe is based on a desire to continue to believe a lie which is far easier than placing your trust and hope in the Truth. Yes, it would be a mistake to take every word of Scripture literally, but this is simply because the many books of the Bible were written by different men (& women) of different literary backgrounds over many hundreds of years which contain books of history, poetry, prophecy, instruction and yes, even genealogical. Poetry is poetry and historical facts are always verifiable. The biblical writers did not plagiarize literary works of antiquity at all. If there are similarities then we cannot simply assume that one copied from the other. However we can entertain the idea that perhaps they were inspired from an alternate source of “truth” as a means to lead astray those who are seeking The Truth.
Real Hope and Change...available for free
How does one obtain real hope and change? I can assure you that the answer is within your grasp and thankfully, costs nothing. Presently, it seems that the societal fabric of our post Christian society in America continues to change for the worst and the economic hopes of many are dashed to the spending whims of those we elected to represent our best interests.
Rest assured we do not have to wait for politicians to establish hope and change, we can obtain them today. The good news is that there is a current hope that will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:5) Unite your life with the presence of the Spirit and change will immediately become evident in your life. The LORD will change your heart and the hearts of all your descendants, so that you will love him with all your heart and soul and so you may live! (Deuteronomy 30:6)
When your heart is filled with love, it drives out anything that previously took up residence. Whatever happens from this point forward, we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. (2 Corinthians 5:1) This is the culmination of our ultimate hope, a hope which all the silver and gold in the world cannot purchase.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and Love your neighbor as yourself. (Luke 10:27) Do this and you will live. God makes this promise to those who humble themselves before Him…….and God always keeps His promises.
Now that’s hope and change!
The dreaded “A” word
Our Lord is very clear on the sanctity of life as it relates to abortion. For Christians especially, there is no possible way to twist scripture which would ever successfully condone this violent act. (The exception being that when the life of the mother is truly threatened by her pregnancy, if both lives cannot simultaneously be saved then saving the mother’s life must be the primary aim.) I would like to examine this within a framework of moral consistency and then posit a question if you would indulge me for a moment.
Those who deem themselves pro-choice use the argument that a woman has the right to do whatever she wants with her body. I would agree, up until the moment conception. When a man and woman make the choice to come together, it is at that point when their prior intentions become irrelevant. For once conception occurs, a life has been created. This is a scientific fact. Cells begin to form and multiply at a geometric rate and nine months later a child is born. The nonsensical argument by some has been that this child is not a “real” person until a certain point within the conception to birth window. Yet even opinions within the pro-choice community vary on this tremendously. One moment it’s identified as an unborn viable tissue mass, the next moment it’s a child who has rights with a chance to live. They cannot pinpoint this exact moment simply because it is an argument based on a false assumption. Likewise, opinions within the pro-life community remain consistent as previously noted. The child's spirit dwells in the fetus at the moment of conception. Being a parent myself, I can testify that this is true.
Here is my simple question: Those who are pro-choice are intensely concerned for the rights of the mother, thus giving her the benefit of the doubt in regards to choice. However, since these same individuals argue for an undefined window of “personhood” concerning the unborn child, why do they then refuse to give equal benefit of the doubt that this child also has a choice and rights of their own?
I perceive a moral inconsistency subject to a vague assumption.
An Unholy Hole
Imagine going out in your backyard one day intending on digging a hole where you've got no business doing so? Every day you devote a little time to it. It gets deeper and deeper and the dirt keeps piling up making a real mess. Soon you realize you've been digging so much to the exclusion of everything else that you tire, slip and fall into the hole that you (not someone else) just dug. Alas, it's too deep. You can't get out and you're STUCK. Then things go from bad to worse.
This sound familiar? How about this:
Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head. Psalm 7:14-16
Hah! I'll be honest, the irony of my own folly makes me laugh out loud, for I am just as guilty of doing this as the next guy. Only in my case it's not a hole, it's anything I choose to consider more importance than the Lord Almighty, which unfortunately is an endless list. After all, He's the One who created all the "stuff" in the first place. There really is nothing more grievous to the Lord than our choice not to pursue a daily relationship with Him. If it's any consolation, our nation is guilty of the same, and is presently enduring the effects: The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. Psalm 9:15
So what do we do instead? First, stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? Instead, trust in the LORD with all your heart and then lean not on your own understanding; pray that in all your ways you promise to acknowledge him, and He will honor that prayer by making your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5,6
If you want to dig, get into the deep water of Ezekiel chapter 47. It will change your life and won't cost you a dime!
Genealogical Facts You Can Bank On
Credibility is usually challenged whenever truth is accompanied by information that seems outrageous or just plain impossible. For example, many in today’s society accept evolution as a theory over creation by a higher power as a fact. Personally I can comprehend a Creator as a cause for all of creation but to accept evolution over time as a viable alternative theory, now that takes faith. Are unexplained mutations, natural selection, genetic drift and general disorder all simultaneously progressing towards a sustained progress of order as we observe our present creation today? I think not. I rather prefer to live in “Realville” and am awed in the fact that I have a record containing the origins of creation available at my fingertips……and so do you.
Today, as sites like ancestry.com make evident, genealogies can reveal amazing truths about people and ages long since past. What’s really cool to me is that the heritage of our ancestors helps lend credibility and provides the proof many seek regarding the origins of creation. For example, the very thorough record of the genealogies of Jesus Christ found in the New Testament writings of Matthew and Luke contains a historical record of a list of real people who lived real lives. Yet like any genealogy, for it to have any significance the first person on the list has to be just as historical, or real, as the most recent on the list. Remember this the next time you happen to read the account of creation or of Adam and Eve’s fall into sin and their subsequent banishment from Eden or the extraordinary ark Noah built to survive the great flood. As surely as Jesus Christ is the one historical person who impacted the world for all eternity, these events and the people who endured them are just as historical.
Scripture itself specifically indicates the importance of these genealogies in Romans 5:13 & 14: “For until the Law sin was in the world; but sin is not imputed where there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who had not sinned in the likeness of the offense of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come.” Notice that Adam, the same who was in the Garden of Eden, is the first person on this list. Interestingly, Luke traces the line of Christ through his mother, Mary all the back to Adam. That is why 3:23 reads “Jesus… being the son (as was supposed of Joseph) of Eli…” Likewise, Matthew traces the line of Christ through Joseph even though this was not biologically the case. There are also many places in the Old Testament including the book of Chronicles from which
Even though Adam’s sin was accredited to all, and therefore all were made sinners, there is great hope: “For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.” Romans 5:19. This passage neatly sums up my intended point: In Adam we all died. In Christ, we can all live.
These are genealogical facts you can bank your eternal destiny on. Remember this the next time you read some of those old Bible stories and wonder if they really happened. They did!
God, I'm Praying But You're Not Listening
Are there reasons why God doesn't answer prayer? “Even when you do ask, you don’t get it because your whole motive is wrong – you want only what will give you pleasure.” (James 4:3).
There are qualifications: “if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.” (1 John 5:14). We must also be sure there is no unconfessed sin in our hearts: “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:12)
“Three times I begged the Lord to make this suffering go away. But he replied, “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” (2 Cor 12:8) Paul wrote. Likewise, does this also mean that when we are strong God is weak? I think not. Sometimes our own pride gives us the illusion that we are strong and that we do not need God in certain areas of our lives. For many, He doesn't even exist to us in a practical sense at all. It's no wonder these folks are doomed to fail using their own strength and "methods" of coping.
Remember when the Lord had a certain prayer request from His very own Son, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”" (Luke 22:39-42). Jesus requested that His life be spared and did God listen? It seems God had other plans for Him....BIG plans, in fact.
We must conclude from this that God does not always answer our prayers the way we request or even in the time frame we request. Yet, God still sits on His throne and has a plan for our lives. Sometimes He requires that we go through the fire in order to make us weak.....and THEN make us strong again!
Ever think about this yourself?
Not So Blind Faith
This morning I was reminded that it's OK to not have ALL the answers to questions raised when sharing your faith. In the book of Daniel chapter 3 Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury demands to see Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego because they would not worship the golden image which He had set up. "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace; and he will deliver us out of thy hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."
They were so secure in their faith and trusted the Lord so implicitly that they were well past the point of discovering whether God existed or not and whether He was Almighty, having the power to save them in the first place. They believed that He had the power to save them and even more importantly, if God chose not to save them in their present circumstances, they knew that He would ultimately save their souls. God did not have to save their temporal bodies on order for them to be secure in their believe about Him. Those who do not know the Lord cannot comprehend this and likewise we who know the Lord should be understanding of this towards the unbeliever. It remains impossible to convince anyone that God even exists until they are broken in spirit and willing to accept a Creator greater than themselves and who loves them just as they are.
Sometimes in our zeal to share our faith, we forget that a decision for Christ can only be made by those who are fully convinced in their own minds that He is Lord. When that happens, nobody can snatch any of us from the Lord's hands! This is not blind faith, but instead a recognition of what creation itself displays everyday for those with eyes that see beyond themselves!
What Is Truth?
Today I was thinking about truth. Would you know truth if it stared you in the face? Where do you get your truth from? School, friends, television, the internet, the news! Is all of it truth or just parts of it? What I'm really asking is, what is truth?
Funny, that's the same question Pilate asked of Jesus. Ironically the Truth was standing right before him and was about to sentenced to death for.....well, telling the Truth. As a true ambassador of Truth, Jesus cannot break His word (John 10:35). Did you know that in Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). It is through Christ and Christ alone that we can know God, who is Truth. If we take Jesus at His Word we will experience the blessings of His Truth. This Truth has the power to set you free....permanently.
I am confident of two things:
ONE: All (not just parts of it) Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17 )
TWO: The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
In our present day, truth is becoming increasingly clouded by deception and relativism. Many argue that truth is evolutionary and should adapt with and be defined by the culture in which it permeates. We need only to delve into the chronicles of human history to quickly discover that society always collapses in on itself when morality and ethics are authored and defined by human origin. We can be confident in knowing that the One who created and designed us desires to write His law of Truth on the tablet of our hearts.
The Instruments of Death
Two thousand years ago Christ followed the honorable trade of carpentry for 15 years, laboring in a humble shop adjacent to His home. There Jesus earned his own bread by His own skill and labor before entering public ministry. He never made anything shoddy but made the best product with the tools of a His trade. His father's shop was known around the countryside for its good and honest work ethic. God honored that!
When Jesus left His profession to fulfill God's call on His life for public ministry, He returned to His old home to teach in the synagogue. You know the story, the religious leaders were astonished and scornful casting insults like "Is this not the carpenter's son?" and "Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?" That is how we have come to expect the world the react and here is the reason why: God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Cor. 1:27)
Here's another irony to be gleaned from this, for most of His life, Jesus was accustomed to wood and nails, yet it is only through the nail-torn hands of the Carpenter that lives, broken by sin, can be re-shaped, and a shattered world remade into a thing of beauty. The very tools of his profession became the instrument used in His death. Ironic indeed. He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed and miracles that cannot be counted.
Encouraged by the Preeminence of Christ
Everybody needs encouragement on occasion. It is good to encourage and be encouraged as it serves to strengthen friendship and build trust. One of the most encouraging things I have ever read is found in the book of Colossians 1:9-18. Although written 2000 years ago, the following passages are not any less relevant today.
Check this out, Paul begins by thanking the brethren in Colossi for their faith. The first part is a huge encouragement to the believer in Christ. He writes: Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus....we have not ceased to pray for you (he thought about and prayed for the brethren regularly) asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will (not man's puffed-up knowledge) in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, (this spiritual wisdom is gifted by God and cannot be taught by man) so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, (you cannot walk successfully with The Lord without first knowing and aligning yourself with His will) fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God (the closer you become to The Lord, the more fruit you will bear), strengthened with all power, (God is omnipotent and He offers His power to us, to do things which appear impossible, to glorify Him) according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light (the believer has an eternal inheritance which he has already qualified because of Christ Jesus).
Now Paul begins to talk about the qualifications of Christ. He writes: He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (past tense, Jesus has already done this for us, there is no future condemnation for those in Christ) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (our sins no longer separate us from God). He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation (Christ became flesh and dwelt among us). For by him all things were created (not some things, ALL things), in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible (things we don't even know about or comprehend yet, Christ created them all), whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him (he is all powerful and owns everything). And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together (Christ holds your very life in his hands). And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent (there are no other gods before Him, He is the originator of all things). For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell (this is the mystery of the incarnation, which man in unable to understand or adequately explain) and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross (Jesus Christ made Himself of no reputation and became obedient to the point of death).
The good news for us is this: And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith. (1 Colossians 9-22) God has reconciled us to Himself and offers us relationship with Him. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Paul concludes his letter by reminding us to: Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of your time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians have the ability to influence the world for Jesus Christ. Evil and death were defeated on the cross 2000 years ago and their days are surely numbered.
Come, Lord Jesus!
Owe No Man Anything
According to recent statistics, the US National Debt continues to increase an average of over one and a half billion dollars per day. This is not only unsustainable, it is morally reprehensible. The graph below quite clearly depicts a visual representation of the US gross public debt from 1980 estimated through to 2018:
One immediately obvious fact is that the debt we are responsible for as Americans has not only steadily increased for decades, but continues to do so exponentially. As the chart illustrates, political party has had little bearing on its sustained climb into the stratosphere of unpaid financial obligations. It is therefore fruitless to cast partisan stones in the hopes that the party in power will fix the problem.
It is evident that any borrower is the slave to his lender until said debt is paid back. Solomon, who reigned as King circa 970 to 931 BC, wrote that the rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is the slave of the lender (Proverbs 22:7). That nugget of wisdom has been on the books for centuries for all to see. Yet we as a nation, guided by representative democracy, have chosen to elude this simple principle in exchange for our needs and desires of the present moment.Financial independence and sovereignty are directly connected to our nation’s ability to guarantee the best interests of her own citizens. The moment we become indebted to another nation, we jeopardize a portion of our sovereignty. We must hold ourselves accountable independently and as a nation of free people, lest we lose that freedom due to indebtedness.
As a nation whose founders gleaned much wisdom from a certain ancient book, we also should avail ourselves of its teaching. The Apostle Paul wrote: Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed (Romans 5:7). This instruction should apply not only to the electorate but also to the elected. Those who lead, lead by example, either directly or indirectly. They have been given great power and responsibility with which they must wield with wisdom and prudence. The solution will be found in a collective, unified decision to conclude our present obsession with spending obscenely huge sums of money that simply does not exist since it has not yet been earned.
“We the people” should use the same prudence and make it our goal to owe no one anything, except to love each other (Romans 13:8). Love for our fellow neighbor is far more valuable than gold and silver. True love costs nothing and does not seek to be repaid.
The Darkness of Hell
The New Testament has many things to say concerning about darkness and hell:
First, the nature of darkness:
It lacks understanding: And the light shines in darkness; and the darkness comprehends it not. John 1:5
It produces no fruit: And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. Eph. 5:11
It is a prepared place: Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to who is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Jude 1:13
It a place of judgment: For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. 2 Peter 2:4
It is a place of extreme torture: And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain. Rev. 16:10
Is this darkness also in us?
Even as we live today, we stand condemned if we do not have the light. And this is the condemnation, that light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. (John 3:19) Jesus said: But if your eye be evil, your whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:23). He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now. (1 John 2:9) Do you love your brother? Do you hold anything against him (or her) today? If so, be reconciled with him today and reflect the light of Christ’s grace in doing so.
How is this darkness overcome?
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5) He is the one who opens eyes, and turns souls from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that we may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Christ. (Acts 26:18) But you, loved ones, are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9) Live your live in complete illumination, do nothing in secret!
The light of the world vs. the darkness of this age:
Who is the light?Then spoke Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)
Why has this light come?Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the wellspring from on high has visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78, 79) Therefore whatsoever you have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which you have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops. (Luke 12:3) It is the Lord who brings to light the hidden things of darkness.
How do we walk in this light? Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Eph. 6:11, 12) Darkness is powerless over the true light, who is Christ the Lord! Ultimately darkness will be illuminated. Brothers and sisters, we cannot serve two masters: darkness and light. We must choose which we will serve today?
The Appearance Of Wisdom
I was reading Colossians and came across the word "asceticism". I thought to myself, what's that? Here is the quote: "Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels....These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self- made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh." Colossians 2:18,23
In a nutshell, the ascetic hopes to sanctify his soul by his discipline of the body. Religious folk are very adept at telling other people what they should and shouldn't do. This quote by Walter W. Wiersbe "brings the hay down from the loft so the cows can get at it" and does it quite effectively for me: "The power of Christ in the life of the believer does more than merely restrain the desires of the flesh it puts new desires within him. Nature determines appetite. The Christian has the very nature of God within and this means he has godly ambitions and desires." (2 Peter 1:4)
Man made rules and regulations do not have the power to change the heart. But God's Spirit does. Sanctification is a lifelong process which will ultimately be fully realized when we see The Lord face to face. But for me, when I understand how something works, in this case to a very small degree, at least then I can be more aware of the valueless indulgences of the flesh and work at exchanging them for the desires of our Creator.
Test Some Things
I have observed that many people, including myself, fall into the trap of involuntarily trusting information given them by spoken word, a book, the press, the internet and countless other sources. For some of us, we are trusting by nature, others are skeptical by nature. The remaining multitudes fall somewhere in between. Yet we know deep down there should be some kind of litmus test regarding the diffusion of any information.
Two thousand years ago, a certain apostle wrote to the Thessalonian church instructing them to test all things and hold fast to the good. In that case, the litmus test was established by the Word of God. This axiom reminds us that there is little wisdom in testing some things and leaving others to chance. If we train ourselves to get into the habit of testing and verifying all information which we are exposed to on a daily basis, then we will most likely prevent the unfortunate results of bad or misleading information.
With this in mind, I would offer a suggestion in respect to one of these sources, namely our online activity on board the internet. Regardless of intentions, if someone suggests an unfamiliar website for you to visit, sends you an email from an unknown address or suggests that you perform a certain task to protect your social media account, FIRST do the following:
Point your browser towards a credible search engine like Google or Yahoo. Then simply type in a few of the salient words from the suggestion or action you are being requested to take. The crucial next step is to type in the words “scam” or “hoax” directly following your text. Then engage your search. Carefully examine the search results which follow. This will almost certainly reveal any possible threat of scam or hoax. In many cases your selection will be clear of any scam debris. In other cases, threats will be immediately evident. Since this only takes mere seconds, the investment will most likely save you time and potential grief in the days to follow. In all cases, NEVER open an email from a source you did not solicit. Your inbox will be eternally grateful and much more easily managed.
Since the internet is basically one enormous crowd sourcing entity, you will be tapping into the experience, knowledge as well as the often unfortunate oversight of millions of internet surfers who have preceded the rest of us. I’ve always said that life is better lived in a balanced fashion. You should not test everything to the degree of forgoing all other productive activity. But do remain vigilant knowing that we live in a world where scams and hoaxes are seemingly around every corner.
Test all things and hold fast to the good!
I know who you are
Ever have someone say that to you? Did they really know "who" you are or just know about you? Is there a difference?
I was reading Mark 1:21-27 this morning and found some answers. Here is part of the text:
--While in Capernaum on the Sabbath, Jesus entered the synagogue and was teaching. And immediately there was a man with an unclean spirit who cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are— the Holy One of God.”--
Notice how this unclean spirit KNOWS who Jesus is. He is identified as The Holy One of God. This spirit also knows Jesus has authority over them and all demons. Notice also that this spirit talks as though he is one of many...."I" and "us". The same account is also recorded in Luke 4:33-36.
--But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”--
I find it interesting that those attending the synagogue that day were more infatuated by what Jesus did rather than who he claimed to be. Later on in verse 41 we find that demons also came out of many, crying, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. One might observe that it was Jesus' purpose not to have His identity established by the testimony of lying spirits, but rather by the messianic signs (miracles).
These days truth takes many forms and is delivered in countless ways. We must be diligent to not be deceived by false truth. Jesus says to those who believe in him, If you continue in His Word, then are you are His disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you FREE.
This all comes back to knowing Jesus, not just about who He is, but acknowledging Him every second of every day. Choose life in Him!
Heavenly culture shock
A question crossed my mind early this morning. For every man and woman who claims Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, there is a day appointed to enter the "pearly gates" after being called home. At that moment we all, with unveiled face, behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord. What kind of culture shock will we experience? That certainly relates directly to our present journey in the "flesh".
Consider that those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5,6) Have you ever wondered why this is? It's because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so. Every Christian battles with the flesh. Overcoming this battle requires a conscience decision to live a life different than what is "expected" from the culture in our present age. The process involves NOT conforming to the pattern of this world, but to instead be transformed by the renewing of your mind, conforming your mind to his will. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)
Take heart for this is a life long journey which can only be fulfilled when we arrive at our final destination, at home with The Lord. Practically speaking, life is tedious at times. Jesus Himself told us so: "These things I have spoken to you, that in me you may have peace. In this world you shall have distress. But have confidence. I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) In my own walk with The Lord I have purposed to not let other people negatively influence my journey in becoming conformed to His image. It is all to easy to be led astray, distracted by this and that, held hostage to emotions you cannot control. There remains an eternal hope and it is this: For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38)
Living in contemporary society
For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3) Sound familiar?
Knowing this we should: Examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; (1 Thessalonians 5:21) Truth is found in the Word. For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. (Hebrews 4:12)
Parents: Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. (Proverbs 22:6) because bad company corrupts good character. (1 Corinthians 15:33)
Loving your impossibly rude neighbor
The thought occurred to me that "spreading the wealth around" is infinitely less effective than the simple act of extending love to one's neighbor. Money may help fill the belly but only love feeds the soul. The basic primary need we all have is for daily sustenance. Food and drink are essential to life as our bodies were designed to require small quantities of both on a regular basis, fuel as it were, for energy to progress though any given day. But both can only fill a temporary need. Within hours we find ourselves hungry and thirsty again. One could easily conclude than any "humanitarian" effort can only be successfully accomplished under the umbrella of love. A love that is genuine and long suffering. A love that gives without condition or agenda.
By definition a community is a social unit of any size that shares common values. Even as few as several decades ago, communities, or neighborhoods, were pretty much just that. Most everyone, at least in smaller communities, knew every one else. Gossip back then, before the dawn of the all knowing, all seeing cell phone was more or less a way of catching up and staying informed. You knew your milk man and newspaper boy by name. Even your front door was left unlocked apart from a vacation now and then.
Not so much today.
If as children, our grand parents could suddenly be transported from then to present day in an instant, they would experience a culture shock more devastating than they would care to admit. They would find themselves thrust into a world where technology, which was originally intended to benefit society, actually served to separate and alienate. A world where the thoughts and actions once consumed by others, had over time been consumed by inward thought and isolated action.
Alone. Depressed. Angry. Judgmental. In bondage. Boastful. Arrogant. Corrupt. Greedy.
Look around and tell me it's not so. On television and in the news, this stuff sells and sells big. In the world of politics, it's even worse....then again, some things never change.
But you and I could and can.
People are hurting and need other people who genuinely care, not just kinda care. In fact, if everyone in the community which you live took care of or looked after at least one other person on a consistent basis, then everyone would be accounted for. Simple mathematics which in this instance is destined to be short circuited by human nature.
If you were to ask God of all the commandments, which is the most important, what do you think He would say? Fortunately He did say: “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31
Loving your neighbor as yourself is quite a paradox, isn't it. I mean, when the rubber meets the road, can we really do that? Would we want to? Shouldn't we anyway?
It appears to me that Jesus goes on the assumption that the commandment is preeminent to any inconvenience we may experience attempting to carry it out. Those who have decided to follow Christ must certainly give the utmost consideration to His clear, emphatic command. If we trust Him, He will give us the grace to do this. If we choose not to, we will lose the immediate blessing and lack of witness of His love in our life. When we do not love with genuine love, if we offer a half hearted or fleeting love, then we are nothing more than a resounding gong or a clashing cymbal. Not cool as far as this generation is concerned. Let us strive to daily permeate our community with the love of God, one soul at a time. By this they will know we are His disciples.
Denominational Separatists
This was written for those who rightly wonder why there are so many Christian denominations in existence but also for those who dogmatically defend that theirs is the "correct" one, regardless of who it annoys. You may feel free to politely disagree.
I struggle with selecting the appropriate words to begin, so I shall start with the thoughts foremost in my mind. A question which has nagged me over the past several years is this: What would Jesus think of "the church" today? I personally observe much of what I would call "denominational separatism" in print and on the web, all of which frankly is making my head spin. One church believes this, another believes that. All based almost entirely on a select set of passages which seemingly buttress one particular view or set of doctrines to the "polite" exclusion of all others. The average unbeliever must think that Christians are schizophrenic in this regard. Actually, many do.
Tradition and teaching carried down through the church age is steadfast and unwavering in many mainline denominations. These bear much fruit and strengthen the body of Christ. Yet for every healthy church one can easily find dubious contemporary denominations lurking around the corner. More on those in a moment. All Christian denominations which choose to be considered "apostolic", hold to the essentials of the historic Christian faith. These are drawn from the Old Testament writings, the teachings of Christ and the apostles within the New Testament. Who says so and why, you ask?
This is not as boring as you may think, so bear with me a moment. The 66 books in Holy Scripture was first canonized by the Council of Nicaea in AD 325 in an effort to attain consensus in the church through an assembly representing all of Christendom. This council merely confirmed what the apostle Paul had already written to young Timothy during the first century when he wrote: "You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus." However Paul did not stop there, he continued: "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16). There are many great churches across this nation and around the world who hold to these truths. As Paul warned, there are also many churches who are like infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of leadership in their deceitful scheming. Many precious souls are drawn away from Truth and towards empty promises of good health, timely healing or wealth and prosperity. Had we simply read our Bible we would have been able to heed its warning that we must examine everything carefully and hold fast to that which is good, abstaining also from every form of evil. The question remains, how does the Christian choose a "healthy" church?
All things begin and end with the Word of God, who is Jesus (John 1:1). As I understand Scripture, the church is the bride of Christ. At the Second Coming of Christ, the church will be united with the Bridegroom and the eternal union of Christ and His bride will be actualized. Until that day arrives, we must focus on the simple good news, which is and has always been that those who declare with their mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in their heart that God raised them from the dead, they will be saved. Whoever wants to be His disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him. What does Jesus ask in return? As you walk along your path in life, tell people about Him. Find out what pleases Him by reading His Word daily and live your life accordingly. Let the Word of God be a lamp unto your feet. Why the analogy of a lamp? Because a lamp can only illuminate so far, say a few feet or so and then the darkness overtakes the light. If we choose not to read His Word, then the words of man become brighter and overtake the Word of God. The result of that in my experience, is poor decision making and disfellowship with the Creator of the universe. A tragedy, indeed.
A church is simply a structure with walls and a roof until it is filled with believers of The Lord Jesus Christ unified as one in the worship of our Savior. The Most High does not live in houses made by human hands but instead He dwells in our hearts through faith in Christ. In regards to the importance of the church, the writer of Hebrews said it best: Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:23-25)
The classic definition of a denomination is that of a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity. Don't get lost in the weeds and stumbling blocks of denominationalism and lose sight of the true prize, a relationship with The Lord of all things.
American culture in 2014 and beyond
Voices of disdain and frustration with those responsible for governing this great country are growing in greater number and frequency. They include a broader political spectrum then ever before. Truth has been set aside for the wide berth of personal agenda. She mourns as her branches have been stripped bare and thrown away. Joy in the hearts of many has withered into despair. Metaphorically speaking, fire has devoured the open pastures, flame has burned all the trees of the field, even the beasts of the field cry out. The seed has shriveled, the storehouses are in shambles and the barns are broken down. This is a picture of American culture in 2014.
What is The Lord's solution? It may sound radical to many but here goes: "Consecrate a fast, call a sacred assembly, gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land into the house of The Lord and cry out to Him. Turn to Him with all your heart. Return to The Lord for He is merciful, slow to anger and great in kindness. He promises to send new wine and new grain. He will remove those who are doing you harm to a barren and desolate land. You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied. You will never be put to shame. He will pour out His Spirit and will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth. A fountain of life shall flow from The Lord."
This is what The Lord told the prophet Joel in 800 B.C. We can complain about injustice and inequality until we are blue in the face but the real power to change the hearts and minds of men lies in The Lord alone. We must turn to Him and seek His wisdom and pray for our appointed leaders in government. They are simply men and women. Many seek personal agendas and many do not know The Lord. But there are many who do. The Lord listens and answers the prayers of the righteous. So let us put our feet to the fire and endeavour to make our requests known.
Or we can choose to do nothing and pass this anemic legacy on to our children.
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This concludes my deluge of theological immersions. Hope you enjoyed. I learned a lot when writing these. My prayer is the Spirit speaks to you and brings you a peace that surpasses your earthly understanding.
Jim Richardson