Tag Archives: Salvation

Right In Their Own Sight

Posted on by under Christian Living

chinese-traffic-chaos-small     Is it acceptable for each of us to do that which is right in our own sight? Are we free to make our own rules for what is right and wrong? Toward the latter section of the book of Judges, we find that there are two phrases that that are oft repeated for emphasis. The first of these is a reminder that there was no king in Israel in those days, and the second is that everyone did what was right in their own sight (Judges 17:6; 18:1; 19:1; 21:25). In these examples we can find the answer to our questions.

     In the book of Judges we see a repeated pattern of the Israelites falling away from God, being oppressed by a foreign power, crying out for deliverance, and being rescued by a judge or deliverer. The latter section of the book shows us just how depraved they were and how far they had wandered from God. Yes, there was no king in the land, but God was supposed to be their king. There was no king in the land, because they had rejected God, and so each man did what was right in his own eyes. This led to them doing that which was evil, for the most part.

     When we look at our own lives and at our own nation, what do we see? We are subject to the kingdom of God and the law of Christ in the same manner that those Israelites were subject to God. Rejecting God and his Lordship over our lives will lead to disastrous results, just as it did for those who fell away in the period of the Judges.

     The lesson for us is that we need to follow God if we want to receive our eternal reward and avoid punishment. God punished those Israelites with oppression when they wandered from Him. God will punish us if we are not making Him our king, and if we are each doing whatever is right in our own sight regardless of the law of Christ. Our punishment may not come in this lifetime, but God warns us that His punishment for those who do not know him or do not obey His commandments will last for all eternity (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). Thus we need to follow the king, and not what we think or feel is right or wrong.

The Sinner’s Prayer

Posted on by under Doctrine

prayer     Many times we may hear those in the world refer to salvation by simply praying Jesus into our hearts, or by reciting the ‘sinner’s prayer.’ Is this really all there is to salvation? Is this all that God requires of man for accepting His grace? While there are many places in scripture we could look for the answer to this question, let us consider just one example.

     The story of the conversion of Saul of Tarsus is fairly well known. Saul was on the road to Damascus when he was surrounded by a bright light and heard a voice from heaven. It was the Lord instructing Saul to go into Damascus, where it would be told to him what he must do in order to be saved. Once he had arrived in Damascus, Saul prayed to the Lord and fasted for three days (Acts 9:8-11). Then Ananias come to Saul and told him, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16 NKJV).

     Notice in this account that Saul saw the Lord, he heard the Lord speak, and he prayed and fasted for three days. And yet Saul was not saved from his sins until he was baptized. This should indicate to us that simply trying to pray Jesus into our hearts will not absolve us of our sins. Nowhere in scripture do we find any reference to the ‘sinner’s prayer,’ or the idea of salvation by prayer alone. It should seem obvious that if Saul had to be baptized after his religious experience to have his sins removed, then we must be baptized for the remission of our sins as well.

Choosing Our Choice

Posted on by under Christian Living, Current Events

20268595946_58bfb01361_o     Americans across the country are beginning to gather in coffee shops, local burger joints, and neighborhood hangouts and discussing who our next president will be. Those in Iowa, New Hampshire, and other early primary states have made, or are making their choices now. We see it as a great privilege within our political system that we are allowed to choose our choice candidate to be our next leader. While democracy in politics and government is a great system, we must be sure to recognize that we do not get to choose when it comes to the one who is our ultimate ruler.

     The Bible teaches us that, “The LORD is King for ever and ever: The heathen are perished out of his land” (Psalm 10:16, KJV). “The LORD sat enthroned at the Flood, And the LORD sits as King forever” (Psalm 29:10). Also, “For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:2). God is the King. He will be the Ruler forever and ever. He is over all of the earth. Thus, we do not get to choose who our King will be. God is it. Jesus told a parable about a man who went away to receive his kingdom, which is a reference to Jesus going off into heaven to receive His kingdom after His ascension from this earth (Hebrews 1:1-4; Psalm 110:1). Even though there were those in the parable who did not want to be ruled by this man, they could not prevent him from coming into his kingdom (Luke 19:11-27). We can choose to follow Him or not. We do have that free will. However, He is the Lord, the Ruler, and the King whether we accept Him or not.

     Therefore, seeing that these things are so, let us come and acknowledge Him as the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14). Let us choose Him as our choice to rule in our lives. If He is to be our Lord and Master, then we need to obey what He says to do. He is coming back some day to judge the living and the dead (Ecclesiastes 12:14; John 12:48; Acts 17:31; Matthew 25:31-32). Those who are obedient will be ushered in to their eternal reward. Those who refuse Him will be punished. He is the Lord whether you “vote” for Him or not. That cannot be changed. So as we exercise our choice for the next president, let us also think about exercising our free will to choose to serve God while we still have the time and opportunity to do so!

Who Is To Blame?

Posted on by under Christian Living, Current Events

JManziel     When things go wrong it seems that the one thing we never run short of is blame. Just take the Cleveland Browns, for instance. When things go wrong in Cleveland, as they often do, everyone looks for who is to blame for this year’s fiasco. From the ownership, to the general manager, to the head coach, to the assistants, to whomever played the most games at quarterback that year there is always plenty of blame to go around.

     How is it with us when things do not go as planned? When we fall short of the mark, or we do the wrong thing, are we also playing the blame game? The blame game is nothing new. Indeed we do not have to read much in the Bible before seeing the “it’s not my fault” principle play out. In Genesis 3 Adam is hiding from God in the garden, because he has eaten from the forbidden fruit and realizes that he is naked (Genesis 3:8-11). God asks, “Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?” (Genesis 3:11b, NKJV). Notice that Adam first blames Eve for his sin. “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate” (Genesis 3:12). Adam also accuses God, since Eve is the woman whom God gave to him.

     Instead Adam should have realized the need to take responsibility for his actions. The same is true with us today. When we sin it is not the fault of someone else who “made us do it.” The Devil does not make us do it, as Flip Wilson used to humorously state. Nor can we blame God for our sin. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:13-14). What causes us to sin is the same thing that has caused mankind to sin throughout all of history. It is our own desires that lead us to sin. It is “the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,” in our own hearts which leads us astray (1 John 2:16). Let us look to ourselves and take responsibility for our actions. Let us confess our sins and be forgiven of them instead of playing the blame game (1 John 1:9).

Give Your I Dolls Up

Posted on by under Current Events, Doctrine

700x477xThai-Luk-Thep-Dolls-700x477_png_pagespeed_ic_gzsGyBi1M_     I recently came across a news story out of Thailand about a branch of their national airline. Thai Smile Airways had issued a statement that passengers could purchase an additional ticket for their Luk Thep dolls. The doll owners believe that the dolls have supernatural powers, and that they are inhabited with the angels of children who have passed from this life. Dolls with tickets would need to buckle up before takeoff and landing, and would be served snacks and drinks in flight. Owners have been known to pamper the doll with designer clothing and expensive jewelry, so they may receive a better blessing from the dolls, and one buffet restaurant in Bankok caters to the Luk Thep, or Child Angel, dolls (http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/supernatural-dolls-are-treated-like-people-on-thai-smile-airways/ar-BBoIW8A?ocid=ansmsntravel11).

     While we think that it is cute and imaginative when children treat their dolls as real people, and perhaps have a tea party with them, it is not the same when we see full grown adults acting the same way. Idolatry can take many forms, however there is one common thread in all idolatry. Whenever we give credit for our “good fortune” or our lives in general to something or someone other than the God of heaven, we have missed the mark. God commanded the Israelites that they were to have no other gods (Exodus 20:3). Joshua, near the end of his life, challenged Israel to put away their other gods that their fathers served, or that they came in contact with in Egypt, so that they could serve the one true God (Joshua 24:14-15). The Israelites had a constant problem with idolatry, which led to them being carried away captive into Babylon (Amos 5:25-27).

     This is not just an ancient issue, as can be seen by the Luk Thep dolls. Idolatry exists today in many forms. For some, it is a doll or statue (idol). For others it may be wealth or fame. For many, they have made themselves their own god. Basically anything that we put above God becomes our idol. God’s word says, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:16-17, NKJV). All that we have comes from God. We do not need some idol to bring us good fortune.

     How much sense does it really make to place our trust in idols? They cannot go anywhere unless we carry them. They cannot speak. They do not eat the food that is put before them. What can they do for us? The Bible teaches us to flee from idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). Idolatry is called a sin of the flesh. Just notice in the following list what idolatry is included with:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).

Those who practice idolatry, in any form, shall not inherit the kingdom of God. If we want to get to heaven, then we need to give God His proper place in our lives. We cannot place some idol before God. We need to put our idols to death. “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). Let us not face God’s wrath for practicing idolatry, but let us instead receive God’s love and grace by making Him first in our lives.

Who Do You Trust?

Posted on by under Christian Living, Doctrine

3254678299_5c69afdc60_o    According to horoscope.com for a certain day, my outlook says, “A close friend or your partner could propose an impromptu trip and you might decide to go. You’re restless for adventure. . .” Many people may read that and become excited and think that they are going on a grand adventure! However, do the stars actually know anything about my destiny for today?

     The Bible tells us much about in whom and/or where we should place our trust, and the bodies of the cosmos are clearly not the answer. In the kingdom of Judah the kings who were good and pleased God placed their trust in Him. Manasseh was not one of these kings. Scripture tells us that Manasseh did evil in the sight of the Lord, much like the surrounding nations that the Lord removed from Palestine (2 Chron. 33:2). He built altars to other gods, he made idols, he worshiped the host of heaven (the moon, sun, starts, etc.), he practiced soothsaying and witchcraft, and he consulted with mediums and astrologers (2 Chron. 33:3, 5-6).

     Manasseh’s poor example led others astray in Israel, so that they did “more evil than the nations whom the Lord had destroyed before the children of Israel” (2 Chron. 33:9b). Because Manasseh trusted in everything imaginable besides God, and because Manasseh led the nation of Israel astray in so doing, God was going to punish the kingdom of Judah. Due to God’s wrath, they were going to have to suffer in Babylonian captivity for a period of 70 years. The transgressions that were committed under Manasseh made this a certainty, so that even when a good king like Josiah came along, the fate of Israel was sealed (Zeph. 1:2-6). God was going to wipe out “those who worship the host of heaven” from Israel (Zeph. 1:5a). Their trust in the stars was misplaced. They should have trusted in the Lord.

     Where and in whom are we placing our trust? Is it in our daily horoscope, to see what the stars have in store for us? Or do we place our trust in the Almighty God? Having our trust placed firmly in God is the only way that man can be pleasing to Him (Psalm 4:5; 9:10; 18:30; Prov. 3:5). There is no need for us to ‘hedge our bet’ by trying to trust God, but also consulting mediums, soothsayers, and astrologers. Trusting in the cosmos caused Israel much harm, caused God much grief, and caused God to be angry with them. We certainly don’t want God to be angry with us, regardless of what the stars may say.

What Is Sin?

Posted on by under Culture, Doctrine

 

     If you ever want to bring a conversation to a screeching halt, just talk to someone about the issue of sin! In our politically correct, nothing is ever wrong, who are you to judge me world, the topic of sin or of pointing out that something is morally wrong has been equated with hate speech. Thus we are left with an “if it feels good, do it” society that does not understand the difference between right and wrong.

arrows missing target

     Just what is sin? The first mention of sin in the Bible has to do with Cain’s undesirable sacrifice. God says, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it” (Genesis 4:7, NKJV). The word ‘sin’ in this passage carries with it the idea of a crouching beast, waiting to pounce on its prey. In archery, the term ‘sin’ is used when the archer misses the mark and fails to hit the target. With regards to us, we sin when we miss the mark and do not live up to God’s desire for us. Sin is breaking the law of God. “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). These are sins of commission (something that we did). There are also sins of omission (failing to do what is right). “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).

     How then do we judge between what is right and what is wrong/sinful? It is not according to our own wishes and desires, for we are mere men. Who are we to determine what is right or wrong and to be the judge of it? We need a higher standard than what man deems right or wrong. Solomon has said, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Jeremiah prophesied that it is not in man to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23). Thus we need to turn to God’s word, and His Holy Standard in order to see what is right and what is wrong. Paul wrote that he would not have known what was sin had God’s law not revealed that to him (Romans 7:7).

   We have an obligation to check these things out in the Bible. Let us allow God’s word to give us our direction regarding what is right and wrong. Let us not lean upon man’s understanding and end up in sin. Sin leads to death (James 1:12-15; Romans 6:23). Obedience to God will lead us to life (Romans 6:16). Let us reject sin and live!

I Am Resolved

Posted on by under Christian Living

new-years-day-1054594_960_720     There is a song that we sing in our assemblies that speaks of being resolved no longer to linger, charmed by the world’s delight. Instead, the song says that I will hasten to Him. It is a song about being resolute in leaving the world’s charms behind and pressing on to be with the Lord. As we look out upon another year ending and a new one just beginning, what resolutions are we making for the New Year? What are we leaving behind in 2015, and what are we pressing on towards?

     In the Philippian letter, Paul writes, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14). We might look back at last year’s resolutions and see how we did. Perhaps our resolution only lasted a couple of weeks or a month. Maybe we were resolved to lose ten pounds last year, and now we are only fifteen pounds away from our goal. But, forgetting those things that are behind us, let us look forward to the opportunities in the New Year to be resolved to do better.

     In 2016 let us then be resolved to:

  • Lose the weight of sin in our lives (Heb. 12:1)
  • Exercise greater discernment between good and evil (Psalm 34:14)
  • Improve our spiritual health (1 Peter 1:13-16)
  • Keep our souls safe and help save the souls of those around us (Mat. 28:19-20)
  • Stop making excuses and abound in the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58)

I am reminded of an old commercial that showed a man at his desk and each year the pile of papers grew higher. Each year he stated that this was the year he was going to hunker down and get something accomplished. Is 2016 the year that we will grow closer to the Lord? Or will 2016 be like every other year? The choice is ours. The next year is ready and waiting. Are we resolved no longer to linger?

What is Man’s Greatest Problem?

Posted on by under Christian Living

IRAQI FREEDOM

     If we were to take a survey and ask folks their answer to the question above, we would likely get many different responses. Some would claim that the terrorism that we see in our world today is mankind’s greatest problem. Others might say something related to the economy, the jobless rate, global warming, a want of political leadership, or the lack of unity among us as Americans that threatens to destroy us from within. Above and beyond all of these particular problems, though, is one problem that plagues all of mankind no matter where we live on the globe. That is the problem of sin.

     While all of those worldly problems may threaten us while we are here, the problem of sin transcends this world and has implications in the life that is to come. The Bible says that all the things of this life are going to be destroyed someday. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up” (2 Peter 3:10, NKJV).   Sin has eternal results. Sin separates us from God. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:1-2).

     Before you say that you have no sin in your life, consider what the Bible says about that as well. God’s word says that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). If we claim to not have sinned, we lie and the truth is not in us, and we are calling God a liar (1 John 1:8-10). Because of the sin problem that all men have, we need to have Jesus so that we can overcome it. We have to believe in Him and His power to cleanse us from sin if we will walk in the light (1 John 1:7). Jesus said, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). Don’t die lost in your sins. Come to Jesus for His healing power and receive the gift of life instead!

Why Did He Do That?

Posted on by under Christian Living, Love of God

Set-Free     Have you ever wondered just why Jesus came to earth, especially at this time of the year when the world is thinking about Him? Consider for a moment what Jesus already knew before He ever left heaven. He knew that men would seek to kill Him as a toddler (Mat. 2:16). He knew that He would not be received by His own people (John 1:10-11). He knew that He would be rejected by men (Isaiah 53:3-5). He knew that He would be put to death on the cross, not for any wrong that He had done, but for the sins of mankind (Isaiah 53:9; 2 Pet. 2:22-25). And, yet, He came anyway. Why?

     Jesus left the beauties of heaven to come to earth below for one main reason. He came because He loves us all. A very popular scripture tells us that God loved us so much that He gave us His one and only unique Son, so that we might believe in Him, obey Him, and have everlasting life (John 3:16)! Because He loves us, He wants for all of mankind to be saved. The Lord is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9b, NKJV). While we were yet sinners and undesirable, He came and died for us (Romans 5:8).

     Thereto is another part of the reason that Jesus came to earth. We are sinners. As human beings no matter how hard we try, we are not able to be perfect in obedience to God’s word. In Romans 3:23 we read, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Farther along we read, “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). Our sins bring us death, because they separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Since we all have sinned and separated ourselves from God, and since the just payment of our sins is death, Jesus came to take that penalty away and to reconcile us to back to God. Jesus came so that we might live.

     All Jesus asks for in return is that we believe in Him and obey Him. That is all He wants in return for His great sacrifice. If we claim to love Him, this we will do. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).