“Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and return and be healed.” - Isaiah 6:10
Unbelievers (and many who are fervent believers) often ask the question: “Why doesn’t God do something spectacular today. In view of the entire world?” With the mass media, the internet, and social media moving with the speed of light His “miracle” would undoubtedly be seen by the vast majority of mankind within hours . . . if not within minutes. Such an event would end all doubt as to God’s existence; would it not? All mankind would believe. There would no longer be any excuse for disbelief. So why doesn’t He do it?
I believe the answer is much simpler, ironically simpler than the question. Could it be that God doesn’t want all mankind to believe in Him? Holy scripture certainly supports this view. Isaiah 5 describes a people whom God is sorely disappointed in. Wouldn’t the people of the world today fit into that category? The people of America certainly would.
In chapter six He anoints Isaiah as His prophet and commissions him to go to the people with His unhappiness in them.
It is clear that God never intended for all people to be saved. He blinded them to His truth with no intention of ever revealing it to them.
If you have ever seen a sunrise upon the ocean or the rising of a full moon in clear evening sky and not seen the glory of God within those two simple acts of nature then why would you believe in God if He were to draw up the ocean into a towering wall of water then allow it to recede to its natural place in the order of things. “But he said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’” - Luke 16:31. People had seen Christ, had seen His miracles, and still they refused to believe. No, scripture is clear: not all the people of the world are to be saved through their belief. But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, 38 that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: “Lord, who has believed our report? and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” - John 12:37-38. Only to His elect!
We know why the unbelieving people of the world want to see “a sign”: their hearts are so callous that nothing short of a miraculous vision could ever have a chance of softening them. But why do so many believers wish for such a sign? Could it be that their faith is built on unstable ground? Could it be that they want so badly to believe in Christ Jesus . . . but simply aren’t sure? Are their houses built upon sand?
Lord, Your truth is known to your elect. There is no doubt in you! We need no miracle to day to make us believe. Your grace and Your word is sufficient for us.
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Saturday, June 7, 2014
Our Perfect Guarantee - Hebrews 7:26-27
For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. - Hebrews 7:26-27.
What a glorious and grace-filled blessing we have received in Christ Jesus! As a “priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek," our Lord and Savior offered the greatest sacrifice for our sins. He needed not first offer a sacrifice for His own sins because He is sinless! Thus His holy sacrifice was perfect in every way. His sacrifice was sufficient in every way. His sacrifice was complete in every way.
What Christ did for us sinners has no equal in the soteriological realm. Nothing can come remotely close to what Jesus did for us to insure our eternal salvation. And the very fact that Christ saved us guarantees our salvation. If one ever needed assurance it lies in Hebrews 7:26-27.
“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.” - John 17:9. Christ does only what the Father has asked Him to do and because Him of His selfless sacrifice we are safe in the bosom of God! And to think: there are those poor lost souls among us whom believe they can actually affect their own salvation by their own works . . . .
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. - Hebrews 10:23. We need not fear or doubt our salvation when we know that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, shed His own blood as a promise of redemption for us. His was the ultimate sacrifice. His is the perfect guarantee. May we always hold fast to our faith in Christ.
What a glorious and grace-filled blessing we have received in Christ Jesus! As a “priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek," our Lord and Savior offered the greatest sacrifice for our sins. He needed not first offer a sacrifice for His own sins because He is sinless! Thus His holy sacrifice was perfect in every way. His sacrifice was sufficient in every way. His sacrifice was complete in every way.
What Christ did for us sinners has no equal in the soteriological realm. Nothing can come remotely close to what Jesus did for us to insure our eternal salvation. And the very fact that Christ saved us guarantees our salvation. If one ever needed assurance it lies in Hebrews 7:26-27.
“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours.” - John 17:9. Christ does only what the Father has asked Him to do and because Him of His selfless sacrifice we are safe in the bosom of God! And to think: there are those poor lost souls among us whom believe they can actually affect their own salvation by their own works . . . .
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. - Hebrews 10:23. We need not fear or doubt our salvation when we know that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, shed His own blood as a promise of redemption for us. His was the ultimate sacrifice. His is the perfect guarantee. May we always hold fast to our faith in Christ.
Thursday, May 29, 2014
An Apostolic Gift, Hijacked - Acts 2: 1-3
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.- Acts 2:1-4
I recently had a “discussion” with Pentecostal acquaintance. Yes, it was the same one I always have when discussing the gift of tongues. As a Cessationist, I firmly believe that tongues, while possible, is not probable in modern society. I agree with most learned expositors that tongues was a gift of the Apostolic Church in the church’s early days. The gift was meant to convince unbelievers of the veracity of the Apostles claims, much the same as was the gift of healing. That being said, my acquaintance wanted to know why I was so certain tongues had ceased. I lead him to the first 4 verses of Acts 2, then asked - “Where does it say the occupants of the upper room “called upon” the Holy Spirit and requested the gift of tongues?”
Acts does not even “suggest” such a scenario. It is clear from Scripture that the event took place suddenly and without any previous warning. The Holy Spirit came upon those in the upper room at His time, not upon a summoning or invocation. And at no time before the spiritual event took place did any of the occupants discuss the concept of speaking in tongues: it just happened! And to further my point I directed my acquaintance to Acts 2, verses 5 through 11. These verses describe the thoughts of the multitudes who overheard this strange apostolic gift. The multinational crowd couldn’t understand how they could be hearing the words in their own native languages! This is the lion-killer which relegates the modern-day notion of tongues to the ashcan of history: the words coming from those gifted with tongues were not gibberish; they were words of authentic languages! Greeks heard Greek. Egyptians heard Egyptian. Romans heard Roman.
As for the argument that 1 Corinthians 13:1 might offer an “angelic answer” to the gift of tongues let us be clear on the context of Paul’s point of the entire chapter: love . . . not tongues.
To continue to individually treat every other verse regarding the gift of tongues would become redundant. The bible is clear and unambiguous on the subject. Tongues was a gift of the Apostolic Age and thus it ended when the Apostolic Age came to an end. May the Holy Spirit never be hijacked for the purpose of false teaching or doctrine.
I recently had a “discussion” with Pentecostal acquaintance. Yes, it was the same one I always have when discussing the gift of tongues. As a Cessationist, I firmly believe that tongues, while possible, is not probable in modern society. I agree with most learned expositors that tongues was a gift of the Apostolic Church in the church’s early days. The gift was meant to convince unbelievers of the veracity of the Apostles claims, much the same as was the gift of healing. That being said, my acquaintance wanted to know why I was so certain tongues had ceased. I lead him to the first 4 verses of Acts 2, then asked - “Where does it say the occupants of the upper room “called upon” the Holy Spirit and requested the gift of tongues?”
Acts does not even “suggest” such a scenario. It is clear from Scripture that the event took place suddenly and without any previous warning. The Holy Spirit came upon those in the upper room at His time, not upon a summoning or invocation. And at no time before the spiritual event took place did any of the occupants discuss the concept of speaking in tongues: it just happened! And to further my point I directed my acquaintance to Acts 2, verses 5 through 11. These verses describe the thoughts of the multitudes who overheard this strange apostolic gift. The multinational crowd couldn’t understand how they could be hearing the words in their own native languages! This is the lion-killer which relegates the modern-day notion of tongues to the ashcan of history: the words coming from those gifted with tongues were not gibberish; they were words of authentic languages! Greeks heard Greek. Egyptians heard Egyptian. Romans heard Roman.
As for the argument that 1 Corinthians 13:1 might offer an “angelic answer” to the gift of tongues let us be clear on the context of Paul’s point of the entire chapter: love . . . not tongues.
To continue to individually treat every other verse regarding the gift of tongues would become redundant. The bible is clear and unambiguous on the subject. Tongues was a gift of the Apostolic Age and thus it ended when the Apostolic Age came to an end. May the Holy Spirit never be hijacked for the purpose of false teaching or doctrine.
Monday, May 26, 2014
Suffering With the Thorn - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
I’d like to apologize first for not having written in some time. I’m currently going through a health crisis. Since early April I have been suffering with Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. The pain (in my left leg and lower back) has brought me to the point of exhaustion and tears on more than one occasion. While I continue to suffer from this age-related malady I also pray continually for relief. My faith remains in Christ Jesus and the power of the Cross.
When Paul revealed his buffeting “messenger of Satan,” he was clearly referring to an issue of continuing trauma in his life. Whether it was a physical malady or perhaps a false teacher in the midst of his Corinthian congregation, the suffering with the thorn, while remaining constant and debilitating, kept Paul’s pride in check. Imagine how easy it would be for us who are believers to boast in ourselves being gifted with irresistible grace by our Lord and God! No, pride must be set aside along with the old man if we are to be effective at transmitting the message of the Cross. Christ’s work and the glory of God can only be focused upon when we push it to the front and we remain fragile imperfect humans relegated to the background.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13. Despite my current suffering I will continue to pray earnestly that it is God’s will that is accomplished . . . not mine. In my weakness I can lean harder on Christ, knowing that as long as I lean on Him I will always be stronger with Him than without Him!
I’d like to apologize first for not having written in some time. I’m currently going through a health crisis. Since early April I have been suffering with Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease. The pain (in my left leg and lower back) has brought me to the point of exhaustion and tears on more than one occasion. While I continue to suffer from this age-related malady I also pray continually for relief. My faith remains in Christ Jesus and the power of the Cross.
When Paul revealed his buffeting “messenger of Satan,” he was clearly referring to an issue of continuing trauma in his life. Whether it was a physical malady or perhaps a false teacher in the midst of his Corinthian congregation, the suffering with the thorn, while remaining constant and debilitating, kept Paul’s pride in check. Imagine how easy it would be for us who are believers to boast in ourselves being gifted with irresistible grace by our Lord and God! No, pride must be set aside along with the old man if we are to be effective at transmitting the message of the Cross. Christ’s work and the glory of God can only be focused upon when we push it to the front and we remain fragile imperfect humans relegated to the background.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13. Despite my current suffering I will continue to pray earnestly that it is God’s will that is accomplished . . . not mine. In my weakness I can lean harder on Christ, knowing that as long as I lean on Him I will always be stronger with Him than without Him!
Saturday, April 26, 2014
The Double Blessing of Forgiveness - Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” - Matt 6:14-15.
We often fail to remember that the spirit of forgiveness is not simply a motion on our part to overlook the slights another has made against us. Forgiveness is so much more than that. Forgiveness is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling of us. Without the fruit of the Holy Spirit actively effecting our spiritual lives we would be incapable of forgiveness!
Think about it - all nine fruits of the Spirit are required for true forgiveness of others: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23. Each one of these fruits are essential to us if we are to be truly forgiving. How could one not have the spirit of forgiveness given all the fruit of the Holy Spirit? But that isn’t all forgiveness means to us as Christians.
Which of us can boast of never having needed the forgiveness of others? Were it not for their forgiveness what miserable wretches we would be. Forgiveness is the balm that heals our hurts and our relationships damaged by careless words and actions. That is what happens when we forgive what others have done to us. By forgiving them we find ourselves at peace, while those who refuse to forgive continue to experience the pain and wince from the hurt of one trespass as though it were a legion of many.
When we forgive, God grants us compensation for the pain others have caused us. It becomes a blessing to us when we forgive those who have hurt us. By forgiving those around us we enjoy God’s heavenly blessing. And it is part of our repentance. In fact, forgiveness is so deeply entwined with true repentance that they are barely separable in the parable of the debtor in Matthew 18:23-35.
When we read the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew we see forgiveness at the core of the prayer. We see it as the prayer’s main “talking-point” in Matthew 6:12 - And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors. It is further intensified by Matthew 6:14-15, thus making it a pivotal requirement for our forgiveness by God.
Our ability and desire to forgive others through the Holy Spirit and God’s forgiveness to us, a result of His unconditional grace and love is a double-blessing by any standard.
May we always live in the spirit of forgiveness, both ours for others and that shed upon us by our merciful and loving God.
We often fail to remember that the spirit of forgiveness is not simply a motion on our part to overlook the slights another has made against us. Forgiveness is so much more than that. Forgiveness is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling of us. Without the fruit of the Holy Spirit actively effecting our spiritual lives we would be incapable of forgiveness!
Think about it - all nine fruits of the Spirit are required for true forgiveness of others: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23. Each one of these fruits are essential to us if we are to be truly forgiving. How could one not have the spirit of forgiveness given all the fruit of the Holy Spirit? But that isn’t all forgiveness means to us as Christians.
Which of us can boast of never having needed the forgiveness of others? Were it not for their forgiveness what miserable wretches we would be. Forgiveness is the balm that heals our hurts and our relationships damaged by careless words and actions. That is what happens when we forgive what others have done to us. By forgiving them we find ourselves at peace, while those who refuse to forgive continue to experience the pain and wince from the hurt of one trespass as though it were a legion of many.
When we forgive, God grants us compensation for the pain others have caused us. It becomes a blessing to us when we forgive those who have hurt us. By forgiving those around us we enjoy God’s heavenly blessing. And it is part of our repentance. In fact, forgiveness is so deeply entwined with true repentance that they are barely separable in the parable of the debtor in Matthew 18:23-35.
When we read the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew we see forgiveness at the core of the prayer. We see it as the prayer’s main “talking-point” in Matthew 6:12 - And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors. It is further intensified by Matthew 6:14-15, thus making it a pivotal requirement for our forgiveness by God.
Our ability and desire to forgive others through the Holy Spirit and God’s forgiveness to us, a result of His unconditional grace and love is a double-blessing by any standard.
May we always live in the spirit of forgiveness, both ours for others and that shed upon us by our merciful and loving God.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Whom Are You Seeking? - John 20:13 -16
Then they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him.” 14 Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. 15 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” - John 20:13-16.
Mary Magdalene worshiped her Lord while he was alive and present with her. She held fast to her faith in Him even before He was crucified. Scripture tells us that she was a fixture among the disciples during Christ’s last days (Luke 8:2, John 19:25).
Mary had been exorcized of seven demons by Christ. To all of us whom have been saved in Christ - how many demons has He exorcized from our lives? It is little wonder that Mary worshiped Jesus; the miracle had left an indelible faith in her heart. She gladly would have followed Jesus to the ends of the earth. But His time was at hand. Prophecy had to be fulfilled. There had to be a way for reconciliation to take place between man and God - Christ was to be both the fulfillment of prophecy and that reconciliation.
What transpired upon the cross was not only the temporary death of Christ’s humanity, but the divine defeat of death itself! The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. - 1Corinthians 15:26.
Christ had told His disciples of His impending “death” and resurrection. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. - Matthew 16:21. The apostles were fully aware of Jesus’ words, yet they still, somehow, didn’t understand. For them, to die was final; to die was the end of life, not the beginning.
Twice, Mary was asked, “Why are you weeping?” Her answer reflected her heart-felt angst and that of the rest of His disciples - “They have taken away my Lord.” The sorrow and confusion of that moment were fed by the fact that Mary anticipated seeing her Lord and Savior in the state of death, not alive and standing before her. Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. - Mark 16:1. It was common in those days for the departed to be embalmed, as it were, with expensive herbs and spices. This passage and its parallel in Luke 24 is evidence that Mary believed Christ to be dead.
After Christ asked Mary why she was weeping He added one more question - “Whom are you seeking?” Still under the haze of disillusionment Mary mistook her Lord for the gardener until Jesus called he by name. It was though a pall was lifted from her eyes as she saw the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, standing before her - in the flesh!
Jesus knew whom Mary was seeking all along. Her deep-felt longing for Him was evident in her very demeanor. And in those moments when we find ourselves disillusioned with our faith because of life’s circumstances we must never fall into such despondency or hopelessness. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13.
Like Mary Magdalene, let us constantly be seeking the Lord with all our heart. Let us ‘go out quickly from the tomb with fear and joy and bring His Word,’ to all the world! Happy Resurrection Day! Happy Easter.
Mary Magdalene worshiped her Lord while he was alive and present with her. She held fast to her faith in Him even before He was crucified. Scripture tells us that she was a fixture among the disciples during Christ’s last days (Luke 8:2, John 19:25).
Mary had been exorcized of seven demons by Christ. To all of us whom have been saved in Christ - how many demons has He exorcized from our lives? It is little wonder that Mary worshiped Jesus; the miracle had left an indelible faith in her heart. She gladly would have followed Jesus to the ends of the earth. But His time was at hand. Prophecy had to be fulfilled. There had to be a way for reconciliation to take place between man and God - Christ was to be both the fulfillment of prophecy and that reconciliation.
What transpired upon the cross was not only the temporary death of Christ’s humanity, but the divine defeat of death itself! The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. - 1Corinthians 15:26.
Christ had told His disciples of His impending “death” and resurrection. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. - Matthew 16:21. The apostles were fully aware of Jesus’ words, yet they still, somehow, didn’t understand. For them, to die was final; to die was the end of life, not the beginning.
Twice, Mary was asked, “Why are you weeping?” Her answer reflected her heart-felt angst and that of the rest of His disciples - “They have taken away my Lord.” The sorrow and confusion of that moment were fed by the fact that Mary anticipated seeing her Lord and Savior in the state of death, not alive and standing before her. Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. - Mark 16:1. It was common in those days for the departed to be embalmed, as it were, with expensive herbs and spices. This passage and its parallel in Luke 24 is evidence that Mary believed Christ to be dead.
After Christ asked Mary why she was weeping He added one more question - “Whom are you seeking?” Still under the haze of disillusionment Mary mistook her Lord for the gardener until Jesus called he by name. It was though a pall was lifted from her eyes as she saw the risen Lord, Jesus Christ, standing before her - in the flesh!
Jesus knew whom Mary was seeking all along. Her deep-felt longing for Him was evident in her very demeanor. And in those moments when we find ourselves disillusioned with our faith because of life’s circumstances we must never fall into such despondency or hopelessness. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:13.
Like Mary Magdalene, let us constantly be seeking the Lord with all our heart. Let us ‘go out quickly from the tomb with fear and joy and bring His Word,’ to all the world! Happy Resurrection Day! Happy Easter.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Palm Sunday
“The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!” - John 12:12-13.
Yes, “they” took branches of palms and went out to meet our Lord and Savior, Jesus. When saw Him they shouted an old Judaic expression of praise and adoration - “Hosanna!” And less than a week later this same adoring crowd would be calling for His death by crucifixion. So intent were they upon killing Christ that they even freed a known criminal, Barabbas, rather than free our Lord.
The last week of Jesus’ life began with the crowd adoring the Messiah sent by God and ended with them calling for the death of one they considered no more than a blaspheming man.
So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” - John 19:5. On Palm Sunday, the crowd celebrated the arrival of “he would comes in the name of the Lord.” By Thursday of the same week He was reviled by the same crowd.
We all need to think of Christ in our daily walk, not just on Sunday. Are we ready and willing to follow His example and walk in “the Way?” And when we fail to do so - aren’t we, who praised him on Sunday, reviling Him the rest of the week?
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. - James 4:17.
May we always walk in the way, even on those other days of the week.
Yes, “they” took branches of palms and went out to meet our Lord and Savior, Jesus. When saw Him they shouted an old Judaic expression of praise and adoration - “Hosanna!” And less than a week later this same adoring crowd would be calling for His death by crucifixion. So intent were they upon killing Christ that they even freed a known criminal, Barabbas, rather than free our Lord.
The last week of Jesus’ life began with the crowd adoring the Messiah sent by God and ended with them calling for the death of one they considered no more than a blaspheming man.
So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold the man!” - John 19:5. On Palm Sunday, the crowd celebrated the arrival of “he would comes in the name of the Lord.” By Thursday of the same week He was reviled by the same crowd.
We all need to think of Christ in our daily walk, not just on Sunday. Are we ready and willing to follow His example and walk in “the Way?” And when we fail to do so - aren’t we, who praised him on Sunday, reviling Him the rest of the week?
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. - James 4:17.
May we always walk in the way, even on those other days of the week.
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