Any Other Gospel? - 1 John 2:19

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us. -  1 John 2:19
              

    As a Confessional (i.e. Reformed Christian) the bulwark of my faith rests on the reliable veracity of the Bible. It is clearly the final arbiter when I weigh out suppositions regarding the doctrinal beliefs of others who call themselves “Christians.” As you can imagine it brings me into some challenging exchanges from time to time. “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” - Acts 17:11.
    It has always been that we must consider, even debate, issues regarding the proper interpretation of Scripture. It has divided the Reformed Church from the Roman Church from the Eastern Orthodox Church. It divides denominations! But there cannot be two or more interpretations of the words that our Holy God has inspired! “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.” - 1 Corinthians 14:33.
    Erudite exegesis is absolutely necessary for the truthful interpretations which we hold as essential to salvific doctrines. Wrong interpretations result in the presentation of what Paul referred to as “any other gospel.” In fact, it was an issue of such gravity that he mentioned it twice in a paragraph - “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” - Galatians 1:8-9.
    I find that most contemporary non-Reformed Christian churches tend to try to soften the edges of the gospel, sometimes even avoiding the harder sayings of Scripture altogether. What it translates into is what Paul referred to as “another gospel!” After careful exegesis, we weigh what others say with what Holy Scripture says, and when the two diverge we can truly know that they “were not of us.” And as John says, they diverged from rightly interpreted Scripture to teach another gospel so that it would be made manifest to us that they are not of us. They are not truly Sola Scriptura Christians. They want to reinvent and reinterpret the Bible in spite of the fact that we are forbidden to do so.
    The Old Testament certainly proscribes the alteration of the Scriptures - “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” - Deuteronomy 4:2. And again,  “Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.” - Deuteronomy 12:32. In this book, Deuteronomy, Moses was explaining the law to the Israelites; It was simply that important!
    And what of Christ’s own words warning us to abstain from altering the Holy Scriptures in any way? “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” - Revelation 2218-19.
    Let us always pray for the Holy Spirit’s illumination when interpreting our Bibles, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture, rather than allowing “other agendas” to exegete and define what God has truly revealed to us.

Not One Drop Wasted - John 10:14-15

I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. - John 10:14-15

    There have been many a disagreement over the years regarding the Biblical doctrine of Limited or Definite Atonement. And in no way am I suggesting that I can finally put the objections to this doctrine to rest. However, it is my earnest belief that Holy Scripture does, in fact, do so. “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. Did Jesus Christ Himself just say that He does not pray for the world but for those His Father had given Him?
    First, Scripture is replete with references to the “many” Jesus speaks about and it never refers to “all” as in every last human being that ever lived! In common parlance it is often heard, “See to it that everyone gets something to eat.” Did the speaker actually mean “everyone?” Or were they merely referring to those within a defined parameter of consideration? The glaringly obvious intent of the statement needs no further clarification.
    Secondly. When we speak about “the power of the cross,” or “the power of Christ’s precious blood,” we are speaking of the power to atone for sin. “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” - Matthew 26:28. Again, Jesus emphatically states that He shed His own blood “for many . . . for the remission of sins.” He never states that His blood was shed for all the people in the world, but for many!
    What we see then is not an inference or subtle implication but the boldly efficacious power of Christ’s death on the cross to save sinners; not all sinners but those God “elected” from before time who are called by the Holy Spirit’s effective call to regeneration and faith in Christ Jesus. And clearly, not all who hear the call of the gospel respond in faith. “For many are called, but few are chosen.” - Matthew 22:14. From this alone, we can see that those who remain unregenerate and unresponsive to the Holy Spirit’s call remain in their hardened state in spite of Christ’s death upon the cross. To suggest that Christ died for all sinners, all people, flies in the very face of every Biblical word on the value of Christ’s blood! To deny the reality of hell is to deny the doctrine of atonement.
     If Jesus’ death was to atone for all mankind’s sin what happens to those who die unrepentant in their sin? Salvation? No, not one drop of Christ’s precious blood was wasted. The atonement was 100% effective for all those who come to belief and faith in Jesus. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16. For those who refuse, despite all the Biblical mandates, to have faith in Jesus Christ, the harsh reality of eternity in hell awaits them.
    Let us continue to share the gospel of salvation with those around us so that those chosen will respond to the effectual call of the Holy Spirit and the saving sacrifice of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Money For Nothing? - Genesis 2:15

      

Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.
  - Genesis 2:15
   

    There is a radical economic movement under foot that is neither new nor novel; it is called Universal Basic Income - the notion that all people regardless of their status should receive a regular monetary stipend without condition or stipulation from the government in addition to any income gained by other means. In other words - it’s “free money for nothing.” The cash would not be tied to an EBT account and would not be monitored for what it is spent on. If illegal drugs, cigarettes or alcohol were being purchased with it . . . so be it.
    The idea is supported by many on both sides of the political spectrum from people such as liberal political commentator and former Secretary of Labor under President Bill Clinton, Robert Reich, to conservative professor and author of “The Bell Curve,” Charles Murray. Historically the idea has had its support from men like Bertrand Russell and Dr. Martin Luther King.
    Understand that the idea is to provide free money to every citizen or resident whether or not they are able or willing to work and thus it is inherently un-Biblical and thus un-Christian!
“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” - 2 Thessalonians 3:10.
    God commands those of us who are able to labor. “Six days you shall labor and do all your work . . .” - Exodus 20:9. God clearly expects those of us who can work TO work! We are not to lie about idly and expect anyone to serve us what we have not labored for. “. . . that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12.
    We are instructed that working will provide for us but that our laziness will keep us in poverty - “He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough!” - Proverbs 28:19. Even those of us who lean on criminality for sustenance have been instructed to stop our thievery and work - “Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.” - Ephesians 4:28.
    Finally, we are told that laziness will be detrimental to us if we simply refuse to work - “The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.” - Proverbs 21:25.
    Note that in none of the Bible’s admonitions about parasitic living is any warning given to the elderly, the incapacitated, or those unable to work. All the redresses are given to those who are perfectly able to work but simply choose not to. Obviously, the idea falls under the “social engineering programs” of the Secular Progressives, regardless of its support by some of more conservative views. There are many ways in which we can glorify our heavenly Father. Sloth and laziness are not two of them. “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. “ - 1 Corinthians 10:31. May we always and everywhere seek to provide for ourselves and those who are truly in need to God’s glory.

Enemies In the House - Micah 7:6

 . . . and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. - Matthew 10:36

    God neither comes to us on our terms nor on our schedules. And that is what many contemporary evangelicals and most unbelievers don’t seem to understand. Let that sink in for a moment.
    God is the almighty Creator and Sustainer of the universe. He doesn’t respond to our ala carte list of “acceptable divine attributes.” He is both loving and just, forgiving and unforgiving, merciful and judgmental. All His attributes are equal in every sense. His love does not outweigh His wrath, nor does His mercy outweigh His judgment. Considering what His sovereignty actually means, think about how utterly ridiculous such an idea is. “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.” - Proverbs 19:21.
    Here is another hard fact: Many people who feel they want God’s presence in their lives very quickly drop the notion altogether. Proof? First, think very carefully now - how many of the people in our first circle of family and friends exhibit the influence of God in their lives? Not the god they imagine for themselves but the actual living God of the Bible?
    Secondly, for the one true God to be present in our lives, we would most likely lose those in our first circle who do not want to share our faith-wrought enthusiasm. They don’t want to become like us. And if asked, they would most likely respond by saying that they would like “the old us” back.  Such pressure coming from our first circle of family and friends can be disastrous to our walk in faith if we succumb to the influence. “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” - 2 Corinthians 6:14-15.
    Christ spoke some of the hardest words regarding our new walk in faith when He said -
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’”- Matthew 10:34-35.   
    There will be many among our first circle who will “forgive” our faith in Jesus as long as we keep it on the down-low. Others will not be as tolerant and in many cases recede from the relationship like the outgoing tide, not to return until we “come to our worldly senses.” And that is where the rub is - those of us in Christ are no longer of the world! And because we are no longer of the world we become the subjects of the world’s animosity for the word of God - “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” - 2 Timothy 3:12. And some of that disdain and persecution will come from our former first circle. 
    It takes a strong faith to remain in Christ despite the misgivings of our family and friends. But remain faithful we must - “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” - James 1:12.
    Let us always remain faithful to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ despite the opposition we are sure to face.

Peace Through Christ - Romans 5:1

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ - Romans 5:1

    Justified by faith. Faith in Jesus Christ is the very lynchpin of our salvation. We are justified by that faith and we receive peace through Him. Justification is a forensic term meaning “made righteous.” But how are we made righteous? The Bible tells us that we are sinners . . . and we are! We are told that our good works cannot save us . . . and they can’t! So how on earth could we ever achieve righteousness? The short answer is that we can’t. “Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for ‘The righteous shall live by faith.’” - Galatians 3:11.  There is only one way that we can ever be justified - faith in Jesus Christ. “Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” - Romans 5:9
    What of His blood? How does that justify us? Jesus offered Himself up freely as a substitution for us who live in sin. Having lived a life of perfect obedience to God our Father in heaven, He provided the perfect life that we never could. And through His substitution we have become reconciled to God - justified. “And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” - Romans 5:11. This is the meat of our salvation in Christ. That by His propitiation, Christ has appeased His Father and reconciled us to Him. Our sins have been atoned for. We are no longer under the condemnation of sin if we have faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
    What greater reason to celebrate Resurrection Day than the fact that “sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” - Romans 6:14. Sin shall not have dominion over us. We can’t possibly replace God’s righteousness with our own construction of righteousness! "For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." - Romans 10:3-4
    Christ took our sins to the cross and upon His resurrection we were joined to Him in the new life He has provided for us . . . if we have faith in Him, who knew no sin. Can sin then be winked at by those of us who have been graced with justification? “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?” - Romans 6:1-2.
    Let us all be grateful for our Lord and Savior’s unselfish sacrifice and adhere to God’s righteousness . . . not our own! Happy Resurrection Day.

The Message and the Power - 1 Corinthians 1:18

 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  - 1 Corinthians 1:18

    We often fondly remember those times in our lives when something positive and affirming has taken place for us. We might remember the day we got our start in a career that spanned out successfully for us. We might remember the day we met the man or woman who would become our spouse. We might remember the days that each of our children were born.
     For the Christian, Good Friday is a day which brings bitter sweet memories for us. It is both the day that our Lord Jesus Christ was so brutally tortured and crucified and yet it too is the glorious day of our eternal salvation. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8.  For us, who are being saved!
    The idea of being saved is quite an event is one’s life regardless of the implication. Saved from what? Imagine being saved from a fall off a steep cliff, or being saved from a car that has plunged into a river, or being saved from an attack by wild animals. In each of the aforementioned situations, the one being saved would have much to be grateful for. Can you imagine the gratitude you would have after being saved from a house fire? What thankfulness we would show to the man who dragged us from such a certain fiery death! Jesus Christ is that man, and He has saved us not from a house fire but from hell fire. It is His substitutionary death that has saved us from the darkness of eternal damnation. To us who have been saved it is the power of God.
    What great news we would share with those we love, as well as anyone else who would listen. We would tell them of the miraculous event of our salvation from the fire. We would boast not that we pulled ourselves to freedom but that our Savior did what we could not. He did for us what we are not strong enough to do for ourselves - “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” - Romans 5:6. Could we ever speak of such a life changing event too often? I think not.
     If you are a man or a woman who has felt the saving grace of Christ’s love, share your story of salvation with someone today. That is the message and the power of the cross.

When God Shuts It Down - Job 38:8-11

          “Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth and issued from the womb; when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band; when I fixed My limit for it, and set bars and doors; when I said, ‘This far you may come, but no farther, and here your proud waves must stop!’” - Job 38:8-11

    My claim is that I am a Reformed Christian, a Confessional Christian, and a Calvinist; all of which, to paraphrase the “Prince of Preachers,” Charles H. Spurgeon, are merely nicknames for Biblical Christianity. While many who claim the mantel of “evangelical Christian” couldn’t be further from the real deal. There is no such thing as liberal Christianity - such notions are heretical at best! True Christianity doesn’t seek to be inclusive, diverse, or otherwise open to everyone. True Christianity is closely defined because we may not violate the parameters set by a sovereign God!
     “You lie!” You say, and scurrying to your Bibles point to Christ’s admonition that He came not to save the righteous but the lost. You are right . . . this far you may come. But your position is untenable because while Jesus did come to save sinners, He came to us, “and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’” - Mark 1:15.
    Yes, Christ came to save sinners - to SAVE sinners - not to accept them in their sin and let them remain there! We are all sinners, every one of us. The gift of redemption awaits us all. But how many will accept the invitation that God puts forth. He doesn’t say, “Come to me with your sins. Come to me with your pride.” For those who refuse to repent and accept Christ’s gracious gift of salvation, God says, “This far you may come (as you are), but no farther . . . .” The Bible clearly points out that there are only two ways to enter and according to Jesus Himself - “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” - Matthew 7:13-14. Christianity is not an inclusive faith; that’s why heaven has a gate!
    There have been many good commentaries on the description of the narrow and the wide gates. One of the best suggests that the wide gate is wide because it allows us to bring in the baggage of our sins with us, while the narrow gate allows us to come to Christ only with ourselves, relieved of our sinful baggage. Limited atonement - Christ pays the price for our sins so He may take them upon Himself; He does not pay the price for our sins so we may keep them. If this were the case then why did He have to die to save us from our sins?
    We all know how far we may go before we must stop. It’s called “conscience.” It’s why criminals flee from capture; they know they have done something wrong! We continue forward in our depravity only because we still believe we can get away with it. With ourselves? Positively! With our husbands or your wives? Perhaps. With our employers and co-workers? Maybe. But not with God. “I will utterly sweep away everything from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord. “I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the heavens and the fish of the sea, and the rubble with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth,” declares the Lord.” - Zephaniah 1:2-3.
    May we all step back and take stock of our lives. How will we fare when God, ultimately, shuts it all down!