Sunday, July 10, 2011

Depending On Christ

Depending On Christ






“And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.” Matthew 5:29

This is a strange verse to start a blog with but I want to bring something out in this verse that is more than just the basic truth. First, the basic truth is that avoiding hell is so important that if a part of one’s body causes them to stumble, they should cut it off. That is very extreme and I am in no wise advocating that you do that but Jesus is trying to express the point that to avoid hell and make heaven is the most important thing we can do, even more important that trying to preserve our flesh. But that’s not all.

Look who he is talking to. “And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,” His whole discourse begins in the next verse, or verse 3 and continues all the way through until the end of Matthew 7. So, see how he is talking to – his disciples as “his disciples came unto him:” After they came to him, “And he opened his mouth, and taught them…” So, if a soul cannot parish after once being saved, why would he tell his disciples to go to great lengths to avoid Hell. If one can never be lost after being a a disciple or a child of God, there would be no reason for him to say that.

The truth of the matter that the doctrine of unconditional security has sent more souls to hell then just about any other false doctrine in the church because it teaches that once someone prays, there is no way they can be lost. Their reasoning’s are such as this:

“Christ is able to keep me.” Yes, he is if we are willing to be kept.

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 ¶ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.” James 1: 12

“No man can pluck me out of his hand” True, but there is a condition.

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27 (underline mine)

“Nothing will separate me from the love of God” ….but sin.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 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.” Rom 8: 35-39

Finally, “My name is there in God’s book forever.” Take a look at the scripture.

“He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” Revelation 3:5 A name cannot be blotted out unless it was there in the first place.

Yet, we do have confidence in Christ if we are willing to follow him as he will be our help if we depend upon him for strength and guidance.

“Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,” Jude 1:24

The bottom line is that we must depend on him and not just some man’s doctrine of “I hope so” salvation. We can overcome by “the blood of the lamb” and by the word of our testimony. Revelation 12:11

Monday, July 04, 2011

Our Independence

“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.” Ephesians 6:12

Today we celebrate our independence from Great Britain for the 235th time. It was a miracle of God that we were able to win against the then world powerhouse of sea and land. One needs only to lightly study the true history of the American Revolution and see that “If it had not been the LORD who was on our side” (Psalms 124:1) we would have never won. It was because of the fear of absolute tyranny that our forefathers rose up and boldly sought for independence.

May I say that we are in another war for independence, not from just another country, but from those within. This is not a war that can necessarily be won with guns and tanks, but must be won on our knees. While there are no doubt many more, we can focus on three things that are damaging and threatening our freedom to worship God, work as a private citizen, raise our children according to the fear of god, and keep live in a land of peace. The first is the invasion of the Islam religion. This religion has absolutely nothing to do with Christianity except that we should try to win them to Christ, not by compromise or giving them place in our churches, but by preaching to them the anointed Word of God. They are lost sinners caught up in a cult the same as Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, Buda’s, and any others. We love them but they need to get saved from the religion that only produces hate and malice.

The second threat is socialism. Christ was not a socialist nor were the apostles. When we read the first few chapters of the book of Acts, we see how the supplies were distributed evenly, however this did not continue. Paul mentioned the same thing later however it was never intended to emerge as a tyrannical government but a way to supply for those in need. “But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:” 2 Corinthians 8:14 This meant that when someone was at need, others would supply, then in turn they would receive help when needed. It was also voluntary as we read in Acts 5:3 “But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.” Socials demands that money that someone has earned be taken away from those who work and given to those who chose not to work. It is a system of control, enrolling the masses into government programs so the government can be their god. Millions of Americans have bought into this already.

The third, and I believe the cause of why we are where we are, is the backslidden church in America. Many fundamental pulpits are filled with those who only lightly preach the Word of God, leaving their people with only a crumb or two so they go through their whole life knowing little or nothing about the Bible, God’s promises, as well as what he expects out of his people. To most, the Bible is some strange book that is only lightly looked at and is way down on their reading list. Most know not how to fervently pray or travail in the spirit. They know little or nothing about fasting and separation but will raise up their own little projects to soothe the conscience.

We have a heritage based on the scriptures and Christ. Although the authors of our history books have worked overtime to depict it is anything but Christianity, the truth is, America was wrought by God and raised up on high due to God’s blessings. We can say with the Psalmist, “The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou maintainest my lot.” Psalm 16:5 As we celebrate the 4th, we must be thankful for God’s richest blessings on us but also remember that whom God has raised up, he is also able to put down. As Satan continues to make his advances on our nation, those who know how to pray and touch God need to raise up in this hour and pray for revival as well as repent for the sins of our nation. Celebrate the 4th, we should and we will, but remember our nation and that we must stay on our knees to fight for liberty for the souls of our loved ones, our neighbors, and our country. “As long as the people of the United States are well informed and virtuous, they will be free, and their government uncorrupted. It is in their power to remedy the evils, arising from having wicked and designing men at the head of government—they can lift up and pull down at pleasure.” This was spoken in a sermon by Cypron Strong, July 4th 1799. Ponder that statement when you have a chance. In closing, John Adams said, on July 3, 1776, “The 4th ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward, forevermore." May God help America and may God stir us to seek him for revival in our beloved country!