The Scripture Speaks

Body One, Members Many

2010-02-11T14:36:00Z

"If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where the smelling? But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it please him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now they are many members, but one body" (1 Corinthians 12:17-19).
http://www.tripletweb.com/Aesop/the_mouth_limbs.htm

What About The Thief On The Cross?

2010-01-18T22:44:00Z

Question:

“if we must be baptized to be saved... how is it that the criminal next to Christ on the cross was saved? if a person is terminal and accepts Christ... and does not get baptized... how is he saved?”

How about I direct you to a number of thoughts, as well as passages to consider and you can read them as well?

We know from Isaiah 59:1-2 that sin separates man from God, and Romans 3:9, 23 reveals that all are under sin and Romans 1:16-17 indicates that the gospel is the power of God unto salvation.Therefore, without the gospel there is no salvation: This principle is seen in the statements of Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:1-3, 17 (note the term “if” in the text, i.e., “if ye hold fast,” and “if Christ hath not been raised.”) The scriptures are explicit that (though we are not saved by works of the Law) man must do the will of the Father, in order to be pleasing unto Him, Matthew7:21-23.

Two examples that bear consideration: In2 Kings 5:1-14, there was a captain of the Syrian army named Naaman, and he was a leper. As you read this event, note the command of the prophet: what Naaman was required to do, and his immediate response. You will note that Naaman had already envisioned how he was going to be cleansed. When he heard the words ofthe prophet, he was angry. It was at the encouragement of his servant that Naaman saw the error of his thinking, and the simplicity of God’s command.“After” doing what the Lord required, he received his cleansing. In Numbers21:4-9, the children of Israel spake against God. God sent fiery serpents among the people as a result of their sins. In response to Israel’s repentance God commanded Moses to make a brass serpent, set it upon a standard,“and it came to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he seeth it, shall live” … “if a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked unto the serpent of brass, he lived.” “After” the bitten had looked unto the serpent, they were healed. In regard to your question: What if Naaman had refused to dip in the Jordan? What if he was too weak and sickly to complete the command? What if the bitten one was too weak to leave his tent: “terminal”, yet accepted the fact that looking unto the serpent would heal? Man is separated from God because of his actions, and reconciliation requires action. If “faith only” (accepting Christ) is all there is, why did John the Baptist: Mark 1:4 (Baptist was his occupation, not his religious preference); the Lord: Luke 24:47; Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16; the apostles:Acts 2:37-38; 10:48; and men (commanded to instruct others as to what they needed to do): Acts 8:26-39; 22:16; and every example of obedience to the gospel, emphasize baptism “unto remission of sins”?

We readily understand that the convicted man does not get to set the terms of his reconciliation into society: The laws regulate the terms associated with the particular transgression, in some cases--it is death. The lawgiver did not commit the crime; the lawgiver does not owe the debt, the convicted does.

Consider this analogy: Three men have Malaria: the only cure or treatment is Quinine. One man couldn’t get it, one man didn’t like the taste and wouldn’t take it, one man didn’t know it existed:all three men died. What did the men die from? -- Malaria or the lack of Quinine?

As for the thief on the cross: There are two aspects to consider: 1. The events took place before the enactment of the ratification of the covenant of Christ.In Luke 5:17-26, we understand that Christ had the authority, and thereby the right to establish the terms to forgive sins (we do not have that authority). In the 32^nd Psalm, David said:

¹ “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,

Whose sin is covered.

² Blessed is the man unto whom Jehovah imputeth not iniquity,

And in whose spirit there is no guile.

³ When I kept silence, my bones wasted away

Through my groaning all the day long.

⁴ For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me:

My moisture was changed as withthe drought of summer.

Selah

⁵ I acknowledged my sin unto thee,

And mine iniquity did I not hide:

Isaid, I will confess my transgressions unto Jehovah;

And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.”

This forgiveness was accomplished through faith in God’s plan that would be accomplished through Christ.

Galatians4:4, says:

“God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born underthe law, ⁵that he might redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”

The blood of Christ covered both sides of the cross. When Jesus said, to the thief on the cross, “To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise,” He did so under the Mosaic Dispensation.

2. It is said of John the Baptist: “⁴Now John himself had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵Then went out unto him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about the Jordan; ⁶andthey were baptized of him in the river Jordan,confessing their sins.” And of Jesus, in John 3:22-23: “²²After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. ²³And John also was baptizing in Enon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized.” And in John 4:1-2, “¹When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John ²(although Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples), ³he left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.” So, who is to say that the thief was not indeed one of those who had been baptized by John and/or Jesus?

Now, if a person wants to be saved like the thief on the cross, then by all means wait until you’re on your death bed and pray that the Lord will hear your request…oh, I almost forgot: “He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, Even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9).

As for the person that is “terminal”:The brethren in the first century had a common salvation, i.e., they obtain edit in the same manner. Paul said, as he was led by the Holy Spirit, “There is one body, and one Spirit,even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; ⁵one Lord,one faith, one baptism, ⁶one God and Father of all, who is over all,and through all, and in all.” Just as sure as there is “one God” there is one system of faith. God does not have two law sin effect at the same time for the same thing, for different people. There are 14 things referred to in the scriptures that save us from sin…not a one of them is “faith only” or “just accepting Jesus in your heart.” Though a person will never be the sole effectual cause of their salvation, they must act for themselves, based upon Bible teaching.

It is not within our purview to determine how an individual is reconciled to God:That belongs to God. The Bible reveals 9 ways man is to respond to God, each one specified as effectual in salvation: None of which is “faith only” or “just accepting Jesus in your heart.” Proverbs 1:20-33, says:

“²⁰Wisdomcrieth aloud in the street;

She uttereth her voice in the broad places;

²¹ She crieth in the chief place of concourse;

At the entrance of the gates,

In the city, she uttereth her words:

²² How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity?

And scoffers delight them in scoffing,

And fools hate knowledge?

²³ Turn you at my reproof:

Behold, I will pour out my spirit upon you;

I will make known my words unto you.

²⁴ Because I have called, and ye have refused;

I have stretched out my hand, and no man hath regarded;

²⁵ But ye have set at nought all my counsel,

And would none of my reproof:

²⁶ I also will laugh in the day of your calamity;

I will mock when your fear cometh;

²⁷ When your fear cometh as a storm,

And your calamity cometh on as a whirlwind;

When distress and anguish come upon you.

²⁸ Then will they call upon me, but I will not answer;

They will seek me diligently, but they shallnot find me:

²⁹ For that they hated knowledge,

And did not choose the fear of Jehovah:

³⁰ They would none of my counsel;

They despised all my reproof.

³¹ Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way,

And be filled with their own devices.

³² For the backsliding of the simple shall slay them,

And the careless ease of fools shall destroy them.

³³ But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell securely,

And shall be quiet without fear of evil.”

Isaiah55:6-7, says:

“⁶Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near: ⁷letthe wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”Question: “while he may be found”?

God is not hid behind a cloud. He has made himself known in every society: Romans 1:18-20,i.e., “that they may be without excuse.” God has placed eternity in the heart of man, Eccl. 3:11, and has so organized the universe, and all that in it is,so that man “should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him”Acts 17:24-31 (be sure to read the passages). There is not a man alive, of accountable age and ability, that has not asked the questions, “where did I come from, how did I get here, why am I here, where am I going and what happens after death”? The Lord declared, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth unto his own flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth unto the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap eternal life” Galatians 6:7-8. Man cannot go through life snubbing his nose at God, and expect to reap something other than what he sowed. Peter looked back at the salvation of Noah and his family, and said,“¹⁸Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; ¹⁹in which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison, ²⁰that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few,that is, eight souls, were saved through water: ²¹which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ; ²²who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him”(1 Peter 3:18-22. On the day of Pentecost, concerning those responsible for putting Jesus to death, the scriptures say, “³⁷Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren,what shall we do? ³⁸And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, andbe baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2). This would have been a perfect time for Peter to say, “just receive Jesus into your heart,” … don’t you think?

Man doesn’t get the option to design God’s plan of salvation to suit perceived difficulties. In Luke 16 the rich man had a pretty good idea, don’t you think?, i.e., “I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house; ²⁸for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.” However, he was told…no! ²⁹But Abraham saith, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. ³⁰And he said, Nay,father Abraham: but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent. ³¹Andhe said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, if one rise from the dead.”

If an individual wants to sacrifice their own salvation because they can’t get someone else into heaven, then so be it. I,for one, intend to do what the Lord says, and do it for the reasons the Lord said to do it. If we throw out baptism, because it doesn’t fit with our way of thinking, then you may as well throw out repentance, confession…and even belief. Baptism is mentioned in “every” case of conversion, and is expressly stated that “in it” sins are washed away, Acts 22:16.

You will encounter a number of “what abouts” in your life, and when you do, simply follow the example of the Lord, when “he answered and said, It is written” (Matthew 4:4).

Conservation or Reclamation?

2009-12-08T15:03:00Z

There is no doubt that a large portion of Christianity consists of efforts to “reclaim” that which has been lost. We train our children, and encourage them to become Christians “someday.” Although reclamation is indeed a part of our work, let us not lose sight of “conservation.” Rather than looking to Cain, that required efforts of reclamation, let us look to Enoch who “was translated that he should not see death; and he was not found, because God translated him: for he hath had witness borne to him that before his translation, he had been well-pleasing unto God” (Hebrews11:5): Enoch “walked with God” (Genesis 5:21). The time for reclamation will ultimately come, "for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). However, to anxiously await the day when those who should have never gone astray are the subjects of reclamation, do we not command it to be done?

Four To One

2009-12-06T01:06:00Z

Give me one man of wisdom over four hundred that have a stake in a matter. We live in troublesome times. Whether it is the fight against terrorism, or a national health care bill, everyone (paying attention) is concerned about the outcome. When you’re an individual on the fringe of the issues, what can you do? Solomon once wrote, “Wisdom is the principle thing, therefore get wisdom” (Proverbs 4:7).

Physically and spiritually we must be attune to wisdom and understanding, seeing “that wisdom preserveth the life of him that hath it” (Ecclesiastes 7:12), for “wisdom is a strength to the wise man more than ten rulers that are in a city” (Ibid. vs. 19). Although wisdom is to be prized, there is a prejudice against poverty that prohibits men from listening to sound judgment: “Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard” and “Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good” (Ibid. 9:16, 18).

History teaches us that war is a reality of life: whether it is war among nations, or war between the body and the spirit. Mankind is involved in conflict on a daily basis: some overcome through perseverance and diligence others are defeated out of ignorance. Either way, mentally, physically or spiritually you will fight to overcome your adversity, or you will be subjected to its rule. In order to overcome the physical adversities, you must exercise and train the body. In order to overcome the mental challenges of life, you must exercise and train the mind. In order to overcome the spiritual trials and tribulations, you must “exercise thyself unto godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). Life is not free, it is not easy, and the sooner we come to that realization, the sooner we equip ourselves to overcome. Physically, mentally, or spiritually you must develop the internal and external strength to meet the challenges of the race set before you.

Recently, I was reading an observation concerning evil, which said (in essence), “if you do not fight evil, then you command it to be done” (author unknown). Individuals speak of the decaying nature of our society, but fail to see their part in its progress by fueling the fire: “Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34). We want to blame the rich for creating the poor, as if making the rich poor would make the poor rich. Under the law of Moses, it was said, “For the poor will never cease out of the land: therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shalt surely open thy hand unto thy brother, to thy needy, and to thy poor, in thy land” (Deuteronomy 15:11), and likewise, Jesus said, “For ye have the poor always with you” (Matthew 26:11). There are plenty of people to blame for the condition of our nation, and the first in line is the man who lives behind my eyes.

Contemplating upon this issue, I was brought to remembrance concerning two kings of the Jews: one evil, Ahab; one good, Jehoshaphat. During their reign, “it came to pass…that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel. ³And the king of Israel said unto his servants, Know ye that Ramoth-gilead is ours, and we are still, and take it not out of the hand of the king of Syria? ⁴And he said unto Jehoshaphat, Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth-gilead? And Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses.

⁵And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Inquire first, I pray thee, for the word of Jehovah. ⁶Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king. ⁷But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah besides, that we may inquire of him? ⁸And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, there is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah, Micaiah the son of Imlah: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so. ⁹Then the king of Israel called an officer, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah. ¹⁰Now the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat the king of Judah were sitting each on his throne, arrayed in their robes, in an open place at the entrance of the gate of Samaria; and all the prophets were prophesying before them. ¹¹And Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah made him horns of iron, and said, Thus saith Jehovah, With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until they be consumed. ¹²And all the prophets prophesied so, saying, Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper; for Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king.

¹³And the messenger that went to call Micaiah spake unto him, saying, Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak thou good. ¹⁴And Micaiah said, As Jehovah liveth, what Jehovah saith unto me, that will I speak. ¹⁵And when he was come to the king, the king said unto him, Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we forbear? And he answered him, Go up and prosper; and Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king. ¹⁶And the king said unto him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the name of Jehovah? ¹⁷And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and Jehovah said, These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace. ¹⁸And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil? ¹⁹And Micaiah said, Therefore hear thou the word of Jehovah: I saw Jehovah sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing by him on his right hand and on his left. ²⁰And Jehovah said, Who shall entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead? And one said on this manner; and another said on that manner. ²¹And there came forth a spirit, and stood before Jehovah, and said, I will entice him. ²²And Jehovah said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt entice him, and shalt prevail also: go forth, and do so. ²³Now therefore, behold, Jehovah hath put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these thy prophets; and Jehovah hath spoken evil concerning thee.

²⁴Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near, and smote Micaiah on the cheek, and said, Which way went the Spirit of Jehovah from me to speak unto thee? ²⁵And Micaiah said, Behold, thou shalt see on that day, when thou shalt go into an inner chamber to hide thyself. ²⁶And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son; ²⁷and say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. ²⁸And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, Jehovah hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hear, ye peoples, all of you” (1 Kings 22:2-28).

Four hundred to one, those were the odds Micaiah faced. The “one” however, spoke with the wisdom of God. Give me one man with wisdom over four hundred that have a stake in the matter, for “The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom; And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). You may line up hundreds, thousands, even tens of thousands that will dazzle you with human wisdom, “Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh” (Colossians 2:23). “Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God” (Ibid. vs. 18-19).

Where does your wisdom reside? To whom do you look for answers concerning this life, and that which is to come? Our rulers, our people, our nation desire hope but see only destruction! Why? Because their trust is in man and not God. How long shall we provoke the patience of our Creator?

The First Murder

2009-11-24T17:14:00Z

Two of the sons of Adam and Eve were named Cain and Abel. “Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground” (Genesis 4:2). The events that surround Cain’s provocation involved worship to God: “And in the process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah” (Genesis 4:3). To offer the fruit of the ground, at least under the law of Moses, was an acceptable sacrifice: “And it shall be, when thou art come in unto the land which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellest therein, that thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which thou shalt bring in from thy land that Jehovah thy God giveth thee; and thou shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there. And thou shalt come unto the priest that shall be in those days, and say unto him,I profess this day unto Jehovah thy God, that I am come unto the land which Jehovah sware unto our fathers to give us. And the priest shall take the basket out of thy hand, and set it down before the altar of Jehovah thy God”(Deuteronomy 26:1-4). Abel’s sacrifice of the “firstlings of his flock and ofthe fat thereof” was also acceptable: “All that openeth the womb is mine; and all thy cattle that is male, the firstlings of cow and sheep” (Exodus 34:19). But, of these two offerings, it is recorded, “And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect” (vs. 4-5). Why did God have respect unto Abel’s sacrifice? “By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had witness borne to him that he was righteous,God bearing witness in respect of his gifts: and through it he being dead yet speaketh” (Hebrews 11:4). Faith is defined as “assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). This is seen in action when an individual believes that God “is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him” (vs. 6). When an individual believes that God is, whom he has not seen, and believes that God will reward those who seek after him, that is an expression of faith. Faith “cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Belief that God is and that he is a rewarder of them that seek him comes from a belief in the word of God and from the evidence provided in and by the word of God. Righteousness is a term denoting right-wiseness. Righteous is a standard of right. It is said of the Jewish nation, “For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God” (Romans10:3). Righteousness is a standard to which individuals subject themselves.Abel, having subjected himself to the righteousness of God, preformed that which God had commanded and thus “Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering” (Genesis 4:4). Cain, on the other hand, did not.

As a result, Cain was wroth. It angered him that Jehovah had not respect unto him or his sacrifice. The scriptures tell us that his “countenance fell.” His “countenance” was his“face.” Have you ever seen anyone that was angry or disappointed about a matter and their attitude was so affected that their facial expression changed? That same attitude is exhibited even today when individuals present an offering unto God and when they find out it was not of faith, that it was not according to the righteous standard of God, they get angry and lash out against those who do present an offering unto which Jehovah will have respect.

Cain’s circumstance could have been turned if he would have turned. Jehovah said unto him, “Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? If thou doest well, shall it not be lifted up? And if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee shall be its desire; but do thou rule over it” (Genesis 4:6-7). Cain had control over the situation if he would simply heed the word of God and thereby present an offering for which Jehovah could have respect. But he did not: “And it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother,and slew him” (Genesis 4:8). As the first sin brought a curse, so also did the sin of Cain: Jehovah said unto Cain, “cursed art thou from the ground, which hath opened its mouth to receive thy brother’s blood from thy hand; when thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee its strength; a fugitive and a wanderer shalt thou be in the earth” (Genesis 4:11-12).

How do we live our lives? Do we live them according to the righteous standard ofGod and live by faith, or do we go “in the way of Cain” (Jude 11) and have noregard for the commands of God or the life of others?

The Fall of Man

2009-11-22T11:43:00Z

As we look at the conditions that prevail in the world within which we live, we become aware of the results of sin: sickness, suicide, parents without natural affection, covetousness, murder, deceit, covenant-breakers and a myriad of other activities that result in heartache and death. Just as violations of civil law leave in its path a score of victims, so it is when man violates the laws of God. But it hasn’t always been that way.

The Bible reveals a time when man was in a garden east of Eden. It was a time when man enjoyed fellowship with his Creator. A time when there were no victims, no heartache, no sorrow and no death. And man had access to the tree of life (Genesis 2:1-16). Being a creature of free will, God established laws to regulate the conduct of His creation. The scriptures may, or may not, reveal all of the laws first given to man, but they do tell us of one: “of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:17). The law of God, concerning the eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, is the one Adam and Eve violated and is thus the one essential to the text and the explanation of why mankind suffers so many ills.

Genesis chapter three begins with the introduction of “the serpent.” Centuries later the serpent is described as “the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan” (Revelation 20:2). The serpent is described as having “beguiled Eve in his craftiness” (2 Corinthians11:3). The first introduction describes the serpent as “more subtle than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made” (Genesis 3:1). It is not possible to describe what it was like in the first days after creation. What wedo have are the particulars describing why things are as they are today.

The serpent said unto the woman, “Yea,hath God said, Ye shall not eat of any tree of the garden?” In answer, the woman said, “Of the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat: but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die” (Genesis 3:2-3). To the woman’s response, the serpent said, “Ye shall not surely die: for God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as God, knowing good and evil” (vs. 4-5). The serpent did two things when he beguiled Eve. First of all, he changed what God had said: God said, “thou shalt surely die” and the serpent said, “Ye shall not surely die.” Secondly, the serpent implies that God’s restrictions were to keep the man and the woman from being as God, “knowing good and evil.” Children often believe their parents are trying to keep them from having fun when they restrict the activities of the child. After Satan placed the doubt in Eve, she “saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and she gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat” (Genesis 3:6). The serpent appealed to the “lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the vainglory of life” (1 John 2:16). The woman“saw that the tree was good for food,” she saw “that it was a delight to the eyes” and she saw “that the tree was to be desired to make one wise.” These are the same tactics utilized by Satan today: an appeal to the gratification of the flesh in what it wants to make it feel good, what it sees and wants to possess,and the glory of having or achieving something that will make the individual feel important or powerful.

As a result of the man and the woman transgressing the law of God a curse came upon them. To the serpent, God said,“Because thou hast done this, cursed art thou above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life: and I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed: he shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Unto the woman, God said, “I will greatly multiply thy pain and thy conception; in pain thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.” And, unto the man, God said, “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee,saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in toil shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; in the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.”

Often times, individuals will say thatit’s their life and what they do doesn’t hurt anyone but themselves. Justremember, with Adam and Eve, there wasn’t anyone else yet, and what they choseplaced a curse on all that would come through them.

Thoughts On National Security

2009-11-13T21:44:00Z

http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1499-national-security-the-real-solution

Profanity

2009-10-30T23:05:00Z

Grace or Shame

I’ve often wondered why it is that some individuals have a propensity for swear words. Though otherwise intelligent, articulate, and polite, there exists a need of some sort to spew “profane utterances deemed contrary to public morality standards.”

What is of an additional interest is why the same individuals will closely guard what they say, when in the presence of certain other individuals: not necessarily women/children. If profanity is withheld out respect for some, what does that say about the others?

My wife and I had taken our grandchildren to a restaurant and, as we ate, there were three youths(mid-teens) sitting behind us. One of the young men was loosely utilizing profanity of such a nature that even the first letter with the appropriate blanks following it is “contrary to public morality standards.” I leaned over and stated to the young man, “I would prefer that my grandchildren did not adapt the use of your colorful metaphors, and if you would refrain, it would be greatly appreciated.” The young man was very cordial and apologized for his actions. The young lady among them said to her escorts, “That was rude!”

Laws regarding profanity are still on the books in many states. The law in one such state, of which we were in at the time, says, “If any person shall utter or speak any obscene or lascivious language or word in any public place, or in the presence of females, or in the presence of children under ten (10) years of age, he shall be liable to a fine of not more than One Hundred Dollars($100.00), or imprisonment for not more than thirty (30) days, or both.”Historically, George Washington issued the following to his officers: “The General is sorry to be informed that the foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing, a vice hitherto little known in our American Army is growing into fashion. He hopes that the officers will, by example as well as influence, endeavor to check it and that both they and the men will reflect that we can little hope of the blessing of Heaven on our army if we insult it by our impiety and folly. Added to this it is a vice so mean and low without any temptation that every man of sense and character detests and despises it.”

Individuals appeal to their right of free speech to be able to say what they wish, when they wish, to whomever they wish. Even if such were true, just because a person has a right to do something, doesn’t mean it is the right thing to do. The apostle Paul said,“Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear”(Ephesians 4:29). What part of profanity would fall under the category of“good” or “edifying”?

How is profanity to be characterized? As a chaplet of grace, intelligence (the ability to utilize one’s vocabulary in a manner free of “utterances deemed contrary to public morality standards”), and honor; or does it cast shame upon the speaker and embarrassment upon the hearer?

Individuals will choose their manner of speech for whatever reason they deem necessary. In their pride, they will cast disparaging remarks upon such an evaluation, maybe even profanity, and accuse those who object as being rude or “goodie two shoes.” However, the cloud of Charlie Brown’s friend “Pig Pen” resides not upon the hearer, but the speaker. Say what you will, appeal to your “freedom of speech” or the phrase “One man’s vulgarity is another’s lyric”. But remember,vulgarity and profanity never leaves the hearer with a “Wow, this individual is articulate, with words of grace and beauty.” If one’s public choice of words is crowd selective, that, in and of itself, speaks for itself. Profanity: What type of fruit does it bear, grace or shame?

What Are the Consequences?

2009-10-29T00:09:00Z

The Bible claims for itself: “Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The Bible claims: “for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come” (1 Timothy 4:8). Of this teaching, the apostle said, “Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee” (Ibid., vs. 16).

The Bible claims: concerning this teaching, “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all” (Ephesians 4:4-6). These conditions are common to all Christians: “One body”, the church; “one Spirit”, the Holy Spirit; “one hope”, hope of salvation; “one Lord”, the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 6:14); “one faith”, the system of faith (Jude 3); “one baptism”, immersion in water (Acts 8:38-39); “one God and Father of all” (James 2:19; Hebrews 12:7; Acts 17:29) “who is over all”, i.e., over all = superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), the creation, “and through all, and in all.”

The Bible claims, concerning this hope of salvation: “that in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth”… “And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved” (Acts 4:10, 12). For, “as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12).

Of this way, the Bible claims: “Enter ye in by the narrow gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many are they that enter in thereby. For narrow is the gate, and straitened the way, that leadeth unto life, and few are they that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).

Now, if all of the above claims are false then the Bible of is no value to the saving of the soul. If however, all of the above claims are true: What are the consequences? Whatever you conclude, you had better be right!

The Poor Wise Man

2009-10-17T01:08:00Z

"I have also seen wisdom under the sun on this wise, and it seemed great unto me: There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it. Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength; nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroyeth much good" (Ecclesiastes 9:13-18). To whom do we listen?

Compromising Truth

2009-10-08T22:10:00Z

There is a great deal of evil that permeates oursociety; socially, politically, and religiously. Efforts are always underfootto entice others to compromise solid, proven paths. The phrase, “let us agreeto disagree” is utilized to entice others to compromise their convictions in aneffort to keep from being called all of the nasty names that opponents hurl ateach other. We live in a society that is bent on being politically correct inwhat we say. The effort has so convoluted society that no one knows what tocall anything, especially sin. Terms like “closed minded,” “unyielding,”“unreasonable,” “opinionated,” “extreme,” or “fanatical,” are used quiteloosely. And now, there is an attempt to charge those who proclaim the truth aboutmatters with “hate crimes.” A push to compromise is alwaysunderfoot. Compromise = “In arguments,compromise is a concept of finding agreement through communication, through amutual acceptance of terms—often involving variations from an original goal ordesire. Extremism is often considered as an antonym to compromise, which,depending on context, may be associated with concepts of balance” (Wikipedia).

The prophet Isaiah,said, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness forlight, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet forbitter!” (5:20). What is the compromising of truth, butcalling evil good and good evil? Solomon said, “Buy the truth, and sell itnot…” (Proverbs 23:23). What is compromising thetruth, but selling out?

God does not approve of his children “compromising the truth” in an effort to be “fair” in the eyes of the ungodly: “Be subjecttherefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James4:7). When Israel received the Law of Moses, at Sinai, Jehovah said, “And in all things that I have said untoyou take ye heed and make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let itbe heard out of thy mouth” (Exodus 23:13). When the godly are told to “flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14), we might do well to consider Israel’s charge to “make no mention of the name of othergods” as the first step in “fleeing.”

The world has its abundance of evil men. Men who“entice thee” saying, “Come with us, let us lay wait for blood; let us lurkprivily for the innocent without cause; let us swallow them up alive as Sheol,and whole, as those that go down in the pit; we shall find all precioussubstance; we shall fill our houses with spoil; thou shalt cast thy loot amongus; we will all have one purse” (Proverbs 1:11-14), or those who “entice theesecretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods…” (Deuteronomy 13:6). “Othergods” do not have to be made of wood, stone, or some precious metal devised bythe hands of men, and changing “the glory of the incorruptible God for thelikeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts,and creeping things” (Romans 1:23), but simply a matter of taking “his idolsinto his heart” (Ezekiel 14:4), for even covetousness is idolatry (Colossians 3:5).

If there is that which is good, and that which isevil; that which is right, and that which is wrong; that which is righteous,and that which is unrighteous, why are godly people afraid to call somethingwhat it is? Why are godly people afraid to stand up for truth, and deny lies?When the apostle Paul saw false brethren who were attempting to bringothers into bondage, he said, “to whom we gave place in the way of subjection,no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you” (Galatians 2:5).

Jesussaid, to his apostles, “And be not afraid of them that kill the body, but arenot able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). How serious is it,in being so fearful of ridicule and mocking, to the point, that itsilences godly men? “But for the fearful, and unbelieving, andabominable, and murderers, and fornicators, and sorcerers, and idolators, andall liars, their part shall be in the lake that burneth with fire andbrimstone; which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). How does “compromisingthe truth” sound now?

The Consequences of Sin

2009-09-29T16:38:00Z

Sin is literally a “missing of the mark” (W. E. Vines, Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). Sin is referred to in the scriptures as “lawlessness” (1 Jn. 3:4), and “all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 5:17). Righteousness is a standard. Three types of standards exist: Man’s, Society’s and God’s. Man’s standard is when every one does what is right in their own eyes. Such a standard is subjective and characterized by “self-righteousness.” God’s standard is objective and characterized by “knowledge”: “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God” (Romans 10:2-3). Thus, in society, a lawless man does what is right in his own eyes, rejects the accepted righteousness prescribed by the laws of the land, and in so doing misses the mark. In reference to God, a lawless man does what is right in his own eyes, rejects the righteousness of God (God’s laws), and in so doing misses the mark.

Sin has consequences, physically and spiritually: Consequences that cannot be fixed. When you plant a fruit tree and it bears fruit, you cannot change the fact of its existence and consequent use, be it good or bad. When you speak a word, it bears fruit: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof” (Proverbs 18:21). Once the word is spoken, you cannot change the fact of its existence and consequent use, be it good or bad.

Individuals who suffer from the consequences of sin often ask, “How can I fix it?” The truth is, you can’t “fix” it. You cannot change the fact of its existence and consequence, any more than you can change the nature of the produce of a fruit tree: “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Jesus did not come to fix, or remove the consequences of sin, He came to pay it: “For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly…while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:6, 8).

Creation

2009-09-24T17:33:00Z

From where did we come? When did it all begin? These are questions that have entered the hearts of men for centuries. It’s difficult for beings of a finite existence to grasp the beginning and the end of the matter. Science (falsely so called) has attempted to explain the origin of all things through theories and suppositions, taking what is and applying it to what was is unreliable, at best. Beyond all the suppositions lies the fact that no human being was present at the moment of creation to reveal the process. What anyone believes concerning the origin ofall things is based entirely upon faith. Many debates have been conducted on the subject and it is not the intention of the writer to enter such an arena.The purpose of this article is to set forth what the Bible has to say about the creation. The Bible does not argue the existence of God. It simply begins with “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The term “beginning” refers to the beginning of the heavens and the earth, not the beginning of God. The Psalmist said of Jehovah, “Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (90:2). God is described as having no beginning and no end. Inverse one we have the beginning of time, the operation of energy (God), the action of creating and the beginning of space, i.e. the heavens, and matter,i.e. the earth. Thus, “By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear” (Hebrews 11:3). The scriptures reveal that “God said, Let there be light: and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). The scriptures also reveal that “in six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day” (Exodus 20:11).

The term day is defined within the text of Genesis 1: “And there was evening and there was morning, one day” (vs.5). The sequence of event is described as having taken place in the following order: on the first day God created Light, day and night; the second: the firmament, waters were divided; the third: land and water were divided and vegetation; the fourth: sun, moon and stars; the fifth: animal life, fish and birds and the sixth: beasts, creeping things and man.

Man was unique from all the creation,in that “God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him;male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27).

Whereas chapter one follows an order of time, chapter two follows an order of thought. Though the two chapters reveal the “who, what, when and where” of the creation, the writing was penned by Moses when the children of Israel were at mount Sinai. By writing as he does, Moses calls attention to the fact that in all the created world, woman is the only suitable answer to man’s needs. The focus is not on the order of the creation,but the relationship between man and woman.

Following the creation of man, and before God created the woman “God formed every beast of the field, and every bird of the heavens; and brought them unto the man to see what he would call them: and whatsoever the man called every living creature, that was the name thereof”(Genesis 2:19). After the woman was created and brought to the man, Moses reveals that God established at that time that man shall “leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). This identifies the marriage relationship. It was the first “institution” to be established by God.

When God first created man he was placed in a “garden eastward, in Eden. Though the exact location is unidentifiable, the scriptures tell us that “a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted,and became four heads. The name of the first (river) is Pishon, the second river is Gihon, the third river is Hiddekel and the fourth is the Euphrates” (Genesis 2:11-14).

Thatgives us a brief glimpse of the creation and how the universe came to be.Concerning the purpose of creation, God said, “every one that is called by my name, and whom I have created for my glory, whom I have formed, yea, whom I have made” (Isaiah 43:7). “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1Corinthians 10:31).

Fighting The Good Fight

2009-09-10T20:04:00Z

Hebrews 12:1 speaks of a "great cloud of witnesses that compass us. Those "witnesses" were described in chapter 11. The continued admonition to "imitate" God and his people is abundant in the scriptures (1 Cor. 4:16; Phil. 3:17; Eph. 5:1-2; 1 Thess. 1:6, 2:14; Heb. 6:12; 13:7). When we reflect upon these witnesses we cannot help but be in awe of their faith: Men like Paul who said, "I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected" (1 Cor. 9:27). This conflict that Paul, and others engaged in was described by Paul as "the good warfare" (1 Tim. 1:18). Warfare requires offense, Acts 20:27-28, as well as defense, Phil. 1:16. How does this "great cloud of witnesses" view our performance on the battle field? Are we able to stand alongside Paul, and say, "I have fought the good fight"?

Is Faith Only A Sin?

2009-09-02T00:18:00Z

The question:

Here's one for u 2 ponder: based upon the bible definition of sin, can you (commit) sin by faith only?

The Response:

The Bible definition of sin: "sin is lawlessness" (1 John 3:4), and "All unrighteousness is sin" (1 John 5:17). Righteousness is God's standard of what's right (Romans 10:1-2). Those who do not abide in God's righteousness, establish their own, i.e., self-righteousness. Self-righteousness is not God's righteousness, therefore it is "unrighteousness," and sin.

2 John 9, says, "Whosoever goeth onward and abideth not in the teaching of Christ, hath not God: he that abideth in the teaching the same hath both the Father and the Son."

Therefore, as Matthew 7:21 clearly states, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven," and James expressly stated, "Thou believeth that God is one; thou doest well, the demons also believe, and shudder. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called a friend of God. Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith" (Emp. mine, ret).

Conclusion: An individual cannot hold to, or teach a "faith only" doctrine, and abide "in the teaching of Christ."