The Apostasy Will Not Be Televised

A lady I spoke to stated that Jesus did not believe,  "...hook, line and sinker" in everything that was in the Bible. She said that Jesus was a rebel. Finally, she shared a confidence that God continues to reveal His truth today outside of the Bible.

On a separate occasion, another lady had said that Proverbs 13:24 ("He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.") did not mean to spank your child.

The common thread between these two women is that both claim to believe in God. The former is a Unitarian; the latter is a confessed Christian.

I don't know their hearts, only God does. However, their statements do pose a problem for the practicing Christian: Do I believe in God's Word in toto or not? It's pretty clear from II Timothy 3:16 that, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" Thus, the question begs an answer: Do I put my trust in the Bible, God's word revealed to man, or do I place my confidence in man's word?

It's a risky thing to obey God's word because it will bring laughter, scorn, derision and pity from non-believers and apostates alike. To be sure, obedience brings blessings from God (James 1:22-25). Yet, it is more risky and deadly to pick and choose what to believe in the Bible. Revelation 22:18-19 state, "For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."

The Greek word apostasia is used here for the “falling away.” It is from this word that we derive the English word “apostasy.” Apostasy is defined as “a defection from the truth,” or “a departing from that which was given at first.”

To wit, II Timothy 4:3-4: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

It whittles down to this: Trust in the Jeremiah Wrights, Oprahs and Joel Osteens of the world) or in the Eternal One, who said, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6)?

Are you prepared to stand up for the truth that Christ spoke about? To do so carries risks that include being labeled a "fundamentalist", "intolerant", or "divisive". It's a risk we must be willing to take and go out to the world to speak the truth. The alternative is to face God and hear Him say, "Depart from me. I never knew ye."

Whose words are you going to believe?

Only Love Can Break Your Heart

Romans 2:4
"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?"

If only you believed that God loves you (John 3:16).

If only you believed that as a sinner you need a Saviour (I Timothy 1:15).

If only you believed that Jesus Christ's atoning death was the only way to be saved from everlasting condemnation (John 5:24; Rom. 8:1).

If only you believed these truths, then your heart would break at the realization that God's love is deep, perfect and forever. Neither roses nor diamonds nor candy nor money nor fancy restaurants can compare to the matchless love Jesus Christ has to offer you. If you accept.

Consider: "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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."   Romans 8:35-39

Wow. What an amazing love. It's His goodness that is drawing you to Him. Don't deny Him. Even now, God calls you, friend: "The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." (Jer. 31:3).

While this verse is directed at Israel, God calls us with the same singular, intense love. The proof is at Calvary (I John 4:9).

Psalm 34:8 says, "O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him."

Any other love is not love, for without God you cannot truly love: "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."  I John 4:16

If only you believed that you cannot truly love without God, you would be heart broken.

Rejoice In the Lord Always

Psalm 20:5 states, "We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions."

I think about that day when Mary Magdalene & Mary went to the tomb. An earthquake had shaken Jerusalem; but I imagine in their hearts, the women still trembled from witnessing Jesus' crucifixion. When they arrived at the tomb, they chanced upon the angel of the Lord. Scripture says that "his countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow" (Matt. 28:3a). The angel told the dumbstruck women, "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." (Matt. 28:5-6)

What a day that must've been!

And if you're born again and saved, what a day it must've been to you! I know it was for me!

Think about this: "Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:" (Colossians 1:12-14)

Now, that's good! Christ plucked us from hell's bluff and put us in his Holy Kingdom. In Texas, we say Ooo wee! Thank You, Jesus!

What a day that'll be when my Jesus I shall see. And I look upon His face, The One who saved me by His grace. When He takes me by the hand, and leads me through the Promised Land. What a day, glorious day that will be! O, happy day that'll be!

What about you, dear Reader? It's still not too late if you're not saved. Here's how:

1. Admit you are a sinner. "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)
   "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12)
   "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:10)
   
2. Be willing to turn from sin (repent). Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)
   "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" (Acts 17:30)
   
3. Believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
   "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
   "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
   
4. Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Saviour. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)
   "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
5. Then pray: Dear God, I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood and died for my sins. I now invite Christ to come into my heart and life as my personal Saviour and Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Friend, drop a line on this blog if you prayed this prayer and I'll put you on my prayer list. And, if you need to find a place of worship where the Word of God is studied and preached seriously, I'll do my best to locate a church near you. Congratulations and rejoice in the Lord always, because His mercies are new every day!

Wake Up and Stand Up! [Part 2]

Wake Up and Stand Up!

I Samuel 3:11-13

"And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end. For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not."

While it's clear that this Scriptural passage refers to Israel - the nation of Hebrews - there's an application for us, as a nation, as well. There's a spiritual danger for those who walk with Christ that I feel compelled to write about: apostasy. Eli was the high priest who knew God's word and served him. Yet he walked away from God and his sons followed in his footsteps. And it all began with one step. Make no mistake, friend. One step towards the world is one step away from God.

Apostasy.

You see, we're in it. When an abomination (in God's eyes & according to His word in I Cor. 6:9-10; Lev. 18:22; I Tim. 1:10) is made into a norm and legislated as "legitimate" then we've crossed over into spiritual darkness. I'm referring to homosexual marriage. It's clear from God's word that homosexuality is wrong. And, as Christians, we are to hate the sin and love the sinner. After all, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Rom. 3:23)

Today's Seattle-Times article  talks about how, "a proposal to legalize gay marriage in Washington state made it out of a final committee and faces its last major obstacle, a crucial vote Wednesday in the state Senate..."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2017386542_apusxgrwashingtongaymarriage5thldwritethru.html?syndication=rss

When we see this abomination out in the open and there's no fear of God, then, as a nation, we are showing how lost we truly are.

Apostasy.

As Christians, we have to be aware of how apostasy works. The starting point is in our Bible reading and obedience to God's word. This is where we must be vigilant and guard what comes into our heart (Prov. 4:23). The 1st step that draws us away from God is subtle: We continue reading God's word but fail to obey it. Pretty soon, we stop believing what we're reading, so we put our Bible down. Finally, we simply walk away from our faith in Jesus Christ and believe whatever doctrine or whim blows down our path. As a nation, this is the state we find ourselves in. Godless. Hopeless. Helpless. And, lost.

Apostasy.

Consider this thought: "God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."         C.S. Lewis

I realize people have opinions about homosexual marriage as well as about other topics. But, as Christians, the final authority is God's holy Word. Is it any wonder many want His Word out of the public life?

Finally, the ultimate authority on God's Word is Jesus Christ, who said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

It doesn't get any clearer than that. So, where do you stand?

Practicing Multiculturalism

I Kings 16:30-33

In a more culturally confident age, the British in India were faced with the practice of suttee - the tradition of burning widows on the funeral pyres of their husbands. Gen. Sir Charles Napier was impeccably multicultural:

"You say that it is your custom to burn widows. Very well. We also have a custom: When men burn a woman alive, we tie a rope around their necks, and we hang them. Build your funeral pyre; beside it, my carpenters will build a gallows. You may follow your custom. And then we will follow ours."

There's nothing like inclusiveness to get the multi-cultural crowd into a lather. These people are the type to advocate for 2+2=5 and 2+2=3 to get as much attention and respect as 2+2=4 does.

In short, they have traded the truth of God for a lie (Romans 1:25).

However, this idea of inclusivity is not novel or original. King Ahab perfected it. In the Old Testament, he - along with his pagan wife Jezebel (rhymes with hell), who was the daughter of Ethbaal of Tyre, the priest of Astarte (also known as Eastre) - built an altar to the pagan god Baal in Samaria.  Because of this apostasy, judgment was poured out on Ahab and Jezebel ( II Kings 10:18-31):

"And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him."

Thus, does this sad tale end like any tale should end when apostasy takes hold of a person's heart: "And concerning Jezebel the Lord also spoke, saying, "And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel." (1Kings 21:23)

The prophet Micaiah foretold Ahab's death at Ramoth-Gilead. Ahab disguised himself, and went to a battle at Ramoth, but was killed by an errant arrow (1Kings 22:30-37). As his chariot was being washed, dogs came and licked up his blood.

What does all this have to do with multi-culturalism? When taken to the extreme and there is a demand to include the lies along with the truth then the danger is that the truth will be crowded out by the clamor of the lie. Those who don't believe in God's inerrant word are then subject to fall for the lie of the devil himself.

Romans 1:21-22 reads, "Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools."

Don't be a fool. Trust in Jesus Christ who is the way, the truth and life (John 14:6). Accept no other.

Choose Your Bible Wisely!

The Valley of Trouble

Joshua 7

Oh, what trouble we bring upon ourselves when we don't obey God's warnings! Joshua and his crew were told by the Lord not to take anything that was accursed from the town they were about to level. They were also instructed that the gold, silver, brass and iron belong to God; they are consecrated as treasury unto the Lord (Josh 6:18-19). The Lord told them that they would make themselves accursed if they took the accursed thing and the camp of Israel a curse and trouble it.

The word accursed means a thing not devoted to God and intended for destruction, such as an idol, because it is evil in the sight of the Lord.

Yet, Achan disobeyed God's clear command and it impacted not only him, but his family and the nation of Israel. You see, your sin affects other people; it is not isolated even if no one knows what you've done in secret, because God knows. Psalm 44:20-21 says this:

"If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god; Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart."

When you put your focus, desires and attention on other things instead of God, you've just made a god for your own personal worship. Achan did just that. And for what? Precious metals that belonged to God and a Babylonian rag. How tragic.

You don't have to end up like Achan, who was judged by God. If you believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins; that He is the Son of God; that He rose from the dead on the third day; and call Him Lord and Savior, you shall be saved (Rom. 10:9-13). However, if you reject Jesus Christ then you are already condemned; you lack of belief condemns you (John 3:16-18). And, those not found written in the book of life shall be cast into the lake of fire.

Consider the hymn, What A Friend We Have In Jesus

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

Friend, you don't have to end up condemned to the everlasting fire. Ask Jesus into your life today. Don't wait. Tomorrow might be too late.