Recently I found myself in a bit of a law vs grace conversation on the internet with a Torah Keeper. There were several points of their theology to which I had disagreement with and found to be unbiblical. I think the largest flaw in the persons view and arguments came across in the following statement, "We know Noah wasn't perfect, but that he was keeping the Instructions and he found grace in the keeping of them and righteousness was imparted to him!" I'd like to examine this in light of what the Bible teaches.
In reading the statement, this is what I see... Noah was obedient to God and as a result of his obedience, he was given grace and righteousness was imparted to him by obedience. This is a statement of works salvation. The statement seems to say the Noah earned the grace given to him because of what he did and that by implication, we too can earn Gods favor by doing the right things. Obedience, then grace. Is this a biblically correct statement?
Let's go to Hebrews 11:7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. If we look at what was written here in scripture, we begin to see a different story. This verse is a very brief synopsis of the Genesis account. God first gives grace to Noah, warning him. Noah then, by faith, believes God's warning. Noah then acts on that faith by being obedient to what God was telling him. Grace, then faith, then obedience.
We first run across Noah in Genesis 5's list of generations. The first specifics of Noah outside of that was that Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (v9). Then we see something of Noah character in verse 9, "Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God." Did Noah receive the grace of salvation in the Ark because of his justness and perfection? Or was it that Noah lived just and perfect in his generation because of his faith? the clarification in Hebrews would suggest that it was by faith that Noah lived rightly. He had over 500 years of life in a world that had gone to sin. It seemed he was the last man left who remembered the Lord.
Going back to Hebrew 11, we see a key verse that precedes Noah's mention and ties right in with the Genesis account. Hebrews 11:6 says, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Noah would never had found any favor with God or experiences His grace had he not by faith believed God existed. He could have done all the right things legally to be considered righteous by men, but never would be pleasing in Yahweh's eyes if Noah was an atheist.
Lets look at Romans 4:16 "Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all," This is consistent with the account. Noah had faith in the grace that God showed to him which caused Noah to be obedient.
We see this principle found in Ephesians also. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Our salvation is not earned. It is offered by the grace of our creator. It has nothing to do with us or what we do. It is all about God and what He did through His son Jesus. We will never attain righteousness by our own actions. Isaiah says of our works, Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
Our obedience therefore is not obedience to curry Gods favor, but out of faith in believing God, and in God, that His grace is sufficient. God's grace is offered regardless and independently of any action we do. We are all guilty before they eyes of a perfectly righteous God. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. This is the grace that is offered to us. There is nothing we can do to earn this. Our best is as filthy rags. We can only receive this grace through faith. The result of that faith and our of thankfulness for that grace, we believe and do as God says do cheerfully and joyfully without fear.
We also must remember that Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. People have different levels of faith based on time spent living in the way. A new believer is not going to have the same knowledge as someone who has lived and studied the faith in faith for decades. People have been under different teachers who have emphasized different points. We must be patient with our fellow believers. Romans 15:1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
I will close with these words from I Peter 3, who shares with us some characteristics that we ought to be obedient to in faith, 8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
Monday, January 12, 2015
Saturday, December 27, 2014
The Obedience Agreement
I am YHWH your Elohim; walk in My statutes, and
keep My judgments, and do them;
And hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign
between me and you, that ye may know that I am
YHWH your Elohim.
Ezekiel 20:19-20
I was reading this in a Sabbath service listing and a little something clicked. In this verse, God is telling his people to walk in His ways and follow His word. He says that this obedience to His ways is the sign between God and the believer of the covenant of their salvation. It is obedience to Gods ways that sets apart from the rest of the world and is a proof to them that we are God's chosen. If we as believers are not following the ways of God, there is nothing to distinguish us from the rest of the world.
When one looks at the Churches today, does one really see anything different than what the rest of the world is doing? I got crickets going off in my head here. As a matter of fact, in many cases when one starts bringing up obedience to Gods laws in the church, one is met with mighty resistance. They will argue that they don't have to keep Gods ways any more. Names will be hurled your way, like heretic, false teacher, Judaiser, and the like.
Now, look at this verse logically. If God is saying that obedience to His ways are a sign between God and His people, then rejection of that obedience would be a sign of.... rebellion? Jesus says that if you love me, keep my commandments. If you are not, then do you really love Him? If you are being disobedient, that is a sign of disrespect, is it not? It is at least a sign that we are not keeping up our end. And yes, there are consequences.
People have this fear that somehow obedience is a bad thing; that somehow they are stepping outside of grace and will be judged by a law they cannot keep. This is not the case. One does not follow rules with the expectation that God somehow owes them salvation. One is obedient because God in His love has shown us grace and mercy in that while we were yet sinners He sent His only begotten Son into the world to take away our sinfulness. We should want to do what God wants us to do, out of love and gratefulness for Him.
God's ways may seem difficult sometimes, but we have been given the Holy spirit to reside inside of us to lead us, guide us, steer us. He will strengthen us to do what is right if we will ask Him to. He will embolden us to break away from the world and live as a covenant people.
He knows this is hard. It is not in our nature to do what God wants us to do. This is why so many people try to stamp out any remembrance of God because each time they are reminded of God, they are reminded that they way they are living is wrong and that they should be submitting themselves to do what God says do. We should not be finding this kind of hostility in the church when we talk about obedience, but we do. It is sad.
The time for playing church is over. It is time to get serious about God and being obedient and subservient to Him. We cannot go on praising God on a Sunday, and then living like the world the rest of the week. Sitting in the pew once a week then rushing home so you don't miss the football game and drink beer just doesn't cut the mustard. We need to get serious about our faith, and that means getting serious about obeying our creator.
It is our obedience that associates us together and with the Lord. It is our identity card. People should be looking at us and seeing something different than what they see in the world. We talk about Christ living through us, and what was it that Christ did? He lived in perfect obedience to the Father in all things. Do you think for one minute that Jesus would be happy with us not following God's ways when He sacrifice himself on the cross so that we could be empowered unto obedience? God hates sin and sin is defined in I John 3:4 as transgression of God's law. If there is no law, there is no sin. If there is no sin, there was no need for a savior. If there was no need for a savior than Christ died in vain, and we are in an awful lot of trouble for eternity.
I will close with these great words from Peter. 2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
keep My judgments, and do them;
And hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign
between me and you, that ye may know that I am
YHWH your Elohim.
Ezekiel 20:19-20
I was reading this in a Sabbath service listing and a little something clicked. In this verse, God is telling his people to walk in His ways and follow His word. He says that this obedience to His ways is the sign between God and the believer of the covenant of their salvation. It is obedience to Gods ways that sets apart from the rest of the world and is a proof to them that we are God's chosen. If we as believers are not following the ways of God, there is nothing to distinguish us from the rest of the world.
When one looks at the Churches today, does one really see anything different than what the rest of the world is doing? I got crickets going off in my head here. As a matter of fact, in many cases when one starts bringing up obedience to Gods laws in the church, one is met with mighty resistance. They will argue that they don't have to keep Gods ways any more. Names will be hurled your way, like heretic, false teacher, Judaiser, and the like.
Now, look at this verse logically. If God is saying that obedience to His ways are a sign between God and His people, then rejection of that obedience would be a sign of.... rebellion? Jesus says that if you love me, keep my commandments. If you are not, then do you really love Him? If you are being disobedient, that is a sign of disrespect, is it not? It is at least a sign that we are not keeping up our end. And yes, there are consequences.
People have this fear that somehow obedience is a bad thing; that somehow they are stepping outside of grace and will be judged by a law they cannot keep. This is not the case. One does not follow rules with the expectation that God somehow owes them salvation. One is obedient because God in His love has shown us grace and mercy in that while we were yet sinners He sent His only begotten Son into the world to take away our sinfulness. We should want to do what God wants us to do, out of love and gratefulness for Him.
God's ways may seem difficult sometimes, but we have been given the Holy spirit to reside inside of us to lead us, guide us, steer us. He will strengthen us to do what is right if we will ask Him to. He will embolden us to break away from the world and live as a covenant people.
He knows this is hard. It is not in our nature to do what God wants us to do. This is why so many people try to stamp out any remembrance of God because each time they are reminded of God, they are reminded that they way they are living is wrong and that they should be submitting themselves to do what God says do. We should not be finding this kind of hostility in the church when we talk about obedience, but we do. It is sad.
The time for playing church is over. It is time to get serious about God and being obedient and subservient to Him. We cannot go on praising God on a Sunday, and then living like the world the rest of the week. Sitting in the pew once a week then rushing home so you don't miss the football game and drink beer just doesn't cut the mustard. We need to get serious about our faith, and that means getting serious about obeying our creator.
It is our obedience that associates us together and with the Lord. It is our identity card. People should be looking at us and seeing something different than what they see in the world. We talk about Christ living through us, and what was it that Christ did? He lived in perfect obedience to the Father in all things. Do you think for one minute that Jesus would be happy with us not following God's ways when He sacrifice himself on the cross so that we could be empowered unto obedience? God hates sin and sin is defined in I John 3:4 as transgression of God's law. If there is no law, there is no sin. If there is no sin, there was no need for a savior. If there was no need for a savior than Christ died in vain, and we are in an awful lot of trouble for eternity.
I will close with these great words from Peter. 2 Peter 1:2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Scared Senseless
It has to be hard for some seniors right now. While the economics are true that it may be so, I am not really talking about that in this blog. What I am going to talk about is a senior that is watching the country go to hell in a hand basket. They don’t know what to do and they are scared. People in the AARP and other organizations are scaring them saying they are going to lose their Medicare, their pensions. How could they live? They are too old to go back to work!
I had a discussion with a senior tonight about politics and the direction of our country. He is scared that his country is falling apart because of wacky right wingers. He’s afraid of those who talk secession and is being told militias are waiting in the wings to start a revolution. He is told that republicans wish to take away his only sources of income and assistance and he has no other way to make it besides that. I understand, I do. It’s an old school mentality that you support your president, whoever and whatever he is to keep the country united.
Seniors and those entering that age are generally products of the 60’s. They grew up with the protests, the Vietnam war, and the progressive revolution. They also bought into the idea their parents gave them that you work a job, retire, and are taken care of by your pension and government assistance. They were told that they earned this as a right by all the work they did. Now we see that whole concept under assault, not by the republicans as they are being told, but just by simple reality that the government cannot successfully sustain a welfare state. There is simply not enough money.
We see it in every state and municipality. We see it in union work shops. Pension plans are collapsing all around. They were sold a bill of goods. It seemed to work for their parents, why shouldn’t it work for them? Simply put, the numbers don’t support it. We have fewer and fewer workers supporting more and more people who are not working. The workers are getting tired of footing the ever increasing bill. The only way the left sees to fix it is by raising taxes. Todays workers are already overburdened by tax. Something has to give.
Those of us working today understand that the system is broke. We know it will not be there when we get to retirement age. We also know that so much of our money is being taken to support the broken system that we ourselves are unable to provide for our own ends meet. We, the workers of today are scared too. Scared that we will not be able to make a decent retirement for ourselves. Scared that we may be the first generation that does not have it better than the previous. Scared that we will have to spend our entire lives slaving away for nothing. Something has to give.
Politicians and advocates run around trying to make this a democrat vs. republican right vs. left thing. It is not. It as an issue for ALL Americans. We ALL have to face this reality. We ALL have to face some sort of consequence for the reckless spending and outrageous promises that our government can no longer sustain. You older people may be afraid of losing what you have, but we of the following generation are afraid there will be nothing to have.
I had a discussion with a senior tonight about politics and the direction of our country. He is scared that his country is falling apart because of wacky right wingers. He’s afraid of those who talk secession and is being told militias are waiting in the wings to start a revolution. He is told that republicans wish to take away his only sources of income and assistance and he has no other way to make it besides that. I understand, I do. It’s an old school mentality that you support your president, whoever and whatever he is to keep the country united.
Seniors and those entering that age are generally products of the 60’s. They grew up with the protests, the Vietnam war, and the progressive revolution. They also bought into the idea their parents gave them that you work a job, retire, and are taken care of by your pension and government assistance. They were told that they earned this as a right by all the work they did. Now we see that whole concept under assault, not by the republicans as they are being told, but just by simple reality that the government cannot successfully sustain a welfare state. There is simply not enough money.
We see it in every state and municipality. We see it in union work shops. Pension plans are collapsing all around. They were sold a bill of goods. It seemed to work for their parents, why shouldn’t it work for them? Simply put, the numbers don’t support it. We have fewer and fewer workers supporting more and more people who are not working. The workers are getting tired of footing the ever increasing bill. The only way the left sees to fix it is by raising taxes. Todays workers are already overburdened by tax. Something has to give.
Those of us working today understand that the system is broke. We know it will not be there when we get to retirement age. We also know that so much of our money is being taken to support the broken system that we ourselves are unable to provide for our own ends meet. We, the workers of today are scared too. Scared that we will not be able to make a decent retirement for ourselves. Scared that we may be the first generation that does not have it better than the previous. Scared that we will have to spend our entire lives slaving away for nothing. Something has to give.
Politicians and advocates run around trying to make this a democrat vs. republican right vs. left thing. It is not. It as an issue for ALL Americans. We ALL have to face this reality. We ALL have to face some sort of consequence for the reckless spending and outrageous promises that our government can no longer sustain. You older people may be afraid of losing what you have, but we of the following generation are afraid there will be nothing to have.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Judgment Cometh
Are we a Christian nation? While we may have out battles amongst ourselves as to the answer to that question, the rest of the world sees the U.S. as representatives of Christianity and it’s God. It does not matter to them how we see ourselves. Al quida, the Taliban, PLO, and whoever else see us as representatives of the God of the Bible regardless. This is what their battle is about. It is why we are infidels to them.
They know what we have forgotten; that this nation was founded on the principles found in the Bible and represent the character of the God of that Bible.
John Adams:
“ The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity… I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
John Quincy Adams:
• “Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day [the Fourth of July]?" “Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity"?
--1837, at the age of 69, when he delivered a Fourth of July speech at Newburyport, Massachusetts.
To name a couple ….
The whole purpose of others wanting the destruction of the United States is that they want to prove the God of the Bible to be an impotent, weak, and false God; laying claim to the ultimate strength of their own god, or of humanity itself, for our enemies are not just religious and foreign. We have those in our country that seek to destroy it for the very same purpose who believe in no god, but the ultimate power of man. Those same also exist in the rest of the world too. To destroy the U.S. would be the earthly equivalent to destroying God, in their eyes. Read any atheist blog and I am sure it will not take long to see the hatred for Christianity there.
“Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together…” The Mayflower Compact (authored by William Bradford) 1620
Our forefathers made a covenant with God that this land be for His glory. We are bound by this covenant whether we accept or reject it. For many years we have been in the process of rejecting it, and God. We, for the most part no longer include God in any part of our public life; not in the schools, not in government. If we as a nation do not repent of our evil ways and do not turn back to the ways of the Biblical God, we shall just become a byword and a laughing stock amongst the nations.
Jeremiah 5:3-9
3 O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
4Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.
5I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.
6Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.
7How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.
8They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.
9Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
They know what we have forgotten; that this nation was founded on the principles found in the Bible and represent the character of the God of that Bible.
John Adams:
“ The general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principals of Christianity… I will avow that I believed and now believe that those general principles of Christianity are as eternal and immutable as the existence and attributes of God.”
John Quincy Adams:
• “Why is it that, next to the birthday of the Savior of the world, your most joyous and most venerated festival returns on this day [the Fourth of July]?" “Is it not that, in the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior? That it forms a leading event in the progress of the Gospel dispensation? Is it not that the Declaration of Independence first organized the social compact on the foundation of the Redeemer's mission upon earth? That it laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity"?
--1837, at the age of 69, when he delivered a Fourth of July speech at Newburyport, Massachusetts.
To name a couple ….
The whole purpose of others wanting the destruction of the United States is that they want to prove the God of the Bible to be an impotent, weak, and false God; laying claim to the ultimate strength of their own god, or of humanity itself, for our enemies are not just religious and foreign. We have those in our country that seek to destroy it for the very same purpose who believe in no god, but the ultimate power of man. Those same also exist in the rest of the world too. To destroy the U.S. would be the earthly equivalent to destroying God, in their eyes. Read any atheist blog and I am sure it will not take long to see the hatred for Christianity there.
“Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together…” The Mayflower Compact (authored by William Bradford) 1620
Our forefathers made a covenant with God that this land be for His glory. We are bound by this covenant whether we accept or reject it. For many years we have been in the process of rejecting it, and God. We, for the most part no longer include God in any part of our public life; not in the schools, not in government. If we as a nation do not repent of our evil ways and do not turn back to the ways of the Biblical God, we shall just become a byword and a laughing stock amongst the nations.
Jeremiah 5:3-9
3 O LORD, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction: they have made their faces harder than a rock; they have refused to return.
4Therefore I said, Surely these are poor; they are foolish: for they know not the way of the LORD, nor the judgment of their God.
5I will get me unto the great men, and will speak unto them; for they have known the way of the LORD, and the judgment of their God: but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.
6Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evenings shall spoil them, a leopard shall watch over their cities: every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces: because their transgressions are many, and their backslidings are increased.
7How shall I pardon thee for this? thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods: when I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery, and assembled themselves by troops in the harlots' houses.
8They were as fed horses in the morning: every one neighed after his neighbour's wife.
9Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
Monday, August 9, 2010
Who Calls a Minister?
Who chooses those who teach God’s word? This is a question that I have had mulling around in my head recently. Well, not just recently, but regularly for a long time.
I remember back to when I was being discipled. When I first met my teacher, he immediately exclaimed, “now there is a minister“. He didn’t know me from anyone, yet, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that one day I would be a minister. I actually denied it at first, but I felt it inside as well as the spirit bore witness.
I spent 3 years under the tootilidge of this wonderful man of God. I give my first teachings there, had my first prayer groups, home Bible studies, witnessing to others, and so much more. Every step of the way, it was the word of God used as the instrument of teaching, and the Holy Spirit lead the way. After that time, I WAS a minister of God, in the same way the disciples of Jesus were the ministers of God.
What I soon learned, as I entered out as a minister, was that most churches who hire ministers wanted someone who was college educated. I began to think, how is this different that the world who wants someone for a job? Why can a college degree designate someone as a minister more than God could?
Icor 1: 26-8
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
It is clear throughout the scriptures that God calls people to serve him not for their intellect, not for their position in life, or who they know, or where they attended college. God chooses who HE wants, not based on what the world offers, but based on his own ideas.
Isaiah 55:8
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Another thing I noticed is that to perform certain ministerial duties and have ministerial access to certain places, one must be registered by the state as a minister. Again, I say what? Does the government decide who is a minister of the Lord? Why must the state have to sanction who it is that does the will of God? Is it even able to determine this? NO! The state has no business in deciding who is a minister of the Lord.
To give you an example of just how silly this notions is, go on the internet and look up free minister license. You will find a number of places that offers a free on line minister license that will allow you the state authority to perform state sanctioned ministerial duties, such as perform weddings, or allow one access to prisoners and hospitals. Basically anyone, believer or not, can be a state sanctioned minister of God simply by filling out an online form. To me, the state has no authority to sanction any church/religious activity. That authority rests in the bosom of God, not at the desks of a state clerk.
John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
I remember back to when I was being discipled. When I first met my teacher, he immediately exclaimed, “now there is a minister“. He didn’t know me from anyone, yet, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that one day I would be a minister. I actually denied it at first, but I felt it inside as well as the spirit bore witness.
I spent 3 years under the tootilidge of this wonderful man of God. I give my first teachings there, had my first prayer groups, home Bible studies, witnessing to others, and so much more. Every step of the way, it was the word of God used as the instrument of teaching, and the Holy Spirit lead the way. After that time, I WAS a minister of God, in the same way the disciples of Jesus were the ministers of God.
What I soon learned, as I entered out as a minister, was that most churches who hire ministers wanted someone who was college educated. I began to think, how is this different that the world who wants someone for a job? Why can a college degree designate someone as a minister more than God could?
Icor 1: 26-8
26For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
It is clear throughout the scriptures that God calls people to serve him not for their intellect, not for their position in life, or who they know, or where they attended college. God chooses who HE wants, not based on what the world offers, but based on his own ideas.
Isaiah 55:8
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
Another thing I noticed is that to perform certain ministerial duties and have ministerial access to certain places, one must be registered by the state as a minister. Again, I say what? Does the government decide who is a minister of the Lord? Why must the state have to sanction who it is that does the will of God? Is it even able to determine this? NO! The state has no business in deciding who is a minister of the Lord.
To give you an example of just how silly this notions is, go on the internet and look up free minister license. You will find a number of places that offers a free on line minister license that will allow you the state authority to perform state sanctioned ministerial duties, such as perform weddings, or allow one access to prisoners and hospitals. Basically anyone, believer or not, can be a state sanctioned minister of God simply by filling out an online form. To me, the state has no authority to sanction any church/religious activity. That authority rests in the bosom of God, not at the desks of a state clerk.
John 15:16
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Changing a Society with the Bible
I’ve been wondering about some things. Yeah, imagine that. Me wondering. Nothing new there, is there. Anyway, I was sitting and thinking about some things, about life, and the direction of our country, and why things are the way they are today. I realized, the despite all the complications of arguments people have, almost any topic of imprt today comes down to one simple question, really. That question is, do you believe the bible is true? Or don’t you? Do we as a nation? Or don’t we?
Let’s take a look at some of the things we are faced with today.
Let’s start with something obvious. Gay marriage. After all the arguing, bickering, propositions and court battles, it really boils down to one thing for us. Do we accept what the Bible says about it, or don’t we? If we do, then it is obvious that we will not have gay marriages. If we don’t, then what’s the big deal and let them marry. Everyone argues the detail, but gay marriage is not the issue. What we as a society choose as a foundation of morality is.
Abortion. Everyone knows this to be drawn down lines of belief. Again it boils down to do we as a society think the Bible is true and to be followed, or don’t we?
Then there is government power. If we believe in the biblical God as the ultimate power, then government has less of a role. If we don’t, then government IS the final authority and takes on a HUGE role in the lives of its citizens.
We could go on and on with every issue, and the base result would end up the same. One side who believes the Bible as the ultimate authority vs. the other side who doesn’t believe that.
Everyone’s position in this day and age seems to be hardened to one or the other. People argue and fight, protest and sue. Where is that getting us other than being a fractured society on the verge of internal collapse and/or separation. The deck is stacked against the people when one judge can put 7 million voters on trial and find them guilty and turning over the will of the people. No, this is not where to go.
I would urge every Christian who truly believes in the word of God, the Bible, as the infallible word of God to put down their swords and stop going after windmills of issue.
I would urge every one of them to, to look at their own lives for a minute. Do you know the word of God? Are you living the example of the word? Or is your life being lived no differently than the unbeliever? How we live our lives is the witness and testimony to what we believe. If we are not living Godly lives, how then can we tell someone else that God has a better plan for our lives? By our actions, we nullify any claims we make about believing in the Bible.
I would urge, that as Christians, we learn how to relate to others. People are not going to respond when you jump up in their face, tell them how much of a sinner they are and that they need Jesus or they will burn in hell. While that might be true, it was true of us as well. We need to remember where we came from. We need to treat others kindly and with some respect. When we form relationships with others, we need not browbeat them with the word, but instead, let our lives be the testimony.
When we do that, funny things begin to happen. People may come up and ask us why we are so happy all the time, or how you’ve manage to have such a good marriage, or raise good children, or why you so easily help others. Then we just tell them, I believe in what the Bible says and try and live my life accordingly. Maybe there is more questions, maybe not. Let other people ask of you and be always ready to give a reason for what you believe.
When we do that, the Holy Spirit uses us as an agent of change in the lives of others. We don’t need to force it. Then, as our lives touches others, and their lives touch still others, we as a society begin to change. It won’t happen overnight, for surely we did not get where we are in a day, but, over time as peoples hearts change, the decisions they make will change, they way they view issues will change, and society will change.
Let’s take a look at some of the things we are faced with today.
Let’s start with something obvious. Gay marriage. After all the arguing, bickering, propositions and court battles, it really boils down to one thing for us. Do we accept what the Bible says about it, or don’t we? If we do, then it is obvious that we will not have gay marriages. If we don’t, then what’s the big deal and let them marry. Everyone argues the detail, but gay marriage is not the issue. What we as a society choose as a foundation of morality is.
Abortion. Everyone knows this to be drawn down lines of belief. Again it boils down to do we as a society think the Bible is true and to be followed, or don’t we?
Then there is government power. If we believe in the biblical God as the ultimate power, then government has less of a role. If we don’t, then government IS the final authority and takes on a HUGE role in the lives of its citizens.
We could go on and on with every issue, and the base result would end up the same. One side who believes the Bible as the ultimate authority vs. the other side who doesn’t believe that.
Everyone’s position in this day and age seems to be hardened to one or the other. People argue and fight, protest and sue. Where is that getting us other than being a fractured society on the verge of internal collapse and/or separation. The deck is stacked against the people when one judge can put 7 million voters on trial and find them guilty and turning over the will of the people. No, this is not where to go.
I would urge every Christian who truly believes in the word of God, the Bible, as the infallible word of God to put down their swords and stop going after windmills of issue.
I would urge every one of them to, to look at their own lives for a minute. Do you know the word of God? Are you living the example of the word? Or is your life being lived no differently than the unbeliever? How we live our lives is the witness and testimony to what we believe. If we are not living Godly lives, how then can we tell someone else that God has a better plan for our lives? By our actions, we nullify any claims we make about believing in the Bible.
I would urge, that as Christians, we learn how to relate to others. People are not going to respond when you jump up in their face, tell them how much of a sinner they are and that they need Jesus or they will burn in hell. While that might be true, it was true of us as well. We need to remember where we came from. We need to treat others kindly and with some respect. When we form relationships with others, we need not browbeat them with the word, but instead, let our lives be the testimony.
When we do that, funny things begin to happen. People may come up and ask us why we are so happy all the time, or how you’ve manage to have such a good marriage, or raise good children, or why you so easily help others. Then we just tell them, I believe in what the Bible says and try and live my life accordingly. Maybe there is more questions, maybe not. Let other people ask of you and be always ready to give a reason for what you believe.
When we do that, the Holy Spirit uses us as an agent of change in the lives of others. We don’t need to force it. Then, as our lives touches others, and their lives touch still others, we as a society begin to change. It won’t happen overnight, for surely we did not get where we are in a day, but, over time as peoples hearts change, the decisions they make will change, they way they view issues will change, and society will change.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
A Letter From You
I went downstairs
to my mailbox
Pulled out my keys
and opened the lock
Grabbed the stack
That was shoved inside
Ran back upstairs
Threw it aside
I got cleaned up
And poured me a cup
Grabbed me a chair
And picked the stack up
Began to leaf through
The ads and the bills
But then there was one
That froze me still
A letter from you
I held the letter
In my shaking hand
Thinking about
What she and I had
But circumstance
Had sent us apart
Leaving me
With a broken heart.
Wondering about
What this could be
I opened the envelope
Carefully
A single page
From the envelope I freed
Unfolded the Paper
And I began to read
A letter from you
I’m doin fine
How about you
Got a new job
And I’m done with school
Mom was sick
But now she’s well
Got a new car
And its really swell
It sure has
Been a while
I remember how
You made me smile
Gotta go now
Busy day ahead
Just thinking of you
While I reread
A letter from you
to my mailbox
Pulled out my keys
and opened the lock
Grabbed the stack
That was shoved inside
Ran back upstairs
Threw it aside
I got cleaned up
And poured me a cup
Grabbed me a chair
And picked the stack up
Began to leaf through
The ads and the bills
But then there was one
That froze me still
A letter from you
I held the letter
In my shaking hand
Thinking about
What she and I had
But circumstance
Had sent us apart
Leaving me
With a broken heart.
Wondering about
What this could be
I opened the envelope
Carefully
A single page
From the envelope I freed
Unfolded the Paper
And I began to read
A letter from you
I’m doin fine
How about you
Got a new job
And I’m done with school
Mom was sick
But now she’s well
Got a new car
And its really swell
It sure has
Been a while
I remember how
You made me smile
Gotta go now
Busy day ahead
Just thinking of you
While I reread
A letter from you
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