There are things that most of us agree are wrong: child abuse, lying, murder, adultery, etc. These things, and more, are impressed upon our consciences as things that are inherently immoral. Most nations, peoples, tribes, etc. see these actions as negative.
Nevertheless, we see more and more that these morals, and many others, are being reevaluated and are no longer deemed to be as binding as before. Lying is often seen as a legitimate part of business dealings and is justified as the means to an end. “Hey”, it is supposed, “what’s a little lie when so much money is at stake?” And, believe it or not, there is a national organization that exists solely to try to make it legal for adult men to have sex with young boys…and this group’s point of view is being seriously considered by a large part of our society. And adultery is simply justified as a person’s fulfilling his or her inner desire for love and sex…albeit at the expense of his or her spouse and/or family.
Christians believe that high moral standards were written on our consciences by God, “For when Gentiles who do not have the Law do instinctively the things of the Law, these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves, in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them, on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus” (Romans 2:14-16 NASB). The fact that we view certain things as wrong is because God has instilled each of us with that knowledge. It is not the result of some random evolutionary process.
Nevertheless, many non-believers still consider these moral standards to be merely the product of evolutionary forces that exist to preserve the human species. However, the idea that matter ‘evolved’ into anything capable of constructing a set of morals seems a bit, oh, impossible, so it seems much more “reasonable” to ascribe the origin of these morals to God. Therefore; since God created these moral standards, then His opinion concerning them would be of the utmost importance for any sane person to consider.
So, how does God see the person who knowingly and willingly violates His standards of conduct? “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20 NASB). We see this antinomian attitude rampant in our culture today; people clearly thumbing their noses at God’s rules and living by their own lusts and desires. In this verse, God is warning those people that their sin and rebellion will not go unnoticed…or unpunished. Those people who say that the things God has clearly labeled as sin are really not sin, are not merely deluded, but condemned and the only hope they have of avoiding an eternity of misery (“punishment” Matthew 25:46) is to repent of their rebellion and dedicate their lives to following Jesus.
God tells us that even the act of encouraging someone else to break His rules is a sin, “...and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such [sins] are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them” (Romans 1:32 NASB). These are the people who applaud the sinful lifestyles of others as they mock and ridicule the holy God and His followers. The Bible calls these people an ‘abomination’, “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 17:15 NASB).
Our nation is quickly becoming a nation of people who not only reject God’s laws, but approve of others who do the same. We are becoming a nation of people who think nothing of creating our own set of rules and regulations that ignore, and often supplant, God’s standards. We are becoming a nation that, due to this rejection of God’s laws and our rebellion against Him, will soon suffer the judgment of God. Only by returning to God in repentance and dedication to Him can we hope to avert His wrath. Take to heart these words from God through the prophet Jeremiah concerning how God deals with entire nations of people, “At one moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to uproot, to pull down, or to destroy it; if that nation against which I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent concerning the calamity I planned to bring on it. Or at another moment I might speak concerning a nation or concerning a kingdom to build up or to plant it; if it does evil in My sight by not obeying My voice, then I will think better of the good with which I had promised to bless it” (Jeremiah 18:7-10 NASB).
Our nation’s future is determined by the will and workings of God; if we love, worship, and obey Him our nation will be forgiven. If we continue to rebel against Him and reject His lordship, only judgment lies in our future. The choice is ours and we have no one to blame but ourselves. Choose wisely!!!
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
A Believer's New Year's Resolution
Every year, at this time, people make resolutions for the upcoming year. They vow to lose weight, quit smoking, make more money, etc. Many, if not most, of these resolutions are never kept. I would like to challenge Christians to make a resolution that they will keep; a resolution that will have eternal consequences.
Many Christians have been so influenced by the culture in which they live that they have become confused as to the difference between what the Bible teaches and what society says is right and wrong. Also, too many Christians believe that their political party’s agenda is a biblical agenda. It’s time that these believers returned to God, and His Word, to regain a clear picture of our responsibilities.
First of all, the Christian must detach himself or herself from the false ideologies of the world, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15 NASB). This does not mean that we are not to love the people of the world. It means that we are not to let anything hold a more important place in our lives than our relationship with God. When we let the ‘stuff’ of this world come between us and God, we are at risk of shipwrecking (I Timothy 1:19) our faith simply to indulge the pleasures, lusts, and desires of our sinful nature. Just consider what is considered morally right, by our society, today as compared with just 20 years ago. We are on a downhill slide into immorality.
Jesus clearly warned His followers about the powerful pull of the things of the world when He said, “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22 NASB). We cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13); if he does, his allegiance will be divided. Your relationship with God hinges on whether or not you, “...love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30 NASB; cf. Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27).
We were created to live in a relationship with God where we live as He has determined. Of course, God has given us the choice to follow Him or to not follow Him; however, each of those choices comes with tremendous consequences. If we choose to reject God, and His will for our lives, we face the consequence of an eternity separated from Him and His love…in other words: Hell!!! However, if we choose to love and worship God as Lord and Creator of the universe, we can look forward to an eternity of life lived with the God who loves us enough to have sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross for our sins.
In order to do God’s will, we need to know His will, “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding...” (Colossians 1:9 NASB). The Bible says that those who do not know the will of God are ‘foolish’, “So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17 NASB). So, how to we know the will of God?
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12 1-2 NASB). The two-step process involved in knowing God’s will is this: first, realize that God is sovereign and deserves our worship. We are not the rulers of the universe (face it, we can’t even control our own thought life); we are to worship God, who is that Ruler. Second, we are to actively seek His will. This means that prayer and Bible study should be a part of our everyday life…God speaks clearest to us through these two methods.
So, in this new year (and forevermore), worship God and you will become all you were created to be. Those who choose to reject God and His will for their lives will never fulfil the awesome life God created for them. Christians, I urge you to make a resolution to know God, His Son, and His will, more fully this year…and forever.
Many Christians have been so influenced by the culture in which they live that they have become confused as to the difference between what the Bible teaches and what society says is right and wrong. Also, too many Christians believe that their political party’s agenda is a biblical agenda. It’s time that these believers returned to God, and His Word, to regain a clear picture of our responsibilities.
First of all, the Christian must detach himself or herself from the false ideologies of the world, “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (I John 2:15 NASB). This does not mean that we are not to love the people of the world. It means that we are not to let anything hold a more important place in our lives than our relationship with God. When we let the ‘stuff’ of this world come between us and God, we are at risk of shipwrecking (I Timothy 1:19) our faith simply to indulge the pleasures, lusts, and desires of our sinful nature. Just consider what is considered morally right, by our society, today as compared with just 20 years ago. We are on a downhill slide into immorality.
Jesus clearly warned His followers about the powerful pull of the things of the world when He said, “And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22 NASB). We cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13); if he does, his allegiance will be divided. Your relationship with God hinges on whether or not you, “...love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30 NASB; cf. Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27).
We were created to live in a relationship with God where we live as He has determined. Of course, God has given us the choice to follow Him or to not follow Him; however, each of those choices comes with tremendous consequences. If we choose to reject God, and His will for our lives, we face the consequence of an eternity separated from Him and His love…in other words: Hell!!! However, if we choose to love and worship God as Lord and Creator of the universe, we can look forward to an eternity of life lived with the God who loves us enough to have sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross for our sins.
In order to do God’s will, we need to know His will, “For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding...” (Colossians 1:9 NASB). The Bible says that those who do not know the will of God are ‘foolish’, “So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17 NASB). So, how to we know the will of God?
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12 1-2 NASB). The two-step process involved in knowing God’s will is this: first, realize that God is sovereign and deserves our worship. We are not the rulers of the universe (face it, we can’t even control our own thought life); we are to worship God, who is that Ruler. Second, we are to actively seek His will. This means that prayer and Bible study should be a part of our everyday life…God speaks clearest to us through these two methods.
So, in this new year (and forevermore), worship God and you will become all you were created to be. Those who choose to reject God and His will for their lives will never fulfil the awesome life God created for them. Christians, I urge you to make a resolution to know God, His Son, and His will, more fully this year…and forever.
The Bible: the most important book in the universe.
No sane person can look around at the plight of human beings and say that we aren’t in trouble. Morality is sinking to an all-time low, people treat people with callous disregard, and most solutions to these issues most often prove to be hollow and futile. Most likely, your personal life is suffering, in one way or another, from this malady.
Therefore, how important would you say a book that held all the answers to all of humanity’s problems be? Would you consider a book that addresses our fundamental problems to be worth reading? I contend that the Bible is just that Book (hence, my capitalization of the word ‘book’) and that the answers to humanity’s problems are contained within its pages. This article will be based on my belief that it is the Word of God. There are many reasons for accepting this point of view; but they will have to be taken up in a different article. Here we will focus, however briefly, on what the Bible says about itself.
The New Testament book of Romans contains a wealth of biblical teaching, presented in a straightforward manner. Here we have a statement of purpose concerning the Word of God, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4 NASB). The Bible contains the history of humanity, not every detail (nothing about planes, trains, or automobiles), but the origin, purpose, problem, and solution to what ails us.
In the book of Genesis, the Bible tells us that we were created in a paradise, created to worship our Creator, given a free will, and allowed to exercise that free will to make choices. Tragically, our first ancestors chose to disobey God (they doubted His Word, they called His integrity into question, and decided they knew better than He), bringing sin into the human equation and corrupting our relationship with God. Humans have chosen to disobey God ever since, bringing upon humanity the kind of degradation and evil we see all over the world.
The Bible tells us that it contains what we need in order to know how to be forgiven of our sin and reconciled to God. We read of the importance, and ability, of Scripture in Second Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness…” (II Timothy 3:16 NASB). Think about that a moment; God’s Word is able to ‘train us in righteousness’. This means that God’s Word is the standard for love, truth, justice, forgiveness, compassion, and any other good and true concept that exists. Isn’t a world full of these qualities what each of our hearts truly desire? Are we really satisfied with the lies, deception, evil, hate, bigotry, injustice, etc. that permeates our society, our world, our very hearts, today? I pray there is still some sanity left on our planet.
Again, I ask, would a book containing the solution to all of our problems be worth reading? I say “Yes” and I encourage you to investigate what the Word of God says. Ask God to reveal His Truth to you as you read it. Only do this if you realize that there is something terribly wrong with our world and the human heart…yours and mine.
God has given us His Word, He has not left us in the dark; but we must read it (having a Bible on the coffee table, or in a drawer somewhere, does not constitute a knowledge of it). If we seek Him, we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29); but we must put forth the effort to seek Him…He has already done everything necessary for us to find Him.
“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (II Peter 1:20-21 NASB).
God has written a book to humanity…it’s called the Bible. Don’t be a fool (Psalm 14:1); read it.
Therefore, how important would you say a book that held all the answers to all of humanity’s problems be? Would you consider a book that addresses our fundamental problems to be worth reading? I contend that the Bible is just that Book (hence, my capitalization of the word ‘book’) and that the answers to humanity’s problems are contained within its pages. This article will be based on my belief that it is the Word of God. There are many reasons for accepting this point of view; but they will have to be taken up in a different article. Here we will focus, however briefly, on what the Bible says about itself.
The New Testament book of Romans contains a wealth of biblical teaching, presented in a straightforward manner. Here we have a statement of purpose concerning the Word of God, “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4 NASB). The Bible contains the history of humanity, not every detail (nothing about planes, trains, or automobiles), but the origin, purpose, problem, and solution to what ails us.
In the book of Genesis, the Bible tells us that we were created in a paradise, created to worship our Creator, given a free will, and allowed to exercise that free will to make choices. Tragically, our first ancestors chose to disobey God (they doubted His Word, they called His integrity into question, and decided they knew better than He), bringing sin into the human equation and corrupting our relationship with God. Humans have chosen to disobey God ever since, bringing upon humanity the kind of degradation and evil we see all over the world.
The Bible tells us that it contains what we need in order to know how to be forgiven of our sin and reconciled to God. We read of the importance, and ability, of Scripture in Second Timothy, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness…” (II Timothy 3:16 NASB). Think about that a moment; God’s Word is able to ‘train us in righteousness’. This means that God’s Word is the standard for love, truth, justice, forgiveness, compassion, and any other good and true concept that exists. Isn’t a world full of these qualities what each of our hearts truly desire? Are we really satisfied with the lies, deception, evil, hate, bigotry, injustice, etc. that permeates our society, our world, our very hearts, today? I pray there is still some sanity left on our planet.
Again, I ask, would a book containing the solution to all of our problems be worth reading? I say “Yes” and I encourage you to investigate what the Word of God says. Ask God to reveal His Truth to you as you read it. Only do this if you realize that there is something terribly wrong with our world and the human heart…yours and mine.
God has given us His Word, He has not left us in the dark; but we must read it (having a Bible on the coffee table, or in a drawer somewhere, does not constitute a knowledge of it). If we seek Him, we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29); but we must put forth the effort to seek Him…He has already done everything necessary for us to find Him.
“But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God” (II Peter 1:20-21 NASB).
God has written a book to humanity…it’s called the Bible. Don’t be a fool (Psalm 14:1); read it.
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