Living for Christ Means Opposition
By Editor | July 24, 2008
There is a fallacy that has woven itself into the evangelical Christian mindset today that was simply not there years ago. It is this. To live the ‘perfect’ Christian life means you will have no enemies. That was not the way of the heroes of faith in the Bible, nor was it the way of our spiritual forefathers - especially the reformers - and it assuredly was not the way of Christ, our Great Example! To live your life and have no enemies, means you did not live your life as Christ meant you to. The Lord Jesus Christ himself said, “Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets” (Luke 6:26).
If you expose error, then the one in error will likely become your enemy except God gives him grace to repent of that error. I think this idea is likely expressed best by the Scottish journalist, Charles Mackay (1814 - 1889). The following are lines from one of his poems.
You have no enemies, you say?
Alas, my friend, the boast is poor;
He who has mingled in the fray
Of duty, that the brave endure,
Must have made foes! If you have none,
Small is the work that you have done,
You’ve hit no traitor on the hip,
You’ve dashed no cup from perjured lip;
You’ve never turned the wrong to right,
You’ve been a coward in the fight.
Topics: Serving The Lord, Victory in Christian living | 1 Comment »
Christianity, Free Speech and the Internet
By Editor | July 22, 2008
I was sent this article earlier today from a friend of mine. It has to do with proposed changes to the way the internet is controlled. While I am certainly one that strongly believes in the responsibility of each one to exercise self-control (that is a biblical concept and command), I am always wary when it comes down to having a government - however well-meaning and well-intentioned it might be - exercising control over the ability to share freely our thoughts and convictions.
In a nutshell, the article suggests that the major internet providers in Canada (Bell and Telus) are going to change the internet over to a system like signing up for cable TV. In other words, you sign up with different ‘packages’ and pay to visit certain sites which would be included in that. If this idea is indeed in the works, then it will have serious ramifications on Chrisitan websites, and especially individuals like myself who post their viewpoints on the net to disseminate the gospel, denounce false teaching and teachers, and to distribute material that may be helpful to those who otherwise may not be able to access it.
If any of you reading this can shed some more light on the subject, I would love to have your comments.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
New Covenant Theology
By Editor | July 15, 2008
Reformed churches across the North American continent are increasingly faced with having to deal with a doctrinal teaching that is finding its way into many churches (especially Reformed Baptist), called “New Covenant Theology”.
The proponents of this theology (men like Tom Wells, Fred Zaspel, John Reisinger, Steve Lehrer, etc) make the claim that this view of biblical interpretation is found in historic Baptist thinking. They are quick to claim C.H. Spurgeon as on “their side” (as one man put it to me), as well as a host of the reformers, including John Calvin.
What they cannot deny, and even admit is that this is a relatively new way to interpret the scripture and certainly New Covenant Theology (NCT) is a relatively “new kid on the block” as far as theological systems go.
I hope to analyze and critique the teaching over the next few weeks and have written some of the leaders of the movement to recommend some books to me (just 1 or 2) in order to be able to look at this theological viewpoint from the position of those who hold it. Stay tuned!
Topics: New Covenant Theology (NCT) | 1 Comment »
Saved to Serve
By Editor | June 27, 2008
One of my favorite Bible commentators is J.C. Ryle. For sound, yet practical and plain teaching on the gospels, he stands head and shoulders above many others. Here is what he has to say on Luke 5:1-11 (please read the verses and you’ll get much more out of the comment).
“The servants of Christ should learn a lesson from their Master’s conduct on this occasion. We are not to wait till every little difficulty or obstacle is removed, before we put our hand to the plough, or go forth to sow the seed of the word. Convenient buildings may often be wanting for assembling a company of hearers. Convenient rooms may often not be found for gathering children to school. What, then, are we to do? Shall we sit still and do nothing? God forbid! If we cannot do all we want, let us do all what we can. Let us work with such tools as we have. While we are lingering and delaying souls are perishing. It is the slothful heart that is always looking at the hedge of thorns and the lion in the way (Prov. 15:19; Prov. 22:13). Where we are and as we are, in season and out of season, by one means or by another, by tongue or by pen, by speaking or by writing, let us strive to be ever working for God. But let us never stand still.”
Let the above be your encouragement to seek to serve God in whatever capacity you are able this week.
Topics: Serving The Lord | No Comments »
Are you a Bruised Reed?
By Editor | June 27, 2008
You will not be a Christian for very long before you come to realize that the more fervently you live out the Christian life in conformity to the Bible, the more you seem to be the object of every possible effort to dislodge you from your course and disuade you from your convictions.
You will be surrounded and deluged with difficulties, temptations and severe trials that seem specially designed to “bring you down”. We must never forget that we have a powerful and deadly foe. One whose only desire is to destroy our testimony, and devour our soul. The apostle Peter warned of this in 1 Peter 5:8 - “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Far too many Christians live as if the devil either doesn’t exist, or he has already been cast into the pit, and therefore of no real concern to anyone. That is a terrible mistake. To live your life in ignorance of satan’s many devices is to live in a state of grave danger to yourself. Someone once said that if he were the devil, the first thing he would do would be to convince mankind that he did not exist. I wondered at that comment, but came to see the wisdom of the idea. Isn’t the most dangerous enemy the one that is unseen? You can deal with an enemy you see, but how do you deal with one that is invisible, and even thought to be ‘non-existent’?
One of the great secrets of the apostle Paul’s life was his knowledge of the enemy. And because he knew the enemy so well, he wrote much in his letters to warn about him. He pleaded with the Corinthian Christians to deal with sin in their lives immediately and biblically, “lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11).
Failure to deal with sin in a timely manner will bring spiritual disaster, and gives the devil an advantage over the believer that he otherwise would never have gained. Knowing how he operates and the methods he uses will take us out of the realm of ignorance and lift us up into the knowledge that saves and preserves us in times of great trials and temptations. Satan has many weapons in his arsenal. So the sooner you get to know them, the better you can defend against his attacks. We’ll look at some of them in future posts.
One final thing. No matter what attack of Satan you may have succumbed to, the Bible tells us that if “we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). The way back to victory is through our confession of our sin and failure, and Christ’s cleansing of our souls with His blood. Failure today does not mean no hope of victory tomorrow. Reeds that have been bruised by sin will not be broken by Christ! Hallelujah!
Topics: Victory in Christian living | No Comments »
Old Name - New Site - Different Purpose
By Editor | June 26, 2008
Welcome to my blog. I am glad to have been able to take over this site address. My purposes are very simple: First, that God may be glorified. Second, that Jesus Christ may be magnified. Third, that Christians may be edified. That’s a high standard. But anything less than that will seem to me worse than useless and of no spiritual or eternal value at all.
Topics: Uncategorized | No Comments »
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