Friday, February 10, 2012
Spiritual Wisdom is Good - Part 2
The comments section of the original blog posting, Spiritual Wisdom is Good, is full. No more room for additional comments. I had to delete some of them due to lack of space because the newest ones weren't showing up at all. This space is being provided to continue posting comments on the subject matter being discussed in the original posting. The link above will take you to the original posting. Don't leave any more comments there though. They will not show up. Instead, come back to this posting and leave your comments here. Thank you.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Spiritual Wisdom is Good
Spiritual wisdom is a great thing to go after. Seek it with all of your heart. Not to prove how smart you are but to prove how smart God is! It's not about me; it's all about God. The Hebrew Old Testament was divided into three categories: The Law, the Prophets and the Writings such as Job, Psalms, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Ancient Israel had three categories of ministers: Priests, Prophets and Sages (wise men). These wise men were supernaturally gifted with godly wisdom and counsel concerning all manner of life issues. There is so much to be learned from these very wise sages. Solomon is noted to be the wisest man in all history. Much of the book of Proverbs in the Bible today was written by Solomon. As mentioned in IKings4:32, Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs during his lifetime. The purpose of the Proverbs is to provide wisdom and understanding concerning wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity (Pr. 1:2-7). The book is basically a handbook if-you-will on right living. Right living is based on a healthy fear (reverence) of the Lord.
Today, let's take a look at Proverbs 2 (NIV). I honestly believe that the King James Version of the Bible is the most accurate word-for-word translation from the original Greek and Hebrew languages available. However, I tend to use NIV due to it's easy-to-understand language for today's readers. The highlights are mine in the following:
Today, let's take a look at Proverbs 2 (NIV). I honestly believe that the King James Version of the Bible is the most accurate word-for-word translation from the original Greek and Hebrew languages available. However, I tend to use NIV due to it's easy-to-understand language for today's readers. The highlights are mine in the following:
PROVERBS 2
"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, (2) turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, (3) and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, (4) and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, (5) then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. (6) For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (7) He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, (8) for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. (9) Then you will understand what is right and just and fair--every good path. (10) For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. (11) Discretion will protect you and understanding will guard you. (12) Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse and (13) who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, (14) who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, (15) whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways. (16) It will save you also from the adulteress, from the wayward wife with her seductive words, (17) who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. (18) For her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. (19) None who go to her return or attain the paths of life. (20) Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. (21) For the upright will live in the land and the blameless will remain in it; (22) but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it."
Please note that little, tiny word "IF." It's small but it's mighty. I get so sick and tired of listening to the TV preachers (and others) who talk about all of God's promises but they fail to mention the conditions attached to those promises. Quote the whole scripture, not just half of it please. There are a lot of "ifs," "buts," and "thens" that need to be applied to the meaning of the verses. All of God's promises are conditional. Bet you don't hear too many people tell you that, do you?
We can see here in verse 1 that we need (#1) to accept God's words and then we need (#2) to store up His commands within our hearts and minds. We need (#3) to call out for insight through prayer and cry aloud for understanding. He won't just automatically give it to us. We need to ask for it. We have to really search for it as if we were looking for a buried treasure. IF we do those things, then God tells us that we will understand the fear of the Lord and we will find the knowledge of God. "For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." Now this isn't just any old wisdom. This is God's own wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Imagine that! God's wisdom is available to us. That's almost incomprehensible really but it's true nonetheless.
The rest of Proverbs 2 tells us all the many benefits of having Godly wisdom, knowledge and understanding. He gives the upright victory, he's a shield to those whose walk is blameless, he guards the course of the just and he protects the way of his faithful ones. Notice there are some things we need to do here. There is action on our part involved. We need to be upright, our walk needs to be blameless, we must be just, and we must be faithful. It's not a free ride! It requires some heavy duty work. Sounds impossible, doesn't it? It's not. Faith comes first and that faith will lead us to a sincere love of God. That love in turn will lead us to a strong desire to do what God wants us to do: to pray, to study His Word, to learn His Word, to talk to Him, to be in relationship with Him. Pretty soon, out of love for Him, we will find ourselves living a godly life full of faith, right living, blamelessness, justness, uprightness, etc. We will learn to love the same things that God loves and we will want to DO them too! He tells us that wisdom will enter our hearts then and knowledge will be pleasant to our souls. It will save us from wickedness. It will keep us on the straight path and it will lead to eternal life (versus eternal death) in the end. The wicked will be cut off but the blameless will remain in God's hands for all eternity.
Proverbs 2 isn't about wisdom and knowledge for the sake of knowledge alone. No, it's about Godly wisdom and Godly knowledge. By putting God's Word into our hearts and minds we will learn to live righteously and wisely in our relationship with God. We can then become victorious over sin with God's commands and His words in our hearts. It's not a free ride folks. We have to DO some things. We have to earnestly pray and seek and ask for God's wisdom. We have to study, not so much to become a Bible scholar, but to understand God's character and His ways. Through prayer, the Holy Spirit will help us have revelations about God's Word and what it means and it will transform us from the inside out. It's only when God's Word actually enters our hearts that it will produce life and power within us. Following God's commands will become a pleasure to us, not a chore. We do it out of love for Him. We will learn how to discern good from evil; truth from a lie. God will protect us in so many ways and will make us be able to live a victorious life. Not everything is easy. We have to work at this thing called our Christian walk. But it will come with prayer and study and God's gift of Godly wisdom and knowledge.
So pick up that sword (Word/Bible) and read it, study it, pray over it. Guard your hearts and minds. Put on that full armor of God. Ask God to reveal things to you as you read and study His Word. He will. Strive to live a life that is pleasing to God. The benefits of living for God are worth it all!
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Always Learning....
Do you know people who are always learning, highly intellectual, well-studied yet they know absolutely nothing about what is really important in this life (and beyond)? Paul speaks about this in 2Tim 3:7 where he says, "always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth." Oh boy, do they know a lot! They may even have many degrees next to their names to prove it too. Some of them know quite a bit about a whole lot of different subjects and some are more "specialized" in one or two topics but, either way, these are smart people. Trouble is, many of them don't "know beans" about what's really important.
Ps 14:1 says, "The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." Verse 2 continues with, "The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." In this context, a fool is someone who lives like there is no God. Their lifestyles show their rebellion against God. They willingly reject God's revealed Word and treat it with contempt. They don't believe what the Bible says about God. They think the Bible is a collection of myths and fairy tales that mean nothing. They scorn the moral principles laid down in God's Word and, instead, rely on their own concepts of right and wrong. Nowadays, this is called "moral relativism." Let's look at verse 3 now and see where "moral relativism" has taken us: "All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one."
Not even one?!!! I'll bet this just breaks God's heart. So that's the end result of man relying on his own concepts of right and wrong. Not so great, is it? God doesn't WANT anyone at all to perish (2Pet3:9) but, unfortunately, many will perish in the end. I've heard some use this scripture to try to prove that everyone will be saved in the end because it "isn't His will that any should perish." God is patient. Do you ever wonder why He just doesn't hurry up and send Jesus back for His Church? He delays because he really wants the entire world to hear the gospel (Mt24:14) and so be saved. He "wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1Tim2:4). That's why we are commanded to go out into the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mk16:15). However, none of these scriptures mean, though, that all WILL in fact be saved. All of those who continue to reject God's grace and His offer of free salvation, in sad fact, will be lost eternally. Remember Mt7:13-14 which says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it."
I've been accused of being negative and legalistic. But, hey, just look at God's own words. He says that only a few will find it (the gate leading to eternal life). Well, if only a few are going to find it, I sure want to be one of those who do. Read His own words in the Bible. It's all right there. As I've said before, just read the book. We must be obedient to ALL of God's commands. Not just some of them (those that make us happy and feel good) but ALL of them. Seek out that personal relationship with the Lord through prayer and Bible study, and fasting sometimes (Ugh- yes, even though fasting is hard). Really learn what God has to tell us in his Word. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Heb4:12-13). Ouch! That ought to make us think twice before we disobey Him!
A friend of mine recently told me of an atheist acquaintance who was so proud of the fact that he had diligently studied the various religions, evidently trying to be open minded about it all. He was particularly proud that he'd even read the Qu'ran. He said that none of it really convinced him about the existence of God though. She asked him if he'd ever read the Bible and he said no. Such a shame. The Bible really is the only "book" that claims to be and truly is alive! I've heard many testimonies over the years of people of other religions (or no religion at all) who have read the Bible and felt it come alive to them as they were reading it. They couldn't explain it at the time, but they said they really felt like "someone" was talking to them as they read the words in the Bible. These people are now born-again Christians and they now know and understand that it was the Holy Spirit speaking to them and drawing them to God; to Jesus. There is nothing in the Bible that is a lie. When it says it's alive, it really is alive! I wish more non-believers would just pick it up and read it like a book; like a novel even; a storybook. Who knows what might happen to them if they did? That narrow gate is just waiting for them to enter in!
In the meantime, look up, your redemption is drawing near (Lk21:28)!
Ps 14:1 says, "The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." Verse 2 continues with, "The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God." In this context, a fool is someone who lives like there is no God. Their lifestyles show their rebellion against God. They willingly reject God's revealed Word and treat it with contempt. They don't believe what the Bible says about God. They think the Bible is a collection of myths and fairy tales that mean nothing. They scorn the moral principles laid down in God's Word and, instead, rely on their own concepts of right and wrong. Nowadays, this is called "moral relativism." Let's look at verse 3 now and see where "moral relativism" has taken us: "All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one."
Not even one?!!! I'll bet this just breaks God's heart. So that's the end result of man relying on his own concepts of right and wrong. Not so great, is it? God doesn't WANT anyone at all to perish (2Pet3:9) but, unfortunately, many will perish in the end. I've heard some use this scripture to try to prove that everyone will be saved in the end because it "isn't His will that any should perish." God is patient. Do you ever wonder why He just doesn't hurry up and send Jesus back for His Church? He delays because he really wants the entire world to hear the gospel (Mt24:14) and so be saved. He "wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." (1Tim2:4). That's why we are commanded to go out into the world and preach the gospel to all creation (Mk16:15). However, none of these scriptures mean, though, that all WILL in fact be saved. All of those who continue to reject God's grace and His offer of free salvation, in sad fact, will be lost eternally. Remember Mt7:13-14 which says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life and only a few find it."
I've been accused of being negative and legalistic. But, hey, just look at God's own words. He says that only a few will find it (the gate leading to eternal life). Well, if only a few are going to find it, I sure want to be one of those who do. Read His own words in the Bible. It's all right there. As I've said before, just read the book. We must be obedient to ALL of God's commands. Not just some of them (those that make us happy and feel good) but ALL of them. Seek out that personal relationship with the Lord through prayer and Bible study, and fasting sometimes (Ugh- yes, even though fasting is hard). Really learn what God has to tell us in his Word. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account." (Heb4:12-13). Ouch! That ought to make us think twice before we disobey Him!
A friend of mine recently told me of an atheist acquaintance who was so proud of the fact that he had diligently studied the various religions, evidently trying to be open minded about it all. He was particularly proud that he'd even read the Qu'ran. He said that none of it really convinced him about the existence of God though. She asked him if he'd ever read the Bible and he said no. Such a shame. The Bible really is the only "book" that claims to be and truly is alive! I've heard many testimonies over the years of people of other religions (or no religion at all) who have read the Bible and felt it come alive to them as they were reading it. They couldn't explain it at the time, but they said they really felt like "someone" was talking to them as they read the words in the Bible. These people are now born-again Christians and they now know and understand that it was the Holy Spirit speaking to them and drawing them to God; to Jesus. There is nothing in the Bible that is a lie. When it says it's alive, it really is alive! I wish more non-believers would just pick it up and read it like a book; like a novel even; a storybook. Who knows what might happen to them if they did? That narrow gate is just waiting for them to enter in!
In the meantime, look up, your redemption is drawing near (Lk21:28)!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Right Doctrine Is Important
Rightly divide the Word. Whatever happened to that? Folks don't seem to care about doctrine anymore. It's like it's a bad word or something. No one seems to talk about it much these days. It's not touchy-feely, lovey-dovey enough. We all just sort of agree to disagree like that's an okay thing to do. Politically correct I guess. You believe your way and I'll believe my way. We all just need to get along and be nicey nice to one another. Yes, we do need to be nice to one another. In fact, we need to love one another within the church. But, a part of loving one another is keeping each other on the straight and narrow path that leads to eternal life with God. Having knowledge is a part of that. No, not secret, esoteric knowledge. Just plain, simple Truth type knowledge easily and clearly obtainable from the Word of God. Just read the book!
Satan is on the prowl deceiving everyone as he goes.
1Tim. 4:1 (NIV) says, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." Yes, it does say demons!
Verse 2 continues with, "Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron."
2Tim. 4:3 says, "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."
Verse 4 continues with, "They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." So we've definitely been warned that this is going to happen someday. Well, guess what, that someday is now!
The Holy Spirit is clearly revealing here that in these latter days, there is going to be a falling away. Not only a falling away from a personal faith in Jesus but also a falling away from scriptural truth.
2Th. 2:3 says, "Don't let anyone deceive you in any way,...."
Jude 4 says, "For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord."
Verses 12-13 say, "These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm - shepherds who only feed themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted - twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever."
It's pretty clear here that we are talking about things going on WITHIN the church! It's also pretty clear from tons of other scriptures that I'm not going to quote just now that we are indeed in the latter days right now. So watch out for church leaders (pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.) who appear to be highly gifted and powerfully anointed by God. Some of them will in fact do wonderful things for God and they'll even preach the gospel truth effectively BUT, later on, they will depart from the faith and ever-so-gradually turn to seducing spirits instead and to false doctrines. Because they were formerly highly anointed and Godly, many Christians will continue to follow after their ministries just based on their earlier reputations.
Many Christians will be misled by leaders like this. They too then will fall away from the faith themselves because they will fail to love the truth (2Th. 2:10 - "...they perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.") and resist the sinful and worldly trends in these last days.
Mat. 24:5: "For many will come in my name, claiming I am the Christ and will deceive many."
Mat. 10-12: "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." This now distorted gospel made up of all these compromising preachers and/or teachers will find very little, if any, resistance in many of today's churches. Sadly, this is already happening and has been for quite some time. Pay attention. It's all the more reason why we simply MUST carefully study and know the Word so that we will be able to recognize the truth versus a lie.
All of this unbiblical teaching is, of course, being craftily directed by Satan, the great liar and father of lies himself. Satan recognizes that the time is short and getting shorter every day. He's busy running around like the madman that he is (except he's not a man) telling his demon buddies to speed it up, step on the gas. "We've got to work harder and faster at opposing God's work while there's still time," says he. That explains why the closer we get to Christ's second coming, the more intense it gets. No wonder we see so much spiritism, the occult, demonic deception and even demonization in the world now and, unfortunately, in our own churches too! We absolutely have to wake up and smell the coffee before we allow our own selves to be tricked.
This stuff is going on WITHIN the church! That is the horrifying truth. That's why correct doctrine does matter. It's critical to know the Word of God well and, even more importantly, to have a very close personal relationship with our Lord. An intimate relationship with Jesus! This is no time to be lazy; to slack off. Instead, this is the time to study and to pray continuously about everything.
How do I protect myself from this deception? I'm not going to say it's easy because it's not easy. No, it requires hard work. We must be totally in line with the Word of God and in order to do that we must really KNOW the Word. We must study it fervently. We must think about it and talk about it with other Godly and mature believers. Pray constantly. Pray for God to protect your mind from deception. To put a shield around your heart, your mind, your spirit.
We must be obedient to the Lord. Jesus said that his sheep would know his voice. Learn to recognize His voice. Pray and listen. Spend plenty of quiet time in prayer and meditation on God's Word. Do NOT practice any other kind of meditation. Forget about so-called "Contemplative Prayer." It's just another "New Age" thing that has crept into the church. Go online and research it. There's plenty of information about it out there. Just be sure you're reading the right thing.
Examine your friendships. Who do you spend the most time with? Make sure they are spiritually mature, Godly Christians who truly know the Word and who have "fruit" to prove it. Desire the Truth, seek the Truth, make it your obsession. Be careful who you listen to. Don't accept everything you hear just because he or she is some TV "personality" preacher or teacher. Not all Christian television is good. In fact, a lot of it is deadly; dangerous. Beware! Be observant.
Be tuned in to the fact that there will indeed be many charismatic type persons with great appeal and even an apparent anointing who have been deceived themselves and are now far from the truth. They may not even realize it themselves. If you're not on your own toes, you too will be deceived. Many within the church will be deceived because of preachers, pastors, and teachers like this. They have been deceived themselves and have fallen for "the lie" and then they, in turn, will deceive many more after them. Remember that Satan is sneaky, crafty, sly. He's not stupid. Just mixing a tiny little bit of error with 99% truth is all it takes. Seek after God with all your heart. Be obedient to Him. Live righteously. Never give up your reverential fear of the Lord. Desire with all of your heart to do God's will. Don't allow yourself to be tricked! Study, pray and work at it. Pray about this topic. I'm sure God will answer your prayers and help you. Ask for spiritual discernment. We all need plenty of that. Never give up. It will be worth it all in the end!
Be diligent my friends. Be diligent!
Satan is on the prowl deceiving everyone as he goes.
1Tim. 4:1 (NIV) says, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." Yes, it does say demons!
Verse 2 continues with, "Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron."
2Tim. 4:3 says, "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."
Verse 4 continues with, "They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." So we've definitely been warned that this is going to happen someday. Well, guess what, that someday is now!
The Holy Spirit is clearly revealing here that in these latter days, there is going to be a falling away. Not only a falling away from a personal faith in Jesus but also a falling away from scriptural truth.
2Th. 2:3 says, "Don't let anyone deceive you in any way,...."
Jude 4 says, "For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord."
Verses 12-13 say, "These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm - shepherds who only feed themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted - twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever."
It's pretty clear here that we are talking about things going on WITHIN the church! It's also pretty clear from tons of other scriptures that I'm not going to quote just now that we are indeed in the latter days right now. So watch out for church leaders (pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.) who appear to be highly gifted and powerfully anointed by God. Some of them will in fact do wonderful things for God and they'll even preach the gospel truth effectively BUT, later on, they will depart from the faith and ever-so-gradually turn to seducing spirits instead and to false doctrines. Because they were formerly highly anointed and Godly, many Christians will continue to follow after their ministries just based on their earlier reputations.
Many Christians will be misled by leaders like this. They too then will fall away from the faith themselves because they will fail to love the truth (2Th. 2:10 - "...they perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.") and resist the sinful and worldly trends in these last days.
Mat. 24:5: "For many will come in my name, claiming I am the Christ and will deceive many."
Mat. 10-12: "At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." This now distorted gospel made up of all these compromising preachers and/or teachers will find very little, if any, resistance in many of today's churches. Sadly, this is already happening and has been for quite some time. Pay attention. It's all the more reason why we simply MUST carefully study and know the Word so that we will be able to recognize the truth versus a lie.
All of this unbiblical teaching is, of course, being craftily directed by Satan, the great liar and father of lies himself. Satan recognizes that the time is short and getting shorter every day. He's busy running around like the madman that he is (except he's not a man) telling his demon buddies to speed it up, step on the gas. "We've got to work harder and faster at opposing God's work while there's still time," says he. That explains why the closer we get to Christ's second coming, the more intense it gets. No wonder we see so much spiritism, the occult, demonic deception and even demonization in the world now and, unfortunately, in our own churches too! We absolutely have to wake up and smell the coffee before we allow our own selves to be tricked.
This stuff is going on WITHIN the church! That is the horrifying truth. That's why correct doctrine does matter. It's critical to know the Word of God well and, even more importantly, to have a very close personal relationship with our Lord. An intimate relationship with Jesus! This is no time to be lazy; to slack off. Instead, this is the time to study and to pray continuously about everything.
How do I protect myself from this deception? I'm not going to say it's easy because it's not easy. No, it requires hard work. We must be totally in line with the Word of God and in order to do that we must really KNOW the Word. We must study it fervently. We must think about it and talk about it with other Godly and mature believers. Pray constantly. Pray for God to protect your mind from deception. To put a shield around your heart, your mind, your spirit.
We must be obedient to the Lord. Jesus said that his sheep would know his voice. Learn to recognize His voice. Pray and listen. Spend plenty of quiet time in prayer and meditation on God's Word. Do NOT practice any other kind of meditation. Forget about so-called "Contemplative Prayer." It's just another "New Age" thing that has crept into the church. Go online and research it. There's plenty of information about it out there. Just be sure you're reading the right thing.
Examine your friendships. Who do you spend the most time with? Make sure they are spiritually mature, Godly Christians who truly know the Word and who have "fruit" to prove it. Desire the Truth, seek the Truth, make it your obsession. Be careful who you listen to. Don't accept everything you hear just because he or she is some TV "personality" preacher or teacher. Not all Christian television is good. In fact, a lot of it is deadly; dangerous. Beware! Be observant.
Be tuned in to the fact that there will indeed be many charismatic type persons with great appeal and even an apparent anointing who have been deceived themselves and are now far from the truth. They may not even realize it themselves. If you're not on your own toes, you too will be deceived. Many within the church will be deceived because of preachers, pastors, and teachers like this. They have been deceived themselves and have fallen for "the lie" and then they, in turn, will deceive many more after them. Remember that Satan is sneaky, crafty, sly. He's not stupid. Just mixing a tiny little bit of error with 99% truth is all it takes. Seek after God with all your heart. Be obedient to Him. Live righteously. Never give up your reverential fear of the Lord. Desire with all of your heart to do God's will. Don't allow yourself to be tricked! Study, pray and work at it. Pray about this topic. I'm sure God will answer your prayers and help you. Ask for spiritual discernment. We all need plenty of that. Never give up. It will be worth it all in the end!
Be diligent my friends. Be diligent!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Jesus Is The Reason For The Season
Or is he? Well, yes and no I guess. He's supposed to be that's for sure. But is he really the reason for the Christmas season? Here I go again. Looking at the details and what is found and is NOT found in the Word of God. Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Christ and is one of we Christians most important holidays. We assume that December 25th is His birthday and is cause for great celebration! And boy have we developed a lot of different traditions from nearly all cultures all over the world to help us celebrate! Too many to even begin to list.
But......is December 25th the day that little baby Jesus was born in that manager in Bethlehem? Well, the truth be told, I don't really have a clue. There's some stuff about His birth in the Bible. But what is strangely missing is the actual DATE of His birth. It's just not there. However, it is clear that he was most likely NOT born in December. When you look at Luke 2:8 which says "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." So it might have been spring, summer or even fall but probably not winter. Why? Because in December it is too cold and rainy in Israel for the shepherds to be out in the fields at night tending their sheep. And it's pretty clear from Luke 2:9-14 that the shepherds WERE in the field the night that Jesus was born:
"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
So the shepherds were definitely IN the field on the night of our dear Saviour's birth but it probably was not in December at all.
Here 's another little item to note. There is NO mention of wise men being at the manger either. Although this is very clear from scripture, most folks just never notice this yet somehow we've developed this traditional "picture" of the manger scene with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, three wise men, and maybe a couple animals and maybe even some shepherds hovering over the manger looking at the babe. Admit it, that's what you always assumed, right? That's certainly what we see in all the nativity scenes we used to see set up all over our towns and cities. Unfortunately, now the manger scene seems to be a violation of someone else's rights or something. It's an offense to some. Can you even imagine that? I'm digressing again. Anyway, why are those wise men there when they didn't even show up until possibly up to two years later and it sure wasn't at the birth manger? The first mention of the wise men is in Matthew 2:1-8:
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the Land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also."
Notice these scriptures don't say HOW MANY wise men either. They don't say three; they just say "wise men." So, it could have been two or many; we really don't know how many. Notice too that they followed a large, bright star of some kind. We don't really know what that star was exactly but it did move. From Matthew 2:11 we know that when the wise men finally did find Jesus it was not in the manger at all but in a HOUSE somewhere. We don't really know where either. "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him ." So it was in a house and this also indicates that Jesus was a young child; not a baby but a young child!
A while later, in Matthew 2:16 we see that King Herod was angry and decided to kill all the children in Bethlehem who were two years old and under. "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men." So........Herod at least knew that Jesus could have been as old as two years by that time. So that means that it is possible that the wise men didn't even find Jesus until he was two.
There's not much else in the Bible actually about the birth of Jesus. So there goes another one of our "traditional" images of the manger scene. No wise men, no decorated trees (see previous blog dated November 16, 2009) and it wasn't even in December! So much for the Christmas cards with this picture on them. In fact, there isn't even a record anywhere in the Bible of Jesus' birthday being celebrated. Evidently that wasn't the custom at that time.
So how did we end up celebrating Christmas in December anyway? Well, it turns out that it goes way, way, back a long, long time ago. In fact, many of our traditional Christmas customs go back thousands of years ago and before Jesus was even born. Most historians mention the ancient practice of honoring the sun god in late December. There were parties, banquets, and gift exchanges for the festival of Saturnalia, named for the heathen god Saturn. Over the many centuries these pagan celebrations have been mixed in with the worship of our Lord and somehow these practices which were never mentioned in the Bible became intertwined with the spread of Christianity.
Now are you ready for a huge surprise? This one blew me away. The early settlers in New England did not even celebrate Christmas and, in fact, outlawed it! Christians helped pass laws that actually made it illegal to observe Christmas because they felt it was insulting to God to honor a day associated with pagan rituals. Most of us are totally unaware that Christmas was banned in Boston from 1659 to 1681. Christmas was not declared a federal holiday until 1870. Can you believe that? That wasn't even that long ago! Who would have ever guessed that except maybe historians? I guess it's an example of how ungodly things "creep" into our traditions and even into our churches today.
Well, celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25th may not be the exact right date and many of the traditions we normally associate with Christmas may have originally been mixed with paganistic beliefs and practices but I believe that most of us who love the Lord celebrate this day with all of the right motives in our hearts. Even though it may not actually be the day of Jesus' birth, we have been celebrating it as such for so many years that it has become one of our most important Christian holidays. It is a day that we have chosen to honor the Lord and to pay respects to his day of birth (even though it technically isn't his birthday). I just wish that we could all come away from the materialism of this day and truly just worhip the Lord on this special day.
Did the early settlers have it right when they outlawed the celebration of Christmas? I don't know. You be the judge of that. I do know that we've allowed it to become the most materialistic holiday ever and that is wrong for sure. I wish we could just get back to the basics. Keep it simple and full of love for one another and mostly for the Lord. Teach your children the real Christmas story. Read it straight from the Bible. Explain to them that different customs, rituals, and traditions have developed over the years but that most of them have nothing to do with the actual biblical story of the birth of Jesus. That doesn't necessarily make these traditions wrong. But I think it's important that we all know the truth and can distinguish the actual and factual from what has just become customary.
In the meantime, if you do shop for Christmas gifts, please go to the stores who are not afraid to allow their employees to say Merry Christmas; who are not afraid to display Merry Christmas signs on the doors and windows of their shops. Fight back when it comes to "political correctness" which is not usually correct at all. It's just plain dumb sometimes. Don't turn your hard earned money over to the stores who have basically outlawed Christmas with their crazy policies. It doesn't even make sense. They're sure happy to take your money and plenty of it but they're not willing to recognize the Christ in Christmas. Be different. Make a difference. Look around inside the stores. If you see no signs of "Christmas" versus "holiday" in the store then go somewhere else after you tell the management why you are leaving. Write a letter if you don't find anyone in authority to actually talk to in the store. Written letters usually carry more weight anyway.
Were you surprised by any of this? I was but I appreciate knowing the true facts about stuff; especially about biblical stuff. In the meantime, keep studying God's Word and keep on praying. If you don't have a strong desire for God's Word in your heart, then just pray for it. Ask God to instill this love of His Word in you. I'm sure He will. He is no respecter of persons. What He does for one he will do for another.
But......is December 25th the day that little baby Jesus was born in that manager in Bethlehem? Well, the truth be told, I don't really have a clue. There's some stuff about His birth in the Bible. But what is strangely missing is the actual DATE of His birth. It's just not there. However, it is clear that he was most likely NOT born in December. When you look at Luke 2:8 which says "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night." So it might have been spring, summer or even fall but probably not winter. Why? Because in December it is too cold and rainy in Israel for the shepherds to be out in the fields at night tending their sheep. And it's pretty clear from Luke 2:9-14 that the shepherds WERE in the field the night that Jesus was born:
"And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
So the shepherds were definitely IN the field on the night of our dear Saviour's birth but it probably was not in December at all.
Here 's another little item to note. There is NO mention of wise men being at the manger either. Although this is very clear from scripture, most folks just never notice this yet somehow we've developed this traditional "picture" of the manger scene with Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, three wise men, and maybe a couple animals and maybe even some shepherds hovering over the manger looking at the babe. Admit it, that's what you always assumed, right? That's certainly what we see in all the nativity scenes we used to see set up all over our towns and cities. Unfortunately, now the manger scene seems to be a violation of someone else's rights or something. It's an offense to some. Can you even imagine that? I'm digressing again. Anyway, why are those wise men there when they didn't even show up until possibly up to two years later and it sure wasn't at the birth manger? The first mention of the wise men is in Matthew 2:1-8:
"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the Land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also."
Notice these scriptures don't say HOW MANY wise men either. They don't say three; they just say "wise men." So, it could have been two or many; we really don't know how many. Notice too that they followed a large, bright star of some kind. We don't really know what that star was exactly but it did move. From Matthew 2:11 we know that when the wise men finally did find Jesus it was not in the manger at all but in a HOUSE somewhere. We don't really know where either. "And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him ." So it was in a house and this also indicates that Jesus was a young child; not a baby but a young child!
A while later, in Matthew 2:16 we see that King Herod was angry and decided to kill all the children in Bethlehem who were two years old and under. "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men." So........Herod at least knew that Jesus could have been as old as two years by that time. So that means that it is possible that the wise men didn't even find Jesus until he was two.
There's not much else in the Bible actually about the birth of Jesus. So there goes another one of our "traditional" images of the manger scene. No wise men, no decorated trees (see previous blog dated November 16, 2009) and it wasn't even in December! So much for the Christmas cards with this picture on them. In fact, there isn't even a record anywhere in the Bible of Jesus' birthday being celebrated. Evidently that wasn't the custom at that time.
So how did we end up celebrating Christmas in December anyway? Well, it turns out that it goes way, way, back a long, long time ago. In fact, many of our traditional Christmas customs go back thousands of years ago and before Jesus was even born. Most historians mention the ancient practice of honoring the sun god in late December. There were parties, banquets, and gift exchanges for the festival of Saturnalia, named for the heathen god Saturn. Over the many centuries these pagan celebrations have been mixed in with the worship of our Lord and somehow these practices which were never mentioned in the Bible became intertwined with the spread of Christianity.
Now are you ready for a huge surprise? This one blew me away. The early settlers in New England did not even celebrate Christmas and, in fact, outlawed it! Christians helped pass laws that actually made it illegal to observe Christmas because they felt it was insulting to God to honor a day associated with pagan rituals. Most of us are totally unaware that Christmas was banned in Boston from 1659 to 1681. Christmas was not declared a federal holiday until 1870. Can you believe that? That wasn't even that long ago! Who would have ever guessed that except maybe historians? I guess it's an example of how ungodly things "creep" into our traditions and even into our churches today.
Well, celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25th may not be the exact right date and many of the traditions we normally associate with Christmas may have originally been mixed with paganistic beliefs and practices but I believe that most of us who love the Lord celebrate this day with all of the right motives in our hearts. Even though it may not actually be the day of Jesus' birth, we have been celebrating it as such for so many years that it has become one of our most important Christian holidays. It is a day that we have chosen to honor the Lord and to pay respects to his day of birth (even though it technically isn't his birthday). I just wish that we could all come away from the materialism of this day and truly just worhip the Lord on this special day.
Did the early settlers have it right when they outlawed the celebration of Christmas? I don't know. You be the judge of that. I do know that we've allowed it to become the most materialistic holiday ever and that is wrong for sure. I wish we could just get back to the basics. Keep it simple and full of love for one another and mostly for the Lord. Teach your children the real Christmas story. Read it straight from the Bible. Explain to them that different customs, rituals, and traditions have developed over the years but that most of them have nothing to do with the actual biblical story of the birth of Jesus. That doesn't necessarily make these traditions wrong. But I think it's important that we all know the truth and can distinguish the actual and factual from what has just become customary.
In the meantime, if you do shop for Christmas gifts, please go to the stores who are not afraid to allow their employees to say Merry Christmas; who are not afraid to display Merry Christmas signs on the doors and windows of their shops. Fight back when it comes to "political correctness" which is not usually correct at all. It's just plain dumb sometimes. Don't turn your hard earned money over to the stores who have basically outlawed Christmas with their crazy policies. It doesn't even make sense. They're sure happy to take your money and plenty of it but they're not willing to recognize the Christ in Christmas. Be different. Make a difference. Look around inside the stores. If you see no signs of "Christmas" versus "holiday" in the store then go somewhere else after you tell the management why you are leaving. Write a letter if you don't find anyone in authority to actually talk to in the store. Written letters usually carry more weight anyway.
Were you surprised by any of this? I was but I appreciate knowing the true facts about stuff; especially about biblical stuff. In the meantime, keep studying God's Word and keep on praying. If you don't have a strong desire for God's Word in your heart, then just pray for it. Ask God to instill this love of His Word in you. I'm sure He will. He is no respecter of persons. What He does for one he will do for another.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree.......
Well, it's getting to be that time of the year again. Have you noticed the Christmas (oh excuse me - holiday) "stuff" that's beginning to show up in the stores all around town? Boy, Christmas comes around again faster and faster each year it seems. Why is that I wonder? I must be getting old or something. Time seems to be speeding up. It sure isn't me that is speeding up!
As an aside, you might as well know that I'm "nipping" the political correctness nonsense in the bud. None of that for me! December 25th is Christmas for crying out loud. You don't hear people saying "Happy Holiday" on February 14th do you or on Mother's Day or Father's Day? That's enough.....I'm not even going to go there right now - maybe some other day. On December 12th I'll gladly start saying Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends and family. That reminds me of my Jewish girl friend in high school. Her family did choose to put up a Christmas tree in December. I don't know why. I suppose because there were only two Jewish kids in our school and I guess maybe my friend was a little envious of all the Christmas hoopla like presents and decorations that all of her friends got to enjoy. So I guess her parents didn't want her to feel left out so they "caved in" to the wordly secular stuff in order to make their only child happy. Who knows? I'm just guessing. Anyway, one year, they suddenly found out that Grandma was coming for an unexpected visit and would arrive that very day. Boy, the entire family (and I) hustled around hiding all evidence of Christmas in that house that day! But I digress.....
As an aside, you might as well know that I'm "nipping" the political correctness nonsense in the bud. None of that for me! December 25th is Christmas for crying out loud. You don't hear people saying "Happy Holiday" on February 14th do you or on Mother's Day or Father's Day? That's enough.....I'm not even going to go there right now - maybe some other day. On December 12th I'll gladly start saying Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends and family. That reminds me of my Jewish girl friend in high school. Her family did choose to put up a Christmas tree in December. I don't know why. I suppose because there were only two Jewish kids in our school and I guess maybe my friend was a little envious of all the Christmas hoopla like presents and decorations that all of her friends got to enjoy. So I guess her parents didn't want her to feel left out so they "caved in" to the wordly secular stuff in order to make their only child happy. Who knows? I'm just guessing. Anyway, one year, they suddenly found out that Grandma was coming for an unexpected visit and would arrive that very day. Boy, the entire family (and I) hustled around hiding all evidence of Christmas in that house that day! But I digress.....
There are lots of things about this time of the year, the Christmas season, that are addressed in the Bible. It may come as a surprise to you about some of them though. Some things that we just assume are in there, are not; some things that we don't think are in there, are! This "posting" may appeal to you "Scrooges" out there who really don't want much of anything to do with all of the Christmas hustle/bustle anymore. Some of you who are very thorough in your study of the Word will already know all about it. Others, not-so-much.... You may be taken aback and totally shocked about one of our favorite yuletide traditions, the highly ornamented and beautifully decorated Chrismas tree. Ahhhh, yes, it brings such joy to gaze upon our gorgeous, glamorously decorated and brightly lit Christmas trees! They're so beautiful, aren't they? They help usher in this season of great joy and glad tidings!
Not so fast. Have you ever even bothered to wonder what God might have to say about these decorated trees? I never even thought about it until one day years ago when I suddently really noticed this scripture in Jeremiah. So......is there really anything in the Bible about Christmas trees you ask? Well, not specifically Christmas trees per se but there is something that sounds very similar to them but it's probably not what you are going to expect to hear. Ready? Let's look at Jeremiah 10: 2-5.
"Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are in vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not; they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good." Jeremiah 10: 2-5.
Oh no, you just popped my bubble! I love Christmas trees. Yeah, me too. But this does sound eerily like a Christmas tree, doesn't it? Cutting a tree from the forest with an axe, decking it with silver and gold (notice the word "decking" - like in Deck the Halls....), fastening it with nails and hammers (sounds like those now old-fashioned wooden Christmas tree stands) so that it won't move or fall down. It has to be carried (it must be "borne" because it cannot go). Oh my, it DOES sound just like a modern day Christmas tree! Wow! Who would have guessed that these decorated trees might be a no-no in God's eyes? Not me. I was really shocked by it the very first time I read it years ago. You never hear anyone teaching about it either, do you?
So where did this tradition come from anyway? These verses (which were written a long time before Jesus was even born) indicate that this particular activity was practiced by pagans who worshipped false gods. Certainly NOT the Creator of the universe! The fact that the word "vain" is used here shows that this was a useless practice. Also, God clearly says to "learn not the way of the heathen." These long-ago pagans did much the same thing that we do today; at least it's what we did before we started buying our Christmas trees at neighborhood corner lots or in the grocery store parking lots. They went out into the forest and picked a tree, cut it down with an axe, brought it home, made a wooden "stand" for it so it wouldn't fall over, and decorated it with gold and silver ornaments of some kind. Sound familiar?
What does this all mean? I don't know for sure but I'm thinking that God doesn't particularly like His children (that would be us) participating in pagan worship practices. Turns out a lot of our traditional holidays from all cultures are based on pagan practices. They don't really have anything at all to do with God or Jesus.
I'm not saying that it's a sin to have a Christmas tree. I'm just relating what this one particular scripture has to say about "glitzed up" trees full of "bling." Use your own judgment on this one. The Bible is full of interesting little tidbits like this and for some reason I am fascinated by them. This is just ONE of many Christmas traditions that have absolutely nothing to do with Christ at all. Maybe we'll talk about some more of them later.
In the meantime, you be the judge. I'm just giving you a little tidbit of insight you can "chew on" for a while and amaze your friends with your knowledge. I'm just sayin'........ They might laugh at you. Then again, maybe they'll find it interesting too. I'm not sure that it's a big deal in the whole realm of things but I just found it kind of fascinating.
"Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are in vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not; they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good." Jeremiah 10: 2-5.
Oh no, you just popped my bubble! I love Christmas trees. Yeah, me too. But this does sound eerily like a Christmas tree, doesn't it? Cutting a tree from the forest with an axe, decking it with silver and gold (notice the word "decking" - like in Deck the Halls....), fastening it with nails and hammers (sounds like those now old-fashioned wooden Christmas tree stands) so that it won't move or fall down. It has to be carried (it must be "borne" because it cannot go). Oh my, it DOES sound just like a modern day Christmas tree! Wow! Who would have guessed that these decorated trees might be a no-no in God's eyes? Not me. I was really shocked by it the very first time I read it years ago. You never hear anyone teaching about it either, do you?
So where did this tradition come from anyway? These verses (which were written a long time before Jesus was even born) indicate that this particular activity was practiced by pagans who worshipped false gods. Certainly NOT the Creator of the universe! The fact that the word "vain" is used here shows that this was a useless practice. Also, God clearly says to "learn not the way of the heathen." These long-ago pagans did much the same thing that we do today; at least it's what we did before we started buying our Christmas trees at neighborhood corner lots or in the grocery store parking lots. They went out into the forest and picked a tree, cut it down with an axe, brought it home, made a wooden "stand" for it so it wouldn't fall over, and decorated it with gold and silver ornaments of some kind. Sound familiar?
What does this all mean? I don't know for sure but I'm thinking that God doesn't particularly like His children (that would be us) participating in pagan worship practices. Turns out a lot of our traditional holidays from all cultures are based on pagan practices. They don't really have anything at all to do with God or Jesus.
I'm not saying that it's a sin to have a Christmas tree. I'm just relating what this one particular scripture has to say about "glitzed up" trees full of "bling." Use your own judgment on this one. The Bible is full of interesting little tidbits like this and for some reason I am fascinated by them. This is just ONE of many Christmas traditions that have absolutely nothing to do with Christ at all. Maybe we'll talk about some more of them later.
In the meantime, you be the judge. I'm just giving you a little tidbit of insight you can "chew on" for a while and amaze your friends with your knowledge. I'm just sayin'........ They might laugh at you. Then again, maybe they'll find it interesting too. I'm not sure that it's a big deal in the whole realm of things but I just found it kind of fascinating.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Worried About Those Who Are "Left Behind"?
This is a sobering and often misunderstood topic. Many of us are very concerned about that very situation happening to our own loved ones. We don't want them to have to undergo living during the tribulation after the rapture of the Church. We pray fervently for their salvation NOW. But, in the very back of our minds, we might think, "Well, if it comes to pass that they don't "make" the rapture, at least they can get "saved" during the tribulation." Although that's not a particularly comforting thought, at least it's better than not ever getting "saved" at all. We might need to rethink that last thought though and come to the understanding that TODAY is the day of salvation; not post-rapture. Let's see what the Word has to say about it.
Let's look at II Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NIV): "(9)The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, (10) and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (11) For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie (12) and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness."
This is an often overlooked and misunderstood couple of scriptures. So short but so very powerful and very, very important. So what does it mean? After God removes the Holy Spirit (the restrainer), it looks like there isn't going to be any more opportunity for salvation for some people. Who are these people? Well, they are the people who are either inside or outside of the Church who, after adequately hearing the Truth of God's Word (the gospel), have willingly and intentionally refused to love that Truth and have chosen instead to delight in the wickedness of the world. Please note that some of these people are INSIDE the church faithfully attending church and perhaps doing many good works but they are not in relationship with the Lord and living in obedience to Him.
God will send these people (v. 11) a powerful delusion so that they may never again have an opportunity to believe the truth that they refused to believe earlier. What truth? The gospel truth! They will forever be doomed to believe "the lie" (v. 12) of satan. God's purpose in doing this is so that they will be condemned. Sounds harsh but that is straight out of verse 12.
Therefore, and this is very important to understand, for those who have already heard and understood God's Word, yet have not loved its truth (they've heard but have rejected the gospel) but have chosen instead the pleasure of sin, "no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment" (Heb. 10:26-31 - some very sobering scriptures to read!). Salvation during the days of the tribulation will be offered ONLY to those who have NEVER had an adequate opportunity to receive the knowledge of the truth or to hear and understand the gospel.
There are many in the world who have never heard and understood the gospel. However, I maintain that is pretty much NOT the case in the USA and in most of the so-called "western" world with a church on every corner and a TV evangelist on hundreds of TV stations and preachers and teachers teaching the Word on thousands of radio stations across this country and around the world day and night 24/7.
If you are a true believer and seriously dedicated to the Lord, I'm pretty sure you've probably witnessed to and explained the gospel to your children, spouses, brothers, sisters, parents, and other family and loved ones. So they've already heard it, probably many times over. If they have rejected it and continue to reject it right up until the rapture of the Church, I believe it will be too late.
What about the "Left Behind" book series? Many, many get "saved" during the tribulation in that series of novels. Well, what about it? Well, in my opinion, it is not scripturally sound (based on the above scriptures) and is therefore doctrinally wrong. I just wish that anyone who is going to go to all the work of writing a book and/or making a movie would make it scripturally accurate. Have you ever noticed that problem when you're watching some of the television "epic" movies about Jesus? Most of them are not scripturally accurate. Why won't they just add a true man or woman of the Word to advise them on their projects? How hard would that be?
I'm not a Bible scholar by any means. I'm just a lay person who carefully and in great detail reads and studies the Word. I might be wrong and I hope that I am actually because I have a large family of unsaved loved ones. However, these scriptures tell a different story. I sure can't rely on my family and friends getting "saved" after the rapture during the tribulation. They've all heard the gospel. They "get it" but they just reject it as a bunch of nonsense. Their eyes are blinded because of lack of faith (2Cor. 4:4). It's something to at least think about, isn't it? It's all the more reason to put a fire in our mouth and spread the Word, especially to our own loved ones! TODAY is the day of salvation! Why take the chance? We must be BOLDER in our witness and less concerned about being rejected. It's not too late yet. But one day it will be.
I think that most of us who are mature Christians can read the signs of the times. We know that the time is short. His coming truly is soon and getting sooner every single day, every single minute. Let's stop wasting time. Eternity is at stake for our so-far lost loved ones. But there's still hope. It's not too late yet. We've got to keep working while it is still day! Darkness is coming but it's not here yet! Don't give up! Keep praying, keep witnessing, keep ministering, keep studying God's Word, keep on keepin' on!
Let's look at II Thessalonians 2:9-12 (NIV): "(9)The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders, (10) and in every sort of evil that deceives those who are perishing. They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. (11) For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie (12) and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness."
This is an often overlooked and misunderstood couple of scriptures. So short but so very powerful and very, very important. So what does it mean? After God removes the Holy Spirit (the restrainer), it looks like there isn't going to be any more opportunity for salvation for some people. Who are these people? Well, they are the people who are either inside or outside of the Church who, after adequately hearing the Truth of God's Word (the gospel), have willingly and intentionally refused to love that Truth and have chosen instead to delight in the wickedness of the world. Please note that some of these people are INSIDE the church faithfully attending church and perhaps doing many good works but they are not in relationship with the Lord and living in obedience to Him.
God will send these people (v. 11) a powerful delusion so that they may never again have an opportunity to believe the truth that they refused to believe earlier. What truth? The gospel truth! They will forever be doomed to believe "the lie" (v. 12) of satan. God's purpose in doing this is so that they will be condemned. Sounds harsh but that is straight out of verse 12.
Therefore, and this is very important to understand, for those who have already heard and understood God's Word, yet have not loved its truth (they've heard but have rejected the gospel) but have chosen instead the pleasure of sin, "no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment" (Heb. 10:26-31 - some very sobering scriptures to read!). Salvation during the days of the tribulation will be offered ONLY to those who have NEVER had an adequate opportunity to receive the knowledge of the truth or to hear and understand the gospel.
There are many in the world who have never heard and understood the gospel. However, I maintain that is pretty much NOT the case in the USA and in most of the so-called "western" world with a church on every corner and a TV evangelist on hundreds of TV stations and preachers and teachers teaching the Word on thousands of radio stations across this country and around the world day and night 24/7.
If you are a true believer and seriously dedicated to the Lord, I'm pretty sure you've probably witnessed to and explained the gospel to your children, spouses, brothers, sisters, parents, and other family and loved ones. So they've already heard it, probably many times over. If they have rejected it and continue to reject it right up until the rapture of the Church, I believe it will be too late.
What about the "Left Behind" book series? Many, many get "saved" during the tribulation in that series of novels. Well, what about it? Well, in my opinion, it is not scripturally sound (based on the above scriptures) and is therefore doctrinally wrong. I just wish that anyone who is going to go to all the work of writing a book and/or making a movie would make it scripturally accurate. Have you ever noticed that problem when you're watching some of the television "epic" movies about Jesus? Most of them are not scripturally accurate. Why won't they just add a true man or woman of the Word to advise them on their projects? How hard would that be?
I'm not a Bible scholar by any means. I'm just a lay person who carefully and in great detail reads and studies the Word. I might be wrong and I hope that I am actually because I have a large family of unsaved loved ones. However, these scriptures tell a different story. I sure can't rely on my family and friends getting "saved" after the rapture during the tribulation. They've all heard the gospel. They "get it" but they just reject it as a bunch of nonsense. Their eyes are blinded because of lack of faith (2Cor. 4:4). It's something to at least think about, isn't it? It's all the more reason to put a fire in our mouth and spread the Word, especially to our own loved ones! TODAY is the day of salvation! Why take the chance? We must be BOLDER in our witness and less concerned about being rejected. It's not too late yet. But one day it will be.
I think that most of us who are mature Christians can read the signs of the times. We know that the time is short. His coming truly is soon and getting sooner every single day, every single minute. Let's stop wasting time. Eternity is at stake for our so-far lost loved ones. But there's still hope. It's not too late yet. We've got to keep working while it is still day! Darkness is coming but it's not here yet! Don't give up! Keep praying, keep witnessing, keep ministering, keep studying God's Word, keep on keepin' on!
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