A TELLING QUESTION

ANOTHER TELLING QUESTION

  As a matter of reliance pertaining to all situations is our reference “Thus saith my church.” . . . or on “*Thus saith the Lord”?

EBB4   Monday, April 30, 2018

*Phrase is 413 times in KJV.

PURLOINING VIVACITY

PURLOINING VIVACITY

Genesis [MKJV] 3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said to the woman, Is it so that God has said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

  I’ve been correctly taught that there is only one interpretation but there may be many applications to passages of God’s Word. There being theft that goes beyond material goods, “Thou shalt not steal” being a prime example.

  Consider the theft of vibrant life. I speak not of “Thou shalt not kill” death, but of the robbery of joyful living . . . a theft that may be accomplished in a multitude of ways; one of the most effective being by devious invitation.

  Beware of thieves in the trees of life!

EBB4   Sunday, April 29, 2018

DID JESUS GO TO HELL?

DID JESUS GO TO HELL?

  Answering the title question that has been raised again requires more than a quick read of Scripture and/or The Apostles’ Creed. 2Timothy2:15-16 Acts 7:11 Berean study is required. This day I provide GotQuestions.org well-written on point essay on the question. EBB4   Friday, April 27, 2018

"Did Jesus go to hell between His death and resurrection?"

  There is a great deal of confusion in regards to this question. The concept that Jesus went to hell after His death on the cross comes primarily from the Apostles’ Creed, which states, “He descended into hell.” There are also a few Scriptures which, depending on how they are translated, describe Jesus going to “hell.” In studying this issue, it is important to first understand what the Bible teaches about the realm of the dead.
  In the Hebrew Scriptures, the word used to describe the realm of the dead is sheol. It simply means “the place of the dead” or “the place of departed souls/spirits.” The New Testament Greek equivalent of sheol is hades, which also refers to “the place of the dead.” Other Scriptures in the New Testament indicate that sheol/hades is a temporary place, where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection and judgment. Revelation 20:11–15 gives a clear distinction between hades and the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the permanent and final place of judgment for the lost. Hades, then, is a temporary place. Many people refer to both hades and the lake of fire as “hell,” and this causes confusion. Jesus did not go to a place of torment after His death, but He did go to hades.
  Sheol/hades was a realm with two divisions—a place of blessing and a place of judgment (Matthew 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:23; Acts 2:27–31). The abodes of the saved and the lost are both generally called “hades” in the Bible. The abode of the saved is also called “Abraham’s bosom” (KJV) or “Abraham’s side” (NIV) in Luke 16:22 and “paradise” in Luke 23:43. The abode of the unsaved is called “hell” (KJV) or “Hades” (NIV) in Luke 16:23. The abodes of the saved and the lost are separated by a “great chasm” (Luke 16:26). When Jesus died, He went to the blessed side of sheol and, from there, took the believers with Him to heaven (Ephesians 4:8–10). The judgment side of sheol/hades has remained unchanged. All unbelieving dead go there awaiting their final judgment in the future. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes, according to Ephesians 4:8–10 and 1 Peter 3:18–20.
  Some of the confusion has arisen from such passages as Psalm 16:10–11 as translated in the King James Version: “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. . . . Thou wilt show me the path of life.” “Hell” is not a correct translation in this verse. A correct reading would be “the grave” or “sheol.” Jesus said to the thief beside Him, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43); He did not say, “I will see you in hell.” Jesus’ body was in the tomb; His soul/spirit went to be with the blessed in sheol/hades. Unfortunately, in many versions of the Bible, translators are not consistent, or correct, in how they translate the Hebrew and Greek words for “sheol,” “hades,” and “hell.”
  Some have the viewpoint that Jesus went to “hell” or the suffering side of sheol/hades in order to further be punished for our sins. This idea is completely unbiblical. It was the death of Jesus on the cross that sufficiently provided for our redemption. It was His shed blood that effected our own cleansing from sin (1 John 1:7–9). As He hung there on the cross, He took the sin burden of the whole human race upon Himself. He became sin for us: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). This imputation of sin helps us understand Christ’s struggle in the garden of Gethsemane with the cup of sin which would be poured out upon Him on the cross.
  As Jesus neared death, He said, “It is finished” (John 19:30). His suffering in our place was completed. His soul/spirit went to hades (the place of the dead). Jesus did not go to “hell” or the suffering side of hades; He went to “Abraham’s side” or the blessed side of hades. Jesus’ suffering ended the moment He died. The payment for sin was paid. He then awaited the resurrection of His body and His return to glory in His ascension. Did Jesus go to hell? No. Did Jesus go to sheol/hades? Yes.

IT'S PRIDE!

ANOTHER WORD FOR PRIDE

  Genesis [MKJV] 3:6-7 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasing to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make wise [Strong’s: H7919; שׂכל; śâkal; saw-kal'; A primitive root; to be (causeatively make or act) circumspect and hence intelligent: - consider, expert, instruct, prosper, (deal) prudent (-ly), (give) skill (-ful), have good success, teach, (have, make to) understand (-ing), wisdom, (be, behave self, consider, make) wise (-ly), guide wittingly.], she took of its fruit, and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 7 And the eyes of both of them were opened. And they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made girdles for themselves.

Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Jehovah and depart from evil.

  Hoping to leave no doubt on my part as to recognizing pride, I examined much defining from God’s Word, words that are synonymous with and thereby assist in identifying pride in my life. Consequently I can’t say I am blind to my pride. Then in our generation a new equivalent euphemistic word arose in our age: Self-esteem.

  Is there anything or anywhere in Scripture that has to do with our supposed to invest in building self-esteem? NO!

  Then why are there so many Christian writers penning books and articles on building or rebuilding self-esteem? Browse the self-help section of religious bookstores. And why are so many Christians caught up in reading them?

  One doesn’t have to think too deeply to figure the answer. It is summed up in one topic: PRIDE; the  reliance of depending on our own understanding instead of God’s blessed wisdom; that which is contrary to pride - 1Corinthians 13 charitable humility.

  For God’s child, joining in self-esteem endeavor is naught but ego-centric sinful circle; a winner’s circle not at all, it is a loser’s loop.

  How so?

  Partaking to award self we actually become that much more conscious of our insufficiency; our nakedness. In our nakedness we resort to prideful fig leaf coverup; scheming to obscure our nakedness apart from godly humility while only exposing more to self and others. To compensate on our own we partake again . . . and unless we leave fig leaf loopiness for God’s way we continue to dine at the table that not only never satisfies, but stimulates a voracious appetite that keeps us far from  the nutritious serenity (Pr.16:18) that God alone does provide.

  Hear and heed His proposal: “You say, 'I'm rich. I'm wealthy. I don't need anything.' Yet, you do not realize that you are miserable, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked. I advise you: Buy gold purified in fire from me so that you may be rich. Buy white clothes from me. Wear them so that you may keep your shameful, naked body from showing. Buy ointment to put on your eyes so that you may see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. Take this seriously, and change the way you think and act. Look, I'm standing at the door and knocking. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I'll come in and we'll eat together.” (GW Rev.3:17-20) 

EBB4   Thursday, April 26, 2018

 

APPROVAL

Matthew 6:9-13 [Jesus instructed]  After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

  Hmmm…. There is a vast difference in the position of deciding then seeking God’s approval versus aligning with His approved measure and then deciding on ways and means to implement. 

EBB4   Wednesday, April 25, 2018

VIABLE LIFE

VIABLE LIFE

  Ecclesiastes [NLT] 12:9-13 Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly. The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep. But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out. That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

  Luke 9:23-26 Then he [Jesus] said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.

  John 14:6-11 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

  Romans 12:1-4 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

  Concept is often at odds with precept. Commonly man’s idea of practicable living and God’s principle on the matter is the prime example: Our egocentric “I did it my way.” in disagreement with and in opposition to The Way. As a follower of Christ I am quite aware of this situation.

EBB4

BELIEVERS ARE SAVED UNTO CONFORMITY IN CHRIST

BELIEVERS ARE SAVED UNTO CONFORMITY IN CHRIST

Romans [GW] 5:6-11 Look at it this way: At the right time, while we were still helpless, Christ died for ungodly people. Finding someone who would die for a godly person is rare. Maybe someone would have the courage to die for a good person. Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God's love for us. Since Christ's blood has now given us God's approval, we are even more certain that Christ will save us from God's anger. If the death of his Son restored our relationship with God while we were still his enemies, we are even more certain that, because of this restored relationship, the life of his Son will save us. In addition, our Lord Jesus Christ lets us continue to brag about God. After all, it is through Christ that we now have this restored relationship with God.

Scofield’s #3 point in his Romans 1:16 footnote on salvation: “The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ.” Please thoughtfully consider all given verses in context.

Luke 9:23-26 He [Jesus] said to all of them, "Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses every day, and follow me. Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me will save them. What good does it do for people to win the whole world but lose their lives by destroying them? If people are ashamed of me and what I say, the Son of Man will be ashamed of those people when he comes in the glory that he shares with the Father and the holy angels.

Romans 12:1-3; 13:11  Brothers and sisters, in view of all we have just shared about God's compassion, I encourage you to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, dedicated to God and pleasing to him. This kind of worship is appropriate for you. Don't become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect. Because of the kindness that God has shown me, I ask you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, your thoughts should lead you to use good judgment based on what God has given each of you as believers. … You know the times in which we are living. It's time for you to wake up. Our salvation is nearer now than when we first became believers.

Ephesians 4:14-16 Then we will no longer be little children, tossed and carried about by all kinds of teachings that change like the wind. We will no longer be influenced by people who use cunning and clever strategies to lead us astray. Instead, as we lovingly speak the truth, we will grow up completely in our relationship to Christ, who is the head. He makes the whole body fit together and unites it through the support of every joint. As each and every part does its job, he makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

Hebrews 10:35-36 So don't lose your confidence. It will bring you a great reward. You need endurance so that after you have done what God wants you to do, you can receive what he has promised.

1Peter 1:4-5; 3; 17-18 We have been born into a new life which has an inheritance that can't be destroyed or corrupted and can't fade away. That inheritance is kept in heaven for you, since you are guarded by God's power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of time. … Keep your conscience clear. Then those who treat the good Christian life you live with contempt will feel ashamed that they have ridiculed you. After all, if it is God's will, it's better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong. This is true because Christ suffered for our sins once. He was an innocent person, but he suffered for guilty people so that he could bring you to God. His body was put to death, but he was brought to life through his spirit.

1John 3:1-2 Consider this: The Father has given us his love. He loves us so much that we are actually called God's dear children. And that's what we are. For this reason the world doesn't recognize us, and it didn't recognize him either. Dear friends, now we are God's children. What we will be isn't completely clear yet. We do know that when Christ appears we will be like him because we will see him as he is.

EBB4   Monday, April 23, 2018

BELIEVERS ARE DELIVERED FROM THE DOMINION OF SIN

BELIEVERS ARE SAVED FROM THE DOMINATION OF SIN

Romans [ESV] 5:6-11 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Scofield’s #2 point in his Romans 1:16 footnote on salvation: “The believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin.” Some related references to study in context:

Romans 6:14; 8:1-2 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. … There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

2Corinthians 3:17-18 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Galatians 2:19-20 For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

2Thessalonians 2:13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

EBB4   Sunday, April 22, 2018

BELIEVERS ARE SAVED FROM ETERNAL PENALTY

SAVED SANS ETERNAL PENALTY

Romans [MKJV] 5:6-11 For we yet being without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will with difficulty die for a righteous one, yet perhaps one would even dare to die for a good one.

But God commends His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Scofield’s #1 point in his Romans 1:16 footnote on salvation: “The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin and is safe.” Please do ponder all presented references in context.

Luke 7:50 And He [Jesus] said to the woman, Your faith has saved you, go in peace.

1Corinthians 1:18; 2:15 For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those being lost, but to us being saved, it is the power of God. … But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged by no one. 

Ephesians 2:4-10 But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us (even when we were dead in sins) has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved), and has raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.

1Timothy 1:9 … knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous one, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, …

EBB4   Friday, April 20, 2018

GLORIFICATION

GLORIFICATION

Matthew [MKJV[ 5:16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.

  In his footnote on salvation Scofield wrote of the required inclusive provisions of Jesus’ redeeming work: “Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel, gathering into itself all the redemptive acts and processes: as justification, redemption, grace, propitiation, imputation, forgiveness, sanctification, and glorification.“

  It doesn’t take much thought to see the necessity for the first seven on the list, but glorification?

  We know that we are to glorify God in word and deed, for He is supremely glorious in all ways. (Ps.22:23; 50:15; 86:9; Isa.24:15; Mt.5:16; Jn.7:18; 9:24; Rom.12:1-3; 15:6, 9; 1Cor.6:20; 1Pet.2:12; 4:16; Rev.15:4)

  Men do glorify God. (Ps.86:12; Isa.25:3)

  God glorifies Himself. (Lev.10:3; Isa.26:15; Ez.28:22; Isa.60:7; Hag.1:8; Jn.12:28; 13:31-32; 16:14; 17:1, 5; 21:19)

  We know that God glorified His chosen people. This we see throughout Israel’s recorded history in the OT. (Isa.55:5; Jer.30:19)

  Should we sinful beings be glorified? Doing so hardly seems proper!

  As I sometimes do, I leave you today with question: Why do we need God’s glorification to realize and manifest the 3 tenses of salvation?

  For your convenience I’ve included Scofield’s notation on the 3 tenses of salvation:

(1) The believer has been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin (Lk.7:50; 1Cor.1:18; 2:15; Eph.2:5, 8; 2Tim.1:9) and is safe.

(2) The believer is being saved from the habit and dominion of sin (Rom.6:14; 8:2; Phil.1:19; 2:12, 13; 2Thes.2:13; Gal.2:19, 20; 2Cor.3:18).

(3) The believer is to be saved in the sense of entire conformity to Christ. (Rom.13:11; Heb.10:36; 1Pet.1:5; 1Jn.3:2).

  

EBB4   Wednesday, April 18, 2018

THE GOSPEL OF INCLUSION

THE GOSPEL OF INCLUSION

GotQuestions.org: "What is the gospel of inclusion?"

Answer: The gospel of inclusion is simply the old heresy of universalism re-packaged and given a new name. Universalism is the belief that all people will eventually be saved and go to heaven. The gospel of inclusion, as taught by Carlton Pearson and others, encompasses several false beliefs:

(1) The gospel of inclusion says that the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ paid the price for all of humanity to enjoy eternal life in heaven without any need for repentance.

(2) The gospel of inclusion teaches that salvation is unconditional and does not even require faith in Jesus Christ as the payment for mankind’s sin debt.

(3) The gospel of inclusion believes that all humanity is destined to life in heaven whether or not they realize it.

(4) The gospel of inclusion declares that all humanity will go to heaven regardless of religious affiliation.

(5) Lastly, the gospel of inclusion holds that only those who intentionally and consciously reject the grace of God—after having “tasted the fruit” of His grace—will spend eternity separated from God.

  The gospel of inclusion runs counter to the clear teachings of Jesus and the Bible. In John’s Gospel, Jesus clearly states that the only path to salvation is through Him (John 14:6). God sent Jesus into the world to secure salvation for fallen humanity, but that salvation is only available to those who place their faith in Jesus Christ as God’s payment for their sin (John 3:16). The apostles echo this message (Ephesians 2:8–9; 1 Peter 1:8–9; 1 John 5:13). Faith in Jesus Christ means no longer trying to secure salvation based on works, but rather trusting that what Jesus did was sufficient to secure salvation.
  In conjunction with faith is repentance. The two go hand-in-hand. Repentance is a change of mind about your sin and need for salvation through Christ by faith (Acts 2:38). The act of repentance is one in which we acknowledge that, before God, we’re sinners incapable of earning our way to salvation. When we repent of our sins, we turn away from them and seek Christ by faith.
  Jesus offers salvation to everyone who is willing to repent and believe (John 3:16). However, Jesus Himself said that not everyone will believe (Matthew 7:13-14; John 3:19). No one likes to think that a loving and gracious God would send people to hell, but that is exactly what the Bible teaches. Jesus says that, at the end, the Son of Man will separate all the nations as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep (representing those who through faith in Jesus Christ have salvation secured) will go into the kingdom with Jesus. The goats (representing those who have rejected the salvation that Jesus offers) will go into hell, which is described as eternal fire (Matthew 25:31–46).
  This teaching offends many, and, instead of conforming their thinking to the clear teaching of the Word of God, some change what the Bible says and spread this false teaching. The gospel of inclusion is an example of this.
  Here are some additional arguments against the gospel of inclusion:

(1) If faith and repentance are not required to receive the gift of salvation, then why is the New Testament full of calls to repent and place your faith in Jesus Christ?

(2) If salvation doesn’t require faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross, then why did Jesus submit to such a humiliating and excruciatingly painful death? God could have just granted everyone a “divine pardon.”

(3) If everyone is going to go to heaven whether they realize it or not, then what about free will? Is the atheist who has spent his life rejecting God, the Bible, Jesus, and Christianity going to be dragged into heaven, kicking and screaming against his will? The gospel of inclusion seems to indicate that heaven will be filled with people who don’t necessarily want to be there.

(4) How can all people go to heaven regardless of religious affiliation if there are many religions which hold contradictory claims? For example, what about people who believe completely different things about the afterlife, such as reincarnation or annihilationism (i.e., the idea that at death we cease to exist after death)?

(5) Finally, if those who openly reject the grace of God don’t go to heaven, then it’s hardly a gospel of inclusion, is it? If all people do not go to heaven, do not call it the gospel of inclusion, because it still excludes some.

  The apostle Paul called the message of the gospel the “fragrance of death” (2 Corinthians 2:16). What he meant by this is that, to many, the message of the gospel is offensive. It tells people the truth about their sin and hopeless state without Christ. It tells people that there is nothing they can do to bridge the gap between themselves and God. For centuries, there have been those (many with good intentions) who have attempted to soften the message of the gospel to get more people into church. On the surface, that seems like the wise thing to do, but in the end all it does is give people a false sense of security. Paul said that anyone who preaches a different gospel than the one he preached should be cursed (Galatians 1:8). That is strong language, but once you realize how vitally important the message of the gospel is, you also realize how vitally important it is to get it right. A false gospel doesn’t save anyone. All it does is condemn more people to hell and generate greater condemnation for those who purvey falsehoods such as the gospel of inclusion.

COME SUNDAY

COME SUNDAY

2Timothy [Webster] 2:15 Study to show thyself approved to God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

  Those of you having already watched the recent Netflix streaming full length video recognize today’s title. The dramatized tale is about Bishop Carlton Pearson, an Oral Roberts’ poster boy, pastor-builder of a mega church with a uniquely mixed congregation. An enthusiastic active congregation named Higher Dimensions Family Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  

  “He was one of only two African American ministers to appear on national television, reaching hundreds of thousands to millions of people, weekly and has been credited as being one of the first black ministers to hold major conferences in arenas & stadiums within the African American fundamentalist movement. During the 1990s Pearson's church grew to an average attendance of over 6,000, and in 1997 Pearson was ordained as a bishop. In 2000, Pearson campaigned for George W. Bush, and later he was invited to the White House. Pearson had one of the most watched TV programs on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Pearson was also the host of the AZUSA Conference in Tulsa. Pearson was also a traveling evangelist, holding two-day revivals across the continent. Pearson also gave many up and coming ministers and singers credibility and a global audience, including T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, Donnie McClurkin and many others. Pearson has also met and counseled with former Presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton.” (wikipedia.org)

  The video highlights what the promoters advertise as a crisis of faith. “After watching a television program about the wretched conditions of people suffering and dying from the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, and considering the teachings of his church that non-Christians were going to Hell, Pearson believed he had received an epiphany from God. He stated publicly that he doubted the existence of Hell as a place of eternal torment. He said that hell is created on earth by human depravity and behavior.” . . . whereas prior to viewing with change of heart Pearson very much believed in and taught the reality of literal hell and the truth of those not saved spending eternity there. Afterward stating (in video) that you don’t need to be saved, referring to it as the gospel of inclusion, a variation of the old universal salvation.

  “In March 2004, after hearing Pearson's argument for inclusion, the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops concluded that such teaching was heresy.^[1] Declared a heretic by his peers, Pearson rapidly began to lose his influence.^[8] Membership at the Higher Dimensions Family Church fell below 1,000, and the church lost its building to foreclosure in January 2006. The church members began meeting in the nearby Trinity Episcopal Church as the New Dimensions Worship Center.” (wikipedia.org)

  At the end of the video it states “Carlton Pearson still lives in Tulsa where he ministers regularly at ALL SOULS UNITARIAN CHURCH. He continues to preach his message of inclusion guest speaking at churches and seminars around the country. His following is steadily growing.”

  Review the video if you will. Please do study all that God says on the matter. Share your conclusions with me for later airing if it pleases you.

EBB4

 

 

WITHOUT A DOUBT

WITHOUT A DOUBT

Hebrews [Webster] 13:5-6 Let your manner of life be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do to me. [Deut.31:6; Jos.1:5; 1Chr.28:20]

Jesus is not ashamed to identify us as His brothers and sisters. (Heb.2:11-13)

  When I wrote NOT A PROBATIONER last Thursday I expected challenges summed up in question But what about the Book of Hebrews?  Yes, what about the Book of Hebrews? Whether penned by Paul, Luke, or some other it doesn’t present doubt. For Christians it presents assurance of salvation, eternal security. Read it! A few points from the first 6 chapters:

  The good news of God’s salvation is not new news. The written report begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation, Hebrews included. Faith in God always the key, our predecessors looking forward, all those after Jesus completed His work looking unto Him; Jesus being the ultimate veracious sacrifice, there being no other authentic eternal sacrifice. We Christians must listen and adhere very carefully to the Way or we will suffer loss of not salvation, but of rewards. The old ways are gone. They were of value but could not physically eternally save. Again, eternal salvation is ever and always by faith. (Eph.2:8-10)

  Hebrews contains warnings to Christians and unbelievers. Do not confuse the two. Read with prayerful thoughtfulness and note the difference. Unto unbelievers, trust Jesus and gain eternal salvation. To believers, live by faith traveling by the Truth and Holy Spirit; if not then suffer His anger in loss of rewards and peace. We are to continually remind one another of these things.

  We are not to live immaturely serving self when we should be serving God and one another! We now know that we can never be good enough. Now and eternally we live by faith alone. We can however, Christian or not, reject Romans 12:1-3 thought to the point of no return.

  I consider 6:18 a very helpful verse for comprehension: God is immutable! For those that need Him and those trusting Him for salvation now and forever He has given both promise and oath, two things that can absolutely be counted on, for it is impossible for God to lie.

  Be assured that without Him people are lost forever, with Him people are redeemed now and forever Blessed assurance this is!

EBB4

ARE ALL EVENTUALLY GOING TO HEAVEN?

ARE ALL EVENTUALLY GOING TO HEAVEN?

  I’m not arguing with Sovereign God, but emotionally I wish I could answer the title question differently.

  Without hesitation the answer to the question posed in today’s title is absolutely positively no.
  Early on in His incarnation Jesus said in response to Satan’s offer, and for all since to hear “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. “ (Mt.4:4; Lk.4:4)  Toward the end of His human embodiment Jesus declared before His Father, His followers, and all since to hear, read, and take careful note “… your word is truth.“ (Jn.17:17)

  Looking to the word of truth to answer today’s question I first share Jesus’ words recorded in Matthew 25:46: “… these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.“

  Whether rendered “everlasting” or “eternal” in your favorite English translation or version, in the Greek it is most often αἰώνιος ; aiōnios; ahee-o'-nee-os; perpetual (also used of past time, or past and future as well): - eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began). (Strong’s)

  So we see both lost or saved, the result of “already condemned” status unaltered or trusting Lord Jesus Christ as Redeemer, hell and heaven . . . are both perpetual. God’s Word does not say eternal life, temporary condemnation.

  αἰώνιος ; perpetual is in 43 verses in the 4 Gospels on thru Jude. Only once each in Ephesians and 1Timothy did Apostle Paul use a different word.  In Eph.3:11 ἀΐ́διος ;aidios; ah-id'-ee-os; everduring (forward and backward, or foward only): - eternal, everlasting. In 1Tim.1:17 αἰών ;aiōn; ahee-ohn'; properly an age; by extension perpetuity (also past); by implication the world; specifically (Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future): - age, course, eternal, (for) ever (-more), [n-]ever, (beginning of the, while the) world (began, without end). (Strong’s) But as you can clearly see, the meaning is the same.

  “everlasting” is seen 26 times in the NT with the same meaning of perpetuity, forever, eternal.

  Will everyone eventually enjoy eternal life? Absolutely positively not says the Sovereign Creator and Sustainer of one and all.

EBB4   Friday, April 13, 2018

NOT A PROBATIONER

NOT A PROBATIONER

  John [ESV] 6:27  Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."

  2Corinthians 1:19-22 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes.  Certainly, Christ made God's many promises come true. For that reason, because of our message, people also honor God by saying, "Amen!" God establishes us, together with you, in a relationship with Christ. He has also anointed us. In addition, he has put his seal of ownership on us and has given us the Spirit as his guarantee.

  Beginning on October 13, 1955 I worked for the same company for nearly 43 years. As with other new employees I was on probation for 2 years. We could be dismissed during that period “without given cause” (explanation). In the last half of 1964 this rule was lowered to 6 months and the cause clause was altered. I never feared dismissal but nonetheless knew in the nether land of my mind that I wasn’t secure. Though not emotional occasions or worry producing for me, I did see dismissals of probationary coworkers. My 731^st day felt good.

  In the service of the Lord there is not any probation period. From our first moment of personally accepting and trusting Him we are fully secure.

  Ephesians 1:11-14; 4:30  In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. … And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

  2Timothy 2:15-19  Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."

  Old timers, of which I am undoubtedly one, refer to His seal as blessed assurance, a wonderful relaxed state of knowing one’s permanent place in the love of God. We, as followers of Christ, are not probationers!

EBB4   Thursday, April 12, 2018

ACTING BEFORE THE GOLDEN BOWL IS BROKEN

ACTING BEFORE THE GOLDEN BOWL IS BROKEN

Ecclesiastes [GW] 12:1-14 Remember your Creator when you are young, before the days of trouble come and the years catch up with you. They will make you say, "I have found no pleasure in them." Remember your Creator before the sun, the light, the moon, and the stars turn dark, and the clouds come back with rain. Remember your Creator when those who guard the house tremble, strong men are stooped over, the women at the mill stop grinding because there are so few of them, and those who look out of the windows see a dim light. Remember your Creator when the doors to the street are closed, the sound of the mill is muffled, you are startled at the sound of a bird, and those who sing songs become quiet. Remember your Creator when someone is afraid of heights and of dangers along the road, the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and the caper bush has no fruit. Mortals go to their eternal rest, and mourners go out in the streets. Remember your Creator before the silver cord is snapped, the golden bowl is broken, the pitcher is smashed near the spring, and the water wheel is broken at the cistern. Then the dust of mortals goes back to the ground as it was before, and the breath of life goes back to God who gave it. "Absolutely pointless!" says the spokesman. "Everything is pointless!" Besides being wise, the spokesman also taught the people what he knew. He very carefully thought about it, studied it, and arranged it in many proverbs. The spokesman tried to find just the right words. He wrote the words of truth very carefully. Words from wise people are like spurs. Their collected sayings are like nails that have been driven in firmly. They come from one shepherd. Be warned, my children, against anything more than these. People never stop writing books. Too much studying will wear out your body. After having heard it all, this is the conclusion: Fear God, and keep his commands, because this applies to everyone. God will certainly judge everything that is done. This includes every secret thing, whether it is good or bad.

  Life includes problems, some writ in our past, presently active, others yet to come. Was this not so for God Incarnate, the recently celebrated babe that became the cruelly Crucified Savior? Should we expect a different Gethsemane that He?

  Family life involves discomforting diverse point-of-view when it comes to solving problems. And it is very easy to fall prey to letting emotions dominate and thereby subjectively react in kind or just as bad – to shut eyes and ears, close mind, harden heart, and/or be totally non-confrontational. Emotional stress should not, must not dominate our thinking, for as followers of Christ ours is the utmost purpose. We are called to serve Him all our days in all our ways, a task that cannot be accomplished apart from combined vertical and horizontal love: “… when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." “ (ESV Mt.22:34-40)

  The Apostle Paul’s life embodied this point well; History as a destroyer. He afterward often dealt with destroyers within families and churches. His life involved much persecution ending with death by execution. Peopled hues on his canvas, but by submissive determination none framed his life picture.

  I pray this be so in my life and yours in subjection to our Lord . . . never forgetting that once the silver cord snaps, the golden bowl breaks, the old pitcher is shattered before the fountain of youth, our spokes support no longer . . . the opportunity for godly resolution to obtain things of everlasting value will cease. 

EBB4   Wednesday, April 11, 2018

CHALCEDON, COME AGAIN?

CHALCEDON, COME AGAIN?

  Matthew [MKJV] 11:15-16a [Jesus declared] He who has ears to hear, let him hear. But to what shall I compare this generation? …

  John 8:58 Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham came into being, I AM! [Ex.3:14; Is.4:6; Jn.1:1; Rev.1:8, 11; 21:6; 22:13]

  Who gives a hoot about a bunch of old guys that got together to argue theology in AD 451, right?

  Knowing and comprehending important historical turning points matters. The knowledge contributes to knowing how we arrived at this point plus understanding who and why we are. Where did I get such a belief? Before I trusted Christ, in High School from Mr. Vince Hanley’s world history classes. After trusting Christ, from Him.

  Jesus spoke of history often, doing so to help people understand present day circumstances and needs. Take your Bible and read only the words Jesus spoke, or easier yet . . . acquire an inexpensive copy of “Jesus Said …”(ISBN 1-56563-174-9) and thoughtfully read thru it. Take note of how many times he connected history with current events and needs. This past-to-present viability being a proof of the veracity of God’s Word. Jesus was not some theologian. Jesus was/is Theo!

EBB4   Tuesday, April 10, 2018

PS. History is never really past. It is layered in the present.

CHALCEDON

CHALCEDON

GotQuestions.org: "What was the significance of the Council of Chalcedon?"

  The Council of Chalcedon met in AD 451 in Chalcedon, a city in Asia Minor. The council’s ruling was an important step in further clarifying the nature of Christ and the orthodox doctrine of the Trinity. The council also laid the groundwork for one of the most significant events in ecclesiastical history—the Great Schism.
  In order to appreciate the significance of the Council of Chalcedon, we need a little background. Debate about the person of Christ arose prior to the first Council of Nicaea in AD 325. A man named Arius had taught the false doctrine that the Son of God was a created being and that He was of a different substance (heteroousios) than the Father. The Council of Nicaea sought to unambiguously define the relationship between the Father and the Son. The council said Jesus was truly God. Yet the opponents of the deity of Christ did not simply give up after the Nicene affirmation. But faithful Christians like Athanasius continued to defend Christ’s deity, and, in the end, truth triumphed over error.
  After Nicaea came the Council of Constantinople in AD 381, which rejected the teachings of Apollinaris, who said that Jesus’ divine nature had displaced His human mind and will. According to Apollinaris Jesus was not fully human, a teaching that 2 John 1:7 warns against. Later, Nestorius said Jesus had two separate natures and two wills, essentially making Him two persons sharing one body. This teaching was condemned at the Council of Ephesus in AD 431. And ten years later Eutyches also denied that Jesus was truly human, saying Jesus’ human nature was “absorbed” or swallowed up by His divine nature. This led to the Council of Chalcedon, which only lasted from October 8 to November 1, 451.
  The Council of Chalcedon anathematized (cursed) those who taught that Christ had only a single, divine nature and those who taught a “mixture” of His two natures. The Council produced the “Chalcedonian Definition,” which affirms that Christ is “the same perfect in Godhead and also perfect in manhood; truly God and truly man.” He is “consubstantial [homoousios] with the Father according to the Godhead, and consubstantial with us according to the Manhood.” Jesus Christ is “to be acknowledged in two natures, inconfusedly, unchangeably, indivisibly, inseparably” (quoted from www.carm.org). The divine and human natures of Christ are distinct yet united in one Person. This co-existence of Christ’s two natures is called the hypostatic union.
  By affirming that Jesus Christ is one Person who is both divine and human, the Council of Chalcedon made it easier to identify error. The Chalcedonian Definition affirms the truth that Jesus Christ is fully divine and, at the same time, fully human. He is both the Son of God (1 John 5:10) and the Son of Man (Mark 14:21). Jesus, the Word incarnate, assumed perfect humanity in order to save fallen humanity. He could not have saved us unless he was fully God and fully man.
  The Council of Chalcedon was also significant because it ratified the creeds of Nicaea and Constantinople. And it condemned the false doctrines of Nestorius and Eutyches. The council affirmed the single personality of Christ and the authenticity and perfection of both His natures, human and divine.
  Besides dealing with matters of theology, the Council of Chalcedon is famous for upholding an earlier ruling concerning church structure. The Council of Chalcedon assigned equal honor to the Church of Constantinople and the Church of Rome. The council gave the title “patriarch” to the most prominent bishops and concluded that the church of Constantinople (“New Rome”) held a position of authority similar to that of “Old Rome.” The pope, of course, rejected that particular article, while accepting the rest of the Chalcedonian Creed. Eventually, the rift between Rome and Constantinople led to the Great Schism between the Eastern Church and the Western Church in AD 1054.

Recommended Resource: Christianity Through the Centuries by Earle Cairns

DELIVERED TO RESPONSIBILITY

DELIVERED TO RESPONSIBILITY

   John [NLT] 5:1-9a [While in Galilee He performed miracles.] Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking!

  The above passage of Scripture puzzled me for years. Then Mark Welch introduced me to e-Sword.

  The thing that puzzled me is why would any person, especially Jesus ask “Would you like to get well?”

After being incapacitated for 38 years, why might a person not want to get well?

  Using e-Sword to conveniently access Strong’s and other resources I understood, and then considered some cases of deliverance I’ve observed.

  The word “walk” in verse 8 opened my eyes. Whereas I typically think in English, I believed Jesus was referring to physical movement, putting one foot in front of the other. A core meaning in Greek is “to deport oneself”, which is a whole different story far beyond podiatric plodding.

  Understanding this one word changed how I saw the account recorded in John 5:1-9. It no longer was story of Jesus’ only exercising love by omnipotence. It is largely about His omniscience.

  Deporting oneself can be scary business. Have we not all seen individuals draw back from accepting the responsibilities of deporting oneself? Have you ever been faced with increased mobility and felt like laying back down on a familiar bed, or actually done so? I have.

  I’ve seen men long for the deliverance of sobriety, but once free, when confronted with expectation and responsibilities of deportment, soon go back to bottle and/or needle, or deliberately go back to the safety of familiar incarceration. (This is part of my educating by inmates.)

  My mind now turns to a favorite verse that both comforts and at times frightens me: “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” (NLT 1Cor.13:11) This Word comforts when I consider progress away from pallet. It is frightening if I view largely angst over the hints of future deportment.

  My final thought this morning: “… look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”(NLT Jam.1:25)

EBB4   Sunday, April 08, 2018

 

STILL PONDERING CREATIVITY

STILL PONDERING CREATIVITY

God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. [ESV Gen.1:1a]

  As previously established, we being created by God in His image includes innate creativity. A delightful attribute when properly exercised, detrimental when not. Could we actively be more creative? I believe so. Then why aren’t we? I’ve been pondering two reasons that I recognize and experience.

  One is the matter of order, organization, the confining therein. This includes the contradiction of “We should think outside the box. Set new paradigms.” When in reality order, including politics, the scrutiny of others, the pyramid of management, commonly screws down the lid. Having both observed and experienced this Dilbertism I strive to be a healthy God-gifted contrarian. It is more important for my 2.5 year old greatgrandson to explore and excavate than for my home to look like photos from House & Garden.

  My second ponderance has to do with displacing God’s inbuilt creativity: The matter of our lazily seeking and embracing the creativity of others, we displacing thoughtful creativity with thought-less entertainment.

  And so continues our race.

EBB4   Friday, April 06, 2018

MEANT BY THE MAKER TO BE MAKERS

MEANT BY THE MAKER TO BE MAKERS

   God said, "Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. [GW Gen.1:26, 27]

  A maker space is anything from a room to a complete building set aside for STEM or other creativity, once upon a time called inventing. The space is equipped or not and used for a fee or is free depending on the organization or community sponsoring. Maker spaces are the result of the wakeup call that the USA pool of trades people is insufficient plus they are aging out without enough trained and experienced replacements.

  Every time I read or hear “maker space” I smile and rejoice. Why so?

  The first right and privilege given by the Maker was to create. Our Creator expected Adam and all thereafter to create. This is part and parcel of our being made in His image, God’s image including creativity.

  However, since Adam disobeyed God our creativity is often skewed, worldly philosophies making for our problematic life, including the decades ago idea that more highly academically educated people would result in a better more functional society. I’m sure you have noticed skewed creativity on the part of self and others and the resultant scramble to remedy. Me too.

  As followers of Christ what is our part in this?

  For this old tradesman, it is to read and follow the Maker’s instruction manual. (Ps.119:11)

EBB4   Thursday, April 05, 2018

MIRROR IMAGE

MIRROR IMAGE

   Romans [ESV] 12:1-3  I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

   1Thessalonians [GW] 5:16-20 Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this. Don't put out the Spirit's fire. Don't despise what God has revealed.

   1John [ESV] 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

  What do we see when we look at ourselves in the mirror? Do we see ourselves as stated in God’s Word? And if we do not, what difference will it, does it, make in our life?

  God said, "Let us make humans in our image, in our likeness." … So God created humans in his image. In the image of God he created them. (GW Gen.1:26-27)

  Seeing ourselves in concord with or contrary to this truth recorded in the book of Genesis has holy or hellish results: The improper choice of image dynamically conflicting with God’s ascribed likeness; our doing so reducing us to compensating with inordinate self-esteem (i.e. pride of life) that is in opposition to godliness; an egocentric godlessness that suppresses our seeking to truly worship God (Rom.12:1-3) and enjoy and share the fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:22-26).

  Knowing the actuality of Genesis 1:26-27, how now shall we live?

EBB4   Wednesday, April 04, 2018

ANTHROPOCENTRICISM

ANTHROPOCENTRICISM

   Isaiah [GW] 53:1-12 … He was despised and rejected by people. He was a man of sorrows, familiar with suffering. He was despised like one from whom people turn their faces, and we didn't consider him to be worth anything. He certainly has taken upon himself our suffering and carried our sorrows, but we thought that God had wounded him, beat him, and punished him. He was wounded for our rebellious acts. He was crushed for our sins. He was punished so that we could have peace, and we received healing from his wounds. …

   1Thessalonians 5:14-24 We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. Make sure that no one ever pays back one wrong with another wrong. Instead, always try to do what is good for each other and everyone else. Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, give thanks, because it is God's will in Christ Jesus that you do this. Don't put out the Spirit's fire. Don't despise what God has revealed. Instead, test everything. Hold on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil. May the God who gives peace make you holy in every way. May he keep your whole being-spirit, soul, and body-blameless when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

  “Anthropocentricism” sounds like a fatal disease, doesn’t it?

  Everyone has it, and without proper treatment it reaps havoc in spirit, soul, and body unto sickening or even death. (1Cor.11:30)

  Anthropocentricism is belief humans are nature’s most important entity in the universe, the treating of humans as preeminent; including and never apart from seeing life and all things in human terms, especially judging everything according to human perceptions, values, and experiences. (Sadly, in some Christian circles, this latter characteristic is common religious practice.)

  Anthropocentricism is the lordly mindset that others are to please, serve, respect, and meet my needs, all this while I judge, criticize, impress, and manipulate them.

  Anthropocentricism seeks and works at domesticating God to a god of my own making, seeing Him as being here for me, obedience to him (if at all) being selective according to my pleasure.

  Anthropocentricism can be easily recognized, but with the more sophisticated personality it is not so obvious and can even be misconstrued and lauded as leadership quality.

  Since Eden’s calamity everyone is afflicted with anthropocentricism, and without proper treatment it reaps havoc in spirit, soul, and body, even unto to the death of one or all.

  What might that treatment be?

  It is godly humility; realized only through submission to Holy Spirit directed spirit of meekness, other-mindedness, worshipping the Sovereign Alpha and Omega as Master of all. (Ps.8:1-9; Jn.15:5; Rom.3:10; 12:1-3)

  Let us heed Paul’s exhortation: “If there is therefore any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tendernesses and mercies, then fulfill my joy, that you may be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord and of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than themselves. Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others. For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men. And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (MKJV Phil.2:1-8)

  Oh, and one more thing . . . if you’re like me and have trouble remembering or pronouncing anthropocentricism, just say “Pride”, it’s the same thing.  EBB4 Tuesday, April 03, 2018

THE DAY AFTER

THE DAY AFTER

   Matthew [GW] chapter 26 … Don't you think that I [Jesus]could call on my Father to send more than twelve legions of angels to help me now? How, then, are the Scriptures to be fulfilled that say this must happen?" …

   Luke 9:22-26 Jesus said that the Son of Man would have to suffer a lot. He would be rejected by the leaders, the chief priests, and the scribes. He would be killed, but on the third day he would come back to life. He said to all of them, "Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses every day, and follow me. Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me will save them. What good does it do for people to win the whole world but lose their lives by destroying them? If people are ashamed of me and what I say, the Son of Man will be ashamed of those people when he comes in the glory that he shares with the Father and the holy angels.

  Without the physical presence of the person looked to for leadership things tend to fall apart. Often when the person is gone followers fall prey to the grief of disappointment as the result of false expectations. Jesus prepared His people for this, but they were dull of hearing and as with many after losing physical leadership soon lapsed into old familiar routines.

  This we decide whether we are fickle fans or faithful followers.

EBB4

PS. One man says that Lent may be no more than he lent the Lord a few moments of his time.

HE IS RISEN