Contrasting the Two Trees

The following is not meant to be a theological exposition but rather, thoughts that came during my time in the Word.

From reading Romans 5:12-21
I have been thinking of how it was necessary for Jesus, in His humanity, to retrace the steps taken by the first Adam from the beginning. Just what does that look like in scripture? What are some of the parallels? Lets start at the beginning.

I would like to start by examining the parallel of the trees.
In the garden after Adam sinned by eating the fruit offered by Eve they hid themselves (so they thought) behind the trees. (Gen 3:7-8) So the story goes today as man attempts to hide himself from the presence of God. We go from Adam hiding behind a tree to Christ being crucified on a tree. Bookends, if you will, in redemptive history. From the first Adams willingness to sin and hide behind some"thing". That "thing" being a living tree to the second Adam being nailed and left naked for all to see. Nailed to the front of a dead tree. As Adam and Eve fashioned loin cloths from fig leaves in an attempt to cover the sin and shame that rightfully belonged to them to our Lord having no sin of His own , yet covered with the weight and wrath of sin that belonged to us. God came searching for the first Adam as he hid himself behind the trees (Gen3:9) to God turning His back on the second Adam. (Mark 15:34)
Adam ate the fruit of the tree that was desirable and pleasing to the eyes (Gen3:6) and that was the beginning of the bondage of sin for humanity.
Jesus drank the gall (sour vinegar) which was on a sponge attached to a branch of a hyssop tree. After He received this He said it was finished. In Christ there is an end to the bondage of sin.
In the life of the first Adam, there was a problem with a tree and in the life and death of the second Adam there was a solution to be found on a tree.
Adam ate-Christ drank- bookends.

How much of the world?

I have been thinking a lot lately about how much like the world I still am even while being so different. Worldly ideas and worldly thinking are so deeply ingrained into my thought pattern that its seems it will truly take this lifetime to be rid of it. (at the time of glorification!)
What areas do I struggle with the most in worldly thinking? Educating my children? Do I set out each day to raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord or do I think that, pray for that and then proceed to our academic lessons just to find at the end of the day the teaching I did was not that much different from any teacher of the world? The setting was different, that individual attention give was different but did I teach them Christ today? More than just the Bible lesson that I hope I got around to? Do I have educational goals that are different from this world? Do I care more for their spiritual life than their visible, earthly life?

What about my desire to have them fit in with the kids in our new neighborhood? I found myself hoping they would be accepted and liked by all the kids outside playing. What a jolt when I heard the language that came from one young mans mouth. Did I really just sit there and hope that they would fit in and be accepted into that world? How then am I teaching them to be holy and set apart? I should instead be praying that the Lord would use them and protect them in this situation. But for a moment I wanted them to be liked and accepted by man.....

How about for myself? How many activities do I engage in that are not spiritually profitable? Am I "allowed" to do so? YES! There are books I can read, shows I can watch, and songs that I can sing that would not be sin for me to partake of. Does that mean that I should? I think sometimes we spend so much time defending what we are allowed to do that we don't stop to think of how these things affect our walk with Christ. Does it grow me spiritually? Is it profitable to my walk, my relationship with the Lord? Am I using it in a way to serve Christ thru it? I believe these are questions I should ask myself before engaging in these activities.

That said, do I think that these questions should be asked by all Christians? I hesitate to say yes because I know they aren't being asked by all who know Christ. Who am I to say that another believer should cultivate their relationship with the Lord in the same way that I would? If I have been convicted in certain areas by the Holy Spirit and if He has changed my thinking on things then am I to say that He is wrong for not having done so in another's heart and mind?
Sometimes we want so badly to think that every christian must be the same in every way that when others are not where we are we judge them wrongly and sometimes harshly. Some names that come to mind are: legalist, liberal, lost, carnal, a pharisee, a fundamentalist and on and on....Yes, there are people that legitimately fit in these categories. But how careful we must be before we judge harshly and critically. This growth and sanctification is the Spirits work in our life and its for Him to produce in us and us to bear. Who are we to judge another's servant in areas that belong to him and the Lord?
How do we know the sovereignty of God and the work of the Holy Spirit and still dare judge another that may slightly disagree with us ?

I know I am guilty of all of it......its called sin and thats why we do it. There is no other excuse, no justification.......its sin.

Melissa

The Necessity Of Gods Humanity

1. Jesus came to earth to reveal God to man (John 1:18).
Since God is a Spirit no one has seen God. He has nothing tangible to hold on to. In essence Jesus came to explain God to sinful man with precision unmatched by any mere man.(Hebrews 1:2-3) We get the word explain from the word exegete. Jesus exegeted God. What does God look like=Jesus (John 14:7-10) We have to be careful here because Jesus did not mean that He WAS the Father. That would be modal ism. we have to take into account (Col 1:15).

2. To Live under the Law. (Galatians 4:4)
Christ had to be under the same subjection to God's Law just as Adam was in the beginning. The steps had to be retraced from that very beginning of mans existence. He kept all the Mosaic and ceremonial laws perfectly. He kept not only the outward actions to perfection but inward perfection as well. He lived for over thirty years under complete and total obedience to the Law of God. It was necessary for Jesus to live His life and to succeed where Adam had not, so that the curse could be reversed.
If it was only the cross, He would have gone from the throne to the cross. Not at all to diminish the cross, but He had to live sinless as well as die sinless (Romans 5:18)

3. He became a man to die for our sins (Romans 6:23).
From the beginning God announced that there would be a penalty for sin (Genesis 2:17).
God is not only the lawgiver but the Judge as well (Ezekiel 18:4). That penalty is death:
Physical death - separation of the soul from the body.
Spiritual death - separation from God.
Eternal death - Hell
Jesus had to become a man so He could die! God cannot die. (that blows the modalistic theology to shreds). He is from the beginning and has no end. Jesus became the God man so He could taste death and make atonement for our sins (John 1:29)

4. To be an example. (1 Peter 2:21-25), (1 John 2:6)
Obedience is so important to God that He condemned the whole world to Hell because of one mans one act of disobedience. The more that we become Like Christ the more that we can resist temptation for we have His Spirit living within us. We do this not just with our lips but with our life as well. (1 John 5:3) in contrast to the burdensome man made religious traditions of the historical Jewish leaders in Jesus day to the legalistic outward rituals of many today, the yoke of Jesus is easy and the burden light (Matthew 11:30)

5. To be our High Priest (Hebrews 2:17)
Prophets present God before men. The Priest presents men before God. Not only is he our High Priest but a sympathetic one also. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Do You Truly Desire God?

I am taking a lil time from posting on repentance and will be posting a couple of videos that a friend shared with me. May God truly bless and stir you as you watch and listen. To God be the Glory!!!!!!

" Believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and You Will Be Saved?"

As I have been studying and reading what true repentance looks like before and after conversion, I came across this writing by A.W. Pink entitled, Present Day Evangelism. As I was reading , He makes an important note of Acts 16:31, and how it was used in his day to evangelize the lost.
Which is very interesting, because just as in his day this verse is still used as a way to evangelize. It is used as a stand alone verse. Although it is obviously inclusive of the gospel. But is that the proper way to evangelize the lost with just this verse alone? Is that an accurate gospel presentation.
A friend of me and the Mrs, had asked the most important question "what is the gospel", on another blog. The answer from the one who owns the blog and another frequent commenter on the blog , was "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved." When asked where is repentance, the sinless life, the death ,burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ in this gospel presentation? The response was ,"this is the Gospel and we do not need to over complicate it." So, Pink had some interesting thoughts on this particular verse when used in evangelism. It would be worth our time to take a pit stop and read his comments. May it bless you as you read. May it strike at the conscience of those who are guilty of what he speaks.

A.W. Pink (1886-1952)


...........The Gospel is not a thing apart. It is not something independent of the prior revelation
of God’s Law. It is not an announcement that God has relaxed His justice or lowered His standard of holiness. So far from that, when scripturally expounded the Gospel presents the clearest demonstration and the climacteric proof of the inexorableness of God’s justice and of His infinite abhorrence of sin. But for scripturally expounding the Gospel, beardless youths and business men who devote their spare time to “evangelistic effort” are quite unqualified. Alas that the pride of the flesh suffers so many incompetent ones to rush in where those much wiser fear to tread. It is this multiplying of novices that is largely responsible for the woeful situation now con-fronting us, and because the “churches” and “assemblies” are so largely filled with their “converts” explains why they are so unspiritual and worldly.
No, my reader, the Gospel is very, very far from making light of sin. The Gospel shows us how unsparingly God deals with sin. It reveals to us the terrible sword of His justice smiting His beloved Son in order that atonement might be made for the transgressions of His people. So far from the Gospel settling aside the law, it exhibits the Savior enduring the curse of it. Calvary supplied the most solemn and awe-inspiring display of God’s hatred of sin that time or eternity will ever furnish. And do you imagine that the Gospel is magnified or God glorified by going to worldlings and telling them that they “may be saved at this moment by simply accepting Christ as their personal Savior” while they are wedded to their idols and their hearts are still in love with sin? If I do so, I tell them a lie, pervert the Gospel, insult Christ, and turn the grace of God into lasciviousness.
No doubt some readers are ready to object to our “harsh” and “sarcastic” statements above by asking, When the question was put “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:31) did not an inspired apostle expressly say, “Believe on the Lord Jesus and thou shalt be saved”? Can we err, then, if we tell sinners the same thing today? Have we not divine warrant for so doing? True, those words are found in Holy Writ, and because they are, many superficial and untrained people conclude that they are justified in repeating them to all and sundry. But let it be pointed out that Acts 16:31 was not addressed to a promiscuous multitude, but to a particular individual, which at once intimates that it is not a message to be indiscriminately sounded forth, but rather a special word to those whose characters correspond to the one to whom it was first spoken.
Verses of Scripture must not be wrenched from their setting, but weighed, interpreted, and applied in accord with their context; and that calls for prayerful consideration, careful meditation, and prolonged study; and it is failure at this point which accounts for these shoddy and worthless “messages” of this rush-ahead age. Look at the context of Acts 16:31, and what do we find? What was the occasion, and to whom was it that the apostle and his companion said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”? A sevenfold answer is there furnished, which supplies a striking and complete delineation of the character of those to whom we are warranted in giving this truly evangelistic word. As we briefly name these seven details, let the reader carefully ponder them.
First, the man to whom these words were spoken had just witnessed the miracle-working power of God. “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.” (Acts 16:26) Second, in consequence thereof the man was deeply stirred, even to the point of self-despair: “He drew out his sword and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.” (v. 27) Third, he felt the need of illumination: “Then he called for a light.” (v. 29) Fourth, his self-complacency was utterly shattered, for he “came trembling.” (v. 29) Fifth, he took his proper place (before God — in the dust — for he “fell down before Paul and Silas.” (v. 29) Sixth, he showed respect and consideration for God’s servants, for he “brought them out.” (v. 30) Seventh, then, with a deep concern for his soul, he asked, “What must I do to be saved?”
Here, then, is something definite for our guidance, if we are willing to be guided. It was no giddy, careless, unconcerned person who was exhorted to “simply” believe; but instead, one who gave clear evidence that a mighty work of God had already been wrought within him. He was an awakened soul. (v. 27) In his case there was no need to press upon him his lost condition, for he obviously felt it; nor were the apostles required to urge upon him the duty of repentance, for his entire demeanor betokened his contrition. But to apply the words spoken to him unto those who are totally blind to their depraved state and completely dead toward God, would be more foolish than placing a bottle of smelling salts to the nose of one just dragged unconscious from the water. Let the critic of this article read through Acts and see if he can find a single instance of the apostles addressing a promiscuous audience or a company of idolatrous heathen and “simply” telling them to believe in Christ!

“By the Law Is the Knowledge of Sin”

A.W. Pink

THE FRUITS OF REPENTANCE (A.W. Pink)

To help the exercised reader identify true repentance, consider the fruits that demonstrate godly repentance.
1.A real hatred of sin as sin, not merely it's consequences. A hatred of not only of this or that sin, but of all sin, and particularly of the root itself: Self-will. "Thus saith the Lord God, Repent, and turn from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations" (Ezekiel 14:6). He, who hates not sin, loves it. God's demand is, "Ye shall loathe yourselves in your own sight for all your evils that ye have committed" (Ezekiel 20:43). One who has really repented can truthfully say, " I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:104). He who once thought a course for holy living was a gloomy thing, has another judgment now. He , who once regarded a course of self-pleasing as attractive, now detests it and has purposed to forsake all sin forever. This is the change of mind God requires.
2. A deep sorrow for sin. The non saving repentance of so many is principally a distress occasioned by forebodings of divine wrath; but evangelical repentance produces a deep grief from a sense of having offended so infinitely excellent and glorious a Being as God. The one is the effect of fear, the other of love. The one is only for a brief season; the other is the habitual practice for life. Many a man is filled with regret and remorse over misspent life, yet has no poignant sorrow of heart for his ingratitude and rebellion against God. But a regenerated soul is cut to the quick for having disregarded and opposed his great Benefactor and rightful Sovereign
This is the change of heart God requires.
"ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner... for godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation" (2 Cor 7:9-10). Such a sorrow is produced in the heart by the Holy Spirit and has God for its object. It is a grief for having despised such a God, rebelled against His authority, and been indifferent to His glory. It is this that causes us to "weep bitterly" (Mat 26:75). He who has not grieved over sin takes pleasure therein. God requires us to "afflict our souls (Lev 16:29). His call is, Turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: and rend your hearts and not your garments and turn unto the Lord your God: for He is gracious and merciful" ( Joel 2:12-12). Only that sorrow for sin is genuine which causes us to crucify "the flesh with the affections and lusts" (Gal 5:24).
3. Confessing of sin. " He that covereth his sins shall not prosper" (Proverbs 28:13). It is second nature to the sinner to deny his sins, directly or indirectly, to minimize or make excuses for them. It was thus with Adam and Eve at the beginning. But when the Holy Spirit works in any soul, his sins are brought to light, and he, in turn, acknowledges them to God. There is no relief for the stricken heart until he does so: " When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long, for day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer" (Psalm 32:3-4). The frank and brokenhearted owning of our sins is imperative if peace of conscience is to be maintained. This is the change of attitude that God requires.
4. An actual turning from sin. "Surely there is no one here so stupefied with laudanum of hellish indifference as to imagine that he can revel in his lusts and afterward wear the white robes of the redeemed in paradise. If you imagine you can be partakers of the blood of Christ, and yet drink the cup of Belial; if you imagine you can be members of Satan and members of Christ at the same time, ye have less sense than one would give you credit for. No, you know that right hands must be cut off and right eyes plucked out-that the most darling sins must be renounced-if you would enter the kingdom of God" (from Spurgeon on Luke 13:24).
Three Greek words are used in the New testament that present different phases of repentance. First, metanoeo, Which means a "change of mind" (Mat 3:2; Mark 1:15,). Second, metanolomai, which means "a change of Heart" (Mat 21:29,32; Heb 7:21). Third, metanoia, which means "a change of course of life" (Mat 3:8; 9:13; Acts 20:21). The three must go together for genuine repentance. Many experience a change of mind: they are instructed and know better, but they continue to defy God. Some are even exercised in heart or conscience, yet they continue in sin. Some are informed in mind and uneasy in heart, who never reform their lives. The three must go together.
"He that covereth sins shall not prosper, but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13). He who does not, fully in his heart's desire and increasingly so in his life, turn from his wicked ways has not repented. If I really hate sin and sorrow over it, shall I not abandon it? Note carefully the "wherein in time past!" of Ephesians 2:2 and "were sometimes" of Titus 3:3! "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him" (Isa 55:7).
This is the change of course God requires..........to be continued

A.W. Pink

The Necessity Of Repentance

J.C. Ryle (1816-1900)
Luke 13:3
Except you repent, you shall all likewise perish"

The text that heads this page, at first sight, looks stern and severe: "except ye repent, ye shall all perish". "Are these glad tidings?Are these the good news of which ministers speak?" "This is a hard saying, who can hear it?" (John 6:60).
But from whose lips did these words come? They came from the lips of One Who Loves us with a love that passeth knowledge, even Jesus Christ, the Son of God. They were spoken by One Who so loved us that He left heaven for our sakes-came down to earth for our sakes-lived a poor, humble life for three and thirty years on earth for our sakes-went to the cross for us, went to the grave for us, and died for our sins. The words that come from lips like these must surely be words of love.
After all, what greater proof of love can be given then to warn a friend of coming danger? The father who sees his son tottering toward the brink of a precipice, and as he sees him cries out sharply, "stop,stop!"-does not that father love his son? The tender mother who sees her infant on the point of eating some poisonous berry and cries out sharply, "stop, stop! put it down!-does not that mother love that child? It is indifference that lets people alone and allows them to go on everyone in his own way. It is love, tender love, which warns and raises the cry of alarm. The cry of "Fire!Fire! at midnight may sometimes startle a man out of his sleep-rudely, harshly,unpleasantly. But who would complain, if that cry was the means of saving his life? The words, "Except you repent, ye shall all perish," may seem at first sight stern and severe. But they are words of love, and may be the means of delivering precious souls from hell.
I pass on now to...consider the necessity of repentance. Why is repentance needful? The text that stands at the head of this paper shows clearly the necessity of repentance. The words of our Lord Jesus Christ are distinct, express, and emphatic: "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." All, all without exception need repentance toward God. It is not only necessary for thieves, murderers,drunkards,adulterers, fornicators,and the inmates of prisons and of jails. No. All born of the seed of Adam-all without exception need repentance toward God. The queen upon her throne and the pauper in the workhouse; the rich man in his drawing room, the servant maid in the kitchen; the professor of sciences at the university, the poor ignorant boy who follows the plough-all by nature need repentance. All are born in sin; and all must repent and be converted if they would be saved. All must have their hearts changed about sin. All must repent, as well as believe the Gospel. "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall in no wise enter the kingdom of heaven"(Mat 18:3) "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
But whence comes the necessity of repentance? Why is such tremendously strong language used about this necessity? What are the reasons...repentance is so needful?
(a) For one thing, without repentance there is no forgiveness of sins. In saying this, I must guard myself against misconstruction. I ask you emphatically not to misunderstand me: the tears of repentance wash away no sins. It is bad divinity to say that they do. That is the office, that the work of the blood of Christ alone. Contrition makes no atonement for transgression. It is wretched theology to say that it does. It can do nothing of the kind. Our best repentance is a poor, imperfect thing and needs repenting over again. Our best contrition has defects enough about it to sink us into hell. "We are counted righteous before God only for the sake of our lord Jesus Christ, by faith and not of our own works of deservings not for our repentance , holiness, alms giving, sacrament receiving,or anything of the kind. All this is perfectly true. Still it is no less true that justified people are always penitent people and that a forgiven sinner will always be a man who mourns over and loathes his sins. God in Christ is willing to receive rebellious man and grant him peace if he only comes to him in Christ's name, however wicked he may have been.
But God requires, and requires justly, that the rebel shall throw down his arms. The Lord Jesus Christ desires to see a man hate the sins that he wishes to be forgiven. Let some men call this "legality," if they will. Let some call it "bondage," if they please. I take my stand on Scripture. The testimony of God's Word is plain and unmistakable. Justified people are always penitent people. Without repentance, there is no forgiveness of sins.
(b) For another thing, without repentance there is no happiness in the life that now is. There may be high spirits, excitement, laughter, and merriment, so long as health is good and money is in the pocket. But these things are not solid happiness. There is a conscience in all men, ant that conscience must be satisfied. So long as conscience feels that sin has not been repented of and forsaken, so long it will not be quiet and will not let a man feel comfortable within...
(c) For another thing, without repentance there can be no meetness for heaven in the world that is yet to come. Heaven is a prepared place, and they that go to heaven must be a prepared people. Our hearts must be in tune for the employments of Heaven, or else Heaven itself would be a miserable abode. Our minds must be in harmony with those of the inhabitants of Heaven, or else the society of Heaven would soon be intolerable to us...What could you possibly do in Heaven if you got there with a heart loving sin? To which of all the saints would you speak? By who's side would you sit down? Surely, the angels of God would make no sweet music to the heart of him who can bear saints upon the earth and never praise the Lamb for redeeming love! Surely, the company of patriarchs, and apostles, and prophets would be no joy to that man who will not read his bible now and does not care to know what apostles and prophets wrote. Oh, no! No!! There can be no happiness in heaven, if we get there with an impenitent heart...
I beseech you by the mercies of God to lay to heart the things that I have just been saying and to ponder them well. You live in a world of cheating, imposition, and deception. Let no man deceive you about the necessity of repentance. Oh, that professing Christians would see, and know, and feel more than they do, the necessity, the absolute necessity of true repentance before God! There are many things that are not needful. Riches are not needful. Health is not needful. Fine clothes are not needful. Noble friends are not needful. The favor of the world is not needful. Gifts and learning are not needful. Millions have reached heaven without these things. Thousands are reaching heaven every year without them. But no one ever reached heaven without "repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ" ( Acts 20:21)
Let no man ever persuade you that any religion deserves to be called the gospel, in which repentance towards God has not a most prominent place. A gospel, indeed ! That is no gospel in which repentance is not a principal thing. A gospel! It is the Gospel of man, but not of God. A gospel! It comes from earth, but not from heaven. A gospel! It is not the gospel at all. It is rank antinomianism and nothing else. So long as you hug your sins, and cleave to your sins, and will have your sins, so long as you may talk as you please about the gospel, but your sins are not forgiven. You may call that legal, if you like. You may say, if you please, you hope it will be alright at the last, God is merciful, God is love, Christ has died, I hope I shall go to heaven after all. No! I tell you, it is not alright. It will never be alright...you are trampling under foot the blood of the atonement. You have as yet no part or lot in Christ. So long as you do not repent of sin, the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is no gospel to your soul. Christ is a Savior from sin, not a Savior for man in sin. If a man will have his sins, the day will come when the merciful Savior will say to him, "depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt 25:41).
Let no man ever delude you into supposing that you can be happy in this world without repentance. Oh, no!...The longer you go on without repentance, the more unhappy will the heart of your be. When old age creeps over you and grey hairs appear upon your head, when you are unable to go where you once went, and take pleasure where you once took pleasure, your wretchedness and misery will break in upon you like an armed man...write it down in the tablets of your heart, without repentance, no peace!
I expect to see many wonders at the last day. I expect to see some at the right hand of the Lord Jesus Christ whom I once feared I should see upon the left. I expect to see some at the left hand whom I supposed to be good Christians and expected to see at the right. But there is one thing I am sure I shall not see. I shall not see at the right hand of Jesus Christ one single impenitent man.

J.C.Ryle

"Living life with the light turned on"

Our associate pastor made a statement this morning in the sermon he gave . "God has brought Christians out of the domain of darkness into his marvelous light, so we as Christians are people who are living with the light on."
Kinda fits well with this blog name. So, I think I will use his statement somewhere on this blog.
I have been reading and studying what biblical repentance is and what it looks like. In the aspect of someone experiencing the new birth and also repentance in the life of the believer.
Repentance in a lost man is achieved by the power of the Holy Spirit awakening that individual to his sinful condition and his need for a saviour.Lost man is dead Ephesians 2:1.
What he needs, in essence ,is for God to turn on the Light switch for him. As we emerge from darkness into Christ's marvelous light we still stumble but yet we are still in His Light.
The light of Gods word ever present, like a light house beacon shining in the distance to beckon us back to safe harbor. If we drift , which we no doubt at times will, because sin is ever present in us still. We are to live a life of repentance. There is the repentance that leads one into the kingdom, then once into the kingdom we still live a life of repentance. What does this biblical repentance look like on both sides of the kingdom?
I will start a series of posts quoting some of the great puritan writers on their views of biblical repentance . I want to start these posts off with this particular verse as a diving board if you will.
John 3:20-21
For everyone who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who practices the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God.

EXAMINING OUR REPENTANCE

Thomas Watson(1620-1686)

If any shall say they have repented, let me desire them to try themselves seriously by those seven effects of repentance which the Apostle lays down in 2 Corinthians 7:11

1. Carefulness: The Greek word signifies a solicitous diligence or careful shunning of all temptations to sin. The true penitent flies from sin as Moses did from the serpent.

2. Clearing of ourselves: The Greek word is apology. The sense is this: though we have much care, yet through strength of temptation we may slip into sin. Now in this case, the repenting soul will not let sin lie festering in his conscience, but judges himself for sin. He pours out tears before the Lord. He begs mercy in the name of Christ and never leaves until he has gotten his pardon. Here he is cleared of guilt in his conscience and is able to make apology for himself against Satan.

3. Indignation: He that repents of sin, his spirit rises against it, as one's blood rises at the sight of him who he mortally hates. Indignation is a being fretted ,(distressed) at the heart with sin. The penitent is vexed with himself. David calls himself a fool and a beast (Psa 73:22). God is never better pleased with us than when we fall out with ourselves for sin.

4. Fear: A tender is ever a trembling heart. This hornet has stung him and now, having hopes that God is reconciled, he is afraid to come near sin anymore. The repenting soul is full of fear. He is afraid he should, for want of diligence, come short of salvation. He is afraid lest, after his heart has been soft, the waters of repentance should freeze and he should harden in sin again.

"Happy is the man that feareth alway" (Proverbs 28:14) ....A repenting person fears and sins not; a graceless person sins and fears not.

5. Vehement desire: As sour sauce sharpens the appetite, so the bitter herbs of repentance sharpen desire. But what does the penitent desire? He desires more power against sin and to be released from it. It is true, he has got loose from Satan; but he goes as a prisoner that has broken out of prison with a fetter on his leg. He cannot walk with that freedom and swiftness in the ways of God. He desires therefore to have fetters of sin taken off. He would be freed from corruption. He cries out with Paul, "Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Rom 7:24). In Short, he desires to be with Christ, as everything desires to be in it's center.

6. Zeal: Desire and zeal are fitly put together to show that true desire puts forth itself in zealous endeavor. How the penitent does bestir(busy, or rouse) in the business of salvation!

How he does take the kingdom of heaven by force (Mat 11:12)! Zeal quickens the pursuit after glory. Zeal, encountering difficulty, is emboldened by opposition and tramples upon danger. Zeal makes a repenting soul persist in Godly sorrow against all discouragements and opposition whatsoever. Zeal carries a man above himself for God's glory. Paul, before conversion, was made against the saints (Acts 26:11). After conversion, was made for Christ's sake: "Paul, thou art beside thyself"(Acts 26:24). But it was zeal, not frenzy. Zeal animates spirit and duty. It causes fervency in religion, which is a fire to the sacrifice (Rom12:11). As fear is a bridle to sin, so zeal is a spur to duty.

7.Revenge: A true penitent pursues his sins with a holy malice. He seeks the death of them as Samson was avenged on the Philistines for his two eyes. He uses his sins as the Jews used Christ. He gives them gall and vinegar to drink. He crucifies his lusts (Gal 5:24). A true child of God seeks to be revenged most of those sins that have dishonored God most...David did by sin defile his bed; afterwards by repentance he watered his bed with tears. Israel had sinned by Idolatry, and afterwards they did offer disgrace to their idols: Ye shall defile also the covering of thy graven images of silver" (Isa 30:22)...... The Israelite women who had been dressing themselves by the hour and had abused their looking glasses to pride, afterwards by way of revenge as well as zeal, offered their looking glasses to the use and service of Gods tabernacle (Exodus 38:8)....So those conjurers who used curious arts of magic...when once they repented, brought their books and, by way of revenge, burned them (Acts 19:19).

These are the blessed fruits and products of repentance. If we can find these in our souls, we have arrived at that repentance which is never to be repented of (2 Co 7:10).

From: The Doctrine of Repentance, Thomas Watson

Next up J.C. Ryle: The Necessity Of Repentance (1816-1900)

EVERY CHRISTIAN MAN SHOULD KNOW...........

Every Christian man should know….
By Charles E King

1. There is one God and He is three persons. The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit are and is the Holy Trinity. (Study the scriptures with this knowledge and see its truth unfold) God is the author, creator, and sustainer of all things that are and have ever been (Colossians 1:15-20)

2. When Adam sinned we sinned all. We deserve the wrath of God. We all fall short. (Romans 3:23) We need a savior.

3. Jesus Christ came down as a man and lived a perfect life but died a sinner’s death. This is the death that we deserved. On that cross, He drank the wrath of God, for our sake. (John 3:16) In doing so, His righteousness was imputed to us from his substitutionary life and death. (Romans is a great commentary on this) All we must do is repent and believe. This is the Gospel. This is God’s brilliant infinite plan, that the wisdom of man is folly (I Corinthians 1:18-25) and we bring nothing to the table but our wretchedness. We are saved by the grace of Jesus Christ alone not by anything we do. Accept this truth. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast". (Ephesians 2:8-9)

4. The grace of Jesus does not give us an open license to sin, it should humble us. Knowing that Christ has suffered our punishment and gave us His righteousness, so that we can stand before the holy, holy, holy God unblemished should awaken us to strive to live a holy life in faith. (read Paul’s letter to the Galatians)

5. We exist to glorify God. You should be a living sacrifice to the Lord. Enjoy life the way it is meant to be enjoyed, without perversion or cynicism but in love, faith, and truth. Through the Gospel we also have solid eternal JOY! Let your joy be in Christ. “Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

6. God is sovereign. And you are not God. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5) {Commit this verse to heart}

7. The Holy Bible is the divinely inspired word of God. (2 Tim 3.16-17) It should be a priority to read it frequently, study it, and meditate on what you have read.

8. The Holy Bible cannot be in error or contradict itself because God cannot be in error. (2 Tim 3.16-17) When you have questions seek the Lord in earnest and know that he is there and will answer. (Deuteronomy 4:29-31)

9. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and in humility, for you are in audience with The Holy God. Remember“...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16) Take the time to be still and know God. (Psalm 46:10)

10. The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. (Proverbs 1:7) If any man claims wisdom without fearing God, his logic is foundationally flawed. (Read the book of Proverbs)

11. Fear the Lord God and nothing else. This will not be easy; you must believe the Lord will provide for you in all matters. Don’t trust your senses; trust God’s word. (Read the book of Proverbs)

12. To the best of your ability be at peace with those around you, but don’t compromise your convictions. Be slow to anger and when you are angry don’t sin, but be quick to defend the weak and stand for righteousness. “Pure religion is to remember the widows and the orphans and keep yourself unspotted by the world.” (James 1:27)

13. Treat people the way you want to be treated, let all things be done in love, and show the world the love of Christ freely. Make yourself available to others. Don’t make someone beg for help. Whatever you do for the least of the brethren you do to Christ Himself. (Matt 25:40) Don’t withdraw into yourself. The farther you retreat within self, the harder it is to know God.

14. You will always struggle. But your rest and joy is in Jesus Christ. Be calm. Respond to the situation with a level head because God is in control. Let the peace of God rule your heart. (Colossians 3:15)

15. A woman has the power to build you up or destroy you, be discerning about who you choose to be with. If you get married, take it seriously and lay down your life for your wife because the two of you are now one. Never abuse your wife. You are to love her as Christ loves the Church (Ephesians 5:25).

16. If you have children teach them the ways of the Lord. This is the greatest gift you can bestow upon them. Discipline and disciple your children. (Ephesians 6:4) There are few things more moving than seeing your child demonstrate wisdom.

17. A man’s first Godly mission field is to his family. (Read Ephesians chapters 5 and 6)

18. Keep your word. Let your “yes” mean “yes” and your “no” mean “no” (James 5:12)

19. Nothing good comes out of being intoxicated (drunk). Reason will leave you and conscience will be gagged. That which is putrid in you will be left uncaged, unchecked, and the enemy will pounce upon you. (Proverbs 23:29-35)

20. Sex is a beautiful gift from God to be shared between a husband and wife. In any other instance beside the aforementioned, when sex is used it is a perversion of the gift. (Hebrews 13:4)

21. Sexual urges are so powerful; you cannot resist them on your own. You must rely on Christ to overcome. His grace is sufficient. “Submit to God. but resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7)

22. Forgive. Whether those who have offended you ask for forgiveness or not, forgive. Your heavenly Father has forgiven you and who are you to deny forgiveness to someone else, so forgive. Remember, when Christ was on the cross he pleaded for his Father to forgive those who crucified him as they were mocking him, so forgive. (Luke 23:34) Bless those who spitefully use you. (Luke 6:28)

23. You will find trouble in the world. There is no need to fear it, because greater is He who is in you than in the world. (I John 4:4)

24. Evil will not save you. (Proverbs 20:22) So, don’t expect, “everything to be ok”, if you are living in sin. Evil will laugh when you fall and mock when you stumble. Whereas, Christ will hold out His hand. To run from the Lord is to embrace death, for that is the only other option. (Proverbs 8:36) Know this truth.

25. Lying is an abomination to God and it is a gateway to numerous other sins. The Lord delights when you are true and honest. Take this to heart. (Proverbs 12:22)

26. Pray a blessing over and be thankful for every meal. Survey the bountiful nourishment before you and be humble and grateful in receiving it. (Colossians 4:2)

27. You are not promised tomorrow. Your next breath is in God’s hand, to give or take. Don’t be afraid of this thought, let it sober you and help you to live each moment remaining for Christ. (James 4:14)

28. Science is a tool to be used to observe and gain a deeper understanding of God’s universe. However, it consists of the empirical findings of man and is therefore subject to man’s corruption and limited intellect. So, beware of those who treat theory as scripture. Look at the stars, if you can, and remember that the entire universe and everything in it will one day be rolled up like a scroll but the Word of God will remain and you will abide with Him. (Read the book of Revelation and be awed)

29. Organized religion is also subject to man’s limitations; beware of pastors who are ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing. Put your faith and trust in God and not man or you will be dangerously disappointed. You must find a good church that preaches the Bible and worship there with other believers. Make yourself available to the church because it is the bride of Christ and you are a part of it. (Hebrews 10:25, I John 1:3, I Corinthians 12)

30. We will fall and we will fail, this is why we need the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. Humbly, like a child returning to the Father, accept this, get up, and know that the sovereign, Lord, God of all, who is the author and finisher of our faith, will complete the work He has started in us. Remember that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39) To Our Lord, Savior, and God Christ Jesus be praise, honor, and glory forever and ever. Amen

Doctrine of Demons?

I am constantly amazed at how much doctrinal and theological error we are surrounded with each and everyday, and how passive we have become as Christians. Most of us are not taking a stand against heretical views and false doctrine, because we are afraid of offending anyone who professes to be a Christian, no matter what theology they hold to.
Case in point, I have started a new job.
I am working for a friend that I met about 10 years ago. He is a Catholic. I mean, a real practicing Catholic, not your average cultural Catholic, much like I was at one time. You know, the kind that are Catholic just because everyone else in the neighborhood is.
He was trained for several years in El Salvador by the Franciscan Monks.
He later went to a Catholic seminary in the U.S. for a short period of time. He is very well versed in Catholic theology.

Back to my friend in a minute.

In this new job, I have met three other individuals as well. One, a cultural Catholic (hardly ever shows up for mass).
One, a practicing Catholic, much like my friend although without the formal training. The other, a full fledged, will argue tooth and nail Seventh Day Adventist. A language barrier already exists, for they are all Hispanic and speak very little English. As I began to share the gospel with these three men on the job it became obvious that there existed another barrier as well. After I shared the gospel of Jesus Christ I found myself rather quickly having to defend Orthodox Biblical Christianity. What a shift. I mean I certainly expected them to fall down on their knees immediately and repent to God for their wicked ways, yeah right.
Instead the two Catholics began to talk amongst themselves. The practicing Catholic was actually responding to what had been said. It was the non practicing Catholic who was earnestly defending his religion. He knew Catholic dogma quite well. I found myself trying to show them the many errors of Catholic doctrine compared to scripture. They were like most Catholics, they attend mass every Sunday and never bring their bibles.
They never read their bibles when they get home, they only believe what they are told by their priests. After all, isn't that what everyone else in their communities did ? If it is good enough for them then its good enough for me, right? So, I began to work out some issues with them, mainly the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Salvation by faith alone in Christ alone. Not works of any kind on our part. The Seventh Day Adventist pipes in at this point and says that repentance and baptism assure one of true salvation. When He says baptism he was speaking of regenerational baptism. At this point I am thinking, wow, doctrines of demons. His religion also teaches that you can not eat certain foods. They still hold to the dietary laws of Leviticus 11.
1 Tim. 4:1-6 came to mind:
But the spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified means of the word of God and prayer. In pointing these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
All three of these men were staring down the barrel of this verse. The Catholics, believing and forbidding priests from marriage and the Adventist teaching the abstaining from certain foods. They are in essence following the doctrines of demons. More importantly they are following a hell damning gospel of works propagated by satan and carried out by his demons. There are some Christians who I know will say, there is no need to argue with them over their false beliefs or learn about the many false doctrines. I agree we should not argue with them, we should do as 2 Tim 2:24-26
And the Lord's bond servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth and they may come to their senses and escape the snares of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
So, may God continue to give me opportunity to share Hs truth with these three men. May God lead these men out of bondage and the captivity of satan.
May I continue to hold to the truth of this passage of scripture:
2 Tim. 2:15
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.

In such an age of Ecumenism and apathy, may we all become Christians who will gladly pay the cost of standing for the truth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Now, my Catholic friend whom I mentioned earlier.....................

THE HABIT OF SOME?

Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more, as you see the day drawing near.

In this text we see strong words used by the Holy Spirit inspired writer.

not forsaking- Grk. (egkataleipo) to abandon or completely desert
habit - Grk. (ethos) a custom, to become accustomed

The same Greek word used here for forsaking is the same Greek word used in Mt 27:46 and Mk 15:34.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is "My God, My God, why hast though forsaken me?"

The same word used to describe the complete and total abandonment that Christ experienced on the cross, when the father turned his back on His Son. To turn your back on the Church purposely and to say I will not look for a church or some type of assembly ever, with no obvious excuse such as poor doctrine, geographical problems , health issues and the like is in the same since of this word used here, turning your back on Christ.What is to be said of someone who encourages others to flee their churches? Because of their whacked out eschatology that states that every church at this time is totally apostate. Which by the way, is what all cults have in common, that they are the only ones who have the truth and all others are completely apostate. Well I have run across such an individual who has a blog and does this very thing. I have watched him post on other blogs other than his own and sway people to his belief.

Here is his link http://blogspot.theinvisiblechurch.ca/

I have had dialogues with him on his blog as well as herehttp://thewomanofvirtue.blogspot.com/

If you view these threads, notice how persuasive he is and how he has swayed some. Also notice how he tries to evade all questions about his "No Church Theology". If you disagree he calls you lost.I do know at some point it becomes a waste of time trying to point out his errors. But I will say it is a good case study on a "cyber wolf".

Thomas Watson's view on the "lone ranger Christian"Satan picks off the one ship that does not sail with the convoy


Spurgeon has the following comments...
For Christian fellowship is helpful to us, and we are helpful to others by it. A Christian is not meant to be a solitary being. Sheep are gregarious, and so are the sheep of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us not be solitary pilgrims along the road to heaven, but join that glorious host of God’s elect who march beneath the guidance of our great Master.Does not every day bring us nearer to the coming of the Lord? Are there not many signs that these are the last days? Well then, so much the more let us stir each other up to love and to good works.Yes; there are some who even make a bad use of what ought to be a great blessing, namely, the printing-press, and the printed sermon, by staying at home to read a sermon because, they say, it is better than going out to hear one. Well, dear friend, if I could not hear profitably, I would still make one of the assembly gathered together for the worship of God. It is a bad example for a professing Christian to absent himself from the assembly of the friends of Christ. There was a dear sister, whom many of you knew, who used to attend here with great regularity, although she could not hear a word that was said; but she said it did her good to join in the hymns, and to know that she was worshipping God with the rest of his people. I wish that some, who stay away for the most frivolous excuses, would think of this verse: “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;”

Is it a command for Christians to go to Church?

Hebrews 10:24-25
24-and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds 25-,not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

There is a growing trend of professing Christians who are leaving churches for one reason or another. Some with very good reasons, false doctrine, lack of leadership, lack of church discipline etc. Some, for physical reasons can not attend a local congregation.
But, there are some who simply say, I CHOOSE not to go to church or assemble with the saints any longer. They say it is a privilege to go to church and not a command.
Well, it is a privilege afforded to us by God. To that I say amen! But is it a command? I mean if you COMMAND me to do something won't I just resent it? NO!
As a Christian there is something to be said for being OBEDIENT to Gods commands in scripture. We are obedient to God because we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to love God.

1 John 5:1-4
(1)Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him.(2) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments(3)For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments and His commandments are not burdensome.(4) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.


Some would look at the verses in Hebrews 10:25 as simply a suggestion by God. Is that what it really is, just a suggestion? There is something really wrong under the hood of the professing Christian who looks at these verses just simply as a suggestion. As if they know what is best for them and not God. If a person has a problem submitting to the CLEAR teaching of God's word then something is seriously amiss.
This is not a cookies on the top shelf theological issue. It only becomes problematic when an individual tries to explain it away.
It pains me to no end when we see someone like Harold Camping and the like, try and persuade people to forsake the assembly of the saints. What is even worse is to see the success rate they have. I will admit that the state of what we call evangelicalism has been under attack by the enemy since the beginning of the New Testament Church. Satan has been trying since Adam and Eve to divide the husband and the bride. So now he is trying to divide Christ from his bride the church. Which in God's sovereign plan he is allowing to happen.
Anyone who tells or encourages someone to depart from the visible Church, or you do not need to assemble together with other believers is against scripture.
They are teaching things that are false. They are false teachers plain and simple.