It is written: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” (II Cor. 4:6-7)
The Apostle Paul lays out a parallel in this passage of the account of creation in Genesis chapter one and the salvation of man. Creation was without form, void, and in darkness; but the Spirit of God moved upon it and God commanded, “Let there be light: and there was light.” Man is void, in darkness, and dead in trespasses and sins; but in the sovereign grace and purpose of God, the Holy Spirit moves at the command of God and breaks forth with the true Light in the dark abyss of sinners’ hearts. Creation could not create itself. It required the sovereign act of God to create something from nothing. So to, man cannot self-create a new creature within himself. It requires the sovereign act of God to create life in deadness, to give the true Light in the utter darkness of a sinful heart.
This true Light is the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. In Hebrews the description of Jesus’ relation to the Father is: “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person…” (Heb. 1:3) The Almighty Eternal God has purposed to reveal the glory of His majesty by His amazing grace through Jesus Christ. It is in and through Jesus Christ that the saints of God are made to know the glory of the Father. If God did not command the Light to shine in the dark deadness of men’s hearts in the face of Jesus Christ, men would forever be doomed, adrift in the condemnation of their sins. Jesus is the Beacon that gives the Light of the glory of God, beaming out GRACE, GRACE, ALL OF GRACE.
Those who have gone through the new birth are truly able to sing, “I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.” In the face of the Lord Jesus is taught the knowledge of the glory of the Father, and the believer has this “treasure in earthen vessels.” In the believer’s frail body of the flesh, there is found the awesome eternal treasure of the glory of God. It is this treasure that the saints of God give witness to in the face of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.
From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Loophole Christianity?
Definition,
loophole: a means of escape; especially : an ambiguity or omission in the text through which the intent of a statute, contract, or obligation may be evaded
ambiguity: an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context
As I look at the above definition of loophole, I realize that I have been guilty at times of trying to find these so called loopholes or ambiguities of scripture to help support some pet sin or even something more sinister, the propping up of some false irrational explanation of scripture. If we are to hold to the sufficiency of scripture these so called loopholes simply put, "just do not exist". After all scripture is it's own best interpreter as we the believer are empowered by the Holy Spirit ( 2 Timothy 3:16). I am not talking about some vague theological construct such as the rapture timing and the millennial reign of Christ.
All false religions and cults are not only guilty of misinterpreting scripture, but guilty of searching for a "loophole" or ambiguity in scripture to support their methodology and demonic doctrine. They hope to find a way to wiggle around certain orthodox essentials, that if they were to accept, would after all make them "orthodox". The fact that their is a such thing as false doctrine and heresy shows the extreme effort man, inspired by Satan, will use to try to get to God through a loophole. Unaided by the Holy Spirit and by creating a God of ones own imagination.(John 10:1)
The "professing" christian that is so close to the truth and yet finds himself searching for the so called loopholes and ambiguities in scripture, the purposeful systematic approach of hunting down and misapplying scripture to suit his/her own design and fancy, finds themselves not far removed from the false religions. Remember that those who teach doctrine are held to a stricter judgement. (James 3:1) I think at times in our Christian life we unknowingly stumble in that direction.
So, what are some of these so called loopholes and ambiguities that "professing" Christians most often find themselves looking for or even attracted to?
1. A gospel of no Repentance? Saved with no changed life?
2. Doctrine and theology are not important only the gospel matters.
3. There is no need for Christians to go to church, I go only when I feel like it, God doesn't
mind.
4. The fellowship of other believers is really not that vital.
5. Watching or listening to certain media is a choice, after all it is a "gray" area.
6. Sharing the gospel with others is not really for me, after all scripture does
say that only some have the gift of evangelism.
7. My friend is in a false religion, it is not my place to say something to him.
8. My friend who is a christian is in obvious open sin but I am not to judge him, after all we
all sin as Christians anyway.
9. I am to live this christian life to the fullest suffering is not in the plan or will of God for me?
10. Just showing up for church on Sunday is good enough, I don't need to be involved in the life
my church.
I am sure there are many more that can be added to this list. But, for now I want to explore these a lil deeper in future posts.
Nolan
loophole: a means of escape; especially : an ambiguity or omission in the text through which the intent of a statute, contract, or obligation may be evaded
ambiguity: an expression whose meaning cannot be determined from its context
As I look at the above definition of loophole, I realize that I have been guilty at times of trying to find these so called loopholes or ambiguities of scripture to help support some pet sin or even something more sinister, the propping up of some false irrational explanation of scripture. If we are to hold to the sufficiency of scripture these so called loopholes simply put, "just do not exist". After all scripture is it's own best interpreter as we the believer are empowered by the Holy Spirit ( 2 Timothy 3:16). I am not talking about some vague theological construct such as the rapture timing and the millennial reign of Christ.
All false religions and cults are not only guilty of misinterpreting scripture, but guilty of searching for a "loophole" or ambiguity in scripture to support their methodology and demonic doctrine. They hope to find a way to wiggle around certain orthodox essentials, that if they were to accept, would after all make them "orthodox". The fact that their is a such thing as false doctrine and heresy shows the extreme effort man, inspired by Satan, will use to try to get to God through a loophole. Unaided by the Holy Spirit and by creating a God of ones own imagination.(John 10:1)
The "professing" christian that is so close to the truth and yet finds himself searching for the so called loopholes and ambiguities in scripture, the purposeful systematic approach of hunting down and misapplying scripture to suit his/her own design and fancy, finds themselves not far removed from the false religions. Remember that those who teach doctrine are held to a stricter judgement. (James 3:1) I think at times in our Christian life we unknowingly stumble in that direction.
So, what are some of these so called loopholes and ambiguities that "professing" Christians most often find themselves looking for or even attracted to?
1. A gospel of no Repentance? Saved with no changed life?
2. Doctrine and theology are not important only the gospel matters.
3. There is no need for Christians to go to church, I go only when I feel like it, God doesn't
mind.
4. The fellowship of other believers is really not that vital.
5. Watching or listening to certain media is a choice, after all it is a "gray" area.
6. Sharing the gospel with others is not really for me, after all scripture does
say that only some have the gift of evangelism.
7. My friend is in a false religion, it is not my place to say something to him.
8. My friend who is a christian is in obvious open sin but I am not to judge him, after all we
all sin as Christians anyway.
9. I am to live this christian life to the fullest suffering is not in the plan or will of God for me?
10. Just showing up for church on Sunday is good enough, I don't need to be involved in the life
my church.
I am sure there are many more that can be added to this list. But, for now I want to explore these a lil deeper in future posts.
Nolan
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