Talking About Adultery

Your Cheating Heart

Adultery does not start in the bedroom. Oftentimes it starts with a lively conversation or maybe a Facebook exchange. Conversations blossom into flirting. Flirting then takes on a whole new dynamic as personal feelings are shared. Rather than sitting down with a spouse and sharing problems and concerns, individuals spill their guts to a stranger who is quick to console and provide emotional—and eventually physical—support.

Adultery doesn't just happen.

Adultery doesn’t just happen.

I dare say there is not a congregation in the church that has not felt the devastating effects of adultery. Our hearts sink when we hear about yet another couple torn apart by the tentacles of infidelity. Occasionally, the sin is committed with someone outside the church family. Many times, however, a married individual turns to someone within the church family. Multiple families are destroyed as selfish individuals seek their own pleasure and treat their marriages like a doormat. Adultery has affected young and old, rich and poor. We can all identify friends, preachers, deacons, and elders who have turned their lives upside down in search of greener grass. Few consider the lasting damage to their children, their families, the church, and their relationship with God in search of a few moments of physical pleasure. It’s the heat of the moment.

Here’s what I intend on teaching my children about adultery.

I’m going to make an admission that will likely get me into a great deal of trouble: Your mother has more wrinkles and gray hair than the day I asked her to marry me. (I do too for that matter!) But I can honestly say that when I look at your mother today she is more beautiful than the day we married. Many times I will look at her without her knowing and smile from ear to ear at how lucky I am to be married to such a beautiful woman. Your mother has a beauty that radiates from her very soul. I found a Proverbs 31 woman and I rejoice with the wife of my youth (Proverbs 5:18). I pray that one day you will be able to experience a similar feeling.

Marriage is for life. It is the second biggest decision you will make in your lifetime. The vows you make before God, your family, and friends are not to be taken lightly. The way in which you view the opposite sex must change on that day, as you are no longer “looking” for someone. Your search is over—forever! (Matthew 5:27-30).

Your marriage should focus on getting one another to heaven. If you get married and focus on what you “don’t” have, I assure you that your marriage will suffer. Allow me to be blunt for a moment: There will always be someone out there with more physical beauty, talents, or wealth than your spouse. (You are not excluded from this either!) However, always remember that just because the grass may appear greener does not mean it tastes good or doesn’t come with some serious maintenance. It is easy to focus a great deal of importance on physical things when you are young, but physical things will eventually fade away. I want to encourage you to focus on the beautiful grass you have been blessed with and count your blessings every single day.

One wonders how much Solomon knew of his dad’s relationship with Bathsheba. Consider the warning he gave against adultery in Proverbs 5. After describing the immoral woman’s lips as dripping honey and her mouth smoother than oil (vs. 3), he goes on to say, “Remove your way from her. And do not go near the door of her house” (vs. 8). Don’t even place that temptation before you. When one combs through God’s Word and researches the topic of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, the action of infidelity keeps bubbling up as a lynchpin (Matthew 19; 1 Corinthians 7) that—like death—can severe a marriage. It is a sin that was singled out in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:14). Guard against it with diligence!

Your mom and I occasionally talk about the reality of adultery. We are smart enough to recognize that the devil is “seeking whom he can devour” (1 Peter 5:8), and that includes the two of us! I am careful not to be alone with any woman other than your mother. I will often talk about my wife and children in front of individuals so they know I am a family man. We know if either of us let our guard down then devastating things could happen. As such, we try to be proactive to ensure that we are never in that position. From basic things like sharing computer passwords to more advanced things like phoning and letting one another know where we are, we are committed to one another (and God!).

I pray that you will “drink water from your own cistern” and work hard to make your mate happy (Proverbs 5:15-20). Read Song of Solomon with your spouse and fulfill one another’s physical needs. Enjoy the intimacy of your marriage and flee temptation. Lastly, my child, never forget the things I have taught you…Proverbs 3:1-6.

Love,

Dad

Having looked into the tearful eyes of parents whose children have abandoned the Faith, I have learned there are a million miles between our children “going through the motions” in reference to their spiritual lives versus our children possessing hearts that dictate their actions. In this column, I plan to share with you what I hope to instill in the hearts of my own children and those whom I love.
Adultery does not start in the bedroom. Oftentimes it starts with a lively conversation or maybe a Facebook exchange. Conversations blossom into flirting. Flirting then takes on a whole new dynamic as personal feelings are shared. Rather than sitting down with a spouse and sharing problems and concerns, individuals spill their guts to a stranger who is quick to console and provide emotional—and eventually physical—support.
I dare say there is not a congregation in the church that has not felt the devastating effects of adultery. Our hearts sink when we hear about yet another couple torn apart by the tentacles of infidelity. Occasionally, the sin is committed with someone outside the church family. Many times, however, a married individual turns to someone within the church family. Multiple families are destroyed as selfish individuals seek their own pleasure and treat their marriages like a doormat. Adultery has affected young and old, rich and poor. We can all identify friends, preachers, deacons, and elders who have turned their lives upside down in search of greener grass. Few consider the lasting damage to their children, their families, the church, and their relationship with God in search of a few moments of physical pleasure. It’s the heat of the moment.
Here’s what I intend on teaching my children about adultery.
I’m going to make an admission that will likely get me into a great deal of trouble: Your mother has more wrinkles and gray hair than the day I asked her to marry me. (I do too for that matter!) But I can honestly say that when I look at your mother today she is more beautiful than the day we married. Many times I will look at her without her knowing and smile from ear to ear at how lucky I am to be married to such a beautiful woman. Your mother has a beauty that radiates from her very soul. I found a Proverbs 31 woman and I rejoice with the wife of my youth (Proverbs 5:18). I pray that one day you will be able to experience a similar feeling.
Marriage is for life. It is the second biggest decision you will make in your lifetime. The vows you make before God, your family, and friends are not to be taken lightly. The way in which you view the opposite sex must change on that day, as you are no longer “looking” for someone. Your search is over—forever! (Matthew 5:27-30).
Your marriage should focus on getting one another to heaven. If you get married and focus on what you “don’t” have, I assure you that your marriage will suffer. Allow me to be blunt for a moment: There will always be someone out there with more physical beauty, talents, or wealth than your spouse. (You are not excluded from this either!) However, always remember that just because the grass may appear greener does not mean it tastes good or doesn’t come with some serious maintenance. It is easy to focus a great deal of importance on physical things when you are young, but physical things will eventually fade away. I want to encourage you to focus on the beautiful grass you have been blessed with and count your blessings every single day.
One wonders how much Solomon knew of his dad’s relationship with Bathsheba. Consider the warning he gave against adultery in Proverbs 5. After describing the immoral woman’s lips as dripping honey and her mouth smoother than oil (vs. 3), he goes on to say, “Remove your way from her. And do not go near the door of her house” (vs. 8). Don’t even place that temptation before you. When one combs through God’s Word and researches the topic of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, the action of infidelity keeps bubbling up as a lynchpin (Matthew 19; 1 Corinthians 7) that—like death—can severe a marriage. It is a sin that was singled out in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:14). Guard against it with diligence!
Your mom and I occasionally talk about the reality of adultery. We are smart enough to recognize that the devil is “seeking whom he can devour” (1 Peter 5:8), and that includes the two of us! I am careful not to be alone with any woman other than your mother. I will often talk about my wife and children in front of individuals so they know I am a family man. We know if either of us let our guard down then devastating things could happen. As such, we try to be proactive to ensure that we are never in that position. From basic things like sharing computer passwords to more advanced things like phoning and letting one another know where we are, we are committed to one another (and God!).
I pray that you will “drink water from your own cistern” and work hard to make your mate happy (Proverbs 5:15-20). Read Song of Solomon with your spouse and fulfill one another’s physical needs. Enjoy the intimacy of your marriage and flee temptation. Lastly, my child, never forget the things I have taught you…Proverbs 3:1-6.
Love,
Dad
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EL SONIDO DE LA MUERTE

EL SONIDO DE LA MUERTE

Al finalizar el año 2017 me encuentro con mi familia en el lugar donde crecí por unos cuantos días. La noticia de que un reconocido criminal del pueblo había caído de un puente y murió ahogado ahora recorría la pequeña ciudad, entristeciendo por supuesto a los familiares del que ahora es el hombre fallecido pero alegrando a unos cuantos que sufrían  robos constantes del difunto. Mientras todos comentan sobre la tragedia hay un cuestionamiento interesante más allá de las causas de muerte: ¿Que sintió este hombre al morir? ¿Cuál habrá sido el sonido de la muerte mientras caía estrepitosamente de aquel puente colgante? ¿Cuales fueron sus últimos pensamientos?. Las estadísticas demuestran que aproximadamente 107 personas mueren  cada minuto es decir unos 153,000 al día ¡Vaya que es una cifra impresionante!, es difícil imaginar que tanta gente muera cada día. Un año se va un año llega pero la realizad de las cosas es que todos nos estamos acercando cada vez más a la culminación de la vida en esta tierra.  Las Santas Escrituras tienen mucho que informarnos con respecto al tema pero la información solamente sin un propósito específico no ayuda de nada, por eso la Biblia por su parte provee ambas cosas. El énfasis en esta ocasión no es respecto a la muerte misma sino más bien a los factores que están provocando la muerte espiritual de personas, familias, y de iglesias consecuentemente. Es nuestra  convicción que la muerte provoca un sonido antes de arribar y que nosotros podemos identificar ese sonido (por decirlo de alguna manera) y actuar al respecto.

Cualquier congregación que tenga una dieta constante de predicación no doctrinal se debilitará finalmente en cuanto a doctrina.

Cualquier congregación que tenga una dieta constante de predicación no doctrinal se debilitará finalmente en cuanto a doctrina.

Es para mi realmente triste observar congregaciones donde los miembros tanto como el evangelista local son arrastrados fácilmente por cualquier doctrina. La Iglesia de Cristo por años ha sido reconocida por su celo pero hay un grupo en específico que con mucha astucia está apartando a las Iglesias de Cristo a seguir sus doctrinas hechas por hombres. Los hermanos “anticonstitucionales”  son especiales en filtrarse en congregaciones. Me duele expresarlo pero esto puede ser mucho más peligro y más amenazante que las denominaciones. Así es como huele la muerte, con estratagema y con sigilo, el aroma puro de la muerte fluye por entre los miembros cuando el liderazgo ha abandonado el celo por la doctrina y cuando se anteponen intereses económicos. El hermano Alan E. Highers preocupado por la tremenda crisis en el púlpito no pudo haberlo expresado mejor cuando escribe lo siguiente:

Sin duda estamos experimentando una “crisis en el púlpito”. Ese hecho no se cita para restarle méritos al trabajo de cientos de fieles predicadores del evangelio o para desanimar a los que pueden no estar respondiendo a su potencial, sino más bien para informarnos de las condiciones y movimientos que están afectando seriamente a la iglesia y al púlpito. Phil Sanders escribió un artículo que apareció en el ejemplar de Julio del Gospel Advocate acerca de “El Movimiento de la Iglesia Incipiente”. Este es un influyente movimiento que se está extendiendo rápidamente entre los cuerpos denominacionales e incluso influenciando a algunos en la iglesia . El autor menciona algunas características del movimiento que tienen relación con la predicación entre las iglesias de Cristo. Afirmó, “el movimiento emergente pone lo exterior por encima de lo interior (hacer lo bueno por encima de lo que uno cree). Para las incipientes , lo que uno cree no es importante; pero si uno hace lo bueno para con otros es tremendamente importante”. ¿Cuántas veces ha visto este énfasis en el púlpito? Sea amable, sea buen vecino , sea considerado, pero con muy poco énfasis acerca de las creencias correctas, la sana doctrina, o los fundamentos de la fe.

La muerte amenaza nuestros servicios de adoración, nuestras conversaciones, nuestros mensajes de textos, emails, facebook, y sobre todo nuestra doctrina. Es realmente preocupante como la nueva hermenéutica forma parte de las convicciones de muchos sin darse cuenta. Nuestros sermones de los domingos están siendo comprados en formato de libros a los denominacionales y nuestras clases bíblicas están siendo cargadas de sicología y con un énfasis de “hacernos sentir bien”. Los títulos seculares ahora son los estándares para invitar a un orador a disertar. Lo que muchos de nuestros hermanos olvidan es que incluso Dios utilizó a un burro para comunicar su mensaje (Números 22).  El sonido de la muerte ha comenzado a resonar cada vez más fuerte cuando  la falsa doctrina desfila frente a nosotros y guardamos silencio pensando ser sabios para no entrar en discusiones. En Judas 3 el Espíritu Santo nos exhorta a contender ardientemente por la fe que ha sido una sola vez dada a los santos. Es mi convicción que el Silencio es el sonido más fuerte de la muerte en nuestros días. Al parecer  en nuestros días todos quieren ser populares, ser aceptados por la mayoría pero amigo lector el Señor dijo: “Y seréis odiados de todos por causa de mi nombre, pero el que persevere hasta el fin, ese será salvo.” (Mt.10:22 LBLA). En nuestros círculos cristianos de hoy, ésta declaración del Señor ya no tiene el mismo valor o incluso no tiene valor alguno. Cuando hay que sostenerse en lo correcto debemos de hacerlo abiertamente y sin importar el costo porque sino, nuestro silencio será demandado un día. El Señor le dijo al Profeta Ezequiel hace mucho tiempo que profetizará, que hablara aún cuando veía al frente suyo un valle de huesos secos (Ez.37:5-Ss). El Señor continúa diciendo a nosotros que nos pongamos de pie y profeticemos a un valle de huesos secos en gran manera que está justo al frente nuestro, ¿Que hará usted? ¿Guardará silencio?. Una hermana dijo hace poco que hacerlo era sabio, sabe a lo mejor ella está en lo correcto, es probable que sea de sabios guardar silencio frente abusos a la verdad pero ¿para quién? Ciertamente no para Dios, Dios nos ha enviado a proclamar todo el consejo divino tal como Pablo no había rehuido de anunciarlo públicamente y por las casas (He.20:27). En el Gospel Advocate de Agosto de 2009, David Tarbet, predicador de la congregación de White Rock en Dallas, afirma;

“La apostasía viene solo después de una larga ausencia de decidida predicación doctrinal sobre temas que la iglesia necesita escuchar. Cuando a los hermanos no se les recuerda la verdad, olvidan las razones para oponerse al error y pierden sus convicciones. Entonces los agentes del cambio pueden empezar los pasos que inevitablemente llevan a la adopción de los instrumentos de música, los roles de liderazgo de la mujer en el culto, la comunión ecuménica, y la membresía abierta . Han pasado años en muchas congregaciones desde que hubo fuerte enseñanza bíblica y predicación sobre esos temas. Seguramente los predicadores y ancianos serán responsables por lo que no se está enseñando y que debe ser enseñado”. ¿Estamos escuchando? Cualquier congregación que tenga una dieta constante de predicación no doctrinal se debilitará finalmente en cuanto a doctrina. Esto es precisamente lo que ha sucedido en muchos lugares en donde el instrumento está siendo introducido, las mujeres están asumiendo un rol público en la asamblea, y existe una actitud completamente denominacional hacia la iglesia. No es necesario predicar error y falsa doctrina para que estas condiciones se desarrollen. Solo es necesario tener predicación “blanda”, predicación que se ajuste a la iglesia emergente y a los modelos post-modernos, y predicación que no fortalece a los hermanos a “permanecer en la fe” (Hch. 14 :22). Cuando el 95 % de lo que es presentado en el púlpito pudiera ser predicado en la mayoría de las denominaciones de la ciudad, algo anda mal .

 

 

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Friendship with the World

Friendship with the World

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 4:4

The Laodicean church was strongly rebuked by Jesus for basically wanting to have it both ways:  to be recognized as followers of Christ while still embracing the sin of the world.  That’s why he called them “lukewarm” and wanted to spit them out of his mouth (Rev. 3:14-22).  The Christians addressed by James seemed to be following a similar path.

What friendship are you building? One with the world or with God?

What friendship are you building? One with the world or with God?

What was a problem two thousand years ago is still a problem today.  The temptation to conform to the world (Rom. 12:2a) is strong.  The power of influence cannot be overlooked.  We are influenced by the people around us every day in numerous ways.  The clothes we wear, the way we comb our hair, the cars we drive, the food we eat…these choices and more are made by us as a result of the influence of the society around us.  Yet, God calls us to be different from the world, so different that they will notice, wonder why, and malign us (1 Pet. 4:2-4).  Well, no one likes to be mocked.  And so Satan tempts us very subtly, just as he did with the Christians of James’ day, to conform.

What we need to remember is that we became part of the bride of Christ when we obeyed the gospel and he added us to his church (Rom. 7:1ff), and we are basically committing spiritual adultery by unrepentantly embracing the sin of the world rather than striving to live as God would have us to live.  By doing so, we become the enemies of God.  Is that really worth “the fleeting pleasures of sin”?  (Heb. 11:25)  Read Revelation 21:8 and decide for yourself…

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It Takes the Faith of the Bible

It Takes Faith

Summary:  The faith of the world vs. the faith of the Bible, is the faith the same?

Ephesians 2:8-9 – for by grace have ye been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, that no man should glory.

We have been saved by the Grace of God.  We have not been saved through works, that is, we cannot earn salvation.  God by grace extends salvation through faith.

If salvation requires faith, then we certainly need to understand what faith is.

People use the term “Faith” all the time.  It is used in many different ways:

Blind Faith, Keep the Faith, Leap of Faith, the Faith, You Gotta Have Faith, Act of Faith, in Bad Faith, in Good Faith, to Break Faith, Article of Faith, Have Faith In, Faith that Can Move Mountains, Faith as a Mustard Seed, Faith Healer…?????

Do you have Faith Jordan will return?

Do you have Faith Jordan will return?

The Collins American Dictionary defines faith as follows:

“unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence”

While there are other definitions for this word, it is my belief that this is largely how society uses the term faith.

Here are a few examples of the type of Faith the Collins Dictionary Defines:

I have Faith Michael Jordan is going to return to play in the NBA.

I have Faith that Obama has the best interest of the United States at heart.

I have Faith the world was created by the Big Bang.

I have Faith Elvis is Alive.

I have faith I am going to win the Lottery.

I have faith the Cleveland Browns are going to win the Superbowl this year. (The browns have never been to a Superbowl, the odds are 75/1)

Worldly Faith can even have a religious context:

My son Sterling once hurt his finger when he was young, he immediately prayed about it, looked at his finger and said… “hey!”

A personal friend of mine once had faith he could miraculously heal.

I suggest these examples of faith differ from the Biblical faith we see in scripture.  As a Christian, the most common verse I hear quoted in regard to Biblical Faith is Romans 10:17 – “For Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” This tells us there is an origination for our faith in God and it is His Word.  Many would conclude from this verse that faith cannot exist unless an individual is exposed to the Bible or His Words directly.  Consider Romans 1:18-20.  Starting in vs. 19 – “… that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”  If mankind can realize there is a God based on the things which God has created, then they can have faith.  But where is the Word?  John 1:1-3.  In this verse, we see that through creation man is presented the evident attributes of God through the Word.  Thus, in the Bible and creation, the Word is present and Faith can be gained.

At this point we can see the origin of faith within an individual, but let’s go back to the Collins Dictionary definition… “unquestioning belief that does not require proof or evidence”.

Is the belief the Bible speaks about unquestioning?  In our main text, Ephesians 2:8-9, the Ephesians were said to be saved through Faith.  Their salvation was freedom from the sins they had committed in their life and the freedom to know that future sins would also be washed away by Christ’s once and for all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10), if they continued in repentance (Revelation 2:5).  However, those who have faith can fall away.  Hebrews 6:4-6:6 speaks of those who had miraculous gifts (which only come to those who are obedient to God) and then fell away.  They clearly had belief, but evidently questioned it.  Paul warns the Christians in Hebrews 4:11 – “Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”   Some will cry “Lord, Lord did we not…”, but in falling away they must have questioned their belief.  The apostles themselves, workers of the miraculous, viewers of the wonderous things Jesus did, had faltering faith.  Jesus referenced them in Matthew 14:31 – “Ye of Little faith” and they asked Jesus to increase their faith in Luke 17:5.  So can belief be questioned?  Absolutely, the Bible shows it can.  The secular definition of faith falls short.

At this point, it is important to look at the Bible definition of Faith.  It is found in Hebrews 11:1 – Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

To understand this further, look at the next two verses.

Hebrews 11:2-3 – For therein the elders had witness borne to them. By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear.

These next two verses confirm what we stated about Romans 1.  Faith can come from creation.  Faith is being confident in the existence of God, heaven, the angels, the heavenly host, and God’s promises because of the evidence which has been given.  Where does Faith come from today? – The Word in the form of the Bible and creation.  The evidence is found there!  The evidence is our proof or proving of what the Bible says.  Thus, through the Bible we totally refute Collins Dictionary definition of faith.  Faith can be questioning and it absolutely involves evidence or proof.

The Bible reaffirms our conclusions about evidence in 2 Timothy 3:16-17:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.

It is unfortunate that the word “reproof” has been written in English as “reproof”.  It does not mean to correct; we already have correction in this verse.  The word is the same Greek word as evidence in Hebrews 11:1.  This verse tells us the Bible can make man complete – mature – through teaching, evidence, correction, and instruction in righteousness.

Biblical faith, comes from the Word, and is built on evidence which increases our faith.  This type of faith is not the same as worldly faith.  All of the examples of worldly faith that we started this article with do not have any evidence to support them.  There is no evidence that Michael Jordan will ever be a player in the NBA again.  There is no evidence the Cleveland Browns will win the superbowl this year… or ever….  My friend had no evidence he could miraculously heal and scripture actually refutes the claim that anyone can today.

The world today is full of people who believe many things as to whether or not there is a God or many gods, how everything came into existence, and whether or not there is an inspired book such as the Bible that can be believed.  People join great varieties of religions just to be disillusioned.  They become Christians with faith that is not certain of the Bible.  Many Christians even go there whole lives without reading the Bible.  The truth is, if you cannot believe in the Bible as the inspired, inerrant Word of God, you will struggle with the assurance of the hope of what we cannot see.  You will doubt God, you will doubt if He exists, you will doubt in the coming of Jesus, and you will doubt in heaven.  Until I truly sat down with the Bible, questioning, and searching, I was not convicted as a Christian should be.  I have strong faith because of the evidence the Bible provides.  My goal is to help folks see the evidence provided by the Word, so they can believe completely in the Bible, so they can be assured that God is real, his promises are real, and He has a plan for our life.

Before closing, there are some additional attributes of Faith that must be established.  Consider Romans 1:8:

“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.”

Faith is visible.  How?  The Bible presents many covenants.  However, there are two major ones. The Law of Moses was established on Mt. Sinai.  It was given to the Israelites to bring them to Christ – Galatians 3:23-27. Upon the death of Christ, a new covenant came – the law of liberty.  The new covenant released the Jews from the Law of Moses, being fulfilled by Christ.  Thus, Galatians 2:15-16 establishes that man is not made innocent or given his freedom from sin by doing the works of the Law of Moses.  Paul is very specific in the book of Galatians that anyone who follows the Law of Moses was beholden to keep it all.  Unfortunately, the sins under that law could never be taken away (Hebrews 10:4).  What does this have to do with visible Faith?  Examine these two verses:

Romans 3:28 – We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Romans 4:5 – But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is reckoned for righteousness.

In both of these verses, the context is doing the works of the Law of Moses.  The scripture is clear that faith in doing the works of the Law of Moses does not justify, or make innocent, the individual.  It is the individual who comes to Christ whose faith is seen as doing right.  Now, before examining the next verse, it needs to be pointed out that the previous verses are often explained by saying faith does not require doing what God commands.  That would be an interpretation out of context. James 2:17-26. This is how faith is visible.  Faith is visible in the works of obedience to the New Covenant.  One is justified when he puts on Christ, but once he has done so, he is beholden to the New Covenant.  In following the New Covenant, his faith is visible.

The final attribute of Faith I want to mention is seen in the following verses:

Romans 14:22-23 – The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before God. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth.  But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

The context is weak faith.  The issue is eating meat when one’s conscience is not comfortable with it.  Why would this be?  Perhaps the meat had been sacrificed to idols. Perhaps the meat was something that was noted as unclean in the Law of Moses and after a life of avoiding the meat, a Jewish Christian could not bring himself to eat what God now said was clean.  Why could he not?  Because he had not heard and understood the Word of God such that he could eat knowing fully it was God’s will.  If the man could not eat with full confidence, then it would be sin.  The attribute to be drawn from this is Faith takes its direction from the Bible.  If you are not positive your actions are authorized by God, do not do them.  The simple verse for this understanding is Colossians 3:17 – “And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

It takes faith to be a Christian.  The faith of the Christian is a Biblical Faith; that is, it is based on a Bible definition and not the world’s.  Biblical Faith today comes from the Bible and creation.  Men may question their faith as it grows.  However, faith is built on evidence and with that we can learn to trust in the Bible and our God.  Faith is visible and accompanied by our obedient actions under the New Covenant of Christ.  If our actions are not from the Word, they are not actions of Faith and are sinful, actions against God.

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Truths from Irma

Reminders from the Storm

There are those events in our lives which become a catalyst to enhance spiritual truths we have known for years. It is not that we have forgotten the truths, but familiarity may have dimmed our appreciation of them. Let me share with you truths made more vivid as we dealt with the hurricane, Irma.

There are many truths we can learn remembering a storm such as Irma.

There are many truths we can learn remembering a storm such as Irma.

Irma reminds us that God is omnipotent. He is all powerful. All other forces are not worthy to be compared to His awesomeness. We were “powerless” in every way before His might. We hid in our shuttered houses. When daylight arrived, we left our houses to see the aftermath of His majesty. Perhaps the prophet Nahum said it best. “The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm” (Nah. 1:3).

Irma reminds us that God is omniscient. For days before the arrival of Irma, we saw meteorologists who were completely baffled as they sought to plot the course of the storm. Just thirty-six hours before the storm arrived, we were told to expect it to come directly over West Palm Beach. No mortal knew when Irma would turn northward. The evidence of this was seen in “spaghetti predictions” made by the most outstanding scientists using their computers. They knew almost nothing. God alone is the all-knowing One. Paul described God’s wisdom in relationship to human wisdom. “He taketh the wise in their own craftiness” (1 Cor. 3:19).

Irma reminds us that God is omnipresent. Our God was present during that Wednesday night prayer meeting before the storm arrived. He was there when we prayed for deliverance in whatever came. When we left, He was with us in our homes as the storm approached. He was there during the storm. He was there after the storm. His name says it all, “I AM.” He is the eternal, unchanging God. He promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).

Irma reminds us that God is “omnipassionate.” I recognize that there is no such word as I just used, but His compassion and care is unending and immeasurable. He loves us. I will never forget what I saw during a lull between the raging rain bands. I opened the front door and stood in the breezeway. Four small birds flew from one place to another. How could I ever forget that if God takes care of every sparrow, then He would take care of me (Matt. 10:31)? Elizabeth Cheney so beautifully describe His love for us:

Said the robin to the sparrow,
“I should really like to know,
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so.”
Said the sparrow to the robin.
“Friend, I think that it must be,
They have no heavenly Father,
Such as cares for you and me.”

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