The Grace of God

The Grace of God

Praise God for His Amazing Grace.

Praise God for His Amazing Grace.

The terms “grace” and “mercy” are special words to us, aren’t they?   Just to say them aloud is sweet and soothing to the ears.  These two terms, though different in meaning, are so compatible that we can hardly say the one without mentioning the other. They are as twin brothers, as one preacher put it. “Grace” is often defined as “unmerited favor;” whereas “mercy” basically means  “compassion.” But more to the point, “grace” is receiving something that we do not deserve (i.e., salvation); whereas “mercy” is not receiving something that we do deserve (i.e., condemnation).  The concept of grace does not mean that all men will be saved, for not all will be (Mt. 7:13-14, 21-23).  Nor does it mean that no works are needed, for “faith without works is dead” (Jas. 2:14-26; 1:22-25).  Nor does it mean that we may continue in sin without fear of eternal punishment (Rom. 6:1-2, 12, 23).

Though “the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men” (Tit. 2:11), not all will receive it.  Imagine a wealthy man having compassion on a poor, homeless man, in his impoverished and despicable condition, and deciding to do something to save him. The poor man doesn’t deserve the rich man’s help (he’s done nothing to earn it), yet the offer is there.  The rich man offers to take the poor man and get him cleaned up and to give him a job and a place to live.  If the poor man takes him up on his offer, then (and only then) is he saved (from his plight) by grace. If he does not take up the rich man’s offer, he forfeits grace and cannot benefit from it at all.  You see, all because mercy and grace was shown toward the poor man doesn’t mean he was automatically saved from his predicament.  He has to be willing to receive it.  And if the poor man did accept the offer, but then turned back to his miserable lifestyle, he would no longer receive the rich man’s act of grace.

The same is true spiritually, friends.  God offers to give you something you neither can earn nor obtain on your own.  If you will do what He tells you, you will be saved by grace (Tit. 2:11-14).  If you will not, or if you turn back, you forfeit His grace (Gal. 5:1-4).  Can you see the difference, friends?

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Standard of Right and Wrong

Is There a Moral Standard?

Is there a moral standard of right and wrong.

Is there a moral standard of right and wrong.

While it may seem to be a vast generalization that all humans agree morals exist, the fact remains that all humans recognize certain behaviors as wrong. On many occasions when I correspond with atheists I will ask them if they would mind if I came to their house and robbed them blind and killed their children? Without fail, everyone I have corresponded with has stated that they would definitely have a problem with that. On one occasion an atheist argued that criminals have no ethics. I simply questioned what would happen if two criminals robbed a bank and one of the thieves tells the other that he is taking 90% of the stolen money. The other criminal is not going to view that as “fair.” Everyone, even criminals, recognizes a standard for right and wrong.

Mankind, unlike the animals, has a moral code. Where did it come from? The very existence of our moral code places atheists into a unique situation. There are forced to argue that morals came from naturalistic measures—in other words, they must argue morals and ethics simply evolved. Imagine visiting more than 10 different island populations who were completely isolated from one another…and learning that they all possessed laws regarding murder and adultery. Furthermore, each group viewed things like lying and stealing as wrong. Even though these islands did not communicate they held to a similar moral standard. Where did these independent groups come up with such a similar moral code? (This experiment was actually carried out—and the results pointed to a similar moral code.)

It is impossible for matter—by itself—to evolve a system of moral “right” and “wrong.” Yet, man recognizes right and wrong. The question then arises from whence did morals originate? In 1967, George Gaylord Simpson admitted, “Morals arise only in man.” However, in order for something to be “right” or “wrong,” there must be an absolute standard for morality. What is that standard? There are really only two options that could adequately explain the existence of morals—either: (1) they were conjured up and created by man, or (2) they originated from God.

Consider the plight of an atheist. They admit morals exist—otherwise they wouldn’t have a problem with your murdering their family members. However, they refuse to acknowledge a belief in God. As such, they must contend that morals arose from man. The question then becomes who gets to decide what behaviors are right and which are wrong? For instance, Adolf Hitler thought what he was doing was “right”. He thought he was perfecting the human race, and in the process he extinguished millions of Jews. The problem with saying man evolved ethics and morals is that each person would view “right and wrong” a little differently. What may seem right to you may seem wrong to me. Humans would constantly be changing what they felt was morally acceptable

Isn’t evolution all about the “survival of the fittest?” So if I decide a certain behavior will allow me to survive better, shouldn’t I participate in it—even if it hurts you? Evolution would presume that furthering one’s genes is a good thing—whether by adultery, rape, incest, pedophilia, or marriage. Yet, we recognize many of those behaviors as wrong. Or how about a “survival of the fittest” competition for your livelihood? For instance, what would be the problem with slicing a coworker’s tires before a job interview if both individuals were applying for the same job?

A more logical conclusion is that man has adopted God’s standard for right and wrong. The very existence of morals presents a large problem to atheists and evolutionists. Morals provide strong evidence for an immutable Creator. God’s unchanging nature allows our morals to be recognized as absolute standards for all situations. Only God is eternal (Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17). Only God is holy (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8). Only God is just and righteous ((Psalm 89:14). And only God is forever consistent (Malachi 3:6). The existence of a worldwide system of morals is excellent proof that God exists.

Rather than continually trying to tweak, alter, and redefine a poor naturalistic theory maybe we should give attention to the very existence of the moral code mankind has adopted. And rather than trying to embrace a Godless theory and live an immoral life, maybe we should recognize there truly is a right and wrong way to conduct ourselves. Solomon summed it up well when after tasting all life had to offer he concluded that the whole duty of man was to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiates 12:13).

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Addicted to Porn

(The following article is based on a letter written to a person who asked for help on how to escape the addiction of pornography. I am not a certified counselor nor a psychologist. Individuals with serious addiction problems may need to get professional help. However, the following information is provided as steps that an individual may take in his own personal life to try to deal with the problem. I set it forth here in an effort to help those who have such a problem to escape this insidious sin.)

Porn brings trouble and pain with it.

Porn brings trouble and pain with it.

Dear _________:

The first thing you need to do is to get some software that will block your computer from getting access to it on the Internet. If you really want to stop doing this, then this is absolutely the first thing that must be done. Have someone else that you personally know install it with a password that you don’t know so that you can’t uninstall it. I would recommend the American Family Association software. Once that is installed, it is very difficult to remove and the user cannot control what is or isn’t blocked. That is done from the AFA’s databases.

Second, don’t stop confessing your sin to God (1 John 1:9). You need continue to confess to God each time you stumble and fall and ask God’s forgiveness. If you fail to acknowledge your fault to God, then you will find it easier and easier to do it again and again, but if you know that you have been forgiven for it, that will give you strength to fight committing this sin. Prayer and confession are powerful tools in the arsenal against addiction to porn.

Third, you’ve got to resolve in your mind that you are not going to to do this. Don’t look at any web sites that have to do with girls at all. Don’t rationalize in your own head that you can look at bikinis or underwear models and stop there. Don’t even start. You can’t look at those things anymore. You have to get this through your head and have the self discipline that is necessary to move beyond this. When you experience a strong desire to look at porn, go for a walk, run, or get some exercise and wear yourself out. This will help you get your mind off these things for a while and you can renew the battle afresh. These things will also help you with self discipline as well.

Fourth, if you are not married, then you need to find a mate (1 Corinthians 7:2). If you are married, then you need to talk to your mate about this problem and have her help you with it. Marriage is God’s solution for the avoidance of fornication. Here is where such passions may be pursued with God’s blessing. Take care to get married appropriately, however, and not MERELY for the purpose of trying to avoid porn. There’s more to marriage than sex.

Fifth, I would also recommend that you talk to someone personally about this problem so that you have some direct to deal with it. If someone else knows about your problem, that is great motivation for you not to do it. But so long as no one else knows, then you will continue to be strongly tempted. James 5:16 tells us to confess our faults one to another and pray for one another. This is VERY important in the life of the Christian in overcoming sin. While it may be embarrassing and difficult to do, you will find relief in following this simple advice.

There is no guarantee that if you do these things that you will no longer be addicted to porn. You may need to get professional help in order to overcome it. But, here are five things that you can start doing to work on this problem. Now, get with it.

Sincerely in Christ,

Kevin Cauley

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Blame & Credit

Blame or Credit?

When insurance companies speak of hail damage, flooding waters and tornadoes as acts of God, what are they telling us? When people weep beside their loved ones’ graves, why do they make the statement as Job did: “the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away” (Job 1:21). An older man who was at the foot of his mother’s bed while she was dying asked, “how could God do this to me?”

Do you blame God?

Do you blame God?

So many questions asked. So much concern over what God has done. But, is God really the one to blame? The Bible, which is trusted by many, tells us plainly that the one who has the power of death is Satan (Hebrews 2:14). Therefore, why should God get all the credit when a loved one passes from this world and we are left in a weakened emotional state? Do we not know that sin is what brings forth death (James 1:15)? Indeed it is. In addition, why should God get all the credit when we break our leg walking on an icy sidewalk or come down with lumbago? Just what has God done to deserve such press?

From the very beginning of the Bible, men and women have continually sung and still sing out from its pages to, “give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good” (Psalms 106, 107, 118, 136). Yet for some reason, people have forgotten God’s goodness. Instead, we see the pointing fingers of blame pointed towards heaven claiming that he is to blame when anything evil befalls them. Alas, when we are hurting, we do need to give God credit. Not for afflicting us, but for aiding us. He is strength in times of trouble (Psalms 37:39) and he is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3).

 

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Sinner Temptation

When Sinners Entice

“Come on!” “Why not?” “No one will know!” “What’s the harm?” We’ve all heard the enticing, felt the pressure, endured the ridicule, and on occasion given in to the temptation. However, we know that the sinner’s enticement is not always so forward and easily identifiable. More often than not the inducement is subtle and that nagging voice isn’t from a neighbor or friend but comes from within our own minds.

Are you a wall against temptation?

Are you a wall against temptation?

In Proverbs 1:10 we read, “ My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” From this wisdom we can derive a few things that will help us when the sinner comes calling.

Remember who you are and whose you are. Solomon says, “My son.” Those who have been washed in the blood of Christ have become the sons of God (John 1:12). Giving in to the temptation puts us at odds with our Father. We have given ourselves to serving Him and not ourselves. We are children of the King and need to remember who we serve.

Be prepared! Solomon says “if” but maybe the better word would be “when.” Satan and his minions are busy with enticement and strike when we least expect it and when we are most vulnerable (Matthew 4:1 – 3). Sin is portrayed as innocent and harmless, even pleasurable and Satan often disguises himself as “an angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:14). We need to be prepared when the sinner entices (Ephesians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 2:11).

Do not consent! Who is in control? There is no sin in the temptation for even Jesus was tempted. But far to often we shirk personal responsibility and claim, “I couldn’t help it” or, “The devil made me do it.” Read Romans 6:12 – 17 and tell me who is in control. Someone once said, “You can’t prevent birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building nests in your hair.”

Sometimes I think how much easier living the Christian life would be if God would simply build a protective barrier around me and never allow me to be tempted. But then I think of how weak and ineffective I would be. Prepare yourself by putting on the whole armor of God, face the temptation with courage, wisdom, and knowledge, and never give in.

But what if I do? Recognize it for the sin that it is, repent of it quickly, and ask God to forgive you. But above all remember to “walk in the light as he is in the light” (1 John 1:7) for this is where the cleansing blood flows. “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). This is what it means to be faithful.

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