A Little Leaven

Examining Leaven

The American Heritage Dictionary defines leaven as “an agent, such as yeast, that causes batter or dough to rise, especially by fermentation.”  The term “leaven” is mentioned 24 times in the Bible. Sometimes it is used in a literal sense (Lev. 23:17); such as we read in the above definition.  However, the term is often used in a figurative sense to denote a pervasive influence that is either good or bad.

leaven

What does the Bible say about Leaven?

Jesus used the term in a negative sense when He warned His disciples about the doctrine of the Pharisees, Sadducees (Matt. 16:6, 11-12), and Herod (Mk. 8:15).  This warning still resonates today, for the pervasive influence of false doctrine will result in eternal condemnation for those who preach it and for those who embrace it (Gal. 1:8-9).

The bad leaven of corruption is found wherever sin is tolerated.  This is why Christians must abstain from the evil influences of the world lest they too be condemned with the world (cf. Matt. 5:27-30; Rom. 8: 5-8). “Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33). “Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?  Therefore purge out the old leaven” (5:6-7)

On the other hand, Jesus also used the term “leaven” in a good sense.  He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened” (Matt. 13:33).

Think of it, leaven does its work from within; and that’s how the influence of the gospel of Christ works (it works within a person’s heart – Jas. 1:21; Lk. 8:15). Think of it, leaven changes the ingredients; and that’s what the word of God does.  When one accepts the gospel they become a new man (Rom. 6:4), having new thoughts (Col. 3:1-4), and doing new deeds (vv. 5-17). Think of it, leaven is aggressive (it does not stop until it has affected the whole); and that’s how New Testament Christianity works.  The kingdom of God is spread by the pervasive influence of those who are Christ’s, who bring others to Him (cf. Jn. 1: 40-45), who introduce His saving message to them (Acts 8:4, 12).

Whether good or bad, “a little leaven leavens the whole lump.” Friend, what are the influences in your life?

Posted in Aaron Veyon | Tagged , , | Comments Off on A Little Leaven

Good Stewardship in America

Good Stewardship

“Courage is being scared to death…. but saddling up anyway.”

Stewardship

America Needs to Exercise Good Stewardship.

Good stewardship by the United States Government (“We the People”) is failing miserably. Good stewardship is at the heart of Biblical expectation. Therefore, as a Christian Nation enjoying God’s blessings and founded on God given principles, the following topic is not just a necessary secular topic, but a necessary religious topic. Folks may be afraid to talk about and even engage in taking action, but they are even more afraid of the consequences. However, it is time to “saddle up”.

America is scared to death at this point in the country’s history. Due to poor stewardship with the American citizen’s dollars, the amount of the national debt has risen to near crisis levels. Any number of actions taken by other countries or by the American government could now bankrupt and destroy the United States as we know it. America’s unionized educational system from elementary school through the University is a money pit, not only putting out substandard students, but destroying its Christian values and heritage. Hard working Americans are being betrayed by internal foes who expect everything to be provided for them. Borders are being ignored and millions of illegal invaders pour into this country while political representatives waste time and money to get them voting rights. America is being lulled into a state of dependency, willing to lose its morality and individual liberties, rather than stand up and shout “This isn’t right!” This is not the America our Founding Fathers desired. It is a perverse America that is scaring its loyal citizens. Men with common sense and courage need to act. “To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” (Bible – James 4:17)

Spending money unwisely is easy to do, especially when it is not yours. Does a sane man continue to employ someone who does the opposite of what he asks? Does a sane man fund a convict’s sex change operation or give him Viagra? Does a sane man who cannot pay his own bills, give “living” money to someone they know is going to spend it on alcohol, cigarettes, or gambling? This is what is happening with our government in many cases! It’s insane! Worse yet, the government is going into debt and charging us interest to do it. It is as if your father took out a loan to buy your sister an eighth pair of shoes, and then charged you with the interest until he paid off the loan. We are letting our steward do this with our money! “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (Bible – I Corinthians 4:2) Someone who is faithful does not squander our money or put us foolishly into debt. They are to be making us better off, not worse off.

America knows the answer to the stewardship problem. Government needs to stop spending the people’s money foolishly! Stop taking the money from the people and giving it away to immoral causes and foreign nations! Stop spending on steak and lobster projects when we have a Ramen budget. The people of the United States love to help others and give generously. Yet, they value the money and possessions they have labored to obtain. Ask the man who has just spent his week unclogging sewer lines if he wants his hard earned money to be spent preserving habitat for an endangered moss. Ask hard working mothers and fathers if they want their money to fund abortions in other countries. Ask men and women who have just put in a 50+ hour week working, if they want their tax dollars given away to support someone who would rather gather unemployment for 2 ½ years than work “out of their field”. Again, the Bible provides direction, “If any will not work, neither let him eat”. America has good kind loving people. If they see someone with a true need, they “saddle up”. They can also do this far more efficiently than the government can!

There is a place in the Bible (Genesis 41), in which a man by the name of Joseph is chosen by the Pharoah of Egypt to prepare his people for a famine which was to come. During years of good harvests, he took great amounts of produce and stored it away. He prepared for the times when things would be lean. He understood it wasn’t a time to be wasteful. When the lean years came provisions were available, but not just given out wildly. They were properly managed. People “saddled up” and did the right things in good and bad times. Yes, it could be pointed out that this circumstance involved government. However, the government did what was right and sensible. Quite opposite from when it brought upon itself many plagues because it refused to do what was right (Exodus 1-13). When a government refuses to be sensible it is ultimately the people who are hurt. Their lifestyle will falter. The blessings will be fewer and fewer.

How does America “Saddle Up” in a time such as today?
First, the American people must remove as many immoral, dishonest, and poor stewards (representatives, politicians) as they can. Such courageous action was seen in the 2010 midterm elections. Citizens of American took out their spurs and got to work. When evil is put down mankind should rejoice. However, the work is not done.

Second, the American people must understand there is a consequence for allowing foolish stewardship. America cannot continue funding every pet project or want that exists. There is a difference between wants and needs. America needs armed forces for security. Some individuals want money for spotted owl habitat. Some individuals want money to examine the breeding habits of the banana slug. Some individuals want money to go to college. Some individuals want money so they can develop obscene sculptures. Some individuals want their farms to be subsidized. Needs must be met. Wants must be left up to the individual. This means that a lot of wants aren’t going to be immediately satisfied. It means wants may never be satisfied, unless hard work is engaged or someone is convinced your want is important enough for them to help you out. That is “saddling up”.

Third, the American people must remove from the government responsibilities which the citizens can do on their own. This means General Motors, Amtrack, USPS, education, student loans, healthcare (Obamacare, Medicaid, Medicare), retirement (social security), welfare, unemployment compensation, national parks, space travel, and other items. The problem with most of these services is the government has pumped the citizen’s money into them recklessly trying to keep them afloat. They have enabled inflated prices which would not otherwise be charged, creating dependency on government to afford them. It’s called, “Taking advantage”. These services should be completely out of Government hands or be managed by private industry. Private industry or individual families can do these less expensively and more efficiently. The biggest problem experienced with expecting someone to “Saddle Up”, is when they have never been expected to do so before. They don’t know what to do. They haven’t formed the right attitude, nor do they have confidence they can do it. In fact, many simply don’t want to try, opting rather for continued poor stewardship, rather than temporary discomfort.

Fourth, all government functions must be non-unionized. Unions have taken our government hostage. They demand and receive better compensation and retirement than the normal citizen. They influence politicians to vote immorally and foolishly. They cause ridiculous agendas to be passed based on their own selfish needs vs. that of the public. Unions have essentially become terrorist organizations that bring great harm in the form of shutdowns, slowdowns, and bureaucracy when their demands aren’t met. In the best interest of their country, they need to “saddle up”.

Finally, rather than charging different men different rates on their taxes, essentially discouraging those who want to work, and penalizing success, the current income tax system must be completely removed. In its stead should be a national sales tax, taken at the register of all businesses. In this fashion whether you are a citizen or illegal, poor or rich, black or tan, male or female, young or old, you pay the same tax as anyone else for what you need and want. No private information needs to be gathered. Reams of tax code are not needed. Thousands of unionized government employees would be free to take their assets to private industry and “saddle up”.

Good Stewardship is something that needs to be taught in every home. It needs to be engrained in our children’s minds and practiced by the mature. The examples need to be of men and women who are willing to act sensibly and make tough decisions based on helping everyone out for the long term, not getting what they want in the short term. If everyone “saddles up”, it will make the rough ride a lot smoother.

Matthew 25:23 – His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Posted in Travis Main | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Good Stewardship in America

The Battle of Homosexuality

The Battle of Our Times

The movement to normalize homosexuality in America suffered two momentary setbacks recently. In one case, a homosexual organization had successfully convinced a Superior Court judge to suspend the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage—though the ban had been passed by 76% of Georgia voters. The Georgia State Supreme Court reversed the Superior Court judge’s ruling and reinstated the will of the people (“Georgia’s Top Court…,” 2006). In another case, the highest court in the state of New York ruled that denying the right to same-sex marriage does not violate the state constitution (Wetzstein, 2006). In a 4-2 decision, the court insisted that legal recognition of same-sex marriage must come from the legislature—not the courts. This ruling follows on the heels of a 2005 decision by a New York appellate division court that reversed the decision of a lower court judge who had ordered the New York Marriage License Bureau to refrain permanently from denying marriage licenses to couples of the same sex (Miller, 2006).

homosexuality

Homosexuality is a Battle Against God.

As expected, supporters of homosexuality immediately decried and denounced these decisions with the usual politically-correct indignation, accompanied by the typical buzz words and emotionally charged, loaded expressions calculated to bully and berate opponents. Consider some of the responses to the New York decision. Howard Dean, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, declared:

[W]e must respect the right of every family to live in dignity with equal rights, responsibilities and protections under the law. Today’s decision by the New York Court of Appeals, which relies on outdated and bigoted notions about families, is deeply disappointing, but it does not end the effort to achieve this goal (as quoted in Russo, 2006, emp. added).

Openly homosexual Democratic Speaker of the New York City Council, Christine Quinn, complained that “today the court let us down, and it is a sad day for families across the state” (“Reactions…,” 2006, emp. added). Democratic U.S. Representative Jerrold Nadler bemoaned:

This is a sad day for families, a sad day for justice, and a sad day in the struggle for equal rights for all Americans. The promise that, in this nation, all people are created equal, and entitled to equal rights, compels us to end discrimination against same-sex couples. Today, the Court of Appeals has failed to take that stand (“Reactions…,” emp. added).

Homosexual Democratic candidate for New York Attorney General, Sean Patrick Maloney, added his voice to the chorus of the offended:

Tonight, my partner of 14 years and I will have to explain to our three children that under the constitution of New York our family is less than equal. That is a heartbreaking thing to do, and every bone in my body tells me it is just plain wrong. What will be easier is explaining to them why I have chosen to spend my life fighting for social justice through politics (“Reactions…,” emp. added).

“Live in dignity”? “Equal rights”? “Outdated and bigoted notions about families”? “Created equal”? “Discrimination”? “Social justice”? Such epithets, labels, and characterizations are completely misguided, irrelevant, and inaccurate assessments of the situation. Every single one of these assertions could be similarly used to castigate those who oppose polygamy, bigamy, incest, pedophilia, bestiality, and prostitution. The same logic would apply to all behavior deemed criminal and immoral. Are we to grant the social and legal right to consensual murder (e.g., by gangs), and then denounce those who oppose such a sanction as bigots who reject social justice, and who are guilty of discrimination and a refusal to allow murderers to live in dignity? Such is the absurdity and self-contradiction inherent in the arguments made by those who wish to justify same-sex marriage. Rejecting same-sex marriage is not an attack on families. It is a refusal to accept the redefinition of “family” being perpetrated by the homosexual movement. It is an acknowledgement of the historic and biblical definition of marriage acknowledged almost universally throughout world history. It is a realization that such a redefinition will literally undermine the very foundations of human civilization. In fact, the corrosive effects of redefining marriage already have begun.

For example, Catholic Charities of Boston, one of the nation’s oldest adoption agencies, recently announced that they were eliminating their adoption program (Gallagher, 2006). That’s right. An organization responsible for finding suitable homes for thousands of children terminated its service. Why? In November 2003, the Massachusetts State Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage (see Miller, 2004). Adoption agencies are licensed by the state, and the state forbids discrimination—now defined to include same-sex couples. But the Vatican is adamant that placing children with same-sex couples violates Catholic doctrine. Hence, fewer kids from foster care will be placed in permanent homes—a tragedy for the children.

Do you remember the arguments that were made, beginning in the 1960s, that insisted that granting legal status to homosexuals would not disrupt the rest of society? “What we do in our bedroom is no one’s business.” “You don’t have to agree with our lifestyle—we just want tolerance.” “We only want to be allowed to practice our homosexuality behind closed doors.” “Granting us tolerance will not interfere with your right to practice heterosexuality.” “Live and let live.” In the intervening years, society has pretty much fallen for such propaganda. Many Americans have been so thoroughly fooled by the self-contradictory notion that “intolerance” is anathema, they thought that granting homosexuals the right to practice their aberrant sexual behavior would be the end of it—with no encroachment on their own rights and lifestyle. Think again. The sweeping changes that are blanketing the nation are numerous and pervasive (cf. Miller and Harrub, 2005).

Charles Haynes, a senior scholar at the First Amendment Center in Arlington, Virginia, commented on the issue of gay rights in the face of a nationwide contest over religious and civil rights: “Everyone’s talking about it, thinking about it. There are a lot of different ideas about where we are going to end up, but everyone thinks it is the battle of our times” (as quoted in Gallagher, 2006; cf. Haynes, 2006). A sobering realization.

Think of it. The battle of our times. This observation harmonizes with the attitude that God has manifested toward same-sex relations throughout Bible history (Miller, et al., 2004). Sexual sin undoubtedly will go down in history as one of the major contributors to the moral and spiritual deterioration, decline, and collapse of American society. Homosexuality is one more glaring proof of the sexual anarchy that prevails in American civilization. One wonders how much longer such widespread immorality can continue in our land before God will “visit the punishment of its iniquity upon it, and the land vomits out its inhabitants” (Leviticus 18:25).

REFERENCES

Gallagher, Maggie (2006), “Banned in Boston,” The Weekly Standard, 11[33], May 15, [On-line], URL: http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/191 kgwgh.asp.

“Georgia’s Top Court Reinstates Ban on Gay Marriage” (2006), The Associated Press, July 6, [On-line], URL: http://www.wsbtv.com/news/9478406/detail.html.

Haynes, Charles C. (2006), “A Moral Battleground, A Civil Discourse,” First Amendment Center, May 20, [On-line], URL: http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/commentary.aspx?id=16664.

Miller, Dave (2004), “Massachusetts and Gay Marriage,” [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2384.

Miller, Dave (2006), “New York and Marriage,” [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2829.

Miller, Dave and Brad Harrub (2005), “America’s Inevitable Moral Implosion,” [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2696.

Miller, Dave and Brad Harrub (2004), “An Investigation of the Biblical Evidence Against Homosexuality,” Reason & Revelation, September, [On-line], URL: http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2577.

“Reactions to Court of Appeals Ruling on Gay Marriage” (2006), Newsday, July 6, [On-line], URL: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny–gaymarriage-reax 0706jul06,0,1189006.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork.

Russo, Tracy (2006), “It’s Up to the NY Legislature,” [On-line], URL: http://www.democrats.org/a/2006/07/its_up_to_the_l.php.

Wetzstein, Cheryl (2006), “Gays Cannot ‘Marry’ in N.Y.,” The Washington Times, July 7, [On-line], URL: http://washingtontimes.com/national/20060706-115746-2148r.htm.

Dave Miller – Apologetics Press – http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=1887

Posted in Guest Authors | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The Battle of Homosexuality

Spelling Love

How Do You Spell Love?

I used to love the commercials years ago in which one would ask, “How do you spell relief?” The answer was “R…O…L…A…I…D…S.” Do we remember the Oscar Meyer bologna commercial? “My bologna has a first name….” I imagine most of us remember such. Along these same lines, I would like to examine how to spell “love” in our families.

love

How Does Your Family Spell Love?

Wives spell “ love ” in the following way: “S…U…B…M…I…T.” Paul wrote, “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord” (Eph. 5:22). The way that wives express and demonstrate love for their husbands is when they submit to his leadership (Eph. 5:23). A wife that does not submit to her husband is a wife that does not love her husband. A wife that truly loves her husband is one who is willing and glad to submit.

Husbands spell “ love ” in the following way: “S…A…C…R…I…F…I…C…E.” Paul continued, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it” (Eph. 5:25). Note that Jesus sacrificed His very life for the church, and this is how the inspired apostle says that husbands are to love their wives. As husbands, we are to sacrifice ourselves for our wives. We do not just put our lives on the line for our wives in some heroic way, but it includes the little things also. We sacrifice our time, our money, our efforts, our attention, our affections—everything! A husband who will not sacrifice for his wife does not really love his wife!

Children spell “ love ” in the following way: “A…D…H…E…R…E.” When Paul spoke concerning children, he said that they are to obey (Eph. 6:1) and honor (Eph. 6:2-3) their parents. In other words, they are to adhere to them by obeying them and honoring them. A child who is unwilling to do this really does not love his or her parents.

Parents spell “ love ” in the following way: “A…I…M.” Paul declared, “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Note that parents have a definite role for their children—they are to aim them properly in life by teaching, instructing, disciplining and encouraging. Thus, this harmonizes with the Old Testament sage who stated the proverb, “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Parents who love their children are concerning about the direction they will go—they make sure that they are aimed in the right direction (cf. Ps. 127:4), but parents who are not concerned about their direction really do not love them.

How do you spell love in your family?

Posted in Sam Willcut | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Spelling Love

Imitating Forgiveness

Imitating God in Forgiveness

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48).

forgiveness

Can We Imitate God in Our Forgiveness

The perfect standard for behavior is God Himself and the gospel exhorts all to be perfect as God is perfect.  This entails that in whatever ways one may possibly imitate God that he so do.  “Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1 ASV).  We would, therefore, do well to imitate God when it comes to forgiveness.

That God places conditions upon forgiveness is necessitated by the fact that God will not forgive some men, though God desires to forgive all (2 Peter 3:9).  Peter says explicitly to Simon the Sorcerer, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22).  Peter’s words are clear: if Simon wants forgivness, he must meet the condition of prayer to God for the same.  Some, however, will simply not be forgiven.  Those who blaspheme the Holy Spirit, by rejecting His word for their life, will not be forgiven (Matthew 12:32).  God refuses to forgive the individual who does not practice forgiveness himself (Matthew 6:15).  God does not forgive everyone and Christians cannot run beyond God in forgiving such individuals.  Pride and  arrogance alone cause us to think that we can accomplish what God cannot.  However, where God has forgiven and forgives, we need to be keenly responsible to so imitate Him 1) in who he forgives, 2) in how he forgives, and 3) in why he forgives.

Who does God forgive?  God forgives all men potentially and the penitent actually.  Jesus spoke about potential forgiveness in Mark 3:28 “All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme.”  Actual forgiveness, however, comes when an individual repents and turns to God (Mark 4:12).  God forgives private sins that are confessed to Him privately (1 John 1:9).  God, through Christ, forgives public sins when they are confessed publicly as Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:10).  Christ considers those sins that are confessed before the church forgiven and if Christ so considers them forgiven, they are truly forgiven.  No individual person or congregation has the right to withhold forgiveness under such circumstances.

How does God forgive?  God forgives generously.  One of the greatest statements in the Bible concerning God’s forgiveness occurs in Psalm 103:10-14.  “He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.”  The Christian who possesses penitence of heart and who fears God has great consolation knowing that God’s desire and practice is not to deal with us after our sins, but to forgive.  In Christ, forgiveness is actual and God refuses to memorialize our sins (Hebrews 10:16-18).  Would to God that our brethren would be so generous!

Why does God forgive?  God forgives because each person has eternal value worth more than the whole world (Matthew 16:26) and He wants them to be saved.  God so valued each person that he offered His only begotten Son as sacrifice.  Romans 5:6-9 “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.”  Each person is at least as precious as the precious blood of Jesus (1 Peter 1:19).  And because God has so offered forgiveness to all men, so ought we to have an attitude of forgiveness.  “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Eph.4:32).  “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye” (Col.3:12, 13).

We would do well to imitate God in forgiveness at each moment.  Such does not entail forgiving those who refuse forgiveness or who do not seek it.  However, for the child of God who stands in a relationship with God of having his sins forgiven, the opportunities for forgiveness are rich and deep.  May we be so forgiven and so forgive!

Posted in Kevin Cauley | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Imitating Forgiveness