Toward a God Fearing Government

As many of you know from last week’s article, we were privileged to spend a few days in our nation’s capital last week as we prepared for June’s Rebuilding Faith Rally. It was an enjoyable time and much was learned. Here are the three lessons that stood out the most as we considered the idea of government and what we need to do to restore our culture to the fear of God it once had.

– Anyone who tells you that God wasn’t a part of America’s foundation is dead wrong.

Though we already knew that America had a strong heritage based on a belief in God and the Bible, it was truly eye opening to see just how much influence churches and ministers had during our nation’s founding years. As we toured the capitol building it quickly became apparent that there weren’t just a few references to God here and there – nearly every single event or person memorialized within the building’s walls had some connection to a belief in God. Pictures of prayer meetings and Bible reading hang on the walls. Statues of ministers can be found throughout the building. The very chamber of the House of Representatives (the one you see during the State of the Union address, of course) displays the words “In God We Trust” above the Speaker’s seat and has an image of Moses as the centerpiece of a collection of images depicting history’s great lawgivers. The fact is, the idea that the founders planned a “separation of church and state” in the sense of keeping God out of government is a myth.

– There are still many men and women fighting for religious liberty, but they need our help.

While in Washington we were privileged to listen to various representatives and senators speak on topics that are pertinent to religious matters in America today. While we know that freedom of speech within our buildings is already being targeted in certain areas, it’s comforting to know that there are still folks who are dedicated to preserving the free exercise of religion. As Christians we should constantly be in prayer for our governing authorities (1 Timothy 2:1-2), but we should especially be mindful of those who regularly face opposition in their attempts to stand for our religious rights on federal, state, and local levels.

– Christian influence works from the ground up.

As much hard work as those folks are putting in and as encouraging as it is to see them stand up for us, their work won’t last long if we don’t start turning the tide in this country. It matters very little how many governing buildings have “In God We Trust” or the Ten Commandments inscribed on them if the people within those walls have no fear of God in their hearts as they decide how to govern. Though morality can be legislated in the sense that moral laws can be made, it can’t be legislated in the sense that moral people can’t be developed simply through legislative processes. They can pass laws preserving religious freedom, but they can’t make people seek Jesus Christ. They can speak out against the major anti-God agendas in America, but that doesn’t mean people will believe. That’s where you and I come in. It’s far too easy for Christians today to delegate out all that God expects from us, whether in evangelism, charity, morality, or anything else, but the only way the morality of the nation can be turned around is through the power of God’s Word.

What does that mean for you and me? First, our congregations must step up our efforts in teaching God’s Word from the pulpit. We can’t hold back on the difficult subjects, and we can’t be afraid to offend anyone in the pews. It’s time we go back to speaking directly about the WHOLE counsel of God’s Word and start confronting ourselves and each other with the truth rather than pointing at all that’s going wrong outside our doors. Second, the Bible has to leave the building with us. If our actions from Monday-Saturday (with the possible exception of Wednesday night) don’t reflect what we study on Sunday, how can we claim to be the light of the world? If we keep waiting on lawmakers to do something about homosexuality, abortion, drug abuse, or anything else while ignoring the homosexuals, fornicators, drug abusers, liars, drunkards, or anyone else with a sin problem who desperately needs Jesus, we shouldn’t expect anything to change.

So, this is why we’re going back to Washington, D.C. to hold the Rebuilding Faith Rally this June. It’s time Christians started realizing this world isn’t going to get any better or reflect God’s image any more until we do something about it. That’s what we’re going to talk about, and I hope to see you there. If not us, then who? Let’s always face the world with the Isaiah attitude – “Here am I, send me!

 

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Conditional Blessings

God freely gives us certain blessings. He is the originator of these—we cannot produce them if we tried. It is similar to the scientists who challenged God to a contest to see who could create the perfect human, only for God to stump them immediately when He told them to create their own dust (matter). Without God and His provisions, we would never survive. However, the point of this particular article is to see the conditional nature of these blessings. While we could never obtain by origination these blessings, we still have a part in their access. Notice three examples of conditional blessings.

The first example is our food. Since God created the plants and trees that produce our food, He ultimately produces the food we eat as it originates from Him. As such, without Him providing our food, we would starve. We can see this easily illustrated from His provisions for the nation of Israel during the wilderness journey. When they were hungry, He provided for them food that only His power could provide—manna in the morning and quail in the evening. Without such, they would have starved. However, He did not hand their food to them on a silver platter outside their tent doors, but they had an obligation (condition) to wake up early and gather it. Any Israelite who tried to lie around lazily without gathering the morning manna would have starved. In like manner, God provides for us in answer to prayer our “daily bread” (cf. Matt. 6:11), showing the recognition that our food ultimately comes from Him. However, while He freely provides such, we have an obligation to work in order to obtain. Paul told the brethren from Thessalonica, “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat” (2 Thess. 3:10). Therefore, the free blessing of food is conditional upon our work.

The second example is wisdom. James admonishes that wisdom ultimately comes from God: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). Since God has provided for us His divine revelation concerning His will for our lives, and how He desires us to live and serve Him, He alone can provide the wisdom necessary to assimilate and apply the divine knowledge contained in the word of God. Yet, He does not miraculously endow us with divine knowledge, but it is conditional based upon our study. Paul encouraged Timothy, “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1 Tim. 4:13). His spiritual education came by studying with and learning from his mother and grandmother—“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them” (2 Tim. 3:14; cf. 1:5). Therefore, the free blessing of wisdom is conditional upon our study, since one cannot obtain wisdom without the gathering of divine knowledge.

The final example is salvation. Paul said in Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The ASV translates the Greek word charisma as “free gift.” Yet, just because it is free does not mean that it is unconditional. On the contrary, the blessing of salvation, while free, is also conditional upon our faith expressed in obedience. The Hebrew writer wrote, “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Heb. 5:8-9).

Therefore, we have seen three examples of conditional blessings. Working together by the grace of God (cf. 1 Cor. 3:9), we are able to appropriate the free blessings that He provides conditionally, such as our food, wisdom and salvation.

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Shacking Up & Marriage

“Shacking up” is not the Same as Marriage

Last Saturday, as my wife and I were driving back to our home, we stopped at a garage sale. We had a conversation with a younger lady there who was helping with the yard sale. She said something that I have not been able to forget. Somehow the topic of marriage came up, and I told her that Judie and I have been married for 54 years. Here response was, “Well my fiancée and I have been together for fifteen years, and that is the same as marriage.” WRONG!!!

Affirming a “truth” does not make it true. I am amazed every time someone thinks that their view of life and religion is the same view that God has about life and religion. The Creator of this world said, “It is not in man who walks to direct his steps” (Jer. 10:23). Even if an individual’s expression of a “truth” is embraced by the whole world such would not make it right. Not one man or all men together, can define the path of righteousness. To affirm that living together is the same as marriage does not make it true.

Marriage is ordained, and the relationship is holy and undefiled. Marriage is not some social arrangement which has evolved over the course of time. In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and on the sixth day of creation He ordained marriage. When Jesus discussed this matter He said, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matt. 19:6). Look again at His words. God joins a man and a woman together. Living together is simply not the same. For a couple to create an arrangement outside of marriage leaves God out of the matter.

Only the marriage bed is undefiled. The Lord said, “Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge” (Heb. 13:4). Two truths are expressed in this verse. Marriage is honorable. God ordained the holiness of marriage. The other truth should be sobering to those who fail to honor this. God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Their bed is described by God as defiled. Could it be stated any clearer? Living with a fiancée for fifteen years is just not the same, yet many in America would agree with the words of that younger woman. Sex outside of marriage is fornication, and if it involves at least one married person it is adultery. How does God view this? What will God do about this? God will judge!

Our world is changing in so many ways. Our faith and devotion to revealed truth is being challenged in every way. The shield of faith will protect us from the fiery darts of the devil, but we must take the Bible, the sword of the spirit, and boldly stand and defend all that is holy. We are in the midst of a great conflict, and we must not cower in fear!

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How To Measure Spiritual Progress

Measuring Spiritual Progress

Our society is fascinated with measuring things. As early as kindergarten, children are taught to use a ruler and think about measures. Physicians measure height, weight, circumferences, blood pressure, pulse, temperature, blood counts, and more. Sports organizations measure kicks, throws, shots, jumps, running speeds, arm and leg strength, and scores. Humans are also fascinated with measurements in the weather: humidity, highs and lows, dew points, rainfall, and wind speed and direction. In business all kinds of things are measured: sales, quotas, employment, terminations, production, etc. And let’s not even get started on how many things the government measures!

Considering how many things can be measured, do we stop and think about measuring our personal spiritual progress? I’m sure that someone, somewhere might say, “You can’t measure that!” Can’t we? The fact of the matter is anything we may be motivated to do spiritually can be measured. God gives us plenty of spiritual activities in which we are to be engaged. Consider the items below as measuring sticks:

1. Have you made all Sunday morning services this year? (Hebrews 10:25)
2. Have you taken any notes at church this year? (2 Timothy 2:15)
3. Did you review your notes later at home? (2 Peter 1:13-15)
4. Did you share your notes with someone else? (Mark 16:15)
5. Have you visited those in need, the elderly, the sick, the orphan? (James 1:27)

6. Have you purchased outside study material this year? (2 Timothy 4:13)
7. Have you attended any gospel meetings this year? (Acts 20:7)
8. Did you read your Bible last week? (1 Timothy 4:13)
9. Have you handed out any tract information this year? (Matthew 28:18-20)
10. Did you attend mid-week classes when your child had sports? (Matthew 6:33)

11. Did you think about the words during congregational worship? (1 Corinthians 14:15)
12. Did you miss Sunday Evening services for the Superbowl? (1 Corinthians 10:31)
13. If your church held a gospel meeting, were you there? (Hebrews 3:13)
14. Did you sing out loud with the congregation or mumble through? (Colossians 3:16)
15. Did you pray each day? (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

16. Did you read your Bible every day this month? (Acts 17:11)
17. When was the last time you taught a class at church? (Hebrews 5:12)
18. When last did you study the Bible with someone, outside of Church? (Acts 8:4)
19. When was the last time you helped clean the building? (Philippians 2:3-4)
20. When your relatives visited, did you skip out on worship? (Matthew 16:24-26)

21. Did you prepare for your classes before attending? (1 Peter 3:15)
22. When you traveled, did you attend a mid-week Bible study? (Acts 28:15)
23. When you traveled, did you assemble with the Church each Sunday opportunity? (1 Peter 1:22)
24. Did you study the Bible each day with your children? (Ephesians 6:4)
25. Did your children have a regular Bible study schedule? (Deuteronomy 6:7)

These questions are not designed to make anyone feel guilty for not engaging in such activities, but rather, to motivate us to examine our level of spiritual health and encourage us to become more spiritual. Each of these questions is supported by scripture which gives proper direction for our lives. We can measure our personal level of spiritual involvement if we are open, honest with ourselves, and willing to abide by the word of God.

Permission is given by me, Travis Main, for you to freely utilize this list for newsletters or bulletins if you wish.
A special thanks to Kevin Cauley for scriptural assistance on this list.

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John 15 – The Vine

Here we learn of the cultivation of vineyards and how important it was to the life and economy of Israel (vs. 1-11). And, as Jesus teaches, he uses things that the people could relate to. So, he speaks of the vine. And, if ever a nation had everything it needed to be successful, it was Israel. But, the vine produced wild grapes. Instead of justice, they oppressed. Instead of righteousness, it produced unrighteousness and so, God had to deal with the nation Israel and chasten it, but even that did not produce lasting results. So, when God’s own Son came to the vineyard, they cast Him out and killed Him (Matt. 21:33-46).

Now, the present Vine is our Lord Jesus Christ, and, of course, the vine includes the branches. He is the “true Vine,” that is, “the original of which all other vines are a copy” and Christians are the branches meaning, we have a living relationship to Christ and belong to Him so that we may bear fruit. For, by itself, a branch is weak and useless. It is good for either bearing or burning, but not for building. The branch cannot produce its own life; it must draw that life from the vine. And so again. it is our communion with Christ that makes possible the bearing of the fruit. And, the sooner Christians realize that we are but branches, the better we will relate to the Lord. Thus, we must abide in Him, serve and sacrifice to Him.

Now, the vinedresser is in charge of caring for the vines, and Jesus said, this is the work of His Father. It is He who “purges” or prunes the branches so they will produce more fruit. And, it is ironic that Christians pray to bear more fruit but they do not enjoy the pruning process that follows. Still, the vinedresser prunes the branches by cutting away dead wood that can breed disease and insects, and by cutting away living tissue so that the life of the vine will not be so dissipated that the quality of the crop will be jeopardized. This shows us that God does not let the believer alone to have his own way. Instead, because God loves us, He “prunes” us and encourages us to bear more fruit for His glory.

But, how does the Father prune us? Sometimes He simply uses the Word to convict and cleanse us. (Jn. 13:10; Eph. 5:26-27.) Sometimes He must chasten us (Heb. 12:1-11). At the time, it hurts when He removes something precious from us; but as the “spiritual crop” is produced, we see that the Father knew what He was doing. Thus, the more we abide in Christ, the more fruit we bear; and the more fruit we bear, the more the Father has to prune us so God is glorified by a bigger crop that is also a better crop.

As for the fruit, we are not producing fruit to please ourselves but to serve others. Thus, we should be the kind of people who “feed” others by our words and our works (Prov. 10:21). For, we bear fruit when we win others to Christ (Rom. 1:13). and, since we are a part of the harvest (Jn. 4:35-38), as we grow in holiness and obedience, we are bearing fruit (Rom. 6:22) of a dedicated life (Gal. 5:22-23). This is why it is such a terrible shame for a once fruitful believer to fall from grace and lose his/her privilege of fellowship with the Savior. But, our abiding in Christ certainly ought to produce His love, joy, and peace in our hearts. So, as branches in the Vine, we have the privilege of abiding and the responsibility of bearing fruit.

But now, we turn to the second picture Jesus shows and that is a picture of friends. Most of us have many acquaintances but very few friends, and even some of our friends may prove unfriendly or even unfaithful. What about Judas. (Ps. 41:9)? Even a devoted friend may fail us when we need him most. Peter, James, and John went to sleep in the Garden when they should have been praying; and Peter even denied the Lord three times. So, our friendship to each other and to the Lord is not perfect, but His friendship to us is perfect.

However, we must not interpret this word friend in a limited way, because the Greek word means “a friend at court.” It describes that “inner circle” around a king or emperor. It is this kind of a relationship that Jesus described when He called His disciples “friends.” It was certainly a relationship of love, both for Him and for each other. And, these friends could not compete with each other for attention or promotion because they did not promote themselves, but to serve their King. What a rebuke this must have been to the selfish disciples who often argued over who was the greatest!

Yet, our friendship with Christ involves love and obedience as well as knowledge: He “lets us in on” His plans. Indeed, He is our Master (John 13:13, 16), but He does not treat us as servants. He treats us as friends, if we do what He commands. And, it is interesting to note that, in John’s account, it was the servants who knew what was going on! The servants at the wedding feast in Cana knew where the wine came from (Jn. 2:9), and the nobleman’s servants knew when the son was healed (Jn. 4:51-53). Thus, one of the greatest privileges we have as His friends is that of learning to know God better. And so, as branches, we share His life and bear fruit; and as friends, we share His love and bear fruit. As branches, we are pruned by the Father; as friends, we are instructed by the Son, and His Word controls our lives.

Now, in vs. 15-16, it summarizes for us what it means to be a friend of the King of kings. It is a humbling experience, for He chose us and we keep our ears open and listen to what He says to us so that we might obey Him and get His work done. Next, Jesus closed this part of His message by reminding them (and us) of the most important commandment of all: Love one another. This command was repeated twice and will be told many more times in the New Testament letters. Thus, the friends of the King must not only love Him, but also one another. What joy it brings to His heart when He sees His friends loving one another and working together to obey His commands. So, if we are not abiding as branches and obeying as friends, we will never be able to face the opposition of the world. And, if we do not love one another, how can we ever hope to love lost men and women in the world? If we are not marching together as the friends of the King, we will never present a united front to the enemy. Remember, Jesus said, “Without Me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). But if we abide in Him, if we stay close to the throne, we can do anything that He commands us to do!

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