Don’t Just Live with it

Don’t Just Live with it

If national or international crises are cause for alarm, it appears that we will always remain in an alarmed state. If its not one country its that country that is fighting. If it isn’t this catastrophe its that catastrophe. If it isn’t a terrorist it’s a shooting. And closer to home, taxes and inflation spiral out of control and the cost of living threatens economic disaster.

Now, the first thought is to just flee from it all. And certainly we would not be the first to think of doing that. In Psa. 55:5‐6, we are told “Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.” David yearns to escape his situation. He is full of anguish, fear and horror. He is emotionally paralyzed as he thinks about the present evil. And, he realizes that he is weak and helpless and that his heart is beating like the heart of a woman in labor. He wants to fly like a dove, away from the noise of hate, confusion, evil and anarchy. And, while that sounds good, we cannot live on vacation.

During the days of the transfiguration (Matt. 17:1‐9), when the Lord ascended the mountain and was glorified before his death, Peter wanted to build three tabernacles which may also indicate that he did not want to go back down the mountain, at least, not for a while. But, God stopped his speech (vs. 5) and soon after they did come back down the mountain and Jesus died, giving a new view of life to dying men everywhere.

When we consider our Master, Jesus did not learn to live with the world. He overcame it (Jn. 16:33)! And, this is part of our problem if we live with the world when God offers us the opportunity in Christ to overcome it (1 Jn. 4:1‐5). We must realize that Jesus knew God and he could use the world for God’s glory and at the same time not become a part of the world. Likewise, our citizenship is in heaven (Phil. 3:20) because we only live here for a moment (Jam. 4:14). Sure the world has its problems, but we as Christians, know of a place where there are no problems (Rev. 21:1‐7). And, while the world says this is crazy talk, remember, they told that to Jesus too.

Thinking about heaven can become a form of escaping this world. But, what really escapes this world is believing that God raised Jesus from the dead, confessing that He is the Christ and that repenting and being immersed in water is necessary to have the blood of Christ remove our sins and add us to His church. It is then we can live faithfully to him so when judgment comes, Christ gives us a home with Him. But until then, our faith in God’s future for us gives us strength for victorious living now so we don’t just live with the world. Faith is the victory that overcomes the world!

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The Remodeling Project

Its amazing how one simple step can lead to another and before you know it a simple project turns into a radical remodeling effort. Some time ago we received a generous donation of a large-screen projection television. We decided to put it in our basement. The only problem was there was a post at the bottom of the stairs that had to be removed. So for some time the post has been missing and the walls unfinished.

We finally decided to put the post back in; which led to finishing and painting the walls; which lead to a removal of everything from the basement and ripping up the old Berber carpet that had been glued to the cement floor. The installers are in the basement right now installing the new carper over new padding. There are a few more things that will need to be done and we think it will look great when it is. All this for a free TV!

Salvation too is like a remodeling project. It has to start somewhere and for each and every one of us it begins with am acceptance of the free gift of God in Jesus Christ who died for our sins. The problem is we can’t fit Him into our lives the way we are; there must be a remodeling project!

In Matthew 12 Jesus speaks of a man in who an unclean spirit had departed. When the spirit found no rest he returned home to find it empty, swept, and garnished. The Spirit then goes and finds seven other spirits even more wicked than himself and they all enter the man and live there so that the last state of the man was worse than the first (vv 43-45).

When we obey Jesus through faith, confession and baptism we “put off the old man” (Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9). James says that we should draw “nigh to God” so that he would “draw nigh” to us and commands, “Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded (James 4:8).

When we finish the remodeling process we see a similarity of the old form but everything looks different: new paint, carpet, woodwork, lighting. And sure it looks beautiful and clean but it isn’t enough to just remodel and leave it that way. The new house or room will simply not be functional without filling it with needed and useful furnishings.

So what do we need to work on filling our lives with?

  1. Christ-likeness: In Colossians 3 Paul says to the Christians there to put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering; to bear with one another, and forgiving one another… even as Christ forgave you. “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts… and be thankful. And let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” (vv 12-16). Of course Christ left us an example that we should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21).
  2. The Christian Graces: Peter wrote that we should give all diligence, add to our “faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.” And promises that if we add these things to the new man we will be neither barren nor unfruitful (2 Peter 1:5-8).
  3. The Fruit of the Spirit: In Galatians 5:22-23 the apostle Paul tells us that the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
  4. The Whole Armor of God: This is how we will be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand and against the wiles of the devil. We must have our waist girded with truth, have on the breastplate of righteousness, our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; and above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;” (Ephesians 6:13-17).

When we begin this process of transforming our lives it may seem rather daunting. But it is a daily process. The final product will be amazing: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).

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Intellect

Intellect: Why is that so?

Many people in America are skeptical when questioned about their belief in the God of the Bible. Many will say that there is no evidence that God is as religious people insist, but will deny any proof or evidence of God’s existence. Is this a rational position for anyone to take? Of course rationality is not considered when one brings up the subject of religion or of any peripheral object of Biblical religious thought.

The basis for true understanding of God, the Bible, and religious thought in general must emanate from within the person’s seat of intellect. Intellect is conditioned through or by whatever a person imbibes through the eyes [i.e. sight] and through the ears [i.e. hearing], no one is born with the capability to believe or reject God because everyone is born with the ability to choose between good or bad with regard to any given choice as they mature. Therefore, whenever one reaches a point in growth [i.e. age and mental input] he or she will be able to know, accept, or reject whatever evidence has been imbibed into the seat of intellect [i.e. the mind – the brain]. For this cause children accept the parent or guardian that raise them to a certain point [i.e. during development stage all infants are dependent on parents or guardians for their mental and physical growth. Since the previous statement is obvious, it stands to reason that whoever is in charge of the infant’s upbringing will be influential with regard to the development of their mental state as well as their spiritual state [i.e. understanding of God, etc. – cf. Ephesians 6:1-4, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise), that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but nurture them in the chastening and admonition of the Lord”] ASV.

Let us recognize that we are all responsible for how we react to God and to His Book [i.e. the Bible], whether we acknowledge God and the Bible as God’s Book or not will rest entirely on our mind’s acceptance or rejection of them. Therefore we ought to be very careful what we allow our mind to imbibe. Remember this, whatever goes into our mind will corrupt or enlighten and whatever we allow our infants to embed while they have yet to reach accountable age may Cause them to possess a corrupt understanding of God and the Bible. Parents, you must be careful what you expose your infant and young children to; it could be bad for their mental development and their eternal destiny. Children need their parent’s help as they grow from childhood into adult; this is a fact all parents need to understand.

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The Evolution of Lying?

Bible class teachers and preachers are going to have to rewrite their lessons on lying, because according to Montclair State University professor Julian Keenan, lying is simply a product of evolution. After maintaining that every person lies, Keenan noted: “The average person tells at least one lie per day” (as quoted in D’Aurizio, 2004). A rather brash accusation, but Keenan’s assessment of human morality gets worse. Why is it that “all” humans lie? According to Keenan, there are some good reasons that allegedly go back 5 million years. He asserted:

Lying has played a key role in our evolution, in making humans, human. It’s one of the most amazing, sophisticated, advanced cognitive abilities we have. All evidence indicates that we are genetically programmed to lie. The liar has such an advantage over you. So the gene is passed on (2004).

So there you have it. All that time you have been instructing your children and grandchildren not to lie was for nought. Keenan says they cannot help it—it is “genetically programmed” into them. If this were not being presented as a scientific study, it would be laughable. But because Keenan is a professor responsible for molding and shaping the minds of college students, it certainly is no laughing matter.

Keenan’s contention is: “If you can get into someone’s mind, you’ll have a real advantage. The key to being a really good con artist is being a good mind-reader, telling someone what they want to hear” (as quoted in D’Aurizio). Reading between the lines, is one to assume that in order to have an “advantage” in life, we should sharpen our lying skills? Commenting on one of the implications of Keenan’s theory, Atlanta Journal Constitution staff writer Elaine D’Aurizo wrote: “Getting into someone’s mind is also what dating is about, Keenan said. ‘Men want to find out what women want to hear and women want to know what men want to hear.’” Keenan continued:

Women should know what men lie about and so [should] men, who don’t know anywhere near the extent that women do how the opposite sex lies. You’re much better off when you’re able to detect a lie, much more in control.

So according to this neuroscientist, lying is a beneficial product of evolution—it helps give humans more control. In fact, Keenan observed: “We find it is a sign in children of high intelligence.” So exactly where, or from whom, did we “evolve” this behavior? Keenan lamented: “Very few animals lie, except maybe a few apes. It’s one of the hallmarks of humans.” Let me get this straight—very few animals, except maybe a few apes lie? Webster’s dictionary defines a lie as “an untrue statement made with intent to deceive.” How many other animals on the planet (including apes) have the ability to make an untrue statement? Absolutely none! Had Keenan not been trying to bolster his ridiculous theory with evolutionary tenets, he might have realized that apes (along with all other animals) were not created with the ability to use the spoken language in such a way. Animals do not lie because they were not created with the ability to do so!

The coup de grace of this pitiable story came when Keenan observed: “Morally, lying is wrong.” Excuse me?! He just spent valuable time and energy explaining to readers how lying was “genetically programmed,” gave us an “advantage,” and was a product of “evolution.” Now he wants to claim that lying is morally wrong? By whose standard? It cannot be man’s, because according to Keenan, man is born with this genetic component. Matter—by itself—is completely impotent to “evolve” any sense of moral consciousness. If there is no purpose in the Universe, as evolutionists assert, then there is no purpose to morality or ethics. But the concept of a “purposeless morality,” or a “purposeless ethic,” is irrational.

When George Gaylord Simpson commented that “morals arise only in man” (1967, p. 346), he acknowledged (whether or not he intended to) the fact that morality is something unique to humankind. No two apes ever sat down and said, “Hey, I’ve got a good idea. Today let’s talk about morals and ethics.” On the same page of his book, Simpson thus was forced to admit that “the workings of the universe cannot provide any automatic, universal, eternal, or absolute ethical criteria of right and wrong” (1967, p. 346). True morality is based on the fact of the unchanging nature of Almighty God. He is eternal (Psalm 90:2; 1 Timothy 1:17), holy (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8), just and righteous (Psalm 89:14), and forever consistent (Malachi 3:6). This is the same God Who formed man with the ability to communicate freely—but Who abhors lying (Psalm 5:6). In fact, Satan is called the father of lies (John 8:44). Yes, lying is wrong. But the reason is because our Creator deems it as such.

When Martin Gardner wrote on “The Relevance of Belief Systems” in his book, The New Age: Notes of a Fringe Watcher, and observed that what a person believes profoundly influences how a person acts, he could not have been more right (1988, pp. 57-64). Consider the profound influence that Keenan’s teachings will have on college students. Evolution cannot explain lies, just as it cannot explain communication and morals. Students (and adults!) need to realize that lying will separate them from God, and is not advantageous. The Proverbs writer noted: “A true witness delivers souls, but a deceitful witness speaks lies” (14:25). How true.

REFERENCES

D’Aurizio, Elaine (2004), “Truth Is, Everyone Lies,” Atlanta Journal Constitution, [On-line], URL: http://www.ajc.com/news/content/health/1104/22lies.html.

Gardner, Martin (1988), The New Age: Notes of a Fringe Watcher (Buffalo, NY: Prometheus).

Simpson, George Gaylord (1967), The Meaning of Evolution (New Haven, CT: Yale University Press), revised edition.

Copyright © 2004 Apologetics Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Romans

A Brief Summary of Romans

Introduction:

The Book of Romans was written by the apostle Paul from the city of Corinth in approximately AD 56. At the time of his writing, he had yet to visit Rome, though he greatly desired to do so. It was not until approximately AD 61 that he was able to “visit” Rome, and then, only as a prisoner under house arrest for two years. He was released in AD 63 and finally was rearrested and executed there in AD 68.

This grandest of Paul’s epistles, teaches us many great lessons, but perhaps the greatest principle it teaches us is the fact that man is justified by faith in Jesus Christ. Paul’s main focus in writing this epistle to the church at Rome is to emphasize this point. The doctrine of justification is developed throughout the first eleven chapters of the book. The remainder of the book deals with our life as a Christian, once we have been justified. Romans chapter 1 begins with Paul’s introduction and with an inspiring statement about the Gospel’s power for salvation. Paul then goes into great detail throughout the entire book to expound upon the Gospel’s good news of salvation and justification by faith in Jesus Christ.

Justification Is Necessary: Chapters 1-4

After Paul gives his opening address, he gets right down to business with the remainder of chapter 1 to show how the

Gentiles are in sin and are in need of justification and salvation. Having established that the Gentiles are in sin, Paul in chapter 2 goes on to explain that the Jews also are in condemnation and in sin because of their unbelief in the Gospel. In chapter 3, Paul concludes that no one is righteous, if they are seeking justification on their own terms. He states that all have sinned, both Jews and Gentiles, and that all mankind is in need of justification on because of their sins.

The Jew’s religion (at this point it was no longer the religion of God) had devolved into a system of salvation by works. They believed that in the outward display of keeping to the tenets of the Law of Moses they could merit salvation. The Jews had much pride in the fact that they kept the letter of this law (according to their traditions). They did not understand that the Law did not absolve them from sin and that justification only came by faith in God, demonstrated by obedience, not by mere law-keeping.

In chapter 4, Paul uses the example of Abraham to show proof that one does not have to be circumcised or be under the Law of Moses to be justified. Abraham’s obedience and faith – before he was under the covenant of circumcision – was accounted unto him for righteousness. God kept His promise to Abraham because of his faith.

Justification Is Effective: Chapters 5-8

In chapter 5, we see the multitude of blessings that we have in Christ. The justification through faith in Christ brings us into a right relationship with God. Only through Christ can we have atonement and know the depths of God’s grace, love and mercy. Chapter 6 shows us the method by which God has chosen for us to demonstrate our faith in order to receive justification and that is in baptism. In submission to water baptism our faith is imputed to us for righteousness. We die to sin and death itself.

Chapter 7 deals with the Law of Moses and its termination. We see the purpose of the law, its emphasis and its effect on the conscience of man. Paul demonstrates that the Law of Moses died at the cross and we are now under the law of Christ. Christ fulfilled and replaced the Law of Moses bringing into effect His law of faith. Chapter 8 teaches that there is no power on earth to forcibly, against our will, remove us from the love of Christ once we have been justified by faith in Him.

The Nation of Israel: Chapter 9-11

This section deals mainly with the rejection of Christ by the Jewish nation as a whole. As well, Paul deals with the definition of who a true “Jew” is. Israel believed that they were saved because of their ethnicity and that only they were meant to have salvation. Paul demonstrates how that all who are justified by faith are the spiritual seed of Abraham. We also learn that the Gospel’s rejection by the Jews made possible its acceptance by the Gentiles.

Practical Application: Chapter 12-16

Chapter 12 deals with the quality of our spiritual life and how we are to deal with others, both friend and foe. Chapter 13 teaches us how we are to deal with those in governmental authority over us and of the urgency of salvation. Chapters 14 and 15 deal with matters of mutual respect and judgment and the example we have in righteousness in Jesus Christ. In chapter 16, we see Paul’s example of love for the brethren in his greetings to certain members of the church at Rome. And finally in chapter 16:17-20 we have Paul’s admonition to remain faithful and holy and to mark those who cause division.

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