Traditions

I enjoy the last few months of the year for a variety of reasons. I enjoy being outdoors, hunting, shooting and playing golf, and the more mild temperatures of autumn make outdoor activities so much more enjoyable. I love the smell of a fire and the colors of the leaves as they change. I enjoy Thanksgiving and the reminder of how blessed we have been the past year and how I should be thankful for God’s bounty every day! I enjoy relaxing and spending time with family and friends. I love Christmas time, the tree, the lights, THE PRESENTS! But most of all I enjoy the traditions.

Some traditions have been around long before any of us where here. Cookies left out for Santa come to mind as a particular favorite. Some times we begin new traditions and build memories that last for ages to come.

As Christians though I think we should keep in mind that traditions can be bad as well as good. Traditions are bad when they violate scripture. Just because we have always done something (as a church, in our families, or personally) does not mean that it is acceptable to God. Remember that everything that we say or do should be done with authority from Christ and with thanksgiving (Colossians 3:17).

Traditions can be bad if we bind them as law, or when we reject the law of God to hold on to them. This was a major problem with the first century Jews. Jesus said, “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). He also told them, “Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition” (Mark 7:9).

But traditions are great things when kept in harmony with God’s Law. Paul said, “Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle” (2 Thessalonians 2:15).  Now of course by traditions here Paul was referring to keeping (practicing) the law (teaching) that had been passed on from God to us all. Isn’t that what faithful brethren are trying to do every day?

During this holiday season may we all strive to keep the law of Christ and not allow traditions to violate our calling. Also, pray for the strength to teach and help others to do the same. Remember, “… ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers;” (1 Peter 1:18).

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God’s Forgiveness

Man holds grudges. When we do wrong to our fellow man and then repent and apologize, often it is the case that the one we have wronged will say “I forgive you.” and will go ahead and hold a grudge against you. They forgive, but they do not forget and the very next time you offend them, they remind of you of your past offenses and make it clear that they’re still holding them against you. God is not like men, He does not holds grudges against us for our past mistakes, so long as we are penitent and seek forgiveness through His son Jesus the Christ.

It is a part of the human condition to struggle with sin. Each of us may have one particular sin that we struggle with the most often. Perhaps we have committed this sin many times over a period of years. Each time we transgress in that area we feel guilty and we genuinely repent. We know it is wrong and we make ourselves a pledge that we will not commit this particular sin again. We pray that we will be delivered from the temptation with regard to this sin and for the next several months we are successful in our attempts to overcome it.

After some time has gone by, we lose a little bit of our vigilance in this area. It is at this point that perhaps we have a bad couple of days; either we’re very tired or very stressed and this temptation comes before us, and because we are at a moment of weakness and are alone, we give into the temptation once more. Afterward, we come to our self, realizing that have done it again and are struck with grief and self-loathing over it. We’re genuinely sorry for our sin and we repent of it. Once more we pray for forgiveness and for strength in the face of temptation. Once more we dedicate ourselves to never committing this sin again and for the next several weeks or months we are very vigilant towards it.

Then as time goes by we go through a tough stretch; either we’re very tired or very stressed and this temptation comes before us, and because we are at a moment of weakness and are alone, we give into the temptation once more. Afterward, we come to our self, realizing that have done it again and are struck with grief and self-loathing all over again…

Maybe this sequence has played itself out many times in your life and you begin to feel as if you will never overcome it. Perhaps you start thinking that maybe you really have never truly repented and start to question whether God will forgive you again this time. After all, you think, if you had truly repented the times before, you would not have committed the same sin again. Or maybe, you think that God will not believe that you have truly repented and will give up on you. So the question arises in your mind, “Is there a limit to God’s forgiveness? Is there a point at which God will no longer forgive my sins?”

Peter asked our Lord the same question with regard to forgiving others, but the same principle applies with God’s forgiveness. “Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?” (Matthew 18:21) Some in that day were teaching that one only had to forgive someone three times and that after a fourth transgression, no forgiveness was necessary. But notice Jesus’ answer to this question, “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:22) The number seventy times seven (490) is not to be taken literally in this case, but what he is saying, in essence, is that we must forgive our brother every time he repents. Notice what Jesus said in Luke 17:3-4, “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4) Observe that forgiveness with our brother is conditioned upon his repentance just like our forgiveness with God is conditioned upon our repentance.

If we are to forgive our brother every time he repents without any limitations, then it stands to reason that with God it is the same. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”(1 John 1:9) God will forgive His children each time they repent of their sins, without fail and without exception. The one who thinks that God will stop forgiving them because they cannot seem to break the cycle of sin is mistaken. The only sins that God will not forgive are impenitent sins committed out a spirit of rebellion against Him. The very fact that a Christian is earnestly struggling against sin in his life and sincerely repenting of his sins shows that he has not committed this type of sin.

When we first became a Christian, every sin that we had committed prior to our obedience to the gospel was forgiven. “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:16-17). God forgives and then He “forgets” and treats the sin as if it never occurred. If one sins,

 

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Becoming A Child of God

The decision to become a child of God is the most important decision anyone can ever make, even above the decision of marriage and career. Paul proclaimed, “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). To expound upon this great truth, let us learn how one may become a child of God.

It begins with knowledge. Through preserved revelation from God in the Bible, we learn about His eternal plan of redemption, “which he purposed in Christ Jesus, our Lord” (Eph. 3:8-12). In reference to this gracious act, Paul wrote to Timothy, “…which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Tim. 1:9). As a result, it is important for us to learn some things about God and His eternal will (John 6:44- 45). We learn what God did in order for us to become children of God: He sent His only begotten Son (John 3:16). He provides the opportunity to become children of God because of His great love, grace, and mercy. Jesus makes it possible for us to become children of God because of His great sacrifice on Calvary (Rom. 5:6-10). Not only that, we must understand the nature of sin and its repercussions in our lives. Sin separates us from the fellowship of God (Isa. 59:1-2), and it afflicts everyone (Rom. 3:23). Thus, we learn of our eternal jeopardy, and we learn what our Lord paid as a penalty for our sins (Rom. 3:24-26). All of this underscores the importance of hearing the good news of Jesus (Rom. 10:13-17), as well as that of teaching these important truths (Matt. 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16). Becoming a child of God begins with knowledge—knowledge concerning the nature and will of God, knowledge of sin and the nature of humanity, and knowledge of the good news that makes it possible to become a child of God!

Once one acquires this knowledge, he must place his trust in God by believing the evidence before him. This is the definition of “faith.” It is placing our trust in God because we believe what He says, what He has done, and what He will do for us. This trust and belief is so deep in our heart, soul, and mind that it compels us to follow Jesus and obey Him. No wonder the Hebrew writer succinctly stated, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Heb. 11:6). As we noted in the introductory paragraph, Paul pronounced that we are the children of God “by faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:26). Faith has always been important in developing the proper relationship with God. The apostle Paul sets forth Abraham as our example of saving faith in Romans 4, and even quoted from the Old Testament as he announced his thesis to the epistle: “The just shall live by faith” (Rom. 1:16-17; Hab. 2:4).

After one believes with all of his heart, soul, and mind concerning that which pertains to developing a relationship with God as His child, he determines to leave behind that which endangers such a relationship. This is called “repentance.” It is a remorsefulness we have when we understand what sin does to God and to our lives (2 Cor. 7:10). It compels us to change our lives—to begin a life of denying ourselves and serving Christ (Matt. 21:28-31). It is that which God earnestly desires from everyone (Acts 17:30-31; 2 Pet. 3:9).

Such an individual, who has come to the right type of knowledge, believes it with all of his heart, and is willing to repent from all of his sins, is one who will have no problem confessing such to others. He is one who understands the need to clarify his commitment (Acts 8:36-37), as well as one who is overjoyed at the chance to confess his affinity to his Lord (Rom. 10:9-10).

Finally, one becomes a child of God when he submits to the command of baptism: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:27). It is that which procures us citizenship into the kingdom of God and brings about a new birth (John 3:3-5). It is that which provides remission from our sins and entrance into the church that Jesus built (Acts 2:38). It is that which signifies our relationship in the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:3-6).

Therefore, a proper knowledge that leads to faith, repentance, confession, and baptism are necessary to become a child of God.

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UPS: Nothing Short of Sheer Hypocrisy!

From a news story received on November 14th, 2012:

ATLANTA – The UPS Foundation says it will no longer give grants to the Boy Scouts of America as long as the group excludes homosexuals from being scouts or scout leaders.

The philanthropic arm of the Atlanta-based shipping giant made the change after an online petition protesting the foundation’s annual grants to the Boy Scouts attracted more than 80,000 signatures. The UPS Foundation gave more than $85,000 to the Boy Scouts in 2011, according to its federal tax return.

A UPS spokeswoman says groups applying for the grants will have to adhere to the same standards UPS does. The company says it does not discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, disability or sexual orientation.

~Does the sheer and absolute hypocrisy of this scurrilous statement strike anyone else besides me? It is precisely their above stated policy that makes this company a complete liar, because they have just chosen to do exactly what they said they don’t (and not on only one, but on two out of the four facets they say they don’t): Discriminate against the Boy Scouts of America solely because of both the BSA’s “religion” AND “sexual orientation” – that they, the Boy Scouts of America, choose to be and stay and stand for God-defined, male-female, heterosexual relationships! UN–BELIEVABLE!

This is exactly the same, sheer insanity and double-standard hypocrisy as those people display who think that all Americans (and particularly the minority group known as Christian-Americans) are stupid and biblically uninformed enough (See John 8:31-32) not to instantly see through the utter transparency of their statements when they  continually seek to shove down our throats that, “there is no such thing as absolute truth,” – and want us to accept their statement as – guess what – absolute truth! May I restate? UN–BELIEVABLE!

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Beloved, We are Now Children of God

Of all the words used to describe the Christian’s relationship with God, perhaps the most beloved is “child.” It is instinctive, for those of us who are not without natural affection (Rom. 1:31, 2 Tim. 3:3), to smile at children, reach out to them, and show love toward these new members of our society. For the vast majority, childhood is a time of love, frivolity, innocence, and learning. These qualities make childhood endearing, and among our most cherished memories as adults. It is also what makes us desire a happy childhood for those now experiencing such years, and what makes us lament the tragedy of a childhood gone wrong. Certainly the fact that some do not have affectionate memories regarding childhood testifies to the truth that childhood ought to be a time of love and affection, not pain and sorrow.

Childhood is also a time when new members of society learn the rules of living: how to stay safe, how to obey the law, how to work, how to learn, how to mature. Good parents will guide children through these lessons, and instruct them so that they do not make fatal mistakes. However, good parents will also allow children to make some (non-fatal) mistakes for themselves so that they may learn from their errors. At times, it is necessary for parents to discipline children to teach them the error of their ways (Prov. 22:15). Excellent parents will bring up their children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Such are the circumstances surrounding a healthy parent/child relationship.

If children obey their parents and honor their fathers and mothers (Eph. 6:1-2), then their lives will be well, and they will grow up ready to face the challenges of adulthood. Such children may expect to live long and fruitful lives (Eph. 6:3). However, children that do not obey their parents, and do not honor their fathers and mothers are aweariness to them, and may expect their lives to be cut short (Prov. 30:17). In adulthood, properly reared children will know a relationship with their parents that they have not experienced in their fledgling years. They will come to know father and mother as beloved friends, and hopefully, brothers and sisters in the Lord. Such is the reward for both parent and child in a godly family.

Having these thoughts in mind regarding earthly families, these truths are magnified infinitely when considered in relationship to our heavenly family, and specifically, our heavenly Father. While on this earth, we must consider our relationship to God to be one of childhood. It is our duty here to be safe, obey God’s law, learn, grow, and mature. God gives us His word to guide us in this process, and even sends chastening our way to aid us in learning from our mistakes (Heb.12:5-11). However, this is all for our benefit, so that we may grow to the point where we may escape the corruptions that are in the world through lust, and be ready to become partakers of the divine nature (2 Pet.1:4).

Like having an earthly father that loves and cares for us, having a heavenly Father who loves and cares for us as His children is comforting. Such is not an imaginative invention of a metaphysical father from earthly fathers as Freud suggested. The notions of God as our all loving Father and we as His children together persisting in a loving relationship based upon the truths of the gospel–these notions are not the kinds of relationships that lustful men would develop given their own resources. We see what wicked men do to families; such does not reflect the love and relationship building efforts of a true father. Such a standard of fatherhood comes not from the natural world, but from beyond—from the Father of lights who gives every good and perfect gifts (James 1:17), and from the Father of spirits who provides perfect guidance for our path as living beings (Heb.12:9). The relationship of God the Father with His children is such that they may–through His only begotten Son Jesus Christ–have the abundant life (John 10:10).

When looking upon our earthly families and the joys that we may experience through them when these families are being conducted according to God’s truths, we see but a dim reflection of the great joy and contentment that will obtain because we are children of God.

Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called children of God; and such we are. For this cause the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we children of God, and it is not yet made manifest what we shall be. We know that, if he shall be manifested, we shall be like him; for we shall see him even as he is. And every one that hath this hope set on him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1 John 3:1-3)

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