Monday, September 8, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Fathers Day!
May we take today as an opportunity to reflect upon the past 12 months - as fathers, have we lived as Christ before our children and trained them in the way they should go - as husbands, have we loved our wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her - as men, have we been growing in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, growing in holiness and bearing much fruit showing ourselves to be his disciples?
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Blasphemy Against The Law!
Did you know that it is against the law to blaspheme in Massachusetts??
Chapter 272: Section 36. Blasphemy
Whoever wilfully blasphemes the holy name of God by denying, cursing or contumeliously reproaching God, his creation, government or final judging of the world, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching or exposing to contempt and ridicule, the holy word of God contained in the holy scriptures shall be punished by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year or by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars, and may also be bound to good behavior.
If the state were to enforce this law, would it not cause more people to see how they have transgressed the Holy Law of God - to whom they must give account on the day of judgement?
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. Exodus 20:7
PART IV. CRIMES, PUNISHMENTS AND PROCEEDINGSIN CRIMINAL CASES
TITLE I. CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
CHAPTER 272. CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY, MORALITY, DECENCY AND GOOD ORDER
TITLE I. CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
CHAPTER 272. CRIMES AGAINST CHASTITY, MORALITY, DECENCY AND GOOD ORDER
Chapter 272: Section 36. Blasphemy
Whoever wilfully blasphemes the holy name of God by denying, cursing or contumeliously reproaching God, his creation, government or final judging of the world, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching Jesus Christ or the Holy Ghost, or by cursing or contumeliously reproaching or exposing to contempt and ridicule, the holy word of God contained in the holy scriptures shall be punished by imprisonment in jail for not more than one year or by a fine of not more than three hundred dollars, and may also be bound to good behavior.
If the state were to enforce this law, would it not cause more people to see how they have transgressed the Holy Law of God - to whom they must give account on the day of judgement?
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that takes his name in vain. Exodus 20:7
Saturday, August 16, 2008
The Gospel!!
Tony Miano does a wonderful job presenting the gospel to this young man! He clearly takes him through the law, points out why God's wrath abides on him, and then gives him the good news... the gospel!
Law to the proud, grace to the humble.
Jesus came to save sinners... that is, he came to save all - for all have sinned! When we repent of our sin, of our unbelief, of our self righteousness, and turn to Christ, crying out for mercy and putting our trust in Him - He will save. He will not turn them away who come to him broken and humbled!
"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." - John 6:37
No limit is set to the duration of this promise. It does not merely say, "I will not cast out a sinner at his first coming," but, "I will in no wise cast out. " The original reads, "I will not, not cast out," or "I will never, never cast out. " The text means, that Christ will not at first reject a believer; and that as he will not do it at first, so he will not to the last.
But suppose the believer sins after coming? "If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." But suppose that believers backslide? "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him. " But believers may fall under temptation! "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. " But the believer may fall into sin as David did! Yes, but he will "Purge them with hyssop, and they shall be clean; he will wash them and they shall be whiter than snow"; "From all their iniquities will I cleanse them. "
"Once in Christ, in Christ for ever, Nothing from his love can sever."
"I give unto my sheep," saith he, "eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." What sayest thou to this, O trembling feeble mind? Is not this a precious mercy, that coming to Christ, thou dost not come to One who will treat thee well for a little while, and then send thee about thy business, but he will receive thee and make thee his bride, and thou shalt be his for ever? Receive no longer the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption whereby thou shalt cry, Abba, Father! Oh! the grace of these words: "I will in no wise cast out."
- Charles Spurgeon
Thursday, August 14, 2008
The Lonliness Of Christ
There never was anyone in all humanity so lonely.
He was alone in holiness. How the sin of his disciples and those around him must have grieved him. How their arguments about who would be the greatest must have wearied him who was infinitely greater than all!
He was alone in righteousness. There is no one who does right, no not one. He had no other companion, no other man to the right of him. All were to the left.
He was alone in wisdom and understanding. He had much to say but they could not bear it, or even hear it.
He was alone in truth. He understood, comprehended, beheld and experienced the truth in all its glory but had no one of like greatness to share that with, no one who could comprehend.
He was alone in ministry. Every single person that came to him needed or wanted something from him. He borrowed nothing from them but supplied them with all. Like beggars to a rich man!
He was alone in companionship. As the Father declared during the creation of the world that it is not good for man to be alone, so it is that we were designed to have a help mate. An intimate companion. A husband or wife.
He was alone in zeal. There was no one else who share the same passion, the same zeal, the same fire for glorifying God, for preaching Truth, for proclaiming freedom to the captives and sight to the blind!
He was alone in prayer. No one could pray as Jesus prayed, no one could pray alongside him as his equal (that is why the disciples said - teach us how to pray Lord). He often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
He was alone in temptation & testing. No one from the beginning of time until now has been tempted & tested with such intensity, such persistence, such relentlessness, to the point of bloodshed when praying in the garden of Gethsemane.
He was alone in suffering. His appearance was marred more than any man. No one (I believe) has ever suffered worse physical punishment that our Lord.
He was alone in death. Crucified outside of the city, amongst the refuse in the dump. Naked, torn, hung on a tree. Forsaken by man and forsaken by God!
As we become more like Christ, we will in greater degree share in his loneliness. There will be less who understand, less with that intensity, passion and zeal, more who take, more who misunderstand, more who accuse, more resistance, more suffering, more testing, trial and temptation…
Christ had only one to rest in, one to lean on, one through whom and by whom he was able to accomplish all he was sent to do... the Father. So it will be with those who are becoming increasingly more like Christ. There will be no one else that satisfies, no one else that strengthens, no one else that encourages, no one else that teaches...but the Father through his Holy Spirit
Monday, August 11, 2008
An Inexhaustible Fullness
"Yes, He is very precious to you who believe!" 1 Peter 2:7
Christian! Jesus is your Savior, your Friend, and your Portion!
You are guilty: His blood cleanses from all sin.
You are miserable: He is rich in mercy.
You are helpless: He is mighty to save.
You are impoverished: His riches are unsearchable.
His treasures of grace are inexhaustible! There is an inexhaustible fullness in Him, answerable to all your necessities—be they ever so many, or ever so great. He is the ever-flowing, the over flowing fountain of living waters. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think. It has pleased the Father, that in Him all fullness should dwell. Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness. His kindness and mercy are unbounded.
If the kindness of men has a tendency to win your hearts—how much more should the infinite love of Jesus constrain you to love Him! He is precious in the glorious perfections of His person, His transcendent worth, and His all-surpassing excellency. Surely then, it is reasonable, it is highly proper—that He should be chief the object of your love!
All that is excellent, all that is desirable, all that is comforting—is concentrated in Him. He is fairer than the children of men, the chief among ten thousands, and altogether lovely! O how unspeakably—how infinitely precious! "Yes, He is very precious to you who believe!" 1 Peter 2:7
Love to Jesus is maintained and continued in its warmth and fervor—by frequent meditation on His adorable person, His dying love, and His infinite excellence and preciousness. If we lose sight of Him as the spring of all our happiness, and of His ineffable glories—the fervency of our love for Him will be abated.
If Jesus Christ is so superlatively precious in Himself, we have reason to be ashamed that we love Him no more. Alas! how languid are our affections towards Him who is altogether lovely—and how easily are our hearts captivated with vanities and trifles! This is matter of deep humiliation, grief, and sorrow.
(John Fawcett, "Christ Precious")
Christian! Jesus is your Savior, your Friend, and your Portion!
You are guilty: His blood cleanses from all sin.
You are miserable: He is rich in mercy.
You are helpless: He is mighty to save.
You are impoverished: His riches are unsearchable.
His treasures of grace are inexhaustible! There is an inexhaustible fullness in Him, answerable to all your necessities—be they ever so many, or ever so great. He is the ever-flowing, the over flowing fountain of living waters. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask or think. It has pleased the Father, that in Him all fullness should dwell. Indeed, we have all received grace after grace from His fullness. His kindness and mercy are unbounded.
If the kindness of men has a tendency to win your hearts—how much more should the infinite love of Jesus constrain you to love Him! He is precious in the glorious perfections of His person, His transcendent worth, and His all-surpassing excellency. Surely then, it is reasonable, it is highly proper—that He should be chief the object of your love!
All that is excellent, all that is desirable, all that is comforting—is concentrated in Him. He is fairer than the children of men, the chief among ten thousands, and altogether lovely! O how unspeakably—how infinitely precious! "Yes, He is very precious to you who believe!" 1 Peter 2:7
Love to Jesus is maintained and continued in its warmth and fervor—by frequent meditation on His adorable person, His dying love, and His infinite excellence and preciousness. If we lose sight of Him as the spring of all our happiness, and of His ineffable glories—the fervency of our love for Him will be abated.
If Jesus Christ is so superlatively precious in Himself, we have reason to be ashamed that we love Him no more. Alas! how languid are our affections towards Him who is altogether lovely—and how easily are our hearts captivated with vanities and trifles! This is matter of deep humiliation, grief, and sorrow.
(John Fawcett, "Christ Precious")
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
God vs Man!
(The earth in comparison to the sun)
I saw this photo the other day on the NASA website and it reminded me of something... how small and weak we are compared to how big and powerful God is!
For all those who are apart from Christ, don't think you are going to stand boldly before the throne of God on the day of judgement! Because of your sin will be like a wax figurine standing in front of a blast furnace.
In fact, the bible declares that on that day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess Jesus Christ is Lord!
Think about it... God in his sovereignty has declared that every knee shall bow. Man in his sinful rebellion proudly asserts "I shall never bow my knee to you God!" The result: Man makes a decision to spurn the kindness of God and refuses to bow his knee under grace, but will be forced to bow his knee under sentence of the law and judgement.
So what will happen? Man will melt like a wax figurine in front of a blast furnace!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Grace Gems
If you haven't already stumbled across these guys in cyber space... it is well worth your time to subscribe to their daily devotional email.
Their purpose...
To humble the pride of man,
to exalt the grace of God in salvation
and to promote real holiness in heart and life.
http://www.gracegems.org
Their purpose...
To humble the pride of man,
to exalt the grace of God in salvation
and to promote real holiness in heart and life.
http://www.gracegems.org
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Amazing Love
And can it be that I should gain
an interest in the Savior’s blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
’Tis mystery all: th’ Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
He left his Father’s throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam’s helpless race.
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
an interest in the Savior’s blood!
Died he for me? who caused his pain!
For me? who him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be
that thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
’Tis mystery all: th’ Immortal dies!
Who can explore his strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
to sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
let angel minds inquire no more.
He left his Father’s throne above
(so free, so infinite his grace!),
emptied himself of all but love,
and bled for Adam’s helpless race.
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
for O my God, it found out me!
Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.
No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in him, is mine;
alive in him, my living Head,
and clothed in righteousness divine,
bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’ eternal throne,
and claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Friday, August 1, 2008
Peace With God!
I have peace with God,
I'm not afraid,
Without a doubt my debts been paid,
By faith I trust,
His Son He Gave,
I do not fear death or the grave,
Died once for all,
It is complete,
His blood upon the mercy seat,
Amazing grace,
A wretch like me,
Saved from death, in Him, set free!
You will never have the peace of God until you have peace with God through his Son Jesus Christ!
I'm not afraid,
Without a doubt my debts been paid,
By faith I trust,
His Son He Gave,
I do not fear death or the grave,
Died once for all,
It is complete,
His blood upon the mercy seat,
Amazing grace,
A wretch like me,
Saved from death, in Him, set free!
You will never have the peace of God until you have peace with God through his Son Jesus Christ!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Rock Of Ages
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked come to Thee for dress,
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul I to the fountain fly,
Wash me Savior or I die.
Not the labor of my hands,
Can fulfill Thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save and Thou alone.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Could my tears forever flow?
Could my zeal no languor know?
These for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
In my hand no price I bring;
Simply to thy cross I cling.
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Let the water and the blood,
From Thy wounded side which flowed,
Be of sin the double cure,
Save from wrath and make me pure.
Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling;
Naked come to Thee for dress,
Helpless look to Thee for grace;
Foul I to the fountain fly,
Wash me Savior or I die.
Not the labor of my hands,
Can fulfill Thy law's demands;
Could my zeal no respite know,
Could my tears forever flow,
All for sin could not atone;
Thou must save and Thou alone.
While I draw this fleeting breath,
When my eyes shall close in death,
When I rise to worlds unknown,
And behold Thee on Thy throne,
Rock of Ages cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
Could my tears forever flow?
Could my zeal no languor know?
These for sin could not atone;
Thou must save, and Thou alone.
In my hand no price I bring;
Simply to thy cross I cling.
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Modern Day John The Baptist?
I was watching this news footage last night and it got me to thinking about how John the baptist might have looked and sounded to his hearers...
We could do with more!
The candlestick has been removed, the light has gone out and the Truth has been lost!! Well done to the man who stood up in this dark place and briefly held up the light.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. John 3:19-21
We could do with more!
The candlestick has been removed, the light has gone out and the Truth has been lost!! Well done to the man who stood up in this dark place and briefly held up the light.
This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God. John 3:19-21
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
A Frank Look At The Case Of A Sinner!
Friend, how will you fare on the day of Judgement? Will the Creator survey your life to find you righteous before the law? Have you kept the commands of God? Or will your back be against the wall with His ten loaded cannons aimed right at you?
Cannon 1: You shall have no other gods before me
Cannon 2: You shall not make for yourself any idol or any kind of image of anything in the heavens, on the earth or in the sea
Cannon 3: You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his Name
Cannon 4: Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy
Cannon 5: Honour your father and mother
Cannon 6: You must not murder
Cannon 7: You must not commit adultery
Cannon 8: You must not steal
Cannon 9: You must not lie
Cannon 10: You must not covert
Does that make you tremble? Then humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up!
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but with sober judgement consider the righteousness and holiness of God, and compare your filthy rags against Him! Judge yourselves against His law - see that you have sinned and repent! Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. For he who is proud will not escape the wrath of God! For God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Do you tremble? Do you feel sorrow? Do you feel the weight of your sin bearing down upon you? Are you sorry? Are you only sorry because you will be caught, judged and punished? Or, more aptly, are you sorry that you have offended the True and Living God?
Can you say without blame-shifting or self justification, "I have sinned against the Creator of Heaven and Earth and I deserve everything that He has decreed should come about because of my sin". If you will not submit to his judgement and accept your position as a criminal rightly condemned, then you can have no part in his pardon!!
As for myself I have transgressed every law of God and deserve eternal punishment for my wickedness. He has written His law on my heart, and I have knowingly and willingly broke it countless times, my conscience has convicted me of my guilt under the law, and I deserve to be cut off from his presence for all eternity. Knowing this, how could I plead not guilty - for I have sinned against my Maker! I have no righteousness! I am a filthy rag! My only hope and trust is in His pardon!
Should He pardon me because He is good? Never! Because He is good He must condemn me to die! Because He is just, He must see that that I receive the punishment due me for my transgressions. Would a judge in the civil court let off a murderer because he is a good person? No! Because the judge is a good person he will see the murderer receives his sentence.
Should He pardon me because I deserve it? Never! If I wasn't guilty I would not be standing before the judge. Have you ever heard of an innocent man sent to prison for keeping the law?
Would I be freed if I were to argue a case comparing myself against another, who in my own eyes, appeared to be of much filthier disposition, and guilty of much greater iniquity? Never! Have you ever seen a judge let a thief walk free from the punishment of the law because he showed himself to be better in his own eyes than a murderer?
Should He pardon me because I do not believe in Hell? Never! It would be ludicrous to anyone to think a judge of our courts would let a condemned man go unpunished for his crime simply because he didn't believe in prison. Should that be his plea, the judge would surely reply, "You may not believe in prison now, but you shortly will!"
What if I had committed myself to doing good to outweigh the bad, will that hold some sway in the mind of the King? Never! Could I stand in the mere supreme court of my country, before a judge of flesh and blood, and expect to be let free from the consequences of hideous and cruel acts against humanity - because in my fear of punishment I did charitable acts to recompense? No! I must face the punishment for my crime!
How about if I plead with many tears and confess my guilt before the bench on the day of judgement, would the judge be moved with compassion to let me walk free then? Never! It is too late to plead for a pardon in the courtroom! Justice must take its course, or the judge would be held in contempt!
All frail arguments formulated in the mind of man will not stand in the courtroom of the one who is able to both save and destroy! How foolish our arguments will appear against the very source of all wisdom and righteousness.
What is a sinner to do? It seems that there is no hope for all mankind for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God! Will all perish in the lake of fire? How then can any be saved?
Well, with man, it is impossible! But with God all things are possible!
So then, can God simply forgive me and overlook my transgressions and let me walk free? No! God cannot turn a blind eye to your sins! He cannot, will not, cause a miscarriage of justice! A good and righteous God must do right, as the scriptures say, "Will not the Lord of all the earth do right?" If God were to allow your sins to go unpunished on the day of Judgement, he would be more corrupt, more wicked, more vile than the sinner standing before Him!
He must do right! He will do right! He will see that justice is done! God will see to it that every sin is punished wherever it is found. All will be exposed, nothing will remain hidden! God will by no means ignore the rebellion of the wicked. None shall escape! So how then can any be saved?
Well, with man, it is impossible! But with God all things are possible!
In order that God might be both just and the justifier of the wicked, in order to both punish transgression of the law, yet show compassion and mercy on the sinner and free him from the sentence of the law, God had to take the penalty of the law upon himself. He had to stand in our place. He had to take our sentence. He had to be punished for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.
In order to accomplish this, God stepped down to earth and clothed himself in flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ. Born of a virgin woman, conceived by the Holy Spirit (not in sin as all humanity), Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life fulfilling all the requirements of the law. When the appointed time came, in humble submission and willing obedience, Jesus laid down his life and was crucified by the hands of wicked men. The Just one given for the unjust! In doing so, Jesus redeemed for himself a people. He paid in His life's blood the penalty of the law, and purchased for himself a body of filthy sinners – washing them free from the guilt of their sin and the condemnation of their transgressions.
To all who believe in Him, to all who have faith in his atoning work on the cross, to all who lay hold of Him by faith, to all who overcome – he has granted eternal life! He has freed them from the curse of the law, He has freed them from the penalty of sin, He has freed them from death!
How do we know this? Because he was raised to life three days after his crucifiction and is now seated at the right hand of the Father - showing himself to be the King of kings and the Lord of lords!
Cannon 1: You shall have no other gods before me
Cannon 2: You shall not make for yourself any idol or any kind of image of anything in the heavens, on the earth or in the sea
Cannon 3: You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his Name
Cannon 4: Remember the Sabbath day and keep it Holy
Cannon 5: Honour your father and mother
Cannon 6: You must not murder
Cannon 7: You must not commit adultery
Cannon 8: You must not steal
Cannon 9: You must not lie
Cannon 10: You must not covert
Does that make you tremble? Then humble yourself before the Lord and He will lift you up!
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but with sober judgement consider the righteousness and holiness of God, and compare your filthy rags against Him! Judge yourselves against His law - see that you have sinned and repent! Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning, and your joy to gloom. For he who is proud will not escape the wrath of God! For God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Do you tremble? Do you feel sorrow? Do you feel the weight of your sin bearing down upon you? Are you sorry? Are you only sorry because you will be caught, judged and punished? Or, more aptly, are you sorry that you have offended the True and Living God?
Can you say without blame-shifting or self justification, "I have sinned against the Creator of Heaven and Earth and I deserve everything that He has decreed should come about because of my sin". If you will not submit to his judgement and accept your position as a criminal rightly condemned, then you can have no part in his pardon!!
As for myself I have transgressed every law of God and deserve eternal punishment for my wickedness. He has written His law on my heart, and I have knowingly and willingly broke it countless times, my conscience has convicted me of my guilt under the law, and I deserve to be cut off from his presence for all eternity. Knowing this, how could I plead not guilty - for I have sinned against my Maker! I have no righteousness! I am a filthy rag! My only hope and trust is in His pardon!
Should He pardon me because He is good? Never! Because He is good He must condemn me to die! Because He is just, He must see that that I receive the punishment due me for my transgressions. Would a judge in the civil court let off a murderer because he is a good person? No! Because the judge is a good person he will see the murderer receives his sentence.
Should He pardon me because I deserve it? Never! If I wasn't guilty I would not be standing before the judge. Have you ever heard of an innocent man sent to prison for keeping the law?
Would I be freed if I were to argue a case comparing myself against another, who in my own eyes, appeared to be of much filthier disposition, and guilty of much greater iniquity? Never! Have you ever seen a judge let a thief walk free from the punishment of the law because he showed himself to be better in his own eyes than a murderer?
Should He pardon me because I do not believe in Hell? Never! It would be ludicrous to anyone to think a judge of our courts would let a condemned man go unpunished for his crime simply because he didn't believe in prison. Should that be his plea, the judge would surely reply, "You may not believe in prison now, but you shortly will!"
What if I had committed myself to doing good to outweigh the bad, will that hold some sway in the mind of the King? Never! Could I stand in the mere supreme court of my country, before a judge of flesh and blood, and expect to be let free from the consequences of hideous and cruel acts against humanity - because in my fear of punishment I did charitable acts to recompense? No! I must face the punishment for my crime!
How about if I plead with many tears and confess my guilt before the bench on the day of judgement, would the judge be moved with compassion to let me walk free then? Never! It is too late to plead for a pardon in the courtroom! Justice must take its course, or the judge would be held in contempt!
All frail arguments formulated in the mind of man will not stand in the courtroom of the one who is able to both save and destroy! How foolish our arguments will appear against the very source of all wisdom and righteousness.
What is a sinner to do? It seems that there is no hope for all mankind for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God! Will all perish in the lake of fire? How then can any be saved?
Well, with man, it is impossible! But with God all things are possible!
So then, can God simply forgive me and overlook my transgressions and let me walk free? No! God cannot turn a blind eye to your sins! He cannot, will not, cause a miscarriage of justice! A good and righteous God must do right, as the scriptures say, "Will not the Lord of all the earth do right?" If God were to allow your sins to go unpunished on the day of Judgement, he would be more corrupt, more wicked, more vile than the sinner standing before Him!
He must do right! He will do right! He will see that justice is done! God will see to it that every sin is punished wherever it is found. All will be exposed, nothing will remain hidden! God will by no means ignore the rebellion of the wicked. None shall escape! So how then can any be saved?
Well, with man, it is impossible! But with God all things are possible!
In order that God might be both just and the justifier of the wicked, in order to both punish transgression of the law, yet show compassion and mercy on the sinner and free him from the sentence of the law, God had to take the penalty of the law upon himself. He had to stand in our place. He had to take our sentence. He had to be punished for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities.
In order to accomplish this, God stepped down to earth and clothed himself in flesh, in the person of Jesus Christ. Born of a virgin woman, conceived by the Holy Spirit (not in sin as all humanity), Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life fulfilling all the requirements of the law. When the appointed time came, in humble submission and willing obedience, Jesus laid down his life and was crucified by the hands of wicked men. The Just one given for the unjust! In doing so, Jesus redeemed for himself a people. He paid in His life's blood the penalty of the law, and purchased for himself a body of filthy sinners – washing them free from the guilt of their sin and the condemnation of their transgressions.
To all who believe in Him, to all who have faith in his atoning work on the cross, to all who lay hold of Him by faith, to all who overcome – he has granted eternal life! He has freed them from the curse of the law, He has freed them from the penalty of sin, He has freed them from death!
How do we know this? Because he was raised to life three days after his crucifiction and is now seated at the right hand of the Father - showing himself to be the King of kings and the Lord of lords!
Friday, July 11, 2008
No Thanks! (Part 2)
A follow on from the blog entry No Thanks!
Image you are very sick, and you need a blood transfusion. It's the only thing that can save your life! You have a very rare sort of blood that only one person in the whole world shares with you, and that person is a little boy. One day the little boy's father comes to you in the hospital while you are on your death bed and says "Here! We took the blood from my son so that you may live! He's dead now, but you can live!".
Would you tell the father thanks for the thought? Would you tell him, thank you for sacrificing your son on my behalf, but I don't want it? Would you take the bag of that little boys blood and tip it down the drain?
No way in the world!!! You would probably be grieved and humbled over that sacrifice. You might feel unworthy, but you would be filled with thankfulness as you take that life saving blood! Deep gratitude and love would well up within as you think upon the boy and his father and what they had done. You surely wouldn't despise them, would you?
God has sacrificed his own Son - he did it nearly two thousand years ago. We are on our deathbed, sick with sin, and it's only his blood that can save us. Now God has come to you in your sick condition, and is offering you his Son's blood. Are you going to say thanks but no thanks, keep it yourself! Are you going to tip it down the drain? Or are you going to humble yourself and with a grateful heart, reach out and lay hold of what the Saviour has done for us all?
Image you are very sick, and you need a blood transfusion. It's the only thing that can save your life! You have a very rare sort of blood that only one person in the whole world shares with you, and that person is a little boy. One day the little boy's father comes to you in the hospital while you are on your death bed and says "Here! We took the blood from my son so that you may live! He's dead now, but you can live!".
Would you tell the father thanks for the thought? Would you tell him, thank you for sacrificing your son on my behalf, but I don't want it? Would you take the bag of that little boys blood and tip it down the drain?
No way in the world!!! You would probably be grieved and humbled over that sacrifice. You might feel unworthy, but you would be filled with thankfulness as you take that life saving blood! Deep gratitude and love would well up within as you think upon the boy and his father and what they had done. You surely wouldn't despise them, would you?
God has sacrificed his own Son - he did it nearly two thousand years ago. We are on our deathbed, sick with sin, and it's only his blood that can save us. Now God has come to you in your sick condition, and is offering you his Son's blood. Are you going to say thanks but no thanks, keep it yourself! Are you going to tip it down the drain? Or are you going to humble yourself and with a grateful heart, reach out and lay hold of what the Saviour has done for us all?
Thursday, July 10, 2008
There's No Atheists In Foxholes!
Just finished reading a letter written by a US Marine in Iraq, in which he made a pointed statement:
If there's no atheists in foxholes, then why aren't there more people in church every Sunday?
How is it that a man can cry out to God when the bullets are flying, "Save me Lord. Save Me. Please Lord. Save Me." but when the battle is over, and the danger subsided, go right back on living in rebellion and sin without another thought or care for the one he so earnestly entreated hours earlier?
Because he loves his sin and refuses to repent!
I remember in my own childhood being like this at the Royal Adelaide Show. Before getting on the big, fast, scary rides I would in fear send up a short, insincere prayer that went something like: "Lord, please forgive me of my sin. If this ride should break and I am horribly killed, please don't send me to hell." After the ride was over, and finding that I had survived the ordeal (even though still very much dead in my sins lacking true repentance and faith), I proceeded to quickly forgot all about God. Caught up in the show bags and fairy floss... until the next ride!
I'd like to explore this very serious problem looking at an event in the life of Pharaoh recorded in Exodus 9.
Exodus 9:27-34
And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Entreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thundering and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
1. His admission of guilt was insincere. I have sinned this time is a long way short of, all I have ever done is sinned against you, the Most High God. Repentance consists of a wholehearted change in mind from enmity towards God to enmity towards the sinful self. It is coming into agreement with God about who you are, what you have done and what you deserve. Pharaoh never saw himself as the guilty sinner that he was.
2. His "repentance" was not heartfelt. Instead of crying out God for mercy he asked Moses to entreat God on his behalf. His pride would not let him bow the knee personally.
3. His "repentance" was self-centred. Instead of being broken over how much he had been grieving and angering God, he was broken over how tough things were for him. Turning to God was not an act of surrender mixed with grief over his crimes, but a means to end - the preservation and pleasure of self.
4. His "repentance" was conditional. Instead of unconditionally throwing himself at the feet of a Holy God with an attitude that cries out "you are worthy to be worshipped and served and I will worship and serve you for the rest of my life, even if you throw me in hell at the end of it because I deserve an eternal hell for my crimes", Pharaoh tried to plea bargain with God. If you make things good for me, I will obey you.
5. His "repentance" wasn't lasting. As soon as the rain and hail and thundering ceased, and the motivation for his "repentance" was eased (his own personal comfort had been restored), Pharaoh hardened his heart and continued in sin. True repentance is an unconditional and heartfelt. It is not a means to an end, that is, to escape the fires of hell, but it is an end of a man! True repentance always leads away from wilful rebellion and sin to a state of increasingly unconditional surrender to the will of God, out of love for God. It is a heartfelt change in the mind and will of a man, which always produces a tangible change in the actions of a man. True repentance never ceases!
If there's no atheists in foxholes, then why aren't there more people in church every Sunday?
How is it that a man can cry out to God when the bullets are flying, "Save me Lord. Save Me. Please Lord. Save Me." but when the battle is over, and the danger subsided, go right back on living in rebellion and sin without another thought or care for the one he so earnestly entreated hours earlier?
Because he loves his sin and refuses to repent!
I remember in my own childhood being like this at the Royal Adelaide Show. Before getting on the big, fast, scary rides I would in fear send up a short, insincere prayer that went something like: "Lord, please forgive me of my sin. If this ride should break and I am horribly killed, please don't send me to hell." After the ride was over, and finding that I had survived the ordeal (even though still very much dead in my sins lacking true repentance and faith), I proceeded to quickly forgot all about God. Caught up in the show bags and fairy floss... until the next ride!
I'd like to explore this very serious problem looking at an event in the life of Pharaoh recorded in Exodus 9.
Exodus 9:27-34
And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Entreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thundering and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. And when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunders were ceased, he sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.
1. His admission of guilt was insincere. I have sinned this time is a long way short of, all I have ever done is sinned against you, the Most High God. Repentance consists of a wholehearted change in mind from enmity towards God to enmity towards the sinful self. It is coming into agreement with God about who you are, what you have done and what you deserve. Pharaoh never saw himself as the guilty sinner that he was.
2. His "repentance" was not heartfelt. Instead of crying out God for mercy he asked Moses to entreat God on his behalf. His pride would not let him bow the knee personally.
3. His "repentance" was self-centred. Instead of being broken over how much he had been grieving and angering God, he was broken over how tough things were for him. Turning to God was not an act of surrender mixed with grief over his crimes, but a means to end - the preservation and pleasure of self.
4. His "repentance" was conditional. Instead of unconditionally throwing himself at the feet of a Holy God with an attitude that cries out "you are worthy to be worshipped and served and I will worship and serve you for the rest of my life, even if you throw me in hell at the end of it because I deserve an eternal hell for my crimes", Pharaoh tried to plea bargain with God. If you make things good for me, I will obey you.
5. His "repentance" wasn't lasting. As soon as the rain and hail and thundering ceased, and the motivation for his "repentance" was eased (his own personal comfort had been restored), Pharaoh hardened his heart and continued in sin. True repentance is an unconditional and heartfelt. It is not a means to an end, that is, to escape the fires of hell, but it is an end of a man! True repentance always leads away from wilful rebellion and sin to a state of increasingly unconditional surrender to the will of God, out of love for God. It is a heartfelt change in the mind and will of a man, which always produces a tangible change in the actions of a man. True repentance never ceases!
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Regeneration Fact #5
I can recall the very day and hour when first I received those truths in my own soul... that I had made progress in Scriptural knowledge, through having found, once for all, the clue to the truth of God. One week-night, when I was sitting in the house of God, I was not thinking much about the preacher's sermon, for I did not believe it. The thought struck me, How did you come to be a Christian? I sought the Lord. But how did you come to seek the Lord? The truth flashed across my mind in a moment—I should not have sought Him unless there had been some previous influence in my mind to make me seek Him. I prayed, thought I, but then I asked myself, How came I to pray? I was induced to pray by reading the Scriptures. How came I to read the Scriptures? I did read them, but what led me to do so? Then, in a moment, I saw that God was at the bottom of it all, and that He was the Author of my faith, and so the whole doctrine of grace opened up to me, and from that doctrine I have not departed to this day, and I desire to make this my constant confession, ‘I ascribe my change wholly to God.’
- Charles Spurgeon
- Charles Spurgeon
Monday, July 7, 2008
No Thanks!
I had an amazing encounter today with a homeless man that left me quite perplexed.
On my way to work this morning, I passed him asleep in a doorway under a very thin blanket on some very hard concrete.
I decided to buy him something to eat to let him know that someone cares. More importantly I wanted him to know that God cares and hasn't forgotten about him, and I wanted to share the gospel with him. Thinking that he probably wouldn't have a great diet, I decided upon a nice double cut ham and salad roll and a 600ml orange juice.
By the time I got back to him, he was awake and puffing on the remains of a hand rolled cigarette. Good, I thought, I'm glad I didn't have to wake him!
I handed over the lunch, not expecting him to dance a jig or anything, but I thought he'd at least take it! What I didn't expect was what came out of his mouth: "I don't drink orange juice", he said followed by "and I don't eat ham either".
After making sure he really didn't want to take it, I asked whether it was because of religious beliefs he wouldn't eat ham - hoping that this would swing to the spiritual. He didn't seem to want to go there. The optical illusion tract didn't get much interest either.
Just when I was leaving I took out a ten commandments coin from my pocket, which caught his attention. He took that and I left him reading at least a short presentation of the gospel message complete with the commandments.
It got me to thinking though... at how many people will reject Jesus Christ the only one who can save them from a hopeless, miserable eternity of separation from God on account of their rebellion and self-centered, truth suppressing lives.
Isaiah 55:1-3
"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live."
Such a wonderful and gracious invitation! A holy and just God who is both willing and able to take the punishment you deserve, and place it upon himself - if you will only humble the knee before him, and with a repentant heart, cry out for compassion and mercy. As a beggar desiring food, and void of any means to buy his own, must cry out for someone to have compassion on him.
Yet many will say, "I don't drink orange juice and I don't eat ham either!"
On my way to work this morning, I passed him asleep in a doorway under a very thin blanket on some very hard concrete.
I decided to buy him something to eat to let him know that someone cares. More importantly I wanted him to know that God cares and hasn't forgotten about him, and I wanted to share the gospel with him. Thinking that he probably wouldn't have a great diet, I decided upon a nice double cut ham and salad roll and a 600ml orange juice.
By the time I got back to him, he was awake and puffing on the remains of a hand rolled cigarette. Good, I thought, I'm glad I didn't have to wake him!
I handed over the lunch, not expecting him to dance a jig or anything, but I thought he'd at least take it! What I didn't expect was what came out of his mouth: "I don't drink orange juice", he said followed by "and I don't eat ham either".
After making sure he really didn't want to take it, I asked whether it was because of religious beliefs he wouldn't eat ham - hoping that this would swing to the spiritual. He didn't seem to want to go there. The optical illusion tract didn't get much interest either.
Just when I was leaving I took out a ten commandments coin from my pocket, which caught his attention. He took that and I left him reading at least a short presentation of the gospel message complete with the commandments.
It got me to thinking though... at how many people will reject Jesus Christ the only one who can save them from a hopeless, miserable eternity of separation from God on account of their rebellion and self-centered, truth suppressing lives.
Isaiah 55:1-3
"Come, all you who are thirsty,
come to the waters;
and you who have no money,
come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread,
and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me;
hear me, that your soul may live."
Such a wonderful and gracious invitation! A holy and just God who is both willing and able to take the punishment you deserve, and place it upon himself - if you will only humble the knee before him, and with a repentant heart, cry out for compassion and mercy. As a beggar desiring food, and void of any means to buy his own, must cry out for someone to have compassion on him.
Yet many will say, "I don't drink orange juice and I don't eat ham either!"
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Comfortably Afflicted?
A preacher of the Truth has two ministries, that is, to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable! That is all.
Friday, July 4, 2008
The Bride Of Christ!
The bride of Christ, the true church, is not in bed with the world on the eve of her wedding! She is not mad on the wine of willful indiscretions and shameless perversions, but she is a chaste and holy virgin. Waiting with eager expectation and a deep longing for the arrival of her groom, she keeps herself spotless and undefiled so that she may be unashamed before him at his coming.
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