“… even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17b)
Every man chooses his reality.
Those of us, who are believers in Christ, find our identify in things which are unseen.
In other words, we live based upon the reality of invisible, spiritual truth.
While the world lives based upon man’s wisdom, popular philosophy, popular culture, or some so-called scientific theory.
“And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. ” (Isaiah 59:13-15)
Our nation is founded upon the free flow of truth.
Without the open expression of opinion and debate, we will become a totalitarian system. Such as China or Iran or every other nation that has chosen to control the minds of its people. To limit what they can consider. To limit what they can listen to. Or read. Or discuss openly.
And to limit what they may believe. And not simply in the spoken expression of belief but in their private practice. And in their private communications with one another.
If you can control a person’s mind, and what that mind is exposed to, you can control that person. And a nation of persons.
So, why then, do we think this will not happen to us?
Why do we refuse to see that this is happening to us Right Now?
Another important aspect of our solitary walk with Christ is our willingness to be accountable for what we teach and the sources we recommend in our teaching.
This is not something that usually worries those within Evangelicalism. Unless it has to do with warning someone of a legalistic or very strange teacher.
Outside of that, we tend to recommend and quote most anyone in our sermons if that source is popular and if that source is advancing our point.
Continue reading “Outside the Camp: Conclusion – Accountable in Teaching”
“Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing his reproach.” (Hebrews 13:13)
When the Lord rode into Jerusalem on a colt, about a week before He would go to the cross, the people shouted and praised Him and spread palm branches and clothes in His path. (Matthew 21)
But the Lord knew that this would not last. He knew that He would soon hang on a cross outside the holy city. He would be despised and rejected of men. Cast out from the religious system and the world’s culture.
God will not reveal truth to whomever seeks it.
A man must seek God “in Spirit and in truth” in order to discover what God has said in His word.
This means, that even a highly-educated Christian, with a doctorate in Biblical studies, who has served as a pastor and preached countless sermons, and written many Christian classics, is not guaranteed to understand the truth whenever he chooses to know it.
It also means, that a Christian, trained in Old Testament Hebrew and New Testament Greek, with a scientific background and a keen mind for technical studies, will be able to properly understand the meaning of Genesis.
Because mental ability, educational prowess, high academic pedigree, scientific training, and 10 doctorates in Divinity studies cannot open the meanings of the word of God to someone who is unwilling to accept the clear meaning of the scriptures.
The scriptures that God will reveal to a small child who has simple faith.
Continue reading “Seeking Clarity: Conclusion — The Simple Words of God”
The Carnal Disciplines
The techniques of spiritual discipline are very common among religions. For the most part, one has merely to change the deity of preference into the method used.
Even if that deity is simply the Higher Self !
Christians often fail to properly discern between good and bad religious practices. They make assumptions about the value of these disciplines for managing the flesh. And will casually apply a combination of spiritual techniques that are not biblical.
Believers assume that if they will dedicate themselves fully to do the Lord’s will, He will then change them. And that He will then help them to make changes in their lives.
It is not an error to trust in the Lord’s ability and promise to change us as we trust Him to do so; the error is in the confidence we have in our own will power, our own sincerity, and even our own devotion toward God.
The error is in our self confidence, our self determination and trusting in the value of our own will and devotion.
Or in the level of the pain, the level of sacrifice, or in the level of self denial we are willing to endure in order to please God.
Continue reading “What is “Lent” Anyway: Conclusion — The Worship of the Will”
“Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of he world, why as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which are all to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” (Colossians 2:16-23)
While discussing the practice of Lent, along with other traditions of Catholicism, it is alarming to see how these traditions have affected the Evangelical church.
It is sobering how susceptible we are to traditions, regardless of their origin, which encourage us to apply a form of self discipline to our lives. Or that encourage us to deny ourselves something in order to gain a spiritual benefit.
Yes. I am actually questioning the validity of self discipline and self denial.
Continue reading “What is “Lent” Anyway?: Part 3 – The Spiritual Disciplines”
When choosing to observe Lent, Christians exhibit a very popular, Chinese-buffet mentality — which is to cherry-pick their favorite traditions from various religious systems. Giving very little thought to the spiritual wickedness that often follows such practices.
Lent is merely one small facet of the Catholic system of rituals and sacraments that must be followed in order for the faithful Catholic to gain forgiveness of sins and merit the joys of heaven.
Most people think that Catholicism offers some guarantee of heaven. But this is not really the case — even for the faithful Catholic. Because, when a Catholic dies, he must still face the punishments of Purgatory.
All because of sins that have not been forgiven in this life.
Continue reading “What is “Lent” Anyway?: Part 2 – The Religious-Traditions Buffet”
The promotion of the Spiritual Disciplines is a big fad within Evangelicalism today. Many believe that these disciplines or techniques will help to draw them closer to God.
The teaching of the spiritual disciplines is based on the assumption that we are even able to change ourselves spiritually by the devoted application of techniques or practices in our lives. (Which is a topic worthy of discussion by itself.)
Many Contemplative Spirituality groups teach that this change accomplished through forms of meditation, chants, burning of incense, listening to spiritual music, looking at spiritual images or icons, special fasting, creating a place of silence, repeating a bible verse or phrase as one would a mantra, walking a labyrinth, confessing our sins to one another, and many other practices.
Eternal Approach 
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