Eternal Approach

The contrast between the popular culture and Evangelicalism is interesting.

On the one hand, popular culture continues to polarize between Leftism and Conservatism. With people very vocal on both sides.

Meanwhile, in the Evangelical culture, there is this trend toward more and more fuzziness on truth. With many leaders carefully avoiding clarity at all cost.

Leaving the average guy in the pews wondering why the church’s grasp on biblical truth is slipping away.

While he watches everything in the church changing around him.
Continue reading “Seeking Clarity: Part 2 – A False Sense of Biblical Soundness” →

These compromises within Evangelicalism and Fundamentalism are caused by our misunderstanding of the vast difference between the works of God and the works of the Christian.

We have too much confidence in the value of our own efforts. Christians tend to believe that their devotion, sincerity, depth of good intent, and dedicated will are what the Lord is seeking from them.

Many an altar-call for missionaries has led to sincere believers launching out into the deep on the strength of their own emotion and devotion. Only to find themselves in misery after the novelty of being in the field wears off. Wondering if they were truly called of God after all.

This is a common problem in many areas of full-time Christian ministry. Where the emotion of the moment has influenced a life-changing decision. As opposed to a true calling of God.

And it is a common experience of most believers to daily re-dedicate their wills and desires to better behavior and better works. All based upon their assessment of the previous day’s spiritual successes or failures.

But, is this truly the way that the Lord produces His works in us?

Continue reading “Works Confusion: Part 2 – The Lord’s Way of Change” →

Much of the confusion and compromise that plagues the church is fueled by a misunderstanding of the place that good works have in a believer’s life.

The Evangelical landscape is entangled with confused teaching ranging from eternal insecurity, sinless perfectionism, the second work of grace, being baptized in the Spirit, and the need for outward manifestations to confirm one’s salvation.

Each of these teachings are as destructive as a foolish landscaper who plants a tree on one day and then digs it up the next. Never being certain if the roots have taken hold. Never certain if the tree is going to grow.

Who eventually kills the tree he planted.

Continue reading “Good Works Confusion” →

As we look forward into this new year, perhaps the one thing we have gained in our culture right now is clarity.

Yes, I know that sounds a bit crazy; but what I mean is that we are now able to see more clearly where people stand than in the past.

Because, people are more outspoken these days. Leaving no question about what they think. Even if what they think is outrageous or crazy, at least many are crystal clear in expressing their positions.

And there is actually some value in that.

Continue reading “Clarity in the New Year” →

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

There is a dangerous current of unbelief that flows beneath the surface of our churches.

Specifically, questioning the straight-forward words that God has said. Which are the specific written words God has preserved in the scriptures.

Continue reading “Faith is Based Upon Specific Words” →

There is much talk these days among Christian leaders regarding the “wideness of God’s mercy”.

This thinking flows from a trend in teaching and preaching that muddies the waters of the gospel by changing God’s requirements for salvation.

According to this thinking, one is able to worship and believe just about anything and still have a pretty good chance to make it to the “pearly gates”. As if God doesn’t really care what you believe doctrinally or what you think spiritually; but only what the condition of your heart is.

Which is a very slippery slope — a silicon-coated slide covered with grease.

Continue reading “The Principle of Progressive Light” →

The main idea behind this Natural Man series is that Christians must convey the gospel message in clarity.

Because, from every quarter, the world seeks to obscure the truth of God’s word.

This is about clarity in our words. Clarity in our doctrine. Clarity in our associations. Clarity in our works.

We are not just working in a simple, neutral environment when we proclaim the message of Christ. We are not declaring the gospel within an easy, friendly world. We are in a savage battle against forces that war in both open and very subtle ways.

With Satan’s most popular strategy being, to seduce the world by mixing truth and error.
Continue reading “The Natural Man – Conclusion: The Clear Distinction” →

One of the main reasons for writing about the Natural Man is the increasing tendency among Bible believers to openly accept religious unbelievers as brothers in Christ.

The problem with this practice is the confusion it creates in the minds of both Christians and unbelievers about the gospel. By erasing the line of separation between truth and error.

Some have said that this is about “changing the rules” or muddying the living waters of the gospel.

Continue reading “The Natural Man – Part 2 : Approving Dead Works” →

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (I Corinthians 2:14)

The Bible makes a clear distinction between the “natural man” and the “spiritual man”. These are not terms used to distinguish between an outwardly good person and an outwardly bad person. This is about people from two different worlds.

Continue reading “The Natural Man” →