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.
“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.
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.
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.
A false doctrine called, Annihilationism, is growing in popularity within Christian circles.
It is the belief that those who are spiritually lost will not face eternal punishment.
This doctrine claims that a lost person might face God at the last judgment but will not suffer for all eternity. Instead, that person will be destroyed once and forever with no further consciousness.
No everlasting fire, pain, regret, torment, hell, nor Lake of Fire. Just lights out and good night.
Although sometimes known by other names, this has long been a popular belief held by the Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Seventh-Day Adventists and others.
The doctrine of eternal punishment has always been a big problem for Christian apologists. It is one of the most common excuses that people use for rejecting the gospel.
“They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.” (Job 2:8)
That seems pretty straight forward. We choose the mercy of God or we choose His wrath.
In the current cultural and political firestorm, it is becoming very apparent to me that each person chooses how he views the world.
Each person chooses what he listens to. Each chooses what he views. Each chooses what he reads.
But even more specifically, it is the narrative that he chooses. The overall idea or slant.
The bias.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled , neither let it be afraid. (John 14: 27)
The peace that Christ speaks of is not of this world.
It is a peace that this world does not understand.
Quite literally, the Lord Himself is our Peace. He is even called, the Prince of Peace, in Isaiah. And He has made peace for us through the blood of His cross.
And having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Colossians 1:20)
Eternal Approach 
Recent Comments