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When “Love” Becomes an Idol

Crucifix Christ Church Wall

It seems that every once in a while, the church decides to re-invent itself. To shift its focus or try to re-state, re-organize, or just try to do a makeover in order to appear more acceptable, more relevant, and more hip to the surrounding culture.  

The reason for this is often blamed on the church’s ineffectual ministry to the surrounding world. Therefore, there is no end to all the books and ministries seeking to lead the church down a new path to become more effective or more “contextual”.

And, of course, there is no end to all the rhetoric telling us how to do this. How we must become a “New Kind of Christian”. Or even how “Everything must change”!

And always, without fail, the one thing that is constantly emphasized in all of these “methods” is how we must become more “loving”. 

Always, always, “love” is lifted up as the great answer.

In effect, “love” has become the New Idol of this church age. 

Continue reading “When “Love” Becomes an Idol” →

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Labeling Someone a “Legalist”

zipper smile emoji

Holding to solid doctrinal beliefs and defending those biblical beliefs is not “legalism”.

Holding to biblical morality and insisting that the church hold to that morality is not “legalism”.

Technically, “legalism” is not even a biblical word.

It’s a word created to describe an attitude one might encounter in a church or in an individual Christian. Specifically, it’s an attitude of one who tries to enforce a set of values or practices that are not specifically biblical. But which might be the accepted norm within a group.

Or an attitude held by someone lacking tolerance for anyone that doesn’t fit a specific standard. Like a Pharisee who tries to get everyone in line with Traditions that are extra-biblical.

Enforcing Traditions that are not specifically spelled out in scripture.

Traditions that are secondary principles. Traditions open to interpretation. And open to the exercise of Christian liberty.

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Every True Christian is a “Priest”

Man Kneel Pray by Lake

Believers in Christ are called “priests” in the New Testament.

… “and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:3-9)

But what does this really mean?

Continue reading “Every True Christian is a “Priest”” →

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The Forgotten Christmas Gift

Christmas star

When we look at the Christmas “messages” preached over this season, most are all the same.

They are often boring and of little value. Except for the momentary, sentimental feelings they create.

However, the real message of the birth of Christ is staggering; if preachers would simply preach about it.

IF they, themselves, really understood enough or had experience enough to actually share it.

Continue reading “The Forgotten Christmas Gift” →

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The Necessity of a Thankful Heart

Dolomite mountains

There is a great difference between a person with a thankful heart and one that feels entitled to the good things of life.

This current generation is of the latter type.

Our “entitlement” culture is filled with envy and jealousy. Who covet what others have. And who seek ways to take it from them.

In fact, all the current movement toward Socialism is based upon envy.

Upon the idea that what others have should belong to me or to someone else in need. And that the government should force those that have to give to those that don’t have.

Therefore, individuals today focus on what they believe the world owes them. Or what they believe God owes them.

Or, more accurately, what they demand that the world and God should give them.

And, if not, then they’ll take, by force, what they are due.

Continue reading “The Necessity of a Thankful Heart” →

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Terrified of the Truth

Man Kissing His Reflection

A very interesting thing about the Progressive culture is their desire to destroy anything they don’t like.

They hide behind a hypocritical morality waged against those Christians or Conservatives they regard as haters, bigots, homophobes, Nazis, Fascists, etc.

But the reality is that they are simply terrified of spiritual truth.

And are desperately trying to silence any proclamation of the gospel of Christ. And any semblance of basic, biblical morality.

Because they are convicted by their own sins.

And they’re afraid that the Judgment of God might just be real.

And that they will stand before God without any hope.

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Defying God’s Natural Order

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“They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.” (Jonah 2:8)

This verse can be applied in countless ways.

But it especially fits the mindset and spiritual condition of our modern “woke” culture.

Especially, the thinking which denies the basic identity of a man and a woman.

As a set thing.

As an absolute that God has established in the world.

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What Do You Mean by “Grace”?

Child Hand Secure

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)

There is a lot of talk about “grace” these days.

Lots of books with “grace” in their titles.

Lots of churches with “grace” in their names.

Lots of religious groups with doctrines talking about “grace”.

And a whole bunch of these same folks are lost in their sins while they talk about “grace”.

Continue reading “What Do You Mean by “Grace”?” →

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The Gospel is Not All Sweetness and Light

Mountain Treacherous Climbers

Not a long post here today.

I’ve been working on a front porch project for the last couple months. And now I’m finding myself trying to get it done before the snow flies.

Fall is in full swing here in Ohio. And some parts of the country are already getting hit with unseasonably early snow.

So, some of my other “To Be Continued … ” posts are taking me a lot longer to complete as I try to get this project finished.

But, in the meantime, I’m watching as so many critical and serious things are happening which are affecting our country and our world. Seriously dangerous things.

And I’m also seeing serious problems increasing in our churches. Especially relating to the way that the gospel is presented to the lost.

Continue reading “The Gospel is Not All Sweetness and Light” →

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