A writer at Fox News just wrote:
"Slowly but surely, history has bent toward justice because we, the people, ultimately bend toward justice."
I beg to differ. We are by nature prone to go astray from God, His righteousness and justice. It is only God's restraining grace in the unregenerate that prevents them from doing all their sinful hearts desire. And it is only by the Holy Spirit that those who who were formerly unregenerate are transformed into just and holy people.
Justice and righteousness is coming, but not because of "we, the people." It's coming because Christ is coming again to rule and reign and to set things in order. We're just waiting for Him.
2 Peter 3:13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
Maranatha!
GOD-WROUGHT LOVE: DEEDS + TRUTH
1 John 3:18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
What strong evidence for the new birth!
What a marvelous demonstration that God's truth is in you!
What a mighty verification that Christ is indeed your advocate and propitiation!
What fantastic confirmation that you are walking in the light as He is in the light!
What powerful testimony that one's faith and confession that Christ is Lord is from God!
These are all things that God accomplishes for you and in you.
Truth and love in action--evidence that Christ has saved you, is saving you and will complete that salvation when He returns in glory.
I hope to be posting more often in the weeks to come. I've missed the virtual interaction with each other precisely because of the Christ-exalting truths you all shared that would give feet to God's truth in our lives. Perhaps some of you will pick up the "pen" again and share with this old man some Christ-centered truth.
I'd be most grateful.
Blessings in Christ, Joshua Ritchie
What strong evidence for the new birth!
What a marvelous demonstration that God's truth is in you!
What a mighty verification that Christ is indeed your advocate and propitiation!
What fantastic confirmation that you are walking in the light as He is in the light!
What powerful testimony that one's faith and confession that Christ is Lord is from God!
These are all things that God accomplishes for you and in you.
Truth and love in action--evidence that Christ has saved you, is saving you and will complete that salvation when He returns in glory.
I hope to be posting more often in the weeks to come. I've missed the virtual interaction with each other precisely because of the Christ-exalting truths you all shared that would give feet to God's truth in our lives. Perhaps some of you will pick up the "pen" again and share with this old man some Christ-centered truth.
I'd be most grateful.
Blessings in Christ, Joshua Ritchie
In Christ Alone-ish
This was never intended to be a polemical blog. My desire was to share what I was learning around the time I was saved. I was excited to share the truths of the gospel becuse I was freshly effected by them. However, there are times when a diamond can be placed against a black backdrop in order to see its facets more clearly.
Just recently the leaders of the PCUSA gathered to discuss the new hymnal they will be producing. One of the songs that came up during discussion was In Christ Alone. It had been their practice, during times of worship in song, to change the lyrics from"Til on that cross as Jesus died/ The wrath of God was satisfied" to "The love of God was magnified." This was due to PCUSA's rejection of Penal Substitutionary Atonement. Thus, when discussing its placement in the new hymnal, the leaders had to make the decision to either keep the author's original lyrics or remove it from the hymnal. They decided on the latter.
There is much that could be said about this but I'll stick to two thoughts:
1. What message do we have if it is void of the payment for sin?
What is the purpose of the cross at that point? Most likely it is a message of "Jesus was the perfect example of self-sacrafice. Go and do likewise." This may be A gospel - But it is not THE gospel.
2. Is the message that we sing and proclaim acceptable to those who reject the gospel?
I saw the hymn Lift High The Cross in a Catholic hymnal. It made me pay closer attention to lyrics. This past January, Andy Stanley preached at the inauguration service for President Obama. He taught from John 13 where Jesus washed His disciples feet. The point of this this section was Jesus preparing His disciples for His death. He told them "If I do not wash you, you have no share with me." Jesus was proclaiming the gospel here. Stanley had the perfect opportunity to do the same. Instead, he told President Obama to be a servant leader. At least the PCUSA is consistent.
As I said, my goal is not to be a hater, simply to exalt the beauty of the gospel. It certainly shines bright against the backdrop of moralism.
Photo credit: Eric Richardson
The Supremacy of Christ
Our brother Brent created this amazing video (including the music).
You can contact him at taliablog (AT) email.com
Awake My Soul
The image of God invisible, the first born of all life
Before and within, he holds it all in
One name, one faith, one Christ
No one is good enough, to save himself
Awake my soul tonight, to boast nothing else
I trust no other source or name, nowhere else can I hide
This grace gives me fear, and this grace draws me near
And all that it asks it provides
No seam in this garment, all my rags to hide
No less than your love, Jesus is mine
When I stand on the edges of Jordan
With the saints and the angels beside
When my body is healed, and the glory revealed
Still I can boast only Christ
Romans 3:10-11 "None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God."
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."
Acts 4:12 "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Galatians 6:14 "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
Christ Is All
There are a great many differences among believers, but there is no difference as to this essential point. Unhappily, the Christian church has been divided into sections, but those divisions do not affect our agreement upon this one point, that Christ is all.
It is no uncharity if I say that the man who does not accept this is no Christian, nor is it too wide a liberality to affirm that every man who is sound in heart upon this point is most certainly a believer. He who trusts alone in Christ, who submits to him as his sole teacher, king, and Savior, is already a saved man; but he who gives not Christ the glory, though he should speak with the tongues of men and of angels, though he should have the gift of prophecy, and all knowledge, and though he should have all faith, and could remove mountains, and he should appear to have all virtue, yet he is no Christian if Christ be held in light esteem by him, or be anything less than all in all; for in the new creation this one thing stands as the mark of the newly created, that “Christ is all, and in all” to them, whatever he may be to others. _chs
May I treasure Christ as all through my thoughts, passions, actions, and love!
Looking to Jesus
Thought you all would enjoy reading the blog of a dear sister in Christ who was recently diagnosed with cancer.
Lizzie Metcalf is beautiful, vibrant, chic, and best of all is in love with our Savior, possessing a child-like faith and desiring His pleasure before her own.
I love her blog, because in it she lavishes praise upon our Savior whom she trusts so completely and encourages me to fix my eyes heavenward even as she seeks to do so herself.
I am jealous of the ways she has grown to cherish and know Jesus better throughout this trial. Which has caused me to realize two things:
1) I need to be pursuing and loving and knowing Jesus NOW, by begging Him for His grace and for faithfulness
2) Only when I am preparing in the easy times will I be prepared for the hard times...as many a person has quoted, "We are like sponges, who we really are comes out under pressure."
Oh to be prepared for the storms ahead like my sweet friend, Lizzie! Oh to be a beacon of light to a generation who has lost what hope is, replacing it with empty imitations. People are watching us, and how we respond to each trial the Lord sovereignly places upon our path either magnifies and validates the Gospel, or disgraces and detracts from it!
May we all strive to run hard like Lizzie, leaning on His everlasting arms...our God is so faithful!
Enjoy!
http://chemochronicles.tumblr.com/
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." -Hebrews 12:1-2
Justice & Mercy
Bear with me as I think out loud....it'll be a bit messy....
Justice - getting what is obligated to you; getting what you deserve; getting something by merit. Reward and punishment can both be aspects of justice.
Mercy - not getting the just punishment you deserve for the evil you have done
Grace - getting what you don't deserve and have not justly merited
That's why mercy and grace can never be obliged, deserved or merit. As soon as they are obligated to you, deserving or merited, then you are no longer talking about mercy and grace...you are talking about justice.
Salvation is by the mercy and grace of God. Therefore, it is never right to speak of salvation as something that is merited, obligated or merited. Salvation would no longer be by mercy and grace, but by justice. And only Christ can satisfy the justice of God. Mercy and grace have to be voluntary for them to be such. And since we cannot satisfy the justice of God, either by merit or by punishment, then we must rely on another to satisfy His just demands. This is where Christ shines brightest and His gospel becomes good news. He alone satisfies God's justice in taking my punishment...He got what I deserve. And I get what He deserves...and that is mercy and grace in action.
It's freely given. Not merited. Not earned. Voluntary. And God gives it to whom He wills...whom He chooses. It has to be that way or else we are no longer talking about mercy and grace...but justice.
In light of this, the doctrine of election has to be what it is as taught from a reformed perspective.
Just thinking out loud here. Not trying to write eloquently. Just working some thoughts out from our Bible study tonight.
Justice - getting what is obligated to you; getting what you deserve; getting something by merit. Reward and punishment can both be aspects of justice.
Mercy - not getting the just punishment you deserve for the evil you have done
Grace - getting what you don't deserve and have not justly merited
That's why mercy and grace can never be obliged, deserved or merit. As soon as they are obligated to you, deserving or merited, then you are no longer talking about mercy and grace...you are talking about justice.
Salvation is by the mercy and grace of God. Therefore, it is never right to speak of salvation as something that is merited, obligated or merited. Salvation would no longer be by mercy and grace, but by justice. And only Christ can satisfy the justice of God. Mercy and grace have to be voluntary for them to be such. And since we cannot satisfy the justice of God, either by merit or by punishment, then we must rely on another to satisfy His just demands. This is where Christ shines brightest and His gospel becomes good news. He alone satisfies God's justice in taking my punishment...He got what I deserve. And I get what He deserves...and that is mercy and grace in action.
It's freely given. Not merited. Not earned. Voluntary. And God gives it to whom He wills...whom He chooses. It has to be that way or else we are no longer talking about mercy and grace...but justice.
In light of this, the doctrine of election has to be what it is as taught from a reformed perspective.
Just thinking out loud here. Not trying to write eloquently. Just working some thoughts out from our Bible study tonight.
Marveling at the Incarnation, Marveling at the Cross
Just came across this wonderful excerpt from Dr. MacArthur's sermon entitled: "The Incarnation of the Triune God," taken from Philippians 2:6-11, and thought I should share it:
"Humility is the theme of Christmas...humility. St. Augustine wrote so beautifully of His humility, so beautifully. 'The word of the Father," he said, "by whom all time was created was made flesh and born in time for us. He without whose divine permission no day completes its course, wished to have one of those days for His human birth. In the bosom of His Father He existed before all the cycles of the ages. Born of an earthly mother, He entered on the course of the years on that very day. The maker of man became man that He ruler of the stars might be nourished at the breast, that He the bread might be hungry, that He the fountain might thirst, that He the light might sleep, that He the way might be wearied in the journey, that He the truth might be accused by false witnesses, that He the judge of the living and the dead might be brought to trial by a mortal judge, that He justice itself might be condemned by the unjust, that He discipline personified might be scourged with a whip, that He the foundation might be suspended on a cross, that He courage incarnate might be weak, and He security itself might be wounded, and He life itself might die.' "
(taken from: http://www.biblebb.com/files/mac/m2003.htm. Copyright by John MacArthur, 1997, Grace to You).
May we all take time this Christmas to marvel at the incarnation of the Son of God and remember and cherish the PURPOSE of it all.
Let us not simply stop at the manger but recall the cross...Once your enemies, now seated at your table, THANK YOU JESUS.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
The Wedded Poor
Similar to a few other Talians here, I’ve recently married a person who loves the King of kings. My wife and I became “wife and I” in October. Prior to that, we (like others) ran around for weeks getting various errands finished before our wedding day. One errand in particular brought an interesting thought to mind.
First, let’s talk about the season we’re in: Christmas. We’re celebrating the Son of God who came to Earth by way of a virgin birth. He was born a baby and grew up to accomplish the Father’s work, which encompassed and accomplished much in His life, ministry, death, and resurrection.
I’d like to touch on just one accomplishment for the time being: Christ’s calling of His church. One reason Jesus became a man was to begin and establish His church, His future bride. His coming, accomplishing power over sin, and ascending to the Father sealed forever a redemption and reconciliation of sinners to God. These sinners would be His church, His future bride. Christ’s coming was, in part, a beginning of His own wedding preparations.
Revelation 19:7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."
My own wedding had a lot of preparations, and the one that struck a note with me in particular was when we went to get our marriage certificate. It was a simple process, but what stood out was the cost: $90. We had no problem paying for the simple piece of paper, but it seemed a notable expense, especially for those with great financial difficulty. Ever wonder what Della and Jim would have done?
It made me think of God’s merciful call to those who thirst... who hunger... who are poor.
Isaiah 55:1 "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”
Christ’s bride is poor. Penniless. And yet He chose us... those who have no money, no standing, no worth... no righteousness. We can’t afford a wedding. We certainly can’t afford Christ as our bridegroom. But that’s ok, but He’s paying. Notice the important key in Isaiah:
“... you who have no money come, buy and eat... without money and without cost.”
How can we, with no money, still buy? How can we make a purchase when we have nothing? Because Christ purchased. He came to Earth, born as a man to redeem men. Living perfectly to fulfill the needed righteous life that we needed to live. He purchased with His blood, that we might be His bride, without any cost to us... without any price further needed. His righteousness is what seals us as His bride.
From our standpoint, broken and poor, we could never hope to afford a marriage, let alone a wedding feast. We simply can’t afford it. Our righteousness is as filthy rags before the most holy God. But joy breaks in on our position, just as our Lord said in Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
We were poor in spirit, with no merit before God. But He, in His infinite mercy and grace, sent forth His excellent, worthy Son to be born of a woman, that He would redeem sinners whom He chose... and then marry them, clothing them with His righteousness.
We are the wedded poor. Brought in from the streets and filth, cleaned up by His work and love, to be expert worshipers of Him. I hope this Christmas will be filled with worship, seeing the Lamb, our bridegroom, and not just a baby pictured in a manger, as we prepare ourselves for the feast and joys to come!
Our bridegroom is at the door. Where are we?
First, let’s talk about the season we’re in: Christmas. We’re celebrating the Son of God who came to Earth by way of a virgin birth. He was born a baby and grew up to accomplish the Father’s work, which encompassed and accomplished much in His life, ministry, death, and resurrection.
I’d like to touch on just one accomplishment for the time being: Christ’s calling of His church. One reason Jesus became a man was to begin and establish His church, His future bride. His coming, accomplishing power over sin, and ascending to the Father sealed forever a redemption and reconciliation of sinners to God. These sinners would be His church, His future bride. Christ’s coming was, in part, a beginning of His own wedding preparations.
Revelation 19:7 "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready."
My own wedding had a lot of preparations, and the one that struck a note with me in particular was when we went to get our marriage certificate. It was a simple process, but what stood out was the cost: $90. We had no problem paying for the simple piece of paper, but it seemed a notable expense, especially for those with great financial difficulty. Ever wonder what Della and Jim would have done?
It made me think of God’s merciful call to those who thirst... who hunger... who are poor.
Isaiah 55:1 "Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”
Christ’s bride is poor. Penniless. And yet He chose us... those who have no money, no standing, no worth... no righteousness. We can’t afford a wedding. We certainly can’t afford Christ as our bridegroom. But that’s ok, but He’s paying. Notice the important key in Isaiah:
“... you who have no money come, buy and eat... without money and without cost.”
How can we, with no money, still buy? How can we make a purchase when we have nothing? Because Christ purchased. He came to Earth, born as a man to redeem men. Living perfectly to fulfill the needed righteous life that we needed to live. He purchased with His blood, that we might be His bride, without any cost to us... without any price further needed. His righteousness is what seals us as His bride.
From our standpoint, broken and poor, we could never hope to afford a marriage, let alone a wedding feast. We simply can’t afford it. Our righteousness is as filthy rags before the most holy God. But joy breaks in on our position, just as our Lord said in Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
We were poor in spirit, with no merit before God. But He, in His infinite mercy and grace, sent forth His excellent, worthy Son to be born of a woman, that He would redeem sinners whom He chose... and then marry them, clothing them with His righteousness.
We are the wedded poor. Brought in from the streets and filth, cleaned up by His work and love, to be expert worshipers of Him. I hope this Christmas will be filled with worship, seeing the Lamb, our bridegroom, and not just a baby pictured in a manger, as we prepare ourselves for the feast and joys to come!
Our bridegroom is at the door. Where are we?
Empty Words
What am I doing with my life? Who am I really living for? Does my theology in action (my day to day choices/actions) match up with the theology that I say I believe in?
I've been reading through Matthew lately and thinking about "empty words." That just as someday, individuals will declare: 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' And He will answer, 'Depart from me, I never KNEW you,' so too is it EMPTY for us to claim that Christ is our Treasure, when our lives declare otherwise.
A prayer of repentance:
Father, I need your help. I cannot walk faithfully on my own. I ask for your grace and your Spirit's empowerment to live a life that is worthy of and that validates the Gospel. Give me more of you, and less of me, Jesus. Help me to mortify my pride and give me humility- help me to talk less about being faithful, and actually be faithful- by being in your Word, communicating with you through prayer, and keeping my eyes fixed on the prize. Remind me that YOU are the Author and Perfector of my faith, and that I am completely dependent upon you. Lord may you TRULY be All in All to me, and may the way that I live provoke curiosity and opportunities that would be for the glory of your name and the futherance of your kingdom, Amen.
A Call To Gratitude
I’ve been inspired.
Through my good friend Alyssa, I sovereignly “stumbled” upon the blog of a woman name Ann Voskamp, and a new journey upon which I am about to embark.
On her blog, Ann has been listing gifts from God that she sees in her life.
She states:
” I am one waking from slumber … from the stupor of indifference and ignorance. Too often I miss Him, oblivious, blind. I don’t see all the good things that He is giving me, gracing me with, brushing my life with.”
I am one who can completely relate. In a culture where I have so much.. too much, I miss so much. Regretfully my eyes are so clouded by self, that the grace of God goes unnoticed hour by hour, minute by minute, second by second.
And so, this is the start of an effort to refocus my vision and to give thanks for the evidences of grace that are currently being missed.
I encourage you, brothers and sisters, to focus on the gifts of grace that God has given uniquely to you. Let us give the Giver of all good things the gratitude He so deserves.
Psalm 118:28
“You are my God, and I will give thanks to you..”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
***The following is the beginning of my list of One Thousand Gifts***
1) A hotel room to rest in while my husband is at work.
2) The jolting of my laptop brought about by kicks coming from inside my tummy.
3) The new pink journal that awaits the listing of many more gifts.
4) The stirring in my heart from the Spirit to pray for an orphan I know, who is under the effects of national devastation.
5) The heat that is keeping me warm as it rains outside.
6) The calming sound of the rain.
7) An ultrasound picture that shows my little boy, Alistair's, face, and represents the comforting news that he was okay.
Pursuant Love
This past Monday for chapel (at The Master's College) our provost spoke, and the message was labeled "pursuant love." His main passage was 1 John 4:7 which simply states:
Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
So what is “pursuant love” and what does it look like?
The very reason we desire to pursue people and desire for people to pursue us is because God in Christ pursued us! He did this for us “while we were yet sinners” so this tells us that this kind of love is not performance based. I think often we live our lives day to day with an underlying fear or unrest that our friendships are at risk. We’re constantly worried at the prospect of not being funny enough, or athletic enough, or even spiritual enough to keep our friends around. But there is peace with pursuant love.
1 Corinthians 14:1 tells us to “pursue love.” It’s active. It also isn’t always easy if you have to pursue it. We can’t ever manipulate our character enough to transform our friendships into pursuant love kind of friendships on our own. It is only when we live at the foot of the cross, realizing that God sought us out when we hated Him, that we can love people without condition.
Another thing Tatlock said was “don’t wait around your entire life for someone to pursue you. You’re wasting time. Be the pursuer.” If this love truly is unconditional then we can love even when we are not, knowing that the love of Christ is perfect and fully satisfying. The result is unity in the body which exemplifies Christ’s love and gives glory to God.
Pastors, Stop For A Moment...
When you preach from the Old Testament does it resemble the way the Apostles preached from the Old Testament? You might think that your preaching is Biblical because you use the Bible, but Biblical preaching from the Old Testament hones in on Christ and the redemptive story--sin and the gospel.
Your sermons are to be Christian, not moralistic or therapuetic. I plead with you to help God's people get their eyes off of themselves and on to something much more grand. Not many of you should want to be teachers of God's Word because the Lord will hold you accountable for aptly teaching His Word or mishandling it. Rightly divide it.
Please stop being selective in preaching only from the New Testament passages of Scripture that address familial life, duty to government and our employers. In context, all of those passages are rooted in the gospel and can only be properly addressed when Christ is front and center. If you're going to teach from a New Testament letter, might I humbly suggest that you teach from the beginning of the letter to the end of it to see how the doctrines of the gospel are to shape our life in Christ. The Apostles admonished the church to live holy lives only after bringing redemption into high definition so that the church would be motivated to honor Christ in the mundane and ordinary moments of life.
In the words of theologians....indicative first, imperative second. Or orthodoxy before orthopraxy. Get them aligned in the gospel before you send them back to the law for obedience. If all you do is lay down the LAW (do this, don't do that) on them you will lay a heavy yoke upon them and they will fail to remember that Christ lived the perfect life for them and died in their place for all their acts of disobedience--even the ones you command them to do in your sermons but they fail to do again and again.
Scripture is not a manual for living. Although there are guidelines for holy living, it is self-declaration of God's work in a fallen world and all that He does through Christ, the Spirit and His Word to effectively change things for His glory. I beg of you to read the beginning of Genesis and see that the story of redemption starts immediately after sin enters the picture and a Savior is promised. Then go to the end of Revelation and see Christ there as well. Everything in between those pages falls within this amazing story. Love it. It is our only hope of ever being delivered from these wretched and sinful bodies. It is our only hope of ever being delivered from the wrath of God. It is our only hope for eternal joy in the presence of God's glorious might.
Your sermons are to be Christian, not moralistic or therapuetic. I plead with you to help God's people get their eyes off of themselves and on to something much more grand. Not many of you should want to be teachers of God's Word because the Lord will hold you accountable for aptly teaching His Word or mishandling it. Rightly divide it.
Please stop being selective in preaching only from the New Testament passages of Scripture that address familial life, duty to government and our employers. In context, all of those passages are rooted in the gospel and can only be properly addressed when Christ is front and center. If you're going to teach from a New Testament letter, might I humbly suggest that you teach from the beginning of the letter to the end of it to see how the doctrines of the gospel are to shape our life in Christ. The Apostles admonished the church to live holy lives only after bringing redemption into high definition so that the church would be motivated to honor Christ in the mundane and ordinary moments of life.
In the words of theologians....indicative first, imperative second. Or orthodoxy before orthopraxy. Get them aligned in the gospel before you send them back to the law for obedience. If all you do is lay down the LAW (do this, don't do that) on them you will lay a heavy yoke upon them and they will fail to remember that Christ lived the perfect life for them and died in their place for all their acts of disobedience--even the ones you command them to do in your sermons but they fail to do again and again.
Scripture is not a manual for living. Although there are guidelines for holy living, it is self-declaration of God's work in a fallen world and all that He does through Christ, the Spirit and His Word to effectively change things for His glory. I beg of you to read the beginning of Genesis and see that the story of redemption starts immediately after sin enters the picture and a Savior is promised. Then go to the end of Revelation and see Christ there as well. Everything in between those pages falls within this amazing story. Love it. It is our only hope of ever being delivered from these wretched and sinful bodies. It is our only hope of ever being delivered from the wrath of God. It is our only hope for eternal joy in the presence of God's glorious might.
Authorial Intent And "Christian" Music
I enjoy newly written songs that express the Christian faith. Every now and then you stumble across a song that musically is easy to learn and easy to sing. As the pastor of our church, I also enjoy introducing new songs to our congregation. Introducing new songs not only encourages the congregation to grow musically, but it also keeps them aware of "what" they are singing. There are times when singing an "oldie but goodie" that we go on auto-pilot and forget the meaning of the lyrics and gospel message. But great care must be administered when selecting songs (newer or older) to introduce to the church because not all songs express the Christian faith clearly and some songs are contrary to the Christian faith even if they carry the label "Christian."
For example, the following lyrics were written by a "Christian" musician.
Oh, how could it be
That my God would welcome me
Into this mystery
Say take this bread, take this wine
Now the simple made divine
For any to receive
This musicians songs are sung in a large portion of churches today. But when you discover the background of the worship leader, you discover that his theology is Catholic. And while it could be true that many of his songs express true Christian doctrine, one should expect some songs to carry theology that is distinctly Catholic.
Knowing that this musician is Catholic, I have to wonder what he meant when he penned the lyrics "now the simple made divine." The song, being about communion, would seem to work musically and lyrically. But when put it up to a doctrinal test, it would seem that it fails the test of true doctrine--if I correctly understand the author's intent. In Catholic theology, the view of communion is that the elements of bread and wine become the true body and blood of Christ--transubstantiation. In the words of the musician, the "simple [is] made divine." If that is what the author intended to say, then this should not be a song sung in Protestant churches. If the Catholic author intented to say something else, then his lyrics are ambiguous at best.
Unfortunately, most musicians don't offer a commentary on all of their songs and indeed it seems that many might even allow a vast array of interprations of their songs as long as it encouraged others in the "faith" and in their "walk with God." What the songs "meant to you" and what it "did for you" can in no way be the means of authenticating it's message. As always Scripture alone is the rule of belief and practice. And if one is writing a song to express Christian doctrine, then one should be clear in what he/she is intending to say. In this case, the message seems clear enough and thus the song would not pass the test of right doctrine.
A word of caution would be helpful for all of us. Just because someone writes one or two theological correct songs, doesn't mean that all of their songs are given a free pass. Always be discerning and remember that is the habit of Satan to subtly introduce heresy into the church.
For example, the following lyrics were written by a "Christian" musician.
Oh, how could it be
That my God would welcome me
Into this mystery
Say take this bread, take this wine
Now the simple made divine
For any to receive
This musicians songs are sung in a large portion of churches today. But when you discover the background of the worship leader, you discover that his theology is Catholic. And while it could be true that many of his songs express true Christian doctrine, one should expect some songs to carry theology that is distinctly Catholic.
Knowing that this musician is Catholic, I have to wonder what he meant when he penned the lyrics "now the simple made divine." The song, being about communion, would seem to work musically and lyrically. But when put it up to a doctrinal test, it would seem that it fails the test of true doctrine--if I correctly understand the author's intent. In Catholic theology, the view of communion is that the elements of bread and wine become the true body and blood of Christ--transubstantiation. In the words of the musician, the "simple [is] made divine." If that is what the author intended to say, then this should not be a song sung in Protestant churches. If the Catholic author intented to say something else, then his lyrics are ambiguous at best.
Unfortunately, most musicians don't offer a commentary on all of their songs and indeed it seems that many might even allow a vast array of interprations of their songs as long as it encouraged others in the "faith" and in their "walk with God." What the songs "meant to you" and what it "did for you" can in no way be the means of authenticating it's message. As always Scripture alone is the rule of belief and practice. And if one is writing a song to express Christian doctrine, then one should be clear in what he/she is intending to say. In this case, the message seems clear enough and thus the song would not pass the test of right doctrine.
A word of caution would be helpful for all of us. Just because someone writes one or two theological correct songs, doesn't mean that all of their songs are given a free pass. Always be discerning and remember that is the habit of Satan to subtly introduce heresy into the church.
every single thing.
Every single thing that happens to us expresses God's love to us, and comes to us for the furthering of God's purpose for us. Thus so far as we are concerned, God is love to us--holy, omnipotent love--at every moment and in every event of every day's life. Even when we cannot see the why and the wherefore of God's dealings, we know that there is love in and behind them, and so we can rejoice always, even when, humanly speaking, things are going wrong. We know that the true story of our life, when known, will prove to be, as the hymn says, "mercy from first to last" -- and we are content.
_j.i. packer, Knowing God, page 123
Meet The Puritans.
On this day (August 24th) in 1662, English Parliament/The Church of England banished the puritans from the churches and schools in England. The decree was known as "The Uniformity Act of 1662" or "The Great Ejection." Puritans didn't let that stop them from preaching God's word. They ended up preaching in fields, barns, or wherever possible. In 1664, The Conventicle Act was passed. This banned all "non-conformists" from preaching in fields or conducting services in secret. In 1665 the Five Mile Act was passed and outlawed puritans from coming within five miles of their former churches or any city or town.
Although Puritans were barred, it didn't silence them. They continued to preach God's word and write many incredible God-exalting books.
The reason for such hostility against the Puritans was for their fervent dedication to God and scripture, that provoked them to speak up about the problems within the Church of England. The church began to become weak on scripture, which led to much compromise in teaching, church leadership, obedience, and truth. Some major goals/focuses of the Puritans were:
1. Dedication to search and study the truths/doctrines of scripture and apply them to their lives. They believed doctrine and life-change went hand in hand.
2. A fascination with the character of God and His work in their lives (but not on the experience itself) to give all glory to God for any work done in one's life. Their high view of God was also evidenced also by their strong reformed theology. (High view of God/Low view of Man.)
3. A passion for love.
"It is unusual today to find books that feed the mind with solid biblical substance and move the heart with affectionate warmth, but the puritans do both. They reason with the mind, confront the conscience, and appeal to the heart. They write out of love for God's Word, love for the glory of God, and love for the souls of readers. They set forth Christ in His loveliness, moving us to yearn to know Him better and live wholly for Him."
-Meet The Puritans (Joel R. Beek & Randall J. Pederson)
4. In the same mind as the Reformers, they sought for change within the church that called for the church to conform to the instruction of Scripture on all matters of doctrine, leadersip, and fellowship.
5. Focused on personal evangelism by proclaiming God's word/the gospel.
There is so much more I can write about these men and women. They were/are my heroes.
(much of the information that i got for this post was summarized from what I read in the book "Meet The Puritans")
Biblical Principles Can't Sanctify You
Studying the great Romans 7 debate, I have come across some beautiful gems of Gospel truth. One of them, once again, points out the inadequacy of relying on Biblical "do's" for sanctifying work. These Biblical principles that we all have a tendency to cling to in our Bible reading are no more than the "law" as described in Romans 2,3,4,5,6,7 and so forth.
Romans 7:4
"Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God."
Doug Moo:
"[in Romans 7], Paul argues that a person's bondage to the law must be severed in order that he or she may be put into a new relationship with Christ (7:1-6)... Despite [the law's] divine origin, the law can neither justify nor sanctify."
We are quick to say that the law will not justify us (save us), but after we are "in", we quickly hug the law as our sanctifying tool. Instead, we should use the law in the same way it was used to show us our need for Christ for justification - As unregenerate sinners we only bring sin to the table. But as believer's we STILL only bring sin to the table. We can't depend on our ability to "love God and love others" but we need complete reliance on the cross. The righteousness of Christ is our only righteousness. So instead of "do" we rely on His "did".
why pray?
Hebrews 4:16
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."
Psalm 27:7
"Hear my voice when I call, O Lord; be merciful to me and answer me."
"You say, “Well what is the point in talking to God like that? I mean, if you know God is sovereign and you know God is all wise and all powerful and all knowing and has purposed everything from the beginning to the end and all the way through the middle, what in the world is the point of praying?” And the answer is because God has not only ordained the end, He has ordained the means to the end. And I don’t know about you but I’d rather be a part of God’s means than anything else."
-John MacArthur
