Can You Define the Word ‘Doctrine’?
By Barbara Henderson
In the Bible we find many recorded words of God. Actually, the entire Bible is the written Word of God. Some of it is recorded history. Some of the Bible is direct quotes from God Himself. He makes some very definite statements on how people should act. It is settled for true Christians that God has the authority and the power to make the rules. What seems in question for some Christians is, ‘Did God REALLY mean what he said? Are His rules still relevant, and are they for everyone in every situation?’
There is proof aplenty that many who claim to be followers of the God of the Bible do not do the things God says to do. They claim to accept Jesus, but they disannul the DOCTRINE of Christ in order to follow their own doctrine. They in fact, reject the doctrine of God as revealed to us in the Bible in favor of cunningly devised fables. Actually, some people turn from the doctrine of Christ in order to follow their own selfish lusts and ideas. There is often nothing ‘cunningly devised’ in the fables they follow. My dad says they get their theology from the seat of their pants.
Cunningly devised fables can be identified in worship services that put the traditions of men above the doctrine of God. ‘Tradition’ did not die for sinners on Calvary. Traditions that work for our good are traditions that make worship of Christ and following His teachings easier. Traditions are wicked when the tradition itself begins to substitute for true worship. Keep in mind that if there was salvation available in following the ‘traditions of men’, then Christ need not have died that we might be saved.
Cunningly devised fables may be seen in rituals. There are ritual religions outside and inside Christianity. People believe that through certain repetitions and rituals they will be able to obtain something they want, cause someone to do something they want done, and even gain eternal life. You can also gain wealth and health through ritual sacrificial giving according to some purveyors of cunningly devised fables. That means watch out for the wealth and health preachers. Remember, that if there was salvation in rituals, then Christ need not have died that we might be saved,
Cunningly devised fables may be seen in vain repetitions and babbling. People will chant a mantra as though often repeated words somehow gain the power, or call upon some unknown power to grant their request. It may work even better if the mantra is chanted while the chantor is sitting in some uncomfortable position. Again, if vain babbling and chants could gain salvation for the lost soul, then Christ need not have died that we might be saved.
A rampant cunningly devised fable in the church today is the myth that church growth is proof of a spiritual church. A growth oriented church, believing that church growth proves their relationship with God is good, will often set aside doctrine in favor of ‘doing what it takes to get the church roles to grow in number.’ Such churches are willing to destroy families in order to establish a mega church. Everyone in the church is supposed to be involved in every church function, or their salvation is suspect. A family cannot survive as a strong family under such circumstances.
In order for His children to avoid being deceived by a cunningly devised fable, God gave us DOCTRINE.
This doctrine is based on the truth, as given to us by our omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, infallible Creator and God. This Doctrine is written down for us in the Bible. It is not a tradition that was handed down by word of mouth for a thousand years and then written down.. It was written down directly from the mouth of God through the hand of the writer. Knowing and living the Doctrine of the Bible gives us the prescription to avoid being deceived by the great abundance of cunningly devised fables.
According to biblegateway.com the term ‘doctrine’ is used in the Bible fifty (50) times. Due to the limits of space, I won’t be able to include all fifty here. However, I will use some of them.
Proverbs 4:2
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
Remember that the doctrine given us by God is infallible. It is correct, truthful, and good. To forsake it is foolish; yet many do.
Isaiah 28:9
Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
God will give understanding to the willing. Often Christians are like adults who try to live as though they were still teenagers. They never grow up, and they are very unpleasant people. They are also useless to those around them. There is nothing lovely or cute about idolizing the foolish actions of rebellious teenagers. The same goes for Christians. There is nothing cute or appealing in a Christian refusing to learn the things of the Bible, preferring instead to remain ignorant and easily beguiled. Remember Eve. She was beguiled and look what happened because of her actions.
Jeremiah 10:8
But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.
Beware of vain doctrines. Only those teachings that are completely within the boundaries of the teachings of the Bible are good. Vain doctrine places man, or a particular man, or a particular humanist ideology as the solution to the world’s problems. Jesus Christ is left somewhere out in left field.
Matthew 7:28
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
The doctrine of Jesus Christ is astonishing. It stays in the mind of the hearer.
Mark 1:22
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.
The Triune God of the Bible is the authority behind the doctrine of the Bible. It is powerful and astonishing when told in humility by believers.
Mark 1:27
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.
The mighty power of the doctrine of the Bible has not been seen in any earthly teaching, theology, ideology, sorcery, or anything else outside the Bible.
Mark 11:18
And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
The doctrine of the Bible brings about fear in those who reject it. They will seek in vain to destroy it. They know that if the doctrine of the Bible is true, then all other beliefs, or belief systems, or deeply held beliefs, are false. The Bible is not compatible with any other doctrine. When you see someone trying to be reconciled with other doctrines, then they are following fables.
Luke 4:32
And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ has power.
John 18:19
The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ causes curiosity when people hear it.
Acts 2:42
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ inspires great loyalty in those who believe.
Acts 5:28
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.
The doctrine of Jesus Christ cannot be stopped by the edicts of men. The Christian will be like the Psalmist who tried, but could not keep his mouth shut. (Psalm 39:1-3)
Acts 17:19
And they took him, and brought him unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof thou speakest, is?
The doctrine of the Lord arouses curiosity. It is something new and wonderful to those who have not heard. They want to hear more.
1 Timothy 1:3
As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
Christians are charged to teach no other doctrine. That really kicks things like all the eastern mystic teachings out of the church. Things outside the gospel have no place in the church, no matter how much they will ‘help people lose weight’, ‘chill out’, ‘get in touch with themselves’, and so on. They certainly have no place being taught to the youth of the church, except as things that are outside the doctrine of Jesus Christ. Churches should be teaching the doctrine of Jesus Christ alone. By the way, when I was in school in Anchorage, Alaska, we were to taught to sit and stand straight, breath through our nose, and keep our shoulders back. No one had ever heard of yoga; it was just commonly accepted as good health practice. And it was not taught in church.
1 Timothy 4:16
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Christians are to continue in the doctrine that is taught in the Bible. This keeps the believer out of trouble and converts those who hear what the Christian says. (That is not out of all the troublesome trials of life, but out of the stupid mistakes made by those who step outside the doctrine of the Bible.)
2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
Preach the doctrine of Jesus Christ with patience, continually, and with sound theology.
Titus 1:9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
It takes a solid knowledge of the doctrine of Jesus Christ in order to convince non-believers. Nowhere does the Bible teach that we are to look for things we have in common with non-believers. We are to teach them and tell the truth according to the Bible.
2 John 1:10
If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
When someone comes to you with a different doctrine than what was preached by Jesus Christ, you are not supposed to let him into your house, nor bid him God speed.
Nowhere does the doctrine of the Bible teach that we are to band together with unbelievers in order to bring about good. This means any mega church that is trying to be inclusive and work together with all faiths is not following the teachings of the Bible.
Revelation 2:14
But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
The doctrine of Balaam was ‘anything for money’, even treachery toward one’s own people. Today the ‘anything for money’ doctrine is seen in politicians, businessmen, and Christians all the way up to the clergy.
Revelation 2:15
So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
This is the doctrine that believes that ‘once saved one could still engage in sin because they are no longer under the law’. Naturally Christ hates such false doctrine.
There is no question that Biblical ‘doctrine’ is important. Doctrine is the message of the Bible. How foolish that some people who profess Christ as their savior don’t even know what it is. Many church members have no idea what their church teaches as doctrine. This is the fault of the church leaders. It is their duty to instruct their flock in the doctrine of the New Testament Church. It is the duty of the pastor to oversee those he allows to teach in the church that God has given him. It is the duty of the pastor to spot error in its infancy and squash it before it has time to grow.
It is also the duty of every Christian and church member to check the things the pastor/preacher teaches against the Bible itself. We have the Bible readily available. We have no excuse to put up with preachers spewing false doctrines from the pulpit.
Doctrine, doctrine, doctrine….. Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone. His teachings are the foundations of the faith. This is the doctrine by which we are to live. The doctrine of the Bible does not change. The doctrine of the Bible provides stability in an unstable world. The doctrine of the Bible is the key to wisdom and understanding.
There are those who seek to destroy the doctrine of the Bible, in which case the world would be left worshipping one of Satan’s many lies. All religions and belief systems outside the doctrine of the Bible are false religions. They are based on lies. Satan is the father of lies. Therefore, any doctrine outside the doctrine of the Bible is really Satan worship. In that case, is there any way the importance of the doctrine of the bible can be overstated? The answer is, ‘No! The importance of the doctrine of the Bible cannot be overstated.’ That is why Satan is trying so hard to do just that.
Christian, are you willing to follow the instructions in Jude 1:3 which says, ‘Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
If you answered, ‘Yes! I am willing to earnestly contend for the faith.’ you need to realize something very important. No matter how willing you may be, you cannot earnestly contend for the faith if you do not know the doctrine on which the faith is built. Without knowing the doctrine of the faith you profess, then you will be like Eve. You will be beguiled and led into tragic error. Zeal, but not according to knowledge, is a tragedy waiting to happen. For your soul to prosper you must know doctrine.
The song for this article is ‘My Sheep Know My Voice’. When you know the doctrine taught in the Bible then you will know the voice of the Shepherd.
Barbara Henderson
My Sheep Know My Voice
‘My sheep hear My voice, and the path that I take,
They follow wherever I go;
My sheep know My voice and come at my call,
But a stranger’s voice do they not know.
Refrain
My sheep know My voice, and day by day
They abide in the fold and go not astray,
They love Me because I have made them my choice,
And they follow My call for My sheep know My voice.
My sheep know My voice, and the pastures of green,
Where I lead them so often to feed;
My sheep know My voice and the cool sparkling stream
Where beside its still waters I lead.
Refrain
My sheep know My voice, and the valley of death
Through which I shall lead them some day;
But no danger nor harm can touch one of them,
For I will be with them alway.
Refrain
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/mysheepk.htm
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
I Never Knew You
I Never Knew Him
By Barbara Henderson
Is there anyone you wish that you could or could have known, but you never actually had the opportunity to meet that person?
Is it a person from the Bible? For instance, do you wish you could have known Moses? My family says I really didn’t’ want to meet Moses; but that I wanted to meet Charlton Heston. They also told me that Ben Hur is a just a fictional character. Ha! What do they know? Plus, Charlton Heston was faithfully married to his wife for 65 years, so I could have met him without consideration of any lecherous tendencies on his part.
Is it a person from history? I think to have met George Washington would have been very neat. From what I have read about him, he was, among other things, a man of high moral character. That is obviously something lacking in modern politicians. Actually, I would have liked to meet both Mr. and Mrs. George Washington.
Or, is it a living person who is well known? I can’t imagine wanting to meet any of the celebrities of today. I am fairly certain that we would not hit it off. I would not be able to keep from voicing my opinion, so we wouldn’t be able to establish any real means for a lasting friendship.
Perhaps it is a family member. Children who have been adopted are curious about their birth families. Some want to meet their actual birth mother and father. Or, is it a family member who died before you were born. Jerry would love to have met and known his Uncle Gerald. Gerald was killed in WWII at the Normandy Landing. Also, Jerry would have liked to have more cousins. He only had three altogether. Jerry always felt like the family missed more than getting to know Gerald. I know that I wish my son in law and two grandsons could have known my sister April.
While all that speculation about who we would like to know, or to have known is fun; but it gains us nothing. Obviously, we have a zero percent chance of meeting people who are now dead while we also live. Second, it might be possible to meet an admired celebrity, but what good would that do? An interested person might get an autograph, but would they gain anything beyond just a casual meeting? Certainly the celebrity would not remember anything about them ten minutes later.
I’ll tell you who I would like to meet. I would like to meet a good friend. I would like it to be a nice lady that I could occasionally go with to have lunch. If she had a nice husband, my husband and I could both go with them to dinner every now and then. I have several such friends, but they don’t live nearby anymore. A new good friend would be someone who, like me, puts her family first. She would understand if I had to postpone a lunch date because something had come up with my family. I would understand the same thing for her. She would never get tired of hearing about my family because I would never get tired of hearing about her family. AND, neither of us would ever ever gossip about each other, or listen to anyone else gossiping. If you think such a friend here on earth is impossible, I can assure you that it is not.
Friends, as dear as they may be, must put the good of their own family first. Having ‘family first’ as a rule in their lives will make them better friends through the years. When a friend wants you to put them above your own family it is time to back off the relationship
I will not be forgetting my good friends. They are in my mind always. I remember some things that we have gone through together, and some things that we wish we had not gone through together. I know they remember me. I can call them anytime and just chat. We have a shared history. I thank God for them.
Unfortunately, you cannot just get up one fine day and decide to go out and meet a good friend for the first time. A good friend is a direct blessing from God Almighty. I suppose when I need another good friend, the Lord will send me one.
Thankfully, Jesus Christ is above all rules of time and space. He can be met on the day someone’s heart is ready for a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Jesus will never move away and leave you. He will be with you always, even unto death..
Here is an interesting thing about knowing Jesus. Jesus Christ is alive and lives forever. To get to know Him, one must meet Him while he or she yet lives. On the other hand, those who know Christ will have the opportunity to know other people who met Jesus while they lived. After someone dies it is entirely too late. If someone doesn’t meet Jesus while he or she lives in the flesh, they will not have the opportunity to establish a real relationship with Him after they die.
To meet Jesus personally is not a casual meeting. It must be a meeting where you bond with each other. Depending on what you do for a living and where you live, it might be possible or even likely, that you meet people the world sees as celebrities of one sort or another. But, just a casual meeting does not make you their friend or part of their lives. If you met them in a traffic accident by the next day they would not know you. In fact, the never knew you. They just met you in passing. Having met them casually would be of no value to you.
Unlike celebrities, Jesus Christ has a semi open door policy. He will meet with and adopt any repentant soul who comes to Him as in immigrant. That means going to Him on His terms, with full surrender and a heart that is willing to conform to His image. Christ is not interested in settlers. Settlers are people who come to Him with the idea that they want to change heaven to suit their idea of heaven. There will be no settlers in heaven.
There is a catch to the open door invitation of Jesus Christ.
First, everyone gets an invitation to enter the kingdom of heaven through Jesus Christ. A very simple indicator that everyone gets an invitation is given to us in the Bible when the angels told the shepherds ‘behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people’. Now what good tidings would there be all people if ‘all people’ did not receive an invitation?
Second, the invitation must be accepted while the individual is living. The invitation is canceled upon the death of the recipient.
Third, the invitation is not an invitation to a celebrity party where you rub shoulders with the rich and famous, but never actually get to know any of them. The invitation is to begin an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ, the friend who sticks to you closer than your own dear brother.
Ultimately, everyone will stand before Jesus Christ. We will meet Him face to face without any doubt.
On that day, there will be those who will have all documentation regarding their right to enter the home of Jesus Christ which is heaven. They will know in advance that their place in heaven is secure because they know Jesus Christ personally, and they are entering in through the official entry.
On that day there will also be many who attempt to enter into heaven through a variety of means. They will cry out all the good works they did in the name of the Lord. They will loudly proclaim the rituals they went through in the name of the Lord. They will demand entrance based on their own good works, brilliant mind, feelings of having done well, and some even by their own amendments and ‘corrections’ to the teachings of the Bible.
Jesus Christ will answer them thus,
(22) ‘Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?
(23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’ ( Matthew 7:22-23)
Did you get the part that said ‘I NEVER knew you’?
That means at least two things.
First, it is referring to those who may have casually known of Christ but never actually set up a personal relationship with Him. They may have gone to church and even participated in the social aspect of church religiously, but they never became real friends with Jesus Christ. They are just like someone who might have gone to a celebrity party, rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, but never actually made a friend.
Second, there are those who went to Christ on their own terms. Cain is an example of such folly. He didn’t like the way Christ told him to approach Him, so Cain just made up a way that seemed good to him, and then he tried to make it acceptable to God. It didn’t work for Cain, and won’t work for anyone else either. These are the settlers who are attempting to go to the home of God and then modify it to fit their own image of what God’s home should be like.
For those who go to God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son, the word ‘I never knew you’ will not be remembered. For those who go on their own good works, 'I never knew you' will ring in their ears for eternity.
Today is the day to decide what you will hear on judgment day.
If you want to hear, ‘Welcome home!’ then you need to settle your immigration status today. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.
If you are not willing to go to God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son, then you will hear Jesus say, ‘I never knew you.’
You know, the point of this article was supposed to be eternal security of the believer. When Christ says ‘I NEVER knew you’ it means He never knew you. It doesn’t mean ‘I did know you when you were saved, but I forgot you when you stepped into sin.’ When a child of God steps into sin, he or she is going to hear from God about it in one way or another, but God will not abandon His own child.
But I kept finding my mind wandering to the ultimate and eternal fate of those who never believe. I know Christ is pleading with the lost to be saved. As Christians, we should pray for those who are lost, and we should speak of the love of Christ and the way of salvation when the opportunity presents itself.
Barbara Henderson
The song for this article is O WHY NOT TONIGHT?
O do not let the Word depart,
And close thine eyes against the light;
Poor sinner, harden not your heart,
Be saved, O tonight.
Refrain
O why not tonight?
O why not tonight?
Wilt thou be saved?
Then why not tonight?
Tomorrow’s sun may never rise
To bless thy long deluded sight;
This is the time, O then be wise,
Be saved, O tonight.
Refrain
Our Lord in pity lingers still,
And wilt thou thus His love requite?
Renounce at once thy stubborn will,
Be saved, O tonight.
Refrain
Our blessèd Lord refuses none
Who would to Him their souls unite;
Believe on Him, the work is done,
Be saved, O tonight.
Refrain
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/w/owhynott.htm
By Barbara Henderson
Is there anyone you wish that you could or could have known, but you never actually had the opportunity to meet that person?
Is it a person from the Bible? For instance, do you wish you could have known Moses? My family says I really didn’t’ want to meet Moses; but that I wanted to meet Charlton Heston. They also told me that Ben Hur is a just a fictional character. Ha! What do they know? Plus, Charlton Heston was faithfully married to his wife for 65 years, so I could have met him without consideration of any lecherous tendencies on his part.
Is it a person from history? I think to have met George Washington would have been very neat. From what I have read about him, he was, among other things, a man of high moral character. That is obviously something lacking in modern politicians. Actually, I would have liked to meet both Mr. and Mrs. George Washington.
Or, is it a living person who is well known? I can’t imagine wanting to meet any of the celebrities of today. I am fairly certain that we would not hit it off. I would not be able to keep from voicing my opinion, so we wouldn’t be able to establish any real means for a lasting friendship.
Perhaps it is a family member. Children who have been adopted are curious about their birth families. Some want to meet their actual birth mother and father. Or, is it a family member who died before you were born. Jerry would love to have met and known his Uncle Gerald. Gerald was killed in WWII at the Normandy Landing. Also, Jerry would have liked to have more cousins. He only had three altogether. Jerry always felt like the family missed more than getting to know Gerald. I know that I wish my son in law and two grandsons could have known my sister April.
While all that speculation about who we would like to know, or to have known is fun; but it gains us nothing. Obviously, we have a zero percent chance of meeting people who are now dead while we also live. Second, it might be possible to meet an admired celebrity, but what good would that do? An interested person might get an autograph, but would they gain anything beyond just a casual meeting? Certainly the celebrity would not remember anything about them ten minutes later.
I’ll tell you who I would like to meet. I would like to meet a good friend. I would like it to be a nice lady that I could occasionally go with to have lunch. If she had a nice husband, my husband and I could both go with them to dinner every now and then. I have several such friends, but they don’t live nearby anymore. A new good friend would be someone who, like me, puts her family first. She would understand if I had to postpone a lunch date because something had come up with my family. I would understand the same thing for her. She would never get tired of hearing about my family because I would never get tired of hearing about her family. AND, neither of us would ever ever gossip about each other, or listen to anyone else gossiping. If you think such a friend here on earth is impossible, I can assure you that it is not.
Friends, as dear as they may be, must put the good of their own family first. Having ‘family first’ as a rule in their lives will make them better friends through the years. When a friend wants you to put them above your own family it is time to back off the relationship
I will not be forgetting my good friends. They are in my mind always. I remember some things that we have gone through together, and some things that we wish we had not gone through together. I know they remember me. I can call them anytime and just chat. We have a shared history. I thank God for them.
Unfortunately, you cannot just get up one fine day and decide to go out and meet a good friend for the first time. A good friend is a direct blessing from God Almighty. I suppose when I need another good friend, the Lord will send me one.
Thankfully, Jesus Christ is above all rules of time and space. He can be met on the day someone’s heart is ready for a friend that sticks closer than a brother.
Jesus will never move away and leave you. He will be with you always, even unto death..
Here is an interesting thing about knowing Jesus. Jesus Christ is alive and lives forever. To get to know Him, one must meet Him while he or she yet lives. On the other hand, those who know Christ will have the opportunity to know other people who met Jesus while they lived. After someone dies it is entirely too late. If someone doesn’t meet Jesus while he or she lives in the flesh, they will not have the opportunity to establish a real relationship with Him after they die.
To meet Jesus personally is not a casual meeting. It must be a meeting where you bond with each other. Depending on what you do for a living and where you live, it might be possible or even likely, that you meet people the world sees as celebrities of one sort or another. But, just a casual meeting does not make you their friend or part of their lives. If you met them in a traffic accident by the next day they would not know you. In fact, the never knew you. They just met you in passing. Having met them casually would be of no value to you.
Unlike celebrities, Jesus Christ has a semi open door policy. He will meet with and adopt any repentant soul who comes to Him as in immigrant. That means going to Him on His terms, with full surrender and a heart that is willing to conform to His image. Christ is not interested in settlers. Settlers are people who come to Him with the idea that they want to change heaven to suit their idea of heaven. There will be no settlers in heaven.
There is a catch to the open door invitation of Jesus Christ.
First, everyone gets an invitation to enter the kingdom of heaven through Jesus Christ. A very simple indicator that everyone gets an invitation is given to us in the Bible when the angels told the shepherds ‘behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people’. Now what good tidings would there be all people if ‘all people’ did not receive an invitation?
Second, the invitation must be accepted while the individual is living. The invitation is canceled upon the death of the recipient.
Third, the invitation is not an invitation to a celebrity party where you rub shoulders with the rich and famous, but never actually get to know any of them. The invitation is to begin an eternal relationship with Jesus Christ, the friend who sticks to you closer than your own dear brother.
Ultimately, everyone will stand before Jesus Christ. We will meet Him face to face without any doubt.
On that day, there will be those who will have all documentation regarding their right to enter the home of Jesus Christ which is heaven. They will know in advance that their place in heaven is secure because they know Jesus Christ personally, and they are entering in through the official entry.
On that day there will also be many who attempt to enter into heaven through a variety of means. They will cry out all the good works they did in the name of the Lord. They will loudly proclaim the rituals they went through in the name of the Lord. They will demand entrance based on their own good works, brilliant mind, feelings of having done well, and some even by their own amendments and ‘corrections’ to the teachings of the Bible.
Jesus Christ will answer them thus,
(22) ‘Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works?
(23) And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’ ( Matthew 7:22-23)
Did you get the part that said ‘I NEVER knew you’?
That means at least two things.
First, it is referring to those who may have casually known of Christ but never actually set up a personal relationship with Him. They may have gone to church and even participated in the social aspect of church religiously, but they never became real friends with Jesus Christ. They are just like someone who might have gone to a celebrity party, rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, but never actually made a friend.
Second, there are those who went to Christ on their own terms. Cain is an example of such folly. He didn’t like the way Christ told him to approach Him, so Cain just made up a way that seemed good to him, and then he tried to make it acceptable to God. It didn’t work for Cain, and won’t work for anyone else either. These are the settlers who are attempting to go to the home of God and then modify it to fit their own image of what God’s home should be like.
For those who go to God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son, the word ‘I never knew you’ will not be remembered. For those who go on their own good works, 'I never knew you' will ring in their ears for eternity.
Today is the day to decide what you will hear on judgment day.
If you want to hear, ‘Welcome home!’ then you need to settle your immigration status today. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.
If you are not willing to go to God the Father through Jesus Christ the Son, then you will hear Jesus say, ‘I never knew you.’
You know, the point of this article was supposed to be eternal security of the believer. When Christ says ‘I NEVER knew you’ it means He never knew you. It doesn’t mean ‘I did know you when you were saved, but I forgot you when you stepped into sin.’ When a child of God steps into sin, he or she is going to hear from God about it in one way or another, but God will not abandon His own child.
But I kept finding my mind wandering to the ultimate and eternal fate of those who never believe. I know Christ is pleading with the lost to be saved. As Christians, we should pray for those who are lost, and we should speak of the love of Christ and the way of salvation when the opportunity presents itself.
Barbara Henderson
The song for this article is O WHY NOT TONIGHT?
O do not let the Word depart,
And close thine eyes against the light;
Poor sinner, harden not your heart,
Be saved, O tonight.
Refrain
O why not tonight?
O why not tonight?
Wilt thou be saved?
Then why not tonight?
Tomorrow’s sun may never rise
To bless thy long deluded sight;
This is the time, O then be wise,
Be saved, O tonight.
Refrain
Our Lord in pity lingers still,
And wilt thou thus His love requite?
Renounce at once thy stubborn will,
Be saved, O tonight.
Refrain
Our blessèd Lord refuses none
Who would to Him their souls unite;
Believe on Him, the work is done,
Be saved, O tonight.
Refrain
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/o/w/owhynott.htm
Monday, August 3, 2009
What do You Think the Christians are Supposed to do with Repentant Sinners?
The Sinner Repented – So What Do We Christians Do With Him Now?
By Barbara Henderson
Did you ever know a real Christian who stepped completely outside the actions and behavior that is acceptable to Christ? Maybe it was a long journey to their particular sin. Maybe it was just a short trip that got them into so much trouble.
Then one day, this person woke up just like the prodigal son. He said, ‘I don’t want to live like this anymore. I am going home to my father’s house. I will repent of my sin and turn from it. I know my father will forgive me and take me back.’
So, the sinner arrives in church one day, repents, and starts coming to church and sitting on the front row. Now, how is the Christian supposed to treat this person who has gone so far outside the bounds of acceptable Christian behavior?
The answer is VERY CAREFULLY!
First, the repentant sinner is a child of God. Christians are told in Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42, and Luke 17:2, ‘But whoso shall offend one of these little ones, which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and the he were drowned in the depth of the sea.’ (exact quote is from Matthew) because this is spoken of in three of the Gospels, it is very important.
So you want to be very careful in how you treat someone who has turned form sin and is trying to begin a new and better life inside the boundaries of Christian behavior. The repentant sinner has often become more childlike in seeking the face of God. Even though grown up, or perhaps just nearly grown up, they seek the Lord in a child like manner. Their own egos are crushed. They go to the Lord and put themselves under His authority, and His mercy. They suddenly become teachable. They don’t hold grudges against fellow Christians because their personal experience testifies to the fact that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. It appears that the truly repentant become little ones in Christ, ready and willing to learn the things of Christ.
In fact, should any Christian refuse forgiveness and fellowship with the repentant Christian, then that Christian is effectively placing a millstone around his or her own neck. They are falling into sin themselves and are limiting their own Christian growth.
SECOND, remember that the repentant sinner is YOUR brother or sister in Christ. How would you treat your own birth sibling if they came into the flock after time spent in sin? Would you rejoice and welcome them gladly? Or would you sit back in judgment? I believe the prodigal son’s older brother was not happy to see his brother return.
Don’t ‘worry’ that the repentant sinner is ‘getting off scott free’. They are ready to go forward with their life in Christ. They have truly repented of their sins. Christ has truly forgiven them. HOWEVER, the consequences of sin will stay with them. King David’s sin with Bathsheba haunted him the rest of his life. That is just the way the world works. Be sure that you are not the one who heaps sorrow on top of sorrow.
REMEMBER that to give the returning prodigal love and encouragement is not to condone previous sinful actions. It is a good time to consider your own sins. I have seen sin bring sorrow to those who were supposed to be leaders and pillars of the church. It makes me angry that they would be such a vile representative of Christianity. It happens every day. We cannot change it. We can work to avoid becoming part of it.
The Apostle Paul said, ‘But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest bby any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.’
Paul was humble in that he knew that even he could fall into sin. He set his mind to guard against personal sin. Matthew Henry has this to say. ‘Here is a good rule for reprovers; first reform thyself.’ (Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary – Matthew7:1-6)
I understand that each case is different regarding exactly how a repentant fellow Christian can be treated. This article just covers some generalities. It would be foolish to put a repentant embezzler in charge of the churches money. The main point is to forgive them as Christ has forgiven them, and to love them like Christ loves them. That is the best thing you can do for them, but more importantly, it is the best thing you can do for yourself!
By Barbara Henderson
Did you ever know a real Christian who stepped completely outside the actions and behavior that is acceptable to Christ? Maybe it was a long journey to their particular sin. Maybe it was just a short trip that got them into so much trouble.
Then one day, this person woke up just like the prodigal son. He said, ‘I don’t want to live like this anymore. I am going home to my father’s house. I will repent of my sin and turn from it. I know my father will forgive me and take me back.’
So, the sinner arrives in church one day, repents, and starts coming to church and sitting on the front row. Now, how is the Christian supposed to treat this person who has gone so far outside the bounds of acceptable Christian behavior?
The answer is VERY CAREFULLY!
First, the repentant sinner is a child of God. Christians are told in Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42, and Luke 17:2, ‘But whoso shall offend one of these little ones, which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and the he were drowned in the depth of the sea.’ (exact quote is from Matthew) because this is spoken of in three of the Gospels, it is very important.
So you want to be very careful in how you treat someone who has turned form sin and is trying to begin a new and better life inside the boundaries of Christian behavior. The repentant sinner has often become more childlike in seeking the face of God. Even though grown up, or perhaps just nearly grown up, they seek the Lord in a child like manner. Their own egos are crushed. They go to the Lord and put themselves under His authority, and His mercy. They suddenly become teachable. They don’t hold grudges against fellow Christians because their personal experience testifies to the fact that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. It appears that the truly repentant become little ones in Christ, ready and willing to learn the things of Christ.
In fact, should any Christian refuse forgiveness and fellowship with the repentant Christian, then that Christian is effectively placing a millstone around his or her own neck. They are falling into sin themselves and are limiting their own Christian growth.
SECOND, remember that the repentant sinner is YOUR brother or sister in Christ. How would you treat your own birth sibling if they came into the flock after time spent in sin? Would you rejoice and welcome them gladly? Or would you sit back in judgment? I believe the prodigal son’s older brother was not happy to see his brother return.
Don’t ‘worry’ that the repentant sinner is ‘getting off scott free’. They are ready to go forward with their life in Christ. They have truly repented of their sins. Christ has truly forgiven them. HOWEVER, the consequences of sin will stay with them. King David’s sin with Bathsheba haunted him the rest of his life. That is just the way the world works. Be sure that you are not the one who heaps sorrow on top of sorrow.
REMEMBER that to give the returning prodigal love and encouragement is not to condone previous sinful actions. It is a good time to consider your own sins. I have seen sin bring sorrow to those who were supposed to be leaders and pillars of the church. It makes me angry that they would be such a vile representative of Christianity. It happens every day. We cannot change it. We can work to avoid becoming part of it.
The Apostle Paul said, ‘But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest bby any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.’
Paul was humble in that he knew that even he could fall into sin. He set his mind to guard against personal sin. Matthew Henry has this to say. ‘Here is a good rule for reprovers; first reform thyself.’ (Matthew Henry’s Bible Commentary – Matthew7:1-6)
I understand that each case is different regarding exactly how a repentant fellow Christian can be treated. This article just covers some generalities. It would be foolish to put a repentant embezzler in charge of the churches money. The main point is to forgive them as Christ has forgiven them, and to love them like Christ loves them. That is the best thing you can do for them, but more importantly, it is the best thing you can do for yourself!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)