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A Blog on Biblical thoughts |
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Biblical Thoughts and questions from reading God's word. |
| Scripture warns about times when men call evil good and good evil (Isiah 5:119-21) and Romans 1:18-22 discusses how sin darkens men's hearts. For a long time people have commented on stupid things men do such as pretending to be sick to get off of work and then posting about what a great day they are having. This is not stupidity, at least not in the usual sense of the word, it is sin and rebellion. Sin can be missing the mark as scripture says but such behavior is much more than that. When we deny the Lordship of Christ we are driven by corrupted values and driven by demonic frenzy. I saw a story about a small business owner in Minneapolis saying he was working extra hard so his employees could stay home and avoid ICE. Basically under the guise of showing how valiant and compassionate he is the story is showing how selfishness and ego is working extra hard to help illegals breaking the law making the owner an accessory. He is hurting his business and personal life to defend that which by its very nature is unlawful at best. Such frenzies mark our politics and people as I remember one politician giving a humdrum speech but really getting fired up about women being able to legally kill their babies. The mobs we allow in the name of protest also often are excellent examples of such stirred up lunacy. Finally, when people in high positions of power and or expertise can't define what a woman is we know that we aren't in Kansas anymore. |
| 2 Timothy 1:6-8 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. While the above scripture is speaking about sharing the word it is amazing how fearful people have become. We have a winter storm for the next day or two and schools were remote on Friday but there are still many driving around.T he greatest travesty is our church is closed tomorrow. Even if there were no services Churches should be like police only much more important, if they are genuinely Christian, because God is worth a little risk. Prior to the recent snow stores faced the usual panic and people were warned about power outages. Power outages are real and the need for supplies can be very real, but such hysteria so often is not a good thing. It reminds me of the covid scare where nations did so much more damage to themselves than the disease could ever have done if it had been ignored. In the end the Christian serves an all powerful God. We should be prudent but there is no reason ever for a believer to panic. Churches should almost never shut down because their mission to reach the lost is vital. |
| It is interesting to note that one of scriptures definitions of sin is lawlessness. The fact that by very definition illegals are breaking the law (` Jon 1:3) in a host nation should raise multiple red flags. The fruits ofinvasions, should not be called immigration, because immigration implies lawful entry and assimilation into culture and language, tear down the fabric of society. This is of course what some men want as they hate the culture of their own nations. The second reason biblically that modern illegal immigration is wrong and that is because it is based on falsehood and Jesus very clearly says He is the way the truth and the life and we are to walk in truth. many appeal to Christian charity, but charity does not take from neighbors to give to strangers and charity does not maliciously oppose the lawful authorities doing their job. No, this mentality in most cases is a love for lawlessness and personal gain as when protestors are truly paid agitators working on others false sympathies. Love does not cause unnecessary division (Romans 12:18) as scripture tells us when possible to live at peace. Inciting violence against one's own authorities for the purposes of protecting those who are not the ones you are sworn to protect as in the case of Minnesota is an inversion of values. In the end we practice hospitality, but we hate what is evil and do not condone it (Romans 12:9-13). |
| I have been to churches where you just where there for a while and were considered a member I have been to churches that have you go through classes and state that you agreed with their doctrine. I believe both ideals could use some change for neither kinds are great at filtering out truly bad eggs though I lean towards the one where you are gotten to be known and slowly allowed to participate if you are truly saved. I think of the church having members have to sign statements of faith with more than their adherence to Jesus his Godship, Lordship, death and resurrection is like Israel asking for a king. there are benefits but also many dangers. My reasons are below 1. Bylaws and Doctrine documents do protect churches from evil heresies and wrong teachings such as LGTBQ, social gospel and other errors but often include superfluous beliefs which may not be true and are not central to salvation. They should guard their doctrines but should not worry about contrary doctrines which do not threaten the very basic tuths of scripture. 2.All true believers are already members of the church of which Christ is the head. 3. False Christians and even those without understanding come into these churches anyway and so such documents do nothing but help create hypocrites. 4. Such documents cause men to twist themselves in pretzels. I have been in several Southern Baptist and Baptist churches ministers come to certain passages and do great verbal gymnastics to deny parts seem to contradict the doctrine of Security of the believer. Even if this doctrine is right this is a prime example of doctrines over scripture in places that are on many fronts very solid churches. Granting that churches do need to keep themselves pure and often are not careful enough in association the practical application is questionable. I think of Jesus telling his disciples that he who is not against us is for us when they came across one who was not an part of the group but driving out demons in the name of Jesus (Mark 9:38-40) |
| Now what I wonder is if Christian orgs should not be run completely contrary to good business principles. This causes me to give a little differently. What I mean is this while I commonly give tithe and offerings through various orgs I do not give monthly as I do not want them to be dependent on funds from individuals. Nor am I sure that companies should have common giving plans, annuities or receive stocks, inheritance, etc. I believe that not for long periods, employees of such orgs should be willing to go without pay if the org is truly a ministry. Is not King Jesus able to provide? God set principles in place and as stewards of his resources we do use these principles, but any company which could keep itself completely reliant on God would help keep its mission and every action pure as these would require constant faith. I have heard of individuals living by such principles, neither meaning they are destitute or poor but simply fully reliant of God; I have never heard of a large group of brothers working under such auspices and wonder if we ever will. This could only be done if such an enterprise were truly supernaturally upheld as because humanly speaking this would be foolish and futile. |
| I have always thought Christian economist though much smarter than me were crazy in their dislike of fiat money and belief in the gold standard. I don't disagree necessarily with a gold standard as it helps keep quantity and quality in check but what all economists should look at is a God standard. The reason things are of value from gold to men themselves is that someone or something values them. This can be in utility or for somethings own sake. America could stand fiat currency for a while because the value it possessed in its citizens and righteousness from God in such a case our currency would be backed by the righteousness of the Lord. Naturally as we turn away such currency is far from safe. Proverbs 14:34 Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people. |
| Sovereignty or the right of self-rule is an interesting concept as ultimately there is only One who is self-ruled. Ironically many of the individuals talking about sovereign rights of Venezuela in defense of its dictator are the same ones who deny honest citizens rights and seek to empower government in the place of the almighty. Ultimately sovereignty like individual rights comes from God and are given taken away by Him. All nations and leaders have certain divine rights, but they also have certain responsibilities and when these are neglected misused such authorities and nations will suffer. Scripture says that righteousness exalts nations, but sin is a reproach to any people any people (Proverbs 14:34). |
| One of the teachers I listen to in talking about why he is pret-rib acknowledged that the importance of the timing itself is secondary, but such beliefs affect how we interpret scripture and live life in view of God's character in this I totally agree. Many Christians will point to men like Ray Boltz, who gave in to a reprobate mind, were never really saved. While in his case I don't know there are men who have testimonies of decades before they turn. You may be a devil filled witch and fool churches for a while but to have good fruit for so many years is impossible without the Holy Spirit. This affects us because we should keep a careful guard on ourselves and our brothers while acknowledging that we all are saved sinners and there is a difference between falling and falling away. This also means for say Christian icons who truly followed God for years we can really appreciate their work while abhorring the sin they embraced. |
| I was thinking about the question for deacons etc as we took communion last Sunday. Those passing out thew elemments had suit coats or jackets, but otherwise varied from teas-shirts and Jeans to full-fledged suits. I commented that it seemed at least for church leadership that it they should usually wear suits while no suits and very casual but appropriate clothing would be worn perhaps one a month. The reason for this is the display of the Lord's purity and holiness as well as the freedom we have in him as David danced before the Lord would be both physically demonstrated for the congregation. |
| John 18:35-37 35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” 36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” 37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” It is amazing that anyone would question the politics of God. The reason the World hates us is because we testify on God's behalf that what is done is evil as Jesus did when talking to his brothers (John 7:6-8). While many twist this and advance a social gospel the power of Christ is evident in all corners of the world. The time of the Lord is not come, and evil must have its day first God is seeking to be absolute ruler of our hearts no devotion comes above him (Deuteronomy 6:4-5) So how do we participate in the politics of Christ? We ae of course his ambassadors meaning we are his subjects every day. Many misapply the great commission when in fact Not all Christians were called here however, we are called to represent Christ and spread his word/glory as his representatives in whatever we do. This is wherre regeneration comes in because in our Flesh we can't be loyal to God only those born again are freed in in thought, attitude, and soul to glorify our Father in Heaven. |
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