Soli Deo Gloria

“The professing Christian with lukewarm faith seeks the outward things of religion and asks the church to serve them. The true Christian, however, takes joy not most in what the church does for them, but in what God is doing in and through the church.”

This great quote is from the book Jonathan Edwards on True Christianity. My friend and co-host of our radio show recently bought this book and shared it with me. We’re both bookworms when it comes to Edwards and other Puritan writers. As I read through the pages of this book over and over again Edwards nails it on the head, often uncomfortably, with regards to the problem of nominal Christianity in the church today. Edwards dealt with it in his time and we most definitely see the plague of lukewarm faith within American evangelicalism today.

It saddens me to see so many who profess Christ living like the world and embracing sin with absolutely no regard for Scripture’s call for believers to pursue sanctification. (Hebrews 12:14) However, I personally understand why this is. As a false convert for over 20 years of my life I too was a nominal Christian – one with lukewarm faith who professed to know Christ. I attended church and was even baptized. However, there was absolutely no real love for Christ, His Word, His people and no real hatred for sin and the sanctification that cannot be separated from justification. The reason was that I was not truly saved. I played the part and was convinced I was “in the club” but I was absolutely no different from the world. I thank my God and Savior for transforming my heart of stone to a heart of flesh and opening my eyes to the glory of God in the face of Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 4:6) Salvation is of the Lord!

The problem with the majority of churches today is an absolute lack of Gospel proclamation coupled with little or no Biblical exposition from the pulpit. Evangelism and the gospel message are nothing more than after-thoughts and most churches today think they are doing good when they can build an entire congregational message around one Scripture verse often taken horribly out of context to create a man-centered humanistic feel-good message as to not offend.

I commend the men of God who hold fast to the Word of God and herald the full gospel of Jesus Christ to their flock week after week. May we continually lift the shepherds of the flocks in prayer who truly care to please Christ by heralding His name above all and elevate His word as the authority of the Christian life. The church on earth until Christ returns will always have those with nominal faith but may the gospel proclamation and Biblical exposition snatch many from the flames.

Let me close with another powerful quote from the book:

“A personal may out of knowledge of biblical doctrine live a happy and hopeful life, trusting in Gods providence, living gratefully in some sense for Christ’s sacrifice. However, unless this knowledge is personally applied in repentance of sin and wholehearted faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ, it does not save us from sin and judgement. (see James 2:18-26)”

There is no salvation in nominal Christianity and a lukewarm faith. Christ’s words to the church of Laodicea should cause us to stir: “So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:16) Take this time to examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:5) in light of what Scripture truly teaches regarding real salvation and the sanctified life that is a result of regeneration.

Soli Deo Gloria

Preaching, The Church

“Be sure to get some Christian friend whom thou mayst trust about others to be thy faithful monitor. O that man hath a great help for maintaining the power of godliness, that has an open-hearted friend that dare speak his heart to him! A stander-by sees more sometimes, by a man, than the actor can do by himself, and is more fit to judge of his actions than he of his own. Sometimes self-love blinds us in our own cause, that we see not ourselves so bad as we are; and sometimes we are over-suspicious of the worst by ourselves, which makes us appear to ourselves worse than we are. Now that thou mayst not deprive thyself of so great help from thy friend, be sure to keep thy heart ready with meekness to receive, yea, with thankfulness, to embrace a reproof from his mouth. Those that cannot bear plain dealing hurt with themselves most; for by this they seldom hear the truth.”

- William Gurnall (The Christian in Complete Armour)

Daily Walk, The Church

Instead of being set apart to God, many so-called Christians have become too comfortable in our society. They’re willing to serve the Lord in their own way, but not if it costs them too much time or energy or if it conflicts with a favorite television program. They prefer to indulge in worldly pleasures to please themselves rather than give of themselves to please the Lord. Saint Augustine wrote, “Two cities have been formed by two loves; the earthy by the love of self, even to the contempt of God, the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self. The former, in a word, glories in itself, the latter in the Lord.” Many, sad to say, reside in the earthly city of self-love.

- John MacArthur from Standing Strong pg. 85

Daily Walk, The Church, The Gospel

The Church, The Gospel

I’ve gotten a few emails from friends and church leaders encouraging me to sign the Manhattan Declaration – a rather short document that addresses certain moral concerns our nation (and world) is facing. On the surface it all sounds great. However, a careful read of the document has some serious issues that would cause the discerning Christian to think twice before putting their name on such a document. Why? Because the very gospel of Jesus Christ is at stake. I realize that many well-meaning Christians will completely disagree with me but the issues are too great to simply overlook.

I completely agree with the declaration’s cry against moral sins such as same-sex marriage and abortion. However, the problem is that this document does not address the one and only cure for such problems: the gospel. This is just simply another “can’t we all get along” document that folks like Chuck Colson have been pushing for quite some time. The big question is how can Protestants, Orthodox and Catholics come together when the very gospel they claim to believe are all inherently different. The Roman Catholic gospel is another gospel – it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. The declaration also encourages believer and unbelievers to come together in unity. How? While their may be some capability of moral conformity (as seen in the RC Church) there is no true reformation of the heart and soul as there is in the true regenerated believer of Jesus Christ.

The Manhattan Declaration is simply another attempt at ecumenical madness and sadly there are very few who seem to be able to see this. I was quite surprised to see Al Mohler’s signature and not surprised to see names like Chuck Colson and James Dobson. However, there are men of God standing up for the gospel and it was refreshing to see that Dr. John MacArthur has written on his web site why he refuses to sign such a document. Dr. James White also has voiced his strong concerns over this document, as well as a few blogs that have a discerning eye.

Will our children and children’s children look back to see men and women who will fight for the true gospel of Jesus Christ or are we seeing a steady crumble of the very truths men of God died for? It is sad and troubling to see such a lack of Biblical discernment – especially among prominent protestant church leaders. I fear it is simply a sign and a result of the church in America refusing to preach and teach the gospel! Lord help us and forgive our foolish ways.

Culture, Rants, The Church, The Gospel

“All in the church may hear the Word of Christ, but few hear Christ in the Word.”

- George Swinnock (1627 – 1673)

Scripture, The Church, The Gospel

The Church, The Gospel

“Many of you know more about your magazines and novels–than what God has written! Many of you will read a novel from the beginning to the end, and what have you got? A head full of froth when you are done! But you cannot read the Bible–that solid, lasting, substantial, and satisfying food goes uneaten, locked up in the cupboard of neglect–while anything that man writes, a best-seller of the day–you greedily devour!”

- Charles Spurgeon

Rants, The Church

“If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘ Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.  You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. Deuteronomy 13:1-4

What an amazing passage of Scripture. In my morning time with God in His word I read this passage and immediately several points came to mind with regards to our great God:

1. We have a tendency to always look at the miracle or prophesy of people and then if what they say actually happens or comes true then we want to immediately believe that they must be from God. The world will tell us that this is a true man or woman of God and will flock to them. (Let’s face it, people flock to false teachers today who cannot even verify miracles and healings of the likes of Benny Hinn, Todd Bentley, et al.) However, this is exactly why we must stay soaked in the Word of God – for man does not live by bread alone! You see, this verse teaches us that God, in His majestic sovereignty, may send or allow a false prophet or false teacher to work signs and wonders or tell a prophecy that actually comes true – but if they speak against the Word of God or try to get you to follow after another god then we are to immediately discount them. This puts great light on those who claim to be of God but their god is money, wealth and power and they preach that you should worship and follow mammon and not God. This is a description of none other than the prosperity preachers of our day. Oh how much we see this today!

2. We also see from this passage that God can test us in this way. This is an amazing truth. God in His awesome power and wisdom will use false prophets and false teachers to test people – apparently even His own to cause discernment and discipline and likely to cleanse His church. This warns us that we are to obey our Lord, be led by the Spirit and remember that to trust in Him and “eat His Word daily” is the only antidote to the ever-increasing false teachings of the world. As our Lord Jesus reminds us – many will come in My name and will trick the masses – if possible even the elect! We are also reminded here that God works all things for our good. (Rom. 8:28) Remember that He disciplines those that He loves and may very well bring about or allow false teachers to come to you, your family or your congregation and we must be vigilant – testing the spirits! (1 John 4:1)

3. God must be first. There can be no other gods in our lives. In fact, there can be no second place in our lives with regards to God. Many people have God first but several other “gods” right underneath Him. Worse, they may have God tied in first place with another god. There are many who have a love for God but an equal love for the world. Our Lord Jesus strongly tells us that we cannot serve both God and mammon! May we humbly be reminded of the first commandment. This commandment gives us absolutely no leeway for other gods at all. God Almighty is either first place or no place. There is no middle ground. Christ is either all you have or nothing. He will not be shared. There is absolutely no place for 2nd or 3rd place gods.

4. Finally we see in this glorious passage the sovereignty of God. Here we are comforted to know that nothing is outside of God’s control – even the false teachers and false prophets. The glorious truth is that God can and does use these false teachers and the evil of the world to bring about good. (Rom 8:28) May we be humbly reminded that He used the most evil act in history – the murder of His Son – to bring about the greatest good – salvation and redemption to sinners by His grace. God can and does use evil and sin to bring about His sovereign, perfect plan all the while never being the author or creator of evil or sin. We should also never think that this would excuse man for his own sinful ways – for verse 5 of this chapter makes it clear that these false teachers will be held accountable for their sin. May we find great peace and comfort in this truth only when we are in Christ and walk by the Spirit of God – for outside of Christ it is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the Living God. (Hebrews 10:31)

Father, forgive our foolish ways. Forgive us for following after false teachers and false prophets who so easily trap and fool our sinful minds and hearts. Give us a passion for your living Word that we may live for you and discern by the Spirit the false ways of this world. We rejoice in who You are – in Your awesome sovereignty and love for Your children. We thank You for Christ – for our perfect, spotless righteousness in Him and we yearn for the day when He returns for His bride with all the angels in flaming fire. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Apostasy & Heresy, Scripture, The Church, The Gospel

“The motto of all true servants of God must be, “We preach Christ; and him crucified.” A sermon without Christ in it is like a loaf of bread without any flour in it. No Christ in your sermon, sir? Then go home, and never preach again until you have something worth preaching.”

- Charles Spurgeon

HT: Symphony of Scripture

The Church, The Gospel

“The church’s greatest danger is not the anti-gospel outside the church; it is the counterfeit gospel inside the church.”

- Philip Graham Ryken

The Church

Ask the average adult to read the book of Revelation and when you ask them to tell you what they got from it they will go into great detail about how they have spent much time and energy concluding that Obama is the antichrist (or Oprah, Bush, the list goes on.) Ask a child to read the book of Revelation and ask them the same question. Their response: “God has won!”

Rants, The Church