The Importance of Doctrine
February 26th, 2008
Archive
Archive for the ‘Theology’ Category
Make it Your Business To Mortify Sin
February 1st, 2008
John Owens, in probably one of the most influential puritan classics “The Mortification of Sin”, states what many Christians today don’t understand, completely overlook or downright push aside in the American church - the mortification of sin. Mortification (or the progressive killing of sin in the life of a Christian) can only be done through the power of the Holy Spirit but must also be an active duty and action of the true believer.
Why is holiness not spoken of in today’s churches? Do we not realize that if we do not have a holy hatred for sin it may very well be an indicator of the state of our soul? Can you say that the sin you once loved as a pagan you now abhor as a regenerated believer? No Christian before the second coming of our Savior will experience sinlessness but all Christians (according to Scripture) will ever increase in their awareness of sin and hatred for sin in their lives as they grow and are conformed more into the image of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit through the process of sanctification. Test yourself to see if this is true of your life.
I end with a magnificent quote from Owens’ book…
“the choicest believers, who are assuredly free from the condemning power of sin, ought yet to make it their business, all their days, to mortify the indwelling power of sin.“
Amen.
13 Evangelistic Phrases That Produce False Conversions
December 19th, 2007
Churches divide over carpet color, building additions and budgets. In the meantime, our fellow church members are going to hell by the boat load.
A.W. Tozer said, “It is my opinion that tens of thousands of people, if not millions, have been brought into some kind of religious experience by accepting Christ, and they have not been saved.”
D. James Kennedy said, “The vast majority of people who are members of churches in America today are not Christians. I say that without the slightest contradiction. I base it on empirical evidence of twenty-four years of examining thousands of people.”
Friend, we argue over so many petty things. May I suggest we have lost sight of the most important debate of all, “What is salvation?” My theology teaches that salvation happens when a man repents and places his trust in Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21).
The New Birth - Biblically Correct
December 18th, 2007
It’s time the Christian evangelical churches get back to the doctrine of regeneration as it is clearly outlined in Scripture. Most evangelicals today continue to preach that regeneration is a mutual act of man and God working together in a synergistic manner. However, we clearly see in Scripture that regeneration is a monergistic act completely dependent on God alone. Brian Schwertley of Westminster Presbyterian Church has written an excellent paper on the new birth. Here’s a quick excerpt:
“A proper understanding of the new birth is crucial to the Christian faith. An unbiblical view of the new birth will compromise and pervert many other important doctrines (e.g., the doctrines about God, original sin, human ability, predestination, perseverance of the saints, etc.). It is remarkable that most fundamentalists and evangelicals who champion the new birth have completely perverted the doctrine. They have made it dependent on man’s choice rather than God’s choice. There is no excuse for anyone to misunderstand this doctrine; the Bible is very clear in this area, as we have seen. If you do not believe what the Bible teaches regarding the new birth, then you must repent and submit to Christ’s teaching. If you have changed your view of the new birth and yet find yourself in a church that rejects the Bible’s teaching in this area, it’s time for you to find a new church. Jesus Christ clearly implied that men who did not understand this doctrine where not fit to be teachers of His people (cf. John. 3:10).”
I could not agree more with his statement. Head on over to ReformedOnline.com and read the entire paper.
Count the Cost
December 17th, 2007
This audio clip was on Way of the Master Radio today and just love it! Had to share it with everyone…
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“Have you counted the cost?”
Ask Jesus Into Your Heart. Huh?
December 4th, 2007
The music weeps, the preacher pleads, “Give your heart to Jesus. You have a God shaped hole in your heart and only Jesus can fill it.” Dozens, hundreds or thousands of people who want to get their spiritual life on track make their way to the altar. They ask Jesus into their heart. Cut to three months later. Nobody has seen our new convert in church. The follow up committee calls him and encourages him to attend a Bible study, but to no avail. We label him a backslider and get ready for the next outreach event.
Our beloved child lies in her snuggly warm bed and says, “Yes, Daddy. I want to ask Jesus into my heart.” You lead her in “the prayer” and hope that it sticks. You spend the next ten years questioning if she really, really meant it. Puberty hits and the answer reveals itself. She backslides. We spend the next ten years praying that she will come to her senses.
A Study of Prayer in Jeremiah and 1 John
November 29th, 2007
As we study the horrible downfall of Israel & Judah in the book of Jeremiah one must be in awe of both the wrath of God on sin and the faithfulness and mercy of God to His chosen covenant people. We see an incredible story of Israel’s worship of God and their ability to quickly turn from Him and chase after idols. Things begin to come to a head as we reach the major prophets as God calls His people to repentance. He requires them to turn from their wicked ways, wash their hands of sin and return to the one true God of Israel. Prophet after prophet is sent by His hand to warn this straying people. Based on the outcome there appears to be little hope. One prophet in particular, Jeremiah, relates a dark and terrible time in Israel’s journey. Can there come a point that God will not relent and take out His wrath on His elect in order to not only punish but cleanse? Will interceding through prayer make a difference when this level of sin becomes a reality?
The Passion and Second Advent of Our King
November 28th, 2007
One cannot read through the passion of Christ in the gospels and not weep at the profound humiliation, abuse and suffering our Savior went through. Even more profound is that while we were yet sinners, Christ Jesus dies for us (Romans 5:8) and if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. (Romans 5:10) Because of God’s eternal love for us, He sent His Son to die for our sins by shedding His blood on the cross and bearing the wrath we so deserve. This our Lord did willingly for us. Through faith and trust in Christ and His crosswork (the Puritans referred to Christ’s saving work on the cross as crosswork) we are forgiven of our sins and obtain the imputed righteousness of the spotless Lamb of God. This is amazing grace!
Are You a Christian?
November 14th, 2007
Todd Friel, host of Way of the Master Radio, is not only a joy to listen to on his radio show but is also a gifted preacher. Recently, he preached in Texas on assurance of salvation and the tests given in Scripture to see if one is truly a regenerate Christian.
I can relate so much to false conversion. For years I walked around thinking I was a Christian because someone told me I was or because I walked an isle or said a simple prayer. Several years ago, the Lord opened my eyes to my sinfulness against a holy God. He changed me and through the gift of true repentance of my sins and faith and trust in the person and work of Christ alone I was truly saved. Now, the Holy Spirit tells me I am saved, not man. I was born again and my entire life changed with regards to how I view sin and how I yearn for Christ. All to His glory! (soli Deo gloria!) I wanted to share this audio segment from Todd’s sermon that speaks on the tests of a true Christian given to us in the book of 1 John. The Gospel has become so distorted and watered down that there are so many walking around thinking they are saved who are actually in darkness. Please take the time to listen carefully and “examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” 2 Corinthians 13:5
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Related article: Examine Yourself!
Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing!
October 18th, 2007
One of my friends is in seminary at Southwestern and has a blog he calls “Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”. I was talking with him today and we were discussing the “s” word. Yep, that’s right… sin. We were discussing the state of evangelical Christianity today and the lack of focus on sin and the proper attitude we should have towards sin. (When you get two friends who love theology on the phone talking about theological topics you know we’re going to start delving into the Bible.) After I hung up with him I got to thinking more about the title of his blog and how our attitudes as Christians should be when it comes to the topic of sin. So… why should we be “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing”?
The Solid Rock
September 15th, 2007
Of all the great hymns there are a few that are absolute gems where each facet of their lyrics hold deep, theological meaning and a true understanding of God’s gift of grace in the face of Christ Jesus. As a classical musician I deal mainly with music with no lyrics. In fact, with most secular songs on the radio I never listen to the words because I am busy hearing and admiring (or disgusted) with the composer’s choices of progressions and melodies, etc. However, when it comes to great hymns one cannot help but to become enthralled with the words - in fact, we’re all too guilty of standing in church and just “singing the song” without ever really reading the words.
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