Blog | Reproach of Men

Looks Like We’re There Already

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The above message is a prime example of how not to fight the spiritual war we are all involved in.

Why?

Because the doctrinal implications of the message run quite contrary to the Scripture, and sends an, at best ambiguous and at worst flat wrong, message.

Now, I know that the people that put up this message mean well. I am relatively certain that they do not intend harm to the message of salvation, or to its Author. However, if we consider what the Scripture has to say, versus what the sign says, we will find a distinct dichotomy. Why do I see it this way?

Consider the following:

The message of the sign is thus:

If we are to avoid spiritual foreclosure, we need to bank with Jesus.

This is reworded, but the meaning does remain the same. Since that is the message of the sign, its plain implication is that we are by default, spiritually solvent. What that would have to mean doctrinally is that we are already justified before God, and that if we do not “bank” with Jesus, we will experience “foreclosure.”

Assuming that the word ”bank” as it is used here, means that one is trusting Christ for their salvation, and that the word “foreclosure,” as it is used here, must mean to lose one’s salvation, or to be cast into Hell, then we must conclude that the implied meaning is that, at some point, we might fail to trust Christ and thus be found wanting before God.

However, that is not what the Scripture declares to be the case. Perhaps the most famous passage of Scripture is John 3:16, which declares the wonderful and lovely message of salvation that is available to everyone.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)

However, everyone seems to stop there as well, and absolutely go no further in the passage. The problem is, is that the imperative of believing the gospel is lost if one stops at the 16^th verse. If we continue on, we find that verse 17 is very much like verse 16. But, verse 18 contains a very strong warning to those who refuse to believe:

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17-18)

Verse 18 tells us two very important things:

Those who have believed in Christ for their salvation are not condemned.
Those who have not believed, are already condemned.

You see; we do not have to do anything to be sent to hell. If we just live out our lives and ignore God, or play the religious game and never actually come to Christ for our salvation, we are already condemned and our destiny is set — we will go to Hell. In short we are, in the vernacular of the sign, in foreclosure already. Spiritually, our foreclosure happened a long time ago and we never noticed. If is possible to put it this way (and I’m not certain it is) what we need to do is get out of spiritual “foreclosure.”

But, this does raise another question as to the viability of the message of the sign. What is meant by the term “bank with Jesus?” Whatever they meant by the use of the phrase, is not all that clear to me. In fact, it really could be taken at least two ways for sure, and more if we think about it.

If we take it the most obvious meaning of the term, it means that one is to allow Christ to carry something in trust. Taken with the rest of the message, and the fact that a church put up the message, it definitely means something spiritual, but really is unclear as to what that spiritual thing is. We can assume that it is one’s soul, but we really cannot be certain.

The second meaning is more akin to buying fire insurance. If we want to avoid foreclosure, let’s “bank with Jesus” and that won’t happen.

However, neither one of the above meanings even comes close to explaining what salvation is, and why it is imperative that one come to Christ for salvation. Nothing is spoken of, or even implies, that faith has to be operative, and that one must repent. However, the Scripture declares that both are required before one can be saved.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:2-5)

Thus, two vital elements for coming to Christ for salvation are not even hinting at in the sign. Instead, we are told that we should “bank with Jesus” if we are to avoid “spiritual foreclosure.” Moreover, we are not told what in the world the phrases “bank with Jesus” and “spiritual foreclosure” actually mean. Rather, we are left to draw our own conclusions.

When it comes to fighting this spiritual war, unfortunately the individuals at the church which posted this sign have little to no understanding about the critical need for getting the message correct. Without an accurate message about what the gospel is, and what one must do to be accepted in the sight of the LORD God, they will, without ever realizing it, condemn individuals to an eternity of unimaginable suffering in Hell.

Whatever Happened to Simply Believing the Bible?

I read the news, not generally from the newspapers, though that occasionally does happen, but on the internet. Most every link in my Bookmarks is to some news source, technical or religious site. The problem with reading the news is that the bias of the reporters must be accounted for, and the truth of the matter has to be carefully discerned. I wish it were the case with the following.

On Thursday, August 23, MSNBC ran a story of a megachurch in Tampa, Florida that is having some trouble. Specifically, the church’s pastors are divorcing. Now, I know this is not something new to modern day America. But it does highlight a very real problem — one of claiming to follow God, all the while being totally disobedient to His word. It does not take the proverbial “rocket scientist” to see the very clear differences between what the pastors of this church were doing, and what the Bible plainly states.

In looking at the problem, let’s begin at the obvious: the fact that the church’s pastors are divorcing. In Scripture there are specific instructions given for pastors, including the requirements to be a pastor. . . more

Engaging in the Light and Trivial

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I think the most troubling thing about the above picture is the fact that “Baptist Church” is part of the name. Why? Because there was a time when Baptists were the standard for following the Scripture. Now, I am not blind, and neither are you, so it is easily noted the letters “SBC” in the lower left corner of the top part of the sign. Plainly, this is a Southern Baptist Church.

I am not a Southern Baptist, although I grew up attending a Southern Baptist church off and on until I left home to enter the Air Force. After that, I never really attended any church at all, until I came to Mission Boulevard Baptist Church, an Independent Baptist church.

Just to be certain, this is really not about any of that, other than to set a stage for examining the marquee of the sign in light of the Scripture. I learned at Mission Boulevard that the Scripture was, and is the rule for life, period. This is especially true for one who has been born again in Christ. I also learned that it is of utmost seriousness how we present Christ and His Gospel to the world around us.

In the Scripture, in addressing the believer’s walk with the Lord and the war against the flesh, the following is given that addresses witness and testimony:

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)

And again in Romans:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)

Thus, the real crux of the issue is what we prove about the will of God. All that the born again believer says and does, proves something in the minds of men about the will of God and what God will (and thus will not) accept. Since this is the case, we ought to consider what the marquee above states about what is acceptable to God. After all, is not the church composed of born again believers? Certainly by the Scripture it is, or it is supposed to be. Moreover, everyone who drives by knows that this a church, and a Baptist church at that. And, that it is full of people who profess to believe and follow Christ.

So then, what does this really state about what is acceptable to God? Isn’t this marquee just a bit commercial? After all, it reads very much like a cell phone advertisement. I have to wonder: Do you think the Lord Jesus Christ approves of being placed on the same level as a common cell phone advertisement? That the fact that one can come to Christ at any time, is like having a cell phone contract? Is the ability to pray to God reduced to that level of understanding in this church? Moreover, what if we asked about other Southern Baptist churches? What would we find?

I think that the saddest part of this sign is what is not stated. You know, about the discernment of the individuals involved in dreaming up this oh-so original cliche. Apparently those involved have no understanding of what constitutes the trivial and meaningless. Moreover, they must believe that the LORD God approves of such trivialities.

Somehow I don’t think the Lord does approve, and I think the following statement from Scripture is express about this particular association:

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. (I John 2:15-16)

How Trite Can We Be?

In this spiritual war we are all involved in, there is a need to insure that the message preached is perceived as being serious. One of the greatest detriments to that is the sad fact that many churches and “Christians” out there do not perceive this to be the case at all. All they are focused on is how they appeal to the larger population so as to gain members, without regard to how they get those members. Thus, there is a solid reason for the title. Look at the picture above and be honest with yourself about the seriousness of what they are stating. The question must be asked:

How trite can we be?

It is obvious that the whole attitude of the sign trivializes a very real issue.

If we were to do a comparison, it would not be difficult to compare the issue of salvation to a defect or malfunction on an automobile. Almost everyone understands that brake failure on an automobile is a serious issue. If you had a friend that had a car with brakes which were in imminent danger of failing, you would be utterly serious and earnest in telling them to get the brakes on their automobile fixed, unless you just did not care about them. You certainly wouldn’t make light of it or joke about it. Rather, you would tell them what is at stake, and would contend with them about getting it fixed.

In comparison, how serious is the issue of the destiny of each of us after we die? Certainly, it is far more serious than the condition of the brakes on an automobile. After all, you may experience brake failure and survive quite well. It is not so with the issue of salvation and eternity. Once we depart off this earth, we will find ourselves in eternity with no recourse as to where we are. Moreover, we will be there a very long time, even forever. I say that, as it does not quite impinge upon people that eternity is forever — that it is truly unending and does not cease to be.

Hence, where one will spend eternity is a very critical issue. It is express from Scripture that there are only two places man will go: heaven or hell. There are no other options. The Lord made that very plain when he spoke of a judgment to come:

When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: . . . (Matthew 25:31-34)

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: . . . (Matthew 25:41)

It is inescapable that there are two, and only two very distinct divisions the Lord makes here. Clearly there is only a left hand and right hand, and everyone is placed into one of the two groups. Everyone on the right enters into heaven, and everyone on the left is cast into hell. Since there is such a clear division, it is reasonable to ask: What is the dividing line? The answer is very succinct:

The Gospel

Since this is the case, just how serious is the message of the Gospel? How serious is the fact that the Lord Jesus Christ had to die for our sins, seeing that it was the only way that the judgment of God could be satisfied? And yet, how serious is the message put forth by Osage Assembly of God church on their sign?

Simply put: It isn’t.

In fact, the message is nothing but trivial and trite, and cannot be seriously taken any other way. Isn’t a church supposed to be about preaching, not only the gospel, but the seriousness of the gospel? Isn’t a church supposed to bring the message that the price for our sin is extremely high? In fact, the Scripture is express that the wages of sin is death. For any of us to have salvation made available to us, it was essential for the Word to come in the flesh and die in our place. Outside of the salvation that is in Christ, there is no escape from the spiritual death and subsequent suffering in the lake of fire for all eternity.

Unfortunately, what is displayed by the above sign is at best total ignorance of the seriousness of the Gospel, and at worst a mockery of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross on our behalf. Sadly, no one will tell this church and its leadership that they are mocking Christ and giving the Atheists justification for their mockery of Christianity. Is it any wonder that people reject the Gospel message in this society? After all, all the above sign tells me is that I need (at best) fire insurance. However, I am assured that those who are responsible for this sign will hear about this again – from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Moreover, I am absolutely certain that He is not now pleased, and will express His displeasure when they stand before Him.

I leave you with a question that must be considered:

If you are unwilling or unable to deliver the message in a serious manner, do you honestly expect anyone to respond to that message in any serious manner?

Why They Hate the Second Amendment
or
What the Second Amendment Declares About Us

Of all the amendments to the Constitution of the United States, none is more reviled and controversial than the Second Amendment. One has to wonder why, seeing that it is just a few words that simply declare an individual has the right to keep and bear arms, without infringement. Moreover, that this basic right would guarantee we always have the means of forming militias is short order in case of invasion.

What place does this particular issue have on a fundamental, unaffiliated, KJV-only, Baptist’s blog? If you are familiar with the scripture, and what the scripture repeatedly declares about man, then you will have no problem discerning where this short article will go. If you are not, then be prepared to learn just how evil and wicked we really are, and why we need to protect ourselves from both our fellow man and our own selves.

Now, in case you disagree with the above statement, you need to seriously consider that your argument is not with me, but with both the Founding Fathers, and with the LORD God. After all, I simply, whole-heartedly agree with the LORD God, and with the insight the Founders had in recognizing the true state of man, and formulating a nation’s response to that depraved state. However, if you still wish to be angry with me, go right ahead. After all, I don’t have to answer to the LORD God for your anger over having the truth put before you – you do.

The Second Amendment states plainly:

A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

We should ask ourselves certain questions in relation to the above statement, such as:

1. If man is basically good, why did the Founders deem this amendment necessary?

2. If it is generally true that men follow the law, why was it necessary to add this amendment (with others) to a document that all the Founders plainly professed was a positive law document that functions very much like Power of Attorney?

3. If it is true that arms are implements of violence, why did the Founders determine that it was necessary for individuals to not only keep arms, but carry them openly; and that such possession and open transport upon one’s person should never be hindered?

Interestingly enough, the Founders of this nation were not silent about why they determined the Second Amendment to be utterly necessary. In the Federalist 51, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton gave the reason in as clear and plain a statement one could ever hope for:

“If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.” ((Federalist 51))

Now, I know that the question begs to be asked: How can you know that this is the reason behind the Second Amendment?

It is because they were familiar with the following statements from scripture which speak to this very issue:

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. (Genesis 8:21)

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9)

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Hebrews 2:14)

These three statements from scripture speak plainly that the nature of man is evil and wicked, and that men fear death. Now, how would Hamilton and Madison know this? The testimonies of both men are plain in demonstrating that they knew the Bible and believed what it stated. However, more than the personal testimony of either one of the men, the fact is that they penned the above statement in the Federalist 51, which is entirely contrary to the way men always view themselves.

Indeed, it has always been the case that men think more highly of themselves than is actually true. That is why people get offended when it is demonstrated to them that they are evil and wicked, and sinners by nature. But, if it were true that men are basically good, then there would be no need of government to control the excesses of individuals in society, and there would be no need of controlling the government.

The answer the Founders had to the dilemma presented in the Federalist 51 is amply demonstrated in the Second Amendment, as it places a check upon both the government, and upon the individuals in society at large. Why? In short, when everyone is armed, everyone tends to politeness and respect – else there exists a significant likelihood that one may not live beyond the moment they violate the rights of those around them. Moreover, when the population in general is armed, those who are supposed to serve in public office are made ever mindful of the fact that their lives could be forfeit if they decide to violate the rights of their fellow citizens who put them in office.

Thus, even though men are evil, they also fear death. Moreover, they fear where they will go when they die. For this simple reason alone, the Second Amendment secures the rest of the rights that the LORD God gave us. It is only when men do not see any prospect of dying that they become bold in their wickedness, and their willingness to harm their fellow man. This is also the reason the death penalty is effective in deterring crime as well.

The problem today is that we in America are a society in which the vast majority of individuals believe that they are inherently good, and that only a few “bad apples” cause the problems we have. This kind of thinking is not scriptural, rather it comes straight out of humanist doctrine and teaching. In fact, the idea that man can become good by his own efforts is a central part of the philosophy of Communism and the striving to create the “new communist man.”

The outworking of this kind of thinking is the belief that we can somehow create a utopian society if only we can get rid of the implements of violence. Thus, the blame is laid upon “the gun” when guns are used in the commission of a crime, instead of upon the person who wilfully chose to commit the crime. (After all, that would be to tacitly admit that we are all inherently given to evil.) It is also the driving force behind the idea that individuals in government are somehow better than the “common man” and that they are more enlightened and would never oppress their fellow citizens. After all, aren’t they elevated above the rest of us?

Thus, there is a drive to destroy the Second Amendment because of what it declares about our nature: we are wicked, evil, sinful creatures who think only about our own selfish interests, and couldn’t give a rip about anyone else, unless it nets us what we want – and the last thing we want is to die getting what we want.

The Founding Fathers knew this, and they knew that the only way to maintain order in society, and have a government that obeys its own laws, is to have everyone armed. The only other option is for this world to be ruled over by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, in which case the government will be righteous, even if the people are not.

The Government We Deserve

There is a perception in this country that we somehow do not deserve the government we have. Now I know that this will be hard to take for some people, particularly those who think that they are not at all evil or wicked, and they do not do anything wrong. There are others that will not like what is written here because they believe that God ought to bless us — no matter what we do. Somehow they have gotten the idea that we are God’s chosen, and we ought to be blessed — regardless of all the evidence that we have grossly violated the will of God.

However, we should understand by the Scripture that it doesn’t matter what nation it is, whether Israel (God’s chosen) or any other nation, the LORD God will not stand for a nation violating His express commandments. He warned Israel about this very thing before they entered into the promised land.

Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you: And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations; neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you: (For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;) That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you. For whosoever shall commit any of these abominations, even the souls that commit them shall be cut off from among their people. Therefore shall ye keep mine ordinance, that ye commit not any one of these abominable customs, which were committed before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 18:24-30)

Of course, if you have read the Bible, you should know full well what happened to Israel when they did these exact things – they also were spued out of the land. We should also know that the Lord gave Israel wicked rulers that matched the hearts of the vast majority of the people.

So there is no misunderstanding, I don’t like the situation in this country at all, and I don’t like it that our government acts unlawfully the vast majority of the time. Nonetheless, I know of a surety the reason for this is that we, as a people, are also unlawful, wicked and evil. The LORD God has given this nation the government it has earned. If the people of this country (particularly those who call themselves Christians) would actually repent and turn back to following the Bible as written and not as they interpret it, then the Lord could actually bless us and we would have a right government again. But, as long as the people of this country want to play games with God like apostate Israel did, we cannot expect to have a righteous and good government. Moreover, the longer Americans, and Christians in particular deny it and resist what the Lord is plainly showing this nation, the worse it is going to get — until America either repents, or is destroyed.

Honestly, at this point I really don’t care if people get mad or don’t like what I say, I know it is the truth and it is fully in accordance with the word of God. I know full well it makes people incredibly uncomfortable to even entertain the thought that we have the Government we have because we are the way we are. However, all that those who rant and rave and refuse to acknowledge their culpability in this mess are doing is condemning themselves. If they would actually read the Bible they would find Romans 13:1-7, which was written during the reign of Nero, one of the most corrupt rulers of all time.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. (Romans 13:1-7)

The above passage is quite clear — our rulers, our leaders are ordained of God, just like God raised up Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, and every other ruler, king and president from the time the nations began, He has raised up those who rule over us to put it in our face what we are like as a people. Thus, for those who have a problem with the way our government behaves, they need to look in the mirror. If they truly want to know the reason our government is the way it is they first need to examine themselves in light of the word of God, and be honest about what they find. I think the vast majority of them would find that they need to repent and actually obey the gospel.