Teen Dare

Article: Is Christmas Christian?

2008-05-06T21:09:00.001-07:00

Is Christmas...Christian?

By: Michael Schnieder

For the vast majority of people the question is really no question at all. Is Christmas Christian? "Of course it is! What could be more Christian than Christmas? Isn't it Jesus' birthday?" Others have become increasingly uncomfortable with the celebration of Christmas. When they look at the bacchanalia that takes place around December 25, there is an uneasy feeling that something is not quite right. And yet they keep telling themselves, "Isn't Christmas Jesus' birthday? The world has corrupted Christmas, but underneath it's still a wonderful holiday." And so they struggle year after year to put "Christ back into Christmas."

It may be a shocking though to some, but after wrestling with the question for several years now, searching the scriptures and church history, I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing Christian about Christmas; that in its present observance as well as in its origin, Christmas is basically and essentially pagan. If that thought is new and startling to you, I invite you to consider the possibility that for you Christmas is a blind spot that needs some re-examination.

I don't mean to say that I'm unimpressed with the sentimental appeal of the "holiday spirit." There's a certain charm about this season of the year-the thought of family gatherings, dreaming of a "white Christmas," chestnuts roasting on an open fire, city sidewalks, busy sidewalks, dressed in a holiday style. No one with any sentimentality could escape a twinge of nostalgia when there's a feeling of Christmas in the air. Even the most hardened cynic can't stifle a softening childlike feeling of good that will last for a few days.

I've tried the approach that says, "let's put Christ back into Christmas." but I have become more and more convinced that Christ doesn't want to be "put back into" Christmas. If we speak against the "commercialization" of Christmas and emphasize the "real meaning of Christmas," most people would readily agree. People are very well aware of what they consider to be materialistic excesses of Christmas celebration, and they love sermons on the "true" meaning of Christmas. But I'm asking "What is the TRUE meaning of Christmas?" When you get right down to its essence... "WHAT IS CHRISTMAS?!"

Where did it come from?How did it originate?What does it stand for now?

The real question is the nature of the institution itself.

I think you will be shocked if you evaluate the institution of Christmas realistically. What I'm asking you to do is lay down your cultural prejudices and preferences and approach this question with an open mind. Granted, that's hard to do. We are so snowed under a century of tradition and nostalgia that it's almost impossible for some people to look at the issue objectively at all. I'm asking you to put aside your preconceived notions, at least temporarily, to look honestly at this institution we call Christmas. Frankly, this article is calculated to disturb you, to make you think, and to cause you to change your actions if they are not consistent with the truth of the gospel.

1. ITS INCEPTION

What is the origin of Christmas? How did it begin? Were its beginnings pagan or Christian? There is no indication in the New Testament that the early Christians observed Christmas at all. It can be demonstrated in church history that for probably the first 300 years after the birth pf Christ Christians knew nothing of Christmas celebration. It was only as the church began to drift away from apostolic doctrine and practice into corruption that Christmas began.

Where did it come from? Where did the drifting Church get the ideas and customs associated with Christmas today? The source of most of the basic forms of paganism in the ancient world can be traced back to the Babylonian "mysteries." All of the ancient cultures, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and even India and China, had beliefs, traditions, practices, gods, and goddesses that were related and find their "purest" form in Babylonia. In the Old Testament Babylon stands as the epitome of everything that is godless and perverse. The greatest indignation suffered by God's people for their sins is to be carried away into Babylonian captivity, into the heart of the heathen world.

In the New Testament "Babylon" becomes Rome. The Roman Empire embodies the pagan beliefs and practices of Ancient Babylon and is seen as the arch-enemy of God's people. In the book of Revelation Rome is called "the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication... a woman sit upon a scarlet colored beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet color, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abomination and filthiness of her fornication: And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." And John says that she was "drunken with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus" (Rev 17:1-6)

What was to be the attitude of God's people towards this "Babylon" of their day? "Come out of her, my people that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues" (Rev 18:4) Of course they could not physically separate themselves from the Roman Empire where they lived. The call was to spiritual separation from its attitudes and practices. But, did God's people hear the warning and separate themselves from Babylon? No, they became the very opposite. They compromised and became contaminated with her corruption. In 313 A.D. the Roman Emperor Constantine supposedly adopted the Christian faith and declared it to be the official religion of his realm. His embracing the Christian Church proved to be detrimental to true Christianity. Constantine retained the traditional pagan titles, and his coins still bear the figures and names of the old Roman gods.

The Church became "The Roman Catholic Church" and its method became compromise with paganism. Ever since, the Roman Catholic way of converting pagans to its style of worship has been to absorb them gradually, along with their idolatrous observances. The church was content to swell the number of nominal adherents by meeting paganism halfway. There were some valiant voices of protest who bitterly lamented the inconsistency of this approach, but their voices were raised in vain.

The Roman Church has continued the same approach until this day. It can be seen particularly in Central and South America, where idols have simply been replaced with the statues of the saints. Some of their names and tradition have even been combined. Roman Catholic Churches in these countries are often opened to the Indians for the worship of their animistic gods.

How then did we receive out "holidays" (holy days) with their customs and traditions, Christmas as well as Easter, Halloween, and Mardi-Gras? Each of them has come to us through ancient Babylon, through Rome, through the Roman Catholic Church.

It was for this very reason that is Calvin's Geneva you could have been fined of imprisoned for celebrating Christmas. It was the request of the Westminster Assembly that the English Parliament in 1644 passed an act forbidding the observance of Christmas, calling it a heathen holiday. In an appendix to their "Directory for the Public Worship of God" the Westminster divines said: "There is no day commanded in Scripture to be kept holy under the gospel but the Lord's day, which is the Christian Sabbath. Festival-days vulgarly called 'holy days', having no warrant in the word of God, are not to be continued"

When the Puritans came to America they passed similar laws. The early New Englanders worked steadily through December 25, 1620, in "studied neglect" of the day. About 40 years later the General Court of Massachusetts decreed punishment for those who kept the season:"…anyone who is found observing, by abstinence from labor, feasting, or any other way, any such days as Christmas Day, shall pay for every such offense five shillings."

It was not until the 19th Century that Christmas had any religious significance in Protestant churches.

What then is the History of Christmas? It came into the Church centuries after the New Testament, was discarded at the Reformation, and has only in this century crept back into the Protestant Church. What I'm saying, then, is that the "real" Christmas has always been pagan, and to make it a Christian celebration is to try to add Christ or Biblical elements to an essentially pagan holiday.

2. ITS INSTITUTIONS

Let's look, then, at some of the familiar customs of Christmas and examine their significance. I'm taking only a small selection of the many familiar traditions, but I assure you that what I say about these is true of all the Christmas customs, and I encourage you to check them all out in any secular encyclopedia.

Take, for instance, the very date of Christmas, December 25. As you are probably aware, no one really knows the time of Christ's birth and December 25 is a highly unlikely time. Why then December 25? Well, at the time of year when the days began to lengthen again, the Babylonians celebrated the victory of their sun god. The Roman copy of this Babylonian custom was called Saturnalia, the feast of the birth of Sol. It was for centuries an abomination to Christians. The celebration was an orgy of pagan revelry. But the Church, instead of standing firm against paganism, began to compromise. It wanted to help "weak" young Christians who didn't want to give up the fun and merry making surrounding this winter solstice. So the Church said, "Go on with your fun and celebration. Only now we'll call it a celebration on the birth of the Son of God. Instead of losing people to paganism, we'll combine the two and gradually even win some of the pagans of our day to profess Christianity. Let's not force men to choose between the two."

Then think about the name "Christmas" itself. What does it mean? Many people do not even know that it is a combination of Christ and mass. Christmas is the Roman Catholic celebration of a particular mass in honor of the Birth of Christ. Perhaps it would impress on our minds the "real" meaning of Christmas if we refer to it as "Christmass." What is the significance of the mass? At its heart the Roman Catholic mass is a denial of the sufficiency of Christ's atonement. It professes to be a reenactment of the sacrifice of Christ for sin. It is a denial of the Gospel (Heb 9:12,24-26;10:10,12,14). The Roman Catholic Church has many other masses, such as "Michaelmass," but it is their "Christmass" that Protestants have singled out for observance.

What could be more harmless that the beautiful Christmas trees that light up our homes during the Christmas season? But do you know why we have trees in our homes? From ancient times tress have played an important role in pagan religion and were even worshipped. Norsemen, Celts and Saxons used trees to ward off witches, evil spirits, and ghosts. In Egypt the palm tree was prominent; in Rome it was the fir. Because of this association, idols were often carefully carved from trees. Jeremiah warned the Old Testament people of God: "Thus saith the Lord, Learn not the way of the Heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For the customs of the people are in vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of workmen, with the axe. The deck it with silver and gold; they fasten it with nails and hammers, that it move not" (Jer 10:2-4)

Even the nativity scene, which some regard as the most "Christian" symbol of Christmas, is tainted with pagan influence. Nearly every recorded form of pagan worship which has descended from Babylonian "mysteries" focuses the attention of the worshipper on a mother goddess and the birth of her child. Different cultures used different names, but the concept is uniformly the same. In Babylon it was the worship of the queen of heaven and her son Tammuz, the sun god who was thought to be the incarnation of the sun. The birth of the sun god took place at the winter solstice. "Yule" was the Babylonian name for child or infant, and "Yule Day" was celebrated on December 25, long before Christ's birth. The next time you see a manger scene on a Christmas card, and Mary and Jesus have a halo around their heads, remember that this Roman Catholic concept is borrowed from the Babylonian "mysteries." And remember that the believer is forbidden to make for himself "any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in the heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth" (Exo 20:4). Do we take these commands of God seriously, or have we long since outgrown them and explained them away.

Or that about "Santa Clause?" Can anyone seriously deny that he represents the "real" meaning of Christmas for the vast majority of Americans? I won't go into the familiar stories of his origin as a Roman Catholic saint, but what does he stand for today? Is he a harmless, jolly, fat elf, or has he become an anti-Christian symbol of greed, materialism, selfishness-an expression of "something for nothing?" "What's in it for me?"

Parents who tell their children that Santa Claus myth are endangering their credibility with their children. When they ask you, "Can Santa really see me through these walls?" – What do you reply? Our children ought to be able to know that they can trust everything we tell them without question. How else can we expect them to believe us when we tell them. . .
"The old, old story of unseen things above,of Jesus and his glory, of Jesus and his love?"

Everything the modern American pagan believes about God is capsuled in Santa Claus. He is busily engaged in a nice - though rather meaningless activities most of the year. He exists somewhere up north as a friendly old man with a long white beard. He visits his people only once a year, spending the 364 days in obscurity. A child may write him at the north pole, but the communication is strictly one way; Santa is not involved with daily living. The way for a child to be acceptable in Santa's sight is to be "good." Santa warns about the consequences of being "bad," but his word can't really be trusted. The child knows that he has now been perfect, and even though he may feel some anxiety, he remembers last year and knows that no matter what Santa says, or what the child does, in the end Santa will reward him. Santa represents a god who threatens man with hell and judgment only to keep him in line in this life, but who will accept all men in one way or the other in the end. If you teach your children the Santa Claus myth, you are unknowingly giving them material to build an un-biblical concept of the Transcendent.

Isn't it interesting that the Japanese have raised Santa Claus to the rank of a deity and given him an equal place among the seven popular gods of good luck? No wonder that a liberal Protestant churchman recently suggested that St. Nicholas could very well be the first ecumenical saint. He said that the average pagan and the ordinary Roman Catholic, as well as the Protestant, would applaud the move: "Even the Buddhists and Moslems who revere the old fellow, might take a long stride along the ecumenical way with us… He has done more to spread the teaching that 'It's better to give than to receive,' than any churchman of the past thousand years." That says it all!

But isn't the giving of gifts a lovely way to remember the birth of our Lord? Surely there is nothing un-Christian about giving to one another. But has any other aspect of Christmas become more perverted than this? "We spend money we don't have to buy gifts they don't need to impress people we don't like." What a mockery and a madness the shopping whirl has become. Could anyone seriously suggest that what does on in America around December 25th is honoring to Jesus Christ, the One who lived a life of simplicity, humility and self-denial, who taught us that "A man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth" (Luke 15:15)? Yet people who claim to be Christians spend hundreds and even thousands of dollars on their Christmasses and at the same time give little for the work of the gospel in our land or in the needy mission field. Isn't true Christian giving something that should take place year round, out of a true heart of love, and not from compulsion and with an expectation to receive in return.

What about the parties and revelry and debauchery that takes place at this time of year, supposedly in connection with the birth of Jesus Christ. Why is it what liquor flows more freely at this time of year than any other? Why is it that more automobile accidents during the "holiday season" than at any other time? We may quibble about the origins of Christmas tree and the manger scene, but one thing is certain: If you use the Incarnation of our Lord as an excuse for revelry and debauchery, you can be sure that you will reap the judgment of God. Now, the question is this: is all of this travesty surrounding the Christmas season inconsistent with "true" meaning of Christmas derived from its origin and history?

But aren't the traditions surrounding Christmas really harmless? Aren't they innocent enough? Well, are they? How does Satan most effectively tempt us? Does he set before us horrible, grotesque-looking things that repulse us? Does he jump out of a dark alley in a red suit with a tail, and wave a pitch-fork and say, "I'm the devil. I've come to deceive you, and to bring you down to hell?" Of course not. The devices of Satan are subtle: "for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light" (2 Cor 11:14). He sets before us things that seem "harmless," :innocent," "fun"-things that "everyone else is doing." Sincere Christians are often unwittingly led into idolatry through man's traditions.

3. ITS IMPLICATIONS

From this mass of material (and we've only scratched the surface), let's draw some conclusions. How is the Christian to react to the Christ-mass and all its traditions? As I see it, we have only three alternatives:

1.)We can keep trying our best to "Put Christ back in Christmas," keep on fighting the losing battle to salvage something even remotely Christian from this thoroughly pagan holiday. But then we must ask ourselves, "Am I 'putting Christ' in a pagan celebration?" We must deal with the basic question, What is "Christmas?" What is it really? Where did it start and what has it historically been?

2.)We can try to separate Christmas entirely from Christ. We can observe it as kind of a cultural folk festival, reasoning that the pagan elements are so far removed historically that the traditions have been somehow purged from their idolatry. That would be more consistent, but there is a problem: Your non-Christian friends and society still vaguely associate Christmas with the birth of Christ and assume that since you're a Christian you are joining in this celebration of Jesus' birth. Christians in primitive cultures have had this problem for years. They are urged to participate in pagan rites as a kind of cultural heritage, disassociating themselves from their idolatrous origins. But can they do that and still maintain a consistent Christian witness?

3.)The only other alternative is to forsake Christmas entirely. I'm convinced that for myself, this is the only consistent course to take. I know well the objections. I've heard them many times. "No one is completely consistent." No, of course no one is completely consistent. But that fact doesn't relieve us of the obligation to be as consistent as we can be; to obey every scriptural command that we understand. "But is that a drastic step?" Yes, it's a very drastic step; but if we are going to stem the tide of paganism in our day-or even challenge it-drastic measures are going to be necessary. "Isn't that a radical proposal?" Yes, but then again… true Christianity is a radical faith.

"But wouldn't I be considered fanatical if I took such a drastic measure?" Probably. That would be a new experience, wouldn't it? No one enjoys being considered a fanatic-if they do there's something wrong. No one enjoys persecution. But think how little persecution we face as Christians. Isn't it because we are inconsistent? Isn't there something wrong with our beliefs and practice don't disturb the world any more than they do? If we compromise at this point, why wouldn't we compromise at another, and another, and another? We Christians often wonder why we are not persecuted today. The conclusion we often reach is that we would be persecuted if we were faithful. Why doesn't the world hate us? Isn't it because we are not challenging the world's thinking at the most crucial point-the world's concept of what Christianity is? The world has substituted a folk religion for the gospel.

Martin Luther said: "If I profess with the loudest voice and the clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at that moment attacking, I am not professing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved, and to be steady on all the battle field besides, is a mere flight and disgrace if he flinches at that point."

"Wouldn't that be a very hard thing to do?" Yes, it would. No question about it, The Christmas tradition is so firmly entrenched in our society-and even in our own heart-that it would be most difficult to swim against the stream. But the question is not really, "Is it hard?" but "Is it right?" The right thing is not always easy. Christ has never promised us that following him would be easy. When our Christian lives are as easy as ours are, there is bound to be something wrong somewhere.

What then are the positive reasons we should consider scrapping Christmas altogether? The first is the reason our Protestant forefathers so carefully avoided Christmas; It was because they held the scriptures to the word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. One confession says, "The whole counsel of God, concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith and life, is either expressly set down in Scripture, or by good and necessary consequence may be deducted from scripture: unto which nothing at any time is to be added, whether by new revelations of the Spirit, or traditions of men" (Westminster Confession, I.6). "The acceptable way of worshipping the true God is instituted by himself, and so limited by his own revealed will, that he may not be worshipped according to the imaginations and devices of men, or under the suggestions of Satan, under any visible representation or in any other way not prescribed in the Holy Scripture" (XXIII.1). Jesus said to the Pharisees, "For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men,… Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition…" (Mark 7:8,13). Paul wrote to the Galatians in dismay, "Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain" (4:10,11). He wasn't condemning them for observing those institutions commanded by God, but for observing those of man's making, contrary to God's Law.

Do you think I enjoy saying these things? No one enjoys being an Ebeneezer Scrooge or the Grinch who stole Christmas. But the only real question is this: Is what I've been saying Biblical? Is it consistent with God's Word? If it's not, then you ought to disregard it. But if it is, then you ought to consider it carefully and heed it. You may course disagree with my interpretation of Scripture at this point; you may disagree with my assessment of the historical background and the present situation. I could be wrong, I am very often am. But what must you do with a message like this is what the Berean Christians did with Paul's preaching: "And searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). You must openly, honestly, and realistically evaluate the evidence for yourself and come to your own conclusions. You are not responsible to the preacher-but to God.

The Scriptures point out what is to be a stark contrast between the Christian and the world. That contrast has been largely glossed over in our day. "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." (I John 2:25). "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate" (II Cor 6:17). "An be ye not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom 12:2). Or as it could be translated: "Do not live according to the fashions of the times; you must not adopt the customs of this world; do not imitate the way the this world lives; don't let the world around you squeeze into it's own mold." The idea, is don't let the world write the agenda, don't let the world call the shots or set the standard. The Christian is in the world, but he must not be of the world. He is a citizen of another country, a stranger and a pilgrim here. He isn't keeping pace with his companions because he hears a different drummer.

What I am really questioning is whether you can have a "Christian" Christmas. The "religious" aspects are the worst part of Christmas. There is no more pointed illustration of Christmas that the contrast between cultural religion and Biblical faith. Christmas promotes an "imitation gospel" that actually keeps the world from understanding the true gospel. Christmas prevents a substitute gospel that the world can easily live with. To the world, the Christian message is simply "Love, peace, the spirit of giving, the feeling of good will." That stripped down "gospel" gives men just enough inoculation to keep them from understanding the true Gospel.

The world loves Christmas because it supports a sentimental picture of a baby in manger. Christmas keeps Jesus a baby. Jesus is misrepresented by Christmas. The Gospel is misrepresented by Christmas. Christmas is the one time an ungodly person can be religious safely. Most people like to do something religious every once in awhile to ease their conscience and convince themselves that they are really a pretty good person after all; and Christmas gives them the perfect opportunity to do that. It's perfectly safe for the most pagan person to join in on the Christmas spirit. You can have the Christmas spirit without having the Holy Spirit, without having the mind of Christ.

The very popularity of Christmas should cause the Christian to question it. Anyone and everyone can celebrate Christmas without question! Outright pagans, nominal Christians, even Buddhists can join the celebration. If in reality December 25 was a date set by God to remember the birth of Jesus, you can be very sure that the world would have nothing to do with it. After all, God has commanded the observance of one day in seven, a day when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ, the first day of the week, the Lord's day-but does the world observe it? Of course not. The world totally disregards it. Shouldn't the Christian be suspicious of a celebration in which the whole sinful world can join without qualms? There are multitudes of people who continually desecrate the Lord's Day, but somehow have a great zeal about being in Church at Christmas.

The crucial question for the believer is the Lordship of Christ: "Ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price" (I Cor 6:19,20). Are you sincerely willing to think whatever God would have you think about the whole matter? Are you willing to do whatever God would have you to do even if it meant a drastic change in your thinking or practice? It's at this point that the conflict really comes. I have heard many people say about this subject, "No, I don't want to read a book about it. No, I don't want to think about it. I am going to have my Christmas no matter what. I enjoy it, and no one is going to take it away from me" (The implication being, not even God). It's then that Christmas becomes an idol. An idol is anything that comes between you and God. Anything you refuse to give up, even at his command. General exhortations to "surrender all" don't affect us greatly; but discipleship really counts when it affects some concrete area we really care about. The real question is, can you sincerely say to God about this issue,

"Have thine own way, Lord; have thine own way.Thou art the potter, I am the clay.Mold me and make me after Thy will,While I am waiting, yielded and still"?

Article: Supplication of Beggars

2008-05-06T21:06:00.000-07:00

The Supplication of Beggars
Written to King Henry the 8th by Simon Fish (1531 A.D.)
Before his martyrdom of which precepts we can see hold true even today.
Taken from The Acts and Monuments of John Foxe Vol. IV

To the king our sovereign lord:

Most lamentably complaineth their woeful misery. Unto your highness, your poor daily beadmen, the wretched hideous monsters, on whom scarcely for horror any dare look; the foul unhappy sort of lepers and other sore people, needy, impotent, blind, lame, and sick, that live only by alms; how that their number is daily so sore increased, that all the alms of all the well disposed people of this your realm are not half enough to sustain them, but that for every restraint they die for hunger. And this most pestilent mischief is come upon your said poor beadmen, by the reason that their, in the times of your noble predecessors passed, craftily crept into this your realm, another sort, not of impotent, but of strong, puissant, and counterfeit, holy and idle beggars and vagabonds, who, since the time of their first entry, by all the craft and wiliness of Satan, are now increased under your sight, not only into a great number, but also into a kingdom.

These are not the herds, but the ravenous wolves going in herd’s clothing, devouring the flock: bishops, abbots, deacons, archdeacons, suffragans, priests, monks, canons, friars, pardoners and summers. And who is able to number this ravenous sort that (setting all labour aside) have begged so importunately, that they have gotten into their hands more than the third part of all your realm? The goodliest lordships, manors, lands, and territories are theirs. Besides this they have the tenth part of all corn, meadow pasture, grass, wood, colts, calves, lambs, pigs, geese, and chickens. Over and besides, the tenth part of every servant’s wages, the tenth part of wool, milk, honey, wax, cheese and butter: yea, and they look so narrowly upon their profits, that the poor wives must be countable to them of every tenth egg, or else she getteth not her right’s at Easter, and shall be taken as an heretic. Hereto have they their four –offering days. What money pull they on by probates of testaments, privy-tithes, and by men’s offerings to their pilgrimages, and at their first masses! Every man and child that is buried must pay somewhat for masses and dirges to be sung for him, or else they will accuse their friend’s and executers of heresy. What money they get by mortuaries, by hearing of confessions(and yet they will keep therof no counsel), by the hallowing of churches, altars, super-altars, chapels and bells, by cursing of men, and absolving them again for money! What a multitude of money gather the pardoners in a year! How much money get the summers by extortion in a year, by asciting the people to the commissary’s court, and afterwards releasing the appearance for money! Finally the infinite number of begging friars, what they get in a year!

Here if it please your grace to mark, you shall see a thing far out of joint. There are within your realm of England 52,000 parish churches

(1). And this standing, that there be but ten households in every parish, yet are there 520,000 households.. And of every of these households, hath every of the five orders of friars a penny a quarter for every order;that is, for all the five orders, five pence a quarter for every house; that is, for all the five orders, twenty pence a-year of every house. Summa, five hundred and twenty thousand quarters of angels, that is, 260,000 half angels. Summa 130,000 angels. Summa totalis, L43,333. 6s. sd. Sterling

(2). Whereof, not four hundred years passed, they had not one penny. Oh grievous and painful exactions

(3), thus yearly to be paid; from which the people of your noble predecessors, the kings of the ancient Britons, ever stood free. And this will they have, or else they will procure him that will not give it to them to be taken as an heretic. What tyrant ever oppressed the people , like this cruel and vengeable generation? What subjects shall be able to help their prince, that be after this fashion yearly polled? What good christian people can be able to succour us poor lepers, blind, sore and lame, that be thus yearly oppressed? Is it any marvel that your people so complain of poverty? Is it any marvel that the taxes, fifteenths, and subsidies, that your grace most tenderly, of great compassion, hath taken among your people, to defend them from the threatened ruin of their commonwealth, have been so slothfully, yea painfully levied, seeing almost the uttermost penny, that might have been levied, hath been gathered before yearly by this ravenous, cruel, and insatiable generation? Neither the Danes or the Saxon, in the time of the ancient Britons, should ever have been able to have brought their armies from so far hither into your land to have conquered it, if they had had at that time such a sort of idle gluttons to find a home

(4). The noble King Arthur had never been able to have carried his army to the foot of the mountains, to resist the coming down of Lucius the emperor, if such early exactions had been taken of his people. The Greeks had never been able to have so long continued at the siege of Troy , if they had had at home such an idle sort of cormorants to find. The ancient Romans had never been able to have all the whole world under their obeisance, if their people had been thus yearly oppressed. The Turk now, in your time should never have been able to get so much ground of Christendom, if he had in his empire such a sort of locusts to devour his substance. Lay then these sums to the aforesaid third part of the possessions of the realm, that ye may see whether it draw nigh unto the half of the whole substance of the realm or not; so shall ye find that it draweth far above.

Now let us then compare the number of this unkind idle sort, unto the number of the lay- people, and we shall see whether it be indifferently shifted or not, that they should have half. Compare them to the number of men, so are they not the hundredth person. Compare them to men, women and children, then are they not the four hundredth person in number. One part therefore into four hundred parts divided, were too much for them, except they did labour. What an equal burden is it, that they have half with the multitude, and are not the four hundredth person of their number? What tongue is able to tell, that ever there was any commonwealth so sore oppressed since the world first began?

And what doth all this greedy sort of sturdy, idle, holy, thieves, with these yearly exactions that they take of the people? Truly nothing, but exempt themselves from the obedience of your grace! Nothing, but translate all rule, power, lordship, authority, obedience, and dignity, from your grace unto them! Nothing but that all your subjects should fall into disobedience and rebellion against your grace, and be under them; as thay did unto your noble predecessor king John; who, because he would have punished certain traitors that has conspired with the French king to have deposed him from his crown and dignity ( among whom a clerk called Stephen, whom afterwards, against the king’s will, the pope made bishop of Canterbury, was one), interdicted his land. For the which matter your most noble realm wrongfully (alas for shame!) hath stand tributary, not unto any kind temporal prince, but unto a cruel devilish blood-supper, drunken in the blood of the saints and martyrs of Christ, ever since.

Here were a holy sort of prelates, that thus cruelly could punish such a righteous king, all his realm and succession, for doing right. Here were a charitable sort of holy men, that could thus interdict a whole realm, and pluck away the obedience of the people from their natural liege lord and king, for no other cause, but for his righteousness. Here were a blessed sort, not of meek herds, but of blood-suppers, that could set the French king upon such a righteous prince, to cause him to lose his crown and dignity, to make effusion of the blood of his people, unless this good and blessed king, of great compassion, more fearing and lamenting the shedding of the blood of his people, than the loss of his crown and dignity, against all right and conscience, had submitted himself unto them.

Oh case most horrible, that ever so noble a king, realm, and succession, should thus be made to stoop to such a sort of blood-suppers! Where was his sword, power, crown, and dignity become, whereby he might have done justice in this matter? Where was their obedience become, that should have been subject under his high power in this matter? Yea, where was the obedience of all his subjects become, that for maintenance of the commonwealth should have holpen him manfully to have resisted these blood-suppers, to the shedding of their blood? Was it not altogether by their policy translated from this good king unto them?

Yea, and what do they more? Truly, nothing but apply themselves, by all the sleights they may, to have to do with every man’s wife, every man’s daughter, and every mans maid, that licentiousness should reign over all among your subjects, that no man should know his own child; that their bastards might inherit the possessions of every man, to put the right-begotten children clear beside their inheritance, in the subversion of all estates and godly order.

(5) These be they, that by their abstaining from marriage do let the increase of the people, whereby all the realm at length, if it should be continued, should be made desert and in-habitable.

These be they that have made an hundred thousand idle whores in your realm, which would have gotten their living honestly, in the sweat of their faces, had not their superfluous riches illected them to unclean lust and idleness. These be they that corrupt the whole generation of mankind in your realm; that catch a disease of one woman, and bear it unto another,&c.&c. Yea, some one of them shall boast among his fellows, that he hath meddled with a hundred women. These be they, that when they have once drawn men’s wives to such incontinency, spend away their husbands goods; make the women to run away from their husbands; yea, run away themselves both with wife and goods, bringing both man, wife, and children, to idleness, theft, and beggary. Yea, who is able to number the great and broad bottomless ocean sea, full of evils, that this mischievous and sinful generation may lawfully bring upon us unpunished?
Where is your sword, power, crown, and dignity become, that should punish by punishment of death, even as other men are punished, the felonies, rapes, murders, and treason, committed by this sinful generation? Where is their obedience become, that should be under your high power in this matter? Where is their obedience become, that should be under your high power in this matter? Is it not altogether translated and exempt from your grace unto them? Yes, truly; what an infinite number of people might have been increased to have peopled the realm, if this sort of folk had been married like other men?

(6) What breach of matrimony is their brought in by them? Such truly was never since the world began, among the whole multitude of the heathen. Who is she that will set their hands to work, to get three pence a day, and may have least twenty pence a day for yielding to a friar, a monk, or a priest? What is he that would labour for a groat a day, and may have at least twelve-pence a day to be at the command of priest, a monk, or a friar? What a sort are their of them that marry priest’ sovereign ladies, but to cloke the priest’ incontinency, and that they may have a living of the priests themselves for their labour? How many thousand doth such lubricity bring to beggary, theft, and idleness, who should have kept their good name, and have set themselves to work, had their not been this excessive treasure of spirituality? What honest man dare take any man or woman into his service, that hath been at such a school with a spiritual man?

Oh the grievous shipwreck of the commonwealth, which in ancient time, before the coming in of these ravenous wolves, was so prosperous, that then there were but few thieves: yea, theft at that time was so rare, that Cæsar was not compelled to make penalty of death upon felony, as your grace may well perceive in his institutes. There were also at that time but few poor people, and yet they did not beg, but there was given enough unasked: for there were at that time none of these ravenous wolves to ask it from them, as it appeareth in the Acts of the Apostles. Is it any marvel though there be now laws against them? ? I am in doubt whether ye be able. Are they not stronger in your own parliament-house than yourself? What a number of bishops, abbots, and priors, are lord’s of your parliament! Are not all the learned men of your realm in fee with them, to speak in your parliament-house

(7) for them, against your crown, dignity commonwealth of your realm of few of your own learned realm excepted? What law can be made against them that may be available? Who is he(though he be grieved ever so sore) that for the murder of his ancestor, ravishment of his wife, of his daughter, robbery, trespass, maim, debt, or any other offence, dare lay it to their charge by any way of action? And if he do, then is he by and by, by their wiliness, accused of heresy, yea, they will so handle him or he pass, that except he will bear a faggot for their pleasure, he shall be excommunicated; and then be all his actions dashed.

So captive are your laws unto them, that no man whom they list to excommunicate, may be admitted to sue ant action in any of your courts. If any man in your sessions dare be so hardy to indict a priest of any such crime, he hath, or the year go out , such a yoke of heresy laid on his neck, that it maketh him wish that he had not done it. Your grace may see what a work there is in London; how the Bishop rageth for indicting of certain curates of extortion and incontinency, the last year in the wardmote quest. Had not Richard Hun commenced an action of praemunire against a priest , he had been yet alive, and no heretic at all, but an honest man. Did not divers of your noble progenitors, seeing their crown and dignity run into ruin, and be thus craftily translated into the hands of this mischievous generation, make divers statutes for the reformation thereof, among which the statute of mortmain was one, to the intent that after that time they should have no more given unto them? But what availed it? Have they not gotten into their hands more lands since, than any duke in England hath, the statute not withstanding? Yea, have they not, for all that translated into your hands, from your grace, half your kingdom thoroughly, only the name remaining to you for your ancestors sake? So you have the name, they have the profit. Yea, I fear, if I should weigh all things to the uttermost, they would also take the name unto them, and of one kingdom make twain; the spiritual kingdom, as they call it (for they will be named first). And your temporal kingdom. And which of these two kingdoms, suppose you, is like to overgrow the other, yea, to put the other clear out of memory? Truly the kingdom of the blood-suppers, for to them is givem daily out of your kingdom; and that is once given them, never cometh from them again. Such laws have they, that none of them may either give or sell anything. What law can be made so strong against them, which they, either with money, or else with other policy, will not break or set at nought? What kingdom can endure, that never giveth thus from it, and receiveth nothing again? Oh how all the substanceof your realm (your sword, power, crown, dignity, and obedience, and obedience of your people) runneth headlong into the insatiable whirlpool of these greedy gulfs, to be swallowed and devoured!

Neither have they any other colour to gather these early exactions into their hands, but that they say they pray for us to God, to deliver our souls out of the pains of purgatory; without whose prayer, they say, or at least without the pope’s pardon, we could never be delivered thence : which if it be true, then it is good reason that we give them all these things, although it were a hundred times as much. But there be many men of great literature and judgement, who, for the love they have unto the truth and unto the commonwealth, have not feared to put themselves into the greatest infamy that may be, in abjection of all the world, yea, in peril of death, to declare their opinion in this matter; which is, that there is no purgatory; but that it is a thing invented bt the covetous of the spiritualty, only to translate all the kingdoms from the princes unto them, and that there is not one word spoken of it an all holy Scripture. They say, also, that if there were a purgatory, and also if the pope with his pardons may for money deliver one soul thence, he may deliver as well without money: if he may deliver one, he may deliver a thousand: if he may deliver a thousand, he may deliver them all; and so destroy purgatory: and then he is a cruel tyrant, without all charity, if he keep them there in prison and in pain, til men give him money.

(8) Likewise say they of all the whole sort of the spiritualty, that if they will pray for no man but for them that give them money, they are tyrants, and lack charity, and suffer those souls to be punished and pained uncharitably, for lack of their prayers. This sort of folks they call heretics; these they burn; these they rage against, put to open shame, and make them bear faggots: but whether they be heretics or not, well I wot that this purgatory, and the pope’s pardons are all the cause of the translation of your kingdom so fast into their hands. Wherefore it is manifest it cannot be of Christ, for he gave more to the temporal kingdom; he himself paid tribute to Cæsar; he took nothing from him, but taught that the high powers should be always obeyed; yea he himself (although he were most free Lord of all, and innocent) was obedient unto the high powers unto death. This is the great scab why they will not let the New Testament go abroad in your mother tongue, lest men should espy that they, by their cloked hypocrisy, do translate thus fast your kingdom into their hands; that they are not obedient unto your high power; that they are cruel, unclean, unmerciful, and hypocrites; that they seek not the honour of Christ, but their own; that remission of sins is not given by the pope’s pardon, but by Christ, for the sure faith and trust that we have in him.

Here may your grace well perceive, that except you suffer their hypocrisy to be disclosed, all is like to run into their hands; and as long as it is covered, so long shall it seem to every man to be agreat impiety, not to give them. For this I am sure, your grace thinketh (as the truth is), ‘I am as good a man as my father; why may I not as well give them as much as my father did?’

(9) And of this mind, I am sure are all the lords, knights, squires, gentlemen, and yeomen in England; yea, and until it be disclosed, all your people willthink that your statute of mortmain was never made with any good conscience, seeing that it taketh away the liberty of your people, in that they may not as lawfully buy their souls out of purgatory, by giving to the spiritualty, as their predecessors did in times past.

Wherefore, if ye will eschew the ruin of your crown and dignity, let their hypocrisy be uttered, and that shall be more speedful in this matter, than all the laws that may be made, be they ever so strong; for to make a law to punish any offender, except it were more to give other men an example to beware how they commit such like offence, what should it avail? Did not Dr. Alen

(10) most presumptuously, now in your time, against all his allegiance, all that ever he could, to pull from you the knowledge of such pleas as belong unto your high courts, unto another court, in derogation of your crwon and dignity? Did not also Dr. Horsey

(11) and his complices, most heinously (as all the world knoweth) murder in prison that honest merchant Richard Hun, for that he sued your writ of præmunire against a priest that wrongfully held him in plea in a spiritual court, for a matter whereof the knowledge belongeth unto your high courts? And what punishment was there done, that any man may take example of, to beware of like offence? Truly none, but that the one paid five hundred pounds (as it is said) to the building of your star-chamber; and when that payment was once passed, the captains of his kingdom, because he fought so manfully against your crown and dignity, have heaped to him benefice upon benefice, so that he is rewarded ten times

(12) as much. The other (as it is said) paid six hundred pounds for him and his complices; which, for because that he had likewise fought so manfully against your crown and dignity, was immediately as he had obtained your most gracious pardon promoted by the captains of his kingdom, with benefice upon benefice, to the value of four times as much. Who can take example of this punishment to beware of such like offence? Who is he of their kingdom that will not rather take courage to commit like offence, seeing the promotions that fell to these men for their so offending? So weak and blunt is your sword to strike at one of the offenders of this crooked and perverse generation!

And this is by the reason that the chief instrument of your law, yea the chief of your council, and he which hath your sword in his hand, to whom also all the other instruments are obedient, is always a spiritual man, who hath ever such an inordinate love unto his own kingdom, that he will maintain that, though all the temporal kingdoms and commonwealths of the world should therefore utterly be undone. Here leave we out the greatest matter of all, lest that we, declaring such a horrible carrion of evil against the ministers of iniquity, should seem to declare the one only fault, or rather the ignorance of our best beloved minister of righteousness, which is to be hid till he may be learned, by these small enormities that we have spoken of, to know it plainly himself.

(13) But what remedy to relieve us, your poor, sick, lame, and sore beadmen? To make many hospitals for the relief of the poor people? Nay, truly. The more the worse: for ever the fat of the whole foundation hangeth on the priests’ beards. Divers of your noble predecessors, kings of this realm, have given lands to monasteries, to give a certain sum of money yearly to the poor people, whereof, for the ancienty of the time, they give never one penny. They have likewise given to them, to have a certain of masses said daily for them, whereof they say never a one. If the abbot of Westminster should sing every day as many masses for his founders, as he is bound to do by his foundation, a thousand monks were too few. Wherefore if your grace will build a sure hospital that never shall fail, to relieve us all your poor beadmen, so take from them all these things. Set these sturdy loobies abroad in the world, to get them wives of their own, to get their living with their labour in the sweat of their faces, according to the commandment of God in the 3d of Genesis; to give other idle people, by their example, occasion to go to labour.
Tie these holy idle thieves to the carts, to be whipped naked about every market-town, till they fall to labour, that they, by their importunate begging, take not away the alms that the good Christian people would give unto us, sore, impotent, miserable people, your beadmen. Then shall as well the number of our aforesaid monstrous sort, as of the profligate men and women, thieves, and idle people, decrease: then shall these great yearly exactions cease: then shall not your sword, power, crown, dignity, and obedience of your people, be translated from you: then shall you have full obedience of your people: then shall the idle people be set to work: then shall matrimony be much better kept: then shall the generation of your people be increased: then shall your commons increase in riches: then shall the gospel be preached: then shall none beg our alms from us: then shall we have enough, and more than shall suffice us: which shall be the best hospital that ever was founded for us: then shall we daily pray to God for your most noble estate long to endure.

Footnotes:

(1) Peradventure the common count of the parishes of England, among men, and in maps of the old time so went. And albeit the said parishes do not amount now, to the same rate of 52,000, yet nevertheless the number, no doubt, is great, and therefore the quarterage of the friars cannot be little, but riseth to a great penny through the realm: whereupon the scope of this man’s reason soundeth to good purpose; for although he hit not perfectly on the just sums, yet it cannot be denied, but that the friars had very much, and much more than they deserve. Again, neither can it be denied, but the more they had, the less redounded to the impotent needy beggars indeed. And what reason is it, that such valiant beggars, who may work, and yet will needs be idle, should reap any piece of the crop, who bear no burden of the harvest, but willfully do sit idle, and serve to no use necessary in the commonwealth.

(2) Admit the summa totalis came not to so much, yet it came to more that the friars deserved, who could well work, and would not; and would needs beg, and needed not; whereof read before the story of Armachanus.

(3) ‘Oh grievous,’ &c. These words, saith Master More, the souls themselves did hear even into purgatory. Belike Master More himself stood behind purgatory-door at the same time; or else how could he tell that the souls did hear him?

(4) He meaneth all this only of idle friars.

(5) If this be not true in the whole, I would the greatest part were not such.

(6) The realm of England is diminished and decayed by the number of two hundred thousand persons at feast, or else replenished with so many wanton men and women, by restraining of marriage from priests, monks, friars, nuns, colleges, hospitals, beadmen, and such like orders, within the realm of England. The increase of which number might be recovered, and the realm more peopled, and also God’s commandments better kept, if these vows of bondage were broken, and matrimony permitted free to all men.

(7) The pope’s clergy stronger in parliament that princes, as hath appeared by their cruel laws against the poor gospellers.

(8) If the pope may deliver souls out of purgatory for money, he may then as well deliver them without money, if it pleased him. Agains, if he deliver one, he can deliver a thousand; if he can deliver a thousand, he can deliver all; and so make a gaol-delivery, and clean dispatch of all purgatory, if he would: and if he will not when he may, then is there no charity in him.

(9) Master More here played the caviler, noting the author of this supplication to desire leave to rail on the whole clergy; as though the hypocrisy of the Friars could not otherwise be disclosed without railing on the whole clergy.

(10) Of Dr. Alen, the cardinal’s chancellor, read before.

(11) Of this Dr. Horsey, the bishop of London’s chancellor, read before.

(12) ‘Ten times,’ that is, ten times as much as he had in benefices before, and not as he paid to the king. And although these murderers of Hun were not recompensed with ten times, or with four times as much (which More denieth), yet can he never be able to deny the substance of the story, that is, that Hun, by these, was brought to his death; and that they, being put to their fines, were afterwards sufficiently recompensed with benefices upon benefices.

(13) More expoundeth this to mean the abuse of the sacrament of the altar.

Article: The Wealth and Prosperity Message

2008-05-06T21:04:00.000-07:00

THE WEALTH AND PROSPERITY MESSAGE.

What does the Bible say about the wealth and prosperity message? Many professing Christians today go about spreading the teaching, that if you had real faith you would be wealthy and prosperous. Does the Bible support such a teaching? The Bible is our sole authority regarding such matters. We cannot deny that God does prosper some individuals financially, but does this mean that he has more faith than one who is poor financially? If a Christian is poor because of laziness then, of course, he brings poverty upon himself as it says in 2 Thess 3:11, “For even when we where with you, this we commanded you that if any would not work, neither should he eat.” Also 1 Tim 5:8 says if we are not willing to provide for our own house, we are worse than infidels. These are strong words let us not ignore them. If we are able to provide for our families we are to do our best to do so.

Let us examine James 2: 1-8, James writes to the twelve tribes scattered abroad and to the church correcting them because they didn’t have the mind of Christ in regard to the to the respecting of persons, they were giving the richer the best seat and the poor had to sit anywhere they could find. In verse 5 is says, “Hearken my beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him.” James says it is actually the poor who are rich in faith, not that they lacked faith. This doesn’t sound like a wealth and prosperity message to me. Verse 6 says, “But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats.” Verse 7 says, “Do they not blaspheme that worthy name by which ye are called?” If we look at the wealth and prosperity message we can see that it is filled with blasphemy and blasphemers. 2 Peter 2:3 says, “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” Most of these tele-evangelists need to meditate on this scripture.

Let us look at 1 Tim 6 1-12 (Specifically verses 5-12). Verse 5 says, “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” The Bible tells us to withdraw thyself from such teachers who measure a persons godliness by the size of his pocketbook. Is this not the standard by which most are promoted within a church, not by their faith but by their riches. Verse 6 says, “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” This is the root of the matter. The truly rich are those who are content with what the Lord has provided for them, and do not covet worldly riches. Verse 8 says, “Having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” Does this sound like God is calling Christians to worldly riches? Verse 9 says, “But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in perdition.” (Damnation) Verse 11 says, “But thou O man of God flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.” Here we have a description of the true riches, the truly heavenly treasures which last for eternity.

In Matthew 6: 19-21, Jesus himself says, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where dust and moth doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.” Verse 21 says, “For where your treasure is there will your heart be also.” Also in Verse 25, “Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat and the body more than raiment.” The Bible expressly commands us not to spend all our time seeking the riches of this world, but to seek the heavenly riches. Those who seek after the riches of this world have no faith in God’s provision. As you can see when watching most tele-evangelists, what is their main focus? It is money to build up their worldly kingdom. They make merchandise of the simple and undiscerning. How often have you heard them tell you to give money to the poor and needy? No! They feel that they are among the great evangelists who are out to save the world as they drive around in their limos to their grandeur mansions from their glass cathedrals, where they pretend to serve Christ. The Bible is very clear the New Testament ministry did not promote wealth and prosperity to the world. According to the Word of God, financial security was not the focus of a Christian, but we are to seek to obey Jesus Christ no matter where he may take us. 1 John 2:15 says, “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.”

Jesus Christ writes to the church in Smyrna in Revelation 2: 9, “I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (But thou art rich.)” Were these Christians lacking in faith> No! They had the true riches. Let us contrast them to the Christians of the Laodicean church of Revelation 3:17, Jesus says to this church, “Because thou sayest, I am rich an increased with goods, and have need of nothing: and knowest not that thou art wretched miserable and poor and blind and naked.” Was this the church full of faith because of riches? I believe this is a true picture of the last apostate church which is seeking an earthly kingdom of worldly power and glory instead of the glory of God, because they think that gain is godliness. They look to the pope of Rome the great false prophet and an anti-christ, who has all the worldly pomp and glory but no true Bible faith, maybe it's their example the last days apostate church following instead of the Word of God. Rev 18:1-19

Let us close in two more scriptures in Philippians 3: 18-19. “(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping. That they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is in their belly, and whose glory is in their shame. Who mind earthly things.)” As we have searched the Scriptures we can conclude that the wealth and prosperity message is contrary to the Word if God. God will provide for our needs as he deems in necessary. We are to seek to do his will, whatever tribulation that may bring us, we need to be faithful unto death as the martyrs who where burnt at the stake for the true faith. Phil 1:29 says, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also suffer for his sake.” Lord bless!

Article: Valiant for the Truth

2008-05-06T21:02:00.000-07:00

When we think of the word "valiant", we think of bravery, courage, and valour. It reminds us of the character called Valiant for Truth in John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, who fought the battles of the Lord and had the scars of battle to prove it. This is a word found in many places in the scriptures regarding the men of faith in the Old Testament who were valiant for the truth. Joshua and Caleb were valiant men who were ready to obey God at a moments notice. Moses, who started out timid and unsure but became a mighty man of valour. We can also think of Gideon, who the angel of the Lord called "mighty man of valour" eventhough he did not know it. We also think of King David who valiantly fought Goliath, a giant of the Philistine. We could go on and on. One thing is common among these mighty men of valour was their fear of God and love for the God of Israel. We can think of the prophets Elijah, Micaiah, and Jeremiah, etc.. who spoke the truth in contrast to what was popularly spoken by the false prophets.

We need not stop at them. In the New Testament we have the apostles who started out fearful and timid, but after Pentecost became mighty men of valour. They were beaten, stoned, and put in prison. Paul, Silas and Peter were willing to speak the gospel truth in obedience to Christ eventhough it was not popular. We also think of all the disciples of Christ who were thrown to the lions or burn by the Emperors of Rome. And of the Anabaptist martyrs or the martyrs of the Inquisition who stood for the gospel truth at the expense of their own lives.

In the book of Jude verse 3, Jude writes, "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." In this verse Jude, the brother of James, says he gave all diligence. Jude was constant. He was not idle or negligent to write of the common salvation, that is, the salvation available to all men, great or small, the pure gospel message. Also, he says we should earnestly contend for the faith. To be earnest means to be zealous, intent, serious, grave. This is what we need to be regarding the faith that is available to all men and in regards to the whole word of God, this faith once delivered unto the saints.

I believe, as we have seen in the scripture, that our Lord is seeking out a people who will be valiant for the truth in the earth in these last days. Paul says in his second epistle to Timothy, his son in faith, to "Preach the word; be instant in season,out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they (the church) will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears for the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Tim 4:2-4)

Here Paul says they will heap to themselves false teachers. To heap means there will be an over abundance of false teachers. They will be everywhere. We see this in New Evangelical circles today, in the new 'self-esteem' gospel and the charismatic 'give me a tingling down my spine' gospel.

The gospels of men like Robert Schuler and his positive mental attitude gospels and other false prophets are everywhere today and indeed the church has turned from the truth to fables. Many so called "men of God" today spend most of their time undermining the Word of God. They vaunt themselves as "Higher textual critics." Believing that God has called them to correct the Bible instead of believing it and preaching it in our Authorized Version. They believe that it is their business to correct God. The Word of God was given to us to correct us in the way of salvation and truth not for us to correct God. Oh! What would God do without them to keep Him in line? Our God is seeking a people who will be valiant for the Word of God and will stand against the false prophets and devices of Satan, who are seeking to water down and destroy the Holy Scriptures.

In II Thessalonians 2:3, "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition." The son of perdition is the antichrist who will come in the last days particularly Jacob's Trouble or seven years of great tribulation. This falling away is in reference to professing Christians. There must be a great falling away amongst professing Christians. A falling away from the Holy Truth of God to fables and worldliness, where the professing church is no different from the world. As Christians today follow the fashions of this world and ungodliness, anybody with eyes to see can perceive that the outward professing church, in general, has turned from the truth of God and is trying to gain popularity in the world. As in the Laodicean Church of Revelation 3:14-22, Christ would exhort to buy gold tried in the fire (pure truth and righteousness), and white raiment (holiness of Christ). They need to anoint their eyes with salve that they may see. A great repentance is necessary if souls are to be saved in a real way, instead of "easy believism". Christ stands at the door and knocks. Will we open that door and let Him in or let Him knock as we go our own merry way? Will we be valiant for the truth or fall away with the multitude? Let us preach the clear gospel message of Christ and His redemptive work of repentance and true salvation. Paul again exhorts Timothy saying, "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" (I Timothy 4:16).

Article: The True Christian Life

2008-05-06T21:01:00.001-07:00

The Bible: God's Word

The Bible has been the guide to millions of seeking souls, who have found out that the answers of life do not lie in themselves. Many have looked at themselves honestly and have obeyed their God given conscience and admitted that they are wrong and that God is right. They have searched in vain within themselves and found no peace only hopelessness and despair and no true answers to life and have turned to the Jesus Christ of the Bible who died on the cross for our sins and rose again from the dead, to prove that he was God and had power over death to all that believe and repent and turn from their wickedness. The Bible is a book for people that want answers to lifes many problems. Jesus said in John 6:40 " And this is the will of him that sent him, that every one which seeth the Son and believeth on him may have everlasting life and I will raise him up at the last day." Also in verse 47 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life."

Being A Christian:
There are many false impressions today about what a true christian is. A Christian is a humble repentant sinner, who has realized his lost condition and his dire need of a savior, who can save and also change heart's from a Christ rejecting to a Christ loving. Romans 3:23-24 saya " For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." A Christian is saved through faith alone in Jesus Christ and his finished work on the cross as it say's in Romans 5:1 " Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

A true Christian follows only God's Word "The Bible/KJV" in all things regarding faith and practice, and rejects all else as the traditions of men, Such as infant baptism,priesthood (only priesthood of all believer's 1 Peter 2:9),confessionals, masses and the such like, and all else that is contrary to the Word of God this is the Christian mandate as spoken by Christ himself in the Gospel of John 8:31b-32"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples in deed. And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free."

A true Christian has trusted Christ alone for salvation and has been delivered from God's wrath, and become his child and has a home in heaven instead of in hell. God's Word says in I Thessalonians 1:9-10, "For they themselves show what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son form heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come." Also in Revelation 20:15, "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." Our name can be found in God's book if we obey his Gospel and trust in him completely and not in ourselves.

A true Christian walks in love towards all men, and does not return evil for evil, but good for evil as it says in Romans 12:21, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Also in the Gospel of Matthew 5:44, Jesus said, "But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use, and persecute you."

On Separation
A true Christian has been separated from the world and made different by Christ as it says in II Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." A true Christian thinks, acts and talks different because Christ comes to dwell in a true believer, and the fruits of this are seen in a changed life. A true Christian has no desire for the pleasures of this temporal world. He knows that it will pass away. A true Christian is in the world, but not of the world. Colossians 3:1-3 describes the mind of a true Christian, "If ye then be risen with Christ (in baptism and the new life), seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God." When we talk of baptism here we refer to being baptized as a believer after true conversion, which results from repentance and true faith as it says in Mark 16:16, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Salvation comes before baptism. Baptism itself can never save. Water doesn't save, only faith in Christ. But baptism is in obedience to Christ's command and it represents our death to self and our desire to walk in newness of life.

On Suffering and Rejection
A true Christian will not be loved and accepted by the world. If they are, they are not true Christians. The world, in general, will hate the fruits of a true Christian. Much damage has been done to the church and its testimony by sham professors of the faith who live in hypocrisy. As Jesus said in John 15:19, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

A true Christian can sin but this is not a daily occurence, he has been changed. Sin can result in times of temptation, and if he does fall, the Lord always makes a way of escape as it says in I John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Also in 1st John 3:8-9 "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth nt commit sin; For his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." The meaning here is that the Christian does not live a habitual life of sin, he has been delivered from sin it is no longer his master.
A true Christian is willing to suffer and be rejected by the world, and does not seek the praises of men, but the praises of God. The holy life of a true Christian is contrary to the unbelieving life of the wicked. Therefore, the world hates them because their righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ exposes their dark and wicked heart. Peter talks of this in I Peter 4:3-4, "For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you." Also in II Timothy 3:12, "Yea and all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." The true Christian life is the life of the cross of Christ, which was the place of suffering and rejection as Jesus himself said in Matthew 10:38-39, "And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

Christian Joy
Even in suffering and rejection, a true Christian has a pure joy so we can say with Paul in II Corinthians 7:4, "Great is my speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation." A true Christian joy does not come through peace or possessions in this world, but a true Christians peace is found in his abiding in Christ and knowing he has an eternal home in heaven. Peter speaks of the joy found in believing in Jesus Christ he says in I Peter 1:8-9, "Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."

Conclusion
You can know Christ too, by believing the Gospel and trusting in Christ alone for salvation, by turning form an unbelieving and sinful life, to the salvation offered by Jesus Christ. He showed his love to us by taking our judgment for us, if we will believe and trust him as it says in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish (in hell), but have everlasting life." Turn to Jesus Christ today. He wants to save you and make you a new creature. Acts 4:12 says, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

Article: The Pope Says "Submit or Else!"

2008-05-06T20:59:00.001-07:00

The papacy declares that all who will not submit to it's doctrines shall be cursed(anathema-damned to hell). The papacy is calling all separated brethren back to the "Mother Church" and is requiring submission to its doctrines or be cursed(anathema).

Here we have set forth fundamental doctrines of the papacy which the Pope is calling you to submit to. Many of the leaders of the separated brethren(Protestants) have already submitted through the ecumenical movement and have found their rightful place with the "Mother of Harlots", the papacy declares itself infallible concerning Christian doctrine and has the place of God Almighty on earth. Will you submit too?

I. DECREE CONCERNING THE EDITION AND USE OF THE SACRED BOOKS
"Further more to check unbridled spirits, it decrees that no one relying on his own judgement shall in matters of faith and morals pertaining to the edifying of Christian doctrine, distorting the Holy Scriptures in accordance with his own conceptions, presume to interpret them contrary to that sense which Holy Mother Church, to whom it belongs to judge of their true sense and interpretation, has held and holds, or even contrary to the unanimous teaching of the fathers, even though such interpretations should never at anytime be published. Those who act contrary to this shall be made known to the ordinaries and punished in accordance with the penalties prescribed by the law. (Council of Trent)(The Canons and decrees of the Council of TrentTan Books and publishers, Inc.Rockford, Illinois 61105)

In other words you can only read and interpret the Bible as they dictate and can use no personal judgement in Bible interpretation. In making such a statement the Vatican tries to take the place of the Holy Spirit. Check these scriptures which refutes this heresy! Matthew 22:29; 1 John 2:27; 2 Peter 1:19-21; Colossians 2:18; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 Corinthians 5:11-10:14; 1 John 5:21; Acts 15:20; Galatians 5:20; 1 Peter 4:3.

II. CANON ON THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHRIST
CANON #1, "If anyone denies that the most holy sacrament of the euchrist are contained truly, really and substantially, the body and blood together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ and consequently the whole Christ, but says that he is in it only as in a sign, or figure or force, let him be anathema." (cursed and damned to hell)

- Council of Trent 13th Session Supreme Pontiff Julius 2, 1551
In simpler terms, if you don't believe that the priest can call Jesus to come down from heaven into a little wafer and that when it is eaten that becomes the actual body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ and that this is a continuation of Calvary where Christ died for our sins then you are cursed." Is there salvation in such blasphemous doctrines?

What the Bible really says: Hebrews 10:10-14; Luke 22:17-20; John 6:63; 1 Corinthians 11:24-26.

III. CANONS ON THE SACRIFICE OF MASS
CANON #2, "If anyone says that by those words, "Do this in commemoration of me." Christ did not institute the apostles priests; or did not ordain that they and other priests should offer his own body and blood, let him be anathema." (cursed)

- Council of Trent 22nd session, 1562 Pope Pius IV.
In simpler terms, if you don't agree that at the time of the last supper when Jesus said "do this in remembrance of me", Christ did not ordain them priest for the sacrificing of Jesus or the eating of the wafer then you are cursed.

CANON #5, "If anyone says that it is a deception to celebrate masses in honor of saints and in order to obtain their intercession with God, as the church intends, let him be anathema." (cursed)

- Council of Trent 22nd session 1562 Pope Pius IV
In simpler terms, they are saying that if you do not believe they are murdering Jesus, this is what the priest would actually be doing by resacrificing Jesus, to gain favour with the saints to obtain their intercession. Would this actually gain favour with the saints if it were true? Christs enemies put him to death! This Canon is total blasphemy!

The Bible says: Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; Acts 7:52; Jude 4; II Peter 2.

IV. CANON ON JUSTIFICATION
CANON #24, "If anyone says that the justice received is not preserved and also not increased before God through good works, but that those works are merely the fruits and signs of justification obtained, but not the cause of its increase, let him be anathema." (cursed)

- Council of Trent 6th Session 1547.
In simpler terms, the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus on the cross was not sufficient so we need to add to it by our good works to be save. This is false!
What the Bible says: Luke 7:50; Romans 5:1-2; 10:9-10; Ephesians 2:8-10.

V. CANONS CONCERNING THE SACRAMENT OF PENANCE
CANON #3, "If anyone says that those words of the Lord and Saviour, 'Receive ye the Holy Ghost, whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them and whose sins you shall retain they are retained', are not to be understood of the power of forgiving and retaining sins in the sacrament of penance, as the Catholic church has always understood them form the beginning, but distorts them, contrary to the institution of this sacrament, as applying to the authority of preaching the Gospel, let him be anathema." (cursed)

- Council of Trent 14th Session, November 1551, Supreme Pontiff Julius the 3rd.
In other words, this gives the priest the power of forgiving or not forgiving another persons sins, this is a lie and contradicts God's Word, this power is reserved only for the Lord.

The Bible says: I John 1:7, 9; Hebrews 7:25; Ephesians 1:7.

CANON #6, "If anyone denies that sacramental confession was instituted by divine law or is necessary to salvation; or says that the manner of confessing secretly to a priest alone, which the Catholic church has always observed from the beginning and still observes, is at variance with the institution of Christ and is a human contrivance, let him be anathema." (cursed)

- Council of Trent 14th Session, November 1551, Supreme Pontiff Julius the 3rd.
In simpler terms, if you do not believe that confessing our sins to a man called priest is necessary to salvation you are cursed. This is a human contrivance!

The Bible says: Romans 10:9-10; John 3:16; I John 1:9; Romans 4:25; Galatians 5:1; Ephesians 1:7.

VI. CANON ON THE SACRAMENTS IN GENERAL
CANON #4, "If anyone says that the sacraments of the new law are not necessary for salvation but are superfluous, and that without them or without the desire of them men obtain from God through faith alone the grace of justification, though all are not necessary for each one, let him be anathema." (cursed)

- Council of Trent 7th Session celebrated on the third day of March 1547.
In simpler terms, they are saying that man is not justified by faith alone, (faith in the blood, faith in redemption purchased by Jesus Christ and faith in God's Word) but that the performance of the sacraments instituted by the papacy are necessary. Is God's Word in agreement with this?

The Bible says: Romans 1:17; 5:1,2,18; Ephesians 2:8-10; I Corithians 2:4-5; Colossians 2:8.

VII. ON THE INVOCATION, VENERATION AND RELICS OF SAINTS AND ON SACRED IMAGES
"Moreover, that the images of Christ, of the Virgin Mother of God, and of the other saints are to be placed and retained especially in the churches and that due honor and veneration is to be given them; not, however, that any divinity or virtue is believed to be in them by reason of which they are to be venerated, or that something is to be asked of them, or that trust is to be placed in images, as was done of old gentiles who placed their hope in idols; but because the honor which is shown them is referred to the prototypes which they represent, so that by means of the images which we kiss and before which we uncover the head and prostrate ourselves, we adore Christ and venerate the saints whose likeness they bear. That is what was defined by the decrees of the councils, especially of the second council of Nicaea, against the opponents of images.

- Council of Trent 25th Session which is the 9th and last under the Supreme Pontiff, Pius IV, begun on the third and closed on the fourth day of December 1563.

In simpler terms, not the idol itself has any power, but they gain favour with God by the power behind the idols, as all idolaters believed. This is idolatry plain and simple and is an abomination before the Lord.

The Bible says: Exodus 2:4; Deutoronomy 13; Acts 15:20; I Corinthians 5:11; 6:9-11; 10:14; II Corinthians 6:16; Galatians 5:20; Colossians 2:18; I Peter 4:3; I John 5:21.

VIII. MARY CO-REDEMPTRIX
"The title 'Co-Redemptrix,' which originated in the 14th century, has been widely used by Catholic bishops, theologians, and popular writers ever since. In more recent times it has been employed even in documents of the Holy See. Hence, no one should question its legitimacy."

"But more important than the title itself is its doctrinal content. What does the word 'Co-Redemptrix' mean? For some theologians, it refers to Mary's cooperation in the redemption in the sense that she knowingly and willingly gave birth to the redeemer (indirect, remote cooperation), and that she dispenses to us the fruits (graces) of the redemption already accomplished by Christ alone (technically: cooperation in the subjective redemption). The majority, however believes that, besides the two types of cooperation just mentioned, Mary also contributed to the redemption itself; i.e. to the redemptive action of Christ which was consummated on Calvary (called the objective redemption). Specifically, together with Christ (though in total subordination to him and in virtue of his power), Mary atoned or satisfied for our sins, merited every grace necessary for salvation, and joined the Savior's sacrifice on Calvary to appease the wrath of God. It was in view of this joint operation of son and mother that God was pleased to cancel our debt and take us back into his friendship broken by sin."

- Dictionary of Mary 1985 by Catholic Publishing Co., N.Y.
This is utter blasphemy from the deepest recesses of the pit of hell!
The Bible says: II Peter 1:3-4; Hebrews 7:25; 10:10-14; I Timothy 2:5; John 3:16; Romans 5:18.
Many 'Christian' leaders are afraid to expose Catholicism or are flirting wityh it. By doing so, they are telling the deceived Catholics that they can be saved through this institution, and that these doctrines are acceptable. This is a great evil that puts a large yoke on the Catholics' back, a yoke that will damn them forever. The Lord loves these Catholics and wants us, as Christians, to lift the yoke off their backs, by speaking the truth and bringing them out of Catholicism. Will you lift a finger to lift off this yoke?

Ephesians 5:11-13 says, "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Revelation 17 and 18 gives full description of Catholicism.

Revelation 18:4 says, "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins and that ye receive not of her plagues."

Revelation 17:5 says, "And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." The Catholic institution is referred to as the "Mother of Harlots." She is the mother cult, the biggest cult on the planet. It's doctrines are Babylonian with Christian titles to make it appear biblical. Many people who expose cults, expose every cult but Rome, on the contrary they call it Christian. These men are either deceived or are infiltrators to make Christians believe that the 'Mother of Harlots' is Christian. They are smokescreen for Rome. May the Lord have mercy on these men that they might repent.

Article: The Law or Grace [Which will it be?]

2008-05-06T20:57:00.000-07:00

This is an important question. I believe that the scriptures will clearly answer this question! If we put our trust in Jesus Christ alone for our salvation, the works of the law are no more necessary. We cannot trust in both for our salvation. If we put our trust in the law we make void grace. If we believe by faith we are no more followers of the law. Romans 11:6 says, "And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be by works, then it is no more grace: otherwise work is no more work." This scripture is clear that if we are justified by faith, then salvation is no more by works, but if we seek to be justified by works also we have rejected faith, we cannot have both.

A true Christian has come under a new law. This law is the law of Christ, not the old Mosaic laws. They were only designed to show man that he could never, without grace, justify himself. This was evident by Israel's continual backsliding. They could never maintain God's holy standards for any extended period of time. The apostle Paul talked of a new law. Romans 8:2 says, "For the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death." Also Paul says in Galatians 6:2, "Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." Also in I Corinthians 9:21, Paul talks of his ministry to the gentiles saying, "To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without the law." And in Romans 7:22, "For I delight in the law of God after the inward man."

PURPOSE OF THE LAW
The law had a purpose. The law was also holy and good, but the law was only temporary and its purpose was to show man his wicked sinful nature and his desperate need of grace, but if we reject God's grace we remain under the condemnation of the law. Romans 3:20-21 says, "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifest, being witnessed by the law and the prophets." If we as Christians are trying to be justified by the law, we have fallen from grace. Romans 3:28 says, "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." If we are justified by faith alone, it is vanity to try to please God by the Mosaic law also. The law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ as it clearly states in Galatians 3:24-26, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."
Paul also rebukes the Galatians because they were trying to keep the law and faith which they could not do because they were contrary one to the other, he says in Galatians 3:2-3, "This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" Also Paul says in the same chapter of Galatians in verses 11-13, "But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of thelaw, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:" Paul speaks to the Galatians that the law is not of faith. If we who claim to be in Christ seek to be justified by the law also, we show our lack of true faith.

The book of Galatians is a beautiful epistle showing the difference between the law and grace, if we entertain any doubts about the works of the law for justification we need only study this one epistle and we will see that attempting to keep the law along beside grace is utter vanity and is unprofitable. Galatians 2:21 says, "I do not frustrate the grace of God: for it righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." One question, why did Christ come? Colossians 2:14 gives a beautiful description of this, "Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross."
If we believe that we need the law also for justification then we say that Christ's atonement was not enough to pay our debt for sin, but that we need to add to his finished work. This becomes false teaching of the highest sort. Speaking of Christ in Hebrews 10:9-10 it reads, "Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Here is clearly explains that he taketh away the first, that is, the Mosaic law that he may establish the second, the new covenant of grace and of all that is taught in the New Testament. To try to return to the old law is a waste of time. It can never please God. Let us use a simple analogy. If a man was on death row condemned to death by the law without an hope and in utter despair of hope, minutes away from certain death, but at the last moment was miraculously pardoned and completely forgiven by the civil authorities. But then once freed he attempted to return because he felt that the debt had not been paid fully but must do his time on the electric chair and go back to death row. This is what happen when we attempt to return to the law.

TRUE FAITH RESULTS IN WORKS
True grace results in good works, that is to say, not the works of the law, but the works of the new law. James 2:17 says, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." The works of the Mosaic law are far different from the works of the new law. Galatians 5:22-24 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Also in Acts 2:42 when speaking of the disciples it says, "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

These are the fruits of a true Christian. If we do not have these fruits in our life we do not have the evidence of salvation for these are the works of the new law. When we come to Jesus Christ with a truly repentant heart and a sincere desire to turn from our own works and our wickedness, only then are we ready for a new life in Christ. As it says in II Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." We may not be perfected in all these areas but our desire is to be and we should be striving for it. Also, a new Christian must show love for God by loving His Holy Word as given to us in the Bible (KJV). This is our love letter from God. If we do not love Him, of course, we will not read His letter as it says in John 14:15, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." These are not the commandments of the old Levitical law but the commandments of the New Testament law, which is the law of grace.

The Mosaic Law is for the Old Testament dispensation. The New Testament if the law of Christ Jesus for this present dispensation. It is very important not to confuse the two.

The Pharisees were adamant in regards to the Mosaic Law eventhough they made up their own laws and traditions in addition to God's. The Pharisees were zealous to keep the law but rejected their own Messiah. We can also do the same if we reject God's law of grace and try to add to it for justification. Will you be a Pharisee or a blood bought child of God? The law ministered condemnation, but the grace of God through Jesus Christ brings life. As it says in II Corinthians 3:9, "For if the ministration of condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness exceed in glory." Also in verses 13 and 14, "And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same veil untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which veil is done away in Christ."

Let us walk in the liberty that we have in the Jewish Messiah, Christ Jesus, and not be brought into bondages by the Mosaic Law.

Article: The Heart of Man

2008-05-06T20:55:00.000-07:00

We live in a self-righteous generation who refuses to acknowledge sin. It is considered foolish or for the simple minded only. Man feels that he has evolved past the silly concept of sin. We have our psychologists of today who tell people that their problems are not the result of sin, but instead attempt to shift the blame, to our Mother or Father, or they might say our problems stem from a lack of self-esteem.

This present generation, I believe, is exceptional from previous generations in their attempt to reject the God of the Bible and our Lord Jesus Christ. Although, this generation is very religious, Yoga, meditation, and New Age thought have permeated this present generation. The mind set of today is very inclusive and accepting of all forms of religious thought except the narrow way of the Bible which declares that Jesus Christ is the only Mediator, the only Door, the only Saviour, and the only true God.

God declares the truth regarding the condition of man, as He revealingly states in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" God looks directly into man's heart and sees its utter depravity. God declares - who can know it? Only God can see into the heart of man. The scripture reveals the omniscience of our Lord Jesus Christ. When Christ was at the feast of the passover in John 2: 23-25, "Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man." Amazing! Only God can know all men, this testifes of Christ's deity. Jesus Christ himself declares what is in the heart of man, as in Mark 7:21-23, "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murderers, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things, come from within, and defile the man." We need only watch modern day television entertainment and all these things are glorified there and we can see what proceeds out of the heart of man.

The only answer to the condition of man's heart is given in the gospel of John 3:7, "Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again." Man needs a change of heart. first, he must see the condition of his own heart as Christ sees it and realize that he needs a spiritual rebirth. when we are born again of the Spirit of God, Christ comes to dwell within. all those who repent (turn from sin go in the opposite direction) and believe the Gospel are changed as the Scripture declares in II Corithians 5:l7, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

What a glorious experience to be born of the Spirit, to know the Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, and to walk with the living God. To let Him guide and control our lives, there really is no greater joy than to be sure of a home in heaven and to grab hold of the promises of God. To stand on a solid rock while the world is sinking into the quagmire of moral corruption. We who are born of the Spirit can say with Apostle Paul as in II Corinthians 5:8, "We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from body, and to be present with the Lord." Death for the true believer is only the entrance into the glorious of heaven, to walk the streets of the heavenly Zion, the streets of pure gold, where there is no need of the light of the sun or moon for Christ is the light thereof (Revelation 21:23). What a blessed hope the believer has to be delivered from the fires of eternal damnation, no more compassed by the guilt of sin. Romans 8:1 says, "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." Our God has cast our past sins behind His back never to be remembered again. Such a blessedness to be free from the guilt of sin. Christ must dwell in these fleshly tabernacles if we are to overcome sin and temptation. man made religion can never give what Christ can give, He alone has the answer to the sinner's misery if they will but turn to Him in humble repentance. Romans 8:9b states, "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Christ must dwell in the believer if he is to overcome sin and temptation, only then can he overcome the world.

Much of the professing church of Christ, I am referring to evangelical Christians of this generation, know not Christ but have only embraced a form of religion and have not Christ dwelling in them nor have been born of the Spirit of God but only put on a cloak of religion. They more resemble the Laodicean church as in Revelation 3;14-22. They lust after the affections of this world. These churches have grown and increased with goods but have forgotten the purity and holiness of their God. They are neither cold nor hot and Christ will spue them out of His mouth if they refuse to repent. Christ stands at their door and knocks, but they are not answering His call. They are blind leaders of the blind, leading many a soul to destruction. Their leaders are ashamed of truth. They are, as it declares in Romans 16:18, "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple."

Christ is calling. He is knocking at the door of our heart that He may enter in and sup with us. Seek Christ and you shall find Him. He is near to those with a sincere seeking heart. He is near to the humble but far from the proud. Our Father in heaven is asking mankind, religious or unbeliever - What think ye of Christ, whose Son is he?

Article: The Demas Lesson

2008-05-06T20:53:00.000-07:00

II Timothy 4:17“For Demas has forsaken me having loved this present world.”
There is a very powerful lesson to consider from these few words. A powerfully convicting one for each one of us individually and for the professing church of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The most important aspect is to examine ourselves very carefully and see if we are a “Demas”. Paul here says that Demas had forsaken him. Probably, the way was too hard, the path too difficult. The first reference to Demas is in Colossians 4:14, here it appears that Demas is laboring together with Paul, but at some point the temptation of the world drew Demas away. Demas was drawn away from the narrow way. He must have missed the comforts of this world. He went not to the work of the Lord.

When I considered this passage I asked myself, am I a Demas? Have I slowly, with the passage of time in almost imperceptible way, become a Demas without really realizing it?

It is so easy to do to slowly be deceived by our own flesh and not realize that we have become a Demas. Has our faith that hungering and thirsting for righteousness? Has it slowly waned without our fully realizing it? Have we become comfortable in the comforts of this world?

The scriptures give us some clear warnings of the dangers of this world. Let us consider in Luke 9:57-62. Here a certain man makes a profession, “Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.” The Lord warns him that if he follows Him the way will be difficult; he may not have a comfortable house to live in; he may have no place to lay his head. He said to another follow me. Christ affirms here that no earthly obligation compares with doing the will of God. Jesus puts it very bluntly, “Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God”. Set all aside to follow him. There is no higher calling than to preach the kingdom of God.:

Another said I will follow thee but he had to go home first to bid them farewell at his home. Jesus responds, “No man, having put his hand to the plough, looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Here is the heart of Demas. He looked back. He saw the way was too difficult that he might lose all earthly possessions and maybe even his own life. He probably remembered his past comforts and turned back in his heart and forsook the Lord. How much have we looked back and forsook the Lord in our hearts. In Luke 17:32, we have a verse with three words, but such powerful words. Words of warning, they cry out to us “Remember Lot’s wife.” She also turned back. She loved the pleasures of Sodom that wicked city, and judgment fell upon her. In a moment she was turned into a pillar of salt. The pleasures of Sodom had turned her heart from the Lord God. She had forsaken Him for this present world.

How much have we waned since our profession of faith? How much has the passage of time caused us to slowly leave our first love? (Revelation 2: 4-5)

Maybe we have become cold and indifferent to our redeemer who paid such a high price to purchase our redemption. Can we truly say as Paul said to the Corinthian Church, “ye are our epistle written in our hearts known and read of all men?” What do men read in us, as the famous puritan preacher Thomas Watson put it, “Surely, were there no other Bible read but the lives of some professors, we should read but little scripture there.” As the Lord Jesus said if the salt lose its saltiness it is good for nothing.

We need to remember Paul’s words to Timothy in I Timothy 6:11-12, “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; (worldly lusts) and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” And in II Timothy 2:4, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath called him to be a soldier.”

Let us remember the words of our Lord in Matthew 10:38-39, “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.”

Let us examine ourselves to see if we have deviated from the narrow path that our Lord Jesus exhorts us to walk in. The Apostle Paul chose that narrow way. He put all aside for Christ, that he might win that crown of righteousness. He sold all for that pearl of great price. We ought to follow in his steps and flee from the way of Demas, who forsook that narrow path having loved this present world. The temptations of this world are like bubble, they seem bright and pretty for a short while but very quickly evaporate.Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season. Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt Hebrews 11:25-26. Do we esteem the reproach of Christ greater riches, are we willing to be reproached for his name sake. We should not be ashamed to associate our name with the name of Jesus Christ if we truly call Him our redeemer and Lord. Luke 9:25-26 “For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angel’s.

Demas was ashamed to associate himself with the Lord Jesus Christ; he loved the treasures in Egypt more than the reproach of Christ. This present world is the symbolical Egypt or Sodom for us as believers today. We can learn from the examples of the people of faith of old, but we can also learn from the Demas’s, they are our warning we are not follow their example but instead the example of faith, without faith it is impossible to please God. As Hebrews 11:6 states, “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.” To conclude let us be the followers of the man of faith of old, and of the men of faith today, for the Lord will preserve a remnant who will walk in true faith, and will not bow their knees to Baal. Heb 10:39 says, “But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

Article: Doctrine of Seperation

2008-05-06T20:51:00.001-07:00

The doctrine of separation is one of the most neglected doctrines in the church today, but undoubtedly one of the most important, because the purity of the church is dependent upon it. It is the neglect of this doctrine that has brought the church of Christ in general to the worldly backslidden condition it is in today. Most of the professing Christian churches are blind to their condition. They go on thinking that they are vital and alive, when actually they are dead.

Christ said in Matthew 6:22-23, "The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness." This scripture is important in regards to our spiritual life. It is telling us we can be deceived into believing that we are full of light but actually we are full of darkness and if so, how great is that darkness?

In II Corinthians 6:14-18 we see a main text of scripture dealing with separation. It tells us not to be unequally yoked together with unbelievers and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols and in verse 17 we are called to come out from among them and not to touch the unclean thing.

The Old Testament also had a main theme of separation. Israel was warned many times not to join with the heathen in marriage or in faith. This was continuously Israel's downfall and it seems that the church of Christ tends to forget this message even as Israel did.

Leviticus 18:1-4 said, "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the Lord your God. After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the Lord your God."
Israel continually fell into sin by disobeying this commandment. God gave ordinances to Israel that would separate them from the heathen surrounding them that they might be a holy nation and reflect the holiness of God to all nations.

God has also called the Church to be a separate nation as in I Peter 2:9, "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:" We are to be Christ like ones living epistles of God's Word reflecting the reality of our Lord Jesus Christ in our lives, and to all people. The Church is not a nation with borders. The Church has a home in heaven as spoken in Hebrews 11:16, "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." This is the heavenly Zion as spoken in Revelation 21:1-3. This being the case, the Church is to preach the Holy Gospel to bring sinners out of Satan's clutches into God's marvellous light. The Church is not to become entangled with the affairs of this world, such as infiltrating governments. The Church's commission is to preach the Gospel. This is the cross of the Church. The governments of this world are sovereignly controlled by God and will fulfill the prophecies of Revelation. We are to be the salt of the earth by preaching the Gospel, living in righteousness, holiness and truth. This is what separates the Church from the world.

The Evangelical Churches, in general, have conformed themselves to the world instead of boldly standing on the clear Gospel, which is the bold preaching of the cross. They have assimilated the philosophies of this world especially in the areas of religious unity which we refer to as ecumenism, which is unity without truth, a rejection of doctrine which can be divisive.

The backslidden New Evangelical Churches have dressed the Cross with the garments of this world. The Cross used to be a place of repentance and humility, suffering, holiness, truth, and atonement but now it has become a place to improve our self esteem, to claim the riches of this world and the theories of psychology have been assimilated into it. The apostles and prophets preached the Word of God with power. They did not need this world's philosophies to make it acceptable or so their listeners would stop and hear.

As was said before the main reason for apostacy is lack of sound doctrine and sound Bible teaching. Many professing Christians when confronted with doctrine will say that you are legalistic and unloving or that doctrine divides. This last part is true, doctrine does divide. It divides truth form error, light form darkness. It separates the Christian form ungodly philosphies of this world. The early Church was concerned about doctrine such as in Acts 2:42, II Timothy 3:16-17, 4:2-4, Romans 6:17, to name just a few. The New Evangelical Churches have almost forgotten sound doctrine. They like to preach only that which is not divisive and that which brings unity, but in God's eyes this is not His kind of unity. God's true unity is among them that love His sayings. John 14:23-24 says, "Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."

I sincerely believe that this lack of sound doctrine is the direct result of all these new Bible perversions that have infiltrated the Church and have created doubt on the doctrines of God. In 1881, the Revised Standard Version (RSV) was brought out based on an new Greek text and since then we have gone downhill. Now there are many Bible versions. This has clearly created doubt regarding God's Word by adding and deleting scriptures and taking reverence for the Word of God away. These new versions have led us away from the old paths to a new, perverse and uncertain paths. Jeremiah 6:16 says, "Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein." We need to get back on the old paths, to the old book, the Authorized Version of Scripture (King James Version) which gives our Lord the reverence due to Him, and has power, sealed with the blood of the martyrs.

The most deadliest error as a result of a departure from the doctrine of separation is unity with the Church of Rome (Roman Catholicism), the Mother of Harlots as spoken in Revelation 17. The Gospel of Rome is not the Bible Gospel. its gospel of sacraments, indulgences, idolatry, priesthood, confessionals, etc., do not agree at all with the Holy Scriptures. Paul said in Galatians 1:8, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed." This is how Christ views the Church of Rome as "cursed" and is leading millions into hell. The early Church is full of martyrs who resisted the false gospel of Rome and paid for it with their lives, and Rome has not changed contrary to popular opinion. They say that approximately 68 million saints were martyred at the hands of Rome through the inquisition and other devices. God does not forget this. He curses this institution and warns us in Revelation 18:4, "And I heard another voice form heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." Let us turn to Christ in repentance and seek the old paths and walk therein. The return of our Lord is near, the signs are everywhere. Let us be devoted to Christ and His Word, and be separated from this world.

Article: Christian Warfare

2008-05-06T20:49:00.000-07:00

When a soul turns to Christ for salvation and becomes “born again” he receives of the wonderful grace of God as revealed in the person of our Lord Jesus Christ. He receives of all the blessings of salvation, joy, peace and the eternal truth of the living God.

But as soon as we are “born again” into the kingdom of God, it is the beginning of warfare and Christians are called to be spiritual soldiers. As soon as we come to Christ the battle begins, sometimes only a little at first. We must learn to crawl, walk, and then stand. There is a battle on and the Christian who does not have the mindset to do battle against the flesh, the world and the devil will be a defeated Christian. Some have greater levels of battle than others; nevertheless, there is a battle.

II Timothy 2: 3-5, “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.”

The Christians’ battle is not physical. We do not take up earthly weapons to fight this battle. By no means, the battle of the Christian is strictly a spiritual warfare against the flesh, the world and the devil.

II Corinthians 10: 3-6, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”
The weapons of our warfare are not carnal. I believe that the scriptures describe three areas of battle that the Christian must confront: the FLESH, the WORLD, and the DEVIL. Each one of these is tied in, to some degree, with the other.

THE FLESH AND THE MIND:
The flesh and the mind is the first major area of battle and, possibly, the most difficult.
In Romans 8: 1-14, verse 1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” When a sinner comes to Christ in true repentance and is “born again” he is delivered from the condemnation that his sins brought upon him, but through Christ we receive forgiveness. We are at that time filled with the Spirit of God and are given the power through Christ alone and the work of the Holy Spirit to overcome the flesh and its corruption. Verse 5 says, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”

Before a sinner comes to Christ his world revolves around the flesh – how he can fulfill his worldly desires and obtain the pleasures of this world or how he may exalt himself. But repentance and true faith bring about a change of heart. At this time we begin to change our focus we begin to desire to please God and to exalt him. We begin to hunger and thirst after the things of God. This is one of the first evidences of true conversion. But there is a battle on and that old man is striving to become dominant and if you neglect spiritual things, he will, most certainly, get the advantage.

Galatians 5: 16-l7 says, “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”

The old nature’s tendency is to resist the Spirit of God within us, but the Spirit of God is pressing us to war against the old nature and walk in the Spirit of God that we may be victorious.
The first and foremost way to walk in the Spirit is to fill our minds with the Word of God, the Holy Scriptures, and spend time in communion with our heavenly Father. Christians who do not fill their mind with the Word of God will be carnal.

King David said in Psalm 119: 11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” In verse 2, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.” And in verse 10, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.”

There must also be a spiritual resistance against the flesh, I mean an act of our will . I Corinthians 9: 24-27, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Paul is speaking here of a disciplined spiritual life in opposition to the sloppy worldly form of Christianity we see today, if indeed it is Christianity at all.

What we set our mind upon will determine our spiritual direction. As Paul said in Romans 8: 5, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” The Scriptures are not complicated. God gives simple instructions on victorious Christian living. The problem is with our will and obedience. It must be an act of our will to bring the mind and flesh into subjection.
Ephesians 4: 22-23 says, “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.”

Here we are to put off concerning the former conversation. This implies an act on our part. Colossians 3: 5 says, “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth”. This also speaks of bringing our members, flesh and mind, into subjection.

I have found, in my personal experience, that the memorization of Scriptures and daily communion with our God are the best ways of bringing our minds and thoughts into agreement with the mind of God. This might seem to be obvious but the matter is applying it consistently. If we claim to love our God, there should be a desire to fill our minds with God’s Word and commune with Him.

Philippians 4: 8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be an virtue, and if there be any praise, thinks on these things.”

So how do we fare in the battlefield of the flesh and mind? Are we cultivating the graces of the Spirit of God? Or are we feeding the flesh?

I John 5: 3-5, “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: And his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?”

THE WORLD
The ‘world’ is the second place of battle and is also a mighty antagonist, but if we have dealt properly with the flesh and the mind it will not seem so great an antagonist. But if we are feeding the flesh and subjecting our mind with carnal desires the world will seduce us and bring us into captivity.

How do we overcome the world? The Scriptures do not describe this world as a fun place for the Christian to dwell in but that it is full of wickedness and temptation.

I John 5:19 says, “And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.”
James 4:4 states, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

The Scriptures teach that this world is lost and walks in darkness, that the whole world lies in wickedness and is ruled over by the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:1-3).

Paul speaks to the Christians at Ephesus saying that in time past they walked according to the ways of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (Lucifer) the spirit that works in the children of disobedience; and that in time past we had our conversation (way of life) in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath.

When we turn to Christ as our Saviour, we must see ourselves as children of disobedience that we’re only living to satisfy our carnal (fleshly) desires and we are being ruled over by Lucifer. Paul speaks to the Ephesians saying that all these wicked ways were in time past when we were dead to Christ because of our trespasses and sins but this should not be the testimony of a blood bought Christian. For we have, by the grace of God, been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son and we have become new creatures in Christ (Colossians 1: 13; II Corinthians 5:17).

When unbelievers look at your conversation and lifestyle, do they say this person is different? He or she is not like us. They appear to be walking in the opposite direction that we are going. If we are not the friends of the world, it will be noticeably obvious. A light set on a hill cannot be hid (Matthew 5:14). This will cause two possible reactions from an unbeliever. Usually they will despise you because a godly lifestyle exposes the sins of the wicked. This is why Christ said if they hated me how much more shall they hate you (John 15:19). The scriptures clearly teach that broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be that go in thereat. So the most common reaction will be to despise you. But there will be some who will see a godly lifestyle and the peace that the Christian has and will begin to ask of the hope that is in you (I Peter 3:15).

This is also an evidence that we have been born again, this is the fruit of repentance. Repentance means to turn away and go in the opposite direction. Salvation is a result of faith and repentance, true repentance will result in a zeal for righteousness. This will separate us from the world. We simply cannot confess to be Christian and be a friend of the world also. As Paul said we are in the world but not of the world. True repentance has conveniently been removed from modern day preaching. This is why we have churches full of religious people who know not God. We can see this by their conversation or lifestyle. It is a product of the ‘feel good’ gospel and is a direct result of the new translations of the scriptures. We see a watered down gospel, which actually is not the true gospel. It is another gospel as Paul warned in Galatians 1:6-9 and is leading people into hell.

So the first step to truly overcome the world is to be born again with the evidence of faith and repentance. Then we must exercise ourselves in godliness by filling our minds and hearts with the Word of God, that we might know the will of God. At the time of true conversion we are filled with the Spirit of God who gives us unction and power to live holy lives. We become temples of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 1:8 says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”
The Holy Spirit is the person who works in us the will of God, who reveals Christ to us that we might believe and we through faith in Christ have become temples of the Holy Ghost (I Corinthians 6: 19). The Holy Spirit is a gift given to us upon faith in Christ. First, the Holy Spirit reveals Christ to us that we might believe, after we truly believe He indwells us.

Romans 15: 13, “Now the God of peace fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

I Corinthians 2: 12-13, “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”
Even though we have trials of our faith in the this world (I Peter 1:7) we have victory through Christ and His promises. He has given us all we need to overcome the world – redemption, the Word of God, and His Holy Spirit. Let us exercise ourselves in godliness by the power of the Holy Spirit that is given unto us. If we fall let us get up and continue on in the Lord, knowing in whom we have believed, we have a better hope that what this world has to offer.

I Corinthians 2:9, “But as it written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”

I Corinthians 15:54, “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”
This present world has nothing to offer the redeemed. We need only spend our time here faithfully serving our God, looking toward that which is eternal.

THE DEVIL
Thirdly and last of all, we have the conflict with the devil. The first and foremost way of overcoming the devil is by trusting Jesus Christ as Lord, Master and Saviour. We are then translated out of Satan’s kingdom into the kingdom of Christ. As declared in Colossians 1: 13-14 that Christ “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” This translation is the point when we are ‘born again’(John 3:3) and acquire new life in Christ. For if we have not trusted Christ according to scriptural guidelines we are still by nature children of the devil.

I John 3: 8 and 10, “He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”(Verse 10), “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.”

We know that the scriptures say that, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”(Romans 3:23). So all have sinned, therefore, all are the children of the devil. So if you are not one who has not trusted Christ for salvation God says you are a child of the devil by nature, but the good news is that Christ was manifest to destroy the works of the devil. The devil is still alive and well on planet earth. Because man rejects Christ and by his rejection serves the devil. If you are such a one then repent and turn to Christ. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God. Christ died to save sinners (Romans 5: 6-10). Be ye reconciled to God. For He would not that any should perish but that all should be saved. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”(Romans 6:23). The wages of sin is eternal separation from God in hell and then to the lake of fire (Revelation 20: 11-15). “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”(Revelation 20:15)

Once we have trusted Christ and received the free gift of eternal life we are translated from the kingdom of Satan into Christ’s kingdom. Our nature is changed. We have become the sons of God. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”
But we must never forget that we being present in body in this world dwell in Satan’s kingdom for he is referred to as the god of this world (II Corinthians 4: 3-4). Satan is the god of this world because man serves him as god by rejecting the true God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Those who have trusted Christ now are in a position to resist the devil and actually get the victory over him. The devil may attack us with his fiery darts of sinful thoughts, temptations, spiritual lethargy, but we must resist him (James 4:7). How do we resist him? First, we resist him by the Word of God. When we confess the Word of God and His promises by faith the devil cannot endure this, but must flee from those who trust in the promises of God.

We must walk by simple faith. In some new evangelical circles too much emphasis is given to Satan’s realm. I went through it myself as a new Christian and when I was involved in charismatic Pentecostal circles in years past. There is much deception there, where Christians are binding Satan or claiming to. Satan will only be bound at the end of the tribulation, but until then he cannot be bound. If he could be bound, then who is that fool who keeps on loosing him? Another deception is the praying against demonic principalities over cities. There is no scriptural mandate for this. It just sounds exciting. As long as men choose to serve sin Satan will have power over them. Let us be careful of any unscriptural emphasis on Satan’s realm.

We can resist the devil and he will flee. Where true faith and love of God is, the devil takes no pleasure, but must flee. Let us not forget Satan will use his children to persecute the children of God.

Jesus said to his disciples in Luke 10: 19, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Many use these words of our Lord to claim full authority over Satan and his minions and indeed it is true, but only as we confront it in our work for the Lord in ministering the gospel. We cannot eradicate evil from the world. That is Christ’s business at His return. He is the avenger.

There is warfare against Satan and his host and we should not be side tracked by false spiritual warfare teachings that cannot be proved. Let us simply walk by faith and resist the devil. In Ephesians 6: 10-18 Paul exhorts us to put on the whole armour of God and to be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

The armour of God consists of :
1. Loins gird about with truth
Word of God given to us. We must stand on it, for this is the truth of God revealed to man. First and foremost, we must have the truth for without it we can have no part in the rest.

2. Breastplate of righteousness
Which is Christ’s righteousness imputed to us upon salvation.

3. Our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
We must know and have faith to proclaim it. 4. Shield of faith
Which is what is necessary to please God. We must walk by faith and not by sight. This will quench Satan’s fiery darts.

5. Helmet of salvation
Which again represents our confidence in the saving grace of Christ, and our hope

6. The sword of the Spirit
The Word of God, the Holy Scriptures which if used properly is the strongest force on earth. For all the Word of God will be fulfilled. In these days we must make sure we have the true Word of God in the Authorized Version (KJV). For the devil has given many butter knives instead of swords in all the new perverted translations of the scriptures.

7. Prayer

Let us be people of prayer seeking God. For the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
In conclusion, a Christian need not fear the devil, for the Lord’s on his side. We need only humbly serve and obey until He comes again. The Lord said in Luke 18:8, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?”

When He comes will He find faith in me? This is my prayer, Lord increase my faith!

Article: A Holy Church

2008-05-06T20:46:00.000-07:00

From my own personal observations of new evangelicals, predominantly, and of most evangelicals, true holiness is not being sought after. The weakness of the flesh is one excuse that is used, that is, because we are weak in flesh we cannot attain to the standards of holiness, which are required in scripture.

Holiness is not just something that Christians strived for in days gone by. Christ demands it of His church as a reflection of our Lord, our Saviour, and redeemer. 1 Peter 1: 15-16 says, “But as ye which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in that manner of conversation because it is written, BE YE HOLY; FOR I AM HOLY.” This is no vain fanciful statement. Holiness is commanded by God to a blood-bought Christian. Certainly, we have been made holy, positionally, through our saving faith is Christ. But there is another form of holiness that can also be referred to as personal sanctification. This is why we are asked to perfect holiness, in the fear of God. In 2 Corinthians 7:1 Paul says, Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” So perfecting that holiness which has given to us freely.

It is because of Jesus Christ a Christian strives for perfection. A true love for Jesus Christ ought to generate an earnest desire for holiness to be pure, undefiled, and acceptable member of the Bride of Christ (Revelation 21:9). Even as a true and pure virgin bride keeps herself pure for her husband, that is the marriage be pure and undefiled.

Paul said we are not debtors to the flesh to live after the flesh. Paul admonishes us in Romans 8:13, “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall died: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deed of the body, ye shall live.”
The scriptures give clear instruction that we are to sanctify ourselves. The Levitical priests kept themselves pure to perform their holy work in the tabernacle of Moses, where God dwelled in the Ark of the Covenant upon the mercy seat. This example also serves for the Christians for Christ says in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God him shall God destroy; for the temple of God in holy which temple ye are.” This is a solemn warning in which we ought to take heed. Christ is in us and the Christian is part of a holy nation, a royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9). The Isrealites had God’s word written in stone, but we have it upon the tables of our heart. (2 Corinthians 3:3). We really have no excuse for living carnal lives. We have the power of the Spirit of God dwelling in us. We have had our nature changed upon the true faith in Christ, that root of sin has been destroyed by Christ. We now have the resurrection life. Romans 8:11 says, “But if the Spirit of him dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

The Christian holiness is not, “I can’t do this” or “I can’t do that” kind of holiness. On the contrary, it is a “Because I love my Savior and Redeemer so much and He has accomplished and suffered so much to obtain my redemption.” It is a “Oh how I love Him. Oh, how I want to please Him, because he first loved me and shed his blood, and his body was broken to deliver me from hell. He has forgiven me all my sins and is preparing a place for me in the glories of heaven.”

This is why we desire to walk in holiness before Him. If it is not for this reason then it is pharisaical vanity, a hypocritical self righteousness.

We need to strive to be able to say as Paul said to the Romans by the Holy Ghost in Romans 6:6, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” We may fail but this should be no hindrance to us for we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous (1John2:1)

Christ is seeking a church without spot or wrinkle, a holy church walking in the fear of God (Ephesians 5:27), a holy church that is without blemish. Then sinners will be converted when they see that Christ is real and active in his peoples lives. Only then can we be a light set on a hill that cannot be hid. “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” (1 Thessalonians 4:7) Why should not Christ expect his church to be Holy? We are exhorted to set our affections on things above not on things on the earth. The modern day professor of the Faith watches the same movies the unbelievers watch, is wrapped up in sports and their “gods”, following after their philosophies and deceptions of this world. 1 John 1:6 says, If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.”

So let us go on unto perfection, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh (Judev.23). Let us examine ourselves and repent of our lack of holiness and from worldliness lest we be cursed as the Laodicean Church in Revelation 3:16, So than because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” Sobering words indeed, but the Lord our God would desire to establish our hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints (1 Thessalonians 3:13)