Not surprisingly in a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has legalized same sex marriage in all 50 states. There is nothing in the Constitution about same sex marriage and the government has no authority to redefine it. In his dissent Justice Scalia called the Court a threat to American democracy. While Justice Kennedy writing for the majority spoke of the Constitution evolving. In other words the Constitution has no set meaning and means whatever the Court decides. It is rule by nine lawyers. President Obama and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton praised the decision. Both Obama and Clinton are professing Christians, yet both deny Biblical authority.
The Bible is the Word of God. Therefore the Bible is authoritative and binding on all people. It clearly teaches that homosexuality is a sin (see Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:18-32, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 1 Timothy 1:8-11, Jude 1:7). In (Matthew 19) Jesus affirms that marriage is between one man and one woman. God considers homosexuality an abomination and unnatural. It is a violation of his design and creation. Those living the homosexual lifestyle, as well as all unrepentant sinners are on the road to hell. Marriage is defined by God and not by humans. Our society has denied the existence of absolute truth, thereby rejecting an authority outside of ourselves.
No doubt the Secular Left will object to the Biblical basis for the opposition to same sex marriage. They will accuse Christians of trying to impose their beliefs on society. Yet at the very same time they see no problem with their pro same sex marriage position being based secularism. Of course they are not imposing their beliefs on society. The Left is only tolerant of those who agree with them. The Secular Left will not stop with just the legalization of same sex marriage. Religious freedom will be in great danger. They want to eradicate Biblical Christianity from our society. They hate Christianity and see it as the real enemy.
The acceptance of homosexual marriage has been presented as a battle for equality and civil rights. They have compared being homosexual to being black. This is a terribly faulty argument. Skin color and sexual behavior are not the same at all. Black people should find this argument terribly offensive. Actually homosexuals have not been denied the right to marry. They just have to marry a member of the opposite sex because this is what marriage requires. But what about the love two homosexual people have for each other? Is it actually love that is shared between the same sex partners? Actually love has been redefined as well. Love does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth (1 Corinthians 13). Homosexuality is a sin or wrongdoing, therefore it is not actually love that is involved in the homosexual relationship, instead it is a distortion of love.
If humans define what marriage is, why can't a man have two or three wives? After all he was born with these desires. What about a man who decides he wants to marry an animal? I know the LGBT community will be offended by this one. Are they suggesting that animals and humans are not equal? Animal rights activists will not be happy to hear of this denial of equality and rights.
People are not born homosexual because God does not create them that way. The idea of same sex marriage is absurd and insane. It also opens the door to even more absurdity and insanity as I have just demonstrated. It should be common sense that a man and a woman are made to go together. While a man and a man and a woman and a woman do not go together. If everyone became a homosexual the population would die out. Of course the Secular Left might see this as an effective form of population control.
In actuality the Supreme Court ruled the way it did because this is where our society has gone. Many support the acceptance of homosexuality as normal while many others simply do not care. Our country has gone morally insane. It has redefined love, redefined marriage, rejected absolute truth, and rejected the God who is there. Our nation is in rebellion against God. It not only does evil, it even applauds and approves of those who do evil. Our country is under God's judgment and is facing his wrath.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Monday, June 22, 2015
The Chain Of Salvation
Romans 8:29-30 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. (ESV)
The word foreknew in the passage does not just refer to knowing what will happen in the future. In the Old Testament the word know referred to God's special choice of his people. The word foreknew is basically the same as the word chosen. Predestined means to determine beforehand. Those God chose he predetermined to be like Christ.
The chain that starts with foreknew continues on in the passage. Those God foreknew or chose he predestined. Those he predestined he also called. The word call refers to God's effectual call of his people through the gospel. Those who are called are also justified or declared righteous, they are made right with God.
All who hear the gospel are not justified so the calling in this passage does not refer to a general call of all people but to God's effectual call of his chosen people. The term effectual means that the desired result is brought about. The effectual call refers to God drawing his chosen people to himself. And those who are justified will be glorified. They will receive resurrection bodies on the last day and be in heaven.
The Chain
Foreknew
Predestined
Called
Justified
Glorified
The chain cannot be broken, they all go together. From this passage it should be obvious that God is not trying to save all people. He actually saves his chosen people, the elect. The outcome is never in doubt because God is sovereign even in salvation.
The word foreknew in the passage does not just refer to knowing what will happen in the future. In the Old Testament the word know referred to God's special choice of his people. The word foreknew is basically the same as the word chosen. Predestined means to determine beforehand. Those God chose he predetermined to be like Christ.
The chain that starts with foreknew continues on in the passage. Those God foreknew or chose he predestined. Those he predestined he also called. The word call refers to God's effectual call of his people through the gospel. Those who are called are also justified or declared righteous, they are made right with God.
All who hear the gospel are not justified so the calling in this passage does not refer to a general call of all people but to God's effectual call of his chosen people. The term effectual means that the desired result is brought about. The effectual call refers to God drawing his chosen people to himself. And those who are justified will be glorified. They will receive resurrection bodies on the last day and be in heaven.
The Chain
Foreknew
Predestined
Called
Justified
Glorified
The chain cannot be broken, they all go together. From this passage it should be obvious that God is not trying to save all people. He actually saves his chosen people, the elect. The outcome is never in doubt because God is sovereign even in salvation.
Monday, June 15, 2015
Do All Religions Worship The Same God?
We hear much today about interfaith alliances. There are often interfaith prayer services between people of different religions. Some believe that all religions are basically the same, all leading to the same God. But are we actually worshiping the same God or a different God? Let's take a look at some different religions and see what is the reality of the situation.
Christianity
Christianity holds to trinitarian monotheism (1 God, 3 Persons). Christians believe that God is three persons of one essence, this is not a contradiction. If we said there were three persons of one person that would be a contradiction. The trinity is comprised of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christians hold that God is infinite and personal with all three members of the trinity being equal and eternal. Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah, the one and only, unique Son of God.
Mormonism
Mormons hold to polytheism (belief in many gods). They believe that God was once a man who became God. They believe that this God had a God and that God had a God an so on. They believe that Jesus is not the one and only unique Son of God. They believe he received god-hood at his resurrection. They also believe that Mormon men may become gods themselves.
Judaism
Judaism is monotheistic believing in one God. They reject the trinity. Judaism also rejects Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. It see Rabbinical Judaism as the fulfillment of the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible instead of New Testament Christianity.
Islam
Islam is also monotheistic believing in one God, Allah. It rejects the trinity also. Allah is not a Father but instead is more like a master to slaves. Islam rejects Jesus as the Son of God believing that Allah could not have a son. Islam see Jesus as a prophet but Muhammad as the greatest prophet.
Buddhism
Buddhism holds to what is basically atheism. Buddha did not emphasize gods. In Buddhism one ceases suffering by entering into non existence or the great nothing. This pain free state is known as nirvana.
Hinduism
Hinduism has both polytheism (many gods) and pantheism (God is all, all is God). Most Hindus consider Brahman the most important god. In Hinduism one must realize his own divinity. Through breaking out of the cycle of karma and reincarnation, Hindus believe they can merge into the great oneness.
After this brief overview it should be obvious that all religions are not the same and do not worship the same God. If Christianity is true then all other religions by necessity are false because they contradict each other. Jesus cannot be God and not God. It has to be one or the other. Jesus is the only way to heaven or he is not. It should also be pointed out that in Christianity salvation is by God's grace through faith in Christ alone. It is the work of God and not man. In all other religions it is all about what you do to earn or achieve your salvation.
Christians cannot join together with people of different religions and worship with them. The one, true God, the God of the Bible will accept no rivals. He alone is worthy of worship and praise.
Christianity
Christianity holds to trinitarian monotheism (1 God, 3 Persons). Christians believe that God is three persons of one essence, this is not a contradiction. If we said there were three persons of one person that would be a contradiction. The trinity is comprised of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Christians hold that God is infinite and personal with all three members of the trinity being equal and eternal. Christians believe Jesus is the Messiah, the one and only, unique Son of God.
Mormonism
Mormons hold to polytheism (belief in many gods). They believe that God was once a man who became God. They believe that this God had a God and that God had a God an so on. They believe that Jesus is not the one and only unique Son of God. They believe he received god-hood at his resurrection. They also believe that Mormon men may become gods themselves.
Judaism
Judaism is monotheistic believing in one God. They reject the trinity. Judaism also rejects Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God. It see Rabbinical Judaism as the fulfillment of the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible instead of New Testament Christianity.
Islam
Islam is also monotheistic believing in one God, Allah. It rejects the trinity also. Allah is not a Father but instead is more like a master to slaves. Islam rejects Jesus as the Son of God believing that Allah could not have a son. Islam see Jesus as a prophet but Muhammad as the greatest prophet.
Buddhism
Buddhism holds to what is basically atheism. Buddha did not emphasize gods. In Buddhism one ceases suffering by entering into non existence or the great nothing. This pain free state is known as nirvana.
Hinduism
Hinduism has both polytheism (many gods) and pantheism (God is all, all is God). Most Hindus consider Brahman the most important god. In Hinduism one must realize his own divinity. Through breaking out of the cycle of karma and reincarnation, Hindus believe they can merge into the great oneness.
After this brief overview it should be obvious that all religions are not the same and do not worship the same God. If Christianity is true then all other religions by necessity are false because they contradict each other. Jesus cannot be God and not God. It has to be one or the other. Jesus is the only way to heaven or he is not. It should also be pointed out that in Christianity salvation is by God's grace through faith in Christ alone. It is the work of God and not man. In all other religions it is all about what you do to earn or achieve your salvation.
Christians cannot join together with people of different religions and worship with them. The one, true God, the God of the Bible will accept no rivals. He alone is worthy of worship and praise.
Monday, June 8, 2015
For Whom Did Jesus Die?
Did Jesus die for all people or for believers only? What did his death on the cross actually accomplish? Did he make salvation possible for all people or did he accomplish salvation for his people, the elect?
Most Christians today would say that Christ died for all people to make salvation possible for everyone. This position is known as unlimited atonement. Others of us who hold to limited atonement would say that Christ died for believers only, his elect, actually accomplishing their salvation.
If Christ paid for the sins of all people how could anyone still have to pay the penalty for his sins? If Christ did indeed pay for the sins of all people then this would logically lead to universalism (the doctrine that all people will eventually be saved). All orthodox Christians deny the doctrine of universalism. Those holding this position of unlimited atonement will then say that a person has to believe to make Christ's death effectual. But this runs into other problems. If this is the case then Christ's death paid for all sins except the sin of unbelief. Salvation is ultimately determined by the person and not by God, denying his sovereignty.
Those holding to unlimited atonement will have to say that Christ died to make salvation possible for all people, he did not actually accomplish salvation for anyone. If salvation is determined by man then it is no longer by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone. The unlimited atonement advocates run back into the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. It is God and man working together to accomplish salvation. If Jesus is trying to save all people then it is obvious that his mission has not been accomplished because many die in unbelief.
Actually Jesus came to save his people from their sins. He paid for the sins of believers only, his elect. The atonement was sufficient for all but efficient for the elect only. This is the doctrine of limited atonement which could be better described as definite atonement. Christ accomplished salvation for his people. He did not just make salvation possible for all people. His mission was accomplished because all that he died for will respond in repentance and faith in him. Salvation is totally the work of God, he is sovereign even in salvation. On the cross Jesus said it is finished not it is started. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone.
But wait a minute doesn't 1 Timothy 2:6 say Christ died a ransom for all? As Irenaeus (A.D. 180) said, "He came to save all, all I say who through Him are born again unto God."
All in the verse does not mean each and every person as shown by the use of the word all in many other passages.
The position of limited atonement is actually the Biblical position, as controversial as it may be. Jesus actually saves, he does not just make it possible for people to be saved. Christ accomplished his mission to save his people from their sins. As Anselm (around A.D. 1100) said, "If you die in unbelief, Christ did not die for you."
Some Key Scripture Passages
(Matthew 1:21) Jesus will save his people from their sins
(1 Timothy 1:15) Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
(Matthew 20:28) Jesus gave his life as ransom for many
(John 10:11,15) Jesus lays down his life for the sheep
(Ephesians 5:25) Jesus gave himself up for the church
(Hebrews 9:28) Christ was sacrificed once to bear the sins of many
Most Christians today would say that Christ died for all people to make salvation possible for everyone. This position is known as unlimited atonement. Others of us who hold to limited atonement would say that Christ died for believers only, his elect, actually accomplishing their salvation.
If Christ paid for the sins of all people how could anyone still have to pay the penalty for his sins? If Christ did indeed pay for the sins of all people then this would logically lead to universalism (the doctrine that all people will eventually be saved). All orthodox Christians deny the doctrine of universalism. Those holding this position of unlimited atonement will then say that a person has to believe to make Christ's death effectual. But this runs into other problems. If this is the case then Christ's death paid for all sins except the sin of unbelief. Salvation is ultimately determined by the person and not by God, denying his sovereignty.
Those holding to unlimited atonement will have to say that Christ died to make salvation possible for all people, he did not actually accomplish salvation for anyone. If salvation is determined by man then it is no longer by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone. The unlimited atonement advocates run back into the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church. It is God and man working together to accomplish salvation. If Jesus is trying to save all people then it is obvious that his mission has not been accomplished because many die in unbelief.
Actually Jesus came to save his people from their sins. He paid for the sins of believers only, his elect. The atonement was sufficient for all but efficient for the elect only. This is the doctrine of limited atonement which could be better described as definite atonement. Christ accomplished salvation for his people. He did not just make salvation possible for all people. His mission was accomplished because all that he died for will respond in repentance and faith in him. Salvation is totally the work of God, he is sovereign even in salvation. On the cross Jesus said it is finished not it is started. Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone.
But wait a minute doesn't 1 Timothy 2:6 say Christ died a ransom for all? As Irenaeus (A.D. 180) said, "He came to save all, all I say who through Him are born again unto God."
All in the verse does not mean each and every person as shown by the use of the word all in many other passages.
The position of limited atonement is actually the Biblical position, as controversial as it may be. Jesus actually saves, he does not just make it possible for people to be saved. Christ accomplished his mission to save his people from their sins. As Anselm (around A.D. 1100) said, "If you die in unbelief, Christ did not die for you."
Some Key Scripture Passages
(Matthew 1:21) Jesus will save his people from their sins
(1 Timothy 1:15) Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners
(Matthew 20:28) Jesus gave his life as ransom for many
(John 10:11,15) Jesus lays down his life for the sheep
(Ephesians 5:25) Jesus gave himself up for the church
(Hebrews 9:28) Christ was sacrificed once to bear the sins of many
Monday, June 1, 2015
The Lost Gospel
The Biblical gospel message seems to have been lost in our modern culture. Unbelievers do not seem to understand the gospel itself. If you turn to Christian television you will get and endless parade of prosperity preachers proclaiming a false gospel. The media presents Christians in the culture wars trying to impose their beliefs on others. And then there is the Roman Catholic Church with it's distorted gospel of faith and works.
Even Evangelical Christians do not seem to fully understand the gospel sometimes. They often fail to grasp the depths of our unrighteousness. Christians were not good people who have been made better but sinners who have been saved from their sins.
Unbelievers seem to view Christians as people who view themselves as good people who deserve to go to heaven. Is this at least somewhat the fault of the church for not making the gospel clear? In reality no one is righteous and all have sinned (Romans 3). Christians have been saved from their sins by Christ alone.
Salvation is totally by grace, it is undeserved and completely the work of God. At one point we were all sinners who deserved to go to hell. To get to heaven you must meet God's perfect standard of righteousness being without sin. Christ lived a perfect life without sin enabling him to be our perfect substitute. He died on the cross to pay for the sins of his people. He was raised from the dead vindicated as the Son of God and victorious over sin and death. Believers receive the righteousness of Christ and he takes our sins upon himself (2 Corinthians 5:21).
At one point we were all spiritually dead and slaves to sin. But God makes us alive, he regenerates us or makes us born again. We then respond with repentance and faith in Christ alone for salvation. Christians are changed and transformed by God.
It is the gospel of grace, totally unearned and undeserved. If people could be good enough to get to heaven or earn their way there, then Christ died for no purpose and Christianity would make no sense. All Christians were sinners who have been saved by Christ alone.
Even Evangelical Christians do not seem to fully understand the gospel sometimes. They often fail to grasp the depths of our unrighteousness. Christians were not good people who have been made better but sinners who have been saved from their sins.
Unbelievers seem to view Christians as people who view themselves as good people who deserve to go to heaven. Is this at least somewhat the fault of the church for not making the gospel clear? In reality no one is righteous and all have sinned (Romans 3). Christians have been saved from their sins by Christ alone.
Salvation is totally by grace, it is undeserved and completely the work of God. At one point we were all sinners who deserved to go to hell. To get to heaven you must meet God's perfect standard of righteousness being without sin. Christ lived a perfect life without sin enabling him to be our perfect substitute. He died on the cross to pay for the sins of his people. He was raised from the dead vindicated as the Son of God and victorious over sin and death. Believers receive the righteousness of Christ and he takes our sins upon himself (2 Corinthians 5:21).
At one point we were all spiritually dead and slaves to sin. But God makes us alive, he regenerates us or makes us born again. We then respond with repentance and faith in Christ alone for salvation. Christians are changed and transformed by God.
It is the gospel of grace, totally unearned and undeserved. If people could be good enough to get to heaven or earn their way there, then Christ died for no purpose and Christianity would make no sense. All Christians were sinners who have been saved by Christ alone.
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