People recognize many things as their ultimate authority. Things such as the Pope, tradition, human reason, feelings, personal experience, or supposed revelations. But the true ultimate authority is the Bible alone because it alone is the word of God.
(2 Peter 1:19-21) "And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit." (ESV)
For a little background we will look at (2 Peter 1:16-18). The Apostle Peter is dealing with false teachers who are denying the second coming of Christ. Here Peter refers back to the Transfiguration which was a preview of the second coming of Christ. Peter along with James and John saw Christ in his glory. Moses and Elijah appeared and they even heard God the Father affirm that this is my beloved Son with whom I am well pleased.
But then in (2 Peter 1:19) Peter refers to something more reliable and authoritative than even this great experience. He is referring to the Scripture. He tells his readers they will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place. The Scripture shines the light of truth into our dark, fallen world.
In (2 Peter 1:20) we are told no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. That means the Scripture did not have human origins. In (2 Peter 1:21) it says no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man. Men did not write their own opinions or desires. Men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. Scripture is the very word of God and the Holy Spirit is the originator and author.
This passage affirms that the Bible is the ultimate authority. The Bible is the word of God. God spoke his word through men while still retaining their personality and style. The Holy Spirit led them to write the exact words of God without error. Scripture is God's revelation to us therefore it is the supreme standard.
We need to accept this reality instead of relying on our personal experience, human reason, tradition, or some other supposed authority. We should live our lives based on the Word of God, the Bible. When there are questions we should go to the Bible as the ultimate authority.
All Scripture is breathed out by God (2 Timothy 3:16) and Scripture cannot be broken (John 10:35). The Bible is authoritative, clear, sufficient, and inerrant (without error). The Bible alone is the word of God. With the great Protestant Reformers we say Sola Scriptura (that is Scripture alone).
Wednesday, September 27, 2017
Monday, September 18, 2017
The Power Of Negative Thinking
Many modern evangelicals will be shaken by the mere thought of negative thinking. The positive thinking of Norman Vincent Peale, Robert Schuller, and Joel Osteen is definitely not Biblical. And positive, encouraging Christian radio often does not give you the entire picture. It should be noted that the Bible does not really speak in terms of positive/negative. It speaks more of right/wrong, good/evil, and righteous/unrighteous. The positive/negative category probably comes more from our own therapeutic culture. But in reality negative thinking is sometimes a good thing.
The condition of man is definitely not a positive thing. When Adam the representative of the human race sinned by disobeying God he plunged the entire human race under the sin curse. We are all born sinners (Psalm 51:5, Psalm 58:3), love darkness instead of light (John 3:19), our righteous deeds are filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9), none is righteous (Romans 3:10), all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), and we were by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3).
This is what theologians call total depravity. This does not mean we are as bad as we could possibly be, but that our entire being is effected by our sin. Because we have sinned against a holy God we face his wrath and deserve to go to hell. Because we are dead in our sins we have no desire for God and continue in disobedience.
This sure is a lot of negativity, it is most definitely not positive thinking. In fact it is downright discouraging. If we were left here we would be in total despair. But thankfully this is not the end of the matter.
But God in his great love chose to save a people for himself. He draws us to himself (John 6:44), has made us alive (Ephesians 2:5), and caused us to be born again (1 Peter 1:3). God helps those who cannot help themselves. When we are dead in our sins we are unable to respond to God. Salvation is totally the work of God. The only thing we contribute is our sin. Salvation is completely by God's grace, he is sovereign over the entire process.
All those God draws to himself respond with faith and repentance. They believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. They trust in Christ alone for salvation. Jesus lived a perfect life without sin, died on the cross to pay for the sins of his people, and was raised from the dead victorious over sin and death. Jesus takes our sin on himself and his perfect righteousness is credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
All this negative thinking actually leads us to the most positive thing of all, that is truth and reality. We realize we are all sinners in need of a Savior. We realize that Jesus is the only way to heaven. We realize our true condition as sinners who are totally unable to save ourselves. We are totally dependent on God to save us. It is by his grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And to God alone be the glory.
The condition of man is definitely not a positive thing. When Adam the representative of the human race sinned by disobeying God he plunged the entire human race under the sin curse. We are all born sinners (Psalm 51:5, Psalm 58:3), love darkness instead of light (John 3:19), our righteous deeds are filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6), the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9), none is righteous (Romans 3:10), all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), we are dead in our trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1), and we were by nature children of wrath (Ephesians 2:3).
This is what theologians call total depravity. This does not mean we are as bad as we could possibly be, but that our entire being is effected by our sin. Because we have sinned against a holy God we face his wrath and deserve to go to hell. Because we are dead in our sins we have no desire for God and continue in disobedience.
This sure is a lot of negativity, it is most definitely not positive thinking. In fact it is downright discouraging. If we were left here we would be in total despair. But thankfully this is not the end of the matter.
But God in his great love chose to save a people for himself. He draws us to himself (John 6:44), has made us alive (Ephesians 2:5), and caused us to be born again (1 Peter 1:3). God helps those who cannot help themselves. When we are dead in our sins we are unable to respond to God. Salvation is totally the work of God. The only thing we contribute is our sin. Salvation is completely by God's grace, he is sovereign over the entire process.
All those God draws to himself respond with faith and repentance. They believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. They trust in Christ alone for salvation. Jesus lived a perfect life without sin, died on the cross to pay for the sins of his people, and was raised from the dead victorious over sin and death. Jesus takes our sin on himself and his perfect righteousness is credited to us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
All this negative thinking actually leads us to the most positive thing of all, that is truth and reality. We realize we are all sinners in need of a Savior. We realize that Jesus is the only way to heaven. We realize our true condition as sinners who are totally unable to save ourselves. We are totally dependent on God to save us. It is by his grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. And to God alone be the glory.
Monday, September 4, 2017
2 Peter 3:9 (In Context)
(2 Peter 3:9) "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (ESV)
The usual interpretation of this verse by most modern evangelicals sees it as saying that it is God's will that every single person be saved. They assume the "you", "any", and "all" in this verse refers to everyone. But if this interpretation is correct then God's purpose if often thwarted by humans because many are not saved. In this view God is trying to save everyone but failing to do so.
For the correct interpretation we must look at the verse in context. The passage is actually about the Second Coming of Christ. There are scoffers expressing doubt that Christ will return. They say things just continue as they have from the beginning. Peter explains why there has been a seeming delay in the Second Coming of Christ.
With this background we now look at 2 Peter 3:9. It says the Lord is patient toward you. We must ask who "you" refers to. Who is the Apostle Peter talking to? When he speaks of the scoffers he refers to them in the third person. But when he refers to his audience he refers to them as "you" and "beloved". It is obvious that Peter is referring to a specific people. To find out who his audience is we need to look at the first verse of the letter.
(2 Peter 1:1)"Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ." (ESV)
It is obvious that Peter writes to a specific people, those who are saved, that is believers. He is not speaking to every single person. Therefore when he says the Lord is patient with you, the "you" refers to God's own people, the elect. When it says not wishing that any should perish, the "any"
refers back to the "you", which is the elect. Also when it says, but that all should reach repentance, "all" refers back to "you", that is the elect. It is God's will that all of the elect should reach repentance.
So the verse interpreted in context does not teach that it is God's will to save every single person. God does not fail to accomplish his purpose. God is waiting for all of his chosen people (the elect) to come to repentance. God's purpose is to save his elect and none of them will perish and all of them will be brought to repentance. The actual meaning of 2 Peter 3:9 is clear when we view it in context.
The usual interpretation of this verse by most modern evangelicals sees it as saying that it is God's will that every single person be saved. They assume the "you", "any", and "all" in this verse refers to everyone. But if this interpretation is correct then God's purpose if often thwarted by humans because many are not saved. In this view God is trying to save everyone but failing to do so.
For the correct interpretation we must look at the verse in context. The passage is actually about the Second Coming of Christ. There are scoffers expressing doubt that Christ will return. They say things just continue as they have from the beginning. Peter explains why there has been a seeming delay in the Second Coming of Christ.
With this background we now look at 2 Peter 3:9. It says the Lord is patient toward you. We must ask who "you" refers to. Who is the Apostle Peter talking to? When he speaks of the scoffers he refers to them in the third person. But when he refers to his audience he refers to them as "you" and "beloved". It is obvious that Peter is referring to a specific people. To find out who his audience is we need to look at the first verse of the letter.
(2 Peter 1:1)"Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ. To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ." (ESV)
It is obvious that Peter writes to a specific people, those who are saved, that is believers. He is not speaking to every single person. Therefore when he says the Lord is patient with you, the "you" refers to God's own people, the elect. When it says not wishing that any should perish, the "any"
refers back to the "you", which is the elect. Also when it says, but that all should reach repentance, "all" refers back to "you", that is the elect. It is God's will that all of the elect should reach repentance.
So the verse interpreted in context does not teach that it is God's will to save every single person. God does not fail to accomplish his purpose. God is waiting for all of his chosen people (the elect) to come to repentance. God's purpose is to save his elect and none of them will perish and all of them will be brought to repentance. The actual meaning of 2 Peter 3:9 is clear when we view it in context.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)