Knowing if you are a true Christian is of the utmost importance because it has eternal consequences. The real Christian will go to heaven while those who are not true Christians will go to hell. A person is not a true Christian just because he has said a prayer, raised his hand, or walked an aisle. A person's own thoughts and feelings are not a sure guide. The only sure standard to determine whether one is a true Christian is the Bible, the Word of God. We will look to the Book of 1 John which deals specifically with this issue.
1 John
(1:6-7) Walks in the light, not in darkness
(1:8-9) Faces reality of sin, confesses sin, receives forgiveness
(2:3) Knows God, keeps his commandments
(2:5) Keeps God's word, love of God
(2:6) Walks in same way as Jesus
(2:10) Loves his brother, abides in light
(2:15) Does not love the world or the things of the world
(2:17) Does the will of God
(2:21) Knows the truth
(3:6) Does not keep on sinning
(3:7) Practices righteousness
(3:9) Born of God, does not make a practice of sinning
(3:13) Is hated by the world
(3:14) Loves the brothers
(3:23) Believes in Jesus Christ, love one another
(3:24) Given the Holy Spirit
(4:2) Confesses Jesus Christ has come in the flesh
(4:7) Loves, born of God, knows God
(4:13) Has the Spirit
(4:15) Confesses Jesus is the Son of God
(4:21) Loves God, loves brother
(5:1) Believes Jesus is the Christ
(5:2) Loves God, obeys his commandments
(5:4) Overcomes the world
(5:20) The Son of God has given understanding
Marks Of The True Christian
Sound doctrine
Obedience
Love
Monday, August 24, 2015
Monday, August 10, 2015
The Danger Of The Sinner's Prayer
Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (ESV)
The sinner's prayer usually consists of an admission of sin, asking for forgiveness, asking Jesus into your heart, and thanking God. A person is usually told to repeat the words of this prayer in order to be saved. After the person has said the prayer he is told he has assurance of salvation and is told never to doubt his salvation.
Has anyone ever considered that the sinner's prayer is not in the Bible? Why do we insist on it if it is not even in the Bible? Could it be that our evangelism is not Biblical? And could it be that we are getting things wrong by making our evangelism man centered? We have tried to reduce the gospel down to three easy steps or four spiritual laws. The gospel is much deeper and richer than a few easy steps.
How many times have we heard about someone who lives a worldly lifestyle but points to a time in their past when they prayed the sinner's prayer to give assurance of their salvation. The Bible never tells anyone they are saved if they have said the words of the sinner's prayer. Instead we are told to examine ourselves by God's Word to make sure of our salvation.
The sinner's prayer and our whole man centered evangelism produces many false converts. Many people are deceived into thinking they on their way to heaven when in reality they are on the road to hell. The true believer is not someone who has said some words to a prayer but the one who does the will of God.
A true believer was dead in his sins and has now been made alive by God. He has been born again or regenerated. He was dead to God and is now alive to God. If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The true Christian trusts in Christ alone for salvation. He has repented of his sins and continues a life of repentance. A true believer is characterized by living in obedience to God. The true believer still sins but his life is not characterized by sinful living.
A person is converted to Christ through the proclamation of the full gospel. It is the work of God and not the work of man. We cannot create true belief in any person, it must be done by God and his Word. God draws the person to himself and he then repents of his sin and places his faith in Christ for salvation.
Unfortunately many false converts have been assured of their salvation wrongly by others telling them they are okay because they prayed the sinners prayer. The churches are filled with people who have never been regenerated or born again because of our man centered, easy believism evangelism.
We need to know who God is and what he is like. People need to be presented with the attributes of God. Only when we understand who God is, will we understand that we are totally depraved sinners in need of a Savior.
The sinner's prayer usually consists of an admission of sin, asking for forgiveness, asking Jesus into your heart, and thanking God. A person is usually told to repeat the words of this prayer in order to be saved. After the person has said the prayer he is told he has assurance of salvation and is told never to doubt his salvation.
Has anyone ever considered that the sinner's prayer is not in the Bible? Why do we insist on it if it is not even in the Bible? Could it be that our evangelism is not Biblical? And could it be that we are getting things wrong by making our evangelism man centered? We have tried to reduce the gospel down to three easy steps or four spiritual laws. The gospel is much deeper and richer than a few easy steps.
How many times have we heard about someone who lives a worldly lifestyle but points to a time in their past when they prayed the sinner's prayer to give assurance of their salvation. The Bible never tells anyone they are saved if they have said the words of the sinner's prayer. Instead we are told to examine ourselves by God's Word to make sure of our salvation.
The sinner's prayer and our whole man centered evangelism produces many false converts. Many people are deceived into thinking they on their way to heaven when in reality they are on the road to hell. The true believer is not someone who has said some words to a prayer but the one who does the will of God.
A true believer was dead in his sins and has now been made alive by God. He has been born again or regenerated. He was dead to God and is now alive to God. If anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The true Christian trusts in Christ alone for salvation. He has repented of his sins and continues a life of repentance. A true believer is characterized by living in obedience to God. The true believer still sins but his life is not characterized by sinful living.
A person is converted to Christ through the proclamation of the full gospel. It is the work of God and not the work of man. We cannot create true belief in any person, it must be done by God and his Word. God draws the person to himself and he then repents of his sin and places his faith in Christ for salvation.
Unfortunately many false converts have been assured of their salvation wrongly by others telling them they are okay because they prayed the sinners prayer. The churches are filled with people who have never been regenerated or born again because of our man centered, easy believism evangelism.
We need to know who God is and what he is like. People need to be presented with the attributes of God. Only when we understand who God is, will we understand that we are totally depraved sinners in need of a Savior.
Monday, August 3, 2015
Your Own Personal Jesus
In modern America there are many different views of Jesus and most of them are wrong. People have a tendency to make him like themselves. In effect they create their own personal Jesus. We will look at some of the different views on the modern American landscape.
The Jesus Of The False Religions
False religions usually view Jesus as a prophet or good teacher, someone who offers good advice or provides a good example to follow. He is seen as just a man and is not the Messiah or the Son of God. The false religions deny that Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of his people. They also deny his resurrection from the dead. Jesus is not seen as Savior because people must earn their own way to heaven or something like heaven. The Jesus of the false religions is of course a false Jesus.
The Jesus Of Liberalism
Liberalism denies the supernatural, seeking to reconcile Christianity with modern secularism. It denies miracles such as the virgin birth and the resurrection. Jesus is no longer God or the Messiah. He is just a good teacher who is a good example to follow. Liberals do not emphasize the need for personal salvation but instead focus on the social gospel. They often speak of social justice which tends to mean socialism. Liberals see man as basically good and deny the doctrine of total depravity. In Liberalism there is no hell, wrath, or judgment. Liberals tell us that Christianity is life and not doctrine. They have denied the authority of Scripture and created a false Jesus.
The Jesus Of Traditional America
Traditional America tends to wrap Jesus in the American flag, making it seem as if being an American patriot and a Christian are one and the same. The Christian life becomes nothing more than living the American dream. It is about nice houses, nice families, and a life of comfort and ease. This view has tended to emphasize morality over theology. But without the Christian theology the Christian morality falls. Traditionalists tend to make the family the ultimate priority. But Jesus said he came not to bring peace but a sword and members of families will be turned against one another. This view tends not to emphasize Jesus' call for radical, costly discipleship. This view is a distortion of the real Jesus.
The Jesus Of The Prosperity Gospel
The prosperity gospel is popular among charismatics. You find prosperity preachers all over television talking about sowing the seed. Of course you must send your money to the prosperity preacher in order to activate the blessing that God is obligated to give you. If you just have enough faith health and wealth will be yours. In the prosperity gospel Jesus exists in order to give you things. It is not about holiness but instead it is about your happiness. The focus is on this world and accumulating the things of this world. It is about living your best life now. The Jesus of the prosperity gospel is also a false Jesus.
The Jesus Of Postmodern America
This group tends to be primarily composed of the millennials (those born from 1980-2000) but also includes many from other age groups. In this view Jesus is basically just a counselor or coach. You do not exist for him instead he exists for you. He is not God who makes demands and is not the Lord to whom you must submit. He is just there to help you through your problems. This Jesus just emphasizes being nice and tolerant. He will not confront people with their sin and there is no judgment, wrath, or hell to worry about. The Jesus of postmodern America is also a false Jesus.
People tend to make Jesus into their own image. They end up creating their own personal Jesus. Those looking for the real Jesus need to turn to the Bible because our view of him has eternal consequences.
The Jesus Of The False Religions
False religions usually view Jesus as a prophet or good teacher, someone who offers good advice or provides a good example to follow. He is seen as just a man and is not the Messiah or the Son of God. The false religions deny that Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of his people. They also deny his resurrection from the dead. Jesus is not seen as Savior because people must earn their own way to heaven or something like heaven. The Jesus of the false religions is of course a false Jesus.
The Jesus Of Liberalism
Liberalism denies the supernatural, seeking to reconcile Christianity with modern secularism. It denies miracles such as the virgin birth and the resurrection. Jesus is no longer God or the Messiah. He is just a good teacher who is a good example to follow. Liberals do not emphasize the need for personal salvation but instead focus on the social gospel. They often speak of social justice which tends to mean socialism. Liberals see man as basically good and deny the doctrine of total depravity. In Liberalism there is no hell, wrath, or judgment. Liberals tell us that Christianity is life and not doctrine. They have denied the authority of Scripture and created a false Jesus.
The Jesus Of Traditional America
Traditional America tends to wrap Jesus in the American flag, making it seem as if being an American patriot and a Christian are one and the same. The Christian life becomes nothing more than living the American dream. It is about nice houses, nice families, and a life of comfort and ease. This view has tended to emphasize morality over theology. But without the Christian theology the Christian morality falls. Traditionalists tend to make the family the ultimate priority. But Jesus said he came not to bring peace but a sword and members of families will be turned against one another. This view tends not to emphasize Jesus' call for radical, costly discipleship. This view is a distortion of the real Jesus.
The Jesus Of The Prosperity Gospel
The prosperity gospel is popular among charismatics. You find prosperity preachers all over television talking about sowing the seed. Of course you must send your money to the prosperity preacher in order to activate the blessing that God is obligated to give you. If you just have enough faith health and wealth will be yours. In the prosperity gospel Jesus exists in order to give you things. It is not about holiness but instead it is about your happiness. The focus is on this world and accumulating the things of this world. It is about living your best life now. The Jesus of the prosperity gospel is also a false Jesus.
The Jesus Of Postmodern America
This group tends to be primarily composed of the millennials (those born from 1980-2000) but also includes many from other age groups. In this view Jesus is basically just a counselor or coach. You do not exist for him instead he exists for you. He is not God who makes demands and is not the Lord to whom you must submit. He is just there to help you through your problems. This Jesus just emphasizes being nice and tolerant. He will not confront people with their sin and there is no judgment, wrath, or hell to worry about. The Jesus of postmodern America is also a false Jesus.
People tend to make Jesus into their own image. They end up creating their own personal Jesus. Those looking for the real Jesus need to turn to the Bible because our view of him has eternal consequences.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Bruce Jenner, ESPN, And The Secular Agenda
ESPN recently honored Bruce Jenner (Yeah, Bruce not Caitlyn) with a courage award at the ESPY'S. In actuality they honored a man for pretending to be a woman. This is an abomination to God (Deuteronomy 22:5). Jenner is a very confused person who is in rebellion against God. Bruce Jenner was created as a man and not as a woman. Jenner does not need to be applauded and celebrated, instead he needs to be helped and confronted with the reality of his sin. He needs the truth of God's Word.
Previously ESPN had pushed Michael Sam, the first openly homosexual football player to be drafted by the NFL, as part of their secular agenda. They even had to show Sam and his partner kissing. In reality Michael Sam was not that good of a football player. He was probably only drafted because he was a homosexual. ESPN and other sports media were over the top in their support for Michael Sam. Again ESPN was celebrating someone who was living a sinful lifestyle. Homosexuality is also an abomination to God (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:18-32).
ESPN basketball analyst, Chris Broussard once spoke out against homosexuality on the network. An apology from ESPN soon followed. I wonder how Broussard managed to keep his job at ESPN. In a recent telecast of ESPN's NFL pregame show, analyst Keyshawn Johnson took the Lord's name in vain. None of the panel seemed the least bit bothered by it, not even those who profess to be Christians.
Not surprisingly ESPN did not issue an apology for Johnson's remark.
ESPN is owned by Disney a very secular and liberal company. It will continue to push the secular liberal agenda. There is a distinctly anti-Christian worldview at ESPN. The ESPY'S award show has become an embarrassment. ESPN has become a promoter of sinful lifestyles, setting itself against God.
Previously ESPN had pushed Michael Sam, the first openly homosexual football player to be drafted by the NFL, as part of their secular agenda. They even had to show Sam and his partner kissing. In reality Michael Sam was not that good of a football player. He was probably only drafted because he was a homosexual. ESPN and other sports media were over the top in their support for Michael Sam. Again ESPN was celebrating someone who was living a sinful lifestyle. Homosexuality is also an abomination to God (Leviticus 18:22, Romans 1:18-32).
ESPN basketball analyst, Chris Broussard once spoke out against homosexuality on the network. An apology from ESPN soon followed. I wonder how Broussard managed to keep his job at ESPN. In a recent telecast of ESPN's NFL pregame show, analyst Keyshawn Johnson took the Lord's name in vain. None of the panel seemed the least bit bothered by it, not even those who profess to be Christians.
Not surprisingly ESPN did not issue an apology for Johnson's remark.
ESPN is owned by Disney a very secular and liberal company. It will continue to push the secular liberal agenda. There is a distinctly anti-Christian worldview at ESPN. The ESPY'S award show has become an embarrassment. ESPN has become a promoter of sinful lifestyles, setting itself against God.
Monday, July 13, 2015
Was Jesus Silent On Homosexuality?
Some people say that Jesus was silent on the issue of homosexuality because he does not mention it in the Gospels. But that is not the case.
-The entire Bible is the Word of God.
-Jesus is God.
-Therefore the entire Bible is the Word of Christ.
-The Bible says homosexuality is a sin.
-Therefore Jesus says homosexuality is a sin.
It is simply a matter of whether one considers Scripture authoritative or not.
-The entire Bible is the Word of God.
-Jesus is God.
-Therefore the entire Bible is the Word of Christ.
-The Bible says homosexuality is a sin.
-Therefore Jesus says homosexuality is a sin.
It is simply a matter of whether one considers Scripture authoritative or not.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
The End For Which God Created The World, By Jonathan Edwards
(Book Review)
The End For Which God Created The World, by Jonathan Edwards (Updated To Modern English by Jason Dollar)
Jason Dollar has done a great service for the modern reader in updating the language of this classic work of Jonathan Edwards. But even in modern English Edwards is not easy to read.
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was a pastor, theologian, and philosopher. He is considered by many to be the greatest theologian in American history. In the book Edwards asks why did God create the world? He concludes that it was created to glorify God. The purpose of everything is to glorify God. The purpose of humans is to glorify God as well. They receive their greatest benefit and ultimate good when they glorify him. Edwards makes the case for his position from reason and Scripture.
Modern people need the message that Jonathan Edwards taught. Modern man is purposeless and without direction. This book puts it all together and shows us the big picture. The modern church needs to rediscover Edwards. It needs to recapture his vision of the greatness of God and his God centered view of all things. Edwards was a brilliant, Biblical thinker. We need men like him in our day.
The End For Which God Created The World, by Jonathan Edwards (Updated To Modern English by Jason Dollar)
Jason Dollar has done a great service for the modern reader in updating the language of this classic work of Jonathan Edwards. But even in modern English Edwards is not easy to read.
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) was a pastor, theologian, and philosopher. He is considered by many to be the greatest theologian in American history. In the book Edwards asks why did God create the world? He concludes that it was created to glorify God. The purpose of everything is to glorify God. The purpose of humans is to glorify God as well. They receive their greatest benefit and ultimate good when they glorify him. Edwards makes the case for his position from reason and Scripture.
Modern people need the message that Jonathan Edwards taught. Modern man is purposeless and without direction. This book puts it all together and shows us the big picture. The modern church needs to rediscover Edwards. It needs to recapture his vision of the greatness of God and his God centered view of all things. Edwards was a brilliant, Biblical thinker. We need men like him in our day.
Monday, July 6, 2015
Tony Campolo Endorses Homosexual Marriage
Eastern University professor, Tony Campolo has recently endorsed homosexual marriage. Campolo has been a prominent member of the "Evangelical Left" for many years. In the 1990's he served as a spiritual adviser to President Bill Clinton.
Tony Campolo said that after hours of prayer he came to the decision to endorse same sex marriage. In reality Campolo did not need to spend hours in prayer about this issue. God has already told us that homosexuality is a sin. God sees it as an abomination because it is a violation of his design and creation. The Bible is very clear on the issue of homosexuality. Marriage is meant to be between one man and one woman.
It comes down to a question of Biblical authority. Campolo ends up denying the authority of the Bible as God's Word. There is no doubt on what the Bible teaches about homosexuality. It is a sin and there is no way anyone can believe the Bible and support homosexual marriage.
Tony Campolo's wife has supported same sex marriage for years. One wonders if Tony Campolo has not actually supported it himself all these years. He is terribly deceived and continues to go astray.
Tony Campolo said that after hours of prayer he came to the decision to endorse same sex marriage. In reality Campolo did not need to spend hours in prayer about this issue. God has already told us that homosexuality is a sin. God sees it as an abomination because it is a violation of his design and creation. The Bible is very clear on the issue of homosexuality. Marriage is meant to be between one man and one woman.
It comes down to a question of Biblical authority. Campolo ends up denying the authority of the Bible as God's Word. There is no doubt on what the Bible teaches about homosexuality. It is a sin and there is no way anyone can believe the Bible and support homosexual marriage.
Tony Campolo's wife has supported same sex marriage for years. One wonders if Tony Campolo has not actually supported it himself all these years. He is terribly deceived and continues to go astray.
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