Psalm 135:6

There's something to this...

"Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven, and on earth, in the seas, and all deeps.

My pastor gave me a book by Steve Lawson called "Foundations of Grace: Volume 1" subtitled "A Long Line of Godly Men."

I first heard of this book at the 2007 Shepherds Conference, and was interested in it from the very beginning. I've always loved church history, and was interested in any series that highlights the men of old and new that God has used to defend His Truth. The Lord works in wonderful and mysterious ways, and clearly He has put this book in my hand to pleasantly surprise me and warmly encourage me to pursue the doctrines of grace. I didn't know Steve Lawson wrote this specifically to show how the doctrines of grace have been the pillars of men God has used greatly since Moses.

I am ashamed to admit the doctrines of grace is something I struggle with from time to time. They seem to make sense in my mind, but what I wonder is does Holy Scripture truly teach this? Over the years I have been inundated with wildly charismatic and Armenian teaching. This has led to a swing into the other camp, and sometimes, because of my own sinfulness, I become prideful. At times I am better at spouting off what others believe than examining the doctrines myself. This book is an answer to prayer because Lawson is an expert at the exposition of Scripture.

The one saving Grace for me in this area has been careful exposition. I have yet to find someone in the Armenian camp that has come to an Armenian conclusion based on the careful exposition of Scripture. As Lawson says in the first chapter, "When the Bible is rightly exegeted, carefully expounded, and properly explained, it clearly teaches these truths, which have been identified as (the doctrines of grace)"

These doctrines are self-mortifying doctrines. They are God-glorifying doctrines in the strictest sense, and I believe that is why I am falling in love with them. No other doctrines have come closer to taking me out of this world and into the throne room of heaven itself than these, and yet I have met some who would say these doctrines present a God who cannot be worshipped, and to be perfectly honest, I agree with them. These doctrines present a God that cannot be worshipped by natural man. I believe that the Holy Spirit, as He works in us to sanctify us will patiently bring us to the realization of these truths. To be blunt, the sooner you set your fallen notions of fairness aside and embrace these truths, the easier it will become to fall out of love with world, and in love with God. Until you embrace these truths, I believe you will constantly battle against the Spirit of God at a level that was never intended for true saints. It will stunt you and weaken you, and quench the Spirit of God inside you.

There will always be a tension, and sometimes even men the Lord uses to do wonderful things fall on the wrong side. Men like John Wesley, and the present day example, Hank Hanegraaff. I haven't read a great deal of Wesley, but I believe it's safe to assume that for the most part, like Hanegraaff, he wasn't an expositor of Scripture. Wesley was an evangelist, and Hanegraaff is an apologist. I know both deny the doctrines of grace in one respect or another. Either way, God will use His people in His way. Every good Calvinist knows that, and unless the Lord leads me to further study of these men and other Armenians the Lord uses, (How I would love to see a collection like that of Lawson's highlighting the Armenian giants of the faith. I would read it cautiously, with Bible in hand, but certainly enthusiastically.) I look at men like Wesley and Hanegraaff as high-points in a man-centered system as I would look upon prideful and self-centered hyper-calvinists as low-points in a Bible-saturated and God-centered system. Regardless of the system, we are still messy creatures desperate for God's grace, which drives me even further to theses wonderful doctrines of grace.

I praise God, not for systems, but for His Word, and for the brilliant men He has raised to make His name famous, and spread His glory to the ends of the earth.

Hebrews 11

Moses: The Mighty Man of God



I have much to say as I read J.C. Ryle's explanation of Moses. Like any good exposition, it brings to light things that are clear in Scripture that you never would have seen otherwise. I found the chapter, along with all the chapter's from his book, Holiness, online. I would encourage all of you to read it because I am sure I will not do it justice.



While he makes many fascinating points about how what Moses willingly gave up for His God, there is one thing that caught my attention that caused me to stop reading in the middle of the chapter, and write about it.

This is the section that caught my attention:

Who can conceive the torrent of mockery and ridicule that Moses would have to stem, in turning away from Pharaoh’s court to join Israel? Men would tell him he was mad, foolish, weak, silly, out of his mind. He would lose his influence; he would forfeit the favor and good opinion of all among whom he had lived. But none of these things moved him. He left the court and joined the slaves!
Let us think again, what a choice this was!
There are few things more powerful than ridicule and scorn. It can do far more than open enmity and persecution. Many a man who would march up to a cannon’s mouth, or lead a forlorn hope, or storm a breach has found it impossible to face the mockery of a few companions and has flinched from the path of duty to avoid it. To be laughed at! To be made a joke of! To be jested and sneered at! To be reckoned weak and silly! To be thought a fool! There is nothing grand in all this and many, alas, cannot make up their minds to undergo it!

Isn't it true. When I read this , my mind immediately went to the brave men who stormed the beaches at Normandy, and the many brave men and women I currently serve with. Many brave souls have risked their lives in battle, defying the odds, and charging forward into seemingly certain death. Whether they live or die, we all agree, they are heroes. What they did was brave, but I am sure what Moses endured was far more difficult. On the contray, it could be argued that some of our heroes have acted so bravely to avoid exactly what Moses stood firm against, and that is ridicule and mockery.

I don't want to discredit the bravery of soldiers who fight to defend freedom, but there is a strong argument for Moses' bravery being far greater! I personally have seen strong, battle-hardened warriors who have seen the terrors of war, who have fought valiantly against the enemies of the United States, who have watched friends die in combat, but bravely continued on with the mission... completely break down because of ridicule and mockery. Never under-estimate the power of the flesh. There is no secular explanation for why Moses did what he did, yet ironically, the secular world celebrates Moses as some sort of hero, who valiantly turned his back on luxury to live among slaves. It's also important to note that the ridicule and mockery Moses received was not from his enemies, but his peers. They were men and woman he was close to, brothers, sisters, parents, and relatives. Ridicule and mockery from enemies is one thing, but what man or woman do you know can handle it from close friends!

I'm thankful for the example of Moses. I believe we need more Moses' in our world. In closing I will turn you to Hebrews 11, which explains why Moses did this, and if you would like a further exposition, I would encourage you to read the chapter from "Holiness"

Annihilationism: Nothing to be afraid of... or is it?

Matthew 10:28; Galatians 3:24-26

Let me begin by saying... it's been a while, and it's good to be back. This has been a great outlet for me. I can't even begin to tell you how incredibly impotent I feel when it comes to apologetics. I know I can often give others the impression that I have superior knowledge when it comes to God, but my ability to communicate has deceived many, including myself at times, into thinking the great truths I've conveyed to them were a result of my own insight or rationale, when they were, in fact, mostly derived from my study of men who have poured their lives into Scripture. While I am grateful for the God-given insight of these men, I certainly don't want to give anyone the impression I have been afforded the same insight. I am grateful for the things God has revealed to me, and I always pray God will reveal them to me directly from His Word before I'm inclined to believe anyone, or discredit anyone.

This is why apologetics are difficult for me. I have been challenged, recently, on how I look at a lot of things in Scripture. Thankfully, by the Grace of God, His Word has always come out on top, and the question of annihilationism is no different. I read Greg Boyd's defense of Annihilationism, and even though it is in stark contrast to everything I have been taught since I believed, I considered it. Greg Boyd has a large following, and after reading his exposition of Romans 9 I wanted to read more about his theology on other things. Now, I believe any learned believer could probably pick apart his open theistic explanation of Romans 9, but I am not quite there yet. Even though the exposition stood against everything I understand about God, and I wasn't buying it, I can see how it would be understood that way. I was intrigued, hoping I could at least get a rational, even if it's wrong, opinion about annihilationism, and that's when the wheels started coming off.

I'll let Dr. Boyd tell you what Annihilationism is, so I'm not accused of putting a "negative spin" on it: "Annihilationism is the view that whoever and whatever cannot be redeemed by God is ultimately put out of existence. Sentient beings do not suffer eternally, as the traditional view of hell teaches."

Dr. Boyd says he is strongly inclined towards this position. I cannot say this enough... I am not an apologist, nor do I want to meddle too much in the business of picking apart heresies for a couple reasons:

1. I am too susceptible to pride. I find that when I spend a good deal of time finding heresy, and trying to snuff it out, I'm the one who gets "snuffy"

2. There are WAAAAAAY smarter individuals than myself who are much better at it

But I did have to say something about annihilationsim. I emailed Greg and asked him, why would anyone be afraid of God?

Jesus said, "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

If our two choices are go to heaven or cease to exist when we die, than why would Jesus tell us to fear God who is able to destroy body and soul? It doesn't add up. I know we will be judged, and if we're found guilty we'll be thrown into the lake of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth (Matt 13:42) But how long will that last? is it just a few minutes? A couple seconds, and then we're gone? It seems the only difference between an atheist and an annihilationist is the annihilationist is at least willing to concede to a final judgement, but essentially, they're in agreement. A MUCH better argument against annihilationism can be found here, but so far, I haven't been able to find answers for my questions.

I am thankful for the testimony of the persecuted church. It would seem ridiculous that so many, like Jim Elliot and Nate Saint, among countless others (The Apostle Paul...?) would risk their lives to deliver a "message of salvation" to those who can either choose heaven or... nothing. I guess what makes it even harder to believe is the fact that is wrapped around open theism, which means it's our choice. Try to put yourself into the natural mind, and look around... why on earth would you become a Christian? There are dozens of religions that will soundly soothe your deepest needs, but certainly NOT Christianity. Remember, as mark Driscoll so eloquently put it... "We worship a Guy WHO GOT MURDERED." Murdered, killed... and what happens to many of His followers? You guessed it... killed. Paul put it plainly in Galatians... the Law leads us to Christ. We need forgiveness, we will be held accountable, and annihilationism, in my humble opinion, tears at the fabric of the Gospel Itself. So there it is... my first blog in a long time. It's good to be back.

Remember the Martyr

I don't have any particular verse I plan on expositing, but I do strongly recommend every faithful believer of our lord read J C Ryle's essay on Christian zeal. It is beautiful and convicting. My prayer of late is to desire nothing but our Lord. While I was thinking about this this morning, it dawned on me how privelidged we are. We have direct access to works by faithful saints, and are so very blessed by men like John Macarthur, John Piper, and even past saints like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, William Carey, Charles Spurgeon, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and many others who we owe so much to our understanding and appreciation of God. While these faithful men have been lifted up for good cause in our world, and certainly aren't short of appreciation, (be praying for them, because that's difficult for any person to endure) My true hero is the faithful Christian who is living in exile because of their faith. It's the one who perhaps has never heard of any of the aforementioned men. The one who perhaps couldn't find a western country on the map, but whose dedication to our Lord will be tried and true to the fullest. They are saints who are living, and sometimes dying proof that it is in fact the Spirit of the Living God that sustains us.

When I read stories that are on websites like this I can't help but think our Lord has given us the privilege of living with access to all of this information for a reason. Azieb Simon, she is my hero. And I believe men and women like her deserve just as much praise an adoration we pour into the faithful men whom God has gifted to open up our souls to His Truth. God bless Azieb and everyone else at that prison. May He give them strength to place their faith in a merciful God who is just, and will let no sin go unpunished. (proverbs 11:21)

Matthew 18:15

"If a brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother."

I've been thinking about this a bit lately, at least enough to warrant a blog about it. Lately things have taken place in an area of my life where, how do you say... I was "offended," or as some "Christians" may say, I was "sinned against." I thought about it, prayed about, wrestled with it, sought counsel about it, and all those other things you're supposed to do.

Then it dawned on me... what part of me was so offeneded? It was my pride. I was angry, because I felt as if I was being misrepresented. I didn't want people to believe the things that other people were saying about me, and for what? To look good? "Oh no," I said to myself, "so Christ will look good." I don't want to go into detail about the situation. Not because I want to keep it confidential, but because I'd don't think it's important. As I hashed out in my brain how, when, or even if I would approach the involved parties, it dawned on me... to what end? What was the purpose? Once my mind sat there for some time, it wasn't long to discover how involved my flesh was in the process of "reconciliation." The only thing I was interested in reconciling was my own reputation. Not only that, I'm not even fully convinced all that was said about me is a lie. A bit unnecessary, perhaps, ungodly... most definitely, but why would I kick Matthew 18 into gear?

Which brings me to the exposition... why, how, or when would anyone implement the principles found in Matthew 18? Verse 15 tells us... you have gained your brother." As much as my flesh would love to have the verse say, "Your reputation is restored" I had to swallow my pride, and find out whether bringing it up would serve God's purpose or not, and that is the salvation of their souls. Paul gives us specific instructions on how to deal with a believer who is sinning in Galatians 6:1. he even warns the "one who is spiritual" To "be careful, lest they, too, also be tempted." I love that verse. Instead of typing it out, I say you go read it for yourself. For the longest time, I thought Paul wanted us to dive into the trenches to pull them out of sin, and the temptation would be for us to start living life the same way they did... but no. The temptation is for us to come at them with any attitude other than a "spirit of meekness." How often do we want to sit people down, point our fingers in their face, open up the good book, and "hit em with the Word." I've struggled with this, it's true, but isn't it possible to say the same thing with different attitudes? Especially when it comes to professing believers. I don't recall anything in scripture that suggests we "run out of patience, get so fed up with someone's attitude or actions, that we just blow up and say what's on our minds." That seems a lot more like how the world deals with situations. Contrary to what some people seem to believe, the Bible has a lot to say about a Christian's attitude concerning conflict, and to be perfectly honest, it couldn't possibly be more self-defacing.

That's why I say don't be afraid to be a doormat. Christ doesn't need our ideas of how we can make him look good, nor does He need us to be liked or accepted for Him to be exhaulted. If possible, we should live peaceably with all men, but remember who we aim to please. Not men, not ourselves, but Christ. This post was just a really long way of saying ladies and gentlemen, when you feel that storm well up in the pit of your stomach, and the Biblical connections are made in your mind about why everything you are hearing and seeing desecrates Christ and His Word, remember you, too, were once dead in your trespasses, (Eph 2) then take time to pray, and consider why you would say anything at all.

I'll leave you with the wise (and inspired) words of Paul...

"And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God."

I Peter 1:23-25

First and foremost, it's been a little while since I posted, and I miss it dearly. I've been a bit sporadic in my postings lately, and I intend to change that. I write because I love it. It edifies me to write because it's simply a reflection of what I have learned. I want to be a conduit through which the Lord speaks, nothing more, and this blog is my opportunity to do exactly that. So today, I look at I Peter 1:23-25. This was influenced by the message John Piper preached last Sunday, but it is mainly an illumination of the text.

"Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and abiding Word of God. For

'all flesh is like grass, and all it's glory like the flower of grass. The glass whithers, the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord remains forever.' (Isaiah 40:6,8)

And this Word is the good news that was preached to you."

This is an absolutely amazing passage. How are we born again? By the imperishable, meaning never fading, always perfect, always pure, but more directly, always fresh Word of God. We get it, it's how we're born, but what is the Word? The Word is the Gospel. It's so simple, it's almost ridiculous.

We have this message, it's called the gospel, and when people hear this message, God saves them.

Is that too simple to understand? An obvious question would be, "if that's how it works, than why isn't everyone who hears the message saved?" Human wisdom suggests perhaps they didn't quite explain it right. If God's gospel is supposed to be so simple, why doesn't everybody get it? If faith comes by hearing the Word of God, as Paul says in Romans, and the Word of God is the Gospel, than why are parents praying for decades that God will save their wayward sons and daughters? Why can't the sincere and heartfelt plea with a stranger to repent of their sins and put their faith and trust in Christ immediately cause them to drop to their knees, mourn over their sin, and leap for joy at the understanding of the news they just heard? After all, the Bible says it is that simple.

Well, Paul gives us an answer. He says in 2 Cor 4 that God has veiled the Gospel to those who are perishing. We don't know why God has done this, more specifically, why some hear the Gospel and receive Christ with gladness, and why others go to their grave rejecting Christ. We only know it happens. So for those of us who have "received with meekness the implanted Word," What are we supposed to do? Thankfully Peter makes that clear:

"But You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own posession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

I take great joy in telling others what it is like to live in the light. When you put on the Lord Jesus Christ, your life changes, and soon you begin to see what a marvelous blessing He is, even on top of the salvation. Christ has created us, so only He knows what suits us best if we would just listen and obey Him.

Matthew 16:24, Luke 18:18-30

Where is Christ on your List?

It's a fair question, but no one really wants to think about it. Steve Lawson said something that really struck a chord with me, and let me emphasize how harmonious the sound in my heart was. What he said was about half way through a promo video for Resolved 2008. He said:

"One must love Him more than anyone or anything else in life. There can be no competing affections, there can be no competing allegiances, Jesus Christ must be number one in your life, or you cannot get in line, and follow after Christ."

This is a striking statement, especially if it's true, and biblically, it can't be argued against. Instead of going into a biblical defense of that statement, I instead would encourage you to search the scriptures, and see if you come up with something different.

Can you imagine what would happen if this is what was preached consistently from the pulpit of our churches? What an impact that would have if people could hear that, and finally be forced to make a choice between not just the sin they love, but anything above Christ. Would it be unloving to suggest to someone who openly confesses without penitence that although they trust in Christ, there are more important things in life? I would say there couldn't possibly be something more loving.

Whatever you treasure, your God is calling you to something so much greater... Himself.

2 Corinthians 4:7

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels..."



Part of the reason I haven't spent much time here is because I'm trying to minimize myself. This passage is among the most beautiful in the New Testament. I took the liberty of studying the Greek, and I noticed some emphasis to the word "earthen" is added to mean "frail." Think about that for just a second: "We", meaning all of us, believers, those who are saved... "have" Something in our possession, something that belongs to us, or (in the Greek) something we wear, or something that is a part of us, "this treasure" that word is actually referring to the container, not the item. a "treasure" is something that holds something of value. In this context, our body is "the treasure." That is new to me, so I would really have to think about what that exactly means. My first inclination is earthen is describing the kind of treasure we are, as the vessel, which brings me to "earthen." Earthen, or clay, is frail, and barely useable. I used to believe this was referring to filthy toilets, comparing our worth to the treasure we hold, but it's clearer that what this refers to, especially in the context of the passage, is our own frailty. what is valuable is what we hold, not what the container looks like, or how the container is presented. Our culture has become obsessed with packaging, so much, in fact, that many companies make millions by simply altering the way an item is packaged, and reselling it as the latest and greatest. Any successful marketing firm will tell you that packaging is what sells a product, and unfortunately, many evangelical churches have adopted this model. The Gospel is something more unique and beautiful, that it goes beyond "selling itself." The Gospel wasn't intended to "sell itself." The Gospel was intended to pierce the hearts of those who respond to truth, not buy in to any gimmick. We, as Paul stresses in this passage, should always remember that.

Exodus 20; a new song

I wrote a new song called "what has he done." See if you can pick up on the inspiration.

He opens his eyes, and stares at his hands.
He bitterly cries, to whom he offends.
But what has He done but fail to show love
To whom it is owed…

And casting aside, what to him matters most.
He feels alive while he carries this host.
But it can’t replace the one he should serve.
He gets what he deserves.

In anger or pride, he calls on His name,
Or he can’t decide just who is to blame.
He bellows a phrase to show his disgust
For whom he should trust.

If every day’s holy, than what has he done?
Instead of His service, his time’s spent on fun
He won’t stop to ponder the things of the Lord
His time here he hordes.

His father and mother, he cares less about
Than finding his own, and seeking things out.
He shuns their instruction, and scoffs at their love.
They’ve had enough.

It starts with a fire in the pit of his bowels
His one desire is to lay the man out.
He holds back his hand, and then walks away
But it’s still too late.

When he sees her beauty, he’s kept by her charm
He closes his eyes, and holds her in his arms.
He desperately wants her, and dreams she is his.
His mind is amiss.

Just five more minutes to download this song.
Nobody misses the prizes he’s won.
The smallest of items, who could he offend?
Why does he pretend?

Just one little fib, to buy some more time.
He feels embarrassed, and protects his pride.
What they don’t know can’t possibly hurt
The truth, he averts.

He just can’t be happy with all that he has
He seeks things out, and grabs what he can.
The grass is much greener on the other side.
He wants more to life.