Posts

Why only one Way?

We live in a society of moral relativism. This is the age of tolerance and subjectivism. To many truth is relative, not absolute. [i] What a lot of people are saying today is, “What you believe is fine for you, but I have my own truth! Your truth is your truth, and my truth is my truth"! To affirm that there is absolute truth, and only one way to God, and eternal bliss seems arrogant. Truth is never arrogant. For Biblical truth is the only truth that saves. A lot of people say they believe in Jesus Christ. That’s not enough. What one believes about Him, and who He is is the key. It’s not good enough to say that Jesus was a great moral teacher or a first century Prophet, and miracle worker from Galilee. He did not leave that option open to us. Hear the words of C.S. Lewis the author of the classic Chronicles of Narnia series: “ I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great mo...

You can have what you say

So Jesus answered and said to them, have faith in God. For assuredly I say to whoever says to this mountain, be removed, and cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes those things he says. Therefore I say to you whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them. -           Mark 11:22-24 Unfortunately, these verses have been butchered by those in the Positive Confession/Charismatic/Word of faith movement. They have and continue to grossly mis-apply these passages. There are many that believe Jesus was saying we can whatever we ask for indiscriminately. If these verses stood alone on an island by themselves then yes, I would say we could take these verses at face value. As a result of this text, no doubt millions have prayed for healing, money, a job, a husband, a wife, a new house, car, casting out of demons, and the list goes on. None of these things are wrong in ...

Grace And Mercy

Grace - the Greek word is charis. This word has several meanings: that which bestows or occasions pleasure, delight, or causes favorable regard. [1] Mercy – the Greek word is eleos. Is the outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and resources adequate to meet the need on the part of him who shows it. [2] Most common definition for grace is unmerited or undeserved favor. In the case with God, He gives us what we do not deserve. Common definition for mercy is not getting what we do deserve; which is eternal punishment. In both scenarios God is showing extraordinary love to mankind. Both of these benefits are extended to the entire world every day. This is course would be debated by many regarding those in third world countries where people are stricken with disease, hunger and, poverty constantly. While it is terrible these things occur, there are many organizations that are actively involved in helping the destitute of this wo...

Absolute Inability

This article will be another angle on God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility regarding coming to Christ. I recently listened to a message where a theologian attended a college to interview students regarding if they believed they were “good enough” to go to heaven. Most of the responses were typical: yeah, I’m a good person. I’m not as bad as some other people. I’m nice to people and so on. But, what does the Bible have to say about our own righteousness? Let’s review some passages. Isaiah 64:6a says, but we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags. Proverbs 20:6, 9 says, most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man? Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?                         Nobody. In Daniel Chapter 4 King Nebuchadnezzar tragically attributed his power and might and glory to him...

Can Satan perform miracles?

To answer that question in a word, yes. You may be asking what type of miracles has Satan performed? Well for starters, let’s go to the temptation of Jesus. In Matthew 4:8-9, Again the devil took Him (Jesus) up on an exceedingly high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him all these things I will give to you if you fall down and worship me. Now to some this may not seem like a miracle at all, but the writer believe that it was.  The devil was somehow able to display to Jesus all the kingdoms of the world at one time. Obviously this did not astound Jesus, but it proves the devil can perform miraculous signs. In the book of Exodus we see just as Moses and Aaron rods turned into snakes, Pharaoh’s magicians and sorcerers did the same. Obviously the magicians and sorcerers power came from Satan, not from God (Ex 7:10-12). In the future Jesus told the disciples that false christs and false prophets will be able to perfor...