• Tag Archives God

  • The Book of Life, As It Effects Babies, The Mentally Challenged, And the Rest Of Us

    Posted on by Roger Luther Comment

    There is only one authoritative source for this small but profound doctrine. It is God’s Word. The text is II Sam.12:7-23. Instead of being with his army, for some unknown reason David was back in Jerusalem. From his vantage point, David gazed upon the beautiful young Bathsheba as she bathed. Eventually lust gave way to fulfillment.

    As the war progressed with David’s army even a greater one grew back home. When Bathsheba announced of her pregnancy to David he devised a scheme to rid himself of dealing with her husband and facing open shame as king. Little did he realize this only compounded matters between him and God. God sent the prophet Nathan to expose David’s sin and to pronounce God’s immediate future upon him because of it. Part of God’s plan was for the baby not to survive. [Stay with me now!] Soon after the child’s birth, the infant became seriously ill and David started fasting on the child’s behalf. On the seventh day the child finally died. The servants went in to tell David but were afraid of his possible reaction. After learning that the child had died David arose, cleaned himself, worshipped, and sat down to food. His actions confounded those around. Listen as David responded, “And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell [whether] GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?  But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. (2Sam.12:22-23)”

    Rest assured that not only is death a one-way door but God has special provision for innocent children and others who are born with mental limitations that prevent them from understanding sin. Their destination is not some type of baby limbo but rather it is the same place as the rest of the redeemed. In many ways, the work of the Holy Spirit was vastly different in the Old Testament from that in the New Testament. Although time will not permit us to examine this in detail, please remember that one functions of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is that of permanently sealing the redeemed. However, in the Old Testament we observe that the Holy Spirit came upon people to accomplish things (like delivering a message) and then departed. The only Old Testament exception to this is with David. David was completely aware of this and I believe that it is one reason we find it mentioned in David’s lament about this entire mess in Psalm 51. Note carefully verse eleven

    Even Moses, thousands of years ago, had a tremendous theological understanding of such a book. Listen to what he expresses to God after realizing Israel’s terrible sin. “…Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.  32  Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.  33  And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” (Ex.32:31-33)” From this we note several important things in regards to the book. This book is real and that resides in Heaven. God designed it, and to this very day, retains a perfect record within its covers!  Thus far, we have established that God removes the first time anyone sins, even once, his or her name.

    As we move to the New Testament, clues about this book add to its splendor! “And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life (Phil.4:3).” Paul considered those who served with him as having their names in, what Moses referred to as “thy book”, Paul now calls “the book of life”.

    Without a doubt, another glorious fact about this most intriguing subject is recorded the last New Testament book. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels (Rev.3:5).”

    Now we must add, to our little growing doctrine,  the eternal truth that God promises never to remove the name of anyone who overcomes. The prevailing question is – and how does one become an overcomer?   The answer – “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (IJn.5:4-5)  The object that needs overcoming is our sinful condition and the way we come over to God’s side is by accepting The Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. In Revelation 13:8,  we note, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” A time is rapidly approaching unlike any before. During this era, all, with the exception of those in this book, now referred to as belonging to the “Lamb,” will be forced by earthly powers to worship a satanically possessed false messiah. Since “all” on the earth will be required to worship him and those in the “book” will not, we must conclude that the latter will be far beyond all earthly searches. In Revelation 17:8, we note a reference to this “book” in events during this great tribulation period. “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” It is noteworthy that not only will this member of the satanic trinity be cast in “perdition” but also all those on the earth do not have their names recorded in “the book of life”.

    Although there is no general judgment described in Scripture, every soul, who has or will tread upon this earth, will at one point pass by the creator and face judgment! In the following passage, we read about the great white throne judgment. “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Rev.20:11-14)” The text reveals a number of things but please follow along as I point out only a few. At this judgment only the unredeemed will be present, God’s record “books” will be present, “the book of life” will be there, all passing by will be judged out of the “books” not out of “the book of life”, and all present will have the same destination.  Without question, God keeps perfect records and pronounces perfect judgments!

    Revelation has two final references. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Rev. 21:27)” “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.(Rev. 22:19)” 

    Now let us tie all of this together. God has a book called “the book of life.” Scripture teaches us that at birth every soul has their name recorded by God in this book. At some point, a child’s indwelling sinful nature comes alive and causes that soul to rebel against God. When this rebellion occurs so does sin and with sin comes the erasing of that person’s name from God’s book. From that unknown point onward, that same soul needs God’s redemption in order to have his name placed back into God’s family register.

    Without any question, the Bible clearly teaches that prior to salvation, one must one must acknowledge their sins, repent of their sins, and trust the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the other hand, children who die in a state of innocence have not sinned, therefore, they cannot, and need not, be redeemed. Once a sinning soul is redeemed, or bought back, God re-enters that soul’s name back into His book and assures the recipient that, not only will he never be removed again but also that He was granted eternal citizenship in His city with Him, His entire family, and all the celestial beings! Only those in God’s book have God’s gift!

       Compiled by Dr. R. L. Luther

    Related Posts


    📂This entry was posted in Uncategorized 📎and tagged

  • The Book of Life, As It Effects Babies, The Mentally Challenged, And the Rest Of Us

    Posted on by Roger Luther Comment

    There is only one authoritative source for this small but profound doctrine. It is God’s Word. The text is II Sam.12:7-23. Instead of being with his army, for some unknown reason David was back in Jerusalem. From his vantage point, David gazed upon the beautiful young Bathsheba as she bathed. Eventually lust gave way to fulfillment.

    As the war progressed with David’s army even a greater one grew back home. When Bathsheba announced of her pregnancy to David he devised a scheme to rid himself of dealing with her husband and facing open shame as king. Little did he realize this only compounded matters between him and God. God sent the prophet Nathan to expose David’s sin and to pronounce God’s immediate future upon him because of it. Part of God’s plan was for the baby not to survive. [Stay with me now!] Soon after the child’s birth, the infant became seriously ill and David started fasting on the child’s behalf. On the seventh day the child finally died. The servants went in to tell David but were afraid of his possible reaction. After learning that the child had died David arose, cleaned himself, worshipped, and sat down to food. His actions confounded those around. Listen as David responded, “And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who can tell [whether] GOD will be gracious to me, that the child may live?  But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. (2Sam.12:22-23)”

    Rest assured that not only is death a one-way door but God has special provision for innocent children and others who are born with mental limitations that prevent them from understanding sin. Their destination is not some type of baby limbo but rather it is the same place as the rest of the redeemed. In many ways, the work of the Holy Spirit was vastly different in the Old Testament from that in the New Testament. Although time will not permit us to examine this in detail, please remember that one functions of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament is that of permanently sealing the redeemed. However, in the Old Testament we observe that the Holy Spirit came upon people to accomplish things (like delivering a message) and then departed. The only Old Testament exception to this is with David. David was completely aware of this and I believe that it is one reason we find it mentioned in David’s lament about this entire mess in Psalm 51. Note carefully verse eleven

    Even Moses, thousands of years ago, had a tremendous theological understanding of such a book. Listen to what he expresses to God after realizing Israel’s terrible sin. “…Oh, this people have sinned a great sin, and have made them gods of gold.  32  Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of thy book which thou hast written.  33  And the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.” (Ex.32:31-33)” From this we note several important things in regards to the book. This book is real and that resides in Heaven. God designed it, and to this very day, retains a perfect record within its covers!  Thus far, we have established that God removes the first time anyone sins, even once, his or her name.

    As we move to the New Testament, clues about this book add to its splendor! “And I entreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life (Phil.4:3).” Paul considered those who served with him as having their names in, what Moses referred to as “thy book”, Paul now calls “the book of life”.

    Without a doubt, another glorious fact about this most intriguing subject is recorded the last New Testament book. “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels (Rev.3:5).”

    Now we must add, to our little growing doctrine,  the eternal truth that God promises never to remove the name of anyone who overcomes. The prevailing question is – and how does one become an overcomer?   The answer – “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (IJn.5:4-5)  The object that needs overcoming is our sinful condition and the way we come over to God’s side is by accepting The Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. In Revelation 13:8,  we note, “And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” A time is rapidly approaching unlike any before. During this era, all, with the exception of those in this book, now referred to as belonging to the “Lamb,” will be forced by earthly powers to worship a satanically possessed false messiah. Since “all” on the earth will be required to worship him and those in the “book” will not, we must conclude that the latter will be far beyond all earthly searches. In Revelation 17:8, we note a reference to this “book” in events during this great tribulation period. “The beast that thou sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is.” It is noteworthy that not only will this member of the satanic trinity be cast in “perdition” but also all those on the earth do not have their names recorded in “the book of life”.

    Although there is no general judgment described in Scripture, every soul, who has or will tread upon this earth, will at one point pass by the creator and face judgment! In the following passage, we read about the great white throne judgment. “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (Rev.20:11-14)” The text reveals a number of things but please follow along as I point out only a few. At this judgment only the unredeemed will be present, God’s record “books” will be present, “the book of life” will be there, all passing by will be judged out of the “books” not out of “the book of life”, and all present will have the same destination.  Without question, God keeps perfect records and pronounces perfect judgments!

    Revelation has two final references. “And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither [whatsoever] worketh abomination, or [maketh] a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. (Rev. 21:27)” “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.(Rev. 22:19)” 

    Now let us tie all of this together. God has a book called “the book of life.” Scripture teaches us that at birth every soul has their name recorded by God in this book. At some point, a child’s indwelling sinful nature comes alive and causes that soul to rebel against God. When this rebellion occurs so does sin and with sin comes the erasing of that person’s name from God’s book. From that unknown point onward, that same soul needs God’s redemption in order to have his name placed back into God’s family register.

    Without any question, the Bible clearly teaches that prior to salvation, one must one must acknowledge their sins, repent of their sins, and trust the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the other hand, children who die in a state of innocence have not sinned, therefore, they cannot, and need not, be redeemed. Once a sinning soul is redeemed, or bought back, God re-enters that soul’s name back into His book and assures the recipient that, not only will he never be removed again but also that He was granted eternal citizenship in His city with Him, His entire family, and all the celestial beings! Only those in God’s book have God’s gift!

       Compiled by Dr. R. L. Luther

     


    📂This entry was posted in Doctrines Uncategorized 📎and tagged

  • Tracking Kings

    Posted on by Roger Luther Comment

     Roger Luther has plunged himself into deep water to examine the difficult to reconcile stories of the kings of Israel. When others avoid the subject, Luther pursues it. This volume will help any who are curious.” Paige Patterson, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas.Front Cover

    Dr. Patterson’s kind words are addressing “Tracking Kings.” In this second edition, you will discover many changes for the book, as well as for the casual reader, scholar, or researcher. My heart’s desire was to bath everything in prayer, recheck Scriptural accuracy, and then deal with accordingly. This second and final work will be available to purchase in a few weeks or less. Some of the changes: 1. Dr. Bragg of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan (retired) meticulously reproof read the work. 2. I personally prefer footnotes, but due to fact that so many of mine are lengthy in text, details, and quotes, it became essential to convert them to end-notes. 3. This book has four indexes – a conventional one, a chronological time line, Scriptural references, and Scripture inserted within the narrative. 4. This upgraded volume is in soft back to assist in keeping the cost down to $19.99 plus s&h. 5. “Tracking Kings” will also be available in a number of electronic editions. This second edition, of over 460 pages, will be available from the publisher (True Potential Publishing), Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and from me.
    If this is your first encounter with “Tracking Kings, Please permit me re-introduce it.
    My name is Roger Luther and a number of years ago God gave me a burden that grew into a manuscript and eventually into a published work by True Potential Publishing. This, then, 412-page hardback, was entitled “Tracking Kings.” This bulk of book is about the Old Testament Kings with primary focus being on the kings and one queen of the divided kingdoms following the death of King Solomon. The work is a product of almost five years of detailed research. My greatest paradigm in assembling the manuscript pivoted upon the following proposition: from the end of II Chronicles, to the last word in Malachi, God connected practically every book, directly or indirectly, to the era of the kings.
    As a student in the mid 70’s, I will never forget the extreme difficulties I experienced with trying to work through Kings and Chronicles, especially after the death of King Solomon. From feed- back, casual conversations, and observations, I firmly believe that many believers, many of whom are students in Bible colleges, institutes, universities, and even in seminaries often struggle with the books of Kings and Chronicles. My deepest prayer is that this work, in some small way, will become a tool to all in God’s service, especially those who are sitting where I once sat.

    My objectives and guidelines
    1. the establishment of a chronological timeline
    2. to write in an easily understandable manner
    3. season the book with plenty of footnotes – providing assistance and additional information
    4. define proper names when first used
    5. insert maps and charts as needed
    6. use a generous amount of quotes to broaden perspectives
    7. insert essay-type chapter questions to challenge the reader to dig deeper
    8. to assist the reader in the value of studying I & II Kings and I & II Chronicles in a chronological manner
    9. structure the book in such a fashion that it can be used as a self-study guide, reference book, or textbook
    10. insert Scripture as needed in order to assist the reader in the narrative, instead of just providing references
    11. conclude by guiding the reader to a place where he or she may meet the real supreme KING, if they have not already done so.

    Fundamental statistics within “Tracking Kings”

    1. 25 chapters
    2. Part one, chapters 1-8, overviews a span of 1021 years.
    3. Part two (chapters 9-25) covers 387 years.
    4. The time frame is from B.C.1996 to B.C.588 or 1,408 years
    5. 143 essay-type questions
    6. 179 end-notes, adding supplemental and documented material to the narrative
    7. 56 books and 4 web sites in bibliography
    8. 25 maps, charts & diagrams

    If you feel this is something you, your church, college, university, seminary, friends, or library may benefit from, please contact me at Rllroger1948@gmail.com , Roger@rogerluther.com, Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter, or the publisher Steve@tppress.com and we will be delighted to address your questions or reserve you a copy as soon as the 2nd edition comes off the presses.
    I will post again when I receive my first shipment.

    Remember what Timothy said ?  “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” 2Ti 3:16-17 

    Thank you very much for your time,
    Dr. R. L. Luther


    📂This entry was posted in "Tracking Kings" 📎and tagged

  • “What Drives Us”

    Posted on by Roger Luther Comment

    (Heb.11:8-10) “By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as [in] a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.”
    In Hebrews we find a short overview of the “by faith” in Abrahams life. Less than a minute to read the verses reflect a lifetime to be lived. Some optional thoughts pop out to us. Abraham so clearly heard from God at the beginning that Gods presence and promises led him until his dying day. In addition, his endurance and obedience reflected the God he believed was the one and only true God.
    The above verses give us insight that Abraham was a true pilgrim on a journey. Although he and his family spent a lifetime wandering in God’s Promised Land, Abraham died never finding the one thing God promised – “…a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker [is] God.” The moment Abraham passed from life he walked through a gate of God’s city!
    My dear friends, all of us know people that are knowledgeable of our lives but please keep in mind, as time passes the crowds grow smaller and their knowledge diminishes. Just like Abraham, we should desire that until our dying day, people, strangers or friends, should see in us our obedience to God, our individual devotion to Him, and the assurance that, we too, just like Abraham, will enter God’s promised and prepared city for us! What drives our lives is far more important than what we acquire in life. With Abraham, it was his relationship and fellowship from God, and that city.   What drives us?


    📂This entry was posted in Devotional 📎and tagged

  • Burning Brightly for the Glory of God

    Posted on by Roger Luther Comment

    Moses at the burning bush“And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush.” (Exodus 3:2)
    Major Ian Thomas has imagined Moses saying something like this when he encountered God in the burning bush, “Would you look at that bush? It just keeps on burning for God. I wish my life could burn for God like that and keep on burning.” Then Major Thomas imagined God replying, “Moses, you think this bush is so wonderful? Do you see that bush over there? I could do the same thing with it. Moses, it’s not the bush—it’s God in the bush. Any old bush will do.”
    It’s not you! It’s not me! We are only the vessels of God’s anointing. As you surrender yourself to God today, He will fill you and use you for His glory.
    Surrender yourself to God today. And as you do, He will use you. Allow His flame to burn brightly for all to see.              (commentary by Adrian Rogers)

     

     


    📂This entry was posted in Devotional 📎and tagged

  • Why Did He Do It?

    Posted on by Roger Luther Comment

       A dear pastor friend of mine in Mount Vernon, Washington, recently posted the following on Facebook:  I am taking a theology class, and one of my assignments this week is to ask the following question in the “public square”: What was the purpose of the life and death of Jesus Christ?

         The moment I read this, the gears started upstairs and I began wondering what we would say if someone simply proposed, the same question to any Christian at random. Have you considered that such a scenario is not only highly possible but, as we grow nearer our Lord’s return I am strongly convicted it will become highly probable. Folks, right now there is a growing population (many of whom who profess to be believers) all around us who are desperately searching for help and answers and eventually one of them will cross paths with one of us. The Bible says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and [be] ready always to [give] an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:  16.  Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. 17.  For [it is] better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.” (1Pe. 3:15-17) 

        The following was my response to John. According to the Scriptures, Jesus supplied that which God requires in order for us to be pleasing to Him in this life and throughout eternity – perfection. All of humanity’s blood was and still is, tainted with sin since, consequently, the time when Adam and Eve became earth’s first two sinners. Thus, since all lineages reach back through one of Noah’s sons and eventually back to Adam and Eve through the lineage of Seth, each earthly human being is in a fix – i.e. we are all sinners and no earth-born citizen can change their condition nor do the same for another. The Scripture states in Romans 3:19-26, “ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20  Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law [is] the knowledge of sin. 21  But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22  Even the righteousness of God [which is] by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23  For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24  Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25  Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26  To declare, [I say], at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”  God never intended the Old Testament law to provide the where-with-all to redeem anyone. At best, the law could only provide a temporal covering of sins, if obeyed. (Heb.10:1-10) “ For the law having a shadow of good things to come, [and] not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2.  For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins.  3. But in those [sacrifices there is] a remembrance again [made] of sins every year. 4.  For [it is] not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.  5. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: 6.  In burnt offerings and [sacrifices] for sin thou hast had no pleasure.  7.  Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.  8.  Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and [offering] for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure [therein]; which are offered by the law; 9.  Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10.  By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once [for all].   The law was and forever will remain God’s continual reminder that all are sinners in desperate need of miraculous intervention from Him.  

             In conclusion, by personally repenting of our sins and accepting The Lord Jesus Christ as our Savor, God instantaneously cleanses us from all sins, equips us with His type of life (eternal), and then adopts us into His heavenly family! That is the reason Jesus went to the cross, shed His blood, suffered and died, and then arose early on Sunday morning.  The Word of God says it best – (Jn. 3:16) “ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”  

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


    📂This entry was posted in Easter 📎and tagged

  • “Just For Pilgrims And Others”(part#2)

    Posted on by Roger Luther Comment

    “TakeTime To Stare”

    “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us,…” (1Jn 3:1)

    Imagine yourself in a theater with all the lights out. Suddenly, a spot light comes on and all eyes immediately go to the focal point of the light. Although we will never find the word spotlight in the New Testament, translators found one in the little word “behold.”

    In addition, let us briefly peek at a few more things. I learned that this is the only place in John’s writings where he places emphasis upon a statement that speaks of one of God’s perfect characteristics then puts it into question form. By itself, the phrase “what manner” (ποταπός, pronounced – pot-ap-os’ – is an interrogative i.e. a question stating – of what possible sort)   Secondly, prior to the earthly ministry of Christ, the word for “love” (“agape” ) was unknown to man. Thirdly, God has permanently extended this gracious benevolent act toward each person but only His true children possess the ability to appreciate, follow, and share it. Today a man could easily say, “Look, can you believe what God has forever sent our way?”   

    As I sit at my desk between two bright lights, I, too, must ask myself – how strongly have I stared at God’s perfect and unique love for me this morning? God deeply desires for us to focus upon His love until it becomes the brightest thing in our lives.

    Remember: While we are staring upon the brightest thing all other things grow not only dimmer but also some completely fade away!

     

     


    📂This entry was posted in Devotional 📎and tagged

  • “Just For Pilgrims And Others”(Part#1)

    Posted on by Roger Luther Comment

    “Absolutes”

         In an uncertain world, God’s pilgrims still have heavenly absolutes. Today let us begin by taking a peak at one – “And hereby we do know that we know him…” (1Jn. 2:3) The use of the little word “know” reminds us that it is not only possible to “know” through experience but, in addition, we have perfect assurance from God that we can “know” in an absolute sense and that also includes the present tense. The personal reality of this precious word grows only when we pilgrims invest in our fellowship with the Redeemer. Adrian Rogers tells a little that may assist in planting this Divine truth a little deeper with our hearts. “There’s a familiar story about the little fellow who lost a little red sailboat he had made. It sailed away from him across the pond. Later, he saw it in the second-hand store, and the proprietor made him buy it back. He bought it back, and as he carried the little sailboat out of that second-hand store, he hugged it to his chest and said, “Little sailboat, you’re mine. You’re twice mine. You’re mine because I made you, and you’re mine because I bought you back.”  The Apostle wrote, “…Ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” (1Cor.6:19-20)  

    As heaven bound pilgrims, it is not optional for us to move closer to God – God expects us to jump at the privilege!
    Perhaps you have never received God’s amazing gift of eternal life. Some believe that God’s free-gift is for wimps or perhaps a back door for the weak of heart. Things are just the opposite! Accepting Christ not only gives you eternal security but a sense of fulfillment, direction, and real meaning in life! In other words the moment you receive Christ as personal Savior, you will begin to understand where you came from, why you were born, what do I do while I am here, and what will happen to me when life is over. Psychologists tell us that every human deeply desires to have some or all of the above questions answered.  In today’s rapid life of technological achievements, rapidly watching things daily degenerating on the TV and around our own home, busyness, discouragement, and stress of the unknowns seem to be the common plague of our times. Christianity is not a philosophy, nor is it theologically categorized as a religion (man’s futile attempts to reach or impress God), but rather, it is a life style guided by the creator through us. I fully realize that there are a few weird ducks swimming in our pond but keep your eyes on God’s Word – not them!  In Matt.24:35, Mk.13:31, and in Lu.21:33, the Bible says the same thing – “Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.” As I approach the end, please permit me to encourage the skeptics to write down the following verse and carry it with you for a few days, mediating upon it as much as possible.  (Rom.10:13) “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”


    📂This entry was posted in Devotional 📎and tagged

  • Is it true Jesus never addressed same-sex marriage?

    Posted on by Roger Luther Comment

    My dear friend, Danny Akin, recently wrote the following article that you might find very interesting and useful.

    Danny AkinWAKE FOREST, N.C. (BP) — Today it is popular among those promoting same-sex marriage to say that Jesus never addressed the issue, that He was silent on the subject.

    Those who affirm the historical and traditional understanding of marriage between a man and woman often are admonished to go and read the Bible more carefully. If we do so, we are told, we will see that Jesus never addressed the issue. So, the question that I want to raise is, “Is this assertion correct?” Is it indeed the fact that Jesus never addresses the issue of same-sex marriage?

    When one goes to the Gospels to see exactly what Jesus did say, one will discover that He addressed very clearly both the issues of sex and marriage. He addresses both their use and misuse. And, as He speaks to both subjects, He makes it plain that issues of the heart are of critical importance.

    First, what did Jesus say about sex? Jesus believed that sex is a good gift from a great God. He also believed that sex was a good gift to be enjoyed within a monogamous, heterosexual covenant of marriage. On this He is crystal clear. In Mark 7 Jesus addresses the fact that all sin is ultimately an issue of the heart. Jesus was never after behavioral modification. Jesus was always after heart transformation. Change the heart and you truly change the person.

    Thus, when He lists a catalog of sins in Mark 7:21-22, He makes it clear that all of these sins are ultimately matters of the heart. It is the idols of the heart that Jesus is out to eradicate. Among those sins of the heart that often give way to sinful actions He would include both sexual immorality and adultery (Mark 7:21). The phrase “sexual immorality,” in a biblical context, would speak of any sexual behavior outside the covenant of marriage between a man and woman. Therefore, Jesus viewed pre-marital sex, adultery and homosexual behavior as sinful. And, He knew that the cure for each is a transformation of the heart made possible by the good news of the Gospel. The Gospel changes us so that now we are enabled to do not what we want, but what God wants. Here we find real freedom and joy.

    Second, what about the issue of marriage? Is it truly the case that Jesus never spoke to the issue in terms of gender? The answer is a simple no. He gives His perspective on this when He addresses the issue in Matthew 19:4-6. There, speaking to the institution of marriage, Jesus is clear when He says, “Have you not read that He who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” That Jesus was committed to heterosexual marriage could not be more evident. A man is to leave his parents and be joined to a woman who becomes his wife. This is heterosexual marriage. That He also was committed to the permanence and fidelity of marriage is clear as well.

    So, how might we sum up the issue? First, Jesus came to deliver all people from all sin. Such sin, He was convinced, originated in and was ultimately a matter of the heart. Second, Jesus made it clear that sex is a good gift from a great God, and this good gift is to be enjoyed within heterosexual covenantal marriage. It is simply undeniable that Jesus assumed heterosexual marriage as God’s design and plan. Third, Jesus sees all sexual activity outside this covenant as sinful. Fourth, it is a very dangerous and illegitimate interpretive strategy to bracket the words of Jesus and read into them the meaning you would like to find. We must not isolate Jesus from His affirmation of the Old Testament as the Word of God nor divorce Him from His first century Jewish context. Fifth, and this is really good news, Jesus loves both the heterosexual sinner and the homosexual sinner and promises free forgiveness and complete deliverance to each and everyone who comes to Him.

    John 8 tells the story of a woman caught in adultery. The religious legalists want to stone her, but Jesus intervenes and prevents her murder. He then looks upon the woman and, with grace and tenderness, tells her that He does not condemn her. Then He says to her, “go and sin no more.” In Matthew 11:28 Jesus speaks to every one of us weighed down under the terrible weight and burden of sin. Listen to these tender words of the Savior, “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” This is the hope that is found in Jesus. This is the hope found in the Gospel. Whether one is guilty of heterosexual or homosexual sin, one will find grace, forgiveness and freedom at the foot of the cross where the ground is always level.

    When I came to fully trust Jesus as my Lord and Savior at the age of 20, I determined that I wanted to think like Jesus and live like Jesus for the rest of my life. When it comes to sex I want to think like Jesus. When it comes to marriage I want to think like Jesus. That means I will affirm covenantal heterosexual marriage. It also means loving each and every person regardless of their lifestyle choices. It means, as His representative, proclaiming His Gospel and extending the transforming grace of the Gospel to others that takes us where we are, but wonderfully and amazingly, does not leave us there. That is a hope and a promise that followers of Jesus gladly extend to everyone, because we have been recipients of that same amazing grace.

    Daniel Akin is president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.


    📂This entry was posted in Defence Of Divine Biblical Matters: "apologetics" 📎and tagged

  • Can Others Read It Through Us?

    Posted on by Roger Luther Comment

    Worry is nobody’s Friend!

    It does no one good;
    It pays no bills,
    It buys no food,
    It heals not the sick,
    And produces an ill mood.

    Worrying about what we can not control
    Is to no one’s gain,
    For it produces only anxiety,
    self-pity and mental pain.
    When we seek solutions on our own,
    Worry is just time spent in vain.

    We must fix what is within our power,
    And to God give the rest,
    Let Him handle the big ones;
    For Him our worries are no test;
    We can always rest assured,
    That He will do what is best.

    Why weaken our health,
    In fruitless despair,
    When we know full well
    That God is always there;
    He slumbers not, nor does He sleep;
    We are ever safe in His care.

    So why worry? It does no good-
    We must trust in God and pray;
    Seek His answers to it all,
    Have faith in Him for a better day,
    For He knows our needs before we ask,
    And He is able to show us a way.

    Richard Ellis

     

    The Bible says, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Pro 3:5-6)” 

    Such a profound truth is so easy to read and yet very often difficult to apply! Once we Christians begin trusting our Lord with the small things the bigger things are a piece of cake. We just read God’s promise about worry but the question is – can others read it through us?

     

     


    📂This entry was posted in Poems 📎and tagged