03/03/14

Ephesians 4:15 - "But speaking the truth in love..." - It is not uncommon for some people to focus on the need to speak in a loving manner, while compromising the truth in order to obtain their objective. But there are others who emphasize the need to speak the truth, while neglecting to do it in a loving manner. However, the Bible tells us to do both! We should speak the truth without compromise, even when the truth hurts or is perceived as offensive. But we should also seek to present the truth in a loving manner, where we have the recipients best interests in mind.

02/24/14

Romans 2:15 - "Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness..." An avowed atheist once told me of something he thought was immoral. I asked him on what grounds was it immoral. In other words, by who's authority. He could not answer. Nearly everyone acknowledges certain things are right (kindness, self-control, humility) or wrong (murder, rape, cheating, stealing). This is because God's law is written upon our hearts. However, if there is no God, as evolution claims, then these moral standards are man-made and can be totally disregarded. If there is no God, then it is survival of the fittest and the strongest win. If there is no God, then we have no moral grounds by which to judge any other individual or any previous generation. But there is a God and your conscience bears witness of this fact.

02/17/14

Genesis 4:7 - "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?" Jude 1:11 - "Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain..." There are numerous examples of people in the Bible who did not want to receive deliverance on God's terms. Naaman wanted healed from his leprosy, but initially did not like God's means of deliverance (dipping himself in the Jordan River), 2 Kings 5. The mariners with Jonah were told to cast him overboard to save themselves, but at first ignored these instructions and instead tried rowing harder, Jonah 1. In Genesis 4 Cain wanted God's approval and acceptance but he was unwilling to receive it on God's terms. Therefore, he was rejected. Likewise, many people today want God's approval, acceptance and salvation, but they want it on their own terms. They, like Cain, bring an offering of their own choosing (i.e. Good works) and think God will accept them on those terms, but He will not. In order to be saved you must come to God on His terms by repenting of your sin and putting faith in Jesus Christ and His substitutionary death on the cross.