THE LIGHT OF LIFE

Genesis is the first book of the Bible, and the Holy Scripture concludes with the Revelation to John. I find it interesting and theologically significant that the first words of Genesis are, “In the beginning,” and that Revelation concludes with John’s prayer, “Come Lord Jesus” (22:20). From the beginning to the end, the Word of God points to the Alpha and the Omega, the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:8). Our Lord’s own testimony to the disciples on the Emmaus road confirm that Moses and the prophets spoke concerning Him (Luke 24:27). If these holy men of God wrote about Jesus, what did they want us to know? Just as darkness was upon the face of the deep (Genesis 1:2), so it was with man’s spiritual condition: Sin is darkness! This darkness abode among humanity until the Light of God illuminated it: “The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up” (Matthew 4:16). One of the great “I am” declarations of Christ is found in John’s Gospel, Chapter Eight: “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). This is the essential truth that the Old Testament prophetic writers were inspired to reveal, although they only knew in part and presented heavenly knowledge in veiled form until the day of full disclosure. Peter says, “The Spirit of Christ which was in them... testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow” (1 Peter 1:11). The day of full disclosure was the dawn of the Age of Grace, the Gospel Era: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). Jesus was “the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world” (John 1:9). Biblical scholar F.F. Bruce wrote: “Whatever measure of truth (i.e. light) men and women in all ages have apprehended has been derived from this source.” Thus, I can confidently assert that all the religions of man combined have not, cannot, and never will bring a man to the knowledge of the truth. Salvation can be found only in Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). This is why Satan so vehemently opposes the Word of God and the Gospel of Christ. He is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44), and every religious institution and system he has devised was designed to keep men in spiritual darkness, separated from the light of life. Thus, it is not surprising that his ministers disguise their true intentions: “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works” (2 Corinthians 11:14, 15). Buyer beware is the watchword for this hour. What appears to be truth can be a lie; what appears to wholesome can be spiritual poison; what appears to be angelic can be demonic; what appears to be a message of hope can be the path to eternal destruction. Any man who has not trusted in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior abides in darkness. But the good news is that Jesus, who opened the eyes of those who were physically blind, can open the eyes of the spiritually blind, set them free from the grip of the prince of darkness, and translate them into His kingdom (Colossians 1:13). What a cause for rejoicing this is, even among the angels of Heaven: “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance” (Luke 15:4-7).

My brethren, I pray that you will also rejoice in the blessing you possess--the light of life--and continue to walk in it, enjoying blessed fellowship with one another and with the Lord Jesus. I also pray that you will be faithful in sharing the gospel as you have opportunity: “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3, 4). This is what Jesus has called us to do until He comes to take us to be with Him, where “the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23).

May God richly bless you,

Pastor Tom

THE APPLE OF GOD'S EYE

What comes to your mind when you think of God's mighty works among the children of Israel? Moses, the great prophet and deliverer who led his people out of bondage in Egypt, described his nation as “the apple of God’s eye”: "For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye”(Deuteronomy 32:9-10). Hundreds of years later this sentiment was uttered again by the visionary prophet Zechariah: “for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye” (Zechariah 2:8).

The apple of the eye is the pupil of the eye, which is very delicate and sensitive to any movement in its direction. The eye shuts instantly to keep it from harm. Because it is so indispensable, the pupil represents something that is cherished and protected. Thus, when we speak of someone as “the apple of our eye” we are speaking of someone who is very dear to us.

Careful students of the Bible recognize that as the apple of God’s eye, the descendants of Abraham are the focus of God’s covenant promises and providential care. It is the Jews who obtained favored nation status: "Only the LORD had a delight in thy fathers to love them, and he chose their seed after them, even you above all people, as it is this day” (Deuteronomy 10:15). This was done so that, through Israel, God’s plan of redemption would be carried out and all the world blessed with the knowledge of salvation: “I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles” (Isaiah 42:6).

The survival of the Jewish people throughout their long history of warfare and persecution testifies to the fact that they exist under the shadow of God’s wings. What other nation could boast of God’s faithfulness, as does Israel, in spite of her disobedience to God’s law and rejection of her Messiah? Not surprisingly, the nations of the world to a large degree have been hostile toward Israel. Sinful men love what God hates and hate what God loves. What is perplexing, however, is the Christian opposition to the apple of God’s eye that has been part of the dark history of the Church and led to dire consequences for Jews.1 I speak of a theology that has justifiably earned the labels “theological anti-Semitism”, “Replacement Theology” and “Supersessionism”. This is the belief held by many evangelicals that the Church has become the true Israel of God because the Jews rejected Jesus. Consequently, they believe national Israel has forfeited God’s promised blessings but gets to keep the curses. Herman Ridderbos, a Reformed theologian, goes so far as to say, “The church, then, as the people of the New Covenant, has taken the place of Israel, and national Israel is nothing more than the empty shell (emphasis mine) from which the pearl has been removed and which has lost its function in the history of redemption.” 2 This is a remarkable statement, coming from someone with academic credentials. How can it be that the apple of God’s eye is now nothing more than a shell without a pearl, cast aside by God with no present or future redemptive purpose? Credentials notwithstanding, this is theology run amuck-- inherited from the early church fathers, the anti-Judaism legacy of Aurelious Augustine (354-430 A.D.) and unfortunately continued by many in the Reformed tradition, including John Calvin and Martin Luther. Such divisive and inflammatory rhetoric ignores the control of good hermeneutics, requiring that much of the Old Testament be allegorized. It also fails to see the self-attesting record of divine history regarding the Jews. As Ronald Diprose wrote: “Israel’s sin can no more thwart God’s future purposes for the nation than can the heavens be measured and all the secrets of the earth be known.”3 This thought pertains to the promise of Jeremiah the prophet: “Thus saith the LORD, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The LORD of hosts is his name: If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. Thus saith the LORD; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:35-37).

“I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew” (Romans 11:1-2). Let us always remember that God’s love is a steadfast love (Psalm 107:1). He is the Good Shepherd who never forsakes his sheep: “Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock” (Jeremiah 31:10).

Dear friends, you can rest assured that “God is not man, that He should lie” (Numbers 23:19). The Lord has a glorious future in store for national Israel when Jesus returns during the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7). At that hour Israel will not only receive salvation but will dwell and prosper in the land that God has granted to her in the biblical covenants. This roots the issue under discussion firmly in the integrity of God’s character. The Jews may have missed Jesus the first time, but they surely will not miss Him when He returns: “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins” (Romans 11:26,27). In his theological analysis of Christian literature, linguistics, and the Bible, Christian scholar Andy Cheung affirms: “when Romans 11:26 states that all Israel will be saved, it is best understood that ethnic Israel as a whole will receive salvation even if the promise is not extended to every single Jew.”4

What a comforting thought it is to all of us to know that God is faithful in all that He has promised. The offspring of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the apple of God’s eye, will one day experience the true knowledge of God through the revelation of the promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. In the mean time we are to “pray for the peace of Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:6) and labor to seek the salvation of the Jew: “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved” (Romans 10:1). For both Jew and Gentile salvation comes only one way: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). This is the gospel of grace available to all men.

Brethren, let me add one final thought before closing. You need not feel slighted in the least when the Scripture speaks of God’s zeal and love for Israel. As God’s children and the spiritual seed of Abraham, the Lord Jehovah “hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Our eternal glory has been assured and we shall receive an inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and will never pass away (1 Peter 1:3-4). Praise God! Keep looking up, for our redemption draweth near. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

Shalom,

Pastor Tom



1 "Replacement theology has been the fuel that has energized medieval anti-Semitism, Eastern European pogroms, the Holocaust and contemporary disdain for the modern state of Israel”. See Thomas Ice:” What is Replacement Theology”? www.pre-trib.org (articles page).
2 Quoted by Horner, Barry: FUTURE ISRAEL: WHY CHRISTIAN ANTI-JUDAISM MUST BE CHALLENGED. (Nashville: B&H Academic, n.d.) p.xx
3 Diprose, Ronald: ISRAEL AND THE CHURCH; THE ORIGIN AND EFFECTS OF REPLACEMENT THEOLOGY. (WAYNESBORO: AUTHENTIC MEDIA, 2000.) p.12
4 THE JEWS, MODERN ISRAEL and the NEW SUPERCESSIONISM: Ed. Calvin Smith. (United Kingdom: King’s Divinity Press, 2009.) p.23

WORLDLINESS

“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”(James 4:4).
I began my spiritual walk as a Christian in the mid 70’s, in a church that preached a very clear message of separation from the world. Sunday mornings were never short on sermons that focused on abstaining from sinful practices that were contrary to Scripture. The preaching often aimed at social drinking, dancing, immodest dress, rock music, and movies that would probably carry the label “PG” by today’s standards. I was taught that every Christian must earnestly endeavor to separate himself from the world and avoid even the “appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). “We are in the world, but not of the world” were words familiar to my ears and diligently pressed home to my heart. Now, after nearly 40 years of living out my faith in this world, I know that the battle against worldliness still rages, and that it is far greater than a list of what not to do. I am all the more convinced that Satan is indeed “the prince of this world” (John 14:30), “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).

The adversary of God is waging war in the center of the battlefield of men’s hearts and minds. Not being content with tempting Christians to compromise in some area of their lives, he desires their complete destruction: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Knowing this to be the case, as a shepherd of God’s flock I am very concerned when I see my fellow brethren gravitating toward the fleeting pleasures the world has to offer (Hebrews 11:25). Tolerance for what was once called sin has become a 21st century virtue.

Hand in hand with this new theology of acceptance is the rapid erosion of biblical truth and rejection of the “Elijahs” of the Lord God: the pulpit prophets who boldly proclaim “Thus saith the Lord” (see 2 Chronicles 21). Surely those among us with even a mustard seed of spiritual discernment can see that something is wrong. As the American culture disintegrates before our eyes and slides faster and faster toward Sodom, so it is with holiness in the church. More and more, the modern Christian is living his life on the playground of carnal desire. This should not surprise us, for it will be characteristic of the end-times delusion: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron” (1 Timothy 4:1,2).

Part and parcel with the deception of false teaching is the delusion that the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) can bring lasting satisfaction and happiness. Jude warned of those who would turn “the grace of God into lasciviousness” (Jude 4). This is the abuse of grace which completely ignores the true work of grace: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1,2).

God’s word never grants liberty to sin nor license to deviate from the straight and narrow path of holiness. Tryone Edwards wrote: “A holy life is not an ascetic, or gloomy, or solitary life, but a life regulated by divine truth and faithful in Christian duty. It is living above the world while we are still in it”. Unfortunately, the church has tried to win the world by becoming more like the world, but Scripture says: “This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish” (James 3:15). Pastors and other Christian leaders must examine their own hearts in this matter and repent. In this dark hour of history we stand in need of genuine revival among the saints of God — a revival of heart and mind that constitutes genuine worship. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (act of worship). And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1,2). Nothing less than this will be sufficient to withstand the “wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). Simply put, those who have been washed from their sins by the blood of Jesus Christ must fall out of love with the world and go back to their first love (Revelation 2:4).

Charles Wesley wrote:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night.
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray:
I woke- the dungeon flamed with light!
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

I pray that God’s people who have been taken captive by the world will throw off those chains of darkness, rise up as a mighty army, and follow Jesus.

Pastor Tom

DAY HIKING IN PROVERBS

If you’re someone who enjoys day hikes in the outdoors, you probably don’t like to carry a heavy pack. One good option to cut down on weight is to look for maximum nutrition in the smallest possible size. Fortunately, many such compact meals can be readily found. While I do enjoy God’s beautiful creation when I can, I am a regular day hiker -–indoors. The trail I take is called the Proverbs, and you can find it in the Bible. Proverbs was written by King Solomon, a man very experienced in the paths of life. As a matter of fact, he makes an excellent trail guide because he was renowned for his great wisdom. Ecclesiastes 12:9 states, “And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.” All told, Solomon wrote three thousand proverbs, but not all of them were included in Scripture.

In the English Bible, Proverbs contains thirty-one chapters. This makes it a convenient day hike. My practice is to read one chapter a day throughout the month, making adjustments for months shorter than thirty-one days. Not only does this make for a great spiritual exercise, but you will discover something unique while you hike your way through the book: it provides optimal spiritual meals in bite-sized form to nourish your soul along the way. Many of the sayings found in Proverbs are both weighty and easy to remember. They engage our minds and invite reflection. This is a feature of the book that I have come to value highly. Who could soon forget such notable words as: “As a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion” (Prov. 11:22), or “As the door turneth upon his hinges, so doth the slothful upon his bed” (Prov.26:14). This is a book of great practical wisdom -- perhaps the greatest “how to” book ever written -- covering such topics as money, work, morality, friends, business, child training, discipline, wealth, poverty, and a lot more in a very readable format. While it is vast in scope, its main message is clear and easy enough to understand: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom” (Prov.4:7). Pause for a moment and think about this admonition. How many personal tragedies could be prevented by the acquisition of biblical wisdom for the decisions of life and personal conduct? How many nature hikes could prepare you to live life skillfully, which is what the wisdom found in Proverbs does? Day hiking on this path is certainly a worthwhile use of your time. Pull up a chair, pray before starting out, and enjoy the adventure. You can ask someone to come along or go solo without fear of losing your way. Rather, you will find your way, for “the steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way” (Psalm 37:23). I have profited much from my day hikes in Proverbs and I know that you will also. We have God’s promise: “For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold” (Prov.3:14). Translation: If you seek for wisdom as you would for hidden treasures, you will discover it in Solomon’s gold mine –- the book of Proverbs.

So my dear friends, enjoy your hikes in Proverbs and gather all the silver and gold that you can! Perhaps we will meet along the way and discuss what we saw, heard, and learned.


Pastor Tom

THE TERROR OF THE NIGHT

What is normal to an adult is often very frightening to a child. Costumed characters like those at Disneyland do not always bring smiles to the faces of little ones. Likewise, going to bed in a dark room can bring an array of fears before them. Ordinary shadows and sounds become sinister forces threatening to do harm as their imaginations run wild.

Thankfully, children outgrow these fears, but other terrors of the night are not as easily overcome. Many adults, Christians among them, also find the nighttime disturbing, as worries about tomorrow and an uncertain future invade their minds like monsters in a child’s room. Rather than facing the imaginary villains of a child’s overactive imagination, they confront fears and anxieties that are very real, robbing them of the peace and rest which is the believer’s portion. The terrors of the night wear many masks. Perhaps it is a great burden for a lost loved one, a health or financial concern, a son or daughter going astray, or a job loss that keeps you awake in the night season.

Where will you turn in such an hour? Looking at Psalm 91 we discover that the author found comfort and assurance in the presence of the Almighty (verses 1, 2). He sought refuge in the shadow of His wings and was secure under the watchful eye of the Omniscient God: “Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4). What a blessed thought! If this be true, then there is no reason to faint or lose heart when the terror of the night comes your way, because darkness is not dark to Him who dwells in inaccessible light (1 Timothy 6:16). God’s promise to the believer is sure, “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD” (Psalm 112:7). This also is the promise revealed in the 91st Psalm: “Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked. Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation” (verses 5-9).

What a comfort it is to know that all our moments, as well as our tomorrows, are in the hand of the Lord, Who will not fail to work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). Whether it is midnight or noonday, the Lord is with us. Grab hold of this precious truth, dear child of God; don’t resist or doubt it- God is with us. Satan will try to shake your confidence in the Lord, but God delights to make His presence known in the darkest hours. Lay down your troubled heart on the pillow of His divine love and take your needed rest. When the morning comes, God’s faithfulness will shine as the sun that rises in the East and settles in the West. Day unto day, night unto night, His mercies never cease. What shall we then say to these things? “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).


"Though the night be dark and dreary,
Darkness cannot hide from Thee;
Thou art He, Who, never weary,
Watchest where Thy people be."

Praying and trusting,

Pastor Tom

LIFE’S UNEXPECTED STORMS

Where do you go when you are facing a trial that seems to press in from every side? At such a time there is nowhere to flee. Perhaps you have been there, dear Christian, so you already know the answer: Your only hiding place is the omnipresent God (Psalm 32:7).He alone is our refuge, our surest port when the fierce storms of life come our way. We sing songs and hymns and read Scriptures that remind us of the assurance of the Lord’s presence, and it is well that we do; but only in the midst of the tempest can we know the reality of it.

The disciples of Jesus experienced such an event when they set out one night on the Sea of Galilee, a familiar experience for seasoned fishermen (Mark 4:35). However, they quickly learned that this trip across the sea would be unlike any other they had taken. We read in Mark’s gospel: “And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full” (4:37). This was not a storm that their sailing vessel could “ride out”; this was a crisis which threatened their lives. The ill-fitted boat was no match for the angry waves of the sea. As fear engulfed them, they went to Jesus in desperation. They seemed outraged at His indifference. So we read, “And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (4:38).

How often have I cried out to my Savior in similar fashion? Such times are too numerous for me to mention. My faith has been as weak as that of the disciples that night, facing the most intense storm of their lives- an unexpected storm. I too have wondered silently, “Does Jesus care?” It is much easier to trust the Lord when the sun is shining and life’s seas are calm; it is hard to do so in the dark of the night when the sea billows roll. Brethren, this is the lot of men of flesh. We are weak by nature and prone to doubt the Lord we love and profess. But thankfully He does not abandon us in the hour of need, for the Scripture says: “And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” How could a “great storm of wind” (verse 37) suddenly become “a great calm” (verse 39)? The disciples pondered this very question, “And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”(verse 41). They had failed to see the One they had with them that night in the boat, and fear took hold of them. Proverbs 30:4 speaks of Him: “Who hath gathered the wind in His fists? Who hath bound the waters in a garment? Who hath established all the ends of the earth?” This One is Jesus. Terrified by the storm just moments before, they were suddenly gripped with a greater fear of God’s sovereign power when Jesus rebuked the wind and spoke to the sea.

Mark’s story of the storm at sea should be seen in light of Psalm 107 to truly appreciate what occurred that evening in the lives of the disciples: “They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wit's end. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven” (verses 23-32).

Dear child of God, will your anchor hold when the storms of life come in, when the clouds unfold their winds of strife? Let us always remember that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us in such an hour (Hebrews 13:5). Continue to praise Him in the worst of times when fear and doubt prevail, and you will catch a greater glimpse of His infinite glory and majesty. Moreover, you can be assured that in His time He will lead you to a place of quiet rest. He will one day bring you to your desired haven in that land which is “fairer than day.” This is the promise of the Master of the sea: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3). The best days are yet to come!

Be still, my soul: thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: the waves and winds still know
His voice Who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Trusting in His Care,

Pastor Tom

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

It is the Christian's nature to sing of the grace which God has bestowed upon him. "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD" (Psalm 40:3) . The chorus above is one which all Christians should sing frequently with great joy in their hearts.

• If you know Jesus as your Savior, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If sin no longer has dominion over you like it once did, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If you are no longer walking according to the course of this world, with all its pitfalls and sorrows, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If your affections are on the glorious things above and not on the unfulfilling and fading pleasures of this life, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If you have a new heart filled with praise to God rather than filled with complaints, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If you enjoy fellowship with like-minded brothers & sisters in Christ rather than walking in the counsel of the ungodly, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If you can read or hear God’s Word every day, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If you can pray in faith, knowing God is always near, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If your outer man is perishing but your inner man is being renewed day by day, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.
• If you have a mind to know the things of God, a heart to love Him, and hands to serve Him, that is the grace of God and you are blessed.

Brethren, how many more blessings can we list? Take time to reflect on them every day. You will be amazed at what the Lord has done and continues to do in our behalf. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation” (Psalm 68:19). The Lord never fails to provide for our needs (Philippians 4:19). He never fails to protect us from spiritual harm (Ephesians 6:10-18). He never fails in His promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). He never fails to promote our spiritual growth (2 Peter 1:3). He never fails to sustain us (Psalm 55:22). He never fails to guide us (Psalm 48:14). He never fails to cheer us (John 16:33). He never fails to comfort us (Psalm 119:50). He never fails to give us peace (Philippians 4:7). He never fails to forgive us (1 John 1:9). He never fails in His love toward us, because “God is love” (I John 4:8).

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

Trust in the Lord and give thanks,

Pastor Tom

BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING

Mark Twain once said, “Drag your thoughts away from your troubles... by the ears, by the heels, or any other way you can manage it." Certainly, many of us would agree with Twain’s advice in theory, but in practice we often find ourselves drowning in a sea of anxiety prompted by circumstances over which we have no control. Why does the “inner peace” which is the Christian’s birthright so often elude us? Is it really possible for the Christian to be anxiety- free? The Scripture commands, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6,7). As I examined this exhortation I was immediately impacted by the notion that nothing is to take hold of the Christian’s mind which would keep him from enjoying God’s peace. Knowing that His gracious supply is all-sufficient, the children of God must never begin to doubt the wonderful truth of God’s provision in Christ for all their needs. Our heavenly Father will never promise what He cannot deliver. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

But how does this help when the dark clouds of life gather above your backyard and the hard rain begins to fall? What are you to make of your worries and fears? Are you sinning in worrying? First, we must understand that God knows the weakness of human flesh: “For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14). I take this to mean that the Creator’s knowledge of the creature is comprehensive. This includes intimate knowledge of our spiritual, physical, and emotional state at every point in time. Moreover, God attends to our sorrows as well as our joys. Thus, we should not be surprised that the verse preceding God’s knowledge of His children speaks of His benevolent compassion on His sons and daughters in the faith: “Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him” (Psalm 103:13). To some extent, to be human is to worry, which means that Christians will worry at times without sin. The key lies in the word extent. The idea expressed in Philippians 4:6, “Be careful [anxious] for nothing,” is best understood to mean that the child of God must not allow his mind to continually be held captive by thoughts which undermine his faith in God’s care for him. This is one of Satan’s greatest tactics. He assaults the Christian’s mind with every possible worst- case scenario about the future outcome of the trials he may be facing. The prince of darkness is equally the prince of doubt. He calls into question the goodness, love, and faithfulness of God. The Christian’s “bulwark never failing” under such a wicked assault is what we find in Philippians 4:6: “ ... prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.” Prayer (proseuche) is bowing the heart in the presence of God through the ministry of the Holy Spirit who is the Divine Comforter (John 14:26). Supplication (deesis) is the mighty utterance of a mighty need to a mighty God. Thanksgiving (eucharistia) is a form of praise which sees the source of all goodness and blessing in God alone. These spiritual weapons will keep a frail mind from dwelling upon circumstances which can rob it of the joy of the Lord, wherein lies the believer’s strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Charles Spurgeon said, “The believer who is in a spiritually healthy state rejoices mainly in God himself; he is happy because there is a God, and because God is in his person and character what he is.” Brethren, I think this is the secret of victory over worry. If we set our hearts on the perfection of God’s character and petition Him on that basis, we will not wander the dark halls in the castle of despair. Let us never forget that “... the Lord God omnipotent reigneth” (Revelation 19:6). Even in the most troublesome times we can be certain that the promise of Scripture is true: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Turning to Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” we discover the blessed truth of the certainty of incomprehensible tranquility for those who earnestly seek communion with God and offer up the sacrifice of praise. They are assured that the Prince of Peace will bestow His peace upon them, and it will guard their hearts and minds. The word guard means to keep close watch over. In military terminology it describes a sentry on duty who is vigilant, always watching out for the enemy. In context, the enemy would be the negative and fearful thoughts that lead to a state of anxiety. The Old Testament parallel truth is found in Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” This must not be reduced to a mere human endeavor. Trying to overcome our thoughts by sheer will power does not work. God comes alongside those who turn to Him in faith. He is the “lifter up” of our heads (Psalm 3:3). We have a friend in Jesus who will all our burdens bear: He does not want you to carry them alone. The hymn writer had it correct: “In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.”

Brethren, I would never pretend that the battle for a victorious thought life is easy, but it is winnable. The abundant resources of God are at our disposal. In addition to prayer and praise, we have the power of Scripture and the fellowship of the other believers to comfort us, counsel us, and encourage us. Never go it alone. If you are struggling in this area, find a trusted brother or sister in Christ and share your burdens (Galatians 6:2). There are those within the body of Christ with the God-given spiritual gifts of faith and exhortation. Others can help by way of life experience. They can be found in the local church, but you must be there when the church gathers. “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). This is great news. No matter how difficult the testing, we can all praise God that the day of the Lord’s return is approaching. We are inching closer and closer to it. In the twinkling of an eye, the darkness of the night will give way to the glorious light of eternity in the presence of the Lord: “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). Wow! What an encouragement to lift up the downtrodden. On that joyful morn, “life’s trials will seem so small,” so never give up. “It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,” and let us not forget that His reward is with Him (Revelation 22:12)!

May His Strength be your portion,

Pastor Tom

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).

TIME ALONE WITH GOD

The Bible has much to say about time. Certain significant numerical references in the form of days, months, and years make for interesting Scriptural studies. The Word of God mentions the creation of the heavens and the earth and all living things in six days (Genesis 1:31). Noah preached righteousness for one hundred and twenty years in the antedeluvian world (Genesis 6:3; 2 Peter 2:5). We are also told that the average life span of men on earth is limited to around seven decades: “For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:9-10). In light of that stark reality, the Christian’s responsibility as a good steward is to redeem the time for the glory of God (Ephesians 5:16), diligently praying for the Savior’s return and the establishment of His Kingdom on earth, the time of which no man knows the day or the hour (Matthew 25:13). “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

We could advance many more ideas about the relevance of time to the Christian, but none are as important in this life as personal time in fellowship with God. For some, the very thought of time alone with God is an intrusion into an already busy schedule. The life of the worldly-minded Christian runs at a fast pace: Day follows day with little room for even the most basic spiritual activity, let alone the lofty pursuit of knowing God more intimately. It may not be that such ones are cold-hearted toward God; they simply cannot, in their thinking, prioritize communion with someone so distant and seemingly uninvolved in their daily affairs. Time for God is reserved for Sunday, if they manage to make it to church. What they fail to understand is that their very lack of desire for God is the cause of the great gulf between them and God, for He will not draw near on man’s terms: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). A.W. Tozer said, “We Christians must simplify our lives or lose untold treasures on earth and in eternity. Modern civilization is so complex as to make devotional life all but impossible.” Many of us know that Tozer’s insight is true. We scurry around like little mice in a maze, pursuing things which add nothing of lasting value to our lives. Few resist the current of the day, which takes them further and further away from God. We admire those godly saints who do seek after God but seldom emulate them. Brethren, the time for such indifference must end. Let us make the pursuit of God our greatest pleasure and reap the rewards. Prayer is the path that takes us into His presence. Do not forsake it any longer. You will never find time to pray; you must make time to pray! “And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone” (Matthew 14:22, 23).

Set aside all your excuses and enter into the court of His Majesty. There you will find rest for your weary soul, strength for every trial, and “bright hope for tomorrow.” Surely, if the Christian’s hope is in God alone, then to God alone we must go. The challenge may seem daunting, but do not let it deter you. Call to mind the familiar saying, "Begin small but start promptly.” Impossible goals usually end in failure. With your Bible in hand, find a quiet place, a quiet time, and God will meet with you there. That is His promise. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15, 16). May your fellowship with the Lord be as sweet as honey and as delightful as manna from heaven.


Seek the Lord all ye saints,

Pastor Tom

RELIGIOUS BELIEF IN AMERICA AND THE COMING APOSTASY

No one should be surprised that in a country founded upon the principles of individual liberties, tolerance for a diversity of religious traditions would find fertile soil. What may come as a surprise to some is the extent to which Americans now embrace a faith without dogmatism.[1] Just as moral absolutes have fallen by the wayside in the land of the free, so have theological absolutes. This is the finding of a recent survey of 35,000 adults conducted by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. In the words of Rice University sociologist D. Michael Lindsay: “Religion in America is 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep.” Paul’s words to Timothy ring more clearly today than when they were first written: “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). The faith Paul spoke of was the body of Christian truth, including the gospel of Christ, revealed under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16) to holy men of God (2 Peter 1:21). As predicted, the body of Christian truth has come under persistent satanic attack throughout the course of church history.

What is most startling about the findings of the Pew Forum survey is the degree to which Americans now dismiss even the fundamental teachings of their own brand of Christianity. Fifty-seven percent of evangelicals now deny Christ’s claim that He is the only Savior and way to eternal life (John 14:6), and twenty-five percent of Catholics and Protestants surveyed expressed doubts about the existence of God. It is no wonder that the Democratic presidential nominee, Barak Obama, can say out of one side of his mouth, “I’m rooted in the Christian tradition,” while out of the other side of his mouth come the words, “I believe there are many paths to the same place, and that is a belief that there is a higher power, a belief that we are connected as a people.” The truth is that Barak Obama may be connected to the religious inclusivists of our day, but he is not connected in any way with the teachings of the historic creeds that define the Christian faith. His view, like that of many other Americans, demands a radically new interpretation of Scripture[2] that disdains dogmatism and presents “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:3-4) and “another gospel” (Galatians 1:6). I cite the example of Barak Obama’s version of Christianity only because the media refuses to question him on the particulars of what he believess and because he is representative of an all-embracing religious pluralism that dominates America’s spiritual landscape.

What does this all mean? It means that we are living in days of great apostasy and religious deception. It means that the label Christian has lost its real meaning. We read in the first history book of the Christian church: “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26). The word Christian was originally used as a term of derision to identify the early disciples of Christ. A disciple is, by definition, someone who follows the teachings of his master; he doesn’t redefine them. In this case the master teacher was Jesus, the One who was God manifest in the flesh, the one and only Savior crucified on the cross for sinners, raised from the dead on the third day, and coming again to rule and reign over all the earth. Jesus Christ is the only Lord and Savior, the only path to eternal life. This is the central truth of the Christian faith in its undiluted form. Christianity in America has become a spiritually diluted, toxic brew. Roger Oldham of the Southern Baptist Convention is right on target in his analysis of religion in America: “If by tolerance we mean we’re willing to engage or embrace a multitude of ways to salvation, that is no longer evangelical belief.”

To where does all this lead? The answer to this question is found in Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, in which he spoke of a time when the greatest religious deception of all time would be inaugurated, culminating in the revelation of the antichrist: “Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4). Know for certain that not only America, but all the nations of the world are well on their way to accepting the ultimate deception. Much more could be said about the climate of religious tolerance in our country, but even worse is the climate of tolerance to which the professing church has succumbed. This has been thoroughly documented in exposés of pseudo-Christian cults and popular movements such as the Signs and Wonders movement, the Emergent Church movement,[3] and the Ecumenical movement, which seeks unification with Roman Catholicism. It can also be seen in Rick Warren’s Global Peace Plan, which he calls “a new reformation,” while others label it as nothing more than the New Age blueprint. A Bible-loving Christian must be a discerning Christian.

What should Christians do? Brethren, no one knows the day of Lord’s appearing, but one generation of Christians will be end-time pilgrims. We know for a fact that every day brings us closer to that reality. As America continues in its unprecedented acceptance of religious pluralism under the influence of satanic deception, and as the professing church slides more and more toward apostasy, the true believer must stand firm in the truth, pray without ceasing, and be about his Master’s business before “the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4). Do not grow weary, do not grow complacent, and above all, do not give in to the spirits of the age who promote ungodly living and spiritual lies.


In His Holy Name,

Pastor Tom

[1] A clearly defined set of beliefs.
[2] An interpretation that allows for homosexual marriage and a woman’s right to murder her
unborn child.
[3] The Emergent church embraces mystical practices and redefines Christianity in a post-
modern context.

The LORDSHIP OF CHRIST CONTROVERSY

Some years ago, the evangelical church world was caught up in the debate over a controversy about the nature of Christ’s Lordship. Some prominent names in the evangelical landscape were pitted against each other in an attempt to defend their respective beliefs. On one side were the Lordship advocates, who maintained that the grace-based salvation which comes through faith in Christ is accompanied by a transforming power that is evident in the life of a convert. Lordship Salvation emphasized that submission to Christ as Lord over your life cannot be divorced from trusting in Him to be saved. They proposed that a lack of obedience in the life of a professing Christian gives a warrant to doubt that genuine salvation has occurred. They believed that obedience is the mark of a true disciple. On the other side, the non-Lordship or “free grace” crowd saw themselves as the strict protectionists of the truth that salvation is by grace, apart from works; no turning from sin is required for salvation. To them, obedience to Christ is the mark of a committed disciple. Sadly, charges of heresy were hurled from each side against the other. This struck me as odd because I was personally acquainted with some who differed on this controversy, and none of them were heretics. As far as I knew, they all loved the Lord and desired to live a godly life in obedience to the One who had set them free them from Satan’s spiritual death-grip (Ephesians 2:1-9). All of them were saved freely by God’s grace and were in varying stages of spiritual transformation (sanctification), which I believe is the normal Christian experience. Perhaps the whole debate focused too much on the articulation of biblical truths taken out of proper balance and out of their true theological order. The fact that these truths were presented by some very zealous defenders of the faith only added to the controversy. As is often the case, both sides appealed to Scripture in defense of their views, and when the fire died down and the ashes settled, the debate wasn’t really settled. The smoke still lingers. Looking back years later, as someone who was an interested observer at the time, I have to wonder why it went on as long as it did. Why were numerous books written on the subject? Why so much division among God’s people? Why all the confusion? Perhaps I will be charged with “easy believism,” but it seems rather foolish to me to dispute the fact that the free, saving grace of God is not free if so much as a hint of works is required: “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness” (Romans 4:3). “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). On the other hand, I also know that God will not fail to perform His sanctifying work in the life of the man, woman, or child whose sins have all been washed away: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection” (Hebrews 6:1) . We must be mindful that of the correct order: Salvation comes first and sanctification follows. They are distinct; the one gives birth to the other. Paul and James are not in conflict when their epistles are rightly divided. I preach hard against sin (2 Timothy 4:2), and I do believe in “holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). No one who knows me can justifiably charge me with antinomianism. However, I also confess with equal passion: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Praise God, who didn’t make salvation too difficult for sinful men! I didn’t make promises of any kind when I came to Christ. I knew little of the great doctrines of the faith. The theological vernacular of repentance, regeneration, justification, sanctification, and Lordship was all foreign to me. What I did know was that I was a great sinner and that Jesus was my only hope for forgiveness and eternal life: “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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17). Praise be to God that, through simple faith in Him, I am numbered among His children.

Where does this leave me, as far as the Lordship controversy goes? I guess you might say I am not in full agreement with either group. Both camps have said things worthy of our careful attention and study, and both camps were guilty of labeling the other side falsely to some extent. The free grace men I know do not believe in cheap grace, although some have erred in the rather strict limitation they have placed on the meaning of repentance. On the other side, the Lordship men I know are not tottering on the edge of heresy, although some adherents of this position have said things that could undermine the nature of saving faith. It is dangerous to stray even a little from the foundation of sola fide –- faith alone! Christians must beware of teaching something akin to the Catholic doctrine of formed faith.[1] All agree that Jesus is Lord and that true Christians should act like true Christians. I say amen to that! Those who don’t live in obedience will have a problem with their assurance of salvation.

I feel that both sides of the Lordship controversy have fallen short of claiming a victory for a number of reasons: One is the tendency for zealous men to overstate their case; a second is due to the employment of significant words without delineating their range of meaning; yet another is the simple fact that no man can see into the heart of another man. No one can claim to know what God alone knows. No man is endowed with the foreknowledge of God to see the end from the beginning. Having been involved in pastoral ministry for nineteen years, I have seen enough to be practically convinced that spurious conversions are a reality. Some abandon the faith because they never had true faith to begin with: “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us” (1 John 2:19). Men I knew have professed Christ with their lips when their hearts were unchanged (Mark 7:6). I have also judged some to be among the unregenerate because their lives appeared to lack a Christian testimony, but in hindsight, my judgment was wrong. Some turned out to be extremely immature believers; others were deliberate backsliders who were enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season; both types were miserable in their condition. Absent from their lives was the joy of the Lord and a testimony worthy of the Savior’s love. They could not be used in fruitful service for Christ because they were too busy serving their fleshly desires. They were truly carnally minded. What I am learning through all this is to be more cautious when performing my spiritual examinations. I have been guilty of false diagnoses on more than one occasion. I should express my concerns, but not a final verdict. I am also learning to be patient, to set a good example in word and deed through my own life, and to pray earnestly that everyone who professes the name of Christ will seek His sanctifying grace day by day. A life of godliness doesn’t come effortlessly: “But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself (discipline yourself) rather unto godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7).

Finally brethren, let me conclude with the thought that no Christian of my acquaintance has fully surrendered his entire life to the absolute Lordship of Christ. If that is the requirement, none will be saved. The truth is that no born-again believer will ever be sinless this side of glory, though we must all strive diligently to be blameless in God’s sight. Liberty in Christ is no excuse for disobedience; we must take sin seriously (Romans 6) while we extend our hands in Christian love and grace to those struggling in what could be an intense and prolonged spiritual battle. “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted” (Galatians 6:1). I would like to conclude by exhorting you to examine your profession of faith and walk in the Lord in the light of the whole counsel of God. Men can and do err in their theological pronouncements: “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (I Thessalonians 5:21).

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (Colossians 2:6).


Saved by grace through faith alone,

Pastor Tom


[1] Good works are an integral part of saving faith.

FIGHING SPIRITUAL BATTLES

Every day, the Christian who desires to please the Lord in all that he or she does (1 Corinthians 10:31) will encounter opposition from the enemies of God. Notice that I use enemy in its plural form, for we have more than one. Scripture reminds us of the hosts of spiritual forces confronting the believer: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). We face opponents who are not only a threat in numbers, but by their very nature. Flesh and blood would be more than enough to contend with, but an unseen, immaterial opponent is all the more dangerous. As spirit-beings (fallen angels) they are undetected and their assaults come without any advance notification. I liken them to a physical virus that brings a sudden illness upon our mortal bodies without warning. How did we contract it? From where did it come? Seemingly out of nowhere, yet the evidence of its appearance in our flesh cannot be denied. We can also ascertain from Scripture that the legions of darkness are very experienced in the art of warfare, with a superior intelligence that subjects their victims to a vast array of effective tactics, mentioned in Scripture as “the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). In addition to this, we know that Satan’s minions can operate at lightning-speed without growing weary; they are deathless, organized in ranks, and unified in their wicked purposes.

Thankfully, the Lord has not left his embattled children ill-prepared. One of the great warriors of the Christian faith, the apostle Paul, outlined the Christian’s strategy for victory in the book of Ephesians (6:11-18). Each combatant must be fully clothed with the spiritual armour that God has provided. No part can be missing. Vigilance is the watchword of the hour in days that are evil (Ephesians 5:16) because Satan will never let up in his desire to ruin the testimony of those who have been washed in the blood of Christ. He is as persistent as the day is long and a very determined foe. Jesus told Peter that Satan desired “to sift [him] as wheat” (Luke 22:31). The prince of darkness hates the holy character of God, despises all the wonders He has done, and fights foolishly onward as if he could overthrow what the Lord of Glory has willed for the consummation of all things in heaven and upon the earth. He knows that he himself will be caught up in the scope of God’s final judgments and cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). Surely the thought of endless torment and the ignominy of defeat is motivation enough to compel him onward in a relentless campaign against all that is good, true, and worthy of praise. Although the fierceness of the foe may seem daunting, the saints of God need never fear, suffer discouragement or sound the trumpet of retreat. God’s grace always prevails because Christ has prevailed. In His temptation in the wilderness, in His sufferings on the cross, and in His resurrection from the grave, Jesus has proven that He is the all-powerful, all-sovereign King of Kings. It is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, not the roaring lion Satan, “who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him” (1 Peter 3:22). Thus, when we reflect on the armour of God more deeply, we see it is none other than Christ Himself, in the fullness of His power, who is being made available to us: “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Romans 13:14). Certainly, every child of God can be “more than [a] conqueror through him that loved us” (Romans 8:37).
I will conclude with this thought: Abiding in Christ is the surest way for a Christian to find refuge, rest, and resources for resisting the devil and putting him to flight (James 4:7). "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" (James 4:8).

“Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).


Pastor Tom

THE CONSEQUENCES OF A SINGLE SIN

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17). Several things can be observed as we consider these words spoken to Adam in the garden of God. First is the immediate impression of ultimate authority that accompanies them. This is not a casual conversation between equals in the form of a suggestion from one to the other. The command bears the full imprimatur of magisterial authority. The omnipotent Creator has addressed the creature He formed from the dust of the ground and animated with the breath of life (Genesis 2:7). He whom the seraphim and cherubim hasten to obey has commanded the man who was made a little lower than the angelic order. Next, we must not fail to consider the perfect clarity of the message from the mouth of God to the ear of the man. Proverbs 20:12 declares, “The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the LORD hath made even both of them.” At the dawn of creation, all that God made was “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Thus, the first of God’s creatures, formed after His own image, suffered from no defect of hearing, nor did the Lord stammer or stutter in His speech. Thirdly, we must acknowledge the abundance of grace that was manifested along with the single prohibition. God had provided a banquet filled with wonderful things for Adam’s pleasure and well- being. From this table of delights Adam was free to eat until his heart was content and his soul satisfied. The last observation of note is the dire consequence should Adam’s will be moved contrary to the will of the Lord. God had not spoken in terms of probability or possibility. His words bore the mark of certainty every bit as much as clarity: Adam would “surely die” if he ate of the forbidden tree. The Hebrew reads more literally, “dying thou shalt die.” He who had given Adam life would require it from him should he rebel against his Maker’s sovereign rule. We must surmise that God had in some fashion instilled within the man a primitive knowledge of the meaning of death and what it entailed. This sure and foreboding pronouncement must have resonated deeply with Adam, even in his state of innocence.

Figuratively speaking, the thought of Divine judgment cast a dark shadow that day in the beauty of the garden, but Adam could never have imagined, even with his incredible mental faculties, the full consequences of disobedience: broken fellowship with God, the beginning of sorrow and pain, toil and sweat, thorns and thistles, sickness and death (Genesis 3:16-19). Not only would this come upon him, but upon all humanity born after his image: “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). One can only wonder what thoughts raced through the mind of Adam when he heard those pronouncements of judgment prior to his being expelled from Eden. Paradise was lost over one single sinful choice: “Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken. So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Genesis 3:23,24).

What about you, reader? Do you realize that a single sinful choice can have lasting consequences which could drastically alter the rest of your life? Wisdom utters her voice and pleads with you to consider carefully the consequences of every moral decision you must make, knowing that it is sometimes impossible to reverse a course of action. God is merciful and forgiving, but bear in mind that Lot chose Sodom and afterwards suffered great distress living among the wicked (Genesis 13:11-12; 2 Peter 2:7). We would be wise to learn from his mistake and not to repeat it. Many of us know people like Adam, who listened to the wrong voice, or Lot, who followed his selfish desires only to discover that they led to ruin and regret.

Freedom of choice is a wonderful blessing when used properly. When exercised in sinful directions, that freedom can lead to alienation from God, enslavement to carnal lusts that never satisfy, depression, and spiritual darkness. Don’t head down that dark road; it is not the path of joy, but of heartache, tears, and multiplied sorrows. Keep your eyes on the Lord; choose to do what is right in the sight of God at all times; make friends only with those who will encourage and strengthen you in godliness; walk in the light of God’s Word; and “be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

To God be the glory,


Pastor Tom

THE CHRISTIAN MUSIC CONTROVERSY

That the Creator God alone is worthy of the creature’s adoration is the undeniable truth revealed in Holy Scripture in the form of many commands, exhortations, and personal examples. But we also know by the same Holy Word that men separated from God because of sin cannot worship God in an acceptable way. True worship must come from one who has received spiritual life through the miracle of the new birth. David’s words of praise for God’s deliverance exemplify the wonderful joy of salvation experienced by the Christian: “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD” (Psalm 40:2-3). Brethren, this is our testimony. Everyone who has been rescued from Satan’s dominion and transferred into the Kingdom of God has a new heart, the natural impulse of which is to boast, or glory, in God. The indwelling Spirit inspires such worship (John 16:13-14; Ephesians 5:18-19). It could be said that the chief duty of all who have been redeemed by the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19) is to praise and exalt His name together (Psalm 34:3). The assembly of believers is the one place where the proclamation of God’s faithfulness in word and song should never cease: “Praise ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, and his praise in the congregation of saints” (Psalm 149:1). Our meeting places should be filled with loud hosannas and the sound of music which proclaims the glorious truth that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth (Revelation 19:6).

Thus far we may all be in agreement. God alone is worthy of our worship and must ever be the sole object of it. However, a question arises on which there is no agreement among God’s people. In fact, it is a question which has brought great division among true believers: How shall we worship God? Many of us have, perhaps, heard of the “worship wars” taking place in evangelical churches. The battle lines have been drawn; churches have splintered; saints have been wounded, and the cause of Christ has been hindered by this issue. More particularly, the frontline of the battle has to do with MUSIC. To add further confusion to the traditional or contemporary music debate, the Emergent church movement brings a worship style that is reminiscent of New Age mysticism.

Is there an answer to the question of what constitutes acceptable music in worship that will satisfy everyone? No, there is not; however, there are some other questions that should be asked to help guide our personal decisions. First and most important is the matter of WHOM the music is designed to please. This sounds a little odd when the point has already been made that we meet together as Christians to worship God. But if this is the purpose of our gathering, why does the style of music often dictate where Christians go to worship? Living in the generation of multiple choices when it comes to just about everything, could it be that we choose worship music no differently? Could it be that the sound of the music has to please the musician or listener first of all, rather than the musician or listener endeavoring to prove what is acceptable unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:10)? Someone has aptly labeled what I am speaking of as taste-generated music. It is much like choosing whether I prefer Starbuck’s or Seattle’s Best, except the choice is other than coffee. Maybe that is why a lot of contemporary music is theologically weak and hardly says anything about the great doctrines of the faith: The message is not as important as the music. As an unsaved young man growing up with the rhythm and beat of the rock music culture, I know just how pleasing to the flesh the sound of music can be. The flesh factor is clearly a danger many believers are ignoring: “They that are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:8).

The second question that must be asked is the WHAT of music. What is the purpose of music in the church and in the life of the Christian? I see a two-fold goal in the choice of our worship music. First, the glory of God is primary. The music must be centered on the greatness and majesty of God in the context of what He has done and will do according to the outworking of His redemptive plan. All music that speaks of God’s glorious attributes should, by definition, be sacred - distinct from secular music in its essential qualities. This means that it should be clearly distinguished from the music of the world. Just as the unregenerate are not attracted to godly hymns and other compositions that have served the church well for many years, the child of God should not be enticed by the pop music sound of Babylon that rises and falls on billboard charts. Can God truly be glorified in the selection of music that seeks to be popular with those who are very immature in the faith or who know not God? I don’t believe He can; however, this philosophy governs musical selections in many churches. It should not. The other goal of music should be the edification of the saint. Here too, I see little in contemporary music which would help to promote a solid spiritual foundation based on the revelation of God in Scripture. Paul labored in ministry to present every man perfect (mature) in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28). Music plays a vital role in developing spiritual maturity: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16). We must guard against worship music that is geared to stir emotions but does little to bring the worshiper a greater vision of a holy God. Perhaps the church should begin to ask the question, “Where’s the beef in our music?” Theologian Millard Erickson believes that some of the great indicators of theological change are popular piety and practice. He writes, “One indication of what people believe, or what they will believe, is what they sing in worship.”[1] This is one good reason why music in worship should be carefully evaluated. While the preaching of God’s Word demands the place of prominence in the church, the words we sing to God and about God must not contradict or diminish the ministry of the pulpit. We must not come to church to feel good about ourselves, but to see ourselves in the light of God’s holiness. There must be both joy and solemnity in our worship as we bow in our hearts before a majestic and transcendent God.

The final question to be asked concerning music in worship is the question of HOW. How shall we sing to God? This touches upon the form or arrangement of musical expression. Is there a balance between the melody, harmony, and rhythm? Melody is the musical story line of music, composed of notes in a pattern that we can sing. Melody helps us to remember the song. The term harmony originates in the Greek harmonia, meaning joint, concord, or agreement. Harmony is the relation of notes to notes and chords to chords, when notes are played simultaneously. The word rhythm comes from a Greek word meaning flow. It is the basis or heartbeat of music. Some have called it the flow or energy of music through time that moves the music forward. It is a critically important part of worship music. Professor of music Calvin Johansson notes: “Generally whenever rhythm engenders a response that attracts us to attend to our own feelings and desires, it detracts from worship and works against the maturing of God’s saints.”[2] Much more could be said about the how of music, but that is best left to those skilled in music whose music standards have not become compromised by the hedonistic age in which we live. The God of the Bible is a God of order, beauty, and variety. Our hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs should reflect that, not only with regard to the words, but also in the style and manner of presentation.

My concluding thoughts come down to the question of personal responsibility in our music. As an elder of the church, I can regulate congregational music, but I cannot regulate the music to which you listen. Each child of God must decide for himself in his personal life and give an account to God. I may seek to inform and persuade to some degree, but in the end the choice is not mine. One thing I can and will continue to do is to pray that God will direct your steps through the ministry of the Holy Spirit in all that you do, so that, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). In regard to the subject at hand, my prayer is that you will exercise your Christian liberty in this dark world in a way that does not violate the counsel of Paul’s exhortation to the church at Philippi: “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9-11).

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).
In His name,

Pastor Tom

1 Erickson, Millard. “Where Is Theology Going”? (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1994) p.23
2 Johansson, Calvin. “Discipling Music Ministry: Twenty-first Century Directions”. (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, 1992) p.73