By the Numbers

Showing posts with label Christian Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Life. Show all posts

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Enjoying Life on the Way to Heaven!

                       Enjoying Life on the Way to Heaven!

#Heaven  #Christian Life  #Hope  #Joyous living
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What's the Christian life to be according to the Bible? Do Christians live according to the Bible, or fall far short of it? Admittedly, some persons claimed to be Christian, don't give a favorable impression. But, when we don't know what the Bible teaches, then we don't know all that Christian life should be. We can have misconceptions about ideal Christian living. Is it joyous or serious, loving or condemning, wise or foolish, frivolous or responsible, or what? Can we also confuse personality with spiritually? Let me try to picture what this enjoying life on the way to Heaven is like.
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Jesus compares God's people with honest humble needy sheep trusting God their great shepherd (John 10:1-10 NLT). Sheep are kept in a sheepfold or enclosure to protect them from thieves, bad weather, and wild animals. The shepherd leads his sheep in and out to pasture to provide and protect them. They know his voice, trust his leading, and can only enter the sheepfold through him standing as the gate. Jesus warns that thief's come to steal, kill, and destroy the sheep.  But He, the Lord Jesus, came  to meet our life needs and lead us who trust Him to a rich and satisfying life.  See also John 14:6, Luke 19:10, Psalm 23. (Christians are not of a goat nature that tries to butt down anything pertaining to God.)
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Jesus pictures our relationship with God as a grapevine giving life and fruit to its branches (John 15:1-17). Jesus is the life giving vine and his Father God is the vinedresser. Fruitless branches are cut away and burned--persons claiming to be believers that don't bear fruit aren't true believers as they never received the gospel message that purified them and without Christ can do nothing spiritual. But the Father prunes the true branches to bear fruit--a father who doesn't correct his children for their good doesn't really love them (Heb.12: 5-6). So, true believers produce fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. Answered prayer, joy, and love are the particular fruits mentioned here.. 

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The godly Christian focuses on the fruit of the Spirit, not the works of the flesh.  "The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things" (Gal. 5:22-23). The desires of our sinful nature are listed as: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these--anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God . . . You have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters, But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." (Gal. 5:19-21, 13). 
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Unlike programmed machines or instinctual animals, persons who freely seek God find Him. Critics who claim we have no free will, defeat their own arguments by asking us to believe them. The Bible repeatedly promises true seekers of God, will be real finders (Deut. 29:14; Jer. 29:13; 2 Chron. 6:37: Matt. 7:7; Acts 17:26-28, 30-31). Behavior scientists tests show we can program out minds to believe and behave in good ways if we daily meditate and repeat  good concepts. Now isn't this the very thing the Bible tells us to do so many times and ways?  
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Yes! Consider these Scriptures. "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right" (2 Tim. 3:16). I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Repeat and meditate on verses in Psalm 119.asking and trusting God to make it your mindset and lifestyle.
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But wouldn't I have to give up so many things I love,  to live the Christ life? Honestly, yes! You will need to give us things supremely important from this limited temporarily world's perspective.. But the loss is nothing to compare with the gain from God's all knowing eternal perspective.  Jesus answered the question this way--"anyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, or property for my sake will be paid a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then" (Matt.19:29-30).. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your hearts desires." (Ps. 37:4). That's because our desires then become His desires.
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Now think with me about this: Scientists tell us this material, space time universe came into being. If that's true, then what brought it into being would have to exist before the universe of matter, space, and time. It would have to be eternal, self-existing, and outside matter, space, and time. Further, we know life only comes from life. So, it's nonsense to claim undesigned mindless molecules arranged themselves into complex life forms in any amount of time. That would be like someone eternally throwing red, white, blue confetti from an airplane expecting it to form the American flag. Further, if we say murder and destruction is evil, that requires a moral standard which in turn requires a Moral Lawgiver who can know and enforce the moral law. In sum, all this requires an eternal, self-existent, all powerful, moral, life-giving Mind like what the Bible describes as God who acts in human history.
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Now this is the really hard thing. We're selfish, self-willed. We naturally want our way, and resent anyone telling us what to do, even when we know they're right and want the best for us. And according to the Bible, God will never force us to trust in Him. His love requires we make a free loving response.  As the Bible says, God works all things (both good & bad) for good to those who know and love Him (Rom. 8:28). But true relationship begins and continues with admitting our sin (wrong doing) and trusting Jesus dying on the cross to pay our sin debt. That's God's way.
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Now you are invited to admit your need of relationship with the one true God and trust Him now to same you from sin and Hell. If you don't want the one who died to save you, God will let you have your way. The alternative is self-inflicted torment forever alone in the darkness of Hell. Say, yes Jesus I trust YOU now as my Savior, Lord, and Guide. Thank you, Lord.
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Friday, March 7, 2014

What's The Abundant Christian Life?

                                          What's The Abundant Christian Life?
 #Christian-Life  #spiritual-fruit
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Jesus said, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it abundantly" (John 10:10). But some say, I don't see where Christians are any better off than I am, or have anything I would want! They seem to have the same problems, difficulties, sicknesses, unhappiness, and are no more perfect than me, maybe even worse in some ways. How can I ever think being a Christian is any better? Thank you for sharing your honest truthful thinking. It deserves good honest answers which I hope to supply.
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Let me first say what being a Christian doesn't mean necessarily. It doesn't mean that everyone who goes to a Christian church, is a member in one, reads the Bible, prays, claims to believe in Jesus, or is even a preacher, is a Christian. Persons can do any of those things but still not trust in Jesus. They do these things to be socially accepted, join the church ball team, sing in the choir, have business connections, or for some other reason. So external things don't prove one is in right standing with God. I even know of preachers who were came to trust in Christ in their later ministry. For these reasons persons can take a negative attitude about the church and persons who aren't even Christians.
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It means Christians like everyone else have problems, difficulties, sicknesses, unhappiness, and aren't morally perfect. Yes, Christian have struggles with all these things too and maybe worse struggles as opposed to the evil world system, the devil, and their own sinful nature. God has not promised to exempt Christians from these things, but will see us through them in faith  (Matt. 28:20)
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It means Christians may not be more wealthy, successful, popular, wise, or talented than non Christians. Some may be, but others are not. Although true Christians should seek to be and do their best for the Lord. Moreover, Christians and non Christians may share the same external interests as sports, politics, school, work, and so on.
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It doesn't mean a Christian will know, understand, accept or live by all the Bible teaches though the Bible as God's Word should be his or her authority for faith and practice. Christians are at different levels of maturity and understanding. Persons from dysfunctional homes have special difficulties. Bible teachers and preachers don't teach or emphasize all the same doctrines. Some Bible passages can be misunderstood or interpreted differently. There is room for differences on non essentials.
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Let me explain how a person becomes a Christian and receives God's gift of eternal life. According to the Bible, to become a Christian we must first admit to a perfect God our wicked ways are unacceptable and they make us unfit for His perfect Heaven. Only then are we ready to trust in Jesus, God's holy Son and God's way to save us from our sending ourselves to a permanent jail, or rather Hell . We are warned repeatedly of separation from God and all His benefits (John 16:8-10; Rom. 2:14-16; 1 Cor. 6:7-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Rev. 21:27). The all-knowing God is love, and as such doesn't force but allows us our way to matter how selfish, stupid and destructive it may be.
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But God will save all who are willing--"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Saving belief is trust in Jesus alone to cleanse us of sin and count us in right standing with Him (Rom. 5:18-21; 2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life (John 5:24 MacArthur Study Bible). Salvation is not just an intellectual admission Jesus is God and the Savior--even the demons believe that (James 2:19; Matt. 8:29). Real faith will make positive differences in our life (James 2:22).
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Consider the radical differences in persons showing the lusts of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit which is the abundant life Jesus and New Testament writers discuss (Gal. 5:22-23). The lusts of the flesh consist of adultery, fornication, uncleanness, idolatry, hatred, murders, drunkenness, gossip, theft, and others. We put such persons in jail to protect society. Can we blame God for putting their burning evil passions away (Rev. 21:8; 27) to protect His Heaven? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. The fruit of the Spirit is the abundant life only achieved through true commitment. 
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But why don't we see more of these wonderful spiritual qualities in Christian's lives? Unlike instinctive animals, humans have choice either to follow our sinful desires which lead to eternal torment in God's jail--Hell. Or, we can  yield to God's Holy Spirit that brings abundant life (Gal. 5:16-18; John 15:5: 16:16-18). Victory comes when we positively focus on our relationship with God and His grace, not on keeping laws which no one can keep perfectly (Phil.4:8). It is God who works in us to will and do His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). Trusting prayer and serious Bible study gives us greater insight. Patient waiting shows our faith and love for the Lord is real--like Job (James 5:11).
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It's good to meditate and memorize passages that tell us how to have victory in Christ. But lots of factors go into how we behave, so that Christians are not always recognized. People can do the same things from purely selfish  motives and attitudes, or from a desire to please their Lord. While it's not always obvious, God is always working things our for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). Many Christians will testify they are not all they should be, but in Christ are far better than what they used to be. Thank God for His grace and glory.
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But what if  there's no God and we are just soulless dirt. Or, that everything is god and we will be recycled into the energy of the universe. Both mean the world is an accident of chance, we have no real dignity, no sure basis for  right and wrong, and no ultimate purpose to live beyond the thrill of the moment--we're only somehow a more highly evolved animal. Biblical Christian faith is the record of God's entrance into our world who performed miracles, fulfilled prophecies all the while saying he is our God so we are without excuse.  Trust Jesus now as your Savior, Lord and Guide of us sinners and be eternally blessed.
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Tuesday, June 19, 2012

A Dozen Eggs You Don't Want to Hatch!

                  A Dozen Eggs You Don't Want to Hatch!
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Youth is less experienced and more easily persuaded. But at any age we can fall into traps that destroy our character, ruin our reputation, restrict our future opportunities, and may send us to prison. It's said, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." Protect Your Character and Your Future!
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We can be so focused on  the present and its seeming harmless enticements and never once consider the addictions, destructions, limitations, heartaches, and sufferings that we must face down the road. "Oh, if I had only known--but now it's too late!" Please take these admonitions seriously as they may save you from utter ruin.
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1. Everybody's doing it. Do we know that to be a fact? Has anyone taken a survey? Maybe it seems that way because our particular friends seem to be doing it. Maybe they just say that thinking it more acceptable. Even supposing they are doing it, does that make it right? Could it have harmful consequences down the road? Will our family approve of it? Do you have to sneak around to do it?Consider these things seriously.
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2. Just one time won't hurt you. Are you sure? Many have thought that and become addicted to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, gambling that they wish a million times they never would have started. Girls can get pregnant from sex just one time and live with guilt and maybe poverty the rest of their lives. Seeming present benefits may have long term harmful effects. Does it make us wise or more adult to take on adult habits that become expensive destructive addictions we later regret? Don't let yourself be tricked.
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3. Don't be a party pooper.  Friends, movies, and teachers may promote and pressure immoral destructive behavior as though there's nothing wrong in it.  It takes courage to stand for behaviors we know to be right. Sometimes we need to change friends to those who share our moral values. We need to feel good about ourselves, a good clean guilt free conscience can prevent anxiety and fear of exposure. Do be God's precious trooper.
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4. Cutting corners is good business. It can destroy an otherwise good business. It's dishonest, risky, and eventually likely to be found out, destroy your business and prevent you from starting another business. You would resent someone cheating you. Fair and honest business produces more good business. People trust you when they know you give them a fair deal.
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5. You won't know unless you try. That might be true but any harm done may be too late to correct. Adam and Eve gave us all a rebellious sinful nature. Seeking to learn more about the subject first is wise and may save us many tearful regrets. Avoid even the appearance of evil.
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6. I won't tell on you. Don't put trust in people's word. They have already approved an evil act. You may have a fallen out with them and they quickly spill the beans. People may find out anyway. We can always overlook something or make a mistake. If we lie about it, we might have to tell more lies to cover up and get into deeper trouble. A temporary advantage isn't worth risking a sterling character. Trust in the Lord and do good.
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7. It may be your last or only chance.  Even supposing it is, gaining the whole world isn't worth losing your own soul. Good character is what enables people to trust you and give you chances. Bad character doesn't. You don't know it's your last or only chance. Surprising opportunities do occur. Believe and behave.
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8. It's just borrowing and you can put it back later. Just borrowing is a lie. Taking something that doesn't belong to you is stealing.  We can never know we will not be found out or even can put it back. Conditions can change unexpectedly. Honesty is the best policy.
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9. It will make you popular, successful, wealthy, or sexy. Such things are not the most important things in the world though we may selfishly think so. Good character, self-esteem, an honest living, trustworthiness, faithfulness, and loyalty are worthy of everyone's respect. We can be outstanding in areas mentioned above and not find fulfillment. Being sexy can lead to unwanted problems while real beauty is in good character. Bad behavior to obtain something may backfire later on.
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10. Nobody will ever find out. We don't know that. It may turn out much different than what we ever imagined. People see things when we don't know they're around, as when Moses killed the Egyptian. Nazis who killed Jews escaped to other countries and many were found. Besides, a guilty fearful life is not good. God too knows all our secrets good and bad.
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11. You deserve to get even. Two wrongs don't make a right. This life is not just, but justice will be served one day by the all knowing Lord Jesus. He who took our place, dying for our sins on the cross, is the same one to whom we will bow and give account of our lives. The nails didn't hold Him to the cross. Love for us held the perfect Son of God to the cross. He could have called ten thousand angels to his aid. Man's worst injustice, God used to bring about the world's greatest good--the Lord Jesus' death to save us unworthy sinners. Leave it in God's hands.
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12. God wants us to have fun. Indeed, he does and we can in a multitude of ways. But the fun God wants us to have is not destructive of our character, our body, our mind, our family or our country. It gives us self-respect, a guilt free conscience, moral purity, and hope for good things throughout life. Party with purity.
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A good name is to be chosen rather than riches (Proverbs 22:1). Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come (Ecclesiastes 12:1). I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of you mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2). May I recommend that you commit yourself to the Lord each day. That's the only way we can escape the pollutions of this evil world system.

Saturday, December 3, 2011

Unconcerned Anti-intellectual Christians

                                     Unconcerned Anti-intellectual Christians
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The American President Barack Obama said on public TV that Americans are fat and lazy. I agree  that many are undisciplined in both mind and body. Many Christians are indifferent toward vital spiritual issues. But is life  just fun and party when people's health, well-being and very lives are at stake? Spiritual matters are the foundations that have momentous consequences for our everyday lives. The big question is: How far should we limit our concern on spiritual matters?
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Should We Limit Our Concern to Our Own Family?
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Our families are our immediate concern. There may be no time for the porch rocking chair to watch the grass grow. Dad's making a living takes us most of his time and he flops down to rest when he comes home at night. Mom wants to socialize. Daughter is concerned whether she looks well at school in her jeans. Son wants to be on the winning team at school. And if they feel up to it, they may make it to church or mass this Sunday. Of course, limited finances  can curtail  many activities. It's me, my wife, my son, my daughter, us four no more.  But that's not the Bible teaching.
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But should family be our only concern? Don't we largely take time for the things we give priority too? According to the Bible, we will all face God one day and give account of how we spent our lives and how we used our God-given time, talents, and opportunities. Does our concern go any further than ourselves, our family, our local situation? Jesus said regarding helping others, "Assuredly, I say to you inasmuch as you did it to me of the lease of these My brethren, you did it to Me" (Matt. 25:40). What will the real important issues be when we face God?
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Should We Limit Our Concern to Surface Issues?
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Persons hold widely different views today. With so many divorces, a  marriage license is just an unnecessary piece of paper. Different beliefs between couples isn't really important as people have a right to their own thinking. Those rich guys should pay all the taxes to support us nonworking people. The government will take care of us if we be politically correct.  I'm not sure  atheism is wrong since I haven't seen God and if He exists there wouldn't be so much evil in the world. The Bible warns, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:2). Shouldn't Christians be more concerned with the Lord's biblical instructions than what the world thinks?
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Do our beliefs have a logical factual beneficial basis? Have we thought about how such beliefs affect other persons?  Do we consider  our behavior  honest, fair, and compassionate? Do we want others to treat us in these ways? Where do such beliefs lead? Do limited, fickle, selfish desires and opinions lower us to an animal level?
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What if we're overlooked something and atheism isn't right? Can we prove no personal ethical God exists? Don't government dictators enclave and impoverish their citizens? Do we just die like dogs, lights out?  We may realize one day too late we were absolutely wrong! The Bible warns, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Prov. 14:12). Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).
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Further, isn't there a definite connection between creed and conduct? If the Bible's God doesn't exist, then how we believe and behave has no moral significance. We're just evolving soulless dirt or recycled energy. No authoritative foundation exists to guide our lives or give us hope of life after death. It's just each person's feelings, opinions, and preferences. But according to the Bible, we are made in the mental, moral, immortal image of God. And if a personal ethical God exists, that calls for our personal ethical decisions based upon God's Word (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16).
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Should We Limit Our Concern to Our Own Religious Connection?
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Isn't religion a personal private matter? I'm of the -----------------------------  faith. I've been that all my life. I'll never change. My dead parents would turn over in their graves if they knew I changed my beliefs. Besides, my family would persecute, or disown, or murder me. I could lose my job, my good standing in the community. I would be thought a fool or fanatic.
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According to the Bible the King of kings said, "Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell . . . and he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me" (Matt. 10:28-39). With all the different beliefs, how can we know and show our particular beliefs alone are correct? In Christ alone we have divine claims and definite eyewitness evidences.
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But what about non Christians religions? They can have some good principles we can agree with --for example the negative Silver Rule: Don't do things to others you wouldn't want them do to you. They may even have arguments there is only one true personal ethical God, though revelation alone shows that one God is a Trinity. 
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We should always be respectful and caring about persons and their right to their religious beliefs as long as they're not humanly hostile or destructive. When believers don't support each other's right to their beliefs, persons opposed to such beliefs will eradicate each group one by one. Strength and security is found for all in unity.
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Christians are to speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:13-15). But unlike other religions, Jesus gave definite visible evidences that show He alone is the sinless God-man.  He alone died to save us from sin and give us life eternal. His resurrection is the only real proof of an afterlife.
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After His resurrection, Jesus said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always to the end of the age. So be it." (Matt. 28:19-20).
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Shouldn't We Christians Limit Our Chief Concern to Clear Christian Essentials?
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I mean what C.S. Lewis called "Mere Christianity." What are the essentials on which Christians can stand? So-called authorities in many fields disagree somewhat on issues and Christians are no exception. May I suggest some biblical essentials clearly taught by the apostles of the Bible?
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We Christians  believe  our expanding cooling dependent universe shows its Creator's eternal self-existence and  glory.  He made us directly in His mental, moral, immortal image. God revealed Himself in history as one God in three personal distinctions called Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Jesus the Son is the God-man born of a virgin, who lived a perfect life, died to atone for our sins, and arose from the dead. Before many eyewitnesses, He fulfilled ancient prophecies, performed numerous miracles, claimed to be God with us, promised to return, and ascended into Heaven.
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All who trust  Jesus as their Savior and Guide will live a more Godly life, escape Hell, and one day dwell with Him in the new Heaven and earth. Though imperfect, we should strive to live holy lives in accord with the Scriptures.  In God's grace and for His glory, we declare this apostolic teaching absolute truth. See Col. 1:17; John 1:1-5, 14; Matt. 1:23; 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 11:7; Eph. 4:23-24; Col. 3:10;  2 Cor. 5:21; John 21:24-25; Acts 4:12; 16:31; Cor. 15:1-8; 1 John 4:1-7; 1 Peter 1:18; 2:24; 3:15-18; 2 Peter 1:16-18; Rev. 21:1-8, 27;  Gal. 5:16-26 and numerous others .
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I suggest a few books from time to time but can't possibly include a bibliography and footnote everything in a 3-4 page article. Moreover, so-called experts can be quoted on both sides of an issue. I'm more interested in facts than in so-called expert opinions.
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Friday, March 18, 2011

Christian Heroes # 4

Christian Heroes # 4

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What are Christianity’s roots? Jesus sent believers to preach the gospel worldwide (Matt. 28:18-20; Acts 8:4). Saul, the greatest persecutor of Christians, became Paul the greatest preacher of Christ. Saul’s credentials made it so unthinkable—tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, zealous Pharisee, legally blameless, church persecutor, Gamaliel’s scholar, destined for Jewish greatness (Acts 22:3-21; Phil. 3:4-6). Only his Damascus Road vision of Christ is adequate to account for his sudden conversion. Thanks to NavPress and Dr. Rick Cornish’s 5 Minute Church Historian, we continue paragraph sketches of great Christian heroes.
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John and Betty Stam (1906-1934). More Christians were killed in the twentieth century than all previous centuries combined. Jesus said they will be greatly rewarded in Heaven (Luke 6:22-23). John and Betty met at Moody Bible Institute, got married and became missionaries with China Inland Mission and had baby Helen. Communists assured them safety, but just two weeks later arrested them. They were forced marched to their execution. They overheard soldiers discuss how to get rid of the baby. A Chinese farmer pleaded with the soldiers to spare the baby’s life. They asked him would he trade his life for the baby’s life. He agreed, and they killed him immediately. John and Betty were shamefully paraded through crowed streets in their underwear. A Chinese doctor pleading for their lives was killed. Forced to their knees, they were beheaded. A Chinese pastor found three-month-old Helen in an abandoned house and smuggled her over the mountains in a basket to her grandparents. Once news reached America, hundreds of young people volunteered for the mission field and missions giving greatly increased. Tyrant governments recognize no higher authority, and have little respect for human life and freedom even of their own people. America is headed in that direction. May God’s grace enable us Christians to die for the Lamb of God slain for us to take away our sin and give us eternal life.
Dietrich Bonheoffer (1906-1945) “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die,” said Pastor Bonheoffer. He was one of eight children born to Berlin’s leading psychiatrist. He studied liberal theology under its last master, Adolf von Harnack. Dr. Bonheoffer had a brilliant mind and pastor’s heart. When other pastors choose to follow Hitler, he stood firm for Christ. The Nazis cost him his professorship at Berlin University. He founded a small illegal seminary at Finkenwalde that Nazis shut down when they demanded pastors swear allegiance to Hitler. Dietrich visited America but couldn’t stay while knowing German Christians faced the Nazi nightmare. In Germany again, he joined the plot to assassinate Hitler but it failed. In 1943, he was imprisoned for smuggling Jews into Switzerland. In prison, he wrote Letters and Papers from Prison, The Cost of Discipleship, and Life Together. He challenged Christians to replace indifference and cheap grace with disciplined commitment and service. At only thirty-nine and shortly before the allies liberated Germany, he went to the gallous for his faith in Christ. The church gained a martyr and the world lost a hero.
Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968). Does a name influence a destiny? Perhaps King’s father thought so and named his son after an earlier reformer to become another great reformer. The Bible is clear everybody is descended from Adam and Eve, and created in God’s image with dignity, rights, moral responsibility and an eternal destiny; we’re not just soulless dirt. But our self-centered nature makes us want to put down persons a little different from us. Unfortunately, that’s been true with black persons. Dr. King had a dream that black people would not be judged “by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” He lead  Civil Rights marches in America applying Jesus’ teaching of love with Gandhi’s nonviolent means of addressing social injustice. He became the conscience of persons without conscience.  He helped organize the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and Time magazine named him “Man of the Year.” His efforts brought about passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that mandated desegregation in all areas. The third Monday in January is named Martin Luther King Jr. Day in his honor and more streets are named for him than for President George Washington. May we all follow this Baptist pastor’s dream to treat every person with the same respect and concern.
Francis Schaeffer (1912-1984). Too many Christian pastors and parents tell young people “Don’t ask questions; just believe what we tell you and don’t think too much.” That’s a big reason Christianity is declining in some parts of the world where people only want to be entertained. Christianity provides the right answers, if Christians will only abandon their private individual anti-intellectual fear mentality and witness intelligently to others. Francis Schaeffer realized this. His church’s mission board sent him to investigate the battle with theological liberalism in Europe. In Switzerland, he invited international students to his home for small group chats on the big issues of  truth, philosophy, and religion. It developed into L’Abri Fellowship where thousands of students found that Christianity is a worldview that applies to every aspect of life with answers that make sense. Dr. Schaeffer wrote twenty-four books including Escape from Reason and The God Who Is There. The church’s entertainment anti-intellectual attitude is losing even its own youth in the cultural war. The universities set the cultural climate and unless we produce capable scholars to engage young thinking minds and future leaders we won’t win many people to Christ.
Mother Teresa (1910-1997). Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, an Indian citizen of Albanian descent, became known as Mother Teresa. Her mother cared for an invalid neighbor and six orphans in their home though they had little means themselves. That example inspired Agnes to minister to the very poor. She became a nun who taught schoolgirls of India geography and led them into the streets to minister to the poor in the slums. She lived among the untouchables in the streets. In 1950, she founded the Missionaries of Charity home to care for and dignify the dying. Harvard gave her an honorary doctorate. Queen Elizabeth and the U.S. Congress paid her honors and she received the Nobel Peace Prize. More than four thousand nuns serve in hundreds of homes she founded in many countries to serve the sick, poor, and dying. It’s not that the world can’t provide food and health care, but that selfish indifferent people, tyrants, bad laws and bad religions promote abject poverty and disgrace. Jesus spoke more about the abuse of money than about any other subject. Mother Teresa showed us real love by simple acts of kindness.
Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1916-2008). Though raised Russian Orthodox, the Soviet education system converted him to Marxism. His degree was in science but he dreamed of writing of the glories of Russian’s revolution. While a captain in the Red Army, he made the mistake of writing in a letter about Stalin as “the mustachioed one.” The secret police put him eight years in the Gulag or prison system. Under brutal hellish conditions, he saw the best and worst of humanity. Anatoly Silin wrote and memorized theologically rich poetry and shared it with Alexander who became a Christian. When the Soviets released Solzhenitsyn, he wrote, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovish and Gulag Archipelago exposing terror and murder of a typical day in the Gulag. The Soviet revolution brought about sixty million deaths. Proverbs 8:36 tells us that those who hate God love death. Solzhenitsyn won the Nobel Prize for literature and world fame. His books were smuggled out of Russian to be published and he was expelled being too much trouble to keep and too famous to kill. After taking on the evil empire, he tongue-lashed the elites of Harvard for abandoning their Christian heritage and moral influence. The West had not lost God by tyranny he declared, but abandoned him for materialism and decadence. This caused some who once praised Solzhenitsyn, to condemn him. The truth is unpopular whether in the Gulag or at Harvard with those who don’t want God. As God’s true people, we are to speak the truth about the Truth no matter the cost (John 14:6).
The Lord Jesus Christ gave Stephen a standing ovation. He was the first Christian martyr who lived for Christ, fearlessly spoke out for Christ, and died for Christ. That’s what it takes to win people to Christ. May we be as faithful today as he was faithful then (Acts 6:5-7; 7).
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Christian Heroes # 3

Christian Heroes # 3

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John the Baptizer announced Jesus as the man from Heaven, Son of God, and Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. I find it far more reasonable to believe someone who knew Jesus personally, even gave his life for his faith, than to believe twenty-first century critics whose naturalistic assumptions won’t allow them to admit the supernatural. Once again, I thank NavPress and theologian Dr. Rick Cornish for his 5 Minute Church Historian. John said, “Jesus must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30). “ That’s certainly true if we’re to be God honoring faithful useful servants. It’s his loving Holy Spirit working in and through us. Let’s be encouraged by more of God’s great heroes.
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Blaise Pascal (1624-1662). Pascal was an Enlightenment genius. He earned the reputation of a mathematician, scientist, inventor, philosopher, mystic, and Christian apologist. At age fifteen, he worked out thirty-two of Euclid’s propositions that he didn’t know. He invented the first calculator, the vacuum cleaner, the wristwatch, and figured out the principles of atmospheric pressure. In Augustine’s writings, he learned that life’s mystery and suffering met its match in God’s wondrous grace. He sought answers to life’s most vexing questions in the Bible and found peace in Christ. Dying early at just thirty-nine, he left notes. His friends collected and published his notes in a book called Pensees or thoughts. Many regard it as one of the greatest books of all time. It presents persons as wretched creatures transformed by faith in Christ.
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Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727). Many in science were in Christ who actually motivated their science being the proof that a rational God made a rational and good world. Consider Galileo (astronomy), William Harvey (medicine), Robert Boyle (chemistry), Charles Babbage (computer science), Louis Pasteur (bacteriology) and numerous others. But you won’t find their faith mentioned in science textbooks and will likely find it suppressed in secular colleges. Textbooks writers never mention that Newton ranked Scripture above his scientific discoveries hoping his theories would bring men to God. He wrote more about the Bible and theology than about science. Born on Christmas day, he grew up on a farm, loved books and enrolled at Cambridge. Like many of us at some time, he had doubts about the Trinity and about Christ. His Mathematical Principles blended the physics of motion into a single law of gravity. He and Rene Descartes shaped modern science until the twentieth century. While science and Scripture aren’t at war, the fallible interpretations of men often seem to be.
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John Wesley (1703-1791). Two of the greatest John’s are Jonathan Edwards a Puritan scholar and pastor used of God to bring revival to New England and America, and John Wesley an ocean apart used to bring it to England. Born into a family of nineteen children, Susanna, Wesley’s mother established a pattern in her children’s lives of teaching them the Bible one-on-one once a week. John attended Oxford where he read devotional classics of the early church Fathers. With others, he formed a Holy Club other students taunted calling them “Methodists” for seeking a method to attain spirituality. It consisted of Bible study, prayer, fasting, and service to the downtrodden. Wesley’s discipline enabled him to preach several times a day to common people. He traveled on horseback sixty miles a day preaching throughout England, Scotland and Ireland. Wesley stressed God’s love and holiness of life. Researchers estimate he traveled 250,000 miles and preached 40,000 sermons.
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William Carey (1761-1834). Christians regard William as the Father of Protestant modern missions. Born to a poor English family, at twelve he taught himself Latin. When working as an apprentice shoemaker, he studied the Bible and often fasted to save money for books. He understood the church should take the gospel to everybody. If meant only for the apostles, it would have died with them and people since then would go to Hell. He preached: “Expect Great things {from God}; Attempt Great Things {for God}.” He and a teacher and printer friend planted churches, learned languages, translated and printed Bibles, published grammars and lexicons, founded colleges, and reformed Indian culture. At Fort William College in Calcutta, he became professor of Sanskrit, Bengali, and Marathi. He tried to end the practices of killing babies and burning widows. The keys to this hero’s success were faith, determination, and persistence. Imagine what we might do to apply his preaching to our lives.
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John Paton (1824-1907). Paton, a tough compassionate missionary, survived cannibals, diseases, threats and attacks on his life, and death of his loved ones to tell savages of love and salvation in Christ. Born to a poor Presbyterian family John quit school to help his family knit stockings to feed the family of eleven children. His father led the family in devotions morning and evening and all attended church on Sunday. John’s first ministry was in the slums knocking on doors to share the gospel. Hearing of Pacific islanders without the gospel, he determined to go regardless of the dangers. He took his bride, Mary Ann, to the South Pacific island of Tanna where his son was born. Both his wife and baby soon died. Heartbroken and in tears, he buried them with his own hands. Alone and lonely, Paton went from village to village sharing God’s love in Christ. He remarried and on the island Aniwa where the Patons planted a church, started schools, build orphanages, and translated the Bible. Uninformed persons think Christians ignorant. A large part of the world would be ignorant, savage, in poverty and despair if it weren’t for Christian missions, Bible translations, schools, orphanages, and hospitals.
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J. Gresham Machen (1881-1937). Machen defended Christianity in a day of deflection. “False ideas are the greatest obstacles to the reception of the gospel,” he warned. Educated at Johns Hopkins and Princeton University’s, he became professor at Princeton Seminary. He believed the fundamentals of theology but rejected fundamentalism’s narrow anti-intellectualism and legalistic tendencies. He was a scholar’s scholar who didn’t retreat from learning and thinking when liberal forces took over American universities and pulpits. Liberals forced him to leave Princeton. So he founded Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia. His liberal adversaries couldn’t dismiss his thoughtful logical arguments. In Christianity and Liberalism, he showed liberalism not an updated version of Christianity but a new humanist religion. It was deceptive using the Christian vocabulary but denying the Trinity and deity of Christ. He advised Christians must study hard, think well, and defend the faith or they will lose the cultural war. Cultural Christians accommodate secularism and forsake biblical faith. In effect, secular humanism makes us soulless dirt without foundation for human dignity, rights, freedom, truth, and ethics. It brings chaos and opens the door to tyranny.
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C.S. Lewis (1989-1963). Clive Staples Lewis was born and raised in a Christian home but became an atheist as a teen. He interpreted his mother’s death as God rejecting his prayers. Lewis became professor of English literature at Oxford and Cambridge. He noticed the writings brilliant colloquies he admired were Christian and he couldn’t escape the evidence and logic that supported the gospel. His vast knowledge, vivid imagination and literary skill propelled him into world fame. He appealed to human imagination as well as intellect in his children’s stories, popular apologetics, and scholarly studies. Among his works is Mere Christianity, Miracles: A Preliminary Study, The Problem of Pain, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Screwtape Letters. Lewis published thirty-nine books, hundreds of poems, essays, pamphlets, short stories, and critical reviews. The influence of Christianity’s most popular defender is beyond calculation.
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Christian Heroes # 2

Christian Heroes # 2
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Continuing the Christian heroes’ series, I’m indebted to Dr. Rick Cornish’s excellent book 5 Minute Church Historian. I also highly recommend his 5 Minute Theologian and 5 Minute Apologist especially for college students needing quick answers.
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The Lord Jesus said “He who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it (Matt. 10:38-39).
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Patrick (c. 389-461). Surprisingly, the patron saint of Ireland was neither Irish nor Roman Catholic. He was born into a Christian home in Britain but at sixteen slave traders captured and sold him to an Irish pig farmer. For six years of captivity, his Christian faith grew but he yearned to be free. Dreaming that a ship was waiting for him, he escaped to the coast to board a vessel carrying dogs. Tending them gave him free passage to France where he joined a monastery. Returning to Britain and family, he received another dream similar to Paul’s Macedonian man (Acts 16:9-10) of the Irish begging him to bring them the gospel. Returning to Ireland, he worked among the Celts trusting God’s power to enable him to prevail against the death treats of Druid priests. Patrick focused on winning tribal kings to Christ hoping to gain the people also. Three years later he died. Historians estimate he planted two hundred churches and baptized thousands. He is credited with preserving civilization and ancient texts throughout the Dark Ages and of ending the Irish slave trade. During the two centuries following hundreds of Celtic monks took the gospel to Western Europe. Patrick’s faith, forgiveness and sacrifice should inspire us.
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Thomas Aquinas (c. 1225-1274). Great intellects are needed in crises times. Thomas, a quiet, serious, thinking person was the greatest theologian since Augustine. He sought to reconcile faith and reason with the secular discoveries of his day. He believed God is known by general revelation in nature and conscience as well as by special revelation in Jesus Christ and Scripture. God’s world and God’s Word don’t contradict. He applied reason to understand God’s truth and wrote prolifically. He summarized Christian beliefs in Summa theologiae and defended the faith in Summa contra Gentiles. His writings were standard texts throughout the Middle Ages. He died at age forty-nine. Because he wrote more about angels, he’s called the Angelic Doctor and due to his big size is known as the Dumb Ox although he was anything but dumb. Both Catholics and Protestants refer to his  works. He taught us to grapple with intellectual challenges for the glory of God and faith of people.
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John Wycliffe (c. 1330-1384). John gained the title the Morning Star of the Reformation because his views preceded Martin Luther’s by 150 years. He believed the Bible, not the church or the pope, was God’s authority and should be translated into the language of common people. Priests should preach Scripture not intermediate between man and the people. A person’s relationship with God was supremely important and not Rome’s religious system. Christ’s cross work merited salvation not our own. Teachings not found in the Bible were not true. He translated the Bible from the Latin Vulgate into English. He was the leading theologian at Oxford University. But the pope condemned his radical views, caused him to lose his professorship and had parliament pass a law making his ideas a crime punishable by death. Wycliffe Bible Translators carry on his work today putting the Bible into the heart language of common people.
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Martin Luther (1483-1546). Luther believed the ideas of Wycliffe and that priests could marry. His father wanted him to go into law but when nearly struck by lightning, he vowed to become a monk and joined an Augustinian monastery. Feeling God’s wrath, he felt overwhelmed by his sin. Reading Romans 1:17 he realized that righteousness comes through faith in Christ and not by our good deeds. He was reborn and the reformation began. He posted his ninety-five theses stating his beliefs on the door of the Roman Catholic Church at Wittenberg, Germany. The newly invented printing press enabled his ideas to spread rapidly throughout Europe. He broke Rome’s stronghold exposing its corruption and false theology. The emperor responsible to defend the faith ordered Luther to the city of Worms to justify his writings. Luther refused to recant his writings unless someone could prove them wrong by Scripture or reason. He even offered to burn his books. His conscience was captive to God’s Word and he declared, “Here I stand, so help me God.” He escaped capture and execution when Fredrick the Wise, prince of Saxony, kidnapped him and hid him in his Wartburg Castle. Martin translated the New Testament into the common language of the German people. His courageous stand laid the foundation of Protestantism. One man’s courage changed the world.
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William Tyndale (c. 1494-1536). Since God revealed his Word to us in Hebrew and Greek, each generation must translate it from those original languages into their own language. Being a wiz at languages, William mastered French, German, Italian, Greek, Hebrew and Latin. He knew the Roman Church kept the people captive interpreting the Bible with the allegorical method and through languages, they didn’t know. Stunned by ignorance of priests, he vowed to translate the Bible in the language that a boy behind a plow could read. When the English king prohibited Bible translation into English, William went to Germany and translated the New Testament from Erasmus’s Greek New Testament. Sympathetic merchants smuggled it into England but opponents bought and burned all they could find. The king’s men caught him and burned him at the stake. He died praying, “Lord, open the king of England’s eyes.” Within a year, King Henry V111 approved an English Bible that was 70% Tyndale’s work. God’s enemies hate his word and kill to keep it from the people.     
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John Calvin (1509-1564). Calvin was a lawyer-scholar, genius at logical argument, deep thinker and cool organizer of theology. At age fourteen, he enrolled at the University of Paris to become a lawyer but became more interested in Protestant ideas and theology. At twenty-seven, he wrote his first edition of his Institutes of the Christian Religion. Being forced out of France for his Protestant ideas, he became the leading citizen in Geneva Switzerland that became known as “the Protestant Rome.” Calvin wrote Bible commentaries, preached verse by verse and applied the Bible to all of life. He is known for his emphasis on God’s sovereignty and predestination. He showed that the Bible teaches a worldview with instructions about politics, law, economics, art and every part of life. While some Christians don’t agree with all he taught, his influence spread throughout Europe and early America and in Reformed minded protestant denominations.
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I can only touch on a few of these great heroes of Christian faith in these three articles. They came from every kind of background and all loved and trusted the Lord. They gave of themselves to make a better world. They often endured rejection, persecution and martyrdom. Let us pray, trust, love and work to use what God has given us to become his heroes.
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Christian Heroes #1

Christian Heroes # 1

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Because Christ arose giving us the assurance Christ is God as he claimed and that we have eternal life with him after death, Paul can say these tremendous words--“My beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Cor. 15:58).
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The biblical chapter Hebrews 11 mentions some great exploits of men of faith in the Old Testament. Not many Christian believers know these great church heroes from Jesus’ day until today. The world is not worthy of them nor shows appreciation of their work of faith and labor of love. Let me give a few paragraph accounts for our edification and encouragement. I recommend Dr. Rick Cornish’s excellent work 5 Minute Church Historian from which I summerize my material.
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Polycarp (c. 69-155). Polycarp was one of the Apostle John’s disciples. He pastored the church in Smyrna (modern Turkey) and ministered to all classes of society. He wrote a letter to the Philippian church answering their questions somewhat like Paul. In fifty years of ministry in Asia Minor, his enemies knew him as the atheist who destroyed their traditional gods. The authorities who arrested him only wanted him to deny his faith. He served them a meal and prayed for friends who would be crushed by his loss. When Polycarp was standing in the arena, the governor asked him to swear allegiance to Caesar. His reply was that he had served Christ for eighty-six years and couldn’t deny him now. The governor reminded him wild animals were waiting to tear him apart. Polycarp said to bring them on. The governor then said a fire would be built to burn him alive. Polycarp told the governor he would one day face God’s eternal judgment of fire. When soldiers lit the fire, the crowds were appalled at the execution of such an honorable man. Polycarp is a model of how Christians should act under such circumstances.   
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Justin Martyr (c. 100-165). While Martyr was not his name, he came to be called that because he was scourged and beheaded for following Christ. As a young man, Justin was a pagan studying the works of the Stoics, Aristotle and Plato. But they gave him no satisfying answers to his questions. An old man he met and talked with about God told him there is more truth in some ancient prophets than in the philosophers. This led him to faith in Christ. He wrote Apology 1 and Apology 2 addressed to the Roman Senate and people and later wrote Dialogue with Trypho the Jew. Justin portrayed Christianity as reasonable, no threat to the state and that it should be made a legal religion. Christians should be punished for crimes committed like everyone else not for their beliefs. Justin wrote as a philosopher to philosophers, but believed that mind alone cannot bring a person to God, that it requires revelation of the living Christ who alone gives saving faith. Justin set the example for us in communicating in language his hearers could understand.
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Irenaeus (c. 130-200). Irenaeus possibly was a student of Polycarp who wrote two surviving books. Against Heresies exposed the false teaching of Gnosticism, a secret knowledge claiming everything material was evil including our physical bodies. Our spirits are good but trapped in a physical body. So Christ’s body wasn’t a real body but only looked that way. Our object is to escape our bodies and the physical world. But Irenaeus knew that if Scripture and the apostles said nothing about it, it’s not of God. The God of the Old Testament is not a lesser God. Jesus is his unique Son, the eternal Word who became fully human. And all God created was good. Irenaeus’ other surviving book is Proof of the Apostolic Preaching. The false teacher Marcion said the Old Testament God was wrathful but the New Testament God loving. He restricted the New Testament books to Luke’s Gospel and ten of Paul’s letters. Irenaeus showed there were only one God and a unity between both Testaments. His sound principles of interpretation saved the church from false teachings, wild speculations, and a pick and choose theology.
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Tertullian (C.160-225). When Rome increasingly persecuted the church, thinking Christians responded to counter the pagan philosophies of the day. Tertullian became one great defender or apologist. He urged Christians to forsake pagan culture and philosophy. “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?” he asked. Better than any before him, he explained the Trinity and nature of Christ. He spoke with passion and conviction but not always spoke the truth in love as Paul instructs us to do (Ephesians 4:15).
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Athanasius (296-373). This short black African was a giant in defending biblical teaching and setting the church on the right course. People of his day sought to twist the Scriptures much as Jehovah’s Witnesses do today. For forty-six years as bishop of Alexandria, he defended himself against charges ranging from witchcraft to murder. But he would stand against the world if need be to defend God’s truth. He wrote The Life of St. Antony that spread monasteries that kept culture and Christian truth alive in difficult times. He wrote On the Incarnation that explained redemption and the need of Jesus to attain it. He also wrote Against the Arians that defended the full deity of Christ as co-equal and co-eternal with the Father. And he was the first to list all twenty-seven books of the New Testament.
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John Chrysostom (means “golden mouth” 347-407). He lived two years in a cave memorizing the New Testament. Common people applauding his preaching and asked for more even though, he preached for two hours. He condemned church abuse of wealth and government abuse of power and kowtowed to no one. John became bishop of Constantinople the seat of the eastern empire. Condemned and deposed for using church money to build a hospital for the poor, he was forced into exile and died of malnutrition and exposure. John believed in a God inspired Bible, in the meaning of the text, and in applying it to everyday life. He taught verse by verse and eight hundred of his sermons survive. He is a model for all who preach and teach God’s Word today.
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Augustine of Hippo (354-430). Though influenced by Monica, his Christian mother, as a boy he was a thief, liar, hated school and was often punished. But he developed both a love for knowledge and desire for sex. He devoured the subjects of Latin, rhetoric, mathematics, music, and philosophy. He first converted to the Manichean cult. Later he became a professor of rhetoric at the University of Milan. Augustine envied Ambrose, the pastor of Milan, realizing a godly Christian could be an articulate speaker and intellectual as well. He rethought his position. Sitting under a tree one day, he heard a child say take up and read. He opened the Bible to Romans 13:13-14, being convicted of sin, he trusted Christ as Savior. He became the greatest theologian of the first thousand years of the church. He debated Pelagius’ false doctrine of salvation by good works. His books The City of God and The Confessions are classics that inspire and encourage us today. He saw the events of life in light of God’s Word and providence.
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What Is Real Lasting Wealth?

What Is Real Lasting Wealth?

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Willy sat on his front porch watching cars go by on the street at the end of his front yard. It was a beautiful sunny day in the spring when trees and flowers bloom and freshness pervades the air. And as he felt surrounded by warm sunshine along with a cool breeze, he realized—I’m blessed, and in so many ways—in material and financial things yes, yet far more important in social and health matters, and most crucial in spiritual realities.
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Material and Financial Things

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 I don’t live in a mansion; my house is rather ordinary like the others around me. I’m no millionaire but I’m free of major debts, can pay my bills on time, can put away 10% of my salary for future needs, and have employment that meets my family’s basic needs. I have a car to go to work, can go to worship and witness without fear of persecution, and can take my family out for recreational and fun times occasionally. I tithe to my church and give above my tithe to gospel missions and persons in need. Thank you Lord for financial blessings I can share with others. Wish I could give more to the kingdom of God, which has eternal value. I feel so humble and grateful.    
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I give the Lord credit and as a steward of God’s bounty strive to follow common sense and biblical principles. I realize that everything I own or have is a gift of God’s grace. I try not to incur big debt and to pay dept off as quickly as possible to avoid paying interest. I don’t want to sin in wasting God’s resources or by purchases above my means and have to declare bankruptcy or experience foreclosure. That’s really stealing from other people. I try to be a wise shopper to search labels not just for their dates of expiration, but also for their quality, quantity, and price and to always look for sales and discounts. 
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Social and Health Matters

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Socially I’m blessed. My wife is a lovely loving lady who loves the Lord and ministers to others. She visits them in the hospital, frequently calls to check on their well-being especially if they’re older single people, and sends cards of encouragement. She’s unafraid and unashamed to witness for Jesus as Lord and Savior of sinners with friends and relations as she knows this concerns their eternal well-being. She sings in the choir, sometimes works in the nursery, has taught Bible classes, goes on church visitation, and is an example of godly living. I’m so thankful for her—she helps keep me straight. We have two beautiful children, a son in college and daughter graduating from high school. We have family devotions and prayer together and I try to teach them God’s principles and be an example though I miss it a long way—we Christians are still human and sinners.
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It’s true that I’m not as fast, sharp in mind and healthy as in my younger days. We work out at the gym. I’m working on getting that six-pack with my abs and keeping my gut down but it’s sure hard when you enjoy eating. We enjoy walks together. We drink clean water and avoid harmful things like tobacco, alcohol, as illicit drugs, and baking in the sun which causes skin cancer. Young people think such things declare adulthood and make you popular, but you pay dearly in later years with  damaged body and mind. We’re made for God’s glory, not selfish destructive purposes. We eat fresh vegetables, take vitamins, and get medical checkups and adequate sleep. I have my up and downs, aches and pains, good days and bad—I live in the real world, but find the Lord is good and I love Him.      
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Crucial Spiritual Realities

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God’s greatest blessings or benefits are spiritual. Even most Christians have little spiritual understanding of the many things Christ’s death has accomplished in their behalf. I fear for persons who in ignorance, indifference, and rebellion demean and deny the tremendously precious grace of God displayed in the death of his unique Son, the God-man and Lord Jesus Christ. They can shout crucify him today when presented to them as Savior, but will one day kneel at his feet as their Judge and confess He is the righteous Lord. Please my friends don’t throw away your most crucial opportunity of life. John Piper's little book, Don't Waste Your Life, is helpful here.
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Contrary to many people’s opinion and ignorance there is more historical evidence for Jesus as an historical person living in our space-time world than for Tiberius Caesar or Aristotle. Check it out in the books I recommend. Further, honest appraisal overwhelmingly and undeniably shows Jesus demonstrated many times and many ways He is God. He both said and did things only God could. Jesus is humanity’s hope—there's no other name!
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In his excellent little book, The Passion of Jesus Christ, John Piper discusses fifty biblical reasons why He came to die. I recommend it highly for a spiritual treat. Also, Piper’s messages are available on the www.desiringGOD.org. “Passion” from Latin is used here of Christ’s suffering. I can only touch on the first reason and hope you will check out the others.   
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Jesus died to absorb the wrath of God. To many persons sin is no big issue, but to God it’s the worst possible insult provoking his wrath. God’s justice demanded his Son suffer and die--God’s love made his Son willing to suffer and die. God’s love met the demand of his justice by absorbing the wrath or anger of God against believing sinners.
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We dishonor our Creator and Life-giver by preferring things other than him and living out our own preferences. The universe, life, love, goodness, beauty, accomplishment, everything we enjoy and treasure would be nonexistent apart from God. So failure to love God is not trivial but treason. Not to punish our neglect, indifference and rebellion would make God unjust. The biblical word “propitiation” speaks of the removal of God’s wrath by his Son Jesus Christ becoming our substitute and bearing the punishment of our sin. Jesus didn’t just cancel our sin; he absorbed it and diverted it from us to himself becoming sin for us the Just for the unjust (propitiation). We will never understand the debt or value God’s love for us until we see the heinous of our sin as insult to God and humbly and seriously trust Christ for forgiveness.
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Only one life. It will soon be past. Only what's done for Christ will last. Unknown Author. We can make a real difference for a better world by sharing these important articles with both Christians and non Christians. Link and share something that can make a difference in Christ the Lord.
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“In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 In Him we have redemption,  through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:7 Do you know Jesus? Trust Him now as you Savior, Lord, and Guide.
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