"Of The World"

I am currently reading a book by David F. Wells entitled, "God in the Wasteland".
In this book Wells discusses the weakening effects of modernism on the church.
He asserts that the "cultural corruption" of the church has led to a departure from the fundamentals of God's sovereignty and holiness.
He speaks of evangelicals as having become "heavily invested in the mindset of modernity, a mindset that Wells correlates with the biblical concept of the "world."

Below is an excerpt from the book:

"It is one of the remarkable features of contemporary church life that so many are attempting to heal the church by tinkering with its structures, its services, its public face. This is clear evidence that modernity has successfully palmed off one of its great deceits on us, convincing us that God himself is secondary to organization and image, that the church's health lies in its flow charts, its convenience, and its offerings rather than in its inner life, its spiritual authenticity, the toughness of its moral intentions, its understanding of what it means to have God's word in this world.
Those who do not see this are out of touch with the deep realities of life, mistaking changes on the surface for changes in the deep waters that flow beneath.
An inspired group of marketers might find a way of reviving a flagging business by modifying its image and offerings, but the matters of the heart, the matters of God, are not susceptible to such cosmetic alteration.
The world's business and God's business are two differant things.

The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is not inadequate technique, insufficient organization, or antiquated music, and those who want to squander the church's resources bandaging these scratches will do nothing to stanch the flow of blood that is spilling from its true wounds.
The fundamental problem in the evangelical world today is that God rests too inconsequentially upon the church. His truth is too distant, his grace is too ordinary, his judgement is too benign, his gospel is too easy, and his Christ is too common."

"Possessor of Heaven and Earth"

"A man who knows that he owns a tree and thanks you for the use he has of it, even though he does not know its exact height or the width of its spread, is better than another who measures it and counts all its branches, but neither owns it nor knows and loves its Creator. In just the same way, a man who has faith in you owns all the wealth of the world, for if he clings to you, whom all things serve, though he has nothing yet he owns them all. It would be foolish to doubt that such a man, though he may not know the track of the Great Bear, is altogether better than another who measures the sky and counts the stars and weighs the elements, but neglects you who allot to all things their size, their number, and their weight."
(Augustine)

The observations of Augustine remind me again that our God, who has made all things and sustains all things for His own glory, has not vacated the throne and is still the owner and disposer of it all! As the hymn writer asked: "Why should I be discouraged?" The response of an enlightened heart came: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me."

"Practical Atheism"

"The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good." (Psa.14:1)

There is much talk today of Atheism. I hear concern expressed with regards to such things as atheistic phrases on the sides of buses and billboards around the world.

These are certainly disturbing trends, nevertheless, I must respond to these concerns with a question: "Are these expressions of atheistic philosophy in word contrary to the overall human condition in practice?

In other words, is not man a practical atheist from birth? Does not the Bible describe the natural man as one alienated from the life of God and at enmity with Him?

The scriptures describe him as one who does not even want to retain the knowledge of God in his mind and when exposed to the truth seeks to suppress it.

Does not the above verse from the Psalms speak to us of man's evil heart? Out of this evil, atheistic heart flows the issues of life. So, what is it that flows from such an unbelieving heart?
Here it is declared that the outworkings of atheism are "abominable works" that show forth his unbelieving hatred of God.

Therefore, when we consider practical living, how many lives display what they profess to believe, that is, that there is a God who has given us life, who has given us direction for that life, and who rules over all things?

"And why call ye me, Lord,Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
(Luke6:46)

With this in view, is Atheism a minority report? Or, is it the testimony of the many, even among professed believers?

Is a phrase on the side of a bus really the issue, or is this simply a diversion that keeps us from facing our own "foolish" hearts and their outworkings of practical atheism?

My prayer is this: "I want faith in God to be expressed not just in my words, but also in my deeds! O' for grace to not display the attributes of a practical atheist!"

"No Greater Love"!

"What shall we say then to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" (Rom.8:31-32)

What can one add to such profound questions as these? What can the flesh, the world, or the Devil do to seperate me from the grace of God by which I stand. I am captured by His unspeakable love and mercy that sought me and bought me and will never leave me nor forsake me!

We have every reason to be glad with joy unspeakable and full of glory!

A Dichotomy?

In this post I want to share some ponderings of mine concerning the declarations of scripture that pertain to the believer and sometimes appear to be contradictory.

I first acknowledge and assert that I am convinced that there are no such contradictions in God's perfect and Holy word and that the difficulty lies in my lack of clarity and diligence.

Specifically, what I am referring to are particular statements that speak of "completed", "past tense" acts of God on behalf of the Christian which seem to stand in contrast to other statements that speak of these same acts as contingent on the believers actions.

For instance, Paul speaks of us as having been (past tense) crucified with Christ in various places in his letters: "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." (Rom.6:6) And: "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." (Gal.5:24) Also: "I am crucified with Christ...." (Gal.2:20)

But then, we have statements that Paul gives as his own testimony that speak of him "dying daily" and believers are exhorted to:
"...mortify the deeds of the body..." (Rom.8:13) And to: "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;....." (Col.3:5) Then, just a few verses below this statement he again asserts a completed act: "Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:" (Col.3:9-10)

So, what am I then? Have I been crucified with Christ, put on the new man, been translated from darkness to light or am I laboring to attain these things?

The answer is YES to both!

I see in these declarations, "already and not yet" statements. What I mean is, we have described for us in scripture our "position" and our "walk", our "standing" and our "experience". That is, we are a completed work in Christ, yet we are striving to "walk" and "experience" these God wrought attributes in our earthly pilgrimage.
(Consider Paul's desire to "experience" the resurrection life in his earthly walk, Phil.3:10-11)

They are not automatically active. I think of some examples: "....work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure." (Phil.2:12-13) There is a concurrence or confluence here that is going on between the working of God and the desire and efforts of the quickened, no longer dead in sins believer. God calls us to "fight the good fight of faith" and to "work out" what He has "worked in"! If it hasn't first been worked in it can't be worked out. As I heard someone say in the past: "You have to have a garden before you can work it out." God has given us an abundant "garden" of spiritual enablement and fruit!

Also note: (Phil.3:10-15) Here, Paul speaks in one verse of not having attained perfection and then shortly thereafter speaks of being perfect. Again, "walk" and "position".

There are many examples and illustrations of this in the epistles and I am reminded of another that we have been looking at in our Sunday night Bible study. It is found in 2Peter 1:3,5-7. Peter declares in verse 3 that: "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:" then he goes on to exhort his readers to: ".....add to your faith virtue......"

Therefore, I am again confronted with a statement of God's "past tense" empowering and completed work and the Christian's responsibility to "walk" in it by faith.

Paul says in Romans 8:9, "....Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." And he reveals to us in Galatians 5:22-23 the fruit of the indwelling Spirit. This fruit includes "temperance" which Peter says in the above mentioned passage that we need to "add to faith"!

So, this begs the question, if we are believers, who are indwelt by the Spirit, who is the source of this attribute, then why isn't it just there when we get up in the morning?

How many times have I wished that were so! But, it is certain, that this is not whats best according to God's purposes for His children. He has ordained that we "feel" the "experience" of sanctificaton in this earthly journey, even though in Christ, we are fully sanctified.(1Cor.1:2/6:11/Heb.10:14) We are allowed to struggle in the fight and by this struggle we are driven to the word and prayer and to the acknowledgement of our need of other believers.

Yes, it is hard, but it is also good, and is evidently doing something for us that the instant experience of these attributes would not accomplish.

I will admit that many times I have desired more power, more faith, etc.,etc. But, I must now acknowledge the correction that the word has given me in Peter's second epistle: "According as his divine power hat given unto us ALL things that pertain unto life and godliness,...."

We have been told plainly that we have everything we need to live unto God and now I need to heed the words of Paul in Galatians 5:25, "If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Your observations please!

"Service with a Smile"

Only Our Duty

From the Pastor: Dr. M. J. Seymour, Sr.



In the parable of a good servant, Jesus said: “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.” (Lk. 17:10)

Human nature, being what it is, demands recognition, even if its deeds are evil. This is a marked defining line between the carnal and the spiritual. The carnal nature of man starves for self-glorification, while the heaven born spiritual nature strives to glorify God and the Lord Jesus Christ. One who must constantly be fed recognition to continue in the way of righteousness steals that which does not belong to him. All real glory belongs to God; “self” must be lost in giving glory to God. Honest obedience to the Word and the will of God is done with the thought of “it’s only our duty, for only He is worthy.” The believer gives himself to faithful service so that the Master might be glorified and find no more motivation than love for duty.

If one’s life is spent in the service of the Lord and Master, it is merely spent in doing his just duties. Duty to the Father demands no special acknowledgments. Doing one’s duty is expected of faithful servants. To serve as a living sacrifice that is acceptable unto God is no more and no less than the believer’s reasonable service. (Rom. 12:1) Not to do so is to be unreasonable, and it is to be an evil servant. To do what is commanded is to do one’s duty. Perhaps the atmosphere in the assembly of saints would change if “serving hidden personal agendas” would change to the fulfilling of one’s duty unto the LORD. Being king of the mountain is so insignificant in the shadow of the King of kings upon Mt. Zion. There is only one King in the kingdom.

Duty can either be slavery in the darkest of dungeons because of the lustful pride of the heart, or it can be a celebration of joys because of the love of the heart for the Master. Burdens become menial tasks when yoked with heavenly love. Duty is a matter of the heart! The greater love one has for the King of kings, the greater celebration of joys he has for every opportunity to faithfully complete his duty in fullness of glory to the LORD! Duty with honor is always the mark of a good and faithful servant. To some, “duty” is a harsh demanding word; but for those in love with Jesus, it is a blessed opportunity.


This Pastor's comments confronted me again with a dose of reality with regards to who we are, whose we are, and how we got there!

Prayer Changes Us

The Power And Purpose Of Prayer

We've been taught that prayer changes things. In view of God's sovereignty, what is the role of prayer in a Christian's life?

First of all, we need to establish that it is the sovereign God who not only invites us but commands us to pray. Prayer is a duty, and as we perform that duty, one thing for sure is going to be changed, and that is us. To live a life of prayer is to live a life of obedience to God.

Also, we must understand that there is more to prayer than intercession and supplication. When the disciples said to Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray,” they saw a connection between the power of Jesus and the impact of his ministry and the time he spent in prayer. Obviously, the Son of God felt that prayer was a very valuable enterprise because he gave himself to it so deeply and passionately. But I was surprised that he answered the question by saying, “Here’s how you ought to pray,” and gave them the Lord’s Prayer. I would have expected Jesus to answer that question a different way: “You want to know how to pray? Read the Psalms,” because there you see inspired prayer. The Spirit himself, who helps us to pray, inspired the prayers that are recorded in the Psalms. When I read the Psalms, I read intercession and I read supplication, but overwhelmingly what I read is a preoccupation with adoration, with thanksgiving, and with confession. Take those elements of prayer, and what happens to a person who learns how to adore God? That person is changed. What happens to a person who learns how to express his gratitude to God? That person will now become more and more aware of the hand of Providence in his life and will grow in his sense of gratitude toward God. What happens to the person who spends time confessing his sins? He keeps in front of his mind the holiness of God and the necessity of keeping short accounts with God.

But can our requests change God’s sovereign plan? Of course not. When God sovereignly declares that he is going to do something, all of the prayers in the world aren’t going to change God’s mind. But God not only ordains ends, he also ordains means to those ends, and part of the process he uses to bring his sovereign will to pass are the prayers of his people. And so we are to pray.

©1996 by
R.C. Sproul. Used by permission of Tyndale.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. ©1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.