Love Man More Than God?

I was thinking the other day about what my motivation is. Why do I want to see people saved? Why do I want people to be Christians? Why do I want people to live in accordance with the word and will of God?

So often I desire to see people find peace. There are those who are hiding running, and turning from God, and they are restless, troubled, and without peace. I see people suffering and living through trying and difficult days and times as a direct result of their sins. I have known men who suffered through the day because they drank too much alcohol the night before. I know those who are poor and overworked because they committed fornication, having children out of wedlock for which they have neither time nor money to care for. (Worse yet, there are those who have murdered there own children, taking upon themselves the curse of shedding innocent blood. Worse yet are they who live in the enjoyment of their sin bearing the guilt of murder but with out shame or pain living in complete callousness to God and his coming judgment.) I know those who have nearly been and who are divorced because they have neglected their duties, misdirected their affections, and ordered their life and responsibilities in a fashion contrary to the plan of God as it is so clearly prescribed in his Holy Word. His Word which so few retain in their knowledge and much less do they obey it. These are common sins of so many and the fruit of their sin is ever before them as they reap it day after day. Yet they change not and their hearts are hardened. As we get to know some of these people we feel sorry for them, we wish to help them. We try to brighten their day and cheer them as they go their way. Those who love men more than God so often will do things which appear to help men but are in fact prohibited by God. When we love men more than God humanism becomes our God and we endorse not only Idolatry but we in essence reinvent Christianity and change it into a lie, a blasphemy, and an alternative to the only true Christianity - Biblical Christianity. We must remember that Christ associated with sinners and sought their salvation - but we must not forget that he also boldly spoke against hypocrisy and sin. We can observe from the scriptures that it was the lost sinner who received much grace, not the self-righteous hypocrites who mistakenly thought they knew God. Thus by the scriptural example we show more grace to those who never had much chance to learn the righteous way. We invite them to church, we speak of Biblical principles, and we treat them with respect. We desire for them to find the peace that is only available through our Lord Jesus Christ. That name above all names – who they know only as a swear word – or a distorted distant memory.

If only they would find Christ and his salvation and live in accordance with the word of God: then so many of their problems in this life would simply cease to be. Then they would have the joy, peace, and grace of God to help and to lead them victoriously through the trials and difficulties that all must endure as they are yet in the body of flesh upon the earth.

But let us not forget the reason for desiring the salvation of lost souls. The greatest reason for seeking the lost is not to see them find peace. The greatest reason to see them find peace is not so that their life will be comfortable. These reasons are far too earthly minded, and could even be motivated by selfishness. The reason we should desire to see men saved is for the Glory of God and the sake of his kingdom. Further, we should desire to see men saved to have them avoid eternal Hell fire, rather than to merely see them live comfortably in this short time we have here upon the earth. We should be motivated by fear, heeding the word of God and knowing full well, the torment and fury to which the unsaved are to be subject!

It is vital not to lose our focus; for we stand in danger of loving man more than God, and of desiring peace for men rather than Glory for our Holy Father. We stand in danger of desiring peace on earth, more than, or instead of peace in the eternal. In fact, there are ministers who have done God disservice to this very end. They have overlooked truth and discarded righteousness and attempted to extend love beyond the limits of its character. They have cut some from the peace of eternal life in an attempt to bring them peace in this world, and the very prince of darkness applauds their efforts.

To keep the proper focus we must know, believe, and live the truth of the scriptures, not only to live righteously in the sight of God, (who sees all) but to live righteously in the eyes of men, to the end that we may turn them to Him. Him to whom all praise and honor and glory is due, to Him who is the author and finisher of our faith.

Let us see the greatest commandments spoken by Christ Jesus in Matthew 22:36-39 and regard their order. "Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." These laws are very much intertwined, for we cannot possibly love God unless we love man. However, I believe that we can love man to a point without loving God, for even sinners love that from which they benefit. Even unselfish and sacrificial love is I believe possible without necessarily loving God. But loving man without loving God is like having zeal for God without knowledge. More harm than good could be done if we are not wisely and rightly directed. It is a love which is without understanding. Let us first Love God and seek his Glory, and in doing so we will love man and seek his benefit in the way which is right and pleasing to God in light of his will and the eternity into which we shall shortly pass. Amen.

http://thethoughtsofhans.blogspot.com/2011/12/make-difference-share-gospel.html

Works? Faith? Repentance? Old testament Salvation?

Part of a letter below;

Now I will respond to some of the answers you gave to my questions. First the wrath from which Jesus has delivered us and the tribulation are not the same thing. In the book of Revelation the tribulation comes first and the wrath comes later (it also appears that the tribulation is caused by the ungodly and is against the believer, and that the wrath is from God and is poured out on the ungodly). Now I will come to a point we both agree on and go from there.

We cannot save ourselves. I believe that both faith and grace are gifts from God alone (neither are anything we do or can boast in). Further, repentance is merely a result of faith in God. It is God who brings us to repentance when we have faith, repentance is not something we do. If only a shallow belief was required than even the devils would be saved for “they believe and tremble” (James 2:19). Anything we do that pleases God is not an act of ours. Inotherwords we can take no credit for any good works for “no flesh can please God”(Romans 8:8) and “whatever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). I believe, as the Bible and the apostle Paul himself clearly teaches that when the Father saves us through faith in Christ by Grace that we have no choice but to do good works (we just end up doing them, as a result of faith, if we do have faith). Good works are a result of being saved and we cannot even take credit for doing good works BECAUSE it is NOT we that do them but CHRIST in us. I believe that the Bible clearly teaches that all men in all time have been, are, and will be required to repent and also that all men have been, are and will do good works if they have been saved. Faith/Belief and repentance have always been the way to come unto God this is shown throughout the scriptures. Now I think that perhaps when you said that repentance was not required that you misunderstood what repentance is. Please be patient by brother and consider the following scriptures. In Romans 2: 4-10 we see that “the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.” In Psalm 51 we see faith/belief in God and repentance (vs. 17) we also see that sacrifice (not done in faith) is not what God delights in, nor is it what he desires (vs.16). In 2 Corinthians 7: 9-11 we see that “godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation,” and that this godly sorrow is sorrow which need not be repented of. In Acts 2:38 we read “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” In Romans chapter 3:21-26; in verse 21 when it says being witnesses by the prophets and the law I believe this is speaking of how Christ and the salvation which would come through him was made known in the law and the prophets - so it was no new thing. And in verse 25 I believe that it means that the sacrifice of Christ and faith in his blood was set forth by God to take the wrath of God which would otherwise be on men for their sins, and that this righteousness through faith in his blood is for the sins of the past, even the old testament believer since God had forbearance (was patient) until Christ should be made an atonement for all sin. In Habakkuk 2:4 we see that “the just shall live by faith.” In Isaiah 53 we see Christ and his sacrifice for the sins of the people clearly prophesied. Two (of the many) examples are John 12:38 which quotes Isaiah 53:1 and Acts 8:32-35 which quotes Isaiah 53:7-8. In Hebrews 10:4 we read that it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. In Psalm 106:23-24 we see that the Lord wanted to destroy them because they did not believe. In Psalm 78:22 we see that God was angry with Israel because they believed not in God and trusted not in his salvation. In Psalm 73:24 we read that HE guides me and receives me unto HIS Glory. In Zechariah 9:9 we see a prophecy of Christ and the salvation he will bring. In Job 19:25-26 we see Job declaring that he shall see his redeemer in the latter days upon the earth. In John 8:56 we read that Abraham saw Jesus’ Day. In Genesis 22 we read of Abraham’s faith and his seed (compare Genesis 22:17 to Galatians 3:16) Abraham is the father of those who have faith as Abraham did. In Psalm 14:3 and Psalm 16 we see how no man doeth good and that the Lord will save those who trust in him. We see how faith saved the old testament people in Hebrews ch.11. Again in Psalm 53:2-3 we see that there is none that doeth good (meaning again that no one is saved by works). In Numbers 14:11 we see that the Lord is upset because of their disbelief in him. In 2 Kings 17:14 we read that Israel did not believe in the Lord and that because of their unbelief the Lord testified against them. In Romans 4 we read of Abrahams faith and that it was counted unto him for righteousness (also see Genesis 15:6). The sole requirement for salvation is that man exercise faith by the method which God has taught him to do. Man has been taught to exercise faith somewhat differently in different times. In Galatians 3 especially verses 11, and 19 we see that no man is justified by the law, and that the law was only temporary until “the seed should come to whom the promise was made” That seed being Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:16, Genesis 22:17) (Also see Acts 26:15-20, Romans 4: 13-25)

“Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.” - Galatians 3:19

Now again it is important to realize that faith alone saves us, but that if we are saved by faith we will do good works. In Ephesians 5:5 Paul says that No unclean person can inherit the kingdom Christ and of God. Now if you read this verse in context you will see that Paul is talking to those who have already professed Christ as there Saviour. So merely professing to serve Christ is not enough, not because it is not enough, but because if it brings about no action toward good works then it was not a true profession, it was not sincere. For in verse 9 we read that the fruit of the spirit is all goodness, righteousness and truth. If we have saving faith we will have good fruit. Jesus himself taught this same thing in the gospels.

In Titus 1:16 we also see that; they profess to know him, but in works they deny him and they are abominable, and disobedient because their works deny him. In Hebrews 5:9 we read that Christ became the author of salvation unto who? Unto them that obey him. In Romans 6:16-17 we read that we are the servant of whom we obey (either sin unto death or of obedience unto righteousness). In verse 6:22 we see that we will have fruit unto holiness if we are servants of God. In Acts 10: 34-35 we see that God does not respect persons but that “he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted.” In 1 Peter 1:22 we read that Christ did no sin and that he is our example. In Isaiah 26:3 we read that he who trusts in the Lord will be kept in perfect peace.

I believe the above verses clearly show that repentance and good works are a necessary part of the faith which is of salvation (studying the above verses should allow this to be understood properly). Further these verses show that Salvation has always come through Faith (belief and trust). Salvation is a gift of God only, at the same time we cannot disregard Philippians 2:12 or 1 Timothy 4:16. But knowing it is only Christ in us through whom we are saved and we ourselves can do no good thing. The reason some of this sounds confusing is that on the surface it may appear contradictory. Because it cannot be received by nor stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God (see 1 Corinthians 2:5). But as we study the scriptures it should become clear to us, not by viewing it through some vain philosophy of man, but by the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Salvation by Grace through Faith

This is very basic information, but I still will say it for it seems to be understood by so few (which is quite scary).

For a Christian their salvation, unlike the “salvation” of other religions is not something they can earn, but it is a gift of God only. Salvation is a gift of God by Grace through Faith (a). When one accepts Christ, repents and acknowledges they are forgiven and saved only through Christ and his shed blood, then they will desire to serve God (b). A Christian is not saved by the works he does, nor by the commandments he keeps. For no flesh can please God (c) However, if a man confesses Christ with his mouth, but does not live as Christ commands, doing the Father’s will…then that man’s confession is meaningless. This is what the scriptures teach. (g)

For we must test the spirits (d), working out our salvation with fear and trembling (e), and having knowledge of the scriptures so that we can know who God and Christ are, and what they require from us. This is necessary in order that we are not worshipping a false god who is merely a figment of our imagination, and thereby deceiving ourselves, and possibly perishing for lack of knowledge (f).

a. (Ephesians 2:8) b. (Philippians 2:13) c. (Romans 8:8) d. (1 John 4:1) e. (Philippians 2:12) f. (Hosea 4:6) g. (Matthew 7:17-23, Luke 6:46, 13:25)

Sage Parable

The other day I went to a greenhouse to buy a sage plant. After searching through the herb section of the green house I was disappointed as I did not find any sage. As I was leaving I passed by a table of plants with a big sign reading “Free.” I thought I might as well take a look at what was there. I shortly realized that most of the plants on the “free” table were in fact sage. Just what I was looking for! I looked over them; they were dry, unhealthy and all but dead. Then my eyes saw one that had moist soil, it was green, alive and healthy, even with some pretty purple flowers. I could not believe the best plant there was free! I looked at that plant on the table and at the “free” sign, and then I happily took that free sage plant home to my garden.

The second day thence it occurred to me: This could be a parable.

The plants represent the things people fill their lives with. The herbs represent the things we are looking for. The sage plants represent religions. My eyes represent the Holy Spirit, as it is only through the Holy Spirit that we can tell true religion from false. The Sage plant that was alive represents true Christianity. Christianity being the only religion that leads to life.

This is just how we are. We look for things to fill our lives to bring us happiness. But we waste time looking because we look for the wrong things. The best thing, and the only thing that can fill us and make us whole (Col 2:10) is FREE (at the same time we must count the cost see Luke 14:25-34). Let us not overlook God’s free gift. That free gift of Grace by Faith - Faith in Jesus Christ. (Eph. 2:8, Gal 2:16)