VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING-PT. 2- TAKING GOD AT HIS WORD

I John 5: 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
We continue with the second part of our treatise on Victorious Christian Living- Taking God at His Word.
The word of God, have you thought about it of late? I mean have you revisited the reality of it being God’s word? In America, there are at least are least two Bibles in the house. There is no scarcity of it. You can go virtually anywhere in the U.S. and buy one. This is not true for those living behind the Bamboo Curtain, many portions of EurAsia- Albania specifically comes to mind. Many Muslim states have banned the sale of Bibles. But, since you and I live here, I must address our plight, not theirs.
Back to the original question- have you thought about the reality of the Book you read each day as a Christian is the word of God. II Tim. 3 and II Peter 1 states this to be the fact to believed, not quarreled over or up for grabs. One theologian has termed faith in this light- “Taking God at His word.” Simple, but not simplistic. At this point, you may be wondering where I am going with all of this and I only ask you stick with me.
One thread I want to interweave here, is the idea of victory in Christian living is directly connected with believing and taking God at His word. This thread directly correlates to the strength and weakness of your faith. If you let yourself doubt the word of God, then you are setting yourself for a terrible fall. Where did I get that?! I learned from Moses when he described what happened to our federal head- Adam. Turn to Gen. 3
I. Love for something other than God leads to no love for God- When the Christian begins to doubt God’s word the love of God and the love for His word begins to wane.
1 ¶ Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’ ?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 “but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
These verses describe to you what John said in I John 5: 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
Verse 6 of Genesis 3 is a very telling statement in this light-6 ¶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.
Pleasure for something that exceeds the love for God will ultimately shuck the word of the Lord out the window. Pleasure that disregards the word of God will always lead to sin. This the key to James 4- you have inordinate desires and thus you have war within your souls and thus you lust to the point of sin. Adam, it is traditionally believed, loved Eve more than God and his desire for her blinded his love for God and obedience to His word
II. Love for things other than God makes God’s word for your life seem like a drag- Where did the serpent in Gen strike first? Has God said? 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 “For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
What was the enemy seeking to do- undermine the word of God? Yes; but, even more than that-he sought to make her life seem like a drag because she was living according to the word of God. You’re missing out on life and by living by His word, you’re going to miss out on even more. Isn’t that what the enemy says to you now? You’re stuck in a bad marriage and because you live according to the word of God, your personal happiness is being compromised. God is holding out on you. Why live according to an archaic, out dated, old fashioned book? This is the 21st century man- live like it. Maybe you are tempted to steal from your employer or malign a co worker to get ahead by lying just a bit. If you see the word as your enemy, then ultimately God must be as well because He is the One who said what is written in the scriptures. Who was the serpent lying about? Them- Adam and Eve? Nol God Himself. Whose word was being challenged? Whose word continues to be challenged? Is it not God’s?
The Apostle John links in I John 5: 3 And His commandments are not burdensome with the victorious Christian life. How many Christians in America are living as though the Word is the burden? The roadblock to a happy life? A book of propositions to be considered or as the actual word of God? If the church is to regain a powerful life once more; it must regain the power that’s in the Word.

VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING- I JOHN 5-PT. 1

THIS IS THE FIRST OF MANY. I HOPE, INSTALLMENTS ON THE TOPIC OF “VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING.” THIS SERIES HAS COME ABOUT BECAUSE I CAN’T RECALL ANY CHRISTIAN I KNOW SAYING-”I ENJOY BEING A DEFEATED CHRISTIAN” OR “ISN’T IT GREAT I HAVE NO VISIBLE FRUIT IN MY LIFE” OR PERHAPS THIS STATEMENT-”I AM SO GLAD SIN HAS COMPLETE CONTROL AND IT REIGNS RUTHLESSLY IN MY LIFE”. NO; MOST I KNOW SAY THINGS ALONG THESE LINES. “I PRESSING TOWARDS THE MARK”. ” I WANT MORE FRUIT IN MY LIFE.” “I WANT MY LIFE TO COUNT FOR SOMETHING IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD!”
THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER CONCERNING THE CHRISTIAN LIFE, GOD EXPECTS A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE IN HIS DISCIPLES. IN FACT, IN JOHN 15, THE APOSTLE QUOTES CHRIST IN THIS FASHION- “I HAVE CHOSEN YOU, YOU HAVE NOT CHOSEN ME, THAT YOU SHOULD GO FORTH AND BEAR MUCH FRUIT.” IN THE BOOK OF JOSHUA, YOU WILL SEE THIS TYPIFIED IN GOD’S COMMAND TO THE ISRAELITES- GO AND CONQUER THE LAND I HAVE GIVEN YOU. THIS IS THE PERSPECTIVE THE CHRISTIAN MUST HAVE IF HE OR SHE EXPECTS TO MAKE ANY PROGRESS IN HIS OR HER WALK WITH CHRIST. FOR THE CHRISTIAN, THE OLD LIFE HAS PASSED AWAY IN CHRIST AND A NEW LIFE, A DIFFERENT PATH IS CHARTED WITH ONE INTENT: APPREHENDING EVERYTHING THAT COMES WITH THE NEW LIFE. IN THIS NEW LIFE, DEFEAT SHOULDN’T BE ACCEPTED AS THE NORM, CONQUERING AND VICTORY IN JESUS IS.
THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION AT THIS POINT ON YOUR MINDS IS PROBABLY THIS- “HOW IS SUCH A LIFE OBTAINED?” “WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE IN REAL, TANGIBLE TERMS? ” THANKFULLY YOU AND I ARE NOT LEFT TO OUR OWN DEVICES TO ORCHESTRATE OUR OWN DEMISE. THERE ARE MANY PASSAGES WE COULD CHOOSE FROM. BUT FOR OUR STUDY; WE’LL USE I JOHN 5. YOU WILL SEE JOHN PROVIDING FOR YOU AND ME, THE “MAIN INGREDIENTS”, NECESSARY TO LIVE THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IN A VICTORIOUS, FRUITFUL MANNER. WE’LL LOOK AT THE FIRST ONE TODAY:
I JN. 5:1Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? IN THESE VERSES YOU SEE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING- FAITH IN CHRIST.
A. IT ONLY STANDS TO REASON, OBVIOUSLY, IN ORDER TO BE A CHRISTIAN YOU MUST BELIEVE IN CHRIST. HE IS THE REASON FOR AND THE SOURCE OF CHRISTIANITY IN THE FIRST PLACE. TO DENY CHRIST AS YOUR NECESSARY ROOT TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN, IS TO MAKE YOU A LIAR. SEE I JN. 1:3, 2:22. THE SAME MINDSET IS IN THE APOSTLE’S GOSPEL WHEN HE WRITES IN JOHN 1:12-13- NO ONE BECOMES A CHRISTIAN, CHRIST MAKES HIM ONE.
B. VV. 4-5 4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? THE VERY TENOR OF THESE VERSES IS SIMPLY THIS- TO BE AN OVERCOMER, TO HAVE A VICTORIOUS FAITH, THE SOURCE OF VICTORY IS FOUND IN ONE PLACE, ONE PERSON ACTUALLY, JESUS CHRIST. LUKE WRITES IN ACTS 17:28- “IT’S IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING.” JOHN IS SIMPLY STATING IN VV 4 AND 5 THAT VICTORY IS ONLY SECURED BY BEING IN CHRIST. IN CHRIST YOU WILL OVERCOME, IN CHRIST YOU WILL BE VICTORIOUS. WHY? SIMPLY BECAUSE THE CHRISTIAN FAITH IS NOT SUBJECTIVE, BUT OBJECTIVE. IT IS THE OBJECT OF FAITH THAT FORWARD MOTION IS PROPELLED IN A BELIEVER’S LIFE. REMEMBER THE ALLUSION TO JOSHUA? HE AND CALEB KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO EXPERIENCE DEFEAT WHEN THE OBJECT OF FAITH IS FORGOTTEN. THEY RIPPED THEIR CLOTHES IN AGONY, IN NUMBERS 14:6-9, WHEN THEIR COUNTRYMEN TOOK THEIR EYES OFF THE GIVER OF VICTORY AND ON TO THEIR OWN CAPABILILTIES. WHAT DID JOSHUA AND CALEB REMIND THEIR BRETHREN? THEIR VICTORY WAS SECURED BY FAITH IN GOD’S PROMISE TO THEM- GO IN AND POSSESS THE LAND BECAUSE I HAVE GIVEN IT TO YOU.
BRINGING THIS OVER INTO THE NEW TESTAMENT, HEBREWS, CHAPTER 12:2 STATED QUITE EXPLICITLY TO ALL TO SEE- LOOKING UNTO JESUS WHO IS THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. PAUL WRITES IN 11 CORINTHIANS 1:20- ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD AND ARE YES AND AMEN IN JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. HEBREWS 11 IS CALLED THE HALL OF FAITH FOR THIS VERY OBVIOUS REASON- THROUGHOUT THE CHAPTER- BY FAITH IN GOD, THEY CONQUERED WHATEVER CAME THEIR WAY.

THE QUESTION THEN IS THIS ISN’T IT- IS YOUR FAITH A SUBJECTIVE ONE OR AN OBJECTIVE ONE? HOW YOU ANSWER THIS CONSTITUTES VICTORY OR DEFEAT. WHICH ONE DID YOU CHOOSE?

Would Spurgeon Be Able To Be A Pastor Today?

Would Charles Haddon Spurgeon be able to be a pastor today? I ask this question in the wake of the surge and charge towards “acadamia” in the church world today. It seems to me that more churches are looking for “MDivs” than they are spiritual men. Should education be the prerequisite for being a pastor? Especially when there is no mention in the qualifications of an elder in I Timothy 3 and Titus 1? Which should rule in this domain- a degree in Theology, or an apparent anointing upon one’s life?
If you think I am being anti-intellectual, think again, please. I am all for education. However, if you consider Spurgeon who never got ordained, nor a MDiv, he could not apply for most of the open pulpits today. In fact, he would not even be considered as qualified by the majority of churches in America because he lacked what they saw as a necessity to be a godly pastor. Am I afar off? I think not. Take a look at many of the postings on the web and you will see minimum requirement- MDiv. Where would that leave Mr. Spurgeon?
All I am saying is this; I agree with John Piper when he said, “Brothers; we are not professionals.” If the Lord saw fit to anoint ignorant fishermen and make them apostles and elders over His flock, why is the modern church afraid to at least interview someone who is not degreed? The bottom line is simply this- Education does not make a pastor, the Holy Ghost does. That’s the way I see it.

Hello world!

Hi. I never thought I would ever be a blogger, but, here I am. What is my intent? Why have I entered the blogosphere? If nothing else, to have outlet to express what I encounter as I walk the “beaton path” and to voice a perspective on current events.
For example- are we to believe our country in better hands now, safer now, have a clearer strategy concening the Middle East now that Democrats have control? or is the country going to wake up to its need to pray and depend on God who is ultimately in control of all things? Two perspectives, two paths, two choices, but, essentially only one hope- God. If you believe the former you will be constantly on edge, but, if you hold on to the latter, you live knowing all is under control no matter what it looks like.