“Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.

There are only two classes of people in the world, in the sight of God There are those who are called the wheat — and there are those who are called the chaff. "His winnowing fork is in His hand, and He will thoroughly cleanse His threshing floor. He will gather His wheat into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire!" Matthew 3:12

All men ought to love peace. War is an immense evil, though it is a necessary evil sometimes. Battles are bloody and distressing events, though sometimes nations cannot maintain their rights without them. But all men ought to love peace. All ought to pray for a quiet life.

All this is very true, and yet there is one war which it is a positive duty to carry on; there is one battle which we ought to be always fighting. The battle I speak of is the battle against the world, the flesh, and the...

“Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son. . .”– Rom 5:10

- An excerpt from a letter written by John Newton, who wrote the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’.

We hear much in the present day of the dignity of human nature. And it is allowed that man was an excellent creature as he came out of the hands of God; but if we consider this question with a view to fallen man, as depraved by sin, how can we but join with the Psalmist in wonder that the great God should make any account of him?

The Council of Orange was an outgrowth of the controversy between Augustine and Pelagius. This controversy had to do with degree to which a human being is responsible for his or her own salvation, and the role of the grace of God in bringing about salvation. The Pelagians held that human beings are born in a state of innocence, i.e., that there is no such thing as a sinful nature or original sin.

As a result of this view, they held that a state of sinless perfection was achievable in this...

If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.” – Gal 1:9

"And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing." - The Apostle Paul

"But God..."

It has been said that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. The Lord Jesus frequently used parables as a means of illustrating profound, divine truths. Stories such as these are easily remembered, the characters bold, and the symbolism rich in meaning. Parables were a common form of teaching in Judaism. Before a certain point in His ministry, Jesus had employed many graphic analogies using common things that would be familiar to everyone (salt, bread, sheep, etc.) and their meaning...

Romans 8:29-30 tells us, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” Ephesians 1:5...

It is important tha we understand these terms and what they mean concerning how God has spoken and how he speaks to day.

We are entering a new phase in the battle over the Bible’s truthfulness and authority. We should at least be thankful for undisguised arguments coming from the opponents of biblical inerrancy, even as we are ready, once again, to make clear where their arguments lead.

Is Scripture a 'wax nose' that we can shape to our liking? R.C. Sproul answers this question. . .

There are certain principles that will help us to accurately handle the Word of Truth. These principles are embedded in the scripture itself. We do not need to go beyond the boundaries of the Bible to discover these laws and maxims that are used to determine the meaning of scripture. The Bible interprets itself (scripture interprets scripture).

Principle #1: The Literal Interpretation Principle

We take the Bible at face value. We generally take everyday things in life as literal or...

"When Jesus had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he gave up the ghost." - John 19:30

How terribly have these blessed words of Christ been misunderstood, misappropriated and misapplied! How many seem to think that on the cross the Lord Jesus accomplished a work which rendered it unnecessary for the beneficiaries of it to live holy lives on earth. So many have been deluded into thinking that, so far as reaching heaven is concerned, it matters not how they walk provided they...

The greatest story ever told is a true story, recorded and preserved in the Old and New Testaments, a story which climaxes in Jesus of Nazareth. This story informs everything in your life with significance and meaning.

The Creator God

The story opens: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” By His powerful and creative word, God spoke into existence the Universe and everything in it. This truth defines everything, and its implications are massive.

Your life...

That question was in the Q&A area of the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals Web site, here. The answer was provided by Alliance member, Mark Dever, an Alliance Council member and senior minister of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC:

"The perseverance of the saints" is perhaps better construed as the "preservation of the saints".

The idea is that those that the Lord graciously...

This simply refers to the fact that all things are under His rule and control, and that nothing happens in this Universe without His direction or permission. He is a God Who works, not just some things, but all things after the counsel of His own will (see Eph. 1:11). God's purpose is all- inclusive and is never thwarted (see Isa. 46:11). Nothing Takes Him by Surprise

"It is not merely that God has the power and right to govern all things but that He does so always and without exception." - John Piper

...

"For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.” – Isaiah 55:11

"So shall my word. . .accomplish that which I please"

Whenever God’s word goes forth, it accomplishes what...

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” - John 3:16

“Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." - John 3: 36

"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” - John 5:24

“I tell you the truth, he...

The sovereign grace of God determines who will find salvation, not human decision. Human choices are crucial, but they are not the final, determining factor in bringing a person to final glory. That belongs to God’s sovereign grace.

Does the Bible really SAY that?

A definition is is in order before anything else is said, so this from our friend, Merriam Webster:

eis·ege·sis

noun \ˌī-sə-ˈjē-səs, ˈī-sə-ˌ\

plural eis·ege·ses\-ˌsēz\

Definition of EISEGESIS

: the interpretation of a text (as of the Bible) by reading into it one's own ideas — compare

Origin of EISEGESIS

Greek eis into (akin to Greek en in) + English exegesis — more at in...

Lately, in another set of online forums, I've been engaged in a discussion around the externality of punishment for those who reject Christ in this life. There seems to be a popular thought among some Christians that while eternal life is, in fact, eternal, punishment is only temporary. That's not anything new, and indeed appeals to our naturally human sensibilities. In the course of that discussion I found the following:

Collin Hansen - Author, Editorial Director for The Gospel Coalition

After watching many National Football League games growing up, I finally grew curious enough to walk into my parents' office and pick up the family Bible. It seemed every football broadcast included shots of someone standing in the end zone, behind and between the goal posts, holding up a simple sign: JOHN 3:16. I knew enough about the Bible to locate the...

What Then? By J. Whitfield Green (John 3:16; Malachi 4:1) When the great plants of our cities Have turned out their last finished work; When our merchants have sold their last yard of silk And dismissed the last tired clerk; When our banks have raked in their last dollar And paid the last dividend; When the Judge of the earth says, "Close for the night," And asks for a balance-WHAT THEN?

When the choir has sung its last anthem, And the preacher has made his last prayer; When the...

Well, 2011 is here now and like many others, we’ve spent some time looking back at 2010. There are a lot of good memories of our children and grandchildren, supporting cancer foundation efforts, hosting Colorado College international students, and having room in our home for ‘sojourners’ of various sorts. Perhaps two of the most significant ‘recollections’ of 2010 were the following:

Our son Daniel, who had confronted his condition apart from Christ and met his Savior the year before, was...

To reveal the Father (Matt. 11:27)

"All things have been committed to me by my Father.  No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

To be a ransom for many (Matt. 20:28)

"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom...

Whenever we talk about the gospel, it is helpful and important to remember the four essentials: God, Man, Christ, Response.

With Reformation Day only a few days past, it has been observed that with the mention of John Calvin that invariably accompanies that of Martin Luther, the assertions, (sometimes angry accusations) that Calvinism destroys evangelism have once again surfaced in many conversations, even among equally sincere Christians. I have a list somewhere of famous preachers, missionaries and evangelists who were also Calvinists. I went looking for well written and objective articles on the subject and found an...

"In this let the believer take solace, for it is the secret place of the Most High and the shadow of the Almighty. It is the absolute sovereignty of the eternal God. It is the absolute sovereignty of none other than the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. And it is even with equal universality the mediational sovereignty of the Lord Jesus Christ, the God-man, the incarnate Son, the Saviour-King, the King of kings and Lord of lords."

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

"Remember this and stand firm, recall it to mind, you transgressors, remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,' calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it. – Isa 46:8-11

The first question and answer of the Westminster Shorter Catechism is this:

Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
 

A. Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever. 

Unless a man is born again. . . what? What exactly does a man need to be born again for? What is it that is impossible for a man do do, unless he is born again (regenerated)? John, Chapter 3, in Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, has some answers for us.

 

The Apostle Paul had some harsh words to the church in Galatia for those who would turn away from the Gospel of grace and return to trusting in human works for salvation: 

Depending on the translation you are reading, The phrase "It is written. . ." appears nearly 100 times in Scripture, almost 30 of which are in the Old Testament and the remainder in the New Testament.

Over the past several years, there seems to have a been a decline in the attention do what is commonly termed ‘doctrine'. The term ‘doctrine’ has taken on a negative connotation even in our evangelical churches, as if it's merely the invention of 'religious'  men and the product of their imaginations. Well, the Bible tells us that there is good doctrine and bad doctrine.

A Critical Review by Norman L. Geisler and Bill Roach

The Shack: Where Tragedy Confronts Eternity by William P. Young (Wind Blown Media, 2007, 264 pp) is a New York Times best seller with well over a million copies in print. Literally hundreds of thousands have been blessed by its message, but its message is precisely what calls for scrutiny.

We have often heard statements such as “War is hell” or “I went through hell.” These expressions are, of course, not taken literally. Rather, they reflect our tendency to use the word hell as a descriptive term for the most ghastly human experience possible. Yet no human experience in this world is actually comparable to hell. If we try to imagine the worst of all possible suffering in the here and now we have not yet stretched our imaginations to reach the dreadful reality of hell.

Picture this conversation between a couple of guys, perhaps friends at work, or school, during a lunch break. One is a Christian (Eager ‘Evangelist’) looking for an opportunity to share Jesus. The other guy is a known nonbeliever (Lost Soul) who has been going through some tough ‘stuff of life’

The tendency today, in many churches, is to present a gospel that is attractive to the unbeliever. It sounds like a great idea, but is it Biblical to do so?

Paul's Question:

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? " - Rom 6:1

Paul's Answer:

"By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?" - Rom 6:2

Keith Green speaks to the church.

___________________________

The first blog post here at The Battle Cry was called The Great Privilege. Guess what? We'll say it again - sharing the gospel, the Good News is THE greatest privilege ever given by God in Heaven to His children on Earth!

That's a question all believers face at some point, and it comes in many forms...

What will it be like in the days preceding the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ?

 

"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure”. - Philippians 2:13-14

 

 

J.I. Packer, in his introduction to John Owen's The Death of Death in the Death of Christ, offers this:

"God saves sinners . . ."

 

Christians have always been curious about the End Times. It's part of our nature to be curious about such things. Even Jesus' closest followers asked about the end of the age. . .

Perhaps the greatest testimony of the importance of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is found in the letter of the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church:

"...you were slain, 
 and with your blood you purchased men for God
 from every tribe and language and people and nation.”

Revelation 5:9

". . .as  it is written: ^ “None is righteous, no, not one. . .

Death is separation. A physical death is the separation of the soul from the body. Spiritual death, which is of greater significance, is the separation of the soul from God. In Genesis 2:17, God tells Adam that in the day he eats of the forbidden fruit he will “surely die.” Adam does fall, but his physical death does not occur immediately; God must have had another type of death in mind—spiritual death. This separation from God is exactly what we see in Genesis 3:8. When Adam and Eve heard the voice of the Lord, they “hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God.” The fellowship had been broken. They were spiritually dead.

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins. - Ephesians 2:1

In those words, the Apostle Paul is speaking of a 'former' state of those believers, a state of being spiritually dead.  So we have to ask - former to what? Well, that is rather self-evident in the context and can only mean before they believed in Christ, since he is speaking to professing believes in Ephesus.

A pastor friend in Hawaii recently posted on Facebook this emphatic statement:  "Make no bones about, the purpose of the church is EVANGELISM." (Emphasis his.)

 

We all have probably heard the phrase that speaks of believers having three enemies - the world, the flesh, and the devil. I probably should have said "some of us" instead of "we all" since there seem to be quite a few churches who embrace the world these days, but I will leave it that way because we should consider the world an enemy, since the world system(s) are under the control of the evil one, so the Bible tells us.

What I would like to ask, and then answer is this: "Of those three; the world the flesh and the devil, which one should we as believers be most concerned with? Can we consider one above the others a more 'formidable' enemy? Have you ever thought about it? Why or why not?

Consider those rhetorical questions, I am not after an argument or debate. I think scripture tells us which of the three causes us the most problems; not in exact words, but implicitly nonetheless.

Some years ago now, when I was traveling in Christian circles that made much of battling Satan, and blaming him for just about everything from the evils in the world to individual sins (If he didn't tempt us we wouldn't sin, would we? ), I had one of those "moments", the kind that happen when you hit a passage of scripture that sort of settles an issue, or question you might have about your Christian walk. There have been a few of those through the years, some more memorable than others. This was one of those more memorable "moments".

Now that you're sitting there on pins and needles for the answer I said I would give you, here it is:

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." - James 1:14

As far as I'm concerned, that one passage tells me which of the big three I should be more concerned with. All that the world has to offer me would be nothing to me if I didn't have "my own lust" - those desires still lurking within that are at odds with, yet live along side the new nature in Christ. If you don't believe me just ask the Apostle Paul - read Romans 7. Likewise, Satan would not be able to tempt me with anything If I did not have "my own lust". All of his schemes and cunning devices would be worthless!

So there's an old soldier's answer to the original question. I hope that didn't sound too simplistic. Our own flesh, with it's evil desires, is our most formidable foe in the battle against the Big Three.

So what do we do? How to defeat the flesh? How do we "walk in the spirit"? There are probably several sound biblical answers to those questions and I'm glad you asked. (You were asking, weren't you?)

Of all the things I can come up with that we should be doing, the activities or behavior we should or should not be engaged in, one thing stands out as of most importance:

" For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" - 2 Cor 10:3-5 (Emphasis mine) 

What does that mean? How do you do that? Again, thanks for asking! I don't think that's rocket science either. Read the Book. If you are His, you already have a desire to do so, a grand desire to know Him, His thoughts, His commands, His desire/plan for you as His child (Phil 2:13). read His book! Get to know Him and you will truly taste eternal life here on earth (John 17:3)

Friends, the front line of spiritual warfare begins at home, in our own minds, in our own thought life!

If you were waiting to hear the Ephesians 6 thing about putting on the armor of God, while that's part of it, we'll get to that in another post.

May God richly bless you as you "bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ"!

While that might be true, it might not be the best way to ask the question, or discuss the issue. Passages that support the position that once a person believes in the person and work of Jesus Christ as God's Son (has been 'saved' from condemnation), that person will remain 'saved' are these:

What's the Connection?

Answer: Certainly, since God knows everything, it would have been possible for God to base His predestination and election of individuals upon His foreknowledge of the future. In fact, that is the exact position that many Christians believe. The problem is that it really is not what the Bible teaches about predestination, election, and foreknowledge. In order to understand why the view that “God made His choice based on merely knowing the future” is not what the Bible teaches, let’s first consider a couple of verses that speak to the reason God elected or predestined people to salvation.

We would love to see a survey of professing Christians in which the above question appeared, either as a stand alone question, or with multiple choice answers.

Does these passages give us a clue to the main reason God forgives and saves sinners?

Romans 8:29-30 is called The Order of Salvation (Ordo Salutis), as well as the Golden Chain of Redemption (terms not specifically in Scripture). Textually, these two verses are Paul's logical explanation of why 'all things work together for those who are called according to His purpose' (Rom 8:28). Let's take a look:

In addition to the motives of followers of Christ and secular corrborating evidence for the crucifixion and resurrection, we have a third proof, indeed the most compelling and irrefutable - the empty tomb! As in the last two posts, we present only a small amount of the available historical data to support the proof presented.

 Sounds like a TV crime show, doesn't it?

Corroborating evidence is evidence that tends to support a proposition that is already supported by some evidence. For example, W, a witness, testifies that she saw X drive his automobile into a green car. Y, another witness, testifies that when he examined X's car later that day he noticed green paint on its fender.

The simple Gospel Message that the Apostle Paul preached:

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me." - 1 Cor 15:3-8

One of the reasons we can trust the reliability of biblical accounts are supernatural acts of God (miracles) that are not only recorded in Scripture, but that also have historical and archeological evidence. The intent of this blog post is to peak your interest and encourage personal Bible study and research. In addition to increasing personal confidence in the truth of Scripture, such endeavors will serve to equip the believer for conversation/debate with non-believers.

Indeed we are hesistant, therefore we must encourage ourselves, Mal. 3:16 "They that feared the Lord spoke often one to another." A gracious person has not only piety only in his heart—but also in his tongue, Psalm 37:30. "The law of God is in his heart, and his tongue talks of judgment:" he drops holy words as pearls. It is the fault of Christians, that they do not in company provoke themselves to good conversation: it is a sinful modesty; there is much visiting—but they do not give one another's souls a visit. In worldly things their tongue is as the pen of a ready writer—but in matters of piety, it is as if their tongue did cleave to the roof of their mouth.

Excerpted from “The Christian Soldier” by Thomas Watson

Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?" 2 Corinthians 13:5.

This is a duty of great importance: it is a parleying with one's own heart, Psalm 77:6. "I commune with my own heart."

Excerpted from “The Christian Soldier” by Thomas Watson

Meditation may be described as a holy exercise of the mind; whereby we bring the truths of God to remembrance, and do seriously ponder upon them and apply them to ourselves.  It is a serious thinking upon God. It is not a few transient thoughts that are quickly gone—but a fixing and staying of the mind upon heavenly objects.

Excerpted from “The Christian Soldier” by Thomas Watson

Prayer is a duty which keeps the trade of piety flowing. When we either join in prayer with others, or pray alone, we must use holy violence. It is not eloquence in prayer—but violence carries it. Theodorus, speaking of Luther, "once (says he) I overheard Luther in prayer: with what life and spirit did he pray! It was with so much reverence, as if he were speaking to God—yet with so much confidence, as if he had been speaking to his friend." There must be a stirring up of the heart, 1. To prayer. 2. In prayer.

Excerpted from “The Christian Soldier” by Thomas Watson

When we come to the Word preached, we come to a business of the highest importance, therefore should stir up ourselves and hear with the greatest devotion. Luke 19:48. "All the people were very attentive to hear him." In the Greek it is "they hung upon his lip."—When the Word is dispensed, we are to lift up the everlasting doors of our hearts, that the King of glory may enter in!

 Excerpted from "The Christian Soldier" by Thomas Watson

What an infinite mercy it is that God has blessed us with the Scriptures. Our Savior bids us "search the Scriptures", (John 5:39). We must not read these holy lines carelessly, but peruse them with reverence and seriousness. The noble Bereans "searched the Scriptures daily," (Acts 17:10-11). The Scripture is the treasury of divine knowledge; it is the rule and touchstone of truth; out of this well we draw the water of life.

The call to battle, the order to go to war issues from the Commander and Chief and moves downward through the chain of command until iit rests upon the military unit(s) that will engage the enemy. Unit commanders prepare their combat forces to engage and defeat the enemy, with the goal of walking victoriously off the battlefield. However, no matter how well trained their combat soldiers might be, no matter how advanced their weaponry, victory in battle will elude them if individual soldiers will shrink from their duties in the face of the enemy. In addition to being sufficiently trained and well equipped, the combat soldier also needs to have the 'heart of a warrior'. 

"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." - Romans 8:30

God is completely sovereign over the affairs of men, including their eternal destiny, AND man is responsible and accountable for the decision to believe in or reject Christ as Lord and Savior.

Good question. Some folks will tell you that every person who enters the world is a child of God by virtue of having been born. Others will maintain that every person is not a child of God, that only those who behave a certain way or believe a certain way.

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."--John 1:12-13

 

The Chief End of Man is to Glorify God – Thomas Watson

Part 7

In how many ways may we glorify God?

9. We glorify God by walking cheerfully. It brings glory to God, when the world sees a Christian has that within him that which can make him cheerful in the worst times; that can enable him, with the nightingale, to sing with a thorn at his breast.

The Chief End of Man is to Glorify God – Thomas Watson

Part 6

How shall we know wne we aim at God's Glory?

1. When we prefer God's glory above all other things; above credit, estate, relations; when the glory of God coming in competition with them, we prefer his glory before them.

The Chief End of Man is to Glorify God – Thomas Watson

Part 5

In how many ways may we glorify God?

It is glorifying God when we aim purely at his glory. It is one thing to advance God's glory, another thing to aim at it.

The Chief End of Man is to Glorify God – Thomas Watson

Part 4

Why must we glorify God?

1. Because he gives us our being.

Psalm 100:3, "It is he that made us." We think it a great kindness in a man to spare our life, but what kindness is it in God to give us our life! We draw our breath from him; and as life, so all the comforts of life are from him. He gives us health, which is the sauce to sweeten our life; and food, which is the oil that nourishes the lamp of life. If all we receive is from his bounty, is it not reasonable we should glorify him? Should we not live to him, seeing we live by him? Rom. 11:36, "For of him, and through him, are all things." All we have is of his fulness, all we have is through his free grace; and therefore to him should be all. It follows, therefore, "To him be glory for ever." God is not our benefactor only, but our founder, as rivers that come from the sea empty their silver streams into the sea again.

The Chief End of Man is to Glorify God – Thomas Watson

Part 3

Q. What is it to glorify God?

A. Glorifying God consists in four things: 1. Appreciation, 2. Adoration, 3. Affection, 4. Subjection. This is the yearly rent we pay to the crown of heaven.

When we speak of God’s glory, the question will be moved, What are we to understand by God’s glory?

Answer. There is a twofold glory:

1. The glory that God has in himself, his intrinsic glory.

2. The glory which is ascribed to God, or which his creatures labour to bring to him.

A military Operations Order begins with the Concept of the Operation and the Commander's Intent. Therefore, the subject of the chief end of man/the purpose of our lives can fittingly be termed our Commander's Intent for us.

This post, as well as some in the future, will largely be excerpts from a work called A Body of Divinity, by Thomas Watson  (c.1620-1686). Some of his works can be found online at The Hall of Church History. The Body of Divinity  is a collection of sermons around the questions found in the Westminster Confession, beginning with the question at hand. So without further introductory explanation, let's begin:

Do you catch some flak because you are a Christian? Do other folks seem uncomfortable around you because you'd rather discuss spiritual matters than the latest 'reality' show? Feel like you're stuck in your career because of your faith?

"Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth (wanders), and one convert him (brings him back); Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."  James 5:19-20 (KJV, emphasis mine)

How often do you take out the household garbage, especially the sort in the kitchen that usually holds a lot of stuff that stinks? As for me, for the non-stinky stuff like old papers in the downstairs office, the trip to "Big Blue" occurs when the trash can is full. For kitchen garbage, it can be when 1) it's full or 2) when it gets too smelly. For some of us, the second instance is directly proportional to the keenness of our olfactory nerves.

 "There are two modes of representation which run through the Bible, apparently at variance with each other. According to the one, the plan of salvation is represented as simple. Believe and be saved, touch and be healed, look and be made whole.

According to the other, salvation is represented to be very difficult. We must strive to enter in at the straight gate. We must work out our salvation. We must run as in a race where the prize is our life. We must fight the good fight. Many who seek shall not enter in. Even the righteous are scarcely saved. "

 

Then He said to me, "Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel."

 

"If you believe there's a Heaven and a Hell and people go there, that eternal life is a possibility, how much to you have to hate others to NOT tell them about it?"

This, the pow'r of the cross:
Christ became sin for us;
Took the blame, bore the wrath—
We stand forgiven at the cross.
 

In an earlier post here , it was stated that “God doesn’t need people to save anyone - you, me or anyone else. It’s our Great Privilege to take the good news to the world around us.” In fact, it’s this author’s opinion that sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Greatest Privilege our great God has bestowed upon His children. This is the first in a series ofposts that will address the critical issue of presenting...

Most professing Christians would agree that we are to share the good news of Christ (the gospel), using words, deeds or both. Most are also in agreement that the sharing of the gospel applies to individuals as well as the corporate church. Furthermore, ‘good deeds’ in the Name of Christ speak for themselves. When it comes to ‘words’ however, there is a lot of opinion out there regarding the correct approach and even the words we should/should not use approaching the subject with non-believers. We would all probably agree with the need to share the CORE of the gospel. Is it possible to define it?

From a sermon preached in the Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, England in 1879:

"The church of Christ is continually under the figure of an army, yet it's Captain is the Prince of Peace; it's object is the establishment of peace, and its soldiers are men of a peaceful disposition. The spirit of war is the extremely opposite point to the spirit of the gospel.

Yet nevertheless, the church on earth has, and until the second advent must be, the church militant, the church armed, the...

"For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.  How are they to call on one they have not believed in?  And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of?  And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them?

I found this short piece by John MacArthur this morning. If you watched the Band of Brothers series, you will recognize the events described. The author used the events described to being a good soldier for our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

That old hymn came to mind this morning and I decided to investigate it's actual origins. I've seen it used or referenced in discussions and writings conerning the morality of war and the Chritian's role, but I never knew where or how it originated. I thought it worth sharing. . .

I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to wise and to unwise. So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. --Romans 1:14,15 That is why I say that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is something more than making us the happiest people in the Easter parade. Are we to listen to a cantata, join in singing "Up from the Grave He Arose," smell the lilies and go home and forget it? No, certainly not! The resurrection of Jesus Christ lays hold...

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him love.... --Ephesians 1:4 Sin is a disease. It is lawlessness. It is rebellion. It is transgression--but it is also a wasting of the most precious of all treasures on earth. The man who dies out of Christ is said to be lost, and hardly a word in the English tongue expresses his condition with greater accuracy. He has squandered a rare fortune and at the last he stands for a fleeting...