Whose Heart Are We After?

This is not a Tale of Two Cities, but a “tale of two hearts.” King David was a “man after God’s own heart,” while his would-be-king son, Absalom, was a “man after man’s own heart.” He was the antithesis of his father. We must look into the mirror of God’s Word and ask ourselves the same question; “after whose heart are we after?”

Looking into the dross that was the heart of Absalom in II Samuel 15:1 – 12, we see a man at his worst. He was a fraud, a liar, a manipulator, a usurper and ultimately a traitor to both his father and to his nation. He was a man obsessed with symbolism and disdainful of substance. In this passage we see not a single positive trait, he was devoid of any spiritual quality. What we do see in Absalom is a man who was pragmatically driven to succeed politically. He was a man who embraced the satanic lie that the “ends justify the means.” He epitomizes today’s existential nonsense that man can “create his own future” by “deconstructing the past.” He wanted to create his own “brave new world,” (to borrow a phrase from Huxley). Absalom aggressively adopted radical “outcome based” thinking in a twisted kind of “continuous improvement” mindset.

Specifically, Absalom rolled out a six-point plan to make himself king of Israel. It was methodically plotted and took a number of years to implement. He either was ignorant of the fact that “it is not in man to direct his own steps,” or he imagined himself being exempt from it due to his political genius, his personal popularity and his manipulative prowess. This was his plan:

1. He procured a chariot and runners to advertise his presence in Jerusalem. [15:1]

2. He established himself as a judge of the people by “rising up early to stand before the way of the gate.” [15:2]

3. He intercepted every complainant before he could reach the king for judgment. [15:2]

4. He agreed with and promoted every man’s complaint regardless of rightness, wrongness or merit. [15:2]

5. He publically complained of his father’s “absence” at the gate of judgment. [15:3 – 4]

6. Finally, he blatantly patronized every complainant by “putting out his hand and kissing every man” approaching the gate for judgment. [15:5]

Collectively, these things allowed Absalom to “steal the hearts of the men of Israel.” Once these hearts were stolen, Absalom graduated to using “religion” in order to fool his loving and forgiving father and ultimately to enter into revolt, rebellion and treason against “the Lord’s Anointed.” This was all made possible because Absalom saw himself as a man unshackled by the “faith of his father.” He saw himself as a man of “spontaneous action,” unlike his father, a man “trapped” by his convictions. He thought he could “free himself” from the chains of “morality.” By so doing he would “deconstruct the old” and “construct the new” on the ruins of his fathers’ kingdom – dancing, as it were, on his fathers would be grave.

Absalom, however, neglected to consider God in all of this. He, first and foremost, neglected to repent of his past sins – especially the murder of his brother Amnon. He neglected to pray for God’s Will and Direction. He neglected to seek counsel of any prophet or the Priests of God. He neglected to research the Word of God for wisdom. His neglect closed his soul, his mind, his ears and his eyes to the consequences of his pragmatic plans, best laid as they were. He would soon die in dishonor and shame.

We end as we began – are we “men after God’s own heart,” or “men after man’s own heart?” “Whose heart are we after?” How we answer that question will bring either reward or disaster when life’s door closes!

Praying Always = NEVER Losing Heart!

We live in the "best of times and the worst of times."  Many fail to "count their blessings" and to be thankful to God for such blessings as abundant food, multiple daily choices of clothing and shelter.  And, not only shelter, but shelter that includes tight roofs, heating, air conditioning, carpeted floors, hot and cold running water, indoor plumbing, refrigerators (fully stocked!), washers, dryers, microwaves, radios, TV's and internet access.  America has the "richest" poor folks in the world!

 Having said that, we live during the first generation since the Great Depression that will leave to our children an America that is poorer, weaker and less united than the America we received from our parents.  Studies show that, adjusted for inflation, real wages in the United States have remained flat for the last 30 years.  In contrast with that, extreme wealth and extreme poverty (by American standards) have greatly accelerated, for people at both extremes of the equation pay little or no tax.  Inflation is once again at the point it was during the 1970's and early 80's, though the government conceals the real numbers having removed from its computations the two greatest culprits of inflation, food and fuel.  High housing costs are being artificially propped up by government fiat.  Real unemployment is likely around 20% for government computations do not include those who have expired un-employment benefits and / or have quit looking for work.  When one includes the under-employed (those who work longer and harder for far less money than they did in pre economic crisis years), upwards to 40% of all Americans are either un-employed or under employed.  Not only that, blue collar unemployment is rampantly high.  The latest un-employment estimate for men not holding a college degree is running at approximately 40% as well.

 Other factors are contributing to our national malaise.  Divorce, abortion, out of wedlock births, declining birth rates among married and stable families, child abandonment, drug and alcohol addiction, promiscuity and isolation are all assaulting the family, God's essential cornerstone of society.  As a result of all these factors, plus the aging of the largest generational group in American history, the "Baby Boomers," America is depressed, disenchanted and without clear purpose.  These factors have not only affected families and individuals, they are affecting the church.  Attendance is in free fall decline, especially on Sunday nights and Wednesdays among churches of Christ.  Many congregations have abandoned meeting on Sunday night completely.  People are leaving older, smaller, poorer and urban congregations for newer, larger, richer and suburban congregations.  Churches of Christ are, as Jesus alludes to in Luke 18:1, beginning to "lose heart."

 So... how do we NOT lose heart?!  The answer is one that is both easy and difficult.  It is an answer that is easy to identify intellectually but difficult to put into practice for the implementation requires both individual Christians and entire congregations of God's people to reflect, repent and to pray....ALWAYS.  The answer requires an admission failure to achieve God's Will by our own individual and corporate effort.  The answer requires that we be open and transparent with both God and with each other.  The answer requires that we all admit, before God, that we are both inadequate and unworthy before the task.  The answer, in fact, requires a total surrender on our part to the sovereignty, purpose and Will of God.  The answer requires that we "let go and let God!'

 In Luke 18:1 - 8, Jesus makes a number of observations as how "not to lose heart."  Among others there are these:

 1. NOT losing heart is tied 100% to "prayer without ceasing."

2. God WANTS to be annoyed with our prayers!

3. NOTHING is off the table with God.  When we have needs, God wants to hear about them!

4. We are not just anybody, we are God's ELECT!

5. God does not mind that we "cry to Him day and night."

6. God will not long delay in answering our "ceaseless prayers."

7. God will soon deliver justice to us.

 This is a great promise and one that is more than obvious, we must grasp it in our day and time!  "IF" we fail to grasp it, the Son of Man will return to find no faith on the earth.  We are God's men and women at a critical time in history!  "Let us ALWAYS pray and NOT lose heart!" 

                                                                      -  Russ McCullough  

The Best Dad EVER!

"The best dad ever!" is a sentiment often ascribed to many a father.  Who, then, was the best father of all time?  What characteristics describe him?  The "best dad ever" turns out to be the God whom we worship, God the Father!

We all recall the account of the so-called "Prodigal Son" in Luke 15:11-32.  There are three characters in this account and each delivers a different lesson.  Obviously, the Prodigal tells of waywardness and redemption.  The "ever faithful" elder brother tells of jealousy and pride.  But the Father is the perfect picture of grace, mercy and restoration.  It is upon Him that we should focus this Father's Day. 

Just what characteristics of God the Father do we need to glean from this metaphor?  There are many but here are the highlights, dads:

1. Though the "best dad ever" could have very easily "had his way," the Father allows his son to make his own choices...no matter what the consequence.  (15:12)

2. It is plain to see that the "best dad ever" was a good provider for his family, there was substantial savings at His disposal for him to use for those whom He loved.  (15:12)

3. The "best dad ever" was continually looking for his son to return to what was good, right and just.  (15:20)

4. Even before the "best dad ever" had heard any kind of confession, apology or explanation, He felt compassion for him without reservation.  (15:20)

5. Ignoring whatever "baggage" His son was carrying, the "best dad ever" ran to embrace and kiss him.  (15:20)

6. The "best dad ever" listened to his son's confession without interruption, complaint or demand.  (15:20)

7. Ignoring the obvious sin, guilt and shame the "best dad ever" restored the prodigal to his former status without retribution, payment or punishment.  (15:22 - 23)

8. The "best dad ever" threw the "best party ever" to celebrate the restoration of his lost son, a party held without pretext, apology or explanation because the "dead had returned to life!"  (15:24)

Who's the prodigal?  Me and you.  We are the rebellious son that has "demanded our rights" and have abandoned all that is dear to go to the "far country" to waste our lives in foolish endeavors.

Who's the "best dad ever?"  God the Father, though we deserve nothing, lavishes the riches of heaven upon us, now and for all eternity!

"Amazing grace!  How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see!"

Those of us who are fathers can learn some great lessons of our own from the "best dad ever" so our children will one day remember us with that very same endearment!

• Good dads work hard and long to provide for the physical needs of their children. 
• Good dads, within the guidelines of Scripture, allow their children to make their own decisions AND to live with the consequences of those decisions.
• Good dads are always on the lookout for the "returning child" from the "far country."
• Good dads are eager to hear the confession of wrong from erring children without any sentiment other than thanksgiving.
• Good dads are eager to offer restoration with out preconditions or pretext.
• Good dads don't demand continual explanations, apologies or rehash after restoration.  The good dad leaves the past in the past.
• Good dads don't continue to punish their erring children once they have been restored.
• Good dads "rejoice with those who rejoice," especially children returning from the "far country!"

Want to be remembered as the "best dad ever?"  Take your cues from "the best dad ever," God the Father!  HAPPY FATHERS DAY, DAD!  
             -  Russ McCullough - Distributed through JTC Media

The REAL Christian in a VIRTUAL World!

Interaction and communication have changed more radically in the last decade than in any other previous 10 year period  in history since the invention of the printing press about 500 years ago.  As Christians we must be keenly aware of the world around us in order to be effective evangelists, our “prime directive” as it were.  Jesus uses the nuclear phrase “all authority on heaven and earth has been given to me” to emphasize the eternal urgency of our evangelistic ambassadorship.  “All things internet” has given us tools unimaginable  just 10 years ago, while at the same time, tempting us in ways ALSO unimaginable just 10 years ago!

No change has been more profound than the embrace of nearly everyone (to at least some extent) of what is now called the “social media.”  Today, it is no longer necessary to actually MEET someone in order to become their “FRIEND!”  Four general observations regarding “social media” before we continue:

·         Not all aspects of computer technology are beneficial for Christians.

·         Not every medium meshes with God’s Will.

·         For the Christian, virtual interaction must supplement family, fellowship and community, NOT replace them!

·         It is not necessary for the Christian to know everything about everybody else on every occasion.

For our purposes, we will define “social media” as:

Any medium that relies on some kind of electronic devise allowing 2 or more people to simultaneously interact with each other on a truth neutral platform.

Regardless if we are speaking of the increasingly popular “interactive video game,” Google, ® Facebook, ® LinkedIn, ® Twitter ® or any kind of texting, we are speaking of media that allows the individual  to “create” an on-line persona that may or may not reflect reality.  In other words, the difficulty  of ascertaining whether ay written, spoken or visual communication  is truthful – or not – is greatly enhanced.  Chaos thrives on such doubt.  We must all, therefore, ask the question; “Does media shape me or do I shape my media?”  A better question is; “Does GOD shape the media I use?”

The Scripture says in Proverbs 23:7; “…as a man thinks in his own heart, so is he.”  The challenge for the Christian is to not allow his virtual personality (persona) replace his real personality.  This “substitute” personality that people “create” for their on-line presence is often times called an “avatar.”  Merriam-Webster’s on-line dictionary defines “avatar” thusly: “…an electronic image [electronic incarnation (RM)] that represents and is manipulated by a computer user (as in computer game).”[1]  THIS is precisely how, for example, men get entangled with on-line pornography.  While living “morally” in their “real life,” their “avatar” is engaging in the unspeakable in their “virtual world.”  This creates the ultimate spiritual showdown for, as Jesus said, “…no man can serve two masters.”  (Matthew 6:24)

The “avatar,” simply put, is electronic hypocrisy!   Knowing all this, what guidance does God’s Word have regarding these matters?  Paul gives us (by inspiration) heavenly wisdom regarding Christian conduct in two passages:

Do not quench the Spirit.  Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.  Abstain from every form of evil.  – I Thessalonians 5:19 – 22 (ESV)

Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.  Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.  Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.  Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:25 – 32 (ESV)

There are applications from these two passages to our “virtual concerns:”

·         Examine everything on-line carefully for real and virtual “realities” “appear” to be the same!

·         Do not deny who you are on-line.  One cannot take on a non-Christian persona / avatar and be a Christian in the real world.

·         Embrace only the good on-line

·         Flee from everything that even has a hint of evil on-line

·         Be extremely cautious on-line because  the lines between good and evil are blurred to the extreme

·         Exercise wisdom on what you see, experience, express and participate in on-line.

·         Use your time wisely on-line, remembering your media should serve you, not the other way around

·         Make all your on-line decisions based upon God’s precepts

·         Flee any addictive behavior on-line

·         Be full of the Spirit instead of being full of obsession & imagination especially your “avatar!”

·         Pray often on-line often, expressing thanksgiving to God

·         Always follow the Golden rule on-line

·         Finally, “virtual” Christianity cannot replace REAL Christianity!

In conclusion; throw away all your “avatars” and put only the “real you” on-line as we are “no longer our own but bought with a price!”

---

[1] http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avatar?show=0&t=1307543289

The Instrument of Destruction - Part 1 Video

What God Do You Love? - The God Who Created You or The God That YOU Created?!

The rise of "multiculturalism" in the West, now morphing into "multi-individualism," is essentially the latest of rebellious events against the Creator God that every so often shakes civilization to the core. The devilish theory behind all of this is the lie that all cultures / individuals are equally valid and valuable and that we should all oppose any kind of singular cultural identity. In other words, there is no right or wrong, only more and "better" evolutionary choices. Not only that, dominating cultures such as that which is found in the United States, are inherintly evil and must be deconstructed in an existential attempt to form a "brave new world" where there will be mandated "equal results" for all people instead of "equal opportunities" where some people fail.(1) This "one world utopian" view of things is immortalized in John Lennon's infamous song; "Imagine." In Lennon's vision, there is "no heaven and no religion too." This theological vacuum creates "paradise" on earth where man becomes god.

The Chinese proverb; "may you live in interesting times," is indeed descriptive of 2011 when chaos is the order of the day both at home and abroad. This puts us, adherents to the "one Lord, one fatih and one baptism," in an ever increasing hostile environment. This environment embraces "all truths" while intolerently rejecting THE truth. This places us inside a monumental and historical paradigm shift away from "fearing the one true God" and towards the proclomation and adherance to a multitude of "self created gods" who look all too similar to "the man in the mirror."

"Multiculturalism / multi-individaulism" is just the latest among man centered rebellions in the unfolding of history. The first and most momentous of these rebellions was The Fall of Man as recorded in Genesis 3:5 where Satan promised Eve and Adam that they "would be as gods, knowing good and evil." After The Fall, man grew increasingly self directed and wicked prompting God to destroy that entire civilization save for Noah, his wife, their 3 sons and there wives in the Worldwide Flood. In fact man was so wicked that "every intention and thought was only evil continually" according Genesis 6:5. After the flood, man took a direction that is prototypical of every other rebellion against God since - he sought to establish his own utopia based on his own self-worth and merit. Man decided upon total world wide unity outside of the Will of God. Man gathered in one city, developed one language and had a singular purpose - to reach equality with God on man's terms, not God's. We know this event as the Tower of Babel. In Genesis 11:8 God dispersed man throughout the world by confusing the language - each people group instantly had a different language making unity no longer possible.

Every societal rebellion since has attempted this "utopian unity" model - and has always failed, as it always will. "Multiculturalism / multi-individualism" will soon implode despite the best efforts of the U.N., the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. Imperial Rome, Papal Rome, Revolutionary France, Imperial Britian, Fascist Germany / Japan / Italy, Communist Russia / China have all attempted world wide domination based on the Babel model. In years to come, we will have to face not only "Multiculturalism / multi-individaulism," but the threat of a new monolitic Caliphate threat from Islam. These, too, will ultimately fall as did Assyria, Babylon, Persia, Greece and Rome. America will fall as well unless the Lord returns prior to that event.

Until the judgement of God comes down on the head of any civilization, God pauses for a time to allow repentance. Where are we in America? Have we tipped the scale to the point of no return or is there still time for repentance and renewal? Has the "glory of the Lord departed from the temple?" Our prayers and our efforts must always assume that there IS time for repentance and renewal for God has not yet acted! We must be busy "sowing and watering," being "salt and light" in society and "redeeming the time for the days are evil." In order to best accomplish this we must be accutely aware of where people are spiritually. Nearly any poll will show that upwards to 90% of Americans believe in "God." On the surface this seems like good news, but is it?

What "God" do people in America love, the God who created them or the god whom THEY created? Sadly, the latter is far more prominent than the former.

Every society has a dominant religious belief about it. Iran is Muslim, India is Hindu and Bhuddist, Italy is Roman Catholic and so forth. These religious beliefs become merged into the societal norms and become what we would call a "civil religion." What is America's "civil religion?" Is America a "Chistian nation" or not? Not long ago President Obama announced to the world that "America is no longer a Christian nation." While we can surely state with certainty that America is not "Christian" in the New Testament sense of the word, we CAN say that no nation was ever founded on Christian "principles" more solidly than ours. We affirmed in the Declaration that "all men are created equal and are endowed by their Creator certain inaliable rights such as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." No nations culture is more influenced by Christian principles than is ours. Having said that, this "Christian influence" is eroding quickly due the fact the the "god" that most Americans adhere to is NOT the God of the Bible but, instead, a "god" of their own creation. This "god" is described by researcher Christian Smith of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as a god that is "moralistic, therapeutic and Deist." In 2005, he published his research in a book, Soul Searching - The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers.(2) In other words, America's civil religion is a false hope based upon a false god proclaiming a false message as was the "unknown god" of ancient Athens that Paul spoke of in Acts 17:16 - 34. The Athenians worshipped this "god" in a polytheistic, pluralistic and multicultural way. Paul though, preached to them the truth of the one true God manifested by the Risen Savior in a monotheistic, singular and uni-cultural way!

America's civil religion is strangely similar to the Stoicism that Paul encountered on Mars Hill. In the 3rd century b.c. a man named Zeno formed a philosophy that we know today as Stoicism. Zeno taught that man acheives happiness in life through his own moral virtue, hard work and dedication. Stoicism was polythesistic then as it is now - there is a "god" though this "god" is a "god" of ones own making. (Multiple people - multiple "gods" strangely similar to Origen's "multiple meanings" allegorical interpretive method of the 2nd century a.d.) Zeno's view of "the god's" is essentially the mindset of today's "moralistic, therapeutic Desism." As Albert Mohler commented in a review of Smith's book; "This undemanding diety is more interested in solving our problems and in making people happy."(3) This is the message we hear today from the Oprah Winfrey's, Joel Olstein's, Dr. Phill's and Rush Limbaugh's of the world - "God helps those who help themselves." This is a phrase that many think comes from the Bible but in no way actually does!

"In fact, this quotation has come down to us from GREEK MYTHOLOGY! Specifically it comes to us from one of Aesop’s fables, of the 6th century B.C. Let’s read this fable entitled “Hercules and the Waggoner.” “A Waggoner was once driving a heavy load along a very muddy way. At last he came to a part of the road where the wheels sank half-way into the mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper sank the wheels. So the Waggoner threw down his whip, and knelt down and prayed to Hercules the Strong." ‘O Hercules, help me in this my hour of distress,’ quoth he. But Hercules appeared to him, and said: ‘Tut, man, don’t sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. "The gods help them that help themselves.”(4)

Just what are the tenets of America's civil religion, this "moralist, therapeutic Deism?" Essentially there are five:

1) There is a "god" who created the world, initiated natural laws and oversees over the lives of men and women.
2) This "god's" will, like his "existence," is multiple and pluralistic. This will is made up of competing and conflicting "truths." This "god's" will is that people are to be "nice and fair to one another as taught in the Bible and by most of the world's religions."(5)
3) This "god's" primary directive is for people to be happy and feel better about themselves.
4) This "god" does not necessarily wished to be involved in ones life except when he is needed to bring a solution to a problem, need or desire. He does not need or request worship.
5) "Good" people go to heaven and nearly everyone is "good."(6)

These five tenets of America's civil religion are found in it's three main components: moralism, therapeutics and Deism.

Moralism

Smith bluntly says; "...central to living a good and happy life is being a good moral person."(7) His research found the following components to "moralism:"

1. One must be "nice."
2. One must be "kind."
3. One must be "pleasant."
4. One must be "respectful."
5. One must be "responsible."
6. One must actively work at "self improvement."
7. One must "take care of his / her health."
8. One must "do his / her best in order to succeed."(8)

The adherent's to America's civil religion believe in a "loving" and non-judgmental god who will overlook all faults as long as one is "moral" as defined above. We would add one more component to this false religion - One MUST be "tolerant" of all others - regardless. Though "tolerance" is considered by the "politically correct" to be the most important of virtues - it is NOT EVEN a "virtue" as all! The word does not even appear until the 15th century a.d. according to the Miriam Webster On-Line Dictionary. MW defines the word thusly; "...sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own..."(9) One will not find either the word or the concept in the New Testament. The only word remotely similar is bastazo, which means to "...lift, endure, carry or take up" (10) another's burden. It is a word defining servitude to others as we serve Christ. Today's "definition" is quite different! It is not a word describing service, it is a word describing philosophical and moral surrender! "Tolerance" has a synonym in the New Testament - LUKEWARM. "Tolerating" that which is evil is something that deserves to be "spit out" not swallowed!

Therapeutics:

Today's American civil religion is therepeutic, it "self medicates" the adherents. It numbs one's mind to both reality and truth. It makes one "feel good about themselves" in the face of facts that would say otherwise. This is why we often witness the guilty to proclaim their "innocence." Take heed again to the words of Christian Smith;

"This is not a religion of repentance from sin...of living as a servant of soveriegn divinity, of steadfastly saying one's prayers....of building character through suffering, of basking in God's love and grace, of spending oneself in gratitude and love for the cause of (justice), etc."

(11)

"If" America's civil religion is NOT these things, just what is it? It is a religion that provides these "blessings" to it's adherents:

1. It allows one to "feel good."
2. It allows one to feel "happy."
3. It allows one to feel "secure."
4. It allows one to be "at peace."
5. It allows one to "attain subjective well being."
6. It allows one to "resolve problems."
7. It allows one to "get along amiably with other people."(12)

In short, these "therapeutics" simply allow one to say; "Don't Worry - Be Happy!"(13)

Deism:

The final main component of America's civil religion is "Deism." We know, through faith, that a "Deist" God does not exist. A very popular philsophy in the late 18th century (a bridge between theism and atheism) Deism taught that there is a god but this god just created the world and then walked off to leave us at our own devises without any consequence or repsonsibility for choices made. What does this "Deist god" look like in America's civil religion?

1. "God" is not personally involved with peoples lives, he's by nature a recluse.
2. If a person perfers "God" to NOT be involved, in no way will he be.
3. "God" keeps a safe distance.
4. "God" is not a judge.
5. "God's" priorities are to "solve problesms" and "make people happy."
6. "God" comes and goes as people dictate.
7. "God" has no qualms with what people "used to call immorality."
8. "God" does not define for us "good and evil" or "right and wrong," all choices are equally valid.(14)
Smith candidly observes as quoted by Mohler; "In short, God is something like a combination Divine Butler and Cosmic Therapist; he is always on call, takes care of any problems that arise, professionally helps his people to feel better about themselves, and does not become too personally involved in the process."(15)

Conclusion:

What does God's Word say about all of this? Paul decried such false religions in Galatians 1:6 - 9:

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to another gospel - not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or a an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again; If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed." (ESV)

ENDNOTES:
(1) I have been told that on one occasion boxing great Mohammed Ali visited Soviet Russia during the days of the Cold War. Upon returning, reportedly he was asked; "Is it true that every one in Russia is equal?" Ali is said to have replied; "Yes, they are all equal - equally poor!"
(2) Christian Smith with Melinda Lunquist Denton, (Soul Searching - The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, New York, New York, Oxford University Press, 2005)
(3) R. Alber Mohler - http://www.christianpost.com/news/moralistic-therapeutic-deism-the-new-american-religion-6266/
(4) Gary D. Pifer - http://home.earthlink.net/~gdpifer/God_Helps_Those_Who_Help_Themsleves.html
(5) Mohler, op. cit., [Emphasis mine - RM]
(6) Mohler, op. cit., paraphrased and expanded - RM
(7) Mohler, op. cit.
(8) Mohler, op. cit., paraphrased - RM
(9) http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tolerance
(10) Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries via e-sword.com
(11) Mohler, op. cit.
(12) Mohler, op. cit. paraphrased and expanded - RM
(13) The title of a very popular late 1980's song. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don%27t_Worry,_Be_Happy
(14) Mohler, op. cit., paraphrased and expanded - RM
(15) Mohler, op. cit. - quoting Christian Smith in Soul Searching
(16) For the most comprehensive review of these matters I have seen, check out:
Benjamin Wiker, (Moral Darwinism - How We Became Hedonists, Downers Grove, Ill., Intervarsity Press, 2002) ISBN 0-8308-2666-1

Salvation- IN Water But Not BY Water!

Have you noticed that when God saves people throughout the Bible, water always seems to be in the plan?

In Genesis 6 - 8, Noah and his family were saved, not BY water, but through water. The waters of the flood literally separated the ark of safety from the wickedness of the drowning world. Salvation was from God but the agency was the water. Noah and his family were not saved BY water but were saved through water. Peter tells us in I Peter 3:18 - 22 that our baptism corresponds to Noah's and that "likewise baptism now saves us" as well.

In Exodus 14, Moses and the people of Israel were saved, not BY water, but through water. God rolled back the deep water of the Red Sea, the people passed through the water and reached salvation on the other side. The Egyptians, on the other hand, were all drowned in the sea as the waters collasped after Israel's crossing. Through water, Israel passed from slavery into freedom, from no possession towards possession of a land "flowing with milk and honey" and from sin towards righteousness. Moses and the people of Israel were not saved BY water but were saved through water. Paul tells us that Israel was "baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea" in I Corinthians 10:1 - 4.

In Joshua 3 and 4, Joshua and the people of Israel were saved, not BY water but through water. Once again, God rolled back the deep water of the Jordan allowing the people to cross in safety on dry land. They thus escaped the wilderness and entered into the Land of Promise. They then happily errected two Ebenezers - one of 12 stones in the middle of the Jordan where the priests had stood with the Ark of the Covenant and one of 12 stones where the people stopped for the night at Gilgal. Joshua and the people of Israel were saved, not BY water but through water.

The New Testament builds on this history of water "agency" for God's work of salvation. John baptizes at Aenon near Salim "for there was much water there." (John 3:23) Jesus Christ was baptized "to fulfill all righteousness." (Matthew 3:15) Jesus stipulates baptism as a requirement for salvation. (Mark 16:15 - 16) Jesus commands the apostles to "make disciples, baptize and teach all things whatsoever I have commanded." (Matthew 28:18 - 20) The same command passes to each Christian through out all time. The apostles commanded baptism for "everyone" in Acts 2:37 - 38 "in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."

The fact that almost everyone in so-called "Christedom" misses the point regarding baptism is perhaps Satan's greatest victory in our time. Calvin, Luther et al falsely taught that baptism is a "work of man" and, therefore, not a requirement of salvation. Baptism is not a work of man BUT it IS a work of God! Colossians 2:11 -12 very clearly tells us that God does His "powerful work" of salvation in baptism. God does all the work! Man does no work in baptism.

God does not save us BY water, He saves us IN water! Baptism is the TIME AND THE PLACE where God does His powerful work of salvation. There are many way to "join" many denominations (divisions from the original and therefore false) but there is absolutely NO WAY to "join" the church of Christ. One can only be added to His church by the Lord. Who therefore, can be added? Only those who "gladly receive His Word" through the water of baptism "in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" after repentance. The same way they were added to the church of Christ then is the same way people are added to the church of Christ today! There is no other plan of salvation! God does NOT save us BY water but He most certianlly saves us IN water!

Have YOU been baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins?