The inability of Christians to agree on what the Bible defines as sin is a sympton of self-will, not a flaw in the text of scripture itself. And, when those who are “untaught and unstable” twist what the scriptures teach, they do so “to their own destruction” (cf. 2 Peter 3:16). They could define sin correctly, if they were willing to!
We do not approve of abuses of authority, and we raise our voices in compassion for those who have been accused and convicted falsely. However, when a man is guilty of a heinous crime, he should be dealt with sternly, justly and quickly, for the sake of our society. No society can be compassionate and righteous without punishing the violation of law. To do anything less is to disparage the victim’s plight.
Young people, especially those who see no danger in these arrangements [co-ed dorm rooms], are showing their ignorance and need for further instruction in righteousness.
While it is commendable that the planning committee of the “New Testament Church…Today” organization desires to defend the truth of God’s word with regard to New Testament worship in song, I find it rather ironic that it has determined to do so in a way that has no authority in scripture.
The Christian faith does not oppress, it liberates! Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). Further, a true Christian is just that… a Christian first and foremost. No faithful child of God would ever deny God just to benefit himself economically or socially. He is compelled to profess his faith, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20); and to live his life by its precepts, “But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). It is not bitterness, it is obedience to a higher calling.
The modernist preconceptions that many “scholars” bring to their studies color their conclusions and views. This is the norm, not the exception. As Christians, we must remember that these are antagonists to the faith, and maintain our strong convictions in the face of such assaults. “Indeed let God be true, but every man a liar” (Romans 3:4).
While Presidential candidates must be centrists, and not offend any, (in order to be elected); as Christians we must not fail to declare the “whole counsel of God” (cf. Acts 20:27). Our purpose is not to curry the favor of all. Rather, it is to convict the sinner of his sin, and to correct those who have taken a wrong path. The Christian must not compromise!
The skeptic is often guilty of similar gullibility in his haste to reject any evidence of the divine. Outlandish claims under the guise of “science” have sought to give natural explanations for such varied Bible events as the star that stood over the place of Jesus’ birth, and the parting of the Red Sea.
The reaction of the Muslim community to a cartoonists depiction of the prophet Muhammad points out a radical difference between the Islamic faith and Christianity. While the Muslims are moved to anger and violence, the true Christian is called to love his enemies, and try to turn them away from error through the preaching of the Lord’s gospel.
The atheist has an insurmountable problem in his efforts to explain the existence of humanity without the presence of a divine being. The theory of evolution, used to promote the idea of our physical development over eons of time, can in no way explain the existence the fixed moral standards that have been present throughout human history.
The question is not whether a Christian may fast (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:5) or abstain from eating meat (cf. Romans 14:6). These things are certainly allowed, though never commanded by God.
The question is whether a church has the right to elevate such man-made traditions to the level of “Canon Law.” (Note, the Catholic requirements mentioned above were lifted from the 1983 Revision of the Catholic Code of Canon Law). This is a practice clearly condemned by Jesus in Matthew 15:8-9.
Anyone who truly believes that Christ will come again will live his life in accord with Christ’s commands. That way when Christ comes, he will be ready to join his Lord in heaven. Do you believe that Christ is coming? If so, are you living your life for him, “looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God”?
Regardless of what a man may accomplish while here on earth, this life is a failure if not lived for God. Remember the conclusion of the wise man, “Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13b-14).
As Christians, we must always remember that, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). May our faith be reasoned and established upon the verity of scripture, rather than the vagaries of human speculation.
Many who set the environmental agenda in our society, (indeed, in the world), do not have an understanding of man’s responsibility regarding stewardship. They find the concept, that man’s purpose is to “have dominion” and “subdue” the earth and the animals in it, to be immoral. The radical environmentalists do not view man to be made in God’s image. In fact, they consider man to be merely an animal, and of no more importance than any other animal.
It is not the mission of the church (or gospel preachers) to effect political change. The responsibility of God’s people is to “preach the word” to the salvation of souls. However, when such ungodly attitudes are present and advocated in our society, we must contend for the faith.
I’m sorry, but there is a difference between a man and an animal. The animal is made in the image of God (cf. Genesis 1:27).
