Category: Faith

I came across a quote from 1970 by a denominational writer that indicates a problem that, in my opinion, is applicable to the Lord’s church today. The quote is below, with some of my own comments after.

“…(We) of the late twentieth century contribute to the falsifying of the church’s proper function through our subjectivism … (The present) is possibly the most subjective period in all of church history. Today everybody talks in psychological terms. We enjoy nothing better than to probe our inner life and its real or imagined frustrations. We wallow in our misery. We go to psychologists, we go to psychiatrists, we go to counsellors. This predilection has been called “navelwatching” by some people; that is, we enjoy nothing better than to sit down narcissistically and look at our own psychic navels. This delightful activity allows us to become completely involved in ourselves. We enjoy our problems. Someone has called our epoch “the Age of Analysis” . . . and it is that, for we want to solve all our problems by subjective concentration upon them.”

John Warwick Montgomery

So much of the Christian’s responsibility is focused outward. We can become so entranced by our own spiritual “navels” that we leave the greater commands to “love God” and “love our neighbor” undone. It seems to me important to focus on God’s commandments, and our responsibilities to Him and others, and spend less time focused inwardly – “paralysis by analysis.” Now, I am not objecting to examining ourselves (cf. 2 Corinthians 13:5), but rather noting the destructive tendency to focus on self rather than others.

Are your insecurities, feelings, musings, captivating your attention? Does they lead to missed opportunities to do the Lord’s work? Does your faith consist predominately of introspection – whether of your failings or your strengths? If so, perhaps you need to look outside of yourself, and get busy doing “the work” (cf. James 1:25).

Some thoughts that came to my mind while reading the quote above:

1. Truth is objective, not subjective.
2. Selflessness is seen in our actions toward our fellow man.
3. The spiritual works of evangelism and edification are indicators of a faithful, zealous Christian.
4. Intellectualism does not equate to strength in faith (“…and the common people heard Him gladly” Mark 12:37).

Invitation delivered by: Stan Cox

Many today believe that in order to be a person of faith, you have to leave reason behind. In contrast, Paul in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-ff states that the unreasonable (and wicked) ones are those who do NOT have faith!

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The apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:7, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Contextually, these words were a reference to his surety about life after death. “So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord” (vs. 6). Men wonder, “What happens after we die?” Paul was a Christian. He knew. God told him. He was confident that after death he would be rewarded with eternal life (cf. 2 Timothy 4:8).

Since judgment was certain, and an eternal existence after death was his lot, how did Paul react? “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him” (vs. 9).

It is unwise to live your life to please yourself. If you make it your aim to please Him, then you too can look forward to an existence in the presence of God!

God has revealed to us what pleases and displeases Him. It is foolish to take chances, presuming to know what pleases God. Instead, make it your aim to learn God’s will, and do what is “pleasing to Him.”

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The apostle Paul acknowledged the hostility that existed between Jew and Gentile in the first century. He also acknowledged that such enmity was a result of the Law of Moses. This Law placed a barrier between the Jew (the chosen people of God), and the rest of humanity.

That Law was special, even necessary to prepare the world for the Messiah of God. In Galatians 3:24, Paul wrote, “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” The Law of Moses was wonderful, but never intended by God to be the means of mankind’s redemption. The promise that God made to Abraham that He would make of his descendants a great nation, was accompanied by the promise that “…in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

This promise was realized when that Law of Moses ceased its authority over men (cf. Romans 7:1-6). When Jesus paid the price for the sins of all mankind, Paul wrote that He, “abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity” (Ephesians 2:15-16).

We do not mourn the loss of Moses’ law. Instead, we rejoice that it served its purpose, to “bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” Now, we state with joy, “But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor” (Galatians 3:25). “For through Him we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18).

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In John 5, Jesus showed his enemies that He was God’s son. The testimony came from various sources, such as John the Baptist, the miracles Jesus performed, the Father in Heaven, and Moses and the Prophets. This testimony is true and sure!

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“O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man does not know, nor does a fool understand this” (Psalm 92:5-6).

You will notice that the Psalmist refers to those who question God as being foolish and senseless. The words may seem harsh, but similar, harsher things are said by the other side.

For example, one atheist I came across on the internet wrote the following:

“The fantasies and delusions are equally foolish whether it’s the belief and obedience to a psychotic voice in the head or an imaginary deity residing in some magical place no one can see. Religious beliefs should be placed in the same class as mental sickness or any other serious psychological disorder that degrades the quality of life and the individual’s ability to deal with reality.”

The warfare between right and wrong, good and evil, sin and righteousness, has always been and always will be. Two things come to mind as we consider this truth.

One, trust in your faith. It is rational, founded in the reality of Christ Jesus as our Savior. He did live, did die on the cross, and His resurrection was witnessed by many (cf. 1 Corinthians 15).

Two, never think for a second that the world (or the worldly) is your friend. The world is under the sway of the wicked one, who seeks to devour the child of God (cf. 1 Peter 5:8). This is why Paul wrote, “…do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).

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As our faith grows, and with it we mature spiritually, it enables us in various ways. It gives us the ability to: 1) Discern good and evil; 2) Resist temptation; 3) Forgive; 4) Deal with those who oppose the truth; 5) Cope with physical decline; and 6) Face death.

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Spring 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Nathan Quinn
May 6-11, 2017
Theme: Faith Under Fire (Lessons from 1 Peter)

• Audio 1 (What Angels Long to See)
• Audio 2 (Conducting Ourselves with Fear)
• Audio 3 (The Enduring Word of God)
• Audio 4 (The Day the Lord Has Made)
• Audio 5 (Imitating Christ by Suffering)
• Audio 6 (Understanding God’s Will for You)
• Audio 7 (Living the Good Life)
• Audio 8 (Be Sober in Spirit)
• Audio 9 (The True Grace of God)

We should always back our claims of faithfulness with obedience. Christianity is the “Show Me” Religion.

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The idea that there are things a man must do to be saved, some people contend to be a product of the legalistic theology of the 19th century. This lesson is a defense of the what the scriptures teach regarding the salvation of man.

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Invitation delivered by:

In Ephesians 3, Paul’s prayer for them was that they might know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.

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Lesson 5 of 9, Fall 2016 Gospel Meeting. Speaker: Jeremiah Cox.

Those who advocate salvation by Faith alone claim passages such as Romans 10:9-10, Ephesians 2:8 and Titus 3:5 speak of salvation, and baptism is not to be found. However, an examination of the contexts show clearly that Baptism is indeed implicit in these passages that deal with man’s redemption.

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The Lesson discusses weaknesses inherent in the Law of Moses. (Not mistakes made by God, but limitations of the law, by design). Also, the Purpose the Law of Moses serves in the redemption of man.

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David, as the anointed King of Israel, had many enemies. Among them was Saul, who remained enthroned as King. Saul was jealous of David, and sought his life. However, scripture reveals that God providentially protected David. In 2 Samuel 22, David acknowledged that help:

“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; The God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence” (2-3).

Continue reading “An Anchor of the Soul” →

The text of 1 Corinthians 13:13 is a famous one. However, Paul’s explanation of his intercessions for the Colossians (Colossians 1:3-7) gives interesting insight on how faith, hope and love work together for the Christian.

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