Friday, October 29, 2020

THE POPE AND GOOD ATHEISTS

TODAY'S FEATURED NEWS STORY

The following May 23, 2020 quote from Christian Headlines represents only one of scores of articles which have flooded the media: "Pope Francis caused a stir this week when he declared during his homily at Wednesday Mass in Rome that everyone was redeemed through Jesus, including atheists, the Huffington Post reports. Francis emphasized the importance of "doing good" as a principle that unites all humanity, and told the story of a Catholic who asked a priest if even atheists had been redeemed by Jesus. "Even them, everyone," the pope answered. "We all have the duty to good. ... The Lord has redeemed all of us, all of us, with the Blood of Christ: all of us, not just Catholics. Everyone! 'Father, the atheists?' Even the atheists. Everyone! ... We must meet one another doing good. 'But I don’t believe, Father, I am an atheist!' But do good: we will meet one another there."

This represents far more than another quotation from a pope who seems to delight in carefully worded pronouncements which can be taken either way, much to the chagrin of Catholics and Protestants. This conclusion is actually the fruit of Vatican 2 and is consistent with its dictums. For a brief video overview of all the forces this council set in motion, visit Jim's expose on the subject. Note, especially, the video entitled The New Ecumenism - Vatican 2 on this page.

The real issue, however, is neither historical nor philosophical at its core. It is biblical. The Word of God is unequivocal.  None of us, rich or poor, self-centered or self-sacrificing, Catholic, protestant, or atheist, can ever have our sins forgiven or go to heaven, based on our good intentions or good works. In fact, this is the core issue on which the gospel is built. As sinners, no amount of good we can ever do could make up for the fact that we are alienated from God and dead in our sins. 

Friend, you can cross your fingers and hope that your own good works will carry you through, or you can be placed into the Lord Jesus Christ and be accepted, based on His goodness and holiness. This is the perfect time to take ten or fifteen minutes, in order to gain a clear understanding of what the gospel really is!
The short of it is that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins - for each of us individually. You may know that you have your sins forgiven and you may know that you have eternal life today!

​Remember, we are always available to chat about this important subject!

​TODAY'S NEWS RELATED SCRIPTURES

Whether you are religious or atheistic, your sins have separated you from God.

But your iniquities have separated you from your God;
And your sins have hidden His face from you,
So that He will not hear.   - Isaiah 59:2  NKJV

“There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands;
There is none who seeks after God."  - Romans 3:10 NKJV

For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, - Romans 3:22b and 23.  - NKJV

God provided forgiveness through the death of His Son on the cross.

For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.  - Romans 5:6-9

God provides this gift freely and without obligation, based on the death and the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"...being justified [freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus  - Romans 3:24 NKJV

"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”   - John 11:23,24

"not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."  - Titus 3:5-7 NKJV

 Monday, October 26, 2020

One Issue Voting

TODAY'S FEATURED STORY

Pastor John Piper Explains Why He Isn't Voting for Trump or Biden

No, this is not an article about politics.

Be absolutely certain. We are all being tested. There has never been a time when this pastor has seen more Christians compromise the truth in one area in order to defend it in another.  Those who speak out on any side of an issue can expect vilification from unbelievers and chagrin from believers alike.

For the sake of argument, let's assume that there aren't a whole lot of folks who believe two candidates in a given election are spiritually qualified. In fact, we have a system which does its very best to cull out spiritually qualified candidates, leaving behind only a few token names.  Our nation has rejected God at hand.

When struggling about our testimony in voting John Piper, for example, stands radically against abortion on the one hand, and firmly convinced that no one should be placed in office on the basis of a single issue. (See also.)  We will not vilify Dr. Piper for his refusal to vote for either candidate (as a means of testifying to his own stand) and we commend him for not vilifying others who do. 

Dr. Piper struggles with the same issues of duplicity we all face. The question we address is not about the personalities in an upcoming election, it is about the criterion upon which we build our views when voting for any candidate at any time in any election. As for this pastor, I will vote with the following thoughts in mind:

1. I AM a one-issue candidate. I believe my vote (or lack thereof) must best serve to glorify God, all the while knowing that my vote (or lack thereof) will surely be misunderstood by some. My one issue, then, is to vote (or abstain) in a manner that best reflects God's perspective.

2. From God's perspective, the shedding of innocent blood, followed by the sanctity of the family, are the two highest demands that the scriptures make for all men who occupy His earth, believers or unbelievers alike. God hates violence.

3. I will remember that, in the end, God puts our leaders in place according to His plan and purpose, even while He expects us to be accountable with our vote.

When I consider the horns of the dilemma we all face, I will vote (or abstain from voting) with respect to the candidate and party which tips the scale, even if ever so slightly, in favor of the views which best reflect what is most important to God.

TODAY'S FEATURED SCRIPTURES

God will judge those nations who reject Him.

"The wicked shall be turned into hell,
And all the nations that forget God."  Psalm 19:7 NKJV

God recognizes and loves life that is in the womb.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.
I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.
 My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.​   - Psalm 139:13-16

God places all kings and rulers in place according to His plan.

Daniel answered and said:
“Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.  - Daniel 2:20,21 NKJV

Friday - October 23, 2020 - Jim Steel

TODAY'S FEATURED STORY

Fact-Checking President Trump from CBS This Morning

Liar! Liar! Pants on Fire!

It's fact-checking time again!​

​And so it goes, multiple parties, multiple candidates in multiple races from the top on down, all seem to share the same penchant, the penchant for lying. The opponents are all dirty rotten scoundrels who never keep their word and spread dirt about the good guys. Of course, we all know which party is guilty of the most abuse - and that would be, the other one.  Like sin in all of its expressions, we are so used to companioning with the lie that we hardly notice what an outrageous offense it is. It is an offense to our national integrity and to our way of life. It is a threat to our social structure.  Most importantly, it is an offense to a holy God, a God who hates the lie in any form and espouses the truth! Jesus declared "I AM TRUTH!"  God still judges us and holds us accountable to the truth and one day, we will all stand before Him to give an account for our obedience to the truth. 

Our pursuit of truth begins with a Person. Read the scriptures!

TODAY'S FEATURED SCRIPTURES

Truth, and our own hypocrisy. (Romans 2:1-3 NKJV)

Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. 2 But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. 3 And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? 

Our penchant for denial and lies does not come from God. (John 8:44 NKJV)

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

God judges all liars. (Revelation 21:8 NKJV)

But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

Truth and the solution for our lying is found in a Person. (John 14:6 NKJV)

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Are you in bondage to a myth?

Since the beginning of civilization, the majority of the world's populations have been in bondage to the collective values of their civilizations. Systems of mythology have been layered, each upon the other, for generations. We moderns have not been exempt. The scriptures have stood for millennia with one consistent message which is as relevant today as when God first gave them to us. This blog is designed to show what the Bible actually says regarding contemporary news and issues. If nothing more, we hope these responses will serve as a mirror for us all - prompting us to look a little more closely at the things we assume to be true!