***This article deals with adult subject matter, and is not suitable for minors.***
Part of the problem is that there are Christians who are quick to point out the perversions of others, while not recognizing their own. We aren’t very good at explaining that we don’t see ourselves as better than the other perverts we see. Some of you might argue that you are not a pervert. That is part of the problem I’m talking about. A pervert is someone who has a sexual appetite that is not pure. That can take the form of a person who likes to be treated a little more rough, a person who likes to read suggestive literature, someone who likes some part of marital relations unduly, or in excess, a person who likes to use profanity, or hear profanity during, a person who uses pornography, and so on. These things may seem vanilla lite to you, but to God, they are not pure.
Since they are not pure, they are sexual immorality. Sexual immorality is sin. It doesn’t matter if you agree with me or not. I know it is true. I know that everyone is a sinner, and everyone is sexually immoral to some degree. Even if you are the most pure human being ever, you still have had sexually immoral lusts, and thoughts. Ergo, you are sexually immoral. When we see the so called trans person who has mutilated themselves, we know it is sexual immorality because it is blatantly obvious to those who are not under demonic influence, or control. Let me make a little proviso here. When I write about demons, I’m not doing so from a superstitious, or pentecostal position. Demons are spiritual beings. A person’s spirit, is that of them that God created, is the way that individual person reasons. It isn’t some ghostly apparition that mystically motivates them. There are many among the Christian denominations that make much of demonic possession. They blame demons for everything they themselves have done, sort of a, “The devil made me do it” cope/copout. We are living in a demonic world. The lost think in accord with the spirit of this world. They can’t accept what God says is perversion because it goes against every part of their person. The only way for them to be free, and to be put in their right minds is to be born again.
This is why we must preach the gospel of Jesus to them. It is almost impossible to do at a pervert rally/parade/riot. You will be spit on, assaulted, and chased around. I’m not telling you to stay home, but I am telling you that many times the better way to reach them is one on one, with the gospel, including yourself as a pervert when you talk with them. This is why I love the Way of the Master method of evangelism. It gives them the mirror of God’s moral law, so that you are not accusing them, but God’s law is. It circumvents the sociocultural elephant in the room, while getting to the heart of the issue. What do you do with your blasphemies, thefts, adulteries, fornications, lies, and hate? How will you answer back to God on judgment day? If we can see ourselves the way the Apostle Paul saw himself, as the chief of sinners, and if we can do as he did, and consider others better than ourselves, we can reach even the most depraved, purple haired, face pierced, tattooed, perverts we encounter. Because we see ourselves as even worse. If you knew the depths of my sins, and I knew yours, we couldn’t look eachother in the eyes. Demonstrate grace, and mercy, one on one. It is very difficult to do when you are being attacked by a group. If you are mature enough in your faith to do so, carry on. Many people are not. If you need to see the Way of the Master method of evangelism employed, you can watch many encounters on Ray Comfort’s Youtube channel.
Here is a specific video where Ray witnesses to a so called trans person. He stopped them from committing suicide by giving them hope in Christ.
Let’s talk about our, “needs.” Do you think it is God honoring to withhold from your spouse what you are obligated in Christ to provide if they are not, “meeting your needs?” I think this is a selfish sinful attitude. There are times when your spouse may not be able to, “meet your needs.” Can you just stop obeying Christ because you don’t feel loved enough, haven’t had as much sex as you think you deserve, dinner was not as good as you’d hoped, the kids are out of sorts, you didn’t get your way in a decision about buying the new SUV you wanted, the chores outside the house aren’t done to the perfect standard you had in your mind, the dishes sat in the sink for three days while you were sick, and so on. You get the picture.
Romans 5:8 (LSB) 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8 should be clear. God did now wait until we did something for Him to love us. He loves us because He is the perfection of the idea of love. Love sacrifices self for others. If you insist on having your needs met before you obey God towards your attitudes in regard to your spouse, you are sinning.
Colossians 3:18-19 (LSB) 18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
This verse seems pretty straight forward. If you don’t like what it says, you are probably the type of person who twists scripture to make it affirm your sinful flesh. “…Wives, be subject to your husbands…” Do what his directions are for you unless they are sinful. If he wants you to pray with him, do it. If he wants you to help castrate, dehorn, & brand, the cows by making sure the men, and boys have food, and drink, while working, do it. If he wants you to make his lunch up for him for work, do it. “…Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them…” If your wife is overloaded, and has to take a break, don’t get mad at her. She is the weaker vessel. You must still honor her as such. When her charms are worn by the years, continue to love her. Don’t get bitter against her for being a human woman. When she feels unlovable, and gets down in the dumps, assure her that she is still your most cherished gift from God.
Colossians 3:23-25 (LSB) Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve the Lord Christ. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality.
This isn’t directly tied to marriage, but it is indirectly. Why must we love our spouses with selfless devotion? Because we are doing it for the Jesus!
Ephesians 5:22-33 (LSB) Wives and Husbands 22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26 so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she would be holy and blameless. 28 So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are members of His body. 31 FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32 This mystery is great, but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 5:22 gets twisted a lot, a lot, a lot by angry feminists, and people who hate Christ, and His word. Surprisingly, it gets demolished by many self-professed, “Christian” women. “…Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.…” Simply put, submit yourself to his authority, and rule, as if he were Jesus. Then Paul explains why. “…For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being the Savior of the body…” God has placed the husband over the wife. Adam was first. Eve was made as a helpmate. God establishes good hierarchies. Sinful mankind always seeks to disorder them. They will invert them, and pervert them. In this case they will put the woman over the man, or make them equal like in egalitarianism. These are fleshly, sinful, rebellions. Submit to your husband, as if submitting to Christ Jesus!
Okay, now it is the man’s turn. “…Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her…” Christ, who cleansed for Himself a bride (the Church) did so by submitting to God the Father’s plan of crucifixion, and imputation of the sin-guilt of the elect, as well as the just wrath, and punishment, that would be required to justify them to God. Does this sound like a lite, whimsical, Instagram trifle ladies? It isn’t. This is a heavy ideal to live up to. We are to be ready to die for our wives. If you think this is a low thing, you are mocking the work of Christ on the cross! Husbands, if you don’t take this deathly serious, you are saying that the gospel is about you, and not about Jesus!
Let’s look at that verse, and how it would play out practically. If your wife is frazzled from the day with the kids, and chores, don’t be critical of her, the house, or the kids, when you get home. If she has had a bad day, don’t expect her to be the romantic lover at bedtime. Yes, you have the right to her, and she to you, but if you love her, you will be considerate of how she feels. You’ll honor her. This leads us to the rest of this section of scripture. You, and your wife, have become one. You are still individuals, but in marriage you are one. If your wife is hurting, failing, suffering, you also should be feeling those things. In those times remember this, “He who loves his own wife loves himself;” You wouldn’t cut off your arm because during the work of the day it became fatigued, and sore. It is also the arm that raises your food to your mouth, and does the work to provide the food. In the same sense, abusing your wife due to your own lack of loving consideration is actually harming yourself. You might feel like you deserve to be treated a certain way, but remember, you deserve death, and hell. Have pity on the poor dear. She can’t do what you can do, and you can’t do what she can do.
1 Peter 3:1-12 (LSB) 1 In the same way, you wives, be subject to your own husbands so that even if any of them are disobedient to the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 as they observe your pure conduct with fear. 3 Your adornment must not be merely external—braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on garments; 4 but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible quality of a lowly and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. 5 For in this way in former times the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves, being subject to their own husbands, 6 just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. You have become her children if you do good, NOT FEARING ANY INTIMIDATION.
In these first 6 verses, you can see that God has made provision for men to come to the Faith through the powerful witness of a servant wife attitude. It is not debasing yourself to be a servant. Jesus humbled Himself, and was a servant to His creatures. This is the epitome of being Christlike. Don’t seek to usurp the role of a husband. Be a godly wife. He might come to Christ because of your example.
7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.
Men, did you read that? So that your prayers will not be hindered. Men, be considerate of your wife, as she is, and show her respect as a partner in Christ. If you two are experiencing strife, you won’t be able to pray together. You won’t be on the same sheet of music. You need to love your wife in a way that examples Christ’s sacrificial death as the justifying Passover Lamb of God.
8 Now to sum up, all of you be like-minded, sympathetic, brotherly, tender-hearted, and humble in spirit; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but giving a blessing instead, for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing. 10 For, “THE ONE WHO DESIRES LIFE, TO LOVE AND SEE GOOD DAYS, MUST KEEP HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL AND HIS LIPS FROM SPEAKING DECEIT. 11 HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT. 12 FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE TOWARD THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ATTEND TO THEIR PRAYER, BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO DO EVIL.”
1 Corinthians 7:1-7 (LSB) 1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote, it is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 But because of sexual immoralities, each man is to have his own wife, and each woman is to have her own husband. 3 The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But this I say as a concession, not as a command. 7 Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am. However, each man has his own gift from God, one this way, and another that.
Let’s not be naive here. We know, like Paul, that men and women, will have strong physical, biological imperatives, to procreate. It was no secret to the ancient world. God did program us to be fruitful, and multiply. Considering this, and that not many people were like Paul, marriage is a necessity for the fulfillment of those desires, but quenching our passion outside of marriage is sin. Men, and women, need to be understand this section of scripture, “The husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; and likewise also the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does.” When you are married, you’re body is not solely your own. Your spouse has a right to it. You must make every effort to be considerate of their needs in this regard. This does require sacrifice. Don’t come to the marriage bed grudgingly either. Sometimes after a double shift at work the husband might be exhausted, but his wife may miss him, and want to be with him. He must consider this, and love his wife. The same is true for the wife. She may be exhausted from caring for the home, and children all day, but the husband may need his wife. She, likewise should make every effort to be with him. If you’ve been married long enough, you’ll know this.
If you do neglect each other the Bible warns us, “Stop depriving one another, except by agreement for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer, and come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.” Do you want to be tempted by Satan because of your lack of self-control? Then ignore God’s word. Pay attention to what all the secular feminists say instead. You’ll be sure to get divorced.
Women, if you read this, and get angry, and critical, only seeing the warnings to women, you missed the point, and your theology is probably wrapped up in human self-importance, or anthropocentric. If this is the case, read it again, looking at the teaching to men.
Men, if you read this, and get angry, and critical, only seeing the warnings to men, you missed the point, and your theology is probably wrapped up in human self-importance, or anthropocentric. If this is the case, read it again, looking at the teaching to women.
This entire article is about Jesus, and His gospel, as it is lived out in a marriage. If you only see, “rules for thee, and not for me” you’ve entirely missed it. I’m guessing it is because you are like most modern evangelicals, and have human-centered theology. You probably see the Bible as a handbook for your life. You probably view the saving grace of Jesus as mainly for you. This is a problem. You are not for you. You are for God’s glory. He made you for His glory, not for your own. Don’t attempt to rob God of His glory. Stop living for yourself, and live for God, the way He has instructed you to.
There are only two categories possessing eternal consequence to which people may be consigned. They are not at all concerned with any external characteristics of man. No skin pigment, gender, nationality, nor any other aspect of humanity has eternal consequence except for this; either a man is in the first Adam, or he is in the second Adam. In the first, he is dead. Unless by the grace of God, he is numbered with the elect, he shall suffer the eternal dying of death. For those who are numbered among the elect, and come to be in the second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is life, and light, and sustains all life, these shall enjoy eternal living of life, and this with Him. (Genesis 1, 1 Corinthians 15 & 2 Corinthians 5)
The world is sick, blind, deaf, dumb, without reason, insane, and perverse. Worse than that, it is death, and dead. The world is suffering God’s judgment by being given over to even more sin against Him compounding their suffering which is justly warranted. This world system hates what it lacks. Darkness rarely battles darkness when there are children of the life, and light present to kill, and extinguish. For no other reason, then that they are of their father, satan. He is the accuser who kills, and slanders. His children do likewise, and wax in their depravity, while causing human suffering to their delight, and to the delight of their father. (Romans 1)
This is not to demonize them, it is simply to point out that they are puppets dancing for their master who hates God, his Creator. The war that is waging in the unseen realm is being manifested in our natural world. We are affected. Both categories are completely engaged in this battle even if it seems that most are simply bystanders. All are complicit. Some are justified by the sovereign Lord, and are employed by Him as ordained means to His end. He will accomplish all He has determined. Our God is not one who attempts, and fails. He is the omnipotent Lord! He is great, and mighty! (Ephesians 6)
As agents of our Lord, we are the militant bride of Christ. To His bride He has given one powerful offensive weapon with which to take up and be armed, it is the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. Contemplate the power in the word for a moment. It is the sword of the spirit! It is the word of God! Yes, put on the armor, the full armor of God, but do not neglect the sword, for an ungodly deference to pacificity regarding the combat we are thus engaged. For a soldier of God’s is armed to the hilt with all the power to mortify the enemy, and his agents, that he should ever need when he has taken up and read. Do not delay. Tolle lege! The enemy may rail, and riot, but he has no eternal victory. He, and his minions may have temporal victories over some of the saints, we may fall in battle, but we know who owns the true victory! In Christ we are victors with Him!
All the authoritative judgments of God we could ever need are recorded within His word. We can know what He has deemed good, and evil. We can see evil, and combat it. We can see good, and reward it. One of the only roles of government in the Bible is to provide law and order. It is to reward the righteous, and punish the evil doer. It is true, we are to obey the laws of our government. We are to obey in as much as we can without violating the laws of God. If that government compels by order, rule, or decree that we disobey the Sovereign Lord God, our Master, and Savior, then, only then, must we disobey. Today we see our country torn asunder by agents of the enemy running riot, and rampant in the streets. Destroying, injuring, robbing, raping, and murdering like wild unreasoning beasts. Governments, and law enforcement agencies are crippled, hamstrung by the agents of satan within their ranks, and without. Those who would do their duty, are decried as racists, and murders, by the very people who are guilty. (Romans 1 & 13)
How do we engage this beast? With the very sword of the spirit, the word of God! This weapon not only has the power to finally kill the sinner, to see him crucified with our dear Savior, but also it contains the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation, new life in Christ! For the gospel is the power of God unto salvation! We may slay our enemies, and make of them brothers by the power, and word of God! Preach to them to be crucified with Him who knew no sin yet became sin on our behalf! Preach to them the justifying work of Christ Jesus! Preach to them that if they repent of their sins, and trust Him alone, that they may have eternal life!
According to Webster’s dictionary hate speech is; speech expressing hatred of a particular group of people. Also, according to Webster’s dictionary hate means;
a: intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury
b: extreme dislike or disgust : ANTIPATHY, LOATHING
had a great hate of hard work
c: a systematic and especially politically exploited expression of hatred
a crime motivated by bigotry and hate
—often used before another noun
hate mail
an organization tracking hate groups
— see also HATE CRIME
2: an object of hatred
a generation whose finest hate had been big business
— F. L. Paxson
hate verb
hated; hating
Definition of hate (Entry 2 of 2)
transitive verb
1: to feel extreme enmity toward : to regard with active hostility
hates his country’s enemies
2: to have a strong aversion to : find very distasteful
hated to have to meet strangers
hate hypocrisy
intransitive verb
: to express or feel extreme enmity or active hostility
harsh faces and hating eyes
Now, if you will, please read how Noah Webster defined hate himself in his 1828 dictionary, and remember, Webster was a devout Christian;
HATE, verb transitive [Latin odi, for hodi.]
1. To dislike greatly; to have a great aversion to. It expresses less than abhor, detest, and abominate, unless pronounced with a peculiar emphasis.
How long will fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1:22.
Blessed are ye when men shall hate you. Luke 6:22.
The Roman tyrant was contented to be hated, if he was but feared.
2. In Scripture, it signifies to love less.
If any man come to me, and hate not father and mother, etc. Luke 14:26.
He that spareth the rod, hateth his son. Proverbs 13:24.
HATE, noun Great dislike or aversion; hatred.
Notice, the current meaning assumes that usually hatred comes from fear, anger, or sense of injury. The word, “usually” does make it technically correct, but can you think of an instance where it is good to hate? The modern secular world knows what is good to hate, and what is not good to hate, but they have reversed them. As Christians, we should hate sin in our lives. We should hate sin as a rule. We should hate what God hates. Since God is the ultimate good, we can trust that what He hates is in fact hate worthy. The world around us on the other hand, hates what God loves. In fact, they hate the one true God. They make up for themselves idols to call god. They lavish their love on those idols. They love what is detestable to the Lord.
In a society with a bi-polar view of what is good, virtuous, and honorable, where one extreme looks upon the things of God in truth, and acknowledges those things, and the other extreme looks on those things believing the lies of their master, views them as evil, malicious, and hateful, as well as a plethora of people ranging the gamut between the two, it results in a disparate malfunctioning society.
Speech is simply speech. It is the speaker who harbors hatred, or love in their heart. Does the speaker hate what God hates? Does the speaker hate what the godless hate? This is the true question that should be asked. Instead, we assume that speech can in and of itself be hateful. If that be true, then speech is an entity with volition of thought. If a man reasons with a debased, darkened mind, he might believe such a thing. However, even a man with a debased, darkened mind, as a rule, and a majority, at this point in time, can see that this is fallacious.
If speech be speech, and hatred not necessarily evil, then why must such a seemingly subjective thing like speech be deemed hateful? We do not know the condition of the speaker’s heart, nor do we know his intellectual intentions towards the objects of his speech. The assumption that all speech that elicits negative emotions from the varied masses in audience is hateful, negates the obvious facts of ignorance to the subjects intentions thereof.
Since this is true, wouldn’t it be better to allow the subject, himself, to enlighten the audience in regards to his intentions, and motives, if there be a question? Also, there is no material damage in relation to the subjects speech, unless it instructs such damage, by direct expunction carried out by the objects. This is mitigated by the volitions of the objects assuming their faculties are about them, and that they are not otherwise given to some delirium induced by injury, or chemical.
Each agent is acting upon his own volition, informed by his own personal philosophy, through which he interprets the world around him. If that philosophy finds its source in anything other than what is objectively true, it by definition contains lies. This is why the God instructs us to build our house on the solid rock. That rock being Jesus, the way the TRUTH, and the life. To do otherwise is to found your house on that which is shifting always, the subjective cumulative consciences of lost agents of satan, whether they know it and intend it, or not.
I adjure you all, do not assume this notion of hate speech, or hate crimes for that matter. Build your life on what is true. God is true. He cannot lie. His word is true. Jesus is the word made flesh. I’m sure Webster would have concurred. We must all repent of our sins, even those sins that at once we assumed were virtues, but in light of the truth see them as betrayals of our Creator. He is the law giver, and the judge. We are not. His word is objective truth. We must repent of our perversions of truth, and trust alone in the work of Christ Jesus for our justification to the righteous law giver, and judge.
I think Mr. Noah Webster would be horrified to see how the dictionary of his namesake has been corrupted by the enemy of truth.
I don’t know if you are aware of this, but little ol’ Meridian Idaho had a conference November 3rd, and 4th in celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. We were blessed with presentations from Dr. Joel Beeke, President of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and accomplished Christian author, and Dr. Stephen Myers, Associate Professor of Historical Theology for the PhD program at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary.
The Well Church in Boise did a wonderful job of organizing and putting it on. The Valley Shepard Church of the Nazarene hosted the event in their facility. I’ve never seen so many Reformed Theology people in one place. It was very encouraging. I thought there were only like five of us in the whole state. From what I understand over 600 people registered for the conference. It looked to me like most of them showed up. Here is a picture of Dr. Beeke at the book table.
Here is the crowd at the book tables.
I met some folks, made some connections, and had a great time learning. One of the people I met was Casey Ralls. He attends the Well Church, and was recording the conference. He also sent me a link to the Youtube playlist so all of you folks who couldn’t attend, could watch the conference on Youtube. Isn’t that great? Here is the link.
In the first part of Chapter 11 we read that Peter, who was a Jew, and an Apostle of Christ, was in Joppa when he had the vision about the sheet with the unclean animals being dropped down. As a Jew there were animals he was not permitted to eat as they were considered ceremonially unclean. Now, without the context of the surrounding scriptures one might assume that this section of scripture is about making all foods acceptable to eat, although it is true that we can eat anything as long as we give thanks for it, this section of scripture should not be used as a prooftext for that truth. We would cite Mark 7, and 1 Corinthians 10 for that support.
This section of scripture is actually, about the gentiles. As of this time they were not considered by the Apostles when the gospel was preached. In this vision Peter was being prepared to preach the gospel to even the gentiles. We know the gospel is the power of God unto salvation. It is the means to that end. We also know that people cannot know it unless someone comes to them to preach it. This notion was confirmed to Peter when the men sent to him by the Roman Cornelius arrived.
In verse 14 we read, “and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.” This is in regard to Peter and what he will say to the gentile household. Notice what happens? he will speak words… by which you will be saved… For everyone who is a fan of friendship evangelism read that over and over again.
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation. It must be preached with words. “16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “But the righteous man shall live by faith.” (NASB Strong’s) Romans 1:16-17. It is the means God has ordained by which to save the elect.
“14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” 16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (NASB Strong’s) Romans 10:14-17. You’ll notice that the gentiles received the Holy Spirit after they came to faith for it says in verse 17 that they believed first. “Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” You’ll also notice that it is God Himself who gives them the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is not imparted by a Priest or any man. He is not imparted by a ceremony, or some tradition. Those He indwells, He indwells by the will of the Father. In verse 18 we also see that the repentance that leads to life is granted by God according to His will, and the work of Christ on the cross as expressed in the gospel that was preached to them. “When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.”
The Word of God is truly wonderful. When we know it, and are informed by it, we can make decisions that are faithful to God. We are called to do what is right as Christians. Preaching the gospel of Christ is our mission. Repent and believe!
Peter Reports at Jerusalem 1 Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those who were circumcised took issue with him, 3 saying, “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began speaking and proceeded to explain to them in orderly sequence, saying, 5 “I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object coming down like a great sheet lowered by four corners from the sky; and it came right down to me, 6 and when I had fixed my gaze on it and was observing it I saw the four-footed animals of the earth and the wild beasts and the crawling creatures and the birds of the air. 7 I also heard a voice saying to me, ‘Get up, Peter; kill and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘By no means, Lord, for nothing unholy or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a voice from heaven answered a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.’ 10 This happened three times, and everything was drawn back up into the sky. 11 And behold, at that moment three men appeared at the house in which we were staying, having been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man’s house. 13 And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; 14 and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.’ 15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. 16 And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way?” 18 When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.” (NASB Strong’s) Acts 11:1-18
Hello everyone, I’d like to introduce you all to Daniel Landin. He is a Pastor of a Lutheran Church. I’ve asked him to participate in some question and answer format interactions for the purpose of learning more about each other’s respective Churches, and theological positions, as well as for his insight into some particularly Lutheran things. Feel free to send me your questions. I will select a some to ask Daniel in a future article. Before we get started, Daniel could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Q. Where did you grow up?
A. I was born in Pittsburgh, PA and grew up on a small family farm in the awesome little town of Sugar Grove, PA, right on the NY-PA border.
Q. Were you raised in a Christian home?
A. Yes. God has blessed me beyond belief to have been born into a family with a rich Christian heritage. My family on my father’s side immigrated from Sweden in the 1870s and brought with them their huge family Bible which resides in my parents’ dining room to this day. Faith in Jesus Christ has played a huge role in my family’s life and continues to do so.
Q. Could you share your testimony with us?
A. I truly cannot remember a time when I did not have faith in and a love for Jesus Christ. As I stated in the previous answer, I was born into a Christian home and was blessed to be raised by two loving Christian parents. I did pray many various “prayers of salvation” during my childhood and adolescent years, so I won’t pinpoint a specific day of conversion on any of those. I believe that I have had faith in Christ from before the time that I have any memories of something different.
I’ve always had a strong interest in the Bible and learning more and more about who God is and how God has interacted with people from the very beginning. My grandfather and great uncle were both the same way and loved discussing various doctrines, theologies, and passages from scripture and I would try my best to interject and converse with them, even when I was around eight or nine years old. I’ve also always had a strong interest in history, so that interest coupled with a love for Christ and the Bible drew me into many times of deep study. My love for Christ and his Word led me to get my college degree in biblical studies and I was blessed to also be able to go through seminary as well.
I did go through a rough time during high school meeting many crises of faith including the death of my grandmother from lung cancer and my own fall into sexual sin with my girlfriend at the time. I dealt with some serious depression because of all the negatives from that year and because I bought into Satan’s lie that, since I had fallen into that specific sin, I had ruined all chances of ever being married to a Godly Christian woman. Due to my depression, which I hid from everyone I knew, I contemplated suicide many times until the day I held a revolver in my hand. By the grace of God, I felt a rush of God’s love at that moment and, whether it was audible or only in my spirit, I heard God saying, “Stop! I love you. You have so much more to live for. Trust in me!” From that point on, I thank God for not only saving me from death and hell, but also saving my life at that point.
There have been many people who have been influential in my life and in my walk of faith. Most important over the past thirteen years has been my wife Stephanie. Her own faith and her love and encouragement have had a large impact on me. A large part of that was experienced the day I confessed my past transgressions and she immediately said, “I forgive you, because Jesus has already forgiven you!” That was an amazing moment for the two of us, but especially for me to experience the love of Christ through her selfless forgiveness. It has been a special thing to live this life of faith with her.
Q. How did you meet your Wife?
A. We met in high school choir of all places! I was a senior and she was a sophomore. We started dating that year and maintained a long-distance relationship during the next three years while she finished high school and did a year of community college before joining me at Roberts Wesleyan College.
Q. How long have you been married?
A. We got married the summer after I graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College in 2009 and we just celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary this week on August 1st. We have been blessed with three boys aged 4, 2, and 1 and we have a fourth waiting for us in heaven.
Q. What changes have you undergone in your faith since your conversion?
A. Quite a few I would say! I grew up in the Evangelical Covenant Church, the denomination my family has been a part of for over a hundred years. One of the main emphases of that denomination is on the supremacy of scripture. We were taught that the Bible is the only perfect rule for faith, doctrine, and conduct and to ask the question, “Where is it written?” while working through various issues in life and faith. I went to a Free Methodist college and met people from many different faith traditions and that opened up my view of the church quite a bit. There were many issues I saw as closed issues, but as I read and studied throughout my college and seminary years, I have shifted on some theological issues which now separate me from the church of my childhood and youth. Some of the issues, without delving into the changes at the moment, were on creation, the sacraments, and eschatology. One thing that has never changed, though, is my dependence on Jesus Christ in all things. I’ve clung to Proverbs 3:5-6 from that depressing phase of life in high school even up to this day. My hope is in Jesus Christ!
Q. How long have you been a Pastor?
A. I have been a pastor now for over five years. My first call into pastoral ministry was in the United Methodist Church. I served there for just a few days short of three and a half years and now serve in a Lutheran Church. Looking back on my life and my journey of becoming a pastor, I can say that I would have never chosen the path that God has led me on. I knew that God was calling me to be a pastor from a very young age and had plans to be a pastor in the denomination that I grew up in, but that was not what God had planned for me. I am thankful to be where I am and to know that it is right where the Holy Spirit desires for me to be!
Q. How long have you been a Lutheran Pastor?
A. I have been a Lutheran Pastor for a year and seven months so far!
Jeremiah’s Prayer
Righteous are You, O Lord, that I would plead my case with You;
Indeed I would discuss matters of justice with You:
Why has the way of the wicked prospered?
Why are all those who deal in treachery at ease?
You have planted them, they have also taken root;
They grow, they have even produced fruit.
You are near to their lips
But far from their mind.
But You know me, O Lord;
You see me;
And You examine my heart’s attitude toward You.
Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter
And set them apart for a day of carnage!
How long is the land to mourn
And the vegetation of the countryside to wither?
For the wickedness of those who dwell in it,
Animals and birds have been snatched away,
Because men have said, “He will not see our latter ending.”
“If you have run with footmen and they have tired you out,
Then how can you compete with horses?
If you fall down in a land of peace,
How will you do in the thicket of the Jordan?
“For even your brothers and the household of your father,
Even they have dealt treacherously with you,
Even they have cried aloud after you.
Do not believe them, although they may say nice things to you.”
God’s Answer
“I have forsaken My house,
I have abandoned My inheritance;
I have given the beloved of My soul
Into the hand of her enemies.
“My inheritance has become to Me
Like a lion in the forest;
She has roared against Me;
Therefore I have come to hate her.
“Is My inheritance like a speckled bird of prey to Me?
Are the birds of prey against her on every side?
Go, gather all the beasts of the field,
Bring them to devour!
“Many shepherds have ruined My vineyard,
They have trampled down My field;
They have made My pleasant field
A desolate wilderness.
“It has been made a desolation,
Desolate, it mourns before Me;
The whole land has been made desolate,
Because no man lays it to heart.
“On all the bare heights in the wilderness
Destroyers have come,
For a sword of the Lord is devouring
From one end of the land even to the other;
There is no peace for anyone.
“They have sown wheat and have reaped thorns,
They have strained themselves to no profit.
But be ashamed of your harvest
Because of the fierce anger of the Lord.”
Thus says the Lord concerning all My wicked neighbors who strike at the inheritance with which I have endowed My people Israel, “Behold I am about to uproot them from their land and will uproot the house of Judah from among them. And it will come about that after I have uprooted them, I will again have compassion on them; and I will bring them back, each one to his inheritance and each one to his land. Then if they will really learn the ways of My people, to swear by My name, ‘As the Lord lives,’ even as they taught My people to swear by Baal, they will be built up in the midst of My people. But if they will not listen, then I will uproot that nation, uproot and destroy it,” declares the Lord. (NASB) Jeremiah 12
Let’s ask ourselves some questions before we get going. Who or what is this passage about? When did it happen? Considering that the entire Bible is about Jesus and the gospel, what does this passage have to say about God?
This passage is about the prophet Jeremiah, his appeal to God, and God’s answer. It was written between 680-530 BC. Judah was guilty of idolatry. Jeremiah was to warn them of God’s impending discipline if they didn’t repent. In this passage Jeremiah is making a plea to God for the wicked to be punished, and for relief from them. God answers by telling Jeremiah that He will uproot the nation of Judah. In other words His discipline and justice is coming. He also tells Jeremiah if they repent He will build them up, but if they don’t, He will destroy them. In the first couple verses it seems like Jeremiah is angry about how the wicked are enjoying wealth and prosperity. If you look at the next section of scripture I think you’ll see that he is truly angry at their lack of love for God and His will. They are giving their love and worship to idols and Jeremiah is upset by this because he himself truly worships God. That is why in verse 3 his prayer becomes imprecatory.
“But You know me, O Lord;
You see me;
And You examine my heart’s attitude toward You.
Drag them off like sheep for the slaughter
And set them apart for a day of carnage!” (NASB Strong’s) Jeremiah 12:3
This is not the only place in the Bible where someone who loves God prays for the destruction of the wicked. David did as well for example. It is not uncommon for someone who loves God to feel this way. Today as Christians we can feel like this when we see evil being celebrated in the world. I pray for God to save them, but if it is not His will to save them, I pray for God to remove them from influence, or take them out of this world. We have learned that God is just and good. He is longsuffering and will give nations/peoples time and opportunity to repent and worship Him. He is just and will punish the wicked in His time. Prophets of God spoke difficult things to the wicked people that got them in hot water with them. If they love God, they will preach His word regardless of the personal consequences, and when they are concerned about them, they come to Him in prayer.
Let’s be careful not to conflate patriotism with our faith. While we understand the political ideals behind sayings like, “America first!” We must understand and realize that we are not primarily Americans. We are Christians first. We are citizens of God’s kingdom first. It is a fine thing to want to strengthen our country’s moral fabric, economy, defenses, industry, agriculture, and infrastructure, but Let’s not lose sight of whose kingdom we truly should be serving. God’s word says, “…“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.…” Matthew 6:33 NASB Don’t be worried or anxious about America’s position in the world, or its greatness. Our needs are not provided for by being American. They are provided by God. Worrying about our status as Americans, at the expense of the truths of the Christian faith, is a serious detriment to both. So go ahead and be patriotic, and remember to preach the gospel to everyone you can. Live to seek God. Seek what He has said is good, righteous, and just.
After all, A Christian America, is a great America!
25“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? 28“And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin,29yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. 30“But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace,will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith! 31“Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ 32“For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33“But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.34“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34 NASB provided for context.
In context this is about worry and anxiety over the necessary things of life. The verse cited above, is also about that. We shouldn’t be so worried about America as to conflate patriotism with our faith. Seek God’s kingdom first and He will provide for you.
The last few days have been interesting. So much snow, that my gas furnace and on demand water heater both had their roof-top exhausts covered completely with snow. I didn’t want frozen pipes or a frozen house, so I had to get the exhausts cleared and call some professionals to get the over 3 ft. of accumulated snow off my roof. Thanks Arturo Martinez for all your hard work. If anyone needs some snow removed from their roof, message me and I’ll send you his number. The next morning of fun was realizing the pets could not go outside to do their business. I began to dig them a patch of ground out and wrenched my back. It gave me time to ponder deep topics like, “Will it get better or worse? Will I be able to get to work Monday? How many ibuprofen have I already taken?” One thing is for sure, is that the will of God will be done. This brings me to the inauguration. 4 and 8 years ago, I trusted in the will of God when the pro-abortion, (a.k.a. baby killing) perversion promoting, (LGBT nonsense) Barry Soetoro a.k.a. (Barack Obama) took office and kept it. Even while I wondered how people could condone the evils of perversion, (LGBT) perverse marriage, (Gay Marriage… no such thing) abortion, and socialist totalitarianism, I was comforted by the knowledge that God is sovereign and in control of all things, including the political leadership of this country. I honestly believe we were getting the leaders we deserved as an unrepentant people. We have been calling good evil and evil good for far too long to keep on experiencing the blessings of God. Instead, for 8 long years or corrosive evil leadership, we were under the discipline of God. I hope that the people have repented, and we will be experiencing a reprieve. God willing, may America be blessed once more. I would ask all of you to repent of your sin, put your faith in the finished work of Christ, and seek God’s glory and will first and foremost in the years to come.
Snyder's Soapbox 