Archive for Hell
Five Points of Carnality: Jealousy
Posted by: | CommentsIs there jealousy in your life? Is there jealousy in your church? Is there jealousy in your home? If so, this is evidence of carnality. Jealousy is driven by a suspicion or a fear that others may be more loved, respected or accepted. Jealousy erupts into disagreement, argument and sometimes violent behavior. There is no place for jealousy in the life of a Christian. People who are jealous are convinced they have a right to be jealous. They believe they have been wronged or slighted or overlooked in some way. They also believe they can define right and wrong.
Jealousy is an emotion of sin and a pit that must be avoided if we are to grow in Christ.
The Nature of Our Rebellion
Posted by: | CommentsThrough Jesus Christ and His written word, God has revealed that he is a holy, righteous, just, loving God. But, He has also revealed that human beings are separated from Him by their sin and rebellion and have been judged for it. Unregenerate human beings exist in a condition of spiritual death. However, God has also revealed that we can be restored to life by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Once restored by faith, we are ‘born again’ to spiritual life that is eternal. The price of this redemption is that we repent of our sin and rebellion and accept His Lordship over all that we are and do. Men who create religions out of their efforts to define God always place men at the center and exalt themselves. The true revelation of God is a big slap in face for men who are lovers of themselves, who really want to be little gods.
The idea that humans can define God logically puts personal experience on the same footing with divine revelation. This is what makes the idea that truth can be adjusted from person to person so appealing to so many. If my personal opinion and experience is a valid way to define God, then who is to say whose opinion and experience should prevail as the final truth. So, people resolve this by asserting there are many paths up the mountain to God and no way is superior or exclusive. We all wind up in the same place, so everybody’s truth is the truth. As illogical as this sounds, millions of people believe this is true. It is supported and sustained by the idea that mankind can define God.
Since the revelation of God in Christ presents some depressing news for those who prefer to be gods themselves, believing that human opinion and experience is equal to divine revelation provides the courage to deny the supremacy of the Biblical revelation concerning sin and judgment. However, once a person accepts that it is impossible for a human to define or know anything factual about God without divine revelation, accepting the truth of Christ becomes a possibility for them. However, until a person gives up this lie they will remain in darkness and God’s truth will be an affront to their rebellious hearts.
This lie provides a false sense that we are in control of our own lives, which is exactly what God wants us to relinquish to Him. Our rebellion is in refusing Him His right as our creator to have control of our life.
Meddling Christians
Posted by: | CommentsThere is much going on in the public debate about the extent to which it is appropriate for Christians to share their faith with others. Those who are most angry with Christians about sharing their faith are those who believe the U.S. Constitution grants “Freedom FROM Religion” rather than “Freedom OF Religion”.
What people do not want to hear is the idea that without faith in Jesus Christ they are eventually headed for eternal separation from God in eternity. In simple terms they don’t want to be told they are headed for hell. So, through political correctness, the ACLU and other efforts it has become a bit dicey and risky for a Christian to share their faith with others. Culturally, Christians are considered to be “offensive” by the popular culture. Because of this, lots of Christians keep their faith to themselves and are very reluctant to share what they believe with others. The don’t want to be seen as a Meddling Christian!
Let me ask a question. If a friend or relative was floating peacefully down a river in a canoe and you knew they were heading for a 100 foot hidden waterfall that would probably kill them, what would you do to warn them? My guess is you would do whatever it took to get them to get out of that river and turn their boat around before it was too late. Even if they told you to leave them alone and stop meddling in their peaceful trip down the river, you would probably continue to shout the warning of the dangerous conditions ahead. In other words, your knowledge of the terrible danger ahead would give you the courage to keep warning them, regardless of whether they wanted to hear what you had to say.
You, as a Christian, know the danger that awaits those who do not come to saving faith in Christ. If you truly love others you must continue to warn them of the danger ahead for those who reject Christ and refuse to “turn their boat around” and leave the path of death they are following.
Those who do not know Christ are like the person floating peacefully down the river toward the waterfall. The next time you have the opportunity to share your faith with someone, remember that sharing your faith is the loving choice. You may be seen as a Meddling Christian, but you will help those who listen avoid an eternal disaster.
