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BREAKING GODS OF STONE Exploring the Sovereignty of God and The Immutability of God By Rev. Jim Thorpe INTRODUCTION The Immutability of God: Is God
wholly unchangeable as many teachers of Theology assert? We all agree that the Bible is never
wrong! Yet, John Calvin led us to
understand that when the Bible says that God "repented" this wording was used to accommodate mans
feeble understanding. Conversely, what if we turned Calvin’s logic around and
said that the scriptures referring to God’s immutability are likewise
accommodations to man’s weak mind?
Consider that when we degrade any part of scripture we degrade all and
we thus make ourselves God’s judge. None of us
would answer yes to the following questions.
“Does God's immutability indicate that God is like one of the stone
faces on We all know
that God is totally unchanging in his nature of holiness and in his love for
man. God’s unchanging plan for humanity
is that man might be saved but we read in scripture that not all will be
saved. Understanding this we must ask,
Were the “vessels or wrath” and the “vessels of mercy” (Romans 10:) unable to
alter their respective fates while they yet lived on earth? Let us clearly say
that man does have a choice! He can
choose weather or not to follow God’s plan of redemption. Just as in the days of Elijah, we hear God’s
invitation to “choose” whom we will serve.
We can respond yes or no to God and our choice will have eternal
consequences. Heb 4:3 Now we who have
believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on oath in
my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.' " AND YET HIS WORK HAS BEEN
FINISHED SINCE THE CREATION OF THE WORLD. . . . 7 Again, he limiteth
a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, TO
DAY IF YE WILL HEAR HIS VOICE, harden not your hearts. We shall
discover that man’s free choice does not rob God of his sovereignty or
immutability. Rather, the gift of choice was given to mankind as a sovereign
act of God and was planned from the beginning.
Why such a gift? It would seem
logical to assume that if man did not have the gift of choice, then we would
all simply be robots and thus we would be quite incapable of giving TRUE
love or glory to God. Remember that even
slaves, bound by their masters can be free in their heart. Only machines work without choice. What are we? Let us
further consider God’s Immutability. Can God Scripturally
change in any form or manner? Consider
this: God's fury can come up in his
face. God can be either tender or
wrathful. God is indeed responsive. If we call upon him he will answer us! If we harden our hearts, He will turn his
back on us. Unconditional love will
never be changed into a license for an unconditional freedom to sin! God told his chosen people The most
amazing change! Consider that if God
were immutable as a stone, there would never have been a baby Jesus. The eternal God did indeed experience a
transformation when he entered into time and space. God became a man and by so doing, drew the
family of man into his kingdom. As God
took upon himself the humanity of man he continued to be totally immutable in
his holy nature. 1 Tim In
conclusion: The teaching that God cannot change his thoughts toward you … no
matter what, comes from one source. This
teaching springs from the immorality of Theologians and others that desire to
retain sin in their lives. Many excuse
their adultery and etc. by thinking that God will still accept them despite
their evil deeds. Shame … In the end
these will discover the error of their ways. Ezek 3:19-20 Yet if
thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked
way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 20 Again, WHEN
A RIGHTEOUS MAN DOTH TURN from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and
I lay a stumbling block before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given
him warning, HE SHALL DIE IN HIS SIN, and his righteousness which he
hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 2 Pet 2:20 For if
after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of
the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and
overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. Good
news! Repent and God will smile upon
you! God's desire for you to repent is
unchanging until the day that you die.
Then, a final change will transpire.
Your eternity will be sealed and you will come to Heaven or Hell??? You must choose! No Matter What Happens -- God is God When people
don’t understand why bad things happen theologians often explain the dilemma by
saying, “God is God!” Again, when things don’t add up we hear, “God is God”.
“God is God” is mainly used to describe God’s sovereignty. We are told that God is King and as the King,
He does fully as He pleases. Wait! We agree that God is the King but we must also add that God is frequently
charged for hurts that he did not instigate nor even desire. For example: “God is God” is used to excuse our personal
lack of faith when our prayers fall to the ground. How embarrassing for professional theologians
to be caught with a lack of simple faith.
They find it easier to assign the cause of their unproductive prayers to
God’s will. Luke 17:6 And the
Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed,
ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be
thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you. “God is
God” is used to explain why that God sends undeserved hurt upon particular
individuals. God is framed as singling
out some people for a special hurt. A
review of the law of sin and death would better explain why that some suffer
unusual hurts. Remember that the cures
of death us upon all of Adam’s race. Sin
that is common to all, places us all under a curse. Mat Luke 13:2-5 And Jesus
answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these
Galilaeans were sinners above all the Galilaeans, because they suffered such
things? 3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye
repent, ye shall all likewise perish. 4 Or those
eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they
were sinners above all men that dwelt in “God is God
is used to shift the blame for personal sin to God and his sovereignty. Some “carnal Christians” maintain that their
choice to commit sin was planned by God. However, this wrong thinking is an
attack on the Gospel of Christ. Such an attack denies the freedom from sin that
the Gospel was given to bring. Rom 6:16-18 Know ye
not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to
whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from
the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 BEING THEN MADE
FREE FROM SIN, YE BECAME THE SERVANTS OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. John John With Elijah
of old we proclaim, “the God that answereth by fire, let him be God.” (I Kings Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ
the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Mark 16:17-18 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name
shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly
thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover. The Mysteries of God --
Answered Prayer My son
attended the It is
amazing that something as simple as God
answering prayer should be defined as a mystery. Because the Doctor denies answered prayer, I
am sure that it would appear to be a mystery when God does indeed respond. I
would not ordinarily categorize answered prayer as a mystery but because the
president of a 1 Cor 2:9-12 But as
it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the
heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But
God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all
things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knoweth the things of
a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God
knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the
spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the
things that are freely given to us of God. Eph 3:3 How that
by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few
words, Eph 3:4-6 Whereby,
when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5
Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now
revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;: John 15:14-15 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant
knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all
things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Luke We have
been shown God’s mysteries. Does this
infer that we also should also know something of the greatness of God? Yes... Psa 97:6-7 THE
HEAVENS DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THE PEOPLE SEE HIS GLORY. 7 Confounded
be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols:
worship him, all ye gods. (Also see Psa 19:1-6) The Seed of Heresy The “dark
ages” were a time when very few heard the Gospel of Christ. The
Reformation occurred when men begin to read the text of the Scripture for
themselves. They thus learned that Church-men
had no right to sell licenses to commit sin or to curse another for any reason. They also learned that Salvation was
conferred by God alone. Thus, the
reformers formulated theological statements that delineated God’s Sovereignty,
Omnipotence and his Predestinative Powers.
The reformers declared that God and not a Church-man or Pope had the
power to save and call and to bless. It
is here that we must remember that THE REFORMERS NEVER EXCUSED SIN OR DENIED
THE NECESSITY OF PERSONAL FAITH. Following
the Reformation the Devil sewed tares among the reformers offspring by
resurrecting a very old deception. This lie was popular among the Greek
philosophers such as Plato. This old
lie removed man’s responsibility for personal sin and wrong choices. Furthermore, just like in the old Greek
religion, where man’s destiny was sealed in the stars, now God was seen as
locking each individual into an immutable fate. As a result the great doctrines
of the Reformation have been completely corrupted! *PREDESTINATION was wrongly put forward as the reason that sinners do not
accept Christ. For the Christian it has
been turned into a license to sin and also a license to neglect prevailing
prayer for sinners. This lie stands
against all that the reformers were seeking to accomplish! *OMNIPOTENCE was corrupted so that rather than God being greater than
any situation or need we are now lead to believe that God is responsible for
the hurt that individuals may suffer. Thus, God’s cure has been transformed
into a curse. Some Neo-Reformed
theologians even go so far as to assert that healings by prayer, is the hand
of Satan and sickness is the work of
God. *IMMUTABILITY was first recognized to mean that God could be counted upon
and was always true to his nature of holiness and love for man. However, this
blessed truth has now been corrupted to mean that God, no longer speaks, or
answers prayer. In essence God has been
made into a non-responsive stone face.
Furthermore the love of God has been falsely framed to mean that
“Christian sin” is excused because of God’s unchanging love. Such lies
are not unexpected. The Devil always
takes wonderful truths and sows them with corruption. Thus, these former truths; today, lead men
away from God rather than to God. The Eye of the Storm: Two Views of the Nature of God (View 1.) God has by His sovereign power, predestined and consummated
the eternal state of every man. Thus,
when a man appears to take any part in his own salvation or damnation, it is in
reality God’s hidden-hand at work. (View 2.) God has by His sovereign choosing, launched a living and responsive creation that is born with
both a measure choice and responsibility?
Thus, God’s plan of redemption includes two elements: God’s part
(Christ’s cross and the call of the Holy Spirit) and man’s part
(acceptance and repentance). Here we
broach one of the most heated controversies of Christendom. We find that Spurgeon said that should one Christian go into sin and be
lost, “ ... the Bible is a lie, and there is nothing in it worth my
acceptance. I will be an infidel at once, when I can believe that a
saint of God can ever fall finally.” While speaking of the Christian, Spurgeon painted a
stone-like God who is unmoved by a Christians sin both before and after
salvation. Defining God he said, “... his
strong love stands like a granite rock, unmoved by the hurricanes of our
iniquity.” Citations
from: The Immutability of God, Delivered on Sabbath Morning, We must
remember that Spurgeon’s unwavering acceptance of Christian sin, was the reason
that the old Reformers first left the Roman Church. Such a license for sin
denies the power of Christ’s resurrection and certainly sends the demonic
hordes of hell into a frenzied celebration.
How sad that men should turn again and trample Jesus and his blood
“under foot.” Heb 10:26-29 For
if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth,
there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful
looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the
adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or
three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be
thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted
the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and
hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? Why would
anyone be so brazen as to impute the cause of their personal sin to God’s
choosing? This stands as a matchless
example of how that the Devil takes a wonderful truth and turns it into a
lie. This has happened many times in the
past and will continue to happen in the future.
The old reformers never excused sin in the name of God and his
immutability. One
Witness: The reformer William Tyndale
was martyred for Christ. He also gave us the first English bible translated
into English from the original languages.
Like the other reformers, Tyndale embraced the doctrine of God’s
sovereignty and election while equally affirming man’s personal
responsibility. Tyndale
wrote, “Is it not a forward and perverse blindness, to teach how a man can do
nothing of his own self; and yet presumptuously take upon them the greatest and
highest work of God, even to make faith in themselves of their own power, and
of their own false imagination and thoughts? Therefore, I say, we must
despair of ourselves, and pray God (as Christ’s apostles did) to give us faith,
and to increase our faith. “ Thus,
Tyndale acknowledged that God held all power while simultaneously saying that
God’s power must be brought to bear by prayer! Thus, Tyndale understood our
responsibility in reaching out to God. Tyndale
also believed that that the life of a Christian becomes a meaningful force in
leading others to God. He was never one to sit back and hope that God would do
everything. (I have met some that no
longer feel any responsibility because “God is Sovereign.”) Tyndale wrote, “For God giveth no man his
grace, that he should let it lie still and do no good withal; but that he
should increase it, and multiply it, with lending it to others, and with
open declaring of it with the outward works provoke and draw others to God.” 1 Cor 3:9 For we are
laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. Finally,
Tyndale offered no license for Christian Sin.
Tyndale called for true and full conversion when he wrote, “For where
right faith is, there bringeth she forth good works: if there follow not
good works, it is (no doubt) but a dream and an opinion, or feigned faith.” Citations
from THE PARABLE OF THE WICKED MAMMON, By William Tyndale Printed in 1527 This
teaching differs greatly from Surgeon’s and today’s Neo-Reformed
Theologians. These wrongly assert that
God has only provided for the salvation of special chosen individuals. Also,
these chosen ones can do nothing to help or hinder their eternal destiny. When all is considered we will discover that
multitudes of men are not being saved because Christians are not joining with
God in reaching the lost. Yes, men are
presently being lost because of a fruitless Christian community. The dark ages existed only because of
fruitless Christians and not because of God’s will or plan. God, help
us to cast everything aside and pour out our lives to follow your will! May we also become like Mary that anointed
the feet of Jesus. Tyndale wrote of Mary
and said, “...and being overcome and
overwhelmed with the unspeakable, yea, and incomprehensible
abundant riches of the kindness of God, did inflame and burn in love;
yea, was so swollen in love, that she could not abide, nor hold, but must
break out; and was so drunk in love, that she regarded nothing, but
only to utter the fervent and burning love of her heart . . .” Salvation
-- For Whosoever Will Scriptures
without comment... 2 Pet 3:8-10 But,
beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a
thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slack
concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to
us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance. Isa 45:22 Look unto
me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there
is none else. John 1 Tim 2:3-6 For this
is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all
men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there
is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6 Who
gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. Isa 45:21-22 Tell ye,
and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared
this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD?
and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none
beside me. 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth:
for I am God, and there is none else. John Cause
and Effect or Proof In the Fruit: When anyone
embraces sin they open themselves for great delusion and doctrinal error. I
wonder -- how many souls have been lost because of Charles Spurgeon’s license
for Christian Sin? 2 Th 2:9-11 Even him,
whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying
wonders, 10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that
perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they
might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send them strong
delusion, that they should believe a lie: 2 Sam 22:25-29
Therefore the LORD hath recompensed me according to my righteousness;
according to my cleanness in his eye sight. 26 With the merciful thou wilt
show thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt show thyself
upright. 27 With the pure thou wilt show thyself pure; and with the froward
thou wilt show thyself unsavoury. 28 And the afflicted people thou wilt save:
but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down. 29 For
thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness. So, what is
God truly like? Did God give us a choice
or is God the master of many small robots?
Is the teaching of “free grace” or Christian Sin correct or do we have
some responsibility as individuals? The
answer is easily found in just one verse of scripture. Deu 30:19-20 I call
heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you
life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore CHOOSE LIFE, that both
thou and thy seed may live: Is God an Unresponsive
Creator? Isa 59:1-2 Behold,
the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy,
that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your
God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. God is
certainly immutable in the things that truly matter. Many good teachers put forward this
fundamental truth. Likewise, the most
enlightened teachers of Scripture also affirm that God is immutably responsive.
We can see a snapshot of God in his creation.
Man was made in God’s image and likeness. It is a fact that both God’s children and our
natural children ultimately come to a day of choice. A wrong choice will
generate serious consequences. Hosea 11:1-5
"When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Consider
that God is now birthing children and not mindless machines. Glory from pre-programmed robots will bring
no glory at all. Suppose that someone
created a program on a computer that functioned exactly as directed. Suppose that the creator told the program to
cures him out of one file directory and praise him out of the other. Would it surprise anyone if the creator sent
the cursing directory to the “trash bin”?
Would it be a surprise if the creator hit copy and paste on the praising
directory? In the end we would say,
“what a lonely soul”. How much better to
have friends and children that can respond in spirit and in truth! God’s plan
for man does not exclude personal response. Man’s freedom of choice was planned
from the beginning. As we listen to and read the Word of God, may we all come
to make the right decision. Although
some may debate such a view of God’s sovereignty and lament that it degrades
God’s unlimited power -- it does not.
Consider that because of God’s sovereignty, He can change a sure sentence
of death. He can free the prisoner from
a much deserved Hell. He can change a
bad situation into good. He can also set aside a good plan because of a bad
human response! We must choose whether
or not to be included in God’s GOOD plan. Heb 3: 8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation,
in the day of temptation in the wilderness: . . . 11 So I sware in
my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil
heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 4:2 For unto us was
the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not
profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. NIV. 3 Now we who
have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, "So I declared on
oath in my anger, 'They shall never enter my rest.'" And yet his work has
been finished since the creation of the world. My Sufferings or His? The dispute
concerning divinely appointed suffering verses divine healing is certainly
interesting. You may already know many Bible texts on this subject. We discover
that the application of those texts varies greatly among Bible students. In this
chapter we are going to call trouble and sickness “DILEMMA” so that time will
be saved. As for “DILEMMA”, there are 4 causes and not just one. Many people
also discern a 5th cause which will also be considered. THE
SOURCES OF MAN’S “DILEMMA” 1. The
General Curse Of Adam: Many
“DILEMMA” if not most, come from the old curse of Adam. Death is upon all
flesh. Getting sick, suffering or dyeing is usually nothing more than the curse
of Adam that works in all of humanity. When Adamic “DILEMMA” come upon a saint
or sinner it is often not a special or targeted judgment. Such “DILEMMA” are as
routine as the rising of the sun. When trouble comes people often ask, “why
me?”. They fail to realize that their personal “DILEMMA” is simply a function
of the general fall of Adam. Such “DILEMMA” are not evenly distributed among
the human race but in the end all die. Here is some
Good News! We can rightfully seek for healing and help for this type of
“DILEMMA”. Healing and even life can be found by those that seek. Such help is
promised in the Gospel of Christ. Yet, in the end we will all fall under this
Adamic curse because, the final redemption of the body has not yet come. We watch
for that day of redemption. Meanwhile, we can enjoy a foretaste of redemption
by finding healing in this age. Some are even raised from the dead. Through
Christ our days can be extended and health can be regained. 1 Cor The most
notable aspect of this Adamic “DILEMMA” is that God has taken the worst
thing that could happen to man (The Fall) and has transformed it into the best!
(Adoption into the family of God) Yes, we were lost and without hope but by
Christ’s death, God has identified with all of mankind and has opened a door of
salvation for all that will receive. With Paul
we can say, “... all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (Rom 2. A
Spanking From God: It is true
that certain sinners or backsliders experience a special Divinely appointed
judgment for one reason or another. This “targeted judgment” comes in addition
to the universal Adamic curse that has been sighted above. Whether it be a
large judgment such as Noah’s flood, the fire upon As
believers we sometimes need a spanking when we go the wrong way and do not
listen to God. If we are presently obeying God, such a spanking is not
necessary and will not come.(ONE EXCEPTION: Even the innocent are affected by a
"national judgment" for sin.) God's spankings might first be a simple
conviction of the Holy Ghost and in the end may be seen as something more akin
to Divine Judgment. Spankings get our attention so that we will repent and turn
around. The spanking does not create holiness of itself. Rather, repentance and
the cross is the effective element after we hear and heed God’s voice. Without
finally adding repentance the spanking will mean nothing but only add to the
judgment to come. Heb 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and
scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth
with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Zec 13:9 And I will bring the third part through the fire,
and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried:
they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people:
and they shall say, The LORD is my God. The
“spankings” of God can most easily be understood by alternately describing them
as God’s voice. God sometimes calls us through adversity but not all adversity
falls into this single category. When men
fail to heed God or the drawing of the Holy Spirit they are left without hope.
In that case the trouble they have endured brings no benefit. It is God’s
goodness that sends “DILEMMA” to arrest man’s attention and turn them back to
the right way. We also
recognize that many refuse the voice of God. Mat 3.
Demonic Activity: When Jesus
healed he was often sighted as casting out “a spirit of infirmity.” We are
informed by the Scripture that evil spirits can afflict people. Naturally, the
message of the Gospel and prayer of faith will deal with this type of
“DILEMMA”. Great victories can be found! Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy
Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were
oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and
gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 4.
Persecution Of The Saints: Or
“Mirror” Suffering Jesus told
us that we would suffer for preaching the Gospel. Consequently, I have
sometimes worried when life became too smooth. I would question my witness on
those occasions. We are told
that if we are faithful witnesses we will suffer persecution. The apostles
suffered all sorts of “DILEMMA” as they shared Christ. This suffering was a
sort of identification (family trait) with Him. This type of suffering is not
redemptive. (more on that below) However, this suffering does generate Heavenly
reward. Rom Mat Mirroring
His Likeness: As we
truly live for Christ, we will suffer persecution. The spirit of this world
fights Christ and the Christ in us. Such suffering is certainly a “test of our
faith.” This testing lays up future reward as pointed out above. Persecution
not only generates reward but it also reveals the indwelling Christ. Here is how
persecution works to reveal the indwelling Christ: We live in two worlds with
different laws. We live in both the natural and spiritual world. The laws of
the spirit do not necessarily follow the laws of the natural. For the natural
man, adversity such as physical resistance builds muscle, strength and
endurance. Physical exercise is necessary for the natural man to improve or
even maintain minimal strength. Thus, some assert that trouble itself makes
them inwardly strong and pure. We discover that this logic is flawed. The
spiritual man is not made strong in the same way as the natural man. Human
“DILEMMA” is not what births Christ within us. We can easily understand this
because, all men suffer “DILEMMA”. We discover that It was Christ’s suffering
and not ours that opened the door to God and his nature. Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that
not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Our right
response in trial or “coming forth as gold” is first dependent upon our right
relationship with Christ. If we FIRST know and have Christ, then when “DILEMMA”
comes we will naturally reflect what he has already implanted into us! Our help
comes from the Lord and not from our own strength! Psa 121:2-3 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven
and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will
not slumber. When
unconverted humanity passes through a great “DILEMMA”, bitterness or some other
negative trait will normally come to the surface. Conversely, when we that are
in Christ suffer a great “DILEMMA”, the fruits of the spirit will shine out. In
such days of trouble the inner man will come forth as Gold. Never think that
you are HUMANLY able to glorify Christ in days of persecution. Rather, look to
him and abide in him and he will be manifest! Mat 7:16-17 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men
gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree
bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath
tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 1 Pet 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be
found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Speaking of
Christ’s appearing, this truth of “coming forth” is most powerfully expressed
in Mat 13:41-43. “The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall
gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;
42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and
gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the
kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” On that
great day of accounting man’s ultimate “DILEMMA” will arrive. The wicked will
not be made holy in that great fire yet, the righteous will shine brighter than
ever before. Again, the only place to obtain holiness is at the foot of the
cross. If a Christian’s “DILEMMA” uncovers a bad trait, it is then to the Cross
that we run and cling. The only thing that can change our shortcomings is
Christ and the God given alchemy of His Cross. Gal 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the
cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I
unto the world. 5
Redemptive Suffering: This is the
one form of suffering that is not supported by scripture. It is a great mistake
to lump all suffering into this category as some do. A clear picture of this
type of suffering is found among the FLAGELLANTS of medieval France. In the
dark ages the FLAGELLANTS would gather into long processions and whip
themselves to produce holiness. The groans went up in unison as they beat their
own backs. This type of activity can rightly be called “spiritual sadism” and
is the spawn of Satan. Conversely,
holiness comes only from Christ. Only His suffering can pay for sin and by his
Word and Spirit we advance into what He requires. There are still
Flagellant-like people today. They are "peppered" among many
religious groups and denominations. Today’s modern Flagellants feel that our
present suffering is necessary to perfect us. They see our suffering as the
sanctifying force. The Scripture teaches that only the Cross of Jesus, joined
with faith in God’s Word, has the power to purify. About
Our Cross: Our
cross consists of self denial, verses living to please the flesh, and this self
denial is an expression of what He has already done in us. Therefore, we refuse
sin because he has already sanctified us. We suffer persecution and hardship
for him because he gave us a heart like His. "In Him" we love others
more than self and comfort. We will tell others of Him, no matter what the
cost. In this we mirror the heart of our Lord. Many
embrace the “suffering unto holiness ” theology and use it as a false comfort
in their personal “DILEMMA”. As these consider their tragedy they feel better
by thinking that their suffering is making them more holy. I wonder if this
might not be another form of self-righteousness? One
nationally known preacher has even stated that he would rather remain sick and
receive the good from his personal suffering than to be able to testify that he
has been healed. We do feel sorry for these people as they endure their many
“DILEMMA”. However this form of suffering is not God’s way and is not found in
the Gospel that Jesus preached. Some modern
reformed theologians additionally feel that “whatever” happens is God’s will
and therefore “must be born with patience.” Conversely, we understand that God
would rather that many thing did not happen. Yes, God knew that bad things
would happen and thus, he provided for a magnificent change. Will we accept and
believe for his provision? Will be become part of the answer, rather than
forever holding to the problem? We do have a choice! Ezek 22:30-31 And I sought for a man among them, that should
make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should
not destroy it: but I found none. 31 Therefore have I poured out mine indignation
upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I
recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord GOD. God’s
desire was expressed in Jesus Christ. His stripes showed that God wanted us to
be healed. His blood showed that God wanted us and all men to be saved.
However, not all will believe and not all will accept and this rejection is not
God’s will. When it comes to redemption and healing, how can we think that our
suffering will be more effective than His? It is true that neither our human
holiness nor our human suffering can make us fit for the Kingdom of God. Prayer
Changes Things! John 16:23-24 And in that day ye shall ask me nothing.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name,
he will give it you. 24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye
shall receive, that your joy may be full. The Sovereign God Is
Closer than they Know As we
consider the immutability, sovereignty, and omnipotence of God we encounter
many so-called “defenders of the faith”.
Amazingly, these defenders are also the greatest opponents of the simple
Gospel of Christ and his Apostles. These
defenders tell us that God is unchanging.
Yet, they also say: The God that
spoke through his prophets, no longer speaks. They say that the God that once
healed, no longer heals. Also, the God
that once answered prayer, no longer does the miraculous! With Schofield (of
the Schofield Reference Bible) these God-changers
place every thing miraculous in the past or in the future and leave little or
nothing for today. They consistently
deny the miraculous hand of God for our generation. When they do admit that a miracle has
occurred, they assign its origin to Satan.
Their logic
reminds us of a “two-mouthed politician.”
They continually assert that God is all powerful and unchanging. Yet, simultaneously say that God no longer speaks,
no longer heals, no longer responds to prayer. (Counter Point) , James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye
may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth
much. These
doubters teach that what God did, he did in the past or in the future but not
today. They create a “God is Dead”
religion and point us to their home made “gods of stone.” Finally, they discount the value of our
personal involvement in God’s Plan. We
are lead to understand that we are powerless to alter destiny. Paul foresaw
these false teachers as, “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Tim 3:5)
May I ask,
“What ever happened to a personal relation with Jesus Christ?” With Solomon we sing, “Whither is thy beloved
gone, O thou fairest among women? whither is thy beloved turned aside? that we
may seek him with thee.” The God
that these Neo-Reformed Calvinists offer is not Jesus Christ! My Jesus is a friend that speaks to me every
day. My Jesus is one that hears and
answers prayer with more than a “NO”. My
Jesus is the fairest among all and is the Rose of Sharon and Lilly of the
Valley. My Jesus has baptized me with
his Holy Ghost as on the Day of Pentecost and now, I too speak the wonderful
works of God. Jesus is my friend and is
truly the “Unchanging God!” How near
is our Father? A true father gets involved with his
children. To be a good father you must give your children great joy and
approval. These elements must be such
that the little ones will not dream of doing anything to break the golden cord
of fellowship. The father must first win the hearts of the children. The children will only then give their
undying love to him. This is the
true way that the sovereignty of God works.
Once that we have heard the Word and believed; once that we have been
washed with the blood and filled with his Spirit; we enter a very special
fellowship with the Father. Upon
entering into true fellowship with Him we understand that God is so great and
so good that we simply cannot dream of leaving him. God is so personal and responsive that we
know of a certainty that he is alive!
Once we discover his love, then,
even a doubting Theologian cannot drive us from him! As Jesus said, “No
man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.”. After this, only sin can form a breach in our
relationship. Please, if there is a
breach, repent and be healed! Isa 59:1-2 Behold,
the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy,
that it cannot hear: 2 But your iniquities have separated between you and
your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. 1 John 2:1-2 My
little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man
sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he
is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the
sins of the whole world. God’s Unchanging Plan God has an
eternal plan for mankind. God’s plan is
on schedule as he now reaches out to us.
The only variable in God’s plan is this:
Will we heed God’s call? If we
rightly respond, God will draw near. James 4:8-10 Draw
nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;
and purify your hearts, ye double minded. God will
certainly answer prayer. He will reverse
the Devil’s evil attacks and change bad into good. When Israel was taken into captivity for
their sins God said: Jer 29:11-13 For I
know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace,
and not of evil, to give you an expected end. 12 Then shall ye call upon me,
and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 13 And ye
shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Like Deu 30:19-20 I call
heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you
life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore CHOOSE LIFE, that both
thou and thy seed may live: Mat END
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