THE CHRISTIAN'S BILL OF RIGHTS...living Christlike in a pagan society

UPDATE:
Have you wondered where do our Federal Tax $'s go? Review this amazingly helpful and detailed graph here

TEA PARTY is a good and necessary movement in our nation.

It is the citizenery of this nation upholding the constitution

under the God given freedom we all enjoy in our country. Considering
the current health care debate and the unconsitutional actions
by some within the Democratic party... accountability is a vital thing.

But amid all the rhetoric, empty promises and spin by politicians 

that usually premps an important and critical election year, 

it is good to remind ourselves of what is truly valuable and eternal;

not just being good citizens in our cities to our neighbors, 

but also being good citizens of the City of God. 

IOW, the cross waves higher than the flag...

"To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things" -1 Corinthians 4:11-13 (ESV)

In Augustine's brilliant tome, "The City of God", he depicts members of two societies: The City of God and The City of Man. Both are bound by God's sovereignty; both are under the authority of His Word, but the two cities posses very different realities. One is eternal, the other is temporal; one is heavenly, the other is eartly; one is perfect, the other is human. But yet both are under the divine will, purpose. plan and pleasure of God. For the believer in Christ, the tension is living faithfully by God's Word in The City of Man while pressing on to The City of God. Some have suggested that Augustine's story is the justification for believers asserting their political societal rights and engagement in the culture wars to restore morality where there exists moral decline; that this is what it means to love ones neighbor.

One well respected theologian rightly states, Amen! I couldn't agree more with my brother.

"We love our neighbor because we first love God. In His sovereignty, our Creator has put us within this cultural context in order that we may display His glory by preaching the Gospel, confronting persons with God’s truth, and serving as agents of salt and light in a dark and fallen world."

He goes on rightly to say, James calls it "the royal law" in confronting the sin of partiality in the house of God. Paul says that whole law is fulfilled and summed up in that one phrase. And the Lord Himself says that it is second only to "Love the Lord your God..." This is the most clear evidence of our regeneration in Him--when we "love [our] neighbor as [ourself]." The Lord is giving His church here a clear way we are to live as His redeemed people that pleases and brings glory to Him while we are "strangers and aliens" on this earth (cp, Matthew 5:40-44).

"we understand that when we are instructed by Scripture to love God and then to love our neighbor as ourselves, we are given a clear mandate for the right kind of cultural engagement."

Ultimately as believers in the Lord, we do this for His glory and for the sake of gospel witness (cp, ! Cor. 6:1-8). The Christian being "salt and light" is not a call to create and promote the vaneer of cultural civility; but a call to give up our rights, live for Jesus, and point others to the gospel. The Apostle Paul was once a violent persecutor of the church; but then the Lord regenerated him into a humble, loving, meek pastor of the church. That kind of radical life transformation only happens through the life-changing gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Loving our neighbor means we are by God's grace to love others how Christ loved us and gave Himself for us. And it is considering other peoples needs more important than our own--even if it means our own demise. Biblical love is not driven by self-preservation, by political suasion, or even by exacting our own revenge against others when we feel we have been wronged. It is "others-driven" in response to loving God. Biblical love is not an emotion or a feeling; it is not conditioned upon another's response. Genuine "agape" love doesn't love someone else because they are lovely, lovable or doing loving things. God's love is unmerited; undeserving; unfailing; self-sacrificial; and unreciprocated. It is not demanding, nor self-seeking, nor protecting its own station in life. Agape love... gives ones life away. Once again, here is how high the Lord Himself has set the bar: "Love one another as I have loved you and gave Myself for you." This is love that's driven not by the political; not by the social; not by the cultural or by the personal; but love that is driven solely by the biblical in response to what Jesus Christ has done for us.

In an age where people are consumed with asserting their rights, it is an "other worldly love" that compels us to lay down our rights as Christians to ensure a real witness for our faith in the Lord Jesus resulting in our neighbors experiencing the benefits of grace in our own lives - which is good and profitable for all men (Titus 1:8).

In that spirit, I humbly offer you the following.

The Christian's Bill of Rights
1. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we have only one right: and that is to give up all rights to ourselves (2 Cor. 5:14-16; Romans 14:7-9).
2. We have the right to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him (Mt. 16:24-26).
3. We have the right to esteem others more highly than ourselves; and love our neighbor as ourselves (Mt. 22:39;Phil. 2:1-5).
4. We have the right to fulfill the law of Christ in bearing one another's burdens of sin (Gal. 6:1-3).
5. We have the right to be wronged and to maintain a faithful testimony (1 Cor. 6:1-8).
6. We have the right to live in unreciprocated, self-sacrificial love (Eph. 5:1-2).
7. We have the right to forgive others the smaller debt, as God in Christ has forgiven us the larger debt (Eph. 4:31-32; Matthew 18:12-35).
8. We have the right to suffer for the gospel and to take the blows for the One who took the blows for us (1 Peter 2:21-24)
9. We have the right to be "subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be uncontentious, gentle, showing every consideration for all men" (Titus 3:1-2).
10. We have the right to not be political agitators trading the truth of His Word to play politics with men's souls; thinking that true spiritual change occurs through legislation rather than the transforming power of the gospel of grace. (1 Peter 4:10-16).
11. We have the right to turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39).
12. We have the right to be stripped of all earthly things (Matthew 5:40-42).
13. We have the right to not repay evil for evil and to be at peace with all men as much as it depends on you (Romans 12:17-18).
14. We have the right to love our enemies, do good to them that hate us, bless those who curse us and pray for those that despitefully use us (Matthew 5:44-45).
15. We have the right to pursue holiness-not personal happiness (1 Peter 1:13-16).
16. We have the right not to be ashamed of the gospel (2 Tim. 1:6-18).
17. We have the right not to harbor revenge, anger, bitterness, clamoring, wrath, malice and slander when wronged by another (Ephesians 4:31).
18. We have the right not to quench or grieve the Holy Spirit. (Eph. 4:30; 1 Thess. 5:19).
19. We have the right to repent of and not cherish our sins (Psalm 66:18).
20. We have the right to guard the trust; and to contend for the once for all delivered to the saints faith (1 Timothy 6:20; Jude 1:3).
21. We have the right to train our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (Ephesians 6:1-3).
22. We have the right to reflect God's covenantal relationship with us by honoring our vows in the covenant of marriage with our spouse Mt. 19:6).
23. We have the right to worship Christ Jesus as God of very God; Creator; Redeemer; Sovereign Lord and Ruler of all (Col. 1:15-19; Hebrews 1:8; Phil. 2:5-11).
24. We have the right to present our lives as living sacrifices everyday to God (Roms. 12:1-2).
25. We have the right to live in the expectancy and hope of the Lord's return by which we purify ourselves (Roms. 12:1-2).
26. We have the right to march daily on our knees in prayer; praying for our leaders in government; our church leaders; our fellow believers; our families; and the lost (1 Timothy 2:1-3; Ephesians 6:18-21).
27. We have the right to praise and glorify God according to how He has revealed Himself through the pages of His Word (Col. 3:16-17).
28. We have the right to honor our local church pastors; for they keep watch over our souls as those who will give an account (Hebrews 13:17).
29. We have the right to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations (Matt. 28:18-20).
30. We have the right to have no rights apart from Christ Himself; "for whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it" (Matt. 16:25: John 15:5).

A Puritan Prayer for Those Who Have Surrendered Their Rights in this Life

"Accept His worthiness for my unworthiness, His sinlessness for my transgressions, His purity for my uncleanness, His sincerity for my guile, His truth for my deceits, His meekness for my pride, His constancy for my backslidings, His love for my enmity, His fullness for my emptiness, His faithfulness for my treachery, His obedience for my lawlessness, His glory for my shame, His devotedness for my waywardness, His holy life for my unchaste ways, His righteousness for my dead works, His death for my life!"

this has been an updated and reposted encore presentation

WAGING WAR AGAINST FELLOW BELIEVERS...you need to read this

Fellow blogger and friend, Carla Rolfe, has posted an excellent article on this issue of confronting issues within the blogosphere with those we may disagree with in the household of faith. She mentioned me along with friend James White at the end of her post under the "update" section 

This is a must read article and I hope it will encourage you all in the how, what, why, where and whom we blog categories. Three key words for us all to remember when blogging, emailing, texting, etc. about fellow believers in the Lord: grace, charity, and humility.

The Apostle Paul deals with this subject very pointedly in his epistle to the Galatians. As Dr. MacArthur points out in his study bible on the following passage I quote below:

"The imagery is of wild animals savagely attacking and killing each other - a graphic picture of what happens in the spiritual realm when believers do not love and serve each other."

And may I add, attack and spread falsehood about each other. Listen to the Apostle's words:

"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another." -Galatians 5:13-15

It has been said, that he who bites has exhausted his angry passions. But the one who seeks to devour is given over to extreme cruelty. 

Puritan divine, John Calvin, explains it as thus:

"slanders, accusations, reproaches, and every other kind of offensive language, as well as acts of injustice arising either from fraud or violence. And what is the end of them? To be consumed; while the tendency of brotherly love is to produce mutual protection and kindness. I wish we could always remember, when the devil tempts us to disputes, that the disagreement of members within the church can lead to nothing else than the ruin and consumption of whole whole body. How distressing, how mad it is, that we, who are members of the same body, should be leagued together, of our own accord for mutual destruction."

May we not excite a spirit of contention within the church and between brothers and sisters in the Lord, but provoke one another unto love and good works. Amen?

In His unfailing love,

Steve
1 Cor. 13:1

AVOIDING PROTESTANT POPERY...becoming ministers of love

by Richard Baxter

"The dominion of love in the hearts of Christians, appearing in all the course of their lives, doth much glorify God and their religion.-I mean a common hearty love to all men, and a special love to holy men, according to their various degrees of loveliness. Love is a thing so agreeable to right reason, and to sociable nature, and to the common interest of all mankind, that all men commend it; and they that have it not for others, would have it from others. Who is it that loveth not to be loved? And who is it that loveth not the man that he is convinced loveth him, better than him that hateth him, or regardeth him not? And do you think that the same course, which maketh men hate yourselves, is like to make them love your religion?

Love is the Powerful Conqueror of the World
By it God conquereth the enmity of man, and reconcileth to himself even malignant sinners; and by it he hath taught us to conquer all the tribulations and persecutions by which the world would separate us from his love; yea, and to be "more than conquerors through Him that loved us," and thereby did kindle in us our reflecting love; (Rom. 8:34-38;) and by it he hath instructed us to go on to conquer both his enemies and our own; yea, to conquer the enmity rather than the enemy, in imitation of himself, who saveth the sinner, and kills the sin; and this is the most noble kind of victory. Every soldier can end a fever or other disease by cutting a man's throat, and ending his life; but it is the work of the physician to kill the disease, and save the man. The scandalous pastor is for curing heresy in the Roman way, by silencing sound preachers, and tormenting and burning the supposed heretics; or at least to trust for the acceptance and success of his labours to the sword. And if that which will restrain men from crossing the pastor, would restrain them from resisting the Spirit of God, and constrain them to the love of holiness, it were well; then the glory of conversion should be more ascribed to the magistrate and soldier than to the preacher.

Fit for the Master's Use
But the true pastor is armed with a special measure of life, light, and love, that he may be a meet instrument for the regenerating of souls, who by holy life, and light, and love, must be renewed to their Father's image. Every thing naturally generateth its like, which hath a generative power. And it is the love of God which the preacher is to bring all men to that must be saved; this is his office, this is his work, and this must be his study; he doeth little or nothing if he doeth not this.

Souls are not sanctified till they are wrought up to the love of God and holiness; and, therefore, the furniture and arms which Christ hath left us in his word, are all suited to this work of love. We have the love of God himself to preach to them, and the love of a humbled, dying and glorified Redeemer; and all the amiable blessings of heaven and earth to open to them, and all the loving promises and invitations of the gospel: and must not our hearts, our ministry, and our lives, be answerable to all this? Believe it, it must be a preacher whose matter and manner of preaching and living doth show forth a hearty love to God, and love to godliness, and love to all his people's souls, that is the fit instrument to glorify God by convincing and converting sinners.

Love, The Sum and Fulfilling of the Ministry
God can work by what means he will; by a scandalous, domineering, self-seeking preacher; but it is not his ordinary way. Foxes and wolves are not nature's instruments to generate sheep. I never knew much good done to souls by any pastors, but such as preached and lived in the power of love, working by clear convincing light, and both managed by a holy, lively seriousness. You must bring fire, if you would kindle fire. Trust not here to the Cartesian philosophy, that mere motion will turn another element into fire. Speak as loud as you will, and make as great a stir as you will, it will be all in vain to win men's love to God and goodness, till their hearts be touched with his love and amiableness, which usually must be done by the instrumentality of the preacher's love. "Let them hate me, so they do but fear me and obey me," is the saying of such as set up for themselves, (and but foolishly for themselves,) and, like Satan, would rule men to damnation. If love be the sum and fulfilling of the law, love must be the sum and fulfilling of our ministry. But yet by "love" I mean not flattery: parents do love as necessarily as any, and yet must correct; and God himself can love, and yet correct; yea, "he chasteneth every son that he receiveth." (Heb. 12:6, 7.) And his love consisteth with paternal justice, and with hatred of sin, and plain and sharp reproof of sinners: and so must ours; but all, as the various operations of love, as the objects vary.

And what I say of ministers, I say of every Christian in his place. Love is the great and the "new" commandment; that is, the last which Christ would leave, at his departure, to his disciples. O, could we learn of the Lord of love, and Him who calleth himself Love itself, to love our enemies, to bless them that curse us, and to do good to the evil, and pray for them that hurt and persecute us, we should not only prove that we are genuine Christians, the children of our heavenly Father, (Matt. 5:44, 45,) but should heap coals of fire on our enemies' heads, and melt them into compassion and some remorse, if not into a holy love. I tell you, it is the Christian who doth truly love his neighbour as himself; who loveth the godly as his co-heirs of heaven, and loveth the ungodly with a desire to make them truly godly; who loveth a friend as a friend, and an enemy as a man that is capable of holiness and salvation. It is he that liveth, walketh, speaketh, converseth (yea, suffereth, which is the great difficulty) in love, and is, as it were, turned, by the love of God shed abroad upon his heart, into love itself; who doth glorify God in the world, and glorify his religion, and really rebuke the blasphemer that derideth the Spirit in believers, as if it were but a fanatic dream.

The Scandalous Christian
And it is he that by tyranny, cruelty, contempt of others, and needless proud singularities and separations, magisterially condemning and vilifying all that walk not in his fashion, and pray not in his fashion, and are not of his opinion, where it is like enough he is himself mistaken, that is the scandalous Christian; who doeth as much against God, and religion, and the church, and men's souls, as he doeth against love. And though it be Satan's way, as an angel of light, and his ministers' way, as ministers of righteousness, to destroy Christ's interest by dividing it, and separate things which God will have conjoined, and so to pretend the love of truth, the love of order, or the love of godliness or discipline, against the love of souls, and to use even the name of love itself against love, to justify all their cruelties, or censures, and alienations; yet God will keep up that sacred fire in the hearts of the sound Christians which shall live and conquer these temptations, and they will understand and regard the warning of the Holy Ghost: "I beseech you, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them," in their sinful, dividing, offensive ways. "For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ," though they may confidently think they do, "but their own belly," or carnal interests, though perhaps they will not see it in themselves; "and by good words and fair," or by "flattering speeches, deceive the hearts of the simple." (Rom. 16:17, 18.)

"No bad men," or "harmless, well-meaning men;" who, in case it be not to mortal errors, perhaps may be in the main sincere, and may be saved when their stubble is burnt; but whether sincere or not, they are scandals in the world, and great dishonourers of God, and serve Satan, when they little think so, in all that they do contrary to that universal love by which God must be glorified, and sinners overcome."

BATTLES IN THE BLOGOSPHERE...when conflicts arise, how should we respond and work towards resolve?

When we are wronged, spoken falsely about, our character maligned and reputation smudged, how should we as Christians respond? What does the Word of God teach about this, especially when it comes to the arena of blogging?

There has been an issue of late where a dear man of God, Ken Silva, and his website were forced to go dark because of one complaint lodged against him by another blogger. This other blogger claimed he was slandered by Ken; IMHO, after reading all the documents I could find, he wasn't. This other blogger made a few mistakes: he never contacted Ken directly; he did not follow biblical guidelines for resolve; and he tried to deal with this by reporting Ken to an easily intimated web hosting company of his blog. The next thing you know, Ken's site is gone - sent to electron heaven.

I posted a comment about this on the blogger in question's website asking him to state specifically what the offense was and the words Ken used to describe him that he thought were slanderous. Not only did he not answer my polite and reasonable question, he deleted my comment. After a few other comments, he then closed comments on his thread.

As many of you know, I have had many bloggers say the most outrageous, egregious, and untrue statements about myself and my theology for years. Some do it with an unbridled reckless abandon as if they were a character in a comic book or something. Some react without thinking and are just plain foolish. Some do it to elevate their own self-worth. Some do it because I have challenged them biblically and out of embarrassment in not being able to defend their skewed theology... attack. And then some, in a godly attitude with cogent and meaningful dialogue say strong things because they were right and I needed to see another side of an issue. Regardless, whether from good or bad motives, I am grateful for all of it for the Lord has used it and continues to use it to conform me to Himself. Though I have to admit I have had my share of tears shed and sleepless nights over some of the very ugly commentary directed at me. On occasion, my own attorney would very much like "to minister" to some of these amateur journalists and theologues clothed in blogging rags, but I have instructed him otherwise. It doesn't serve the gospel or the ministry of God's Word to do so... does it? As my dear friend, Dr. John MacArthur, told me years ago, "don't spend your time defending yourself Steve. If you do, you will do nothing else. Defend the Word of God and His gospel and let the Lord take care of others and their opinions of you. Be teachable and thank the Lord for even their unkind and untrue words. Your reputation is not what is ultimately important, God's glory is." Great advice that I try to honor by God's grace.

So how should conflict about message and messenger biblically be handled in the blogosphere? Here are a few thoughts that I hope will prove helpful and be an encouragement to you.

1. Go to your brother privately
If there is an offense between two people of a personal nature, the offended one or the one doing the offending has the biblical duty to go to each other and to do so without delay. They should seek a quick and godly resolve. Hear the words of our Lord Jesus:

"So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are going with him to court, lest your accuser hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you be put in prison." -Matthew 5:23-25

2. Church discipline
If an offense or sin occurs between two believers in the Lord, they are first to go to each other and try to win their brother. If that one on one process fails, then they are to take two or three witnesses to confirm what has happened. Within these witnesses should be a pastor or elder of your church. If the party in sin doesn't "hear them" - meaning resolve the matter, then it is to be told to the church. This is not for revenge or retribution, but for repentance, reconciliation and resolve. Lastly, if the party in sin does not repent, then they are to be treated as a nonbeliever. Treated as such, not declared as such, but treated as such. So many people in a rush to judgment will declare someone is not saved and that is not the meaning nor the spirit of church discipline. How do you treat a nonbeliever? With respect, with Christlike love, with humility, and with boldness proclaiming the gospel to them. IOW, continually, lovingly, and with grace, respect and humility give them the gospel and call them to repentance to follow Christ. BTW, the only sin anyone is ever treated as a nonbeliever for is for lack of repentance. Whatever the offense might be, if they repent, all is forgiven and restoration may occur. This is one reason why commitment to a local church is so important. It is a protective and a proactive way to deal with sin and conflict and wrongs that can surface with other believers.

Listen to the words of Jesus:

“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” -Matthew 18:15-20

3. Protect the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace
The Apostle Paul says,

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." -Ephesians 4:1-3

After three great chapters of doctrine and theology, Paul begins the last three chapters as to the responsibility of our redemption in the Lord Jesus Christ. His command? Walk worthy to your calling. Where is this first evidenced? In the local church with other believers. And how is this manifested? With humility: (a small opinion of ourselves and a high view of God); gentleness: (taking the mistreatment, injustice and wrongs against us free from revenge, malice and retribution accompanied by doing acts of kindness to the very ones causing the offense trusting in God through it all in how He uses that situation to conform us to Christlikeness. It is the surrender of our rights.); patience: (endurance in the provocation until the healing comes.); and bearing with one another in love: (keeping the greater goal of our testimony in the Lord chief even while being misused by another.

IOW, live and walk in forgiveness and unfailing love. This takes grace for we are not strong enough to do this in and of ourselves.

4. Lastly, why not rather be wronged?
The Apostle Paul gives very clear instruction about how not to handle grievances with other believers in the Lord. Lawsuits are strictly forbidden. And in the case of the blogosphere, pursuing legal action, even if the case is not civil, to resolve a wrong is forbidden. "It is the glory of a man to overlook an offense" (Proverbs 19:11). "Love covers a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8); IOW, it protects the scope of who has knowledge of another's failings. And we should demonstrate that kind of love not only to fellow believers in the Lord, not only to our neighbors, but to our enemies as well (Matt. 5:40-44).

Listen to Paul's strong and stern words for the church at Corinth:

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life! So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers? To have lawsuits at all with one another is already a defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers! -1 Corinthians 6:1-8

Bringing it home
How does this effect us in the blogosphere, and in specific, how would one respond to the unfortunate incident brought against our brother Ken recently?

If someone writes an article about us where we feel we might have been mischaracterized, misrepresented or even slandered, go to that person first and settle it there. If still no resolve, go to your local pastor and have him handle this within the local church where he may even have to go and meet with another church on your behalf. Let us do all that we can as much as it depends on us to be at peace with all men (Roms. 12:18); especially those within the household of faith endeavoring to keep the unity of Spirit in the bond of peace. Lastly, if persistent God-honoring communication fails to produce resolve, you can trust the Lord and say it is better that I am wronged than I pursue my rights to be right and bring fracture and harm to the body of Christ. Your witness for the gospel and your life representing the Lord Jesus is more important than you being vindicated.

Some tips to help guard against slander and libel:

1. Speak the truth
2. Do your homework and research well; don't just vent, study to be approved
3. Document well and link accurately to corroborate your views
4. Develop your post and conclusions from the Word of God
5. Don't make it personal, stay on message
6. Check motives and be willing to immediately correct any wrongs
7. Debate, discuss, and dialogue; don't defame

Beloved, this little vaporous life we live here is not ultimately about us, it is all about Him and His glory. Living in forgiveness and Christlike love doesn't condone wrongs against us or minimize their impact or consequences. But it does mean we will be free from causing needless conflict, free from bitterness, anger, wrath, clamor and slander. Our little reputations and carefully cultivated bios are not what is the chief concern here.

Are we honoring God's Word? Are we willing to give up our rights to glorify Him? Is a blog worth dividing the body of Christ or protecting our wounded egos?

SDG

MIND YOUR FAITH...thinking can beneficial to your spiritual health

I really like to see people in their wheelhouse, using their gifts and abilities for the Lord and His glory. Such is the case today.

Both of these quotes below come from a really great blog called: Rambling Rosemarie. As you know, there is so much tripe in the blogosphere these days, that it is rare to find a site dedicated to substance based upon biblical truth and sound doctrine that is still plugged into the issues we are facing in the culture today. This is one of those great sites worthy of your time and I highly commend it to you.

VIVIT,

Campi

Psalm 119:160


"There's a lot of information out here on the superhighway. Some of it isn't worth the powder it would take to blow it back to hell.

Knowledge is power when you have the ability to think critically and when you have a standard by which to measure the veracity of the knowledge. What's my point? Being childlike in our faith doesn't mean checking our brains at the door. Avoiding works based salvation and faith doesn't mean you stop striving for obedience. Critical thinking is hard work and we as believers are not doing enough of it... Make certain what you know can be measured and is true, even the experts in your life can be wrong." - Rosemarie

"One of the greatest obstacles encountered in a teaching ministry is this idea, pervasive in the Christian Church, that there is no benefit to be had by the laity in serious study of the Word of God or in the study of theology. We have elevated to the level of an ideal, the idea of having a simple childlike faith... There is a close connection between simplicity and naivete. Believers who have not been deeply trained and matured in the things of God, are vulnerable and exposed to every wind of doctrine that blows through the Church... We are exposed to them because we simply do not have a mature understanding of the truth of God." - R.C. Sproul

THE RIGHT TO BE WRONGED...learning to trust God in the tough issues of life

-this is an encore presentation-

My mom is famous for her timely, pointed, pithy words of wisdom. One of those perceptive perspectives that has never left my thinking is this, "You have one right, Steve, as a Christian, and that's to have no rights." The truths of those words still ring profound today. I completely agree with her with one slight modifier - we do have the right to be wronged (1 Cor. 6:1-8).

Being in music ministry for over 30 years you hear all matters of talk about artists, authors, evangelical leaders - those who control the publishing and music industry of religious content, etc. this is a given. And now add to this mix the blogosphere; where anyone with a keyboard can become an excerpt on most anything just because they post - never mind if they are qualified to speak. Blogging daily and interacting with many in the blogosphere can be a place of real blessing. Sometimes it brings out excellent times for genuine ministry and discussion to take place and other times, all it yields is sorely behavior, name-calling, insinuations, ill-treatment, and unsupported-wide-eyed assertions from those that "think they are in the know." I have found that even when you are not responding to their childish rants, they will still rant about you or anyone who challenges them or disagrees with them. Soon, people are afraid to really express themselves honestly for fear of being vilified publicly. And for what? Just for offering another side to the proverbial coin. It is a godly exercise beloved to not respond with insult for insult; better to remain silent. It won't silent them, but you will be better for it and others will see this. Better to pray for them, and to learn again to die to yourself. I have been learning this again lately; and despite the less than Christian comments of others, I am blessed in God's providence to be in the crucible of grace being conformed to Jesus. It is not pleasant; it is painful; but all for our good and His glory. Amen?

You have to exercise practical wisdom on what you chose to believe and not believe about people and their failings; for everyone wants to feel like they have the latest word on the rumor mill. This unfortunately happens in the church too... doesn't it? What I am referring to the destructive sin of gossip; talk that has as its only purpose the determined underhanded demise of another. It is so conventional that among some Christians it could be considered a spiritual gift. Confronting eye to eye, an individual alone, is rarely if ever done in our day. Jesus' words in (Matthew 18:15-20) not just suggest, but demand you go to another privately before even uttering it to another publicly--and even then, it is to only two or three to help mend the breach. But here is the problem: we are marked by "itching ears" in our culture today; hungry for those little tidbits of juicy rumor, jealous of others, or trying to elevate yourself by constantly putting others down; rather than simply insatiably craving and living out the truth of God's Word.

THE TONGUE IS A FIRE
Have you ever been wrongly accused of something or just plain misunderstood? Have you ever had people gossip behind your back with false perceptions about your integrity or character? Have you ever biblically confronted a friend or family member in sin and been ostracized for the loving honesty? Have you ever stood for Christ in the work place and it cost you in reputation or promotion in a job? Even in the common ordinary day of our lives, it’s easy to become offended over trivial things, isn't it?. What’s worse, when we do get offended we end up savoring the bitterness, promoting ill will out of revenge to sooth our sagging pride or hurt feelings, conjuring up ways to “get even” with those who have wronged us, or possibly have spoken to others about it with no other motive or intent than to build-a-case to undermine the one who wounded us.

However, the sad and subtle quintessential way that we as Christians gossip about others behind their back is through... prayer. I call it the “gracevine.” How many times have you received a phone call, been stopped by someone in the market, or even gotten an email with something about someone that is gossip, but it is cloaked in the language of "I don't want to spread a rumor, but here is what I heard about "so and so" and I am onlyl sharing it with you so you can be praying about this person..." We are all guilty of this aren't we? I know I have. I have been both prey and perpetrator of wrongly speaking about someone else—possibly you too.

If you have ever been wronged or deeply hurt by another, what should our response be? How are we to react or most importantly… act? Paul warns against “bitterness, angry, wrath, evil speaking, clamor, and malice" from taking root in our lives (Ephesians 4:31). It grieves the Holy Spirit, causes fellowship to be broken between two believers in Christ, and a possible testimony to be scarred. Paul does exhort us to live in kindness, tenderheartedness and forgiveness with one another; "forgiving one another as God in Christ has forgiven us."

LET US CONSIDER CHRIST
Peter tells us, "when He was reviled against, He did not revile in return." When treated with scorn, beatings, and indignation "He did not retaliate." When spoken of wrongly and accused falsely of everything from being a drunkard, to the friend of sinners, to even being Beelzebub the chief of demons, "He uttered no threats." Even in the garden of Gethsemane the Lord said that He could have had twelve legions of angels (72,000 angels) at His disposal to fulfill His commands, yet He did not demand His rights, but "entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly."

""Keep about your work. Do not flinch because the lion roars; do not stop to stone the devil’s dogs; do not fool away your time chasing the devil’s rabbits. Do your work. Let liars lie, let sectarians quarrel, let critics malign, let enemies accuse, let the devil do his worst; but see to it nothing hinders you from fulfilling with joy the work God has given you. He has not commanded you to be admired or esteemed. He has not commanded you to get rich. He has never bidden you defend your character. He has not set you at work to contradict falsehood (about yourself) which Satan’s or God’s servants may start to peddle, or to track down every rumor that threatens your reputation. If you do these things, you will do nothing else; you will be at work for yourself and not for the Lord. Keep at your work. Let your aim be as steady as a star. You may be assaulted, wronged, insulted, slandered, wounded and rejected, misunderstood, or assigned impure motives; you may be abused by foes, forsaken by friends, and despised and rejected of men. But see to it with steadfast determination, with unfaltering zeal, that you pursue the great purpose of your life and object of your being until at last you can say, ‘I have finished the work which Thou gavest me to do’." -AUTHOR UNKNOWN

LIVING IT OUT THIS WEEK - CONSIDER THIS:
First, if someone approaches you to tell you something about another person this week, ask the one telling you if they have gone directly to that person first, before they sin and repeat any matter to you. If they have not done so, don't entertain their story. Walk away, run if necessary. If they are not willing to go directly to the person they're talking about, then they are not motivated by God's love for that person, and their words should be treated as suspect or disregarded completely (Proverbs 20:19).

Secondly, if you have ought against someone go to that person immediately and privately to make things right. Out of our own pride or hurt and wounded feelings we will usually try and build a case against someone else to make ourselves look better or deflect attention away from our own issues. But it is sin beloved to do so. Even if you don't harbor ill feelings against someone, but you know that they have something against you, Jesus says to leave your gift at the altar, call them and seek to be reconciled (Matthew 5:23-24).

Thirdly, remember the great debt that God in Christ has forgiven you. Because of that you can forgive someone else the lesser offense. When we have a right view of our own sinfulness and a right view of what it cost our Lord to redeem our own sin soaked lives, we then can exercise grace and walk in forgiveness with another (Matthew 18:21-35). Revenge or "payback" is never worth it. If you are in the wrong, then be quick to admit your own wrongdoing; seek to be forgiven and to forgive. If you are wrongly accused: then don't be quick to defend yourself--humility is better served by going the extra mile and bearing the insults of another. Bless those who falsely accuse you and leave them to God.

Fourthly, "If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men" (Romans 12:18). This means that to walk the worthy walk, we need to put on the godly character of longsuffering, patience, humility, gentleness, and self-sacrificial love (Ephesians 4:1-4) and put away bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, gossip and all malice (Ephesians 4:31-32) . I don't know about you, but that takes "a work of grace" in my life to walk that kind of walk each day. IOW, extend mercy where there could be offense; extend love where there could be hate; extend grace where there could be revenge; extend peace where there could be strife; and extend prayer where there could pride. "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matthew 5:40-44).

Here are some of our "rights" in Christ:

• you have the right to turn the other cheek
• you have the right to be misunderstood
• you have the right to be gossiped about
• you have the right to go the extra mile
• you have the right to persecuted for your faith
• you don’t have the right to bitterness
• you don't have the right to get even
• you don't have the right to take matters in your own hands
• you don’t have the right to gossip about others
• you have the right to obey the Lord and not hurt others
• you have the right to be wronged.

“The Right to Be Wronged”
by Camp/Frazier

These are the worst of times; the best of times
Finding poetry when the words don't rhyme
Willing to surrender, to the cruelty of another
Learning to sing an unfamiliar song
Choosing not to fight, we are
Learning the right
to be wronged

You never know what a day might bring
Life's an unpredictable, twisted thing
Some days you have to turn the other cheek
But there's strength in being meek

You don't have to be a doormat you know
But revenge just cripples the soul
All our vain reputations are dust in the wind
Better to show grace; better to let them win

I'm going to lay down my rights
Going to give up this selfish fight
I will submit with all of my might
To the right of being wronged

It's not easy to live this way
But joy comes when you trust and obey
There's freedom when you embrace
The right of being wronged

It's so hard to reconcile
But love always goes the extra mile
To forgive the ones you'd rather forget
Takes humility and love, again and again

I'm going to lay down my rights
Going to give up this selfish fight
I will submit with all of my might
To the right of being wronged

It's not easy to live this way
But joy comes when you trust and obey
There's freedom when you embrace
The right of being wronged

By His Grace and for His Glory,
Steve
2 Cor. 4:5-7

OUR GOAL IS TO BE CHAMPIONS; OUR PURPOSE IS TO BE CHRISTLIKE...the ongoing legacy of a godly man in professional football

-On the Road Again-

My children mean the world to me. They are my daily delight and it is a joy to be their father.

When I travel to minister sometimes I can bring some of them with me. Such was the case about two weeks when I was ministering in Springfield, IL at the regional FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) annual banquet. My 14-year-old son Marshall accompanied me. I was privileged and honored to be ministering that evening with coach Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts. Tony is the most famous and beloved of all Superbowl winning coaches in history.

One of the things I quickly came to realize was that Tony was not a Superbowl winning coach who happened to be a Christian; he was a Christian who happened to be a Superbowl winning coach. How refreshing was this... I have been around many truly famous in my thirty years of ministry and I can say without a doubt, he was the most genuine and humble of them all.

Coach and Marshall really hit it off too. Marshall is a very outgoing young man who will ply you with questions about what you do, your life, the Lord, etc. and he also has an incredible sense of humor and whit about him. During dinner, he was asking Coach many things about his career. At one point he was surprised to learn that Tony was actually a football player as well and not just a great coach. Marshall replied, "you mean you actually played football? You don't look like an athlete." Coach Dungy broke up laughing as the red slowly faded from my face. Coach leaned over to me and asked if he could mention Marshall during his speech. I told him to have at it. IMHO, Marshall was a highlight of the banquet (1,500 strong). People were actually coming up to him afterwards and shaking hands with him and greeting him. Very cool - not a bad way for a young man to spend a spring break.

My role that evening was to sing and proclaim the gospel; Coach's role was to give his testimony. The reaction, by God's grace. couldn't have been better. We really complimented each other well, in fact, the entire banquet was an evening of praise to the Lord. Hearing the testimonies of many of the students was very powerful as well. Kevin Elliot and his entire team at FCA did a superb job in planning and putting together this event. Also a special thanks to my dear friend, Pastor Dave Cunningham, for making the arrangements for me being there.

I was told before hand that most likely over 50% of the audience did not know the Lord. This was the largest banquet in their history and I was so grateful to be a part of it.

"For me to live is Christ;
and to die is gain."
-Phil. 1:21

Coach shared that evening on the theme which I used for this post: "our goal is to be champions; but our purpose is to be Christlike."He made the point to this astute audience that people confuse those things greatly in our day. When we make our life's purpose our vocation, making money, fame, etc. and maybe don't achieve all that we thought, it can leave us in despair, disappointed, broken, depressed; resulting in even turning to things to fill up that void with things that are usually sinful to help deaden the pain of an empty heart. BUT, when our purpose in life is to honor and glorify the Lord in all things - to be like Jesus, then even if we fall short of our goals in this life we have set for ourselves, we can rests in the confidence that God is still at work being glorified; that all is good because the main thing has remained the most important thing: living daily in light of the exaltation of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Well said Tony!

May I encourage you to please be in prayer for Coach Dungy as he continues to be a witness for the Lord and His gospel to many NFL players, coaches, news media, and reporters. He is the real deal folks and a rarity in our time: first a Christian; then a professional coach. A good model we can all learn from. Amen?

I would also ask for your prayers as events like this continue to present themselves to me. The next FCA function similar to this one is tentatively scheduled for late May in Chicago at Soldier Field with Coach Lovie Smith. Prayerfully, that should also be a tremendous time to proclaim the glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ in song and Word.

Sheltered in the strength of His grace,

Steve and Marshall
1 Tim. 4:12

THINK BIBLICALLY - NOT CULTURALLY...is "Stop It" sanctification sound biblical advice or cultural chatter?

Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God has appeared,
bringing salvation for all people,
training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright,
and godly lives in the present age,

The Theology of Bob Newhart - A New Source for Sanctification?
There has been floating around the internet for some time a silly little comedy sketch featuring Bob Newhart on YouTube. I won't post it here, but you can watch it if you haven't seen it yet.

It is a ridiculous piece about counseling someone on their issues. His advice for any problem someone might bring up to him in counseling is "stop it... just stop it!" This has all the merit and sensitivity of watching Barack Obama bowling. I think he scored a thirty seven in ten frames; I will give Newhart about the same on this video (that's 37 out of 300).

Some Christians though are recommending this approach as an effective way in dealing with sin issues - "Stop It" sanctification is what I shall now refer it by.

One Christian blogger tried to make the case for this video last week, thankfully no one was really buying what he was selling. Here is what was interesting though: did this blogger offer Scripture to make his case? No. Did he offer a theological explanation to prove his argument? Nope. Did he site church practice from several hundred years of historical resources? Uh uh. Just another opinion placed whimsically without biblical foundation.

"Stop It" sanctification is cultural speak; but not biblical truth. It takes time to produce fruit in our lives; it takes time to overcome the power of certain sins and its sinfulness in our daily lives; it takes time for us even to see beyond our own blind spots, confess those things as sin, and then walk in obedience. Grace is a patient teacher and constant sanctifier. How easy and simple the Christian life would be, if we could all just "Stop It" whenever we wanted. As if sanctification is a matter of the power of assertiveness of ones will. "Stop It" sanctification is a human invention not a biblical one.

One clear word that was left out of his post was grace. An important word to leave out don't you think? Feature Newhart; leave out grace. How postmodern. Now, I don't know about you, but when I am wrestling with a deep biblical issue in how do combat sin in my life, the first thing I never think of is: "what Bob Newhart video can I turn to to give me the strength and counsel I need to overcome sin?" Do you?

Now, at this point, it would be very appropriate for me to say to that blogger who supports "Stop It" sanctification: just "Stop It" - but that would be interpreted by some as being insensitive, counterproductive, and too dogmatic. So I won't say "Stop It" - think biblically; not culturally.

Pelagistic/Finneyism Isn't Grace Based - It is Performance Based
All kidding aside, it is not through some Pelagian Bob Newhart video telling us to "stop it" that men can resist sin and overcome its lure. I'm not strong enough and neither are you. It is not a matter of personal intestinal fortitude; giving a pep talk to my will; or shouting "just stop it" to someone else or my own inner sinful child. It is by God's grace alone! Did you hear that? It is by God's grace alone.

We have entered into our eternal rest by grace through faith in Christ alone (Eph. 2:8f). But by the same token, we must also never forget it is only by God's grace that we are sanctified (conformed to Christlikeness) each day as well. Beloved, if we have begun in the Spirit we cannot perfect ourselves in the flesh... amen? (cp, Gal. 3:1-3).

Thinking Biblically - Sanctification is of Grace Too
The Christian life is of grace isn't it? We are justified by grace (Roms. 5:1-2); we are being sanctified by grace as our instructor (Titus 2:12); and we will be glorified by grace (Jude 24f). Even our ability to obey is of grace, but as born again believers we are given the power to obey and please the Lord (John 14:15; 2 Peter 1:3-12). Does grace nullify our responsibility to walk faithfully to the Lord? Not at all (consider Roms. 6-7). But when we eliminate grace as the foundation, source, and empowerment for our obedience, then we are in danger of making sanctification a "works righteousness." Strengthened by the grace which is in Christ Jesus so that we will obey His Word and please Him. Show me a Christian who claims to be saved but does not live in obedience to the Word of God without repentance, then I will show you a Christian in name only. We cannot claim to have escaped the flames of perdition and yet live as if we did not know Christ daily.

In our sanctification, we are given grace to have victory over every sin. Grace is our best instructor. Why? Grace never winks at sin (Romans 6:1-2); grace never leads to further ungodliness and worldly desires (Titus 2:12); and grace does not cherish sin (Psalm 66:18; Heb. 11:25f). Grace is our teacher and calls all who know its voice to turn from their sin and to turn to God. That is what repentance is: an abrupt about-face in the face of sin. This takes grace for none of us are strong enough to just say "stop it" and be done with it. That would not be grace; but works righteousness. "Stop It" sanctification exalts man and leaves God out. "Stop It" sanctification makes me the Lord of my own issues and world. "Stop It" sanctification is not even me cooperating with God; it makes out to be god. That would breed something for us to glory in within ourselves which is idolatry (see Roms. 1:18ff). IOW, "Stop It" sanctification is unbiblical, ungodly, and idolatrous.

Evidence That Demands Grace
Metonoia is the Greek term for repentance and it means a complete change of mind; literally all we believe in regards to how we behave. It means to change our thinking about sin and to line up our thoughts with what God has to say about it. And then, empowered by His grace, walk in obedience to His Word. This is a daily struggle for me; is it for you too? We can't negotiate with it; we must submit to God and through submission to His Word, His Spirit, by His grace, and the Lord Jesus Christ live faithfully for Him.

One of the foundational evidences of a truly regenerated man or woman is repentance from sin and their disdain of it. None of us have arrived in our sanctification in this life. As the old country preacher one time said: "we've died once to the penalty of sin; we die daily to the power of sin; and one day, we will be free from the presence of sin."

But we must not be casual about grace. That powerful, truthful word has been exiled and excused from many church pulpits, elder meetings, prayer gatherings, and worship services all under the guise of appealing to the crowds and lifting up self-empowerment, thinking in doing so that God is glorified and Christ is somehow exalted. That is why the seeker-sensitive and emerging/emergent movements can satisfy, but only temporarily - it appeals to man's own abilities and actions to live the Christian life. That is why the emphasis on pragmatics is so prominent. A sandy foundation can support a house for awhile, but when the heavy rains come and the floods enter in the house will topple.

Does this mean that we simply let go and let God? Not at all--I reject that sentimental fatalistic brand of faith. But it is to say that the transforming, sanctifying grace that we need each day to become more like Christ in every area of our lives is not obtained by us doing the work through human initiatives alone apart from God. But it must be lived out daily by us in obedience to His Word in the power of the Holy Spirit. It is by a complete reliance on the Lord for all things but yet we are doing the obedience. IOW, the Lord doesn't live the Christian life for us, but yet we cannot live the Christian life apart from Him. Amen?

Paul communicates this idea to a young, timid Timothy when he writes, "flee youthful lust and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart" (2 Tim. 2:22). Notice these three things to living in victory over sin: flee it--be a fugitive from it; pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace; and do so with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Repentance, righteousness, and right relationships. And lest we forget, how does Paul preface this command to young Tim (fitting name isn't it?): "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus," (2 Tim. 2:1). Timothy could not fulfill his ministry, his calling, or live to the glory of God a part from grace.

But sin is a subtle foe and wants us to be self-dependent rather than completely and wholly trusting and relying on God for all things in our lives.

Sin strikes at God and says,

"I don't care what You said, I'll do what I want." It is God's would be murderer. Sin would un-God God if it could. Sin defiles the conscience. Sin is irrational and forfeits blessing. Sin is painful-it hurts. Sin is damning. Sin is degrading it mares the image of God and man. Like Samson, it cuts the locks of purity and leaves men morally weak. Sin poisons the springs of love and turns beauty in leprosy. Sin defeats the mind, the heart, the will, the affections and it has made a whole world of people-all of mankind- children wrath by nature; objects of God's wrath. Sin brings man under the domination of Satan and his sick sin system, which he controls. Man and the world is a slave to sin, open rebellion and defiance to God and a slave to Satan." (author unknown)

We must be careful even in our worship not be distant from grace:

"To pretend to pay homage to God and intend only the advantage of self is, rather, to mock Him than worship Him. When we believe that we ought to be satisfied than God glorified, we set God below ourselves. Imagine, that He should submit His own honor to our advantage-we make our selves more glorious than God." (Stephen Charnock)

That great puritan preacher Jonathan Edwards brings us to the crossroads when he so powerfully says:

"Sin is naturally exceeding dear to us; to part with it is compared to plucking out our right eyes. Men may refrain from wonted ways of sin for a little while, and may deny their lusts in a partial degree, with less difficulty; but it is heart-rending work, finally to part with all sin, and to give our dearest lusts a bill of divorce, utterly to send them away. But this we must do, if we would follow those that are truly turning to God: yea, we must not only forsake sin, but must, in a sense, forsake all the world, Lk 14:33 'Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.'

Sin's consequence causes:
* the precious Holy Spirit to be grieved (Eph. 4:30);
*our prayers to go unanswered (1 Peter 3:7);
*prohibits our service (1 Cor. 9:27);
*causes our praise to be unacceptable (Psalm 33:1);
*withholds God's blessing from us (Jer. 5:25);
*forfeits our joy (Psalm 32:3-4; 51:12);
*hinders our spiritual growth (1 Cor. 3:1-3);
*causes our fellowship to become polluted (Ibid 10:21; 11:28f);
*our lives to be endangered (1 Cor. 11:30; 1 John 5:16);
*our holy God dishonored (1 Cor. 6:19f).
*sin can cause the whole church to suffer (1 Cor. 12:26);
*provoke discipline (Matt. 18:15-20);
*and may bring the chastening hand of God (Heb. 12:1-12).

Is it any wonder that the great preacher, Thomas Watson, said, "...a sign of sanctification is a hatred of sin... one who not only leaves sin, but loathes it."

Matthew Mead insightfully says, "If sin be as terrible as you say it is why then are our lives not lived more holy; and if sin is not as terrible as you say it is, why then do you preach against it with such fury?"

That is precisely what Solomon wrote in Proverbs 28:13, "He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes [repentance] them will find compassion." IOW, he who covers his sin (deception), God will uncover; but he who uncovers his sin (confession), God will cover. (cp, Psalm 32:1-5).

So how do we live in victory everyday over sin?
By insensitively say to someone, "just stop it you idiot! Don't do it anymore... That's it, counseling session over." Hardly.

The biblical answer? By His grace.

Paul says in Titus 2:12 “ [grace] instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,” Grace not only saves us, but sanctifies us. "We stand in grace..." everyday. But here is our hope: our finite sin can never exhaust His infinite grace. Amen?

It is by a daily dependence on God’s grace that we live in victory as overcomers each day. We must rest fully and assuredly on His sanctifying grace; partial dependency will yield only partial fruit. How is this grace manifested? A few things: we stay in fellowship with other believers; we daily read and study His Word; humble to receive the faithful rebukes of another; and live in obedience to what the Lord commands.

And remember the words of the Apostle John, “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1).

Run to your Advocate for strength in the journey my friend and He will grant you the grace to honor Him in all areas of your life. Cast your cares and burdens upon Him for He cares for you. And remember, Jesus Christ on the cross has already defeated the penalty of sin so that we may live to His glory and by His grace over the power of sin.

From the crucible of grace,
Steve
Roms. 12:1-2

Pride and Humility...the war between vice and virtue

Pride is the most serious of sins in all of Scripture. Pride caused Adam and Eve to disobey God, sin to enter this world, and to cause all mankind to become children of wrath by nature. Pride caused Lucifer to be cast out of heaven because he tried to exalt himself above the throne of the Most High God. Pride drove Nebuchadnezzar to be stripped of his royal position and eat the grass of beasts in insanity for seven years for proclaiming: "this is the Babylon that I have built, by my might, and my power, for my glory." Pride made Herod believe his own press release that he had "not the voice of a man, but the voice of a god." And he fell over, was eaten by worms and died for he failed to give God glory. And my friends, pride will bring us low as well. It will cause us to forget our Lord and dishonor His Word. Pride will find sweet solace in wounding others. Pride will split churches, destroy families, cripple ministry, and forfeit God's blessing. Pride seeks and relishes the demise of others. Pride fans the flame of self-importance and with a malicious spirit rejoices in crushing ones neighbor. Pride puts down another in order to lift self up. Pride seeks only the advantage of self. Pride's first impulse is not to serve, but to be served. And pride cherishes unforgiveness and savors revenge.

Humility, however, is the daily surrender of our will to the submission of God’s will so that we may live pleasingly to Him and in right relationship with others in every circumstance and area of our lives. It is the purposeful yielding of ourselves to the Lordship of Christ. It is unqualified obedience to the truth of God. It is the unremitting state of being humble. Humility is quick to confess sin and seek repentance and restoration. It is being a living sacrifice. It is the broken and contrite heart, the broken spirit in which God is not despised. It is an all-inclusive dependence upon the Lord for all things pertaining to life and godliness. It is the denunciation of self-sufficiency, self-fulfillment, and self-aggrandizement. It is loving the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Humility is counting all things as rubbish except knowing Christ Jesus the Lord. It is denying yourself, taking up your cross and following Christ. It is not loving your life, even unto death. It is embracing the right to be wronged; free from retaliation, revenge and retribution. It is blessing those who curse you, praying for those who mistreat you, doing good to those that hate you. It is loving your enemy. It is to giving up all rights to us so that God may be glorified in all things. It is selflessness. It is treating the eternal as preeminent; and the temporary as modest. It is a high view of God and a low view of ourselves.

I pray the following words will encourage us all to daily guard against the pride of man; and with a whole heart to pursue the humility of Christ.

His Unworthy Servant in His Unfailing Love,
Steve
Jer. 9:23-24


Pride:
"Pride is self contending with God for preeminence."
-CHARLES BRIDGES

"A proud faith is as much a contradiction as a humble devil." -STEPHEN CHARNOCK

"Pride is the shirt of the soul, put on first and put off last." -GEORGE SWINNOCK

Job 35:12 “There they cry out, but He does not answer because of the pride of evil men.

Prov. 8:13 “The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted mouth, I hate.

Prov. 11:2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.

Prov. 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD;

Prov. 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before stumbling.

Prov. 29:23 A man’s pride will bring him low, but a humble spirit will obtain honor.

Dan. 4:37 “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.”

James 4:6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.”

1 Pet. 5:5 You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE.

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.


Humility:
"The meek man will attain a place of soul rest. As he walks on in meekness he will be happy to let God defend him. The old struggle to defend himself is over. He has found the peace which meekness brings." -A.W. TOZER

"Repentance is a grace of God's Spirit whereby a sinner is inwardly humbled and visibly reformed." -THOMAS WATSON

"Humility and love are precisely the graces which the men of the world can understand, if they do not comprehend doctrines. They are the graces about which there is no mystery, and they are within reach of all classes... The poorest Christian can every day find occasion for practicing love and humility." -J. C. RYLE

Prov. 15:33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, and before honor comes humility.

Prov. 16:19 It is better to be humble in spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Prov. 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, but humility goes before honor.

Prov. 22:4 The reward of humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, honor and life.

Is. 66:2 “For My hand made all these things, thus all these things came into being,” declares the LORD. “But to this one I will look, to him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.”

Zeph. 2:3 Seek the LORD, all you humble of the earth who have carried out His ordinances; seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be hidden in the day of the LORD’S anger.

Eph. 4:1-3 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

Phil. 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;

Col. 3:12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

James 1:21 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.

1 Peter 2:23 When He was reviled, He did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but continued trusting Himself to Him who judges justly.

1 Pet. 5:6 ¶ Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time,