Freedom!

For Freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. ~ Galatians 5

The yoke of slavery is The Law. Christians are no longer under that yoke. We have been set free in Christ. All of our sins, past, present, and future, have been forgiven. Do we really believe that?

Many are quick to quote the law to us, when we admit to our falling into sin; they then become an accuser of the brethren, and judaizers. They have just perverted the Gospel.

Receive the forgiveness already paid for you by our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He loves you.

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ ~ Ephesians 1

Living as a Moderate Calvinist

Finding myself in the orthodoxy of moderate Calvinism, I seem to run into predominantly hyper Calvinists online. What I have noticed is that they are so driven by theology and logic, that there is no room for mystery in God. God gives us what we need to know for our salvation. He does not tell us everything about Himself.

Today, it was hinted by two such Hyper Calvinists that I am an Arminian because I believe God has two wills; a secret will and a revealed will. His revealed will is what is revealed through His Word; the secret will is not shown to us. If that is Arminian theology I stand in good company: Jonathan Edwards; John MacArthur; Robert Gonzalez; Iain Murray; Thomas Watson; Andrew Gray; George Whitfield; Charles Spurgeon; and many others.

These hyper Calvinists look up to former saints like Charles Spurgeon, the Prince of Preachers. I wonder if they have read what Mr. Spurgeon spoke from the pulpit on God's two wills? Here is part of Mr. Spurgeon's sermon called "Sovereign Grace and Man's Responsibility" based on Romans 10:20-21:

'I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, all day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.'

"Lost sinners who sit under the sound of the gospel are not lost for the want of the most affectionate invitation. God says he stretches out his hands... What did He wish them to come for? Why, to be saved! 'No,' says one, 'it was for temporal mercies.' Not so, my friend; the verse before is concerning spiritual mercies, and so is this one, for they refer to the same thing. Now, was God sincere in his offer? God forgive the man who dares to say He was not. God is undoubtedly sincere in every act He did. He sent his prophets, He entreated the people of Israel to lay hold on spiritual things, but they would not, and though he stretched out his hands all the day long, yet they were a 'disobedient and gainsaying people' and would not have His love."

He Reigns

When one looks at the news on television, in the newspaper, on various and sundry blogs, there seems to be a lot of reasons for worry. The stock market, Iran, Pakistan, Iraq, Sharia Law gaining more ground, U.S. Presidential elections, and persecution of fellow Christians; all look scary to us. We may lose lots of money, we may be embroiled in more wars, we may find ourselves being dominated by Islam. Are these things worthy of our worry?

As believers we can rest in the peace we have with God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. God is sovereign and He rules providentially. Rest and trust in Him.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. ~ Philippians 4


Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. ~ 1 Peter 5

The LORD has established His throne in the heavens, And His sovereignty rules over all. ~ Psalm 103

The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. ~ Proverbs 21

The DoubleSpeak of Islam

Yesterday I was talking to two Muslims, along with another Christian. Muslims, in their conversations and deeds, most often demand to have the upper hand. If you politely disagree with them, they will do their best to silence you. From the get-go they try to dhimitize all those around them. These Muslims were American, and this is a sample of the discussions that we will encounter in the future in America.

Here is a sampling of the encounter:

Jawami told me, when I asked about a verse from the Quran that says Allah is a deceiver. (But they (the Jews) were deceptive, and Allah was deceptive, for Allah is the best of deceivers (Wamakaroo wamakara Allahu waAllahu khayru al-makireena)! S. 3:54; cf. 8:30), "That's an English translation of the Quran. You cannot use an English translation. You must use the tafsirs."

I replied, "The Arabic is there as well."

Jawami, "Did you not hear what I just said? It's English translation and it is corrupted."

So I enquired further, "Who translates the Quran into English? Are they not scholars?"

"No, anybody can translate the Quran into English. To understand the Quran, you must use the Tafsirs. I think you already knew the answer when you asked."

So I looked up a Tafsir and it concured with the English translation I presented. I pointed that out to Jawami, and he continued to accuse me of not listening. We had to continue to ignore their snide comments in order to continue the conversation.

"Christians always disassociate themselves from the whackos in their own faith. They say 'they aren't real Christians'", asserted Jawami.

I asked, "Does that mean you will not deny your brethen who use children, and mentally handicapped people to blow up non-Muslims?"

*crickets chirped*

"Let me ask again differently, does that mean you will not deny that Muslims that kill others in the name of Allah belong to Islam?"

I was ignored again. Then up piped Patience to change the subject.

Patience began to cite English verses to us about how Allah is merciful.

I kept asking if she was reading the Quran in English, or the Tafsirs? Again no answer.

She continued to cite more verses.

"Is that an English translation of the Quran? I was just told those are corrupted. I'm confused."

Patience began to tell us that Sharia Law was already in the USA. It's embedded in our laws because our laws are based on Islamic laws.

Why I Want a Quran for Christmas

The media and other people say, "Islam is a religion of peace." Is that the truth? The Quran has many verses regarding non-Muslims. Those verses are violent and refer to the taking of life and dismemberment of bodies. Here's a peek to awaken you from your slumber.

The Quran says, "So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful."

Who are the idolaters in that verse? Any non-Muslim. Dear reader, that means you and I. Islam is not a religion of peace and tolerance. Muslims are told to lay in wait, take us captive, and besiege us.

Muhammad says, "When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them."

Jesus says, "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you".

With the arrival of Sharia Law in the United Kingdom, it is time America wakes up to the truth of Islam. If you also want to add a copy of the Quran to your Christmas list, I recommend a copy by Hilali and Shakir Ken.

Persecution and Courage

My online life has allowed me to meet people from all over the world. It is a joy to meet fellow believers who live in many countries. It is also an eye opener to hear the lives they live. Those of us in America have it very, very easy; yet we will not open our mouths to strangers to tell them the gospel. We are fat, dumb, and numb.

I have met one young person who did not meet another Christian for two years in his life. Can you imagine that? The only thing you have for two years as support is your bible. How many Americans would "remain" Christian under those circumstances? I suggest not very many.

Another person goes many sleepless nights trying to keep an online chatroom open to evangelize to others. Snippets of sleep are caught here and there. The evangelist needs another person who will help him with his chatroom responsibilities. The problem with finding help is that we Americans don't know enough about the religion that traps its people in idolatry and hatred. So we cannot help these evangelism efforts.

Organizing a march in New York City in October 2008 is another Christian's passion. He is standing up for his brothers and sisters who remain behind in Egypt. October 6 is a significant date for Egyptians, President Anwar al-Sadat was assassinated on that date in 1981. Today, Egypt continues to lie to the world community about its activities on treating non-Muslims.

http://www.copticnews.ca/9_e_sep2008/408_ashraf_ramlah.html

Beautiful

Men and women quickly think of the physical when "beauty" is mentioned. Each of us have different expectations of what is beautiful. Periods of time have their own definition of beauty. Renaissance paintings are very different from modern paintings. Musical beauty also changes with time. You can see this change when you compare The Beatles to J.S.Bach.

In a conversation with people, there is usually not a person who will offer the wrath of God as beautiful. When one reads the bible, God's wrath is everywhere. Adam and Eve being exiled from the Garden, Noah's flood, Sodom and Gomorrah, Moses and Pharoah.

“Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” ~ 2 Kings 22

The coming day of judgment will be God's wrath fully poured out on the unGodly. God's wrath is inescapable. Where will you be, dear reader, in the coming day of judgment? Have you obeyed the words of this book?

God's holiness requires that He cannot abide with sin. Sin is an eternal offense against an eternal, holy, pure love, perfect, righteous God. God has not spared the angels who fell. All of humanity has failed to keep God's holy laws. All have sinned against an eternal God, so all of us are an offense. That means you, me, Sister Teresa, the Dali Lama, every single person who has ever lived (with one exception), lives now, and will live in the future. Does that cause you to pause? If so, read on.

But God, who is rich in mercy and love, has made a way of salvation. God did not spare His own Son! We are so loved by God, that He provided our escape. Jesus came to earth and lived a sinless, perfect life, and died a horrible death, so that we can be free from sin. On Jesus Christ, God placed the sins of those who believe and trust in Him. Jesus endured the punishment others deserve, so that we can have freedom from God's wrath. Only those who are in Christ, will escape the wrath. Jesus rose victoriously on the third day. He was healed, and only in Him is our healing.

Would you like that freedom? Would you, dear reader, like to escape the wrath to come? You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for your sins, was buried for three days, and that he rose again on the third day. Pray to God for repentance and belief.

God's holiness is beautiful to those who are ransomed from His wrath.