The Ninth Commandment: Part Two

Prepared for Sunday School. May 25, 2008
[Scroll down blog to Wednesday, May 14, for Part One]

The Ninth Commandment is simple: “Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor.”

The HC gives the meaning this way:
Q112: What does the ninth Commandment require?
A112: That I bear false witness against no one,[1] twist no one's words,[2] be no backbiter or slanderer,[3] join in condemning no one unheard and rashly; [4] but that on pain of God's heavy wrath I avoid all lying and deceit [5] as the very works of the devil;[6] and that in matters of judgment and justice and in all other affairs I love, speak honestly and confess the truth; [7] also, insofar as I can, defend and promote my neighbor's good name.[8]

1 and 2: See Lesson for May 11.

3. Be no backbiter or slanderer: "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents," (Ro 1:28-30)

4. Join in condemning no one unheard or rashly: "Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." (Mt 7:1-2) "Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:" (Lu 6:37)

5. but that on pain of God's heavy wrath I avoid all lying and deceit: "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it." (Joh 8:44 av)

6. as the very works of the devil; "Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight." (Pr 12:22) "A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame." (Pr 13:5)

7. and that in matters of judgment and justice and in all other affairs I love, speak honestly and confess the truth; “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;” (1Co 13:6); “Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” (Eph 4:25)

8. also, insofar as I can, defend and promote my neighbor's good name. “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” (1Pe 4:8)

On this last verse Calvin writes:

“And above all things. He commends charity or love as the first thing, for it is the bond of perfection. And he bids it to be fervent, or intense, or vehement, which is the same thing; for whosoever is immoderately fervent in self-love, loves others coldly. And he commends it on account of its fruit, because it buries innumerable sins, than which nothing is more desirable. But the sentence is taken from Solomon, whose words are found in Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred discovers reproaches, but love covers a multitude of sins.” What Solomon meant is sufficiently clear, for the two clauses contain things which are set in contrast the one with the other. As then he says in the first clause that hatred is the cause why men traduce and defame one another, and spread whatever is reproachful and dishonorable; so it follows that a contrary effect is ascribed to love, that is, that men who love one another, kindly and courteously forgive one another; hence it comes that, willingly burying each other’s vices, one seeks to preserve the honor of another. Thus Peter confirms his exhortation, that nothing is more necessary than to cherish mutual love. For who is there that has not many faults? Therefore all stand in need of forgiveness, and there is no one who does not wish to be forgiven. This singular benefit love brings to us when it exists among us, so that innumerable evils are covered in oblivion. On the other hand, where loose reins are given to hatred, men by mutual biting and tearing must necessarily consume one another, as Paul says (Galatians 5:15.)

“And it ought to be noticed that Solomon does not say that only a few sins are covered, but a multitude of sins, according to what Christ declares, when he bids us to forgive our brethren seventy times seven, Matthew 18:22.) But the more sins love covers, the more evident appears its usefulness for the wellbeing of mankind. This is the plain meaning of the words. It hence appears how absurd are the Papists, who seek to elicit from this passage their own satisfactions, as though almsgiving and other duties of charity were a sort of a compensation to God for blotting out their sins. It is enough to point out by the way their gross ignorance, for in a matter so clear it would be superfluous to add many words.” --Calvin on 1Peter 4:8

“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” (Pr 19:11)
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“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” (Joh 7:24)
“Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?” (Joh 7:51)
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” (1Pe 2:21)
“Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” (1Pe 2:23)
“Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Col 4:6)
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (1Pe 3:9)

“8 The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
9 He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.
10 He that winketh with the eye causeth sorrow: but a prating fool shall fall.
11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked. 12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” (Pr 10:8-12)

“13 In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14 Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.” (Pr 10:13-14)

“For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” (Jas 3:2)

“34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. 37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” (Mt 12:34-37)

Please click here for a discussion by Ursinus on the meaning of the 112th Question in the Heidelberg Catechism.

European Court agrees to hear chimp's plea for human rights| News | This is London

Who says religion is not important? Ideas have consequences.

European Court agrees to hear chimp's plea for human rights News This is London

Because the Ninth Commandment seems to be universally ignored in our modern day, especially on the blogosphere, and because this minister is doing a Sunday School study on the Ninth Commandment, it seemed good to put the fruits of that study up on this blog.

We could make a case that the public media is a professional industry directly involved in the systematic and pernicious spreading of slander and defamation. At any rate, here is the first Sunday School Lesson:

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Trinity Covenant Church Pastor C. W. Powell
Prepared for Sunday School. May 11, 2008 The Ninth Commandment: Part One

The Seventh Commandment is simple: “Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Neighbor.”

The HC gives the meaning this way:
Q112: What does the ninth Commandment require?
A112: That I bear false witness against no one,[1] twist no one's words,[2] be no backbiter or slanderer,[3] join in condemning no one unheard and rashly;[4] but that on pain of God's heavy wrath I avoid all lying and deceit [5] as the very works of the devil;[6] and that in matters of judgment and justice and in all other affairs I love, speak honestly and confess the truth;[7] also, insofar as I can, defend and promote my neighbor's good name.[8]

1. Bear False Witness against no one: “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.” (Pr 19:5 av) “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.” (Pr 19:9 av)

2. Twist no one’s words: “LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. 3 He that backbiteth [to go on foot, spy out, foot it, go about, walk along, move the feet]not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.” (Ps 15:1-3)

Notes that I made from Charles Bridges about 15 years ago on this passage:

What is the character of true Christians? Who are the true believers? this question is of the greatest importance. Jesus said that not everyone who says "Lord, Lord," but the one that does the will of the Father. Many deceive others and very man deceive themselves. The Bible takes away all our delusions.

vs. 1. "Holy Hill" means God's temple and kingdom. The true church now, and heaven at last. Only God knows the answer to this question; only God can discern some of the evidence that is given in this Psalm. Two principles are set forth in II Tim. 2:19: God knows those that are his; our duty is to depart from sin.

vs. 2. A tree is known by its fruit. These are the fruit of the regenerate and good man. His nature has been transformed by the Spirit of God. These are not fruits that are tied on to the old stock, but the living produce of a new man in Jesus Christ.

1. He walks uprightly. Not bending from side to side. Neither seeking to please all men; nor seeking to please himself. "Walking is far more important than talking."

2. He works righteousness. His faith is therefore alive, and not dead. He is grateful for what people do for him, including the Lord Jesus; he does not seek to have others in debt to him; but rather sees himself in debt to others. This is the true cure for legalism: a thankful heart.

3. Speaks the truth in his heart. What a contrast with the last Psalm! [The fool hath said in his heart “There is no God.” True men scorn double meanings, evasions, equivocations, lies of all type. He has faced the truth in his heart and does not fear it in the marketplace of ideas.

The man who has enthroned the virgin of truth in his inner man will see through the sham of the world and its hypocrites. Those who despise truth will follow the devil's bait into quagmire and ruin. Truth is not what I perceive to be true, but what God has spoken.

4. He doesn't backbite. Slander is the devil's best and first work. He slandered God in the Garden of Eden, and slanders God's people in every age. Often the minister most evilly spoken of in a community is the best man there. Backbiting is the cowardly way of "standing for righteousness." The coward nips at the heels of those whom he fears to confront.

5. He doesn't do evil to his neighbor. What are the Ten Commandments but an expression of true love? They sweep away the sham counterfeit of love which pretends love while doing all sorts of wrong. We will not injure the name, person, nor estate of those whom we truly love.

6. He doesn't take up a reproach: The receiver of stolen goods is equally guilty as the thief. Good venders will seek to know the source of good offered to them in sale. A good man does not trade in the good name of those whom he loves. The person who buys is necessary for the sale and is part of the transaction. Drug dealing would cease if either party is eliminated. So it is with the trade in slander. An angry look driveth away a backbiting tongue. The slanderer’s tongue is set on fire of hell; we ought to cry "Fire! fire!" and chase them from us. [Bridges]

7. If you love the church, you will hate backbiting, for there is nothing more deadly for the church. False doctrine and heresy is slander and untruth about God. Slander against the people of God is slander against the image of God. Slander against the minister and the officers of the church is especially pernicious. The only resources that the minister and elders have to enable them to do the work of the church effectively is their good name. If slander and bitterness rob them of that the whole church will suffer, sometimes for years to come.

More of this next week.

Edwin Arthur Powell

In Memoriam

A blessed Mother's Day tribute to my beloved son and daughter, Joshua and Minami, far from us in Japan, in memory of Edwin Arthur Powell, whom God in His Sovereign Wisdom and Mercy took to Himself.


As I wrote at the time, my faith teaches me that the souls of babies who die in infancy, are with the Lord Jesus who said, "Suffer the little ones to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven."


I know that someday I will see and know this precious little one, whom God in His unquestioned wisdom and grace, took from us before we knew him. He was taken away in weakness and frailty, but we will know him in strength and glory.


A number of years ago I planted a small bunch of violets just off our front porch. Since then, every year, they have reseeded themselves and seem to come up in random places, as God wills. The picture at the top of this post is published in memory of Edwin.


I do not know if they observe Mother's Day in Japan, but Sunday is Mother's Day in America, and this flower is for Minami, who is loved dearly by Grandma Penny and Grandpa Bud.

We will never forget.

Do not think that the world does not have its doctrines of justification, but not by faith in the blood of Christ. It is justification by whim and political advantage.

During the 90's liberals justified the lying and the repeated fornication and sexual assaults of Bill Clinton and attacted viciously those who deemed them immoral and a disqualification for office.

Now these same people are justifying the bitter hatred and racism of the pseudo-minisster Jefferson Wright whose church Obama joined in ordr to gain politcial advantage.

Of course liberals have morals only when it suits their politics and then only those morals that suit their purpose. They can change them like actors changing costumes in 15-second blackouts..

"In the LORD put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? 2 For, lo, the wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart. 3 If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? 4 ¶ The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD’S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men." (Ps 11:1-4)

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The man who trusts the Lord might rightfully say, "Why do you call me to flee like bird."

You say, "But the wicked are bending their bow; their arrows are poised to fly at you; they will suddenly destroy you."

"Ah, that is true," says the righteous, "and if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do against evil men? But God is in his holy temple, His throne is in heaven, He is aware of the devices and plans of men--He even sees the archer who secretly aims at the righteous." Exactly

The foundations of the work of God in the world are not Hillary, Barack, or John. Thank God for that. If you are distressed over the prospects of this next election, then you have not properly considered what the promises of God are, and you maybe look to too much from government.

God is on His throne in heaven and He rules all things and brings everything into judgment. What happens in the world should not affect our peace and tranquility, for God is judge of all the earth.

"I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace." (Ps 37:35-37)

"Yet he passed away." Where is Hitler? Where is Mussolini? Where is FDR? Where is Mao? Where is Napoleon? All of them are gone. The godly of years past have gone on to glory; the wicked have been turned into hell. The world continues along in the path ordained for it.

"Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass;" (Isa 51:11-12 AV)

Why should a man, or a woman, who are going to die, bring distress to the inheritors of eternal life? Amen and Amen.

The Scourge of a Lying Tongue

20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.
21 As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.
22 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
23 Burning lips and a wicked heart are like a potsherd covered with silver dross.
24 He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;
25 When he speaketh fair, believe him not: for there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be showed before the whole congregation.
27 Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.
28 A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin. (Pr 26:20-28)

The Apostle James declared that the tongue is set on fire of hell. Solomon said that contentious men are wood and coal to kindle and keep the fire going. The slanderer is not to be believed because he has many abominations in his heart and covers up his wickedness.

James also puts it this way: "Where there is envy and strife, there is confusion and every evil work." The phony words cover up iniquity, and in time the rottenness will be revealed.

Faithful ministers are the especial butt of railings and bitter words, because the preaching of the word stirs up the flesh. In order to hide his sin the contentious man adds sin to sin. "He hath a devil," they said of the Lord Jesus. "Who do you think you are?" they added. "He said he would build the temple in three days," others said. "We be not born of fornication," still others said, meaning that Mary had conceived the Lord out of wedlock. The angrier they got, the more vicious their words were, for anger and hatred burned within them, "He casts out devils by the prince of devils."

God, however, has a very special care for his faithful ministers. "He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment." (Pr 12:17-19)

The lying tongue may gain a temporary goal, but the lying tongue cannot change the fabric of the universe, which is the creation of God. Truth arises from the grave that the contentious person prepares for it; it rises up and says, "You are a liar."

1Ch 16:22 Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

Ps 105:15 Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.

EU defends biofuel goals amid food crises - Yahoo! News

EU defends biofuel goals amid food crises - Yahoo! News: "The EU Commission on Monday rejected claims that producing biofuels is a 'crime against humanity' that threatens food supplies, and vowed to stick to its goals as part of a climate change package."
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"How Sweet It Is," to quote Jackie Gleason. People shouldn't fool with Mother Nature, especially when they are playing God.

The First Draft of History Looks a Bit Rough on Bush - US News and World Report

The First Draft of History Looks a Bit Rough on Bush - US News and World Report: "President Bush often argues that history will vindicate him. So he can't be pleased with an informal survey of 109 professional historians conducted by the History News Network. It found that 98 percent of them believe that Bush's presidency has been a failure, while only about 2 percent see it as a success. Not only that, more than 61 percent of the historians say the current presidency is the worst in American history."
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Yes, but current historians are like new magazines such as the US News and World Report. They do not write history, they write propaganda, because they are products of their age, just like reporters, subject to the same prejudices.

Any act cannot be judged except by future events and no one knows now what those events will be.

So the story is asinine. No body knows it better than the historians, but modern history, just like modern journalism has become organized and profitable transgression of the Ninth Commandment.

Contemporary history thought that Harry Truman was a terrible president, but subsequent events proved him right about the cold war and communist agression.

Gram

My grandmother was known as Gram, and she died in Oregon when I was about six years old. She had lived in the hills of Kentucky, married to a petty county official, part-time preacher, bootlegger, and general scoundrel. She had several grown daughters and five children at home, my mother then being the youngest at 3 years old. One day Granddad packed up every thing in a wagon, hitched the horse to it, called the kids and Gram and drove away, never looking back. Gram never saw her daughters or her grandkids again. One thing Granddad knew about the Bible was that women were to be in subjection, and Gram knew that, too. She kept the five kids with her and Grandpa and rode the wagon clear to Oregon. They stopped for a year in Missouri, where my youngest uncle was born.

Granddad always had money in his pocket but spent nothing on the family. Everyone had to shift for himself; Gram had to make do the best she could to feed the family. It took them about three years to come into northern Oregon and make their way south to Medford. It was there that Gram found out that in the case of a divorce, the Oregon courts often awarded the kids to the mother. This would never happen in Kentucky in those days for the father always had custody.

Gram decided to stay put. She squatted in an empty house with her six kids, took in washing, went to the Methodist church, and reared the lot of them, all through the great depression. The boys generally married good wives and the grandchildren went to church and confessed Christ.

Gram never saw most of them. Granddad went on South to Yuba City and died there, never seeing his family again or sending a dime of support. Most of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren confess Christ and live Christian productive lives today. The sins of the father were not visited upon them; the Lord worked in their lives; and they were added to the church.

They are the offspring of a woman who had a few years of grammar school education, who worked from sunup to sundown, walking miles to the homes of the rich to do their washing, read her Bible every day, made quilts, went to church every Sunday. Among her children no one could lay a finger on her and they spoke reverently of her until the day she died in my mother’s arms. She would not have been comfortable in any of our modern churches, but she knew the grace of God, loved her Bible, and believed in Jesus Christ. She never went to a spa, never visited a hairdresser, never knew anything but toil and faith. But she had iron in her veins.

I have only a very dim memory of her, and I am not sure the one I see in my mind is that of the small picture that my Mother always had in a place of prominence in our home. I am not proud of my grandfather, but I am immensely proud of that heroic Kentucky woman.

Wonderful quote, worthy of one named after the great reformer!

If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.- Martin Luther King, Jr.
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It is too bad that so many of our black brothers today have listened to other voices and would say, "Who wants to be like one o' them white folks?" But they should pause a moment and listen to their best friends like Bill Cosby.

It's an Unmitigated Disaster!!

Lloyd's warns of a lack of natural disasters Business The Guardian: "Lloyd's of London warned yesterday that an absence last year of natural disasters or man-made accidents was putting pressure on firms to reduce premiums in 2008.
The world's oldest and biggest insurance market said that though the lack of major disasters had allowed firms to push up profits 5% in 2007, underwriting margins were being squeezed."
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What are we going to do without more disasters? Liberalism will have nothing to scare people about in order to increase the power and size of government. Algore will have to give up the billions he stood to make in selling indulgences for those who use too much carbon. Conspiritorialists will have to find other things to blame on their favorite enemies. What will Bush-haters do with no disasters to blame on him.

Worst of all, the dispensationalist will have to change his predictions about the immanent return of Christ; for if there are no earthquakes, hurricanes or other natural disasters, how will he be able to read the signs of the times. Its a disaster!

We need to pray [to whatever god you pray to] that we will see an immediate increase in disasters so that these careers can be saved, and by saving these careers we can revive the world's economy. Without disasters who is there to save?

The Heidelberg Catechism, Question 105 asks, "What does God require in the sixth Commandment?"

The answer in part is: "That I do not revile, hate, insult or kill my neighbor either in thought, word, or gesture, much less in deed...."

The law is spiritual, the Apostle Paul said, which means that sins against the commandments originate in the spirit or in the heart of men. The ill will of the heart manifests itself in many ways, in thought, word, or deed. The outward manifestation of hatred, or inward murder, is described in four words:

Revile: Webster says this means "spread negative information about." It means to speak evil of a person, whether the information is true or false. When he was on the cross, the enemies of the Lord Jesus [Matt. 27:39] "reviled him" saying, "Thou who destroyest the temple and buildest it again in three days, save thyself." Paul said in 1Cor. 4:12 that it is the lot of the ministers to be reviled, but they must not revile again, for this is the example that the Lord Jesus set for us.

Hate: "33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses." (Mt 18:33-35 AV) These are the words of Christ, and need no explanation.

Also: 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5

Insult: Webster says that this means a "deliberately offensive act or word." The Bible forbids me to deliberately give offense to my neighbor. We are not to tempt others into sin, by hooking their anger, or triggering their sinfulness, for this is not love. We are to be gentle unto all men and patient.

Kill: This is obvious. We are not to shed the blood of our neighbor.

Reviling and insult are prime ingredients of contentiousness in a church. Because of the destructiveness of contentiousnes it is especially marked out for discipline in the constitution of the Reformed Church in the U.S. Webster defines contentiousness as "a disposition to fight." The Greek word implies quarrels among friends.

Royal college warns abortions can lead to mental illness - Times Online

Question: Does the abortion make them crazy, or does their insanity make them have abortions?

To willingly kill her baby, a mother would have to be centered on her own pleasure, convenience, wealth, or some other selfish end--in other words, mentally ill. Of course she's nuts. And so is the father, grandparents, ministers, and the rest of the citizens who approve.

For a mother to rip her unborn from her body to be disposed of as so much garbage is unnatural and a war against herself. Natural affections, as Paul puts it in 2Timothy 3, are repressed and ridiculed. Such women are "silly women" who are laden with lusts [2Tim. 3:6], led astray by corrupt and evil men. Such sins can be forgiven through the blood of Christ, but not unless they are acknowledged to be sins and abhored.

Abortion is another legacy of the wickedness of the 1960's and its aftermath. Why does it take so long for the era to be recognized as an era of madness: rebellion against mother and father, against church and authority, against nature and decency, against truth and order?

"Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD." (Jer 6:15 av)

"Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities." (Jude 1:8 av)

"But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities." (2Pe 2:10 av)

We received the sad news this week that our son Josh and his wife Manami, who live in Japan, have lost their baby, Edwin Arthur Powell, who would have been born in the next few days. He was pronounced dead in the womb, because the cord had become kinked and he had no oxygen or nourishment. It is devastating to all our family. It is the first death in our immediate family--all our other 17 grandchildren were born healthy and strong.

It is a great comfort at this time to know that babies are in the hands of the Lord. I do not think that anything happens by chance, especially the death of these little ones, and I am certain that the death of a baby is a certain mark of the election of God and that all of these little ones are secure in the presence of God forever, especially those born of the covenant community, but I am persuaded also that all babies are.

Josh was baptized as a baby and committed to Christ at that time. We do pray daily that Josh will confess his faith in Christ--he is a wonderful and loving son--he only lacks the gift of faith that comes from Christ alone. But just as Levi was in the loins of Abraham when he paid tithes to Melchizadec, so was Edwin in the loins of Joshua when he was baptized. If Abraham's faith was sufficient to include his seed within the covenant of Israel, then it is also true of the covenant of Christ. Only ultimate unbelief is a sign of reprobation and babies cannot produce that sign. This grandfather could not be persuaded that Edwin is not with the Lord.

"Suffer the little ones to come unto me," are the words of our Lord Jesus. "Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." (Mt 18:10-11 av)

For an extraordinary example of a Religion of Peace and Brotherhood, click on the picture above.

Why can't we all just get along?

We must trust this stuff?

[I wrote this more than ten years ago. Do we add Al Gore to this list? I think so.]

First it was Freud reversing himself on hysteria in order to protect a child-molesting colleague. Then in the Margaret Mead, cooking the books on her research in Samoa, to make the data fit her pre-conceived ideas. Then it was evolutionists rewriting history to pretend that Christians believed in a "flat earth," and other absurdities. What scientific giant would fall next?

Enter Alfred Kinsey, whose 1948 book Sexual Behavior in the Humand Male and his 1953 sequel Sexual Behavior in the Human Female gave scientific justification for the sexual revolution of the sixties and seventies. Rachel Waldavsky (Reader's Digest, April 1997) reports that Kinsey collected child pornography, photos and film of children engaged in sexual acts from adults who had had sex with them. "It is not so difficult," Kinsey wrote in his second report, "to explain why a human animal does a particular thing sexually. It is more difficult to explain why each and every individual is not involved in every type of sexual activity."

Kinsey's conclusions were based on samples "grossly unrepresentative" of the general population. Those who volunteer for such projects are two to four times more active sexually than non volunteers, and Kinsey's samples also included prison inmates, 1400 convicted sex offenders. This is science? Is it science to go looking for what you want to find?

In spite of the fraud and corruption in the scientific community--a national scandal reported by Time magazine (August 26, 1991), huge numbers of Americans would rather trust their souls to the findings of science, swallowing the "research" blindly, rather than the old, old story of Jesus Christ, which does not change with the tides of human philosophy or adapt itself in order to obtain government grants.

May, 1997

The Real Bigotry

A couple of years ago I was called to jury duty. I didn't expect to be called, because I had heard that ministers and especially seminary professors would not be chosen. But I was.

But the case and the jury is not the story. After we were chosen and given our instructions, we walked outside, I with a tall, middle aged, urbane and soft-spoken man. We exchanged few pleasantries and he asked me what I did. [A very Western Civiilization question, for we define ourselves by what we do].

I told him that I taught systematic theology at New Geneva Seminary. My next remark would have been been a question about what he did, but I never had the opportunity.

He launched into a bitter, albeit soft-spoken and urbane, tirade against the Bible and Christianity. It did not seem to matter whether or not I believed the things that he attributed to Christianity, because he never attempted to find out what I thought. He without even a ripple in his thought KNEW what I thought and what kind of person I was and what kind of relatives I had and, I suppose, knew what I had had for breakfast. I just looked at him, turned my back and walked away. We had no opportunity to speak again.

He was elected foreman of the jury, and I flatter myself that several times during the deliberations I saved his sorry hide, by helping define the issues, the law, and the facts. The jury could have been deeply divided, but I think I served justice well by what I said, although I did not speak much. He warmed some to me as the proceedings advanced.

His attitude toward Christianity would have been stereotypical of the white male's attitude toward "those people" who had black skin in the thirties and forties of the 20th century.

He was well-educated, well-spoken --did I say that? I hope I get an opportunity to speak to him again someday, but it is doubtful, I suppose. I hope I was a good witness for Christ. I do not feel guilty about turning and walking away at the end of his tirade, for the scripture says to answer a fool according to his folly. It was not the time or place to engage in religious polemics; he would have known that if he were not a fool.

I also feel good about my performance on the jury, for I think I was a good witness for Christ, although I did not quote the Bible or behave in a sanctimonious manner. Others did, for there were some simple Christians on the jury and that is the kind of Christianity they knew. I wanted him to know that even if he was a jerk, I was certainly not one and could behave with discretion and do the job we were called to do. I have a warm feeling that my remarks at a critical time in our discussions were what defined the issues, threw light on the law in terms of the judges instructions, and united us in a fair and just decision. It was an answer to my prayer that I would be a good witness for Christ.

He was the modern bigot. Is his disease curable? Yes, but only by the Christ that he despised.

The Pattern from Eternity

"4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will," (Eph 1:4-5 AV)

"28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 ¶ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Ro 8:28-29 AV)

Man, emphatically, is not the captain of his soul, nor master of his fate.

He would like to think so, but the reality testifies against him as does the Scriptures. For the children of God their pattern is from eternity, written in the eternal decree of God, sent into the world in the Person of the Son of God, and worked in them by the Holy Spirit.

It is not for you or for me to decide this for ourselves, to determine [!] what sort of person we are going to be, for it is God that works us "both to will and to do of His good pleasure." Even the good works that we are called to do are not to be defined by ourselves but have been "forordained that we should walk in them."

This is not to mean that we are not called to make the choice or that preachers are not called to exhort us to do good works. On the contrary we are called to "put on Christ," " put off the old man" and "put on the new man." The will of man is real and he is responsible for his choices. But what is he to put on? whatever suit of clothes he fancies he would look good for himself or for his neighbors? No. He is to put on Christ, the model from eternity.

People choose according to their fancies and corrupt hearts, but the sheep of the Lord know his voice and they follow Him. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism.

Good and Profitable


"This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men." (Tit 3:8 AV)

It is a good and faithful minister that constantly reminds his congregation to maintain good works.

When this is done and the appeal is to thankfulness and the love of God, the minister is not preaching works righteousness. Instead, he is being obedient to his call.

This is so transparently good, that only a certain defensive blindness could miss it. It is good for a congregation to have love for each other. It is good for them to protect the reputation, the property, the life, and the joy of other members of the congregation. Just as a person must drive on the right side of the road in America in order to show his love for his neighbor and not imperil life, property, and happiness, so a Christian must maintain good works if he is to be a blessing to his brothers and sisters in the church.

Often churches and communities are dominated by bullies that do not maintain good works. They lord it over others in the congregation by the force of their personality and sometimes by a pretended piety. They intimidate others and impose their will on their churches and their families and friends by bullying tactics--by fear, guilt, and such. They use many different tactics for the rebellious heart is very fertile in such things. Even children are very innovative when they seek methods to circumvent the will of their parents.

The constitutions of the church are designed to protect in biblical ways the rights of all; not only the rights of the members of the church, but the rights of its officers and leaders. If every member of the church is allowed to carry on guerella warfare against the officers of the church, the duty of the officers to obey the scripture quoted above is impaired or obliterated. This is so transparently true that the only reason someone would dissent would be in order to overthrow legitimate government and impose their will on others, contrary to the covenant of the church. In such cases the whole church will suffer.

The Light Is Often Painful

"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (Joh 3:20)

I am exactly like everyone else, so I
know what I am talking about in this
post. We poor sinners do not like to
have the light of the Scriptures turned,
into our souls.

Some of the Scriptures are o.k., for we pick and choose from them to fashion a suit of clothes that makes us look pretty snappy. In this we are like Huckleberry Finn. He decided that he would give up watermelon and persimmons for Lent because "watermelons were out of season and persimmons ain't never any good."

In other matters we don't mind being rascals, but we hope no-one finds out, and if they do, we hope they won't tell anyone.

But God doesn't play our game. He looks on the heart and not on the outward appearance. His word is a blinding light to those who chaff against it for "it is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." (Heb 4:12)

In the last day, we will not be judged by what others think of us, or by the reputation that we have carefully cultivated, or even by our own opinion of ourselves. Jesus said it plainly, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." (Joh 12:48) There should be no surprises at the day of judgment, for the words of Christ have been before the world since the beginning, for He is the one that not only spoke through the prophets but came to speak to us plainly. We didn't like it, but crucified the Lord of Glory, to our shame.

Neither will we be excused because we have had our feelings hurt and excuse ourselves. The light hurts; the truth is painful; the salt that cleanses the wound stings.

But it is better to face the truth now, than to face the fire of God's indignation in the last day. As the apostle put it, "If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged." (1Co 11:31 av)

By What Spirit?

"And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us." 1John 3:24

The picture was taken east of Aspen, CO, early fall, 2007

Jesus promised to baptize those who believe on Him with the Holy Spirit. "I will send you another Comforter..." He said. What are the attributes of this Holy Spirit? Besides all the attributes that apply to the Godhead, Scripture assigns these to Him:

The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of adoption. He assures us that we are the children of God: reject any word that would cast doubt upon this.

He is the Spirit of holiness: We are sanctified by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all: it is the Spirit that separates us unto God and unto holiness of life.

He is the Spirit of power, of love, and of a sound mind. The Holy Spirit works effectively in us to love God and our neighbor and to think clearly in terms of God’s revelation.

He is the Spirit of Christ and the Father: The work of the Trinity is One and never in contradiction to the work of the Father and the Son. He calls those predestined by the Father and redeemed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is the Spirit who inspired the prophets and gave us the Holy Scriptures. Holy men of old spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. It is impossible that the Holy Spirit’s work in the believer would be in conflict with the Scriptures. He is the Spirit of power, love, and soundness of mind. He brings order into our lives, families, and churches just as He did in Creation, moving upon the faces of the waters.

He is the same Spirit who works in all the people of God. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism. He is not the spirit that works in the disobedient, the rebellious, the disorderly, and the ignorant. His works are longsuffering, temperance, patience, mercy, grace, and peace. The Lord’s people hear in the Spirit the voice of the Good Shepherd and will not follow another voice.

What Spirit moves you?

Grace and Peace to the Faithful Saints

Paul's greetings to the church at Ephesus is typical: "to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ."

The first two words describe the people of God: saints and faithful. They are saints because they are sanctified by the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost which is given to them who belong to Christ. They are believers because the Holy Spirit works faith in them and hope which is the adjunct of faith. By hope they trust in the promises of God, which they esteem more precious than any thing in the world.

The last two words describe the most precious gifts that God gives to his faithful saints: grace and peace. Grace means that they live in a state of blessedness by the free gift of God; their sins are forgiven them, they are adopted children of God and inherit freely all the gifts of the Holy Spirit which are showered upon them, described in Galatians 5.

By peace is meant the assurance of all the blessings of God by the free gift of God through Jesus Christ, so that the soul rests, ceasing from its agitation about the favor of God, for this is assured to Him by grace. "Being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." God would have his people live with a settled peace in their souls. The peace of God is to keep our hearts and minds.

So peace also means confidence that God will supply all our needs, so that we need not be agitated over what we shall eat, what we shall drink, or wherewithal we shall be clothed, as Jesus said. Our heavenly father knows what we need before we ask and will supply all our needs, according to our riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Peace means that we are not so attached to the things of the world that our souls become disquieted because of them; we learn in what ever state we are to be content.

Because the soul is at peace with God and because it does not fret over earthly things, the faithful saint is able to live at peace in the church with the people of God. He trusts in His father and does not fear what men can do to him nor does he presume to control the behavior of others, the two major causes of strife in the world. He faithfully does the work that God has given him to do and does not meddle in the affairs of others. Pr 20:3 "It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling." The fool meddles because wisdom is not in his heart and mind.

Grace and peace go together, just as holiness and faith go together. Holiness and faith are characteristics of the likeness of Christ, and grace and peace are the precious gifts of God.

Ye Shall Be as Gods!

It is the oldest of all the temptations, even older than the oldest profession! It had nothing to do with sex, even though the woman was deceived in the temptation. It had to do with whether or not man would define right and wrong independently from the word of God.

The test was a simple one. God told Adam and Eve not to eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. That's what the test was about: what is good and what is evil? God did not leave it to Adam and Eve to decide: they could eat every tree of the garden except that one.

It was not that the Tree was evil in itself, nor was it evil because Adam esteemed it to be evil: no, the evil of eating the tree was evil because God said it was evil: the measure was not in Adam himself or in the tree: the measure was in the wisdom and mind of God, revealed to Adam in words.

The minister of the Gospel is obligated to "reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine." He is obliged to do as Paul told Titus: Tit 3:8 "This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men."

This did not mean that Titus was to constantly affirm that believers follow their own hearts or decide for themselves what the grace of God tells them to do, for this was simply a return to the first temptation. Adam was not to decide for himself what his relationship with the Tree was. That relationship was defined by God, and God didn't give a flip whether or not Adam had his feelings hurt or not. The church or the world is not to be governed by whether or not so and so has his feelings hurt.

A lot of people had their feelings hurt when Sodom was overthrown and when the earth opened up and swallowed Korah and Abiram. I don't suppose that Ananias and Sapphira had good feeling when they lied to the Holy Ghost and died before Peter and the church at Jerusalem. Truth is not decided by appeal to feelings.

Titus was not to exhort unbelievers to "be careful to maintain good works," for that would have been useless, but to exhort believers, which is good and profitable. This is not contrary to grace, but necessary as the Lord's commands: we should not try to be smarter than God, setting aside what He commands because of our rebellious spirits. Grace does not turn us loose as wild beasts in the Lord's vineyard.

The good works which are commanded are not to be defined by ourselves any more than Adam's were. No, the Bible speaks of them in this way:

1. They are of faith, for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. They must come from a thankful heart that knows that all its sins are forgiven by the blood of Christ.

2. They are for the glory of God, for all other works are a perversion of the image of God, who resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

3. They are according to the commands of God, for sin is transgression of the law of God.

Every faithful minister must do these things and must be highly esteemed if he does them, as the Bible says. He is ordained and given authority to do this by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, if his ordaination is biblical. If it is not biblical, then he should be quiet and live at peace.

There Is Always Something Else!

When people are acting crazy, there is always something underneath that others don't know about.

Little Johnny went to school one fine spring morning and captured a wasp, which he carefully put in a little metal box he had in his back pocket. He forgot about the bee.

But after a few minutes in class, the top worked off the box, and the wasp began to work on Johnny. He begin to squirm. This was in the days when students were expected to sit still and be quiet and listen to the teacher, so the teacher said, "Johnny, be still."

"Yes, Ma'am," said Johnny. But a few minutes later the bee popped him again and he jumped.

"Be still, Johnny," said his teacher. "Yes, Ma'am" said Johnny.

A few minutes later, the bee hit him again and this time he yelped and jumped from his seat.

"Johnny! Didn't I tell you to sit still?" said the teacher again.

"Yes, Ma'am," said Johnny, "but there's something going on back here that you don't know nuthin' about."

When people are unreasonable and get up in the air over nothing, you can be assured that they are being worked on by their own private bee. There is something going on that you don't know about, but sooner or later it will come out so everyone will know about it.

There was indignation among the disciples when a woman anointed Christ with precious ointment. The instigator of the strife was Judas, the traitor of our Lord, who pretended to be very concerned about the poor, and objected to the waste of the ointment that was used to anoint Christ. He didn't give a flip about the poor or about Jesus, he was just a thief and wanted the money in the common bag so he could steal from it. [John 12]

Pious protestations and agitations of spirit very often cover a great deal of wicked thought.

James put it this way, "Where there is envy and strife, there is confusion and every evil work." [James 3:16]

Don't Take It Out on Me!

Jas 4:1-2 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

James nails it: the reason we fight and war with each other in the church is because we are expecting to get from people what only God can give us. "We have not because we ask not."

Others simply cannot deliver what is essential to my soul. The reason there is external war is because there is internal war. Disgruntled and unhappy people war with others because of the misery that is in their own souls.

When I was a kid, from time to time you would hear somebody say, "Well, don’t take it out on me!" because even kids are smarter than we often think. Every one knew that when you didn’t get your own way you had a tendency to strike out at someone. "Kicking the dog" is the name of the behavior. We knew that bullies essentially were very unhappy people.

When there are fightings and wars within the soul, the result will be fightings and wars with other people--either that or a form of suicide, depending upon the person. Some people, frustrated in their own lives, react against other people and pick fights with those around them. Others, of a different temperament, will turn against themselves and drink themselves to death, use drugs, eat too much, or fall into other forms of self-destructive behavior. In extreme forms the aggression results in murder in the former case, and suicide in the latter case.

In either case, the solution is found in the gracious words to Cain, when his sacrifice was not accepted of God: "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him."

The solution to unsatisfied desires is neither murder nor suicide. Our business is always with God, not with men. "When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Pr 16:7)

Pr 22:24 Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
Pr 29:22 An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.

Let them kick their own dog. It is best to leave them alone.

The Risings of the Spirit

"12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves." (1Th 5:12-13 av)

Just as insurrection against the legitmate authorities in the civil realm, insurrection against the officers of the church is contrary to the Christian faith and can be justified only on a very narrow basis.

The work of the church authorities is described in three verbs: "labor among you," "are over you in the Lord," and "admonish you."

It is the express command of the Lord that His people live under the authority of the officers that He has appointed. They are to "labor" in the work of the Gospel and their role is clearly defined: "reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and doctrine." It has been the experience of this poor minister over some 50 years of ministry that those who so harden their hearts against this work of Christ will not end well.

It is not the nature of the flesh to endure reproofs, rebukes, exhortations no matter how longsuffering the minister is or how sound his doctrine, so the apostle begs the people of God to "know" their ministers and esteem them highly in love because of their work. It is a thankless job, but the work of the ministry is performed for the good of the church.

"Be at peace among yourselves" is a direct command and not a "beseeching." "Peace" and "rest" are mentioned directly at least 150 times in the New Testament, and "war" and "fight" and such words are used less than one fifth as much.

In addition there is the command that we "study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you." (1Th 4:11) The word quiet literally means to be silent, to stay at home and mind your own business, to be at rest.

This is the reason that the constitution of the Reformed Church expressly requires that contentiousness be dealt with by discipline, for there is no greater work of the devil than a refusal to live at peace and a refusal to be reconciled to the people of the God. In fact, Jesus said that we "Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift." (Mt 5:24 av)

Solomon understood this well: Pr 25:28 "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." Self control means to control the risings of the spirit--the anger, distress, hurt, strife, pride, and such--that destroy the peace and tranquility of the church and allow it to be raided by all sorts of bad things. It is the duty of the officers of the church to see that this does not happen, to see that the walls are intact and in good repair.

"For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." (Jas 3:16 av)

Jesus is the Son of God

Thomas, one of the Twelve, would not believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. He said, "I will not believe unless I put my fingers into the wounds in His hands and thrust my hand into the wound in His side."

Shortly after, Jesus appeared to his disciples and asked Thomas to do just that and said, "Be not faithless but believing." Thomas refused of course but worshipped Jesus saying, "My Lord and my God."

It is what Jesus replied to Thomas that is most significant, as wonderful as Thomas' confession is.

Jesus said, "Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed."

First of all, Jesus did not rebuke Thomas for calling him "God" as every good created being in the Bible did when men tried to give them divine honors. Jesus did just the opposite and blessed Thomas for his confession. Furthermore, Jesus said Thomas' blessing is ours also, for we have also believed, even though, unlike Thomas, we have not seen."

We do not see the miracle, but our faith is as good as Thomas' for we have believed those who spoke the Word of God to us.

C. W. Powell

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Kerry blasts Bill Clinton for ‘abusing truth’ « - Blogs from CNN.com

CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive - Kerry blasts Bill Clinton for ‘abusing truth’ « - Blogs from CNN.com: "WASHINGTON (CNN) — John Kerry, the Democratic Party's 2004 nominee for president, took aim at Bill Clinton Friday, telling the National Journal the former president does 'not have a license to abuse the truth.'"
===========

Sez who? Who revoked his license? He lied his way through eight years of the Presidency and who knows how many years in Arkansas. Who has his license? John K, where were you during those eight years when he was lying about women, republicans, conservatives, etc.? Did you give him a license when it benefitted you and your shady friends?

I'm not going to write about politics anymore. I feel slimy.

The Word Trumps the Sign and Wonder

Piggy-backing on my last post about a strange potato:

"If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; 3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him." (De 13:1-4 av)

The Word of God is enough for the Lord's Sheep. If the "sign" affirms the word, it is not needed. If the sign contradicts the word, it is dangerous. Don't go whoring after signs and wonders.

FOXNews.com - Florida Pastor Finds Jesus Image in Split Potato - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

FOXNews.com - Florida Pastor Finds Jesus Image in Split Potato - Local News News Articles National News US News: "Said Brewster: 'I just want people to know God is still as real today as he was back then and he can show up anytime he gets ready.'"
---------

Jesus said that it is a wicked and adulterous nation that seeks after a sign. [Matt. 16:4]

Why? because the Lord's sheep hear and follow His words, not signs and wonders: "26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:" (Joh 10:26-27 av)

In Jesus' story of the rich man in hell, the rich man moaned that Lazarus should be sent back to warn his brothers [implying that he had not had sufficient warning of the reality of hellfire]. Abraham said, "They have Moses and the prophets." "Nay, but they will believe if someone rose from the dead," the rich man protested. "If they do not believe Moses and the propehts, neither will they believe if someone rose from the dead," Abraham said. [Luke 16:22ff]

Faith does not come from signs and wonders, but from hearing the word of God. Anyone who is not convinced by the Scriptures inadvertently reveals that he is not the Lord's, but is still wallowing in wickedness and idolatry. He must be born again, as Peter tells us:

"22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." (1Pe 1:22-23 av)

If the Bible doesn't convince people that "God is still as real today as he was back then and he can show up anytime he gets ready" do you really think they will believe a potato? "Pastor" Brewster needs to get married if she isn't already and keep house and have some babies, and maybe she will stay out of hell, if God wills. Her potato thing shows she knows nothing about the Bible.

"12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." (1Ti 2:12-15 av)

Every word of God is pure and Scripture cannot be broken

How come?

How come, that it is a victory for Obama over Hillary when he picks up more delegates in Nevada, even though Hillary won more Democratic votes statewide? When Dubya did the same thing nationally in 2000 [winning more electoral votes while losing the popular vote] Democrats and the print media squawked about injustice and fraud. Hmmmm?

Were the Founding Fathers wise only when it works for you?

That Isn't Natural

Mark 9:34-35: "But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all."
------

What our Lord requires of believers is not natural to them. A servant's heart can be pretended, and false humility can be worn like a Halloween costume, but the reality is beyond the reach of the flesh.

The flesh requires to be served, it will not willingly humble itself to serve. It wants the church to dance to its tune; it dances to no one's tune.

I have seen it often over almost fifty years of ministry: people want the church to "meet their needs," but not many have their eyes open to meet the needs of others. The same is true of families: families are broken up by divorce because somebody thinks his/her "needs" are not met. It is a consumer mentality and people want to get their "money's worth" out of every relationship.

Those who preach should preach to edify, not to entertain and win the praise of men, and certainly not to win fame and fortune. Those who teach must teach so as to be understood and to enable the weak to stand and the feeble to walk. Those who sing, should sing for edification, and not to please men and win praise from them.

In this we are like the people our Lord referred to in Lu 7:32: "They are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept." The rulers rejected Christ because He did not dance to their tunes nor wept to their dirges.

Solomon put it this way: "He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him." Pr 18:17 The man who wants to rule others may make a good case why it must be so, but others see through him and realize the true motives driving his actions.

It is a good thing that our Lord did not have this attitude. "Being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross."

Going By Principle Always "Works."

It is when we depart from following Christian principle that we go out of the way. It is not faith to follow whims, emotions, or dreams. The life of faith is a life of principle, for faith trusts in the faithfulness of God to keep His promises.

It is not easy to live by principle. Often the wisdom of the world would counsel us not to be rigid and unloving and to bend the principles that Christ taught us, but it is always results in us losing our way. The path that leads away from the strait and narrow may appear to be headed in the same direction and get to the same goal, but it never does.

But it is easy to be deceived in this. Jesus warned that there were those who would kill the saints, thinking that they did God service. Many things that masquerade as principles are not at all. This is why a throrough knowledge of the Scripture is necessary and why it is wise and proper to listen to others. There is safety in a multitude of counsellors, Solomon said [Proverbs 11:14]. It is folly to trust in your own heart and rush madlong into ruin. The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. [Pr 12:15]

If a church is a true church, then there are wise and good people within it, for Christ is the head of the church and He sends the Holy Spirit to equip the members and to fulfill the will of the Father that we be conformed to Jesus Christ. We should seek out the counsel of such members and not allow ourselves to be carried away by the angry and bitter: "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go..."Pr 22:24 "An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression." Pr 29:22 Stay away from those who have grudges and those who insist on having their own way, for neither of these is the way of Christ.

"For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life..." [Pr 6:23]

Piggy-Backing on the Last Post

What if each person insisted on playing his own horn as loud as he could to make sure he got recognition for his work. Would that be a pleasant concert?

Musings for the New Year

My wife and I attended the Colorado Springs Philharmonic Concert for the New Year last night. The program was a pleasant variety of excerpts from old musicals [The King and I], jazz ala Louis Armstrong, marches [Suppé’s “Light Cavalry Overture”] to “The Flight of the Bumblebee” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B.” Over two hours of tonal delight.

I did notice that each of the more than sixty musicians in the orchestra had a music stand in front of them and they all had sheets of music on the stands and seemed to be paying attention to them. There was also a conductor who waved his arms. The musicians seems to be paying attention to him, also. I also noted that before they began to play, the concert master stood up, played an "E" his violin and all the performers played an "E" also, to see that all the instruments were in tune. There lies the tale.

What if every musician decided to do his own thing and play his own song? Or suppose each one played the music in front of him but played it to his own beat and pitch and whenever it suited him? I spent some time meditating on that while engrossed in the music.

Do you suppose that any musician who tried such a thing, no matter how talented, would last long in the symphony? I suspect he would be fired. There may be a place for him on a street corner with a tin mug, I suppose, but not in any organized body of musicians. He might make a good living as a soloist, if that suits him, but there would be no place for him in the orchestra.

I am sure that God has as much sense as the directors of an orchestra. Even the devil has more sense than that and will not suffer his kingdom to be divided against itself with each devil doing his own thing. At least Jesus seemed to think so. One thing that is certain in every great musical performance is the discipline of the musicians.

God has provided abundantly for his church, including the way decisions are to be made. They are to be made decently and in order by those who are appointed by Him for the government of the church. Defiance of those decisions is defiance of God himself. The Bible provides for how such officers are to be chosen and guides the church in their selection.. There are various interpretations among Christian denominations as to the nature of the offices and how they are appointed, but only chaos and cacophony results if the government is defied. No church or any other organization—including those of the devil—can survive, if there are no consequences for that defiance.

To change the figure, I remember a big strong boy who came out for basketball when I was in high school. He was the best basketball player in the gym and he expected that everyone, even the coach, would respect him for it. The trouble is, he wouldn’t do what the coach told him to do, so he was kicked off the team, much to his surprise and anger. His pride kept him from playing basketball that year. He learned that there was a difference between being a coach and being a coach-ee.

Even basketball players have to work together in discipline and unity.

Paul put it this way for the church, "submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God" [Eph. 5:21] and the writer of Hebrews: "Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you." [13:7]

By What Authority?


11 Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. 1Timothy 2:11,12

Mt 21:23 And when he was come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came unto him as he was teaching, and said, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority?

The words sound strange to the the modern ear, because everyone thinks his civil right to freedom of religion is a right and authority sanctioned by God Himself.

The biblical fact is otherwise.

The question asked by the chief priests and elders was a very serious one and posed great peril for Christ.

The law given by God to Moses was very clear: those who took it upon themselves to teach religion without authority were condemned to death. Through the prophet Jeremiah God said, "I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied." Jer 23:21

Jesus did not dodge the question. He took the question of authority very seriously. He knew that everyone was not authorized to enter into the temple and throw out the moneychangers and drive out the cattle. "30 Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour. 31 Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith. 32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD. Jer 23:30-32.

But Jesus did not answer them according to their folly, to become like them. He answered them according to their folly in order to expose their hypocrisy and folly.

"What about the ministry of John the Baptist?" he said. "Was it of God?" What wisdom this was! The priests were on the horns a dilemma, and they knew it. If they said the John's ministry was not of God, they knew they would cause a riot, for all the people know that John had come from God. On the other hand, if they said that John hand come from God, Jesus would ask why they did not hear John.

So they said, "We cannot tell," seeking to avoid the dilemma. So Jesus said, "Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things." They tried to avoid the issue, but He in His divine wisdom had answered his opponents.

Everyone standing there that day knew that John had claimed to be the purifier, come to prepare the way of the Lord, to present the Messiah to the people of Israel. Jesus was the One sent by God to be the Savior of the world. Jesus, among all those who have lived on the earth, was endowed with authority and right to do whatever He pleased in the house of His Father in Heaven. The temple was His and He had the right to rearrange the furniture if He liked. They must bow to His authority; as we all must.

The church is the body of Christ, and He alone has the right to decide how it is to be governed. Not by women, not by children, not by slander, not by usurpers, not by dreamers and those who consult their own hearts. A man's heart will always tell him not to submit to the Scripture, and his own heart will lead to hell, for he that trusts in his own heart is a fool, no matter how piously he wraps the package.

Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, as Samuel told King Saul so many years ago. It is still so today. Jesus did not duck the question of authority, and neither must we.

Of course, the penal sanction of the law of Moses for death to ursurpers is not to be applied today, for in the age of the Spirit, the harshness of the law is replaced by the sweetness of the mild yoke of Christ. But the principle remains: let those who presume to teach the church be ready to explain their authority, as Jesus did. If you have no John the Baptist to attest to your "ministry," then you must be prepared to walk on the water and rise from the dead. Jesus had both.

Savior or Saboteur? - New York Times: "As the Arkansas journalist Max Brantley told the Billary biographer Sally Bedell Smith, 'He’s always evangelizing for the church of Bill.'"
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Just wait long enough and prevaricators will reveal themselves. Example: Maureen Doud has now exposed herself completely. The article in the link above is essentially saying, "I have known all the time the truth about Bill and Hillary, but I pretended something else about them all the years they were in power because I have an agenda that includes abortion rights, anti-male, socialism, anti-capitalists, liberal, anti-bible planks and they were useful to my agenda. It is ok for me to lie and to use liars like Bill and Hillary because they are useful to me."

In other words, don't believe anything Doud writes. If she lied to promote Billary, might she also do so to promote someone else that seems more useful [Obama?]

Maybe Bill's worst mistake this time out is to think that his former supporters really believed and admired him.

Usually during this time of year you see bumper stickers or hear comments about a desire to get "Christ back into Christmas."

It might be even a better idea to get Christ back into church.

If you don't know what that means, I would suggest that it might be a good idea to get better acquainted with Him yourself, so that you would know what you are missing. The site Basketoffigs might be a good place to start. There is a lot of information there about the doctrine of Christ,His government of the church, and His commandments.

Please check out a new post at my basketoffigs website

Newsmax.com - Thompson Made the Most of Opportunities: "It's the kind of story you could write a book about: A 35-year-old single mother of three is fired from her state job after refusing to go along with a scheme to pardon criminals who bribe aides to the governor."
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This is not an endorsement. This is a story, however, that every Christian conservative should consider before they make their voting decision. There just may be an authentic human running for President of these United States of America.

The picture above is of ice sparkles in the early morning on Sunday morning a few weeks ago. There is beauty if you look for it. If you click on the image you can get an enlarged picture.

FOXNews.com - Study: Part of Global-Warming Model May Be Wrong - Science News Science & Technology Technology News: "The study, published online this week in the International Journal of Climatology, found that while most of the models predicted that the middle and upper parts of the troposphere -1 to 6 miles above the Earth's surface - would have warmed drastically over the past 30 years, actual observations showed only a little warming, especially over tropical regions. 'Can the models accurately explain the climate from the recent past? It seems that the answer is no,' said lead study author David H. Douglass, a physicist specializing in climate at the University of Rochester"

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My, my, my. But experts have an instinct, you know, and must not allow stuborn things like facts to sway them from the appointed conclusion. Forget the anomalies! Full speed ahead!

Excite News - Calls in Sudan for Execution of Briton

Excite News - Calls in Sudan for Execution of Briton: "KHARTOUM, Sudan (AP) - Thousands of Sudanese, many armed with clubs and knives, rallied Friday in a central square and demanded the execution of a British teacher convicted of insulting Islam for allowing her students to name a teddy bear 'Muhammad"

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What a great religion this is! Don't get your own way; throw a fit; take to the streets; make a mob; demand execution for naming a teddy bear.

Why don't we call for killing everyone that doesn't honor the name of Jesus Christ?

Because we are better than that. We are better because our Prophet is better. Jesus Christ is vastly superior to Muhammad in person, in morals, in history, and in power.

Don't believe it? Well, Jesus is patient and has forbidden us to seek revenge. He will honor and protect His kingdom and His power, but He does not need thugs in the street to do it. His kingdom is not of their world, but that doesn't mean that He does not act in the world, for He does.

Some Christian act far below their profession, we admit. There are Christians who throw fits when they don't get their own way, but they don't know what spirit they are of. Mature Christians deplore this kind of behavior.

Where is the outcry of the Mullah's against the thugs in the Sudan? Hm????