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31  Theology / Completed and Favorite Threads / GRACE NOT EARNED - Am I Going to Heaven ? on: July 04, 2004, 10:40:35 AM
GRACE NOT EARNED

By Cornelius R. Stam

Have you ever noticed that God does not hold the great
men of Scripture up to us because of their personal good-
ness? Almost invariably their records are marred by failure
and sin, but God bids us look at their faith, to see what
their faith did for them. Even those who lived consistently
good lives are not held up to us for their personal worth,
because God knows their imperfections. Thus Rom. 4:2,3
says:

"For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory—but not before God. For what saith the Scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness."

And Verse 6 goes on to say about David:

"Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works."

This is because man cannot live a life good enough to
make him acceptable to God, for with God only perfection is
good enough. One sin spoiled the earth; God will not allow
one sin to spoil heaven too. This is why in grace He gave
Christ to die for our sins and to pay the just penalty for us.
Because of the all-sufficient payment of Christ in our be-
half, God can now be "just, and the Justifier" of those who
place their faith in Christ (Rom. 3:26).

The famous eleventh chapter of Paul’s letter to the He-
brews bears out the fact that salvation, or acceptance with
God, is obtained, not by human effort, but by faith. This
great chapter on the heroes in God’s "Hall of Fame," begins
with the words: "For by it [faith] the elders obtained a good
report," and then goes on: "By faith Abel ...," "By faith
Enoch...," "By faith Noah...," "By faith Abraham...,"
etc., and closes with the declaration:

"...these all...obtained a good report through faith..."
32  Theology / Prophecy - Current Events / Born On The Fourth Of July on: July 04, 2004, 10:31:14 AM

Born On The Fourth Of July        
by Dr. Bill Gillham


The American flag flies proudly from the pole I planted in my front yard! “I’m a Yankee Doodle dandy; Yankee Doodle do or die! A real live nephew of my Uncle Sam; born on the fourth of July.” Just words to an old song or words that trigger patriotic feelings, a flood of gratitude to God, maybe even accompanied by a lump in your throat? After all, who was born on the fourth of July? America! It’s her birthday and we celebrate at our house!
One good thing emerging from the ashes of the 911 tragedy is the country’s return to patriotism. The enemy successfully prompted his people to rewrite our nation’s history to exclude God and rob Him of the honor He’s due for inspiring our founding mothers and fathers; to defame many of our revered, national heroes and heroines and attribute America’s incredible bounty and success to man, when in fact it’s God’s gracious blessing to us.
In 1977, I was given a copy of Peter Marshall’s and David Manuel’s The Light and the Glory. God used it to thrill me! These Christians were inspired to reveal this well-documented history of God’s hand in the founding of our nation. God led them to some pertinent journals, manuscripts and even an obscure Spanish volume of Christopher Columbus’ Book of Prophecies in the Yale University library! They described it as “largely a compilation of…teaching and prophecies in the Bible on the subject of the earth, distant lands, population movements, and undiscovered tribes, as well as similarly pertinent writings of the ancient church fathers.”
They actually found Columbus’ journal! He wrote, “It was the Lord Who put into my mind (I could feel His hand upon me) the fact that it would be possible to sail from here to the Indies…. There is no question that the inspiration was from the Holy Spirit, because He comforted me with rays of marvelous inspiration from the Holy Scriptures…. I have found the sweetest consolation since I made it my whole purpose to enjoy His marvelous presence.”
Awesome! Columbus’ actual writings expressing his passion for God and saying that he was led by the Holy Spirit when he discovered America! His very name, Christopher, means “Light-bearer.” He believed this was a clear indication that God had called him to carry the Light of Christ into undiscovered lands. But, I’d believed for decades that he discovered America by mistake while seeking a new trade route to India! I was robbed of seeing God’s hand of grace directing it!
Columbus christened the place where he landed San Salvador (“Holy Savior”) praying before his crew, “Oh Lord, Almighty and everlasting God, by Thy Holy Word Thou hast created the heaven and the earth, and the sea; blessed and glorified be Thy Name, and praised be Thy Majesty, which hath deigned to use us, Thy humble servants, that Thy Holy Name may be proclaimed in this second part of the earth.” Hardly the words of an avaricious glory-seeker as some have defamed him! A lesser man would have robbed God of the glory by naming the place after himself. Give this man his due!
Now fast forward to 1776. Another patriotic brother and sister in Christ left as part of their legacy to us their many letters to each other. They were John and Abigail Adams. He, along with other colonial leaders, walked the plank by signing the Declaration of Independence. These signers had no army, navy or marines to defend them against the greatest military power in the world! They had God and the farmer next door. Branded as traitors, they were destined for the gallows if God didn’t come through! Conscripts could, and many did, abandon the fight at will; even a big percentage of the population caved and remained loyal to Britain.
But, folks like the Adams put it all on the line for you and me! John wrote Abigail, “I am well aware of the blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom I see the light and glory. I can see that the end is worth more than all the means.” He and his wife loved Jesus and played a key role in founding this land. We occupy the “end” Adams spoke of. Give yourself a gift by reading about their godly, sacrificial lives along with many excerpts from their poignant love letters to each other in David McCullough’s best-selling, new book John Adams for which he recently won a Pulitzer. It’s marvelous, inspirational, enlightening reading that I highly recommend.
Another brother in Christ who made huge sacrifices for your well being that you’ll get to give a big hug of gratitude to someday and who was the signers’ unanimous choice to become Commander in Chief of the new Continental army is George Washington. He is described as an extremely capable, respected, modest man. As Adams put it, “Mr. Washington, who happened to sit near the door, as soon as he heard me allude to him [nominating him as C-I-C of the Continental army], from his usual modesty darted into the library.”
Marshall and Manual credit God with leading them to an obscure book in the stacks of the Yale Divinity School Library that had been out of print for many decades— George Washington, the Christian, by William Johnson. The book included 24 pages of Washington’s prayers in his own hand. I.e.:
“Let my heart, therefore, Gracious God, be so affected with the glory and majesty of (Thine honor) that I may not do mine own works, but wait on Thee, and discharge those weighty duties which Thou requirest of me.” “Thou gavest Thy Son to die for me; and hast given me assurance of salvation…” “…daily frame me more into the likeness of Thy Son, Jesus Christ.”
Do those sound like the prayers of a hypocrite as some have charged?
The 6’ 4” Washington had distinguished himself in the French and Indian Wars as a young officer riding his horse in the front rank of the British army. In the Battle of the Monongahela, July 9, 1755, the British forces were decimated. Fifteen years later as Washington and a friend were exploring that territory, a band of Indians approached them. Their leader, an old chief, recognized Washington and spoke to him through a translator.
I am a chief and ruler over my tribes. My influence extends to the waters of the great lakes and to the far blue mountains. I have traveled a long and weary path that I might see the young warrior of the great battle. I [had] called to my young men and said, “Mark you tall and daring warrior? He is not of the redcoat tribe—he hath an Indian’s wisdom and his warriors fight as we do—himself alone is exposed. Let your aim be certain and he dies.” Our rifles were leveled, rifles which, but for him, knew not how to miss…. ‘Twas all in vain; a power mightier far than we shielded him from harm…. The Great Spirit guides that man and protects his destinies. He will become the chief of nations and a people yet unborn will hail him as the founder of a mighty empire. [William Johnson, George Washington, the Christian, pp. 41-42.]
Now, I realize that Columbus, Adams and Washington didn’t always live exemplary lives. Skeptics who major on their flaws would have us discredit them. But, which of us doesn’t have some broken china in his closet? I believe God led these folks to accomplish His will in founding America. The amazing thing is that God stoops to use any of us humans! Folks, the record reveals that God’s Holy Spirit worked through people, many of them born again, to found this nation we love. America is God’s gift to us! As you celebrate America’s birth on the fourth of July, your heart moved with patriotism and gratitude to God, demonstrate your love and gratitude for America. Join me in loving our flag; sing the Star Spangled Banner with all the gusto you can muster. Thank God for using men and women through the ages who were courageous enough to step up for freedom and give their lives for our freedom. Make this July 4th extra special as you sing Happy Birthday to our beloved America—sweet land of liberty!

33  Theology / Apologetics / Is It Right? on: July 03, 2004, 05:34:54 PM
Reminder...

Is It Right?

1.To tell sinners they can merit the favor of God by doing good works?

2.To extract money from people using the tithe?

3.To tell people they cannot understand the Bible?

4.To comfort sinners with thoughts of purgatory?

5.To teach people that water baptism can save them from eternal judgement?

6.To teach seeking saints from a corrupt text like the NIV?

7.To teach infant baptism?

8.To teach Calvinism?

9.To believe in annihilation?

10.To teach someone today can be a part of the 144,000?

11.To teach that saved people are "spiritual Israel"?

No, none of the above and hundreds more are not right according to the Bible but are practiced everyday... Christ will come again, what will he find you doing?

By Pastor Doug Dodd s.b.g.
34  Theology / Apologetics / So You Don't Want To Be Religious? Terrific! on: July 03, 2004, 05:27:17 PM
Reminder...

A Christian should never be a religious fanatic.

You will be happy to know that The Lord Jesus Christ does not demand a life of rigid religious adherence to rules and regulations. As a matter of fact, He does not demand we be zealous beyond responding to the love He has given us. And if you follow Him your life will be upwardly mobile in all the important ways.

The most important thing to remember when considering Christianity is that Christ came because He loved you and to die on your behalf.
35  Theology / General Theology / Losing salvation? on: July 03, 2004, 05:14:15 PM
"Once Saved," "Always Saved"

Is it possible to lose your salvation? This is a very important question that we must consider carefully. If it is possible to lose salvation, it is of tantamount importance that we understand just what we must do to stay saved. If it is not possible to lose it, it is our duty to point this out to those who say it is.

First we must understand the basis of our salvation. Is salvation based on what we do?

Rom 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

These scriptures, and countless others, make it clear that salvation is not based on what we do for God. In fact, it is just the opposite. Our salvation is based on what God did for us (Rom 5:8; 1 Cor 15:3,4; 2 Cor 5:21).

Since we can't do anything to be saved, how can we be expected to do anything to stay saved? The scriptures teach that we are secure in Christ and that nothing, not even our own unbelief, can separate us from the love of God once we have trusted in Christ's sacrifice for our sin. (Rom 8:33-39; Phil 1:6; 2 Tim 2:11-13)

The argument that we must work to stay saved often stems from an unclear understanding of all we have been given in Christ.

We are members of the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:27; Eph 1:22,23, 5:30)
Does Christ cut off parts of his body?

We are sealed with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor 1:22; Eph 1:13,14, 4:30)
Is anyone strong enough to break God's seal?

We are a purchased posession (1 Cor 6:20, 7:23; Eph 1:14)
Does God throw away that which he purchased with his own blood?

We are adopted sons of the Father (Rom 8:15-23; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5)
Does God disown his sons?

It can be easily seen that salvation cannot be lost since, from beginning to end, it is dependent on the work of Christ, not the works of men. Our works can't get us saved, and our works can't keep us saved.

But don't scriptures such as Heb 6:4-6, 10:26,27 and 2 Pet 2:20-22 teach that salvation can be lost if we don't continue in good works? Yes, they do! However, these scriptures are not written to the body of Christ in the dispensation of the grace of God. They are written to believers under the Jewish dispensation
36  Theology / Debate / TRUTH ON THE SCAFFOLD on: June 22, 2004, 05:18:31 PM
TRUTH ON THE SCAFFOLD

By Russell S. Miller

"Truth is on the scaffold, and wrong is on the throne."

Though this may be expected in an ungodly world, such a mentality ought not to exist in the Church. Honesty, integrity, and uprightness should rather be the watchwords amongst the people of God, especially with regards to the evidence in the Word of God.

The evidence of Creation could not be clearer (Gen.1:1; Ex.20:11; Eph. 3:9; Heb.1:2), yet some people won’t believe.

The evidence of the Inspiration of the Scriptures couldn’t be greater (II Tim.3:16; IIPet.1:20,21; Heb. 4:12,13), yet some people won’t believe.

The evidence of the Virgin Birth of Christ couldn’t be stronger (Matt. 1:18; Luke 1:35), yet some people won’t believe.

The evidence of the Pauline Revelation could not be plainer (Rom. 16:25,26; Gal.1:11,12; Eph.3:9), yet some people won’t believe.

The evidence of salvation by grace through faith today couldn’t be more gracious (Rom.5:8-11; Heb.9:12), yet some people won’t believe, preferring their "good works" to the finished work of Christ.

The evidence of the eternal security of the believer in Christ could not be more obvious (Rom.8:35-39; Heb. 7:25), yet some people won’t believe.

The evidence of a pre-millennial, pre-tribulational rapture of the Body of Christ could not be more imminent (IThes.4:13-18; 5:9), yet some people won’t believe.

The reason that many people don’t believe these wonderful truths in God’s Word is because "the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, LEST THE LIGHT OF THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF CHRIST, who is the image of God, SHOULD SHINE UNTO THEM" (IICor. 4:4).

Remember: God holds us accountable to "rightly divide the Word of truth" (IITim. 2:15).

"Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will BRING TO LIGHT THE HIDDEN THINGS OF DARKNESS, and will make MANIFEST THE COUNSELS OF THE HEARTS: and then shall every man have praise of God" (ICor.4:5).
37  Theology / Apologetics / The Teaching of Self-Esteem on: June 22, 2004, 05:15:26 PM
"Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince [refute] the gainsayers." -- Titus 1:9

Satan never rests in his insatiable desire to corrupt the Word of God. A case in point is the present-day teaching of self-love, self-esteem and self-worth.  The influence of this unsound doctrine has nearly permeated every strata of Christendom, including the Grace Movement.  Like the beat of a drum, this theme is heard almost constantly from the pulpits of America and frequently appears on the pages of Christian literature.  Beware when you hear or read: "It is important to feel good about yourself," "Learn to love your-self," "Probe your innermost self to under-stand why you think and feel as you do," "God sent His son to die for you because you are of great value."

On the surface these phrases may seem commendable, but in reality they are diamet-rically opposed to the Scriptures.  The above has been weighed in the balance and found to be wanting.  For example: "The heart [innermost self] is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" (Jer. 17:9).  Paul concurred when he said, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh, [old nature or self]) dwelleth no good thing" (Rom. 7:18).  The old man (self) is at enmity against God.  He hates God and the things of God and left to himself he will not seek God.  The Scriptures, from beginning to end, speak with a unified voice that the old nature is rotten to the core (See Rom. 3:9-18).

Consequently, our old man (self) has been crucified with Christ.  Paul made reference to this when he wrote to the Galatians, "I am crucified with Christ [i.e. his old man]: never-theless I live [Paul's new nature]; yet NOT I [self], but Christ liveth in me."  We are to put off the old nature and put on the new, which is created in holiness and righteousness (Eph. 4:22-24).  It is futile to improve one's self-image, especially since God abhors any attempt to do so.  Rather, we are to conform ourselves to the image of His dear Son. Thus, those of the household of faith are to live accordingly:

"Let nothing be done through strife or vain-glory; but in lowliness of mind let us esteem other better than themselves.  Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:3-5).

Self takes great pleasure in acclaim, indul-gence, approval and praise.  It glories in all these things.  But are we not robbing God when self is esteemed more highly than His glory?  "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God, AND YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN?  For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Cor. 6:19,20).

Shall we permit the "love of one's self" doc-trine to overshadow the love of God in Christ Jesus?  God forbid!  May God help us to stand against this insidious teaching that essentially robs God of the glory that is right-fully due Him.

By Paul M. Sadler,
38  Theology / Completed and Favorite Threads / Am I Going to Heaven ? on: June 22, 2004, 05:12:45 PM
A FREE GIFT FOR YOU

By Cornelius R. Stam

It seems that everything is going up in cost these days.
Nothing comes down; everything goes up -- up -- up. Wages
too are going up, but not as fast as the cost of living, for our
dollars are decreasing in value all the time. This is why
former President Eisenhower suggested we begin calling
them dollarettes!

We should thank God, though, that there is one thing
that has never gone up in price -- the salvation of precious
souls. No price was ever put on this and none ever will be,
for several good reasons: (1) Because God is not impover-
ished; He does not need our money. (2) Because if salvation
could be bought, the rich would have an advantage over the
poor. (3) Salvation was fully paid for by God the Son on
Calvary’s cross, and to charge one penny for it now would
be to cast reflections on His finished work.

Even in Old Testament times God made it clear that sac-
rifices and good works could not buy His favor. In Isa.
55:1-3, the prophet cried:

"Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

"Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto Me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness.

"Incline your ear, and come unto Me: Hear, and your soul shall live..."

Centuries later, after "the gospel of the grace of God" had
been committed to Paul, he offered even better things to
those who were willing to accept them. He declared that
believers in Christ are...

"Justified freely by [God’s] grace, through the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). "For the wages of sin is
death, but the [free] gift of God is eternal life through Jesus
Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). "In whom we have redemp-
tion, through His blood, the forgiveness of sins according to
the riches of His grace" (Eph. 1:7).
39  Theology / Completed and Favorite Threads / Am I Going to Heaven ? on: June 22, 2004, 05:11:00 PM
"THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH"





Some suppose that somehow, in the final analysis, their "good works" will outweigh the bad works they do and God will accept them into His heaven. But is it good works that save?

Of the first two children born into this world, Cain brought of the fruit of the ground--that, which his works had produced--with which to worship the Lord, while Abel, his brother, offered the sacrificial lamb that God required.

"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh" (Heb.11:4).

God rejected Cain’s offering because he had not obeyed the Lord God. But a far greater sacrifice than Abel’s has been offered on our
behalf. "CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS"  (ICor. 15:3). Now the question must be asked, Have you believed the Lord in this? As long as men continue in unbelief, and reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they will remain angry and bitter and wicked sinners in the sight of a thrice Holy God.

Such are the deeds of those who place their will over the written Word of God, as their evil doings are reported daily over radio, TV and in our newspapers.

But God is able to turn "the wickedness of men" into the greatest good, as we have seen. For, when wicked men crucified the Lord, little did they know "that God was in Christ, RECONCILING THE WORLD UNTO
HIMSELF, not imputing their trespasses unto them..." (IICor.5:19). Little did they know, that this event in history--the crucifixion of Christ--would bring "to nought" all this world’s wisdom. Little did they know, that God had a secret eternal purpose in Christ:

"Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (ICor.2:Cool.

Study God’s Word, especially the Epistles of St. Paul, and discover that Christ IS the great Victor over sin, death, the grave, and hell.
You will also be rejoicing in all that He accom-plished on Calvary’s cross--"the salvation, which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (IITim.2:10), and His "more excellent  sacri-fice", to which all the types and shadows pointed.

"The preaching of the cross" constitutes the obedience of faith today. It is therefore faith, and faith alone, in the finished work of Christ that saves:

"NEITHER BY THE BLOOD OF GOATS AND CALVES, BUT BY HIS OWN BLOOD HE ENTERED IN ONCE INTO THE HOLY PLACE, HAVING OBTAINED ETERNAL REDEMPTION FOR US" (Heb.9:12).

BY RUSSELL S. MILLER
40  Theology / Debate / Re:World War II Memorial - Future generations ... on: June 22, 2004, 05:05:37 PM
Praying for you ebia snopes Smiley

Poor thing. He doesn’t even know his false God can’t hear him. Cry

Wink Wink Smiley I will be praying for you, to the one true God. Maybe one day you will find him, too. Smiley

Hail Mary Tibby, she is your god Grin
41  Theology / Prophecy - Current Events / GOD HATH SPOKEN on: June 22, 2004, 05:04:04 PM

GOD HATH SPOKEN

By Cornelius R. Stam

In his farewell address to the nation Israel, Moses said:

"Ask now of the days that are past... since the day that God
created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it? Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?" (Deut. 4:32,33).

Moses referred, of course, to the giving of the Law, when
God spoke to Israel by word of mouth amid the lightnings
and thunders of Sinai. In Israel’s case alone "God spake all
these words" audibly. Never before had He undertaken to
address a nation personally.

This was indeed a great honor for Israel, but God has
since spoken to all mankind in an even more striking man-
ner, for in Heb. 1:1,2 we read:

"God... hath in these last days spoken unto us by [in] His Son...who... when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high."

At Sinai God spoke the words of the Law, but now, in
Christ, He speaks of mercy and grace. There He spoke of
the righteousness which He demands, but here He tells of
the righteousness which He provides in Christ.

Some suppose that the absence of miraculous demonstra-
tions, the want of divine intervention in the affairs of men,
etc., indicate indifference on God’s part, but actually this
apparent indifference speaks to us of His love and grace.

Remember, the Psalms and all prophecy had predicted
God’s judgment upon men for their rejection of Christ, yet
today the Son still remains a voluntary Exile from His own
world, while neither He nor the Father do anything to
avenge His cruel crucifixion. Meanwhile, still lingering in
mercy, He sends His ambassadors to offer reconciliation to
His enemies by grace through faith. Thus His silence ac-
tually cries: "The door of grace is still open. Be reconciled
while you may. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou
shalt be saved."
42  Theology / General Theology / PAUL’S LETTER TO THE ROMANS on: June 22, 2004, 05:01:27 PM
One of the most enlightening books of the Bible, and indeed of all literature, is St. Paul’s great Epistle to the Romans.

Paul was by nature and training a logician, perhaps the greatest logician of all time, and in this case his words were Spirit-inspired, so that we have in his Epistle to the Romans a powerful logical argument about God and man, condemnation and justification. It is wonderful thus to  have God’s plan of salva-tion explained for us. This is all too lacking in modern evangelism.

The doctrinal argument of Romans begins with a demonstration of the moral depravity of man. It says, even to the self-righteous: "Thou art inexcusable..." (2:1).

The Apostle then goes on to show that the Law was given, not to help men to be good, but "that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought in guilty before God" (3:19). The conclusion: "Therefore by the deeds  of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin" (3:20).

The Apostle presses his argument further by showing how the Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself as a satisfaction for sin that we might be "justified freely by [God’s] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (3:24). His conclusion again: "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without [apart from] the deeds of the law" (3:28). "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (5:1).

Next he shows how those who trust in Christ are "baptized into Christ" (6:3), made one with Him by faith. The final conclusion: "There is therefore now no condemnation to
those who are in Christ Jesus" (8:1).

And the Apostle closes the doctrinal part of this great epistle by exclaiming:

"Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? ...Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (8:33,35).

Our advice to those who have questions about salvation: Study Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, thoughtfully and prayerfully.

By C. R. Stam
43  Fellowship / You name it!! / NO COMMUNION FOR JOHN KERRY :) on: June 22, 2004, 04:52:27 PM
Dear Conservative Friend:

The archdiocese of Boston actually called the church where Sen. John Kerry was going to Mass on Easter and reassured the pastor it was OK to give Kerry Communion because Archbishop Seán Patrick O'Malley has not yet taken a stand. Thus Kerry received the Eucharist.

Your help is needed to stop this sacrilege! Please go to Catholic-Petitions.com to see what is at stake. Here's the address:
http://www.catholicpetitions.com/petitions.php?id=270

According to Canon Law, a bishop not only has the right but the DUTY to stop a grave sinner from committing sacrilege and scandal. It is obvious Kerry has "gravely harmed public morals" (Canon 1369) by repeatedly and publicly defying Church doctrine on abortion.

Help Archbishop O'Malley decide to take a stand! Sign a petition urging him to instruct his priests and teach the faithful the truth, by refusing further Communion to Kerry! Make your stand here:
http://www.catholicpetitions.com/petitions.php?id=270  

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 Grin
44  Theology / Bible Study / FOR JESUS’ SAKE on: June 22, 2004, 04:47:52 PM
"Delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake" (II Cor. 4:11).

There is much that we all do for our own sake, for the sake of our children, our loved ones or others, but the real test of the be-liever’s love for the Lord is what he does "for
Jesus’ sake."

Under the dispensation of Law our Lord told His disciples that to be forgiven they must forgive:  "Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven" (Luke 6:37), "but if ye forgive not men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses"  (Matt. 6:15).

But now, under the dispensation of grace, He exhorts us to forgive one another "even as God for Christ’s sake HATH forgiven you" (Eph. 4:32).  The difference is striking.  Before
the cross: If you would be forgiven, forgive.  Now, in the light of the cross: You have been graciously forgiven for Christ’s sake.  In the light of this be tenderhearted and forgiving toward others.

And we are to go farther than this: Not only are we to forgive our brethren in Christ, but we are to be prepared to show this attitude toward the world as well.  St. Paul said: "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself  servant unto all" (I Cor. 9:19), and referring to his persecutions by unbelievers, he said: "We... are always delivered  unto death for Jesus’ sake" (II Cor. 4:11).  How many unbelievers would be won to Christ; how many of our Christian friends would be strengthened and helped, if we adopted this attitude toward others!

As to suffering itself, the Apostle also gladly bore this "for Jesus’ sake."  In writing to the Corinthians, he said:  "I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in
persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then am I strong" (II Cor. 12:10).  He had learned that in weakness he leaned the harder, prayed more, and was
brought closer to His Lord, and herein lay his spiritual strength.

By CR. Stam
45  Theology / Bible Study / "Blessed Assurances" on: June 16, 2004, 01:00:37 PM
Blessed Assurances

The blessings of  Romans 5   PART 3

by Dennis Kiszones



Now we go on to a surprising statement in Romans 5:3-4.  We might think that having God on our side, and standing in his grace would guarantee that are life would be "problem-free."  No more worries about financial problems.  No more concern that we might get cancer or die in a war or lose our job or have a divorce in our marriage or a problem with a child on drugs or in prison.

That's what I thought when I became a Christian.  I thought that all my problems would be solved because now God is my Father and He's going to bless my life with abundance in every way -- -- abundant health, finances, love from family and friends.  All the good things in life would be mine.  If you believe that, you're going to have some big problems in the christian life!  Just read the next verses. -- -- Romans 5:3-4.

     And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, Hope.

There you have it: Tribulations are part of the christian life -- and Paul even welcomed them!  If anybody ever tells you that problems are not going to be your lot when you're saved, just remember these verses.  God says that tribulations are part of His plan for us and that we should welcome them because He allows them to come into our lives for His good purposes.

Of course, whenever we're facing problems, especially long, hard, problems that just seem like they're never going to be solved, we begin to wonder, why did God do this to me?  Did I do something that caused him to turn against me?

The devil just loves when we begin to question, and doubt God.  If he can drive a wedge between us and God, he's got us beat.

At times like that we need to review verses 1 and 2.  "I have at all times as my permanent and constant possession peace with God.  He is on my side, He has nothing against me, it was all paid for by my Saviour at the cross.  And I am now standing in the same grace that I was welcomed into on the first day that I believed.  And I am going to glory.  So how can I think that God has somehow now turned against His word and His promises and has somehow turned against me?"  Impossible!  Unthinkable!  "God is faithful...."

So Paul writes, tribulations are part of life even for us who have God on our side, even while we're standing in His grace and on our way to glory.

Paul even says, don't just groan about those tribulations, but actually rejoice in them!  They come for a going reason even if they feel awfully hard to accept.  God uses tribulations in our lives to cause us to grow. "Knowing that tribulations produces perseverance... character... hope."

It's "knowing" God's purpose in allowing the tribulations that causes us to have a new attitude about them.


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