Bible-believing Baptists are often accused of being legalistic. This is merely an attempt to give excuse to a faulty license for sinful living. I'm tired of being expected to lower my standards that are based on Biblical precepts and principles for carnal, self-absorbed Christianettes.
For those who use liberty as a license to "do your own thing", read this if you dare to have your security blanket taken away. In reality, if you submit to Biblical truth, you will indeed be set free from the bondage of antinomianism!
For those who love the Word of God and Love to please Him by a godly lifestyle, they can read this article and be grateful that our loving Heavenly Father guides us in His Truth. He doesn't just tell us to please Him; He tells us how to do it.
2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Read "The Truth About Legalism at www.frmbc.com
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Held by His Omnipotent Hand
I’ve heard people say, “Pray for me that I’ll hold out faithful to the end.” I think I know what they mean, but I always smile. I picture Noah’s ark, and I can see Noah and his wife and family. Rather than being on the inside, they’re holding on to some slimy pegs on the outside of the ark. And Noah says to Mrs. Noah, “Honey, pray for me that I’ll hold out faithful to the end.” But God said to Noah, “Come into the ark,” and the same God that shut the water out, shut Noah in. Now Noah may have fallen down inside that ark, but he never fell out of it. It’s not that we hold on to Him, but that He holds on to us. We should Spend time praising God for His faithfulness, His steadfastness, and His unconditional love. Christians are in the "ark" of salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We should walk and talk with the confidence that, since God placed us in His salvation ark, we are safe. Therefore we can boldly live for the cause of Christ without waver.
Psalm 139:10 Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:10 Even there shall Thy hand lead me, and Thy right hand shall hold me.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Flattery (Final Thoughts)
FLATTERY DISTORTS THE TRUTH.
In trying to persuade people, we may be tempted to alter our position just enough to make our point more palatable or to use flattery or praise.
FLATTERY HIDES REAL MOTIVES.
It’s disgusting to hear a person “butter up” someone. Flattery is phony and a false cover-up for a person’s real intentions. Christians should not be flatterers. Are you honest and straightforward in your words and actions, while at the same time courtious and kind? Or do you tell people what they want to hear in order to get what you want or to get ahead?
FLATTERY DESTROYS INTEGRITY.
When we witness for Christ and serve Him, our focus should not be on the impressions we make. As true ministers of Christ, we should point to Him, not to ourself.
In trying to persuade people, we may be tempted to alter our position just enough to make our point more palatable or to use flattery or praise.
FLATTERY HIDES REAL MOTIVES.
It’s disgusting to hear a person “butter up” someone. Flattery is phony and a false cover-up for a person’s real intentions. Christians should not be flatterers. Are you honest and straightforward in your words and actions, while at the same time courtious and kind? Or do you tell people what they want to hear in order to get what you want or to get ahead?
FLATTERY DESTROYS INTEGRITY.
When we witness for Christ and serve Him, our focus should not be on the impressions we make. As true ministers of Christ, we should point to Him, not to ourself.
Flattery (Part 2)
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS IN BELIEVING FLATTERY?
BIBLE READING: Luke 20:20-26
KEY BIBLE VERSE: And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. (Luke 20:20)
FLATTERY IS AN ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE.
Jesus turned his enemies’ attempt to trap him into a powerful lesson: As God’s followers, we have legitimate obligations to both God and the government. But it is important to keep our priorities straight. When the two authorities conflict, our duty to God always must come before our duty to the government.
These spies, pretending to be honest men, flattered Jesus before asking him their trick question, hoping to catch him off guard. But Jesus knew what they were trying to do and stayed out of their trap. Beware of flattery. With God’s help, you can detect it and avoid the trap that often follows.
BIBLE READING: Luke 20:20-26
KEY BIBLE VERSE: And they watched him, and sent forth spies, which should feign themselves just men, that they might take hold of his words, that so they might deliver him unto the power and authority of the governor. (Luke 20:20)
FLATTERY IS AN ATTEMPT TO DECEIVE.
Jesus turned his enemies’ attempt to trap him into a powerful lesson: As God’s followers, we have legitimate obligations to both God and the government. But it is important to keep our priorities straight. When the two authorities conflict, our duty to God always must come before our duty to the government.
These spies, pretending to be honest men, flattered Jesus before asking him their trick question, hoping to catch him off guard. But Jesus knew what they were trying to do and stayed out of their trap. Beware of flattery. With God’s help, you can detect it and avoid the trap that often follows.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Flattery (Part 1)
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS IN BELIEVING FLATTERY?
Psalm 12:1-8
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6)
FLATTERY IS AN ATTEMPT TO MANIPULATE OTHERS.
Sincerity and truth are extremely valuable because they are so rare. Many people are deceivers, liars, flatterers; they think they will get what they want by deception. There are people like that even in the Lord's churches today.
As a king, David certainly faced his share of such people, who hoped to win his favor and gain advancement through flattery. When we think sincerity and truth have nearly gone out of existence, we have one hope-the Word of God. God’s words are as flawless as refined silver. So listen carefully when He speaks. And don't listen to the flatterers; they sound good at first, but they are poisonous!
Psalm 12:1-8
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psalm 12:6)
FLATTERY IS AN ATTEMPT TO MANIPULATE OTHERS.
Sincerity and truth are extremely valuable because they are so rare. Many people are deceivers, liars, flatterers; they think they will get what they want by deception. There are people like that even in the Lord's churches today.
As a king, David certainly faced his share of such people, who hoped to win his favor and gain advancement through flattery. When we think sincerity and truth have nearly gone out of existence, we have one hope-the Word of God. God’s words are as flawless as refined silver. So listen carefully when He speaks. And don't listen to the flatterers; they sound good at first, but they are poisonous!
Hymn History - I Love To Tell The Story
KATE HANKEY, the daughter of a prosperous British banker, grew up in a stylish London suburb. She started a Bible class for girls in her neighborhood, and then, when she was only eighteen, Hankey went to London to teach a Bible class of “factory girls.” In her twenties, she started other Bible classes for factory girls.
When she was in her early thirties, Kate Hankey became seriously ill. Doctors said she needed a year of bed rest. She was forbidden to teach her Bible classes for twelve months. During her long, slow recovery, she wrote two lengthy poems. The first, at the beginning of her convalescence, later became the hymn “Tell Me the Old, Old Story.” The second, written ten months later, became “I Love to Tell the Story.”
After ten months she felt strong enough to leave her bed. She soon returned to her Bible classes in London and continued teaching for many years.
I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story because I know ‘tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
I love to tell the story!
‘Twill be my theme in glory—
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story—’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
‘Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
When she was in her early thirties, Kate Hankey became seriously ill. Doctors said she needed a year of bed rest. She was forbidden to teach her Bible classes for twelve months. During her long, slow recovery, she wrote two lengthy poems. The first, at the beginning of her convalescence, later became the hymn “Tell Me the Old, Old Story.” The second, written ten months later, became “I Love to Tell the Story.”
After ten months she felt strong enough to leave her bed. She soon returned to her Bible classes in London and continued teaching for many years.
I LOVE TO TELL THE STORY
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story because I know ‘tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.
I love to tell the story!
‘Twill be my theme in glory—
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story—’tis pleasant to repeat
What seems, each time I tell it, more wonderfully sweet;
I love to tell the story, for some have never heard
The message of salvation from God’s own holy Word.
I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest;
And when in scenes of glory I sing the new, new song,
‘Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Shine The Spotlight
Genesis 9:1 - 11:32
We build monuments to great moments and great people. “Lest we forget” is etched on the bronze plates of more than one statue. But monuments are more than just memory aids; in building them we want, above all, to glorify something. We want to honor a person or idealize an event. Shortly after the Flood, God made a covenant (or agreement) with Noah and his descendants. But soon the people forgot God, his goodness, his deliverance, his judgment, and his promise. And they became impressed with themselves, so much so that they decided to erect a monument—to themselves. They built their tower to glorify their greatness; it became, instead, a memorial to their (and our) greatest foolishness—human arrogance.
The people in this story built the Tower of Babel for the whole world to see (Genesis 11:3-4). This tower was most likely a ziggurat, a common structure in Babylonia at the time. Usually built as temples, ziggurats looked like pyramids with steps or ramps leading up the sides. Standing as high as three hundred feet and often just as wide, a ziggurat would stand out as the focal point of a city.
Today, people may not build statues, temples, or pyramids, but they still erect monuments (achievements, expensive clothes, big houses, fancy cars, important jobs) to call attention to themselves. When used to give personal identity and self-worth, these otherwise worthy pursuits take God’s place. God gives us freedom to develop in many areas, but not the freedom to replace him.
As you read this passage of Scripture, check out the attitudes of the builders in the story, and consider any “towers” that you may be building. Tear down anything that stands in God’s place.
We build monuments to great moments and great people. “Lest we forget” is etched on the bronze plates of more than one statue. But monuments are more than just memory aids; in building them we want, above all, to glorify something. We want to honor a person or idealize an event. Shortly after the Flood, God made a covenant (or agreement) with Noah and his descendants. But soon the people forgot God, his goodness, his deliverance, his judgment, and his promise. And they became impressed with themselves, so much so that they decided to erect a monument—to themselves. They built their tower to glorify their greatness; it became, instead, a memorial to their (and our) greatest foolishness—human arrogance.
The people in this story built the Tower of Babel for the whole world to see (Genesis 11:3-4). This tower was most likely a ziggurat, a common structure in Babylonia at the time. Usually built as temples, ziggurats looked like pyramids with steps or ramps leading up the sides. Standing as high as three hundred feet and often just as wide, a ziggurat would stand out as the focal point of a city.
Today, people may not build statues, temples, or pyramids, but they still erect monuments (achievements, expensive clothes, big houses, fancy cars, important jobs) to call attention to themselves. When used to give personal identity and self-worth, these otherwise worthy pursuits take God’s place. God gives us freedom to develop in many areas, but not the freedom to replace him.
As you read this passage of Scripture, check out the attitudes of the builders in the story, and consider any “towers” that you may be building. Tear down anything that stands in God’s place.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Risk
Proverbs 6:16-19
16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
When I was young, one of my favorite board games was Risk. World conquest was the objective. Each player mobilized his troops to take possession of countries and continents. It always amused me that the person who initially was leading the game seldom won. The reason is obvious. When other players sensed his mounting pride, they would join together against him.
It is easy to dislike people who have proud attitudes and actions. Their very countenance seems to encourage others to throw obstacles in their paths or to be silent objectors, except for those who prifit from their coniving.
In Proverbs 6, we are told that God hates seven things. Tellingly, the first is pride. When someone overvalues himself by undervaluing others, he inevitably reveals it with his proud look. Puffed up in self-conceit, he may also devise evil and sow discord. No wonder God hates proud looks.
Proud people may think they can disregard others’ displeasure, but they cannot disregard God’s opposition. Peter reminds us not to trust in ourselves but in the One who will exalt us “in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). As we submit to Him, we avoid the risk that pride brings to our character and we become thankful, humble servants of God.
Naught have I gotten but what I received;Grace hath bestowed it since I have believed;Boasting excluded, pride I abase;I’m only a sinner saved by grace! —Gray
No one can glorify self and Christ at the same time.
(Adapted from Our Daily Bread.)
16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
When I was young, one of my favorite board games was Risk. World conquest was the objective. Each player mobilized his troops to take possession of countries and continents. It always amused me that the person who initially was leading the game seldom won. The reason is obvious. When other players sensed his mounting pride, they would join together against him.
It is easy to dislike people who have proud attitudes and actions. Their very countenance seems to encourage others to throw obstacles in their paths or to be silent objectors, except for those who prifit from their coniving.
In Proverbs 6, we are told that God hates seven things. Tellingly, the first is pride. When someone overvalues himself by undervaluing others, he inevitably reveals it with his proud look. Puffed up in self-conceit, he may also devise evil and sow discord. No wonder God hates proud looks.
Proud people may think they can disregard others’ displeasure, but they cannot disregard God’s opposition. Peter reminds us not to trust in ourselves but in the One who will exalt us “in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). As we submit to Him, we avoid the risk that pride brings to our character and we become thankful, humble servants of God.
Naught have I gotten but what I received;Grace hath bestowed it since I have believed;Boasting excluded, pride I abase;I’m only a sinner saved by grace! —Gray
No one can glorify self and Christ at the same time.
(Adapted from Our Daily Bread.)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Hymn History - MY JESUS, I LOVE THEE
MY JESUS, I LOVE THEE
William Ralph Featherston (1846–1873)
SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD William Featherston of Montreal wrote this simple hymn shortly after his conversion in 1862. He died before his twenty-seventh birthday, and this is apparently the only hymn he wrote.
Young Featherston sent the poem to his aunt in Los Angeles, who then sent it to England, where it appeared in The London Hymnbook of 1864. Back in Boston, Massachusetts, a Baptist minister was preparing a hymnal for Baptist congregations when he saw “My Jesus, I Love Thee” in the British hymnal. He didn’t like the music the words were set to, and he later wrote that “in a moment of inspiration, a beautiful new air sang itself to me.” The simple tune he wrote perfectly complemented the simple words, and soon the hymn was being sung across America.
That composer, A. J. Gordon, had a remarkable ministry in New England. But putting music to this hymn by a teenage boy may be the accomplishment in A. J. Gordon’s life that has touched the most lives of all.
MY JESUS, I LOVE THEE
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine—
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.
I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death-dew lies cold on my brow,
“If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.”
In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
“If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.”
William Ralph Featherston (1846–1873)
SIXTEEN-YEAR-OLD William Featherston of Montreal wrote this simple hymn shortly after his conversion in 1862. He died before his twenty-seventh birthday, and this is apparently the only hymn he wrote.
Young Featherston sent the poem to his aunt in Los Angeles, who then sent it to England, where it appeared in The London Hymnbook of 1864. Back in Boston, Massachusetts, a Baptist minister was preparing a hymnal for Baptist congregations when he saw “My Jesus, I Love Thee” in the British hymnal. He didn’t like the music the words were set to, and he later wrote that “in a moment of inspiration, a beautiful new air sang itself to me.” The simple tune he wrote perfectly complemented the simple words, and soon the hymn was being sung across America.
That composer, A. J. Gordon, had a remarkable ministry in New England. But putting music to this hymn by a teenage boy may be the accomplishment in A. J. Gordon’s life that has touched the most lives of all.
MY JESUS, I LOVE THEE
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine—
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow:
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.
I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death-dew lies cold on my brow,
“If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.”
In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
“If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ‘tis now.”
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