It's About The Cross

This pretty much says it all.

It's About The Cross by Go Fish

http://youtu.be/fr0Khzknt6w

Jesus a philosopher?

While trying to defend the celebration of Christmas, Bill O'Riley made the claim that Christianity is not a religion, rather that it was a philosophy. Jesus a philosopher?
Bill O'Riley's philosophy is clearly out of whack.
Philosophers are those who seek truth, Jesus does not seek truth, Jesus IS the truth. John 14:6

A Pastoral Response to the Newtown Massacre by John MacArthur

A five minute audio that I believe gets it right.
A Pastoral Response to the Newtown Massacre... http://t.co/bIlwejUt

Are we a violent people?

Insightful article by Trevin Wax in The Gospel Coalition.

Tweet from @TrevinWax Horrified by the slaughter of innocent children in Newtown, but entertained by children killing in Hunger Games. http://t.co/obUS0ZXQ

The Answer

The answer to all of our problems including government problems is not out of reach, it has been available all along, but our unwillingness to fully submit keeps us from experiencing it.
The vast majority of people we encounter have an opinion on just about everything and most of them are convinced that their opinion is accurate, however, their is only one place where the answer to all of our questions can be found and only one answer that can make a lasting difference.

The answer is THE GOSPEL.

The GOSPEL changes hearts and changed hearts change our thinking; changed thinking changes our desires; changed desires changes or behavior; changed behaviors change our lives; and changed lives change an entire nation.

The GOSPEL is the only thing that can create the change that will make a difference.

Whenever you realize that you don't have the answers and you are willing to forsake your own agenda and submit your life to the one and only true God, then and only then will you see a change that matters.

Read the book of John in the Bible, don't reject the truth.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of this world will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

My eyes are always on the Lord!

My eyes are always on the Lord!

(James Smith, "Comfort for Christians!")

"My eyes are always on the Lord!" Psalm 25:15

The Lord directs us to look to Him for all that we need--and look away from all that we fear and all that troubles us. Looking to man dishonors the Lord--and ends in disappointment. Looking to ourselves fills us with gloom, sadness, doubts, and fears. It was wise, therefore, of the Psalmist to keep his eyes fixed steadily and habitually on the Lord.

Beloved! In all your sufferings, let your eyes be ever on the Lord. Look to Him . . .
  for ease in pain,
  for strength in weakness,
  for comfort in sorrow,
  and for relief in distress.
Keep your eye fixed on Him as your Father and your God--who has pledged in His Word to do you good.

Friends may fail you, relatives may neglect or be unkind to you, and those you love most may be unable to help you--but look to the Lord! He will never fail you or neglect you. He will prove Himself both able and willing to help you.

Let nothing divert your attention, then, from the Lord--but carry everything to Him and exercise implicit confidence in Him.

Cast on Him every care,
commit to Him every work,
lay before Him every difficulty.
You will prove that He is not only able, but also willing to do "infinitely more than we might ask or think!" Ephesians 3:20.

Whenever Satan tempts you, or guilty fears torment you--turn your eyes to Calvary and see Jesus, your Savior--suffering, bleeding, and dying for you--and so you will enjoy peace.

Lord, help me to look to You for all my direction in life, so that I might not be led astray by my deceitful heart. Let me praise You and bring glory to Your Name every moment of my life!

"My eyes are fixed on You, O Sovereign Lord!" Psalm 141:8

No book is really worth reading

(J.R. Miller, "Things That Endure")

"Avoid every kind of evil!" 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Much is said in commendation of books. But, as in other matters, there is need for wise discrimination in what one reads. Not all books are worth reading.

There are many which are utterly empty of anything that is noble or worthy. One might read them continually all one's life--and yet be no wiser and no better. A hundred of them do not contain a dozen sentences that it is worthwhile to keep in one's memory, or that can be of any help or cheer or strength in one's life.

Then, there are books which are most pernicious in their influence. There are all grades and degrees of evil in this class. Some of them carry a subtle poison in their atmosphere which is noxious to those who breathe it. We need to keep most careful watch over our heart, so that nothing shall ever tarnish its purity. Any corrupt thought, dallied with even for a moment, leaves a stain upon the mind which may never be effaced.

If we would keep the tender joy of our heart experiences unbroken, we must hold rigid watch over our reading, conscientiously excluding not only whatever is obviously impure--but all in which lurks even a suggestion of evil.

A writer says: "Never read a book which is not worth reading, for some noble end, beyond the short-lived pleasure of a little excitement."

When we think of the influence which our reading has upon our lives, we see at once the importance of selecting only books that are worthwhile. At the best, none of us can read one book in a thousand of those which are within our reach. Surely then, this one book ought to be the best in all the thousand.

Every year, a flood of really worthless publications is poured over the country. People go into ecstasies over trivial works which please or excite them for a day--and are then old and forgotten; while books in every way admirable, are passed by unnoticed.

No book is really worth reading, which does not either impart valuable knowledge; or set before us some ideal of beauty, strength, or nobility of character.

There are enough great books to occupy us during all our short and busy years. If we are wise, we will resolutely avoid all but the richest and the best.

(Editor's note: Reading was the primary media in J.R. Miller's day. The above standards apply to all media today--TV, internet, etc.)

gracegems.org

He sees countless evils in each one of us!

(J.C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Mark" 1857)

See what a black catalogue of evils the human heart contains!

"For from within, out of a person's heart, come . . .
evil thoughts,
sexual immorality,
theft,
murder,
adultery,
greed,
wickedness,
deceit,
eagerness for lustful pleasure,
envy,
slander,
pride, and
foolishness.
All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God." Mark 7:21-23

Let us distinctly understand, when we read these words, that our Lord is speaking of the human heart universally. He is not speaking only of the notorious profligate, or the prisoner in the jail. He is speaking of all mankind. All of us, whether . . .
high or low,
rich or poor,
masters or servants,
old or young,
learned or unlearned
--all of us have by nature such a heart as Jesus here describes! The seeds of all the evils here mentioned, lie hidden within us all. They may lie dormant all our lives. They may be kept down by . . .
the fear of consequences;
the restraint of public opinion;
the dread of discovery; or
the desire to be thought respectable.

But every person has within him, the root of every sin!

How humble we ought to be, when we read these verses! "We are all as an unclean thing" in God's sight. He sees countless evils in each one of us, which the world never sees at all, for He reads our hearts. Surely of all sins to which we are liable, self-righteousness is the most unreasonable.

How thankful we ought to be for the Gospel, when we read these verses! That Gospel contains a complete provision for all the needs of our poor defiled natures. The blood of Christ can "cleanse us from all sin." The Holy Spirit can change even our sinful hearts, and keep them clean, when changed. The man that does not glory in the Gospel, can surely know little of the plague that is within him.

How watchful we ought to be, when we remember these verses! What a careful guard we ought to keep over our imaginations, our tongues, and our daily behavior! At the head of the black list of our heart's contents, stand "evil thoughts." Let us never forget that. Thoughts are the parents of words and deeds! Let us pray daily for grace to keep our thoughts in order, and let us cry earnestly and fervently, "lead us not into temptation!"

gracegems.org

He sees countless evils in each one of us!

(J.C. Ryle, "The Gospel of Mark" 1857)

See what a black catalogue of evils the human heart contains! 

"For from within, out of a person's heart, come . . .

  evil thoughts,

  sexual immorality,

  theft,

  murder,

  adultery,

  greed,

  wickedness,

  deceit,

  eagerness for lustful pleasure,

  envy,

  slander,

  pride, and 

  foolishness. 

All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God." Mark 7:21-23

Let us distinctly understand, when we read these words, that our Lord is speaking of the human heart universally. He is not speaking only of the notorious profligate, or the prisoner in the jail. He is speaking of all mankind. All of us, whether . . .

  high or low,

  rich or poor,

  masters or servants,

  old or young,

  learned or unlearned

--all of us have by nature such a heart as Jesus here describes! The seeds of all the evils here mentioned, lie hidden within us all. They may lie dormant all our lives. They may be kept down by . . .

  the fear of consequences;

  the restraint of public opinion;

  the dread of discovery; or

  the desire to be thought respectable. 

But every person has within him, the root of every sin!

How humble we ought to be, when we read these verses! "We are all as an unclean thing" in God's sight. He sees countless evils in each one of us, which the world never sees at all, for He reads our hearts. Surely of all sins to which we are liable, self-righteousness is the most unreasonable.

How thankful we ought to be for the Gospel, when we read these verses! That Gospel contains a complete provision for all the needs of our poor defiled natures. The blood of Christ can "cleanse us from all sin." The Holy Spirit can change even our sinful hearts, and keep them clean, when changed. The man that does not glory in the Gospel, can surely know little of the plague that is within him.

How watchful we ought to be, when we remember these verses! What a careful guard we ought to keep over our imaginations, our tongues, and our daily behavior! At the head of the black list of our heart's contents, stand "evil thoughts." Let us never forget that. Thoughts are the parents of words and deeds! Let us pray daily for grace to keep our thoughts in order, and let us cry earnestly and fervently, "lead us not into temptation!"

gracegems.org

Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?

(J.R. Miller, "A Message for the Day" 1901)

"Far be it from You to do such a thing--to kill the righteous with the wicked, treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Genesis18:25

Some people worry about thedestiny of the Heathen, and ask if God can be just--and do so and so. A great deal better solution of such perplexities, is Abraham's: "Will not the Judge of all the earth do right?" Surely we can trust Him with all such things, and leave them in His hands.

Others have perplexity concerning the apparent lack of justness in the allotment of earth. Some holy people have little but trouble here--and some wicked people have very much worldly favor. We have the same truth on which to rest all suchseeming inequities. God will surely do right. What we calltrouble, may have more realblessing in it, than what we callprosperity. Also, the end of life is not here. God has eternity in which to adjust the inequities.

There are other people who think that their own lot is very hard. They complain about their trials and disappointments, and are discontented with what God does for them and gives them. They say that God is good; yet they imply by their petulance, that He is not good. This word of Abraham's should rebuke all such complaints. Sooner might the Heavens fall--than that in any smallest thing, God could do anything but what is absolutely right and just.

"Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also in Him--and He shall bring it to pass." Psalm 37:5

gracegems.org

A Place in Heaven

One can easily say "I am Christian" or "I believe in God" and not be born again. Jesus says in John 3:3 that "unless a man is born again he will not see the kingdom of God." Is the evidence of a regenerated life found in those who care for others or simply do good deeds? Clearly not. The Bible says that even those whos hearts are far from God have the ability to do good to others.

The hell of Hell

(Arthur Pink)

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment--but the righteous to eternal life!" Matthew 25:46

After millions of years, the suffering of the lost is no nearer an end, than it was at the outset. "This is the hell of Hell, that, as the torments thereof are without measure--so they are without end!" (Thomas Manton) 

The respective eternal portions of the saved and the lost are contrasted at every point:

The utter hopelessness of the lost: "Punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord!" (2 Thessalonians 1:9).

The perpetuity of the saints' bliss: "I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever!" (Psalm 23:6).

The wicked enjoy "the pleasures of sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:25); 

the godly shall participate in those "pleasures at God's right hand forever" (Psalm 16:11).

Agents of Satan seize the souls of the wicked at death; 

the saints souls are carried to Heaven by the angels.

The lost shall be raised "to shame and everlasting contempt" (Daniel 12:2); 

the godly are raised in "honor and glory" (1 Peter 1:7). 

To the wicked it shall be said, "Depart from Me, you who are cursed" (Matthew 25:41); 

to the saved, "Come, you who are blessed of My Father" (Matthew 25:34). 

The wicked "shall be tormented day and night forever and ever" (Revelation 20:10); 

the godly shall "be forever with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17; Revelation 22:5).

gracegems.org

I flee anew to the pavilion of Your love!

(John MacDuff, "Evening Incense" 1856)

Blessed Lord, bend Your pitying eye of love and mercy upon me today. Draw near to me, as I venture once more on praying and on pleading ground.

Alas! O God, how little have I improved the time that is past! I am a wonder to myself, that with all my deep ingratitude and utter vileness--I am yet permitted to approach Your footstool! I have sinned against light and love--warning and mercy--grace and privilege. The retrospect of life--is a retrospect of guilt. I mourn over my manifold shortcomings--the alienation of my heart from You--the fitfulness of my spiritual frames--the ebbings and flowings in the tide of my love. When tried by the lofty and unerring standard of Your Word--how are my best actions and duties marred with defilement! How much self-seeking and self-glorying--and how little animated by the predominating motive of love to You, and singleness of eye to Your service!

Blessed Jesus! I flee anew to the pavilion of Your love! I have no other hope, no other refuge--but in Your finished work--Your matchless atonement--Your spotless righteousness! There is in You, an all-sufficiency for every need. Finite necessities cannot exhaust Infinite fullness. Let me hear Your voice saying, "Your sins, which are many--are all forgiven!"

Transform me more and more into Your own image. May I know more and more, the happiness of true holiness--that I am really blessed in seeking to walk so as to please You. May the power of grace wax stronger and stronger--and the power of sin wax weaker and weaker. May trials and crosses become light and easy to me--when borne in a spirit of meek, unrepining submission to Your Divine will. May this quiet every doubt and misgiving: "Your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things!"

gracegems.org

Pornography and the Soul

The false believer is not concerned about the pornography in their life.

The false believer takes great pleasure in viewing pictures of those who are barely dressed.

The false believer struggles not, when undressing others with their eyes.

The false believer brags about their lustful thoughts.

The false believer is foolish to think this is acceptable.

The false believer is deceived when thinking there is no harm in this type of behavior.

The false believer is without God and has no assurance of salvation.

The false believer has no power in and of theirselves to resist this alone.

Think about your sin, let it crush you then think about the Savior who died to save you. Repent and turn from sin, put your COMPLETE trust in Christ to rescue you from this grievous trap.

He alone can save your soul from everlasting punishment in a lake of fire.

He will give you a new heart with new desires that will despise the wickedness of this world.

Take these three spears!

(Thomas Watson, "The Mischief of Sin")

Do with your sin--as Joab did with Absalom. He took three spears and thrust them through the heart of Absalom! 2 Samuel 18:14. Just so, take these three spears--the Word of God, prayer, and mortification--and strike through the heart of your lusts, so that they die!

What is the end of all a Christian's duties, praying, and hearing--but to weaken and mortify lust! Why is this spiritual medicine taken--but to kill the child of sin! Sin will insinuate itself and plead for a reprieve--but show it no mercy!

Saul's sparing Agag lost him the kingdom--and your sparing sin will lose you the kingdom of Heaven. Do with your sin, what Samuel did to Agag, "He hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord at Gilgal." 1 Samuel 15:33

gracegems.org

Omnipresence

Omnipresence
(A Collection of Hymns and Sacred Songs)

WHERE can we hide, or whither fly,
Lord, to escape thy piercing eye?
With thee it is not day and night,
But darkness shineth as the light.

Where'er we go, whate'er pursue,
Our ways are open to thy view,
Our motives read, our thoughts explored,
Our hearts revealed to thee, O Lord.

Is there throughout all worlds one spot,
One lonely wild, where thou art not?
The hosts of heaven enjoy thy care,
And those of hell know thou art there.

Awake, asleep, where none intrude,
Or 'midst the thronging multitude,
In every land on every sea,
We are surrounded still with thee.

Search us, O God, and know each heart;
With every idol bid us part;
Make us to keep thy holy ways,
And live to utter forth thy praise.

The Child of Satan!

(James Smith, "The Love of Christ! The Fullness, Freeness, and Immutability of the Savior's Grace Displayed!")

"For all who are led by the Spirit of God--are children of God!" Romans 8:14

If we are sons of God--we shall be led by the Spirit of God. And if we are led by the Spirit of God--we shall be led in the paths of righteousness and holiness!

The sons of God do not, cannot--love sin, live in sin, or make light of sin! He who loves and lives in sin--is the child of Satan! "You are of your father the Devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires!" John 8:44

The child will resemble its parent, and all God's children resemble Him--in His hatred to sin, and love to holiness. Let us not, therefore, imagine that we are the Lord's--if we live as the world lives . . .
in the lusts of the flesh,
in the lust of the eye,
and in the pride of life!

gracegems.org

Is your religion real?

Are you serious about your true state with God?

Read this paper by JC Ryle regarding self examination.

http://gracegems.org/Ryle/reality.htm

Are there more gods than one?

Question: Are there more Gods than one?

Answer: There is but one only, the living and true God.

Isaiah 44:6 - Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and His Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the First and I am the Last, and there is no God besides me.'

From Evernote:

Very distinct from this poor, fallen, degraded world!

(James Smith, "Higher Ground")

"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ--set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above--not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:1-2 

The believer, as one with Christ, as redeemed from among men, as a child of God--ought to bevery distinct from this poor, fallen, degraded world! 

But alas, we are too often mixed up with the world--and are too much like the world! We forget the dignity of our high calling, and our glorious destiny--as the heirs of eternal life. 

Rise therefore, like the liberated eagle. 
Leave the world with all its follies and fascinations! 
Set your heart on Heaven and heavenly things! 

gracegems.org

Two inseparable companions

(Thomas Sherman, "Divine Breathings; Or, a Pious Soul Thirsting after Christ")

"Blessed are those who mourn--for they will be comforted!" Matthew 5:4

Sin and sorrow are two inseparable companions; you can not indulge the one--and be without the other. If your moments are now spent in carnal mirth--then your eternity will be spent in ceaseless mourning. If you will not weep for sin now, while you may have mercy to pardon you--you will lament hereafter, and have no eye to pity you! A bottle of tears may now quench the fire of sin--but a sea of tears will never quench the flames of Hell!

Therefore while the wicked continue laughing--I will continue to mourn. Through the Valley of Bochim (weeping)--I shall pass to the Heavenly Zion. But the paths of carnal mirth--will bring me into a Hell of weeping; for he who swims in sin--shall sink in sorrow! His laughter shall be turned into heaviness; but my tears shall be wiped away! I will therefore ever weep--that I may not weep forever!

"God will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain!" Revelation 21:4

"They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!" Matthew 13:42

What rule has God given to direct us how we may glorify him?

The Word of God which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify God and enjoy him.

2 Timothy 3:16 - All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

Advice to Young Ladies on Their Duties and Conduct in Life

(gracegems.org)

We have just published Timothy Shay Arthur's outstanding 100 page book, "Advice to Young Ladies on Their Duties and Conduct in Life". This is the best treatment of the subject that we have ever read. Must reading for all women. Parents will gain valuable insights on how to build godly character into their daughters. The latter chapters are especially profitable.

http://bit.ly/KjzbQq

The best preacher of the gospel

gracegems.com

An honest, consistent, holy character--is a sermon all the week. The godly Christian--pure of heart and unspotted by the world--is the best preacher of the gospel. The revival which is most urgently needed--is a revival of practical godliness. Sunday preaching is not enough; we need more "sermons all through the week."

Let us go down to the core. The only basis of good character is a renewed heart--a heart in which Jesus Christ lives, a heart which is in the habit of obeying Christ's commandments. Such a man draws his motives of action from his deep, abiding love to Jesus. Up from the very roots--comes his daily devotion to those things which are pure and honest and lovely and of good report. Rooted into Christ, he is not easily shaken. He does not bend to trickery or yield to temptation. The world cannot move such a man. What does he care for its changing, frivolous fashions; his fashion is to do the will of his holy Master.

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:1-2

(Theodore Cuyler, "Wayside Springs from the Fountain of Life" 1883)

Slave to sin or slave to God?

"One is never free from a master, and those non-Christians who think they are free are under an illusion created and sustained by Satan. The choice with which people are faced is not, 'Should I retain my freedom, or give it up and submit to God?' but 'Should I serve sin, or should I serve God?'" - The Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary, Romans 1-8, 415

Insofar as slavery to sin consists of everything hateful, harmful, dreadful, and despicable, so slavery to Christ entails everything good, glorious, joyous, and right. - SLAVE

Know Thy Enemy

gty.org | Feb 9th 2011

Are you ready to kill?

That's a stark question, and it demands qualification, but killing is a regular part of the Christian life. There's an aspect of being a Christian that's downright violent.

You see, God commands us to hunt down and kill all remaining sin—to terminate it with extreme prejudice. Want proof? Here's what Paul said in Romans 8:

So then, brethren, we are under obligation. Not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God (vv. 12-14)

Or, how about Colossians 3:5?

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

So, there you are, Christian. Paul didn't say, "Negotiate or bargain with sin"—this isn't diplomacy; there's no call for making threats or shooting sin in the leg. God calls you to identify, locate, attack, and execute the enemy, the sin in your members. Put it to death. Period.

Your objective is clear, and your enemy has been identified.

But do you really know sin? You'd better. Being ignorant of the adversary is inexcusable because God has revealed everything you need to know about it—its nature, its strategy, and its goal.

Only a fool would engage an enemy he doesn't understand, whose strengths and tactics he doesn't know. Try that approach in sports, you jeopardize the game; try it in business and watch your revenue plummet. But those losses are petty compared with the health of your soul (Rom. 8:13). In the relentless war against sin, ignorance isn't bliss. It's suicide.

Think of it like this. If it was your job to track down and eliminate a dangerous group of insurgents, what would you need to know to accomplish your objective? You'd want to know their background, identify their leaders, understand their goals, and learn their strengths and weaknesses. You'd familiarize yourself with their allies, technological sophistication, weaponry, tactics, and a whole lot more.

Now take that approach with sin. What do you need to know about sin to put it to death? Let me give you three things to think about:

The Nature of Sin

John Owen was a pastor-theologian of the Puritan era who understood sin. He really understood it. In his little book, The Mortification of Sin, a tremendous gift to the church, he wrote, "It is to be feared that very many Christians have little knowledge of the main enemy that they carry about with them in their hearts." Owen had pastoral concerns for the Christians in his day who were ignorant of sin's nature, and thus poorly equipped to combat it.

What about you? Do you know the nature of sin?

Above all else, sin is deceptive. It entices its victims with lies, lures them away from safety, and kills them. Sin promises pleasure, and delivers pain, sorrow, and death (James. 1:14, 15). Sin is crafty and subtle, like the serpent in Eden. Sin presents itself as a trusted ally, offering friendly counsel and whispering sweet promises, but it will always deceive. Sin can never be trusted.

When you look back on its history, you discover a track record of treachery.

• Sin deceived Eve with a piece of forbidden fruit, and weakened Adam to turn away from God's clear command, plunging the human race into ruin.
• Sin deceived Achan with a forbidden mantle, and his whole family suffered death by stoning.
• Sin deceived David with a forbidden woman, leading him into adultery, deception, murder, and a conspiratorial cover-up; David's family and kingdom never recovered.
• Sin deceived Solomon with foreign wives, leading him into idolatry; it tore his kingdom apart.
• Sin deceived Judas with a meager 30 pieces of silver, for which he committed the most notorious crime in history—betraying the Son of God.
• Sin deceived Ananias and Sapphira with the deadly combination of money and prestige, leading them to lie to the Holy Spirit, for which they forfeited their lives.

In every case, sin allured its victim with some delectable, promising what was desired. Like bait on a hook, sin offered wisdom, pleasure, wealth, respectability. It delivered death.

It's just as Puritan Thomas Guthrie once said: "Who is this Delilah that sings the Nazarite asleep and delivers up the strength of God into the hands of the uncircumcised? What fair siren is this who seated on a rock by a deadly pool smiles to deceive, sings to lure, kisses to betray and flings her arm round our neck to leap with us into perdition? Sin."

That's the nature of sin. It's deceitful and crafty.

The Strategy of Sin

The main strategy of sin is to excite lust, tempting you with an opportunity to fulfill it. When you take the bait, it yanks the hook and you're caught. That's exactly the picture James painted: "Each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death" (James 1:14: 15).

The temptation may come from the outside, but for the strategy to work, there must be a cooperating attraction on the inside. And there is—the internal lusts, betraying thoughts, and sinful impulses. James revisits the concept in chapter 4:

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members? You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel (vv. 1, 2).

Notice the progression? You want, you need, you demand, and finally you take, whatever the cost.

Sin is treacherous. Pride, resentment, bitterness, and unbelief are choice weapons in its arsenal, and it'll work through your dissatisfaction, jealousy, fear, sorrow, or anger, taking advantage of multiple entry points. It'll ambush you at the point of a recent accomplishment, a spiritual milestone, or even a season of victory over other sins. Sin's strategy is to find and target your most vulnerable spot. Again, here's Owen on sin's strategy:

Sin is always acting, always conceiving, and always seducing and tempting. Who can say that he has ever had anything to do with God or for God which indwelling sin has not tried to corrupt?...There is not a day but sin foils or is foiled, prevails, or is prevailed upon. It will always be so while we live in this world. Sin will not spare for one day. There is no safety but in a constant warfare for those who desire deliverance from sin's perplexing rebellion.

The Goal of Sin

At the end of the day, what is sin's goal? What's its objective, what does it want?

First, sin wants to master you. Consider the Bible's first description of sin, provided by God Himself. He warned Cain in Genesis 4, "If you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." I can't think of a more eerie description of sin than that. "Its desire is for you" means sin wants you, it's coming after you! God compares sin to a savage beast, poised to attack yet patiently waiting for the victim's weakest, most vulnerable moment. Sin isn't necessarily hiding, but waiting. Sin wants to dominate you. That's its goal.

If you remember, sin triumphed over Cain. Sin took control of his thoughts, mastered his emotions, and governed his behavior; and it resulted in Cain's demise. Cain was the first person God cursed in the Bible; now he's in hell. In Cain, sin accomplished its goal, and here's the path: deceive, dominate, destroy.

A second goal of sin is to defile and corrupt. In a message titled, The Ugliness of Christmas, John MacArthur said this:

Sin is defiling. We need to understand that its nature is that it defiles. It is to precious metal what rust is. It is what scars are to a lovely face, what stain is to silk cloth, what smog is to an azure sky. It is a defiling thing. It makes the soul red with guilt and black with evil. In 1 Kings 8, the sin of man's heart is compared to oozing sores of a deadly plague. In Zechariah 3:3, compared to filthy garments. It is a defiling polluting staining thing. It stains the soul and blots out the image of God…sin pollutes and defiles and stains and mars everything it touches. And it touches everything in the human realm.

Sin is like a cancerous disease. It is entrenched deep within the heart, undetected but not inactive. If it's not rooted out, it will grow, infect other areas, and eventually take over to the detriment and destruction of the entire body. Sin corrupts and defiles everything it touches—families, governments, churches. Sin seeks the ruin of its host, always.

A third goal of sin is to diminish the glory of Christ and dim the hope of the gospel. Sin produces despair, tempting you to abandon any hope of forgiveness. Sin wants you to feel perpetually unworthy and never look to Christ. It wants to hide God's face (Isa. 59:2) and distort the gospel. Sin wants to paralyze the sinner with fear and condemnation, and then hide the remedy.

Sin seeks to do all those things because, if successful, it will destroy your soul. That's its ultimate objective. Sin wants you in hell.

Make no mistake. Sin is a fierce enemy and has devised your ruin. From the very beginning God has warned us about sin's cunning and treachery. Sin entices, masters, and then kills (Gen. 4:7; Jam. 1:15; Heb. 12:1). It cannot and will not be ignored, so it must be executed.

Tommy Clayton
Content Developer and Broadcast Editor

Original Page: http://www.gty.org/Blog/B110209

What are the most dangerous threats to the gospel today?

9marks.org | Nov 30th -0001

It's impossible to answer what's "most" dangerous to the gospel today without God's knowledge of everything. But here are some prominent threats that loom on the horizon:

1. The prosperity "gospel." The belief that the gospel is about God making us rich is a lie. Jesus came to save us from sin and reconcile us to God (Rom. 5:10-11; 1 Pet. 3:18), giving us every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3) and promising us suffering in this life and glory in the next (Acts 14:22, Rom. 8:18).
2. The attack on penal, substitutionary atonement. Many people reject the idea that on the cross God punished Jesus for the sins of his people. But to reject this is to reject the heart of the gospel itself (Rom. 3:21-26).
3. The rejection of the wrath of God. People today are extremely uncomfortable with the idea of a holy God who will punish sin. But if we reject the wrath of God we lie to ourselves about the fundamental problem the gospel saves us from (John 3:36; Rom. 1:18; 1 Thess. 1:10).
4. The rejection of sin. Some argue that sin is just an idea that people in power use to make others behave the way they want them to. But the Bible presents sin—and especially God's wrath against sin—as humanity's fundamental problem. Reject sin and you've rejected our only Savior who "died for our sins" (1 Cor. 15:3).
5. A man-centered view of the universe. We like to think that we run things around here. We like to think that no one can tell us what to do or believe—after all, we have rights! But the Bible presents exactly the opposite picture: we live in God's universe (Rom. 11:36). He made us (Ps. 100:3). He rules over us (Dan. 4:34-35; 1 Tim. 6:15-16). We either worship him or hate him—and face the consequences (Rom. 1:18, 25; 8:5-8). A man-centered view of the universe is the opposite of the gospel and leaves no room for the gospel.
6. "All paths lead to God." People like to think that whatever anyone believes is fine so long as they're sincere. People like to think that God will accept everyone in the end. After all, isn't he a loving God? But the gospel is a radically exclusive message: Jesus alone is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12, NIV).
7. Other threats: widespread belief in a brand of "tolerance" which, in fact, is not very tolerant but is fundamentally a rejection of universal truth; cultural materialism; nihilism/philosophical unbelief/radical skepticism; the ever-continual attacks on Scripture, even from within the church.

Original Page: http://www.9marks.org/answers/what-are-most-dangerous-threats-gospel-today

@TrevinWax - Worth a Look: 4 Ways to Ruin a Ministry Monday

Sarcasm CAN be helpful, causing us to pause and evaluate our own heart in the light of the gospel. Interesting article, not just for Pastors though.

@TrevinWax
Worth a Look: 4 Ways to Ruin a Ministry Monday http://t.co/hU8RSEER

Christian Singles and Contraception?

Telling singles they ought to turn toward Jesus and contraception is an implicit denial that repentance is integral to the Christian life. It's like Jesus telling the woman caught in adultery: "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin some more." - Trevin Wax

Full article http://t.co/h45NRmBq

Why don’t Christians care that they sin?

In this short video, Alistair Begg and R.C. Sproul answer the question, "Why don't Christians care that they sin?"http://t.co/d1Ju8IvG

Should we follow our heart or trust in ourselves?

These things may sound nice and good but following your own heart or trusting in yourself are forms of idolatry, they are sins that can damn your soul to Hell for all of eternity. Do not be deceived by the things of this world that draw you away from the Lord especially the sin of self righteousness.
But there is Good News. Turning away from your sins and putting your trust in Christ ALONE (not yourself) can save you from the wrath of God that is to come and you have God's word on that.

The heart is deceitful and wicked.
http://bible.us/Jer17.9.NASB

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NASB)
But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

Proverbs 3:5-7 (NASB)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

University of Destruction (A book every college student must read)

This book will equip and college students for the real world.

University of Destruction (A Book Review)

Your Game Plan For Spiritual Victory On Campus

Book Details

• Author: David Wheaton
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (2005)
• Category: Christian Living

Discerning Reader Editorial Review

Reviewed 04/24/2006 by Tim Challies.

It is a tragic fact that many, and perhaps even the majority of students who proclaim to be Christians when they begin college, no longer make such a claim when they have finished. Four years of college, four years of being away from the presence of parents and church, leads many to abandon the faith they once professed. To combat this ongoing problem, David Wheaton, radio host and one-time tennis professional, has written University of Destruction. This book is targetted squarely at the teenager who is about to depart the comfort and safety of home to set out on his own, beginning with a college education.

To explain how so many young people can fall away during their tenure at college Wheaton differentiates between professors and possessors. Everyone who claims to be a Christian when he begins college is a professor, for he professes faith in Christ. But only a few are possessors, those who actually possess a living and active faith. Clearly it is only those who possess the indwelling Holy Spirit, and are thus possessed by God, who can expect to remain strong through their years of higher education.

Wheaton goes on to introduce what he calls the Pillars of Peril that every student will encounter. They are sex, drugs and rock 'n' roll. Sex refers to all forms of sexual deviance and activity outside of God's divinely ordained plan that sex be restricted to the marriage bed. The author emphasizes abstinence and allows no leeway for any type of sexual activity outside marriage. He also warns of the dangers involved in dating. While he does not directly advocate a courtship model, he does encourage young couples to date under the authority of their parents and to only date people with whom they can foresee a marriage.

Drugs refers not only to the recreational drugs that are all too common at colleges, but also to alcohol. Wheaton encourages students to avoid alcohol altogether, not only because most college students are underage and drinking is thus an offense against the governmental authorities, but because it may represent a poor example to unbelievers. He suggests that students "Commit to a higher standard - don't drink alcohol...period! Take it out of play; remove it completely from your life...I can think of no positive reasons for drinking alcoholic beverages" (pages 74,75).

The third Pillar of Peril is rock 'n' roll, by which the author refers not to music, but to what rock music exemplifies - rebellion against authority.

Having introduced the pillars of peril, Wheaton goes on to help the student put together a game plan for addressing and overcoming each one of them. He concludes with helpful teaching about the importance of choosing friends wisely and choosing the right college.

Throughout the book Wheaton continually refers the student to the Bible, affirming the power and supremacy of the Scriptures. His teaching is consistent with historical Protestantism and will surely reap great benefits in the lives of those who read and heed his teachings. He is deliberate in showing that the greatest sin on campus is not the acts themselves, but the erosion of Christian worldview, without which there is no authority, no right or wrong.

This is a book I would not hesitate to provide as a gift for any student who is planning on attending college. It would be an excellent title for the student to read and study with his parents. I definitely recommend it.

Conducting their children to the bottomless pit!

(J.A. James, "The Duties of Parents" 1828) 

On parents it depends in a great measure, what their children are to be . . .

  happy--or miserable in themselves,

  a comfort--or a curse to their relationships,

  an ornament--or a deformity to society,

  a seraph--or a fiend in eternity!

It is indeed a fearsome thing to be a parent, and is enough to awaken the anxious, trembling inquiry in every parent's heart: "Lord, who is sufficient for these things?" 

A graceless parent is a most dreadful character! Oh! to see the father and mother of an expanding family, with a crowd of young immortals growing up around them--and teaching worldliness to their offspring, and leading them to perdition by the power of their own example! 

A sheep leading her lambs into a den of hungry tigers, would be a shocking sight! But to see parents conducting their children to the bottomless pit--is most horrible!!

gracegems.org

Repentance

"Regret there will be, but the heart of repentance is the lifelong moral and spiritual turnaround of our lives as we submit to the Lord" - Sinclair Ferguson

If this is accurate, it looks like true repentance has escaped many who call themselves christians today.

Oh Lord, help me to slay the wickedness that remains in my life wherever it is found; may it be a repulsive stench in my nostrils.

God's servants do not promote themselves

(Don Fortner)

"For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake." 2 Corinthians 4:5

No work is so great, no labor is so noble, no burden is so heavy, no honor is so humbling--as preaching the gospel of the grace of God to eternity bound sinners!

Let every man called of God to preach the Gospel, disentangle himself from the affairs of this world with determined consecration to Christ and His Gospel and His Church, addicting himself to prayer, study and preaching.

God's servants do not promote themselves, their ministry, or their church. They promote Christ, His Gospel, and His Kingdom. The man who promotes himself--serves no one but himself!

gracegems.org

The littleness of all earthly things

(William Law, "A Serious Call to a Devout and Holy Life")

The Scriptures represent this life, and the greatest things of life . . .
as bubbles,
as vapors,
as dreams,
and as shadows.

Think upon the vanity and shortness of human life--and let death and eternity be often in your minds; for these thoughts will strengthen and exalt your minds, make you wise and judicious, and truly sensible of the littleness of all earthly things.

The greatness of those things which follow death--makes all that goes before it sink into nothing!

gracegems.org

Both apostles are right!

(William Bacon Stevens, "Waiting and Watching!")

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?" James 2:14 

The religion of Jesus Christ is made up of two parts--faith and works.

Faith is the root of works.

Works are the fruit of faith.

A belief, however true and pure, if it is accepted only by the intellect, and is not carried out into practice--translating the faith held by the mind, into active duties--is a barren faith, which will not be accepted by God, and which will not secure salvation. 

On the other hand, works, however good, which do not spring out of faith in the Lord Jesus, but which are done merely from human and worldly motives--are of no avail before God, because "whatever is not of faith, is sin." 

Thrice has James told us, "Faith without works is dead!" 

And just as distinctly has Paul declared, "By the works of the law, shall no flesh be justified in His sight."

Both apostles are right! 

Works without faith--have no living root. 

Faith without works--has no authenticating fruit. 

They are the two parts of the one tree, namely, the root and the fruit. They are the two halves of the one whole--together they make up the true Christian.

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by works, is dead!" James 2:17 

Following Christ Is Not Simply a Decision

Making a decision to follow Christ cannot save you any more than being baptized can, neither praying a prayer nor walking an aisle can free you from the wrath of God that is to come.

Only REPENT of your sins and BELIEVE the Gospel.

Repentance is not only a mere apology, but a TURNING AWAY from sin, an agreement with God that we are wicked sinners, unable to please Him on our own, and belief is not simply a head knowledge that God is real or that Jesus existed, rather TRUSTING fully in the completed work of Christ to save us from our sin, allowing the Holy Spirit to direct your thinking and your actions through the Word of God (The Bible), anything else is done in vain.
Apart from Christ salvation is impossible.

Ezekiel 36:26-27
"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.

As we look at this slain Lamb!

Christians! Wearers of Christ's name! Professors of Christ's religion! Will you love sin? Will you be in league with and cherish that in your heart--which slew the Lamb of God? O, if you love sin; if you are resolved not to forsake it; if you do not hate it as the enemy of Christ, and your own soul--you are hugging that to your heart, which drove the nails into the hands, and thrust the spear into the side, of the Lamb of God! -William Bacon Stevens

Grace Alone (sola gratia)

Too many people today believe that human beings are basically good; and if we are saved, it is because of our own good decision to receive the Jesus who is offered to us.
But when we introduce a standard by which God has to save all, or at least give everyone an equal chance of being saved; that is not grace!
If God were motivated only by what is right or fair, everyone would be condemned and spend eternity in hell. (paraphrased)

Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace - James Montgomery Boice

Withstanding Temptation From Satan

Jesus withstood the temptation of Satan not through His powers of reason which certainly surpassed those of the tempter. Jesus did not resort to supernatural power to escape this trial, though He had that power as well. Neither did He ask God for some special sign or angelic intervention to tell Him what He was to say to Satan. It was far simpler than that. Jesus knew the Bible, stood on it, and used it forcefully.
(Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace - James Montgomery Boice)