J.A. Matteson
With great charity and grace leaders in the church are to bear with and correct those who oppose sound doctrine, to the extent that their opposition is of ignorance accompanied with a teachable spirit. By contrast those opposed to sound doctrine with a strong spiritual undercurrent of malice are to avoided. "Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching" (2 Tim. 4:15). These are tares amidst the wheat, self condemned, heaping up for themselves judgement in the day of God's wrath. Blind and deaf to spiritual truth they are unstable souls, forever learning but never coming to the truth which is the Word of God preserved in Scripture. Pulling together their spiritual understandings from every corner of human wisdom they are tossed to and fro, ships in the harbor without anchor drifting about, unsettled souls who agitate the peace of others by the heresies they confidentiality proclaim as divine truth. Undisciplined, unrepentant, unwilling to submit to sound doctrine they viciously undermine the tireless work of God's workers in sewing, watering, and reaping the word of life. Therefore, take note of them, mark them, avoid them, as they were appointed for the just retribution to be delivered upon the unjust according to the righteous fury of the LORD.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Thursday, October 30, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Kindred Spirits
J.A. Matteson
Had the excellencies of God's mercy in our personal redemption and the hope of His calling been the limit of His grace, it would be immeasurably beyond what we deserve; that being hell. Notwithstanding the glorious sweetness of His fellowship, the LORD has further blessed His saints with the company of hearts and minds of like affection, kindred spirits saved by grace, growing from faith to faith, looking to the blessed hope of His return and deliverance. "We give thanks to God always for all of you...." (1Thess. 1:2). In His eternal goodness the LORD has providentially placed in our lives shadows of His essence, reflections of His kindness, echos of His radiance, as brought forth by the fruit of His Spirit in the lives of the saints around us, to encourage, strengthen, and yes, when needed, lovingly rebuke. What a ghastly place this fallen world would be without them, if in solitude we were to tread our pilgrims path! It is fitting and proper, therefore, that in remembrance of these gifts from heaven we give thanks to the LORD on High, Jesus Christ our Redeemer, by whom and through whom we can do all things, by His power that works in us, and in the saints of His choosing who are dear to us.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
Had the excellencies of God's mercy in our personal redemption and the hope of His calling been the limit of His grace, it would be immeasurably beyond what we deserve; that being hell. Notwithstanding the glorious sweetness of His fellowship, the LORD has further blessed His saints with the company of hearts and minds of like affection, kindred spirits saved by grace, growing from faith to faith, looking to the blessed hope of His return and deliverance. "We give thanks to God always for all of you...." (1Thess. 1:2). In His eternal goodness the LORD has providentially placed in our lives shadows of His essence, reflections of His kindness, echos of His radiance, as brought forth by the fruit of His Spirit in the lives of the saints around us, to encourage, strengthen, and yes, when needed, lovingly rebuke. What a ghastly place this fallen world would be without them, if in solitude we were to tread our pilgrims path! It is fitting and proper, therefore, that in remembrance of these gifts from heaven we give thanks to the LORD on High, Jesus Christ our Redeemer, by whom and through whom we can do all things, by His power that works in us, and in the saints of His choosing who are dear to us.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever."). Isa. 40:8
Sunday, October 5, 2014
In All Things
J.A. Matteson
Has it occurred to you that your circumstance is ordained by God in order that you might bear witness to the gospel?
"...knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:16). We go along our way day to day with grandiose ideas of how we will glorify God. The LORD will have none of that; rather, He raises up refining stones to buffet our sense of order, challenging our misguided delusion of personal sovereignty. Know this: within every high and low the LORD is in the midst. Amongst every travail and victory He is there. As the LORD sets in motion the heavenly bodies, guiding their paths according to the good pleasure of His will, does He not in like manner guide you daily course by His hand of providence? Indeed, He does, and for His glory and your sanctification. In all things, pleasant and distressful, know that He has appointed you for each occasion for the defense of the gospel. Let the fruit of His spirit burst forth from your mouth in praise as His grace gives you utterance.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Has it occurred to you that your circumstance is ordained by God in order that you might bear witness to the gospel?
"...knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel" (Phil. 1:16). We go along our way day to day with grandiose ideas of how we will glorify God. The LORD will have none of that; rather, He raises up refining stones to buffet our sense of order, challenging our misguided delusion of personal sovereignty. Know this: within every high and low the LORD is in the midst. Amongst every travail and victory He is there. As the LORD sets in motion the heavenly bodies, guiding their paths according to the good pleasure of His will, does He not in like manner guide you daily course by His hand of providence? Indeed, He does, and for His glory and your sanctification. In all things, pleasant and distressful, know that He has appointed you for each occasion for the defense of the gospel. Let the fruit of His spirit burst forth from your mouth in praise as His grace gives you utterance.
Copyright (c) 2014 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever.") Isa. 40:8
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)