04.14.09
J.A. Matteson
"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men…." Titus 2:11
The incarnation of the Son of God is the quintessential display of grace, for that which is known of God finds its expression in the divine initiative; recipients of grace are illumined to His Person and majesty, being conscripted to a global enterprise with eternal consequences. Imagine them now in darkness, helpless, hopeless, blind, deaf, despairing, pierced through with many sorrows, not knowing their right hand from their left, always learning but never coming to a knowledge of the truth, thinking themselves wise but being detestable in every deed, idolaters, insolent, with eyes full of envy and lust, desiring and never being satisfied, blissfully ignorant of their spiritual condition and of the deep pit over which they dangle by a thread, whose demise in hell surely awaits them, lest they repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. And such were all of you. Can you picture them, for they are your neighbors, family, friends, associates, co-workers, partners, those far and near. To be called by Christ is to be on mission with Christ, to co-labor with Him in His redemptive mission of mercy. The missionary call to pilgrims is inclusive, it excludes none. Recipients of grace become channels of grace whereby the Gospel of Jesus Christ is transmitted to the sons of men that they might be saved, “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14).
The sacred trust of the Gospel requires its recipient to enter into the work of the Savior, to engage and dialogue, defend and propose, to juxtapose and refute, plead and warn. Response to the Gospel is none of your business; your obligation to your Master is to preach it passionately, consistently, and honestly, leaving the outcome of your endeavors to the Lord whose Word never returns to Him empty but always accomplishes His divine purposes in the hearts of men, “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some began to sneer, but others said, ‘We shall hear you again concerning this.’ So Paul went out of their midst. But some men joined him and believed….” (Acts 17:32-24).
Be not disheartened as some men will reject your message outright as foolishness, sneering at you, for the Apostle sneered at the message of the cross repeatedly and gleefully approved of the stoning of Stephen, all prior to being encountered by the risen Christ. Be hopeful when men express an openness to hear more about the Way, the Truth, and the Life, diligently interceding for them, that by grace they may come to the knowledge of the truth, and be given the gift of repentance which leads to faith and eternal life. Rejoice heartedly when men respond to your message of the cross with enthusiasm and faith, giving unbridled praise to your heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ for the salvation of their souls. God is no respecter of persons and, therefore, neither is the pilgrim who diligently preaches the Good News of Jesus Christ, mercifully extending it to all men, those of every tongue, tribe, race, religion, and nation. Salvation is of the Jews and by grace the Lord is now grafting into the Vine of Christ Gentile branches.
The present hour is that of grace when all men are implored to come to the Savior. An hour is coming, a Day is dawning, when the fullness of the Gentiles will have come in, when the grace of God will abruptly end; and just as the door to the ark closed without notice, so too divine judgment will commence suddenly, when the reaping angel of El Shaddai will cast the cluster from the vine of the earth “into the great wine press of the wrath of God” (Revelation 14:19). Until that Day faithful pilgrims of the King of kings and Lord of lords will sojourn on the earth, keeping their hands to the plow, casting the seed of the Word, pleading with all men to be reconciled to God, to be saved from the fearful wrath of the Lamb, to become recipients of the blessed hope of His appearing, to become joint heirs of His glory, as benefactors of the Tree of Life, their names written in the Book of Life. Pilgrim, you possess the oracle of Truth, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Lord of glory who has entrusted you with the Word of Life is faithful and will empower you by His Holy Spirit as you preach His Word. There are many endeavors to which a man may give himself while on earth, and all are temporal; the greatest enterprise is to be a co-missionary with the King immortal who promised, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19).
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
The Gospel's Piercing Indictment
04.13.09
J.A. Matteson
"Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3
Pilgrims of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are regarded as detestable oddities and their steadfast adherence to their Master is a grinding irritant to the conventional wisdom of men. As a grain of sand in the eye or a splinter of wood under the nail, fallen men instinctively seek to remove that which aggravates. Harsh treatment by the world directed at the saint is due to the cross of Christ and is synonymous with faithful obedience. Take heed, therefore, if the world speaks well of you, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets” (Luke 6:22-23).
Have you made up your mind yet? Have you settled it in your soul as to whose praise you seek? Have you forgotten the warning of the Apostle that friendship with the world is enmity against God? No faithful soldier lays down his arms on the battlefield, does he not fight until death? No combatant in the Kings army enters into an accord with the enemy while the King directs an offensive, does he? Who misled you into concluding that the message of the cross would be welcome news to the world? The message of the cross is offensive to the sensibilities of those who are perishing and often invokes a vicious response in word and at other times a violent reaction in deed, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name” (Matthew 24:9).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ penetrates to the core of human depravity, it spars none, is impartial to all, it leaves naked and exposed the secrets of men's hearts, it obliterates all pretense and religiosity, it shatters the prideful illusion of self-righteousness, it deals squarely with men individually as they are and not as they perceive themselves to be, it demolishes perceived hiding places in that there is no place where the Gospel does not reign supremely. Without partiality the Gospel condemns all and commands all to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or perish under the mighty wrath of God. To the hedonist blindly chasing after pleasure the Gospel condemns, “You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter” (James 5:5); to the materialist amassing possessions the Gospel condemns, “Then He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions" (Luke 12:13-15); to the atheist the Gospel condemns, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1); to the polytheist the Gospel condemns, “See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides Me….” (Deuteronomy 32:39); to the religious the Gospel condemns, “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious… Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22-23); to the pluralist the Gospel condemns, “And there is salvation in no one else ; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 14:12).
As a result of the Gospel’s piercing indictment of ego-centric attempts at self-justification the world abhors it and the bond-slaved of Jesus Christ who tenaciously declares it. What, then, is the consolation to the faithful pilgrim bearing the message of the cross to a hostile world? Let the words of the Apostle lighten your load and fill your heart with joy, “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10).
There is both a hardening and softening outcome to the Gospel; to the elect—foreknown and predestined—a softening of heart leading to conviction and repentance without regret resulting in salvation, and to the reprobate a hardening of heart resulting in hostility to the Gospel, ending in death. The good soldier of the cross can endure hardship knowing that the Gospel will bring to faith and repentance those foreknown and predestined to salvation, “When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).
Beloved, good soldiers brought to you the Gospel of your redemption; elect remain in darkness awaiting a good soldier to bring them the Gospel of Life; be that good soldier.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
"Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3
Pilgrims of the Gospel of Jesus Christ are regarded as detestable oddities and their steadfast adherence to their Master is a grinding irritant to the conventional wisdom of men. As a grain of sand in the eye or a splinter of wood under the nail, fallen men instinctively seek to remove that which aggravates. Harsh treatment by the world directed at the saint is due to the cross of Christ and is synonymous with faithful obedience. Take heed, therefore, if the world speaks well of you, “Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets” (Luke 6:22-23).
Have you made up your mind yet? Have you settled it in your soul as to whose praise you seek? Have you forgotten the warning of the Apostle that friendship with the world is enmity against God? No faithful soldier lays down his arms on the battlefield, does he not fight until death? No combatant in the Kings army enters into an accord with the enemy while the King directs an offensive, does he? Who misled you into concluding that the message of the cross would be welcome news to the world? The message of the cross is offensive to the sensibilities of those who are perishing and often invokes a vicious response in word and at other times a violent reaction in deed, “Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name” (Matthew 24:9).
The Gospel of Jesus Christ penetrates to the core of human depravity, it spars none, is impartial to all, it leaves naked and exposed the secrets of men's hearts, it obliterates all pretense and religiosity, it shatters the prideful illusion of self-righteousness, it deals squarely with men individually as they are and not as they perceive themselves to be, it demolishes perceived hiding places in that there is no place where the Gospel does not reign supremely. Without partiality the Gospel condemns all and commands all to repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ or perish under the mighty wrath of God. To the hedonist blindly chasing after pleasure the Gospel condemns, “You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter” (James 5:5); to the materialist amassing possessions the Gospel condemns, “Then He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions" (Luke 12:13-15); to the atheist the Gospel condemns, “The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God’” (Psalm 14:1); to the polytheist the Gospel condemns, “See now that I myself am He! There is no god besides Me….” (Deuteronomy 32:39); to the religious the Gospel condemns, “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious… Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you” (Acts 17:22-23); to the pluralist the Gospel condemns, “And there is salvation in no one else ; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 14:12).
As a result of the Gospel’s piercing indictment of ego-centric attempts at self-justification the world abhors it and the bond-slaved of Jesus Christ who tenaciously declares it. What, then, is the consolation to the faithful pilgrim bearing the message of the cross to a hostile world? Let the words of the Apostle lighten your load and fill your heart with joy, “For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:10).
There is both a hardening and softening outcome to the Gospel; to the elect—foreknown and predestined—a softening of heart leading to conviction and repentance without regret resulting in salvation, and to the reprobate a hardening of heart resulting in hostility to the Gospel, ending in death. The good soldier of the cross can endure hardship knowing that the Gospel will bring to faith and repentance those foreknown and predestined to salvation, “When the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48).
Beloved, good soldiers brought to you the Gospel of your redemption; elect remain in darkness awaiting a good soldier to bring them the Gospel of Life; be that good soldier.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8).
Friday, April 10, 2009
Perilous Patterns
04.10.09
J.A. Matteson
"But we know that the Law is good if one uses it lawfully…" 1 Timothy 1:8-10
Unlike the ceremonial and dietary laws the moral Law of God is permanent and will be the plumb line by which the sons of Adam will be judged. The Apostle briefly outlines representative behavior patterns that typify the fallen depraved nature, behaviors that are odious before a Holy God, their just compensation being righteous condemnation. Through the Law the Holy Spirit mercifully confronts sin, convicts, generates repentance, and compels the transgressor to embrace the cross of Jesus Christ for salvation by faith, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
The mood of the present culture is increasingly one of brash lawlessness and hatred towards godliness. The sons of Adam are becoming increasingly emboldened, proudly flaunting sin. Tares are intertwined with the wheat, having crept into the fellowship of the Church by stealth and are seducing naïve saints into accepting abhorrent behavior as something pleasing to God. The Apostle lists only a few reprehensible behaviors to illustrate his point: the lawless, rebellious, profane, murders, immoral, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and “whatever else is contrary to sound teaching.”
Note carefully that those who seek to advance such behaviors are teaching what is “contrary to sound teaching.” Mark such teachers and avoid them. These teachers have crept in among Christians and they are maligning Scripture, “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4).
While professing the Lord Jesus Christ they deny Him by their deeds, demonstrating conclusively that their hearts remain uncircumcised, they are false brethren. These professors proudly pursue legitimacy and empowerment through the civil magistrate. Increasingly the children of Light are being marginalized and vilified by them in their stance for the truth of the immutable Word of God. This is to be expected, for the saints are not of the world, but have been chosen out of the world, therefore the world hates them.
Genuine grace expressed in love does not conceal sin, for to do so is to withhold the Law of grace and capitulate to the sinners path of self-destruction; rather, grace and love expose sin, allowing it to stand naked and vulnerable, not to destroy the transgressor, but that he may be granted the gift of repentance and be saved, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them….” (Ephesians 5:11).
All of the sinful behaviors highlighted by the Apostle are noteworthy. In the present culture one in particular is gaining rapid acceptance; viz., that which God unmistakably identifies as evil being labeled as good; the sin of homosexuality. Note closely that the Apostle identifies this and other sins as something that formerly described the believer prior to conversion.
The Apostle describes the sinful patterns in the past tense, not the present or future tense. The circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit results in a new creation in Christ Jesus whereby the old inclinations and desires are nailed to the cross and are now regarded in the past tense, “…do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither…homosexuals…will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
The moral Law of God is immutable. Let not the man of God be seduced by strange teachings, following after the doctrines of demons and men. Never is the Word of God to be conformed to the culture; rather, let the culture be transformed by the Word of Truth and thus be saved from the wrath to come.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever" Isaiah 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
"But we know that the Law is good if one uses it lawfully…" 1 Timothy 1:8-10
Unlike the ceremonial and dietary laws the moral Law of God is permanent and will be the plumb line by which the sons of Adam will be judged. The Apostle briefly outlines representative behavior patterns that typify the fallen depraved nature, behaviors that are odious before a Holy God, their just compensation being righteous condemnation. Through the Law the Holy Spirit mercifully confronts sin, convicts, generates repentance, and compels the transgressor to embrace the cross of Jesus Christ for salvation by faith, “Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).
The mood of the present culture is increasingly one of brash lawlessness and hatred towards godliness. The sons of Adam are becoming increasingly emboldened, proudly flaunting sin. Tares are intertwined with the wheat, having crept into the fellowship of the Church by stealth and are seducing naïve saints into accepting abhorrent behavior as something pleasing to God. The Apostle lists only a few reprehensible behaviors to illustrate his point: the lawless, rebellious, profane, murders, immoral, homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and “whatever else is contrary to sound teaching.”
Note carefully that those who seek to advance such behaviors are teaching what is “contrary to sound teaching.” Mark such teachers and avoid them. These teachers have crept in among Christians and they are maligning Scripture, “For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4).
While professing the Lord Jesus Christ they deny Him by their deeds, demonstrating conclusively that their hearts remain uncircumcised, they are false brethren. These professors proudly pursue legitimacy and empowerment through the civil magistrate. Increasingly the children of Light are being marginalized and vilified by them in their stance for the truth of the immutable Word of God. This is to be expected, for the saints are not of the world, but have been chosen out of the world, therefore the world hates them.
Genuine grace expressed in love does not conceal sin, for to do so is to withhold the Law of grace and capitulate to the sinners path of self-destruction; rather, grace and love expose sin, allowing it to stand naked and vulnerable, not to destroy the transgressor, but that he may be granted the gift of repentance and be saved, “Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them….” (Ephesians 5:11).
All of the sinful behaviors highlighted by the Apostle are noteworthy. In the present culture one in particular is gaining rapid acceptance; viz., that which God unmistakably identifies as evil being labeled as good; the sin of homosexuality. Note closely that the Apostle identifies this and other sins as something that formerly described the believer prior to conversion.
The Apostle describes the sinful patterns in the past tense, not the present or future tense. The circumcision of the heart by the Holy Spirit results in a new creation in Christ Jesus whereby the old inclinations and desires are nailed to the cross and are now regarded in the past tense, “…do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither…homosexuals…will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
The moral Law of God is immutable. Let not the man of God be seduced by strange teachings, following after the doctrines of demons and men. Never is the Word of God to be conformed to the culture; rather, let the culture be transformed by the Word of Truth and thus be saved from the wrath to come.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever" Isaiah 40:8).
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Competing Conventions
04.09.09
J.A. Matteson
"…stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us." 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Spiritual syncretism remains an ever present danger to the Christian. Competing conventions—like ocean waves pounding upon the shoreline—persistently work to erode the foundation of the truth upon which the saint stands; viz., Scripture. Demonically inspired conventions woo the simple and ensnare them in large measure as a result of their base appeal to the flesh, being recognized by their promise of much and their requirement of little.
Beware of conventions that appease and placate the desires of the flesh. By contrast the way of the cross is lethal to the flesh and its desires, terminating in death; the way of the cross is specific and narrow, demanding obedience and perseverance; the way of the cross is immutable and transcends generational zeitgeist’s; the way of the cross demands that a man deny himself and become slave to a new Master, the Lord Jesus Christ; the way of the cross through the Holy Spirit infuses within the saint a hatred for what God hates and a hunger and thirst for what is pleasing to Him; the etymology pertaining to the way of the cross is plain and preserved by inspired Scripture; the way of the cross requires all that a man is and has and in return supplies an eternal inheritance which does not suffer loss or corruption, resulting in eternal life. The Apostle confronted spiritual syncretism frontally with full force, sparing none who denied the words of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles who were the recipients of divine revelation, “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us.”
Postmodernism is part of the zeitgeist of our age whereby meta-narratives—secular and sacred—are closely scrutinized and often rejected, being replaced by a broader storyline that inherently allows for a loose reinterpretation of a subject under discussion. Not all rejection of inherited meta-narratives is egregious as it was through this process that the reformers challenged erroneous conventions by the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. However, the substantive difference from then and today is that it is not the extra-biblical doctrines of men being challenged, but the Bible itself.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the quarters of the Emergent Church that is confronting the meta-narratives of the historic Christian faith as preserved in Scripture, replacing them with a new “narrative theology.” The hermeneutic of the Emergent Church shuns the confrontational absolutes found in Scripture, preferring instead a “conversation” of them which results in fanciful applications.
The Lord Jesus Christ exclaimed, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life ; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6), to which one Emergent has stated, “I affirm the truth anywhere in any religious system, in any worldview. If it's true, it belongs to God” (Rob Bell). That statement is antithetical to the Apostle, “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us.”
End time prophecy clearly states that prior to the Parousia a great apostasy will take place whereby “the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). The tenets of the Emergent Church with its teachings that question the clear Word of God (Scripture) are not new—for there is nothing new under the sun—and their origin is clearly recognized by those who have ears to hear, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said….’” (Genesis 3:1).
Stand firm, therefore, in the Word of Truth and reject those who have crept in to deceive you. The Word of our Lord stands forever and is immutable. Reject those who would lead you to believe it is progressing and evolving to fit the culture in which you live. Reject those who maintain the Word of Truth is dated, needing an update—these lies find their origin in the Father of lies.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
J.A. Matteson
"…stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us." 2 Thessalonians 2:15
Spiritual syncretism remains an ever present danger to the Christian. Competing conventions—like ocean waves pounding upon the shoreline—persistently work to erode the foundation of the truth upon which the saint stands; viz., Scripture. Demonically inspired conventions woo the simple and ensnare them in large measure as a result of their base appeal to the flesh, being recognized by their promise of much and their requirement of little.
Beware of conventions that appease and placate the desires of the flesh. By contrast the way of the cross is lethal to the flesh and its desires, terminating in death; the way of the cross is specific and narrow, demanding obedience and perseverance; the way of the cross is immutable and transcends generational zeitgeist’s; the way of the cross demands that a man deny himself and become slave to a new Master, the Lord Jesus Christ; the way of the cross through the Holy Spirit infuses within the saint a hatred for what God hates and a hunger and thirst for what is pleasing to Him; the etymology pertaining to the way of the cross is plain and preserved by inspired Scripture; the way of the cross requires all that a man is and has and in return supplies an eternal inheritance which does not suffer loss or corruption, resulting in eternal life. The Apostle confronted spiritual syncretism frontally with full force, sparing none who denied the words of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Apostles who were the recipients of divine revelation, “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us.”
Postmodernism is part of the zeitgeist of our age whereby meta-narratives—secular and sacred—are closely scrutinized and often rejected, being replaced by a broader storyline that inherently allows for a loose reinterpretation of a subject under discussion. Not all rejection of inherited meta-narratives is egregious as it was through this process that the reformers challenged erroneous conventions by the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. However, the substantive difference from then and today is that it is not the extra-biblical doctrines of men being challenged, but the Bible itself.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the quarters of the Emergent Church that is confronting the meta-narratives of the historic Christian faith as preserved in Scripture, replacing them with a new “narrative theology.” The hermeneutic of the Emergent Church shuns the confrontational absolutes found in Scripture, preferring instead a “conversation” of them which results in fanciful applications.
The Lord Jesus Christ exclaimed, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life ; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6), to which one Emergent has stated, “I affirm the truth anywhere in any religious system, in any worldview. If it's true, it belongs to God” (Rob Bell). That statement is antithetical to the Apostle, “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or by letter from us.”
End time prophecy clearly states that prior to the Parousia a great apostasy will take place whereby “the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). The tenets of the Emergent Church with its teachings that question the clear Word of God (Scripture) are not new—for there is nothing new under the sun—and their origin is clearly recognized by those who have ears to hear, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said….’” (Genesis 3:1).
Stand firm, therefore, in the Word of Truth and reject those who have crept in to deceive you. The Word of our Lord stands forever and is immutable. Reject those who would lead you to believe it is progressing and evolving to fit the culture in which you live. Reject those who maintain the Word of Truth is dated, needing an update—these lies find their origin in the Father of lies.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:8)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Hour Is Near
04.08.09
J.A. Matteson
"Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."
1 Thessalonians 5:24
On pilgrimage the Christian sojourns upon the earth as one out of place and time, passing through regions of indescribable joy, finding himself high upon the mount where the vistas are breathtaking, the air so clear as to see great distances, and the warmth of the Son intimate. At other times he is in the lowlands—the shadowy places—in the foreboding valley of darkness, groping to find his way, tenderness toward the Holy Spirit produces an unbearable heartache and misery over sin, his meddlesome companion. Cycles of spiritual victory and fleshly setbacks define the Christian’s pilgrimage and his heart aches for the day when he is permanently loosed from the rotting corpse of the old man he drags about. The testimony from the saints of old provide a consolation to the weary traveler, “So Jacob said to Pharaoh, ‘The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life….’” (Genesis 47:9)—the nearer to God the saint walks the more aware he is of his sin, serving to further his misery and desire to be clothed with the majesty from on high.
The Apostle Paul revealed his vulnerability and anguish over sin, “I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members…Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:23-25). Irrespective of the persistent struggle by the saint on pilgrimage he is not his own and has been bought with a price—by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The same Lord of Hosts who—marshalling the armies of heaven—called and sanctified him by grace, will one day glorify him. All of the promises in Christ Jesus toward the saint are true and faithful because their Author is True and Faithful, for “It is impossible for God to lie….” (Hebrews 6:18), and it is into this eternal fellowship with the Son that the Father calls the saint and He will not loose him, but will raise him up on the last Day.
Therefore, rejoice! While on pilgrimage the saint is called to various places and endeavors on behalf of the King and His Kingdom, but his primary calling is to an intimate relationship with the Son of God. In glory the pilgrim will behold Him face to face and each tear of pain will be lovingly wiped away by Him who calls, and the saint will receive a new name known only to God and the saint. The tears of greatest pain to be wiped away will be those of a heart broken by sin, sin that polluted the ability to offer undefiled worship, a living sacrifice unblemished.
On pilgrimage the saint endures hardship and suffering—specialized tools in the hand of God designed to further progress in sanctification, and he is therefore perplexed in heart, for to depart and be with the Lord is far better than anything the world has to offer, and yet to remain on pilgrimage for his Master is needful and beneficial for his brethren until such time as the Lord of glory ushers him home. He who is justified and walks by faith is a conundrum to the world, which cannot comprehend Him, for the eyes of the saint on pilgrimage behold Him who is unseen and eternal, releasing that which is seen and temporal, straining and grasping for Him who is to come at which time he who is mortal will be fully clothed with Him who is immortal, when he who is corruptible is fully clothed with Him who is incorruptible, when he who is finite is fully clothed with Him who is infinite.
As Robet Moffat eloquently noted while reflecting upon the brevity of the saint’s pilgrimage, “We will have all eternity to celebrate our victories, but only one short hour before sunset in which to win them.” The Day is quickly approaching and the hour is very near, let us be wise and run with endurance the race that is set before us, laying aside every encumbrance. On pilgrimage the good steward redeems the time he is given, making the most of each opportunity Providence affords, bearing witness to the Lord Jesus Christ before all men that some may, by God’s grace, be saved.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever") Isaiah 40:8
J.A. Matteson
"Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass."
1 Thessalonians 5:24
On pilgrimage the Christian sojourns upon the earth as one out of place and time, passing through regions of indescribable joy, finding himself high upon the mount where the vistas are breathtaking, the air so clear as to see great distances, and the warmth of the Son intimate. At other times he is in the lowlands—the shadowy places—in the foreboding valley of darkness, groping to find his way, tenderness toward the Holy Spirit produces an unbearable heartache and misery over sin, his meddlesome companion. Cycles of spiritual victory and fleshly setbacks define the Christian’s pilgrimage and his heart aches for the day when he is permanently loosed from the rotting corpse of the old man he drags about. The testimony from the saints of old provide a consolation to the weary traveler, “So Jacob said to Pharaoh, ‘The years of my sojourning are one hundred and thirty; few and unpleasant have been the years of my life….’” (Genesis 47:9)—the nearer to God the saint walks the more aware he is of his sin, serving to further his misery and desire to be clothed with the majesty from on high.
The Apostle Paul revealed his vulnerability and anguish over sin, “I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members…Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:23-25). Irrespective of the persistent struggle by the saint on pilgrimage he is not his own and has been bought with a price—by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The same Lord of Hosts who—marshalling the armies of heaven—called and sanctified him by grace, will one day glorify him. All of the promises in Christ Jesus toward the saint are true and faithful because their Author is True and Faithful, for “It is impossible for God to lie….” (Hebrews 6:18), and it is into this eternal fellowship with the Son that the Father calls the saint and He will not loose him, but will raise him up on the last Day.
Therefore, rejoice! While on pilgrimage the saint is called to various places and endeavors on behalf of the King and His Kingdom, but his primary calling is to an intimate relationship with the Son of God. In glory the pilgrim will behold Him face to face and each tear of pain will be lovingly wiped away by Him who calls, and the saint will receive a new name known only to God and the saint. The tears of greatest pain to be wiped away will be those of a heart broken by sin, sin that polluted the ability to offer undefiled worship, a living sacrifice unblemished.
On pilgrimage the saint endures hardship and suffering—specialized tools in the hand of God designed to further progress in sanctification, and he is therefore perplexed in heart, for to depart and be with the Lord is far better than anything the world has to offer, and yet to remain on pilgrimage for his Master is needful and beneficial for his brethren until such time as the Lord of glory ushers him home. He who is justified and walks by faith is a conundrum to the world, which cannot comprehend Him, for the eyes of the saint on pilgrimage behold Him who is unseen and eternal, releasing that which is seen and temporal, straining and grasping for Him who is to come at which time he who is mortal will be fully clothed with Him who is immortal, when he who is corruptible is fully clothed with Him who is incorruptible, when he who is finite is fully clothed with Him who is infinite.
As Robet Moffat eloquently noted while reflecting upon the brevity of the saint’s pilgrimage, “We will have all eternity to celebrate our victories, but only one short hour before sunset in which to win them.” The Day is quickly approaching and the hour is very near, let us be wise and run with endurance the race that is set before us, laying aside every encumbrance. On pilgrimage the good steward redeems the time he is given, making the most of each opportunity Providence affords, bearing witness to the Lord Jesus Christ before all men that some may, by God’s grace, be saved.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever") Isaiah 40:8
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Errant Particulars
04.07.09
J.A. Matteson
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Thessalonians 5:9
God’s sovereign purposes and means with regard to salvation are problematic to human inclinations and reasoning. The sons of Adam by nature establish errant particulars on how things ought to be with regard to the things pertaining to salvation, chaffing under the notion that the ultimate destination of their souls is in the hands of the great I AM who extends mercy and compassion to those whom He choose while passing over others. That men stumble over the salvific aspects to sovereignty is expected as it has biblical and historical precedent. In this regard the Apostle anticipated an objection by his readers to his assertion that it was by divine election Isaac was saved and Esau damned, “What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!” (Romans 9:14).
Behold both the kindness and severity of God: to the reprobate a hardening ending in damnation, to the elect grace unto saving faith, “having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will….” (Ephesians 1:11). The redeemed are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus and the grace they enjoy is an unmerited gift from Him. To these things men of good intention have taken opposite and passionate positions. Some holding to a deficient anthropology whereby they ascribe an undue—unbiblical—ability within fallen man to seek and respond to God apart from grace and the end result of such thinking is boasting; such is the error of the Pelagians, semi-Pelagians, and Arminians.
In their estimation it is by their doing they are in Christ; the Gospel was articulated and they responded with a faith apart from that which God supplies; while in the flesh—unregenerate—faith was exercised and they were born again. A fanciful interpretation is applied to election and predestination whereby God from eternity past gazed passively into the future and saw how each man would respond to the Gospel, some positively and others negatively. On this basis they were elected and predestined to either salvation or damnation.
The end result is a man-centered doctrine far removed from biblical revrelation. For it is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing. God knows the course of all future events because He foreordains them to come to pass. The entire human race has rebelled against God and is worthy if eternal damnation by a just and holy Creator; all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; there is none righteous; there is none who seek after God, each has turned to his own detestable way; each has stored up wrath for the day of wrath; the work of each being contemptible and as a filthy rag. Grace has been extended to some in the form of saving faith through the agency of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth….” (James 1:18).
Those to whom grace is extended believe the Gospel and produce fruit in keeping with repentance and the remainder receive divine justice—the wages of sin is death— none receive injustice. But lest a man presume upon the grace of God let him make his calling and election sure and so press on toward the goal of the upward prize in Christ Jesus. Let such a man prove himself a doer of the Word and not merely a hearer, deluding himself. Let him work out his salvation with fear and trembling knowing God will not be mocked, for whatsoever a man sows that he will also reap. It is not by works that a man is saved, it is by faith alone; but it is by good works that the genuineness of his salvation is manifested, testifying to the Holy Spirit within him. In this regard the words of our Lord bear repeating, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8). Beloved, let your profession of Christ and production of good fruit be in alignment, so that God may be glorified, men may be edified, and salvation be the outworking of your time and testimony on earth.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever" Isaiah 40:8).
J.A. Matteson
"For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Thessalonians 5:9
God’s sovereign purposes and means with regard to salvation are problematic to human inclinations and reasoning. The sons of Adam by nature establish errant particulars on how things ought to be with regard to the things pertaining to salvation, chaffing under the notion that the ultimate destination of their souls is in the hands of the great I AM who extends mercy and compassion to those whom He choose while passing over others. That men stumble over the salvific aspects to sovereignty is expected as it has biblical and historical precedent. In this regard the Apostle anticipated an objection by his readers to his assertion that it was by divine election Isaac was saved and Esau damned, “What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be!” (Romans 9:14).
Behold both the kindness and severity of God: to the reprobate a hardening ending in damnation, to the elect grace unto saving faith, “having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will….” (Ephesians 1:11). The redeemed are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus and the grace they enjoy is an unmerited gift from Him. To these things men of good intention have taken opposite and passionate positions. Some holding to a deficient anthropology whereby they ascribe an undue—unbiblical—ability within fallen man to seek and respond to God apart from grace and the end result of such thinking is boasting; such is the error of the Pelagians, semi-Pelagians, and Arminians.
In their estimation it is by their doing they are in Christ; the Gospel was articulated and they responded with a faith apart from that which God supplies; while in the flesh—unregenerate—faith was exercised and they were born again. A fanciful interpretation is applied to election and predestination whereby God from eternity past gazed passively into the future and saw how each man would respond to the Gospel, some positively and others negatively. On this basis they were elected and predestined to either salvation or damnation.
The end result is a man-centered doctrine far removed from biblical revrelation. For it is the Spirit who gives life, the flesh profits nothing. God knows the course of all future events because He foreordains them to come to pass. The entire human race has rebelled against God and is worthy if eternal damnation by a just and holy Creator; all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; there is none righteous; there is none who seek after God, each has turned to his own detestable way; each has stored up wrath for the day of wrath; the work of each being contemptible and as a filthy rag. Grace has been extended to some in the form of saving faith through the agency of the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, “In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth….” (James 1:18).
Those to whom grace is extended believe the Gospel and produce fruit in keeping with repentance and the remainder receive divine justice—the wages of sin is death— none receive injustice. But lest a man presume upon the grace of God let him make his calling and election sure and so press on toward the goal of the upward prize in Christ Jesus. Let such a man prove himself a doer of the Word and not merely a hearer, deluding himself. Let him work out his salvation with fear and trembling knowing God will not be mocked, for whatsoever a man sows that he will also reap. It is not by works that a man is saved, it is by faith alone; but it is by good works that the genuineness of his salvation is manifested, testifying to the Holy Spirit within him. In this regard the words of our Lord bear repeating, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” (John 15:8). Beloved, let your profession of Christ and production of good fruit be in alignment, so that God may be glorified, men may be edified, and salvation be the outworking of your time and testimony on earth.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever" Isaiah 40:8).
Monday, April 6, 2009
The Forest of Catharsis
04.06.09
J.A. Matteson
"Epaphras…always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you might stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." Colossians 4:12
Grace informs the saint that he stands in Christ by the sovereign will of God, removing a fleshly burden of sin and replacing it with a heavenly one for souls, “we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). On pilgrimage grace further enlightens the saint that any hope of progress in sanctification stems from the will of Him who is over all, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification….” (1 Thessalonians 4:3) and His will is triumphant, “For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it….? (Isaiah 14:27). Thus mindful the Apostle boldly declares, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Intriguing is the antinomy of sanctification; viz., that between the expressed intercession of the saint as directed by the Spirit; the saint who is a passive recipient of intercession; and the sovereign will of God towards the intercessor and recipient. The saint on pilgrimage approaches the edge of a dark forest—the Forest of Catharsis—through which he cannot navigate unaided and many a traveler have stopped or turned back at the sight of it, fearful of its demands. Pausing at the Forests edge while seeking to discern the way forward, a pathway is revealed by One who has gone before. A short way into the Forest the saint comes to the Pond of Reflection whose waters are strangely turbulent while the air is calm. Kneeling down at the waters edge a strong wind blows over the water making it as still as glass. Gazing into the pond the saint beholds in the reflection four hideous foes intent on hindering his progress through the Forest; their names are Presumption, Vain-Glory, Hypocrisy, and Haste. He rises in dreadful fury to confront them when a mighty roar blasts out of the darkness and One appears whose form is like that of a victorious Lion, wielding a mighty double-edged sword, exclaiming, “…the man who is unclean and does not purify himself from uncleanness, that person shall be cut off…because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD; the water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him, he is unclean” (Numbers 19:20). Fearful that he may be cut to shreds the saint finds assurance in the words of the Apostle, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He asks that the words of his mouth and the editation of his heart be acceptable to Him who is fearfully awesome.
With his foes vanquished by Him the saint resumes the path towards a distant light, its illumination growing brighter than the sun as he approaches, thick smoke filling the Forest. Drawing closer the saint gazes in wonder at a division of trees laid asunder, trees that formerly separated Him who mercifully sits as righteous judge upon a throne, whose crimson robe fills the floor of the Forest, and whose name is the Lamb of God. Passing through the division of trees he cautiously approaches the throne, its brilliance causing him to fall to the ground as a dead man. The saint feels the gentle hand of Him upon his shoulder and is instructed to arise and be not afraid, for, “…He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Accepted in the Beloved he lays his heavenly burden at His feet, speaking to Him of those with whom he remains vigilant “…whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). And the Lamb speaks to the saint about those who comprise his burden. Emerging from the Forest on the Son lit plane the saint joyfully directs his brethren to the narrow path at the Forest’s edge, whose end is the enchanting beauty of the Lamb.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:80
J.A. Matteson
"Epaphras…always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you might stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God." Colossians 4:12
Grace informs the saint that he stands in Christ by the sovereign will of God, removing a fleshly burden of sin and replacing it with a heavenly one for souls, “we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20). On pilgrimage grace further enlightens the saint that any hope of progress in sanctification stems from the will of Him who is over all, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification….” (1 Thessalonians 4:3) and His will is triumphant, “For the LORD of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it….? (Isaiah 14:27). Thus mindful the Apostle boldly declares, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
Intriguing is the antinomy of sanctification; viz., that between the expressed intercession of the saint as directed by the Spirit; the saint who is a passive recipient of intercession; and the sovereign will of God towards the intercessor and recipient. The saint on pilgrimage approaches the edge of a dark forest—the Forest of Catharsis—through which he cannot navigate unaided and many a traveler have stopped or turned back at the sight of it, fearful of its demands. Pausing at the Forests edge while seeking to discern the way forward, a pathway is revealed by One who has gone before. A short way into the Forest the saint comes to the Pond of Reflection whose waters are strangely turbulent while the air is calm. Kneeling down at the waters edge a strong wind blows over the water making it as still as glass. Gazing into the pond the saint beholds in the reflection four hideous foes intent on hindering his progress through the Forest; their names are Presumption, Vain-Glory, Hypocrisy, and Haste. He rises in dreadful fury to confront them when a mighty roar blasts out of the darkness and One appears whose form is like that of a victorious Lion, wielding a mighty double-edged sword, exclaiming, “…the man who is unclean and does not purify himself from uncleanness, that person shall be cut off…because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD; the water for impurity has not been sprinkled on him, he is unclean” (Numbers 19:20). Fearful that he may be cut to shreds the saint finds assurance in the words of the Apostle, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He asks that the words of his mouth and the editation of his heart be acceptable to Him who is fearfully awesome.
With his foes vanquished by Him the saint resumes the path towards a distant light, its illumination growing brighter than the sun as he approaches, thick smoke filling the Forest. Drawing closer the saint gazes in wonder at a division of trees laid asunder, trees that formerly separated Him who mercifully sits as righteous judge upon a throne, whose crimson robe fills the floor of the Forest, and whose name is the Lamb of God. Passing through the division of trees he cautiously approaches the throne, its brilliance causing him to fall to the ground as a dead man. The saint feels the gentle hand of Him upon his shoulder and is instructed to arise and be not afraid, for, “…He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). Accepted in the Beloved he lays his heavenly burden at His feet, speaking to Him of those with whom he remains vigilant “…whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). And the Lamb speaks to the saint about those who comprise his burden. Emerging from the Forest on the Son lit plane the saint joyfully directs his brethren to the narrow path at the Forest’s edge, whose end is the enchanting beauty of the Lamb.
Copyright 2009 Immutable Word Ministries ("...the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:80
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