The Rich Young Ruler Was a Pious Man

 

The rich young ruler was a pious man. He obviously was a highly observant Jew. He told Jesus, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth."

But, he was uneasily aware that something was missing in his life. He was relying on a works salvation instead of placing his faith in the Lord's grace.

"If righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing."

Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-30; Ephesians 2:8-9; Galatians 2:21.

Most Popular Posts

The most popular post on this blog by far has been the Jingle Bells Dogs video, with 23,931 views.
http://saintsontheloose.blogspot.com/2010/12/edited-post.html

My personal favorites are:

"Got Jesus?" (216 views so far)
http://saintsontheloose.blogspot.com/2012/08/got-jesus.html

Michael Jr. on Prayer as a New Christian
http://saintsontheloose.blogspot.com/2012/12/michael-jr-on-prayer-as-new-christian.html

Michael Jr. "Are You Oversaved?"
http://saintsontheloose.blogspot.com/2012/12/cutting.html

Mortgage Loan

A mortgage loan is a monetary loan secured by real property such as a house or land.  The word “mortgage’ is derived from the French words “mort” (“death”) and “gage” or “gaige” (“”pledge””), so it is a “death pledge.”  What in the world does that have to do with the transfer of property?

The British jurist Sir Edward Coke (1552-1634) explained the word.  He said that if the borrower does not repay the loan, the property becomes dead to them and is taken by the loaner.  If the borrower completely repays the loan, the property becomes dead to the loaner.  The assumption is that it is possible to repay the loan.

Christians do not have this type of relationship with the Lord.  We have received not a loan which must be repaid, but a gift.  The gift (the Blood of Jesus) is of infinite value and can never be bought or repaid.

A Weak Vessel

I am a weak and deficient vessel for Your Grace.
This is why I am filled with wonder;
For You have chosen to freely fill me with Your Spirit.

Active for Jesus

"... when churches focus on keeping young people active for Jesus, we may forget to teach them how to be present with Jesus."  Kenda Creasy Dean, youth pastor, university professor, Presbyterian.

It is possible to become so busy for the church or even "for Jesus" that one becomes fixated on the business of being busy.  The activity can become an idol,  distracting us from God.  We cannot earn God's favor,  it is a freely given gift.  The activities are not wrong, and may even be productive, but more pleasing to God is obedience and what the simple Brother Lawrence called "the practice of the presence of God."

Eternal Security of the Believer

The funeral of Whitney Elizabeth Houston (1963-2012) was held today and was broadcast online and on numerous television, cable, and satellite channels in the United States.  Whitney Houston was an internationally known singer, actress, music producer, and model who sold more than 170,000,000 musical albums, singles, and videos during her lifetime.  On 11 February 2012, she was found dead in her room at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California (USA).

Houston was born in Newark, New Jersey, the daughter of noted Gospel music singer, Cissy Houston.   She was of African-American, Native American, and Dutch descent and was raised in a Baptist/Pentecostal background.  In her early and teenage years she was a singer in her local Baptist Church.

Her death, at least at first glance, appears to possibly have been the culmination of years of substance abuse.  It also appears that only legal prescription drugs were found in her hotel room.  The official toxicology reports are still pending.   Regardless of the cause of her death, Houston’s life seems to have gone into a downward spiral from which she could not recover.

Whitney Houston’s death brings up troubling questions for those who are members of the ἐκκλησία, the Body of Christ.  Was she, as some claim, truly a Christian?  If she was a Christian, how could she so obviously go into so precipitous a freefall?  Was Whitney ultimately saved despite her questionable final few years?  What does the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer really mean?  Paul was quite adamant that eternal security does not mean that Christians can live in whatever way they wish (Romans 6:1-2).

Dr. Harry Ironside, on 24 April 1934, in Chicago, Illinois, said, 

“When we speak of the eternal security of the believer, what do we mean? We mean that once a poor sinner has been regenerated by the Word and the Spirit of God, once he has received a new life and a new nature and has been made partaker of the divine nature, once he has been justified from every charge before the throne of God, it is absolutely impossible that that man should ever again be a lost soul. Having said that, let me say what we do not mean when we speak of the eternal security of the believer. We do not mean that it necessarily follows that if one professes to be saved, if he comes out to the front in a meeting, shakes the preacher’s hand, and says he accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, that that person is eternally safe. It does not mean that if one joins a church or makes a profession of faith, is baptized, becomes a communicant, and takes an interest in Christian work, that that person is forever secure. It does not mean that because one manifests certain gifts and exercises these gifts in Christian testimony, that that person is necessarily eternally secure.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ said to the people of His day, as recorded in Matthew 7:21-23: “Not every one that saith unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of My Father which is in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? And in Thy name have cast out devils? And in Thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” Such people then may have been very active in what is called Christian work--they have preached, they have cast out demons, that is, their influence has been such that men and women have found deliverance from satanic power through their ministrations in the name of Jesus, they have professed with their lips, they have accomplished many wonderful works, but they are found in that day among the lost, and when they plead their great activity and their earnestness in Christian testimony, the Lord says to them, “I never knew you.” Notice, He does not say to them, “I used to know you, but you have forfeited My favor and I do not know you any longer.” He says, “I never knew you.” “

Read Dr. Ironside’s full statement here. 

I cannot even pretend to know the answer to the question of Whitney Houston’s eternal fate.  Only she and the Lord know that.  None of us actually know for sure about anyone else, but we have the assurance that we, as Holy Spirit indwelled partakers of the divine nature, can never be separated from the protection and grace of the Lord.

Another discussion of the eternal security of the believer is here . 

Freedom Biker Church

The grace of God is for all people.  Praise the Lord.






www.freedombikerchurch.com Read their statement of faith. 

Film Comment: Amazing Grace

Amazing Grace: Hymns That Changed the World (2007) is documentary film produced by Questar Entertainment.  There is a "Praise and Worship Extra" on the DVD which, to me, was overly syrupy and saccharin with lush strings, beautiful nature scenes, and a rich baritone narration.  There was nothing wrong with it, but I felt that I had to wipe off a little sugar from my face.  Watch the DVD extra material if you like that sort of thing.

The "meat" of the disc is the documentary itself.  This makes the DVD totally worthwhile.  The totally unexpected stories behind five beloved hymns are recounted by pastors, musicians, and hymnologists.  The often tragic lives of the writers of the hymns are discussed.  Out of their pain and because of their faith, these men produced five of the most powerful hymns ever written: "It Is Well With My Soul," "Silent Night," "How Great Thou Art," "What a Friend We Have In Jesus," and the most remarkable story, "Amazing Grace."

I strongly recommend that you watch this excellent DVD.  I obtained my rental copy from Netflix.

Amazing Grace

The largest portion of the lyrics of "Amazing Grace" were written by John Newton (1725-1807), a former slave trader.  Before his conversion he was a disgraced Navy deserter and was known as an       obscene, vulgar, profane, and violent man.  In his lyrics, he meant what he said. (the lyrics of stanza six are from an unknown source.)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

What Does It Mean? Jot and Tittle

"For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." Matthew 5:18

A "jot" is an "iote" (found in early King James Version editions), "iota," "ἰ," the ninth letter of the Greek alphabet and similar to the י
"yodh," the smallest Hebrew letter.  Think of the English apostrophe ('); something considered to be almost insignificant.

A "tittle"is a horn shaped mark used in Hebrew as an accent mark.  The Greek word used is κεραία, a "horn."


Jesus here declared that the Mosaic Law is still in effect and will not pass away, even in its smallest parts, until the fulfillment of time.     If a person kept the entire law, with never a single lapse, they would be saved, but, all have sinned and fallen short.  (Romans 3:23)  "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." James 2:10

The Law is in fact a gift from God which points us toward God's grace. "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20.  "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9

A Quote from Constantine (2006)

In the comic book based movie, Constantine (2006), the angel Gabriel is filled with resentment and is trying to "fix" things. He (?)/she (?)/it (?) (Tilda Swinton as an androgynous angel) thinks that mankind is unworthy of God's grace and is trying to bring about an apocalypse on Earth from which worthy, tested survivors will emerge. John Constantine, cancer victim, demon hunter, etc. goes to Hell and back (literally) to stop Gabriel's plan.

Gabriel explains,

"You're handed this precious gift and, right, each of you granted redemption from the Creator. Murderers, rapists and molesters, all of you, you just have to repent and God takes you into His bosom. In all the worlds, in all the universes, no other creature can make such a boast, save man. It's not fair! Your sweet, sweet God loves you so."

Book Comment: Crazy Love

Some books are important because they introduce totally new concepts; other books, because they point out things which have always been in plain sight, things which should be obvious to everyone, but are not. Crazy Love. Overwhelmed By a Relentless God, by Francis Chan, is one of the best of the second kind.

Chan, born in 1967 in Hong Kong, is a California pastor and author who takes no salary from his church and gives 90% of his income to charities. His church gives 55% of its income.

Crazy Love is an indictment of the lukewarmness of much of the modern American Church. "We forget that God never had an identity crisis. ... He commands everything from His followers." Chan marvels that God, who is totally complete and who needs nothing from us, chooses us and considers us to be His inheritance. (Ephesians 1:18).

Your love for your children or your grandchildren is a pale example of how much God desires and loves us. Wanting to buy just the right engagement ring for your sweetie, even a ring you can't really afford, can't compare. God has rushed toward us and stands just outside our door, knocking. He brings the most expensive and precious gift in history.

Chan's point is that, instead of trying to figure out how to add God to our lives without too much disruption, or trying to determine how little we can do and still get the gift, we should be running to God just as eagerly as He is running to us.

Loving God Today

     A biblically sound and orthodox resource which the reader should check out is the Loving God Today  website.  The site contains numerous discussions on multiple topics related to loving God and the implications and meaning of the Doctrine of Unmerited Grace.

     I have not checked out every aspect of the site but found nothing objectionable in those areas I have so far accessed.  The URL is: http://www.lovinggodtoday.com

Tithing, Part four

     I told my spiritual daughter that giving is not an obligation like paying dues to belong to a club.  You can't pay God enough to earn your salvation.  Why would He want you to give Him what He already has, what already belongs to Him?  He is the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Savior.  What He wants is you, freely given to Him, not taken by force, no given out of obligation, just freely given back to Him.

     Ron Rhodes in What Does the Bible Say About ... ? says "God is not interested in your money until He first has your heart."  If He has your heart, your attitude will be correct toward your money.      

Tithing, Part Three

     A shocking truth: there is not a single New Testament verse which says that Christians are obligated to give ten percent to the church.  Paul never mentions tithing.  The New Testament concept is of grace giving.  We are to freely give as we have been freely given to and are to give as we are able.

"For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." 2 Corinthians 8:12

     Jesus, as an observant Jew, was a tither.  When He taught, He never lowered a biblical standard, but he did reinterpret the letter of the Law to a new spiritual level.

    

"For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness] of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

21Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:

22But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;

24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.

26Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing.

27Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:

28But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

29And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast [it] from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not [that] thy whole body should be cast into hell.

31It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:

32But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

33Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

34But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God's throne:

35Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.

36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.

37But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

38Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:

39But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

40And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have [thy] cloke also.

41And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.

42Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.

44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?

47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more [than others]? do not even the publicans so?

48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."   Matthew 5:20-48

 

Tithing, Part Two

     Under the Levitical Code, there were strict guidelines for tithing.  Ten percent of one's income, but also of one's possessions, were included.  This included crops, animals, fabrics, etc.  The ultra-observant Pharisees carried their tithing to what we would consider to be extremes.

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." Matthew 23:23

     As with anything with which humans are associated, some people really didn't get into the spirit of the practice.  Ten percent became almost a ceiling for which many were probably relieved.  Whew!  I'm glad it wasn't eleven!

     Those modern Christians who argue over whether or not the tithe should be on gross or net income are falling into the same legalistic trap as the ancient Pharisees.  What they're really arguing about is how little they can get away with giving.

 

Tithing, Part One

     My spiritual daughter, A Chinese convert, is extremely earnest in her devotion to the Lord.  She asks me numerous questions about the faith and its application to daily life.  Recently, she asked me about tithing; what the word "tithe" meant.

     I told her that the word means "a tenth."  Her response was, "Whoa!!!  That is a lot!"  I explained the background of the word and a proper Christian attitude toward it.  I'll tell you what I told her.

     Whether or not we believe that the Law given to the Jews is still in effect (I do, because God has explicitly said that He does not change.  Malachi 3:6a), Christians live under the Free Grace of God and not under the Law.  Modern Jews choose to remain under the Law, which Christians  believe was given to point to the need for the Christ, the Messiah.  The Law does not save us; it shows us why we need to be saved.

     The tithe was known before the time of the Israelites: the practice existed in Persia, Egypt, and China and may have originated in 8th Century BCE Babylon.  Abram knew of the tithe and practiced it when he migrated from Ur of the Chaldees.

     Under the Levitical Code the tithes were given only at the Temple (Dueteronomy 12:5-12) and went exclusively to the Levites (Numbers 18:21), who gave a tithe of their portion to the priests.  The tithe was an annual obligation under the code.

Open Call for Christian Blog Links

     Choosing the Right Path  (http://choosingtherightpath.blogspot.com/) is an eclectic Christian blog about any subject relating to religion and, specifically, to Christianity.  The underlying themes of the blog are the believer's personal responsibility, God's sovereignty, the gospel of God's freely given gift of saving grace, and the notion that Christians should be, and are, in every nook and cranny and that they should excel in every human endeavor in which they engage.

     I invite readers of any religious persuasion to comment, ask questions, and to suggest topics for discussion.

     I plan to add links to blogs on numerous subject areas which feature themes of how Christianity relates to their specific subject.  Some of the interest areas include abortion, acting, animals,  apologetics, art, Bible, biography, business, cartoons, children, Christology, circus, clowns, comic books, comparative religion, conservatism, counseling, cults, devotionals, doctrine, ecology, education, ethics, ethnic, fiction, film, finance, genealogy, health, history, humor, languages, liberalism, literature, manhood, marriage, mathematics, medicine, men, metaphysics, missions, music, mysticism, occult, pastoral, philosophy, politics, race, science, sports, theology, translation., religious place names, women, and writing.  I'm sure there will be others.

     If you would like to have your blog listed here leave me a comment.  If I decide to link to your blog, I will also request that you add a link on your blog to Choosing the Right Path.