Liberty is not so much a producing force as a product of other forces. It is not so much a power as it is open space within which other powers work…. There is liberty from the world. Sometimes men are in bondage to the world in this sense, that the mainspring of their life is to stand well with it, to do what their set, their society, the world round about them, wishes them to do…. There is liberty from bad ways — love of the world, drunkenness, gambling, etc. We learn to walk circumspectly; we learn to keep the heart with all diligence…. There is liberty from bad memories…. There is liberty from fear and terror….
Category: A Christian Defined
When Nations Sport With Death – Geoffrey Botkin
This post emphasizes the differences between two rugby teams: one who follows Christ openly; one who bows down to political correctness: The vlogger’s description follows: Fiji won Olympic Gold in rugby against who? Another nation which emerged out of cannibalism in the 18th century into Christianity, but which is now trading-in reverence for Christ for irreverence, and going backward to dark superstitions and primitive emotions. This is not why New Zealand lost a rugby match, but it will be how they could lose their national civilization. [The 7 minute video of this post is about how Marxists deceived New Zealanders in the 20th century; it applies to the US presently]
Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Galatians 3:3
The apostle Paul’s comments to the Galatians in 3:3-5, Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? And Proverbs 2:1-5, particularly verse 5, are used, along with a comment from the diary of Jonathan Edwards that provides an experiential comprehension of Gal. 3:3, to discuss that very common problem that Paul confronted so long ago. This post is an isolated moment, or a meditation from my ongoing struggle with sin and learning to walk with the Lord
Cleansing: A Covenant Blessing by C H Spurgeon; Ezekiel 25-36; Part 5
GOD BEGINS TO DEAL WITH HIS PEOPLE WHILE THEY ARE YET IN SIN. He does not make promises of purification to them upon condition that they cleanse themselves; but He comes to them according to the riches of His grace, even when they are dead in trespasses and sins. He finds them in all their defilement, rebellion, and iniquity, and He deals with them just as they are. His grace stoops to the ruin of the fall and lifts us up from it. If the covenant of grace did not deal with sinners as sinners I should be afraid to come to Christ; but…
Idolatry, Why God Hates It; Re: Ezekiel 36:31, by J.D. Davies: Part 4
The following description of idolatry is the best I have ever read. The author discusses the passage of scripture surrounding verse 31; his description of idolatry explains fully why God called them to loathe themselves. Furthermore, if you have been wanting a clear definition of ‘repentance,’ then, knowing the contents of this post will enable you to be much closer to that; or if you have been wondering what is wrong with your repentance, then the answer may lie herein. However, if you have read the other 3 parts to this mini series, then you realize that only God can bless you with such repentance. Stay in His means of grace, and do as is stated in Proverb 2:1-10, seek His truth like one seeks gold and silver, and cry out to him for understanding…
Mistaken Notions About Repentance, by C. H. Spurgeon, re: Ezekiel 36:31; Part 3
This post focuses on a different aspect of Ezekiel 36:31, it aims to clarify what repentance is and is not. In the contemporary church, many don’t even believe in repentance or sin anymore, as though their modern mindset has somehow changed God’s laws. Consider the following words of Jesus from John 18 – Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. 38 Pilate saith unto him, What is truth?
Self-Knowledge And Self-Loathing, by J.R. Thompson: Ezekiel 36:31, Part 2
This is an 800 word commentary on Ezekiel 36:31, I found it to be of great value in showing how repentance takes one to a place of self-loathing. The following 4 points are the subheads of J. R. Thomson’s comments: I. SIN BLINDS MEN TO THEIR REAL CONDITION, AND FOSTERS UNDUE SELF-SATISFACTION. II. GOD’S CHASTISEMENTS AND GOD’S MERCIES AWAKEN MEN TO REFLECTION AND TO SELF-KNOWLEDGE. III. SELF-KNOWLEDGE, BY REVEALING INIQUITY IN ITS TRUE LIGHT, LEADS TO SELF-LOATHING. IV. THUS SELF-KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO REPENTANCE AND TO A BETTER LIFE. [The last point is profound and worthy of meditating on; all these points indicate that it is absolutely essential to examine your sin for your motives in committing and more that God will reveal to you – see, Categories, Jonathan Edwards, Glimpses into his spiritual life for help in such things]
Ezekiel 36:31 Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds…and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities….
In the sermon excerpt, by Voddie Baucham, that I posted yesterday, he stated that Christians ought to loathe themselves for their sins. I remembered the statement from Ezekiel; but am thinking that contemporary Christians may question the sternness of such repentance. This post aims to show that the thoughts of Ezekiel 36:31 are also New Testament theology. The following cross references are from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge at Bible Hub; also there are several sermons on Ezekiel 36:31
This Is Why Most People Are Going To Hell – Voddie Baucham
In the 12 minute sermon excerpt of this post Dr. Voddie Baucham uses scripture to explain why most people are going to hell; that includes, most Christians also. He explains sin, repentance, faith in terms of how it looks in a person’s real-life experience. He talks briefly about the preachers who lead people onto the broad way of destruction and the kinds of beliefs that keep one there and he contrasts those beliefs with biblical truth