Category: False Teaching

Human Eyes Versus Divine Eyes #2

Tuesday, May 14, 2019

“And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth” (Matthew 27:39-44 KJV).

It is the same event, viewed from two different perspectives. Which assessment is reality and which is folly?

While describing the nations forsaking the one true God, the following passage can be applied to individuals as well: “[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. [22] Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, [23] And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things” (Romans 1:21-23).

Compare this to Ephesians 4:17-19: “[17] This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, [18] Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: [19] Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.”

We can thus sense just how dark the lost or unsaved person’s soul is. Here is why the world is so messed up—abounding with deception, corruption, darkness, confusion, and evil. It is this fallen nature of man, this sin nature, that causes him to have a distorted sense of reality, an inaccurate awareness of what is actually going on around him. Today’s Scripture is just such a case. God sees one event one way (reality), but sinful man sees that same event another way (fantasy)….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is the ‘mountain’ to be removed in Matthew 17:20?”

 

Human Eyes Versus Divine Eyes #1

Monday, May 13, 2019

“And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth” (Matthew 27:39-44 KJV).

It is the same event, viewed from two different perspectives. Which assessment is reality and which is folly?

The onlookers stand—and even sit!—at the foot of Calvary’s cross and mock the Lord Jesus as He hangs there. Concentrate on their reasoning. If He were the Son of God, He should be able to deliver Himself from that excruciating torture they are willfully inflicting upon Him. If He really is the Son of God, why had God not yet come to rescue Him? How could the “mighty King of Israel”—who had preached such potent sermons and performed innumerable astounding miracles—just let Himself be nailed to the cross and become “helpless?” The only conclusion they could reach is that Jesus is nothing but a fraud, an imposter, someone whom even God refuses to claim as His own. Friend, here is “natural-man” thinking. Mark well his position.

Jesus Christ was and is the Son of God. We read about His ministry beginning three years earlier: “And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:16,17). This was repeated a few years later in Matthew 17:5, on the Mount of Transfiguration. Friend, here is Divine thinking. Mark well His position.

Let us proceed to compare and contrast….

I Am Italicized

Saturday, May 11, 2019

“Moreover he said, I am the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon God” (Exodus 3:6 KJV).

Suppose we removed the italicized word “am” here. The verse reads awkwardly now: “I… the God of thy father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” Moreover, by omitting that tiny term, we have weakened a major Bible theme!

The most misunderstood and disparaged feature of the King James Bible is its italicized words. “Scholars” have told us non-Hebrew and non-Greek speakers and readers that the italicized words can be removed without damaging the Scriptures. This is not true! (But who bothers to verify that claim anyway because the vast majority believes the “scholars” are highly educated, infallible, and above suspicion?!) Suffice it to say that, during the translation process, words must be inserted into the receptor/target language to convey the sense of the original/source language. If English is to adequately capture the meaning of the original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic, the English needs additional words.

Reading Matthew 22:23-33, we see Jesus Himself quotes today’s Scripture in verse 32: “I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” The “am” here is not italicized! If the italicized word did not belong in Exodus, why does Matthew cite Exodus with the italicized word not italicized?

Common sense dictates that we cannot emphasize what is not there. Had we removed “am” from Exodus, we would fail to grasp the full impact of Jesus’ argument in Matthew 22:32. A major doctrine—resurrection—is no longer proven here. “Am” is present tense. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are still living in spirit form—although they had physically died some centuries before God spoke to Moses about them in today’s Scripture! (Jesus thus used this Old Testament passage to disprove the Sadducees’ belief that there was no resurrection, the erroneous notion that people ceased to exist after physical death.)

Here is one of the many strong arguments to retain the italicized words in the Authorized Version. They all belong—even the “insignificant” two-letter ones!

Complete in Thee! #4

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; ) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:4-7 KJV).

Today’s Scripture highlights the chorus of Aaron Robarts Wolfe’s 1858 hymn, “Complete in Thee!”

“Yea, justified! O blessed thought!
And sanctified! Salvation wrought!
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And glorified, I too, shall be!”

Doubtless, being “justified”—or declared righteous before God—is an exciting thought! Our “negative righteousness” has been forgiven because of the shed blood of Christ, so that we are brought up to “0.” Then, we have been granted “positive righteousness.” That has enabled God to “sanctify” us—set us apart for His purposes. Positionally, we are “in Christ” and no longer “in Adam” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Practically, on a daily basis, we live by faith in that identity, that we may overcome sin every day. This too is thrilling! Yet, it is but a small portion of what our Heavenly Father has done on our behalf.

Why did Almighty God save us from Hell? Why deliver us from our sins? He certainly did not have to do it. Under no obligation, He simply did it because of His goodness. We did not deserve it. That is why it is GRACE! As today’s Scripture shows us, it was God in His plenteous mercy, for His “great love wherewith he loved us,” when we were dead in our sins, He gave us life with Jesus Christ.

Not only that, but (and God speaks as though it already happened—yet, it is still future) He “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.” We are now qualified to share Christ’s authority to reign in the heavenly places. One day, we will be glorified therein… that He might thereby be glorified in us! 🙂

Our latest Bible Q&A: “What is ‘Huzzab’ in Nahum 2:7?”

Complete in Thee! #3

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 KJV).

Today’s Scripture highlights the third verse of Aaron Robarts Wolfe’s 1858 hymn, “Complete in Thee!” (We disregard the fourth verse because it is not dispensationally correct.)

“Complete in Thee! my need supplied
And all Thy grace to me applied;
Since Thou my portion, Lord, wilt be,
I ask no more, complete in Thee.”

Christian friend, we lack nothing in Jesus Christ: we are indeed “complete in him” (Colossians 2:10). We are “blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3). Romans 8:32 says to this point: “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”

Most of our brethren in Christ, however, simply have no idea of their spiritual wealth. In rank Bible ignorance, they go around begging Almighty God for wisdom, forgiveness, cleansing, righteousness, fellowship, power, and so on. He has already given them everything in Christ! There is nothing left for Him to give that He has not already given them! Yet, religious tradition hides this truth from us, that we may keep relying on “Mother Church,” priest, preacher, philosopher, theologian, et cetera.

First Corinthians chapter 1, verses 30 and 31: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.” We need wisdom; we have it in Christ. We need righteousness; we have it in Christ. We need sanctification; we have it in Christ. We need redemption; we have it in Christ. Where is the boasting? None of this is because of what we did, so there is no bragging on our part. The value is to be recognized and found in the Lord Jesus Christ—what He did at Calvary! Yes, as it has been aptly stated, “Grace is God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.”

The Lord is our portion—our inheritance—and we thus inherit all that is found in Him. It is therefore utterly pointless to continue asking for what we do not lack!

Complete in Thee! #1

Sunday, May 5, 2019

“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:9,10 KJV).

Today’s Scripture highlights the first verse of Aaron Robarts Wolfe’s 1858 hymn, “Complete in Thee!”

“Complete in Thee! no work of mine
May take, dear Lord, the place of Thine;
Thy blood hath pardon bought for me,
And I am now complete in Thee.”

If you asked the average professing believer in Christ, “Are you complete in Him?,” he or she would likely be clueless. Religious tradition has muddled and distracted them from such simple Scriptural truths. They are busy with ceremonies, rites, and rituals—water baptism, profession of faith, walking an aisle, shaking a preacher’s hand, elaborate prayer recitation, confession of sins, burning of incense and candles, tossing “generous donations” into the collection plate, et cetera.

Sadly, they are likely attempting to get something from God. If they “rub Him just the right way”—as we would summon a genie from a lamp—He may grant their wishes (larger bank accounts, bigger houses, newer vehicles, better health, job promotions, improved romantic relationships, answered prayers, and so on). They have failed to realize that it is Jesus Christ’s shed blood—not our work—that gives us blessings from and favor with God!

Romans chapter 3: “[24] Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: [25] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; [26] To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. [27] Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. [28] Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

If we believed exclusively, entirely, on Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, God the Holy Spirit placed us forever into the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13). Our efforts were and are not the issue. We are “complete in Christ” (today’s Scripture)—lacking nothing—and “blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3).

A Prayer According to God’s Will

Friday, May 3, 2019

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” (1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV).

Yesterday was the United States’ National Day of Prayer. Today, we pray you pray according to the Lord Jesus Christ’s will for today!

Religious people—the general public, clergy, and government officials—recently assembled nationwide, like they do every year, and prayed for spiritual and moral revival of the “Christian” (?) United States of America. We commend their noble efforts, but God’s Word says there will be no godly revival of any of the world’s Gentile nations until Jesus Christ returns to earth at His Second Coming (Isaiah 11:9; Isaiah 59:20–60:3; Zechariah 8:20-23; Revelation 11:15; et cetera).

The LORD’s words to King Solomon are often quoted on this day: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).

Friends, this is certainly God’s Word, but has nothing to do with Gentiles in the United States in the Dispensation of Grace. This verse has a context often overlooked—the nation Israel under the Mosaic Law, praying in relation to God’s Temple in Jerusalem (verses 15,16). Actually, that Temple was destroyed over 19 centuries ago! Unlike Israel, the United States was never a divinely-founded nation. The American people as a whole are not God’s people like Israel was.

Rather than praying 2 Chronicles 7:14, remember today’s Scripture (God’s Word to us Gentiles). The verse following today’s Scripture says, “[God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Pray for those in authority, that they would trust Jesus Christ alone as their personal Saviour, and then grow in His Word to them so they can make wise decisions on behalf of the people they govern.

When Sin Creeps In #1

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:….” (Romans 5:12 KJV).

Behold, how sin creeps in!

Recently, a Christian brother expressed to me how he had been in a long-term online conversation with a female stranger. He eventually realized that he was spending more time with this lady than he was with his own wife! Once this problem came to his attention, he broke off contact with the online friend. It was quite a smart move on his part—lest he wind up in an affair and divorce court!

Dear friends, do we see how something innocent gradually becomes sin? It is so subtle that we are transgressing and not even notice it until long after we started that conduct (if ever we do notice it). Well-meaning people in religion constantly emphasize confession of sins as being necessary to be saved unto eternal life or to stay saved unto eternal life. Wrong! We are saved (and stay saved) by grace through faith in Christ, not works! Furthermore, they say our prayers will not be answered if we have “unconfessed” sin. If that were the case, no one would be saved or get prayers answered. Wrong! There are things in all our lives we do not yet realize are sin because we have not matured enough in sound Bible doctrine to discern our actions.

Without daily exposure to the Bible rightly divided, we will be vulnerable to all sorts of sins creeping into our lives without our knowledge. Thus, Ephesians 5:15-17 exhorts: “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” In today’s Scripture, had Adam applied sound Bible doctrine by faith, he would not have let sin “creep in.”

Study Genesis chapter 3. Notice how Satan was pretty skillful in deceiving Eve. Adam could have stopped it, but he remained quiet. What started as nothing more than eating forbidden fruit… is now our world of endless wars, rampant starvation, unspeakable crime, heartbreaking poverty, great suffering, horrific sickness, and eventual death. Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, will correct our thinking (and change our behavior)….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Who was the father of the Prophet Zechariah?”

Sound Doctrine Versus Fables #6

Monday, April 29, 2019

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3,4 KJV).

First comes the intolerance toward sound doctrine. Then, and only then, arrives the tolerance toward fables.

Isaiah chapter 30, about Israel: “[8] Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever: [9] That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: [10] Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits: [11] Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.” (God will thus let them have the Antichrist, of whom Psalm 55:21 says, “the words of his mouth were smoother than butter.”)

If you notice today’s Scripture, it is intentional rebellion against sound Bible doctrine: having ignored it, they frantically pile to themselves teachers who give them what they want to hear and believe. Their ears need to be soothed, and a “feel-good” message will pacify them! Refusing the truth, they are thereby ready to suck up fables like a vacuum cleaner pulls trash. It is a “soul blackout” (see Romans 1:18-32, especially verses 18-23).

The two verses prior to today’s Scripture read thus: “[1] I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” While there are apostates and heretics throughout the professing “church,” let us be faithful to “preach the word,” with special emphases on “all longsuffering and doctrine.” This is how we guard against the fables, the storytelling that often replaces sound Bible teaching. Brethren, may we be tolerant toward the truth, and intolerant toward the fables! 🙂

Sound Doctrine Versus Fables #5

Sunday, April 28, 2019

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables” (2 Timothy 4:3,4 KJV).

First comes the intolerance toward sound doctrine. Then, and only then, arrives the tolerance toward fables.

Watch the order in 1 Timothy chapter 4: “[1] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;….” These are not lost or unsaved people. They are Christians (!). Having been in the faith, they have now deserted it! They originally embraced sound Bible doctrine. Since then, they have gradually drifted, having been “seduced” or drawn away with various ideas. Verse 3 says these tenets involve religion’s forced celibacy and dietary restrictions. God’s Word calls them “doctrines of devils.” Such individuals speak lies in hypocrisy—they appear and sound good, but they are as false as false can be.

In his last epistle, the Apostle Paul wrote somber words: “This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes” (2 Timothy 1:15). Awaiting execution, at the close of his 35-year ministry, he confessed that the vast majority of Christians in Turkey had abandoned his message. God’s grace had been deliberately tossed aside; Christ’s finished work at Calvary’s cross had been relegated to an inferior status. Man’s efforts—legalism, commandment-keeping—were now at the forefront. Works-religion corrupted the Church the Body of Christ 20 centuries ago. Yes, the professing “church” intentionally (!) apostatized 2,000 years ago!

Even after our dispensation ends, the nation Israel will follow her ancient pattern and the attitude of most today. A radical departure from sound Bible doctrine—a “falling away”—will give rise to the satanic Antichrist (2 Thessalonians 2:3). In this and all cases, it is a willful renouncement of the truth. They knew correct information at first, but having rejected the light and understanding God provided them, they are plunged into spiritual darkness and madness. Friends, may we not be as they….