Category: free will

The Case for Right Division #9

Sunday, May 28, 2023

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).

Can today’s Scripture deliver someone from absolute stupidity before he or she literally perishes in it? (Yes!)

Ephesians 3:1,2 relays the following: “For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:…” The “dispensation” (Greek, “oikonomia,” “house rules”) the Lord has in effect today was given to the Apostle Paul (cf. Colossians 1:25-28). This is the body of truth applicable to us, and it is located in the 13 Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon. Through Paul’s ministry, the mystery program, God is manifesting His grace—His unmerited favor—to mankind in a new way. By faith in Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins, we as Gentiles outside of Israel and her prophetic program can be made righteous in God’s sight. God the Holy Spirit is taking us believers in Christ and forming the Church the Body of Christ, separate and distinct from the nation Israel (see Ephesians 2:13–3:12).

Alas, denominationally-minded people are either unintentionally or deliberately blind to dispensational truth. To exclusively follow the Lord’s heavenly ministry through Paul means they must forsake their denominational system (built on Christ’s earthly ministry!). They would have to admit their preacher or teacher lied to them. In fact, those who wish to keep their church traditions have resorted to disparaging dispensational Bible study as a “cult,” “heresy,” and so on. That is their choice. If they are determined to stay in their chaos, we respect their free will and let them remain in that ignorance. They can continue claiming their physical healing, dying because they refuse to visit doctors and receive medication. They can keep their starvation by fasting, holding out and holding on for “answers” from God as to why this or that never came to pass.

Dear friends, in the wake of non-dispensational Bible study, billions are left perplexed, hopeless, and even spiritually, doctrinally, and physically dead. Here is the heavy price that must be paid for failing to apply today’s Scripture. Above all, here is the case for right division!

Whom We Have Believed

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12 KJV).

It is not so much what we have believed, but whom we have believed!

When asked about his religious persuasion, a prominent individual readily admitted total confusion. He actually confessed that he did not know what he believed, though he did sense a “higher power” (a vague comment on which he could not elaborate because he was at a loss for words). This man is quite ill-fated, particularly because he lives in a nation with “Christian” church buildings on nearly every street corner and Bibles in almost every home (or, at least, internet access to a Bible!). God the Holy Spirit revealed, inspired, preserved, and translated His Book—the Holy Bible—so we would not be ignorant (uninformed, untaught) unless we chose to be!

Indeed, Satan, “the god of this world,” hides our gospel from them who are lost, for he “hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2 Corinthians 4:3,4). Yet, as Almighty God enabled us to overcome that darkness so we could learn His will for us (see John 7:17), if they are willing to step into the light, He will give them the same spiritual awareness He has given us. The problem lies in their lack of readiness to see what He has already furnished.

Yet, Christianity is much more than believing something. As we gather from today’s Scripture, it is about believing Someone, the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom we have entrusted our soul’s eternal wellbeing. After all, if the God-Man shedding His sinless blood and rising from the dead cannot save us from our sins, then we are truly doomed forever. However, unlike those who “do not know what to believe,” separate from those who “do not know who to believe,” “[we] know whom [we] have believed, and [are] persuaded that he is able to keep [guard, protect] that which [we] have committed unto him [our souls and spirits] against that day!” 🙂

Is the God of the Bible “Anti-Intellectual?” #10

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17 KJV).

Is the God of Scripture “anti-intellectual?”

Bible-haters can methodically prove complex mathematical theorems, wisely dissect and repair human bodies, diligently translate ancient manuscripts, scrupulously draft elaborate blueprints for a megatall building, tirelessly endeavor to be a pioneer researcher in nuclear physics, boldly explore the mysteries of outer space, doggedly acquire a “brilliant” legal mind to obtain a political office, prudently develop budgets for entire nations, creatively sculpt incredible works of art, carefully investigate the ocean depths, and regularly compose technical articles for publication in “scholarly” journals.

As educated, admired, and outstanding as these souls are, until they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thereby receive the indwelling Holy Spirit, true wisdom will forever elude them. The knowledge of eternal worth is a foreign language to them. Certainly, they struggle to fathom even the simplest sentences in a sixth-grade English Bible. While the human brain is remarkable, it has a Creator or mind superior even to it (and never forget that!). There is the Divine mind, what Almighty God possesses, who gave us the ability to think and comprehend these very thoughts. Why does the natural world exist? Only when we read His Book do we understand and appreciate the real meaning and purpose to what we see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. However, if we are content with just the “how,” we will go no further than natural explanations and natural reasoning, thus overlooking what matters most (1 Corinthians 2:9-16).

“For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe” (1 Corinthians 1:19-21).

Is the God of the Bible “Anti-Intellectual?” #9

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17 KJV).

Is the God of Scripture “anti-intellectual?”

The Lord Jesus Christ through the Apostle Paul advised in 1 Timothy 6:19,20: “O Timothy, keep [guard] that which is committed to thy trust [sound Bible doctrine, grace-oriented teaching], avoiding profane [common, unholy] and vain [empty, worthless] babblings [drivel, silly talk], and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.” In Greek, “science” is “gnosis,” translated as “knowledge” 28 times in our King James Bible (for instance, see Luke 1:77, Romans 2:20, 1 Corinthians 8:1, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Ephesians 3:19, 2 Peter 1:6, and 2 Peter 3:18).

Observe how there are “oppositions of science falsely so called.” False teachers fight against sound Bible doctrine by promoting information that is wrongly titled “science” (as in knowledge). In other words, it looks like it profits its hearers and adherents—but it is as advantageous to the Christian (or even lost person) as fools’ gold is to the prospector! What appears to be substance is but shadow, what seems to be treasure is merely trinket, yet the undiscerning mind is none the wiser. Usually, what is advertised as “knowledge” turns out to be nothing more than pointlessness.

Re-read 1 Corinthians 2:9. If we desire to ascertain God’s words and will, we do not appeal to the “eye” (scientific method, empiricism), the “ear” (church tradition, secondhand data), or the “heart” (soul-searching, intuition). Moreover, if we do not have the indwelling Spirit of God to teach us, we have no hope of ever obtaining God’s wisdom. “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (verse 10). We can gain all the “knowledge” we want by attending every world “institution of higher learning,” yet this is but child’s play when we survey the wealth of Divine wisdom contained in the Holy Scriptures rightly divided….

Is the God of the Bible “Anti-Intellectual?” #8

Monday, November 14, 2022

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17 KJV).

Is the God of Scripture “anti-intellectual?”

Following the scientific method, we hypothesize (form temporary explanations) concerning the operation of natural events, we observe those phenomena through experimentation and we record our findings/data, thereby allowing us to refine or discard our prior description—ever striving to describe “how” it works. Nevertheless, if we do not look at God’s creation through the lens of the Holy Scriptures, the eyes of faith, we will never see “why” it works (and that is true ignorance)! Moreover, without the indwelling Holy Spirit to teach us, we have no prospect of ever attaining genuine knowledge.

First Corinthians 2:9-16: “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.”

Again, Christianity is the opposite of ignorance….

Is the God of the Bible “Anti-Intellectual?” #7

Sunday, November 13, 2022

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17 KJV).

Is the God of Scripture “anti-intellectual?”

Some 4,200 years ago, Noah’s descendants defied the LORD God by gathering when He had commanded them to scatter (Genesis 9:1; Genesis 11:1-9). By introducing the world’s languages as a form of judgment, the LORD delayed the nations from cooperating to build a “city” (political center) and a “tower” (religious center) in Babylon (near modern Baghdad, Iraq). These “one-world” monuments will ultimately be erected—to man’s glory—in the ages to come, when the Antichrist appears (see Revelation 17–18). Human civilization has been leading up (or downgrading) to that dismal point ever since the Tower of Babel. Romans 1:18-32 explains the origin of our horrific global society (cf. Acts 14:15-17; Acts 17:16-31).

Romans chapter 1: “[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; [19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. [20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: [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…. [28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate [worthless, spurious] mind, to do those things which are not convenient;….”

Like the nations at Babel, those souls today seeking knowledge and wisdom and understanding apart from the one true God are but fools….

Is the God of the Bible “Anti-Intellectual?” #6

Saturday, November 12, 2022

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17 KJV).

Is the God of Scripture “anti-intellectual?”

As its name suggests, “intellectualism” significantly emphasizes the exercise of our human mental faculties. Eventually, we mere finite (limited) creatures start viewing ourselves as “the pinnacle of all knowledge.” In our minds, we are supreme and independent. Commonly called “rationalism,” reason and knowledge are exalted at the expense of the supernatural. We begin entertaining foolish thoughts, following the footsteps of Father Adam and Mother Eve in the Garden of Eden.

“I do not need some ‘God’ or anything He offers me. I can be good without Him. I will think what I want and I will do what I want. I can solve my own problems apart from the influence of a ‘higher being.’ After all, it is my life and I will make my own decisions because I answer to no one!” These narcissistic attitudes are propagated via millions of “prestigious” classrooms, “mental health” offices, bestselling books, viral internet videos, and denominational “sanctuaries.” Beloved, no wonder our world is overwhelmed with confusion, crime, poverty, war, heartbreak, depression, and various other insurmountable issues!

No one reading and believing the Bible could ever (!) conclude its God promotes ignorance. Actually, carefully consider the existence of the Bible itself. Has it not been given to teach us God’s will? “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction [teaching!!!! training!!!! education!!!!] in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:16,17). Moreover, the Holy Spirit through the Apostle Paul wrote about six areas of truth of which we should not be ignorant (Romans 1:13; Romans 11:25; 1 Corinthians 10:1; 1 Corinthians 12:1; 2 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 4:13). Again, the Scriptures promote wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. It is religion (the subtlest form of “intellectualism”) that fosters ignorance….

Is the God of the Bible “Anti-Intellectual?” #5

Thursday, November 10, 2022

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17 KJV).

Is the God of Scripture “anti-intellectual?”

As any sensible parent would discourage his or her child from reading something injurious, seeing something sinful, or doing something harmful, so God erected barriers to guard Adam and Eve against sin for their own good (today’s Scripture). He knew the destruction that sin would cause them, and He sternly warned them of it, but He did not force their reaction. They would have their chance to make the right choice (a positive exercise of volition or free will) or the wrong choice (a negative exercise of volition or free will).

Regarding church order, the Holy Spirit through Paul commented on those tragic events in the Garden of Eden: “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression” (1 Timothy 2:11-14). According to the Bible, Eve was genuinely deceived, totally unaware of Satan’s trap in Genesis chapter 3 (see 2 Corinthians 11:3,4). However, Adam knew (!) the danger they were in, but he did not stop Eve, and he did not bring her to God either. Instead, he (a terrible spiritual leader/example) copied her and ate the forbidden fruit too! Rather than lose Eve and remain loyal to God, Adam made a conscious choice and joined his wife in following Satan.

Like all sinners, Satan, Adam, and Eve “worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). They all wanted to function outside the role the LORD God had given them. Indeed, they all wished to think and experience something besides what the Creator God intended for them. This deification of the creature goes on even now, in our “civilized,” “sophisticated” 21st-century world….

NOTE: In order to bring a special study tomorrow, we will temporarily break away from this devotionals arc, returning the following day with more advanced material on this subject….

Is the God of the Bible “Anti-Intellectual?” #4

Wednesday, November 9, 2022

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17 KJV).

Is the God of Scripture “anti-intellectual?”

Genesis chapter 3 again: “[4] And the serpent [Satan] said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: [5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. [6] And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.”

The “gods” (lowercase “g!”) of verse 5 were fallen angels who had already followed Satan in his rebellion against the one true God. Like their leader, they were their own authorities, doing what they wanted. Not only had they firsthand known good—all that God is and does—but they had firsthand known evil too (life apart from Him). Adam and Eve were tempted into adopting this view as their own, and then they ate! Like “the devil and his angels” (Ezekiel 28:18; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 12:7,9), the first two humans would now decide for themselves what is good and what is evil. It had originally been God’s sole right to be that Judge. Genesis 3:22,23: “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us [the three Members of the Godhead], to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and [physically] live for ever: Therefore the LORD God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from whence he was taken.”

All these sinners abandoned God’s grace—the identity and provisions He gave them—and preferred to make their own life without Him. As He foretold, disaster would fall….

Is the God of the Bible “Anti-Intellectual?” #3

Tuesday, November 8, 2022

“And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16,17 KJV).

Is the God of Scripture “anti-intellectual?”

The LORD was so gracious in today’s Scripture. He gave Adam and Eve an entire garden of trees from which to eat—except one forbidden tree, a fact Satan capitalized on so as to fool Eve into joining his side. In the spirit of modern “textual critics”—embarking on endless quests to recover alleged “lost original Bible readings,” never able to overcome their pride and submit to God’s preserved and authoritative words in the King James Bible—Satan cleverly planted seeds of doubt in Eve’s mind and prompted her to “reconstruct” her own Bible (cf. 2 Corinthians 11:3,4).

Genesis chapter 3: “[1] Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? [2] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: [3] But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” Compare verses 2 and 3 with today’s Scripture. Eve definitely lacked a clear understanding of God’s words to her and Adam!

Chapter 3 continues: “[4] And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: [5] For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Satan portrayed God as harsh and domineering, thereby causing Eve to believe her Creator—and her husband’s Creator—was not seeking their best interests. That is, “Eve, God cheated you and Adam. You both could have been something even better than He made you, and He is limiting you both by having you avoid that forbidden fruit.”

Let us see if Eve falls into the trap….