#2 A Philosophical Response to Somerset Maugham's The Razor's Edge
#3 Perseverance of the Saints; the Battle for true Biblical Soteriology
#4 A Practical Illustration on the Unity of the Scriptures
#5 The Destruction of Jerusalem and the Later History
#6 Sunday School Notes on False Teachers
#7 Sunday School Notes on the Jehovah's Witnesses
#8 Sunday School Notes on Jesus' Call to Discipleship
#9 The Inability of Man and the Sovereignty of God
#10 I John 2:2 - The Extent of the Atonement
"The Sovereignty of God
and Man's Responsibility"
by Uri Brito
I affirm that the Sovereignty and Free-will of God will is compatible with the sense of responsibility given to man by God. While this is true we must avoid by all means the extent of Calvinism which is Hyper-Calvinism. This is one of the greatest tragedies of the Christian doctrine. At the point we sacrifice human responsibility we end up with a fatalistic worldview and at the point we sacrifice the Sovereignty of God for the ultimate freedom of man we end up with an Arminian worldview. Both must be avoided by all means. In this article it is my intention to demonstrate these two truths from a Biblical perspective.
One of the the main truths observed in the pages of Scriptures is the magnificent and glorious charge given to us by Jesus and the apostles to preach the gospel ( II Timothy 4:2) and to defend the faith ( I Peter 3:15). The Scriptures repeatedly exhorts us to be faithful, work, pray, love, encourage and many other such charges. It is absolutely absurd to assume as Hyper-Calvinists dothat God placed humans on earth to simply go on with life and expect his coming. Interestingly, even "going on with life" or "expecting His coming" are diametrically opposed to this teaching. Both require action namely, responsibility. Man has been created with the need to serve His Master. And the idea is that is clearly brought forth is the Bible is the serious consequences of not following this mandate which is to serve God. Serving is a declaration that the Sovereign God has chosen you for Himself and hence you are separated from worshipping darkness to the worship and praise of the brilliance of His dear Son.
The clarity of this position is shown when we notice that God has determined before time what man must do and yet He gives man a sense of responsibility for his own actions. A clear example of this is Jesus’s betrayal. It was both necessary and freely chosen. Jesus himself proclaimed: “ And if truly the Son of Man goeth, as it was determined; but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed” ( Luke 22:22). God determined that the betrayal simply had to happen, but when it occurred, it did so as a result of a responsible choice of Judas Iscariot. There is no contradiction between these two truths.
A second example is found in the enslavement of Joseph. It was intended both by Joseph and by God. Looking briefly at one example from the Old Testament, Genesis thirty-nine informs the reader that Joseph’s brothers sold him as a slave into the land of Egypt. Eventually Joseph said, “ So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God” (Genesis 45:8). Later he added, “ But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” ( Genesis 50:20). Both are absolutely true. While wicked men sought to use their freedom to destroy one's life, yet God determined that this be used to save one's life.
These are only few examples of this divine truth. In fact, no one has ever demonstrated a contradiction between predestination and human responsibility. There is no conflict whatsoever between an event being predetermined by an all-knowing God, and it also being genuinely performed by man.. Even the famous Calvinistic Westminster Confession (1646) makes this point when it says, “ Although in relation to the foreknowledge and decree of God, the First Cause, all things come to pass immutably and infallibly, yet by the same providence he orders them to fall out, according to the nature of Second Causes, either necessarily freely, or contingently.”
The noted Puritan Calvinist Stephen Charnock held this same position, declaring: “ That is, He ( God) did not only know that we would do such actions, but that we would do them freely; he foresaw that the will would freely determine itself to this or that... and though God knows contingent things, yet they remain in the nature of contingencies; and though God knows free agents, yet they remain in the nature of liberty...”
Adam was not determined to commit a particular sin; but God foresaw and foreordained that he would freely fall. Consider the logic of the Puritan Stephen Charnock’s view: “First of all, God knows all things ( Isaiah 46:10). Secondly, whatever God foreknows must come to pass(i.e., is determined). If it did not come to pass, then God would have been wrong in what He foreknew. But an all-knowing Being cannot be wrong in what he foreknows. Finally, God knew Judas would betray Christ.”
Further, good reasoning informs us that if someone is forced against his will to commit a crime, then he is not responsible for it. For example, if some three-hundred-pound muscleman forced a person’s hand on a loaded gun and pointed it at someone else and squeezed one’s finger on the trigger, a person is not responsible for the shot that killed someone else.
The famous existentialist Jean Paul Satre argued: “ If God exists then the future is determined and I am not free; I am free; therefore, God does not exist.” In contrast, the great Puritan theologian Jonathan Edwards argued: “ If every event has a cause, then so do free human choices; God is the First Cause of everything; therefore, God must be the cause of our free choices” ( Luther and Erasmus pg. 332).
The reconciliation has been shown in the beginning with the examples given and the various biblical passages to prove it. However, in order to emphasize the truths of God’s sovereignty and self-determinism, it would be important to prove them separately; doing so, this logical doctrinal truth will become very clear.
As Divine Sovereignty comes to thought in this particular study; the Bible teaches very clearly that God Almighty is in control over the entire universe, including human actions. One clear example is when Job declared to God: “ I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee” ( Job 42:2). The Psalmist acknowledged that, “ Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places” ( Psalm 135:67). Solomon said, “ The King’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” ( Proverbs 21:1). But God’s Sovereignty is not only exercised in general over His creation, but it is manifested in particular matters of human redemption and salvation. Even Christ - the sole means of salvation ( Acts 4:12; I Timothy 2:5), “ was handed over... by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge” ( Acts 2:23). Luke declares that, “ all who were appointed for eternal life believed” ( Acts 13:48). In perhaps the strongest of all passages on Divine Sovereignty, the Apostle Paul boldly declares that salvation does not, therefore, depend on man’s desire or effort but on God’s mercy. Paul writes, “ Therefore, hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth” ( Romans 9:18). It is to the utter despair that the Arminian looks in Scriptures and discovers that God alone is Sovereign, man is lost and desperately wicked and his ability to choose good in God's eyes has been annihalated on the garden (Genesis 3). All that leaves us is with only one question and that is, on the battle of God's Sovereignty and Man's Free choice, guess who wins?
It would be appropriate to quote the great Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Spurgeon wrote: “ Brethren, be willing to see both sides of the shield of truth. Rise above the body heed which cannot believe two doctrines until it sees the connecting link. Have you not two eyes, man? Must you needs put one of them out in order to see clearly” ( Divine Sovereignty and Human Freedom pg.3)? The main emphasis has always been the Word of God and it will continue to be forever.
We must understand that God is the first cause of all things and nothing comes to pass without His divine allowance. We are naturally alienated, enemies and God-haters, yet He gives us a comforting sense of responsibility and humans act out of their nature. The truth is nothing in us wants to please God (Romans 8:8). Hence, we are left to God's mercy and Grace and now that we have been brought from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of His dear Son, we have a new goal, a new vision in life, that is, to please glorify Him and enjoy Him forever.
"A Philosophical Response To Somerset
Maugham's"
The Razor's Edge
by Uri Brito
The Razor's Edge is often described as the story of Larry, a war veteran who forsakes a comfortable life in Chicago "society" for a vague spiritual quest. It is better appreciated as a portrait of his acquaintances, whose conventional lifestyles are starkly contrasted to the path walked by the seeker. Some readers have wished to know more of Larry and criticize the space and attention Maugham gave upon the other characters. Maugham had an extraordinary keen eye both for the observance and retention of even the minutest fact and detail combined with a superb ability to translate those observations, facts, and details into the written word. Written words that, in turn, holds the reader's interest and desire to find out more. The author has a very insensitive way of approaching such topics as Christianity and of course the God of Christianity. Sometimes, even to the point of abusing of his liberty. The Razor's Edge reveals much about the spiritual path by focusing on people who are more like the typical reader, people who do not give up materialistic Western striving. The best way to understand Larry is to look at what he is not. It seems to be of great importance to the author to focus on different characters and as many details as he could.
The author W. Somerset Maugham is outstanding in his narrative. Rather than simply laying out the details of Larry's explorations and development, which, being spiritual and internal would be rather dull to watch, Maugham reveals Larry by dissecting the contrasting behavior of his associates. So, now begins the journey of a young man who has seen all the brutalities of a war; and reality becomes very real to him. The reality of evil and the why of evil befuddle his mind, and he is not in agreement with that happening. From that moment on begins the search for meaning in life.
Larry refuses to objectify himself and is able instead to follow the path of the seeker, even without knowing what he seeks or rejecting what he has had. He is at the ideal state for a student: perfect as he is, yet willing to grow, on the way to his quest. Larry is now officially in search for meaning, though he does not know where to start. From the beginning, Larry seems to be genuine and always willing to learn more and more about life and his surroundings. There must be something in his mind that calls him to such a search. He is consumed by it. He has no other goal, but to understand why he has not yet found meaning. Certainly, he is not interested in finding meaning through the lifestyle of his upper-class friends, for in that life he sees no significance.
If Maugham had told us the story of Larry without the contrast of his conventional friends, the novel's entire message would have been lost. Ancient mystics, quantum physicists, and existentialist philosophers are all giving us that same message. For instance, the atheistic philosopher Jean Paul Satre says there is no "thing" at all, except as we create it in our minds. It is the relationship between figure and ground that gives rise to an experience, and neither can exist without the other. What the author reveals is that there is no need to explain Larry unless the reader can first see the immense difference between Larry and every other character. Maugham has certainly established that as the narrative goes on. Hence, he feels no necessity to explain every little detail about Larry and his search, but rather feels free to explore the other characters as well and their particular experiences. Larry never objectifies his quest.
Here Larry continues by stating the vagueness of his quest when he says “I don't think I shall ever find peace till I make up my mind about things,' he said gravely. He hesitated, ‘It's very difficult to put into words. The moment you try to you feel embarrassed. You say to yourself: "Who am I that I should bother my head about this, that, and the other? Perhaps it's only because I'm a conceited prig. Wouldn't it be better to follow the beaten track and let what ‘s coming to you come? And then you think of a fellow who an hour before was full of life and fun, and he's lying dead; it's all so cruel and so meaningless. It's hard not to ask yourself what life is all about and whether there's any sense to it or whether it's all a tragic blunder of blind fate.'
In this clear statement, Larry tells the reader why he is seeking for meaning in life. He simply cannot understand and cope with the problem of evil. Indeed, Larry has all the reasons to seek for an answer. He has been told of the existence of a superior being and now after the war is over he is confronted with what seems to be a contradiction in thought. In other words, how can there be a just and loving God if the blood shed was so inexplicably out of proportion? A fair question one would say when asked by an honest seeker.
Now, Larry begins to search for answers through the reading of
numerous philosophical works. He is so determined to find true
meaning in life that in one occasion he begins his quest by
spending ten consecutive hours reading a book on Psychology by an
atheist author. Certainly that took away the thought from the
other characters as to doubting Larry’s seriousness in the
matter.
In the words of the author: "What I’m trying to tell you is that there are men who are possessed by an urge to do some particular thing so strong that they can’t help themselves, they’ve got to do it. They’re prepared to sacrifice everything to satisfy their yearning." …MT&Uri Without a doubt that is what is consuming Larry. In fact he is so consumed that he is able to sacrifice his life and his love for this search. Here Larry gives a vague definition of who God is; "A god that can be understood is no God. Who can explain the infinite in words?" The truth is that absolute cannot be fully explained. Indeed, it goes beyond human reasoning, but certainly not beyond logic. However, it can be understood once the element of faith is brought into action. One cannot live life without the presupposition that there is somewhere an infinite being. He is born and grows with the assumption that there is an outside force controlling the universe. However, some prefer to assume that they are copies of a superior being, while others see the impossibility of such an assumption. The truth, however, is established by the very assumption that either man is god or God is not like man. The Razor’s Edge in some way makes this assumption otherwise there would be no reason for Larry ever leaving his bright future in Chicago for poverty in the search for meaning. Once again, while outward poverty is mentioned, certainly Larry is in full contentment inwardly with the possibility of finding his answers.
In this particular description of Larry’s experience in the East he shares the emptiness of his joy. Many years of search and involvement with eastern mysticism Larry tells of his Awakening experience in the Eastern world and written by Maugham as follows: "How grand the sight was that was displayed before me as the day broke in its splendour...I was ravished with the beauty of the world. I'd never known such exaltation and such a transcendent joy. I had a strange sensation, a tingling that arose in my feet and traveled up to my head, and I felt as though I were suddenly released from my body and as pure spirit partook of a loveliness I had never conceived. I had a sense that a knowledge more than human possessed me, so that everything that had been confused was clear and everything that had perplexed me was explained. I was so happy that it was pain and I struggled to release myself from it, for I felt that if it lasted a moment longer I should die; and yet it was such rapture that I was ready to die rather than forego it. How can I tell you what I felt? No words can tell the ecstasy of my bliss. When I came to myself I was exhausted and trembling" This is an incredible description of a belief that has intrigued the human mind for centuries. It is based on nothing else than on an esoteric experience that cannot be proven. If true, the source of this power cannot be explained by human mind. If possible to be proven, it would only prove that there is an outside source more powerful than human power. All is part of the law of karma. Without having to deal with the theological perspective the author has to deal with one major argument against his character Larry. This is the humanitarian argument against the law of karma. It generates no social compassion. Anyone who helps the thousands of poor, crippled, maimed, homeless, and starving people on the streets of India is working against the law of karma. People suffer to work off their karmic debt and if you helped them, then they would have to come back again and suffer even more to work off the debt. That in itself contradicts the author’s desire to have the reader understand that Larry found meaning in his pursuit for wisdom and esoteric experiences.
It is very interesting that Somerset Maugham (an atheist) who in his own worldview finds meaning in that which he thinks is meaningful and what anyone else thinks is meaningful makes an interesting statement. He speaks of Elliot, a man who lived all his life participating in noble parties with princes and queens. Elliot had found his meaning in being a part of these noble events. Now Elliot has just died and the author makes this amazing statement. He says: “ An old, kind friend. It made me sad to think how silly, useless and trivial his life had been.” What an incredible statement by a man who has no basis for making any claim of what true meaning is because he has no moral absolute to base his view.
Now, to prove to his reader that Larry has found meaning, he concludes his book by summarizing the result of his search, “ and Larry found happiness.” These are his final remarks. What began with a search now has ended in happiness. But has it really? The question is: “what has Larry found?” Larry has found worldly wisdom. Larry has found mystical experiences. In the end Larry has found nothing. His entire search has been an exploration to the world of nothingness. He is right back where he started. Though more knowledgeable, yet he has found nothing more than a worldview that contradicts itself in logic. By doing so, he will continue in an endless and vague search for meaning. Meaning can never be found unless one is willing to presuppose that the Creator is God and God alone.
The Battle for Biblical Soteriology
By Uri Brito
A note from the author:
For a very long time now, in many different occasions, people have asked me questions concerning the topic of Lordship Salvation. This is indeed a very important question because it regards the destination of one's soul. May I say that the reason I hold to this position known as Lordship Salvation ( or The Perseverance of the Saints) is not merely because of the Easy Believism in Churches today, but as I shall prove it, it is because of its clear foundation in Scripture.
It is my desire to answer those questions that have often been treated with hatred and a lack of Biblical understanding. Though being young in the faith, I have felt pressed by the Scripture to hold to such position and might I add that I am fully aware of the majority oppositon out there.
First, obedience to the command to "have faith in God" (Mark 11:22) is the beginning of persevering in faith to the end. If God never gives an impossible, grievous, or burdensome command, then the very fact that we have been commanded to "have faith in God" is the highest proof that it is possible. "For this is the Love of God, that we keep His Commandments: and His Commandments are not grievous [literally, burdensome]" (1John 5:3). And, if it is possible to begin with faith, then it is possible to continue in faith. "...to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in His sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel" (Colossians 1:22-23). If the God of Love has wisely designed His vast system of Salvation to draw us "with bands of Love" (Hosea 11:4), then anyone who is ever saved, must be saved by the Love of God. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have Everlasting Life" (John 3:16). Our "obedience of faith" (Romans 16:26) is a necessary condition of Salvation, but it is the fulfillment of the New Covenant that God gives us a new heart that causes us to walk in His Statutes. "26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. 27 And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My Statutes, and ye shall keep My Judgments, and do them" (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
Second, confidence that God will overcome our iniquities, is a necessary part of our enduring to the end. "He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea" (Micah 7:19). If the Spirit of Truth can only show us how this mighty act can be accomplished, even before we are translated into His presence and transformed into His likeness at His Coming for us, we would be truly humbled before Him. "He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself" (Philippians 3:21). The plague of sin and sinning shall not come near us when we dwell under the shadow of the Almighty. "1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty... 10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling" (Psalm 91:1,10).
The LORD Jesus taught us this truth of abiding, which is the key to enduring to the end. "5 I am the Vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without Me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned" (John 15:5-6). Abiding or enduring in Christ causes us to walk in holiness. "Whosoever abideth in Him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen Him, neither known Him" (1John 3:6). In fact, it is impossible to be both abiding or enduring in Christ and sinning at the same time! "No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Luke 16:13).
Third, the Promises of God are intended to be the means of obtaining the sanctification in us that causes us to endure to the end; and so, we ought to rely upon the Promises of God for everything in our Christian Walk. "Whereby are given unto us Exceeding Great And Precious Promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust" (2Peter 1:4). We underestimate the Covenant Keeping God, when we relegate the Promises of the New Covenant to some future time, i.e., Heaven only, or with Israel only. "31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a New Covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which My covenant they brake, although I was an Husband unto them, saith the LORD: 33 But this shall be the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put My Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know Me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more" (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
The very argument of the New Testament Book of Hebrews is that the LORD Jesus Christ brought in the New Covenant by His death on the Cross. "19 For the Law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a Better Hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God... 22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a Better Testament" (Hebrews 7:19,22). And, if the New Covenant guarantees the Believer that he no longer needs to be a slave of sin, then why does the Church spend so much time moaning under the load of a multitude of sins? "1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same Mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God" (1Peter 4:1-2). Remember, we are not the servants of God when we obey sin. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?" (Romans 6:16).
Again, if the Spirit can only reveal it to us, we could see that "all the Promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen" (2Corinthians 1:20). This makes the certainty that the LORD will deliver us from the "sin which doth so easily beset us" (Hebrews 12:1) so immediately real that we could not imagine ourselves ever dwelling in sin. Of course, that state of mind can only be maintained while we abide in His Word. "1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the Law of the LORD. 2 Blessed are they that keep His Testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. 3 They also do no iniquity: they walk in His ways" (Psalm 119:1-3). While we are abiding in the Promises of His Word, would it not be prudent to plead the Promises that He would preserve us in His holiness? "Order my steps in Thy Word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me" (Psalm 119:133). If we are those who believe in the grace of God, then it will be demonstrated by our dominion over sin-- and not sin's dominion over us. "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the Law, but under Grace" (Romans 6:14).
Fourth, confidence in the character of God is implied in any attempt to endure to the end. "Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it" (1Thessalonians 5:24). The very essence of God is Love. "And we have known and believed the Love that God hath to us. God is Love; and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God, and God in him" (1John 4:16). Our Eternal Salvation is based upon the foundation of the Love of God. "Herein is Love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sin" (1John 4:10) and, that Love is a hallmark of God's character. "But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His Great Love wherewith He loved us" (Ephesians 2:4). Love was the motivation for God to reclaim us from our sins. "Behold, what manner of Love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not" (1John 3:1). Likewise, our motivation to Love God is because He loved us. "We Love Him, because He first loved us" (1John 4:19).
Love is the motivation to endure to the end, but faith is the means to carry it out. "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by Love" (Galatians 5:6). Faith or confidence in the character of God is the only thing we can do to please God. "But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). How can we ever mature without an ever increasing confidence in the character of God? And, how can we increase in confidence, if we do not persevere? "If ye will not believe, surely ye shall not be established" (Isaiah 7:9). Considering what the LORD Jesus did for us on the Cross, how can we justify sinning against Him? "Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest" (Psalm 51:4). Further, if we cannot bear to offend the Lamb of God, would it not be unreasonable for the LORD to preserve us in holiness? "The desire of the righteous is only good" (Proverbs 11:23). And, "The desire of the righteous shall be granted" (Proverbs 10:24).
Fifth, repenting of and separating from any known sin is absolutely essential to enduring to the end. "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The LORD knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the Name of Christ depart from iniquity" (2Timothy 2:19). Hypocrisy is to confess one sin while holding on to another. "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess" (Matthew 23:25). Incomplete obedience is really no obedience at all. If we are truly now part of God's elect, our desire will be to sever ourselves from any remaining sin. "And why call ye Me, LORD, LORD, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). Even the Old Covenant Saints understood the duplicity of proclaiming love for God while refusing Him entire obedience. "And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams" (1Samuel 15:22).
In God's wonderful promise He says,"If we confess our sins, He is Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1John 1:9). Yes, it is a daily battle! The Bible never says to give up. Then, what must we do if we continue to struggle with a sin? Well, we deal with it. What if it happens again? You deal with it again and again, until you become victorious over it. Not only that, but we have been assured that it was His very intention to defang "that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan" (Revelation 20:2) by His First Advent and His Atonement; but first, sin and the "works of the devil" must be cleansed from His own people. "He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil" (1John 3:8).
Sixth, obedience to ALL the known will of God is a vital part of enduring to the end. "1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:1-2). It is impossible to know the will of God without first the willingness to do all the will of God as fast as it is revealed to us. "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of Myself" (John 7:17).
If we attempt to separate obedience from faith, then we will have no better faith than that of the devils. "33 And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, 34 Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God" (Luke 4:33-34). So, intellectual assent to the Truth without accompanied obedience is not Saving Faith! "20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only" (James 2:20-24).
Conclusion
Evangelical Faith is not a passive act. It is not a mere intellectual assent to the Truth. As someone preparing for full-time ministry in the field of Christian Apologetics, we are are daily encountering more and more persuasive arguments for the claims of Christianity. However, the simple intellectual understanding of these truths are not sufficient to bring one to the Kingdom of God. It is only through the work of the Spirit.
Let me say that if your life does not demonstrate itself in works-- where opportunity affords-- it was never Saving Faith. "18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:18-19). Without the works of faith, i.e., the works that accompany faith, only self-deception can abide. "23 For if any be a hearer of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. 25 But whoso looketh into the Perfect Law of Liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain" (1:23-26).
Why is it necessary for God to require perseverance in grace and faith, if all who claim to be Christian will naturally persevere? Because only the True Saints actually do persevere. "Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God" (Acts 13:43). It is necessary for God to require our perseverance to keep us from becoming sinfully presumptuous-- as opposed to peacefully certain-- about our Eternal Salvation. "But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities" (2Peter 2:10). For our own good, the LORD not only seeks us to be Entirely Sanctified, but to continue in that way until He comes for us. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the Coming of our LORD Jesus Christ" (1Thessalonians 5:23).
Again, do all True Saints persevere to the end? Yes, most assuredly! "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Philippians 1:6). If endurance is indeed a necessary condition for our Final and Eternal Salvation, then we ought to "give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip" (Hebrews 2:1). Let us continue to lay hold of the Promises of God as those who would endure until He comes for us. "Having therefore these Promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2Corinthians 7:1). And again, "Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it" (1Thessalonians 5:24).
May God confirm us in the faith and cause us to stand. May the LORD make us to be like the Rock that He is. Amen, and Amen.
Maranatha!
A Practical Illustration on the Unity of the Scriptures
Illustration taken from H.L.Willmington's book: " That Manuscript from Outer Space"
A note from the author:
It is imperative that Christians begin to defend the Christian faith as never before! Never has the Word of God been under such attack as today under so-called modern scholasticism. The Jesus Seminar with their fake scholars gather together once or twice a year to tell the world what belongs and what doesn't belong in the Scriptures. I must say that the Bible is not only complete, but it is unique in every aspect. Indeed its uniqueness is shown clearly in its Divine Unity. I have found in the work of H.L Willmington a perfect illustration to make my point.
Let us imagine a religious novel of 66 chapters which was begun by a single writer around the 6th century A.D. After the author had completed but five chapters, he suddenly dies. But during the next 1000 years, up to the 16th Century, around 30 amateur " free lance" writers felt constrained to contribute to this unfinished religious novel. Few of these authors shared any thing in common. Some of them were black, others white, still others yello, and a few brown. They spoke different languages, lived at different times, in differenyt countries, had totally different backgrounds and occupations, and wrote in different styles.
Let us furthermore imagine that at the completion of the 39th chapter the writing for some reason suddenly stops. Not one word is therefore added from the 16th to the 20th century. After this long delay it begins once again by 8 new authors who add the final 27 chapters.
With all this in mind, what would be the chances of this religious novel becoming a moral, scientific, prophetic and historical unity? The answer is obvious-- not one in a million! And yet this is the story of the Bible!
For evidence on the Unity of the Scriptures click here.
The Destruction of Jerusalem and Later History
A note from the author: What happened in this tragic event in history? This massacre can only be compared to Hitler's. The destruction of Jerusalem is a very important event in God's prophetic calendar. Jesus predicted the destruction of Jerusalem in Matthew 24. Jerusalem is the center of prophetic fulfillment. It is my desire that we learn more and more details from biblical history, so that we may have a deeper understanding of Bible prophecy.
Jewish Wars, in revolt against Rome, began A.D. 66. Titus with his Roman Army arrived before the walls of Jerusalem on the day of Passover, A.D. 70. Banks of earthwork were built, battering rams were placed, and the siege began.
The Roman Army numbered 30,000; the Jewish Army, 24,000. The city was crowded with 600,000 visitors, according to Tacitus. After 5 months the walls were battered down, the Temple burned, and the city left ruined and desolate, except Herod's three great towers at the northwest corner, which were left standing as a memorial of the massive strength of the fortifications which Titus had demolished.
The Roman Army moved down to Caesarea. Over 1,000,000 Jews were killed. 95,000 captives were taken, among them Josephus. Eusebius says that Christians, on the appearance of the Roman Army, through Prophetic warning, fled to Pella.
For the 50 years following, Jerusalem disappeared from history. In A.D. 135, Barcocheba, a pretended Messiah, led a revolt, got possesssion of the city, and attempted to rebuild the Temple. The revolt was suppressed by the Roman Army. 580,000 Jews were killed, and Judah desolated. Jews were forbidden to reenter Jerusalem, on pain of death. A Temple to Jupiter was erected where the Temple of God had stood.
Under Constantine, A.D. 326, the temple of Astarte was torn away from the site of the Holy Sepulchre; and the city again became a leading Christian center. In the 5th century it became the seat of one of the Five Patriarchs who quite largely dominated Christendom, the other cities being Rome, Constantinople, Antioch, Alexandria. In the year A.D. 637 Jerusalem fell to Mohammedans, and remained a Mohammedan city, except for about 100 years in the Crusade Period, till 1917 it returned to control of Christendom.
False Teachers
A note from the author: Thank you so much for visiting my website! I intend to add material to this page perhaps once a week for the benefit of the church and the equipping of the saints. Please let me know if you have any questions. I will be more than willing to help you.
Send me an e-mail at: uribrito@clearwater.edu or call me at (727) 726-1153 extension 547.
False Teachers – Prepared by Uriesou T. Brito
One of my greatest heroes of the faith Dr. Walter Martin (author of the Kingdom of the Cults) has once written that: “Controversy for the sake of truth is a divine command.”
Introduction
Our theme text for this week and next week is found in Jude 3. I want to give you a foundation this week and next week we will enter fully to our topic. So, that you may see the reality of the issue.
Imagine that late one evening you board a plane to take a long flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta. As you look around the cabin, you notice that several passengers have begun to read magazines or newspapers. A man and his wife in the row in front of you are engaged in quiet conversation. Several passengers seem to be staring off into space, enveloped in a world of thought. Still others have already drifted off to sleep. You stretch sleepily and anticipate a quiet, peaceful trip.
Just before takeoff, however, the calm suddenly erupts into chaos as six screaming children and their mother board the aircraft. She sits across the aisle from you and appears oblivious to the disruption. Not only are her children loud and rambunctious, but also they seem to vacillate wildly between nervous laughters and tears.
The anger and irritation etched on the faces of your fellow passengers is obvious. Yet no one seems willing to do anything. Finally you can no longer contain yourself. Leaning over to the mother, you blurt out, “ Ma’am, can you please do something about your kids? They’re out of control! Can’t you see that people are trying to read? Don’t you realize how late it is? We’re tired! We need some peace and quiet!”
As though jolted back to reality, the woman looks into the eyes and in a shaky voice responds, “ Yes, yes, you’re right. I’m very sorry—forgive me! You see, I just received word that my husband was in a terrible automobile accident. He’s in a coma, and the doctors are not sure he’ll live. I’m having a difficult time coping, and… and… I’m not sure the children are handling this very well either.”
Imagine how you would feel at that moment! Suddenly you perceive reality from a whole new perspective. Irritation gives away to compassion. In an instant you view this woman and her circumstances through a whole new set of lenses.
In recent years, multitudes who name the name of Christ have adopted a wildly distorted perception of what it truly means to be a Christian.
Under the banner “ Jesus is Lord,” multitudes are being fooled by a gospel of greed and are embracing doctrines straight from the metaphysical cults. While convinced that what they hear is the real thing, they are in fact turning on to nothing more than a cheap counterfeit. Eternal truths from the Word of God are turning into bad mythology – and all the while Christianity in going into a crisis of unparalleled proportions.
My goal for the next two weeks is to help you see what is taking place and I don’t want to only share with you opinions, but rather evidence the error and prove to you from Scriptures how this is something we should be concerned about and also how the Bible predicts these things.
Let me begin by giving you a few quotes:
Satan conquered Jesus on the Cross
Kenneth Copeland
You’re not looking at Morris Cerullo—you’re looking at God. You’re looking at Jesus.”
Morris Cerullo
Never, ever, ever, go to the Lord and say, “ If it be thy will…’ Don’t allow such faith-destroying words to be spoken from your mouth.”
Benny Hinn
God has to be given permission to work in this earth realm on behalf of man… Yes! You are in control! So, if man has control, who no longer has it? God.
Frederick Price K. C. Price
Man was created on terms of equality with God, and he could stand in God’s presence without any consciousness of inferiority.
Kenneth Hagin
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Now, if the New Age Movement poses the greatest threat to the body of Christ from without, the deadly cancer represented by these quotes poses one of the greatest threats to Christianity from within. The true Christ and the true faith are being replaced rapidly with group of teachers who belong to what has been labeled “ Faith Movement.
Body
My burden is best expressed by the warnings of Peter, Paul and the master teacher, Jesus Himself. Listen to their words as they echo through the ages.
II Peter 2:1-3
But there were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily (secretly) shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Acts 20:30,31
Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Matthew 7:15
Jesus says: “ Be aware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
It’s not a great joy to sound the alarm, but it necessary that as Bible-Believing Christians we understand the damage that these men are causing. The deception, the heresies must be pointed out.
Why? In Jude verse 3 he tells us to have love for this gospel and this is our theme verse for the next two weeks. So, turn there if you will and if possible have this verse memorized as a reminder of your duty today a Born-Again believer.
So, we know that this gospel is supreme above any other message. This gospel is pure because it changes the impure soul. This gospel is ours and anything that is against it must be dealt with. Read I Peter 3:15.
So, now here is the question: “ Are God’s anointed beyond criticism?”
During his sermon on the Mount, Jesus Christ exhorted His followers not to judge self-righteously or hypocritically. It is necessarily wrong what Christians do when they question the teachings of “ God’s Anointed” preachers and evangelists? Many teachers who claim such anointing would say so, and many more of their followers commonly reply to all manner of criticism: “ Touch not God’s anointed.”
As we have heard some of these teachers even threaten or carry literally grave consequences.
Advocates of such unquestionable authority assume that Scripture supports their view. Their key biblical passage is Psalm 105:15: “ Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” But if we closely examine this passage we will see that it has nothing to do with challenging the teachings and practices of church leaders.
First, it needs to be noted that the Old Testament phrase “ the Lord’s anointed” is typically used to refer to the kings of Israel (I Samuel 12:3,5; II Samuel 1:14,16; Psalm 20:6).
Secondly, even the text could be applied to church leaders today, in the context of this passage the words “ touch” and “ do harm” have to do with inflicting physical harm upon someone. So, the text is wholly irrelevant to the issue of questioning the teachings of these men.
Finally, even if this were accepted how are we to know who God’s prophets are? Because they and their followers say they are? If you take that view, I would have to accept that Sun Myung Moon, Elizabeth Clare, Charles Taze Russell, Joseph Smith are all prophets because they have claimed to be of God ad besides they claim that their God is the God of the Bible. We have a problem here.
Now, here is our text. Jude by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit is exhorting the believers to be steadfast in the hour of compromise. We are to be faithful in proclaiming the way of salvation in a world of iniquity and false prophets and teachers.
The Present Practices of the World
(4) Practicing atheism
(5 & 6) Practicing Disobedience
(7-9) Practicing a passion for greed which.
Conclusion
This is the prospective pathway of the Christian
A) Walking in Faith (v.20)
B) Looking for the Savior (vv. 14-15)
C) Witnessing to the lost (vv. 21-23)
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