Adoption is certainly one of my favorite NT salvation terms. In the New Testament, God has left us with an abudance of salvation pictures. Reconciliation pictures two parties at war who become friends (Eph 2). Justification pictures God's legal declaration at the Judge's bench (Rom 3-4). Redemption pictures us being purchased at the slave market and set free (Eph 1:7-8). I don't believe adoption get as much press as the other terms. Adoption is a beautiful, warm, word that pictures us being estranged from the father and the family. God sets His love upon us and brings us into the family. He purposed this from eternity past (Eph 1:5-6). This adopting love is something that Christians should consider and imitate their father in heaven.
Check out Albert Mohler's recent post on adoption.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Christian Fertility Doctors Beware
Checkout this post by Al Mohler on the controversy in California. Mohler explains,
"Just last week, the California Supreme Court handed down a decision that denied a right for physicians who perform IVF procedures to claim a religious liberty right to deny those procedures to persons on the basis of sexual orientation. The unanimous decision resets the whole equation in the nation's largest state and sets the stage for similar reviews elsewhere.
Then, just days later, the Bush administration announced a new set of regulations that would deny federal funds to any hospital or medical service that does not allow healthcare professionals to "opt out" of procedures that violate conscience. Given the controversy surrounding these proposed regulations, we can expect this issue to be thrust into the current presidential race -- and probably soon."
Read the whole blog here.
"Just last week, the California Supreme Court handed down a decision that denied a right for physicians who perform IVF procedures to claim a religious liberty right to deny those procedures to persons on the basis of sexual orientation. The unanimous decision resets the whole equation in the nation's largest state and sets the stage for similar reviews elsewhere.
Then, just days later, the Bush administration announced a new set of regulations that would deny federal funds to any hospital or medical service that does not allow healthcare professionals to "opt out" of procedures that violate conscience. Given the controversy surrounding these proposed regulations, we can expect this issue to be thrust into the current presidential race -- and probably soon."
Read the whole blog here.
IS GAMBLING ALWAYS SIN
Over at the Pulpit Magazine, they posted the outline of a MacArthur sermon on gambling.
His sermon said that gambling is wrong:
1. Because it denies the reality of God’s sovereignty (by affirming the existence of luck or chance)
2. Because it is built on irresponsible stewardship (tempting people to throw away their money)
3. Because it erodes a biblical work ethic (by demeaning and displacing hard work as the proper means for one’s livelihood)
4. Because it is driven by the sin of covetousness (tempting people to give in to their greed)
5. Because it is built on the exploitation of others (often taking advantage of poor people who think they can gain instant wealth)
I think it opens a good discussion concerning areas of Christian liberty and matters of conscience. I posted a comment that hasn't yet been posted, but in light of 1 Co 4:6 evaluated this reasoning.
1 Corinthians 4:6 (NASB95) "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other."
I have never bought a lottery ticket in my life and I understand something of the horrible consequences gambling. I would vote everytime against casino gambling coming to Ohio. But can we honestly say that Scripture would condemn gambling as sin in every instance? I used to think yes, but after reading “Who are you to judge” by Dave Swavely; I have become a little more guarded. I don’t want to go beyond the Scripture.
So shouln’t we say:
1. IF gambling denies the reality of God’s sovereignty (by affirming the existence of luck or chance), then gambling is sin.
2. IF gambling is built on irresponsible stewardship (tempting people to throw away their money), then it is sin.
3. IF gambling erodes a biblical work ethic (by demeaning and displacing hard work as the proper means for one’s livelihood), then it is sin.
4. IF gambling is driven by the sin of covetousness (tempting people to give in to their greed)
5. IF gambling is built on the exploitation of others (often taking advantage of poor people who think they can gain instant wealth)
OK, that would make gambling sin in 99% of the instances, but shouldn’t we be careful not to go beyond what is written. Couldn’t a Christian moderately gamble trusting in God’s Sovereignty, exercising self-control and good stewardship, is a hard-worker and doesn’t gamble to make money, not gamble out of greediness but simply to enjoy, not exploit others in their gambling.
His sermon said that gambling is wrong:
1. Because it denies the reality of God’s sovereignty (by affirming the existence of luck or chance)
2. Because it is built on irresponsible stewardship (tempting people to throw away their money)
3. Because it erodes a biblical work ethic (by demeaning and displacing hard work as the proper means for one’s livelihood)
4. Because it is driven by the sin of covetousness (tempting people to give in to their greed)
5. Because it is built on the exploitation of others (often taking advantage of poor people who think they can gain instant wealth)
I think it opens a good discussion concerning areas of Christian liberty and matters of conscience. I posted a comment that hasn't yet been posted, but in light of 1 Co 4:6 evaluated this reasoning.
1 Corinthians 4:6 (NASB95) "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other."
I have never bought a lottery ticket in my life and I understand something of the horrible consequences gambling. I would vote everytime against casino gambling coming to Ohio. But can we honestly say that Scripture would condemn gambling as sin in every instance? I used to think yes, but after reading “Who are you to judge” by Dave Swavely; I have become a little more guarded. I don’t want to go beyond the Scripture.
So shouln’t we say:
1. IF gambling denies the reality of God’s sovereignty (by affirming the existence of luck or chance), then gambling is sin.
2. IF gambling is built on irresponsible stewardship (tempting people to throw away their money), then it is sin.
3. IF gambling erodes a biblical work ethic (by demeaning and displacing hard work as the proper means for one’s livelihood), then it is sin.
4. IF gambling is driven by the sin of covetousness (tempting people to give in to their greed)
5. IF gambling is built on the exploitation of others (often taking advantage of poor people who think they can gain instant wealth)
OK, that would make gambling sin in 99% of the instances, but shouldn’t we be careful not to go beyond what is written. Couldn’t a Christian moderately gamble trusting in God’s Sovereignty, exercising self-control and good stewardship, is a hard-worker and doesn’t gamble to make money, not gamble out of greediness but simply to enjoy, not exploit others in their gambling.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Spurgeon for the Sick and Afflicted
Check out this article on Spurgeon's accomplishments while suffering by Gordon Cheng
Greatness of God and the Smallness of Man
There is a tendency with our hearts to think more highly of ourselves than we ought. I was reminded of the greatness of God and the smallness of Matt this morning as I read Job 38-42. Job's initial reaction to his suffering was righteous:
Job 1:20-22 (NASB95)20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." 22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.
But as time went on and Job's friends kept accusing him of evil, he crossed the line and began to accused God of evil. Job is finally confront by God in chapters 38-41. Here are some choice selections:
Job 38:1-7 (NASB95)1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, 2 "Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? 3 "Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! 4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, 5 Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? 6 "On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Job 39:1-4 (NASB95)1 "Do you know the time the mountain goats give birth? Do you observe the calving of the deer? 2 "Can you count the months they fulfill, Or do you know the time they give birth? 3 "They kneel down, they bring forth their young, They get rid of their labor pains. 4 "Their offspring become strong, they grow up in the open field; They leave and do not return to them.
And now Job's response:
Job 40:1-5 (NASB95)1 Then the Lord said to Job, 2 "Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it." 3 Then Job answered the Lord and said, 4 "Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. 5 "Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; Even twice, and I will add nothing more."
Job 42:1-6 (NASB95)1 Then Job answered the Lord and said, 2 "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ "Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." 4 ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ 5 "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; 6 Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes."
Paul Tripp gives an illustration in his book Instruments in the Redeemer's Hand of a child who is at another child's birthday party and becomes very pouty because this child realizes as they bring out all of the gifts that it is not his party. The party is for someone else. God is the glorious who is to be celebrated. It's not our party! It's God's.
Job 1:20-22 (NASB95)20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said, "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." 22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.
But as time went on and Job's friends kept accusing him of evil, he crossed the line and began to accused God of evil. Job is finally confront by God in chapters 38-41. Here are some choice selections:
Job 38:1-7 (NASB95)1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, 2 "Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge? 3 "Now gird up your loins like a man, And I will ask you, and you instruct Me! 4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, 5 Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? 6 "On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together And all the sons of God shouted for joy?
Job 39:1-4 (NASB95)1 "Do you know the time the mountain goats give birth? Do you observe the calving of the deer? 2 "Can you count the months they fulfill, Or do you know the time they give birth? 3 "They kneel down, they bring forth their young, They get rid of their labor pains. 4 "Their offspring become strong, they grow up in the open field; They leave and do not return to them.
And now Job's response:
Job 40:1-5 (NASB95)1 Then the Lord said to Job, 2 "Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it." 3 Then Job answered the Lord and said, 4 "Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You? I lay my hand on my mouth. 5 "Once I have spoken, and I will not answer; Even twice, and I will add nothing more."
Job 42:1-6 (NASB95)1 Then Job answered the Lord and said, 2 "I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 3 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ "Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know." 4 ‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’ 5 "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; 6 Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes."
Paul Tripp gives an illustration in his book Instruments in the Redeemer's Hand of a child who is at another child's birthday party and becomes very pouty because this child realizes as they bring out all of the gifts that it is not his party. The party is for someone else. God is the glorious who is to be celebrated. It's not our party! It's God's.
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