Ever Wonder Why Christians Have Hope In Christ?

Then listen to this sermon and find out.  This sermon clearly explains the condition of the sinner before salvation and then explains what Christ has done for His people.  Listen to it and let me know what you think.

Some Points to Consider When Examining Limited Atonement

I think I prefer the term Particular Redemption over Limited Atonement but the concept is the same.  In this article, Robertson lists several points in favor of limited atonement Roger Nicole made from chapter 5 of his book Our Sovereign Savior.  One of the best points is

The real issue is the design or intent of the Father when he sent his Son to die on the cross and purchase redemption for sinners.  Since all sinners do not get saved then there is either a limit in the effectiveness of the atonement or a limit in its intent.  Was God doing something to save all sinners and failed?  Or was God purchasing the salvation of the elect and succeeded?

I have heard this before.  I have used this myself.  I have yet to hear a reasonable response to this.  That does not mean that one does not exist but I have yet to encounter it.  Please read the list and leave a comment with your response to any one or all of them.

God-Centered Salvation and Man-Centered Salvation Explained Briefly

Here is a brief article by Alan Kurschner explaining God-centered salvation vs. man-centered salvation.  These two concepts of salvation are diametrically opposed to each other.  I think the article makes this clear even though it is short.  Take a minute to read the article and then examine what you believe about salvation.

Which category does your belief fall into?  Is your belief consistent with what is taught in the Bible?  If not, are you motivated to do some more study and possibly change your belief?  Share your thoughts in the comments here.

Did Jesus die for the sins of every person?

A common interpretation of the death of Jesus on the cross is that He died to pay the price for the sins of every person who ever lived.  This is known as universal atonement.  It is then said that we must accept this gift in order to receive salvation and gain entrance into Heaven. A person who does not accept the gift is not saved and will end up in Hell.

I don’t agree with this interpretation but for the sake of argument I am going to grant it and then ask a couple questions.  To be saved two things must happen.  First our sins must be paid (atoned) for.  Second, Christ’s righteousness must be applied to us.  Both must happen or we can’t enter Heaven,

Now for a couple questions.

1. On what basis does God send a person to Hell once Jesus has paid the price for all the sins of that person?
2. What does it say about God when you consider that He was unable to save someone who He really wanted to save?

As to question # 1, since Jesus paid the penalty for ever sin of every person who will ever live there are no sins left for anyone to pay for themselves.  Since there are no remaining sins, there is no basis for sending any non-believer to Hell.  Non-believers are no longer guilty in the eyes of God.  The dilemma is that the person can’t go to Hell because they have been justified through Christ’s death on the cross and the person can’t go to Heaven because they have not accepted God’s gift and had the righteousness of Jesus applied to their lives.  In this situation the non-believer is left in limbo.  What does God do with them?  Is this a case for Purgatory?

Some might say that Jesus died for all of the sins of a person except the sin of unbelief.  This does not help them either.  If Jesus did not die for all of the sins of a person, then that person has no way to avoid Hell because.  There is no sin, not a single one, that a person is able to make atonement for themselves.

Anyone who believes this way must be able to answer this dilemma.  It is very prevalent today.  I heard it just this past Sunday.  The problem is that most people who believe this never take the time to think it through.  I know that I didn’t when I believed this way.

Question 2 deals with God’s ability.  Is God able to accomplish His will or not?  If He is, then how can someone whom God wants to save not end up saved?  The standard answer you will here is that the person is free to reject God.  The problem is that this makes the person equal to or more powerful than God.  This is not possible.  By definition, the creator is always greater than the creation.  God is not God if His will can be undone by one, or all, of His creations.  Do we really serve a God who is sitting in Heaven waiting to see who will be saved and who won’t?  How do you respond to this description of God?

This is not a complete examination of this question.  It is just a couple quick thoughts which I hope will spur some conversation in the comments.   If you believe that Jesus died for all people then please take a few minutes to think through these questions and lets discuss what you come up with.

When Things Seem Hopeless Commit Your Spirit To God

Psalm 31

(1)  In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me!  (2)  Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me!

(3)  For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name’s sake you lead me and guide me;  (4)  you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge.  (5)  Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God.

(6)  I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the LORD.  (7)  I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul,  (8)  and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place.

(9)  Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also.  (10)  For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.

(11)  Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me.  (12)  I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel.  (13)  For I hear the whispering of many– terror on every side!– as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life.

(14)  But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”  (15)  My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!  (16)  Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!  (17)  O LORD, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol.  (18)  Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.

(19)  Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!  (20)  In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.

(21)  Blessed be the LORD, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city.  (22)  I had said in my alarm, “I am cut off from your sight.” But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help.

(23)  Love the LORD, all you his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.  (24)  Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!

Does life have you beaten down so badly that you are at the end of your rope?  Are you being crushed by the circumstances of your life?  Do you have no hope?  Do you have nowhere to turn for help?  Do you feel that your spirit is broken and you don’t have the strength to continue the fight?  This is the same situation that the writer of this Psalm found himself in.  I bet as you read the Psalm you had empathy for the writer.  You understood his situation.  What did he do?  He turned to God for help.  You can too.

CALL OUT TO GOD!  CALL OUT TO GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART,  WITH YOUR LAST OUNCE OF STRENGTH.  TURN YOUR LIFE OVER TO HIM.  HE WILL RESPOND.  ONLY HE CAN HELP YOU.  HE WILL SAVE YOU.  HE WILL PRESERVE YOU…NOT FROM YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT THROUGH THEM.  CALL OUT TO GOD UNTIL HE ANSWERS.  HE IS FAITHFUL.  HE ALONE IS CAPABLE.  HE ALONE IS PRAISEWORTHY.  TRUST HIM…TRUST HIM AND HE WILL BEAR YOUR BURDEN.  WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?  CALL OUT TO GOD!

Should We Baptize Children And What Age Is Appropriate?

I have just read this article by David Rogers over at SBCImpact.  He addresses the issue of baptizing children and at what age it is appropriate to baptize them.  This is an issue that my wife and I are discussing right now.  Our 8 year old daughter has expressed an interest in being baptized but in our discussions with her she has admitted that her main reason for wanting to be baptized is that my wife and I and her older sister have been baptized.  She feels left out.  We have examined her extensively and have come to the decision that she is not ready yet.  She knows the basics about our faith but she does not yet understand her sinful nature, the penalty for her sins necessitate she spend eternity in Hell, and thus, her need for salvation.

The article refers to baptizing children under the age of 12 as “semi-infant” baptism.  Read the article and you will see that he makes a good case for this.  Iam not sure that I agree completely with some of his reasons but some of them are quite compelling.  I am also torn because my oldest daughter (she will be 12 in a couple months) was saved and baptized at 7.  My wife and I examined her and were confident in her decision at that time so we allowed her to be baptized.  She had a maturity that was far beyond her age (still does, most of the time).  With her, we could easily have waited and her decision would not have changed.  I think, unfortunately, that many feel that if a child makes a profession that we need to baptize them before they change their mind.  I know that is not true of everyone but it seems to be true for many.

After you read the article, what do you think?  Should we delay the baptism of kids until the reach a certain age?  The article suggests 12.  Or should we baptize any who come forward?  Also, how many parents actually take time to question and fully examine their children to see if they are truly ready and able to make such a committment?  I hope most do, but I really am a bit skeptical.

Joy Derived From Watching My Daughter Play Softball

I was an athlete when I was a kid. No matter what sport I was playing I really, really enjoyed playing. I know now that it was the competition. I enjoyed the challenge of competing. I hated to lose. I still hate to lose but I deal with it much better now than I did when I was younger.

My daughters have reached ages where they are now beginning to play sports. My 11 year old has not been into sports much but has decided she now wants to play basketball and softball. My 7 year old (turns 8 next month) has played T-ball for a couple years and has moved up to the “minors” this year. Instead of the tee, she will now hit off the pitching machine. Just in case you are curious the machine is set at 35 miles per hour. I am not coaching her this year. I don’t have time to be the head coach but I usually volunteer to be an assistant. I did so again this year but there were already enough assistant coaches. It is killing me not to be able to coach especially since my daughter wants me to but it may be better for her if I don’t this year.

Yesterday I was watching the team practice and a huge wave of joy and pride suddenly hit me. It actually caught me off guard. I have always been proud of my kids but it was something more (for lack of a better description) yesterday. My daughter will not be the best player on her team but nobody will give more effort that she does. I can see how much she enjoys playing.  I also noticed how coachable she has become (she is not that way when I try to work with her). I can’t describe the feelings of joy I had as I was watching her learning how to field grounders (it looks like she is going to be playing third base) and what to do with the ball in the different situations she will encounter in a game. I can see the competitiveness growing in her almost daily.

I know that sports are unimportant in the grand scheme of things but kids can, and do, learn many valuable life lessons from playing sports. There are so many teaching opportunities for parents that arise as a result of kids playing sports that it is well worth the time and money it costs (usually). I try hard to take advantage of those opportunities and it gives me a chance to spend some time with my kids doing some we all enjoy.

My joy is also greatly increased by the fact that I know God is dealing with this same daughter.  It appears it will only be a matter of time before the Lord calls her and she becomes His child.  That is much more important than anything else.  I don’t think I will be able to contain my joy when that happens.   I was unable to contain it when my 11 year old became His child and she loves to tell people about how I cried.

This has reminded me of the fact that children are a gift from God.  The joy and blessings we receive from them far out weighs any hurt or problems we might have from them (check back with me when they hit the teenage years…I might think differently then).   We are to be stewards of the children God gives us by  raising our children in His ways and preparing them for the tasks He is going to give them later in life.  Keep an eternal perspective and you can’t go wrong.