Thoughts on Christ and His Word

John Macarthur wrote: "Submission to Jesus Christ as Lord is a non-negotiable element of true salvation".  He goes on to equate submission to obedience.  While I certainly love his teachings, on this one I think he is wrong. Unfortunately John Macarthur confuses accepting Christ as Lord (God) with a promise to (or actually) forsaking sin.  If one had to promise to forsake sin to be saved, then salvation in not solely by grace through faith.  It would not be a gift for simple faith by rather earned by a promise.  If salvation comes when I actually obey God's command, then salvation is earned and not a gift.  Both of these scenarios violate Eph. 2:8-9 and the many other passages in Romans 3-5 and Galatians that clearly state that salvation is a FREE GIFT of God and that the only criteria to receive it is GENUINE faith.  No doubt that genuine faith will produce obedience in time, but our salvation is not conditioned on obedience nor the promise of obe...

In Matthew 5:25 Jesus said "settle matters quickly." Jesus begins this portion of the Sermon on the Mount by stating the law against murder. But then turns to deal with the underlying causes of murder - anger. Anger can lead to serious name-calling with negative consequences and/or an accuser taking you to court. So, for your own good, reconcile quickly with a person who is angry at you, so as to avoid the possible consequences of allowing a person to remain angry and bitter which increases the chances of negative consequences. Plus working towards clear relationships is the most Godly and loving way to live. Romans 12:18 & Hebrews 12:14.

Everyone knows that Solomon was the wisest man who ever walked the Earth. In the classic story of the two prostitutes bringing a live baby and arguing over whose baby was alive and who's was dead, Solomon gives this order: 1Ki 3:24 Then the king said, "Bring me a sword." So they brought a sword for the king. 1Ki 3:25 He then gave an order: "Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other." Solomon's wisdom was not seen in his final verdict. That was the easy part. His wisdom lay in that he knew that applying the right kind of pressure would make the real mother react with overwhelming Compassion or the fake mother to have mercy and reveal the truth. The first of these scenarios happened and the verdict was easy.

What should we do when we believe somebody is wronging us or perhaps wronging somebody else? In 2nd Samuel 20:16-22 a woman handled a situation with tact and great wisdom. Rather than accusing Joab of a sin or crime she asked him a question: "Why do you want to swallow up the Lord's inheritance?" Of course Joab replied that he did not want to do that. He was only looking for a particular Rebel that was hiding in the city. By appealing to his sensibilities and convictions she was able to calm him down and figure out a solution to the problem with the city leaders. In this way they avoided the city from being ransacked and destroyed. It is often a much better way to correct someone by asking them appropriate questions and appeal to their sensibilities and convictions rather than straight on telling them what they're doing wrong.

I heard a preacher once say "everything comes from God and everything will go back to God". And I believe that is true and that is why we need to learn to be generous with everything God provides us. When David killed the Amalekites and plundered them, since they had attacked and plundered Ziklag, he came back with a lot of booty. Some bad men didn't want to share the plunder with those who had stayed back guarding the supplies because they were too tired to keep going. But David replied "No my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us." (1 Samuel  30:23) David recognized that it was God who had given them the victory, and given them the plunder so they needed to share it instead of hoard it. I need to learn to share generously what God has given to me.

What does true Biblical leadership look like? In 1 Samuel 12 the prophet Samuel addresses the people in his old age and asked them a question. "Here I stand. Testify against me in the presence of the Lord and his anointed. Whose ox have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? Whom have I cheated? Who have I oppressed? From whose hands have I accepted a bribe to make me shut my eyes? If I have done any of these I will make it right." 1 Samuel 12:3 What humility. It takes a humble man/leader to open up and say "tell me where I have failed you." In v.4 the people answer. "You have not cheated or oppressed us, they replied. You have not taken anything from anyone's hand." Samuel was a man of full integrity. This is the kind of leaders we need to be. These are the kinds of leaders we need leading our church, home groups, and ministries. 

Just a thought for leaders who believe they're indispensable. From Chuck Swindoll and his book on Moses: "You're not indispensable. I'm not indispensable. Nobody is indispensable, except the Lord Jesus Christ. He's the head. He's the preeminent one. He's the founder. He's in first place. And when He moves one and brings in another or demotes one and set up another, He calls the shots. That is his Sovereign right. The problem arises when we get to thinking we're Sovereign. My friend, He put you where He wanted you. He gave you that job. He can take it away just as fast as He gave it. Just Faithfully do your work, lie low, and exalt Christ."