Why have a theology?

I cannot even begin to list all the reasons why I feel this article by Michael S. Horton is of vital importance, you will find the link at the bottom of this entry. Within 5 years of my conversion I have heard the following statements from professing evangelicals, particuraly my Assemblies of God brethren such as: “All I need is my Bible, I don’t want mans’ opinion/interpretation, Theology divides the church.” I’ve often responded, “Whether or not you realize it, you HAVE A THEOLOGY!” The fallacy behind a majority of these statements is that their own pastors have interpreted the Bible as they see it and offer their own opinion. Worse than that a majority of such sermons go far beyond pastoral opinion when they neglect Expository Preaching in exchange for thematic preaching, so called Bible studies that center around, “What does this verse mean to you?” Well frankly I don’t care what the Scripture means to you. Scripture has one and ONLY ONE interpretation. Having said that it has multiple APPLICATIONS, but only one INTERPRETATION. Where this is neglected pandora’s box is opened up to ignoring the rules of Hermeneutics, Solid Biblical exegesis, and a high and lofty view of interpreting Scripture with Scripture.

The church members/visitors and their pastors have focused on thematic preaching coupled with jokes, antecdotes, quips and platitudes. One not only drive by church signs and read the trash on them rather than a Bible Verse or a solid quote from those fine Biblical Expositors, and Reformers who have gone before us.  As a former pentecostal for 17 years, that was half of my life I know that as a rule particulary in Assembly of God churches formal theological training, education, and academia is frowned upon under the guise of “being led by the spirit, or The Holy Spirit told me this.” Not to mention experience has became as a rule the basis for truth, rather than Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura) the basis for experience. Sadly they mistake the so called gifts of the Spirit in this area. This is not to deny that they exist; however, 95% of so called gifts of the Spirit are counterfiet. This was confirmed to me by 3 Assemblies of God pastors, two of them were Ohio presbyters. Nevertheless this warning hasn’t been heeded by many. It also assumes under false pretenses that theologians and the reformers were not spirit led or filled with the spirit. I find this to be not only severely disturbing personally, but rather a cause for willful ignorance. If there is one thing I learned in Assembly of God churches and I have attended (2 memberships, 1 of which I was a youth pastor, assistant to my pastor, deacon and a board member) is that in most cases formal theological training, education and academia is generally frowned upon. This isn’t true everywhere, but is the majority. I hope to see this trend reversed dramatically. When it has occured, again it has always been under the guise of “the Spirit showed me, or I was led directly by the Spirit.” Recently I asked a gentlemen who attended an Assemblies of God church how he arrived at his interpretation and on what was his basis, and as stated earlier he responded,”I don’t need a basis, I’m spirit led, The Holy Sprit told me.” This is stupidity personified.  Unfortunately this trend haunts me deep in my heart and the banner being flown by Pentecostals is truth is based on experience. Conversely it OUGHT to be experience is based on Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura), not by feelings, hairs on the back of our neck raised, goosebumps or what the televangelists preach (which those trends and heresies change  every 3-6 months) If it is not some ADVERTISED revival meeting (as if we can have a Sovereign God to meet with our schedule to start a revival). This is where Finney was dead wrong. We operate under the assumption that we can cause a revival by a multitude of choruses and lilting songs sang 3-6 times consequtively, and shouting (as if this is the only element in praise) and bringing in some cheap-jack evangelist from out of town running the circuit. Believe me, I witnessed this for 17 years. I would humbly ask that Pentecostals would consider that Paul requested the writings and the scrolls. He was spirit led, while at the same time was an expert in the Septuagint, sat at the feet of Gamaliel, was acutely aware of the philosophy of the day, and knew what the rabbinics were teaching. Do we think we can do it another way and acting like ostriches? Rather than fearing academia, and Formal Bible Training we ought to embrace it so long as it is wholeheartedly Scriptural. We need to know the philosophies of our day as well as the heresies that abound so we might fight it, and earnestly contend for the faith as Jude warned us in his Epistle.

I would humbly ask for you to read this article and take it to heart, I welcome your feedback.

Respectfully, Tom Michnay

Here is the link for you to read which is http://www.wscal.edu/faculty/wscwritings/08.05.php

What is wrong with the Roman Catholic Church?

In the Nicean Creed it states “one holy catholic church”. By this the council meant the Church of Jesus Christ universal.As for the Roman Catholic Church, the Solas’ were a direct refutation by Luther on Oct. 31, 1517. His 95 theses discussed and refuted ALL the heretical teachings of the Romanists. Any time in Scripture when the word “church” is used it never refers to a building, but a body of believers;Greek ecclesia. Romanists attempt to claim in Vain that Peter founded the Roman Catholic church based on Christs’ statement, “Upon this rock, I will build my church.” If you fully investigate this passage, the rock Jesus was referring to essentially meant Upon Christ, Upon your profession of me, I will build my church, not Peter. Peter is referred to in the Greek as petros (little rock) while Christ is petra (The Rock) of our salvation. In reference to the keys…and “whatever you bind….and loose…”have nothing to do with anything other than “forbidding” (binding greek word [transliterated "daysay"] and “loosing” (deny, greek word [transliterated "louso"]. In summary, Jesus statement to Peter had to do with church discipline. These terms were absolutely Rabbinic Terms always referring to Whatever you deny, has already been denied in heaven and whatever you loose (permit) has already been permitted in heaven. I would highly encourage you to reason with me George and think this through wholeheartedly.Unfortunately the Romanists and myriads of Charismatic/Pentecostals also misinterpret Christ’s statement and twist it to a type of “Star Wars Christianity” involving so called “Spiritual Warfare.” Binding demons and loosing Christ. To which my Hebrew Scholar, my professor, a rabbinic scholar would always reply “Why do you have to loose Christ on someone or some situation? Who had him bound?”

Briefly stating on the Roman Catholic Church (as a former member and a student in their schools) they teach that the Pope speaks “ex cathedra” or infallibly….perfect when it comes to doctrine. Evangelicals rightly bring up the fact that “What about all the popes that have contradicted each other.

Not to mention “the Roman Catholic clergy fell upon the unarmed people, and blood flowed like a river throughout the entire country. Men, women, and children fell in heaps before the mobs and the bloodthirsty troops. In one week, almost 100,100 Protestants perished. The rivers of France were so filled with corpses that for many months no fish were eaten. In the valley of the Loire, wolves came down from the hills to feel upon the decaying bodies of Frenchmen. The list of massacres was as endless as the list of the dead!” Please read the history behind this horrific event at the following website, http://www.reformation.org/bart.html

The Eucharist is taught by the Romanists that once consumed it literally becomes the actual body of Christ that is eaten. If you reason this through it amounts to cannabalism. Secondly why do the priests forbid the congregation to partake of the cup? It is a denial of Christ Command to do “this in remberance of me.” What makes “The Mass” so horrific is the Catholic Church teaches and has always affirmed that Christ is being re-sacrificed again and again and again. When Christ died he stated “It is finished” No more sacrifice was needed.

When Christ died and the veil in the temple was torn, it was to show That God was no longer behind a veil for one priest to access but rather on the cross! In this sense the Roman Catholic church continues to make a mockery of the Old Testament priesthood;furthermore, they neglect the Scriptures that state, “Christ is our high priest,” and “There is ONE mediator between God and Man” Why the need for a confessional and why the need for praying to Mary and saints. If Mary was so important as the Catholic Church affirms, why then did Jesus place Mary under John’s care during his death? It would have been the other way around, John would have been placed UNDER Mary’s care. This was not the case.

To make matters worse The Catholic church affirms “the immaculate conception.” Some Catholic Churches are even named that. By this they continually maintain that Mary was sinless. They even go as far as to state that since she was “The virgin Mary, she bore no other children, when The Bible is absolutely clear that Christ had two brothers.

Another fallacy is the use of the Apocrypha which Evangelicals are absolutely clear that it is NOT part of the cannon! It is not the INSPIRED word of God. The only use of it is for historical research during the intertestamental period.

As a side note, priests that are Catholic take a vow to celibacy, when Paul warned Timothy that ,”in the last days their will be teachers who will teach doctrines of demons, forbidding to eat meat and forbidding to marry…”

In conclusion let me be clear, this is NOT HATE SPEECH AGAINST CATHOLICS, I am a former one. In three of past congregations I attended, literally 75-85% were former Catholics. Why did they leave? My statements above were the reasons. Secondly, do I believe that there are any “born again Catholics?” Absolutely. There will be Catholics’ in heaven. Why? They were saved and most likely were not aware of what The Catholic Church really teaches. Every charge I have made against the Catholic Church is in their own teachings, namely, The Council of Trent, The Catechism of the Catholic Church, and most importantly Vatican II.

Luther never intended to start the reformation when he nailed his 95 Thesis to the Catholic Church Door at Wittenburg, Germany on 31 October 1517, it was not a rebellious act at all. That door was the community bulletin board. Fortunately it was God’s providence and His decree that it would be done. Augustine was a Catholic who became born again like Luther and both of these men wrote so many extensive volumes to refute the Roman Catholic Church it is staggering. John Knox of Scotland did as well. Bloody Mary (Queen Mary) is recorded as saying that she “feared John Knox’s prayers more than all the armies of that time.”

The battlecry of the reformation was simplistic and Biblical.
Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)
Sola Fide (Faith Alone)
Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
Solus Christus (Christ Alone)
and lastly,
Soli Deo Gloria (To God be the Glory Alone)

It is my full intent in this discourse to see Roman Catholics saved from sin, hell, and an entire system based on salvation by works which denies Epesians 2:8,9. It is also my prayer that they would not only be Born Again as Jesus Discussed in John chapter 3, but also once they see the truth, to leave that system, The Roman Catholic Church and find a Biblicaly Based church that preaches the full Gospel utilizing expository preaching.

The second clause of my last sentence in that paragraph is why I left the Assemblies of God, one of the largest Pentecostal churches in existence today. I thank God I had 4 professors in Bible School who poured into me The Bible and invested time in me off the clock so I could glean the truth of God’s Word. Intrestingly enough even though they taught at an A/G Bible College, 4 of my professors earned their PhD’s from Reformed Schools, and 1 other who is one of my best friends 18 years later had Reformed leanings.

Epilogue:

It is absolutely amazing the amount of Pentecostals and Charistmatics that have left THEIR CHURCHES to become Reformed. R.C. Sproul told me himself that he had a multitude of Assembly of God students.  So why do Catholics and Pentecostals leave to become Refomed in their thinking, theology, and lifestyle and to hold to the Doctrines of Grace? Because it IS BIBLICAL.

Respectfully in Christ,
Tom Michnay

Is Jesus Christ God?

Is Jesus Christ God?

A Polemic Regarding The Deity of Christ

10 June 2010

Preface and Introductory Remarks

 

This question has been debated since the beginning of Church history and amongst several religious sects. Some of which include; Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Arians, Semi-Arians, Unitarians, Universalists, Spiritualists, The New Age movement, Muslims and others. There can be no middle ground on this question. Either Jesus Christ claims to Divinity are true or they are not. As C.S. Lewis once remarked He was either a “lunatic, liar, or Lord.” I will address in this article The Scriptural evidence including the LXX (Septuagint/The Greek translation of the Old Testament as well as the Greek New Testament.), The Early Church Fathers views, The Attributes of Christ (Characteristics), Christ’s own claims to divinity, The hypostatic union (That Jesus Christ was Fully God and Fully Man), and what renowned conservative systematic theologians have to say on the subject. This is by no means meant to be an exhaustive essay, but merely a starting point for those who wish to examine Christ’s Divinity with further study.

The Scriptural Evidence

 

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” The Greek New Testament renders the last phrase as such; “and God was the Word.” Cult expert Dr. Walter Martin wrote, “Contrary to the translations of The Emphatic Diaglott and the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Jehovah’s Witnesses texts emphasis mine), the Greek grammatical construction leaves no doubt whatsoever that this is the only possible rendering of the text. The subject of the sentence is Word, the verb was. There can be no direct object following “was” since according to grammatical usage intransitive verbs take no objects but take instead predicate nominative (in this case, Word. In fact, the late New Testament Greek scholar Dr. E.C. Colwell formulated a rule that clearly states that a definite predicate nominative (in this case, – God) never takes an article when it precedes the verb (was), as we find in John 1:1. It is therefore easy to see that no article is need for (God), and to translate it “a god” is both incorrect grammar and poor Greek since the predicate nominative of was in the third sentence clause of the verse and must refer back to the subject, Word. Christ, if He is the Word “made flesh” (John 1:14) can be no one else except God unless the Greek text and consequently God’s Word be denied.” This has become known as Colwells’ Rule. “When we say that Jesus is God, we do not mean that the Son is the same person as the Father. That would be in accord with another ancient church heresy known as modalism. John 1:1 commits no logical blunders when it states that the Word (the second person) is with God (the first person) and is himself God.” John 8:58 “Jesus said unto them Before Abraham was [born[, I am.” (bracketed mine). “In comparing this with the Septuagint translations of Exodus 3:14 and Isaiah 43:10, we find that the translation is identical. In Exodus 3:14, Jehovah, speaking to Moses, said, “I AM,” which any intelligent scholar recognizes as synonymous with God. Jesus literally said to the Jews, “I am Jehovah,” and it is clear that they understood Him to mean just that, for they attempted, as the next verse reveals, to stone Him.” “Additional Old Testament references to Jehovah as “I AM,” include Deuteronomy 32:39, Isaiah 43:10, and Isaiah 48:12.” Phillipians 2:11 “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” “If we compare this verse of Scripture with Colossians 2:9 and Isaiah 45:23; “I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall sear.” In Colossians 2:9 the apostle Paul, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, declares, “For in Him [Christ] dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.” The literal translation of the Greek word (Godhead) is Deity, so in Christ all the fullness of the Deity resides in the flesh.” “That Jesus and Jehovah are “One” in nature dare not be questioned from these verses, which so clearly reveal the pland and purpose of God. Paul sustains this argument in his epistle to the Phillipians (2:10-11) when he ascribes to the Lord Jesus the identity of Jehovah as revealed in Isaiah 45:23.”

The strongest case for Jesus being God is found in Isaiah 44:6, “Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” First and foremost we notice the word “and” here. There are two “LORD’s mentioned here. Who is the second LORD? The text is clear that it is The Redeemer. Who is the Redeemer? Jesus Christ. Anytime in Scripture when the word “LORD” is mentioned it is in reference to Jehovah or Yahweh. Revelation 1:8, Jesus is speaking and says, “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” There is no doubt that Jesus Christ is referring to Isaiah 44:6. You cannot have to firsts and two lasts, that is linguistic suicide. Jesus clearly is Jehovah God manifested in the flesh.

Isaiah 7:14 “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Immanuel literally means “God with us.”) We see this in Matthew 1:23, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, god with us.“ Isaiah 9:6 “for unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”

Jeremiah 23:5-6 “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jesus Christ’s name is Hebrew is JHVH Tsidkenu, Jehovah our Righteousness. This is a powerful verse once again establishing that Jesus Christ is Deity!

Psalm 110:1-3 “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power…” In Hebrews 1:8 “But unto the Son he saith….v. 13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, SIT ON MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL.” These two parallel passages clearly indicate that Jesus Christ is God. The author of Hebrews clearly has Psalm 110 in mind.

Phillipians 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Jesus frequently referred to himself as “The Son of Man,” and contained in the Gospels we see him referred to as “The Son of God.” Both of these titles can be understood in the last four clauses of this verse. Theologically they refer to what is termed as the hypostatic union. Simply put Jesus Christ was the God-Man. The dash is of extreme importance. Liberal theologians fail to understand that Jesus Christ while on earth was Fully God and Fully Man. When we encounter Christ in the Scriptures as “The Son of God,” or “The Son of Man,” It is indicative of his submission to His Father, while at the same time the usage of these terms denies His Divinity.

Colossians 2:8-10 “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and you are complete in him which is the head of all principality and power.”

I Timothy 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

Hebrews 1:8 “But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne O God, is forever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.”

Revelation 21:6,7 “And he [Jesus Christ] said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

The theological evidence

 

“If what John and the rest of the New Testament writers claim about Jesus is true, then we literally have God in the flesh walking with and teaching a small band of disciples. If Jesus was God incarnate as He walked the earth, we have a first hand account of what God is like in the Biblical record.” Closson continues to write, “For if God truly became flesh and spoke directly to His disciples about such things as sin, redemption, a final judgment, false religions and true worship, then we have the God of the universe expressing intolerance towards other religious claims….He (Jesus) made many statements about himself that would be not only inappropriate, but blasphemous if He was not God in the flesh.”

“Mention should also be made of the use by New Testament writers of the word Lord for Jesus. The same Greek word was used in the Greek Old Testament the Septuagint, as the translated word for the Hebrew words, Yahweh and Adonai, tow special names given to God the Father. The apostles meant to apply the highest sense of this term when referring to Jesus.”

The Early Church Fathers

“Clement of Rome is a good example of this faith. Writing to the church at Corinth Clement implies Jesus’ equality with God the Father when he says, “Have we not one God, and one Christ and one Spirit of grace poured upon us.” Later, in his second letter, Clement tells his readers to “think of Jesus as Of God, as the judge of the living and dead.” Clement wrote of Jesus as the preexistent Son of God; in other words, Christ existed before He took on human flesh. Ignatius of Antioch spoke of Christ’s nature in his letter to the Ephesians, “There is only one physician, of flesh and of spirit, generate and ingenerate, God in man, life in death, Son of Mary and Son of God.” A little later, Irenaeus of Lyons (ca. A.D. 140-202) had to stress the humanity of Christ because of Gnostic heresy that therefore…one God the Father, and one Christ Jesus our Lord, who…gathered together all things in himself. But in every respect, too, he is man, becoming visible, the incomprehensible being made comprehensible, the impassible becoming capable of suffering, and the Word being made man, thus summing up all things in himself” (Against Heresies III,16). During the same time period, Tertullian of Carthage (ca. A.D. 155-240) wrote of Christ’s nature that “what is born I the flesh is flesh and what is born in the Spirit is spirit. Flesh doesn’t not become spirit nor spirit flesh. Evidently the can (both) be in one (person). Of these Jesus is composed, of flesh as man and of spirit as God” (Against Praxeas, 14). Later he added, “We see His double state, not intermixed but conjoined in one person, Jesus, God and Man.” (Against Praxeas, 27.”

Conservative Systematic Theologians Views

 

“Should Paul, after refusing to declare their own Messiah to belong distinctively to the Jews and carefully limiting his relation to them to merely that of issuing form them – and that, only “according to the flesh” – immediately assert with climatic emphasis that the supreme and eternal God himself is their peculiar possession?” “Is he the God of the Jews only and not also of the Gentiles?” Paul asks in the same broad context (Rom 3:29), and answers with emphasis , “Yes, of the Gentiles also”; and by that answer advertises to us that he could not have written here, in his enumeration of the distinctive prelates of the Jews, that “theirs is the God over all, blessed forever.” Here Warfield clearly shows that Christ is God in the flesh for both the Jews and the Gentiles. Warfield continues, “It is undeniable that in the philosphico-popular mode of speech here employed, “form” means just that body of characterizing qualities which makes anything the particular thing it is – in a word, its specific character. To say that Christ Jesus is “in the form of god” is then to say not less but more than to say shortly that he is “God” : for it is to emphasize the fact that he has in full possession and use all those characterizing qualities which make God the particular Being we call “God” ; and this mode of expression, rather than the simple term “God,” is employed here precisely because it was of the essence of the Apostle’s purpose to deep his reader’s mind on all that Christ was as God rather than merely on the abstract fact that he was God.” Warfield clearly sees what the Apostle Paul had in mind. In summary not only that Christ was God, but also all that he was and encompassed as a man. Regarding the two natures of Christ (Being Fully God, and Fully Man) Warfield remarks, “That is to say, the doctrine of the Two Natures of Christ is not merely the synthesis of the teaching of the New Testament, but the conception which underlies every one of the New Testament writings severally; it is not only the teaching of the New Testament as a whole but of the whole of the New Testament part by part. Historically, this means that not only has the doctrine of the Two Natures been the invariable presupposition of the whole teaching of the apostolic age rests on it as its universal presupposition.”

D.A. Carson, reformed theologian, and master exegete writes, “The deeds and words of Jesus are the deeds and words of God; if this be not true the book is Blasphemous” (Barret, p. 156)…Certainly there is ample evidence that the early Christians were not slow in coming to confess Jesus not only as Messiah but also as God (Rom. 9:5, Phil. 2:5-11, Col. 1:15-20)…John is the most straightforward of all the New Testament writers in this respect.” Any professing evangelical who reads the Scriptures will certainly come to this same conclusion. D.A. Carson continues, “The ultimate origins of Jesus Messiah, John will insist, are in the pre-incarnate Word who was with God and who was God. But when he comes to the account of Jesus’ public ministry on the stage of human history, the Evangelist, in common with the Synoptics and with early Christian preaching, begins with the witness of John the Baptist.” For anyone who approaches The Gospel of John without any presuppositions will undoubtedly come to the same conclusion.

There are numerous conservative theologians which could be quoted to further substantiate Jesus Claim to Divinity. For the sake of brevity I will refrain from quoting them. Evangelicalism as a whole has wholeheartedly embraced this claim, that Jesus was God. Just to name a few theologians who are helpful in this regard one could consult Wayne Grudem, Louis Berkhof, Millard Erickson, John Owen, John Calvin, Martin Luther, Charles Hodge, A.A. Hodge, Cornelius Van Til, John Frame, Greg Bahnsen, and others. The Reformed Confessions, especially The Westminster Confesssion of Faith, The Heidelberg Catchism, and especially the Synods of Dordt. I highly recommend the Puritans who are currently being published by the Banner of Truth Trust, Reformation Heritage Books, Sprinkle Publications, and Solid Grace Christian Books just to name a few.

Conclusion

 

In summary The Scriptures, The Early Church Fathers, theological evidence, and conservative systematic theologians substantiate Christ’s claim to Divinity. Time prohibited me to examine Jesus’ attributes that prove He was God for instance He forgave sins, His omnipotence, His pre-existence, His power to raise the dead, His omniscience, immutability, the fact that He was the Creator, the Judge of all mankind, and that He received worship as God. No other religious leader in history has ever possessed all of these attributes. I conclude with the words of the Psalmist David, “Kiss the Son, lest He be angry.”

Judgement and a serious call to Repentance.

I have temporarily taken a break from the book of Hosea simply because I feel a burden from the Lord and His spirit to compell me to write to you from the Book of Joel, the second book of the minor prophets. It has stirred my soul and it is my sincere hope that it will call you to a fresh repentance, or a saving faith in Christ if you do NOT KNOW him as LORD. This post is simply not another blog entry to leave you with a full notebook and an empty heart but a changed life. It is my sincere prayer that God’s Word will not return unto Him void.

In Joel Chapter one we notice four main topics; A serious and an earnest call to Attention to the Word of the prophet, A call to Remembrance, A call to awake from spiritual slumber, and a call to repentance. Unless these four things are heeded judgement is inevitable.

In verse 2 Joel writes Hear this you old men and give ear all the inhabitants of the land. Has this been in your days or even in the days of your fathers? Joel is appealing to the older generation since they have personally witnessed God’s hand at work in times past, thus due to their age came experience from the most High. For those of us who are younger we ought to heed the advice of elder Christians who have walked with Jesus and learn from their understanding of the Word of the Lord. Thus the call to attention!

Secondly, the call to remembrance is issued in verses 3 and 4. It is as though Joel is saying “Don’t forget it! Don’t neglect that God’s judement that has come down from heaven. It reads “Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. That which the palmerworm has left has the locust eaten; and that which the locust has left the canker worm eaten; and that which the cankerworm has left the caterppiller eaten.” God destroyed the crops and left them in famine, and recognition of this truth seemingly went unrecognizable in any form or fashion. Joel urges them to NOT forget it, and to tell all future generations. Why this need to proclaim this message? Why the need to remember? Because Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever! The God of the Old Testament hasn’t changed in the New Testament. He is immutable that is to say He does NOT change.

He calls them to AWAKE from slumber and drunkeness and warns of instruments of judgements seemingly indicative of a military attack against them to which they will not prevail. This is clearly seen in verses 5 through 7. Today is the day of salvation! Cry unto the LORD now and ask him to revive you, to change you into the image of Christ. We do not have tomorrow, no guarantee that we will live another day, it is now or never.

His call to repentance is loudly proclaimed in verses 8-13. Repentance involves a change of mind, heart and will. Paul tells us that it is the kindness of God that leads us to repentance. Repentance involves a turning from sin and a turning to God. This cannot be accomplished by your will. Faith is a gift from God according to the New Testament in Eph. 2:8,9. Spurgeon once wrote in his sermon “Turn or Burn,”It is not the giving up of one sin nor fifty sins which is true repentance, but it is the single and solemn renunciation of every sin….it is all or none which God demands.

In verse 13 Joel even urges the ministers and priests to repent all night long! Keith Green once wrote, “One sleepless night of anguish prayer I triumphed over sin, one battle in the holy war, God has promised me to win. We must have this kind of heart! Verse 14 tells us to CRY unto the Lord, may we cry unto him with all of our hearts not halfheartedly.

In Joel 2:1 “Blow you the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD comes, for it is near at hand.” God said,”To this man will I look, to him who is of a contrite (humble) heart and broken in spirit and who trembles at my Word. May we heed God’s word today.

False Profession of Faith Hosea Part V

Many individuals take sure confidence in “their faith in Jesus.” We must remember that salvation is not by death alone but by grace alone. We do not enter into heaven because of our faith, but solely on the righteousness of Christ, plus or minus nothing. For Luther Sola Gratia (grace alone) was most important. Unfortunately our faith rises with the ebb and flow of life. We cannot place confidence in the flesh, for when we do often a false profession of following hard after God results in apostasy. There are many professors of the faith but few disciples. Even Christs’ disciples noticed this when they uttered, Lord is is it few that be saved? Even after Christ finished speaking in John 6:66 we read,”Many of his DISCIPLES turned their backs on him and followed him no more.” This is apostasty exemplified.

Hosea 8:2 “Israel shall cry unto me, My God we know thee.” How stikingly similair this is to the N.T. equivelant found in Mt. 7:21-22 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in the name done many wonderful works? And I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” With Hosea, and Christ Words we find that these people were in a deplorable state. Regardless of what the professing Christians had said or done, Christ NEVER knew them. In other words they were never saved even though they produced miracles. One can only wonder in Hosea’s day how many were unconverted? The text doesn’t specify therefore speculation is prohibited.

In verse 4 They have set up kings, but not by me: they have made princes, and I knew it not: of their silver and their gold have made them idols, that they may be cut off. V. 6 states, “For form Israel was it also: the workman made it ; therefore it is not of God; but the calf of Samaria shall be broke in pieces.”  Once again the comparison between these verses and Matthew are shocking to say the least. Who made the work here? The God of Israel or the strong arm of the flesh? The answer becomes less ambiguous. In reference to the deeds of the flesh offered up to God, he renders them unacceptable. Obedience is better than sacrifice. Verse 13″…..they sacrifice…but the Lord accepteth them not.”  Many people today “accept Jesus” but Jesus doesn’t accept them.

May we labour to approach Christ with all humility, all sincerity, and meekness. Christianity is not a game, for as the late Vance Havner said it well, “We’ve been playing marbles with diamonds.” The truth of God should penetrate our souls. Hosea’s message is more applicable today then ever before. Until we see ourselves as Gomer we will never understand this book. We are prone to wander away from the one who saved us. May we search ourselves and see if we are in the faith.

The Impossibility of Salvation or Blinded by the Light!

In a post modern world where the “new evangelicalism” is held in high regard it is important to note that the parbles of Christ cut across the grain of an easy believism. Salvation is offered rather than commanded. We are urged to “command all men everywhere to repent. Pastors and evangelists alike seem to ignore Christ’s words, “Strive to enter at the narrow gate; for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Luke13:24 The word strive is agonidzomai from which we interpret agonize to enter. Why are Christ’s words here placed in a corner or absent altogether from the modern evangelistic efforts? May I suggest a few reasons, first and foremost we fear that conversion will not take place. Secondly we ignore that the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts of Sin, The Father draws men, and the Son saves from sin. Thirdly we realize this type of message will not appeal to the masses fearing they will not be converted. We fail to recognize Salvation is utterly impossible apart from a Sovereign Lord fallicitating repentance (which is a gift from God.) It is much easier to lessen the demands of discipleship or forsake them altogether in order to “win the masses.”  Consequently we arrive with conversions that do not “stick” so we assume they need a discipleship or follow up program. Unfortunately this is not only false but also unbiblical.  Salvation is impossible to the natural man since he contends with the flesh, the world, the devil and ultimately Christ himself.

If we would only admit with the reformers and the Puritans that Regeneration precedes faith, and repentance (the order salutis or order of salvation) we would be dead on target. This brings us to the question of why did Christ teach in parables? What was his motivation? May the text speak for itself. In order for salvation to take place a prepratory work must be wrought out in the heart of the sinner by Christ and his spirit. Ephesians 2:8,9 clearly indicate that faith is a gift from God; therefore, it cannot be produced by human will. Let us examine the nature of Christ’s parables which will exemplify this viewpoint.

In Deuteronomy 29:4 referring to the Israelites we read, “Yet the LORD hath NOT given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear unto this day. This would be shocking to proclaim today but it is applicable. Conversely speaking the LORD is the one who grants a heart to understand, eyes to see, and understanding. Along the same thought Isaiah the prophet penned “For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes; the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered, And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee; and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.” Is. 29:10-12 Later in Is. 42:20 “Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not.” Earlier in Is. 6:9-10 the LORD speaks, “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut theier eyes; LEST THEY SEE with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.” Who is doing the blinding here? In the above verses it is the LORD. The unbeliever must contend against the flesh, the devil, and most importantly God. This is precisely why conversion is by Sovereign choice and not dependent upon the will of man.

How does this relate to Christ speaking in parables? Luke sheds some light on this. “And his disciples asked him, saying,What might this parable be? And he said, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might NOT see, and hearing they might NOT understand.” Luke 8:9-10 Christ reveals why he spoke in parables in Matthew 13:13-15 “Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” In Mark 4:9-12 “And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear let him hear. And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you IT IS GIVEN to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest any time they should be converted, and their sins be forgiven them.” Paul even utters shocking words In II Cor. 4:3-4 “But if our gospel is hid, IT IS HID TO THEM THAT IS LOST: In whom the god of this world 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.” Here the devil blinds the unconverted.

Salvation with men is impossible, but with God all things are possible; most importantly salvation. Until we recognize the great truths of predestination and reprobation we will be fighting a loosing battle. Salvation is by faith alone, through grace alone, because of Christ alone. May we ask God to open our hearts to these profound truths.

Spurgeon on Free Will and Sovereignty

“I feel persuaded that false doctrine, inasmuch as it touches God’s sovereignty, is always an object of divine jealousy. Let me indicate especially the doctrines of free-will. I know there are some good men who hold and preach them, but I am persuaded that the Lord must be grieved with their doctrine though he forgives them their sin of ignorance. Free-will doctrine—what does it? It magnifies man into God; it declares God’s purposes a nullity, since they cannot be carried out unless men are willing. It makes God’s will a waiting servant to the will of man, and the whole covenant of grace dependent upon human action. Denying election on the ground of injustice it holds God to be a debtor to sinners, so that if he gives grace to one he is bound to do so to all. It teaches that the blood of Christ was shed equally for all men and since some are lost, this doctrine ascribes the difference to man’s own will, thus making the atonement itself a powerless thing until the will of man gives it efficacy. Those sentiments dilute the scriptural description of man’s depravity, and by imputing strength to fallen humanity, rob the Spirit of the glory of his effectual grace: this theory says in effect that it is of him that willeth, and of him that runneth, and not of God that showeth mercy.

Any doctrine, my brethren, which stands in opposition to this truth—”I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,” provokes God’s jealousy. I often tremble in this pulpit lest I should utter anything which should oppose the sovereignty of my God; and though you know I am not ashamed to preach the responsibility of man to God—if God be a sovereign, man must be bound to obey him—on the other hand, I am equally bold to preach that God has a right to do what he wills with his own, that he giveth no account of his matters and none may stay his hand, or say unto him, “What doest thou?” I believe that the free-will heresy assails the sovereignty of God, and mars the glory of his dominion. In all faithfulness, mingled with sorrow, I persuade you who have been deluded by it, to see well to your ways and receive the truth which sets God on high, and lays the creature in the dust.” — C. H. Spurgeon

True and False Repentance Hosea Part IV

The prophet Hosea continues with the Words of God including further indictments, and a sincere urge to perserverance and repentance. Once again he covers the true doctrine of the knowledge of God and its’ criteria.

Hosea 6:1 contain two parallel passages “he has torn, and he will heal,” and “he has smitten, and he will bind us up.” For the backslidden in heart and consequently in lifestyle this expresses God’s true desire. We see illustrated here that as a result of sin, God tears down, and smotes the sinner. Today is no different. Many professors of the faith find grave difficulty that God would send affliction, but here it is crystal clear. John MacArthur once said, “He will do whatever it takes to make us holy.” His motive in so doing is to urge sinners to true, unfeingned, unadulterated repentance. In verse 2 we find a notable point; that God will revive them in two days. Knowing God is exemplified in perserversance of the saints, this is clear from verse 3. False repentance is clear when God states, “their goodness is like a morning cloud….early dew.” Thomas Watson in the Doctrine of Repentance states that some people in their repentance is like the April shower, it is soon here and gone. Jeremiah 2:20 states the plight and plea of the sinner, “I will not transgress, but under every green tree there you wander playing the harlot.”

Mercy and Knowledge of God are inseperable. In Hos. 6:6b God desires mercy more than sacrifice. Hebrews tells us that “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” God isn’t interested in false worship indicative by the putting off of obedience. According to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, the knowledge of God appear in parallel with the fear of the LORD. Is 11:2, 58:2, Jer. 22:16, this is true religion. A sharp contrast of the false knowledge of God is found in Hos. 4:1-2. Knowledge of God can also stem from His historical works such as Abraham and Moses, but may we never fall short with mere intellectual acquiescence.

In Hos. 7:4 we learn “They are ALL alduterers…ALL have gone astray.” No one can claim exemption here. In v. 6 Total depravity is both magnified and made manifest, they sleep at night and upon morning their hearts burn like a fire. In v.7c “There is none among them that call unto me. How strikingly similar to Paul’s language in Romans…”None righteous, none that seek after God.” Reformed Theology is clear regarding the bondage of the Will in sin. According to Jonathan Edwards, we always choose what we most desire. For us God is NEVER that choice, in our fallen state we hate him, and always choose sin. In John 1:13 “Which were born, NOT of blood, NOR of the WILL of the fesh, NOR of the WILL OF MAN, but of God. Romans tells us that repentance is a gift from God. Thus we must ask God for new hearts to repent. True repentance always leads to perserverance, without either ingredient there is no conversion. In 7:8 Ephraim mixed himself among the people, “not turned.” John said in his epistle “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” v.14 “And they have no cried unto me with their heart.” v. 16 along with 14 prove that repentance was counterfeit, ” They return, but NOT to the most High.”

Thomas Watson’s small work while weighty in matter at the same time list 6 attributes of True Repentance.

1. Sight of Sin, 2. Sorrow for sin, 3. Confession of Sin, 4. Shame for Sin, 5. Hatred for Sin, 6. Turning from Sin…”If anyone is left out it looses its virtue.” May God wrought out this work in us by his grace alone.

Judgement begins at the House of God, Hosea Part III

Hosea’s office of a prophet spanned approximately 28 years. While this minor prophetic book doesn’t directly allude to the fact of how long it took to pen, its’ content is stellar, and sobering at the same time. Chapter four opens with a serious indictment against God’s people. The LORD states that there is no truth, mercy, nor knowledge of the LORD. Just what exactly is knowledge of the LORD? Is it a mere intellectual assent to theological truth? Or is knowledge of God equivelant to the realm of emotion? What about the volitional (our will) quality of knowing God? Does this knowledge add up to an either/or equation or a both/and involving all the elements above.  May I suggest that it is not only the latter but knowledge of the LORD is equivelant to obedience.  Frequently throughout the Scriptures, knowledge involves LOVE to Christ, not in word only but in deed. Love is often used as knowing. The Bible states Adam knew his wife, referring to the sexual realm of marriage. Thus figuratively speaking, knowledge of the LORD is an intimate relationship qualified with obedience to him, nothing short of it, and nothing less!  There are myriads of professing Christians naming the name of the LORD, yet do not follow Him. After Christ lays down some terms of his qualifications to be a disciple, we read in John 6:66, “Many of his disciples turned their backs on him and followed him no more. Matthew 7:21 is shocking “Not every one that says unto me LORD, LORD shalll enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that does the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, LORD  LORD, have we not prophesied in your name? and in your name cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW you: depart from me, you that work iniquity. Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and DOES them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” Mt. 7:21-24

Verse 2 in Hosea chapter 4 clearly indicates that obedience was the indicative factor that was indeed absent. H.A. Ironside once wrote in “Except you Repent,”  “…and so today we have myriads of glib tongued professors…” May we not be in that category, for to OBEY is better than sacrifice. Many believe that sin just involves them and God! What a false assumption, Hos. 4:3b “every one that dwells there shall languish…” Sin affects everyone, and the effects can be judgement, or worse yet damnable without saving faith.  In verse 6 God states, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you…” v.7 reads, “As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore will I change there glory into shame.” Leonard Ravenhill once told me that we ought to exchange the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. If we do not posess an obedient heart to Christ repentance is mandatory. As the puritans were known to say, if you can’t go to God with a right heart, go to him for a new one.

In verse 10, “For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to the LORD. Verse 14 at the very end of the verse reads thus, “….therefore the people that doth not understand shall fall.” Martin Luther the great reformer said, “Ignoratia non excusat!” Meaning Ignorance is no excuse. We must have and understanding of the Doctrine of the knowledge of God, it is of vital importance.  The worst judgement is issued in verse 17, “Epharaim is joined to idols: let him alone.” Here God gives them over to his desire. The worst form of judgement is when God gives someone over to sin. See Romans chapter 1:24 where God gives people up to their sinful desires. May it never be said of us.

This bent of the heart is illustrated in Hos. 5:4 “They will NOT frame their doings to turn unto their God…..and they have not known the LORD.” In verse 6 the end result is horrific at best, “They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the LORD, but they shall NOT find him; he hats withdrawn himself from them.”  Why did God hide himself, even though they went to seek after him? They wouldn’t repent. What is true Biblical Repentance? II Corinthians 7:10-11, “For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death. For behold this selfsame thing, that you sorrowed after a godly sort, WHAT CAREFULNESS IT WROUGHT IN YOU, YES, WHAT CLEARING OF YOURSELVES, YES WHAT INDIGNATION (against sin), YES WHAT FEAR, YES WHAT VEHEMENT DESIRE, YES WHAT ZEAL, YES, WHAT REVENGE! in all things you have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.” Do we manifest those attributes of repentance in our lives, if not our repentance is a wordly sorrow and a sham.

In chapter 5:15 Hosea closes with God speaking, “I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.” Knowing God involves the intellect, emotion, and the will. May we ask God for new hearts, and a repentant one.

finis

Hosea Part Two, The Backslider Blind to God.

In order to continue with the narrative found in Hosea, I find it essential to lay some groundwork which may prove itself beneficial in understanding The Book of Hosea. Hosea was called by God to marry a prostitute in order to illustrate to his elect (both Old and New Testament believers) of his faithfulness as well as a clear warning of the impending doom of unrepentant backsliders. This minor prophet truly grips the heart and soul of every believer regardless of their spiritual condition. Unfortunately today we have a myriad of glib tongued professors who do not know Christ apart from intellectual acquiescence. They are either backslidden, mere professors of the faith, or at best unconverted. It is quite common to have both backslidden Christians and unbelievers who have their intellect affected by the gospel. We also encounter emotional responses to the gospel that fall short of saving faith.  Rarely does volition (will) come into the picture under true Gospel Preaching. Instead we would rather have endless choruses of lilting songs, and thematic preaching dev0id of true Biblical expository preaching annoited with the Holy Spirit and power. When we rely on the former methods (appealing to the intellect and emotion alone in preaching) conversion seldom is the result. For those of us who are truly saved it is much easier to yield to so called ministers of the gospel who will appeal to emotion alone and rarely touching the intellect. It is Christ Alone who can affect the heart bringing about an effect on our life. This is why Hosea’s message is desperately needed today.

After God called Hosea to marry Gomer who was a prostitute it is only logical to find that she wandered off to her other lovers. How often we as Christians do the same thing making us guilty of spiritual adultery. In Hosea 3:2 we encounter an amazing picture of Hosea’s love for his wife. He buys her back. What a most excellent picture of redemption and restoration. This is precisely what Christ has done for His church and earnestly desires for the backslidden in heart. In Isaiah 1:21 we read “How the faithful city has become a whore.” Backsliding is likened to whoredom in this case. Hosea 3:3 speaking to his wife says “And I said to her,”You must dwell with me for many days. You shall not play the whore, or belong to another man; so I will belong to you.” This is God’s desire for us. What a beautiful illustration of God’s faithfulness illustrated through Hosea. In spite of Gomers’ unfaithfulness, He purchases her back. In verse 5 “Afterward the children of Israel SHALL return (this is a DIVINE GUARANTEE!)…”and they shall come in fear to the LORD and to his goodness in the latter days.”  Notice the text reads they shall come to fear the LORD. This is one of the ingredients of true biblical repentance and godly sorrow which Paul alludes to in II Corinthians 7:11

To no surprise to God, “There is NO faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land.” Once again this is similar to Paul’s words when he quotes the Septuagint in Romans 3:11 “No one understands; no one seeks for God.” Paul is equating understanding with knowledge of God. There is no dichotomy between these two principles. In relation to ignorance (deliberate and willful) Isaiah 6:9 reads “Keep on hearing, but do not understand; keep on seeing, but do not perceive. v.10 “Make the heart of this people dull, and their eyes heavy, and blind their eyes; lest thy see with their eyes, and hear with their ears; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and UNDERSTAND with their hearts and turn and be healed. If this is not a depiction of the depravity of man, I know not what is. Understanding of the Gospel only comes by divine initiative. It is utterly impossible to be initiated by mankind in any way, shape, or form. Salvation, Healing, and Restoration are all of grace. Listen to Christ’s words in John 15:13 “Every plant that my heavenly Father HAS NOT planted WILL BE rooted up.” Salvation is of the LORD. Regarding the Gospel message in Luke 9:45 Jesus said “But they did not understand this saying, as it was CONCEALED from them, so they mighnt NOT PERCEIVE it.” In Luke 18:34 the text reads, “But they understood NONE of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.”

The most provocative and schocking statement regarding the blindness of sinners is found in John 12:37 “Though he had done many signs before them thy still DID NOT believe in him.” Why not??? v.38 “So that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fufilled: LORD who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?v 39″Therefore they COULD NOT believe.” v 40″He (God) has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest thy see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.” Who is the primary cause of unbelief in this text, the sinner? No. It is God who is the primary cause, this is specifically why Christ taught in parables. This does not cast blame on Christ for unrepentant sinners, may it never be! According to Romans 1 the unbeliver supresses the truth in his wickedness. How radically different this is from preaching today. Regeneration (being quickened or made awake by the Holy Spirit) clearly precedes repentance and subsequently conversion.  Most gospel preaching today remains anthropocentric in nature contrary to Christ and His Prophets in Scripture.

Hosea 4:6 “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge…” In the second half of the verse the charge is laid on Israel. Although God is completely Sovereign in his dealings with men this by no means excuses, dismisses, or makes accusation against the LORD permissable. The case against Israel is mournful in 4:17 “Ephraim is joined to her idols, leave her alone.” Abandonment to sin is horrific judgement. Paul in Romans 1:24 might have reflected on this verse in Hosea when he wrote “Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts, to impurity, to he dishonoring of their bodies among themselves. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.”

Backsliders, Sinners, and Saints alike all must beware against being  blind to the things of God and to the leading of His Spirit through His Word. Granted Hosea is primarily written concerning a backslidden Israel, but it is most certainly applicable to Sinners and especially to the Church. May we remember, Judgement begins in the House of the LORD.