Perfect means finished and complete. A perfected Christian is one who has the fruit of the Spirit, is complete in all understanding.
2Chronicles 8:16 Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.
Colossians 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Today
Spent the day with Beth and the cats. I finished and submitted my papers for American in the 20th Century and the Civil War. I can only hope the professors feel better about them than I do. Going back to work tomorrow. Meekah lay across my arm for a long time. Whitney slept next to my right arm while I worked on the computer. I can't believe my three day weekend is over. Looking forward to work tomorrow, with a lot of God's word on the drive.
Proverbs 29:10 commentary; hater or prayer
10 ¶ The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul.
As Cain in his self righteous worship unwanted by God hated his brother Abel and murdered him as related in Genesis, chapter 4, so Christ warns His disciples throughout the Gospel of John that the world will hate them because it hates Him. It is particularly interesting that the most bloodthirsty murderers of Christians between the Roman Empire and modern times have been others who went by the name of Christian and Christ warned His Jewish disciples about their own people that those who killed them would think they were doing God a service in John 16:2. The Roman Catholic church during the thousand year period between 500AD and 1500AD is credited by various authors with the murder of other people who went by the name of Christian to the tune of 5 million to 50 million depending on whom you read in much disputed histories. This figure includes people who were accused of witchcraft when their only wrong was to uplift the name of Christ, honor the Bible in their own language, and trust in Him and not the Roman church for salvation. You’ll find even today that many of a Bible believing Christian’s worst enemies are others who call themselves Christians but regard the Bible as a book of advice more than the living words of God.
While historians like to talk of how brutal the Aztecs were in sacrificing human beings to their war-like gods, the people of Europe were executing up to 400 people per day with crowds watching the evil for entertainment that numbered in the tens of thousands at times. The Aztecs were a nation of boy scouts compared to Europe at the same time.
Since we know in our understanding of how the Bible was translated by the King James translators under God’s inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16) which is the wisdom (2 Peter 3:15) and understanding (Job 32:8) He gives to men, whether in writing originals or copies or translations, He has ordained for such work we understand how it is to be understood and read. In this case, when two clauses are separated by a colon the second clause folds back on the first to clarify meaning. The upright and the just are synonyms here, the same individuals. The bloodthirsty hate the upright and just but they seek his, referring to the bloodthirsty’s, soul. Christ has called us to love our enemies and pray for them, first in talking to his beard wearing, temple going, Sabbath observing, pork abstaining Jewish disciples in Matthew 5:44;
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Then, God’s missionary to we Gentiles (Romans 15:16), Paul, says;
Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
We are just and upright only by virtue of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us by virtue of the new birth in Christ. We have no righteousness of our own and left to our own selves are bloodthirsty, wicked monsters. We are compelled to pray for those lost and unsaved people who would gladly murder us, even pray for their soul’s deliverance from the lake of fire. For instance, how many American Christians prayed for Osama Bin Laden’s deliverance from Satan, do you think? How many are praying for the salvation of President Ahmadinejad of Iran right now?
The bloodthirsty who happen to be those among the Christian culture in America that would hate us for our stance on what constitutes a Bible, the independence of our churches, our personal convictions, or views on separation or whatever the case need our prayers, as well, and not our hatred and contempt. In fact, all Christians who claim to be Christians should be praying for each other, particularly if we believe the other to be wrong, rather than spewing vitriol.
The bloodthirsty and the wicked hate people, the upright and just pray for them. It’s as simple as that. Which group do you belong to?
(For confirmation of the use of the colon see Hunter College Reading/Writing Center: Punctuation and Capitalization, Using the Colon and Semi-Colon, 1.d. “a clause following a sentence which explains the sentence.” http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/reading-writing/on-line/colon.html)
As Cain in his self righteous worship unwanted by God hated his brother Abel and murdered him as related in Genesis, chapter 4, so Christ warns His disciples throughout the Gospel of John that the world will hate them because it hates Him. It is particularly interesting that the most bloodthirsty murderers of Christians between the Roman Empire and modern times have been others who went by the name of Christian and Christ warned His Jewish disciples about their own people that those who killed them would think they were doing God a service in John 16:2. The Roman Catholic church during the thousand year period between 500AD and 1500AD is credited by various authors with the murder of other people who went by the name of Christian to the tune of 5 million to 50 million depending on whom you read in much disputed histories. This figure includes people who were accused of witchcraft when their only wrong was to uplift the name of Christ, honor the Bible in their own language, and trust in Him and not the Roman church for salvation. You’ll find even today that many of a Bible believing Christian’s worst enemies are others who call themselves Christians but regard the Bible as a book of advice more than the living words of God.
While historians like to talk of how brutal the Aztecs were in sacrificing human beings to their war-like gods, the people of Europe were executing up to 400 people per day with crowds watching the evil for entertainment that numbered in the tens of thousands at times. The Aztecs were a nation of boy scouts compared to Europe at the same time.
Since we know in our understanding of how the Bible was translated by the King James translators under God’s inspiration (2 Timothy 3:16) which is the wisdom (2 Peter 3:15) and understanding (Job 32:8) He gives to men, whether in writing originals or copies or translations, He has ordained for such work we understand how it is to be understood and read. In this case, when two clauses are separated by a colon the second clause folds back on the first to clarify meaning. The upright and the just are synonyms here, the same individuals. The bloodthirsty hate the upright and just but they seek his, referring to the bloodthirsty’s, soul. Christ has called us to love our enemies and pray for them, first in talking to his beard wearing, temple going, Sabbath observing, pork abstaining Jewish disciples in Matthew 5:44;
Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Then, God’s missionary to we Gentiles (Romans 15:16), Paul, says;
Romans 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
We are just and upright only by virtue of the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us by virtue of the new birth in Christ. We have no righteousness of our own and left to our own selves are bloodthirsty, wicked monsters. We are compelled to pray for those lost and unsaved people who would gladly murder us, even pray for their soul’s deliverance from the lake of fire. For instance, how many American Christians prayed for Osama Bin Laden’s deliverance from Satan, do you think? How many are praying for the salvation of President Ahmadinejad of Iran right now?
The bloodthirsty who happen to be those among the Christian culture in America that would hate us for our stance on what constitutes a Bible, the independence of our churches, our personal convictions, or views on separation or whatever the case need our prayers, as well, and not our hatred and contempt. In fact, all Christians who claim to be Christians should be praying for each other, particularly if we believe the other to be wrong, rather than spewing vitriol.
The bloodthirsty and the wicked hate people, the upright and just pray for them. It’s as simple as that. Which group do you belong to?
(For confirmation of the use of the colon see Hunter College Reading/Writing Center: Punctuation and Capitalization, Using the Colon and Semi-Colon, 1.d. “a clause following a sentence which explains the sentence.” http://rwc.hunter.cuny.edu/reading-writing/on-line/colon.html)
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Today
Teaching two boxing classes after lifting weights. Its going to be a really good day, I think. I brought Beth coffee and we have prayed together and I have taken care of the cats. Louie, as usual, was very affectionate and appreciative. I have ordered some B12 to try to help reverse the effects of his diabetic neuropathy although his walking and sitting have improved. Shakey is sleeping the sun. Meekah is sitting in the chair next to mine. Whitney has chosen to stay in their room to nap on their overstuffed chair.
Okay! We went to our Pastor's surprise birthday party down in Stewartstown, then got some groceries on the way home. Just chillin' now with my crew.
Okay! We went to our Pastor's surprise birthday party down in Stewartstown, then got some groceries on the way home. Just chillin' now with my crew.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Proverbs 29:9 commentary; arguing with foolish people
9 ¶ If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
There is no good to be accomplished arguing with a foolish person. He or she is convinced that his way is the right way and nothing that can be said or proven otherwise will matter.
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
He despises correction and refuses to hear.
Proverbs 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
There are many other statements in the Bible about arguing with people who have set in their heads one thing and refuse to hear. You can argue and argue until you’re either blue in the face or your fingers are sore from typing. The foolish person will only argue to a point and then because his or her argument is weak they will begin attacking you personally. They simply must have the last word even if that last word is “yeah, but still…”
There are people who, in spite of the incredible complexity of life, insist that it happened by random chance. In spite of the fact that the possibility that a random mix of amino acids given any time length can form into a polypeptide chain that can form into a functioning protein is mathematically an impossibility akin to a tornado going through a junk yard and leaving behind a fully functional 747 there are people who need so badly to be a random accident of nature in order to justify their sin you can argue with them until the end of history and get nowhere. There is no rest.
There are people who look at mankind’s history and at the evidence of their own lives and still believe that man is basically good and in no need of a Saviour. You can argue with them all day long and it won’t matter.
There are people who, when shown that more things have been written about Jesus Christ than any man in history, more songs praising him written than any man in history, more wars fought over him, more people willingly going to their death for him, and living for him than any god or man throughout history and they will still question his existence. Go ahead, argue with them.
There are Protestants and non-Catholics, whose entire foundation of belief is based on the written word of God and who claim that the Bible they use is just as good as any other, who don’t feel compelled to read it, who don’t believe God speaks to them through it, or that he can change who and what they are by their reading of it and submitting to it daily, and you can teach and preach about the importance of Bible reading and sound Biblically true sermons heard regularly and they will argue with you until they are blue in the face that their seared, worldly conscience is good enough evidence of Christ’s calling on their lives.
There are people who will tell you that the Authorized Version of the Bible is a flawed if culturally and historically significant translation even though you point out that 98% of all Bible manuscripts agree with it rather than their preferred version, that the early church “fathers” quote verses just as they are in the AV, that even unbelievers like the editors of the Harvard Literary Guide to the Bible agree that it is the only Bible that can legitimately be called The Bible, that it was the foundation for the greatest missionary endeavors in Christian history, that its word self defining qualities, cross referencing, and meaning by parallel phrasing attributes defy all explanation as to human effort alone, or that the Bible itself says that a translation can be inspired, and you will never convince them because it would overthrow their entire view of who they are and their relationship with God and they will never, ever stop arguing with you.
There are people who say they believe the Bible literally, even use the AV, and yet refuse to define words and doctrines the way the Bible does and will argue with you all day long that something is true merely because it is their favorite celebrity preacher’s opinion rather than the testimony of God’s word. You will get no rest because they will not yield. Argue as long and as convincingly as you like, point out the verses and the clear statements in the Bible and they will scoff, show scorn, and eventually say you are a godless reprobate because you believe, like the Bible says, that the church is the people, the house of God is the family of God, that translators’ understanding and wisdom can be given by inspiration, that you can’t lose your salvation, that Satan currently runs the world, even their own government, and that Hell will be cast into the Lake of Fire but they aren’t the same thing, and you can talk until you pass out from lack of oxygen and they will not hear you. There is no rest.
Whether these people mock and laugh at you or get extremely angry and call you a fool you will get no rest. Give it up. Just do what you know to be right, search the Scriptures, do your own research, and follow God in faith, hungry to see what He will do next. Always remember that probably at some point in your life, you are where they were. Just always be willing to kindly and without wrath give them a reasonable defense of your position.
Remember, no one has ever come to Christ by human argument alone. There must be a work of the Holy Spirit involved in opening up their heart and mind. You aren’t the Holy Spirit. You are simply a messenger bringing them something they need to hear. Pray for them. Let God do the rest.
There is no good to be accomplished arguing with a foolish person. He or she is convinced that his way is the right way and nothing that can be said or proven otherwise will matter.
Proverbs 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
He despises correction and refuses to hear.
Proverbs 23:9 Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
There are many other statements in the Bible about arguing with people who have set in their heads one thing and refuse to hear. You can argue and argue until you’re either blue in the face or your fingers are sore from typing. The foolish person will only argue to a point and then because his or her argument is weak they will begin attacking you personally. They simply must have the last word even if that last word is “yeah, but still…”
There are people who, in spite of the incredible complexity of life, insist that it happened by random chance. In spite of the fact that the possibility that a random mix of amino acids given any time length can form into a polypeptide chain that can form into a functioning protein is mathematically an impossibility akin to a tornado going through a junk yard and leaving behind a fully functional 747 there are people who need so badly to be a random accident of nature in order to justify their sin you can argue with them until the end of history and get nowhere. There is no rest.
There are people who look at mankind’s history and at the evidence of their own lives and still believe that man is basically good and in no need of a Saviour. You can argue with them all day long and it won’t matter.
There are people who, when shown that more things have been written about Jesus Christ than any man in history, more songs praising him written than any man in history, more wars fought over him, more people willingly going to their death for him, and living for him than any god or man throughout history and they will still question his existence. Go ahead, argue with them.
There are Protestants and non-Catholics, whose entire foundation of belief is based on the written word of God and who claim that the Bible they use is just as good as any other, who don’t feel compelled to read it, who don’t believe God speaks to them through it, or that he can change who and what they are by their reading of it and submitting to it daily, and you can teach and preach about the importance of Bible reading and sound Biblically true sermons heard regularly and they will argue with you until they are blue in the face that their seared, worldly conscience is good enough evidence of Christ’s calling on their lives.
There are people who will tell you that the Authorized Version of the Bible is a flawed if culturally and historically significant translation even though you point out that 98% of all Bible manuscripts agree with it rather than their preferred version, that the early church “fathers” quote verses just as they are in the AV, that even unbelievers like the editors of the Harvard Literary Guide to the Bible agree that it is the only Bible that can legitimately be called The Bible, that it was the foundation for the greatest missionary endeavors in Christian history, that its word self defining qualities, cross referencing, and meaning by parallel phrasing attributes defy all explanation as to human effort alone, or that the Bible itself says that a translation can be inspired, and you will never convince them because it would overthrow their entire view of who they are and their relationship with God and they will never, ever stop arguing with you.
There are people who say they believe the Bible literally, even use the AV, and yet refuse to define words and doctrines the way the Bible does and will argue with you all day long that something is true merely because it is their favorite celebrity preacher’s opinion rather than the testimony of God’s word. You will get no rest because they will not yield. Argue as long and as convincingly as you like, point out the verses and the clear statements in the Bible and they will scoff, show scorn, and eventually say you are a godless reprobate because you believe, like the Bible says, that the church is the people, the house of God is the family of God, that translators’ understanding and wisdom can be given by inspiration, that you can’t lose your salvation, that Satan currently runs the world, even their own government, and that Hell will be cast into the Lake of Fire but they aren’t the same thing, and you can talk until you pass out from lack of oxygen and they will not hear you. There is no rest.
Whether these people mock and laugh at you or get extremely angry and call you a fool you will get no rest. Give it up. Just do what you know to be right, search the Scriptures, do your own research, and follow God in faith, hungry to see what He will do next. Always remember that probably at some point in your life, you are where they were. Just always be willing to kindly and without wrath give them a reasonable defense of your position.
Remember, no one has ever come to Christ by human argument alone. There must be a work of the Holy Spirit involved in opening up their heart and mind. You aren’t the Holy Spirit. You are simply a messenger bringing them something they need to hear. Pray for them. Let God do the rest.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Proverbs 29:8 commentary; when the scornful rule
8 ¶ Scornful men bring a city into a snare: but wise men turn away wrath.
The scorner is linked to the wicked man in Proverbs 9:7. He is the opposite of the wise man by contrast in the following verse. He doesn’t listen to rebuke in Proverbs 13:1. Even when he looks for wisdom he can’t find it in Proverbs 14:6. He won’t go to the wise for advice and he doesn’t like people who correct him as per Proverbs 15:12. He is proud and haughty; arrogant, and his wrath, his constant anger, is a reflection of his immense pride as well. See 21:24. In Proverbs 22:10 we see that he’s the cause of contention and strife and reproach and when he’s kicked out all of that goes with him. In 24:9 he thinks sinful, foolish thoughts and he’s an abomination to men.
When scorners rule, a city or a nation are in deep trouble. Democracies tend to be ruled by the men who can afford to run for office, by the elite, highly educated, proud, and arrogant. They have no problem sending someone else’s children to die for their failed diplomacies. They have no problem causing someone else’s children to be killed for their own personal plans or prejudices. Their main concern is not how they spend the money the state extorts from its citizens in the way of taxes on virtually everything but air but how they can dupe the public enough to get them reelected. The system is set up that way and attracts those kinds of people.
The Scriptures say;
Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Satan himself said to Jesus;
Luke 4:5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
The 19th century viewpoint among Christians was predominantly postmillennial. They were going to bring in the kingdom of heaven on earth without Christ physically present but with them ruling in his place much like the Catholic Church believed it had been doing for 1500 years. That view began to die out when the horrors of World War One and Two’s total war showed them that mankind was perhaps not capable of building a better world. 150 million dead and displaced in the 20th century knocked a hole in the “Glory, glory, hallelujah, His truth is marching on” crowd’s belief in a perfect world run on Christian principles.
The fact is that Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) and rules over the kingdoms of this earth, including the USA, until Christ returns to take control (Revelation 11:15). The best we can pray for now, besides Christ return, is that we can push and pull the government into occasionally doing right and holding it accountable for its actions. But, it is important to not fall into the postmillennialist trap of believing that mankind himself will do what God has said he will not and like Lorenzo Dow, famed 19th century evangelist, believe that the very creation of America was the fulfillment of prophecy as the stone in Daniel that smote the feet of the world’s great powers and then grew to be a great mountain that covered the whole earth. This blasphemy was common place until the 20th century’s wakeup call.
Scornful, wicked rulers ensnare a nation. We need a wise man and wise men to run the country. God’s wrath is on the nations of men.
Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Some people try to pretend that the world is a wonderful place full of beauty, knowledge, wonderful architecture, arts, learning, and goodwill. But, you can dress a pig up in an evening gown and makeup and it’s still a pig. In reality, the only thing that separates us from savages in New Guinea is some nifty looking buildings.
Of course, our culture can hardly help the decay it is experiencing because of who we hold aloft as admirable and worthy of respect.
Psalm 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
With scorners in power in either party, perhaps God’s wrath has not come down full on America because there are still a few wise men and women who know what a Bible actually is and believe it and keep praying for mercy for the America that is today’s Babylon.
The scorner is linked to the wicked man in Proverbs 9:7. He is the opposite of the wise man by contrast in the following verse. He doesn’t listen to rebuke in Proverbs 13:1. Even when he looks for wisdom he can’t find it in Proverbs 14:6. He won’t go to the wise for advice and he doesn’t like people who correct him as per Proverbs 15:12. He is proud and haughty; arrogant, and his wrath, his constant anger, is a reflection of his immense pride as well. See 21:24. In Proverbs 22:10 we see that he’s the cause of contention and strife and reproach and when he’s kicked out all of that goes with him. In 24:9 he thinks sinful, foolish thoughts and he’s an abomination to men.
When scorners rule, a city or a nation are in deep trouble. Democracies tend to be ruled by the men who can afford to run for office, by the elite, highly educated, proud, and arrogant. They have no problem sending someone else’s children to die for their failed diplomacies. They have no problem causing someone else’s children to be killed for their own personal plans or prejudices. Their main concern is not how they spend the money the state extorts from its citizens in the way of taxes on virtually everything but air but how they can dupe the public enough to get them reelected. The system is set up that way and attracts those kinds of people.
The Scriptures say;
Daniel 4:17 This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men.
Satan himself said to Jesus;
Luke 4:5 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.
The 19th century viewpoint among Christians was predominantly postmillennial. They were going to bring in the kingdom of heaven on earth without Christ physically present but with them ruling in his place much like the Catholic Church believed it had been doing for 1500 years. That view began to die out when the horrors of World War One and Two’s total war showed them that mankind was perhaps not capable of building a better world. 150 million dead and displaced in the 20th century knocked a hole in the “Glory, glory, hallelujah, His truth is marching on” crowd’s belief in a perfect world run on Christian principles.
The fact is that Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4) and rules over the kingdoms of this earth, including the USA, until Christ returns to take control (Revelation 11:15). The best we can pray for now, besides Christ return, is that we can push and pull the government into occasionally doing right and holding it accountable for its actions. But, it is important to not fall into the postmillennialist trap of believing that mankind himself will do what God has said he will not and like Lorenzo Dow, famed 19th century evangelist, believe that the very creation of America was the fulfillment of prophecy as the stone in Daniel that smote the feet of the world’s great powers and then grew to be a great mountain that covered the whole earth. This blasphemy was common place until the 20th century’s wakeup call.
Scornful, wicked rulers ensnare a nation. We need a wise man and wise men to run the country. God’s wrath is on the nations of men.
Jeremiah 10:10 But the LORD is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Some people try to pretend that the world is a wonderful place full of beauty, knowledge, wonderful architecture, arts, learning, and goodwill. But, you can dress a pig up in an evening gown and makeup and it’s still a pig. In reality, the only thing that separates us from savages in New Guinea is some nifty looking buildings.
Of course, our culture can hardly help the decay it is experiencing because of who we hold aloft as admirable and worthy of respect.
Psalm 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.
With scorners in power in either party, perhaps God’s wrath has not come down full on America because there are still a few wise men and women who know what a Bible actually is and believe it and keep praying for mercy for the America that is today’s Babylon.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Latest Reading
Liberalism and Its Challengers: From FDR to Bush, by Alonzo L. Hamby. Truly, the only people in this book that Hamby actually likes are FDR and Reagan, the great communicators. Now, Hamby is a leftist liberal so he detests Reagan's political views, however, he admires him as a leader and a statesman. It is Lyndon Johnson who gets the business. Hamby clearly thinks that Johnson is a pretender to FDR's throne. Reagan admired FDR and set about to overthrow Johnson's "Great Society". Anyway, if you are an Eisenhower, a Nixon, a Johnson, a Ford, or a Carter fan look out. Actually he seems to feel sorry for Ford, who was way over his head. Its worth the read if you can stay open minded about your favorite chief exec getting trashed. There is indeed a huge difference between FDR's liberalism and Johnson's.
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