Monday, November 10, 2008
Spiritual Gifts No Assurance of Salvation
He was a man’s man. Head and shoulders he stood above his countrymen. No self-seeking politician or glory-seeking entertainer was he. With his good looks and manly stature he could have, in today’s world, been either one.
This young man was, as one writer put it, “one in a thousand.” By outward appearance he was “the man.”
One day God sent an emissary to him in the person of the prophet Samuel. From this day forward his life would be changed. The farm boy was to be the inaugural king of his nation, the nation of Israel.
It came about that his dad sent the young man and a servant off to look for some missing donkeys. They searched high and low for the donkeys and were gone so long that Saul, for that was his name, began to worry that his father would worry about his welfare. Just before they headed back the servant told Saul that there was a seer in the city where they were. It was not long before Saul stood before Samuel and enquired of the lost donkeys. Samuel invited Saul to be the guest of honor at a feast and then put him up for the night.
The next morning as Saul was leaving the city accompanied by Samuel, Samuel revealed to him that God had anointed him to be king over Israel. This incident is related in 1 Samuel 9 and 10.
On his way home, in accord with Samuel’s prophecy three things happened: the Spirit of the Lord came upon him, God gave him another heart, and he prophesied.
On another occasion (1 Samuel 19) Saul prophesied again after the Spirit came upon him.
On the first occasion, Saul was an unknown. He was not a leader, not famous, and not tried. On the latter occasion he was king, had turned against God and was in pursuit of David.
There is a tendency to characterize gifted people as spiritual. Some may be. All are not. In both cases Saul’s behavior as a prophet was out of character and so amazed those that knew him that they questioned, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” (1 Samuel 10:12)
In the New Testament Jesus calls twelve men to be his apostles. “Jesus answered them, ‘Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?’” (John 6:70). That devil apparently was as gifted as the other eleven apostles. Matthew relates in his Gospel (chapter 10, verses 1-8) how Jesus chose them and commissioned, or ordained, them to not only go and preach but to heal, raise the dead, and cast out demons.
Some look to their gifts, talents, and exploits as confirming proof that they are Christians. This is most dangerous. How terrible are those words which our Savior shall speak to some who will cry out to him, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in your name and in your name have cast out devils? and in your name done many wonderful works?” And what was that response from the Master? “I never knew you. Depart from me, you that work iniquity,” (Matthew 7:21-23).
Workers of iniquity? Jesus called these miracle workers, these spiritually gifted individuals workers of iniquity.
The problem here is that all of the outward manifestations of Christianity can be and are duplicated by peoples of other religions. And, as we have seen, it is possible for an unbeliever to have been gifted by God himself.
Saul was gifted, but was no friend of God. Judas Iscariot was gifted, but was no friend of God. They sometimes looked good on the outside, but there was no heart change. How sad.
A fuller treatment of this subject may be found in Charity and Its Fruits by Jonathan Edwards.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Adjusting to the New President
Barack Hussein Obama II was elected the 44th President of the United States this past Tuesday, winning both the popular vote and the electoral college.
Many Christians are in a tail spin over his election. It is true that the President-elect professes to be a Christian but many of his ideas and positions are contrary to the Word of God. His proposals for a changed America are often in conflict with the Kingdom of God. Many true believers are fearful of what the next four years will bring.
God has given us direction for living our lives not only when the political arena is tolerably friendly to the Church but also when it is antagonistic towards us.
We must, first of all, recognize that no one rules whom God has not put into office. “For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he puts down one, and sets up another,” (Psalms 75:6-7). Any dissatisfaction with the results of the election must be tempered with an active submission to the will of God.
Secondly, we must remember that those whom God appoints to rule over us rule in his stead, for him. Paul tells us this in Romans 13. Be mindful then that “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God, (Romans 13:1 HCSB).
God has given specific instructions to us with respect to our leaders, whether they be mayors, governors, or presidents.
Of highest importance is our duty to pray for our leaders. “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, (1 Timothy 2:1-3 HCSB). Our prayers may be used of God to change the hearts of our leaders for good.
The Apostle Paul got a little testy and responded to the High Priest in an insulting way. When it was pointed out to him that he was addressing the High Priest Paul said, “I did not know, brothers," Paul said, "that it was the high priest. For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people,” (Acts 23:5 HCSB). He was referring to Exodus 22:28. We must be careful of how we speak of our rulers because they stand in the place of God by the will of God.
“Do all you have to do without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be God's children, blameless, sincere and wholesome, living in a warped and diseased world, and shining there like lights in a dark place,” (Philippians 2:14,15 Phillips).
How we behave under adverse conditions or how we behave when averse to unreasonable or burdensome laws and regulations may open or close the doors to winning others for Christ and will affect how unbelievers glorify God.
Our national Constitution gives us a right not afforded to believers under the Caesars. That right is the right to petition our government. We can petition our government formally by presenting a petition with many signatures or by writing a short letter asking them for their support in a certain area. Keep a close eye on
proposed legislation and write your Representative, your Senators, and even the President and ask them to vote the way you would like them to. A short, polite explanation and a sincere thank you for their considering your request will gain you a fair hearing.
Then too, don’t be afraid to send letters of thanks, congratulations, or appreciation for the good things they do. Our leaders are people, too, and appreciate hearing more than complaints.
Many Christians are in a tail spin over his election. It is true that the President-elect professes to be a Christian but many of his ideas and positions are contrary to the Word of God. His proposals for a changed America are often in conflict with the Kingdom of God. Many true believers are fearful of what the next four years will bring.
God has given us direction for living our lives not only when the political arena is tolerably friendly to the Church but also when it is antagonistic towards us.
We must, first of all, recognize that no one rules whom God has not put into office. “For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he puts down one, and sets up another,” (Psalms 75:6-7). Any dissatisfaction with the results of the election must be tempered with an active submission to the will of God.
Secondly, we must remember that those whom God appoints to rule over us rule in his stead, for him. Paul tells us this in Romans 13. Be mindful then that “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God, (Romans 13:1 HCSB).
God has given specific instructions to us with respect to our leaders, whether they be mayors, governors, or presidents.
Of highest importance is our duty to pray for our leaders. “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, (1 Timothy 2:1-3 HCSB). Our prayers may be used of God to change the hearts of our leaders for good.
The Apostle Paul got a little testy and responded to the High Priest in an insulting way. When it was pointed out to him that he was addressing the High Priest Paul said, “I did not know, brothers," Paul said, "that it was the high priest. For it is written, You must not speak evil of a ruler of your people,” (Acts 23:5 HCSB). He was referring to Exodus 22:28. We must be careful of how we speak of our rulers because they stand in the place of God by the will of God.
“Do all you have to do without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be God's children, blameless, sincere and wholesome, living in a warped and diseased world, and shining there like lights in a dark place,” (Philippians 2:14,15 Phillips).
How we behave under adverse conditions or how we behave when averse to unreasonable or burdensome laws and regulations may open or close the doors to winning others for Christ and will affect how unbelievers glorify God.
Our national Constitution gives us a right not afforded to believers under the Caesars. That right is the right to petition our government. We can petition our government formally by presenting a petition with many signatures or by writing a short letter asking them for their support in a certain area. Keep a close eye on
proposed legislation and write your Representative, your Senators, and even the President and ask them to vote the way you would like them to. A short, polite explanation and a sincere thank you for their considering your request will gain you a fair hearing.
Then too, don’t be afraid to send letters of thanks, congratulations, or appreciation for the good things they do. Our leaders are people, too, and appreciate hearing more than complaints.
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