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Tag Archives: holiness

MY LIFE

15 Wednesday May 2019

Posted by Ron Thomas in Bulletin Article, Sound Doctrine

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holiness, holy life

“Lord, depart from me because I am a sinful man!” What is a sinful man? A sinful man is a person who lives life in the way he or she wants to without regard to anything the Lord wants. In other words, that “want to” is contrary to the Lord’s way. In my view, it’s not any more complicated than that. A sinful person is not one who necessarily lives life in an overly vile way, but one who lives life in a different way than the Lord’s. For the Christian, presumably the life one has chosen to live is expressed  by Paul himself: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me (Gal. 2:20, ASV).

Think about what Paul is saying. First, his life without Christ is now dead; second, the life he has chosen to live is the life of Christ; third, he understands what it is Jesus did for him and for all those who love Him, therefore he chose to serve the Almighty. If we do not embrace the life of Jesus as Paul expressed it here, we are only kidding (or deceiving) ourselves that all is well. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in his second letter, “Try your own selves, whether ye are in the faith; prove your own selves. Or know ye not as to your own selves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed ye be reprobate” (2 Cor. 13:5). How are you living your life? RT

 

GUN VIOLENCE SOLUTION

03 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by Ron Thomas in Behavior, God, Morality

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Tags

accountability, Apologetics Press, atheism, Columbus Dispatch, editorial, guns, holiness, Las Vegas, moral compass, politics, unity

In an editorial (10.3.2017), the Columbus Dispatch admonished readers “not to leap to conclusions about how best to combat this kind of violence” before the facts are all in. The kind of violence the editorial had in mind was that perpetrated by a morally deranged man in Las Vegas, having killed nearly sixty people and injured eight times as many!

One man, however, produced a commentary meme (on Facebook) about how much easier it is to own a particular firearm than it is at being a barber. He would resist my characterization of his commentary-jumping to a conclusion, but in this context, he certainly did. He has often spoken in favor of gun-control (as a very thoughtful man, though one may disagree with him, his words need to be considered).

The man guilty of a deranged act was himself morally deranged. He fires and hope to escape judgment. Escape, he did not. Though he killed himself to escape police arrest. He now is before the Lord Almighty! In a context where the writer speaks of why Jesus came to this earth, and that He is coming again, the Holy Spirit said this: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27, KJV). The morally deranged man did not escape judgment. Yet, in our society, one would not know this at all; apart from some religious folk, nothing is said about such things.

Though the Dispatch heeded us to be more discriminating in conclusion jumping, they also noted the frequency of gun violence escalating in society. What kind of solution is there to these violent atrocities? They admit there are no easy solutions, but a number of options are available to be pursued. Such options are 1) better mental health care, 2) “regulations making it harder for people with mental illness and those with violent pasts top own guns”, 3) “aggressive enforcement against illegal sales.”

Perhaps these suggestions are worthy of serious consideration, but the one solution that should have been proffered, but was not is what is most troubling. The solution I have in mind is much longer in implementation, at the very least a generation’s amount of time. But, given the “solutions” in place already, “the deep cultural rift that makes the problem so difficult to even talk about” will be, and currently are, a waste of time.

What solution do I have in mind?

In the latest issue of Apologetics Press (October 2017, p. 10), Kyle Butt wrote a brief article on how “people all over the world associate atheism with immorality.” It is true, and recognized within the article, that some atheists are moral people. Their morality, however, is not based on atheistic ideology, but an ideology that has its source in theism. It is theism, especially Christian theism, that speaks of transcendent love, kindness, courtesy, respect and behavioral qualities of this sort. Of course, atheists will affirm the same, but as mentioned, they have no foundational reason to do such. Moreover, what separates atheistic approach from the Christian approach is its lack of accountability.

Christian philosophy/ideology teaches that actions and thoughts lived on this earth are accountable to Almighty God, who will bring all into judgment. “For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:30-31, KJV). Atheism can’t give any good reason for a moral foundation that obligates man to act in a certain way; all atheistic ideology can hope to accomplish is that others agree with them, with society compelling behavior norms; of course, this is not a morality based on moral virtue of a righteous Judge, but a “morality” based on self-preservation. Yet, as we look at society as it has implemented this approach, not much is accomplished.

On the other hand, in accordance with the Lord’s way, Jesus said “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). In this exhortation from the Lord we have: 1) a community standard (peace), 2) there is a moral standard (holiness), 3) and accountability.

Yes, it is true the morally deranged will not heed the Lord’s counsel. It’s also true, the Lord’s way is the best solution known to man; man won’t implement, however, because he wants an atheistic society.

I Need Thee every Hour.

20 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

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holiness, joy, pain, peace, temptation

“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me–practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you….And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:9, 19 ESV)

Peace and tranquility in life is very important to each of us. Sometimes, however, it seems to be missing. In Scripture there is a peace from God that is never missing. Paul reminds us of that in the two verses from Philippians 4. We are also reminded of this in the song we sing, “I need thee every hour.” Let us reflect on a few thoughts from the song.

1) No tender voice like thine can peace afford. There is nothing like the soothing voice of a mother to help when the pain of life is so great it makes one immobile. Jesus’s voice is tender (Matthew 11:28-30), but let us not think it is so tender than He does not demand that we turn from our sins and live righteously (Ephesians 5:17, 17). It is unfortunate that many in this world look upon Jesus as only a tender voice that calls us from despair, and while He is that, I am glad the He is certainly that and more.

2) Temptations lose their power when thou art nigh. When you are tempted, and the temptation is overwhelmingly powerful, to whom do you turn is this time of crisis? Or, perhaps, a better question might be, do you turn away from the temptation? Temptation hits us all differently, but also with a good deal of sameness (if you will). In times of weakness, it is the time when the Lord’s name is not only on our lips, but in our heat. Though we are vulnerable, He is our strength. Sometimes the temptation is so great the ability to withstand seems impossible. Consequently, we just say to ourselves, “I will pay the price later.” The problem is, when later comes, the price is every bit as oppressive as the original temptation. The weight of guilt is oppressive, and those who give in are called to run from the continuing danger in soupy mud two feet thick.

3) In joy or pain, come quickly and abide or life is vain. There is no person like a Christian who has life laid out in such a way the path is clear. Some who try to live without the Lord can turn to a loved one to help in time of need, but sometimes that loved-one has no answer, no solution to the deep and dark counsels of one’s heart. To who, then, does a non-Christian turn? The Christian turns, and continues to turn to the Lord, for only He can give an answer and solution to most emptiness of life, taking the “vainness” away and giving hope. Sometimes, however, the taking and giving experience can be painful. What will you gain for your pain?

4) O make me thine indeed, thou blessed Son. God’s love is so great that His Son came to this earth to not only give us relief from sin, but hope to tread our way thought this life. More than that, however, He came to give us life, life in Him, in the Father’s Son. “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26-27, KJV).

Does peace flow like a river through your soul? It won’t if the love of God is not center-seat in your heart. It may be a challenge for each of us to find that desired peace, but the peace we should desire is the peace that comes from God, surpassing all understanding.

 

The Expression of a Holy Life

05 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by Ron Thomas in Uncategorized

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Abihu, holiness, Nadab, worship

The sin of Nadab and Abihu is one of those accounts in Scripture that is reasonably well known. It is well known because to the Lord these two men (priests) offered to the Holy One of Israel something that was not authorized by Him. Consequently, the Lord expressed His displeasure by consuming them rather than the offering of the sacrifice as originally designed (Leviticus 9:18-10:2). What is sometimes overlooked in this is the exhortation by the Lord to Israel is that for those who come before the Lord (that is, they come before Him to worship, especially those who are leading), they are to live an expression of a holy life (Leviticus 10:3). The application of this to our day is not to be overlooked. When we stand before the Lord offering to Him our worship, are we living the holy life demanded by the Lord (1 Peter 1:13-16)? If not, then though we are alive physically, it is certainly the case the Lord’s fire will consume us spiritually; it is just waiting to be applied!

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