Question #1:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
Reviewing your study on the Epistle of Peter number 18 wherein you ref. a
scripture noted in the subject line.
The so-called prosperity folks, I won't call them preachers because they are not
declaring the Gospel, but are using God's precious Word to promote their false
doctrine.
It says: "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was
rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might
become rich."
I take this as referring to "Grace" and not money, as that is the context in
which Paul is speaking about to Titus and others".
Is it not? Or am I mistaken.
I always appreciate your comments and knowledge. We were truly blessed this past
week, when my wife and I visited some dear friends we have not seen in 17 years
or so. He was the one who first told me about being born-again when he gave me a
little Gospel tract which I read standing at the bus stop waiting to go to work.
He is a very precious friend.
Might I say the same for you, as I have learned and continue to learn from your
Website on a daily basis. I have finished the first 17 teachings and am
continuing onward to the end of them. Slowly but surely, they are a tremendous
help and inspiration to me.
Looking for His coming while enduring till the end by God's grace.
Your friend,
Response #1:
Thanks for the encouraging email, my friend! You have certainly been a
blessing to me and to our mutual friend as well.
On 2nd Corinthians 8:9, I'm amazed that prosperity preachers would use
this verse since Christ is our model in all things and "made Himself
poor" for our sakes. Nothing is greater wealth than being God in all His
glory, but Christ took on the form of a man and humbled Himself in order
to save us (Phil.2:5-9). A sinful human being giving up all his/her
monetary wealth for the sake of Christ, even if legitimately done from
proper motivation, would not come close to approaching the sacrifice of
our Lord in becoming human not to mention the cross.
Here's on link on this:
"The
Prosperity Gospel"
Your good friend forever in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #2:
Dear brother Bob
Thank you so much for your reflection on "Baptism". I am a Catholic full
time evangelizer. And I always felt water baptism is more of ritual than
an ingredient for salvation; for me Baptism is symbolic act. And the
meaning of that symbolism is expressed in Romans 6.
I stand by this interpretation in order to Eucharist to be available for
all, even those who have not baptized. Whoever believes Jesus is the
Lord: whether he is baptized or not is eligible for Eucharist. What is
your opinion about it?
Response #2:
Good to make your acquaintance and thanks for your interest.
For my views on communion, please see the links:
The Communion Ceremony outside of the Local Church
And here is a link on baptism: "Baptism: Water and Spirit IX"
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV
In Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #3:
Dear Sir,
I have browsed the contents of your website and I am impressed with what
I have read. You seem to be a sincere and balanced Christian writer
which is rare to find. I have some questions that I hope you can help me
with.
1. Apart from the Bible speaking about The Spirit within us what proof
do you have that we live forever? Do you use any Scientific evidence? I
ask this as a believer in eternal life by the way. Sam Parnia seems to
be a good source but do you have any others?
Response #3:
Thanks for the clarification and thanks for your kind words as well.
1) Absolutely not! If there were proof, this wouldn't be
about faith. As it is, this life is ALL about faith. Faith is the
fundamental exercise of free will, the image of God, our basic decision
about whether or not to follow God in Jesus Christ . . . or not. If
there were materialistic proof that could not be scientifically denied,
there would be no faith in our decision to accept Jesus Christ. There is
of course plenty of evidence:
[God] has made everything beautiful in its [foreordained] time; but He has also placed [the notion of] eternity in the hearts of mankind and [He has done this], moreover, without Man being able to discover the work which God has done from the beginning unto the end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11
(18) God's wrath is about to be revealed from heaven upon all ungodliness and unrighteousness on men who suppress the truth [in their hearts about God] in their unrighteousness. (19) For that which can be known about God [from everyday experience] is obvious to them, because God has made it obvious. (20) His nature, though invisible, is nevertheless plainly apparent, and has been since His foundation of the world, for it may be clearly inferred from this creation of His [this is true of] both His eternal power and His divinity so that they are without any excuse: (21) they knew about God, but they neither honored Him as God nor thanked Him. Instead, they gave themselves over to [the] vanity [of this world] in their speculations, and their senseless hearts were filled with darkness.
Romans 1:18-21
Question #4:
2. If someone is a Catholic and believed in Jesus are they saved? The reason I say this is because I come from a Catholic background and both of my parents (now deceased) were Catholic. Whilst I am at odds with some of the things taught in the Catholic Church I can't see how every Catholic is automatically damned. My Mum became a Catholic when she was told she had two years left to live and whilst she did receive communion at home she read the Bible very frequently as she was housebound. I would like to think that God will even reach a genuine Catholic who is seeking his help.
Response #4:
2) Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, "not of works, lest any man should boast" (Eph.2:8-9). Beyond all argument, Roman Catholicism is a religion of works. To the extent that someone is relying on what they are doing (as in going to mass, confession, being an RC, charity) for salvation, to that extent they are not saved. Knowing that many people are members of groups to whose tenets they do not personally subscribe, I've always been agnostic on this question, never have been RC. But to a person, every born again / born from above believer I've ever met who's escaped from that organization has claimed that it's impossible to be saved and be RC because if you really were saved, you would get out.
Question #5:
3. I agree with you that The Spirit enters at Birth/First Breath as it logically makes sense as well as what the Bible says but my question is why so many preachers (including non Catholic Christian preachers) say otherwise?
Response #5:
3) All false teaching has to do with tradition and with the devil. One big answer to "why?" on this question is that it makes the political argument against abortion much more powerful. I have no use for abortion. I don't support political causes, and I certainly don't support lying about what the Bible teaches to further them as if the ends justified the means.
Question #6:
4. Why is it that no Christian preacher agrees on any one part of the Bible?
Response #6:
4) This has to do with sloppiness, laziness, tradition and the devil.
Ideally, those who teach the Word should one and all be circling in on
the truth until going round and round we are all eventually come so
close to the center that there is little difference. In practice,
sloppiness, laziness, and tradition and being influenced by the devil
has often led to putative Christian organizations and so-called
"teachers" spinning farther and farther away from the center so that the
differences get bigger and bigger. This is the era of Laodicea,
moreover, the era of lukewarmness wherein fewer and fewer Christians are
concerned with the truth; if the customers are unconcerned with it, the
suppliers will also tend to be less and less concerned and there we
have our vicious circle of spinning away from that truth.
This is all very much on Satan's mind, no doubt, because his last great
offensive is only a few years away now as the Tribulation draws near.
Once it begins, one third of actual believers are going to fall away
into his false religion during the Great Apostasy. But if believers
today were focusing on seeking the truth and learning the truth and
believing the truth, it would be much harder for the beast to convince
them that he is Christ (anti-Christ in fact).
Question #7:
5. This may seem like a tricky question but some other religious founders such as the Buddha and the Jain Prophets claimed to have deduced that The Spirit enters the womb at conception. Why would they have said this if it wasn't true?
Response #7:
5) Purveyors of any false religion have no idea what the truth is. There's no accounting for what they teach except to be sure that the devil is behind it. If there is some element of the truth there (not so in this case), then the devil has planted it to make the lies go down easier.
Question #8:
6. What happens to those people who may have read the Bible but not
fully understood the salvation message due to lack of intelligence or
knowledge? Are they damned?
If you could get back to me with the answers I'd appreciate it.
Best regards
Response #8:
6) If you mean individuals who are retarded to such a degree that they
have no free will in fact the same way a child does not reach the
point of accountability until acquiring some degree of emotional
maturity all such persons are automatically saved. God is fair and
just. Anyone who actually did not have a chance to be saved through
faith-response to the gospel is saved. However, everyone who has ever
lived who has not fallen into the two categories above has either a)
actually had a chance to hear the gospel, or b) expressed in their heart
sufficient unwillingness that God is just not to provide it. All this
will be made clear at the last judgment. All the more reason for anyone
today who HAS heard to believe and for anyone who has believed not to
waste their lives thereafter. All believers will stand before Jesus
Christ. Those who have sought out the truth, grown and progressed and
produced
will be rewarded (see the link); those who have not will have
their false works burned up and will be in for a very uncomfortable
time . . . but saved "yet though as through fire" (1Cor.3:15).
There's a great deal on all of these topics on the site: see
the subject index, and let me know if
you need help finding anything.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #9:
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your email reply. I have some additional questions and
comments.
1. There are some people who say that faith in Christ is all that is
needed to get to Heaven. Now forgive me for saying this but I have met
some Christian people who claim to believe in Jesus (and they say as
much) and yet they lie, connive and steal. There are Christian ministers
who say that non-Christians who lived good lives are going to hell
whereas Christians who live bad lives but believe on Christ are going to
Heaven. Based on the above I can see how people can find Christianity
off putting. Any comments please on this?
Response #9:
You're very welcome. As to the new questions:
1) Our Lord said,
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
John 3:18
"What is faith?" is both an easy and a hard question. We all know if we
have it; it's rather hard sometimes to describe it in terms others will
understand. I like to refer to faith as "free will faith" because faith
is the essential expression of the image of God we've been given our
fundamental ability to choose. Believing in Christ is like pledging
allegiance to Him and following through. Because only those who
continue in faith are saved (i.e., there is no "once saved, always saved
no matter what" as some imagine; cf. Lk.8:13).
As to others, following Jesus Christ is off-putting to many and for many
reasons. Genuine Christians who are living a horrible witness will
eventually fall away or be taken out of this life by the sin unto death
(link).
People who claim to be Christians but who actually are not are not the
issue (there are plenty of these types out there).
Question #10:
2. If belief in Christ is all that is needed then why did Jesus teach on how to behave and treat others?
Response #10:
2) If we belong to Christ, we need to follow Him. If we do, we will grow and progress and produce and earn a good reward. If we do not follow Him, we are likely to fall away back into unbelief (Lk.8:13). So doing what He tells us is important both because we reflect on Him and also because there is really only one way to go in the Christian life: forward, carrying our cross and following in His footsteps.
Question #11:
3. Jesus said give to those who ask and turn the other cheek yet such teachings if applied to dealings with every day people don't work as most don't follow these principles. How can Christian's logically apply such principles in a non Christian World
Response #11:
3) The application of biblical truths to real life is the stuff of spiritual maturity. This is not relativism. There are a lot of "moving parts" in real life. Only mature believers have a chance of getting things right on this score (cf. Rom.14:1ff.). Spiritual growth, therefore, is the real answer to the implied question. There is much more about this important subject at the link: BB 6A: Peripateology: the Study of the Christian Walk.
Question #12:
4. Human beings mature and learn knowledge as they grow older and their brains grow. My question is does the Spirit grow with the brain or is the Spirit ageless and works more appropriately as the brain and knowledge grows? I have read that the Spirit is like a car driver and it can do better with a better car (body) and maybe this us the case with a
Response #12:
4) All believers today have the Holy Spirit indwelling them. He is God and God of course never changes. Every human being has, in addition to a body, a human spirit. The spirit itself is eternal and does not change per se, but of course it is the real "us" within and we are always making decisions and learning things. But God made us, every human being, a unity of spirit and body, and so we will ever be. We will always have a body and a spirit, and in the resurrection, that new body will be perfectly attuned to the spirit in a way that's hard for us to anticipate now, being possessed of a body that is mortal and hampered in so many ways by the sin nature (and which is also limited in its perception in a way that will not be the case in the future).
Question #13:
5. I feel that you are a sincere Christian minister and apart from yourself who do you recommend as teachers of the gospel in your field? I hope that you find these questions to your satisfaction. Yours thankfully
Response #13:
5) I very much recommend pastor-teacher Curtis Omo's
Bible Academy (at the
link). Rather than texts, these are audiovisual presentations (in the
"Khan Academy" style). Please have a look! If you are interested in
growing spiritually, Bible Academy is a wonderful resource for that.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #14:
Dear Robert,
Many thanks for your last email reply. I have some new questions that
you may be able to answer.
1. What would you say to parents who have had fetuses die in the womb
and expect to see them in Heaven? The Bible says that the Spirit enters
simultaneously with the first breath and leaves with the last breath so
how do you put those particular people straight?
Response #14:
You're most welcome.
1) There has never been a person who has failed "to become a person"
when the Lord willed it so. Just how that plays out in situations such
as the one you ask about is something we may have to wait to find out on
the other side.
Question #15:
2. If the spirit/Consciousness enters at birth of each individual as we both agree on does that mean that God selects the vessels (bodies) for each individual spirit? I have read about the doctrine of election and how God selects everything about us before we are bor
Response #15:
2) God has left nothing to chance. Everyone is born in the right place and at the right time.
Question #16:
3. What are your views on past life regression where people go into a trance and get accurate details of a past life?
Response #16:
3) There are no "past lives".
Question #17:
4. You stated in a previous email that Satan's last great offensive is only a
few years away does that mean we are going to see Jesus Christ in our lifetime?
I await your response.
Yours thankfully
Response #17:
4) In a nutshell (you can find the details at the site), human history
is composed of seven thousand years, seven millennial days. Four
preceded the cross; the Millennium is the seventh; in between we have
the Church Age which is composed of two; the Church Age began ca. 33
A.D. so that is, based on
the application of this interpretation (see
the link) the date of the second advent (as best it can be determined in
my view).
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #18:
Dear Robert,
Thank you for your last reply. I have one question for you at this time.
1. There are preachers who say that God plans everything that happens in
the World including every evil thing that happens. Is this biblically
true and if so how can God command us to abstain from sin if he wills it
at the same time?
As ever your thoughtful insight would be most helpful.
Thank you
Response #18:
Everything that happens in this world, in time, has been decreed. God
created time and space and nothing could exist without Him, without His
decreeing of it. That does not at all mean that He condones evil. God
forbid! God could have easily made a universe of creatures who could not
choose evil. But those creatures would not be "us". For us to be "us",
we needed to have the image of God, the genuine ability to respond to
Him of our own free will . . . or not. Same is true of the angels. Time,
therefore, is all about choice. God's decree makes choice possible
(rather than preventing it as some smaller minds wish to conclude)
because we could not exist or have the image of God without the decree.
Everything we choose is important. Everything we choose has been decreed
not forced; we still make the choice in each and every case. God is
big enough and wise enough to know everything before hand and to have
accommodated all of our choices in His perfect and all comprehensive
plan and so He has. That is the truth, whether or not someone wants to
quibble. So what God planned IS perfect: this plan, the only plan there
is (there are no hypothetical alternatives based on a single "what
if?"), the perfect plan, the plan of all that is, was the ONLY plan and
the only way for there to be creatures in eternity sharing Him and all
He has for us who also chose to be there. That perfect plan necessitated
the resistance and refusal of some angels and most human beings. But
that was/is their choice.
Praise God for the eternity we have with Him through faith in His Son
Jesus Christ through whom and whose sacrifice alone we are saved through
faith in His perfect person, human and divine, and what He did for us in
paying the entire price for all of our sins on the cross!
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #19:
Dear Professor
Thank you for your excellent and kind reply and for your wonderful
Ministry.
I followed one of your Special Topics links to get what I thought might
be a quick overview of ichthys teachings on the Tribulation, and though
it references your site and seems to have taken much of the information
from your site I am left a bit confused. [details omitted]
Q1. Therefore, will there be a worldwide earthquake, flashes of
lightning and thunderous voices that accompany or just after the
brokerage deal? Who in this world would miss such a sign, AND at a
signing, but, which way to take it?
Q2. Is the half hour of silence before the seven year Tribulation
begins? (This is how it reads in your writings)
Q3. Should the link be reviewed?
My appreciation for your work in your Ministry.
Your student
Response #19:
Taking the last question (#3) first, when you say you thought the link would give you "a quick overview of ichthys' teachings on the Tribulation", that's not the purpose of these links. Our friend is long-standing acquaintance, and you are right that some of the things he writes are, let's just say, not exactly how I have written them. But that is typical of links on this page to other writers. Not a cause for a break in fellowship. I suppose I could put a disclaimer on this page, but I think most readers will be able to see as you did easily enough where Ichthys stops and someone else' interpretation begins.
However, I do take your overall point. I think our friend would probably
be happy to hear from you. We all benefit from give and take, after all
(Prov.27:17; cf. Prov.27:9).
As to Q 1 and 2, #1: indeed, and I often make the point that no one is
going to be unaware that the Tribulation has begun (at least no believer
who's been paying attention), since the signs will be unmistakable
(Rev.8:5). #2: The half hour is the six months necessary to shift the
calendar from spring to fall (as the cross and resurrection happened in
the spring but the Tribulation and second advent happen in the fall).
Your friend in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #20:
Thank you Bob,
I would like to tell you about a vision I saw . . . [details omitted]
What troubles me is that I was seeking comfort but got the opposite. I
pray you can help me shed some light on this and help me to know how to
feel about this.
In Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior,
Response #20:
As I always say, I make a point of not telling other brothers and sisters in
Christ what they have or have not seen or experienced. If God gives someone a
vision or an experience, He does so for a reason and He does so for the person
concerned (not for the rest of us, not after the cessation of the miraculous
gifts with the close of the canon of scripture).
I can say that certain things happened to me and for me in the past which I know
were from God, but in many of these cases I had to get to a certain point of
spiritual maturity to appreciate them and to grasp their significance. So I can
say that at least for me how I "feel about them" has definitely changed over
time. The closer I've drawn to the Lord the better I've "felt about them" or,
better put, the more I've appreciated them. I think that is probably true for us
all. Seeing or experiencing something overpowering if that something is the Lord
or from the Lord is comforting to the extent that we are close to Him, but less
so to the extent that we are far from Him. At least that is the way I see
things.
So while we could discuss the details, this is something the Lord gave you, not
me. What I would say is that what it means precisely and improving how you feel
about it requires what everything else truly good in the Christian life
requires, namely, spiritual growth. That is to say, as you grow, your
understanding and appreciation of what the Lord has given you will increase as
well, as the blanks in all manner of things are filled in. On the other hand,
"figuring this out" as if it were a problem to be solved is not likely to even
be possible without the requisite growth.
So my advice to you is to trust the Lord that this, as with everything He does,
is "for the good for those who love Him" (Rom.8:28), to "ponder this in your
heart" (Lk.2:19) until such time as your growth begins to fill in the blanks,
and to take the obvious lessons to heart: He is real, He is powerful, you are
saved why else would you receive this? And have peace about the rest of it in
waiting for "patience to do its perfect work" (Jas.1:4) as you continue to grow
in Him.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #21:
Hello Bob,
[omitted]
That same new friend I have, keeps banging on about the bible being fake and
that Jesus isn't really His name and it's shaken me. It's not shaken me because
I don't believe it but it has shaken me because I do not know how to witness to
a person with this mindset. She believes in God and calls Him the "creator" but
that's it.
She sends me confusing videos and texts disputing the bible and I'm not
spiritually mature enough to counter it. Knowing how much of a baby I still am
in faith is what has shaken me. I thought I was making progress. Please send me
your recommendation of order of study from your site. I have just finished
reading Numbers whilst reading the Gospel of Luke I was reading from the Blue
letter bible commentary for this.
I worry that the church that baptised me is in error and will lead me into
further error. Does that mean I am to trust no man? No church?
I trust in God and in Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
I know that if it is confusion it is not of God, then why am I so confused?
In our loving and living Saviour,
Response #21:
I'm always pleased to hear from you, my friend!
Happy to hear that you are continuing to correspond with our friend. He
is a wonderful man, and his background in the RC church gives him a
special perspective in such matters that others from the same experience
always find helpful.
Our friend has the heart of a pastor as does
pastor Omo [link] so
their words are meant to help, not to frustrate or frighten. So as to
testing, just because we're told that we're "going to get hit" doesn't
mean that we can't take it. God helping us we certainly can (Rom.8:28)!
And knowing makes it better if not easier. You are a child of God, a
believer in Jesus Christ dear to our Lord. He won't let you drop out of
His hand never! Our job here and now is to keep running a good race
for Him. If we do, we have absolutely nothing to worry about whatsoever.
It's only turning away from Him that's problematic. The devil hates it
when we stick close to Him, so we do come in for "flak" on the path of
righteousness, but we never receive anything we can't handle, even if
testing is uncomfortable (1Cor.10:13).
As to your new "friend", I'm not sure what to tell you about someone who
dismisses the Bible. In witnessing to unbelievers, people who refuse to
accept that the Bible has authority are always questionable candidates
for evangelism, because on the one hand they've rejected God's Word a
priori; and on the other hand the truth of salvation is found only in
the Bible. How much more ought we not to be careful about associating
with putative brothers and sisters who take that same attitude (cf.
1Cor.5:11)? I suppose it's not absolutely impossible for a believer to
have such an attitude but only in the case of a very marginal believer
who is headed straight and fast for the exit (either apostasy or the sin
unto death). So I couldn't advise you to continue with the relationship,
not on any deep level, at any rate, especially inasmuch as it's really
upsetting you.
As to undergoing water-baptism, it's a mistake MANY of us have made, so
I wouldn't spend any time whatsoever worrying about it. It's only a
problem if its invested with some spiritual significance. There's plenty
about the issue on Ichthys when you get around to wanting to know more
about it (link).
I also can't recommend any denomination, especially the one that
baptized you. I do understand that believers crave fellowship with other
believers, but we know for certain from scripture that while good
fellowship is to be prized and may be beneficial, the opposite is very
problematic (1Cor.15:33). People in denominations are there because they
want to have a feeling of participating in things having to do with God;
but they are not really interested in Him or His truth not very much,
any way, otherwise they would be seeking out the truth and would be
determined to learn it as you are.
As to how to approach the materials at Ichthys, my base suggestion would
be to try and keep up with the weekly email
postings (link), and also begin to read through the
Peter series (link). That will
keep you busy for a minute.
In my experience, pressures and false starts as you are experiencing are
a very normal part of finding the high road to Zion and getting started
up it in earnest. I'm very pleased that you are finding this ministry
helpful in that noble goal.
Just remember: God loves you. Jesus loves you so much He died for every
single one of your sins that you might have life eternal and be with Him
and the rest of us in New Jerusalem forever.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Do feel free to write me any time, my friend keeping you in my prayers
daily.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #22:
Hello Bob my friend,
My sister was caught up in huge flooding in the place that she works.
Some ponds, lakes and rivers in the grounds almost burst their banks and
she said it wouldn't stop raining. She is fine and no-one was hurt but
she was shaken by the experience which was the worst flooding in 30
years. She used the word "biblical" to describe the flood. At that point
I couldn't hold off any longer and told her that we are near the end and
we will see things like this more and more and they will get worse and
worse. I also told her that noticing these alarming weather events and
catastrophes played a part in my coming to Christ.
I'm not sure if she took any of this in, she realises the smallness and
frailty of us all and that human life is more precious than buildings
and possessions. She said that it's important to live life to the full
but if that means in a worldly way then that is actually a waste of
life.
I worry about my sister. Her friend died suddenly a few years ago from a
shock brain haemorrhage at a young age. This profoundly affected my
sister but she developed a "must live life to the fullest" philosophy.
This was concentrated on things like getting her house finished "before
she died" and it seems like she's making a bucket list of places she
wants to see and experience "before she dies".
There is absolutely no mention of Jesus in any of this. She says she
prays to God but which god is she talking about as she refuses to read
the bible in case it does not correlate with the god of her
understanding. Is this idolatry?
I was very shocked the other day when I asked her if she loved God more
than anything else and she said that she loves her boyfriend more than
God. This really shocked me.
[details omitted]
Realising that my family are not saved is breaking my heart. It is more
impetus to study hard and walk in the Spirit and pursue sanctification.
I want to be the salt. I want to be the light. I want to reflect God's
glory in all that I do so that people will know the truth of the Gospel.
I am going to pray for my family every day that they come to Jesus. It's
like when Paul realised that his Jewish friends and relations were
perishing.
Please Bob, will you pray for my family and friends, that they soften
their hearts to the truth and come to accept Jesus as their Saviour?
Many thanks.
God bless,
Response #22:
Your experience with loved ones is, in my observation of things, nearly
universal . . . among those who are genuinely trying to walk with Jesus
Christ through the truth of the Word. The devil is not nearly as
interested in the lives and situations of lukewarm Christians. For those
of us who are putting the Lord and His truth in first place in our
lives, opposition can be expected, and hitting our loved ones is a
standard place, it seems, where the devil generally likes to attack.
What I always try to keep in mind, in regard to members of my own family
about whose salvation their words and deeds leaves me in some doubt, is
that God put us all in exactly the right place and at exactly the right
time. He put those we love where they are too and everything has a
purpose. He knows we love our loved ones, and He knows that we are
concerned about their salvation (among other things). And He is a
loving, good and gracious God beyond our wildest dreams. So while it
is true that everyone has free will and that we certainly cannot change
someone else' heart, it is also true that God hears our prayers for
them, that He uses our witness to them, and that He knew about these
situations and our concern in eternity past. That being the case, I
would never want to "sell Him short" in regard to the eventual salvation
of those we love. On the website email postings recently you may have
noticed an exchange with a believer who father recently died and who
accepted Christ just shortly before his death. This does happen and in
that case, the young man's prayers were answered. The Lord hears your
prayers too and mine and those of all believers, especially those who
are dedicating themselves to be close to Him. So what is the best thing
we can do for those we love about whose salvation we are concerned?
Continue to pray for them, continue to witness to them, by life as well
as by word. And most importantly, continue to grow spiritually so that
our prayers are ever more effective:
The prayer of a righteous man has great power when it is empowered [by the Spirit].
James 5:16b
Keeping you and your loved ones in my prayers daily.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #23:
Hi Bob,
Any rainfall from "Barry" today? Or has he slowed up too much before
reaching you? It's warm here (would seem cold to you!) and we had some
rain from about 6 pm - 7.30 pm so it's been good for the blooms and the
lawn etc.
I found out today at work that unfortunately there isn't any opportunity
for me to stay there once this contract ends. But it's ok. It is a shame
because the staff are really nice and I've got so used to working there
again. But it's a business they're running and they can't keep me on
just because I get on so well with everyone. I've got two weeks left
there before the other nurse comes back. Anyway, the Lord must have
different plans for me. I'm thankful to Him for giving me this
opportunity to get myself back out there and build my confidence back
up. I'll pray about it and get looking at the job vacancies again. I'll
be glad when I'm finally settled somewhere.
Did you have a wander over to uni today to check out the numbers?
I'm glad it's Thursday tomorrow - I'm a bit tired!
Your friend in our dear Lord Jesus
Response #23:
So sorry to hear that employment at the present place is not an option.
But the Lord is working things out for good for you, for you certainly
do love Him. So there is a reason for this, even though it is not
obvious to us at the time. One thing I've learned though not yet to
the point of perfect application is that the plan of God is absolutely
perfect. It has to be. He is perfect. And so everything that happens,
whether we like it or not, whether we understand it or not, always turns
out to have been perfect. Sometimes we are given to see that very
clearly and obviously at the time, sometimes after the fact, but whether
we do "get it" or not, when all of history is revisited in the end times
judgments, this will all be made very clear. All the "why, Lord?"
questions will be answered. We may not get that in this life directly
from the Lord like Job did (and that's probably a good thing Job
certainly had some uncomfortable moments), but we will be given it. God
is faithful by definition. Nothing He does is a reflection of anything
but His perfect faithfulness. Do we see that? Sometimes. It's a mark of
growth when we see it more and more (and earlier in the process).
Learning to control our emotions when "things go wrong" is another
thing. We learn eventually that how we "feel about it" is not germane to
the plan it's going to happen anyway, and for good in every way if we
do love Him. The only thing poor emotional reaction to events can do is
harm us but even such reactions can also serve as a sort of "status
check" for where we are at the moment spiritually, both in terms of our
momentum and in terms of our moment by moment situation.
For example, I get bad news but I immediately realize that it's only
"bad" because I find it annoying or scary or unpleasant or betokening
things I'd rather avoid, and that in fact God is using this unsettling
development for good in the perfect plan it has a purpose, even if I
cannot yet see it. This is not the way we mostly react, however, and we
can be forgiven for having to wrestle with negative emotions if the
things truly are terrible from every worldly perspective. How many of us
would say on losing all of our wealth and our children too, "The LORD
gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job
1:21 NKJV)? That's "the right answer", however, as anyone of us whose
read the book of Job could easily answer on a multiple choice test. But
when things happen TO US, it's not multiple choice. It's true/false.
True: "I trust the Lord anyway, even though I don't understand", or
False: "Why is this happening to me!?" Without testing, we could never
grow to our full spiritual potential (Jas.1:2-8; 5:10-11). We don't have
to enjoy it. But we have to hold onto the right perspective of God's
love for us and His perfect plan being carried out in our behalf in
every respect to have a fair chance of passing the test.
We did get some rain! Enough so as not to have to water tomorrow (back
to the sprinkler on Friday though, I'm guessing).
Will find out about numbers tomorrow, but we are in the July doldrums.
Happy to hear you'll soon be done for the week and can get some rest
tomorrow evening!
Keeping you in my prayers every day, my friend.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #24:
Hi Bob,
Thank you again for your email. It helped to confirm some of the things
I wanted to write to you about. Here is what I was going to write to you
before I got your email and before I knew about the situation with my
job [note: our friend did in fact continue in employment].
For a long time I was feeling bad because it was as if I didn't care
enough about my family not being saved or about my friend and her
deliverance. I was thinking that I should be feeling it more. Maybe
crying more for them, more emotional about it even before the Lord and
because I wasn't it must mean I'm not caring enough about it. But it
suddenly dawned on me what it was. It's not that I don't care enough
about them and it isn't wrong that I'm not showing it by crying or
really feeling it. I realised I'm like this because I have His peace
inside me now and that peace has come because I have faith in Him - I
trust Him. I haven't given up praying for them or being a good witness
etc. but I've given up the worry because I know that He can do what is
impossible for me to do. I'm actually doing everything I can do which is
having faith in Him, trusting Him and by doing this I'm pleasing Him
because without faith it's impossible to please Him. (Hebrews 11:6)
A lack of emotion doesn't show a lack of love on my part. It shows a
strength of faith and trust in the Lord that He can and He will work it
all out for good for me because I love Him. (Romans 8:28). That I don't
have to worry because whatever His will is and whatever He does (whether
it's what I want or not) it will be perfect because He is perfect (and
you wrote the same thing to me). And I feel so much freedom in that and
so much peace.
And I realised that I'm allowing the fruit of the Spirit to work more in
my life. His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It's not that I'll ever be
perfect at this, but I realise it's showing more in my life and it's
another sign of my growth in Him.
So that is what I was going to say to you, before I got your email.
I was pleased because I could see where I had grown, but at the same
time I knew there would be more tests ahead. And getting the news about
my job is that next test. When I first heard they weren't going to keep
me on I did feel disheartened because I really like working there and
it's the thought of having to start all over again and find something
else that is suitable for me. To me it seemed a pain, a real
inconvenience and yes a bit scary but this has only lasted a very short
time and your email was a huge help to me. I was comfortable where I was
but I realise that if the Lord kept life comfortable for us we wouldn't
grow an inch.
When you reminded me of Job 1:21 it helped me to remember that it was
the Lord who without a doubt gave me this short contract at work and
what a blessing it has been! It has definitely been a gift from Him.
It's the place where His loving discipline started for me. The place I
had to leave because of my injury - a sad way to have to leave. But
because of His abundant love and grace, He has given me the chance to
say goodbye to the place in much happier and healthier circumstances
both physically and spiritually. This time I'm leaving work but I'm back
with the Lord and close to Him after being "trained by His discipline"
(Hebrews 12:11) and having been given opportunities by Him to "shine my
light" for Him (Matthew 5:16) and although I'm not 100% I'm able to walk
up and down those stairs at work where I couldn't before and it has
strengthened me up. It's a gift from Him and so now I can say - "The
Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the
Lord."
It was His will to give me that job and so I felt safe in that and it's
His will that it doesn't continue and so I feel secure in that too. If
He's in control then I know I'm safe and everything will be OK.
So I'm very happy to realise where I have grown and can see the fruit of
the Spirit working in my life more rather than negative emotions. And
I'm happy that although I can't say I enjoy it, He still hasn't made
life comfortable and has given me another test. I'm happy because I pray
and ask Him to help me to grow spiritually and that's exactly what He is
doing. He reminded me of this verse last night as I was praying.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
And he will make straight your paths.
(Proverbs 3:5-6)
I believe it! And thank you for helping me and for praying for my "next
good thing."
Your friend in Jesus
Response #24:
You're exactly right, my friend. We know that the Lord loves us and we
know that He knows that we love our loved ones and He knew that when
He gave them to us in eternity past. That counts for something. That
counts for everything. One thing we can say for certain is what you have
concluded: we have absolutely nothing to worry about on that score. I
think of one of my correspondents, a young man who's preparing for
ministry, whose father died a year or so ago (the email you remarked on
just recently); he was very concerned for his dad and his dad did come
to Christ right before the end. Of course the Lord knew this would
happen in eternity past. He also knew what circumstances and timing
would be necessary for it to happen. God is, as we say here, "all over
it" and was when He ordained His perfect plan. That doesn't mean we
can guarantee anything there is SO much we don't know; that doesn't
mean we can let down on our part in praying, in being good witnesses and
providing a truly timely word; that does mean that we do what you are
doing, namely, relax about it . . . and trust the Lord.
Basking here in some great relief here. Our dean the one who fired my
colleague of 19 years one afternoon without notice and suspended my
minor programs has just announced that she is leaving at the end of
the coming AY. So my contract next spring will be negotiated for a time
when she's not here and at a time when she has only a few months tenure.
Feeling like the Lord just pulled a big target off my back. So thanks so
much for your prayers!
And praying for just the right next thing for you.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #25:
Hi Bob,
No disrespect to your dean, Bob but . . . that's BRILLIANT news!!!
I don't know how she could even do that to your colleague, especially
after 19 years and in such a brutal way. And your minors as well. It
seems to me that some people just love the power. I'm so happy that we
belong to the One with all power and all authority and that He looks
after His own and I know for sure He's answered my prayers for you!
Thanks so much again for everything you wrote to me about our unsaved
loved ones. And I re-read your correspondent's email about his dad and
your reply and this helped me a lot too. His email stood out to me and I
love the way he writes. His love, openness, honesty, gentleness,
humility and his humour. He certainly has a gift.
I do understand that there is so much we don't know and why there can't
be any guarantees of anything. Our Lord is perfect in every way and I
love Him and can fully accept this. We all have free will. We're all
made in His image and we have the ability to choose for the Lord or not
and we have an individual responsibility to do so.
But when you said that the Lord knows that we love our loved ones and He
knew that when He gave them to us in eternity past and that this counts
for everything, this was so reassuring to me. It gives me lots of
encouragement to keep on doing the things I know the Lord wants me to do
for Him and for them - no matter how long it takes for them to finally
come to Him. I'm so grateful to you for all your prayers for them.
I think the pollen has well and truly got up my nose today - I've got
the sneezes!
Take care of yourself in all that heat.
In our dear Lord Jesus
Response #25:
You're most welcome --and thanks for your felicitations. Of course one
never knows what will happen next, but being off the griddle is an
answer to prayer indeed!
I will certainly continue to keep your family in my prayers. We
definitely don't want to have to wait to the end for them to get the
message especially with everything coming up in the divine program . .
. which might just prove to be an accelerant.
Hope the wind blows away the pollen soon! I get that worse in the
spring, but this summer has been interesting at times as well. There's a
"less hot" front moving through, so I think we'll survive here in the
Louisville (don't know about my hostas though).
Your friend in Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #26:
Professor, Hello and welcome to 2020!
I have a question about what our Church has given to those that do not
tithe; 90 day challenge.
I have my concerns about Biblical truth over mans. Am I just making too
much out of this. I believe tithing is part of many facets of our
worship/obedience/trust/ love and the list goes on for me for God.
Giving man back what is already God's
.When a person reads Malachi 3: I
am also seeing God's Character. What am I missing about this challenge
in our church that I feel it is still "robbing God" when the leadership
gives back the money the person tithed if they do not see a
transformation in their heart/ their life. Thank you
Response #26:
Good to hear from you! Wishing you and yours a wonderful year ahead as
well.
On your question, tithing is not authorized for the Church Age. It was a
method of taxation for the nation-state of Israel for the support of the
Levitical priesthood. It has no validity for us today. Churches which
employ this device should be viewed with a measure of skepticism as to
their motives, because they are not acting in a godly fashion by
demanding such things from their members. It is a "good" way of wringing
dollar bills out of the congregation that might not otherwise be
forthcoming, however, and that is the only explanation I can see for its
continuation because it is certainly not biblical.
The recently posted BB 6B: Eccelesiology: the
study of the Church, is something I would highly recommend you read
as it exposes many such devices that modern "churches" make use contrary
to actual biblical practice (see the link). Here is another link which
deal directly with the question (and one which provides many other links
you may find helpful:
Tithing
Keeping you in my prayers, my friend!
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #27:
Thank you I did get a chance yesterday over the phone to talk to the Pastor that
oversees finances. There is a church web page that explains to the ones that
take the challenge it is not about money but learning about generosity in all
areas of their life. I started to read your resources sent. As a Christian I do
tithe and I do variously areas of volunteering/generosity for God's Glory. Not
for man nor man to know. I did share with you because for me that is part of my
walk and relationship with my Lord and Savior
Thank you for response and material to study
Response #27:
You're most welcome, my friend.
I certainly don't have any problem at all with any Christian giving to
support the work of Jesus Christ. I also don't think it's a problem to
give a specific amount, whether 10% or anything else one's heart is
moved to do. But it is an error for a church to teach that this is
necessary (especially if related to a tithe), and worse to imply special
blessing for doing so.
Keeping you in my prayers,
In Jesus Christ, the Gift of all gifts,
Bob L.
Question #28:
I feel the same way and shared that w/pastor and God does not have
strings attached to tithing.
Blessings
Response #28:
Thanks!
Question #29:
Dear Professor
Happy Fathers Day (just in case yours is also on the first Sunday in
spring (fall) as well).
Early this morning I heard my young son cleaning out the ashes from the
fireplace and lighting the fire. I had forgotten all about Fathers Day,
until I received a text this morning: Happy Fathers Day. Short and
sweet. I am hoping this means I am still in his Bible study group.
When we had finished lesson and dinner we retired to sit in front of the
TV (which we use for Bible readings). I said that I have found the best
Bible teaching to be at Ichthys. After an amount of trouble to get back
online again and my verbally bungling the Ichthys spelling several times
I had his wife type in ichthys.com . We looked at your chart of the 7
Millennial Days.
Teacher: Two thousand and twenty-six years, that is a long time from
now.
Me: No, 2026. About 7 years away.
His wife: I will book mark this.
Me: Yes. (A much bigger YES inside of me - until we all come to the
knowledge of the truth!).
God is good. We always know this.
I am mostly cautious not to celebrate or count chickens before the
hatchings. It struck me last night that 7 years to go sometimes feels a
lot to endure , and this is before the actual start of the Tribulation
itself of another 7 years. I know, ye (me) of little faith! One day at a
time and faith our Lord providing and never forsaking us. (I will never
leave you without a comforter).
It is the second time I have challenged him on tithing- the first was
when I gave him the printouts from an email of yours, together with some
of your charts.
Thank you for your work in the truth. I have a hint of how laborious
(and joyful) it is for you.
I am most grateful for your Ministry in the truth.
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior be the praise and glory.
Your student and friend
Response #29:
Thanks for these updates, my friend!
I'm happy to hear that there is tentative progress being made.
Naturally, we can't see what is going on inside another person's heart.
But the Lord knows.
Yes, in this country the big "tithing debate" is whether it is "net or
gross". I can't understand how people who are in debt with a negative
net worth imagine God is wanting them to sink deeper to support some
questionable enterprise. If they were really seeking Him, they would get
a different answer on this question.
Indeed, seven years is a LONG time. I'm ready for the end too. But it's
at least 14 years out in my estimation. And the last seven . . .
But we know that the Lord is at our right hand to hold us up no matter
what we may face.
Thanks as ever for your good work and enthusiasm for the truth, my
friend.
Keeping you and your family in my prayers.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #30:
Dear Professor
Thank you for your succinct enlightening remarks on net or gross. You
cut right to the core of the truth! I now see the issue so much clearer
than ever before. I praise our dear Lord for you, a teacher with the
Spirit, of the holy scriptures.
Today there were 6 of us at the coffee church. Good to talk with __
again. He corresponds with a woman in prison for murder in the USA, and
asked would we like to correspond with other inmates over there. We will
think about it as we are both so busy. I thought it might be an avenue
to teach, though I also have some reservations besides all that. So
perhaps tomorrow nights Daniel Bible study is still happening for me. We
were in a group so I did not bring up about my text and neither did he -
though I suspect he went off to deposit the tithes when he departed.
Just now My wife is on the phone to her sister to say that to play the
you tube, as long as it is
Curtis Omo, is ok. They cant seem to get anything working for them
on Curtis website.
I pray that you and your family remain safe and that the hurricane does
not come anywhere near you.
Thank you for your encouragement, and for the encouragement your
Ministry website gives to me constantly.
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior (it is wonderful to say these words).
Your student and friend
Response #30:
You're most welcome, my friend. Coincidentally, I just got a bulk email from
"financial peace university" where I hear I can get professional help about
tithing and finances generally which should include not only earning and
spending but giving: "A tithe is an amount (a percentage of your income) and an
offering is anything given beyond that, but not in place of the tithe." That's a
relief to know. I was wondering if they might overlap. And it also seems that
it's "gross" not net. So with the help of these folks who no doubt will take a
cut for their help, I'll be able to dispose of almost all of my income and
become destitute pretty quickly.
How do these people sleep at night?
No worries about hurricanes here in Louisville (tornadoes are another story).
The main issue here smack dab in the middle of CONUS is the Ohio river but we
live in the "highlands" neighborhood, the traditional refuge from before there
was a flood wall. Of course, God is our only security. Absent His help, a meteor
could pulverize everything in the metro area pretty quick.
I'm keeping these issues in my prayers, my friend, and I thank you so much for
yours as well.
Your friend in Jesus Christ our dear Savior,
Bob L.
p.s., if you're having trouble with loading
Bible Academy, I'm sure our
friend Curt would like to know about that.
Question #31:
Dear Professor
Thank you for your reply. I cherish your previous email reply very much.
Using your taking the last first approach: I have no issue whatever in playing
any Bible Academy video or accessing anything there - it is __ and her
daughter over in Cebu who seem to be having the difficulty.
It seems from your email the wrong people are sleeping peacefully, dreaming of
their windfall blessings from above; or awake scheming their next rip off.
Perhaps they have got wind of how the mormons operate. 1) GROSS 10%, PLUS on top
of that gross payment the added blessings of you also paying 2) a GENEROUS
Fast offering (was supposed to represent the monetary value of the meals your
family went without), BUT, those who are able to should give MORE, MUCH MORE, 10
Times more or EVEN MORE! 3) Ward Budget for chapel running costs 4) Building
Fund for constructing more chapels, and temples 5) Missionary Fund to pay for
full time missionaries to recruit more golden fleeces 6) Special one off
appeals for more money. The only thing that resembles net is the mullet member
who is netted.
But of course if you are doing ALL these things, the comfort (threat) is to be
found in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints scripture:
23 Behold, now it is called today until the coming of the Son of Man, and verily it is a day of sacrifice and a day for the tithing of my people, for he that is tithed shall not be BURNED at his coming. 24 For after today cometh the burning - that is speaking after the manner of the Lord - for verily I say, tomorrow all the proud and they that do wickedly shall be as stubble; and I will BURN them up, for I am the Lord of Hosts; and I will not spare any that remain in Babylon. (Doctrine and Covenants 64:23-24). (My emphasis)
PS. No need to pay a cut to a third party. The LDS church will take the lot.
In addition if you have been found worthy to attend the mormon temple, and to
partake in the unchanging gospel, you would have sworn EVERYTHING (including
your own life if necessary) to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
A slight oops in that the unchangeable holy ordinances have been changed BY
the church themselves. It appears their god listens to his people whenever
they find some, particularly gruesome parts of his holy original beautiful
ceremony now is unpalatable in our politically correct age. My first visit had
the inclusion of the mimicking of slitting your own throat, disembowelling
oneself, dagger to the heart. Of course the devil was also in the temple
threatening everyone if they did not do EXACTLY as they had been instructed in
the temple ceremonies, they would be in HIS power. Only a movie version of him
-not like in some temples where there were live actors.
This version (of imitating mutilations) has been quietly superseded by the
authorities, apparently after a secret poll of a select group of members said
they were uncomfortable with it and their god listened to them by omitting the
offending words and gestures of the nothing but beautiful, and uplifting
ceremonies of the holy temple.
Palatability is the compromise for the unchangeable and the exact. Even their
god, now knows it! Got to keep the sheeple paying and playing the game. Sorry, I
got going a bit there. Seems you may have opened a can of worms.
On a different note I had 3 beautifully crafted glossy pamphlets in my letterbox
last week extolling the virtues of the religion of peace. There were two white
doves on a blue background (where have I seen that colour scheme - oh yes, the
LDS website). However, this was from my local Muslim community explaining the
virtues of Islam, and the prophet for all people and our day - Muhammad. (Same
camouflage - peaceful blue and white). Seems like they are all coming out now
before the real assault! (end of that stuff - for now)
Q1. CONUS?
Q2. In Daniel 7:17 who are the 4 kingdoms?
This Bible study tonight has a couple of alternatives
First Beast = Babylonia. First Beast = Babylonia
Second = Medo-Persian Second = Mede
Third = Greek. Third = Persian
Fourth = Roman. Fourth = Greek
I understand from your teachings that the fourth is the Revived Roman Empire?
Q3. A complete list of scriptures you use in your studies, including the ones
you quote from other Bible Translations might be useful? (I tried looking up
Daniel 7:17 in your work but could not find anything quickly).
Mind you that would be a huge job which I would not have time to contemplate
right now - would a team effort be worth mentioning on Steves site? Some one
there did mention something about there not being an index for Ichthys. I have
not found time to revisit there yet. There are people with far more skills in
this area that would accomplish things in a fraction of the time I take. I am
happy, grateful and privileged to continue with your current Translations as I
learn as I am doing it.
Q4. (I suppose I should address this to Curtis) On downloading his Genesis
Translation, it does not seem evident that there is a gap between 1:1 and 1:2. I
have not widely read Curtis site.
Does he endorse the Genesis gap?
You live in a beautiful land. I had always wanted to go to the USA for a
holiday. Nowadays I take from your teachings that we should be about our Lords
will rather than pursuing our own enjoyment. In any case, financially there are
other priorities with the childrens education and support of family. One thing
about being the working poor is you dont have to worry about where to go on
holidays next.
It is extremely disappointing to see our society deteriorate before ones eyes.
Praying for the strength to endure in our Lord Jesus.
Your student and friend in Jesus.
Response #31:
Great stuff as always, my friend.
"Sheeple" I LOVE it. Its amazing how the LDS has managed to project a
public image to the non-initiated so different from where the truth
lies. I think most people in this country who haven't had any contact or
done any research imagine them as some sort of Methodists.
1) CONUS = military term for the "continental US" = lower 48 minus
Alaska and Hawaii.
2) Yes,
the fourth kingdom is the beast / that of the beast (see the link).
3) You know about the subject index of course; there is a
translation
index (link); it's also possible to do a Google site-specific search by
pasting in the search term after "site:ichthys.com: " (n.b. there is a
single space that needs to occur between this code and the term you're
searching for). I must confess that in younger years and before
computers I spent WAY too much time on a card-file index of where verses
occurred in reference and quotations in Col. Thieme's tapes (and my
notes of them). This turned out to be a very unprofitable use of time as
in most cases the references were not particularly helpful to the
passage about which info was being sought; I rather suspect it'd be much
the same at Ichthys. I have been trying to make a point of noting now in
the translation index where a passage is explained. Using the two
indexes, the Google search help, and common sense about where something
is more likely to be covered, I'm usually able to find things for myself
(not always, I'll admit). [link to
one of the many indices now available through our brother's great
efforts!]
4) If he doesn't, it'd be news to me. The Colonel certainly taught it
and I've never heard Curt make any objections, but you'd better ask him.
Five seconds in the New Jerusalem will be worth a life time of touring
this present planet, I reckon. My mom always wanted to visit Australia
but never got to it; dad was there in the war (mostly Brisbane, I think)
and loved it.
Keeping you and your family in my prayers, my friend.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #32:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
During our Bible study last week, this Dear Sister made a remark about
the birth of Jesus Christ. She said: "Jesus Christ was created by God
the Father and He became a human being as a result".
I have attempted to explain to her how Jesus' birth took place by the
conception of the Holy Spirit, but again, to no avail as usual with this
Sister.
Her latest question was "So why did God use Mary to develop a fetus? Why
did he have to grow into the new creature of a human? Jesus was created
as a new creature unlike any other human. She makes other remarks that I
will try to address. Her final remark was "so Jesus is a newly created
being".
Would appreciate your comments on this subject.
Be Always blessed by God, and be filled with His grace every moment, is
my prayer for you and the ministry that God has given you.
Your friend,
Response #32:
Good to hear from you as always, my friend.
It seems to me that the place to start here is not with individual
questions and objections but with first principles: Jesus IS God.
The Word existed in the beginning: the Word was both present with the [Father] God [before creation] and the Word was God [in His own right]. This same One was present with the [Father] God in the beginning.
John 1:1-2
Jesus said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.
John 8:58 NKJV
I and the Father are one.
John 10:30
Some links:
As to the way in which our Lord came into this world, prophecy proclaims
that Jesus is the Son of David and the Seed of the woman these things
would not be true if His body had been made in the manner of Adam. Our
Lord shared humanity with us and that required that He be born just as
the rest of us are. He shared in our sorrow, our sufferings, the process
of growing up every hardship we know only to an unknowable degree . .
. and without sin. He is a human being just like us only without sin
and for that reason the virgin birth/conception was necessary (because
the sin nature is handed down through the male; link).
Jesus is God. He is also since the virgin birth a human being. He is
One Person with two natures, the divine which He always had as God, and
the human which was necessary for Him to adopt in order to come into the
world and save us for our sins. For only a human being could bear and be
judged for the sins of the world; and only a human being who was also
God could endure that judgment.
I hope this helps, my friend and I hope you are doing well!
Yours in Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #33:
My Catholic friend and I visit. Sometimes I feel she is trying to convert me, but other times it is natural. I am hoping I can just focus on the good, but sometimes it is a bit uncomfortable. I wonder if she would still be my friend if she knew there is no way I am converting to Catholicism.
Response #33:
I'll say a prayer for your friend.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #34:
Hello Bob,
I went to a Christening two days ago in a Catholic Church. Maybe I
shouldn't have gone but I would like to reach my family someday once I
have started to gain some spiritual growth. I have been absent from a
lot of family occasions in the past due to illness and realise that I
need to forge a connection with them again if I am to preach the true
Gospel to them.
The service mentioned something about an invocation which alarmed me as
this word is usually connected to witchcraft. The priest said that the
Holy Spirit will go into the baptismal water and I was shocked at this!
He also called upon Mary and the saints! Isn't this necromancy?
My cousin and his partner had to make promises in front of the
congregation to reject Satan and bring the child up in Jesus Christ. I
knew in my heart that they won't and that this was just a lip service
ritual. I did pray there that the little boy Harvey will grow up to know
Jesus and that He will minister to his own parents.
The function after was very secular and worldly, all about Winnie the
Pooh and nothing about Jesus or baptism.
My sister is drifting further and further away from the truth and I fear
her heart is hardening. She turned up with her boyfriend in a huge brand
new vehicle that almost made me cry when I saw it. She has completely
changed since being under the influence of her boyfriend.
What is the most devastating to me is that she takes our Lord's name in
vain all the time now. Not to swear in anger but as a casual exclamation
about an everyday thing.
It is so disgusting that I feel paralysed when she says it. I love my
sister very much. She is become a hardened person. Her boyfriend enjoys
mocking people to make himself look better and he has a sadistic streak.
I have tried to get along with him and show him the love of God. It's
hard though as he is having such a detrimental effect on my sister, that
I often feel resentful.
My sister says things at times and I worry that she is under spiritual
attack but since she doesn't recognise it as such, she wouldn't really
fight it. She says that a disgruntled church member should become pagan.
She talked about yoga a lot and I'm trying to point out the spiritual
dangers of such a practise! Have you had any personal experiences of
spiritual attack?
This is all creating a rift between us. She isn't looking for the narrow
path and I am not willing to go back to the broad road as I know it
leads to destruction.
It is all painfully clear to me that the truth is divisive. I realise
now that not everyone will love Jesus, even though He died for us all.
It shocks me to see all this first hand. I can almost sense that people
know He is the truth and yet reject Him because they want to be their
own gods and not humble themselves to the Most High. I fear that they
realise that they would need to change and that they are too in love
with the world to do this.
My mum who is still Catholic, gets angry whenever people talk about
being born again and she said that she hates the term "born again"
believer! Why would she hate this? I pointed out that it was Jesus
Himself who said you must be born again. I hope that that made her think
on these things.
It is hard to know the truth while our families are perishing. I realise
now that my family can have expensive cars, houses and holidays, have
high social status and impressive careers and yet they are dirt poor if
they do not have Jesus Christ.
I have none of these worldly things. In worldly terms I am very poor and
unfortunate indeed but I have Jesus Christ and so I know that I have an
abundance and I have great wealth that shall never perish.
In Our Lord,
Response #34:
The RC church is filled with awful things, biblically speaking. For
those not familiar with it, from the outside many of these things are
not at all obvious (Mormonism is the same way, and the Masons and most
cults). But get close and turn over any rock and . . . horrors! What you
find!
I'm not surprised at an RC being upset about something in the Bible.
They don't believe the Bible. They have it, but they've been trained not
to pay any attention to it. If ever it says something they don't like or
something that contradicts their religion, they put that aside because
the pope, the canon law, the fathers, the priests know better and have
the "real answers". In other words, you and I are shocked because of
course the Bible is the Word of God, the sole source of truth in this
life. But for the RC's, it's just a stage prop, just an heirloom.
I'm sorry about your sister. I'll say a prayer for her. People make
their own decisions, and when it comes to family, well, let's just say I
don't know of any believers who truly love the Lord as you and I do who
don't have family members whose spiritual status causes them tears and
trouble. It goes with the territory of following the Lamb wherever He
leads (Rev.14:4). What we can do: 1) pray, 2) set a good example, give a
good witness, and 3) trust the Lord that He cares for us and knows these
individuals are important to us.
Re: "I have none of these worldly things. In worldly terms I am very
poor and unfortunate indeed but I have Jesus Christ and so I know that I
have an abundance and I have great wealth that shall never perish."
Amen and Amen!!! That is what we believers who follow Him are doing here
and why we are here.
In Jesus Christ who is our everything.
Bob L.
Question #35:
Hello Bob,
I put together a long letter to my dad, discussing the philosophical
"proof" of God.
[details omitted]
Response #35:
"Free will" is a scary concept, I suppose but it is why we are here on
earth, namely, to make choices. Blessedly, however, our free will as
believers (and for those who will eventually turn to the Lord) consists
entirely of trusting Him. So we actually have nothing whatsoever to
worry about or to be scared about. Jesus has already died for all of our
sins. As those who have put our faith in Him for life eternal,
everything going forward is all about testing our response to Him,
demonstrating that we love Him more than anything in this temporary
world.
You have made it clear that you love Jesus Christ, and not with a
lukewarm love either. You are clearly "red hot" for the Lord, and that
is wonderful to see. It is important not to let emotional upheavals or
over-thinking things get us depressed or side-tracked. Things are really
very simple. Keep praying, keep reading the Bible, keep growing through
good Bible teaching, believing it, and putting it into practice. And
when the time comes, keep ministering according to the ministries He
gives us. You are already making a good start there, considering and
weighing what the Spirit is telling you and where He is leading you.
Ministering the truth to your family is not at all a bad place to start.
There is as I always say when it comes to practical application of the
truth in this world a sweet spot between extremes. On the one hand,
spending every waking moment on the job hunt is not a good thing; on the
other hand, never applying for a job and expecting one to fall from the
sky is not good either. On the one hand, being overly detailed to the
point of splitting the atom in an attempt to reach someone for Christ
might be too much; on the other hand, doing no preparation at all and
expecting the Lord to honor that lack of effort is also not a good
approach. When it comes to application, new believers and believers
who are not "new" in terms of when they were saved but who are just
getting around to pursuing the truth and the true purpose the Lord has
for them in this life often react like a teenager who has just gotten
behind the wheel of a car for the first time. When one starts driving,
it's not uncommon to over-correct and veer somewhat violently from one
side of the road to the other. But once a person is an experienced
driver, small, intuitive, almost unnoticeable adjustments keep the car
right in the center of the lane. As we learn more about the truth, and
as we become more and more seasoned in our application of it, we get
better at hearing the Spirit and making these adjustments.
So in my opinion you are doing a fine job. My advice would be to relax,
listen to the Spirit, and continue on your good approach. Your strategy
is perfect. Your tactics will adjust as you grow and gain more
experience in fighting this fight. In other words, on this particular
question, I don't think there's anything wrong with what you are doing;
if the Spirit is guiding you to veer more towards presenting biblical
truths on their own authority and to rely less on reason in your
approach, then be joyous about His guidance.
This is a question of tactics. We all have our own ministries given by
the Lord; we all have our own unique combination of gifts, our own
personalities, our own strengths and weaknesses, our own life
experiences. The Spirit uses them all and uses us all to bring about
the result ordained. Also, if we are talking about evangelism and
apologetics, every person out there is different, and there are
different categories of people too, of course, and different known
situations or groups upon which we might be called to focus.
When it comes to people we know and more to the point, people who know
us that is in some regards the toughest nut to crack. That is because
on the one hand we are more heavily emotionally invested in reaching
them than in the case of perfect strangers; and on the other hand,
people who know us wrongly assume that we are "known quantities" and
thus that they have nothing to learn from us. This is true and will
continue to be true no matter how many languages we learn, or how many
degrees we amass, or how much demonstrated quality of output we produce
over no matter how many year I speak from experience here.
So tactically and practically speaking, as long as we are approaching
things through the truth and with pure motives, if we present the
gospel, the Spirit will make sure that the gospel gets through. He is
the Evangelist in Chief, and it is always the Spirit who convicts the
person in his/her heart. But even with God Himself making the truth
crystal clear (overcoming with ease any deficiency on our part),
everyone who hears will still make their own decision. That is the main
point to keep in mind. Even if you could put together the perfect proof
that God is who He says He is and that salvation is through Jesus
Christ, this perfection of logic would not sway the most logical
unbeliever in the world if he/she is not interested in his/her heart
of hearts. It's not about what we do. It's about what God does and in
the case of salvation, it's also about what the unbeliever decides. No
one can resist God . . . unless He allows it. And He does allow it in
the case of accepting or rejecting eternal life.
Practically, then, what does that mean? It means that we do the best job
we can do (within reason and avoiding going to extremes), and let the
Spirit do the rest. We understand that we are indeed to work hard and do
a good job (in all things, actually), but we also understand that
success is the result of what God does and not what we do (in all
things, actually). We honor Him by being diligent; we also honor Him by
acknowledging and remembering that results come not from our diligence
but from Him, graciously making use of us.
So to return briefly to your piece, I have no problem with it and indeed
I think you make some really excellent points. In practical terms,
however, not everyone is going to be swayed by this particular approach,
or not at least by the volume of it. I have found that one point
well-made and clearly presented is often more effective than the
bombardment approach. We can't expect people who are only marginally
interested or perhaps only humoring us to have the patience to wade
through a great deal of material. Making one point at a time, however,
might be more effective. Of course, as I say, the Spirit honors our
efforts on the one hand, and He is the One who actually moves the person
witnessed to on the other and only if and when the person is willing
to be moved.
We can discuss the ins and outs of individual points. However, in my
opinion there is no way to "prove" either the existence of God or the
need for salvation to anyone. And to some degree it's unnecessary too
because according to scripture everyone already knows these things very
well (e.g., Ps.19:1-6; Acts 17:22-32; Rom.1:18-32). If they say they do
not, this is part of the armor they have donned to avoid having to deal
with the problems of sin, death and judgment. Whether they realize what
they are doing deep down inside, or have managed to harden themselves to
the point of no longer remembering what they once did know and
understand, doesn't make any practical difference to those of us trying
to reach them. Instead of us assuming that they are in control (they are
not, except of their own stubborn will), or imagining that we can reach
them with proper arguments (it's not about that), we need to realize
that in truth this is between them and the Holy Spirit. When we witness
to them, we are placing the issue of life or death before them . . .
again (everyone faces these essential questions in their hearts usually
very early on), and giving them another opportunity to re-think their
previous bad decisions to resist the truth. When and how to do that is a
tactical question. As I say, people we know and more to the point who
know us are special cases. It's hard for us to be objective. A soft
touch is often the best way to go, a "word fitly spoken" (Prov.25:11)
being often more effective than an all out offensive. But that is a
personal thing and has to do with the relationship between the two
parties involved. You know yourself and your dad. Those on the outside
like myself can only speak in generalities about these matters.
Second guessing oneself is not always a bad thing, especially if the
Spirit is guiding you to reconsider. But for those of us like yourself
who are marching forward in the truth and with the truth, there's no
reason to get down about this wonderful journey we are on. We have a
fabulous opportunity to learn more about Jesus Christ every day, to walk
closer with Him at every step, and to earn glorious eternal rewards that
will please Him and us forever. What could be better? We have a right
even a duty to feel good about that, even when we are under pressure
and don't have all the answers to everything just yet. In time, all
things are made clear if we persevere up the strait and narrow road to
Zion.
You are running an excellent race, my friend! Be pleased to keep up the
pace. Therein lies great reward.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #36:
Ive been reading some of your post and Q/As. My question is that if the
RCC Is so bad why are there more Catholics than there are of all of the
Protestant denominations put together? And have been for a long time?
And the Surely the Holy Spirit would have intervened with most of the
people and shown them the truth? And you constantly have Protestants
joining the Catholic Church. Protestants that have been saved by the
Baptism if the Holy Spirit. Im not very educated on the subject but I
do feel the need to educate myself since Im feeling a pull toward
Jesus.
Thanks
Response #36:
Good to make your acquaintance, and thanks for your interest in Ichthys.
If it were a question of numbers being important, then in the history of
Israel the idolatrous majority of the country who kept going after the
Baals and the gods of the nations surrounding would be right rather than
the minority who followed the Lord. If it were a question of numbers
being decisive, then the vast majority of earth's population who follow
false religions would be right.
There is a big difference between the Church of Jesus Christ and what I
call the "church-visible". The former is composed of genuine born-again
born-from-above believers in Jesus Christ; the latter is mostly composed
on unbelievers, even though the people concerned belong to all manner of
putatively "Christian" churches and denominations. Just because a group
or a church calls itself "Christian" does not mean that it actually has
anything to do with Jesus Christ or that those within it are saved.
So when you mention the phenomenon of Protestants going Roman Catholic,
my observation would be that they were not saved in their Protestant
churches. Indeed, I would venture to say that the majority of those who
attend or are members of Protestant churches are not saved possibly a
sizeable majority. After all, this is the final Church era, that of
Laodicea where lukewarmness is the rule. One can look at practically any
Protestant denomination and see that lukewarmness (variously manifest).
Churches today are interested in political action, entertainment, music,
social welfare, numbers, money, etc. but not in the truth of the Word
of God. That is the one thing they mostly have in common (with
mournfully few exceptions).
You say that you are feeling the Lord drawing you to Himself (Jn.6:44).
Hallelujah! If you are not a believer in Jesus Christ (though from your
email it sounds as if you may indeed be), then please see this link:
"Salvation: God's Free Gift"). If you are a
believer who is being led to become serious about the truth of the Word
of God, I say again, hallelujah! This ministry is meant for precisely
that purpose, namely, to provide the spiritual food necessary to grow in
grace and in the Lord, spiritual nutrition that is sadly lacking in most
churches and Christian groups today.
You are most welcome at Ichthys.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob Luginbill
Question #37:
I suppose I am emailing you out of frustration, but it just frustrates me when
people who know what they are talking about are often misunderstood and
misjudged. I don't speak this in any proud way, but I try to be factual in
everything.
I was having a discussion with a relation of mine and I was telling her that if
believers were to take in good solid teaching throughout the week rather than
just on Sunday that would help their spiritual growth tremendously. A one day
Sunday is not enough. But she always has to sorta twist what I said into
something it was never meant to be. I told her that I was telling a friend of
mine, who has been struggling a lot lately, about
Mr. Omo's lessons [link] to see
if she would be interested. I cited the fact that you wouldn't just feed a sheep
1 day a week and then starve it for 6 days straight, but that you would feed it
throughout the week. Back to my discussion with my family member, I even
specified that we don't necessarily have to be taught every day, a few days a
week is fine (although everyday is even better) and even if you stuck with just
Sunday as your "being fed day" there is nothing wrong with that. I was so
careful to specify all that to her. Its not like such person has committed some
sin.
I'm not being legalistic in any way, again, I was clear in stating that there is
nothing wrong with just being taught on one day a week only, but I also had to
be factual with her and so I told her that Sunday alone is not enough,
especially considering that what passes as teaching today is nothing more than
"sermonizing" for the most part. We should be getting fed throughout the week,
and those who expose themselves to more expose themselves to more spiritual
potential and growth. Nothing untruthful about that whatsoever.
I just made valid points. She says that what works for one person may not work
for another, which is true for many things, for example, your ministry may not
be everyone's cup of tea, and so on and so on, but we do need the word taught
consistently to us in order to thrive. I'm sorry, but I think this type of
attitude is prideful, and people who have this mentality are trying to gun
spiritual growth out on their own and failing to utilize the resources the Lord
has provided us. Yes, the Holy Spirit teaches of course, but He also uses
qualified men to do that as well.
And so I told her that such an approach makes you more vulnerable and opens us
up to self harm because we start to become our own teachers and everything is up
for interpretation. This probably explains why so many are lukewarm today
because not only do they not receive good solid teaching, they also don't
receive enough of it, leaving dangerous paths for the believer to follow. Of
course the believe has to decide for him/herself who and how often they are
going to listen to, but if a believer is really seeking the Lord's truth, not to
mention a good ministry were the word is being taught well consistently, then
the Lord will give them just that if they so care to have it as you have often
stated many times.
In the end all I was trying to say was that, as you told me, "consistency is
key". The man who runs 1 mile a day or a few days a week will get farther than
the man who runs 1 mile on one day only. But she has this mind set that "knowing
Jesus" is like magic pixie dust. Prayer is great, but it alone is not the
primary means of spiritual growth, we grow through the word! I would actually
say that just prayer by itself with no reading or learning any of the Word let
alone meditating on it would grow anyone spiritually at all. Such a person wont
get anywhere! So I tell her that I prefer to stick with reading my Bible and
receiving good teaching everyday then making it habit of skipping such
activities a few days a week and then justifying it all with statements like,
"but there is nothing wrong with that and the Lord doesn't condemn us," which is
true, but we shouldn't make a habit of it. Every time I say "we should do our
best to get in the word everyday without fail", she gets easily rubbed the wrong
way, assuming I'm picking on those who don't, but I tell her I'm not and she
says yes I know, but then I ask her why she brings up those points all the time
if she says she agrees with me and understands what I say?
I told her that I want to know more of the Lord's truth and want to be in the
word everyday, not putting any pressure on her whatsoever, just sharing my
passions, and then she'll say something like " yes, that's good for you but some
days I just wanna "be with Jesus". I just wanna know Him!"As if being in the
word in the power of the Spirit isn't being "with Him" , I told her that there
are multiple ways to be "with" the Lord, prayer, song worship, Bible reading
etc. She said of course, but the way she words her statements makes it sound
otherwise. Yes, we can "know" the Lord through just being with Him in prayer,
but it is limited compared to getting into His word which is the primary way of
doing so.
I just get this impression that she deems me as more "academic", and less
spiritual which isn't true. Just because some people love the truth more than
you do taking more time to study and look into these things does not make them
mere "academics". Even if she doesn't believe that, that's the vibe she gives.
That's one of the biggest issues I had with her and her group she went to. There
was too much emphasis on music, worship, socializing, deep discussions, etc etc.
But when there was a so called deep Bible study", it was usually nothing more
than just everybody throwing in their opinion of what they thought such and such
a verse meant. They all disagreed one TONS of things, but it didn't matter, "we
all just need to be unified and love one another". Never mind loving the Lord
more putting His truth before people. Mr. Luginbill, if they were to look at you
and me they would say we aren't unified like we should be and that the way we
are doing things isn't how church is supposed to be. But they just don't
understand. This just reminds me Thyatira, the era of compromise, or instead
maybe Pergamum, the era of accommodation. Truth gets kicked out the back door,
and the big problem with the whole "everything's up for interpretation, 52
pickup attitude" is that it rubs off onto either believers and takes away their
zeal for truth that they might have otherwise had, they would not have been
plagued with the idea that unity and fellowship come before truth. But what
escapes their attention is that one's love for God is inseparable from their
love for His truth.
I know this all sounds like a preachy rant, and I didn't intend for this email
to come off that way, but after having a tense discussion with someone more
gifted in speech and quick thinking than I, its good to be able to share it all
with someone who understands. I'm trying to stay humble through all this, and if
I'm off in some way please show me where! Its not about whose right or wrong,
its about the the truth in this case, and pleasing the Lord through it of
course.
In His Grace and Power
Response #37:
I am happy to validate everything you've said here, my friend. You are in the right, and absolutely so. The only nit I would have to pick is in the assumption that people who are determined to be lukewarm can be brought around to the truth by force of reasoning.
And the LORD said to Samuel, "Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them."
1st Samuel 8:7 NKJV
Samuel was right to be angry with the people of Israel and to
remonstrate with them about their desire for a king "like all the other
nations". But it wasn't really him who had the greater grounds for anger but the
Lord. And he wasn't going to be able to persuade Israel to trust the
Lord if Israel had already decided not to.
In my experience, people decide to do what they WANT to do then they
come up with reasons why what they have decided is good and right. It's
commonly called "rationalization".
When Christians have a strong affinity for the do-nothing, learn-nothing
lukewarm Laodicean approach, it's uncommon for them to be persuaded out
of what they like through a straightforward appeal to the truth. If they
found the truth persuasive and to their liking, they would be seeking it
out in the first place (however long and bumpy the journey). That
doesn't mean that there is no hope for such people. But it usually does
mean that it will take the Lord to get their attention (that was
certainly true in my own case).
After all, spiritual growth is not easy. It's not really like the
analogy your used of a man running one mile a week versus the man
running one mile three days a week. It's more like the man who says he
likes to run getting together for donuts with others who make the same
claim one day a week (but never running) versus the man who is running
four, five, six or more miles at a good and increasing clip almost every
day. In other words, there really is NO comparison between those going
to Laodicean church and those who are committed to spiritual growth.
Also, spiritual growth is not magic. We who have been on this journey
for a while understand full well that we are so much better off in every
way, and that the way we see and relate to the world is completely
different from what was the case before we started to grow. And we also
know for a fact and are not merely making the claim that we are
walking closer to the Lord. But you can't prove that to someone who is
looking for proof before engaging. In fact, they really do not want
proof what they want is an affirmation that what they like to do is
just fine, while what they don't want to do because it is too hard is
not necessary or "provably" better . . . to their lights anyway.
Anyone looking at us objectively and without prejudice will certainly be
able to see the changes in us that have come from growth. But what if
those we most want to make that observation are resistant to the idea of
doing likewise? They will find ways to pull the veil over their hearts
ever tighter at least until the Lord intervenes.
So take heart, my friend. You have chosen "the best part" and that "will
not be taken from you" (Lk.10:42). At the judgment seat of Christ, when
the crowns of victory are awarded, we who have fought the good fight
resolutely in spite of the nay-saying of those around us who couldn't be
bothered, will not regret on single hour of study or of effective prayer
or of genuine ministry to others. Those who have completely wasted their
time here on earth, however, will have plenty to regret.
(10) According to the grace of God given to me like a wise architect I have laid down a foundation, and another is building upon it. But let each one take care how he builds upon it. (11) For no one can lay another foundation except the One that has been laid down: Jesus Christ. (12) And if someone builds upon his foundation with gold, silver, and precious stones, [or] with wood, hay, and stubble, (13) [in either case] his work will be made manifest [as to its true quality], for the Day [of judgment] will make it clear [for what it truly is], because it will be revealed (lit., uncovered) with fire. And the fire will evaluate (lit., "assay") the work of each person as to what its [true] quality is. (14) If anyone's work which he has built [on his foundation of faith in Christ] remains (i.e., is not burnt away by the fiery evaluation), he will receive a reward [for it]. (15) If anyone's work is burnt up, he will suffer the loss [of any potential reward for it], but he himself will be saved but in this way [just described] as through fire [which evaluated his false works as worthless and burnt them up].
1st Corinthians 3:10-15
(10) For we must all stand before Christ's tribunal, so that each of us may receive recompense for what he has accomplished through this body, whether it be good or worthless. (11) Therefore since we know the fear of the Lord, while we attempt to persuade men, God sees us entirely for what we [truly] are and I trust that what we [truly] are is equally clear to your consciences.
2nd Corinthians 5:10-11
Your fellow soldier in the army of Jesus Christ our Lord,
Bob L.
Question #38:
Exactly! You confirmed and validated my thoughts. I just always want to
make sure my words and motives are what they should be in a discussion,
sorta like, "did I say the right things-were my motives correct and
Godly, did I misunderstand and misjudge what the person said etc.
You are right about not trying to bring lukewarm people around by force
of reasoning. I keep telling myself that I'm just gonna have to keep
quite about my beliefs when I'm around her or her friends, not because I
don't want my light to shine forth to other believers, but because it
has already been proven to me that it is useless to do so. She always
has this objective mind set when in deep spiritual discussions with
others and is more likely to try to come up with an answer than think
about what was actually said. They are all going to disagree no matter
what. Either that or they will say it doesn't matter (truth
smorgasboardism) all just an attempt to sweep my attitude/beliefs about
the importance of putting Biblical truth first under the carpet, again
citing that if that causes a divide in fellowship between other
believers than that is just silly. Not true! Truth, God, before people!
So unless she, my relation, asks me about my beliefs, I'm not going to
discuss anymore of this with her. She has changed before in the past,
and I pray she will continue to change, but as for right now she shows
no signs of budging in regards to approach to the Biblical truths I have
mentioned to her.
Now to be fair to her she did apologize for being passive aggressive
after the discussion was over, and there were some misunderstandings on
both sides of the discussion. She still disagrees with me, but she does
understand now that I am in no way putting standards on others nor
judging them. Its just that she is very strong willed when it comes to
beliefs, which can be good and bad, a double-edged sword if you will. We
listen to the Holy Spirit, not ourselves, and by failing to avail
ourselves to qualified men to feed us the word we put ourselves in
danger. She likes to listen to sermons on Sunday but it just seems to me
that she doesn't like being taught. She likes being taught by people who
teach things that appeal to what she wants to believe. But usually just
on Sundays. She would rather learn and know more of the word on her own
by herself, she basically even said it herself! And that's when she said
that was enough for her and she didn't need anything else from anyone
else other than on Sundays. She said that her approach works for her,
but that still doesn't invalidate the fact that we need more solid
teaching throughout the week.
[omitted]
I'm not trying to make it about myself, but in the end they just don't
understand me, nor do they understand that their own attitudes are part
of the problem, a problem they don't even probably know exists among the
church, if they did they wouldn't be part of it most likely.
One last thing, and its totally random from what we discussed above, but
how much do you think we will be working during the tribulation's first
half? Is it the case that once it begins we all quit our jobs and go
into hiding, or we keep working until persecution and or the mark of the
beast forces us out of the work force since money will be useless to all
believers once the mark is being given out?
In the Grace of our Lord
Response #38:
This is an excellent perspective to hold onto. No matter how articulate
a person is in fact, no matter how many degrees or whatever, it's
impossible to persuade people of the truth if they don't want to accept
it.
Don't take it personally. They rejected Peter, John and Paul. They
didn't even accept the Lord Jesus Christ, not even in the face of the
most amazing miracles. Why would they believe us?
He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.
Luke 10:16 NKJV
"Remember what I told you: A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also."
John 15:20 NIV
A person has to be truly desirous of the truth in the heart to seek it
in the first place and accept it in the second. If they just happen to
be blessed to "bump into it", it's unlikely it will make any particular
impression, just because it's the truth.
Our job is to stay true to the truth and minister it to those who ARE
willing to accept it. Doing that is feeding the sheep just as our Lord
commissioned us to do.
On the Tribulation, it's a fact that while we know a great deal about
the outlines of it from prophecy, the palpable texture of it is
unknowable ahead of time (except that we know it will be extremely
unpleasant) and no doubt varies from place to place and personal
situation to personal situation.
We are going to find out soon enough. Until then, our Lord's words tell
us to make the most of the opportunities we have now.
"As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work."
John 9:4 NIV
In Jesus our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #39:
Hello Dr. Luginbill,
I have a dear friend that is Born-Again and attends a Lutheran church. I
attended a Bible Study with him yesterday with his friends that are
Lutheran. One of the attendants made the following remark: "I really
enjoy the prayer of "absolution" which the Pastor prayed yesterday".
This statement got my attention immediately. I did not make a comment in
reply but later when this friend and I were alone together, I asked him
about what this meant. He stated that it was a "tradition" to say this
prayer after the congregation had openly confessed their sins. I don't
know if he means audibly or privately to one another. His response was,
what was done here is perfectly "Biblical" as it says in the Bible,
confess your sins to one another". I replied that a man does not have
the authority to "forgive" sins and then quoted Luke 5:24. I did not
address the later comment about confessing your sins to one another. I
looked at the Greek word for forgive and the Strong's says in the
meaning:
"to Remit". Forgive and absolve have the same meaning in English.
How can I best provide a response to his statements? He was formally
Roman Catholic and Lutheran before he was born-again, and attends the
Lutheran church again since he was born-again to please his spouse.
Thanks so much for your thoughts and advice as always.
Blessings to you always,
Your friend,
Response #39:
Good spiritual "radar", my friend!
I'm not any kind of expert on Lutheranism, but what I know of it
suggests to me that Luther moved "to point A" beyond RC doctrine, but
after his death nobody gave much thought to moving to "point B". So
there is a lot of residual RC nonsense therein.
No one can absolve someone else of their sins. Only Jesus Christ can do
that (e.g., Matt.9:2-7).
The
passage you cite in James is talking is talking about the extreme
situation of someone under the sin unto death (or at least deadly ill
because of sinfulness) asking for help and intervention from the church
as a whole it's not a carte blanche for anyone to demand confession or
to offer confession, much less absolution (see the link).
RC's reinvented the priesthood of Israel with lots of new inventions
added to it; confession of sin to a priest and the priest being able to
forgive is one of the most abominable. This reduces the cross and the
blood of Christ to nothing in the thinking and practice of those who
commit such outrages.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.
Question #40:
"There are too many "ball-park" interpreters and expositors today. The theological atmosphere of evangelicalism is saturated with a dense fog of uncertainty and misplaced emphases in handling the Word of God. Many churches are on the rocks because of careless hermeneutics, ignorance of biblical languages, and unsystematic theology. Rough estimates as to what this or that passage means will not do. We need qualified expositors who will take the time and make the necessary sacrifices to do their homework well and bring clarity to the minds of God's people as they read and study God's holy Word."
Excerpt from a book called "Sufficiency in Christ" that brings you to my
remembrance.
Thanks for all you do for the kingdom of God and its true inhabitants.
In Christ Jesus our Lord
Response #40:
Thanks for the good words!
Keeping you in my prayers (and thanks so much for your).
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #41:
Dear Professor
Big Event: The shearer whom I met at Bible Study group mentioned he was going to
a Big Event at the Perth Showgrounds in November. Who is the showman? Todd
White. I went home and Googled him and watched his YouTube videos (yuk), pretty
obvious that the loot is of prime importance to him. Healing? Really? Mentored
by Kenneth Copeland to boot! Great piece of photo journalism by the young woman
from Inside Edition, catching an off the cuff interview with Kenneth Copeland as
he was about to get into his black limo.
This all helped the young shearer see that Todd White could out shear him - just
with sheer nonsense alone. I had caught onto the shearers remark that Todd
hardly ever uses scripture - hence the 2nd Peter 1:16-21 scripture from your
Email Q & A was found and presented to him.
Our friend seemed convinced by these revelations. I probably went a bit far by
adding that many organizations also like to use scripture wrongly to ensure a
cash cow. For example, those that teach that Tithing is a requirement for
Christians today. I mentioned the Mormon church and the false apostles and
prophets, together with their false scripture. By implication of the tithing
requirement, this would also include __'s church! He said that he would save a
lot of money. I dont know whether he meant only saving from missing 4 days work
to attend the big event and being fleeced while there amongst the hype; or
also that he is considering his contributions to a church that preaches false
doctrine. If they are WRONG about this what else are they also wrong about?
The truth makes things quite uncomfortable at times, as you know. (My
association with them, yet my disagreements with their understanding of
scripture).
I am grateful to have you as my teacher.
In Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior.
Your student
Response #41:
Great stuff!
I'm grateful to have you as a brother in Christ especially one who
loves the truth the way you do, my friend.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #42:
Dear Robert:
Is it true that Mary is terrifying to demons as I have often come
across. At least in the stories and testimonies. Often the argument for
this fact is that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Satan
cannot cast out Satan. Therefore Mary is what the Catholics say she is.
What do you think?
Response #42:
Mary was a great believer, but had then and has now no "special powers".
As to exorcism in general, this was a power only our Lord and the
apostles had. No one has it today. We can pray in the case of those
possessed, but it is beyond dangerous to assume we have some power over
demons that we can deploy personally and at will. There is a whole lot
of false information out there in the ether on that subject today.
Here's a link that will lead to others:
"Dreams, Visions, Miracles, Exorcism, Tongues, and False Prophets"
(the exorcism per se part is about half way in).
Yours in our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Bob L.
Question #43:
Real fast, do you think it is inadvisable to be friends with Catholics?
There is a work acquaintance I have who is Catholic, and I like spending
time with her some of the time, but I don't know if it is determined to
end badly because I am not a fan of the pope.
Keep in mind, I myself am not married or have family. So it is different
from answering someone who has people in their life I think.
Response #43:
I read this in scripture:
If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience.
1st Corinthians 10:27 NIV
So scripture anticipates that we many have friends and acquaintances who
are unbelievers even, not just lukewarm Christians (I'm agnostic about
the possibility of salvation for Roman Catholics, but being one is not a
sign of desiring the truth, clearly).
There's no harm there, but of course the truth will be divisive, so it
really is next to impossible to have a close friendship with an
unbeliever or lukewarm believer where a red hot believer feels free to
speak his/her mind about spiritual matters (cf. 1Cor.5:10).
It's never a good idea for anyone to isolate themselves from everybody
else, regardless of the reason; it's also questionable for a believer
who really loves the truth to embrace the world whole-heartedly. As with
so many of these applications questions, the middle of the road is a
safe place to be.
In Jesus,
Bob L.
Question #44:
Thanks man.
One more thing: Is it true Jesus Christ founded Catholicism? Any info or
on the origins and how/when they started developing false doctrines n
such?
Response #44:
The RC church came about and developed during the middle ages (there was
no such thing until centuries after the passing of the apostles, even
though there were Christians in Rome). Saying that Jesus founded the RC
church is as crazy as saying He founded Mormonism. Just because they use
our Lord's Name doesn't prove anything.
In Jesus our dear Savior,
Bob L.
Question #45:
Hello Dr. Luginbill, I pray all is well with you and your ministry.
You once wrote about unbelievers not wanting a God and in the end that
is exactly what they will get [Hell] a life without God.
Could you expand more on how you came to this biblical conclusion and
why it is that unbelievers do not want to believe in their maker? Why
has most of mankind used this free will gift to reject the God that made
them? Why are the select, so few? What possible hope at anything could
the unbeliever have outside of a life with God?
Thanks as always
Response #45:
Hello Friend,
Good to hear from you.
As to your question, let's start with the fact that God is perfect.
Therefore His plan has to be perfect as well. And that means that
everything that happens is the perfect thing that had to happen. For if
there were a better way for things to happen, then the plan we are
seeing play out would not be perfect, being "not as good" as that other
possibility. So in fact there are no other possibilities for the working
out of the perfect plan of God, and so God has ordained this plan, this
one perfect plan, from eternity past. Therefore your salvation and mine
cannot be detached from the fact of this one perfect plan. So if some
are not saved, it is certainly not because God was not willing for them
to be saved since He wants all to be saved (e.g., 1Tim.2:4). It grieves
God, being perfect, much more than it grieves you and I that unbelievers
are not saved. But if the plan were not working out perfectly, this one
perfect plan besides which there could be no other, then neither would
you nor I would be saved.
Secondly, God is completely just and righteous. He cannot possibly be
unjust, else He would not be God (more on all this at BB 1: Theology).
Being perfectly just, nothing God does towards unbelievers is unjust,
not how they are treated in this life and not how they are judged for
refusing to come to Jesus Christ. Has God made every just provision so
that unbelievers can be saved? Indeed He has, for Jesus died for every
single sin of every single human being, including those who refuse to
accept Him (see the link:
Unlimited Atonement). God gave every unbeliever life. God gave every
unbeliever free will. And God gave every unbeliever the ability to avoid
the lake of fire simply by accepting the gracious gift of Jesus Christ.
Yet very many do not. That is not God's fault. Is there really anything
else He could have done besides subjecting His one and only dear Son to
the entire punishment for sin that these unbelievers (and you and I)
deserved? That is infinitesimally more than any of us deserve. But God
did it anyway. Out of love which is who He is. And out of justice
otherwise none could be saved, including you and I.
No, there is no hope for unbelievers or for us either outside of
God. Does it seem insane not to accept the free gift of eternal life
when the alternative is eternal condemnation? Of course. But that is
what most people choose. Why? It has to do with arrogance. Unbelievers
do not want to subordinate their free will to God. Does that sound
familiar? It should. That is exactly the problem with the devil and his
angels. If anyone should have realized that God could not be beaten, and
that rejecting Him and eternity with Him was the worst possible choice
imaginable it was Satan because Satan was in the presence of the Lord
for untold eons, not only enjoying His presence and all the blessings
thereof, but also observing His omnipotence and His perfect character.
But arrogance corrupted the devil's thinking and he was able to convince
himself that he could find a way to win over God and be his own god.
So it's not a matter of information. No one has ever had more
information than Satan. It is a matter of free will. Likewise
unbelievers are able to harden their hearts against the truth of their
mortality, their sinfulness, and the existence and perfect righteousness
of God which is sure to demand judgment from them (Rom.1:18-32). The
truth is in the hearts of all (Eccl.3:11), and shouts forth from all
creation (Ps.19:1-6; cf. Rom.1:19-20). Only when arrogance decides not
to turn away the truth does the heart harden. Then unbelievers concoct
for themselves all manner of excuses to justify their insane choice,
some proclaiming that God does not exist, or that He doesn't actually
care, or that He is unjust in not providing all with the gospel so that
they cannot be condemned or any manner of drivel to get them through
so that they may pretend that this life goes on forever. They know it's
not true; but they put that truth effectively to death in their hearts
and live as if it were, and embrace lies instead.
Godliness is in great measure the transformation of our hearts through
the truth (Rom.12:2) so as to see things as God sees them, that is, as
they really are, and not as the world sees them, that is, as they only
appear to be. And the closer we draw to the Lord, the more incredible
the decision not to believe becomes to us who blessedly do.
Yours in Jesus Christ our dear Lord and Savior,
Bob L.