Does oil really trump water?

Are you smarter than a 5th grader?  If you are you won't deny that in every case oil will float on water. Oil floats on top of the water because oil molecules are lighter than water molecules. You can mix oil and water together but oil will always float to the top. Oil always trumps water. 

In John Bunyan's classic allegory: Pilgrims Progress, he pictures the beauty of this science.  While Christian (the Pilgrim) is visiting the House of the Interpreter (the Holy Spirit), his host shows him a picture.  The scene was a fire.  Beside the fire was a man pouring water on the flame.  Rather than douse the fervor, the flame seemed to increase in intensity.  Why was that?  Well what wasn't readily seen was that in secret behind the inferno was another man pouring oil on the fire.   So what does this mean, pray tell?  Let Bunyan tell you:

This is Christ, who continually, with the oil of his grace, maintains the work already begun in the heart; by the means of which, notwithstanding what the devil can do, the souls of his people prove gracious still. 2 Corinthians 12:9. And in that thou sawest that the man stood behind the wall to maintain the fire; this is to teach thee, that it is hard for the tempted to see how this work of grace is maintained in the soul.[1]

Oil ALWAYS trumps water ... ALWAYS.

Dear Child of God, you may be facing the onslaught of Satan's attack today. You feel as if the fire is ebbing as he diabolically splashes water on your life seeking to drown you into infamy.  Take heart, for Christ has neither left you, nor forsaken you.  His oil will trump the Enemy's water -- EVERYTIME!

A picture is worth a thousand words.  This picture is worth an eternity.   

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1. http://www.ccel.org/ccel/bunyan/pilgrim.iv.ii.html 

Communion, Baptism and Membership

I have experienced no small degree of ostracization by my denomination and some of my 'former' pastoral friends regarding my stance of baptism and membership.  I basically concluded in a lengthy paper on the subject that a person who was biblical convinced of affusion (or pouring) and could express a compelling scriptural argument should be accepted into membership in a baptist church.  Of course we are assuming that they recognize the immersionist position and respect it without causing division.  I do not hold the same welcome to paedobaptists.  I recently read this post.  It contains impeccable logic.

The Open Baptist Who Bested Spurgeon

In his biography of baptist Charles Spurgeon, W. Y. Fullerton makes mention of what he calls "Open Baptists" who not only "welcomed all believers to the communion service," but also "grant church membership apart from baptism." Fullerton recounts a humorous anecdote from Spurgeon concerning the issue.

He once told me with appreciation how he was worsted in argument by an American divine. During a drive, the visitor made a number of inquiries, and discovered the practice of the church . . . how it admitted people to the Lord's Table who were not baptized, and refused them membership unless baptized. "Which means that they are good enough for the Lord, and yet not good enough for you!" said his guest. And Spurgeon had to admit that the logic was not on his side.

It is inconsistent to open the table and close the membership. Unfortunately, some have tried to remedy this by closing communion. But the implications are serious. It is no small thing to turn away from the Lord's Table someone who is manifestly a brother in Christ . . .  (to read the entire article click HERE.)

Pastor Jim Why Is Membership Important?

I recently received an important question from someone that attends my church.  "Why is membership important?"   Here's my answer:

There are several reasons why I believe membership is important:

1. The New Testament never speaks of a type of Christianity that does not include active participation and commitment to the Church.

2. We are to honor the civil laws of our nation as long as they do not contravene the Word of God.  Currently we have been instructed that it is unwise for any church to use staff at any level who have not formally agreed to the Statement of Faith and Constitution of the church.  (PS: I am facing the same issues as to people I marry.  The current Human Rights legislation is this way: If you have an open door it must be open for all).  If we allow unrestricted leadership of church ministries we would be facing an HR violation to exclude some and include others.  When you become a member you voluntarily become accountable to the church and formally assent to their doctrine and practices.  We would find ourselves on thin ice if we had non-members "primarily" leading and making decisions in the church. 

3. We are a Baptist Church.  We are convinced by Scripture that the local church is to be self-governed and autonomous.  That practically means that the membership is the final "human" court of authority.  Even elders are servant leaders who serve under the authority of Christ, His Word and the will of the congregation.  Logically, then, there must be a process whereby Christians take out formal membership for it is this membership that will select leaders, empower financial budgets and decisions, act as the final arbiter in a case of church discipline and affirm the vision of the church. 

4. Without the responsible and voluntary decision of a Christian to align themselves with the local church in a formal way, the question is always vague as to whom the pastor(s) are truly pastoring?  Does simply attending a church create a relationship between pastor and believer? 

5. God is a God of covenant.  All that He does in based on, and worked through His covenantal relationships.   Marriage is a picture of this.  For a Christian to withhold themselves from formally aligning with the local church in mutual support and care is akin to common-law marriage -- a relationship with no commitment.

6. There is an argument from logic, too.   If we do not care about membership; if we do not value it; and if it is non-consequential then why have membership at all?  The fact is that for the reasons noted above we do believe it is important to be a member.  So to take this one step further, if we, in practice, allow ministries to be lead by non-members then we have dishonored membership and are operating in contradiction to our principles. 

Now on a practical level we cannot force membership and if someone chooses not to be a member then we won't usurp their conscience.  With that in mind we attempt, as best as we can, to allow non-members to participate in the fullness of church life.  

The most common 'push-back' I get by well-meaning people is that this makes us "religious"; or we have succumbed to "human traditions".  I have a couple of short responses.  One, it is not religious to seek to obey the New Testament (Click HERE if you doubt that).  It is not "religious" to obey civil and church authorities (obviously with exceptions when it is immoral.)  Thirdly Jesus was very religious.  You may wish to read my blog on this topic by clicking HERE.

Back in 2008, I did a series in the Church entitled "God's Blueprint for the Church."  You can read the transcripts of that series on our Church Blog.   The first transcript had to do with Elders (You can read it by clicking HERE. There were 7 messages in the series.)

Here are 2 books that I'd highly recommend:


1. Stop Dating the Church by Joshua Harris; and


2. Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, by Mark Dever

Don't You Dare Say That Word!

If you wonder about the statement: "That's the pot calling the kettle black" then your question will be answered when you read about me discussing the matter of controlling your tongue.  It's a good thing I'm typing this, because otherwise the ink in my pen would bleed "hypocrite".  Having said that, it still doesn't dismiss the truth that our tongue is an amazing weapon of mass destruction.   Listen to James 3:5–6 (ESV)  

⁵ So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 

Remember the delightful radio show:  Kid's Say the Darndest Things?  Well I thought of that title as I read James 3:5-6.   I would say it this way, "We as people say the "damnest" things."  Now I'm not supposed to say, "Damn!"  My parents taught me that much.  But what if we don't say damn, but damn people in what we say?  Is that anymore right?  "Evil speech (including blasphemy, gossip, slander, lying, false vows, and the like) has the power to spoil, stain, and corrupt the entire moral character of a person." [1].

Now James has already said that if we can tame the tongue we have achieved perfection.  There's a target I probably won't get to until the ashes are sprinkled on my coffin.  But it is a goal -- a tough one. I am challenged by the quote from  Cesare Payese (an Italian poet and novelist): "Give me the ready hand rather than the ready tongue."




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1.  Whitlock, L. G., Sproul, R. C., Waltke, B. K., & Silva, M. (1995). Reformation study Bible, the : Bringing the light of the Reformation to Scripture : New King James Version (Jas 3:6). Nashville: T. Nelson.

An Oxymoron: The Law of Liberty

An oxymoron is like de-caffeinated coffee.  The kind that gets you up in the morning.   The word comes from Greek oxys (sharp) + moros (stupid)  It is often used as a contradiction in terms. For instance you would want your contractor to give you an "accurate estimate."   Or how about having some of your "adult children" over for supper.   Perhaps your reading this after lunch and you are enjoying a "cold hotdog?"     One oxymoron that I came across in Biblical literature is found in the very practical writings of the half-brother of Jesus, James.  He writes, "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. [1]

The law of liberty???    Some people using the KJV of the Bible equate such a phrase to David's affirmation in Psalm 119:44-45,  "So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever. And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts."   Undoubtedly there is a freedom and liberty in keeping God's rules.  Most of us know that to be true.  I don't think that is where James is taking us though. A "fairly accurate" understanding of the sentence is that the Greek present tense connotes a continuous action.  In other words James is saying to Christians, "Keep on, keeping on."  The verb mellō in Greek means “about to be.”  There is a judgment that is imminent. 

Now we know from verse 25 that this "law of liberty" is called the "perfect law" by the author.  There is a very interesting parallel by the Apostle John.  Notice:

"17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." [2]

There is a striking similarity.  James is talking about how we talk to one another.  He is saying that we need to speak and act as those who could be judged at anytime.  However John, in the same vein, teaches us that we can have confidence in the day of judgment if we display love.  One of my previous pastors (Dr. Grant Richison) wrote that "every time we open our mouth, we should utter words consistent with Christianity . . .  also we need to control our actions by the law of liberty."[3]   I think the law of liberty is the principle that simply means "words and actions" compelled by love (2Cor 5:14).  When we speak and act out of true Christian love we will experience liberty, both here and in the judgment.

36 I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” [4]

That should make us casually concerned.







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1. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Jas 2:12). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
2. The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (1 Jn 4:17–21). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
3. http://versebyversecommentary.com/james/james-212/ 
4.The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Mt 12:36–37). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The Sport of Religion Bashing

I have heard (and probably said) on many occasions that Christianity isn't a religion, it's a relationship.  Unfortunately that's only a half-truth.  We better stop bashing religion because we will soon learn that the wound is self-inflicted.  Jefferson Bethke has a blog post and one of his YouTube videos went wild as he bashed religion. The huge problem for us if we decide to run down this road is that Jesus was very religious.   As Kevin DeYoung intuitively writes: 

Jesus was a Jew. He went to services at the synagogue. He observed Jewish holy days. He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets, but to fulfill them (Matt. 5:17). He founded the church (Matt. 16:18). He established church discipline (Matt. 18:15-20). He instituted a ritual meal (Matt. 26:26-28). He told his disciples to baptize people and to teach others to obey everything he commanded (Matt. 28:19-20). He insisted that people believe in him and believe certain things about him (John 3:16-18; 8:24). If religion is characterized by doctrine, commands, rituals, and structure, then Jesus is not your go-to guy for hating religion.

Not only was our Lord, Teacher and Savior very religious, His Word commands us to be "religious":  

"If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." (James 1:26-27, ESV).

The adjective in this quote from James (religious) is the Greek word θρῆσκος [threskos]. It actually has ideas of fearing and trembling before God in worship.  The Scripture is replete with those ideas.  James is pretty clear: a managed tongue; a care for the needy in mercy and compassion; and a pursuit of holiness is God's idea of religion.

So, before we bash religion, let's define our terms.  Yes, Jesus did say hard things to the religious leaders of Judaism; and Paul did condemn self-made, man-made religion.   But Jesus was religious and His Word commands us to be religious.  We better define what we mean when we bash religion.! Religion bashing is not the kind of sport we should engage in readily.  I'm tired of hearing it.  It's simply not intellectually coherent to suggest that a Christian has a relationship with Jesus but no religion. 

My Freedom Ends One Inch From Your Nose

I was recently interviewed by a newspaper journalist on Conservative MP, Brian Storseth's Private Member's Bill C-304.  This bill would repeal Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act.  One of Storseth's points is that "Freedom of Speech is a fundamental principle in our democracy and one in which Canadians have fought and died for, for more than a century."  One of the problems that he identifies is the issue of how the Human Rights Commission may or may not define "hate speech."  I was told that in most cases, those who have been found in contravention of hate speech are religious people.   By simply stating some of the prohibitions in Scripture, Christians may be in danger of the charge of using hate language.

I was asked how I might define "freedom of speech."   One of the maxims that emerged from my past was the oft quoted statement that my freedom ends one inch away from your nose.  This says it all for me.  Let's set the ground rules:

#1. No living person is free or has total freedom.  By nature we are creatures, dependent upon the mercy and good graces of our Creator.  By nature and choice we are sinners.  Jesus said those that sin are enslaved.  No one is free. 

#2. Free will is a myth.  We are all moral agents who are required of God to make responsible moral choices, but none of our choices are made in a vacuum. We all make choices consistent with our nature, our experience, our access to coercion, etc.  No one is free.  No one makes free choices, per se.  We do make choices, though.

#3. Any so-called freedom we exercise is less about living by no restrictions but in fact choosing which restrictions we will live under, whether self-imposed or enforced upon us.  As Tim Keller wrote: Freedom then, is not the absence of limitations and constraints but it is finding the right ones, those that fit our nature and liberate us." [1]   A train that wants to be free by leaving the rails will end in despair.  A fish that wants to be free by living out of the lake will soon find life very debilitating.

For us to live in a country that enjoys "freedom" we must define that liberty in terms that reflect chosen restrictions and restraint.  It is only then that we can know true freedom.  I enjoy a certain liberty in blogging.  My freedom of speech is only free when I exercise such governance that enhances that experience.

Let me offer an autobiographical illustration.  I am a preacher.  Speech is part of my calling.  My speech is only free when it is governed by Divine restrictions.  For example Ephesians 4:25 (ESV), directs us to ". . . put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."  Again Paul counsels us to pastors to speak  ". . . from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (1 Timothy 1:5, ESV).  True freedom only exists when that happens.

Hate speech is not eliminated by failing to tell someone the truth.  Hate speech is telling the truth in an unloving manner with an agenda that is less than honorable.










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1. Keller, Timothy (2009-08-04). The Reason for God (p. 47). Penguin Group. Kindle Edition.