The Glory of Christ Our High Priest

Exodus 39:14 (NIV)

¹⁴ There were twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

"The priests’ garments were rich and splendid. The church in its infancy was thus taught by shadows of good things to come; but the substance is Christ, and the grace of the gospel. Christ is our great High Priest. When he undertook the work of our redemption, he put on the clothes of service, he arrayed himself with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, girded himself with resolution to go through the undertaking, took charge of all God’s spiritual Israel, laid them near his heart, engraved them on the palms of his hands, and presented them to his Father. And he crowned himself with holiness to the Lord, consecrating his whole undertaking to the honour of his Father’s holiness. True believers are spiritual priests. The clean linen with which all their clothes of service must be made, is the righteousness of saints, Re 19:8." ^[1]

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^[1] Henry, M., & Scott, T. (1997). Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary (Ex 39:1). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems.

My Spouse Doesn’t Enjoy Sex - Article by Tony Reinke

“Sex can be quite fun. So why do married couples have so little of it?”

That was a question asked recently in a New York Times Op-Ed by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, a former quantitative analyst at Google.

Based on the results of his recent study of online search trends, Stephens-Davidowitz disclosed, “On Google, the top complaint about a marriage is not having sex.” And the top search is as likely to come from a wife as from a husband.

“Searches for ‘sexless marriage’ are three and a half times more common than ‘unhappy marriage’ and eight times more common than ‘loveless marriage,’” he added. “There are sixteen times more complaints about a spouse not wanting sex than about a married partner not being willing to talk.”

For more, click HERE.

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Tony Reinke is a staff writer for Desiring God and the author of three books: Lit! A Christian Guide to Reading Books (2011), Newton on the Christian Life: To Live Is Christ (2015), and The Joy Project: A True Story of Inescapable Happiness (2015). He hosts the popular Ask Pastor John podcast, and lives in the Twin Cities with his wife and their three children. He also blogs a ttonyreinke.com.

I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH FAITH TO BE AN ARMINIAN.

(Disclaimer J  The long sentences reflecting poor grammar are intentional)

I haven’t read the book, but the title intrigues me.  Norman Geisler and Frank Turek have co-authored a book entitled, “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist.”  I was musing about things while driving from Point A to Point B, recently and thought, ‘I don’t have enough faith to be an Arminian.”  Now there is a whole technical, historical definition to that label, Arminian.  In the circles where I roll, though, to be an 'Arminian' is applied to people who believe some or all of the following:

• God chose a people to be saved because in His omniscience He realized that they chose Him;
• That free, free  will is the irrevocable, divine right of humanity;
• That God died for every single human being and they must freely, based on their free will, accept His salvation as it is offered to them in their state of ungodliness;
• That God passionately entreats all to be saved and you have the choice, with the ability to accept or refuse that invitation; and
• That God’s promises give assurance to all who come to Him, but there can always be the chance that at some time ‘the once-believer’ chooses to be a ‘now-unbeliever’.

That’s the basic belief of the average Christian in the average evangelical church.  You may not agree with all those tenets, but in essence that’s how the cookie crumbles. I don’t intend to be uncomplimentary, but if one is objective and really examines this belief structure, we see that the defining characteristic of the average Christian belief structure is that we humans are in the driver’s seat.  In fact great angst is caused if you try to switch seats.  So now here’s the problem that I have:

I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH FAITH TO BE AN ARMINIAN.

Let me explain.  Firstly, I do not have enough faith to believe that the masses of humanity[i], dead in trespass and sin[ii], living disobedient to God, serving the desires of their flesh[iii], in bondage to Satan[iv], unable to obey[v] and not ever seeking God in the first place[vi], lying desiccated and dead in the valley of dry bones[vii] have enough fortitude to see, hear and obey the Gospel, apart from a prerequisite work of Divine resuscitation[viii].

Secondly, I do not have enough faith to believe that the Son of God, the second Person of the Trinity, took on human flesh having lived an absolutely unblemished life[ix], was crucified at the hands of wicked men according to the predetermined will of the inestimable God-Head[x], spilled his infinitely precious, omnipotent blood on Calvary’s Cross[xi], completely satisfying the demands of Divine justice for every single human being, once-and-for-all paying the eternal sacrifice for their sin[xii] – and for countless millions this sacrifice is absolutely futile, thus Christ died for the sins of many who will replicate that suffering in eternal torment.   I don’t have enough faith to believe that.

Thirdly, I do not have enough faith to believe that this great salvation received by faith in Christ[xiii] and His unbelievable work on behalf of men and women, ungodly and weak[xiv], that they are, rests upon the fickle, always sin-impacted, imperfect volition of sinners saved by grace[xv]. I do not have enough faith to believe that the saving merits and work of Christ[xvi] bring them most of the way and then hope that they can muster the spiritual energy and commitment to achieve eternal life.

Fourthly, I do not have enough faith to believe that I will, on my own, wake up every morning trusting fervently in the matchless grace of a wonderful, merciful Savior.

I do not have enough faith to be an Arminian.   I DO HAVE ENOUGH FAITH to believe that salvation is by the sovereign, electing grace of God;[xvii]  that by the appointment of the Father[xviii], Christ voluntarily suffered a vicarious,[xix]  expiatory and propitiatory death[xx]; that justification is by faith alone[xxi] in the all sufficient sacrifice and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ[xxii] and that those whom God has effectually called[xxiii] shall be divinely preserved[xxiv] and finally perfected in the image of the Lord[xxv].

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[i] “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23, NIV)

[ii] “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,” (Ephesians 2:1, NIV)

[iii] “in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” (Ephesians 2:2–3, NIV)

[iv] “and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:26, NIV)

[v] “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.” (Romans 8:7, NIV)

[vi] “there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.” (Romans 3:11, NIV)

[vii] “Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones and say to them, ‘Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” (Ezekiel 37:4–5, NIV)

[viii] “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4–5, NIV)

[ix] “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:15, NIV)

[x] “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.” (Acts 2:23, NIV)

[xi] “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18–19, NIV)

[xii] “Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself. For the law appoints as high priests men in all their weakness; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.” (Hebrews 7:27–28, NIV)

[xiii] “This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile,” (Romans 3:22, NIV)

[xiv] “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6, NIV)

[xv] “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good.” (Romans 7:15–16, NIV)

[xvi] “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6, NIV)

[xvii]“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love” (Ephesians 1:4, NIV); also Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 13:48; John 10:26-30)

[xviii] “This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” (Acts 2:23–24, NIV)

[xix] ““I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”” (John 10:14–18, NIV)

[xx]“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—” (Romans 3:25, NIV);  (also Hebrews 2:17; 1 John 2:2)

[xxi] “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,” (Romans 5:1, NIV)

[xxii] “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” (Romans 10:9–10, NIV)

[xxiii] “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” (John 6:37, NIV)

[xxiv] “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28, NIV)

[xxv] “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 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 8:29–39, NIV)

Have You Been 'TKO'd' By Jargons?

It’s been awhile since I heard the noun jar·gon (ˈjär-gən).  Jargon usually means the specialized language used by people in the same work or profession.  For instance doctors might have their own jargon.  Truckers have their jargon.  I think it might also relate to such concepts as clichés, or slang. It is rarely used in a positive sense.  It is almost pejorative, I think.   Its etymology is seemingly derived from the French "a chattering" (of birds).

C.S. Lewis’ ‘Screwtape Letters’ is really a Christian apologetic book.  It is satire to be sure and fictional.  It is comprised of letters. The senior demon, Screwtape, is writing to his underling, ‘Wormwood’ instructing him how to best tempt a man simply known as ‘the Patient’. In Chapter 1, we see the demon writing to the "student" demon about the following issue:

Your man has been accustomed, ever since he was a boy, to having a dozen incompatible philosophies dancing about together inside his head. He doesn't think of doctrines as primarily "true" or "false," but as "academic" or "practical," "outworn" or "contemporary," "conventional" or "ruthless." Jargon, not argument, is your best ally in keeping him from the Church.[1]

Randy Newman, in his book, Questioning Evangelism, writes:

“When people say things that, given some thought, would prove to be nonsense, we must help them see the fallacy of their statements.”[2]   These thoughtless chatterings are what I would call:  common jargon or clichés.  Non-Christians have said to me things like:

“Religion is the cause of wars.”

“Religion is a crutch.”

“Religious people are brainwashed.”

“The Bible is full of contradictions (or errors).”

“The Bible is just written by men.”

“That’s your interpretation.”

Newman adds others like:   “I think all religions are the same;” “I think all people are basically good;” or “I would never tell anyone their religion is wrong.” Every single one of these statements require robust challenges.  They are simply common chatter - jargon.  Meaningless, empty statements devoid of any truth.

Sadly, we have let “jargon” win the day!   It’s time for Christians to think precisely and not surrender the argument to silly statements like those offered above.  We need to see it as C.S. Lewis did: a scheme of the Enemy.  Do not let Satan rob your solid arguments with commonly held platitudes that only amount to dribble.

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)  

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[1] http://www.truthseekersministries.org/files/Screwtape.pdf - Page 2

[2] Newman, Randy (2011-08-19). Questioning Evangelism (p. 57). Kregel Publications. Kindle Edition.

The Enslaving Nature of Socialism

The story of Joseph  and his life in Egypt is NOT  a story about civil economics.  It is a story of God preserving a godly seed in such a way that He would bring to this world, at just the right time, a Savior. I want to make that clear.   I do not run to Genesis 41 and following to garner insight about social economics – but without doubt we have a clear illustration of the reality of socialism in this story.

You know the story:  Pharaoh had a disturbing dream, to which Joseph revealed the interpretation.

“Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.” (Genesis 41:25–27, NIV)

Pharaoh, astounded by the wisdom of this man set him up as governor of the land of Egypt.  Joseph's plan was profound.

“Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”” (Genesis 41:34–36, NIV)

It's not that difficult a plan to understand.  During the years of plenty, the state, collects one fifth of the harvest.  Let's call this a tax.  During the famine years, what has been stored will be sold back to the people.  You notice I call it a tax.  It is not an insurance scheme.  “And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere.” (Genesis 41:57, NIV)

Fast forward past the events where Joseph's family settle in Egypt.  Let's run ahead to the time when the famine was having its main impact.  Notice the conditions:

“There was no food, however, in the whole region because the famine was severe; both Egypt and Canaan wasted away because of the famine. Joseph collected all the money that was to be found in Egypt and Canaan in payment for the grain they were buying, and he brought it to Pharaoh’s palace. When the money of the people of Egypt and Canaan was gone, all Egypt came to Joseph and said, “Give us food. Why should we die before your eyes? Our money is all gone.”” (Genesis 47:13–15, NIV)

The famine has hit.  Now the money to buy the stored grain is gone.  What should they do?

“When that year was over, they came to him the following year and said, “We cannot hide from our lord the fact that since our money is gone and our livestock belongs to you, there is nothing left for our lord except our bodies and our land. Why should we perish before your eyes—we and our land as well? Buy us and our land in exchange for food, and we with our land will be in bondage to Pharaoh. Give us seed so that we may live and not die, and that the land may not become desolate.”” (Genesis 47:18–19, NIV)

Now here is the end result (please note it carefully): “So Joseph bought all the land in Egypt for Pharaoh. The Egyptians, one and all, sold their fields, because the famine was too severe for them. The land became Pharaoh’s, and Joseph reduced the people to servitude, from one end of Egypt to the other.” (Genesis 47:20–21, NIV)  [Emphasis mine]

I do not believe that Joseph intentionally exploited the people.  They were very happy to live under these conditions. ““You have saved our lives,” they said. “May we find favor in the eyes of our lord; we will be in bondage to Pharaoh.”” (Genesis 47:25, NIV)

I am convinced, that without reading any wicked motives into this story, that the end result of an socialist, economic system, by its very nature, enslaves the people.  When the state or nation become our benefactor, we sell a bit of our soul.  I am not arguing that capitalism is biblical.  I am arguing that a socialistic, welfare-driven state, enslaves its citizens.

Rather Than Eradicate, Election Emancipates the Will.

I have found the ministry of the Christian Research Institute more than helpful over the years.  The founder, Dr. Walter Martin was truly a gifted and effective apologist.   My admiration continues for Hank Hanegraaff who has carried the work further, even on to the daily broadcast entitled: The Bible Answer Man.   There is so much investigative and informative work that Hanegraaff does that is of great assistance to the Church, but woven in many of his answers to sincere enquirers includes a presupposition that I find disturbing.    Here's an example of part of a dialogue:

"God creates people, in such a way they can respond to the wooing of the Spirit or reject that.  If that were the case love would be rendered meaningless.  It would be forced.  It would be predicted with a certainty that could not be changed . . . we love Him because we desire to love Him." [1]

Now that quote has a mix of Truth and error.   There are also some presuppositions that are not readily obvious to the reader.  Hank brings to his understanding a refusal to accept the biblical teaching of unconditional Divine election of the redeemed.  By "unconditional" I mean that the Bible teaches that there were no indicators, no meritorious acts or decisions that motivated God to choose a people for Himself and give them to His Son.  The presupposition that Hanegraaff weaves into his answers is this: If God predetermines who will be saved, then the elect offer to God a meaningless, forced and irrelevant affection.

Hanegraaff like multitudes of others who hang their hat in the Arminian camp; the semi-Pelagian stronghold, have this erroneous view that Divine election produces robots.  Now my intent is not to attack Hanegraaff.  I find his ministry helpful and edifying.   He like a plethora of others makes the faulty assumption that for God to predestine whom will be saved (“And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed” (Acts 13:48, ESV), that assumes God robs them, if not does violence to their will.

It is an illogical contradiction to assume that election eliminates human volition.

The grace of God frees the will, it does not eradicate the will.   “even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” (Ephesians 2:5, ESV).  The logical conclusion to any system of theology that promotes the notion that God is standing before unbelieving mankind, offering saving grace, if they will but choose it, is this: no one would be saved.  Again, as I often do, I turn with tongue-in-cheek to that great Arminian hymn writer, Charles Wesley, who wrote:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

Mr. Hanegraaff and all of like mind need to know that those who are given to the Son, by the Father, will come – and they will come willingly, gleefully, happily and without reservation.  They will come because for the first time in their lives they are free from the bondage of sin and the blight of evil.  They will come because for the first time in their lives they see a Treasure so vast and so magnificent that they will sell all to have Him (Matthew 13:44).

Perdition is designed for those who want, to not want God.  Heaven is designed for those who want to want God.  Predestination does not violate that at all.   The whole notion that Divine predestination creates a mass of humanity, kicking and screaming, as they are pulled reluctantly into Heaven is a travesty of Biblical understanding.  “Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.” (Psalm 110:3, ESV).

David exclaimed: “I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart [Or for you set my heart free]!” (Psalm 119:32, ESV).   

 

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[1] http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/BAM20160114.mp3

More on Crudity.

In 1989 when John Piper was in prison for picketing an abortion clinic, he was overwhelmed by the crudity of language.  Wondering why there was so much profanity and coarse language he wrote these words:

"Here’s one suggestion: there is a kind of macho ego-satisfaction that comes from pointless swearing and foul, sacrilegious talk. The thing that makes it macho is that offensive language feels assertive and virile. So if you are weak and insecure, one way to camouflage it is to pepper your conversation with social no-nos. Using verbal no-nos is like playing with switch-blades and brass knuckles. It feels tough and gutsy. It gives an insecure person a sense of swagger. It’s the verbal form of spiked hair and torn jeans."

This is a common problem with us men.  Later in 2007 at the Annual Passion Conference, Piper himself crossed the line and had to publicly recant. He wrote, "I think if I had it to do over, I would not say it. On the one hand, I don't like fanning the flames of those who think it is hip and cool to swear for Jesus. That, it seems to me, is immature."