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WILL WE EVER “GET IT” FROM THE CHILDREN OF THIS WORLD?

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LEARNING FROM THE CHILDREN OF THIS WORLD

childrenBy Ken Blue

Today, Joyce and I took a stroll a few blocks down the street to the Wall-Mart Super Store. I rode my motorized wheel chair and Joyce “strolled” behind. Boy was I tired when we got there!

However, my purpose is not to write about our walkabout, but to share with you my first impression upon entering the store. The “children of this world” were preparing for a special day.  Now, you may not agree with me on special days or promotions, and that is fine. But, as I looked around I was reminded of a Bible verse that I believe might be relevant here. “And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.” Luke 16:8.

Upon entering the store, everywhere you looked you were struck with the fact that a special day was approaching, and they were insuring that the customer did not miss it. Heart-shaped balloons were everywhere. Boxes of candy, cookies, and flowers graced the end of each aisle. Special Valentine cards were within easy access. They were trying to appeal to the customer’s interest, and they were confident that the customer would also browse the rest of the store. Of course Wall-Mart is trying to “sell” their commodities. The sad reality is that many churches can’t “give” theirs away.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]For the life of me, I can’t understand pastors who refuse to meet the needs of people in order to get them in the door.[/perfectpullquote]

For the life of me, I can’t understand pastors who refuse to accommodate, please, serve, appeal, help, assist, comfort, and meet the needs of people in order to get them in the door. If we can get them in the door, perhaps we can convince them to accept the “free gift” we have for them.

I’m aware that it is none of my businesses what you do. This is just my observation. If you are doing nothing and it works for you, keep doing nothing. But, for those who think they could learn something from the “children of this world,” we submit this Wall-Mart example.

BAPTIST VIRGINS?

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Interpretation and Application

ApplicationBy Ken Blue

“Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.” Matthew 25:1.

Perhaps this parable is the greatest example of how pastors and evangelist evade and avoid the true interpretation of a text. They proceed with an application and entirely ignore the meaning of its teaching. One wonders if they have any concept of the intended teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The context from 24:34 and following is clear that the disciples are being instructed concerning prophecy, and the subject is the second advent of Christ at the end of the Tribulation. The word “Then” places this event in that time period.

Some would have us believe the kingdom of heaven is the church. The Bride is also held to be the church, and the virgins are also to represent the church, her companions. We are admonished to have our lamps trimmed and oil in our vessels. Then those who run out of oil are to go and buy from those who have extra.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Application is always appropriate after the true interpretation of the text.[/pullquote]

There isn’t a Baptist church within one hundred miles of these verses. The answer is in the context and in the prophecies concerning a remnant of Jews who will await the soon return of their Messiah. The following explains it exactly. “And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, and he will save us: this is the LORD; we have waited for him, we will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.” Isaiah 25:9.

Application is always appropriate after the true interpretation of the text; never in the reverse order. Let us stop trying to make the Scriptures say what they do not say, in order to defend a non-defensible position.

MARRIAGE, DIVORCE AND REMARRIAGE

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By Ken Blue

“He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.” Matthew 19:8.

In the time of man’s innocence, God created a perfect mate for man and the original plan was that the husband and wife remain together forever. This is what is meant by the latter part of verse 8, “…from the beginning it was not so.” However, because of the fall and wickedness of man, God in His mercy granted divorce and remarriage. To force women to remain with a husband who hated her would have been a fate greater than death. Many countries today do not grant the woman freedom from wicked and abusive husbands. Those women are tortured, burned, scarred by having acid thrown in their face and sometimes murdered. God was setting women free from these barbaric beasts.

Under the giving of the laws to Israel, divorce was granted. The following should clarify that. “When a man hath taken a wife, and married her, and it come to pass that she find no favour in his eyes, because he hath found some uncleanness in her: then let him write her a bill of divorcement, and give it in her hand, and send her out of his house. 2 And when she is departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. 3 And if the latter husband hate her, and write her a bill of divorcement, and giveth it in her hand, and sendeth her out of his house; or if the latter husband die, which took her to be his wife; 4 Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife…” Deuteronomy 24:1-4.

The text is clear. A woman may be given a bill of divorcement and she may go out and remarry. Her first husband is no longer her husband. He is her “former” husband. Her second husband is her latter husband and he too may divorce her if necessary. Nothing in the text suggests that she has two husbands at the same time; it is quite the opposite. She only has one husband at a time. However, if a man put away his wife without giving her a bill of divorcement and either of them became “joined” (What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 1 Corinthians 6:16) “to another,” they were committing an act of adultery.

Revelation is progressive. The truth about any subject is not all revealed at once. That is true in the matter of divorce and remarriage. In the beginning God’s original plan was one man and one woman forever. But sin entered and the cruelty of man moved God to grant divorce and remarriage.

Not only is a bill of divorcement sufficient grounds for remarriage, so is death of a spouse or desertion. Paul makes it clear that a person is not under bondage to the marriage vow if he or she is abandoned by the other. “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.” 1 Corinthians 7:15.

It is true, God hates divorce; so do I. Yet God gave Israel a bill of divorcement, and has put her away for a time, and called her Loammi. See Hosea 1:8. See also, Isaiah 62:4 “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.”

GOT ANY ADULATORS IN YOUR CHURCH?

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CAN ADULATORS JOIN THE CHURCH?

Two Wedding Rings Resting On A Bible PageBy Ken Blue

“And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. 12 And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” Mark 10:11-12.

Since this verse is the final answer on the matter of divorce and remarriage to most pastors, it might be a good time to do a check up to see if their actions match their theology. If you believe these verses settle the matter, then the conclusion is simple.

One question we should ask is, if a couple is “shacking up” would you let these adulators become members of your church? My guess is that 90% will answer no, and we agree with that decision.

However, if a married couple seeks membership and either one of them was previously married would you let them become members? If you take the Mark 10 position, how do you justify their membership? Does the second marriage license remove their adultery status? What if they claim they were saved after the second marriage, does that settle the matter?

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Can you justify making adulators second-rate or inferior members?[/pullquote]

Another way some skirt the issue is to allow the remarried membership, but withhold certain privileges from them. You will hear some pastors’ say, “We let them join, but they can’t teach, lead, or hold any office.” Of course they will let them serve as janitors, bring in new members, and tithe. Something is rotten in Denmark!

If you really believe they are living in adultery, how do you justify their membership in the first place? If you allow them membership, how can you justify making them second-rate and inferior members? It looks like you have allowed tradition and faulty hermeneutics to paint you into the proverbial corner.

I have a pastor friend who will not allow the remarried to join his church. He has about ten members. I completely disagree with his understanding of this issue, but he is true to his convictions, and we must respect him for that. Are you really true to yours?

1, 2, 3 OR A, B, C?

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IT’S AS SIMPLE AS A, B, C.

A, B, CBy Ken Blue

Some of the brethren, having run out of things to criticize others about, have now resorted to finding fault with how one gives an invitation to salvation or how one leads a soul to accept Christ. This is done with a cute little saying called the “1, 2, 3 repeat after me” method.

All of us are guilty of picking up some little tidbits or scraps thrown out by others and then regurgitating them to the pups when we get back to the den. Cute, may sound pleasing and stroke our pride, but there is a world of difference between cute and accuracy.

Most of us are familiar with a small gospel tract that says salvation is as “simple as A, B, C.” I’ve yet to hear any complaints about its presentation. It goes something like this:

A- All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.

B- Believe Jesus died to pay for your sins.

C- Call upon him now and ask Him to save you. The tract continues with a simple prayer for the sinner to repeat. This is called the A B C method.

The 1, 2, 3, method, however is not received with as much grace. We think we know why and will explain later.

This method obviously begins with the number, one.

1. All have sinned and come short of God’s glory.

2. Believe Jesus died to pay for your sins.

3. Call upon Him and ask Him to save you. The sinner is then led in a verbal prayer of salvation.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Only the Devil would complicate such a simple method of salvation as A, B, C.[/pullquote]

Now, anyone with an ounce of spiritual discernment can see the vast difference between the two methods. You may have to study them for a while before the dissimilarity becomes evident.

Still having trouble? Here it is. One is A, B, C and the other is 1, 2, 3.

We are not naive. Not every sinner who prays, any sinner’s prayer, is saved. It is not the method or words a man or woman mouths that merits them salvation. Salvation is an absolutely free gift to any man or woman who accepts it by faith. No other conditions are required.

Only the Devil would complicate such a simple method of salvation as A, B, C. Lost Pastors teach you must work to get it, and some saved pastors teach that you must ask a certain way or you don’t get it.

Now what is behind all this cute little saying we hear now and then? The answer is control. Another reason for the criticism is that the critic is not getting sinners saved with any method. He doesn’t have one.

Some pastors and evangelist are so desperate to secure a following that they create one more schism in the body of Christ in order to secure a following. We all enjoy a little comedy now and then, but don’t be too hasty to rush back to the den with those little tidbits to regurgitate them.