Christian Ethics, Morals & Values [Temptation to do Good] X The mind must be renewed to the fact of our union – we are Him – we are not “like Him”. We don’t improve our “self”, we express Him through ourselves. Incidentally, in the same church where the fireman spoke, has a sign prominently displayed expressing the church’s slogan, which says, to the effect, that the purpose of the church is to make “Christ-like” disciples. What babble! What religious nonsense! So, when confronted with the opportunity...
Christian Ethics, Morals & Values [Temptation to do Good] IX We need mind renewal because we got off-track, choosing religion over life. Adam and Eve made that choice as we have. The religion road is okay for a time. It will frustrate and when you get to the end of that road you will want a course correction. But regardless of what point of the religious road you’re on, the Tree of Life is there. And the Tree of Life is not an example of how to live, or as One that strengthens. “I am the vine, ye are the...
Christian Ethics, Morals & Values [Temptation to do Good] VIII Temptation does happen and choices are presented. And, we can view this experience negatively or positively - appearance or reality - “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” [John 7:24] From the appearance side, temptation can be explained as something happening “to me”. It is “about me”. For the confused Christian, it is part of my Christian self-improvement program, maybe, because I have done something wrong, or maybe...
Christian Ethics, Morals & Values [Temptation to do Good] VII Judaism of Paul’s time had established a religion – a way of life – based upon “ethics, morals and values” derived from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. In fact, “religion” by its definition will always be based upon performance. Religion is “way of life”. Our calling is not to “way of life”, rather to Life. Life – true Life, the only Life is the Person of Jesus Christ, as revealed to Adam and Eve, originally in the Tree of Life. So...
Christian Ethics, Morals & Values [Temptation to do Good] VI In reality Genesis 3 is our experience. We are all presented with the same choice as Adam and Eve – Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil –or- Tree of Life – one producing death and the other life. “And the LORD God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever...” [Gen. 3.22-23] Compare that statement with what Jesus said about...
Christian Ethics, Morals & Values [Temptation to do Good] V “And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” [Gen. 2.16,17] But, what did the deceiver say? “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Gen.3.5 Living a life by the “ethics...
"What Child Is This" What child is this, who, laid to rest On Mary's lap, is sleeping? Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing: Haste, haste to bring him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary! So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come peasant king to own Him, The King of kings, salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone Him. Raise, raise the song on high, The Virgin sings her lullaby: Joy, joy, for Christ is born...
Christian Ethics, Morals & Values [Temptation to do Good] IV The subtle negative influence is to continually eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, when the Tree of Life is right there. The Tree of Life is Jesus. Now, I’m not saying, “Let us do evil, that good may come” -- which is exactly what Paul was accused of saying. (Rom. 3.8) Satan can get the world to believe that he is just a clown, wears a red suit, has horns, a tail and carries a pitchfork. And he has convinced the church that Christianity...
Christian Ethics, Morals & Values [Temptation to do Good] III There was no fear in the Garden until Adam got “religion”. His relations with God were normal, casual and without fear. Religion brings fear, distrust and confusion. “This trying to do good becomes a believer’s chief sin, in place of trying to do evil, the sin of the unbeliever”. [Norman Grubb, GOD UNLIMITED p. 106] So, I said to the fireman, “Think about what you are teaching”. At that moment, after talking to the fireman, I realized two things...
Christian Ethics, Morals & Values [Temptation to do Good] II The topic of temptation crystallized when I attended two Wednesday night church meetings on the topic of “Christian ethics, morals and values”. A fireman spoke. He regularly teaches “ethics, morals and values” to other firemen and policemen. At the conclusion of the first meeting I said privately to the speaker “I’m a lawyer, I really don’t have any ethics, morals or values”. He thought that was funny. He laughed. I didn’t laugh. Then, I corrected myself...
Christian Ethics, Morals & Values [Temptation to do Good] I’m really going to talk about “temptation”. We’ve all heard some really good teaching about how to “deal” with temptation. Well, this won’t be one of those “really good” lessons - sorry. This will not be anything you might expect. Everything that is – everything that is created will operate as it was designed by the Designer – without question and regardless of any appearance to the contrary. The creation was designed as a conduit for the love of the...
Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior IV So, did Peter tell everyone to “make Jesus both their lord and savior”? No. “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” [Acts 2.38] I like this simple definition of “repent” – “to change one’s mind”. And, what about baptism? I was sprinkled as a Roman Catholic at age 18 and dunked as a Southern Baptist at age 19. I pretty well have that covered...
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