Wednesday, May 12, 2010

ALMOST CHRISTIAN


“Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”

Acts 26:28.
AND many there are who go thus far: ever since the Christian religion was in the world, there have been many in every age and nation who were almost persuaded to be Christians. But seeing it avails nothing before God to go only thus far, it highly imports us to consider,

First. What is implied in being almost,

Secondly. What in being altogether, a Christian.

I. (I.) 1. Now, in the being almost a Christian is implied, First, heathen honesty. No one, I suppose, will make any question of this; especially, since by heathen honesty here, I mean, not that which is recommended in the writings of their philosophers only, but such as the common heathens expected one of another, and many of them actually practised. By the rules of this they were taught that they ought not to be unjust; not to take away their neighbour’s goods, either by robbery or theft; not to oppress the poor, neither to use extortion toward any; not to cheat or overreach either the poor or rich, in whatsoever commerce they had with them; to defraud no man of his right; and, if it were possible, to owe no man anything.

2. Again: the common heathens allowed, that some regard was to be paid to truth, as well as to justice. And, accordingly, they not only held him in abomination who was forsworn, who called God to witness to a lie; but him also who was known to be a slanderer of his neighbour, who falsely accused any man. And indeed, little better did they esteem wilful liars of any sort, accounting them the disgrace of human kind, and the pests of society.

3. Yet again: there was a sort of love and assistance which they expected one from another. They expected whatever assistance any one could give another, without prejudice to himself. And this they extended not only to those little offices of humanity which are performed without any expense or labour, but likewise to the feeding the hungry, if they had food to spare; the clothing the naked with their own superfluous raiment; and, in general. the giving, to any that needed, such things as they needed not themselves. Thus far, in the lowest account of it, heathen honesty went; the first thing implied in the being almost a Christian.

(II.) 4. A second thing implied in the being almost a Christian, is, the having a form of godliness; of that godliness which is prescribed in the gospel of Christ; the having the outside of a real Christian. Accordingly, the almost Christian does nothing which the gospel forbids. he taketh not the name of God in vain; he blesseth, and curseth not; he sweareth not at all, but his communication is, yea, yea; nay, nay. he profanes not the day of the Lord, nor suffers it to be profaned, even by the stranger that is within his gates. he not only avoids all actual adultery, fornication, and uncleanness, but every word or look that either directly or indirectly tends thereto; nay, and all idle words, abstaining both from detraction, backbiting, talebearing, evil speaking, and from “all foolish talking and jesting”—eutrapelia, a kind of virtue in the heathen moralist’s account;—briefly, from all conversation that is not “good to the use of edifying,” and that, consequently, “grieves the Holy Spirit of God, whereby we are sealed to the day of redemption.”

5. He abstains from “wine wherein is excess”; from revellings and gluttony. He avoids, as much as in him lies, all strife and contention, continually endeavouring to live peaceably with all men. And, if he suffer wrong, he avengeth not himself, neither returns evil for evil. he is no railer, no brawler, no scoffer, either at the faults or infirmities of his neighbour. he does not willingly wrong, hurt, or grieve any man; but in all things act and speaks by that plain rule, “Whatsoever thou wouldest not he should do unto thee, that do not thou to another.”

6. And in doing good, he does not confine himself to cheap and easy offices of kindness, but labours and suffers for the profit of many, that by all means he may help some. In spite of toil or pain, “whatsoever his hand findeth to do, he doeth it with his might;” whether it be for his friends, or for his enemies; for the evil, or for the good. For being “not slothful” in this, or in any “business,” as he “hath opportunity” he doeth “good,” all manner of good, “to all men;” and to their souls as well as their bodies. he reproves the wicked, instructs the ignorant, confirms the wavering, quickens the good, and comforts the afflicted. he labours to awaken those that sleep; to lead those whom God hath already awakened to the “Fountain opened for sin and for uncleanness,” that they may wash therein and be clean; and to stir up those who are saved through faith, to adorn the gospel of Christ in all things.

7. he that hath the form of godliness uses also the means of grace; yea, all of them, and at all opportunities. he constantly frequents the house of God; and that, not as the manner of some is, who come into the presence of the Most High, either loaded with gold and costly apparel, or in all the gaudy vanity of dress, and either by their unseasonable civilities to each other, or the impertinent gaiety of their behaviour, disclaim all pretensions to the form as well as to the power of godliness. Would to God there were none even among ourselves who fall under the same condemnation! who come into this house, it may be, gazing about, or with all the signs of the most listless, careless indifference, though sometimes they may seem to use a prayer to God for his blessing on what they are entering upon; who, during that awful service, are either asleep, or reclined in the most convenient posture for it; or, as though they supposed God was asleep, talking with one another, or looking round, as utterly void of employment. Neither let these be accused of the form of godliness. No; he who has even this, behaves with seriousness and attention, in every part of that solemn service. More especially, when he approaches the table of the Lord, it is not with a light or careless behaviour, but with an air, gesture, and deportment which speaks nothing else but “God be merciful to me a sinner!”

8. To this, if we add the constant use of family prayer, by those who are masters of families, and the setting times apart for private addresses to God, with a daily seriousness of behaviour; he who uniformly practises this outward religion, has the form of godliness. There needs but one thing more in order to his being almost a Christian, and that is, sincerity.

(III.) 9. By sincerity I mean, a real, inward principle of religion, from whence these outward actions flow. And, indeed if we have not this, we have not heathen honesty; no, not so much of it as will answer the demand of a heathen Epicurean poet. Even this poor wretch, in his sober intervals, is able to testify,



Oderunt peccare boni, virtutis amore;

Oderunt peccare mali, formidine poenae.



[Good men avoid sin from the love of virtue;

Wicked men avoid sin from a fear of punishment.]

So that, if a man only abstains from doing evil in order to avoid punishment, Non pasces in cruce corvos, [Thou shalt not be hanged.], saith the Pagan; there, “thou hast thy reward.” But even he will not allow such a harmless man as this to be so much as a good heathen. If, then, any man, from the same motive, viz., to avoid punishment, to avoid the loss of his friends, or his gain, or his reputation, should not only abstain from doing evil, but also do ever so much good; yea, and use all the means of grace; yet we could not with any propriety say, this man is even almost a Christian. If he has no better principle in his heart, he is only a hypocrite altogether.

10. Sincerity, therefore, is necessarily implied in the being almost a Christian; a real design to serve God, a hearty desire to do his will. It is necessarily implied, that a man have a sincere view of pleasing God in all things; in all his conversation; in all his actions; in all he does or leaves undone. This design, if any man be almost a Christian, runs through the whole tenor of his life. This is the moving principle, both in his doing good, his abstaining from evil, and his using the ordinances of God.

11. But here it will probably be inquired, “Is it possible that any man living should go so far as this, and, nevertheless, be only almost a Christian”? What more than this, can be implied in the being a Christian altogether? I answer, First, that it is possible to go thus far, and yet be but almost a Christian, I learn, not only from the oracles of God, but also from the sure testimony of experience.

12. Brethren, great is “my boldness towards you in this behalf.” And “forgive me this wrong,” if I declare my own folly upon the house-top, for yours and the gospel’s sake. —Suffer me, then, to speak freely of myself, even as of another man. I am content to be abased, so ye may be exalted, and to be yet more vile for the glory of my Lord.

13. I did go thus far for many years, as many of this place can testify; using diligence to eschew all evil, and to have a conscience void of offence; redeeming the time; buying up every opportunity of doing all good to all men; constantly and carefully using all the public and all the private means of grace; endeavouring after a steady seriousness of behaviour, at all times, and in all places; and, God is my record, before whom I stand, doing all this in sincerity; having a real design to serve God; a hearty desire to do his will in all things; to please him who had called me to “fight the good fight,” and to “lay hold of eternal life.” Yet my own conscience beareth me witness in the Holy Ghost, that all this time I was but almost a Christian.

II. If it be inquired, “What more than this is implied in the being altogether a Christian?” I answer,

(I.) 1. First. The love of God. For thus saith his word, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.” Such a love is this, as engrosses the whole heart, as rakes up all the affections, as fills the entire capacity of the soul and employs the utmost extent of all its faculties. he that thus loves the Lord his God, his spirit continually “rejoiceth in God his Saviour.” his delight is in the Lord, his Lord and his All, to whom “in everything he giveth thanks. All his desire is unto God, and to the remembrance of his name.” his heart is ever crying out, “Whom have I in heaven but Thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside Thee.” Indeed, what can he desire beside God? Not the world, or the things of the world: for he is “crucified to the world, and the world crucified to him.” he is crucified to “the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, and the pride of life.” Yea, he is dead to pride of every kind: for “love is not puffed up” but “he that dwelling in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him,” is less than nothing in his own eyes.

(II.) 2. The Second thing implied in the being altogether a Christian is, the love of our neighbour. For thus said our Lord in the following words, “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” If any man ask, “Who is my neighbour?” we reply, Every man in the world; every child of his who is the Father of the spirits of all flesh. Nor may we in any wise except our enemies or the enemies of God and their own souls. But every Christian loveth these also as himself, yea, “as Christ loved us.” he that would more fully understand what manner of love this is, may consider St. Paul’s description of it. It is “long-suffering and kind.” It “envieth not.” It is not rash or hasty in judging. It “is not puffed up;” but maketh him that loves, the least, the servant of all. Love “doth not behave itself unseemly,” but becometh “all things to all men.” She “seeketh not her own;” but only the good of others, that they may be saved. “Love is not provoked.” It casteth out wrath, which he who hath is wanting in love. “It thinketh no evil. It rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. It covereth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

(III.) 3. There is yet one thing more that may be separately considered, though it cannot actually be separate from the preceding, which is implied in the being altogether a Christian; and that is the ground of all, even faith. Very excellent things are spoken of this throughout the oracles of God. “Every one,” saith the beloved disciple, “that believeth is born of God.” “To as many as received him, gave he power to become the sons of God. even to them that believe on his name.” And “this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” Yea, our Lord himself declares, “He that believeth in the Son hath everlasting life; and cometh not into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.”

4. But here let no man deceive his own soul. “It is diligently to be noted, the faith which bringeth not forth repentance, and love, and all good works, is not that right living faith, but a dead and devilish one. For, even the devils believe that Christ was born of a virgin: that he wrought all kinds of miracles, declaring himself very God: that, for our sakes, he suffered a most painful death, to redeem us from death everlasting; that he rose again the third day: that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of the Father and at the end of the world shall come again to judge both the quick and dead. These articles of our faith the devils believe, and so they believe all that is written in the Old and New Testament. And yet for all this faith, they be but devils. They remain still in their damnable estate lacking the very true Christian faith.” [Homily on the Salvation of Man.]

5. “The right and true Christian faith is” (to go on the words of our own Church), “not only to believe that Holy Scripture and the Articles of our Faith are true, but also to have a sure trust and confidence to be saved from everlasting damnation by Christ. It is a sure trust and confidence which a man hath in God, that, by the merits of Christ, his sins are forgiven, and he reconciled to the favour of God; whereof doth follow a loving heart, to obey his commandments.”

6. Now, whosoever has this faith, which “purifies the heart” (by the power of God, who dwelleth therein) from “pride, anger, desire, from all unrighteousness” from “all filthiness of flesh and spirit;” which fills it with love stronger than death, both to God and to all mankind; love that doeth the works of God, glorying to spend and to be spent for all men, and that endureth with joy, not only the reproach of Christ, the being mocked, despised, and hated of all men, but whatsoever the wisdom of God permits the malice of men or devils to inflict,—whosoever has this faith thus working by love is not almost only, but altogether, a Christian.

7. But who are the living witnesses of these things? I beseech you, brethren, as in the presence of that God before whom “hell and destruction are without a covering—how much more the hearts of the children of men?”—that each of you would ask his own heart, “Am I of that number? Do I so far practise justice, mercy, and truth, as even the rules of heathen honesty require? If so, have I the very outside of a Christian? the form of godliness? Do I abstain from evil,—from whatsoever is forbidden in the written Word of God? Do I, whatever good my hand findeth to do, do it with my might? Do I seriously use all the ordinances of God at all opportunities? And is all this done with a sincere design and desire to please God in all things?”

8. Are not many of you conscious, that you never came thus far; that you have not been even almost a Christian; that you have not come up to the standard of heathen honesty; at least, not to the form of Christian godliness?—much less hath God seen sincerity in you, a real design of pleasing him in all things. You never so much as intended to devote all your words and works. your business, studies, diversions, to his glory. You never even designed or desired, that whatsoever you did should be done “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” and as such should be “a spiritual sacrifice, acceptable to God through Christ.”

9. But, supposing you had, do good designs and good desires make a Christian? By no means, unless they are brought to good effect. “Hell is paved,” saith one, “with good intentions.” The great question of all, then, still remains. Is the love of God shed abroad in your heart? Can you cry out, “My God, and my All”? Do you desire nothing but him? Are you happy in God? Is he your glory, your delight, your crown of rejoicing? And is this commandment written in your heart, “That he who loveth God love his brother also”? Do you then love your neighbour as yourself? Do you love every man, even your enemies, even the enemies of God, as your own soul? as Christ loved you? Yea, dost thou believe that Christ loved thee, and gave himself for thee? Hast thou faith in his blood? Believest thou the Lamb of God hath taken away thy sins, and cast them as a stone into the depth of the sea? that he hath blotted out the handwriting that was against thee, taking it out of the way, nailing it to his cross? Hast thou indeed redemption through his blood, even the remission of thy sins? And doth his Spirit bear witness with thy spirit, that thou art a child of God?

10. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who now standeth in the midst of us, knoweth, that if any man die without this faith and this love, good it were for him that he had never been born. Awake, then, thou that sleepest, and call upon thy God: call in the day when he may be found. Let him not rest, till he make his “goodness to pass before thee;” till he proclaim unto thee the name of the Lord, “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin.” Let no man persuade thee, by vain words, to rest short of this prize of thy high calling. But cry unto him day and night, who, “while we were without strength, died for the ungodly,” until thou knowest in whom thou hast believed, and canst say, “My Lord, and my God!” Remember, “always to pray, and not to faint,” till thou also canst lift up thy hand unto heaven, and declare to him that liveth for ever and ever, “Lord, Thou knowest all things, Thou knowest that I love Thee.”

11. May we all thus experience what it is to be, not almost only; but altogether Christians; being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus; knowing we have peace with God through Jesus Christ; rejoicing in hope of the glory of God; and having the love of God shed abroad in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost given unto us!

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Evolution vs GOD


Today multitudes are drawn into believing into evolution. What upsets me most is that the most Christians also declare the theory of evolution. Although most are being forced right from their school days to study evolution. Let me tell you something that Satan wants to make a monkey out of you by making you believe him that your ancestors were monkey. More ever some Christians have also incorporated the evolution theory in their Churches or Ministries. Once again let me tell you something you either believe in evolution and deny the Bible or accept the Bible and refuse evolution. There’s no middle way in that belief.

I see that little children are made to study in school more about evolution then about education. That wasn’t the case when I was schooling; evolution wasn’t poured upon us as kids. Read the Bible for yourself, God says he created everything and guess what, man calls him liar by speaking about evolution. Bible can be proved but evolution cannot. Show me one proof about evolution and not any assumptions or guess work done by most scientists or their fake carbon dating, or making a complete Neolithic man out of a tooth found from some fossil. The theory of evolution had always perplexed my mind and years ago I went on a pursuit of uncovering facts about evolution. One after the other all those so called facts fell apart resulting in hoaxes. Today even Darwin’s theories are being questioned and will be turned against by the new breed of scientists. On the other hand Bible remains on firm grounds from last 6000 years.

God says in Genesis 1:27,
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

I don’t know if Humans have considered Satan as their ally and God as their foe. I wonder what would make mankind such a nasty thing, maybe its just that end times are just on the corner. Although God warns us or even forbids people from guessing the end times, I just make myself prepare for the coming of our Lord and not make some assumptions about rapture or tribulation.


The Nebraska Man or Hespero-pithecus.

This is probably one of the most famous as scientists tell us he is one of the oldest. Our text books have glamorized him with the name of Hespero-pithecus Man. This name is derived from the Greek word "hesperos" meaning "evening" and "pithecus", or the Western Ape as he is often called. This was the so-called "missing link" presented by Professor H. H. Newman of the University of Chicago at the famous Scopes trial in Dayton, Tennessee, years ago. William Jennings Bryan, in defense of the Bible, said "he thought the evidence presented was too scanty to base upon it such far reaching conclusions." Many of the so-called experts only laughed and scoffed at his conclusions. Most of our colleges and institutions of higher learning, high schools and grade schools are teaching evolution as a fact, not a theory. This man is still carried in our text books all over the country as the "missing link." Upon this man was built a whole prehistoric race in America.

Let us examine the evidence presented. The evidence consisted in its entirety of one, single, solitary TOOTH!
When we see this man who is made to look like but a step from ape to man, remember, it is based upon only one tooth. This is almost unbelievable! The design of the face, amount of hair, bone structure, height, size of head, arms, feet and facial expression are all constructed in plaster of paris according to the imagination of the artist.

So may dear friends next don’t come up with some naïve idea about evolution and if you have then you better come up with a complete man or a woman.

Hold on a second I need tell you more…

Since the infamous Scopes trial, when many of the “experts” laughed at Mr. Bryan, the entire skeleton belonging to the tooth has been found. It belonged to a peccary, a species of pig that is now extinct on our continent.
Who is the laugh really on?

Don’t play God when we cant even be humans and most of all don’t listen to people who want to take you back saying you were monkeys. Nevertheless one of the scientists have found a monkey or a gorilla transforming in last 6000 years, if really evolution was true….come on…these guys make me laugh !

Universities, academies, schools, colleges, institutions teach about evolution as fact and not as a theory. Don’t know where they will lead our race. Pictures of half ape-half human in the text books of little kids make me wonder, just wonder…no assumptions. What’s next? Children are made to read and trust this stuff at school, do you know what your kids are made to believe. No you don’t ? they are made to believe that God is a liar. No one can believe in the Bible and evolution at the same time.

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.” (I Corinthians 1:19).

“Prudent” is the Greek word ‘sunetos” and means “a mental putting together”, i.e. acquired human philosophy.

Which is right? That God created all mankind; or, the atheist with all his theories?

Answer: God states in Isaiah 44:24,25,
“Thus saith the LORD, thy redeemer, and he that formed thee from the womb, I am the LORD that maketh all things; that stretcheth forth the heavens alone; that spreadeth abroad the earth by myself; That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and makeththeir knowledge foolish.”

Friday, February 26, 2010

Love of God - Part 2

Love of God ---> Love his Children.

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.( 1 John 5:1 ).

19: We love him, because he first loved us.
20: If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
21: And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also. ( 1 John 4:19-21 ).
Its quite evident from the above verses in the KJV that Love of God or Love for God is incomplete without the Love for Gods children. Love the brethren is proof of our love to God.
LOVE TO GOD--->CAUSE OF GOD
Love to God will produce love to his cause. But what is the cause of God. The highest display to Glory of God and santification of our souls.

Love of God is attended with frequent delightful thoughts.
1. Davids example in the Old testment.
2. Meditate upon his words ( Gods word ).

LOVE OF GOD ---> will delight in and deligently attend on those means.
What are those means?
1. Is Bible neglected?
2. Is prayer neglected?
3. Is language neglected?
4. Is good thought neglected?
5. Do we confess to God our sins ( Ez 33:31).

And they come unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. ( Ezekiel 33:31 ).

LOVE OF GOD---> disposition to keep His commandments ( Future happiness depends upon present obedience & past repentence ).

LOVE OF GOD---> deep regret and humiliation for our past transgressions.
Dont excuse your past wickedness , or dwell upon it,or pride yourself on sinful past feats.

"There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? " - Genesis 39:9

"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn." - Zechariah 12:10

LOVE OF GOD---> enjoy him in His heavenly Kingdom.
In order to enjoy the heavenly Kingdom it is necessary to fulfill the objects of Christian desires.
> Go to God for all suplications, assistance and counsel.
> Serve him with all his powers. ( What are the powers? ) indeed the spiritual gifts of God.
> Praise & Glorify His name.

Heaven is desirable to Children of God ( To rest from labour & suffering is good , but what about freedom from sin ). The Christian today hardly have religion today to offend the world. How far can one go in the pursuit of Jesus Christ and Gods glory.

LOVE OF GOD---> should be the grand characteristics of His children. This comes only through a serious self examination.

That's why its very important that we start by self examination and ask ourselves, how much are we supposed to live for Christ and for the Love of God the father., We cant have part in the Love of God but we need to fully drown ourselves into the Love of God.

The Love of God

"God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."--John iii.16

Love of God ( Psalm 9:17 & Romans 9:15 ).

LOVE OF GOD = LOVE OF LAW

Often i have been asked this question what is "Love of God", and my answer Biblically is always "the Love of Law".

Yes, it is . But whenever probed further by the answer seeker , i say "What did Jesus say?

Love of God is equal to the Love of Law and vice versa. If one says he loves God and does'nt obey teh law then its not Love of God.

LAW - is the perfect expression of the purity and Holiness of its another. But whats that another? Let me tell you. Its the "Word" of God, we all know whats the word of God but don't understand or follow the word of God.

LAW--->WORD---->OBEDIENCE--->OBEDIENCE brings CONFORMITY TO GOD.

Once we have the CONFORMITY TO GOD ----> its LOVING GOD.

LOVE GOD = Rejoice in his governments ( Thats the effect of Love of God )--->How?

The simple answer is GLORY TO GOD ( Don't the angels praise Gods Glory at all times ).

And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee ( Psalm 9:10 ).