And take…the sword of the Spirit, which  is the word of God.   Ephesians 6:17

THE
SPIRIT’S
SWORD

Volume 14, Number 23
07/24/2011

Published by
Mt. Baker
church of Christ

Location:
  
1860 Mt. Baker HWY
Mailing Address:

       P.O. Box 30821
 
Bellingham, WA 98228
       (360) 752-2692

Sunday:
Bible Classes..........9:30 AM
Worship..10:30AM; 6:00PM

Wednesday:
Bible Classes.........7:00 PM
All sing last Wednesday

Web sites:
Mt. Baker church
Bible Answers

Editor......Joe R. Price


Elders
Morris Bass
Rick Holt
Joe Price

Deacons
Aaron Bass
Rich Brooks
Mike Finn
John Hague
Dan Head



 

In this issue:


God Cannot Lie
Jesse Flowers

One of the great truths revealed to us in Scripture is that God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19). I can. You can. More than likely we have lied. But God does not, cannot. It is literally impossible for Him to do so. Lying is completely contrary to His divine nature. So what does this mean for me and you? It means…

Any promise that He has made to mankind (believer or non-believer) in His Word has or will come to pass. For example:

  • Flood waters will never destroy the earth again (Gen. 9:11-17). God has provided the rainbow as a sign of that promise.

  • God’s three-fold promise to Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). The nation promised was fulfilled (Ex. 1:1-7). The land promise was fulfilled (Josh. 21:43-45). And the seed promise was fulfilled in the coming of Christ (Gal. 3:16-25).

  • Isaiah’s prophecy that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (7:14) was fulfilled with the conception and birth of Christ by Mary (Mt. 1:22-23)

  • God’s promise to set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed (Dan. 2:44-45; Mt. 16:18-19) came to fruition on Pentecost in Acts 2 when the Lord’s church was established.

  • Lord has promised to come again, to render judgment to all men, and to destroy this earth with fire (2 Peter 3:4-13). Obviously none of these things have happened yet, but they will. How can we know for sure? God promised. He cannot lie.

  • Before time began God promised eternal life (Titus 1:2). A certainty to those who are faithful to God till death (Rev. 2:10). Live in such a way that you may receive that promise.

As Paul declared in Romans 3:4, “Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar.”

-The Exhorter, June 12, 2011

Top


“An Alternate Lifestyle”
Jarrod Jacobs

In thinking about the subject of homosexuality, it has become apparent to me that some will stop at nothing to justify their sin as they attempt to gain “acceptance” from society at large. It is clear from the Bible that we must show love and concern for people when they are in sin. This is what Christ did (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8; II Pet. 2:21). This sin, whatever it is, must be pointed out, and help must be given them so they can learn the truth and repent of sin (II Pet. 3:9; I Cor. 6:11; II Cor. 6:17; Lk. 13:3). No sin is made less sinful or less harmful just because men “justify” or “excuse”, and even accept it as normal in our society. Sadly, this is the direction the sin of homosexuality is going. I am sorry to say that more people in our world are excusing, justifying, and even accepting a sin that God condemns (Rom. 1:26-27). How is this done? One way is to call homosexuality an “alternate lifestyle.” In a land of choices, the idea of having an “alternative” sounds good. Generally, alternative choices are things closely related, and of equal value to the people making the choice. Thus, when people say the sin of homosexuality is an “alternate lifestyle,” they are trying to convince men that their “lifestyle” is of equal value to heterosexual people. Thus, their sin has been justified and excused through this attempt at acceptance.

Sadly, this is a failed comparison. In fact, if it is true that we can justify homosexuality by calling it an “alternate lifestyle”, and not wrong, then based on this logic, no sin could ever be condemned as wrong. Consider such sins as.....

Cannibalism

If homosexuality can be considered an “alternate lifestyle,” then why not cannibalism? Surely, some cannibals will tell us that it is within their “genetic makeup” to eat other humans. They could say, “God made me this way, and if society cannot accept me for who I am because of its Puritanical roots, then that is too bad!” “After all,” they could say, “did you CHOOSE to eat beef, pork, chicken, or fish with your meal? No, you didn’t! You just knew that you would be eating from one (or more) of those groups.” Another argument they could make is to look into the animal kingdom and declare that it is “natural” to eat the flesh of other humans — don’t animals sometimes eat their young??

Child Molestation

Those perverts who prey on innocent children could take a lesson from the homosexuals. In their sick, twisted way, they could say that this is how they wish to show “love.” (Ever heard of NAMBLA? Research those folks!) These molesters could say (and have said) that it is within their “genes” to prey on little children. They could very easily ask the question, “Men, did you CHOOSE to be attracted to an ADULT woman, or ladies did you CHOOSE to be attracted to an ADULT man?” They could make their case that what they are doing is an “alternate lifestyle” choice just like homosexuality.

Murder

Murderers (mass or otherwise), could take a lesson from the homosexuals. In their defense, they could say that the murder they committed was a part of their “genetic” background, and that they really could not help it. Why, these murderers would have it made if they would just employ the logic of their fellow sinners, the homosexuals, and say that they did not CHOOSE to kill anyone, but this “alternate lifestyle” is simply an impulse, a reflex, a natural occurrence, just as natural as breathing! (And you don’t CHOOSE to breathe, do you?) Some are known for committing “crimes of passion.” There is the defense! Just say, “It is a natural thing for animals to kill when a stranger enters its territory, and that was all that I was doing” (Of course, the territory could vary in order for the murderer to get away with the crime. All things are relative, you know.)

Robbery/Stealing

Those who are caught stealing from others could use the homosexuals’ defense as well. “Stealing is something I cannot help” might be the plea of a robber. (Ever heard of a kleptomaniac?) Let those who steal defend themselves by saying, “God made me this way, and if society cannot accept me for who I am because of its Puritanical roots, then that is too bad!” Some could even say, “I did not CHOOSE this ‘alternate lifestyle’ for myself. If I could, do you think I would have chosen this?”

Conclusion

Hopefully, our purpose in this article is clear. Our purpose in this study is to help us see that once people begin to accept the sin of homosexuality as a “natural” and “normal” thing, then other sins are sure to follow, using their same logic. If not, why not? The reasoning justifying cannibalism, murder, etc. is just as sound as the reasoning people use to justify the sin of homosexuality!

Yes, such sins as homosexuality, cannibalism, child molestation, murder, and robbery ARE SINS that, if those guilty do not repent, they will be lost in Hell (Rev. 21:8; I Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; etc.). Friends, it is of the utmost importance that we learn what God wants us to do, and how He wants us to live, and then do it (Matt. 7:21-23)! We are responsible for knowing what the Bible says (Eph. 3:4, II Tim. 2:15). We are responsible for living according to His will (Rom. 12:1-2; II Jn. 9; Col. 3:17). Let us learn and learn well that God did not make us with the inclination for sinful behavior (Col. 3:25; Ezek. 18:4, 20; Rom. 9:11). Rather, men are lost in sin because they yielded to their lusts and were enticed (Jas. 1:14-15). After we live in sin long enough, it can be habit-forming, true, but sin is not a “genetic” problem which cannot be helped. Living in sin is not an “alternate lifestyle”, and homosexuality, most definitely, is a sin (Rom. 1:26-27; I Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21). Thus, folks guilty of this need to repent and turn to God (Acts 2:38). It is not up to man to accept them in their sin!         -The Old Paths (7/10/11)

Top


What’s Your Opinion of the Lord Jesus Christ?
Fred McKinney

     Pharisees of old, with what would you reproach Jesus? “He ate with sinners and publicans.” (Matt. 9:11; Mi. 2:16)

     High Priest, Caiaphas, what have you to say of Him? “He is a blasphemer, because he said”: “Hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

     Pontius Pilate, what do you say of Him? “I find no fault in this man.” (Lk. 23:4)

     Oh Judas Iscariot, have you a charge to hurl? “I have sinned against innocent blood.” (Matt. 27:4)

     The Centurion at the cross: “Truly, this was the Son of God.” (Matt. 27:54)

     Demons, devils, servants of Satan, testify: “He is the Son of God.” (Lk. 23:47)

     John the Baptizer, speak up prophet; what’s your word? “Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world.” (Jn. 1:29)

     John, the Apostle, tell us clearly, what say ye? “He is the bright and morning star.” (Rev. 22:16)

     Simon Peter, Cephas, what think ye of Jesus Christ? “Master, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:18)

     Thomas, you saw the resurrected Christ, what say ye? “My Lord, and my God.” (Jn. 20:28)

     Paul, the Apostle: you persecuted Him, but changed your mind; what say ye? “I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord.” (Phil. 3:7, 8)

     Glorious angels in Heaven, what think ye of Christ? “Unto you is born a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (Lk. 2:10-11; Ps. 68:17)

     And most important, indeed, Our Father in Heaven, our Creator; what say Ye? This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Mk. 1:11; Jn. 12:28)

Top


Created by Chuck Sibbing.  07/22/2011

The Spirit's Sword is a free, weekly publication of the Mt. Baker church of Christ, Bellingham, WA
Send all questions, comments and subscriptions to the editor at: ssword@bibleanswer.com