Coffee used to be a communal thing.

By that, I mean, you brewed a pot, and then everyone sat around and drank it, usually chatting together. But now, there are machines that allow you to make one cup in your home without reference to anyone else. Of course, it has advantages for those who live alone, etc. But, apart from that, isn’t it mainly one more way to break up the society that we used to know in our homes and neighborhoods—and churches?

So far as churches go, the same thing is happening in other ways. We all live at distances, rarely see each other during the week, drive to church, look at the back of people’s ears sitting in pews before us, exchange a few words, and drive home. Since this is true, and since we need the fellowship of one another—stimulating each other to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24)—then, we are going to have to do more to create (artificially) what used to be automatic. Without giving it thought, planning and providing opportunities, it isn’t going to happen. The fellowship of the saints, already dwindling, will finally disappear in those places where nothing is done to reverse the trend.

The passage in Hebrews calls for thought—consideration of ways to simulate one another. God knew fruitful fellowship would occur only if we used our heads to come up with ways to see to it that it does. Soooo . . .what are you personally going to do about it? This isn’t something to be done by the leadership alone; you too can thinks of ways you can reestablish communal activity—even without a pot of coffee!

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Some time ago I had some criticism about my book, Winning the War Within, in which it was alleged that no one had ever held such a maverick belief as the one that I set forth—that the sin remaining in a believer was habitual. Thumbing through W.G.T. Shedd’s Commentary on Romans,¹ I couldn’t help but notice that what I said was not really unique, as had been claimed by the detractors. While I’m not about to argue the case in this blog, I would like to note by a few scattered quotations that the view was held by John Owen and G.T.C. Shedd back in 1879, which, surely, means that it’s not a Johnnie-come-lately belief, as has been averred.

To begin, then, let me simply set forth a few lines from John Owen as he is quoted in Shedd. Here is the first, “This remaining corruption,” Owen asserts, “is sin in the heart with a constant habitual propensity unto evil.” Shedd approvingly comments, “This remaining corruption . . . Owen asserts to be of the nature of a habit. . . this sin in the heart hath a constant propensity to evil. . . . In other words, indwelling sin in the believer is of the nature of a habit or disposition, in distinction from an act.”

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1. W.G.T. Shedd, Commentary on Romans, reprinted by Klock & Klock 1987 from the 1878 edition [↩]

I’ve heard that there are about 101 different kinds of cold viruses. When you catch a cold from one, you become immune to it; but that doesn’t help you with the rest. However, the older you get, the less colds you get because you’re already immune to so many of them. Now, I don’t know enough to verify or debunk this theory. And, for sure, I’m not going to research it for this blog. The important thing is that it illustrates the way that we can become immune to warnings about sin.

How’s that? Well, Paul used a different metaphor—branding. If your flesh is seared with a hot iron, you no longer are sensitive to pressure on the spot. Both illustrations stress the fact of insensitivity (or immunity) to your sinning. The branding is probably a better one because you certainly can sin the same way again and again. There are assuredly more than 101 different kinds of sin too!

So. remember when you get a cold that it’s not as good an illustration as is the branding iron. Or—is it too much of a stretch to think that you’d associate the two that way? But if you have a convoluted mind like mine, then you can also remember Paul’s warning about becoming insensitive to sin.

How do you brand yourself to become insensitive to sinning? By your frequent self-justification of it.

At any rate, don’t allow yourself to rationalize sin (of any and all sorts). If you do, you will find yourself becoming insensitive to the fact that you are sinning; that’s a bad condition—far more serious than the worst cold—to find yourself in. Why? Because you will soon stop finding yourself in it.

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From the apostle Peter.

Yesterday’s blog noted a warning that Peter gave during his Pentecostal sermon. It was timely and instructive. Some believed—and, as a result—escaped the judgment in which 3 million people were killed and countless numbers sent into slavery. Of course, the vast majority of unbelievers failed to pay attention.

But today, I’d like to consider another warning that Peter gave—this time to a church (or group of churches; we’re just not sure from his wording). Clearly, though, it was to believers meeting together as a congregation (or congregations). I am referring to his entire letter, usually titled, 2 Peter.

Again, and again, using the future tense, Peter warns his readers that false teachers who scorn the truth, and lead people astray, were on the horizon. If the church was not careful, they would be adversely affected by them. His words were timely, and they were explicit. There was no reason for any reader to mistake their intent.

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In his Pentecostal sermon, among other things, the apostle Peter urged, “Be saved from this twisted generation” (Acts 2:40). What did he mean? Wasn’t he preaching that they should be saved from hell? What’s this about the present generation?

Of course he was concerned about their eternal welfare.

Then what did he mean by these words?

Peter knew and believed the words of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Olivet Discourse, when He spoke about the terrible destruction that was to come upon the Jews in Judea and Jerusalem. He knew that the terrible curses of Deuteronomy were about to descend upon that generation, as Jesus predicted. And, to be sure, forty years after he warned them, this dire event occurred.

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From time to time I like to say a word to you. I really don’t care if others who are not in the program read this or not. But I simply want to let you know that we’re thinking of you, praying for you and expecting great things of you. There are few things that would make us here at INS happier than to hear that more and more of you are out there beginning to make a difference wherever you are helping people to discover how to solve their problems God’s way.

Counselors-to-be, if it were possible, we’d sit down from time to time and talk to you personally about how you are doing, questions you may have, and the like. But with some of you on every continent but Antarctica that’s obviously out of the question. Some day, sooner or later, if it is ever practical, it would be great to hold an international conference of our students and our graduates. It’s not yet time to think about that except in our day-dreaming hours, but—who knows—in one way or another (if God so wills) it could happen.

At any rate. Hang in there, keep on studying, and the Lord bless and use you.

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I don’t intend to debate the entire issue; I have done so in my book, Signs and Wonders in the Last Days. Rather, I’d like to mention one or two facts to add to the debate.

First, we are often told that the Scriptures have no record of gifts that have ceased. I should like to say that such an assertion is contrary to fact.

Listen to this,

Having ascended to the heights, He . . . gave gifts to the people (Ephesians 4:8) . . . He gave some as apostles, some as prophets . . . (Ephesians 4:11).

Now, I’m writing to those who agree that there are today no apostles or prophets. On that assumption, connect the verses above and notice that these two “gifts” have ceased.

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“What are you talking about this time?”

Thinking I had a verse all tacked down only to discover that someone else has interpreted it differently and . . . and I think rightly!

“Oh.”

Well, over the years, it’s taught me one lesson, at least.

“What’s that?”

To sit loosely upon an interpretation until you are absolutely sure that it is correct. And then—be sure that you’ve covered the waterfront of views out there so that you will not have omitted one that might change your thinking.

“Hmmm. What should this mean to me—a layman—who knows little about exx . . exogetics . . .or whatever you call it?”

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There are two, you know. Most people don’t know this. They may guess or hope against hope that it’s true—but they simply don’t know it. Christian, you and I know for sure that it is true.

I’m referring, naturally, to life. There is physical life and there is spiritual life. Physical life is obvious—spiritual, not quite so obvious. In fact, if I hadn’t brought it up, if you aren’t a Christian, you probably wouldn’t have even thought about it. Only Christians have good reason to think about such a thing. And even they need to be reminded.

“How is that?” you ask.

“Well, only the Christian has information about the issue from Someone who has not only the right but the authority to speak about it. When Jesus speaks, Christians listen—or they ought to. He’s the One Who, when He spoke about fear, told us not to fear those who could kill the body and do nothing more, but to fear the One Who can throw both body AND SOUL into hell. So, He made it absolutely plain that there is more than a physical existence.

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Nothing adverse is said about Nehemiah in the Scriptures. Like Daniel, Joseph, and Noah, he is set forth only as a man who faithfully served God. Of course, like the rest of us, he still sinned. But his life as a whole remained steadfast to the Lord. It is, therefore, interesting to note some of what God did through him to bless His people.

Here, let’s consider only one item—one that may appear insignificant. But it is often of significance to consider how one handles insignificant matters. It usually tells you much about him.

In Nehemiah 5:15c (HCSB) we read,

I and my associates never ate from the food allotted to the governor.

Here, we see a man who cared. The people who had returned to Jerusalem remained a pitiful lot. They were poor, lived among the ruins of a formerly great city, were outcasts among those who lived in the land; their situation was miserable. Nehemiah recognized the fact and cared. Already burdened beyond belief, to take upon themselves a new responsibility, now that the new governor had arrived, would have been almost beyond their ability. Or, so Nehemiah saw it.

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Hazardous waste is usually something infectious that poses a hazard to human health. We try to eliminate it in various ways.

It’s time for true Christians to begin to classify false doctrine under a similar label.

And—do everything possible to rid themselves and their congregations of it’s contagion. Waste of the nature that usually goes under that title is bad; but false doctrine is worse. It can damn people to hell and ruin the lives of genuine believers. We make every effort to rid our hospitals, our cities, our homes of such waste. How much effort do we make to eliminate doctrinal waste?

People consider a civil duty to rid the country of hazardous waste; too many Christians have a very different idea about doctrinal waste—they think it ignoble to clear out such doctrinal trash—even though it is far more harmful.

It’s time for a drive in churches to eliminate every book, pamphlet, video, internet, DVD, or other hazardous doctrinal product from their homes, their churches and their bookstores.

Do you agree?

Well, then, where will you begin?

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Well, the weather is moderating. At the end of February, the jonquils should start poking their heads above ground. I’m looking forward to warmer weather. But as soon as it grows hot this summer, there will be many looking for cooler temperatures.

Is that good or bad?

Well, it depends.

If we’re complaining about what God sends us rather than making the best of it, that’s bad. If, on the other hand we are looking forward to the latest, new display of God in nature, that’s good.

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Believer, what happens to your soul when you die?

Want to look at a couple of facts?

1. You go to be with Christ—which is far better (than anything else).
2. You go to Paradise [the word for a “park”] which is in the third heaven.
3. You will be tenting in heaven (i.e., there only temporarily; presumably, after the resurrection to live on the new earth).
4. You will have a conscious existence.
5. You will be housed in the place Jesus prepared for you, “at home with the Lord.”

Now, I haven’t given you passages directly attached to each of these facts. If you are interested in doing so, it would be well for you to search them out for yourself—as a Berean. But I will do two things to help you along.

1. List the pertinent passages to study.
2. Give you a more correct translation of one of them.

OK; here goes—passages in no special order: 2 Corinthian 5; Philippians 1; Luke 23; 2 Corinthians 12; Revelation 12.

Here’s the translation of Revelation 12:12 “. . . be glad you heavens, and those who are tenting there . . .”

Have fun while being blessed!

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I have a confession to make. After growing up in a Baptist Church, graduating from a Baptist Bible College and a Baptist Theological Seminary, pastoring a Baptist church in Florida and Iowa, I am now a member of a Presbyterian church. How did it happen? How do I assuage the anguish of soul my mother experiences? What do I tell my Baptist friends who are burdened for me?

Let me explain how I became a Presbyterian and then allow me to draw some lessons from my life as a BARP (which I only recently learned is my official designation as a Baptist in an Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church). When we moved to Greenville we were surprised to find that while there is a Baptist Church on every corner they fell into several distinct categories—Southern Baptist, Pro-Bob Jones University Fundamentalist, and anti-Bob Jones University Fundamentalist. Without getting into an explanation of the nuances of each, all three categories had the following in common—they were Arminian in theology, mystical, and refused to do church discipline, all of which vexed my righteous soul.

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Well. It snowed after all! Not like it did in the Mid Atlantic States, of course. There, in the D.C. Orbit we’ve come to expect an excess of everything. No. Here it was a gentle snow—just enough for the kids to get off from school and play in. Indeed, it’s the kind of snow everybody enjoys—unless he’s an old grouch!

What happens in the South during a snow (which is so infrequent that it’s a phenomenon)? Generally speaking, you can expect schools to close, businesses to close or operate half a day, and all of the bread and milk to disappear from the shelves of the grocery stores. You can also expect to see cars skidded off the road into a ditch (remember this is but an inch or two of snow we’re talking about). Not knowing how to drive in snow, people gun the motor when skidding or put on the brakes.

It all reminds me of how many Christians handle new problems. Before thinking things through—they take action—sometimes frantic action! What should one do instead?

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