How to Prepare for Death

"I cannot escape death, but I can escape the fear of it." --Epictetus

Someone has said, "The only certain about life is death." Oscar Wilde said, "One can survive everything nowadays--except death!" According to Billy Graham, we are all sitting on Death Row and the Grim Reaper may call for us at any moment. Actually, from the time of maturity we begin to die--slowly, but surely, Life is composed of stages to be appreciated like seasons of life and there are pros and cons to each one--some don't have the privilege to get old, so we should not complain about it. Matthew Henry said that we should live each day as if it were our last. "There is but a step between me and death" (1 Sam. 20:3). If you don't believe you should get ready, also be reminded that the Rapture will come as a thief in the night--so get ready for that. Sometimes it seems that we are taken in our prime of life--Hezekiah protested this and was told to get his house in order pronto, but God granted him 15 more years. "For it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment" (Heb. 9:27). The Bible declares, "What man is he that lives, and shall not see death?" (Psa. 89:48).

I've heard it said that cancer is not terminal--life is. To get a divine perspective we should look at Paul who said, "To live is Christ, to die is gain." All of life should prepare us. (I am a realist like Jesus himself, and not trying to be morbid.) The day of death should be better than the day of birth (when there is always celebration--funerals are sometimes called celebrations of life. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" (Psa. 116:15).  Solomon says that it is better to go into the house of mourning than the house of mirth.  Sorrow is better than laughter. Mourning doesn't necessarily mean so much weeping and wailing as remembering.   We talk and celebrate our birthdays but often don't remember death days or make it special. Alfred, Lord Tennyson said in his poem, In Memoriam, "God's finger touched him, and he slept." We use euphemisms like passing away or expire instead of dying and don't say "killed himself" but "was led to take his life."

We all want to leave a legacy and be remembered for the best in us--especially the influence we had or the changes and impacts we made. Epictetus said, "We cannot avoid death, but we can avoid any fear of it" (which is sin). To be ready it helps to think of epithets that we would like to be remembered by loving father, brother, husband, and son (they help us to live up to them while we are here).

Usually, people tell the truth on their death bed (they've got nothing to lose).  Voltaire, said, "I must die abandoned by God and man."    Great people are often known for their famous last word, some quotable ones: "The best of all is, God is with us! Farewell! Farewell!" (J. Wesley). "This is my triumph, this is my coronation day! It is glorious!" (D. L. Moody). "When I am gone, speak less of Dr. Carey and more of Dr. Carey's savior!" (William Carey, the father of modern missions). "I die hard, but I am not afraid to go!" (G. Washington). "Behold, I die, but God shall be with you" (Jacob). The sting of death is gone for us and death is but a transition or a door to our real home.

"We are just passing through only one life, twill soon be past, Only what's done for Christ will last." When we give money to God's work we will be rewarded accordingly: Like the man who wondered about his humble dwelling for all eternity and was told that that was all they could build with what he sent up. Saint Francis of Assisi was prepared for death so much that they saw him tending his garden and asked him what he would do if he only had one more hour to live: "I would finish this row." Someone was asked how he would spend his last 24 hours of life and he said, "One hour at a time." Tomorrow doesn't belong to us so we are to enjoy our life in the here and now and not live in the future which may never happen.

 The best way to prepare for death is to be sure of our salvation: the deathbed may too late for conviction and enlightenment. We should make our peace with God without delay. Deathbed conversions are rare;  usually, their hearts are hardened by then. Doubting our salvation is healthy and one should have a biblical basis for faith because there is such a thing as "false assurance." John Knox said, "Live in Christ, live in Christ, and the flesh need not fear death." We should go out with a bang and make a mark: "He died climbing!"  Soli Deo Gloria!

The Christian's Litmus Test

"By this shall men know that you are my disciples...." The telltale sign of the Christian is his love. What the world needs is more Christian love according to the philosopher Bertrand Russell who was an atheist. Jesus mentioning the agape love of the brethren that the world will see as a witness to the genuine believer.  NB:  It doesn't say we shall be known by our success, possessions, education, culture, talents, etc., but by our love alone. Prosperity theology seems to think that we need to cash in our spiritual lottery ticket and just name it and claim it on our way to our dreams. I recall the spiritual song, "Once you've experienced it, you want to pass it on [the love of God]."

We want to make converts to Christ, not to our opinions. It doesn't say that we want to pass on our school of theology or favorite doctrines and make converts to our private way of thinking, but to reach out it sacrificial love to the world in the name of Christ as his ambassadors.

He that loves knows God, for God is love according to 1 John. If we do not know love, then we do not know God; for God is love. There is nothing wrong with a person that has learned to love with the love of Christ in his life, even if he doesn't have a firm grasp on doctrine; as long as his heart is in the right place, that is of paramount importance. Right belief (orthodoxy) is vital, but not at the expense of right conduct or behavior (orthopraxy). The faith we have is the faith we show, not the faith we talk about. 1 John 3:17 says that if we say we love God and behold our brother in need and have no compassion, we cannot say that the love of God dwells in us. The Christian should see needs and not have to be shown or made to see them. It is an honor to be able to come to the aid of a fellow believer in his time of need.

When we say that God is love, we are not saying that love is God. Love is the only attribute that shows God's personal relationship with us and that God is a personal God. It must be expressed and manifested; God did demonstrate it sacrificially by sending his Son. God defines love and the more we apprehend love the more we understand God's nature.

God is light and God is Spirit according to Scripture also, but these do not relate personally to us. Everything God does is defined in love, God doesn't know how to be unloving, but it doesn't just say God loves, but God is love--the personification of his nature. It is not so much an attribute as what God really is if we care to know him. God's love is unconditional and infinite (to know the love of Christ!). God's love cannot be measured nor compared and God had to send His Son to demonstrate it.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Roman Imprimatur

Most Christians are aware that Catholics are not allowed to read books unless they have the papal imprimatur or sanction of the pontiff. I'm pretty sure they can't write without approval either, it would seem. Now, as a Protestant, I can write a book on the Bible and publish it without getting a church's approval, though it might be unwise to have no one advise or review it. It would be a so-called "sin." When a preacher teaches he mention the caveat that the listeners shouldn't take his word for it but be "Bereans" and search things out for themselves in a noble manner. The teacher is indeed responsible to God but that doesn't deduct from the student's responsibility and he can't pass the buck and say he was just following the leader like they did in the People's Temple with Rev. Jim Jones committing suicide (by the way they found no Bibles at the campsite).

Families are encouraged to hold Bible studies with the father being the spiritual leader, and it is alright for brothers to get together and hold an "unauthorized" Bible study. What we mean by "authorized" is open to debate. I hold a Bible study that is announced in the church bulletin and one of the church members is acting as an "elder" is in charge of activities and spiritual leadership, et cetera. My old pastor thought it was great to have a Bible study and even thinks I should start one at the Vets Home. I think we are to encourage each other in the Lord's works and not offer positive feedback and bless each other and not criticize each other's ministries.

As it says in 1 Cor. 4:5: "Judge nothing before the time." That is why I refrain from judging para-church organizations such as the Navigators (having been greatly influenced and indebted to them while in the Army). They act outside of a church's authority but encourage you to attend your own local church and not be dependent on them--likewise, my Bible study is composed of people from different churches and I encourage them to assemble regularly so as not to overly influence them and take away their discernment. I am also under authority by being the member of a body of believers, and there would be no way to go off on a heretical tangent or off the deep end into apostasy without my friend Nick catching me in the act.

There comes a point when you have to step out in faith if you want to do anything for the Lord. In a sense I am a true Protestant: "I dissent, I disagree, I protest." Luther said to go against conscience is neither "right nor safe."  Soli Deo Gloria!

Orthodoxy And Orthopraxy

This means "right belief" and "right conduct" and they are both vital to a growing faith. The faith you have is the faith you show. If we are just satisfied with being theologically correct without applying it we miss the boat. Theology by itself is necessary for a sound Christian life, but it is not sufficient. It can lead us cold: Would you debate the Trinity to ease depression? Doctrine can make us grow in our apprehension of God and His Word, but the aim is to fulfill the Law by loving God and our neighbor. It can leave us cold, even if it impeccably correct. Romans 2:6 says: "God will repay everyone based on their works."

At the Bema (Judgment Seat or Tribunal of Christ for purpose of reward; cf. 1 Cor. 3:12-15) we will not be interrogated as to our school of theology or our so-called philosophy, but our works will be evaluated by fire. In my Bible study, I realize I will be under stricter judgment and must practice what I preach to be effective, but God is looking for faithfulness and He will provide the increase.

"I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and I will reject the intelligence of the intelligent" (1 Cor. 1:19). There is such a thing as spiritual pride in thinking we have cornered the market on truth or have a monopoly on orthodox doctrine. No one is infallible in the body of Christ except Jesus, the head of the body, who is the cornerstone. We all need each other but the wise and bright are not a cut above the other believers who may be simple-minded or common folk. "Not many noble" are called says, Paul. It is too easy for a brilliant expositor to "wow" his flock with his scholarship and blow them away, taking the eyes off of Jesus. Jesus was known for keeping it simple so that the common people heard him gladly.

Mother Teresa of Calcutta is an example of a saintly woman who had a simple faith and applied it to the utmost in helping the untouchables. We are not called to debate theology but to catch people and make followers or learners (disciples) of Christ. It can be fun to debate doctrine but this is not the true goal of genuine fellowship: we should strive for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph. 4:3). Psa. 133:1 says that it is "pleasant" when brothers "dwell together in unity."

In Christ's high priestly prayer in John 17 he prays that we will be one as he and the Father are one. It quenches the Spirit to quarrel and we should agree and find common ground and that is what fellowship is: two fellows in the same ship. To sum up: it is paramount that we get our heart in the right place and apply what we know, rather than have theoretical knowledge.   Soli Deo Gloria!

Are You A Work In Progress?

Maybe you've heard of the expression "Two steps forward, one step backward." The road to maturity isn't all uphill as if we're always on a spiritual high. Satan likes to nip our progress in the bud and catch us on spiritual highs when we are most vulnerable and can be caught off-guard. Recall that he tempted Jesus right after his baptism for 40 days in the wilderness when Jesus couldn't have been more vulnerable. I like the slogan "PBPGIFWMY," which means, "Please be patient; God isn't finished with me yet!"

The famous heretic British monk Pelagius thought that Adam's sin only affected him and we have the ability to be sinless and perfect, which can be referred to as "perfectionism." Today Methodists also believe that a believer can reach a level of maturity where he doesn't sin any more willfully. This is a false doctrine and we will not be perfect until we reach the terminus of the golden chain of redemption, "glorification" per Rom. 8:30. In heaven, we will be free but unable to sin, because we won't have the old sin nature anymore, but be sinless and holy. Sin cannot dwell in God's presence because He is holy. Paul himself claimed that he hadn't yet "arrived" or laid hold of it yet; how much more are we do not think that we have to room for improvement.

We are never to get cocky or self-righteous and look down on our fellow believers; for with God, there is no respect of; persons. Before the Lord, we are all "positionally" holy and righteous regardless of our experiential state. Our status is settled in Christ regardless. Isa. 65:5 warns against a so-called "holier-than-thou" attitude. We are all "one in Christ" and there is neither male nor female, Jew nor Gentile, Greek nor barbarian, slave nor free.

In heaven, we will all be equally holy and in a glorified state like Christ but may have different responsibilities or rewards earned during this life, which is the staging area for eternity. You might call it a dress rehearsal. We should be like Paul, who in his swan song declared, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith," (2 Tim. 4:7). He who is faithful in little is faithful in much--this is encouraging to the little guy who seems insignificant or unimportant.   Soli Deo Gloria!

The Real Reason For The Lord's Supper

St. Augustine remarked famously in a dictum: "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity. Holy Communion or the Eucharist (which means "thanksgiving"), aka the Lord's Supper, first-served in the Upper Room was instituted for the Church as a command to do in remembrance of Jesus and to perpetuate the memory of His death, and the New Covenant by virtue of His shed blood on our behalf. There are no many things all Christians agree on, but this should be a source of unity everywhere, uniting us all. We are showing solidarity in Christ and He has promised a special blessing on it, with a peculiar presence of His divine nature (His human nature is seated at the right hand of the Father in the third heaven).

It is true that "wherever two or three are gathered together in His name that Christ is present in His divine nature ("For lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the age"). However, there is a special grace of his meeting with us at this ordinance (let's not call it sacrament), which does not convey grace ex opere operato (by virtue of the act per se), but the actual instrumental means of grace is faith, not the outward motions or activities per se.

Some believers go to the extreme of this God-ordained ritual and do it on a daily basis, thinking they are more holy or sanctified that way. We are to "tarry for one another" and therefore this is a group effort to bring the testimony of Christ. This is our chance to regularly "examine" ourselves and that way not partake "unworthily" which could result in divine discipline or death. The table is to be open to all believers who profess saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and not discriminating or in any way showing favoritism. We are all equal before the Lord and there are no titles or ranks, classes, or castes. It is the quality, not the quantity of our obedience that the Lord is looking for.

The Lord's Supper is meant to be a meaningful ritual and not an empty one when one just goes through the motions thinking you don't need faith to benefit. It should always be an opportunity to instruct on the Seder that was celebrated by our Lord. It is a celebration and a privilege not to be taken for granted. If we partake and don't discern the body of Christ or have unrepentant sin in our life we bring judgment on ourselves, but only that we don't perish with the world.   Soli Deo Gloria!

Provocative Or Accurate Movie Of Noah?

I was advised not to see this movie called "Noah" because of biblical inaccuracies and I read a bad review on it, too, but my friends invited me to see it and I was up to the challenge and see what I could glean from a secular understanding of the Deluge. The special effects, editing, and dialog were all entertaining and so was cast, especially Anthony Hopkins as Methuselah. Russell Crowe played a convincing character, though not the Noah I know as "just, perfect and walking with God." They call God the Creator and otherwise call him "he." It is true that this was before Moses and there were no Ten Commandments to judge morality by or a revelation to know God personally. The king of the descendants. of Cain say that God hadn't spoken since Cain killed Abel and was unconcerned with mankind.

Almost everything about the flick was fantasy and even surreal to the mind--indeed a stretch of the imagination. But it makes you wonder about things and it provokes speculation and discussion about the Bible. Noah is seen as a madman bent on killing his grandchildren because he thinks God wants to annihilate all mankind instead of replenishing the earth. There are many intriguing subplots and the characters are developed enough that you have love/hate relationships. There is a real human element that makes you realize that someone with real insight into human nature wrote this. Noah, for instance, says that all men are evil not just the children of Cain and the world at large. He finds fault with his children while his wife sees the good.

You really get emotionally involved in this film and even though you know the outcome, can't wait to see what happens. I was brought to tears more than once and I could have watched it even past the more than two hours it was playing because I wasn't bored at all--I guess if you have something at stake and are literate in the Bible you are more interested in judging or critiquing the film. The only inaccuracy that bothered me was that all three of Noah's sons were supposed to have their wives aboard, not just one. The recurring motif that I noted was the overriding power of love over hate. In the final analysis, it is a good film, worth the money and time and doesn't expect Hollywood to be too religious--there trying to sell tickets and make it entertaining. But this film might just make you think a little.   Soli Deo Gloria!

Jesus Freaks, Holy Rollers, Both, Or Neither?

It is an honor to suffer shame for the name of Christ-like it says in Hos. 9:7 when the inspired man is called demented, (not to be an offensive Christian though) and to be his ambassador proclaiming the good news; but holy rollers think they are "holier than thou" and refrain from so-called secular activity or worldly things, such as going to the movies or theater, watching TV, going to sports events or even concerts. The Amish tend to have this type of religiosity and think they are better by virtue of their separatist-type living and peculiar way of life-an insult to progress and technology.

My pastor seems to be proud to advertise himself as a Jesus freak, but he is an avid hockey fan and is not a holy roller also. These are not mutually exclusive terms and one can be both. Isaiah chapter 65 condemns those who think they are "holier than thou." 1 Pet. 1:16 says that because God is holy, we are holy ("You shall be holy, for I am holy," 1 Pet. 1:16) Because we are in Christ and have imputed or transferred holiness, which means consecration or being set apart for a use--otherness or "apartness." The only holiness we have is Christ's--not our own.

For instance, some believe in shotgun evangelism, in that you should tell literally everyone about Jesus, (which I call promiscuous and indiscriminate witnessing or canvassing) regardless of whether you have earned the right and have a testimony, and whether God has opened the door or not. The person who engages in this type of spreading the Word hasn't learned how God opens doors and even closes them. This apparently does more harm than good and puts a bad name of Christianity, because Jesus was not a freak or oddball, but a well-balanced and adjusted personality to be worshiped and adored. If these unbelievers actually met Christ they could find no fault in him just like Pilate didn't. I think this does more harm than good and is a waste of time--we are just being a stumbling block to the unsaved and not being productive.

You earn the right to speak up for Christ and don't ever be ashamed of your witness and testimony on Christ's behalf. Talk to God about the person before talking to the person about God! I believe the Great Commission was given to the church and not to individual believers who are to be witnesses (and we are, either good ones or bad ones). We should be in a church that is fulfilling the Great Commission and not just making converts but making disciples, teaching them to observe all that Jesus taught. But note well that follow-up is absolutely imperative!   Soli Deo Gloria!

Where Is Oswald Chambers Coming From?

The acclaimed author of the number one bestselling devotional My Utmost For His Highest is a product of the Keswick movement that preaches the Second Blessing or the Baptism of the Holy Spirit in addition to the initial salvation experience or initial evidence validation. I have perused his volume and can't help but notice a doctrinal error and hardly any reference to Scripture for his doctrinal assertions. For instance, he talks about "entire sanctification" on Jan. 15 and this refers to the end-product of Wesleyan perfectionism ("I have seen a limit to all perfection....") which is not orthodox to the mainstream of Protestantism and believes we can reach a spiritual state where we don't sin any longer "intentionally."

A Christian can be defined as one who has repented of his sins and is not practicing known sin intentionally, but if he sins he has an Advocate with the Father and intercession is made on his behalf. All sin is in some sense intentional or willful because we will it, but there is sin in some sense that is considered unintentional or original sin and cannot be helped, like a baby's selfishness. As long as we confess our sins God can forgive us; the important thing is to acknowledge it and move on and sincerely repent, even if we do it again God can forgive us; his grace is inexhaustible.

What is meant by intentional is open to debate, but the sacrifices of the Old Testament didn't cover intentional sins. Study Heb. 9:7 and Num. 15 about unintentional sin being atoned for (or sin by mistake). Psalm 19 talks about presumptuous sins and this is more likely the case because a mature Christian has learned not to take advantage of grace and test it for the sheer pleasure of it. 1 John 3:9 says: "No one born of God makes a practice of sinning...." Hebrews 10:26: "For if we go on sinning after receiving a knowledge of the truth there remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment ["It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God."] and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries." I do not wish to expound on this dogma but if you are so inclined to be a Wesleyan or Methodist, then Chambers is up your alley.

Another error is on Jan. 14 (cf. Matt. 22:14): "Many are called, but few are chosen," (cf. Matt. 22:14) means that only a few prove themselves to be chosen. What actually is the case is that the general call to salvation goes out to multitudes, but only the elect will obtain unto it (Rom. 11:7).

On Feb. 7 Chambers makes a dichotomy between salvation and discipleship. In reality, all believers are disciples and disciple was just one of the names they were originally known by before Christian became the moniker. He says, and I quote: "Discipleship has an option with it--if any man...." In summation, there are not two classes of believers or ranks of those baptized and not (1 Cor. 12:13 says we have all been baptized into the body, for example). We are all one in Christ!  NB:  Chambers is associated with the Keswick movement.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Should Ministers Diet?

You may have heard that Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in Orange County, California led his church on a mass diet and loss an unbelievable amount of weight. My pastor isn't doing that, but he is focusing on the main thing which is preaching Jesus Christ and exalting him. God accepts us the way we are physically and we do not have to lose weight to be spiritual.

We all know quite well that the Bible says that physical exercise is of some value, but spiritual exercise is of eternal value. It is paramount that we pray, witness, meditate, fellowship, study, worship, and read Scripture; but God has given us a body and we are to accept it. It is true that we were born with a body that had nothing wrong with it and what we have now is only a sign of our stewardship of this precious gift. Some of us do indeed take care of the gift better!

But we are not to exalt the body (i.e., extreme physical training for vanity sake, nor negligence due to our own fault when we know better. There is a happy medium; Jesus did not work out and I doubt he was overweight, but had a body not-to-be-ashamed-of, also. Remember that Adam was embarrassed that he was naked and feared God. The Bible talks about those who have forgotten how to blush and are a past shame; some of us should not be too proud of our physiques or figures. My pastor says that he is not ashamed of the body that God has given him.

However, the body we now have is really the body we gave ourselves by a lifetime of neglect or care. We should neither exalt nor show contempt for or mistreat the body. Ministers are examples to the flock and shouldn't draw too much attention to the issue. My pastor is very much overweight and it doesn't affect his ministries effectiveness--he says he's just had a lot of donuts and fellowship! Not everyone has the opportunity to get regular exercise, I might add. There is a reason why the Scriptures say that "your sin will find you out." Paul says the Cretans were "lazy gluttons" but that doesn't entail being fat, because it was known that people would eat and then vomit to eat more just for the pleasure of it.

My pastor says that he used to be skinny and as he aged his metabolism slowed down; I have noticed the same effect. There is no condemnation of fat people in the Bible I have noticed. Some people's sins are all too readily evident and others' are not as apparent--though they are still there. We are not to judge our brethren by their body types and be graceful in our attitudes. I would rather have a weakness for ice cream than for pornography which might be a secret sin that only God knows about.   

We all want to feel accepted and must realize that there are more serious sins to worry about than the so-called deadly sin of gluttony (per Roman Catholic dogma, that is). There are many body types and one should not be biased than the one that is in fashion is the only acceptable one--a lot has to do with vanity and not health; in fact, being a little over your ideal weight adds years to your life, according to one scientific study I read. One can be thin and also guilty of gluttony and likewise obese and not a glutton, so it is wrong to judge by appearance.

Righteous people eat to their heart's content according to the Bible and as far as I know the New Testament doesn't command fasting or dieting for believers in this age, but as long as we are thankful we can eat away. We should never develop a guilt complex or let someone put a guilt trip on us. Personally, I don't believe in dieting (because most fail), but in making reforms to my eating habits step by step. Christians should say that they will stop trying and start trusting.  Soli Deo Gloria!