Can We Tell a Crackpot?

The real McCoy is out there, so beware!

God says, "Call to Me and I will answer you.." (Jer. 33:3). There will come a time when the people of God will no longer hear the word of the Lord (a famine of the Word as in Amos 8:11). God says, "When I called you did not answer, so when you call I will not answer [this is a warning]" (Zec 7:13). You, yourself have heard from God when you had that "Aha!" moment in the Scriptures and God made His divine impression on you.


I have much experience in the mental institutions and have heard it all. Heard about the shrink who told his patient that he was cured? "Well, what do you mean? When I cam here I was Abraham Lincoln, and now I'm nobody!" There are many crackpots who make all sorts of claims but it is easy to spot a phony--he doesn't have the credentials or credibility to back his claim, sort of like Elvis impersonators who are fooling no one. Many people claim to hear voices and some say others are just jealous because they don't hear them. Isn't it odd that certain drugs will cure them of this phenomenon? God is not the author of confusion and they are very confused individuals apparently. The mind is capable of playing tricks on you and make you think you hear something and sometimes it is a case of demon possession or oppression. Christians can be harassed by demons, though not possessed.

When you hear from God you are sure of it and have no doubt and can quote Him verbatim. You don't just say, "I think God is telling me to move to California, for instance." God speaks primarily through the Word. 1 Sam. 3:21 says, "The Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord." Ezra committed himself to study the Word of God (cf. Ezra 7:10). David, himself heard from the Lord on occasion, but that didn't keep him from relying on the Word and studying it and meditating on it. My pastor and others in my church have heard from God personally, but it is not new revelation per se, but something like 'I want you to put all your money in the offering as an act of faith" and so forth. God has not retired visions, dreams and directly speaking to us in this dispensation.

But before you accept someone's authority as having heard from the Lord make sure you test it according to Scripture and make sure it is in the Spirit. I do not blame skeptics that may call themselves cessationists, but they generally stay away from the Pentecostal and charismatic churches and are unfamiliar with the gifts of the Spirit--let them directly confront these Spirit-filled believers themselves before they judge. The gist is that God wants you to learn to depend on the Word and only after you do that can you expect to hear from God personally; he doesn't do it just to increase your faith or to make you better than someone else.

Are We Hearing From God?

N.B. Reformed theologians do not believe God is revealing new revelation in our age, but I am not talking about a new doctrine or message per se, but something that can be confirmed by other believers and the Scripture and does not conflict with any known doctrine, et cetera Also note well that having an experience with God in the Word or hearing a voice doesn't make one a better Christian and he can brag about it. Blessed are those who have not [heard] and have believed (cf. John 20:29).

I don't want to dishearten any soul that believes God is speaking to their heart in a sermon. "Faith comes by hearing and by hearing of the Word of God" (Rom 10:17). God honors His Word and it will bear fruit.

One of the leading theologians of the twentieth century, Karl Barth, said that the Bible becomes the Word of God when one has an existential experience with it. Mormons believe they get a burning in the bosom to verify that the Book of Mormon is inspired. I have had experiences reading John Grisham novels and this doesn't prove anything divine per se. I also recall that Aurelius Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, heard the voice of God through a child--or what he thought so to be.

Many a believer claims to have heard a word from the Lord in some notion.  The Quakers listened to their "inner light" and got quite mystical.  If you get a hunch or premonition or thought from somewhere outside your head be sure to test it by Scripture--the devil put evil thoughts into Peter's mind and Jesus said, "Get behind me Satan!"  Francis Schaeffer wrote on the subject,  "He is there and He is not silent."  God is alive and well in His communication to us and hasn't retired dreams or visions speaking of which will be more numerous in the latter days.  We don't want to become mystics who rely on feelings or secretive thoughts that others aren't confirming.

God speaks to us sometimes audibly but there will be no doubt it is Him!   God can speak through the air vent if He desires but His primary methodology is through the Word; so learn to seek God's word to you in the Holy Writ itself because this is better than relying on sporadic or infrequent messages from heaven.   God never contradicts Himself and all words from the Lord must be tested by the standard of Scripture.

Normally God isn't going to tell you something that He isn't telling others because by the same token "no Scripture is of any private interpretation" and this goes for instructions from God that involve others.  To sum it up, we may be hearing from God--I don't want to discourage the seeker of God's will--but it also may be the pizza, if you know what I mean. I believe Christians may hear from God, but it is not normative and God's SOP (standard operating procedure) is to illuminate the Word and confirm it.   Soli Deo Gloria!

Friends Closer Than Brothers?

The Bible assures us there is a friend closer than a brother and that is the biblical standard of affection and we call it brotherly affection or philia in Greek. Christians are capable of agape love for each other and for God and this is shed abroad in our hearts per Rom. 5: 5. Jesus is the closest possible friend we can have and is the ideal friend. But look at David and Jonathan whose souls were knit together and the tie surpassed that of women. They were called "bosom friends." Sometimes our brother is called to admonish us gently and to remind us that we are still human and do err! The Holy Writ also tells us that the wounds of a friend are better ("faithful") than the kisses (flattery) of an enemy.

Brothers must learn that they are brothers first and buddies second or they will lose their credibility. It is fine to be best buds or pals and hang out together but a big brother has responsibilities and after they are grown the roles don't always stay the same--sometimes a younger sibling assumes the role of big bro. Nowadays "big bro" is derogatory and people call the government by that name, but some of us were glad to have a big bro growing up whether we want to admit it or not now. 

There is a responsibility, to be honest first and to speak the truth in love, as Paul says. Jesus said in Matt. 5:22 that one who is angry at his brother or insults him "(the psalmist says that "the insults of those who insult [God] have fallen on [him])"  is in danger of judgment! You don't say, "You are arrogant" (that is judging). You say, "That seemed an arrogant thing to say, but I will give you the benefit of the doubt anyway." I am very sensitive about being labeled "crazy," "unbalanced," "off my rocker," "gone off the deep end," "gotten carried away," "taken leave of my senses," "beside myself," etc. and any connotation thereof gets my goat. I overreact and go on the defensive and am oversensitive because of my personal background, but it takes a brave friend to point out the error of one's way. Sometimes our best friends are blind to our faults and perhaps that is why they are so close to us; our brothers really know the true self we portray and we can't fool them because they really know us and also when we need intervention or help or counsel.

"He who does not love his brother abides in death," according to John. This caveat to heed from John: If we don't love our brother whom we have seen how can we love Christ who we haven't seen; these are sobering thoughts.    Soli Deo Gloria!

Is God Equal Opportunity?

In America we are obsessed with the Jeffersonian ideals of equality and that God created all men equal--this is our American way of thinking. This works fine for the government to give liberty, justice and equal rights to all, but God doesn't work that way--sorry to say. Do you think that the aborigine in Australia has the same opportunity as an American to hear the gospel? "How can they believe if they haven't heard?" says Paul in Romans 8. The clearly says in Rom. 1:20 that they are without excuse whoever they are-they have enough light in creation itself to condemn them and they also knowingly go against their own conscience, being self-condemned.

Did Sodom have the same chance as Capernaum which saw many signs and miracles? No. Did everyone at the time of Abraham in Ur have equal opportunity to respond to God's call, or did God single out him and call him in a special way as his chosen one? Evangelicals who believe in a chosen people (Israel) have a hard time admitting that God can choose individuals as well and that we are elect or chosen even before we are born. Did Esau have the same opportunity as Jacob whom God loved before he was born, while He hated Esau?

Revelation 3:20 is often quoted to say that God is standing at the door (i.e., of everyone's heart) and knocking for permission unto salvation. Let's look at the other verses in the letter to Laodicea while we quote this verse as it is often quoted out of context. Actually, Jesus says, "As many as I love I rebuke and chasten, be zealous therefore, and repent." Doesn't this mean Jesus discriminates? He is standing at the door of the church to read it in context and is addressed to the lukewarm believer who is out of fellowship--just being saved doesn't mean fellowship!  Jesus has no fellowship with unbelievers either, so the "cold" person may not refer to an unbeliever, but to a believer distancing himself from Christ. Do Christ and Belial have anything in common that they should fellowship? The believer that offends Christ is the lukewarm, complacent one. Jesus said to one inquirer, "You are not far from the Kingdom of God." Psalm 119:155 says, "Salvation is far from the wicked...." If salvation is far then how can they have equal opportunity with those to whom it is near? [A paradox!]

The "whosoever" of John 3:16 is often cited out of context as evidence that anyone can get saved. Actually, Christ said that "No one can come to the Father unless it has been granted him of the Father" (John 6:65). And "the Father draws [the wooing of the Holy Spirit] him" in John 6:44. You see, if God does woo all people the same, then the only way to get saved is by being better than someone else (But Scripture says in 1 Cor. 4:7, "Who makes you to differ? What do you have that you didn't receive?" Jonah says, "Salvation is of the Lord." This means it is not a cooperative venture where we do our best and God helps us. It's all grace and God gets all the glory. Soli Deo Gloria. This implies no merit system.

 Does anyone still not believe that the Holy Spirit doesn't take many times to sink in? The "whosoever" implies that anyone who believes will be saved but it doesn't say all can believe. "If anyone wills to do His will he shall know of the doctrine..." (John 7:17). Ultimately, our salvation is in God's hands and He chose us--we didn't choose him. ("I chose you and you didn't choose me..." as Jesus says in John 15:16.) (Cf. Eph. 1:5,11 [predestination] and Rom. 8:29-30.)   Soli Deo Gloria!

Test of Orthodoxy?

We all tend to have our favorite Bibles and maybe even translations, but it shouldn't be a test of one's orthodoxy to the faith to be partial to one translation, e.g., the Authorized King James Version. You are really only reading the true Word of God when you read the Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic because all translations fall short. You need to realize that the Word is verbally inspired and the exact word in the original is inspired for a purpose. Settle all doctrinal issues with exegesis, or returning to the original text.

I realized the problem we have when at Bible study yesterday that someone said, "I like that translation!" just because of the choice of wording that hit his funny-bone. It is not what words impress us in the translations that are paramount, but the original text. The best translations are more difficult to read because they don't do all the work for you and call a spade a spade and don't use idioms that become obsolete and are only fashionable and current for a while. I'm not saying a young believer shouldn't read the NLT (New Living Translation), the CEV (Contemporary English Version), or other modern-day translation for example, but he must realize what he is doing and compare versions. Don't get stuck in only one version, which will take away much perspective and insight: by resorting to this one can get Bible fatigue, where it seems like you are bored with an all-to-familiar text. Variation brings challenge and new input or inspiration and illumination.

I find that my doctrines don't depend on any one translation and I can read without hesitation almost any translation; however, I know hundreds of verses by memory and I am able to compare these verses, and I already know what I believe through good Bible-teaching exposure.  I feel free to use any translation and to quote Mother Teresa of Calcutta, though I am not a Catholic. Notes of explanation should be given to the reason for a specific translation being favored: Is it more literal or easier to understand, for instance? (Not that it sounds good or catchy!)

Once you have studied what the original language or wording says you will be somewhat disillusioned about the quality of a translation and lose faith in a so-called "King-James-only" faith. In conclusion, God can speak through any translation, but we are to exercise common sense and not be ignorant about what we are doing, but not skeptical either.   Soli Deo Gloria!

Universal Love

Modern-day evangelicals like to stress the fact the God "loves" everyone. The only verse they can use and I mean misuse is John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that...." Don't they know that there are seven meanings to the world or cosmos in the New Testament? In the very next verse, it is obvious that God isn't planning on saving everyone: "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved."

There are several verses that indicate that God "hates" individuals: Ps. 5:5 and Ps. 11:5 say that God "hates the wicked." In Romans and Malachi, it says that God hated Esau. Now they say that "hate" just means "reject" but if this is so why does God reject those he loves. On the judgment day, Christ will say, "I never knew you, depart from me...." Note that it is not that he used to know them, but that he never knew them. "For whom the Lord foreknew he predestined..." (Rom. 8:29). This word for foreknow means to know in a loving way.

I don't go around telling people that Jesus loves them as if that is the key message because I only believe it confirms them in their sin and they lose respect for God as their judge. "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him" (Psa. 103:11). "I love those who love me..." (Prov. 8:17). If God does indeed love everyone it is only in a very narrow way of "caring" for his creatures as Psa. 145:9 says that God "[is] good to everyone, and takes care of his creation." This is called "common grace" and God does make the rain to fall on the unjust as well as the just as we well know.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Polarizing Political Hay

I was watching the History channel presentation "The Bible" the other day and a fellow "Christian" persecuted me for watching a "politically correct" version of the Bible (it had a black Samson). When he found out from listening to Fox News that the man who portrayed the devil had an uncanny resemblance to President Obama, he said he "owed me an apology" because he obviously liked that part.

The biggest problem we have in Congress is gridlock and dysfunction. Everyone seems to think that being pragmatic is evil and that compromising politically is like compromising your morals. Many politicians are beholden to the NRA for instance because of intimidation and financial ties even though the silent majority of Americans disagree with this organization. (For instance, 91 percent of Americans favor background checks for all gun purchases, while the NRA is against this.) What we need is the great compromise of 2013 just like there was a Great Compromise of 1850. Both parties are adamant and intransigent and unwilling to see the others' viewpoint.

We owe respect to our elected officials no matter what their personal religious beliefs or economic theories are. God has placed these rulers in their place of power over us for a reason and we are to "obey the rulers who have authority over [us]." When we call someone a devil or demonize we are judging and I hope I don't have to remind fellow Christians that it is unwise to judge. Even if we see the president as our "enemy" we are to "love [our] enemies." I have seen what appears to be nothing but hate and intolerance for Obama, and the Word says that "If we hate others we are walking in darkness." Paul said in Acts after making this mistake: "Do not speak evil of a ruler of your people." We are to pray for those in authority and I wonder if all these critics actually do pray like commanded.

To render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's is to show due respect, honor, and obedience. I'm not saying we can't disagree but we can do it in a civil manner. Paul says to fear God and honor the emperor and I think that would be the president in our application. Yes, there are several reasons to respect the president. Soldiers are sworn to obey him and they learn to salute the office of an individual whether they personally like him or not.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Thanksgiving As Sacrifice

"Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving..." (Ps. 95:2a). God isn't looking for a great sacrifice to impress Him; "...the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit." "For you will not delight in sacrifice or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering" (Ps. 51:16-17). You may feel a cleavage betwixt you and the Lord and the only thing you might need to do is to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving ("Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him, bless his name!" (Ps. 100:4). "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good" (Ps. 107:1).
Who glorifies God? "The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me..." (Ps. 50:23).

Remember the sobering words of Paul about those who were not thankful: "For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him..." (Rom. 1:21a). Everyone has a treasure chest to thank God for in spite of his circumstances: I recall the man who felt sorry for himself because he had no shoes until he saw a man without any feet. Looks like we have no excuse. "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits" (Ps. 103:2).

Conclusion: "What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?"--being thankful is a start-- (Ps. 116:12).   Soli Deo Gloria!

Are You Self-Made?

"...IN ALL THAT HE DOES, HE PROSPERS..." (cf. Ps. 1:3). "...For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (cf. Josh. 1:8).
Pertinent verses to ponder:

"...I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go" (cf. Isa. 48:17). "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well" (3 John 2, NLT). "If your riches increase, do not set your heart on them." "For one's life doesn't consist in the abundance of his possessions" (cf. Luke 12:15). "He who mocks the poor insults his Maker" (cf. Prov. 17:5).

They say that the classic definition of an Englishman is a self-made man who worships his creator! Did you ever wonder what was more important: Your ambition or the grace of God? I thought it curious that President Obama says his favorite word in any language is "grace." This is what sets apart Christianity from religion which relies on merit or works for salvation.

Have you ever heard of a taxi driver with a Ph.D.? Eccl. 9:11 says: The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise are often poor and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives..." (The New Living Translation). "Time and chance happen to them all."

If you are successful it is because others have suffered, and if you are suffering, it is so others may succeed," a wise preacher named Judson has said. Amos had a lot to say to the rich of his day: "And just as stupid is this bragging about Lo-debar [nothing]. You boast, "Didn't we take Karnaim [something strong] by our own strength and power?" Isaiah says in Isa. 26:12: "All we have accomplished you have done for us." Remember that the poor and the rich have this in common, according to Proverbs: God is the maker of them all. "And always remember that it is the Lord your God who gives you the power to get rich" (cf. Deut. 8:18). They say There, but for the grace of God go I. "I am what I am by the grace of God" (cf. 1 Cor. 15:10).

I heard about one politician say that in an economic system the cream always rises to the top. This is another form of class warfare and thinking we should live in a dog-eat-dog world or a system of evolution where the "survival of the fittest" rule rains in the law of the jungle. I think the ideal of American society is that we are really a classless society and that people should remember their roots ("...Look to the rock from which they are hewn, the quarry from which they are dug" it says in Isa. 51:1) and know from where they came. I believe that in a free society all can aspire to improve themselves because they are no "untouchables" and there no caste-system. "Do not abhor an Edomite [who is offensive], for he is your brother," (cf. Deut. 23:7).

Money is not how we keep score: Like they say that he who dies with the most toys wins! Rather the better measure of our riches is not in the abundance of our possessions, but in the fewness of our wants according to Billy Graham.  Soli Deo Gloria!

Marching To The Beat Of A Different Drum

Years ago my coworkers couldn't understand my ways and said I marched to the beat of a different drummer--it was when I had rededicated my life to Christ. I seemed to them like a mystic that listened to the "inner voice" like a Quaker does. I believe this is okay as long as the "User's Guide" is the Scriptures. God has no general M.O. to reveal His will for our lives. It is a walk, step by step, day by day--we only know the next step when we are obedient to the previous one. "Job One" is knowing God's will but and we will not be given an itinerary or master plan, but shown an open door and maybe some closed doors. We "walk by faith and not by sight" and "the righteous shall live by faith" and progress "from faith to faith" growing in glory into the image of Christ himself.

Sometimes we may have to go against the grain and take chances, just like Abraham went out not knowing where he was going, he took a leap of faith. The Christian life is a journey, not a destination, and no one can say they have "arrived." If we do make mistakes, God turns them into blessings according to Rom. 8:28, which says all things will work together for our good.

David was a "man after God's own heart" and the reason he was is that he was willing to do all the will of God. There is no "1-2-3" method of finding God's will because we are all unique individuals in God's eyes. However, He does have a master plan according to Jer. 29:11 which says, "I know the plans I have for you...." Yes, "let the chips fall where they may," because God cannot be thwarted and He has a custom-made plan for each of His children. 

There are many "no-brainers" in the Bible that declare God's will like 1 Thess. 5:18 says, "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." We are commanded to know God's will and not be ignorant of it: "Do not be foolish but understand what the will of the Lord is." We have the privilege of being given the will of God: "...[God] has chosen you to know His will" (Acts 22:14). We are not to sing with Doris Day: "Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be." We are not subject to impersonal fate. Nor can we be like the blind kismet of the  Muslims who proudly say in a catastrophe: "It is the will of Allah."  

 As a matter of definition, there is the preceptive will of God laid out in Scripture, and His secret, sovereign, decreed will that is secret and none of our business. "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, and those that He has revealed belong to us and to our children..." (Deut. 29:29). When we discover the will of God, like an epiphany or "Aha!" moment in the Scriptures, we will have peace (cf. Col. 3:15).    We are to claim promises like Psalm 32:8 saying: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you shall go, I will counsel you with my eye upon you." We can get in sync with God's will by knowing the Word: "I desire to do your will O my God, your law is within my heart" (Ps. 40:8). "Send forth your light and your truth, let them lead me" (Ps. 43:3). "Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps. 119:105). "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way" (Ps. 37:23).   Soli Deo Gloria!