True Conversion
The great reformation hymn “A Mighty Fortress”
As we approach Reformation Sunday, I encourage all to requaint themselves with this great hymn, a banner for the reformers and a tribute to the martyrs, and allow it to inspire them yet again.
Having had the priviledge of singing Luther’s words in the church in Wittenberg where he nailed the 95 Theses, these truths combined with the powerful German chorale melody will always humble me and renew my awe for God.
This hymn is certainly not the only reformation hymn but represents the impact of the reformation through its text and usage (congregational): 1)Re-establishing prominence of the Scripture; 2) Clarifying the means of salvation; 3) The restoration of congregational singing.
Oh, and a bulwark is simply a safe, guarded place; a refuge, a fortress.
A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
Our helper He, amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
Did we in our own strength confide, our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth, His Name, from age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
That word above all earthly powers, no thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours through Him Who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also;
The body they may kill: God’s truth abideth still,
His kingdom is forever.
Alternate translation:
A mighty fortress is our God, a trusty shield and weapon;
He helps us free from every need that hath us now overtaken.
The old evil foe now means deadly woe; deep guile and great might
Are his dread arms in fight; on Earth is not his equal.
With might of ours can naught be done, soon were our loss effected;
But for us fights the Valiant One, whom God Himself elected.
Ask ye, who is this? Jesus Christ it is.
Of Sabbath Lord, and there’s none other God;
He holds the field forever.
Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us.
We tremble not, we fear no ill, they shall not overpower us.
This world’s prince may still scowl fierce as he will,
He can harm us none, he’s judged; the deed is done;
One little word can fell him.
The Word they still shall let remain nor any thanks have for it;
He’s by our side upon the plain with His good gifts and Spirit.
And take they our life, goods, fame, child and wife,
Let these all be gone, they yet have nothing won;
The Kingdom ours remaineth.
Is Christianity a Religion?
I’ve heard both sides of this coin. Frankly, I hear the emphasis most often that Christianity is not a religion, it’s a personal relationship. While I understand the importance of setting Christianity apart from all other religions we must also consider what we are saying when we make the statement, “Christianity is not a religion.”
Josh, over at the Truth Matters blog, has posted an excellent article by Voddie Baucham on just this topic and Voddie does an excellent job explaining why we should be very careful how we use our words…
“There is a common mantra that has been around for a while, but which seems to be picking up steam. It goes like this: “Christianity is not a religion; it’s a relationship.” We’ve all heard it before. However, how many of us have bothered to evaluate this ubiquitous saying? I believe we must do just that.”
Head on over to Truth Matters and check out this great article…
No Greater Joy!
I have a confession to make. I know that as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am to be a faithful witness. I am commanded to share the gospel as I go. Obedience to Christ’s command is not optional. Every Christian is to be on mission for Christ in the world making Him known. Pastors are to be at the “head of the pack.”
And my confession? Too often my sharing has been out of a sense of duty or obligation. Furthermore, I allowed “feeling” to be my guide. If the situation “felt” right, and the circumstances were right, I would share. If not, I kept the message to myself.
This is sin plain and simple. James said, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (4:17, ESV). I asked for God’s forgiveness and renewed my commitment to be faithful in witness no matter how I felt. As a result, God has brought about a transformation in my thinking and practice. I give Him the glory!!
The transformation in thinking came after reading the Great Commission for no doubt the millionth time. It hit me, that sharing the gospel isn’t about “feeling” it is about loving obedience. I realized that if you will do what God says, in spite of how you feel (a biblical counseling principle), He will find great delight in it, and He will provide the means to follow through-His enabling grace. The transformation in my practice occurred when I then learned The Way of The Master method taught by Ray Comfort. Ray believes, and rightly so, that the Law (the Ten Commandments) must be used prior to sharing the gospel so that people will see and acknowledge their true sinful nature. This is the Law’s purpose, to bring about the knowledge of sin (Romans 3:20). Only then will they recognize the trouble they are in and turn to the only One, Jesus Christ, who can redeem them. The rule of thumb is “Law to the proud, grace to the humble.”
The transformation has been life changing. Sharing Christ with strangers is now a regular and on-going part of my life. Again, to Him belongs the glory!
The icing on the cake, so to speak, came while reading Mark Cahill’s book One Thing You Can’t Do In Heaven. Mark mentions that often we do what we do in the Christian life because we “got to.” We are driven by obligation or duty. There is little joy in our efforts. We “got to” pray. We “got to” read our bibles. And yes, we “got to” witness. Mark suggests to change our thinking from “got to” to “get to.” We “get to” pray. We “get to” read our bibles. We “get to” witness. It’s all a privilege!!
The truth is a simple one: There is no greater joy!
With each day, God sends me opportunities to share the gospel. What was once done out of a sense of duty or governed by my own personal “feelings” of comfortableness, is now the joy of my life. I cannot think of anything I would rather do! Fellow believers! Listen up! We don’t “got to,” we “get to.” We get to share the greatest message the world could ever hear–the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no higher privilege. There is no greater joy!!!
When Sinners Say “I Do”
At first glance of the title When Sinners Say “I Do”, It is possible that an immediate response might incur a curiosity that leads to the question: “Does this book address the hard results of a marriage covenant made between two non-believers?” This is a great assumption for that matter. Yet, in its curiosity, which is warranted with a genuine desire to see such implications answered, has failed to acknowledge the foundational principals upon which this book is built.![](http://www.reformedbrethren.com/wp-content/51hyl9xagpl_ss500_.jpg "When Sinners Say \")
With the difficulties of marriage on display throughout, several themes are intertwined through each chapter as foundational truths that pierce the heart of any marriage. As a unifying thread, sin is brought to light as the leading culprit in the fallen nature of man and the some of the harsh realities we face in relationships. Accompanying its challenges, sin is magnified as the root reality from which humanity has found its struggle with God. More over, Dave Harvey completes the story by making evident the beautiful song of redemption and restoration that marriages require. Read more
Job the Book
Greater Than Jonah
While You live, stand on your head!
I can remember as a little boy standing on my hand. These days, I have given up the acrobatic feat! I suppose my head is not flat enough! Or perhaps it’s an age thing? What I remember when I stood on my head, is that everything appeared to be hanging on something else. Chairs, tables, lamps all appeared to be held in place by some invisible force. Things are not what they appear to be. Of course, I did not stand on my head for long. Otherwise I am certain I would have passed out!
These are anxious days. There is a fog of uncertainty that hangs in the air. We live on the brink of economic collapse. The sky could fall any time, so it appears.
May I suggest some wise, but unusual counsel: Stand on your head! Try it. No not literally (only if you are up to the challenge!), but figuratively or better yet spiritually. We need to live “standing on our heads,” so that we can see things from a different perspective and be reminded and encouraged that everything “hangs on God!”
As you stand on your head, you will discover, as you look within the mirror of God’s Word, that He, Almighty God is sovereign (Daniel 2:20-23), that God is good (Psalm 100:5), that God is faithful (Lamentations 3:21-23) and that in every situation, that God is at work to achieve His glorious purpose (Romans 8:28).
A few years ago, a member in our church named Annie shared a thought with me that was profound. I wrote in down in one of my bibles. She said, “trials are opportunities for God to prove His faithfulness.” Don’t misunderstand. God doesn’t have to prove anything. He’s God! Yet, God uses trials to show us that He can accomplish amazing and wondrous things within our lives, if we unreservedly place our hurts and hopes in His hands.
So go ahead. I double dare you. Stand on your head! As a matter of fact, why not go ahead and start living that way!!
Wholly of Grace
“Salvation is wholly of grace, not only undeserved but undesired by us until God is pleased to awaken us to a sense of our need of it. And then we find everything prepared that our wants require or our wishes conceive; yea, that He has done exceedingly beyond what we could either ask or think.
Salvation is wholly of the Lord and bears those signatures of infinite wisdom, power, and goodness which distinguish all His works from the puny imitations of men. It is every way worthy of Himself, a great, a free, a full, a sure salvation.
It is great whether we consider the objects (miserable, hell-deserving sinners), the end (the restoration of such alienated creatures to His image and favor, to immortal life and happiness) or the means (the incarnation, humiliation, sufferings and death of His beloved Son). It is free, without exception of persons or cases, without any conditions or qualifications, but such as He, Himself, performs in them and bestows upon them.”
- John Newton, “The Consolation”, Works of John Newton: Vol III (Edinburgh: Banner of Truth, 1985), 32
The Serious Error of Decisional Evangelism
The more I study God’s word and the more I seek to know Him more, the more I am so burdened for the church in America. We have become so man centered and so activity focused in our churches that we have all but left the glorious gospel of God behind or set the gospel up on a shelf for all to admire from a distance only to be shadowed by “bigger and more important things.”Over twenty years ago I went through the motions of repeating a prayer from a pastor as I walked a long isle. Like a magic mantra, I repeated the words of my preacher, was baptized shortly after, and was told subsequently that I was saved. I had no understanding of sin, repentance, the holiness of God, the justice of God or my condition as a sinner. I was told to simply repeat a prayer. While it was an emotional experience it was not one that was wrought by the Spirit of God through repentance and faith. I am so grateful that my God did later save me. He transformed by heart of stone to a heart of flesh and my faith is not in a decision. My faith is not even in my faith. My faith is an ongoing faith in the person and work of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And that faith is a precious gift from my God - the God that for most of my life I lived in horrendous rebellion. Despite that hellish rebellion, He saved me. That my friend is amazing grace.
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