Avoid an "Obama Nation"

Think and pray carefully before you vote.

Between Two Worlds: Barack Obama on "What Is at Stake in This Election"

Come and Welcome - Militant Unbelief

I have sometimes been taken aback by the militancy of many who don't believe. Whether atheism, agnosticism, paganism, or a variety of other "isms", there is often a strident militant opposition to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is nothing new, and is something that John Bunyan dealt with as well.

But, faithless sinner, let us a little explore the matter. What has this man done against you, that is coming to Jesus Christ? Why do thou make him the object of your scorn? Does his coming to Jesus Christ offend you? Does his pursuing of his own salvation offend you? Does his forsaking of his sins and pleasures offend you? (pg. 139)

Last I checked, nobody was forcing people to convert to Christianity at the point of a gun. It could even be argued that those historical attempts at forced conversion were not representative of Christ and His church, but instead a perversion of Biblical Christianity. Even so, can anyone point to a single contemporary example of force being used in connection with Christian evangelism?

Yet, the presentation of the Gospel message of salvation in Christ Jesus is often met with ridicule, scorn, opposition, and , in many places, persecution. Even in "tolerant" cultures it is considered acceptable to be intolerant of the biblical message.

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God i in that name. - 1 Peter 4:12-16, ESV

Come and Welcome - Evangelical Calvinism

I mentioned in one of my earlier posts this month that John Bunyan was thoroughly Calvinistic in his soteriology while at the same time wholly evangelistic. Even a cursory reading of Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ would show the latter to be true. Passages like the following show that my earlier premise is true as well:

There are some men who think they may not be contradicted when they plead for the will, wisdom, and power of man in reference to the things that are of the kingdom of Christ. But I will say to such a man, he never yet come to understand what the Scripture teaches concerning himself; nor has he ever known what coming to Christ is, by the teaching, gift, and drawing of the Father. He is such a one that has set up God's enemy in opposition to him, and that continues in such acts of defiance; and what his end, without a new birth, will be, the Scripture teaches also; but we will pass this. (pg. 136)

When Bunyan states "he never yet come to understand what the Scripture teaches concerning himself" he recognizes the total depravity and inability of that man. None of us, being dead in trespasses and sins, can exercise any "will, wisdom, and power" in matters of salvation. We need a Savior, One who really and completely saves, Jesus Christ.

They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. - Psalm 14:3, ESV (compare Romans 3)

Take heed lest you fall

One more example in the news as to why we should constantly cling to Christ and mortify the flesh.

Sad as this is for the family and the local church, it is sadder yet that the world will use this as one more excuse to slander the name of God. What you do is never private, there are always others who experience the consequences of your sin.

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12, ESV)

Come and Welcome - Conversion vs. Profession

'And him that cometh.' He says not, and him that talks, that professes, that makes a show, a noise, or the like; but, him that comes. Christ will take leave to judge, who, among the many that make a noise, are those indeed that are coming to him. It is not him that says he comes, nor him of whom others affirm that he comes; but him that Christ himself shall say does come, that is concerned in this text. (pg. 103)

We might talk a good talk, making a great show, and a grand noise, and yet be far from the Kingdom. When you look at the last century of evangelicalism you see a leaning towards "easy believism" and "repeat this prayer after me" decision making. Describe the state of the lost under the wrath of God? We wouldn't want to scare them off. Preach about hell? More of the same.

Heaven forbid that we would call men and women to turn from their sins and forsake the world. That wouldn't be "seeker sensitive".

And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26)

Profession without repentance is false conversion. Christ might find you where you are at, but He won't leave you there. To think otherwise is a dangerous folly.