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How Do we Know That we Are Not Deceived?

  How Do we Know That we Are Not Deceived? By  "we"  in the question (above), I specifically and exclusively mean those people on earth who believe themselves to be the blessed recipients of God's regenerating grace, in that they sincerely trust in Jesus Christ and His sole righteousness to be their own; and, these people are members in good standing in faithful, creedal Christian churches.  So, the query is,  "How do these people know that they are not deceived in their belief system; and how are they assured that what they believe about themselves, relative to their faith in Christ, is true?"   Someone might say, "Well, Pastor Mark, that is an easy one: the  Bible  teaches that those who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit are indeed children of God; and that they know the Truth."  This statement is correct; and it may be verified by numerous texts, such as 1 Pet. 1:3 and 1 Jn. 2:21.   Someone else might say, "Well, Pastor Mar...
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Covenantal Perfection

  Covenantal Perfection I believe that the faithful, Christ-loving, regenerate members of the true church of our Lord Jesus may enjoy, even in  this  life, something the Holy Scriptures allude to, as "covenantal perfection."  (Please note all the qualifiers above, before we go any further.)  By "covenantal perfection," I mean, that with regard to their outward expressions of their faith--particularly with respect to their church baptisms, vows, and memberships--they are "blameless" in their execution of "keeping" their covenant with God.  (Of course, all of this is because of God's grace in them.)   . . . Before we are tempted to get "big heads," it is probably good for us to remind ourselves, right now, that in our fallen condition in Adam we are hopelessly lost, infinitely gross and guilty sinners--who deserve nothing but hell and condemnation.  As objects of God's specifically electing grace in Christ, we who have received t...
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Is There Anything Else you Would Rather Do?

  Is There Anything  Else  you Would  Rather  Do? The  best  gauge of one's self, is  desire  or  love .  The "heart" of all true religion  is  the  heart;  and  what  it (the heart) most-earnestly wants (or desires) is Christ.  All of this will be governed by  love --which is the principal "director" of the heart.   So, the question I would like to pose today, is,  "Is there anything we would rather do, than be in the presence of The Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--via the mediation of the God/Man Jesus Christ?"   If the honest answer to this query is, "No"--then this is very good.  If the honest answer, is, "Yes," then we need to talk about that.   There are  two  basic dimensions of being "in the presence of God"; and they are  both  not only absolutely necessary--they are also the clear gospel directives of God Him...
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"Pride Night" Situation

  "Pride Night" Situation The news, of late, has included the fact that some of the San Francisco Giants pitchers have chosen to write Bible verses (from Genesis 9) on their ballcaps, next to the "pride" colors of the "SF" symbol (on those caps).  Major League Baseball had issued a warning to the players; and a number of people are chiming-in on the subject, with some of them being willing to pay any fines that the players would incur (if they continued to write verses [or anything else] on their caps).   The whole "pride" thing is why I (personally) have lost so much interest in almost all professional sports (and teams).  As well, the NCAA has followed suit--so there is no real "safe haven" for fans like me.  So be it.   But the "pride night" abomination is really a problem for anyone--especially the players--in whom the Holy Spirit dwells.  A maturing and understanding (regenerated) Christian would rather die, than wear any...
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The Wonderful Christololgy of Thomas Goodwin

  The Wonderful Christology of Thomas Goodwin Thomas Goodwin (1600-1680 AD), was another of the truly great Puritan pastor/scholars of the 17th Century AD.  He was a brilliant exegete and theologian-- but he was also an incredibly tender undershepherd  of Jesus, the Chief Shepherd of our souls (1 Pet. 5:4).   Goodwin's writing style, for me at least, is not the easiest to navigate; but once you can get used to his rhythm and flow he becomes more comprehendible.  (Not every Puritan writer is a Thomas Watson[!])  Goodwin's content is  so  savory, that it will be  worth  your while to take him  on  (at any cost).   In my limited (so far) reading of Goodwin, I have been  most  impressed by his  Christology  (doctrine of Christ).  In my opinion, Christology is not only super-important, it is also the key "link" between understanding life in this world as a regenerated churched Chris...
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Should The New Testament Be Interpreted Through a Prioritized Study of The Old Testament?

  Should  The  New  Testament Be Interpreted Through a  Prioritized  Study of The  Old  Testament? The  short  answer I am going to give to the query (above), is, "No."  It is  good  to study the Old Testament; but the Old Testament itself is  now  to be always interpreted in light of the New Testament.  It is actually perverse, to (now) seek to understand the New Testament through the  exclusive  "lens" of the Old Testament. . . . To do so, is analogous to trying to see a far away distant object, by looking into the  large  end of a telescope, (instead of looking through the  smaller  end).   . . . It would be  one  thing, if we did not  have  (or possess) the New Testament.  In  that  case, the study of the Old Testament, to gain insight into what God had promised, etc., would not only be a  good  idea, it would ...
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" . . . I Do Not Wish Them To Be Brave In The Devil's Service""

  " . . . I Do Not Wish Them To Be Brave In The Devil's Service" Though it is probably not  absolutely  historically-verifiable, the story has come down through the years, that Lt. Gen. Thomas J. ("Stonewall") Jackson (CSA), told one of his staff officers that his (Jackson's) troops should, with regard to the Union soldiers, [quote],  "Kill them all. I do not wish them to be brave in the devil's service."   The staff officer had noted the courage of the northern warriors; and Gen. Jackson was concerned that their example of valor would have a savory effect on the other men in blue.  (This incident allegedly occurred during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1862.)  It is no wonder that someone who could not understand Gen. Jackson's Christian faith, would call him a "blue-eyed killer," and a "religious fanatic"--as Ken Burns described him (in his Civil War series).   But Gen. Jackson's  command --assuming the truth...
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