Credits: John Piper, John MacArthur, River Valley Church

Just recently a volcanic eruption happened in Iceland. In the past 1,200 years, 200 people have died in Iceland from these massive volcanic eruptions. The date was June 5, 1362. The largest explosive eruption in Iceland manifested in to large billowing flames immersing every inch of the Earth’s surface. Loved ones died, people were hurt, and we wonder how can God let our loved ones die a physical death? How can God let our loved ones perish without knowing Christ? How can we make sense of all of this? If God is good and has the power to stop Evil, then why does he allow it? It seems as if God can’t exist says the skeptic. This would be an example of Natural Evil.

Or what about the 1997 North Hollywood shootout?

On the devastating morning of February 28, 1997, 2 men come into the Bank of America in North Hollywood with automatic guns and several other weapons attempting to rob the bank. Heavily armed with Kevlar vests, the pistols the officers were using merely bounced off the aggressors. Even the shotguns would not penetrate their armor. Desperate, the officers eventually got AR-15 style rifles from the local gun store. Many officers were down and hurting from gunshot wounds. SWAT eventually arrived and terminated them. Many officers’ lives were transformed being critically wounded.

Before we answer the question, we need to define some terms. What are the types of Evil and why do they exist?

1. Natural Evil- Includes Diseases, Tidal Waves, Volcanic eruptions, natural disasters.
2. Moral Evil-Personal evil coming from the Heart! Evil men pursue the lust of the flesh and the boastful pride of life.

Why did God destroy the whole Earth?

Genesis 6:5- The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

3. Supernatural evil- Demons, Satan, etc. Ephesians 6:12- For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

4. Eternal Evil- Hell. Where Demons and Satan are. Where every human heart who doesn’t believe and repent. Our only hope is in what Christ has done on the cross.

Evil exists and is real. And God is good. It’s part of his moral, holy character.

What is your standard of Good? Is God good despite the evil that exists? What does scripture say about God’s goodness?

Exodus 34:6- Then Yahweh passed by in front of him and called out, “Yahweh, Yahweh God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth.”

Psalm 31:19- How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which you have worked for those who take refuge in You, before the sons of men!

James 1:17- Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

Romans 8:28-29- And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to His purpose.

God is Good. According to theologian James Bryan Smith, “hat which works for the benefit or betterment of another. That which is good makes us better, heals us, restores us, improves us, strengthens us and makes us right..”

God always acts in alignment with his Character.

God is sovereign and can do whatever he wants to. He does as He pleases.

Romans 12:2- And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may approve what the will of God is, that which is good and pleasing and perfect.

God’s perfect will- No plan of ours can improve God’s will. He has us exactly where he wants us. This is God’s perfect will.

God’s permissive will- This is what God permits. God allows circumstances to occur, whether good or bad.

God does as He pleases.

From John Piper Desiring God-

Paul is saying here that we can approve (Or discern) What God’s revealed will is. We are to do the good, acceptable, pleasing will of God that is perfect. God will never command us to sin but to do what is good. If we know what is acceptable to God (The Good) then we are expected to do it. Good and acceptable are one way of describing the will of God. We have two words describing the will of God.

euareston (acceptable). The good is defined by God’s will.

“perfect” (teleion)- What God commands is His will.

Strive to know and do the good, namely what is pleasing to God, namely, what is perfect. It cannot be otherwise. God will not command imperfection. His goal for us is perfection. Indeed, from the beginning to the end of the Bible his demand from us is perfection.

According to John Macarthur, “God can do as He pleases and takes full responsibility for the existence of Evil since He is God and controls everything.” God actually wills Evil to exist; the prominent example is God allowing evil men to kill Jesus so that He could accomplish His plan.

Genesis 6:5 “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.”

Because of this, God personally drowned millions. He allowed millions of wicked men to exist and killed them.

Does this seem like an oxymoron? Can God be good and allow evil to exist? God can be good and allow evil to exist for His purposes. It’s not an oxymoron; God is Holy, Holy, Holy

Isaiah 6:3- “And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”

God takes full responsibility for the existence of Evil. He does as he pleases.

1 Timothy 6:15 – “He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,”

Matthew 11:26 – “Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”

Job 23:13 – “But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.”

Psalm 33:9 – “For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.”

Psalm 103:19 – “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”

Isaiah 14:27 – “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?”

Isaiah 46:9-10 – “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’”

1 Samuel 2:6-8 – “The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.”

Amos 3:6 – “Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?”

Do you try to limit God? To say that God can stop it and isn’t? Therefore he doesn’t exist?

God is omnicient and all knowing. He wills Evil to Exist for His purposes and that is contradictory to His Character. God can do whatever He wants.

God gets glory because of Evil- God’s righteousness is on display when Evil exists.

In addition, God gets glory becaue of the existence of Evil..

From the Westminster Confession of Faith-

Chapter 3: Of God’s Eternal Decree

Section I

“God, from all eternity, did by the most wise and holy counsel of His own will, freely and unchangeably ordain whatsoever comes to pass. Yet, as thereby neither is God the author of sin, nor is violence offered to the will of the creatures; nor is the liberty or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather established.”

1. God’s Sovereignty and Eternal Decree
   • 1 Timothy 6:15: “He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords.”
     • Confession: He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, the sole ruler of the universe.
2. God’s Wise and Gracious Will
   • Matthew 11:26: “Yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.”
     • Confession: It seemed good in God’s sight to ordain all things according to His wise and gracious will. He does what He does for His own pleasure and glory.
3. God’s Immutable Purpose
   • Job 23:13: “But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, that he does.”
     • Confession: God is unchangeable in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth. What His soul desires, that He does, and no one can turn Him back.
4. God’s Creative Word
   • Psalm 33:9: “For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.”
     • Confession: By the word of the Lord, the heavens were made. He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood firm.
5. God’s Universal Dominion
   • Psalm 103:19: “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.”
     • Confession: God’s kingdom rules over all. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation.
6. God’s Unstoppable Purpose
   • Isaiah 14:27: “For the Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and who will turn it back?”
     • Confession: The Lord of hosts has purposed, and who will annul it? His hand is stretched out, and no one can turn it back.
7. God’s Eternal Nature
   • Isaiah 46:9-10: “Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’”
     • Confession: God declares the end from the beginning. His counsel shall stand, and He will accomplish all His purpose.
8. God’s Sovereign Control
   • 1 Samuel 2:6-8: “The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the Lord’s, and on them he has set the world.”
     • Confession: The Lord kills and brings to life; He makes poor and makes rich; He brings low and He exalts. All things are under His sovereign control.
9. God’s Sovereignty Over Calamity
   • Amos 3:6: “Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?”
     • Confession: If there is a calamity in a city, has not the Lord done it? His sovereignty extends over all events, including those we perceive as disasters.

Without Free Will we would all just be robots. Free will is necessary for God’s creation to choose to love Him. We aren’t robots that are forced to love. Why is freedom such a big deal?

From River Valley Church- “Freedom allows us to experience true friendships and relationships. It’s not arbitrary. It’s innate in him that he has passed onto us. To experience community with him and with others. You have to enter in freely. Freedom is a critical component of the relationship. It’s innate to him; he has passed it onto us.”

Would a relationship be real if it were forced and not mutual? By no means! God gives us the ability to say no to Him and exercise our free will.

Conclusion-

Maybe you are thinking of leaving the faith because you don’t believe in God. Hopefully you see this and this article has some impact on your life. Maybe it’s hard to understand how God has a purpose in any of the things that have happened in your life recently. But there is hope. God works through the good and the bad times. True saints persevere because they know this life is but a vapor. God wills evil to exist. He wills good to exist. God has a plan for my life and your life. God does as He pleases. Trust in God’s character and know he is sovereign in this life. Over every minute detail. Every grain of sand. God’s plans and purposes will come to pass and we can be overjoyed. God wills evil to exist but he also will destroy evil and send all evil to the eternal lake of fire. Hope in God and live for Him in this short life. The God who exists and is capable of putting your soul in heaven or hell. Believe and repent in the Gospel. Today is the day of salvation

What does it mean to be a Christian?

See References section at the Bottom of the Page.

Today I’m going to do something a little different- Relating the Bible to the Script. It’ll make sense in a minute, I promise! Below is their video and lyrics. If you want to go straight to how we know the Bible is true, you can scroll down.

Lyrics

I’m still alive but I’m barely breathin’
Just prayed to a God that I don’t believe in
‘Cause I got time while she got freedom
‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even

Her best days will be some of my worst
She finally met a man that’s gonna put her first
While I’m wide awake, she’s no trouble sleepin’
‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even, even, no

What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up that you’re okay?
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces

They say bad things happen for a reason
But no wise words gonna stop the bleedin’
‘Cause she’s moved on while I’m still grievin’
And when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even, even, no

And what am I going to do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up that you’re okay?
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(One still in love while the other one’s leavin’)
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even)

Oh, you got his heart and my heart and none of the pain
You took your suitcase, I took the blame
Now I’m tryna make sense of what little remains, oh
‘Cause you left me with no love and no love to my name

I’m still alive but I’m barely breathin’
Just prayed to a God that I don’t believe in
‘Cause I got time while she got freedom
‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break
No, it don’t break, no, it don’t break even, no

What am I gonna do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up that you’re okay?
(Oh, that you’re okay now)
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces (oh, I’m fallin’, fallin’) yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(One still in love while the other one’s leavin’)
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even)

Oh, it don’t break even, no
Oh, it don’t break even, no
Oh, it don’t break even, no

***************************************************************************************************************

What can we learn about the Script and this song?

Well it may sound relatable and romantic on the surface. Many people have been through hard breakups. However, much of what he says is concerning. Lets look at it.

I’m still alive but barely breathing– Breakups are hard. And there should be heartache and grief in the moment. However, is his trust in God?- He (God) has worked out everything for good (Romans 8:29-20). It’s as if everything he desired and lived for was for her. While that might sound romantic on the surface, I’d have a lot of questions. Where are his friends? Is he investing into other people? Does He love others? Does he have a support network? If your whole world collapses because of a breakup, that could be a red flag.

Just prayed to a God I don’t believe in- Probably the most concerning aspect of this whole song. People come to God in trials. They treat God like a magical genie that they will go to that will fix their problems. But once the pain resides, their “God” is forgotten. So is the culture. We live in a world of Nominal Christians who don’t believe in God.

Her best days will be some of my worst
She finally met a man that’s gonna put her first – Understandable. People don’t want others to be happy when they are so sad. But what has happened has happened. We should hope for the best in other people’s lives for their good.

Just Prayed to a God I don’t believe in

This is so relatable to the culture and should push us to Evangelize. According to one Barna survey, just 6% of the adult population considers themselves to be Evangelical Christians. We live in a culture where an overwhelming number of people profess to be Christian but don’t believe in the essentials of the faith. Salvation is Doctrinal.

How We Got Here: Spiritual and Political Profiles of America

Now if you’ve ever been consistent in Evangelism, you know that everyone is professing Christianity but don’t adhere to the basics of the Christian faith. Obviously, 65% of America is not Christian. We live in a Spiritual Crisis. Isn’t America a Christian nation? How in the World did we get here?

Historically, there has been a Battle for the Bible. For Sola Scripture, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Solus Christus, and Sola de la gloria.

Well part of how America has fallen has to do with different ideologies and the Age of Enlightenment. It was the intellectual and Philosophical movement that occurred in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. Who were the proponents of these ideas and what did they teach?

Rene Descartes

Rene Descartes taught that reality can be understood through reason (Rationalism). One of his most famous lines was “I think, therefore I am” He doubted and therefore was a thinking human being.

Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon was a philosopher of science. He was a proponent of the scientific method and gathered data and strictly analyzed it. People started to see the world through the lends of Science and Reason.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Jean was the father of Romanticism. Romanticism is all about self-fulfillment. There was an emphasis on literature, the arts, imagination, and the emotions.

We see many different Ideas emerging. The Westminster confession of faith states that the chief end of man is to Glorify God. The Declaration of Independence states that the people are endowed with unalienable rights including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Romanticism says that our purpose is to self fulfill ourselves with literature and the arts. Many different ideologies on the purpose of man.

Friedrich Schleiermacher

Then you have Frederich Schleirmacher- The Father of Modern Liberal Theology who grew up in a Pastor’s home. And he has a crisis of faith and abandons Christianity. Here it is-

Tenderly beloved Father,

Barby, 21st January, 1787.

Though tardily expressed, my wishes for you in the New Year are not, therefore, the less sincere or the less fervent. The older we grow, dear father, the longer we witness the course of events in the world, the more persuaded we become, that neither for ourselves nor for others ought we to wish any of those things which are generally the object of desire, lest we should in reality be wishing for evil. Everything is, under some circumstances, happiness, and under others, unhappiness, except peace, tranquility of mind, and submissiveness of heart; and this is what I wish for you, in addition to that which must be most valued by a father, well-founded joy in your children. The more I, as your son, wish you this from the bottom of my filial heart, the more it costs me, the more it pains me in the depth of my soul, that I must now announce to you something which will cause your hope, in the fulfillment of this wish, to waver.

I confessed to you, in my last letter, my dissatisfaction with the limited scope of my position here, and pointed out how easily, under such circumstances, religious doubts may, in our times, arise among young people. I thus endeavored to prepare you for the intelligence that these doubts have been awakened in me, but I did not attain my object. You believed that your answer had set me at rest; and for six whole months I most unjustifiably remained silent, because I could not find it in my heart to destroy this illusion.

Faith is the regalia of the Godhead, you say. Alas! dearest father, if you believe that, without this faith, no one can attain to salvation in the next world, nor to tranquility in this—and such, I know, is your belief—oh! then, pray to God to grant it to me, for to me it is now lost. I cannot believe that He, who called Himself the Son of Man, was the true, eternal God : I cannot believe that His death was a vicarious atonement, because He never expressly said so Himself; and I cannot believe it to have been necessary, because God, who evidently did not create men for perfection, but for the pursuit of it, cannot possibly intend to punish them eternally, because they have not attained it.

Alas! best of fathers, the deep and acute suffering which I endure while writing this letter, prevents me from giving you in detail the history of my soul as regards my opinions, or all my strong reasons for entertaining them ; but I implore you, do not look upon them as merely transient views, without deep roots. During almost a whole year they have had a hold upon me, and it is long and earnest reflection that has determined me to adopt them. I entreat you not to keep back from me your strongest counter-reasons; but I candidly confess that I do not think you will succeed in convincing me at present, for I hold firmly by my convictions. And now are told these tidings which must be so terribly startling to you ! Try to enter entirely into my feelings, and you will, perhaps, be able in some measure to understand what it must have cost me to write these lines, devoted to you as I am, my good father, with such tender filial affection, acknowledging as I do your great love for me, and being conscious that I owe everything to you; for that I entertain these feelings, I can aver with a good conscience, and I am sure that you also are persuaded of it. They have been written with trembling hand and with many tears ; but even now I would not send them forth, had not my superiors encouraged me ; and even in a manner charged me to write to you. Comfort yourself, dear father, for I know you were long in the same state that I am now. Doubts assailed you at one time as they now do me, and yet you have become what you now are. Think, hope, believe, that the same may be the case with me ; and be assured that, although I may not be of the same faith as you, I will, nevertheless, ever strive to become an honorable, upright, and useful man ; and, after all, that is the most essential thing.

I have openly laid my thoughts before my present superiors, and, upon the whole, I have been treated very kindly. They have told me that they would wait some time to see whether a happy change might not take place ; but, at the same time, they have given me frequently and distinctly to understand, which is indeed a matter of course, that I must not look forward to obtaining even the most insignificant office in the community, until my convictions have undergone this change. I know, dear father, that however great may be the pain which I am now causing you, you will not withdraw from me your fatherly love and care. You will see, without my suggesting it, that it will be necessary even in case it cannot soon be realized — which, alas ! I am convinced it cannot be — that measures should at once be taken to enable me to become a useful man beyond the limits of the community, as within it I cannot at present be so. If your circumstances will at all admit of it, pray, allow me to go to Halle, if only for two years. You must see that my success in life depends upon, this. I can hardly believe that you will give your consent to my continuing my theological studies there, for you will not be willing to add one more to the heterodox teachers of our country. However, if you can do so with a good conscience, as I would at all events probably devote myself to a scholastic career, it will suit me much the best, for I am better prepared herein than in other sciences, and my inclination also lies this way. There, also, I would be more likely to change my views than by continued study in the congregation, for I would have more opportunities of testing every diversity of opinion, and would, perhaps, learn to see that many reasons are on one side not so strong, and on the other, stronger than I at present conceive. However, I leave it entirely to you to determine what I shall study. In regard to law there is this objection, that a jurist belonging to the burgher class rarely obtains an appointment ; and in regard to medicine there is this other objection, that on account of my deficiency in preliminary knowledge, I would require two years more, while at the same time, the lectures are much more expensive. Perhaps uncle can give me free lodgings or free board in his house ; or, perhaps, I might obtain free board elsewhere, or even a small stipend. Six young members of the Brotherhood are already studying law in Halle, and these, together with my old friend W[…], from Breslau, and Mr. S[…], would be sufficient society for me ; so that from this side you would not have reason to fear the corruption of the university, besides which, my time would be fully occupied with study, and I would live quietly under the guardianship of my uncle.

If you would communicate with the Brethren in Herrnhut upon the subject, and represent the matter to them, you might, perhaps, succeed in obtaining their consent to my going to Halle, in which case should I hereafter change my convictions, I would be at liberty to return to the community. The Brethren will no doubt understand that this diversion of my thoughts to quite different subjects would be the most likely means gradually to effect the desired change. However, should this even for a time entirely separate me from the congregation, it will, nevertheless, be better than that I should remain in the community with unaltered convictions, leading an inactive and discontented life. On the other hand, should I change in Halle, it is not impossible that I might return to the Brethren.

You will perceive in reading this letter, dear father, how hard it has been to me to write it. May God give you strength to receive the intelligence without injury to your health, with out too great pain, and without suffering it to impair your fatherly love for me. He knows best what it has cost me to impart it to you.

And now, one request more only : make up your mind as quickly as possible. After Easter begin all the courses in Halle, and of what use would it be that I should remain an other half-year here, consuming a great deal of money, and yet at last have to go ?

In sorrow, dear father, I kiss your hands, and entreat you to look at everything from the most favorable side, and to consider well, and to bestow upon me in future, also, as far as it is possible, that fatherly affection which is so indescribably valued by

Your distressed and most dutiful Son.

So What are the implications? We now have professing “Christians” that don’t believe in the Bible. Thoughts and feelings are based on Romanticism, Reason, and science- Anything but a Biblical Worldview. Thus starts the fight for the Bible between the fundamentalists and fathers of the Enlightments.

The fundamentalists held to the fundamentals of the Bible. Nowadays, fundamentalism has a different meaning. But back then, this is what it meant. Dwight Moody and Billy Sunday are two examples of the fundamentalists. What key doctrines were being attacked?

Inerrancy

Virgin Birth and the deity of Christ

Christ and the atonement

The resurrection of Christ

The authenticity of Christ’s Miracles.

Now all the mainline denominations are going liberal. The Fundamentalists started new denominations, new schools, and new churches. Fuller seminary started out as Fundamental and had a high standard for Academics. However, they began to hedge on their fundamental values and started making academics a higher priority.

What 3 Pillars do we need to stand on?

We need to stand on the Word of God as the Final authority.

The work of God by grace through Faith

The Worship of God in Spirit and truth.

We need a Biblical Worldview on how we think and How we live.

In light of these truths, how are we to act?

Be prepared to make a defense for the faith; in this case the Bible.

1 Peter 3:15- but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

With this historical background in mind, how would you answer the pervading question of the hour?

Well many people think they can reason their way to the Bible or reason their way to faith- Just like the main figures of the Enlightenment. Are Christians just smarter than other people? Do they have special access?

Martin Luther- “The Bible can’t be understood simply by study and talent. You must count on the influence of the Holy Spirit.”

Calvin- “The Word of God is believed when God regenerates the heart.

It is the testimony of the Holy Spirit which enlightens our hearts and gives us the ability to understand the scriptures. The same spirit that convicts us that we are children of God. Romans 8:16- The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. Remember, the Gospel comes in Power

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5

Knowing, brothers beloved by God, your election, for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and with the Holy Spirit and with full assurance, just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.

Remember, we totally rely on the spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:4-5

And my word and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, so that your faith would not be in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

The only people that believe the Word of God are those that God has chosen. Remember the Parables? God chose a select number of people to hear his Word. Others didn’t have the privilege of understanding it.

Why don’t we understand? Why don’t we believe the Bible or embrace God’s truth? God has to open up your eyes. It is Satan that blinds the minds of unbelievers.

2 Corinthians 4:3- And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, in whose case the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Satan is blinded the minds of unbelievers. Notice what this is about-Glory.

God expects us to be convinced of his glory and his revelation in nature. People are without excuse if they don’t glorify hm and thank him. Just like in Romans:1, we are expected to see God’s glory not only in the world as creator but in the very Word of God. It is the same glory he enables us to see.

Romans 1:18-32

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, both His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen; being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. For even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the likeness of corruptible man and of birds and four footed animals and crawling creatures. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions; for their females exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the males abandoned the natural function of the female and burned in their desire toward on another, males with males committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to an unfit mind, to do those things which are not proper, having been filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, violent, arrogant, boastful inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the righteous requirement of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.

We are expected to give glory without excuse; we see that He is creator of all things. The world is too complex to not have a creator. The Holy Spirit enables us to give him glory in creation and give the Word of God glory as well. (2 Corinthians 4:3)

Conclusion- Why a sunset of a couple?

I could have given you a whole bunch of reasons of why the Bible is true. I could have gone in depth on the prophecies, archaeological evidence, the history, etc. But I didn’t. Why? Because I don’t believe reason alone can convince anyone’s heart of the truth of the Bible. You could see Christ physically rise from the dead and still not believe. Historically, there has always been a battle for the Bible and truth as we saw from the Enlightenment and Fundamentalists. People have died and are still dying for the truth that is in their hearts. How do we know the Bible is true? By the illuminating power of the Holy Spirit. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God that someone is saved and enlightened to the truths of scripture. It is the testimony of those who are saved. It is the responsibility of man to behold the glory of God in creation and behold the glory of God in the Word. The lyrics of the Script one more time-

I’m still alive but I’m barely breathin’
Just prayed to a God that I don’t believe in
‘Cause I got time while she got freedom
‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even

Her best days will be some of my worst
She finally met a man that’s gonna put her first
While I’m wide awake, she’s no trouble sleepin’
‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even, even, no

What am I supposed to do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up that you’re okay?
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces

They say bad things happen for a reason
But no wise words gonna stop the bleedin’
‘Cause she’s moved on while I’m still grievin’
And when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even, even, no

And what am I going to do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up that you’re okay?
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(One still in love while the other one’s leavin’)
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even)

Oh, you got his heart and my heart and none of the pain
You took your suitcase, I took the blame
Now I’m tryna make sense of what little remains, oh
‘Cause you left me with no love and no love to my name

I’m still alive but I’m barely breathin’
Just prayed to a God that I don’t believe in
‘Cause I got time while she got freedom
‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break
No, it don’t break, no, it don’t break even, no

What am I gonna do when the best part of me was always you? And
What am I supposed to say when I’m all choked up that you’re okay?
(Oh, that you’re okay now)
I’m fallin’ to pieces, yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces (oh, I’m fallin’, fallin’) yeah
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(One still in love while the other one’s leavin’)
I’m fallin’ to pieces
(‘Cause when a heart breaks, no, it don’t break even)

Oh, it don’t break even, no
Oh, it don’t break even, no
Oh, it don’t break even, no

Maybe this is you. Maybe you are alive and barely breathin because of a trial in your life. Maybe you are praying to a God you don’t believe in. But there is hope through the power of the Word of God.

Romans 10:17- So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

What will you choose? Will you choose to live life praying to a God you don’t believe in only when trials arise? Or will you embrace the Word of God and be saved by believing and repenting? Check your heart to see if you are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5) We have too many “Christians” praying to a God they don’t believe in. Believe and Repent today for today is the day of salvation. The couple in the picture may look happy walking into the sunset. But true happiness comes from living for the creator and His purposes. Let our lives not be about a warm sunset, cute girlfriend, and comfortability ultimately. But in the true God of the Bible. Contend for the faith and live in light of eternity. Live in the truth.

–https://forhisglory.net/2018/06/28/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-christian/

References

John Macarthur media

John Piper Desiring God

Nathan B Sermon Grace Community Church

https://postbarthian.com/

                                       

Our life is fleeting. God has numbered out days.

1. Psalm 39:4-5 (ESV):
   • “O Lord, make me know my end and what is the measure of my days; let me know how fleeting I am! Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah.”
2. James 4:14 (ESV):
   • “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
3. Psalm 90:10 (ESV):
   • “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.”

Well I go into this Devotional with a somber reflection of the brevity of life, the Bema seat and God’s judgment. Lately I’ve been exposed to people dying that I have met breifly-one time meetings. Just passing by. My brother’s roommate who overdosed on drugs; my friend’s mother whom I only met once. Gone the next day. In each of these instances, I hesitated to give the Gospel. They were quick interactions; first time meetings. I reflect on what I could have done. However, I also know that God is sovereign and His elect will come to saving faith. As we live out this life as saved individuals, lets live for Him who is to come; not living like the natural man who does not know God and whose mind is set on the flesh. 1 Corinthians 2:14: (The natural man does not have the Spirit of God) Romans 8:7-8 (The natural man’s mind is set on the flesh) Ephesians 2:1-3 (The natural man lives according to the passions of the flesh) Are you in the faith? Check your heart (2 Corinthians 13:5)

  

                           The Brevity of Human Life

1.  Despite the Psalmist’s discipline or chastisement from God, the Psalmist’s hope is in __________________.

• The Psalmist describes life as a breath. It is all hebel, meaning ________ or ___________

• The Psalmist has Faith despite having many ___________.

• The Psalmist doesn’t want to provoke the scorn of fools. He is _______ and doesn’t want to move in the direction of betrayal.

• The psalmist is ______ out of loyalty. In the presence of the wicked, the psalmist wishes not to speak.

• The Psalmists asks the Lord to lighten his ____________.

• The Psalmist says he is an alien. His home is not here but in ___________.

Open ended questions

1. Despite our trials, tribulations, persecutions, how can we put our hope in the Lord?

• Is our life really Hebel? If our life is Hebel, how can we live for the Lord effectively?

• What are some of the similarities between Ecclesiastes and Psalm:39?

• Our days are numbered. Our life is but a breath. How can we live in light of eternity knowing this?

• What is the importance of the Holy Spirit in helping us live for the Lord in light of our short, vain life here on Earth?

• How can you make the most of the time God has give us here on Earth?

Answers- God. Vanity/Meaningless. Questions. Loyal. Silent. Discipline. Heaven.

Our life is but a breath. Here one day and gone tomorrow. Are you going to live for yourself or for God and His purposes? What is your ultimate hope in? What do you believe will ULTIMATELY make you happy? Fame? Finances? Women? Power? Sex? Children? Or are you Ultimately living for the Lord and His purposes, in light of eternity because we know our days are numbered and our hope is in the Lord?

In light of my previous post, “the community and the Gospel”, I believe it’s important to address this specific issue. What is your ideology when it comes to male-female interactions? We don’t know how to interact with the opposite sex as a church. There are many ideologies pervading the church culture. Ideas have consequences which thereby affect our actions and how we treat others. The way we think about our interactions with the opposite sex affect our dating life, marriage, and witness of the Gospel to a watching world.

A Continuing Problem that has not been resolved

Why do I think this is a problem in the church? There are many reasons. It’s what I have observed personally, what other brothers have told me, what leaders in the church have told me, the amount of singles in the church who want to get married, and blank stares as to why there are so many singles in the church. The church culture and teaching about this issue affects the amount of marriages in the church. Lets get back to a healthy idea about how we should interact in the church and pick a position. Before I go on to describe some of the problems, here are some things I’ve heard from people not just at my church but other churches as well.

1. From a Christian Leader- There are many barriers to Christian dating in the church that aren’t healthy.
2. From a Christian Brother that goes to seminary- “It felt like a crime to ask out a girl within the church context.”
3. From a Christian Sister- At my other church, the women would just talk to other women. There was hardly any interaction with the brothers.
4. From a Christian Leader- “The girl circles and guy circles need to stop. It’s not inviting. We should be interacting; this isn’t middle school”
5. From a Christian Sister- I thought going to coffee was one step toward marriage.
6. From a Christian brother- Why are there so many singles in the church that want to get married?
7. From a Christian brother- Interactions should be limited. You should keep a distance from the sisters
8. From a Christian brother to another brother- What is your motivation for coming to church late?

Problem #1 Men circles and Girl Circles

I’m not against men and women circles. In fact, I think they are healthy part of community. However, the problem arises when men only talk to men and women only talk to women. It’s as if the sexes are trying to avoid each other in church. It’s appropriate to have friendships with the opposite sex and talk- Especially in groups. We need to be interacting for we are a Gospel community on mission for God. We are a the Family of God that are members of one another. How are we supposed to interact? As brothers and sisters in Christ with relational and spiritual care for one another. What do the scriptures say about being a family of God? How can we think properly about our relationships to one another?

We are members on one another part of the Family of God!

Ephesians 2:19-22

¹⁹ So then you are no longer strangers and aliens,^[a] but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, ²¹ in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ²² In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by^[b] the Spirit.

Romans 12:4-5

⁴ For as in one body we have many members,^[a] and the members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13

¹² For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves^[a] or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

Galatians 3:26-28

²⁶ for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. ²⁷ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave^[a] nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4:4-6

⁴ There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

John 3:1-2

3 See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. ² Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears^[a] we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.

John 1:12-13

¹² But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, ¹³ who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

1 Peter 2:9-10

⁹ But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. ¹⁰ Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Scripture is clear that we are God’s adopted children and members of one another. As members of the universal and local church, how are we to function? Below are some principles for how we are to interact as members of one body and Christ’s church:

1. Treat each other with purity and respect (1 Timothy 5:1-2)Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, ² older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. In other words, treat your spiritual sisters as your familial sisters.

2) Show love and honor (Romans 12:10)

¹⁰ Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. In other words, sacrifice for the benefit of others while showing honor, respect, and value for that person.

3) Practice humility (Philippians 2:3-4)

³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. In other words, don’t live for yourself but emulate Christ’s humility.

4) Encourage and build up (Ephesians 4:29)

²⁹ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. In other words, edify the brothers with encouraging words.

5) Don’t be a stumbling block (1 Corinthians 10-:32-33)

¹³ Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. In other words, love others so much and put away your rights for the benefit of others so they can grow in the faith.

6) 1 Corinthians:13-4:7- Love unconditionally

⁴ Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant ⁵ or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;^[a] 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

7) Compassionate and forgiving (Ephesians 4:32

³² Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

8) Bear one anothers burdens (Galatians 6:2)

² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

9) Matthew 5:9 (Strive to be a peacemaker)

⁹ “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons^[a] of God.

10) Proverbs 4:23

²³ Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life. In other words, watch where your desires, emotions, will go. Check your heart and make sure you are pursuing God and His purposes.

11) 1 Corinthians 13:7

⁷ Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. In other words, love believes the best about someone’s intentions.

12) 1 Corinthians 4:5-

⁵ Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God. In other words, God is the one who judges people’s hearts. We are not the Heart Police.

Different camps on Interaction

What camp are you in when it comes to male-female interactions? Generally speaking, there are a few different camps.

Camp1- Total avoidance. Some brothers and sisters rarely if ever talk to the opposite sex at church. Sometimes I wonder if they fall in this camp- That total avoidance of the opposite sex is the best option.

Camp 2- Familial. This camp says that since we are members of one another and are to love one another, we should be very familial with one another. It’s fine to be good friends with the opposite sex.

Camp 3- Somewhere in the middle- This camp says that avoidance isn’t the right answer but neither is the extreme of being very familial. Brothers and sisters should be interacting in a way that is pleasing to the Lord and protects the hearts of others.

Legalism vs Liberty

This is a grey issue that necessitates a lot of wisdom. We have great freedom in Christ to make decisions based on the principles of the Bible. When thinking through our convictions, we need to make sure we aren’t putting our preferences and convictions on other people which is very common in the church. Unless the Bible explicitly says it, we trust in the Lord. For example, fornication is obviously prohibited in the church before marriage. However, many grey area issues will inevitably pop up in the church including:

Alcohol consumption, homeschooling. fashion and modesty, social media usage, tattoos, politics, etc.

This issue is very important because it affects our relationships in the church, marriages, and how we treat one another. If we want to be faithful to practicing the one another’s, we need to be able to think well through this topic. We are members of one another and are part of the same family. It is good and healthy to interact with one another as God’s Gospel community. We will spend eternity together in the New Heaven and the New Earth- The church should be a reflection of that reality right now. We need community with the opposite sex so we can live out our Gospel mission, use our spiritual gifts for the benefit of the body, practice the one another’s, and be faithful to Hebrews:10. Community is sanctifying and we need each other. This is a grey area issue that requires a lot of wisdom. What camp do you fall in? Do you look down on others if they don’t fall into your camp? What are your convictions? Do you put your convictions on others as rules for the Christian faith? Go back to my principles section and review them. I’m by no means perfect at all at implementing every single one of these. But by God’s grace, God is working in my life. Lets get back to a proper view of who we are in Christ- As members of one another that use our gifts for the benefit of the body. Lets love each other well and provide relational care to one another in light of Christ’s return and the Bema Seat. Love one another well. The Christian life is not about legalism or license but living out what the Word of God says and implementing the principles of the Bible based on the relationship we have with the Lord and the Word. There is much freedom in the Christian life. Love the church. Love the brothers and sisters. Be a Gospel Community on mission to a watching world.