Monday, July 30, 2007
SO GREAT SALVATION
There is nothing, either real or imagined, that even comes close to the greatness of salvation. Even in our fictional stories like Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter, nobody has ever dreamed of anything as wonderful as the salvation that is offered us by our God.
Sometimes, in our carnal state, we think of salvation as just forgiveness of sins, but salvation is much more than just forgiveness of sins. Even human governments can and often do pardon crimes (forgive sins) and offer clemency. Certainly, included in the offer of salvation from God the forgiveness of sins, but salvation is so much more.
Salvation takes you from a position as an enemy of the government of God, pardons you for all your past crimes, and then raises you to a position of high honor in the Kingdom of God and the universe. Never once in all of our dreams, our fantasy, and our fiction has anything so great, so wonderful, so magnificent, so undeserved as the salvation of sinners ever been conceived of by any human mind. Only the Divine Mind could possibly concoct a plan that would take willfully unlawful criminals, reprobates, and God-haters, and change them into holy members of the Royal Family of the infinite, holy, and sovereign Lord God All Mighty
Through salvation, you have gained all of the rights given to the children of God, and you are given a position of honor in the Kingdom of Heaven with all the privileges and powers that come along with being a representative of the King of Kings. You are an Ambassador of Heaven, sent to further the Kingdom of Heaven and make disciples and converts. You have been given the ministry of reconciliation. You are told to further the Kingdom and allowed to use the name of Jesus to transact Kingdom business. You are given the power over demons, sickness and disease, and all enemies of the Kingdom. You are made a Holy Priest of the Most High. The Holy Spirit of God lives within you and leads you. As a member of Kingdom of Heaven, you are supported and backed by all the power of God and great hordes of Angels. You are given eternal life, and will spend eternity in a place created just for you called heaven. And for the rest of eternity you will live in amazement at the grace, goodness and mercy of God because of the salvation that he has freely given you.
Salvation is infinitely more than just forgiveness of sins. You have been adopted into the family of God, made a member of the Kingdom of Heaven, and given a duty and a great purpose for your life.
John Wheeler
Thursday, July 19, 2007
The Rich Man and Lazarus
The Rich Man and Lazarus
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side.
The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”
Luke 16:19-31
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Pradis CD-ROM:
In response to my concern that people are going to be fooled by the enticements offered by Carlton Pearson’s Universalism, I was going to go into a long proof that Hell actually exists. But I figured it would be a waste of my time; other than to say, as horrible as it is here for some people; Hell will be worse than you can even imagine.
So let me share what’s on my heart now. When I was a child, I used to wonder how I would feel at the judgment when I saw my ungodly friends sentenced to eternal suffering in Hell. Would I run in front of God and beg for mercy and compassion for them? How would I deal with it?
Recently, I realized that I have an example of how the Righteous feel about the inhabitants of Hell, and its right here in The Rich Man and Lazarus.
When the Rich Man shrieks in agony for the smallest drop of water, because he dare not even ask for a glass of water, how do Abraham and Lazarus reply?
Abraham says, “you had your good things in life.”
Now most people will glance over that part and miss what he’s truly implying, so stay awake here.
What Abraham is saying is, “God is just by sending you to Hell.”
Ouch!
Abraham didn’t say, “Oh you poor man, I ache for you. Lazarus will be right over and he’ll bring you lots of refreshing water.”
Abraham didn’t say, “Hey dude, it hurts me to see you suffer like that, but I can’t help you because of the chasm between us.”
Abraham didn’t say anything that even implied that he had even the slightest sympathy and compassion for the Rich Man in Hell. Now why not?
It’s easy. Abraham is a servant of God. He loves God with all his heart, soul, and being. Abraham’s Number one desire is bring glory to God and further the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Rich Man is a rebel. All his life he refused to listen to the message of the prophets and turn to God. The Rich Man sneered in the face of a just, and holy, and sovereign God.
There is no way that Abraham can approve of such behavior in another being – not when his own heart is completely set on glorifying God. If Abraham had sympathy for the Rich Man and sided in with him, it would put Abraham in direct opposition to the Justice of God. In essence he would be calling God unjust for punishing this criminal.
And so it should be with us also. Our first goal must be to bring glory and honor to God. We can never side with sinners. We can never oppose God, and think him unjust for punishing sinners. To do so would be grand blasphemy, and prove that we know little of the goodness and mercy of God.
John
The lies of Carlton Pearson continued
My Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I’m going to continue to write things about the dangerous doctrines of Carlton Pearson, not because I have anything against him – I don’t. In fact the Bible tells me to love him.
OK, NOW FOR SOME TRUTH
I’ve showed you the complete verse the Carlton quotes within it’s context. Carlton is absolutely correct in saying that Christ died for the sins of the entire world. The people that John was addressing had gotten off track and were thinking that maybe Christ only died for believers. John says Christ died for the sins of the world, but just cause he died for your sins doesn’t mean you’re going to Heaven. John goes on to say, ”We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.” So what John is saying is that you cannot be a Christian without keeping his commands.
I’m going to continue to write things about the dangerous doctrines of Carlton Pearson, not because I have anything against him – I don’t. In fact the Bible tells me to love him.
If you look at the last post, I’m required to love him with selfless benevolence and do the best for him that I can. In other words, love him as I love myself. I am not required to love him with the love of approval, because frankly what he’s doing to potentially thousands and maybe millions of souls is teaching them the doctrines of demons. As a result of Carlton’s doctrines, millions of souls may suffer eternal agony as enemies of God. How can any righteous being be pleased with that?
But I don’t want you to be fooled. I want you to know the truth and the truth will set you free. So here’s what Carlton is saying, and what God is says.
Here’s what Carlton Pearson says:
As stated in I John 2:2, "He, (Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only our sins [inclusion], but the sins of the whole world.” The atonement of Christ for the sin of the world, was and is inclusive and is not limited to a few fortunate believers.
Here’s what the Sovereign Lord God Almighty actually says in that passage:
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
1John 2:2
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Pradis CD-ROM
Also, the Lord says the following:
You have wearied the LORD with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”
Malachi 2:17
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Pradis CD- ROM
Hmmm, just a little bit of difference between what Carlton says and what the Lord God almighty says, huh?
The problem with a lot of philosophies is that they don’t take into account the entire Bible as being the complete revelation of to mankind, and then they pick and choose which verses they want to use to prove their point.
This sort of thinking is very prevalent in current churches. For instance, a lot of Christians will completely ignore the Old Testament as being irrelevant to them. They won’t even bother to read the Old Testament cause they say, “we’re not under law but grace.” And I’ve even seen people eliminate the sayings of Christ by saying, “well that’s irrelevant because it’s before the cross, and what happened before the cross doesn’t matter now.” And then they pick out a favorite verse that fits their selfish philosophy and then build their entire philosophy and doctrine around that. For instance they’ll say something ludicrous like, “the Bible teaches, eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.”
Well, no the Bible doesn’t teach, “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die,” but the Bible does says, “If the dead are not raised, then let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die,” (1 Corinthians 15:32). When you read the verse in context you can understand that the quote is part of an argument about the resurrection of the dead. It is not an instance of the Bible teaching hedonism, amoralism, or anarchy.
So this is what Carlton has done with his idea of inclusion (the idea that everybody is going to heaven); he has pulled a few verses out of context and then tried to build an entire theology around them. I don’t want to see you get fooled or sucked into the tragic lie that he is teaching.
But I don’t want you to be fooled. I want you to know the truth and the truth will set you free. So here’s what Carlton is saying, and what God is says.
Here’s what Carlton Pearson says:
As stated in I John 2:2, "He, (Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only our sins [inclusion], but the sins of the whole world.” The atonement of Christ for the sin of the world, was and is inclusive and is not limited to a few fortunate believers.
Here’s what the Sovereign Lord God Almighty actually says in that passage:
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.
1John 2:2
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Pradis CD-ROM
Also, the Lord says the following:
You have wearied the LORD with your words. “How have we wearied him?” you ask. By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleased with them” or “Where is the God of justice?”
Malachi 2:17
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Pradis CD- ROM
Hmmm, just a little bit of difference between what Carlton says and what the Lord God almighty says, huh?
The problem with a lot of philosophies is that they don’t take into account the entire Bible as being the complete revelation of to mankind, and then they pick and choose which verses they want to use to prove their point.
This sort of thinking is very prevalent in current churches. For instance, a lot of Christians will completely ignore the Old Testament as being irrelevant to them. They won’t even bother to read the Old Testament cause they say, “we’re not under law but grace.” And I’ve even seen people eliminate the sayings of Christ by saying, “well that’s irrelevant because it’s before the cross, and what happened before the cross doesn’t matter now.” And then they pick out a favorite verse that fits their selfish philosophy and then build their entire philosophy and doctrine around that. For instance they’ll say something ludicrous like, “the Bible teaches, eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die.”
Well, no the Bible doesn’t teach, “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die,” but the Bible does says, “If the dead are not raised, then let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die,” (1 Corinthians 15:32). When you read the verse in context you can understand that the quote is part of an argument about the resurrection of the dead. It is not an instance of the Bible teaching hedonism, amoralism, or anarchy.
So this is what Carlton has done with his idea of inclusion (the idea that everybody is going to heaven); he has pulled a few verses out of context and then tried to build an entire theology around them. I don’t want to see you get fooled or sucked into the tragic lie that he is teaching.
OK, NOW FOR SOME TRUTH
I’ve showed you the complete verse the Carlton quotes within it’s context. Carlton is absolutely correct in saying that Christ died for the sins of the entire world. The people that John was addressing had gotten off track and were thinking that maybe Christ only died for believers. John says Christ died for the sins of the world, but just cause he died for your sins doesn’t mean you’re going to Heaven. John goes on to say, ”We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.” So what John is saying is that you cannot be a Christian without keeping his commands.
You can come up with whatever rules for salvation that you want, but the truth is just what John says it is; if you don’t keep his commands, you don’t love God and therefore you have NO hope for salvation and NO POSSIBILITY of eternal life in heaven.
Furthermore, look what the prophet Malachi says. He says that we weary God when we say that people who do evil are pleasing to God. It’s just not so brothers. How could it be?
The truth is simple, all the law is summed up in 2 commands: Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. The Wicked don’t love God with all their heart. Their supreme desire is not the greatest possible good of God and his Kingdom. In fact they are diametrically opposed to God and all things good.
Irregardless of what Carlton says, sinners are diabolically evil, rebellious, and dead set against God. God sent his son to reconcile the entire world to him, and they reject that sacrifice and spit in the face of God. Sinners do everything they can to resist the grace and goodness of God and they ignore his attempts to reconcile them to himself. The worst sin you can commit is refusing to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind. I don’t care what code of morality you dream up, if it doesn’t begin with 100% consecration to God then it’s blatantly wrong, evil and immoral.
Please don’t think that you can reject the goodness, mercy, and patience of The King of Kings without eternally offending him, his government, and his justice. The writer of the Hebrews says, "those who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?" (Hebrews 10: 28 & 29)
Furthermore, look what the prophet Malachi says. He says that we weary God when we say that people who do evil are pleasing to God. It’s just not so brothers. How could it be?
The truth is simple, all the law is summed up in 2 commands: Love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself. The Wicked don’t love God with all their heart. Their supreme desire is not the greatest possible good of God and his Kingdom. In fact they are diametrically opposed to God and all things good.
Irregardless of what Carlton says, sinners are diabolically evil, rebellious, and dead set against God. God sent his son to reconcile the entire world to him, and they reject that sacrifice and spit in the face of God. Sinners do everything they can to resist the grace and goodness of God and they ignore his attempts to reconcile them to himself. The worst sin you can commit is refusing to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your mind. I don’t care what code of morality you dream up, if it doesn’t begin with 100% consecration to God then it’s blatantly wrong, evil and immoral.
Please don’t think that you can reject the goodness, mercy, and patience of The King of Kings without eternally offending him, his government, and his justice. The writer of the Hebrews says, "those who rejected the law of Moses died without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much more severely do you think a man deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God under foot, who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified him, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?" (Hebrews 10: 28 & 29)
The only reasonable place for those who refuse to repent and turn to God is somewhere far away from the Holy God, in a place of punishment. That place is called hell.
May God be exalted,
John Wheeler
May God be exalted,
John Wheeler
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Carlton Pearson is Wrong About God's Love
Categories: CarltonPearson, Universalism
Here is a quote from Carlton Pearson's Website:
"There are fewer matters more urgent in today’s pluralistic culture than the issue of the centrality of the cross and the accurate articulation and expression of the Universal love of God toward all of humankind."
Used without permission from: http://www.newdimensions.us/content.cfm?id=2009
My Dear Friends,
The Church is being exposed to a dangerous heresy in the form of the Universalism of Carlton Pearson. Briefly stated, Universalism is the belief that all persons will be saved from Hell and eternal damnation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ." This fallacy is a dangerous doctrine of demons that has been around from about the 2nd century AD when Tertulian refuted it.
First of all, you need to know that Carlton Pearson is teaching the following:
1.) The whole world is saved
2.) There is no eternal hell
3.) Hell is here
4.) After death, everybody is redeemed
So let's talk about his first paragraph that is included up above and I'll show you what is wrong with Carlton's idea of Universal Love.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotton son, that whosoever believeth on him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Sorry about the King James version of that scripture, but that's how I memorized it when I was a kid, and I'll die quoting that version.
Absolutely, the scripture says that God loved the world. I heartedly agree with that point. However we've got to talk about what that means.
What John 3:16 says is that God has an unselfish benevolence for the world, meaning that when possible he does the best he can for every person. It's the type of love that is talked about when it says, "God causes the sun to rise on the just and the unjust."
God's benevolence and good will causes him to seek the greatest good of himself, the universe and the beings under his sovergnty. God seeks to bring the greatest joy to as many beings as possible including man and animal.
We call this unselfish (or disinterested) benevolence, because God does the best he can possbily do for you without thinking of the consequences to himself. That's what it means when it says, "God is love." His entire being is love and all of his actions are from love. So he created you, not because he needed you - God is self-existant and didn't need you. But the greatest joy in the universe could be brought about by creating mankind.
So it's true to say that God loves the entire world, every man, woman, and child in this world with a unselfish benevolence that causes him to do the best possible thing for as many beings as possible. This does NOT mean that all humans will be saved.
God does NOT love the entire world with the love of approbation. Approbation is a fancy word that means approval. So to repeat, God does not love everybody with the Love of Approval. God does NOT approve of the wicked. Don't ever believe that. Don't think that God has prepared a special place for child molestors! Don't think that there's anything but a fearful judgment waiting for those that murder kill and destroy. God cannot love those people with the love of Approbation.
How could he? God is infinately Holy. More holy than you could possibly imagine. When the Holy Prophet Isaiah stood before God he said, "Wow is me, I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips." Throughout eternity, you will continue to grow in degree of holiness, but you will never match the holiness of the Lord. You will always fall prostrate before God, and proclaim, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty." We will worship him, "in the splendor of his holiness."
God cannot stand sin and he demands holiness and moral perfection from every one of his subjects. Hebrews 12:14 says, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."
Make no mistake, God does not approve of sinners. In the Bible there are only 2 classes of people, The Wicked and The Righteous. God approves of the righteous person that has repented of his sin and cleansed himself. The Holy, the Righteous, and the Just, God can approve of.
So although God loves sinners with unselfish benevolence, it is only the Godly that he loves with the love of approbation (or approval).
So Carlton fails to make a distinction between the Wicked and the Righteous, which the Bible does from Adam through Revelations. The worst thing is that this is a dangerous doctrine that will give many a false hope and potentially lead millions to eternal destruction.
I will leave you with a final thought from Jesus, who in the end will be the one who decides who goes to heaven and who goes to hell:
“And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.”
Mark 9:42
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Pradis CD-ROM:Mk 9:42
Here is a quote from Carlton Pearson's Website:
"There are fewer matters more urgent in today’s pluralistic culture than the issue of the centrality of the cross and the accurate articulation and expression of the Universal love of God toward all of humankind."
Used without permission from: http://www.newdimensions.us/content.cfm?id=2009
My Dear Friends,
The Church is being exposed to a dangerous heresy in the form of the Universalism of Carlton Pearson. Briefly stated, Universalism is the belief that all persons will be saved from Hell and eternal damnation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ." This fallacy is a dangerous doctrine of demons that has been around from about the 2nd century AD when Tertulian refuted it.
First of all, you need to know that Carlton Pearson is teaching the following:
1.) The whole world is saved
2.) There is no eternal hell
3.) Hell is here
4.) After death, everybody is redeemed
So let's talk about his first paragraph that is included up above and I'll show you what is wrong with Carlton's idea of Universal Love.
WHAT IS IMPLIED BY THE UNIVERSAL LOVE OF GOD?
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotton son, that whosoever believeth on him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16
Sorry about the King James version of that scripture, but that's how I memorized it when I was a kid, and I'll die quoting that version.
Absolutely, the scripture says that God loved the world. I heartedly agree with that point. However we've got to talk about what that means.
What John 3:16 says is that God has an unselfish benevolence for the world, meaning that when possible he does the best he can for every person. It's the type of love that is talked about when it says, "God causes the sun to rise on the just and the unjust."
God's benevolence and good will causes him to seek the greatest good of himself, the universe and the beings under his sovergnty. God seeks to bring the greatest joy to as many beings as possible including man and animal.
We call this unselfish (or disinterested) benevolence, because God does the best he can possbily do for you without thinking of the consequences to himself. That's what it means when it says, "God is love." His entire being is love and all of his actions are from love. So he created you, not because he needed you - God is self-existant and didn't need you. But the greatest joy in the universe could be brought about by creating mankind.
So it's true to say that God loves the entire world, every man, woman, and child in this world with a unselfish benevolence that causes him to do the best possible thing for as many beings as possible. This does NOT mean that all humans will be saved.
WHAT IS NOT IMPLIED BY GOD'S UNIVERSAL LOVE
God does NOT love the entire world with the love of approbation. Approbation is a fancy word that means approval. So to repeat, God does not love everybody with the Love of Approval. God does NOT approve of the wicked. Don't ever believe that. Don't think that God has prepared a special place for child molestors! Don't think that there's anything but a fearful judgment waiting for those that murder kill and destroy. God cannot love those people with the love of Approbation.
How could he? God is infinately Holy. More holy than you could possibly imagine. When the Holy Prophet Isaiah stood before God he said, "Wow is me, I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips." Throughout eternity, you will continue to grow in degree of holiness, but you will never match the holiness of the Lord. You will always fall prostrate before God, and proclaim, "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty." We will worship him, "in the splendor of his holiness."
God cannot stand sin and he demands holiness and moral perfection from every one of his subjects. Hebrews 12:14 says, "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."
Make no mistake, God does not approve of sinners. In the Bible there are only 2 classes of people, The Wicked and The Righteous. God approves of the righteous person that has repented of his sin and cleansed himself. The Holy, the Righteous, and the Just, God can approve of.
So although God loves sinners with unselfish benevolence, it is only the Godly that he loves with the love of approbation (or approval).
So Carlton fails to make a distinction between the Wicked and the Righteous, which the Bible does from Adam through Revelations. The worst thing is that this is a dangerous doctrine that will give many a false hope and potentially lead millions to eternal destruction.
I will leave you with a final thought from Jesus, who in the end will be the one who decides who goes to heaven and who goes to hell:
“And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.”
Mark 9:42
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Pradis CD-ROM:Mk 9:42
Carlton Pearson's Universalism
Categories: CarltonPearson
The following is copied from the Carlton Pearson website without permission.
Brothers and Sisters,
Since I don't want you to be ignorant of God, his holy law, and his commands, I'm going to spend some time showing you the falicy behind his arguments.
John
About God's Inclusive LoveYou Are Here
There are fewer matters more urgent in today’s pluralistic culture than the issue of the centrality of the cross and the accurate articulation and expression of the Universal love of God toward all of humankind.
As stated in I John 2:2, "He, (Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only our sins [inclusion], but the sins of the whole world.” The atonement of Christ for the sin of the world, was and is inclusive and is not limited to a few fortunate believers.
Does being “born-again” save us or does it simply bring to light a condition that already exists—wrought and bought by the blood of Jesus at Calvary? Does believing make you born-again or does being born-again make me a believer?
I think we in evangelical Christianity have ignored the Sovereignty of God and limited the scope and sweep of His great Love toward all. Scripture says, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" ( Romans 5:20)— He died once for all. (Romans 6:10 and 1 Pet. 3:18) And contrary to popular opinion, our belief systems and religious presuppositions do not invalidate or reverse the effectiveness or efficiency of the finished work of Calvary. (Rom. 3:3).
If death is automatic because of Adam, life is automatic because of Christ, without our vote or prior approval. As the disobedience of one man made us all sinners, by the obedience of one man we were all made righteous. (Romans 5:12-14 and 1 Cor. 15:22).
The whole world is saved (redeemed), but all are not aware. Jesus is the Savior of, not just for, all men, but has a special relationship with those who believe. Those who recognize and Acknowledge this truth have been given the message and ministry of reconciliation—the very Words and logic of God, to share with the unknowing an unbelieving world. (Romans 3:1-2 and 2Cor. 5:18-19).
I close with this quote sent to me by the VP of a major Christian publishing company; "...the Law of God condemns us all until, while we are still sinners, grace comes and liberates us from it's curse without a single condition attached; no improvements demanded, no promises extorted-just the extravagant, outrageous, hilarious absurdity of free grace and undying love.”
Because all men were included in the finished work of Calvary, when all is said and done, “. . . every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is LORD—the Savior of the world!” (Phil. 2:9-11)
Peace,
Bishop Carlton D. Pearson
The following is copied from the Carlton Pearson website without permission.
Brothers and Sisters,
Since I don't want you to be ignorant of God, his holy law, and his commands, I'm going to spend some time showing you the falicy behind his arguments.
John
About God's Inclusive LoveYou Are Here
There are fewer matters more urgent in today’s pluralistic culture than the issue of the centrality of the cross and the accurate articulation and expression of the Universal love of God toward all of humankind.
As stated in I John 2:2, "He, (Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only our sins [inclusion], but the sins of the whole world.” The atonement of Christ for the sin of the world, was and is inclusive and is not limited to a few fortunate believers.
Does being “born-again” save us or does it simply bring to light a condition that already exists—wrought and bought by the blood of Jesus at Calvary? Does believing make you born-again or does being born-again make me a believer?
I think we in evangelical Christianity have ignored the Sovereignty of God and limited the scope and sweep of His great Love toward all. Scripture says, "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" ( Romans 5:20)— He died once for all. (Romans 6:10 and 1 Pet. 3:18) And contrary to popular opinion, our belief systems and religious presuppositions do not invalidate or reverse the effectiveness or efficiency of the finished work of Calvary. (Rom. 3:3).
If death is automatic because of Adam, life is automatic because of Christ, without our vote or prior approval. As the disobedience of one man made us all sinners, by the obedience of one man we were all made righteous. (Romans 5:12-14 and 1 Cor. 15:22).
The whole world is saved (redeemed), but all are not aware. Jesus is the Savior of, not just for, all men, but has a special relationship with those who believe. Those who recognize and Acknowledge this truth have been given the message and ministry of reconciliation—the very Words and logic of God, to share with the unknowing an unbelieving world. (Romans 3:1-2 and 2Cor. 5:18-19).
I close with this quote sent to me by the VP of a major Christian publishing company; "...the Law of God condemns us all until, while we are still sinners, grace comes and liberates us from it's curse without a single condition attached; no improvements demanded, no promises extorted-just the extravagant, outrageous, hilarious absurdity of free grace and undying love.”
Because all men were included in the finished work of Calvary, when all is said and done, “. . . every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is LORD—the Savior of the world!” (Phil. 2:9-11)
Peace,
Bishop Carlton D. Pearson
Categories: Love, Brotherly Love, Love of Approbation
Note: I posted this on July 17th, 2007 on the blog maintained by my church. I liked it so well that I figured I'd share it here.
WITH GROWTH COMES CHALLENGES
I think the next challenge we’re going to be faced with, is that we’re going to have to love some people that aren’t like us. Acts 2:47 says, “the Lord added to their number daily, those who were being saved,” implying that God is going to put whomever he wants in our church.
Well guess what? He wants to save every person – not just the ones that look, act, and talk like you (or me).
I’ve seen this before in churches, so get ready – sometimes God adds people that flat out annoy you! You’ve been warned. We’re going to get some kids that don’t have good manners and didn’t grow up in church, so they don’t know how to act. And it’s going to bother some people when they see kids running wild around the church.
We’re going to get some people that are not in your socio-economic class. We’re going to get single mothers, who certainly are not as affluent as most people on South Hill. We might get some mentally retarded or even mentally ill.
Whatever they look like or act like, they will be God’s people and you will have to love them with brotherly love and the love of approbation (approval), because they belong to God just as much as you do.
Trust me, I’ve seen churches struggle with this stuff, so get ready to learn to love like God does. Jesus says:
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:47-48
God requires us to love people in an uncommon way. We have to love those that are not easy for us to love. This is especially true of loving those that are in the faith; you doubly need to love them.
I can tell you that nothing will stop a move of God faster than for the Church to treat a brother without love. It will crush the heart of God and grieve away his Spirit.
But you’re saying, “John, I don’t any feelings for other types of people.” Not to worry, love is a choice of the will. If you obey God and choose to love people that aren’t like you and act upon it; soon your emotions will come in line with your will and you will be overwhelmed with feeling for those that aren’t like you.
Humbly,
John Wheeler
PS. Oh well, so much for shorter posts.
Note: I posted this on July 17th, 2007 on the blog maintained by my church. I liked it so well that I figured I'd share it here.
Esteemed Pastor Chris,
Judging by the time of your post, it might be time for you to go to bed, rather than start blogging! ;-)
I’ve been told to keep my posts shorter (to protect Jason’s privacy, I won’t tell you who asked me to do that.)
I submit to all of you that we are in the midst of a revival at Celebration Center. I’ve never seen so many people at one church who are interested in doing so much to further the Kingdom of Heaven.
Judging by the time of your post, it might be time for you to go to bed, rather than start blogging! ;-)
I’ve been told to keep my posts shorter (to protect Jason’s privacy, I won’t tell you who asked me to do that.)
I submit to all of you that we are in the midst of a revival at Celebration Center. I’ve never seen so many people at one church who are interested in doing so much to further the Kingdom of Heaven.
WITH GROWTH COMES CHALLENGES
I think the next challenge we’re going to be faced with, is that we’re going to have to love some people that aren’t like us. Acts 2:47 says, “the Lord added to their number daily, those who were being saved,” implying that God is going to put whomever he wants in our church.
Well guess what? He wants to save every person – not just the ones that look, act, and talk like you (or me).
I’ve seen this before in churches, so get ready – sometimes God adds people that flat out annoy you! You’ve been warned. We’re going to get some kids that don’t have good manners and didn’t grow up in church, so they don’t know how to act. And it’s going to bother some people when they see kids running wild around the church.
We’re going to get some people that are not in your socio-economic class. We’re going to get single mothers, who certainly are not as affluent as most people on South Hill. We might get some mentally retarded or even mentally ill.
Whatever they look like or act like, they will be God’s people and you will have to love them with brotherly love and the love of approbation (approval), because they belong to God just as much as you do.
Trust me, I’ve seen churches struggle with this stuff, so get ready to learn to love like God does. Jesus says:
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:47-48
God requires us to love people in an uncommon way. We have to love those that are not easy for us to love. This is especially true of loving those that are in the faith; you doubly need to love them.
I can tell you that nothing will stop a move of God faster than for the Church to treat a brother without love. It will crush the heart of God and grieve away his Spirit.
But you’re saying, “John, I don’t any feelings for other types of people.” Not to worry, love is a choice of the will. If you obey God and choose to love people that aren’t like you and act upon it; soon your emotions will come in line with your will and you will be overwhelmed with feeling for those that aren’t like you.
Humbly,
John Wheeler
PS. Oh well, so much for shorter posts.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
If your Honda Civic causes you to sin.....
HOLINESS VS. SITUATIONAL ETHICS
Does obedience come hard to everybody else, or is it just me?
I drive a 2006 Honda Civic SI, a car that Car & Driver magazine called, “One of the 5 best sports cars under $25,000.” The thing is a rocket, with 6 speeds and is capable (or so they tell me) of going 137 mph. Admittedly, it’s a relic of midlife crisis. I’d probably sell it, but I’m upside down on it, so I’m stuck with it.
70 MPH IN 60 MPH ZONE
Well, I’m driving down the freeway, “keeping up with traffic,” as they say; when I realize I’m going 70 in a 60 mph zone.
Immediately the Holy Spirit says, “the speed limit is 60 mph.”
SLOWING DOWN TO 65
To which I reply, “cool God, I’ll take care of it,” and slow down to 65.
Thinking that I've handled it, I’m driving along, and once again the Spirit says, “the speed limit is 60 mph.”
NOW DOWN TO 63
I think to myself, argh! And reply, “ok, I’ll take care of it,” and I slow to 63.
I’m desperately strugling to maintain the 63 mph. It seems like broken down cars and old men on bicylcles can go faster. And all of of a sudden, the Spirit of God that resides in me says, “THE SPEED LIMIT IS 60 MPH.”
By now, I’m really struggling to slow the car down. 63 seems like a snails pace, and going slower doesn’t even seem possible. But I really want to please God, and I’m thankful that he’s teaching me his ways, so I slow to 61 mph, thinking that will satisfy God.
SURELY 61 MPH IS CLOSE ENOUGH!!!
61 mph must be slow enough to please God. At 61 it seems like to entire world is going faster than you. The guy behind you is upset, because he’s never seen anybody go that slow on the freeway. As people pass you, they leer at you in disgust thinking, “way to go Grandpa, can’t you drive any faster?”
That’s right, you guessed it! I hear that still, small voice of God say, “THE SPEED LIMIT IS 60 MPH.”
60 MPH IS SOOOOO SLOOOOWWW!
60 mph??? I’m pretty sure I can walk backwards faster.
I almost take my foot completely out of the accelerator to get the car to slow down just one more mph. Maintaining 60 mph is such a challenge. Everything inside me wants to go faster. I constantly creep above the 60 mph mark and have to readjust back to the speed limit. It takes every bit of self control and will to maintain that speed.
Now I understand what the Lord says when he said, “if your SI causes you to sin, get rid of it.”
Oh wait, he actually said, “if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go to hell.” (Matthew 5:30)
Now I know what Jesus meant.
Searching for Purity,
John
PS. Stayed tuned! Next week I’ll tell you about how hard it is to drive 40 mph on the Nalley Valley Viaduct. What a challenge!!!
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Philosophy of Man Part 2 - Intrinsic Self Worth
INTRINSIC SELF-WORTH
The topic I’m going to share today is something I call, intrinsic self-worth. It’s the idea that when you’re stripped of all your achievements, all the things that make you feel good about yourself, all your external accoutrements that make people think you’re valuable, and then what are you left with? What are you left with when you’re an abject failure by all of the world’s standards?
The idea of intrinsic self-worth is very precious to me. I came up with the philosophy of intrinsic self-worth during a very tough personal time. I had been injured on the job, was out of work, and needed back surgery to recover. I was in constant pain, seriously sleep deprived, clinically depressed, and slowly losing hope for a bright future. And through all of this, God shared this idea with me.
My idea was, what if you were in a horrible accident and burned beyond complete recognition?
What if all that was left of you was a horribly disfigured blob of charred flesh? What if you were so disfigured that everybody that saw you was horrified when they looked at you? Also, what if you were incurably brain damaged in that accident so that your mental capacity was gone. What if you were stripped of everything that makes you human, what would you be left with?
I pondered that question for quite a few weeks, trying to come up with an answer, and when I found the answer, I was shocked that it took so long.
The answer is simply that when you’re stripped of everything that makes you think you’re a success, what you’re still left with is the 2 most important things: 1.) You are created in God’s image, and 2.) God loves you with an everlasting love.
That is it, the basis of your self-esteem should be that you are created by God and that he loves you more than you’ll ever know. Everything else is vanity and will perish.
But you say, “but I’m beautiful.”
Or you think, “I’m wealthy.”
Or, “I’m a great athlete.”
Who cares? Everything in this age will pass away. The vanity of this age will end just like a dream ends, and the only thing that will matter will be which Kingdom you belong to. Look around you, all of this creation is subject to decay – none of this lasts. So don’t base your self-esteem on anything of this world.
Your self esteem must be based upon the fact that you’re loved by God. You are an absolutely fantastic creation of God, endowed with potential that cannot be fully realized in this life!
Always, always believe in yourself. Not because of what you’ve done, but rather just because you are YOU, and in God’s eyes that’s very special.
There is no better foundation for self belief than to know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of The Almighty God; who loves you with an everlasting love and he knows the unbelievable potential you have.
In God’s Love,
John
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Heaven Part 1 - A Philosophy of Man
Hebrews 2:6
“What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Pradis CD-ROM:
YOU ARE GOD’S MOST TREASURED CREATION
It would be impossible for me to overstate your value to God. You are God’s most treasured creation. He created you in his image. I know that you and I’ve heard this since we were kids, but don’t get jaded and underestimate what this means. He created you EXACTLY how he wanted you to be and with exactly the characteristics, skills, and interests he wanted you to have. And when he was finished creating you he was pleased (Genesis 1:31).
GOD CREATED YOU JUST LIKE HIM
When you go to a mirror you see a reflection, or image of yourself – that’s what it means to be made in God’s image. You look exactly like God; you are just a smaller copy of God. The bible calls us Little Christ’s, or Christians. The Bible also tells us to be Godly (or like God). You are as close to being like God as is possible for a created being.
You have all the same characteristics (often called attributes) that God does. God is loving, kind, generous, compassionate, good, holy, righteous, pure, and just etc. If you’re living a Godly life you will have those same characteristics. You should be loving kind, generous, compassionate, good, holy, righteous, pure, and just, etc. also. As far as characteristics, you were created EXACTLY like God in kind, but not degree.
What I mean by saying you’re exactly like God in kind is that you possess the same attributes as God. Even the heathen and unbelieving people posses many of the same attributes as God in this life. For instance, God is a just God. If you are God’s servant, you should be just. And even some unbelievers are just. The difference between you and The Almighty God is that he is infinite in all his attributes and you aren’t; and never will be.
You have such a special place in the heart of God. No other beings are created in the image of God. As special as angels are, they were not created in the image of God. There is no place amoung created beings that is as special as being created in the likeness and image of God.
At one time in my life, I was a framing contractor. I loved building houses. At the start of the project, you’d drive up and there was nothing but an ugly grey foundation, but when you left, you had created a house from a bunch of lumber. It was very satisfying and I was always proud of the places I built; but the pride that came from framing a house doesn’t even begin to compare to the pride I felt the first time I held my children. My children are made in my image (well probably more my wife’s image), and they are my Opus Magnum (great work). Nothing will ever compare to the pride I get from my children.
GOD BRAGS ABOUT YOU
Well, guess what? It’s exactly the same with you and God. God is so proud of you that he brags on you. Bet you never thought of that before; but yes, it’s true.
I’m sure he says to Gabriel, “Hey Gabe, look at that Susan, I just love how she sings. She has such a beautiful voice.”
Or to another angel he might say, “look at Sharon. She’s a single mother and has had to go through a lot of hard times to remain faithful to me. I’m proud of her.”
Or he might say, “Look at that Paul, what an artist. Look at that painting. Wow, I really like that one.”
Still don’t believe that God brags on you? Then what does it mean when God says to the Devil, “have you considered my servant Job. There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8
YOU ARE TRULY SPECIAL
Holy One’s of God, you are special throughout all of creation. Nobody was created exactly like you and God is so proud of the way you were created.
Humbly,
John
“What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?”
The Holy Bible, New International Version. Pradis CD-ROM:
YOU ARE GOD’S MOST TREASURED CREATION
It would be impossible for me to overstate your value to God. You are God’s most treasured creation. He created you in his image. I know that you and I’ve heard this since we were kids, but don’t get jaded and underestimate what this means. He created you EXACTLY how he wanted you to be and with exactly the characteristics, skills, and interests he wanted you to have. And when he was finished creating you he was pleased (Genesis 1:31).
GOD CREATED YOU JUST LIKE HIM
When you go to a mirror you see a reflection, or image of yourself – that’s what it means to be made in God’s image. You look exactly like God; you are just a smaller copy of God. The bible calls us Little Christ’s, or Christians. The Bible also tells us to be Godly (or like God). You are as close to being like God as is possible for a created being.
You have all the same characteristics (often called attributes) that God does. God is loving, kind, generous, compassionate, good, holy, righteous, pure, and just etc. If you’re living a Godly life you will have those same characteristics. You should be loving kind, generous, compassionate, good, holy, righteous, pure, and just, etc. also. As far as characteristics, you were created EXACTLY like God in kind, but not degree.
What I mean by saying you’re exactly like God in kind is that you possess the same attributes as God. Even the heathen and unbelieving people posses many of the same attributes as God in this life. For instance, God is a just God. If you are God’s servant, you should be just. And even some unbelievers are just. The difference between you and The Almighty God is that he is infinite in all his attributes and you aren’t; and never will be.
You have such a special place in the heart of God. No other beings are created in the image of God. As special as angels are, they were not created in the image of God. There is no place amoung created beings that is as special as being created in the likeness and image of God.
At one time in my life, I was a framing contractor. I loved building houses. At the start of the project, you’d drive up and there was nothing but an ugly grey foundation, but when you left, you had created a house from a bunch of lumber. It was very satisfying and I was always proud of the places I built; but the pride that came from framing a house doesn’t even begin to compare to the pride I felt the first time I held my children. My children are made in my image (well probably more my wife’s image), and they are my Opus Magnum (great work). Nothing will ever compare to the pride I get from my children.
GOD BRAGS ABOUT YOU
Well, guess what? It’s exactly the same with you and God. God is so proud of you that he brags on you. Bet you never thought of that before; but yes, it’s true.
I’m sure he says to Gabriel, “Hey Gabe, look at that Susan, I just love how she sings. She has such a beautiful voice.”
Or to another angel he might say, “look at Sharon. She’s a single mother and has had to go through a lot of hard times to remain faithful to me. I’m proud of her.”
Or he might say, “Look at that Paul, what an artist. Look at that painting. Wow, I really like that one.”
Still don’t believe that God brags on you? Then what does it mean when God says to the Devil, “have you considered my servant Job. There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” Job 1:8
YOU ARE TRULY SPECIAL
Holy One’s of God, you are special throughout all of creation. Nobody was created exactly like you and God is so proud of the way you were created.
Humbly,
John
Preface to my series on Heaven
Last week at my Wednesday Night Bible study, Tim asked, "what do you think Heaven is like?"
I was caught on my heals a bit, because I didn't really have a very good answer for him. In fact, I could probably tell you more about Hell than I could about Heaven. It's pretty sad, but that seems to be the situation for many Christians and many Christian Thinkers throughout history. So I decided to put together my thoughts, my study and my revelation about Heaven into writings and then share them with you.
Before we can talk about what Heaven is, we have to come to some agreement on a philosophy of mankind. In other words, we have to answer the question – what is man (or generically mankind)?
Since most of you don’t know me very well, you need to know that I try to personalize everything to myself or my hearer. I hate to have theological discussions in 3rd person, and talk about “what is man” in very lofty terms. Doing that gives the reader the sense that knowledge of God is unattainable; or at the very least, God is difficult to understand. This is not the case at all. The great secrets of God are revealed to the simplest of minds. So, I’d much rather talk in 2nd person and tell you, and show you what you are in God, rather than trying to make this seem difficult and beyond your ability to grasp.
Knowledge should never be impersonal. The goal of life isn’t to know about God, instead the goal of all knowledge is to KNOW GOD (meaning have a relationship with him). The Devil himself knows a lot more about God than you will know in this life, so don’t strive for knowledge about God. Instead strive to serve God and strive to be his friend.
I was caught on my heals a bit, because I didn't really have a very good answer for him. In fact, I could probably tell you more about Hell than I could about Heaven. It's pretty sad, but that seems to be the situation for many Christians and many Christian Thinkers throughout history. So I decided to put together my thoughts, my study and my revelation about Heaven into writings and then share them with you.
Before we can talk about what Heaven is, we have to come to some agreement on a philosophy of mankind. In other words, we have to answer the question – what is man (or generically mankind)?
Since most of you don’t know me very well, you need to know that I try to personalize everything to myself or my hearer. I hate to have theological discussions in 3rd person, and talk about “what is man” in very lofty terms. Doing that gives the reader the sense that knowledge of God is unattainable; or at the very least, God is difficult to understand. This is not the case at all. The great secrets of God are revealed to the simplest of minds. So, I’d much rather talk in 2nd person and tell you, and show you what you are in God, rather than trying to make this seem difficult and beyond your ability to grasp.
Knowledge should never be impersonal. The goal of life isn’t to know about God, instead the goal of all knowledge is to KNOW GOD (meaning have a relationship with him). The Devil himself knows a lot more about God than you will know in this life, so don’t strive for knowledge about God. Instead strive to serve God and strive to be his friend.
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