Mike opens the week with some real meat.
I can’t help but think this can be summed up in the first Q&A of the Westminster Catechism.
Shorter Catechism
Q. 1. What is the chief end of man?
A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.
I highlighted a few of Mike’s thoughts…
“I have prayed for God to show me why it is that so many reject what is clearly presented in His Word. The answer to those prayers seems to be that those who have a problem with Paul’s presentation of the Sovereignty of God in Ephesians 1 & 2 and Romans 9, for example, have that issue because they are somehow centered in their pride while looking at the Sovereignty of God as some sort of insult to it. It is as if they are demanding “their rights,” and see the Sovereignty of God as something that violates those rights.
Never forget from where true grace and peace comes. The Geneva Bible renders v2 as follows: “Grace be with you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Iesus Christ.” This greeting lets it be known that those who are truly God’s are so by His grace and have a peace with Him that no one else has.
He has “elected or chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world.”
Paul’s exulting in this grace, telling us that this is the revealed will of God set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. Now, think of the things those emergent and “missional” focused people have been saying about the Gospel over the last few years and compare that with what we have seen here. The Gospel, its preaching and our ministering according to it is the plan God has set forth. These other things focus elsewhere and attempt to move the Church’s direction from this to works righteousness or even a mystical focus in which there is no distinctions made pertaining to the religiosity of people.
We must never lose focus that the purpose of the Gospel is to preach the gospel to all then watch for the elect to hear and respond as God regenerates them, bringing them into the knowledge of the truth and salvation. Our job is to minister to these people and disciple them that they may also learn to reproduce themselves by being used by God to bring others into the Kingdom. This is all according to the plan of God by His grace.”
It’s interesting that on another blog site today I read a pretty detail report of how to discern false teaching. I would say that denial of God’s sovereignty as Mike describes is at the top of the list. It was also interesting to see the statements that Pope Francis recently made in Singapore…
Discernment is a spiritual art
Pope Francis said that discernment is a “spiritual art” that is more important than ever in the face of AI challenges. He also said that discernment is the ability to understand the hidden truth, which can be masked by false news and illusions.
He also said…
It’s okay to discuss because every religion is a way to arrive at God… They are like different languages to arrive at God, but God is God for all. And as God is god for all, we are all children of God.
But my God is more important than your god, is that true? [rhetorical question]
There is only one God in each of us, [a language so-to speak] to arrive at God. Sikh, Muslim, Hindu, Christian, they are different paths.
Interesting thoughts to ponder, sure to stir many discussions .
John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Rainbow Trout 