This is a hard one to read. Hits close to home. My personal Journey out of Richard Fosters style of Spiritual Formation, probably began 15 or so years ago, as I began to question these teachings and reading my Bible more diligently. Before that since the early 80’s I studied then and even taught them.… Continue reading Does Biblical Doctrine Matter?
Category: Confessions and Catechisms
The Golden Calf
Much to learn from this Mike. It’s amazing that Moses turns from arguing against God’s wrath to having his own anger once he sees what is happening. It’s probably best to resist the temptation to respond. In another situation Jesus cautioned: Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt… Continue reading The Golden Calf
Producing Much Fruit
John’s words of what Jesus taught are a worthy “vision” to be cast. I only wish we had such solid Biblical teaching in today’s churches.
If we are called, if we are chosen, if we are among the elect, we will abide. There will be seasons when we don’t produce much fruit, but the “vision” is to produce more, hence the need to be pruned.
Joh 15:2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joh 15:6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
It’s too long to post here, but it is useful to read old John Gill’s commentary on v6.
If we need assurance that we are among the much, or the more or even the not yet more fruit producers, look to these earlier words.
John 6:37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Joh 6:39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
Joh 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
by Mike Ratliff
1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they…
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I Am Who I Am
Great analysis!
by Mike Ratliff
14 God said to Moses, “ I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14 (NASB)
In our look at the Bible and the Christian view that it is the living Word of God, His communication to His people, we see that it is not just a collection of writings or a simply a history. The Holy Spirit not only indwells Christians he also indwells Sacred Scripture. When believers read and study the Word of God, The Holy Spirit works through it to accomplish spiritual, eternal work within them. God communicates with His people primarily through His Word. One of the main goals in this is His revelation of Himself to those who love Him.
Jesus Christ is the interpretive key to Sacred Scripture. Any other hermeneutic will lead…
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Rainbow Trout 