Enjoying the conversation. ….” certain Christian leaders who preach “another gospel” while calling it the Gospel. They are totally wrong. Some if not all of these people have large ministries, but the #1 thing about their non-gospel message is that it does not contain the “offense of the Gospel,” that is, it never tells those… Continue reading The Five Benefits of the Inspiration of Sacred Scripture
Category: Westminster Larger Catechism Study
The Natural Man and the Visible Church
So true….yet so difficult to address.
“ Do you see my brethren that the majority are not on the narrow and hard way that leads to life? No, the majority are on the easy way that leads to destruction. These are the ones who profess Christ, but are trusting in their own works. They are Christian on their own terms. They are enticed into this way of destruction by false prophets. Remember, this is a description of people who are IN the visible Church. These are not the atheists, muslims, buddhists, or pagans. No, these are people who believe they are Christians, but they don’t have the mind of Christ because they aren’t regenerate. Their fruit is bad and this is how we are to know them. Lastly, their judgment is not in our hands. Our role is to tell the truth, the Law and the Gospel, in the hope that some may hear it by the Holy Spirit then repent unto salvation.”
by Mike Ratliff
14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NASB)
A pernicious lie currently permeating the visible Church in our time says that all who profess Christ are genuine believers. This lie conveniently overlooks that even our Lord’s chosen 12 contained one devil. Another closely associated and equally detrimental lie says that Christians must never judge. If taken together, these two lies create an environment of deceit in which professing Christians who prove their disingenuousness by their words, their actions, and their doctrines, which is their “fruit,” cannot be brought before the ecclesiastical court of their church brethren for discipline. In fact, in this environment, to even address the issue is to be classed as a judgmental hypocrite.
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Does Biblical Doctrine Matter?
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?
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 thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
That said people do have a long history of false worship. Just to mention a few.
Cain, all the High Paces, Dan, many incidents in Judges, the Samaritans, Pharisees, Sadducees, etc…..
The Golden Calf was justified by Aaron as trying to worship not a false pagan god but the true God in very false, pagan ways.
…These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. THE TRUE GOD DID BRING THEM OUT OF EGYPT, BUT NOT “GODS”.
….To morrow is a feast to the LORD.
Repeated… These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt
Of course Aaron was guilty of lying and leading the people astray I’m surprised he survived.
……and there came out this calf.
Exo 32:25 And when Moses saw that the people were naked; (for Aaron had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies:)
There is good teaching in the old Westminster Standard: Directory for the Public Worship of God. But this is long neglected in today’s modern culturally relevant church. But nothing new here.
by Mike Ratliff
1 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going.” John 14:1-4 (NASB)
1 This is now, beloved, the second letter I am writing to you in which I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the words spoken beforehand by the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior spoken by your apostles.
3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers…
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Rainbow Trout 