WHEN GOD TURNS OFF THE LIGHTS

In this powerful, sober message entitled "Fools and Wise Men," Dr. John MacArthur revisits the Christmas story. Moreover, he explains in depth the historic details of the birth of Jesus. What a spectacular light show awaits all of humanity when God turns off  the lights! The dazzling, piercing light of the second coming of Jesus Christ will utterly terrify the ungodly (Rev. 6:16-17) shortly after gloomy darkness and a gigantic, powerful earthquake. Our awesome, holy God repeatedly used "light" throughout redemptive history to reveal His magnificent glory (i.e., cherubim stationed with multi-directional flaming sword in Eden to guard the way to the tree of life, Exodus protection, Mount Sinai, burning bush, Shekinah presence in Tabernacle of Moses, Incarnation, Resurrection, Transfiguration, Ascension, Pentecost, etc.). Importantly, Jesus reveals Himself as "the Light of the world" (John 8:12 NASB).

The beautiful lights of Christmas still remind the world about the Baby born in Bethlehem. This was the Baby that everybody supposedly wanted. Truly, our sovereign God is very selective in His ways--even to the point of who could see the Star in the East. The Jewish leaders (who read the OT scrolls daily) were located less than five miles from Bethlehem, but the birth of Jesus did not excite the Jewish population of Jerusalem.  As the ultimate finale of  this sin-cursed world, the second coming of Christ will exhibit a splendid light show that utilizes visual aids in the grandest manner. As the well-known gospel song proclaims, "Soon, and very soon, we are going to see the King. Alleluia!" This is a must-read/must-listen type of sermon (click on hyperlinked title to read or listen). Thanks for stopping by!


Dennis Fischer
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How Could a Loving God

Send Someone to Hell? (Revelation 20:11)

by Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr.

About the Speaker:  Dr. Mohler is the longtime president of the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky USA.  The Southern Baptist Seminary is the flagship of the Southern Baptist Convention and one of the largest seminaries  in  the world.

It is a distinct honor and privilege to invite my discerning readers to listen to this powerful, relevant sermon by Dr. Mohler (click on title). Unfortunately, a biblical discourse about a place called "hell" is increasingly absent from many pulpits today. It is most noteworthy that Jesus spoke more often about hell than He did about heaven. Getting the Gospel right should be our highest  priority. Moreover, it is essential to uphold truths that cohere well with other biblical teachings. Since God is the ultimate author of Scripture, it is no surprise to find doctrinal unity from Genesis to Revelation. Sound doctrine is taught here daily. Indeed, it is a biblical mandate (Titus 1 & 2).

--Dennis Fischer

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The Salvation of the 'Little Ones':  Do Infants who Die Go to Heaven?

by R. Albert Mohler, Jr. and Daniel L. Akin

Due to the recent, horrific mass killing of twenty young children, at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut USA,  I highly recommend this Bible-based exposition authored by Drs. Akin and Mohler that provides much-needed comfort and encouragement during this grieving time for this senseless, tragic loss of human life.  Also, since this massacre in Connecticut, Dr. Mohler has written an insightful article entitled, "Rachel Weeping for Her Children: The Massacre in Connecticut." (simply click on the two hyperlinked titles to read)

Additionally, six dedicated staff members were also quickly shot dead by the 20-year-old gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School last Friday morning, and then he killed himself as law enforcement personnel entered the building.  Even worse than Hitler, the young shooter killed his own mother with multiple gunshot wounds before going to the school to commit mass murder. Sadly, we live in a very sin-sick world where violent physical death is increasingly commonplace. 

Amid our pain and tears, let us remember that there is no sorrow on earth that heaven cannot heal. U. S. President Barack Obama will attend an interfaith service this evening to comfort and support the Newtown community in their time of need. Truly, life in this world is not always fair. It is helpful to realize that there is not enough darkness in all the world to put out the light of one small candle. Let us pray for the grieving, victimized families as they desperately try to regain a sense of normalcy after this gruesome massacre.

--Dennis Fischer

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The External and Internal Call

by Wilhelmus a Brakel

Wilhelmus a Brakel was born on January 2, 1635 in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands.  After a fruitful ministry of forty-nine years, it pleased the Lord to take him home to Himself in 1711 at the age of seventy-six to receive the reward of a faithful servant.  He was affectionately referred to by the godly as "Father Brakel."  

It is a distinct honor and privilege to provide this lengthy excerpt from his four-volume, systematic theology entitled "The Christian's Reasonable  Service." You will be richly blessed in reading this excellent, Bible-based article that provides amazing clarity to the doctrine of divine election (click on title to read). Getting the Gospel right should be our top priority.

Common grace (external or general call) is sufficient to reveal God and therefore to condemn the unsaved, but efficacious grace (internal call or election) is necessary for salvation. Our awesome God never goes on a rescue mission that fails. Jesus declared, "For many are called but few are chosen" (Matt. 22:14). Indeed, we are not the captains of our eternal destiny.  It's all about Him!

Dennis Fischer
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FREE GRACE OR FREE WILL

By John Hendryx, Director & Founder
Christian Website:  www.monergism.com

In this excellent, Bible-based article, John Hendryx answers a good question from a visitor struggling with this commonly misunderstood topic (click on title to read).  Interestingly, most Christians today believe that God helps them to save themselves. Moreover, they wrongly conclude that fallen man is the captain of his eternal destiny. This man-centered idea puts God at the mercy of sinners instead of the other way around. Indeed, it is most important to give our awesome, sovereign God all the credit, honor, glory, and praise for the gift of our salvation. "For my salvation comes from the Lord alone" (Jonah 2:9 NLT). It's all about Him!  Soli Deo Gloria!


BOOK RECOMMENDATION ON THIS TOPIC: "The Potter's Freedom" (338-page paperback) by James R. White.  This book effectively serves as a rebuttal to Norman Geisler's book against Calvinism entitled "Chosen But Free." Although Dr. Geisler labels himself as a "moderate" Calvinist, anyone less than a five-point Calvinist is actually an Arminian in denial. I heartily recommend James White's must-read book for your personal library by adding it to your shopping cart while at the www.monergism.com online bookstore or calling (503) 620-2138 to place your order (M-F 9 to 5 Pacific Time). Happy reading!

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THE TRUTH ABOUT TONGUES

by John F. MacArthur, Jr.

Simply click on the title above to read and/or listen to Dr. MacArthur's informative, Bible-based sermon on the speaking in unknown tongues in many religious circles today. Indeed, millions of people have embraced this phenomena in recent times. It is closely akin to the extra-biblical revelations and reveries of Ellen G. White, the revered Seventh-day Adventist messenger, co-founder, prophetess, visionary, and infallible interpreter of Scripture.

For an in-depth study on this sensitive topic, I heartily recommend your reading Dr. MacArthur's 415-page book entitled, "Charismatic Chaos." This book will be an important addition to your Christian library. Remember, books are like friends, we can't have too many good ones.

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GOD ON THE MOUNTAIN 

(use enlarged screen for best video viewing)

This inspiring music video by Lynda Randle features her own lyrics entitled "God on the Mountain."  The words of this song are a reflection of her personal Christian journey. Her father wisely advised her, early in her vocal music career, that "If you don't believe it, don't sing it." Subsequently, she has become a notable Christian music artist. 

You will also enjoy listening to Lynda Randle sing "I'm Free."  What an awesome, powerful testimony in song! The lyrics of this Christ-centered rendition extend a cordial invitation to Seventh-day Adventists and many, many others to trade their legalistic shackles for the glorious freedom found only in Jesus Christ--a freedom that sets them free from the gnawing guilt of their past and from the crippling fear of their future. Jesus rightfully declared, "You did not choose Me but I chose you" (John 15:16 NASB). Salvation is a rescue operation from start to finish. Moreover, the good news still remains that our sovereign God never goes on a rescue mission that fails. Miraculously, God makes friends out of His enemies in the election process. What a wonderful Savior and Substitute!

Although not surprising, I noticed that the Mormons (another nineteenth-century, American cult) are now unashamedly placing paid ads on You Tube just seconds before some of my favorite Christian songs and videos can be seen and/or heard. To say the least, it is quite annoying to be forced to listen to Mormon propaganda or having to delete it every time I wish to get a blessing from a song or video. Obviously, their public relations team is convinced that their impostor tactics will help to lessen prejudice against them. It is no secret that some cults masquerade in our communities as authentic, evangelical Protestants (i.e., the Reorganized LDS Church, headquartered in Independence, Missouri, officially renamed themselves as the "Community of Christ" to be more acceptable in Christian communities).

Admittedly, there are former Adventists who humbly express their heartfelt joy with tears while listening to this inspirational song of victory in Christ. Moreover, this song would appropriately serve as the "theme song" whenever former Adventists gather together for worship around the world. The fact that God mercifully saves even some people doesn't obligate Him to save everyone. The Apostle Paul compared the doctrine of election to a potter who has full control over his lump of clay (Rom. 9:21). As Lynda Randle would say, "May God bless you real good." Indeed, you will be spiritually-refreshed through her God-given, God-exalting, musical talent. Happy listening!

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Does the Doctrine of Unconditional Election make God a "respecter of persons"?

by John Hendryx, Editor and Founder
Reformed Website:  www.monergism.com
Offices and Bookstore located near  Portland, Oregon USA



The charge we often hear from those who reject God's unconditional election is that it makes God a respecter of persons.  As is the case with most protests against unconditional election it is important to point out that this is a moral rather than an exegetical argument. And if this is the basis for their rejecting the doctrine of salvation by grace ALONE, rather than appealing directly to the Scriptures which repeatedly declare unconditional election (Eph. 1:3,4; Rom. 9), then one is basing their theological future on shaky ground.

Nonetheless, I still think it is important to face up to this charge to see if it has any validity. To do this we need to understand how the Bible uses the concept of "respecter of persons" and then let it interpret itself as to what it actually means, and then determine whether or not God would be guilty of it if unconditional election were true. Below is a wide sampling of its occurrence in Scripture:

"Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor." (Leviticus 19:15 KJV).

"Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise and pervert the words of the righteous." (Deuteronomy 16:19 KJV).

"For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither doth God respect any person: yet doth  he devise means that his banished be not expelled from him." (II Samuel 14:14 KJV).

"Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts." (II Chronicles 19:7 KJV).

"These things also belong to the wise.  It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment." (Proverbs 24:23 KJV).

"To have respect of persons is not good: for a piece of bread that man will transgress." (Proverbs 28:21 KJV).

"And if ye call on  the  Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear." (I Peter 1:17 KJV).

"God is no respecter of persons." (Acts 10:34)

"For there is no respect of persons with God." (Romans 2:11).

"My brethern, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the  Lord  of glory, with respect of persons.  for if there come unto your assembly a man  with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man  in vile raiment; And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool; Are ye not then partial in yourselves and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethern, Hath not God  chosen the poor of this world rich in  faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called? If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors." (James 2:1-9 KJV).

Here we have multiple instances of this phrase in both the Old  and New Testaments.  So what are  these passages talking about?  They are clearly warning the believer against showing favoritism or partiality, because they declare that God Himself does not show partiality or favoritism.  And, most importantly, in each of these instances it means neither we nor God give special treatment to a person because of his position, merit, wealth, influence, social standing, authority or popularity.  Thus "respecter of persons" means we are not to favor one person over the other because of ANY superior trait in the one favored, and likewise we are not to show prejudice toward those who lack these characteristics.

So when God unconditionally elects a person in Christ does He first determine who He will choose based on their position, wealth, good looks, influence, etc.?  No. By definition unconditional election means unconditional. It is not conditioned on ANYTHING in us or potentially in us. God does not stand to gain from currying anyone's  favor...even those who are in high positions...because God gave them that position, wealth, authority or social standing to begin with. The Bible unambiguously teaches, therefore, that God is no respecter of persons in election. Those who are chosen are chosen "in Christ" not because God  is thinking about what he has to gain by helping them over others...God has no need for such things, so, by definition, his choosing us cannot be tainted with such a motive.

I want you to notice, however, the last quote from the Apostle James that I offered above. In the midst of his commands to be a respecter of persons it asks:  "...Hath not God  chosen the poor of this world?" James' question is rhetorical, of course. Because, yes indeed, God HAS chosen the poor of the world--i.e., those who are  spiritually bankrupt who have lost all hope in themselves...So God is not looking to benefit from those who are already full, but shows special care to those who are empty or impoverished. It is, therefore, not something God is looking for in people but a lack of something. So, according  to the Bible, showing special favor to the poor is the very antithesis of what it means to show favoritism or respect of persons. God is showing mercy to him who does not deserve mercy and the poor recognize this fact.  The Apostle Paul also says the same thing:  "But God chose what is foolish in the  world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world,  even things that are not,  to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might  boast in the presence of God." And then in the next line, Paul emphasizes God's unconditional grace: "And because of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God,  righteouness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."  Notice Paul here even makes this a matter of boasting whether one acknowledges that salvation is of Christ alone.

Let's take this a step further: we can easily demonstrate that it is actually those who defend CONDITIONAL election who make God a respecter of  persons. This is because, if it were true that meeting some condition prompted God's decision to elect His people, then  His choice of them  would be based on their wisdom, prudence, sound judgment, or good sense to believe.  He  would therefore be looking at the character or merit of that person and choosing them because of it. The Bible, on the contrary, declares that we are all ill-deserving and, as such, God reserves the right to have mercy on whom He will. which is not based in any way on the will of the flesh (John 1:13; Rom. 9:15, 16).  If  God is basing his election on who will have faith then this would, in fact, make God a respecter of persons because these persons are meeting God's criteria in order to be chosen.

It is most ironic that those bringing this charge are the very ones who make God a respecter of persons by making God's  love and election "conditional."  It is the synergist who believes God shows favoritism or partiality because it is based on whether or not that person meritoriously meets the condition God gives him. In synergism, God's love for His people is not unconditional but is given only when someone meets the right condition...i.e., whether someone has faith or not. He chooses them only if they believe in Him. Isn't that favoritism? This conditional love is quite different than the love we expect from parents in everyday life. Consider, do you love your children because they do something for you?  No, of  course not! Don't you still love them when they do something wrong?  Of course! As an example, if your child rebelled against you and made you angry then soon after ran out into oncoming traffic would you run out to save him? Or, would you wait until he used his own will to prove his love to you first? No, as a parent who loved their child, you would run out to MAKE CERTAIN your child was not hit by a  car regardless of the ebbs and flows of your relationship with him. Your love for him and your choice to save him are based on unconditional love. In fact, we would consider the parent who first determined the love of their child as a condition to save them most unloving and cursed.

It is important that we further draw out these everyday analogies to show how unreasonable this charge against unconditional election is. Consider the very world we live in. In God's perfect wisdom and because of the Fall, for His own sovereign good purposes, some people are born into better families, richer countries, healthier bodies, better times, better conditions, more intelligence, etc.  Others are born into AIDS, starvation, and poverty. We see these "unfair" situations all around us. Does God have nothing to do with where people are born? Did people born into starvation have any say in the matter? Frankly, I do not see the Arminian shaking his fist at God for being unfair here. Yet these conditions we see in the world are there because it is part of God's judgment due to the Fall.  Further, everyone is born equally guilty in Adam and so it is perfectly just that not all get the same benefits in this life when  they are born. If this is true of everyday life why is it such a stretch to carry the same idea into eternity? It is hypocrisy not to recognize this inconsistency.

Next, let us consider the example of Jesus Himself in Scripture.  Jesus chose a specific time and place to come to earth and reveal Himself and not other times. He healed some and not others.  He raised Lazarus, his friend, but not everyone. There were other families in the world that were just as sad as Lazarus' family...many of them just as faithful, just as godly. According to human unaided reason, Jesus singling Lazarus out for resurrection might appear to show partiality or favoritism. Jesus actually had the power to raise people from the dead, and you would think that if this was the case He would help EVERY family which experienced the death of a loved one. This would not be too hard for Him. But Jesus did not do so.

By defining favoritism the way Arminians do you would think that Jesus would go around healing everyone, raising everyone, and making no distinctions and divisions whatsoever. Or, you would think He would at least give everyone the choice to have their loved ones raised. But the Jesus presented in the Bible is obviously not the Jesus of Arminianism or Universalism. He's a Jesus who chooses to bring certain people to life and leave others in their own rebellion. Matthew 11:27 says, "...no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."

Again, Jesus Himself plainly teaches that He makes distinctions in Matthew 20:1-16 in the parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard when He gives full  wages to the laborers who worked an hour. He concludes, "Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or, do you begrudge my generosity?  So, the last will be first, and the first last." Does this sound like the picture  of  God painted by Arminians?

In the end, the Bible teaches that God chooses to have mercy on some ill-deserving people out of the entire mass of ill-deserving people. God is not obligated, in any sense, to save anyone because none are His children by nature, but by grace when He mercifully adopts them into His family. The others are rebelling against Him and reject Him, so He leaves them to their own desire. God is all wise and always good, even if you cannot see it. If God doesn't satisfactorily explain to you the good reasons He has for what He does, do you thereby condemn Him for it? Well, most of us don't explain all the good reasons we have for what we do to our own child. Am I, therefore, immoral? There are several answers I could give that my child would not understand. On what basis do you think you could understand any God-justifying reason there is?

God loves His people because He loves them. Is there some better reason OUTSIDE or ABOVE God that should make Him do so?  The Arminian would have us think so. But to say so is to profoundly misapprehend the nature of who God  is. We know God is always good, so if He wills something to be so, it is right irrespective of whether you understand.

Next, consider your own life and how you think you should treat others. Is it okay to treat your children any differently than  your neighbors or do you treat them exactly the same?

The question really is not whether God shows favorites but IN WHAT SENSE does God not show favorites because God chose Abraham out of all the peoples of  the earth, not because He saw something good in him, or because he earned God's favor, but because God chooses to. He saves the poor, the wretched, and the sinners of the earth according to His sovereign good pleasure in Christ.

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THE BIBLICAL DOCTRINE OF HELL

                                                       (click on title to listen)

by Pastor Edward Donnelly

A Four-Part Audio Series:

I.    Why consider it?

II.   Does the Bible teach it?

III.  What will it be like?

IV.  How should the reality of hell affect us?



NOTE:  You really owe it to yourself to listen to these Bible-based presentations on the topic of a place called "hell." While here on earth, Jesus had far more to say about an eternal hell than He did about an eternal heaven.  In fact, most of what we know about hell was taught by Jesus Himself.  We can only appreciate God's grace to the extent of our understanding the depth of  His divine wrath. Pastor Donnelly clearly warns about the inevitable result of the unbiblical teaching of annihilationism on the Gospel. Both current and former Seventh-day Adventists have much to learn and unlearn on this important subject. Pastor Donnelly's presentations are in the must-hear/must-know category. Indeed, teaching sound doctrine is a biblical mandate (Titus 1 & 2).

For serious Bible students, I heartily recommend Dr. Robert Morey's excellent, 315-page book entitled, "Death and the Afterlife." You can purchase this book directly from Dr. Morey's online bookstore (www.faithdefenders.com) for $14.95. This book, having become a Christian classic, would make an excellent addition to your personal library. The late Dr. Walter Martin said of this book, "The most comprehensive biblical study of the subject in the last half century."  By the way,  Dr. Morey is the only Evangelical scholar, that I know of, who holds a doctoral degree in Islamic Studies.

Think about it! What did Jesus come to save us from? Who are the "monsters" of depravity?  Why would a kind, loving God continually torment anyone for eternity? Does God's omnipresence extend to hell in dispensing and supervising justice? What actually happens to a person when God completely removes His common grace and totally withdraws His indwelling Spirit? Will the ungodly in hell deeply regret their past sinful life in gnawing agony? Is an unconfessed and unforgiven sin against our infinite, holy God really deserving of eternal punishment? Are so-called "garden-variety sins" punishable for eternity? Are there various degrees of punishment in hell? Isn't the reality of hell against the divine character of God?  Why is hell so utterly terrible? What is involved in the absolute horror and poverty of hell? Does God really hate sin but not the unregenerate, vile sinner in whom sin reigns supremely without any restraint?  

Is hell merely an incinerator for the quick-fix of annihilation or a place of eternal torment?  Remember, one must be alive to be "tormented day and night forever and ever" (Rev. 20:10 ESV). Truly, the theory of annihilation greatly trivializes the consequence of unconfessed and unforgiven sin. Moreover, the proponents of annihilation seriously underestimate the enduring stain of sin against an infinite, holy God. Our awesome, just, and sovereign God only forgets and forgives the sins of the repentant sinner. The sins of the unrepentant soul do not somehow evaporate, disappear in thin air, and they never become subject to any legal statute of limitations .  The ungodly in hell would like for annihilationism to be true. Annihilation does not constitute the ultimate punishment. Rather, annihilation is the end of punishment. These and other questions are answered in Pastor Donnelly's four-part audio presentation.  Don't miss it!


Dennis Fischer
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THE CHALLENGE OF SAME-SEX UNIONS

by R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Louisville, Kentucky USA


Liberal churches and denominations are joining the project (normalizing and restructuring society to match this new morality).  The cultural pressure is formidable, and only churches that are truly committed to Scripture will withstand the pressure to accommodate themselves and their message to the new morality.

What, then, is the true church to do?  First, we must stand without compromise on the authority of the Bible and the principles of sexual conduct and morality that God has revealed so clearly in His Word. The Bible's sexual morality is grounded in the creation of humanity in God's image; we are created as male and female and given the gift of sex within the marriage covenant--and  only within the marriage covenant between one man and one woman for as long they both shall live.

The easiest way to summarize the Bible's teaching on sexuality is to begin with God's blessing of sex only within the marriage convenant between a man and a woman. Then, just remember that sex outside of that covenant relationship, whatever its form or expression, is explicitly forbidden.  Christians know that these prohibitions are for our good and that rejecting them is tantamount to a moral rebellion against God Himself.  We also know that the Bible forbids all same-sex acts and behaviors.  Thus, we know that homosexuality is a sin, that blessing it in any way is also sin, and that normalizing sin cannot lead to human happiness.

Second, we must realize what is at stake.  Marriage is first and foremost a public institution.  It has always been so.  Throughout history, societies have granted special recognition and privileges to marriage because it is the central organizing institution of human culture.  Marriage regulates relationships, sexuality, human reproduction, lineage, kinship, and family structure. But marriage has also performed another crucial function--it has regulated morality.

This is why the challenge of same-sex unions is so urgent and important.  Redefining marriage is never simply about  marriage.  It leads to the redefinition of reproduction and parenthood, produces a legal revolution with vast consequences, replaces an old social order with something completely new, and forces the adoption of a new morality.   This last point is especially important.  Marriage teaches morality by its very centrality to the culture. With a new concept of marriage comes a new morality, enforced by incredible social pressure and, eventually, legal threats.

Third, we must act quickly to teach Christians the truth about marriage and God's plan for sexuality in all its fullness and beauty.  We must develop pastoral approaches that are faithful to Scripture and arm this generation of believers to withstand the cultural pressure and respond in ways that are truly Christian.

Last, and most important, this challenge must drive us to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Christians must be the first to understand this challenge in light of the gospel.  After all, we know spiritual rebellion when we see it, for we ourselves were rebels before God's grace conquered us.  We know what moral confusion means because without the light of God's Word, we are just as confused.

There is no rescue from the self-deception of sin except for the salvation that is ours in Jesus Christ.  While doing everything else required of us in this challenge, the faithful church must center its energies on the one thing that we know we must do above all else--preach, teach, and live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

(Tabletalk, April 2012)

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