BiblicalInsights.net

Violence: Causes and Cure

David Stevens — Mon, 20 May 2013 16:09:55 +0000

One of the notable characteristics of the world prior to the flood was violence (Gen. 6:11-13). Here is a formula that may explain the violence of man at this time: Godlessness leads to lawlessness which in turn leads to violence. Violence abounds in any society where the fear of God is not present.
Violence is “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against a person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment or deprivation” (Wikipedia). Globally, violence takes the lives of 1.5 million people. 50% of these deaths is due to suicide, 35% is due to homicide and 12% is due to war or some other form of conflict. In addition to deaths, there are countless hospitalizations and doctor’s visits.
Violence does not have a single cause. It has multiple causes. Consider the following:
1. Biological. The National Academy of Sciences just reviewed hundreds of studies on the relationship between biology and violence, and it came to this conclusion, “No patterns precise enough to be considered reliable biological markers for violent behavior have yet been identified.” Violence does not appear to be biological or genetic.
2. Sociological. The following statistics and information indicate correlations rather than direct cause/effect relationships.
a. Those who commit violence on the street are disproportionately poor and unemployed.
b. 90% of those arrested for crimes are men. There is no place in the world where men make up less than 80% of those who commit violent crimes.
c. Violence is primarily the work of younger people. People in their late teens or early twenties are much more likely to be arrested for violent crimes than those younger or older.
d. The arrest rate for African Americans is 6 times higher than for white Americans.
e. The overall crime rate is drastically underestimated, particularly domestic violence.
3. Psychological.
a. Major mental disorders account for 3% of violence in the U.S.
b. We know that while many aggressive children go on to be law-abiding adults, aggression at age 8 significantly predicts violent convictions well into the thirties, in every culture in which it has been studied.
c. We know that most children who have been physically abused by their parents go on to be perfectly normal adults. Yet, physical abuse doubles the risk that a boy will have convictions for violent crime as an adult.
d. We know that failure of a child in school is one of the most enduring correlates of later violence. Four out of five violent offenders in prison never finished high school.
e. We know that stability matters. The more changes of placement a foster children experiences while growing up, the more likely that child will later be arrested for a violent crime.
f. We know that lack of parental supervision has been consistently related to delinquency, including violent delinquency. One study, for example, found that 10 percent of non-delinquents were poorly supervised by their parents, one-third of one and two-time delinquents were poorly surpervised, and over three-quarters of repeat offenders were poorly supervised. Parental involvment in the lives of children makes a difference!
g. Finally, we know much about the relationship between illegal drugs and violence. But it is important to remember that the connection between one legal drug–alcohol–and violence is beyond dispute. About one-third of all violent offenders are alcoholic, and the earlier an adolescent starts to drink, the more likely that teen will be violent as an adult. (The above information was taken from an article by John Monahan, Ph.D. professor of Law at the University of Virginia, 2/19/10).
4. Spiritual Factors.
a. Anger/Malice. Cain killed his brother Abel because he was angry (Gen. 4). This is the first murder recorded in Scripture. God attempted to intervene with Cain and showed him another pathway where he, too, could be accepted. Cain rejected it and in anger killed his brother.
b. Envy. Cain may have been motivated by jealousy and envy as well (Gen. 4). In Matt. 27:18, Pilate correctly understood that Jesus was delivered to be crucified due to the envy of the Jews. Envy seeks to destroy its object.
c. Pride. Attitudes of superiority over another person or race can produce violence. Racism is a common motivator for violence.
d. Lust. James 4:1-2, James mentions lusts of the heart as a cause for war and conflict. Covetousness would belong to this classification.
e. Lack of empathy and love. Violence results when the conscience is seared (past feeling). When a human heart lacks emotional bonding to another human being there is a coldness that can manifest itself in violence.
f. Violence begets violence. Rom. 12:19. Paul warns about revenge. One act of violence may give place to another act of violence when revenge is sought. Paul advises that we trust God to be the great avenger.
g. Alcohol can play a role in violence. Proverbs 23:29-35. Under the infuence of alcohol some lose the normal restraint of the passions and violence follows. Fights, murders and domestic violence have been increased due to the influence of alcoholic beverages.
h. Selfishness or Convenience. Abortion is an act of violence against the unborn. Those who are innocent and defenseless are most vulnerable to the selfish motives of others. To our shame, we have made this legal in America.
The causes named above are mostly sins of the heart. We will never solve the problem of violence until the human heart is transformed by the saving work of Jesus Christ.
The Cure for Violence.
The cure for violence is to be found in redemption. We must turn to God and seek His mercy and commit to walk in the image of His Son–Jesus Christ. We must trust God. We must repent of sin including the sins of the heart. We must commit to follow Jesus in His teaching and His example. We must slay sins of the heart like envy, jealousy, lusts, uncontrolled anger, wrath, and malice. The whole duty of man is to “fear God and keep his commandments” (Eccle. 12:13). We must be immersed in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). This will give us a new beginning in Christ. We must return to the values that Jesus taught. These include the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (Matt. 7:12). This is the law of love. We must develop self-control as a Christian grace or virtue (II Pet. 1:5-11). We must restore the responsibilities of parents in the home. Parents need to be present and on the job. They must love their children and invest their time, attention, and affection in them. We must relinquish revenge to God. Trust God’s justice even as Jesus did (I Pet. 2:21-25).
We will never solve the problem of violence until we change our hearts and comply with God’s Will for our lives! We can do this. We must do it one person at a time. It begins with you and me.

White Carnation

David Stevens — Mon, 13 May 2013 13:21:45 +0000

Today, I am posting a poem by Hilma E. Willis. The poem was published many years ago on August 23 by The Journal Leader in Caldwell, OH. It was written for Mother’s Day. The title: White Carnation.
Mother’s Day with special meaning
Brought to mind the tears she shed,
Hasty words so often spoken,
Loving phrases left unsaid.
On her dress a white carnation
Pure white ribbon on its stem,
Faced the group that sat before her
As she quietly said to them–
Mothers are one-time possessions,
Not because they are few,
But because in all their numbers
Only one belongs to you.
Mothers love us, serve, and teach us
As they help our lives begin;
Nurse each illness, share each sorrow,
And rejoice if we win.
Mothers try their best to guide us
And start our steps aright,
Keeping watchful eyes upon us
As we test our wings for flight.
Mothers pray for us in secret,
Keep our names before the Lord
And will even go on loving
If neglect is their reward.
Though thy seldom speak to others
Of the family hurts that burn,
Each one longs to hear “I Love You”
From the child of her concern.
If you have a mother living
And you love her, tell her so–
Tell her now and tell her often
As the seasons come and go.
Little slights and silent absence,
Thoughtlessness upon your part,
May not change her deep devotion,
But will cause her pain at heart.
You can lessen anxious moments–
If you implement this plan–
Take the time for little visits;
In a hurry, just say “Hi”;
Give a hug and say “I Love You”;
For no reason, just stop by.
Sometimes send a simple letter
Or a postcard if you will–
Do not let her box stay empty
Or her telephone be still.
As you wear a red carnation
Love of mother to convey,
Know that thoughtful words and actions
Give her joy any day.
Life is short and passes quickly,
Sorrows happen overnight–
In a flash, a red carnation
May be changed to one of white.

Seasoned With Salt

David Stevens — Wed, 01 May 2013 18:12:30 +0000

Most people like salt added to their food to give it special taste. This has been true for centuries. Evidence indicates that Neolithic people of the Precucuteni Culture were boiling the salt-laden spring water through the process of briquetage to extract salt as far back as 6050 B.C. (Wikipedia). Jesus said that if the salt has lost its savor (saltiness) it is good for nothing (Matt. 5:13).
Speech seasoned with salt is speech that has the positive influence of wholesomeness. Col. 4:6, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” Your speech is a reference to what you say each day. Always with grace means with graciousness or in a kindly spirit. Seasoned with salt refers to speech as food that is duly seasoned before it is served and thus is palatable when it is served. Salt is the wholesomeness of what we say. That ye may know is an infinitive of result. How ye ought to answer every man refers to using wisdom (v. 5) and clothing our speech in graciousness and giving it a wholesome taste, we shall soon get to know just how to answer every person with whom we get into a discussion so that we can make the most of all such opportunities (Lenski, Interpretation of Colossians, p. 194).
Our speech will influence others and has the power to win them to Christ. Our speech has a soul-winning function!
Speech Reveals Character.
Your speech is a window to your heart! (Matthew 12:34-37). Good men bring forth good things and evil men bring forth evil things. When Christians bring forth evil things it is hypocrisy. Our character has the power to win others to Christ if it exhibits godliness (I Peter 3:1).
Profane Speech From Christians Reveals Hypocrisy.
Nothing defeats the Christians’ example and influence for Christ faster than hypocrisy. Types of profane speech that should never come from the mouth of a Christian include: taking God’s name in vain, use of cuss words and profane language, evil speaking, and lies. James warns against the manifestation of duplicity in the use of the tongue (James 3:9-12). Blessing and cursing should not come forth from the same fountain. It is hypocrisy.
Profanity reveals contempt for others. Contempt is a mixture of anger and disgust expressed from a position of superiority. Expressions of contempt may include: rolling the eyes, verbal put-downs, and profanity. Profanity denigrates, devalues and dismisses others. Ultimately, it will damn the soul. Offenses through speech are common, but woe to that man through whom the offense cometh!
Speech is a Test of Self-Control.
Bridle your tongue is an expression that attempts to capture the essence of self-control. Self-control is a Christian virtue (II Pet. 1:5-11). Temperance is self-control. We must discipline our hearts and tongues in order to manifest the moral vigor that becomes the Christian life. This is saltiness! Peter states that if we lack these things (moral virtues) we are blind and cannot see afar off and have forgotten that we have been purged from our old sins!
Speech Should Be Used to Hallow the World Not Profane It.
Speech influences for either good or evil. The power of life and death is in the use of the tongue. Speech made in wisdom, full of grace and seasoned with salt will bless. Language has the power to reflect the holiness of God to others. “Be ye holy for I am holy saith the Lord” (I Pet. 1:16). Be holy even in your speech!
The problem with cussing Christians is that they reveal hypocrisy, impurity, and unholiness to a lost and dying world that cannot be won to Christ through the pursuit of the profane!

Your Most Valuable Possession

David Stevens — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:03:35 +0000

Jesus asked two questions in Matthew 16:26 worthy consideration. “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Jesus Affirms That We Have a Soul.
Jesus is the creator of all things (John 1:1-3; Col. 1:16). Adam, the first man, was created from the dust of the ground (physical aspect of his being) and God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and man became a living soul (Gen. 2:7–the spiritual aspect of his being). Adam was created in the image of God and exhibits will, intellect, emotion, morality–spiritual aspects of his being. The soul is the inward man and the body is the outward man (II Cor. 4:16). The body is subject to death, but the soul will never die. We receive a soul or spirit at the time of our conception. Zecharaiah writes, “The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.” God is creator of all things and He is creator of man’s spirit. Solomon in Ecclesiastes writes, “As thou knowest not what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all” (Eccl. 11:5). And, in Ecclesiastes 12:7, “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Further evidence that we have a soul can be found in James 2:26. James defines death as the separation of the spirit from the body. Obviously, life must be defined as the union of the spirit and the body. “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” Whenever Jesus died, His body was placed in a tomb, but His spirit went into paradise (Luke 23:43, 46, 53). The resurrection of Jesus from the dead involved the reuniting of His body and spirit. The conclusion of this Biblical evidence is that each human being possesses a soul or spirit.
The Soul Can Be Lost.
Jesus affirms that we can lose our soul. To be lost means that we will be eternally separated from God. There are various ways that the Bible indicates this eternal state. In John 3:16, Jesus said that individuals who do not believe on Him would “perish.” In Mark 16:16, Jesus said that those who do not believe on Him and are not baptized into Him will be “damned.” In II Thess. 1:7-9, Paul describes the fate of those who know not God and obey not the Gospel as being punished with “everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord.” Everlasting destruction does not refer to annihilation, but to eternal ruination. Jesus said, “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
The pursuits of the human heart will determine our eternal destiny. Some attempt to “gain the whole world” as they pursue material things and riches. They pursue the pleasures of sin and worldly delights. We are warned about loving the world and the things that are in the world (I John 2:15-17). Love of the world is enmity against God. God desires that we love Him supremely (Matt. 22:36-39).
The Soul Can Be Exchanged.
The value of the human soul can be seen in the price paid to redeem it. Jesus gave His life and shed His blood in order to redeem mankind from sin. Peter states, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers, But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” I Peter 1:18-19). The word “precious” means costly. The value of the blood of Christ is priceless. Consequently, the value of the human soul is priceless.
The value of the soul can only be preserved through discipleship to Jesus Christ. If we are not a disciple of Jesus Christ (a Christian), then we have sold out our soul for something else. The only alternative to serving Jesus is to be a servant of sin (Satan) (Rom. 6:16-17). If we exchange our soul for some sin, we have traded down and proven ourselves to be fools. Sin is worthless and has no value whatever. To take something priceless and exchange it for something worthless is foolish. More importantly, it means that we will lose our own soul!
Preserve The Value of Your Soul.
In Matthew 16:24-25, Jesus says, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Jesus asks three things of us. First, we must deny ourselves. This means that we must renounce the pursuit of the lust of the flesh through submission of our will to God’s Will. Second, we must be willing to suffer persecution for the name of Jesus Christ. Third, we must follow Jesus, i.e. actively pursue Christ-likeness. We must put to death the old self and allow Christ to form a new life in us. Only by undergoing this spiritual transformation can we save our soul. (see Rom. 6:3-4).

What’s The Problem?

David Stevens — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:13:42 +0000

A recent letter to the editor of the Columbus Dispatch touched on a word missing from our every day vocabulary. Can you guess what it is? The title of the letter was, “‘Sin’ disappeared from lexicon long ago.” The letter pointed out that the high priests of journalism have “outlawed” the word “sin” from the common vernacular. This prompts the question, “why?”
I would like to offer two reasons.   One reason lies in the psychological coping mechanism we call “denial.” Denial is a psychological defense where we will not face reality, instead, we deny reality so that we will not have to deal with it or the pain that it brings. Another reason is redefinition of truth. When we define truth subjectively rather than objectively, everything is permissible. The ideology called postmodernism does this. If everything is permissible, then sin vanishes.
The Problem.
“For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” Rom. 3:23. And, “the wages of sin is death…” Rom. 6:23. Sin is a universal experience of mankind. The consequences are serious both now and for eternity. While some may deny the reality of sin, and others have redefined truth to make it disappear, the reality of sin keeps confronting us. One way to force a realization of this is to look at the numbers. The price we pay for sin is enormous. Consider the following:
Internet Gambling. The estimated social cost of internet gambling is 25 billion dollars per year. (Does God Exist, Jan./Feb. 2013, p. 27).
Alcoholism. The cost of alcoholism to the American taxpayer is 43 billion dollars per year. (Does God Exist, Jan./Feb. 2013, p. 29).
50% of all fatal accidents involve alcohol.
80% of all fire deaths.
65% of all drowning deaths.
40% of all assaults.
77% of falls.
55% of arrests.
Unwanted Pregnancies. The annual cost to the American taxpayer of unwanted pregnancies is $11 billion dollars. (Guttmacher Institute, Huffington Post.com, 5/24/2011). Two-thirds of unintended pregnancies–a million births-are publicly funded by Medicaid and other government programs.
Addicted gamblers. The costs associated with addicted gamblers in the U.S. is between 32.4 billion and 53.8 billion dollars a year. This amounts to about $274 per adult annually. Gambling in America, Baylor University professor Earl Grinols from dailyfinance.com., July 22, 2011).
Drug Abuse. Substance abuse and addiction breaks down as follows:
Illegal drugs–118 billion a year.
Alcohol: 185 billion a year.
Tobacco:   193 billion a year.
Totals:   559 billion a year (Drugabuse.gov National Institute on Drug Abuse, 4/9/2013.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Sexually transmitted diseases for Ages 15-24 costs $6.5 billion a year in 2000 dollars. Among all age groups the cost go up to between $9.3 billion to $15.5 billion (includes HIV). Guttmacher.org. Guttmacher Institute (Jan./Feb. 2004, vol. 36, no. 1).
Crime. The annual cost of crime in the U.S. is $1.7 trillion dollars. David A. Anderson, “The Aggregate Burden of Crime.” This amounts to $4,118.00 per person in the U.S. (David Anderson is professor of economics at Davidson College, North of Charlotte, North Carolina).
Divorce. Family fragmentation costs: $112 billion a year. Benjamin Scafidi, J. Whitney Bunting School of Business at Georgia College and State University. Ph.D. in economics from the University of Virginia. “The Taxpayer Costs of Divorce and Unwed Childbearing” c. 2008 www.americavalues.org.
Pornography. The financial costs to businesses productivity in the U.S. alone is estimated at $16.9 billion annually. The human toll is far greater. Webroot.com “Internet Pornography by the numbers; a significant threat to society.” Consider some stats:
Every second 28,258 users are watching pornography on the internet.
Every second $3,075.64 is being spent on pornography on the internet.
40 million people in America regularly visit porn sites.
35% of all internet downloads are related to pornography.
One-third of porn viewers are women.
2.5 billion emails sent or received every day contain porn.
Abortion. The normal cost of a first-trimester abortion runs between $350 to $550. Guttmacher Institute www.guttmacher.org. “In 2009, the median charge for a surgical abortion at 10 weeks gestation was $470. The median cost of  a medication abortion was $490. In 2008, 20% of all abortions were covered by Medicaid (State funded). In 2008, there were about 1.2 million abortions performed in the U.S. Total costs: $112 million dollars.
The total costs exceed 2 trillion, 35 billion dollars! And, these are just the financial costs. May we add the emotional, psychological, social, and spiritual costs?
How can we deny the reality of sin when it is costing so much? Why not let God define sin? Sin is a transgression of the law of God (I John 3:4).
The Solution.
The first step is to face reality. We must admit to ourselves and to God, “I am a sinner.” This confession will produce guilt and shame if prompted by godly sorrow and move us to repent and turn to God.
The second step is to pursue the pathway of redemption and righteousness. We must say, “Lord, be merciful to me a sinner.” We must seek forgiveness from God who is the only source that has the power to remit sins. We must yield to God’s Will for our lives. We must repent. Repentance involves a turning away from sin. It involves a cessation of the practice of sin. We must be baptized to “wash away our sins” (Acts 22:16; Acts 2:38). And, we must pursue righteousness. The way of righteousness is the strait and narrow way that leads to eternal life (Matt. 7:13-14). The problem is sin.   The solution is “Christ in you and you in Christ.”

Negative Effects of Divorce

David Stevens — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:47:18 +0000

Recently, Yahoo News reported on the negative effects of divorce. The article was by Lauren Hanson and titled, “9 negative effects divorce reportedly has on children.” Here is the list:
1. Smoking habits. In a study published in the March 2013 edition of Public Health, researchers at the University of Toronto found that both sons and daughters of divorced families are significntly more likely to begin smoking than peers whose parents are married. In an analysis of 19,000 Americans, men whose parents divorced before they turned 18 had 48 percent higher odds of smoking than men with intact families. Women had 39 percent higher odds of picking up the habit.
2. Ritalin use. Dr. Strohschein, a sociologist at the university of Alberta, wanted to know what was behind the increase in children prescriptions for Ritalin over the past two decades. In 2007, she analyzed data from a survey that was conducted between 1994 and 2000. In it, 5,000 children who did not use Ritalin, and were living in two-parent households, were interviewed. Over the six years, 13.2 percent of those kids experienced divorce. Of those children, 6.6 percent used Ritalin. Of the children livng in intact households, 3.3 percent used Ritalin. Stroschein suggests that stress from the divorce could have altered the children’s mental health, and caused a dependence on Ritalin. Ritalin is commonly prescribed to help control the behavior of children.
3. Poor math and social skills. A 2011 study by the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that children of divorced parents often fall behind their classmates in math and social skills. They are more likely to suffer anxiety, stress, and low self-esteem. The reason that math skills are affected is likely because learning math is cumulative. This means that children of divorce will fall behind their peers who live in more stable families.
4. Susceptibility to sickness. In 1990, Jane Mauldon of the University of California at Berkeley found that children of divorce run a 35 percent risk of developing health problems, compared with a 26 percent risk among all children. The susceptibility to illness is linked to increased stress related to the divorce. Divorce can also reduce the availability of health insurance, lead to less adult supervision and safe environments. The risk of health problems is higher than average during the first four years after a family separation, but, curiously, can actually increase in the years following.
5. An increased likelihood of dropping out of school. A 2010 study found that more than 78 percent of children in two-parent households graduated from high school by the age of 20. However, only 60 percent of those who went through a big family change–including divorce, death, or remarriage–graduated in the same amount of time. The younger a child is during the divorce, the more he or she may be affected.
6. A propensity for crime. In 2009, the law firm Mishcon de Reya polled 2,000 people who had experienced divorce as a child in the preceding 20 years. The subjects reported witnessing aggression (42 percent), were forced to comfort an upset parent (49 percent), and had to lie for one or the other (24 percent). The outcome was one in 10 turned to crime, and 8 percent considered suicide.
7. Higher risk of stroke. In 2010, researchers from the University of Toronto found a strong link between divorce and adult risk of stroke. However, the vast majority of adults whose parents divorced did not have strokes. The link may be attributed to increased stress, which can change a child’s physiology.
8. Greater chance of getting divorced. University of Utah researcher Nicholas H. Wolfinger, in 2005, released a study showing that children of divorce are more likely to divorce as adults. Children of divorce are more likely to marry as teens and to marry someone who also comes from a divorced family. Wolfinger’s research suggests that couples in which one spouse has divorced parents may be up to twice as likely to divorce. If both partners experienced divorce as children they are three times more likely to divorce themselves.
9. An early death. An eight-decade study called The Longevity Project by Howared Friedman and Leslie Martin that began in 1921 tracked 1,500 boys and girls throughout their lives. More than one-third of the participants experienced either parental divorce or the death of a parent before the age of 21. But it was only the children of divorced families who died on average almost five years earlier than children whose parents did not divorce. The deaths were from causes both natural and unnatural, but men were more likely to die of accidents or violence. Generally, divorce lowered the standard of living for the children, which made a particular difference in the life longevity of women. (The above facts were taken from the article cited which was copyrighted 2013 by Yahoo News).
No-fault divorce laws which were a result of the feminist movement in American have contributed to the frequency of divorce. The impact of divorce on children is devastating. This is a strong argument against divorce and for permanency in marriage. God’s design for the family involves marriage between one man and one woman for life (Rom. 7:1-3).

Almighty God

David Stevens — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 19:46:54 +0000

“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Gen. 17:1). This is the first time, the name, Almighty God, appears in Scripture. This is the tenth name for God in the Old Testament (beginning with Genesis 1:1). This name means, the Strong One. God is all-powerful. No power is as great as God’s. Every force under, in, or above, the earth must therefore be dependent upon, subservient to, and by the permission of, Him who told Abram, I am God Almighty.
Creative Power.
God created the entire universe from that which did not exist before (Heb. 11:3). “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” God spoke the universe into existence. “He spake and it was done, he commanded and it stood fast” (Psa. 33:9). Gen. 1:3, “And God said, Let there be light, and there was light….” The word of God is powerful.
Punitive Power.
Due to the extreme wickedness of man, God determined to destroy the earth by a universal flood (Gen. 6:5 and 7). Noah was commanded to build an ark to the saving of his house. Noah did all that God commanded. The time came for the windows of heaven to be opened and the fountains of the deep to be broken up and God caused the entire earth to be flooded 15 cubits above the mountains (Gen. 7:20). This was a miracle. It demonstrates the punitive power of Almighty God. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Heb. 10:31).
Providential Power.
Several times in the book of Genesis God demonstrates His providential power. In Gen. 14:19,20, the king of Salem, Melchizedek, recognizes the providential hand of God in helping Abraham secure a victory over Chedorlaomer and those kings allied with him. He states, “And blessed be the most high God,which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand…” In Gen. 20:18, God intervenes to protect the purity of Sarah, Abraham’s wife, and to protect the promise He had made to Abraham and Sarah concerning the son of promise, Isaac. The sacred text reads, “For the LORD had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abraham’s wife.” Many times in the book of Genesis, God’s providential power is manifested.
Miraculous Power.
God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah concerning having a son took twenty-five years to fulfill. The time period alone was a test of Abraham and Sarah’s faith. Abraham was 100 and Sarah was 90 years old when Isaac was born. Both were old. Sarah was past the time of child bearing. She had been barren all of her life. Yet, God blessed them with a baby son. Isaac was the son of promise and God miraculously intervened in order for Abraham and Sarah to become parents.
Saving Power.
The first Messianic promise is recorded by Moses in Genesis 3:15. The seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent (Satan) and Satan would bruise his heel. The seed promise continues with Abraham. Gen. 12:3, God told Abram, “in thee shall all nations of the earth be blessed.” Later, in Gen. 22:18, God said, “And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.” This passage is referenced by the apostle Paul in Galatians 3:16, “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.” Jesus Christ is the promised seed (Messiah) of Abraham. Jesus brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel. The Gospel is God’s power to save men from the consequences of sin (Rom. 1:16, 6:23). To be saved means to be delivered from the eternal consequences of sin which is everlasting punishment by God. God has the power to save and He has the power to condemn. God can save to the uttermost them that come to Him in faith and loving obedience to His Will.
Almighty God is a name for God that all of us must remember. God is all-powerful. God is over all. We must be subject unto Him, fear Him, and surrender our lives in humble service to Him.

Sexual Anarchy

David Stevens — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 17:33:31 +0000

Sexual Anarchy is the title of a book by Dave Miller director of Apologetics Press, Montgomery, Alabama. I have recently posted a review of this book. Please check under book reviews for the title. This book covers the reasons for the sexual anarchy present in our American culture and examines God’s Word and the moral principles it teaches in contrast to the practices so prevalent today. Miller discusses: the sexual revolution of the sixties, the impact it had on marriage and family, divorce, abortion, homosexuality, pornography and then turns attention to the solution to these problems. The book is somewhat dated (copyright 2006) and is short, having only 110 pages. However, it focuses on an ongoing set of moral problems facing America the costs of which are astronomical.

With All Perseverance

David Stevens — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:14:36 +0000

Perseverance is a part of the Christian character that helps secure the victory over Satan. After giving the specific elements of the Christian armor, Paul writes, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Eph. 6:18). Paul adds prayer and perseverance to the list of elements that must equip the Christian soldier in the fight against sin.
What is Perseverance? Perseverance denotes, “to continue steadfastly in a thing and give unremitting care to it.” The word literally means, “be strong towards.” It is intensive in form. The word assumes that a trial or challenge is in view. The challenge is formidable and demanding. To persevere is to stand steadfastly in the face of the challenge, no matter what it is or how intense it might be.
Sources of Strength.
You cannot win over Satan using merely your own strength, but you must bring something to the fight. Jesus Christ secures the victory for us, but we must believe and obey Him. We must be in Christ and He must be in us. If we fail to be one with Christ or if we abandon our position in Christ we will fail. Spiritual union with Christ is indispensable to personal victory over sin and Satan. Paul also adds something else: the prayers of the saints. Three sources of strength emerge: (1) our own grit; (2) the Lord Jesus Christ; and (3) fellow Christians.
Aspects of Perseverance.
Consider the following aspects of perseverance:
1. Endurance over Time (Keep Going!). Consider the example of Moses during the Wilderness Wanderings (40 years). Moses dealt with all sorts of hardships: the sin of the people at Sinai, the murmuring of God’s people for food and water, challenges to his leadership from Aaron and Miriam (within his own family) and from Korah, Dathan and Abiram (from without his own family), enemies from outside of Israel threatened, and nations such as Edom would not cooperate or help when needed. Through it all, Moses kept going! He persevered.
2. A strong and positive will (keep positive). A perfect example of the spirit needed is given by the apostle Paul. Paul never complained even thought he faced many trials (II Cor. 11:21-28). Paul kept a positive attitude in the face of many challenges. He stated, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).
3. Focus on the mission (keep focused). Even though the apostle Paul encountered many difficult situations, he never quit. He states, “Brethren I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto these things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 3:13-14).
4. Never journey alone (keep God close). David is a good example of this trait. David believed that the LORD was his shepherd and would lead him in the paths of righteousness. When you walk with God, you never walk alone!
5. Stay committed (keep faith). Jesus is our perfect example for this trait. When Jesus faced the trial of the cross, he “committed himself to him that judgeth righteously” (I Pet. 2:23). Jesus faced death with unwavering faith in God. That’s perseverance.
6. Don’t lose your passion (keep loving). While Jesus’ own disciples forsook Him, His love for them would not permit Him to forsake them. He loved them unto the end (John 13:1). Love endureth all things! That’s perseverance.
Hardships are inevitable. Perseverance will be needed to triumph over them.

Faith and Love

David Stevens — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 14:26:50 +0000

“For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love” (Gal. 5:6). The apostle Paul wrote this passage to churches in Galatia (Antioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe-south Galatia). The churches in this region were being challenged by Judaizing teachers who claimed that Christians, including Gentile Christians, must keep the law of Moses and be circumcised. These teachers had succeeded in infiltrating these churches and perverting them with their doctrine (Gal. 1:6 and 3:1). Paul writes the book of Galatians to refute their doctrines and vindicate the Gospel. He emphasizes that “circumcision or uncircumcision” avails nothing in Christ. Circumcision was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel. It helped define the people of God from those who were not considered to be among the people of God. The distinction between Jew and Gentile was established by this sign. Paul affirms that the “circumcised” were to keep the whole law (Gal. 5:3). But, the Jews could not keep the law perfectly (Rom. 2:25, 3:9). Consequently, circumcision could not justify them. In Christ, neither circumcision nor uncircumcison availeth anything. This distinction was no longer valid. A significant change occurred when Jesus died on the cross. At that time, the new testament (covenant) went into force (Col. 2:14, II Cor. 3:7-17; Heb. 9:15-17). The law of Moses was fulfilled and taken out of the way. Jeremiah the prophet, some 600 years before Christ, had predicted this change in covenants (Jer. 31:31-34, Heb. 8:6-13). Christians are not under the law of Moses, but they are under (accountable to, bound by the terms and conditions of the covenant) the law of Christ. To be “in Christ” is to be in the spiritual sphere where redemption and salvation are found (Gal. 5:1). How does one get “into Christ?” Paul gives the answer: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Gal. 3:26-27). The consequence of this spiritual transformation is that “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).
Paul affirms that the grace of God is appropriated through faith and love. Faith and love are born in the hearts of men when they hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Knowledge of the truth begets faith. “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” Rom. 10:17. Knowledge of God’s love for us begets love in our hearts for Him. “We love him, because he first loved us.” Our love for God which involves adoration, devotion, submission and respect or reverence, is a reciprocal love. It is a love that responds to God’s unspeakable gift of His Son–Jesus Christ–who died for us upon the cross.
Faith is operational by love. Faith is absolute trust in God. Faith is active (Heb. 11:8, Abraham’s faith was an obedient faith). Love is active. Jesus said, “if ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). The test of faith is obedience to God’s commands. The test of love is obedience to God’s commands. Faith performs its work in the sphere of love. Love envelops and permeates faith. Faith without love is imperfect (I Cor. 13:1-3) and love without faith is imperfect (Heb. 11:6). You cannot be saved by faith alone. You cannot be saved by love alone. As Paul affirms, we are saved by faith which worketh by love!
Love is the greatest virtue! (I Cor. 13:13). It outranks faith. No person can be saved without love for God. Love for God is the greatest commandment (Matt. 22:36-40).
Faith and love are both virtues of the human heart that are necessary for salvation. We must believe in Jesus Christ and love Him above all else. When we believe and love the Lord Jesus Christ, we will obey Him (Luke 6:46). Faith and love define the children of God today.