Are you a 'Liberal'?

"Liberal"

Is it a good or bad concept? So often, from being used in opposition to ‘conservative’, the term can be stereotyped as solely negative and thus to be avoided as a Christian. However, the Biblical definition needs to be re-studied as opposed to the modern-day English definition. Thereby, we can have the proper understanding and appreciation of it as God has declared in His Word.

Two words for consideration/study will be suggested: ‘liberal’ and ‘liberality’

LIBERAL

Passages: Prov. 11:25; Isa. 32:5, 8; 2 Cor. 9:13

1) Prov. 11:25 – The LIBERAL soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. – KJV

The word here is: Bĕrakah – (noun)

Strong’s definitions:

1) blessing

2) (source of) blessing

3) blessing, prosperity

4) blessing, praise of God

5) a gift, present

6) treaty of peace

Compare another version for a clearer meaning: "Whoever ‘brings blessing’ will be enriched, and ‘one who waters’ will himself be watered." [ESV]

2) Isa. 32:5 – The vile person shall be no more called LIBERAL , nor the churl said [to be] bountiful. – KJV

The word here is: Nadiyb – (adjective)

Strong’s definitions:

1) inclined, willing, noble, generous

a) incited, inclined, willing

b) noble, princely (in rank)

c) noble (in mind and character)

Compare another version for a clearer meaning: "The fool will no more be called ‘noble’, nor the scoundrel said to be ‘honorable’." [ESV]

Again, in:

Isa. 32:8 – But the LIBERAL deviseth LIBERAL things; and by LIBERAL things shall he stand. – KJV

Compare another version for a clearer meaning: "But he who is ‘noble’ plans ‘noble’ things, and on ‘noble’; things he stands." [ESV]

3) 2 Cor. 9:13 – Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for [your] LIBERAL distribution unto them, and unto all [men]; – KJV

The word here is: Haplotēs (noun)

Strong’s definitions:

1) singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty

a) the virtue of one who is free from pretence and hypocrisy

2) not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generousity

Compare another version for a clearer meaning: "By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the ‘generosity’ of your contribution for them and for all others..." [ESV]

W. E. Vine’s definitions of Liberal, Liberality, Liberally:

Denotes –

(a) "simplicity, sincerity, unaffectedness" (from haplous, "single, simple," in contrast to diplous, "double"), Rom. 12:8, "simplicity;" 2 Cor. 11:3 (in some mss. in 2 Cor. 1:12); Eph. 6:5; Col. 3:22, singleness;"

(b) "simplicity as manifested in generous giving," "liberality," 2 Cor. 8:2;9:11 (AV, "bountifulness," RV marg., "singleness"); 9:13 (AV, "liberal").

{These terms reflect the focus on, and the dedication to the gospel, as well as the love for other brethren that a Christian has; which, in turn, is shown by generous giving}

LIBERALITY

1) 1 Cor. 16:3 – And when I come, whomsoever ye shall approve by [your] letters, them will I send to bring your LIBERALITY unto Jerusalem. – KJV

The word here is: Charis – (noun)

Strong’s definitions:

1) grace

a) that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech

2) good will, loving-kindness, favour

a) of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues

3) what is due to grace

a) the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace

b) the token or proof of grace, benefit

1) a gift of grace

2) benefit, bounty

4) thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward

Compare another version for a clearer meaning: "And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your ‘gift’ to Jerusalem." [ESV]

2) 2 Cor. 8:2 – How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. – KJV

The word here is: Haplotēs – (noun)

Strong’s definitions:

1) singleness, simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty

a) the virtue of one who is free from pretense and hypocrisy

2) not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity

Compare another version for a clearer meaning: "for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of ‘generosity’ on their part." [ESV]

CONCLUSION:

Do the words of the hymn: “Jesus is all the world to me, my life, my joy, my all” really reflect the truth of your life?

~ Is the kingdom of God a hidden treasure that needs discovered by others?

~ How much are you willing to sacrifice so that others can discover it?

~ Does the preaching of the gospel REALLY mean that much to you?

Only if you are liberal...  


copyright 2012
rdb

"Guilty as charged!"

I believe that {EVERY} man's whole duty is to "...fear God and keep His commandments." 

If that makes me a "LEGALIST", I plead 'GUILTY AS CHARGED'!

However, consider the following evidence from the scriptures:

Num 14:41-44 - "And Moses said, Wherefore now do ye transgress the commandment of the LORD? but it shall not prosper.
Go not up, for the LORD [is] not among you; that ye be not smitten before your enemies.
For the Amalekites and the Canaanites [are] there before you, and ye shall fall by the sword: because ye are turned away from the LORD, therefore the LORD will not be with you.
But they presumed to go up unto the hill top: nevertheless the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and Moses, departed not out of the camp." 

Nehemiah 9:16 - But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments.

Nehemiah 9:26 - "Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies."

Nehemiah 9:29 - "And you warned them in order to turn them back to your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your rules, which if a person does them, he shall live by them, and they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not OBEY..."

Ezekiel 20:13, 21 - "But the house of Israel rebelled against me in the wilderness. They did not walk in my statutes but rejected my rules..."

Matthew 19:17 - Jesus said ... "If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”


Again, if believing, teaching, and practicing that ALL must submit to commandments from God, classifies me as a 'LEGALIST' in their eyes, I plead 'GUILTY AS CHARGED'.


Romans 10:17 - "Presumption cometh by hearing what God NEVER said."

Walk by faith; not by sight...

rdb

"...he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles..." WHY?

Luke 6:13 - "And when it was day, he called [unto him] his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles..." 

Notice: He chose twelve..." - WHY?

1 Corinthians 2:7:100 - "But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.  

None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 
But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man imagined,
what God has prepared for those who love him”—

these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.

1 Peter 1:10-12 - 
Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 

inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 

It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but YOU (the Christians to whom Peter was writing to- rdb), in the things that have now been announced to you through THOSE WHO PREACHED THE GOOD NEWS (the apostles- rdb) to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.

THIS was why Jesus told them to "tarry in Jerusalem until ye be endued w/power from on high" (Luke 24:49); they would receive "power" when the Holy Ghost would come upon them" (Acts 1:8), 

THIS was why the Holy Ghost 'fell' upon them (i.e. the 12); NOT to save them from their past sins, but to enable them to preach (have remembrance) of what Jesus had taught them..." (John 14:25; 15:26; 16:13)

We know this to be so from what is stated in Acts 1:8 concerning what they would do AFTER the Holy Ghost came upon them... 

- "and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."


This happened on the day of Pentecost:

Acts 2:4 - And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

They spoke to the multitude in Jerusalem (Acts 2:6 - every man heard them speak in his own language...and how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? - 2:8)

Was this 'speaking' understandable? In answer to this, note the wording in Acts 2:11 - "...we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God."  (How did they know that the wonderful works of God were being talked about, if these tongues were 'unknown'?)

When this 'speaking' was concluded, those who listened would respond in the following manner: they would "call on the name of the Lord"; which would result in their being saved from their transgressions."

Notice now that per Romans 2, in order for ALL THIS to occur, there had to be the following sequence of action:

Belief...but in order for belief to take place, there had to 'hear' (a message...which implies of necessity an understanding of the message); but in order for this to occur, they had to 'hear' that message; but in order for that to occur, there had to be somebody to preach that message. - Rom 10:14 - "How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"

Romans 10:15 - "And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"


THIS is why "...he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles..."

Yet, we find per Rom. 10:16 that not everyone has "obeyed the gospel." (i.e., 'believed their report').

HOW do you believe? HOW do you obey the gospel? What is to be believed and obeyed?

Go back to Peter's sermon in Acts 2; following the conclusion of his preaching, the question was asked "What shall we do?" (v. 36). (They learned of the need to "do" something from the message of Peter)

Peter replied, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (v. 38)

Those who "did" as commanded by Peter, continued stedfastly in "the apostles' doctrine" (Acts 2:42). 

If THE SAME doctrine was preached today, every sinner would be added to the same body, the church, by the Lord (Acts 2:47)

1 Cor. 12:12-13, 20 
For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit...But now are they many members, yet but one body.

"...and there is nothing new under the sun."

Nothing with God, or with the majority of religious people has changed...

God abhorred this in Amos' day; and He abhors it still today...

“Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory
and stretch themselves out on their couches,
and eat lambs from the flock

and calves from the midst of the stall,
who sing idle songs to the sound of the harp
and like David invent for themselves instruments of music,
who drink wine in bowls
and anoint themselves with the finest oils,
but are not grieved over the ruin of Joseph! - 6:4-6


As in Isaiah's day; so also today, "They have lyre and harp, tambourine and flute and wine at their feasts, BUT THEY DO NOT REGARD THE DEEDS OF THE LORD, OR SEE THE WORK OF HIS HANDS. - 5:12

God declared thru Amos: "Take away from me the noise of your songs; to the melody of your harps I will not listen!" - 5:23



 - Eph. 5:19 - ...speak to yourselves in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs...make melody in your heart...

 - Col. 3:16 - ...teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

Matt. 5:4 - “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted..."

Legalizing Alcohol Sales

Legalizing Alcohol Sales

~Another Vote for Liquor Sales Expansion?~

Will London lose its innocence…again?

The entire series (21 articles in all), 

are posted on the website of the 

Mill Street church of Christ in London, KY

www.millstreetcoc.org

The articles also appeared in the weekly newspapers of the: 

Sentinel Echo Newspaper Article & Times-Tribune Newspaper Article spanning October 21, 2011 thru March 9, 2012

Memorial Day

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery.

Traditional observance of Memorial Day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are ignored and neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country. While it is proper and fitting to “pay our respects” for any who have died, I simply am pointing out that the holiday was originally intended for those who died in service to our country.

I want to address how and why observance of memorials diminishes, and specifically, how it relates to the changes that have occurred in its observance.  If one did not know the history behind the establishment of the holiday, one would never know but what the present observance was how it had always been. There were many memorials established in the Bible and as we study the changes that occurred with them, we can see how and why the same thing has occurred in regard to Memorial Day.

As we begin, let it be noted that the idea of a ‘memorial’ is to remember something outstanding about a person or persons or event(s) that had a significant effect in society, whether locally, regionally, or globally. The particular activities associated with each memorial observance are such as would relate to what that person(s) or event(s) were noted for. In other words, the activities ought to be such as would keep the memory alive, but also be accurate to that person or event. When the cause for which any memorial observance becomes obscured or lost, then changes take place which may be based upon inaccurate information. We see such has happened with respect to Memorial Day in that it is thought by many today to be a day whereby we honor all the deceased.

As we turn to the scriptures we see that some memorials were only for certain people, while others were for all humanity.

Memorials in the Old Testament  

The “Passover” – it was not established for all nations, but for the physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, & Jacob. It was in remembrance of their freedom from bondage in Egypt.

We read in Ex. 12:14, “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.” Then in verse 17, “And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever.” Still later, in verse 24, “You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever.”

Let us note some particulars of this memorial. This was to be observed by those who had been in slavery in Egypt and for their descendants. This had no significance or meaning to the Philistines or the Canaanites! They had no reason to ‘remember’ this event. We find further in Ex. 13:3-10, “Then Moses said to the people, "Remember this day in which YOU came out from Egypt..the LORD brought you out from this place.  Today...you are going out. And when the LORD brings you into the land…which he swore to your fathers to give you...you shall keep this service in this month.  You shall tell your son on that day, 'It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.' And it shall be to you...a memorial.  You shall therefore keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.”

We note also, that the manner of observance was significant! They could not do just anything! The importance of observing this memorial correctly is seen in the condemnation that was pronounced upon them for failure in this area. Did it matter how and when they observed the Passover? Did it matter that they remembered to keep it at all? Could they substitute any particulars? Sadly, we find that several centuries later, they had been unfaithful in remembering their past bondage. In 2 Kings 23, we read of a series of interesting events in this nation. At this time they were ruled by a king, named Josiah. He gave this commandment to the nation, “…Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant. For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah.”

How did Josiah know of the Passover? Its observance had not been ‘remembered’ for several hundred years. Why not? The answer lies in their failure in another area. The failure to pass the story accurately from one generation to another! This nation was given laws, statutes, and ordinances from Mt. Sinai thru Moses (Ex. 20-40). They were given explicit instructions to adhere strictly to those laws (Deut. 4:1-10),

Please take note of the following exhortations and warnings given by Moses to this nation, which they FAILED TO HEED!  

[read: Deut. 6:6-7, 12-15; 7:1-11 ; 8:2-6, 11-17; 9:4-6; 10:12-13; 12:2-5, 8; 12:29-32]

From these passages we have a detailed explanation of how the Passover memorial was perverted and then abandoned.

Many years later, we find that even the copy of the Law, given to Moses had been lost! Then in 2 Kings 22:1-20, when the Law was discovered (AND READ FROM), then the truth about the observance of the Passover was learned and immediate changes were ordered so as to do as God had commanded of this nation. The punishment for disobedience was also discovered in the reading of the Law of Moses. Josiah knew what needed to be done to avoid further wrath from God; and he knew the importance of abandoning present practice! Their worship was corrupted, for they had incorporated the idolatrous practices of the heathen nations into their worship. Josiah restored true worship in accordance with the Book of the Law and he demanded a re-commitment to the keeping of that Law. In 2 Kings 23:25, his efforts were so pleasing to God that it is recorded of Josiah, “And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.”

Failure to teach the will of God accurately is the ultimate cause of any departure. This happened repeatedly to this nation. After Moses died, Joshua led them into the land of promise, Canaan, and following Joshua’s death, we read in Judges 2:7, 10, “And the people served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that outlived Joshua, who had seen all the great works of the LORD, that he did for Israel..and also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”

This is what happened in regard to the Passover memorial. It is the same pattern of failure in any departure.

Another memorial for this nation was when they reached this Promised Land. At the entrance into the Promised Land memorial stones were to be set up for a remembering. The story was to be passed down from generation to generation of the significance of those stones. We read of this memorial in Joshua 4:1-7.  Again, in this area, there was a failure to teach the children, and the result was forgetfulness!
  

Memorials in the New Testament 

There are memorials in the New Testament. It is interesting, for a perversion of this memorial has resulted in idolatrous worship before God. In Acts 10:1-4, we find “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.” In Acts 10:31 it is further said, “Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and your alms have been remembered before God.”
What ‘memorial’ did God remember from the prayers of Cornelius? In Acts 10:35 we read: “In every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”

God remembered a promise He had made prior to the Creation…the promise of eternal life –

Titus 1:2 – “In hope of eternal life, which God…promised before the world began…”
This was purposed in Christ – Eph. 3:11: “According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus.” (cf. Eph. 1:4-5, 7)

In connection w/this redemption, Christians have a memorial to observe. It is the observance of the death of Jesus in which our forgiveness was purchased.  “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?” – 1 Cor. 10:16.

Jesus gave instructions to Paul concerning this memorial in 1 Cor. 11:23-30.  It is to be observed EVERY first day of the week, hence the purpose for our assembling (Heb. 10:25).

Has the death of the Son of God lost significance with you?

• look at your assembling habits
• look at your preparation for partaking
• look at your manner of partaking; do you examine yourself or others?

These are just a few reminders in hope that we might be prepared for the return of Christ in judgment (Rom. 14:12-13).  Let us resolve to be as Josiah upon learning the truth on any subject in God’s word and restore our religion to “pure and undefiled religion” (James 1:27).

rdb

Choices

Who holds me captive? Who paralyzes me? Who causes me to lose my focus? Who keeps me spinning my wheels instead of moving forward? 
I do.


When I mess up, I choose to do nothing, or I choose to ask for forgiveness.
When I say the wrong thing, I choose to carry that around with me, or I choose to make it right.
When I wrong God, I choose to pray to Him and repent, or I choose to allow that to separate me from Him.
When I face a challenge or a decision, I choose whether to seek God's will for me, or I choose to charge forward with no pause.
When I am angry, I choose to take that anger out on others or myself, or I choose to take it to God, and let Him take care of it.
When I am sad, I choose to become depressed, or I choose to praise God and dwell on His promises.
When I have been wronged, I choose revenge, or I choose to trust God to handle the situation for me.
When I am confused, I choose to talk to everybody but God, or I choose to take it to Him first.
When I am lost, I choose to seek direction in this world, or I choose to follow the road God has made for me.
When I am hurt, I choose to feel sorry for myself, or I choose to draw from that hurt in order to help others.


There is ALWAYS a choice.
Who sets me free? Who gives me life? Who gives me purpose? Who helps me move forward?
That would be GOD, but the CHOICES are up to ME.

How can I make the RIGHT choice?

God has pre-counseled me thru His commandments!  If I live by them, I walk by the Spirit...I am being led by the Spirit (Gal. 5:16-25)...
I show my love for Christ (John 14:15, 21) by obeying His commandments as outlined in the gospel...I walk in love (Eph. 5:2; 2 John 1:6)...by obedience to His commandments.


God's Commandments...they are the focus of Satan's attack in deceiving us.  He seeks to get our focus off WHAT God said to WHY God said it, thereby questioning God.  He did so w/Eve and continues.  He perverted commandments when tempting Jesus (Matt. 4) and Jesus resisted by using 'rightly dividing' God's commandments.  Such is the ONLY way to resist temptation and the ONLY way to expose false doctrine.  False doctrine is characterized by the minimizing of obedience, stressing 'trust' and 'belief only'.  Truth is recognized by the setting forth of obedience to doctrine (Romans 6:17-18).  There is a 'form of doctrine' that MUST be delivered in order to be born anew (John 3:3-5).  It must be OBEYED, from the heart.  It is not by prayer.  Prayer is for one who has obeyed the applicable commands of the gospel as a sinner.  Once, born anew, you THEN have the right to pray and address God as YOUR heavenly Father, because you have become His child.  The simple proof of all this is seen in the fact that Jesus died for all (John 3:16), yet is the author of salvation to those who OBEY Him (Heb. 5:8-9).  You obey HIM by obeying the COMMANDMENTS that He gave.  
Your attitude toward God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit is revealed thru your attitude toward the commandments and your obedience.  This is how you evidence your humble-ness...submission...your meekness/pureness of heart...your mourning of sin...your poor-ness of spirit...your desire for mercy...your hunger/thirst for righteousness...your desire to have peace w/God.  All are connected with God's word (commandments) which are for our good...ALWAYS, as acknowledged by Moses (Deut. 6:24-25).  
Grace from God was connected with instructions as to how to live (Titus 2:11-12).  Love from God was shown thru teaching God's commands (John 15:22-24).  
Jesus was hated, not for His acts of healing, but for what He taught.  He taught commandments (John 12:49-50).  Those 'words' (commandments) were given to the 12 apostles to be preached "into all the world" (John 17:8).  They preached those commands (1 Cor. 11:23; 14:37).  


Thus, religious truth is distinguished from religious error, as the apostle John wrote: "We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error." - 1 John 4:6


Psa 103:17-18 - But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.


Rev 1:3 - Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.


rdb