tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65319537752242622502024-03-06T14:18:53.709+08:00Righteous... But Not YetJephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-47435406584471319762017-07-03T05:05:00.000+08:002017-09-01T16:12:18.718+08:00Q: What is Decisionism? Is it Biblical?<b>Decisionism </b>is the belief that human beings shape their own destiny <i>ultimately </i>by how they manage the course of their actions / decisions in this life. I emphasize the word "ultimately" to make it clear that you do not become a <i>decisionist </i>simply by believing that humans make decisions. We all believe that humans are capable of making decisions, but we are not all <i>decisionists</i>. Decisionism asserts more than just the fact that we make decisions; it insists that our decisions are inviolable, autonomous, and sovereign.<br />
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This philosophy has become very prevalent both in our society and in many "Christian" churches today. How many times have we heard preachers saying: “God has a wonderful plan for your life, but it is up to you to make it happen”? or that “God has done everything He could do to save you; now the rest is up to you to invite Christ in your heart”? The idea is that God has always wanted to break into our lives, but wouldn't do it unless He gets our <i>permission</i>. While “there are many plans in God's mind," yet "it is man's counsel which will stand,”<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISkRuZx-uxz_5rs2FXlrdMW_hDhpwc25Y7k3bh3D0X-PEk6pJPqg4xpK36uFxglLqvt37F53-xuk001eXS9-mhHM2SkRl2yxeee8THWEsF16ff1DL8hV2AWDSWyLhs9vFUGPEdSEvL0zZ/s1600/51jcso8l%252BFL._SX332_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="363" data-original-width="486" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgISkRuZx-uxz_5rs2FXlrdMW_hDhpwc25Y7k3bh3D0X-PEk6pJPqg4xpK36uFxglLqvt37F53-xuk001eXS9-mhHM2SkRl2yxeee8THWEsF16ff1DL8hV2AWDSWyLhs9vFUGPEdSEvL0zZ/s320/51jcso8l%252BFL._SX332_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="320" /></a>The Bible, on the contrary, tells us that “there are many plans in a person’s mind, but it is the counsel of the LORD which will stand” (Prov. 19:21). We don't hold our destiny. God does; for “the LORD has made all things for himself: yes, even the wicked for the day of evil” (Prov. 16:4).<br />
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Even in the economy of Salvation, the Bible says that “it is <i>not</i> of him that wills, <i>nor</i> of him that runs, <i>but</i> of God that shows mercy” and that, therefore, “God has mercy on <i>whom he wants</i> to have mercy, and he hardens <i>whom he wants</i> to harden” (Romans 9:16, 18). In fact, our very conversion (faith and repentance)—which, as every one must admit, involves our “willing decision” to follow Christ—is itself a <b>gift </b>from God! (Eze. 36:26-27: cf. Acts 16:14).<br />
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Every Christian must understand that God's work of Salvation didn't stop at Christ's death and His invitation for sinners to come to Him. God Himself, by His sovereign Spirit, unfailingly converts the heart of whomever He wills! He demands faith and repentance (Mark 1:15), yet He also produces them in the heart of His <i>elect </i>(Jn. 6:29; Acts 13:48; 2 Tim. 2:25-26).<br />
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Don't me wrong though. I'm not suggesting that we never decided to receive Christ (or that it isn't necessary). Of course we did receive Christ, and we did so freely and willingly (John 1:12). To acknowledge this, however, is not necessarily Decision*ism.* It is one thing to grant that Salvation <i>involves </i>our will, and rightly so; but it's a completely different story to insist that our willing decision to receive Christ is a product of our own inherent ability apart from the sovereign operation of God's grace by His Spirit (Decisionism). God converts hearts, and He converts invincibly (see Eze 36:26-27 & Acts 16:14).<br />
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Therefore, if we take the Bible for what it says, we must affirm that the final decisive factor of our eternal destiny lies ultimately on God's Sovereign Decree, and that our decision to follow Christ is just a product of the mighty work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. It's not "up to us" in any way. Our decision to receive Christ (whereby we are forgiven) could never have been possible if it weren't for the grace of the Spirit that first quickened our rebellious, sinful, darkened, spiritually dead hearts (see 1 Cor. 2:14; cf. Jn. 6:44, 63-65). It isn't that God chose us because we chose him, but that we choose God because He has first chosen us (Jn. 15:16; Eph. 1:4-5, 11). Or as Christ puts it:<br />
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“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.” (John 6:44)</blockquote>
Salvation is by God's Sovereign Grace alone from first to last. Decisionism, then, is an affront to the Grace of God. Our churches need to be purged from this dangerous philosophy once and for all.</div>
Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-52565342078848518112017-06-26T04:41:00.000+08:002017-06-29T14:54:03.832+08:00In Jesus' Name, We Pray... Amen<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GjoNWgKURJWts_RpSCjE8NJzQwD-wKzyuKzxwCuSYX71G5xhF17ljo9VPFaclR4sMaRCYbLo-i7dJ0UGqTYiTyJSg4hnmsxTV1wprCru3tzdTwGku5YhPb3t3oHM4npOUY1dRxrzfDRf/s1600/51jcso8l%252BFL._SX332_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GjoNWgKURJWts_RpSCjE8NJzQwD-wKzyuKzxwCuSYX71G5xhF17ljo9VPFaclR4sMaRCYbLo-i7dJ0UGqTYiTyJSg4hnmsxTV1wprCru3tzdTwGku5YhPb3t3oHM4npOUY1dRxrzfDRf/s320/51jcso8l%252BFL._SX332_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" /></a>Praying “in Jesus’ name” means more than closing a prayer with that phrase. Indeed, mentioning “in Jesus’ name” at the end of every prayer is never a requirement.<br />
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When the Bible tells us to pray in Jesus’ name (Jn. 16:23-24), it means first and foremost that we must be mindful of the fact that we are able to approach the holy throne of the Father only through the mediation of our Savior Jesus and by virtue of our union with Him (Jn. 14:6; 2 Cor. 5:19; Eph. 1:3; Heb. 4:16); and, secondly, that our prayers must always be in line with the will of Christ (Jn. 15:7). Since Jesus is our Lord, His priorities must be our priorities, and Christ's main priority is summarized in this way:<br />
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"Our Father in heaven,<br />
<i>Hollowed</i> be your name.<br />
May your <i>kingdom come</i>,<br />
And your <i>will be done</i><br />
On earth as it is in Heaven..."</blockquote>
All our subsequent supplications must be consistent with and subservient to this overarching priority. Our requests must be to the glory (hollowing) of God's name and for the propagation of the Kingdom of Jesus on earth as it is in heaven. We must therefore stop making self-serving requests sealed by superstitious mantras like “I declare in Jesus’ name!” To pray in Jesus’ name is to subject your will to Christ, not Christ's to yours. This is how we truly pray “in Jesus’ name", and there's a promise attached to it:<br />
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"If you ask me <i>anything in my name</i>, I will do it." (Jn. 14:14)</blockquote>
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Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-69830391449823948252016-11-12T01:35:00.003+08:002016-11-13T07:14:03.631+08:00Diyos at Agham<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Sa pamamagitan ng sangnilikha ay ini-uulat,</i></div>
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<i>Ang kaluwalhatian Niya sa paningin ng lahat. </i></div>
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<i>Walang maika-katuwiran ang sinumang tao,</i></div>
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<i>Pagka’t pagka-alam natin sa Diyos ay ‘di salat.</i></div>
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<i>“Walang Diyos!”, wika ng mga tampalasan,</i></div>
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<i>Na ang puso’y pawang inalipin ng kasalanan. </i></div>
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<i>Hamon nila’y ganito: “Sige, inyong patunayan,</i></div>
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<i>Na ang Diyos niyo’y ‘di isang kasinungalingan.”</i></div>
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<i>Dagdag pa nila, “‘Wag kang gagamit ng Biblia,</i></div>
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<i>Bagkus ay magpakita ka ng mga ebidensya;</i></div>
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<i>Ang batayan ko ay walang iba kundi syensya,</i></div>
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<i>At kung ika’y mabigo, bakit paniniwalaan kita?”</i></div>
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<i>Paano tayo dapat tumugon, mga kapatid ko?</i></div>
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<i>Paano ba natin sasagutin ang hamong ito? </i></div>
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<i>Sa paanong paraan tayo makikipag-argumento? </i></div>
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<i>Dapat ba nating isangtabi ang Salita ni Cristo?</i></div>
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<i>O, huwag nawa itong mangyari, mga kapatid.</i></div>
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<i>Hindi ebidensya ang sa kanila’y dapat ihatid.</i></div>
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<i>May Diyos, at ito’y kanilang nang nababatid. </i></div>
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<i>Ang problema’y nasa puso nilang makikitid.</i></div>
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<i>Ano daw ang kanilang batayan ng kaalaman?</i></div>
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<i>Ito daw ay ang mga kaparaanan ng agham. </i></div>
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<i>Sa mga bagay na nakikita sila’y nananangan,</i></div>
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<i>Upang sila’y makasumpong ng katotohanan.</i></div>
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<i>Ngunit ang disiplina ng agham ay nakasalalay,</i></div>
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<i>Sa pangangalaga ng Diyos sa lahat ng bagay. </i></div>
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<i>Ang sangnilikha ay may pagkakaisang tunay,</i></div>
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<i>Pagka’t sinusustina ito ng ating Diyos na buhay.</i></div>
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<i>Posible lamang ang agham dahil sa “pagkakaisa,”</i></div>
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<i>Ng lahat ng maraming bagay na magkakaiba. </i></div>
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<i>Ang saligan nito’y ang banal na Trinidad lamang,</i></div>
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<i>Na Siyang Manglilikha; mismong “Marami” sa “Iisa.”</i></div>
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<i>Anong rason ang maibibigay ng mga tampalasan,</i></div>
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<i>Upang ang “pagkakaisang” ito ay kanilang asahan? </i></div>
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<i>Sa kanilang kathang-daigdig ay walang gano’on;</i></div>
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<i>Ito’y hiram lamang nila mula sa Salita ng Panginoon.</i></div>
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<i>Kung gayon, hindi ang syensya ang huling saligan,</i></div>
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<i>Upang ang pag-iral ng Diyos ay ating malaman. </i></div>
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<i>Bagkus, ang awtoridad ng Salita ng Diyos lamang,</i></div>
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<i>Ang mismong basehan ng posibilidad ng agham.</i></div>
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-Jeph</div>
Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-49394212659224789912016-11-12T01:24:00.001+08:002016-11-12T01:32:37.655+08:00Ang Tula ng Isang Tupa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i>O Diyos, puso ko noon ay kasing tigas ng bato;</i></div>
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<i>Walang pag-asa at hindi kayang magbago;</i></div>
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<i>Hinding-hindi lalapit sa Panginoong Jesu-Cristo,</i></div>
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<i>Malibang ang pananalig ay ipagkaloob Mo.</i></div>
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<i>Ngunit ang iyong pagibig ay napaka-dakila;</i></div>
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<i>Sapagkat Kaligtasan ko'y iyo nang itinakda,</i></div>
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<i>Noong bago pa man likhain ang langit at lupa,</i></div>
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<i>Para sa kapurihan ng iyong habag at biyaya.</i></div>
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<i>Kay Cristo Jesus nga ako ay iyong ibinigay;</i></div>
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<i>Sa Pastol na para sa katubusan ko'y namatay.</i></div>
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<i>Pagliligtas Niya'y tiyak na magtatagumpay,</i></div>
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<i>At lahat Niyang tupa ay magtatamo ng buhay.</i></div>
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<i>Panginoon, tinawag mo ako at iyong binago,</i></div>
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<i>Sa pamamagitan ng iyong Espiritu Santo.</i></div>
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<i>Ipinaunawa mo sa akin ang iyong Ebanghelyo,</i></div>
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<i>Upang aking makita ang kagandahan ni Cristo.</i></div>
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<i>Mayroon bang bagay na makapaghihiwalay,</i></div>
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<i>Sa mga hinirang at sa kanilang Diyos na buhay?</i></div>
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<i>Ang mga iniligtas ay patuloy Mong iniingatan,</i></div>
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<i>Upang matamo nila ang lubos na kaluwalhatian.</i></div>
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—Jeph</div>
Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-34247643740997534392016-11-05T17:29:00.004+08:002017-07-13T13:33:39.593+08:00Solus Cristus and the Eternal Destiny of Dying Infants<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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One of the most difficult and tricky questions one could ask a Calvinist is <b>whether or not babies </b><b>who die as babies automatically go to heaven</b>. To the non-Calvinist, the question itself seems very trivial. What an insanity it is to insinuate that such cute little "angels" could possibly go to hell! The thought of babies being burned in hell is for some reason intuitively unbearable. And yet, Calvinists for many centuries since the Reformation, have always been divided over this issue.<br />
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Before we move along, I must candidly confess that I personally hope that <i>all </i>babies dying in infancy are indeed saved, and I say "hope" because I also acknowledge the fact that the Bible is simply <i>silent</i> on the issue. I am convinced that in any attempt to answer the question<span style="color: #545454; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;">, </span></span>"are <i>all</i> dying babies saved?", one necessarily enters into the realm of speculations. That being said, I would want to make it clear that it is beyond the intention of this blog to offer an answer to that particular question. My concern here deals with something way more important than the dispute over whether or not all dying infants are saved. What I'm concerned about is the preservation of the purity of the Gospel message in all this.<br />
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A few days ago, I had a discussion with a certain Calvinist who claimed that <i>all babies dying in infancy are saved</i>. Of course, there's nothing inherently wrong with that assertion (note that I personally have that hope myself!). What made his position wrong, however, is the reason that has been provided to justify it. My Calvinist friend made a bold assertion that <i>it would be <b>unjust for God</b> to send dying infants—who have never committed any personal/actual sins—to hell</i>. To state it positively, what he implies is that <i>God's justice requires the salvation of dying infants by virtue of their innocence from the charge of having committed any actual/personal sins</i>. This is tantamount to saying that some people (i.e. dying infants) are bound to go to heaven by the merit of their own innocence and not by the gracious redemption of Christ! I am convinced this is an implicit affront to the Gospel of Grace that Calvinists are expected to hold dearly.<br />
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During our discussion, my Calvinist friend also insisted that while it is God's <i>justice</i> that requires the salvation of dying infants, such supposedly <i>innocent </i>infants would nonetheless still be saved<i> by grace</i>. But I could only imagine a snake eating its own tail when I read that statement. It is a fatal self-contradiction that ultimately reveals a serious misunderstanding of why is it necessary for us to be saved "by grace" in the first place. </div>
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<b>Saved by Grace Alone</b></div>
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Salvation is <i>by grace</i> simply because <i>we don't deserve it</i>.. God's justice condemns us (Rom. 3:19-23). If we deserved anything, as far as <i>divine justice</i> is concerned, it is only death: <i>"for the wages of sin is death"</i> (v. 6:23). Thus, grace presupposes our <i>unworthiness</i> before God. It presupposes our just condemnation. No sinner who is saved by grace can claim that God saved him because he <i>justly deserves</i> it. It also follows that God is never under any moral obligation to save any sinner. He could have thrown us all to hell in an instant and yet remain perfectly <i>holy</i> and<i> just.</i> If this isn't the case, then our salvation becomes a matter of legal obligation on God's part, and grace would no longer be grace (Rom. 11:6). The mere mention of grace assumes that the recipient of such a bounty is <i>justly condemned</i> before God. In other words, the person who receives saving grace from God, left in himself, is a<i> guilty sinner</i>, and being guilty<i> he is <u>NOT</u> innocent</i>. So how can it be argued that dying infants are <i>justly</i> saved because they were innocent, and yet their salvation is still by grace? One can already see the absurdity of such a position.<br />
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Can a Christian <i>hope</i> that all dying infants will enter the kingdom of God? Sure! But let him confess that such little ones must enter the kingdom of God by grace alone; and if by grace, then it is not by any merit of their own (e.g. merit of innocence). Nobody is innocent before God—even infants (Psa. 51:5). <i>"Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath"</i> (Eph. 2:3, NIV). If dying infants are innocent and <i>must be</i> saved by virtue of their innocence, then they are saved by bare justice, and not by grace.<br />
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<b>Saved in Christ Alone</b></div>
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At this point one may ask: If salvation cannot be acquired by anyone on the basis of God's <i>bare justice</i> (which can pronounce nothing but condemnation for our sins), does this mean that "grace" is unjust? No. God's grace has been made available because God's justice has been answered for in and by the Cross.<i> "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" </i>(2 Cor. 5:21). <i>Justice is served </i>by Christ's death on behalf of His people so that salvation may come to them by grace alone (Rom. 3:23-26). No Cross, no grace.<br />
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Our need for a Savior presupposes the reality of both our depraved condition and our just condemnation apart from God's mercy. So, do babies need Christ and His grace? If the answer is "Yes," then it follows that they, too, are <i>not innocent</i> and are justly condemned; for <i>"it is not the healthy who need a Physician, but the sick"</i> (Mat. 9:12). But if the answer is "No," then Jesus was lying when he said: <i>"I am the way and the truth and the life. <b>No one comes to the Father except through me</b>"</i> (Jn. 14:6, NIV).<br />
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<b>Conclusion</b><br />
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As a closing remark, let me suggest that whatever position we take concerning the eternal destiny of dying infants (i.e. whether or not all of them are saved), we nevertheless ought to uphold the scriptural fact that <b>heaven is a glorious place filled with people who are <i>redeemed</i> and <i>forgiven</i> by the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ.</b> No human being can be found in heaven who is not redeemed by Christ. If this declaration is true, then how can we imagine babies in heaven without also accepting the fact that even those babies were—as far as God's justice is concerned—guilty and condemned, so much so that they were not less in need of Christ's forgiveness as we are? Do you imagine babies in heaven? I do. But I imagine babies in heaven who are saved not because they were innocent, but because of God's grace in Christ.<br />
<br />
-Jeph</div>
Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-3737125320882087612015-10-13T02:24:00.000+08:002016-07-08T20:23:37.841+08:00Wag kang KJ!Naisip mo na ba kung bakit tila kung ano pa yung mga bagay na kinahuhumalingan at gustong-gustong gawin ng maraming tao, yun pa ang tila palaging pinagi-initang ipagbawal ng Bibliya, ni pastor, o ng mga "konserbatibong Kristyano"?<br />
<br />
Sino ba ang ayaw magkaroon ng maraming-maraming pera at magkaroon ng kakayahang bilhin ang anumang nais niyang bilhin? Sino ang ayaw magkaroon ng pangalan at sana'y mag-trending din sa twitter? Sino ba ang ayaw magkaroon ng maraming ka-tropa at magkaroon ng malawak na impluwensya at kapangyarihan? Sino ba ang ayaw sa kaligayahang idinudulot ng sex? Atbp.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSwXnL3ybp-8aDwX21zt4FMv9HVhOLyvwop7Mv4ghBTPPb9MGvasft7jlE3z1IgdsgAdee9JJHR_m_6RGbQ8PfiTfTxXUnZ6HlAFH8PoZlRlvIQqVKfTnPvww6WSkZtjllj6ETvq5XPzN/s1600/godcosmickilljoy.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSwXnL3ybp-8aDwX21zt4FMv9HVhOLyvwop7Mv4ghBTPPb9MGvasft7jlE3z1IgdsgAdee9JJHR_m_6RGbQ8PfiTfTxXUnZ6HlAFH8PoZlRlvIQqVKfTnPvww6WSkZtjllj6ETvq5XPzN/s320/godcosmickilljoy.png" width="320" /></a>Marami tayong gusto, at lahat ng yan ay bunga ng ating pagsusumikap na <i>maging maligaya</i>. Pero bakit ganun? Bakit parang halos lahat ng pinagkukunan natin ng kaligayahan, ipinagbabawal naman ni Lord? Wala bang karapatang lumigaya o maging masaya ang mga tao? Bakit napaka-KJ naman yata ni Lord? Ganun ba ka-<i>self centered</i> ang Panginoon na para bang napag-tripan lang niya tayong lahat na sundin siya sa lahat ng bagay na ipinagu-utos niya sa atin kahit labag sa ating kagustuhan?<br />
<br />
Kapatid, kung isa ka sa mga may kinikimkim na ganitong uri ng sentimyento dyan sa puso mo, maniwala ka sakin: Hindi <i>kill-joy</i> si Lord. Ang totoo niyan, <i>ikaw </i>ang KJ---hindi si Lord. Paano ko nasabi? Simple lang: <i>Ikaw ay KJ sapagkat ayaw mong kilalanin at luwalhatiin (i.e. itaas, dakilain, papurihan, parangalan) ang Diyos. </i>O sa ibang salita: <i>Hindi KJ ang Diyos dahil siya ay self-centered, kundi bagkus ikaw ang KJ dahil ayaw mong kilalanin ang pagiging self-centered ng Diyos</i>.<br />
<b><br /></b>
Tama ang iyong nabasa. Ang Diyos ay <i>self-centered</i>. Napaka! Sa katunayan, ang pinaka-layunin ng lahat ng bagay na nilikha ng Diyos---ikaw, ako, at lahat ng nabubuhay, mga pangyayari, at hanggng sa kaliit-liitang mga alikabok sa sansinukob---ay nilikha <i>para sa kaluwalhatian at kapurihan </i>ng kanyang sariling kadakilaan. Sabi ni Pablo,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"Sapagkat ang lahat ng bagay ay nagmumula sa kanya, sa pamamagitan niya, at para sa kanya. Sa kanya ang <i>lahat ng kaluwalhatian</i> magpakailanman! Amen." (Rom. 11:36)</blockquote>
Ang pagiging <i>self-centered </i>ng Diyos (o ang kanyang matinding pagibig sa sarili niyang kapurihan at kaluwalhatian) ay alinsunod mismo sa sarili niyang katuwiran. Isipin mong mabuti: Kung ang Diyos ang pinaka-dakila sa lahat, sa tingin mo ba'y mananatili pa kaya siyang makatuwiran kung hindi niya itinataas ang sarili niyang kadakilaan nang higit sa lahat ng bagay? Syempre hindi. Hindi maaaring itanggi ng Diyos ang sarili niyang kadakilaan, samakatuwid nararapat lamang na siya'y maging self-centered!<br />
<br />
Pero sa puntong ito siguro'y nais mong itanong sa'kin: "Ibig mo bang sabihi'y <i>makasarili </i>ang Diyos?"<br />
<br />
Ang sagot ko'y depende sa pakahulugan mo sa salitang <i>makasarili</i>. Sa isang sentido, totoong makasarili ang Diyos, dahil ang pinaka-layunin ng lahat ng kanyang ginagawa ay para sa ikaluluwalhati ng sarili niyang pangalan. Sa gayong paraan, at gaya ng nabanggit na, hindi siya maaaring maging <i>kontra - sarili; </i>siya'y marapat lamang na maging <i>maka - sarili</i>. Hindi niya maaaring itanggi ang sarili niyang kadakilaan sapagkat hindi niya maaaring itanggi ang kanyang pagiging Diyos.<br />
<br />
Ngunit ang Diyos ba ay makasarili sa sentido na <i>wala siyang pake</i> sa ikabubuti ng kanyang mga nilalang? Hindi gano'n ang ibig kong sabihin. Sa katunayan pa nga, ang nais kong patunayan ay ang katotohanan na <b>ang pagiging <i>maka-sarili</i> ng Diyos ang siyang nagsisilbing tanging batayan ng kaniyang pagibig sa atin</b>!<br />
<br />
Pano nangyari yun?<br />
<br />
Simple lang: Kung ang Diyos ang pinaka-dakila sa lahat, ano sa tingin mo ang pinaka-mahalagang kayamanan na maaari niyang ibigay para sa atin? Tama! <b>Ang kanyang sarili mismo! </b>At dahil ang Diyos mismo ang pinaka-dakilang <i>Kayamanan </i>sa lahat (na higit pa sa mga bagay na itinuturing na "kayamanan" ng sanlibutan), samakatuwid ay <b>hindi labag sa kanyang pagibig sa atin ang kanyang masidhing hangarin na dakilain at itaas ang kanyang sarili sa pamamagitan ng paggawa ng mabuti sa atin! </b><br />
<br />
Iyan ang pinaka-dahilan kung bakit itilaga ng Diyos ang kanyang Anak na si Jesus bilang Tapagagligtas ng mga makasalanan; ito ay una't <i>higit sa lahat </i>para sa ikaluluwalhati ng kanyang pangalan (Jn. 12:27-28, 13:31-32, 17:1; cf. Isa. 43:25).<br />
<br />
Kung gayon, maliwanag na hindi <i>kill joy</i> ang Diyos. Hindi kailanman ninais alisin ng Diyos ang likas na pagnanais nating maging maligaya. Sa katunayan, nais niya tayong maging maligaya at napatunayan niya yan nang kanyang tuparin ang kanyang hangarin na dakilain / luwalhatiin ang kanyang sarili sa pamamagitan ng pagparito ng kanyang bugtong Anak. <b>Ang pagiging <i>maka-sarili </i>ng Diyos ang siyang naging batayan ng ating tunay at walang hanggang kaligayahan!</b><br />
<br />
Bilang pangwakas sa maikling blog na ito, nais kong bigyang-diin muli na <b>hindi ang Diyos ang <i>kill joy</i>, kundi tayo mismo</b>.<b> </b>Ayon kay Jesus, kung nasaan ang iyong <i>kayamanan</i>, naroon din ang iyong puso (Mat. 6:21); at kung nasan ang iyong puso, naturamente doon ka rin humuhugot ng kaligayahan. Kung ang kayamanan mo ay ang mga bagay ng sanlibutang ito, sa sanlibutan ka rin huhugot ng kaligayayan (Eph. 2:1-3), at tiyak na magiging <i>kill joy</i> talaga si Lord para sa'yo (Jn. 5:44). Maaaring inaakala mo'y maligaya ka sa mga bagay na pinapahalagahan mo sa daigdig, ngunit ang totoo'y inilalayo mo ang iyong sarili mula doon sa tanging makapagbibigay sayo ng tunay na kaligayahan. At habang nananatili kang bulag hinggil sa kagandahan ng Diyos kay Cristo Jesus (2 Cor. 4:4), ika'y magiging katulad ng isang batang paslit na ayaw tumigil sa paglalaro ng buhangin sa park at ayaw sumama sa kanyang mga magulang patungo sa <i>Enchanted Kingdom</i> sapagkat wala siyang ideya kung gaano ka-<i>"mas dakila"</i> ang Enchanted Kingdom kumpara sa kinahuhumalingan niyang buhangin.<br />
<br />
Kapatid, wag kang KJ.<br />
<br />
-Jeph<br />
<br />
<br />Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-33016447070863393312015-07-15T16:13:00.000+08:002015-07-15T16:37:36.182+08:00Pastor Ka [Nga] Ba?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNy7ogV6CBCvVof9OWCPwZmQxFrhLHnHnyi0h2au1FghskW-DlOD7elCBT0tn2zFHxqdAtvwwsxOiX0mpS8i3LS0Bxxu2nsGAHS003snw0z-VIMYhVcPPy6iNW-Wr6OmkNt4pdonktpmlb/s1600/214H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNy7ogV6CBCvVof9OWCPwZmQxFrhLHnHnyi0h2au1FghskW-DlOD7elCBT0tn2zFHxqdAtvwwsxOiX0mpS8i3LS0Bxxu2nsGAHS003snw0z-VIMYhVcPPy6iNW-Wr6OmkNt4pdonktpmlb/s640/214H.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ikaw ba ay tinawag ng Panginoon o ng Salapi?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Paedo, Credo, Premil, Postmil, Amil, Sabbatarianism/Non-sabbatarianism, Presby, Congre, Supra, Infra, etc.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Magkakaiba man po tayo ng katuruang sinasang-ayunan, Nawa'y wala ni isa sa atin ang nasilaw sa maling katuruan ng <a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/prosperity-gospel.html" target="_blank"><i>Prosperity Gospel</i></a> in any way. Kung talagang ikaw ay tinawag na maging pastor sa denominasyon na iyong pinanggalingan, wag mo isipin na ang pag-aaral sa seminaryo ay aksaya lamang ng oras at na nakahihigit sayo ang mga may degree sa kolehiyo. Ito ay paghahanda sa malaking gampanin mo sa kung anomang pagtawag sa iyo ng Panginoon. Marangal na bokasyon ito na inatas sa sinomang tinawag upang alagaan ang Kanyang tupa sa kung saan ka tatawagin. Kapareho ito ng secular na bokasyon na kung saan ay kahit ang naggagatas ng baka ay makapagbibigay luwalhati sa Dios (<a href="http://www.jeffhaanen.com/2013/03/27/blessing-the-status-quo/" target="_blank">sabi nga ni Luther</a>). Hindi ka man nakapagtapos sa kolehiyo at dumiretso sa pagpapastor o hindi man accredited ng CHED ang seminaryong pinasukan mo, ang mahalaga ay ang naging pagtawag sa iyo ng Dios. Nauunawaan ko na may mga iglesia na hindi kayang suportahan ang kanilang ministro sa pangangailangang pinansyal nito at nakakapagpalakas talaga ng pananampalatayang malaman ang kanilang sakripisyo (bi-vocational) pero hindi ito nangangahulugan ng mas higit na pagtawag kesa sa pastor na ang buong oras ay nasa kanyang mga tupa (full-time). Hindi rin ibig sabihin na kung hindi ka tumatanggap ng honorarium sa iyong iglesia ay mas banal at mas tama ka na pastor kesa sa mga tinutulungan ang kanilang pastor sa mga pangangailangang pinansyal nito. Totoong may mga pastor na hindi na nag-seminaryo at nagbasa lang ng libro o dahil parating kasama ang kanyang pastor, nagkaroon sya ng training na parang sa seminaryo, subalit hindi ito pangkalahatan. Hindi lahat ganito ang karanasan.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXb9IznQmIKgQ_rO7OrDf3-_EGPHVoG3bQ-Jn7chGCyH9FN_9levzYfAnwvPBCebEh9JzKK6pydsLkYX6r7fOMb7O1upXpKJntRP9vs_uEgMjj7KQ1XkRlngHZIS3y0ACmAgZf9ryV6K5J/s1600/207H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXb9IznQmIKgQ_rO7OrDf3-_EGPHVoG3bQ-Jn7chGCyH9FN_9levzYfAnwvPBCebEh9JzKK6pydsLkYX6r7fOMb7O1upXpKJntRP9vs_uEgMjj7KQ1XkRlngHZIS3y0ACmAgZf9ryV6K5J/s400/207H.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Security ba ang hanap mo?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ang pagpapastor ay hindi pagpapalago ng buhay pinansyal. Kung mayroon kang kilala na pumasok ng seminaryo sa pagnanasang magkakaroon ng malaking kita sa papasukan nilang Iglesia, tingin ko para sa inyo ang <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/pinoypastors/1098576006836645/?notif_t=group_comment_follow" target="_blank">kanyang sinabi</a> (Miyembro ka pala dapat ng <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/pinoypastors/" target="_blank">group</a> para mabasa mo) pero hindi para maging bi-vocational pastor. Wag na lang. Magtapos ka na lang ng kurso sa kolehiyo na maaari kang tulungang makapasok sa kumpanya o magtayo ng negosyong kikita ka ng malaki.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-align: left;">“</span><span style="text-align: justify;">Nawa'y wala ni isa sa atin ang nasilaw sa maling katuruan ng <a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/prosperity-gospel.html" target="_blank">P</a></span><span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/prosperity-gospel.html" target="_blank">rosperity Gospel</a></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2000007629395px; text-align: left;">”</span> - Jerboy Magalang</blockquote>
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<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkO5cxwz6XpbT64WWIa4f7eOUH1SEkJmAlB3IkG98wLBR5begKfmIlMZ20OBLuvVW9QwXTfAT2tb1OSkv4AbY28q4Eqif1jT5h3biVeBWmF2bhga0gi0ROwAVqjD7Pn-sThB-TXtIDox0/s1600/210H.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkO5cxwz6XpbT64WWIa4f7eOUH1SEkJmAlB3IkG98wLBR5begKfmIlMZ20OBLuvVW9QwXTfAT2tb1OSkv4AbY28q4Eqif1jT5h3biVeBWmF2bhga0gi0ROwAVqjD7Pn-sThB-TXtIDox0/s640/210H.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aray ko po.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Ang pagpapastor ay hindi para sa pagpapataba ng tyan, ito ay para sa mga tupa.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;">Mga karagdagang babasahin:</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/God-Work-Redesign-Christian-Vocation/dp/1433524473" target="_blank">God At Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life</a></span><br />
<a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/called-to-preach.html" target="_blank">Got</a> <a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/call-to-ministry.html" target="_blank">Questions</a> <a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/pastor-education.html" target="_blank">dot </a><a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/ordination.html" target="_blank">org</a> articles<br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px; text-align: justify;">(About </span><a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://medium.com/@sentirem/e7870c3973f8" href="https://medium.com/@sentirem/e7870c3973f8" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Jerboy</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px; text-align: justify;">)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15904133704794026998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-62967842546690232712015-04-25T12:14:00.000+08:002015-04-25T12:14:42.006+08:00That Was Tough<div class="graf--p" name="3cbc" style="text-align: center;">
The uncompromising message of Pastor John MacArthur against same-sex marriage</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="3cbc" style="text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dAvHboZ0FKQfcZV3Oj-DPYlqxYU9kKa2j32NZ7EANZ6Sho0nQilTtad7srLBpOkHj4CTJcHDEIsPspgDeIDLY8L1EU0yig3fO_tMviG4bE6Po_NhXyAqlhrsPHC0STYvHuSpPmNYQdFT/s1600/m1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dAvHboZ0FKQfcZV3Oj-DPYlqxYU9kKa2j32NZ7EANZ6Sho0nQilTtad7srLBpOkHj4CTJcHDEIsPspgDeIDLY8L1EU0yig3fO_tMviG4bE6Po_NhXyAqlhrsPHC0STYvHuSpPmNYQdFT/s1600/m1.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="graf--p" name="7428">
Image courtesy of Youtube.com</div>
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<div class="graf--p" name="3cbc">
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<div class="graf--p" name="3cbc">
<br /></div>
<div class="graf--p" name="e1c7" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: red;"><strike>I have a disclaimer</strike></span> <b><span style="font-size: x-large;">B</span></b>efore I begin: <span style="font-size: xx-small;">The image above maybe different from when he had said the message that I’d be referring to. So if you’re going to ask me for a specific Youtube link, you may excuse me for not having a single clip to give. Moreover, I do not own the image nor will use it for profit.</span></div>
<div class="graf--p" name="e1c7" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="graf--p" name="449d" style="text-align: justify;">
It’s been a month already when the news came out. A mainline pro (<i>ugh!</i>)-, a mainline pro (<i>welp!</i>), a mainline protestant denomination (<em class="markup--em markup--p-em">notice how I intentionally refrained myself from adding “Christian” between “protestant” and “denomination”</em>) <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/03/18/presbyterian-church-formally-approves-gay-marriage-in-church-constitution/" href="http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/03/18/presbyterian-church-formally-approves-gay-marriage-in-church-constitution/">approved of “Adam and Steve’s” union</a> to further severe its ties with today’s Evangelicalism. While it’s devastating enough to know that they have totally departed from the historic and Biblical Christian view of marriage, it’s also another way of rejoicing over the fact that not everyone within the fellowship <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/7836475792.html" href="http://www.christiannewswire.com/news/7836475792.html">agrees with it</a>.</div>
<div class="graf--p" name="449d" style="text-align: justify;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YznPTpcg9AaytTRNUgY3RiAn_5pkf0h2oM615_84gxdPauaaWd81q8IGBTfFTp7frIDGZZCIoyfJhI73QPFP-QEVWAb8R0FylSYvOSy9pLpG04GYFWuucQg3yRVMV6QaokX9V1OWkDfh/s1600/m2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6YznPTpcg9AaytTRNUgY3RiAn_5pkf0h2oM615_84gxdPauaaWd81q8IGBTfFTp7frIDGZZCIoyfJhI73QPFP-QEVWAb8R0FylSYvOSy9pLpG04GYFWuucQg3yRVMV6QaokX9V1OWkDfh/s1600/m2.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="graf--p" name="89c4">
We’re leaving. Bye.</div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">N</span></b>ot everyone is Christian. It’s as true as saying that <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/7-21.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/7-21.htm">not everyone who profess with their tongue that He is Lord will enter the Kingdom</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/7-21.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/7-21.htm">of God</a>. They have fallen away and we can only pray that the Lord is not done yet with the people there who are yet to be redeemed.</div>
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While the issue is starting to wane in social media (at least to where I’m currently at), there are still notions (out of ignorance probably) that <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.pcusa.org" href="http://www.pcusa.org/">this Presbyterian denomination</a> had done it because they’re Calvinists. Ah! They’re Calvinists, you say? Just because they’re “Presbyterians”? Come on! I invite you to <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.scfaith.org/about-faith-church/history" href="http://www.scfaith.org/about-faith-church/history">study</a> and <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://biblebased.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/13-differences-between-the-pca-and-the-pcusa/" href="https://biblebased.wordpress.com/2013/04/16/13-differences-between-the-pca-and-the-pcusa/">read </a><a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-the-pca-and-pcusa" href="http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-the-pca-and-pcusa">more</a> to avoid <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.fallacyfiles.org/begquest.html" href="http://www.fallacyfiles.org/begquest.html">fallacy</a>.</div>
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I have always loved good ecumenical relationships. When I say “<em class="markup--em markup--p-em">good</em>”, I mean to say <em class="markup--em markup--p-em">real</em> and Biblical, and when I say “<em class="markup--em markup--p-em">ecumenical</em>”, I mean to say that of a coalition without compromising key doctrines and not <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.firstthings.com/article/1994/05/evangelicals--catholics-together-the-christian-mission-in-the-third-millennium-2" href="http://www.firstthings.com/article/1994/05/evangelicals--catholics-together-the-christian-mission-in-the-third-millennium-2">another</a>. One of which, would be the setting aside of usual and never-ending debates on certain issues pertaining to <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://carm.org/what-paedobaptism" href="https://carm.org/what-paedobaptism">this</a>, <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://carm.org/questions/about-baptism/what-credobaptism" href="https://carm.org/questions/about-baptism/what-credobaptism">this</a> and <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://carm.org/dictionary-eschatology" href="https://carm.org/dictionary-eschatology">this</a>, and rather focusing on the things that tend to question our identity and distinction from other denominations.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">“</span><i>I have always loved good ecumenical relationships.</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">”</span>-Jerboy Magalang</blockquote>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">R</span></b>ecently, I posted an <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/CFDD1/1024906347526989/?ref=notif&notif_t=like" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/CFDD1/1024906347526989/?ref=notif&notif_t=like">article</a> on Facebook about John MacArthur’s critical reaction to seminaries and denominations teaching a new perspective on marriage. Forget the debates on baptism, eschatology and many others as of the moment and just read the very words of his with regard to the issue:</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">“</span><i>They have no allegiance to the Bible, … You go back to every one of those seminaries … for a century [they] have been deniers of biblical authority, they have no relationship to scripture, they are the apostate church, they are <strong class="markup--strong markup--blockquote-strong">Satan’s church</strong>.</i>” — Pastor John MacArthur</blockquote>
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<em class="markup--em markup--p-em">(Read the rest of the article by clicking </em><a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/07/14/they-are-satans-church-famed-pastors-tough-message-for-christian-denominations-condoning-homosexuality/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=story&utm_campaign=ShareButtons" href="http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/07/14/they-are-satans-church-famed-pastors-tough-message-for-christian-denominations-condoning-homosexuality/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=story&utm_campaign=ShareButtons"><em class="markup--em markup--p-em">here</em></a><em class="markup--em markup--p-em">.)</em></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Whew</span>. That‘s just it! Pastor John MacArthur putting a nail in the coffin even before it’s finalized. Finally, this is what I believe every professing believer should say about the issue.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="graf--p" name="f4f6">
There’s but one.</div>
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<div class="graf--p" name="b987" style="text-align: justify;">
(About <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://medium.com/@sentirem/e7870c3973f8" href="https://medium.com/@sentirem/e7870c3973f8">Jerboy</a>)</div>
<blockquote class="graf--blockquote tr_bq" name="db6b" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">“</span><i>Not everyone is Christian.</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">”</span>-Jerboy Magalang</blockquote>
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<a href="https://medium.com/p/aeaa8987642b/edit" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">This article</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px; text-align: justify;"> originally appeared on @sentirem; </span><a href="https://medium.com/@sentirem/e7870c3973f8" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">Jerboy Magalang's blog</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px; text-align: justify;">. Republished with permission from the author and by the grace of </span><a href="http://righteousbutnotyet.blogspot.com/p/about_07.html" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px; text-align: justify; text-decoration: none;">co-authors</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px; text-align: justify;">.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15904133704794026998noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-692625882765360182015-04-13T12:14:00.002+08:002015-04-16T13:08:44.929+08:00“Daniel saw it… then Mark!” (On Jesus as The Son of Man)<br />
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Ever wonder where Jesus had said in the Bible that He’s God? Have you ever asked yourself if He was truly Divine? Maybe He’s just man. Maybe He’s more than just a man but no Divine. Maybe it would be easier to just open a jar than to think about this “mystery” as some would say. Maybe. Just maybe.</h3>
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You may notice that while I am trying to begin an introductory to this article, I’m very much sure that He is Divine (Notice how I often capitalize “H” when I pertain to Him). Anyway, here are the two verses to show you one from Old and one from New proving that He is who He is:</div>
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In the Old Testament, we find the following verses in Daniel 7:13–14:</div>
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13 “In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. 14 He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.</blockquote>
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In the New Testament, we can see in Mark 14:61–62 that it was Jesus who claimed to be The Son of Man:</div>
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61 But He kept silent and did not answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?” 62 And Jesus said, “I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN.”</blockquote>
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Why was He called the <em class="markup--em markup--p-em">Son of Man</em>? In the Jewish context the title, <em class="markup--em markup--p-em">Son of God</em> was nothing but a mere human title. For them, to be called, <em class="markup--em markup--p-em">Son of Man</em> was something Divine. This was proven to have been the case when the high priest (who are very much the experts and/or “Ph.Ds” of the Old Testament Revelations) tore their clothes and exclaimed;</div>
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“Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” with “all condemning Him as worth of death.”</blockquote>
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We can see how Jesus caused the high priests to tear their clothes and shout blasphemy after He had claimed to be <em class="markup--em markup--p-em">The Son of Man</em>. Surely, this was not the right thing to say at the time especially if He’s claiming that He’s but man. But He’s not. He is God.</div>
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“I thought you’re gonna fly, balloon?” Liar.</div>
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And in fact, to deny that Jesus is no God is blasphemous enough, making us liars as stated by the Apostle John in 1 John 2:22, saying:</div>
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“Who is the liar? It is whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist — denying the Father and the Son.”</blockquote>
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If you’re planning to pick a fight on the matter, may I ask you to hold your horses as these two verses are not the only ones proving such to be true. In fact, there are <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/john/1-1.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/john/1-1.htm">lots</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-5.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/romans/9-5.htm">of</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/colossians/2-9.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/colossians/2-9.htm">verses</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/1-8.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/hebrews/1-8.htm">that</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/1_john/5-20.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/1_john/5-20.htm">I</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/john/8-58.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/john/8-58.htm">can</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/john/20-28.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/john/20-28.htm">refer</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv2011/Php2.5-8" href="http://biblia.com/bible/niv2011/Php2.5-8">to</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/4-10.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/4-10.htm">than</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/2-2.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/matthew/2-2.htm">what</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/acts/20-28.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/acts/20-28.htm">I</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/titus/2-13.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/titus/2-13.htm">can</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/revelation/19-10.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/revelation/19-10.htm">actually</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+9:35-38" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+9:35-38">write</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207:55-60" href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%207:55-60">about</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/5-21.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/2_corinthians/5-21.htm">His</a> <a class="markup--anchor markup--p-anchor" data-href="http://biblehub.com/1_john/2-2.htm" href="http://biblehub.com/1_john/2-2.htm">Divinity</a>.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="graf--p" name="9993">
Maybe I can just cherry-pick a verse that says it otherwise.</div>
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What’s your pick?</div>
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<a href="https://medium.com/p/aeaa8987642b/edit" target="_blank">This article</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px;"> originally appeared on @sentirem; </span><a href="https://medium.com/@sentirem/e7870c3973f8" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px; text-decoration: none;">Jerboy Magalang's blog</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px;">. Republished with permission from the author and by the grace of </span><a href="http://righteousbutnotyet.blogspot.com/p/about_07.html" style="background-color: white; color: #888888; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px; text-decoration: none;">co-authors</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 14.0799999237061px; line-height: 19.7119998931885px;">.</span></div>
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</figcaption></figure>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15904133704794026998noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-32982469496635103032015-03-30T09:21:00.000+08:002016-11-18T22:25:50.484+08:00The Savior that Saves<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUiUCcHQSeaENhgdFHDD9agfe5R6XWDChchEPXyrKGL002ro4HzpedjEJkBU6DZu4g1TGY2JgnPMHpmgrimJU-7wMOqAC03f-c9H4-8gIIIPBhWbKZi8SFcMUzOVK3g85B1kphvfDzrat/s1600/crown_of_thorns_red.brv64h6c9rwcssoosw84k8g8c.6ylu316ao144c8c4woosog48w.th.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUiUCcHQSeaENhgdFHDD9agfe5R6XWDChchEPXyrKGL002ro4HzpedjEJkBU6DZu4g1TGY2JgnPMHpmgrimJU-7wMOqAC03f-c9H4-8gIIIPBhWbKZi8SFcMUzOVK3g85B1kphvfDzrat/s1600/crown_of_thorns_red.brv64h6c9rwcssoosw84k8g8c.6ylu316ao144c8c4woosog48w.th.jpeg" width="400" /></a>Though<i> all professing Christians</i>—regardless of religious affiliation—would readily confess Jesus Christ as their Savior, what most of them really have in mind when they say that is that Christ has done certain things to open the gates of heaven for us sinners (like dying on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins) but the rest is still <i>up to us</i>. This idea is very prominent among the <i>cults</i> of Christianity; e.g. Roman Catholicism, Iglesia ni Cristo (1914), Ang Dating Daan, and many others, each of which has its own version of a <i>redeemer</i> that attempts to save sinners only <i>half-way</i> through the process (if not most of it) then it's all up to the individual sinner to complete his own salvation—either by joining a religious organization, or by dedicating one's full allegiance and loyalty to a self-proclaimed apostle or prophet, or by doing good works, or a combination of all such things and what not.<br />
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Sadly, the idea of a <i>halfway accomplished redemption</i> (a <i>heresy</i>, by the way, since it is a blatant denial of <i>Solus Cristus</i>) is rampant among so many <i>evangelical</i> churches, too. <i>God respects our freedom because He is a gentleman and would never save us apart from our willing cooperation</i>; so goes the argument. God is viewed as merely attempting to save sinners by eliciting their cooperation (their final 'Yes') but actually powerless to make their Salvation a reality since He is supposed to <i>"respect"</i> their so-called freewill. Here we have God making good plans for man but it is man's freewill that prevails. Quite the contrary is what we find in Proverbs 19:21 NIV which says:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Many are the plans in a person’s heart,<br /> but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.</i>"</blockquote>
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We possess no freedom of any sort to which the sovereign will of God is bound to concede. God rules over all things (Dan. 4:35). He is the Potter and we are the lump of dirty fallen clay at His disposal (Isa. 68:4; Rom. 9:18-23). The course of our actions, therefore, does not determine the will of God, but it is the other way around. For <i>"who,"</i> asks Paul, <i>"has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen"</i> (Rom. 11:35-36 NASB). </div>
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The truth is, <b>God does <i>not</i> respect our moral freedom because we</b> <b>don't have such freedom in the first place!</b> For <i>"Very truly I tell you,"</i> Jesus told the unbelieving Jesus, <i>"everyone who sins is a slave to sin"</i> (Jn. 8:34 NIV; see also Rom. 6:20 & 2 Pe. 2:19). If we have any <i>freedom</i> of our own apart from the liberty that comes from Christ (Jn. 8:36), it is but a freedom only <i>from righteousness </i>(Rom. 6:20 KJV). We are void of all righteousness and our minds are hostile to God (Rom. 8:7-8). Without the quickening power of the Spirit, we would never <i>"accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to [us], and [we are] not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" </i>(1 Cor. 2:14). We are all <i>"dead in the trespasses and sins"</i> and <i>"by nature children of wrath, even as the rest"</i> (Eph. 2:1-3). Salvation, therefore, cannot be <i>up to us</i> in any way. It's rather <i>all up to Him </i>who says, <i>"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion"</i> (Rom. 9:15; cf. Exo. 33:19). </div>
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A low view of Sin gives birth to low view of the gospel and of Christ's redemptive work. Many evangelicals have completely lost sight of how amazing God's grace is due to their shallow understanding of Sin and depravity. They have arrived to an erroneous view of our moral condition based on the presuppositions of various humanistic philosophies which aim to elevate the dignity of human beings beyond and contrary to what the Scripture actually describes us to be—that is, creatures that are fallen, totally depraved, and absolutely in need of <b>a Savior that does not merely render salvation possible, but actually saves certain people <i>to the uttermost</i> by an <i>atonement </i>so powerful and sufficient that even the gift of conversion, together with all other graces necessary toward our final glorification, is guaranteed by it</b> (Rom. 8:32-39, Eph. 1:3, 2:13; Heb. 7:25, 9:12, 12:2).<br />
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In this coming Holy Week, we will be commemorating the <i>passion</i> of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And as we contemplate on the things that had transpired toward the climax of his redemptive mission here on earth 2000 years ago, always keep in mind that <i>"it is finished"</i> already (Jn. 19:30). No merit of your own and no works done by your sinful hands would add up to what Christ has already accomplished for the Salvation of those who would put their trust in Him (Rom. 3:23-25).<br />
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- Jeph</div>
Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-36183906364117533352015-03-29T06:36:00.000+08:002017-01-03T07:47:49.550+08:00Calvinism? Ano yun!?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxHUXhuDf_s_oJ02W09axTH8pqAnoIhYTBMFMHNlN4EZCyDOsoK9xr_OH5PsI14gH4gA2eXlr5XsfAxKGwJVbDvfcxXEIL1UVUvEU_NSVtc3B4Eh1AWXw2jtosKFJTHO20HLQLQagyaLE/s1600/10409054_1597824917127995_8116488878215642506_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHxHUXhuDf_s_oJ02W09axTH8pqAnoIhYTBMFMHNlN4EZCyDOsoK9xr_OH5PsI14gH4gA2eXlr5XsfAxKGwJVbDvfcxXEIL1UVUvEU_NSVtc3B4Eh1AWXw2jtosKFJTHO20HLQLQagyaLE/s1600/10409054_1597824917127995_8116488878215642506_n.jpg" width="291" /></a>Sa tuwing napaguusapan o nababanggit ang "Calvinism" sa facebook group na<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BAC777/"> BORN AGAIN CHRISTIANS</a>, marami ang napapakamot ng ulo at napapatanong: Ano ba ang Calvinism? Sekta ba yan? Kulto ba yan? Ano ba ang tinuturo ng Calvinism na pinaniniwalaan ng mga Calvinists?<br />
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Kung isa ka sa mga nagnanais magkaroon ng kaalaman tungkol sa Calvinism, nasa tamang lugar ka ngayon sapagkat isang Calvinist ang nagsusulat nitong artikulong ito. Hayaan mong tulungan kitang naunawaan ang mga basic tenets (o payak na paniniwala) ng mga Calvinists na katulad ko, at kung ano-ano ang mga maling-akala na karaniwang ibinabato laban sa aming pinaniniwalaan.<br />
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<b>Ang sekta ng Calvinism</b><br />
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Eeeengk! Mali. Hindi po sekta (o relihiyon) ang Calvinism. Ito ay isang "school of thought" lamang na naglalayong ipaliwanag ang kaugnayan sa pagitan ng pagiging soberenya (sovereignty) ng Diyos at ng ating kaligtasan. Bagamat may mga sekta na lubusang niyayakap ang mga prinsipyo ng Calvinism, may mga Calvinists na myembro rin sa ibat-ibang denominasyon. Sa madaling salita, hindi po sekta, denominasyon, relihiyon, o kulto ang Calvinism sapagkat hindi po ito naka-kahon sa iisang ispesipikong organisasyon o grupo. (Ikaw nga mismo eh, maaaring Calvinist ka; hindi mo lang alam!)<br />
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<b>Sino ang may pakana?</b><br />
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Ang salitang "Calvinism" ay hango sa pangalan ng isang repormistang Pranses na si John Calvin noong ika-17 siglo. Gayunpaman, hindi po si John Calvin ang talagang may pakana ng mga doktrina ng Calvinism. Ipinangalan lamang ito kay Calvin sapagkat siya ang pinaka-prominenteng theologian na nagtanggol sa mga prinsipyo nito. Ang totoo nyan, bago pa naging tao si Calvin ay marami nang nauna sa kasaysayan ng Kristyanismo ang nanindigan para sa mga payak na prinsipyong nakapaloob sa Calvinism; gaya nina St. Augustine of Hippo (354 - 430), St. Prosper of Aquitaine (390 - 455), St. Fulgentius of Ruspe (462 - 527), St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 - 1153), Gottschalk of Orbais (808 - 867), St. Thomas Aquinas (1225 - 1274), John Wycliffe (1320 - 1384), at iba pa.<br />
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Pero teka lang! Bago mo isipin na hango lamang ang Calvinism sa pilosopiya ng mga taong nabanggit, alalahanin din natin na silang lahat ay nanindigan na ang kanilang mga aral ay batay mismo sa banal na Kasulatan (makikita natin yan sa ilang saglit lang). Samakatuwid, ang Calvinism ay hindi pakana ni John Calvin o pakana ng sinumang tao. Ito ay hango sa Salita ng Diyos.<br />
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<b>Anong pinaglalaban ng Calvinism?</b><br />
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Simple lang naman ang pinaglalaban ng Calvinism. Ito ay ang katotohanan <b>na ang kabuuan (100%) ng ating pagkaligtas---mula simula hanggang katapusan---ay nakasalalay <i>lamang</i> sa kapangyarihan at biyaya ng Diyos upang walang maipagmapuri ang sinuman.</b> Ito ang pinaka-premis ng buong sistema ng Calvinism, at ibinuod pa ito ni San Pablo sa 1 Cor. 4:7,<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Sapagka't sino ang gumawa na ikaw ay matangi? at anong nasa iyo na hindi mo tinanggap? nguni't kung tinanggap mo, ay bakit mo ipinagmamapuri na tulad sa hindi mo tinanggap?"</i> (TAB)</blockquote>
Ang pagmamapuri (o pagiging mayabang) ay nag-uugat sa maling akala na mayroon kang taglay na anumang mabuting bagay na hindi galing sa Diyos. Yan ang naging problema ng mga mananampalataya sa Corinto na sinulatan ng apostol. Nagkabaha-bahagi sila dahil inakala nilang utang na loob nila sa mga mangangaral (ng ebanghelyo) ang kanilang pananalig; ang iba ay nagtayo ng fans-club para kay Pablo, ang iba naman ay para kay Apollos, at ang iba ay kay Cefas, etc (1 Cor. 1:12, 3:4-5). Dahil dyan, ipinakita sa kanila ng apostol (mula kabanata 1 hanggang 3) na ang mismong pananalig nila ay kaloob (regalo) na galing sa Diyos at hindi galing sa ibang tao o sa mga sarili nila kaya dapat na nilang itigil ang pakikipag-pataasan ng ere (1 Cor. 1:30-31, 2:4-5, 12-14, 3:6-9).<br />
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Maraming Cristiano ngayon ang may parehong maling akala gaya ng sa mga taga-Corinto. Inaakala nilang inalok lamang sa kanila ng Diyos ang kaligtasan ngunit ang mismong pagtanggap nila ay nakasalalay na sa sarili nilang pasiya. Kung tama ang ideyang ito, lalabas na ang sarili nating <i>merito </i>(i.e. merito ng pagtanggap kay Cristo) ang siyang <i>nagtangi </i>sa atin tungo sa kaligtasan, at kung gayon nga ay hindi na ito maaaring ituring na "ayon sa biyaya" (Rom. 11:6).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnoaOXZKWn6lbbJp5ijaXEjiTSrL8OH7CHWVIUyLqAH5S42GEOSQ7vCyVYijCX9NYCr9GHswlFwhTJjtoAObWbENNGUm9-na3nKTQDtFipED9sV3yE8I5U34l6X9MwBI8c_Dyhs0RBchY/s1600/ddd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnoaOXZKWn6lbbJp5ijaXEjiTSrL8OH7CHWVIUyLqAH5S42GEOSQ7vCyVYijCX9NYCr9GHswlFwhTJjtoAObWbENNGUm9-na3nKTQDtFipED9sV3yE8I5U34l6X9MwBI8c_Dyhs0RBchY/s1600/ddd.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Ngunit ngayon, Oh Panginoon, ikaw ay aming Ama; kami ang malagkit na putik, at ikaw ay magpapalyok namin; at kaming lahat ay gawa ng iyong mga kamay."</i> (Isa. 64:8)</td></tr>
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Totoong ang pananalig natin ang siyang naghihiwalay sa atin mula sa mga taong napapahamak, ngunit ang pananalig bang ito'y bunga lamang ng ating sariling desisyon? o ipinagkaloob lamang din sa atin ng Diyos? Kung ito'y galing lamang sa ating mga sarili, mayroon nga tayong maipagmamapuri - at mali ang Calvinism. Ngunit<i>"sino," </i>tanong ni San Pablo, <i>"ang gumagawa na ikaw ay matangi?" </i>Obyusli, ang sagot sa katanungang yan ay <i>walang iba kundi ang Dios</i>.<i> </i>Ayon nga kay Jesus: <i>"Ang lahat ng mga bagay ay ibinigay sa akin ng aking Ama. Walang nakakakilala sa Anak kundi ang Ama; at <b>walang nakakakilala sa Ama, kundi ang Anak</b>, <b>at sinumang piliin ng Anak na pagpahayagan niya</b>. "</i> (Mat. 11:27, MBB); at minsan pa, <i>"walang taong makalalapit sa akin, <b>maliban na ipagkaloob sa kaniya </b>ng Ama"</i> (Jn. 6:65, TAB). Sumatotal, tayo ay natangi dahil sa ating pananalig kay Cristo---hindi lamang dahil sa sarili nating pasya---kundi unang-una sa lahat ay dahil ipinagkaloob ito sa atin ng Diyos na siyang unang pumili sa atin (Ac. 13:48) at kumilos sa puso natin (Ac. 16:14). Kung gayon, wala talaga tayong dapat ipagmapuri at sa Diyos lamang nauukol ang lahat ng kapurihan! Sabi nga ni San Pablo, <i>"at anong nasa iyo na hindi mo tinanggap? nguni't kung tinanggap mo, ay bakit mo ipinagmamapuri na tulad sa hindi mo tinanggap?"</i> (1 Cor. 4:7b-c).<br />
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Marahil ay iniisip mo kung bakit kailangan pang <i>ipagkaloob</i> ng Diyos sa tao ang pagtalima kay Cristo. Hindi ba't binigyan tayo ng Panginoon ng <i>"freewill"</i>? Wala ba tayong sapat na kakayahang magpasya na lumapit at sumunod sa ebanghelyo?<br />
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<b>Ang Alamat ng <i>Freewill</i></b><br />
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Ang karaniwang depinisyon ng maraming tao sa salitang "freewill" ay ang pagkakaroon ng <i>kakayahang</i><i> pumili o magpasya, kung saan ang kalooban ng isang tao ay hindi nakakiling (o hindi "inclined" / "bias") sa anumang direksyon sa pagitan ng mabuti o masama. </i>Ngunit may ganitong uri nga ba ng kalayaan ang tao bilang <i>makasalanan</i>? Ang sagot ng Calvinism ay <i>wala.</i><br />
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Kaya nga tayo tinatawag na "<i>maka</i>salanan" eh. Hindi lamang tayo tinatawag na "<i>nag</i>kasala" na para bang aksidente lamang ang ating mga nagagawang kasalanan, bagkus tayo'y <i>maka</i> - salanan. Mayroon tayong inklinasyon o pagkiling tungo sa paggawa ng Kasalanan. At hindi lamang ito basta inklinasyon o pagkiling, kundi ito mismo ang <i>katutubo </i>(o <i>likas</i>) na disposisyon ng ating buong pagkatao.<br />
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Ayon kay apostol Pablo:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Kayo noo'y </i><b style="font-style: italic;">mga patay sa inyong mga pagsalangsang at mga kasalanan</b><i>, na dati ninyong nilakaran, ayon sa lakad ng sanlibutang ito, ayon sa pinuno ng kapangyarihan ng himpapawid, ng espiritu na ngayon ay gumagawa sa mga anak ng pagsuway. Tayong lahat ay dating nabuhay sa gitna ng mga ito, sa mga pagnanasa ng laman, </i><b><i>na ating ginagawa ang mga nais ng laman at ng pag-iisip, at tayo noo'y <u>katutubong</u> mga anak ng kapootan, gaya naman ng mga iba</i></b><i>."</i> (Eph. 2:1-3, ABAB)</blockquote>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Sapagkat nang kayo ay mga alipin pa ng kasalanan, <br />kayo'y malalaya tungkol sa pagiging matuwid."</i> (Rom. 6:20) </td></tr>
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Samakatuwid, maliwanag na hindi lamang tayo makasalanan sapagkat tayo'y nagkakasala, bagkus tayo'y nagkakasala sapagkat tayo'y likas na makasalanan (o alipin ng Kasalanan). Dahil sa Kasalanan ng unang tao (Rom. 5:12) tayong lahat ay naging <i>patay</i> sa ating mga espirituwal na kalagayan at napa-<i>alipin</i> sa kalooban ni Satanas (2 Tim. 2:26) at samakatuwid ay walang likas na kagustuhan o inklinasyon na tumalima sa Diyos <b>malibang unang kumilos ang Diyos sa puso natin</b> (tingnan ang mga sumusunod na talata: Eze. 36:26; Ac. 16:14, cf. Mat. 13:11-16, Jn. 6:44, 65, Rom. 3:9-12, 8:7-8, 1 Cor. 2:14, 2 Cor. 4:4-5, Eph. 2:1-3, 2 Tim. 2:25-26).</div>
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Dito natin makikita na sa magkaibang sentido, tayo'y <i>malaya</i> ngunit <i>alipin</i>. <b>Malaya</b> nating sinusunod ang anumang nais o hangarin ng ating mga puso. Gayunpaman, ang ating mga puso ay <b>alipin</b> ng anumang bagay na pinagkukunan nito ng kaligayahan: <i>"Sapagkat kung nasaan ang iyong kayamanan, naroon din naman ang iyong puso"</i> (Mat. 6:21, ABAB). Habang tayo'y bulag patungkol sa kagandahan at kaluwalhatian ni Cristo (na kung tutuusin ay siyang pinaka-mahalagang Kayamanan sa lahat), mas nanaisin pa ng ating mga puso na magpakalunod sa mga "kayamanan" na ipinapangako ng mga tukso. Kung gayon, ang tanging paraan para mabasag ang sumpang ito ay walang iba kundi ang pagkilos ng makapangyarihang Espiritu ng Diyos sa puso ng isang makasalanan nang sa gayon ay makita niya ang walang kapares na kagandahan ng ebanghelyo na magdudulot ng malayang pagtalima kay Cristo (Eze. 36:26-27).</div>
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Sa madaling salita, itinuturo ng Calvinism na kung mayroon mang tumatalima (at walang pagtatalo na tayo nga ay tumalima kay Cristo ayon sa sarili nating pasya - Mat. 11:28), ang kapurihan ay ukol lamang sa Diyos na siyang unang pumili sa atin upang tayo'y pagkalooban ng kalayaan, kakayahan, espirituwal na pangunawa, at positibong inklinasyon at pagnanasa na lumapit kay Cristo tungo sa lubos na kaligtasan<i> </i>(Psa. 65:4, Mat. 11:27, Eph. 1:3-5, 11). Sa bandang huli, ang Panginoon ang siyang tanging <i>may-akda</i> at siyang <i>tagapagpaging-gana</i>p ng ating pananalig (Heb. 12:2). Siya ang ating soberenyang Tagapagligtas na nagliligtas ng lubusan mula simula hanggang katapusan (Rom. 8:30) upang walang maipagmapuri ang sinuman. Yan ang puso ng Calvinism.<br />
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<b>Baka Calvinist ka rin!</b><br />
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Oo, maaaring Calvinist ka rin pero di mo lang pala alam. Paano mo malalaman? Simple lang. Tanungin mo ang iyong sarili:<br />
<ol>
<li>Naniniwala ka bang wala kang magagawang anumang mabuti na kalugod-lugod sa Diyos malibang unang kumilos ang Diyos sa puso mo? (Jn. 15:5; Rom. 8:7-8)</li>
<li>Nananalangin ka ba para sa kaligtasan ng iyong mga mahal sa buhay? (cf. Rom. 10:1)</li>
<li>Ipinapanalangin mo ba na nawa'y kumilos ang Diyos sa puso nila upang kanilang tanggapin si Cristo? (cf. Eze. 36:26, Ac. 16:14)</li>
<li>Ipinagpapasalamat mo ba sa Diyos ang sarili mong pagkakaligtas at ang pagkakilala mo sa kaniya? (cf. Mat. 11:27, 13:11, Jn. 6:44, 65; Php. 1:29)</li>
<li>Nagtitiwala ka ba na tiyak na tatapusin ng Diyos ang pagliligtas na sinimulan niya sayo, at iingatan ka niya sa pananalig hanggang wakas? (cf. Jn. 10:27-29, Rom. 8:29-39, Php. 1:6)</li>
<li>Naniniwala ka bang ang lahat ng biyayang tinatamasa mo ngayon (na may kinalaman sa iyong kaligtasan), maging ang iyong pananalig, ay pawang kaloob na galing sa Diyos na <i>binili</i> ni Cristo ng kanyang dugo? (cf. Rom. 8:32, Eph. 2:13)</li>
</ol>
Kung Oo ang sagot mo sa mga katanungang ito, malamang ay isa ka ring Calvinista.<br />
<br />
-JephJephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-30450598068992716932015-03-25T09:22:00.003+08:002015-03-25T15:37:21.882+08:00I'd Say Both<span style="font-size: x-large;">L</span>et’s get straight to the point: Jesus is fully God and fully Man. I cannot see any reason for me to say that I am a Christian without affirming both nor replacing it with <a href="https://carm.org/nestorianism">this</a>, <a href="https://carm.org/kenosis">this</a>, <a href="https://carm.org/adoptionism">this</a>, <a href="https://carm.org/monophysitism">this</a> and/or <a href="https://carm.org/docetism">this</a>.<br />
<br />
But what’s the fuss all about? Well, a question that was raised <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1562433617359976&set=gm.1593681904202979&type=1&theater">a few days ago</a> (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1581687948735708/1594016620836174/?notif_t=group_comment_follow">and early this week</a>. Let me remind that it’s a closed group!) in <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1581687948735708/">one of the groups I’m in</a> nearly had me commented on what I believe about it but because of some errands and unfinished business at work, I could not. I’ll make it simple so you won’t have to join the group if in case you’re just a random reader like I am.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="425" src="https://d262ilb51hltx0.cloudfront.net/max/800/1*7tCHtOsnHSwTIY9OrlQxCQ.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Is there a problem here?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Question</b></span><br />
<br />
The question is, “Could Jesus have sinned?” — My answer is both yes and no. Let me share with you why.<br />
<br />
Most Christians, if not for the sake of a greater cause, tend to shelf this question for safekeeping unless it’s intentionally asked for the purpose of knowing if he/she affirms a sound Biblical doctrine and/or is not a heretic. But would it really be a heresy for a Christian to say yes to that question given a certain condition? Would affirming to it be considered a departure from what’s written if you are to say that <i>“yes, He could’ve possibly sinned”</i>?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="213" src="https://d262ilb51hltx0.cloudfront.net/max/555/1*jzDvUXXJsLsWEP2hkYgK8A.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Heh! Can’t beat me!</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
If you are to view a <a href="https://carm.org/heresies">list of the outstanding heresies that we have today,</a> you would not find any that makes you one by saying yes to the question above.<br />
<br />
So let me explain further why I’m standing in the middle:<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Why answer “no”?</b></span><br />
<br />
To answer “no” is to say that because <a href="http://biblehub.com/john/1-1.htm">He</a> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+5:18">is</a> <a href="http://biblehub.com/john/8-24.htm">completely</a> <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10:30-33">Divine</a>, He will never commit an unlawful act whether it be in His mind and/or actions. Being fully Divine, the Father’s divinity is at risk if we should say “yes” that Jesus could’ve sinned despite Him being in a glorified body after resurrection. Paul Himself went on further to justify this by saying, that “in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Col. 2:9)<br />
<br />
Therefore, my answer to the question above should be “no”.<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Why answer “yes”?</b></span><br />
<br />
To answer yes is to affirm that <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%202:5-18">He is a complete Man</a>, making Him <a href="http://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/15-45.htm">the second Adam</a>. The same perfection that was given unto the first Adam was embraced by the Messiah. That we can never doubt. As sinless as the first, He is the Son of Man who came and died <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%202:5-18">for the atonment of our sins</a>. Therefore (and only given such considerations that we’re talking about the fully Man in Him being present in the first Adam who caused us to die,) my answer to the question above will also be “yes”. May I remind you of the <a href="http://www.spurgeon.org/~phil/creeds/bcof.htm">federalism</a>?<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="132" src="https://d262ilb51hltx0.cloudfront.net/max/800/1*S0fazj3Ixl3CyTmDurSZOw.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Yes. Wait just simply say no. I don’t get it why I </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">have to say yes. Oh I get it. It can be both!</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here’s my created analogy to settle this myself:</span></b><br />
<br />
Premise 1: Christ is fully divine and fully Man<br />
Premise 2: God divine cannot sin while Man can<br />
<b>Therefore Christ as fully divine cannot sin but as fully Man can</b><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="213" src="https://d262ilb51hltx0.cloudfront.net/max/555/1*sfajl5i9D3TiPv1-Cr9Uzw.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">pew. pew.</span></i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Doesn’t it bother you that eight-out-of-ten of God’s Ten Commandments requires you tonot? (← I’ll stop right there.) With Jesus being fully human <a href="http://biblehub.com/galatians/4-4.htm">born under the law</a>, He has to certainly fulfill everything that’s written in the Scripture and I can rejoice in knowing that He did so in full obedience to the will of the Father.<br />
<br />
I believe that Jesus, the second person of the Trinity is the God-Man in the God-Head and being so, He is both divine and <a href="http://hebrews%202:14/">alive in flesh and blood</a>. Thus, His sharing of the divine attributes that the Father has will and/or can never commit sin. This same divinity that Jesus has is shared also with the same perfection of Man that Adam had prior to the fall. Adam was just a man. He wasn’t divine. Jesus is God (and is one with the Father and the Spirit) who was also just-as-perfect-as-the-pre-fall Adam. Believing that the Fully- Man-Christ Himself could never sin is to question Adam’s fall. Why did Adam sin? <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A Solemn Appeal</b></span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="213" src="https://d262ilb51hltx0.cloudfront.net/max/960/1*glfTvkPodqdLfY4jfL0qMw.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6); font-family: freight-text-pro, Georgia, Cambria, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: xx-small; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0.159999996423721px; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><i>You don’t really have to punch me for real — and with gloves!</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There’s one thing that you can do if you have differing views as to whether He <span style="font-size: large;">could’ve</span> or <span style="font-size: large;">could’ve not</span>; Accept the fact that there are genuine Christians who believes that He could’ve sinned but did not without condemning the thought of it as blasphemous. It’s not like the issue is whether to accept semi-pelagianism as a possible Biblical response to salvation or not, is it? <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Wrapping It Up</b></span><br />
<br />
So, the next time you’ll ask me the question: <i>could Jesus have sinned?</i>, feel free to check back <a href="https://medium.com/p/3b4080f21859/edit">here</a> to find out if I have made any changes. But until then, my answer would be both yes and no.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="425" src="https://d262ilb51hltx0.cloudfront.net/max/800/1*MofNwyfeTX5fB0l1HzSyIQ.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.6); font-family: freight-text-pro, Georgia, Cambria, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: italic; letter-spacing: 0.159999996423721px; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>I’m a baptist, You’re Presbyterian. Now what? Maybe I’m a Charismatic!</i></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<blockquote class="graf--blockquote graf--last tr_bq" id="b50b" name="b50b" style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 3px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.952941); font-family: freight-text-pro, Georgia, Cambria, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: 0.159999996423721px; line-height: 15px; margin: 0px 0px 30px -23px; padding-bottom: 3px; padding-left: 20px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"><i>Accept the fact that there are genuine Christians who believes that He could’ve sinned but did not without condemning the thought of it as blasphemous. It’s not like the issue is whether to accept semi-pelagianism as a possible Biblical response to salvation or not, is it? - Jerboy Magalang</i></span></blockquote>
</div>
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</h3>
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</h3>
<a href="https://medium.com/@sentirem/unquestioned-obedience-3b4080f21859">This article</a> originally appeared on @sentirem; <a href="https://medium.com/@sentirem/e7870c3973f8">Jerboy Magalang's blog</a>. Republished with permission from the author and by the grace of <a href="http://righteousbutnotyet.blogspot.com/p/about_07.html">co-authors</a>.<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15904133704794026998noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-16099797804174524082015-03-24T17:43:00.002+08:002015-03-27T08:11:17.372+08:00Parang di natuto<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilez14ZwaXorJknncKqDFqwBo3GNVZ96_UxoS-Ig5VXObD-S1ztF4gjLthoa8mNxa5spZYtkMdp0meTX-cxtMu69aDM8LNoyWdSBBbcypAIVepwIfPSVmly5bWZTVtoGRaP6qe6jHZQZwo/s1600/PSX_20150324_175533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilez14ZwaXorJknncKqDFqwBo3GNVZ96_UxoS-Ig5VXObD-S1ztF4gjLthoa8mNxa5spZYtkMdp0meTX-cxtMu69aDM8LNoyWdSBBbcypAIVepwIfPSVmly5bWZTVtoGRaP6qe6jHZQZwo/s1600/PSX_20150324_175533.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
Konting reality check lang para sa mga kabataan na noo'y aktibo sa Sunday School ngunit gumradweyt na't nagtatrabaho na sa kasalukuyan. Isang tanong:<br />
<br />
...Natuto nga ba tayo?<br />
(Oo, tayo. Meaning, kasama ako dun).<br />
<br />
Ang dami, dami, dami, dami nating napag-aralan tungkol sa Biblia, sa mga doktrina, sa Diyos, etc. Di na mabilang ang mga memory verses na alam natin. Pero anyare? Nang magkatrabaho na tayo, bakit nangongompromiso tayo? Nasan na yung mga tinuro sa atin at natutunan natin sa simbahan?<br />
<br />
Nakakahiya (at nakakainis) mang isipin, pero ganyan tayo. Nagkakaroon tayo ng selective amnesia kapag pasok natin sa office. Lahat ng mga tinuro ni Sunday School teacher, lahat ng mga preaching ni pastor, at lahat ng pangaral ng mga elders ng simbahan... *puff!* - instantly deleted na sa mga alaala natin.<br />
<br />
Yung totoo? Natuto nga ba?<br />
<br />
Please lang, wag naman natin sayangin yung effort ng mga guro natin sa simbahan, at huwag natin silang ipahiya. Higit pa riyan, wag nating ipahiya si Cristo!<br />
<br />
Sa mga kabataang "Kristiano" naman na magtatrabaho pa lang, please lang ano; wag niyo na lang ipagsabi sa mga katrabaho niyo na Kristyano kayo kung di niyo rin naman paninindigan. Dahil sa bandang huli, kapag nahulog na kayo sa pangongompromiso (i.e. nakisama na sa mga makamundong gawain ng mga katrabaho niyo) ay pagsisisihan nyo yung oras na sinabi niyo pa yun.<br />
<br />
Ngayon, gusto mo bang bumait pero di mo magawa? <a href="http://righteousbutnotyet.blogspot.com/2012/04/gusto-kong-bumait-pero-di-ko-magawa.html?">Click mo to.</a><br />
<br />
<br />Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-71732879198977316072015-03-19T01:45:00.000+08:002015-03-29T01:59:50.429+08:00Sino ang tunay na Kristyano?Ang salitang <i>Kristyano</i> (Eng, <i>"Christian"</i>) ay hango sa salitang Griego na <i>"Christianos"</i> (G5546 - Χριστιανός) na ang kahulugan <a href="https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?strongs=G5546">ayon kay Thayer</a> ay <i>"a follower of Christ." </i>Tatlong beses lamang ginamit sa Bagong Tipan ang salitang ito (cf. Acts 11:26, 26:28, & 1 Pe. 4:16), at ayon sa kasaysayan ng sinaunang iglesya na naitala sa aklat ng <i>Mga Gawa </i>sa panulat ng doktor na si San Lucas, ang titulong ito ay unang ginamit sa Antioqua patungkol sa <i>"mga alagad"</i> ni Cristo (v. 11:26). Marahil ay pakana ng mga kalaban ng iglesya ang titulong ito bilang insulto sa kanilang pananampalataya gaya ng ipinahihiwatig sa mga salita ni San Pedro sa 1 Pe. 4:16:<br />
<ul>
<li><i>"Mapalad kayo <b>kung kayo'y kinukutya dahil kay Cristo</b>, sapagkat sumasainyo ang Espiritu ng kaluwalhatian, ang Espiritu ng Diyos. Huwag nawa mangyarig maparusahan ang sinuman sa inyo dahil siya'y mamamatay-tao, magnanakaw, o salarin o pakialamero. Ngunit <b>kung kayo'y magdusa dahil sa pagiiging Cristiano</b> </i>(Gk, Χριστιανός)<i>, <b>huwag ninyong ikahiya ito; sa halip, magpasalamat kayo sa Diyos sapagkat taglay ninyo ang pangalan ni Cristo.</b>"</i> (MBB)</li>
</ul>
May halo din ng pangungutya ang naging tugon ni haring Agripa matapos niyang marinig ang testimonya at depensa ni San Pablo tungkol sa ebanghelyo: <i>"Sa loob ng maikling panahon ay ibig mo yatang maging Cristiano</i> <i>ako!" </i>(Acts 26:28, MBB). Tila noong unang panahon ay nagdaan sa mabibigat na diskriminasyon, pangungutya, at paguusig ang mga Kristyano (berbal man o pisikal) sa ilalim ng bansag na ito.<br />
<br />
Sa panahon ngayon kung kailan lumalaganap nanaman ang kaliwa't-kanang paguusig laban sa Kristyanismo (lalo na sa ilang mga bansa sa <i>Gitnang Silangan</i> kung saan nanggugulo ang mga pasaway na teroristang grupo na ISIS), ang katapangan natin sa pagdadala ng titulong Kristyano ay maaaring masubok sa 'di natin inaasahang pagkakataon at pamamaraan. Gayunpaman, bago natin maaaring paghandaan ang bagay na yan ay mayroong isang mahalagang katanungan na dapat muna nating itanong sa ating mga sarili: <i>Ako ba ay isang tunay na Kristyano? </i><br />
<br />
Ang pangaral ni San Pedro sa 1 Pe. 4:14-16 na binasa natin kani-kanina lang ay para lamang sa mga <i>tunay</i> na Kristyano. Sila ang mga<i> tagasunod</i> ni (o <i>sumusunod</i> kay) Cristo Jesus na ating Panginoon. Ayon kay Jesus, <i>"Kung<b> tinutupad </b>ninyo ang aking aral, kayo nga'y tunay na mga alagad ko"</i> (Jn. 8:31, MBB). Samakatuwid, kung hindi mo tinutupad ang mga aral ng Panginoon ay hindi ka maaaring ibilang sa kaniyang mga alagad at hindi ka kasama dun sa mga sinabihan ng apostol na huwag nilang ikahiya ang pagiging Kristyano. <b>Isa kang kahihiyan kay Cristo kung dinadala mo ang kaniyang pangalan ngunit hindi mo sinisikap lakaran ang kanyang kabanalan.</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyEGniAmsh9MK76trOr2rcEhiTxIkmtT2OpSRK0F42iFqQFnIOwewdxk_oHWJHg5wPaJyJ2kwyG_CSZMVc6UQpYJ4afP3J4U-PtNRrJTSXYrsfRyhEDmaRZNquRTFFYvVczc9YIgRHUE8/s1600/2584-13786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyEGniAmsh9MK76trOr2rcEhiTxIkmtT2OpSRK0F42iFqQFnIOwewdxk_oHWJHg5wPaJyJ2kwyG_CSZMVc6UQpYJ4afP3J4U-PtNRrJTSXYrsfRyhEDmaRZNquRTFFYvVczc9YIgRHUE8/s1600/2584-13786.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a>Totoong ang Kaligtasan natin ay natamo natin nang walang bayad sa pamamagitan ng pananalig at hindi dahil sa mga gawa (Jn. 3:16-18; Eph. 2:8-9). Wala ring pagtatalo na tayo'y kinupkop na ng Diyos bilang mga anak niya nang tanggapin natin si Cristo sa ating buhay bilang Panginoon at Tagapagligtas (Jn. 1:12). Ang pagiging tunay na Kristyano ay nagsisimula naman talaga sa <i>sariling puso </i>sa pamamagitan ng buong pagtitiwala lamang kay Jesus bilang tanging Tagapagligtas at buong pagsuko sa kaniya bilang Panginoon (Rom. 10:9-10). Ngunit hindi ito nagtatapos doon; kailangan mo itong patunayan sa harap ng ibang tao (Mat. 5:15-16; Jam. 2:18).<br />
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Lingid sa kaalaman ng marami, hindi lamang mga gang o fraternity (na karamihan ay mga salot sa lipunan) ang mayroong <i>initiation rites</i>. Ang Kristyanismo ay may sarili nang initiation rite mula pa noong itatag ito mga 2,000 taon na ang nakaraan! Ang <i>initation rite</i> na ito na nagsisilbing panlabas na paraan ng paganib sa Kristyanismo ay walang iba kundi ang <i>bautismo sa tubig</i>. Ito ang <i>pangunahing </i>panlabas na pagsunod ng isang makasalanan sa Panginoon matapos niyang isuko ang kaniyang buhay kay Cristo Jesus (Mat. 28:19-20; Acts 2:38, 41, 8:12-13 36-38, 10:47). Sa katunayan, walang sinumang mananampalataya sa alinmang pahina ng Bagong Tipan ang mapapatunayang <i>hindi</i> nabautismuhan (maliban doon sa magnanakaw na nakapako sa krus na walang pagkakataon noon na magpabautismo).<br />
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May mga simbahan na ipinagpapaliban ang pagbabautismo sa mga mananampalataya hangga't sila'y hindi pa nakakaunawa nang lubusan sa mga pangunahing doktrina ng Kristianismo (na kadalasan ay tumatagal ng ilang linggo, kung hindi man ay buwan). Ang masasabi ko'y walang basihan sa Biblia ang ganitong sistema. Nung araw ng Pentecost ay sumampalatya ang mahigit 3,000-katao at nabautismuhan din silang lahat sa mismong araw na iyon (Acts 2:41). Matapos marinig ng isang bating (o <i>eunuch</i>) ang ebanghelyo ay tinanong niya si Felipe kung pwede na ba siyang bautismuhan (Acts 8:30-36). Ang naging tugon ni Felipe sa kaniya? <i>"Kung nananampalataya ka ng buong puso ay mangyayari"</i> (tal. 37). Nang kumpirmahin ng bating na siya ay<i> "sumasampalataya... na si Jesu-Cristo ay Anak ng Diyos," </i>hindi na nagpatumpik-tumpik pa si Felipe at agad niyang binautismuhan ang bating (tal. 38). Ilan lamang ito sa mga patunay na ang pagsampalataya kay Cristo at ang pagpapabautismo ay magkaugnay at di-mapaghihiwalay. Sa katunayan, ang pagpapabautismo ang siyang nagsisilbing panlabas na <i>tatak</i> ng ating pakikipag-isa kay Cristo (Rom. 6:4-8). Sa pamamagitan nito ay <i>ibinibihis </i>natin si Cristo sa ating mga buhay (Gal. 3:26-27) bilang patotoo na siya ang ating Panginoon at tayo'y mga alagad niya. Ito ang nagsisilbing <i>monumento</i> na tumatayong representasyon ng ating minsan at magpakailanmang pagsuko kay Cristo, paghuhugas ng ating mga kasalanan, at bagong buhay na natamo natin sa pamamagitan ng kanyang kamatayan at muling pagkabuhay.<br />
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Noong panahon ng mga apostol, sa tuwing gugunitain ng isang Kristyano ang kaniyang pagkakaligtas, ang nasa isip niya ay ang kaniyang bautismo at ang nirerepresenta nito (tingnan sa Rom. 6:2-8 & Gal. 3:26-27). Hindi ibig sabihin nito na nakakapagligtas ang bautismo o hindi maliligtas ang sinumang hindi bautistado. Bagkus, ang bautismo ang nagsisilbing kumpirmasyon na tunay ngang naborn-agen ang isang taong nais magpahayag ng pananalig kay Cristo. Ang<i> "bautismo ngayon ay <b>nagliligtas</b> sa atin," </i>wika ni San Pedro. <i>"<b>Hindi sa paglilinis ng karumihan ng makasalanang likas</b> <b>kundi ang tugon ng isang malinis na budhi sa Diyos</b>. Ito ay sa pamamagitan ng pagkabuhay muli ni Jesucristo"</i> (1 Pe. 3:21, SND). Nakakalungkot isipin na sa panahon ngayon ay napaka-babaw na ng unawa ng maraming simbahan sa kahalagahan ng bautismo sa buhay ng isang Kristyano. Ito'y nagiging opsyonal na lamang para sa karamihan, at ang ipinalit na nila sa pwesto ng bautismo (bilang representasyon ng ating pananalig) ay ang pagsambit ng <i>panalanging pagtanggap</i> o <i>sinner's prayer </i>na wala namang basehan sa Kasulatan.<br />
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Kapatid, nais mo bang matawag na Kristyano? <i>Sundin</i> mo ang mga aral ng Panginoong Jesus. Ang <i>unang </i>pagsunod kay Jesus ay ang paglalagak ng pananalig sa kanya (Rom. 5:1, 8:1). Kung isinuko mo na ang buhay mo kay Cristo, bakit hindi mo siya ibihis sa iyong pagkatao sa pamamagitan ng bautismo? <i>"Sapagkat sa pamamagitan ng pananampalataya kay Cristo Jesus kayong lahat ay naging mga anak ng Diyos," </i>ayon kay San Pablo<i>. "Ito ay sapagkat lahat kayong binawtismuhan kay Cristo, ay ibinihis ninyo si Cristo"</i> (Gal. 3:26-27). Huwag mong sarilinin ang <i>commitment </i>mo kay Jesus. Sa paningin ng ibang mga tao ay ikaw parin yung dating tao na nakilala nila. Upang malaman nila na <i>iba </i>ka na, dapat mo itong ipakita sa iyong mga gawa o sa pamamagitan ng pagpapatuloy sa mga aral ni Cristo. Huwag nating gayahin ang mga pasaway na Judiong mananampalataya sa Jam. 2:14-24 na pinagalitan ni San Tyago sapagkat inaangkin nila na sila'y may pananampalataya pero <a href="http://righteousbutnotyet.blogspot.com/2010/12/does-james-teach-salvation-by-works.html">puro lang sila <i>ngawa</i> at di sila makitaan ng <i>gawa</i></a>. Kaya naman, ang pagangkin natin sa pangalang <b>Kristyano</b> ay hindi lang din dapat sa ngawa, kundi sa pamamagitan din ng gawa.<br />
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Amen?<br />
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- Jeph<br />
<br />Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-35781621227510655872015-03-12T10:35:00.001+08:002016-11-13T06:40:25.040+08:00Nagbibigay ba ang Diyos ng mga utos na hindi natin kayang tuparin? <div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Lord, grant what thou commandest, </i></div>
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<i>and command what thou wilt." </i></div>
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Ito ang mapagpakumbabang panalangin ng isang Aprikanong obispo noong ika-5 siglo kung saan ay hiniling niyang <i>ipagkaloob</i> sa kaniya ang pagiging masunurin sa mga utos ng Diyos. Ipinapakita ng panalanging ito na tayo, bilang mga makasalanan, ay nangangailangan ng tulong ng Panginoon sa paglakad natin sa kabanalan. Ngunit sino ang magaakala na ang simpleng panalanging ito ang siyang magu-udyok sa pagsisimula ng isa sa mga pinaka-malalaking talakayan (o debate) sa kasaysayan ng Cristianismo hanggang sa kasalukuyang panahon? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmhrLF-D6MiwCNkwWczw0OIUFmG5iMEAmHn6ggwV5tiXtmWk2B4Wk141znucBbxXQ5SCxgg5v5Spd7WcJrOlWfCfbNQOM1KtvdvizK2Qy1frB6TJgJD1bCWb4JkM6pKGsjLrkhuAAo7sV/s1600/teens-targeted-by-temptation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmhrLF-D6MiwCNkwWczw0OIUFmG5iMEAmHn6ggwV5tiXtmWk2B4Wk141znucBbxXQ5SCxgg5v5Spd7WcJrOlWfCfbNQOM1KtvdvizK2Qy1frB6TJgJD1bCWb4JkM6pKGsjLrkhuAAo7sV/s1600/teens-targeted-by-temptation.jpg" width="320" /></a>Ang panalanging nabanggit ay galing kay San Agustin na nanungkulan bilang obispo sa lunsod ng Hippo noong 391 hanggang siya'y namatay noong 430 AD. Ipinangaral niyang ang Kaligtasan at paglakad natin sa kabanalan ay nakasalalay unang-una sa lahat sa pagkilos ng biyaya ng Diyos sa ating mga puso. Ito ang kahulugan ng mga katagang, <i>"grant what thou commandest"</i> sa kanyang sikat na panalangin. </div>
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Ngunit kung sa Diyos nakasalalay ang pagsunod natin sa kanyang mga utos, nangangahulugan ito na wala tayong likas na kakayahang sumunod sa Diyos; at kung gayon nga, lalabas na naguutos ang Diyos ng mga bagay na imposible nating matupad. At kung ang ipinaguutos ng Diyos sa atin ay imposible nating matupad malibang ipagkaloob niya sa atin ang pagsunod, bakit pa niya tayo sinisisi kapag nagkakasala tayo? Kasalanan parin ba natin kung hindi niya pinagkaloob sa atin ang pagsunod?<br />
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Yan ay ilan lamang sa mga tanong na umikot sa isipan ng isang moralistang monghe na si Pelagius (na nasa Roma noong kapanahunan din ni San Agustin) kaugnay ng panalangin sa itaas. Iginiit ni Pelagius, bilang protesta sa mga katuruan ni San Agustin, na dahil nilikha tayong lahat ng Diyos na <i>likas na mabuti </i>at ayon sa kanyang sariling wangis, tayo ay may sapat at likas na kakayahang maging masunurin sa kaniyang mga utos. Tayo ay binigyan ng Diyos ng "freewill" o kalayahan/kakayahang pumili sa pagitan ng mabuti o masama. At dahil ika niya'y taglay na natin sa ating mga sarili ang kakayahang maging matuwid, isang insulto umano sa Diyos na ipanalangin pa sa kaniya na masunod nawa natin ang mga utos niya. Kung tutuusin, ika ni Pelagius, ang pagiging banal natin ay naka-depende lang sa tamang paggamit natin sa kakayahang inalagay na ng Diyos sa ating kalikasan (o <i>nature</i>). Sa katunayan pa nga, ayon kay Pelagius, ay maaari tayong maging perpekto at walang-sala kung nanaisin lamang natin, at kung may <i>tulong </i>man na ibinibigay ang Diyos sa tao, yun ay ang ipaalam lamang sa tao ang mga katotohanan na dapat niyang paniwalaan at sundin. Kumbaga, ang tulong na binibigay ng Diyos ay <i>eksternal</i> lamang, hindi <i>internal</i>. </div>
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Matapos ang mahabang debate sa pagitan nina San Agustin at Pelagius ay nagpasya ang Simbahan na ibilang ang mga aral ni Pelagius (i.e. <i>Pelagianism</i>) sa hanay ng mga <i>hidwang-aral </i>(heretical teachings) na dapat tanggihan ng bawat Cristiano. Ngunit anong naging basehan ng sinaunang Simbahan sa pag-kundena sa mga katuruan ng Pelagianismo? Hindi ba't may <i>pilosopikal</i> na katuwiran naman ang mga sentimyento ni Pelagius? </div>
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Ang mga aral ng Pelagianism ay itinayo ni Pelagius, unang-una sa lahat, sa mga pilospikal na sentimyento, at hindi sa Salita ng Diyos. Mali ang kaniyang pinanggalingan, kaya mali rin ang pinatunguhan ng kanyang mga konklusyon. Inuna niya ang kanyang mga pilosopikal na presuposisyon bago niya kinunsulta ang Salita ng Diyos, sa halip na kunsultahin muna ang Salita ng Diyos bago pagtagpi-tagpiin ang mga pilosopikal na implikasyon ng mga ito. </div>
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Halimbawa, mababasa natin sa 2 Tim. 2:25 kung paano sinabihan ni San Pablo ang batang-bata pang pastor na si Timoteo na <i>"sawaying may kaamuan ang mga nagsisisalangsang; baka sakaling sila'y pagkalooban ng Diyos ng pagsisisi sa ikaaalam ng katotohanan."</i> Hindi ito sasabihin ng apostol kung ang tanging tulong lamang na ibinibigay ng Diyos sa mga makasalanan ay ang ipakita sa kanila ang katotohanan at kung ang pag-talima ng tao ay nakasalalay lamang sa kaniyang sarili. Ang mga katagang <i>"baka sakaling sila'y pagkalooban ng Diyos ng pagsisisi"</i> ay maliwanag na nagpapakita na ang pagsisisi ay kaloob (gift) ng Diyos na hindi niya ipinagkakaloob sa lahat (Rom. 9:15-18, 11:6-8). Maliwanag ding kinokontra ng talatang ito ang kaisipang <i>"kung ipinagutos, samakatuwid ay may kakayahan tayong sumunod,"</i> sapagkat ayon sa talata - ang mga pasaway ay dapat daw <i>"sawaying may kaamuan"</i>—o sa madaling salita ay dapat silang <i>hikayatin magsisi </i>sa pamamagitan ng pangangaral ng katotohanan sa malumanay na paraan—ngunit ang kakayahang magsisi (at maging ang <i>mismong</i> pagsisisi) ayon sa apostol ay nakasalalay parin sa pagkakaloob ng Diyos (i.e. <i>"baka sakaling ipagkaloob sa kanila ng Diyos ang pagsisisi"</i>). </div>
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Ganyan-ganyan din ang prinsipyo na makikita natin sa Php. 2:12-13. Sa talata 12 ay ipinaguutos ng apostol sa atin na <i>"lubusin ninyo ang gawain ng inyong sariling pagkaligtas"</i>—na ang kahulugan ay ipamalas natin ang bunga ng pagiging ligtas na natin sa pamamagitan ng paglakad sa kabanalan. Dahil ba ipinagutos ito ay iisipin na nating may likas na kakayahan tayong tuparin ito? At kapag natupad ba natin ito ay maaari natin ipagmapuri na nagawa natin yun dahil sa sarili nating desisyon at lakas? Hindi! Ayon sa apostol, dapat nating lubusin ang gawain ng ating pagkaligtas <i>"na may takot at panginginig," </i>o may buo at sukdulang pagpapakumbaba. Bakit? Bakit kailangan magpakumbaba nang sukdulan? <i>"Sapagka't,"</i> ayon sa apostol sa sumunod na talata, <i>"Dios ang gumagawa sa inyo maging sa pagnanasa at sa paggawa, ayon sa kaniyang mabuting kalooban"</i>! Sa Ingles, <i>"For it is God who is the cause of your desire and of your acts, for his good pleasure"</i> (BBE). Samakatuwid, hindi natin yun matutupad nang hiwalay sa pagkilos ng biyaya ng Diyos; <i>"sapagkat kung kayo'y hiwalay sa akin,"</i> sabi ni Jesus, <i>"ay wala kayong magagawa"</i> (Jn. 15:5). </div>
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Siguro iniisp mo: bakit ipinaguutos ng Diyos ang mga bagay na di natin kayang gawin? Para ba pag-tripan lang tayo? May magagagawa ba ako kung hindi niya ipagkakaloob sa akin ang <i>"pagnanasa at sa paggawa, ayon sa kaniyang mabuting kalooban"</i>? Masisisi niya ba ako sa mga pagkukulang ko? </div>
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Ang sagot ng apostol sa tanong na iyan ay ganito:<br />
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<i>"Nguni't, Oh tao, sino kang tumututol sa Diyos? Sasabihin baga ng bagay na ginawa doon sa gumawa sa kaniya, Bakit mo ako ginawang ganito? O wala bagang kapangyarihan sa putik ang magpapalayok, upang gawin sa isa lamang limpak ang isang sisidlan sa ikapupuri, at ang isa'y sa ikahihiya?" </i>(Rom. 9:20-21)</div>
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Bilang mga makasalanan, tayong lahat ay pawang mga <i>maruruming putik</i> lamang na ang kapalaran (o <i>destiny</i>) ay nakasalalay sa mabuting pasiya ng matuwid na Magpapalayok.. Hindi kasalanan ng Diyos kung bakit tayo napa-<i>alipin</i> sa Kasalanan at naging mga maruruming putik sa kaniyang harapan; kagagawan natin yun! (Ecc. 7:29; Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3). Kaya kahit pa walang pagkalooban ang Diyos ng pagtalima, at ihagis tayong lahat sa impyerno nang sabay-sabay (dahil sa karumihan ng ating mga puso na walang pagnanasang sumunod sa kanya - Ecc 9:3; Jer. 17:9; Rom.8:7-8), makatarungan parin siya! Samantalata, kung pagpasiyahan niyang gawing <i>"sisidlan ng awa"</i> ang isang lumpak ng putik, at gawing <i>"sisidlan ng galit"</i> ang iba pa (Rom. 9:22-24)—walang maipagmamayabang ang una, at walang maidadahilan ang huli.</div>
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Ngayon kung ipinaguutos man ng Diyos ang mga bagay na hindi natin kayang tuparin, iyon ay upang turuan tayong humingi ng tulong sa kaniya, at upang turuan tayong maging mapagpakumbaba kung sakaling matupad natin ito sa pamamagitan ng kaniyang biyaya. Sa pamamagitan ng kautusan ay ang pagkakilala—hindi ng sarili nating kakayahan (wala tayo nun!)—kundi <i>"ang pagkakilala ng kasalanan"</i> (Rom. 3:20). Yan ang diwa ng panalangin ni San Agustin sa itaas. </div>
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Kapatid, ikaw ba ay wala pang pagnanasa na sumunod sa Diyos? Manalangin ka, sapagkat sa Panginoon nanggagaling ang<i> "pagnanasa at sa paggawa, ayon sa kaniyang mabuting kalooban." </i>(Php. 2:13)</div>
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Pero dahil ba sa Diyos nagmumula ang pagnanasa nating sumunod ay pwede na tayong paupo-upo na lang? Hindi! Bagkus tumayo ka at <i>"lubusin ninyo ang gawain ng inyong sariling pagkaligtas na may takot at panginginig." </i>(tal. 12)</div>
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Ngunit kapag nakatayo ka na ba't masunurin na ay pwede mong angkinin ang kapurihan para sa sarili mo? Huwag! Sapagkat <i>"Dios ang gumagawa sa inyo maging sa pagnanasa at sa paggawa, ayon sa kaniyang mabuting kalooban." </i>(tal. 13)</div>
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Tayo ay responsable sa ating mga ginagawa, ngunit Diyos lamang ang dapat papurihan sa anumang kabutihan na ating nagagawa dahil sa pagkilos ng kanyang biyaya. Ang dalawang prinsipyong ito ay dapat maging balanse sa ating mga buhay upang maiwasan ang katamaran at pagmamayabang. </div>
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- Jeph</div>
Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-27021041190527813202013-07-17T17:17:00.000+08:002013-07-18T12:25:09.215+08:00You want shorter stay in Purgatory when you die? Follow the Pope on twitter now! Roman Catholic <i>works-salvation</i> goes digital when Vatican issued a decree announcing that those who follow the Pope on twitter will actually gain<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> 'plenary indulgences'<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"> (</span></span>which, according to Catholic doctrine<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;">, </span></span>reduce the time spent in purgatory for sins committed). </span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">See this article in the Guardian newspaper <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/16/vatican-indulgences-pope-francis-tweets">here</a> for more information on how to take advantage of this newest salvation-promo from Vatican!</span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">-Jeph<br />.</span>Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-47738896038102608442013-05-17T14:09:00.000+08:002013-05-17T14:23:46.969+08:00 A Gentle Reminder for Christian Ladies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkG4MArCkGhjQtRezQmI3hXm3nPnsQ7szHhAb1zQcupvg6NxaWwn8Kgkm97qr2fQ64wY1tl4Pv4x9J5q_Ek3nllODaSN1DWiQKCNLIruWG-_o4_2CK8-QUww8kUg6WTgFd2aQ2v2j_lt-/s1600/women-clothing-600x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizkG4MArCkGhjQtRezQmI3hXm3nPnsQ7szHhAb1zQcupvg6NxaWwn8Kgkm97qr2fQ64wY1tl4Pv4x9J5q_Ek3nllODaSN1DWiQKCNLIruWG-_o4_2CK8-QUww8kUg6WTgFd2aQ2v2j_lt-/s400/women-clothing-600x450.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Just couldn't help but share this wonderfully written article by a godly friend from my seminary days. I stumbled across this post on facebook and I find it very concise, yet straight-forward, powerful and timely that I recommend everyone to share it too! <br />
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Read on and be reminded, ladies. <br />
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<i>Written by <b>Mark Evasco </b>(<a href="http://www.facebook.com/notes/mark-evasco/the-modest-apparel/10151378078771548">link</a>) </i></blockquote>
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<i>Much has been said about a women's dress. Some said, "It should cover the sole of your feet!", while others simply say, "That's foolishness. God looks on the heart, not the outward appearance (Nice try, though!)." Let's look at what the Bible says, and where should a Godly woman stand. Note that I am saying this because I'm concerned. </i></blockquote>
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<i>"In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with SHAMEFACEDNESS and SOBRIETY; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array." 1 Timothy 2:9 KJV</i></blockquote>
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<i>Let me start by saying that the issue here is not the hemline, but the heart. It all starts with the heart. Now I look at these two words in the dictionary and find their definitions: </i></blockquote>
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<i>SHAMEFACEDNESS - Extremely modest or shy; bashful.<br />SOBRIETY - the quality or state of being sober; marked by sedate or gravely or earnestly thoughtful character or demeanor; marked by temperance, moderation, or seriousness (in short terms - SELF CONTROL) </i></blockquote>
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<i>Apostle Paul, commands the women of the church to wear something that is extremely modest, one that is under self-control. Now the questions that are to be asked are this:</i></blockquote>
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<li><i>Does my dress edify believers and glorify God or does it make me feel that I'm the center of attention and all eyes are on me? </i></li>
<li><i>Whose approval do I desire and who wins over what I wear, the flesh or the spirit?</i></li>
<li><i>Am I dressing to impress people or to obey God? </i></li>
<li><i>Am I dressing because of what the Scripture says or what the culture dictates? </i></li>
<li><i>Who inspires your dress and who does it identify with? Is it the women in the Bible or the women of the world? </i></li>
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<i>Now you might say that is too "legalistic", too "strict", and that we are living under Grace now. That is true, your heart should be motivated by the grace of God! Would wearing mini-skirts be considered as motivated by the grace of God? </i></blockquote>
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<i>Christian women, your dress is a public testimony of your private convictions. Now, don't get me wrong. You can wear modest apparel and not honor God, but I tell you this, you cannot honor God and not wear modest apparel. </i></blockquote>
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<i>Ask yourself this question, what is most alluring about you, your clothing or your character? You are not wearing clothes to flaunt your beauty but it is part of you being a witness to Christ. Do they see the change in you? If you were beside an unbeliever, would there be a distinction? You dress not to impress, but you dress for others to be blessed! Christian women, I hope your desire is that they may see more of God and less of you.</i></blockquote>
And just one final remark: <b>If you don't sell yourself, please don't advertise!</b><br />
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God bless!<br />
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~JephJephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-50948159055642595102013-02-25T20:15:00.000+08:002013-02-25T20:21:33.082+08:00Dr. James White vs. Dr. Michael Brown on CalvinismHere's a peaceful and definitely God-honoring three-part discussion between <b>Dr. James White</b> (5-point Calvinist and director of <a href="http://www.aomin.org/">Alpha and Omega Ministries</a>) and <b>Dr. White Brown</b> (staunch proponent of Libertarianism and host of <a href="http://www.lineoffireradio.com/">the Line of Fire </a>radio program) concerning one of the most controversial topics in Christian theology - <i>God's Sovereignty in Salvation</i>.<br />
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<a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1701569/LineOfFire20100126-27.mp3">Part I</a> (audio only)<br />
<a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1701569/DividingLine_20100325.mp3">Part II</a> (audio only)<br />
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<a href="http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1701569/DividingLine_20100401.mp3">Part III</a> (audio only)<br />
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Source: <a href="http://winteryknight.wordpress.com/2013/02/21/three-debates-on-calvinism-election-and-divine-foreknowledge/">http://winteryknight.wordpress.com</a><br />
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I commend both Dr. White and Dr. Brown for being consistently gracious in all their exchanges. May God use this debate to enrich many of His children with the knowledge of His truth. To God be the Glory!<br />
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- Jeph</div>
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Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-63482003085052682842013-02-10T01:49:00.000+08:002013-02-10T01:50:00.197+08:00InstaLove: #my Picture of Perfect Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Ito yung bagong series sa youth service sameng church. February na kasi kaya dapat lang siguro na itampok ang issue na ito. (parang ang lalim nun ah "itampok). Well, alam naman naten ang mga kabataan pagdating sa usapin na ito ay naku parang may built na bulati sa katawaan at lagi silang kinikiliti haha.<br />
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Pagpasensyahan nyo na kung parang impormal ang aking pag ba blog ngayon. Ilang araw nakong hinde makabuo ng maayos na article. Kung makikita nyo nga ang dashboard ng munti naming blog na ito naku may mga nakatambak pako na kelangan i edit bago i publish. Kaya naisipan ko na magsulat na parang nagke kwento lang. Yung chill lang, yung parang wala lang. Yung walang sukat, walang rules. Baka mapagsabihan nako ng mga kasama kong author dito haha. Usapan namen mga doctrinal issues ng Christianity ang ididiscuss eh. Pero kakasawa na minsan, subalit datapwat hinde naten maiiwasan ang doktrina, pero sana naman ma discuss sya sa isang hinde boring na paraan.<br />
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O sya bakit ba yung writing style ko sinasabi ko, Tungkol nga pala sa pag ibig ang isusulat ko (o ita type kasi sa laptop ko naman ginagawa at hinde sa papel). Nong nakaraang Friday si Coach Mar (coach kasi tawag namen sa mga leaders hehehe yung #couldthisbelove.<br />
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Ano ba talaga ang pag ibig ? Sabi nila dapat daw i define naten to base sa perspektibo ng Dios. Sabi ng iba dapat biblikal ? Sabi ng iba kung ano ang nasa puso mo sundin mo.<br />
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Well, ayokong magdiscuss ng pagkahaba haba tungkol dito, kasi kahit ako minsan madalas sablay pagdating sa usaping ito. Kahit nga mga kilalang philosopher ng kasaysayan naiimbierna kapag love na ang topic (imbierna talaga ang term hahaha).<br />
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Teka, madaling araw na wala pakong naisusulat na matino. Ni hinde ko nga alam kung ano ang aking isusulat eh. Antayin ko na lang ba matapos ang series bago ako magsulat ? Hahaha, puro tawa na lang ako. Kwento ng kwento wala namang kwenta ang pinagsasabi ko haha.<br />
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Ayaw kong i discuss yung 3 greek words ng love na ginamit sa bible (agape, eros, fileo) kasi nosebleed yun at hinde ako bible scholar. Isa lamang akong cute at gwapong coach hahaha.<br />
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O sya magtitino na. Hinde nako mag dedefine, masyadong malawak ang salitang pag ibig para ikulong ko sa website na ito. Sa iilang letra na tinitipa ng aking mga daliri upang maka buo lamang ng isang artikulo hehe. Magkekwento na lang ako.<br />
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May isang lalake, may nagustuhan siyang isang babae. Gustong gusto niya ito, dahil dun kinausap nya ang tatay nung babae.<br />
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<b>Bidang lalake:</b> uhhhm tito manliligaw po sana ako sa inyong anak. yung pangalawa po.<br />
<b>Tatay nong babae</b>: Aba iho kelangan mong mag antay at magsilbi sakeng kumpanya ng 7taon.<br />
<b>Bidang lalake:</b> (wow huh) oo ba basta sa aking minamahal walang problema.<br />
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Makalipas ng 7taon.<br />
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<b>Bidang lalake: </b>uhhm tito ok na yung pagsisilbi ko sayo. Puede na ba akong manligaw sa anak mo.<br />
<b>Tatay nong babae</b>: Sige mayang gabi mag date kayo. Puntahan mo na lang sya sa mang inasal ng alas 7 ng gabi<br />
<b>Bidang lalake: </b>Ayos,<br />
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Nagmamadali ang binata. Nagpagupit, naligo ng halos 2 oras, nagpabango at kung ano ano pa. Pagdating niya sa mang inasal.<br />
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<b>Bidang lalake: </b>o ate bantay ka sa date namen. Asan na nga pala kapatid mo<br />
<b>Ate:</b> Sabi ni tatay eh ako nalang daw ang ka date mo.<br />
<b>Bidang lalake: </b>Hinde naman pupuede yun. Tara punta tayo kay tatay mo.<br />
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Makaraan ang ilang minuto.<br />
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<b>Bidang lalake: </b>Sir kala ko malinaw ang usapan namen na yung pang 2 mong anak na babae ang ide date ko. Siya ang mahal ko.<br />
<b>Tatay nong babae</b>: Iho, sa pamilya namen kelangan mauna munag magboypren ang panganay.<br />
<b>Bidang lalake: </b>Pero yung pang 2 po yung mahal ko....<br />
<b>Tatay nong babae</b>: Sige papayag ako pero magsisilbi ka uli sa kumpanya ko sa loob uli ng 7 years.<br />
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Hanggang dumating ang panahon na naging girlfriend na niya yung babae. Yung kwento ginaya ko lang ito sa Genesis 29. Noong si Jacob ay nagsilbi kay Laban para sa puso ni Rachel. Sabi sa verse20.<br />
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<sup class="versenum" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">20 </sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">So Jacob </span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-ESV-816I" title="See cross-reference I">I</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">O kitams, sabi ng biblia kahit na pitong taon ang ipinagsilbi ni Jacob kay Laban, para sa kanya ay saglit na panahon lang. Nakaka kilig para sa mga babae hehe. Pero hinde ko lang kayo gusto kiligin. Nais kong sabihin na ang tunay na pag ibig ay marunong mag antay at matiyaga hanggang dumating ang tamang panahon. Merong isang song na gustong gusto ko dati</span></span><br />
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Kaya mo bang mag antay at mangako sa iyong manlilikha hanggang dumating ang araw na maririnig mo ang tinig ng Dios na nangungusap sa puso mo. "Nak sya ang nilikha ko para sayo".</div>
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Ako natagpuan ko na :). Masarap sa pakiramdam, masaya at worth it. Ilang relasyon na din ang napag daanan ko hanggang sa makilala ko siya. Gusto ko na siyang pakasalan (ssssh wag kayong maingay ha, hinde ko pa sya inaaya hahaha baka naman maunahan nyo pako magsabi sa kaniya hahah), pero may pangako ako sa mga magulang niya. Na dapat maabot nya ang mga pangarap niya at nakapag silbi muna sya sa pamilya niya bago ko sya ayain. Mahirap mag antay lalo na at malapit nakong mag 29 hehe. Pero masarap mag antay kasi alam mong inilaan ng Diyos ito para iyo :)</div>
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O sya, hinde ang love life ko ang topic dito hahaha. Tulad ng madalas kong tanong sa mga student palang. Tapos nyo na ba assignment nyo ? hahaha. Mag aral muna ng mabuti dahil pag naka graduate kayo gugustuhin nyong mag aral uli. </div>
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Kita kits tayo sa Biernes. Gawa na ang phone ko kaya picture picture uli ahahaha. God bless.</div>
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Daneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182221321626211261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-70956016952270362152013-01-18T23:21:00.001+08:002013-01-18T23:23:02.660+08:00Pagsamba at Pakikibaka<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minsan, isang gabi nakasakay kame ng kapatid ko sa jeep, meron isang batang sumakay na marumi ang mga pisngi at mga kuko na parang kumakanta at nagsasalita. Sabi niya "Mga manong, mga manang penge naman pong pambili ng tinapay, sige na ho, sige na", paulit ulit niya itong sinasabi na parang may tono pa. </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.alexfortes.com/images/poor10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://www.alexfortes.com/images/poor10.jpg" width="400" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maraming ganito ang mga nasa lansangan, sumasakay sa mga pampasaherong jeep, nangangatok sa mga bintana ng mga magagarang sasakyan at nakakalat sa buong kamaynilaan. Merong mga bata, matatanda, buntis, may ngipin, bulag, at kung ano ano pa. Mga taong tila kinalimutan na at itinakwil ng lipunan. Mga taong animo'y wala ng pag asa ang buhay. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Habang tayo ay natutulog sa isang komportableng higaan sila naman ay natutulog sa malamig at maduming semento ng kalsada. Habang tayo'y kumakain ng lagpas 3 beses sa loob ng isang araw, sila naman ay maswerte kung makakain ng kahit isang beses sa isang araw. Habang tayong mga Kristiyano ay nakataas ang mga kamay sa pagsamba sa Dios, sila naman ay unti unting nagiging patapon ang buhay. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bilang mga Kristiyano, mga taong nagmamahal sa Dios. Sapat na ba na tayo ay meron isang langit na patutunguhan ? Sapat naba na tayo ay nagsisimba tuwing araw ng Linggo (at minsan hinde lang linggo ? Sapat naba na tayo ay manalangin ? Sapat na ba na tayo ay umaattend ng ating mga Bible studies ?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Meron ganitong mga pangungusap ang Dios na nakatala sa banal na kasulatan.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Amos 5</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">21Aking kinapopootan, aking hinahamak ang inyong mga kapistahan, at hindi ako malulugod sa inyong mga takdang kapulungan.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">22Oo, bagaman inyong ihandog sa akin ang inyong mga handog na susunugin at mga handog na harina, hindi ko tatanggapin; ni akin mang kalulugdan ang mga handog tungkol sa kapayapaan na inyong mga matabang hayop.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">23Ihiwalay mo sa akin ang ingay ng iyong mga awit; sapagka't hindi ko didinggin ang tinig ng iyong mga biola.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24Kundi bumugso ang <b>katarungan </b>na parang tubig, at ang katuwiran na parang malakas na agos<b>.</b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Isaias 1</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="reftext" style="line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://scripturetext.com/isaiah/1-13.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: initial;"><b>13</b></a></span>Huwag na kayong magdala ng mga walang kabuluhang alay; kamangyan ay karumaldumal sa akin; ang bagong buwan, at ang sabbath, ang tawag ng mga kapulungan, hindi ako makapagtitiis ng kasamaan at ng takdang pulong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="reftext" style="line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://scripturetext.com/isaiah/1-14.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: initial;"><b>14</b></a></span>Ipinagdaramdam ng aking puso ang inyong mga bagong buwan at ang inyong mga takdang kapistahan: mga kabagabagan sa akin; ako'y pata ng pagdadala ng mga yaon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="reftext" style="line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://scripturetext.com/isaiah/1-15.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: initial;"><b>15</b></a></span>At pagka inyong iginagawad ang inyong mga kamay, aking ikukubli ang aking mga mata sa inyo: oo, pagka kayo'y nagsisidalangin ng marami, hindi ko kayo didinggin: ang inyong mga kamay ay puno ng dugo.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="reftext" style="line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://scripturetext.com/isaiah/1-16.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: initial;"><b>16</b></a></span>Mangaghugas kayo, mangaglinis kayo; alisin ninyo ang kasamaan ng inyong mga gawa sa harap ng aking mga mata; mangaglikat kayo ng paggawa ng kasamaan:</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="reftext" style="line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://scripturetext.com/isaiah/1-17.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: initial;">17</a></span>Mangatuto kayong magsigawa ng mabuti; inyong hanapin ang kahatulan, inyong saklolohan ang napipighati, inyong hatulan ang ulila, ipagsanggalang ninyo ang babaing bao.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kung mapapansin naten na ang Dios ay hinde nalulugod sa mga uri ng pagsamba ang ginagawa ng mga Israelita. Bagamat ito'y alay sa Dios at ito ay itinakda ng Dios (basahin ang 5 unang aklat ng Lumang Tipan para malaman ang mga bagay na dapat gawin ng mga lingkod ng Dios), ito pa din ay inayawan ng ating Dios na buhay. Sa kadahilanang walang hustisya sa kapaligiran. Marami ang nagugutom, ang napipighati, mga walang makain o mainom na malinis na inumin man lang. Meron ganyang pangungusap ang ating Panginoong JesuCristo nong Siya pa ay nasa katawang tao.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mateo 23</b></span><span class="reftext" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://scripturetext.com/matthew/23-23.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: initial;"><b>23</b></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Sa aba ninyo, mga eskriba at mga Fariseo, mga mapagpaimbabaw! sapagka't nangagbibigay kayo ng sa ikapu ng yerbabuena, at ng anis at ng komino, at inyong pinababayaang di ginagawa ang lalong mahahalagang bagay ng kautusan, na dili iba't ang <b>katarungan</b>, at ang <b>pagkahabag</b>, at ang pananampalataya: datapuwa't dapat sana ninyong gawin ang mga ito, at huwag pabayaang di gawin yaong iba.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Napakaimportante na tayo ay sumasamba sa Dios sa pamamagitang ng mga awiting pagsamba. Napakaimportante sa isang Cristiano na laging magpunta sa kapilya. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;"> NGUNIT, habang tayo ay na papayabong ang buhay spiritwal, padami ng padami ang mga taong namamatay sa lansangan dahil sa kagutuman at lamig ng kalsada. Habang tayo'y nagpaplano ng kasiyahan. Habang tayo ay nasa loob ng kapilya na matimtimang nag aantay para matapos ang pananambahan, marami ang nag iisip kung saan kukuha ng pagkain. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">Sana naman tayo ay magising. Nawa pagkakababa ng ating mga kamay buhat sa pagsamba tayo ay dumukot sa ating mga bulsa para sa mga taong nangangailangan.</span><br />
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Daneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182221321626211261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-65899410148122613232012-10-06T00:30:00.000+08:002012-10-06T00:30:26.339+08:004PM Habit<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our national hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal said " Ang mga kabataan ang pag asa ng bayan" (The youth is the hope of our nation). I am really blessed to shout with the youth. To fellowship with the youth. To minister to the youth.<br />
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My college days is still fresh in my memory. The days when me and my friends say, "Let's turn the world upside down for Christ". Those days are the most memorable days of my life. When I dream that the next generation will seek the face of God. Will shout His fame. Will rise and stand with faith. Will serve God and the poor.<br />
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Earlier this afternoon (I started to write this paper 11:00PM so it's considered Friday lol). Coach Rodel shared about being the model of the youth. He quoted 1 Timothy 4:12<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>"<sup class="versenum" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: top;">12 </sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">Don’t let anyone look down on you</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29760A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">because you are young, but set an example</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29760B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith</span><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-29760C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">and in purity."</span></b></span><br />
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Timothy was a young leader of the Church at Ephesus of that time. Church historians claimed that he was the head elder (or senior pastor) of the Ephesian Church. Some scholars said that there was too much issues regarding Timothy's leadership because of his age. There are some members of the church that who don't want to listen to him and come to the point to question his leadership. Paul admonished him to set an example. That despite of doubts and questions to his leadership Tim need to be strong about his calling.<br />
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That's happening right now. Some of the elders of our society are doubtful to our talents. To our integrity. They are doubtful on what we can do to change our society.. Our nation...<br />
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It is time to rise up young people. It's time to show them that we will bring hope. Not only on our nation, not only in our campus. But in every nation and every campus.<br />
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I remember the questions that I always ask to the youth in my former church.<br />
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"Are we proclaiming Jesus the Hope of the World?"<br />
"Then why we are still silent and not changing the world for Christ?"<br />
"Do we let the evil dictate the future of the nation?"<br />
"Do we let everyday with dying and going to hell?"<br />
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Now is the time. Not tomorrow. Not next month. Not next year. Now is the time.<br />
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<li style="border-right-color: rgb(187, 187, 187); border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; float: left; list-style-type: none;"><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Thessalonians+1&version=NIV" style="color: #b37162; display: block; height: 25px; text-decoration: initial;" title="Go to 2 Thessalonians 1"></a></li>
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Daneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182221321626211261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-32319512411939315532012-09-20T23:54:00.000+08:002012-09-20T23:54:34.345+08:00Everyday Christian Life As Worship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Worship, a very holy word but most debated and misunderstood on religious circles. Christians from different traditions and background debate on this issue for the past centuries on how we worship God in a biblical and reverential way. Most, if not all of us are being subjective in defining and judging the other camps. Terms used such as "silent night" (referring to Reformed-Liturgical-Hymal style of service) and "joy to the world (referring to the contemporary-radical-youthful Evangelical style of service) to describe the distinctions of the style of worship.</span><br />
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But Church and congregational worship is only a part of worship and service to God. In this short paper we will discuss that worship does not confine on the 4 corners of the Church building but beyond. Worship extends to our everyday lives in obedience with the Word.</span><br />
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I will primarily use Romans 12 as our base passage but we will quote some passages from the Scriptures as our discussion goes by.</span><br />
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Let's quote first Romans 12:1</span><br />
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<span class="text Rom-12-1" style="background-color: white;">Therefore, I urge you,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28247A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup> brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28247B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup> holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.</span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span class="text Rom-12-2" id="en-NIV-28248" style="background-color: white;"><sup class="versenum" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">2 </sup>Do not conform<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup> to the pattern of this world,<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup> Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248F" title="See cross-reference F">F</a>)"></sup>—his good, pleasing<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248G" title="See cross-reference G">G</a>)"></sup> and perfect will.</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Therefore, I urge you,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28247A" title="See cross-reference A">A</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy,</span></span></b><br />
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What is God's mercy ? Noticed Paul used the term "therefore". It means that Paul was discussing a topic before chapter 12. If we will look at chapter 11, Paul discussed here the salvation of Israel and how Israel has a big part of the God's plan of salvation. Paul advised the Gentiles not to think that they (Gentiles) are superior than the Jews (11:18). God is still giving and will give Israel chance to respond to the gospel. Since we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) no one is righteous to the eyes of God. But because of His grace He made a way to provide redemption (salvation) for both Jews and Gentiles (Romans 1:16). Now, based on that view that God is merciful. Paul urged the Christians in Rome to:</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28247B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship</span></span></b><br />
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Now, this is the prescription written in the Scripture. Our true and proper worship to God is to offer our bodies as sacrifice, holy and pleasing. But hold your horses guys. Does this verse only referring to congregational or church worship only ? Does Paul have the church worship in mind when he is writing this passage ? Let's see on the next lines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="background-color: white;">Do not conform</span><sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248C" title="See cross-reference C">C</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">to the pattern of this world,</span><sup class="crossreference" style="vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> <b>but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.</b></span><b><sup class="crossreference" style="background-color: white; font-size: 0.65em; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-28248E" title="See cross-reference E">E</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"> </span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">What are the things that the world is doing ? Are we doing that ? Are we following their habits and worldviews ? Or are we renewing and changing our way in looking at things ?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As Christians, Paul admonished us to renew our minds. To be holy and to be stained by the sins of this world. In Old testament, the animal sacrifice should be blameless in the sight of the Lord. If we want to worship God then we should have our lives blameless by renewing our mind and not conforming on the pattern of this world.</span><br />
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<b>Conclusion.</b><br />
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Worship is not about just singing (or dancing). It's not just inside the four corner of the Church. Worship is a lifestyle. Making our steps that can bring honor to God. Changing our worldview according to what the bible says. If you want to do the correct worship, be holy since God is holy.<br />
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Daneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15182221321626211261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-42723551132604232492012-06-20T08:47:00.000+08:002012-10-04T16:38:48.194+08:00Sola Fide ba ang Batayan ng Kaligtasan?Mali po ang kaisipang sa Sola Fide (o pagsampalataya lamang) naka-batay ang Kaligtasan. Hindi po ito ang katuruang itinataguyod ng <i>mainstream evangelicalism</i>. Sa katunayan, ang konseptong ito'y hindi ipinangaral ng sinuman sa mga prominenteng repormista ng panahon ng Repormasyon. Higit sa lahat, wala pong biblikal na pundasyon ang koseptong ito.<br />
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Maraming kritiko ng Sola Fide (mula noon hanggang ngayon) ang nagaakalang itinuturo ng mga ebangheliko na sa pagsampalataya lamang nakabatay ang Kaligtasan. Sa kasamaang palad, marami ring<i> "ebangheliko" </i>(mula noon hanggang ngayon) ang nagtataglay ng ganitong maling kaisipan.<br />
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Ano nga ba ang batayan sa pagtatamo ng Kaligtasan? Ang batayan sa pagtatamo ng Kaligtasan ay ang pagiging<i> "matuwid" </i>ng tao sa paningin ng Diyos. Sa Araw ng Paghuhukom ay masasaksihan ng lahat ang poot ng Diyos sa mga makasalanan, sa mga hindi matuwid, samakatuwid baga'y sa mga hindi nakaabot sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos (Rom. 2:5-6, 8-9). Tanging ang mga mapapatunayang<i> "matuwid"</i> (o sakdal) lamang ayon sa pamantayan ng Kautusan ang siyang maliligtas sa nakakakilabot na kahatulan ng Panginoon (Rom. 2:7; cf. Mat. 25:46). Ayon nga kay Jesus, <i>"Kayo nga'y mangagpakasakdal, na gaya ng inyong Ama sa kalangitan na sakdal" </i>(Mat. 5:48). Iyan ang kaluwalhatiang kailangang abutin ng tao upang siya'y maging karapat-dapat magtamo ng buhay na walang hanggan.<br />
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Ngunit mayroon bang nakaabot sa kaluwalhatiang iyan? Wala, wala kahit isa, <i>"Gaya ng nasusulat, Walang matuwid, wala, wala kahit isa"</i> (Rom. 3:10). <i>"Sapagka't ang lahat ay nangagkasala nga, at hindi nangakaabot sa kaluwalhatian ng Dios"</i> (Rom. 3:23). Kung gayon, sino sa atin ang makakatayo sa kahatulan ng Diyos sa Araw ng Paghuhukom? Wala. Ayon nga sa aklat ng mga Awit: <i>"Kung ikaw, Panginoon, [ay] magtatanda ng mga kasamaan, Oh Panginoon, sinong tatayo?"</i> (Psa. 130:3); at minsan pa, <i>"At huwag kang masok sa kahatulan na kasama ng iyong lingkod; sapagka't sa iyong paningin ay walang taong may buhay na aariing ganap"</i> (Psa. 143.2). Sa madaling salita, lahat tayo ay karapat-dapat lamang ibulid sa impyerno dahil sa ating mga kasalanan. Tayo'y nangangailangan ng Tagapagligtas.<br />
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Kaya nga, gaya ng alam na natin, ipinadama ng Diyos ang kanyang pagibig, bagamat tayo'y di karapat-dapat, nang suguin niya ang kanyang bugtong na Anak upang ang sinumang manalig sa kanya ay hindi mapahamak kundi magkaroon ng buhay na walang hanggan sa piling ng Panginoon (Jn. 3:15-18; Rom. 5:8). Ang Kautusan na hindi natin kayang tupdin ay walang salang tinupad ni Cristo nang sa gayon ay <i>"ibilang" </i>o <i>"ituring"</i> tayong matuwid sa paningin ng Diyos sa pamamagitan ng ating pananalig sa kanya (Rom. 3:24-25; cf. Mat. 5:17, Gal. 4:4-5). Ang katuwirang ito na iginagawad ng Diyos sa mga sumasampalataya ay hindi batay sa kanilang sariling mga gawa (o sa kanilang pagsampalataya), kundi batay lamang sa trabahong tinapos na ni Cristo sa pamamagitan ng kanyang kamatayan sa krus. Sabi nga ni San Pablo:<i> "sa pamamagitan ng pagtalima ng isa ang marami ay magiging mga matuwid"</i> (Rom. 5:19) at ang katuwirang ito'y natatamo sa pamamagitan ng pananalig kay Cristo (Rom. 10:3-4). Hindi nakabatay sa pagsampalataya ang Kaligtasan, bagkus ito'y <i>tugon</i> lamang sa pagliligtas na tinapos na ni Cristo (Rom. 10:9-11).<br />
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Ang kabuuan ng Kaligtasan ay nakabatay lamang sa gawain ng Diyos, at hindi sa anumang paraan nakasalalay sa mga gawa o desisyon ng tao. Maging ang pagsampalataya ay kaloob lamang ng Diyos sa sinumang nais niyang pagkalooban nito! (1 Cor. 4:7; cf. Jn. 6:65, Php. 1:29). Ang Diyos Ama ang siyang humirang (Rom. 8:29-30; 1 Pe. 1:2), ang Diyos Anak ang siyang nagbata alang-alang sa Kaligtasan ng mga hinirang (Mat. 1:21; Jn. 10:11, 15), at ang Diyos Espiritu Santo naman ang nagkakaloob ng pananampalataya sa mga hinirang (1 Cor. 2:14; cf. Jn. 3:3). Yan ang dahilan kung bakit <i>Soli Deo Gloria</i> (Latin, <i>"Sa Diyos lamang ang kaluwalhatian"</i>) ang paninindigan ng mga lolong repormista. Ito ay sapagkat ang kabuuan ng Kaligtasan, ayon sa Kasulatan, ay naguugat sa Biyaya, at nagtatapos din sa Biyaya.<br />
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-Jeph</div>
Jephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-81697991406065665312012-06-13T11:48:00.000+08:002012-06-19T09:03:01.097+08:00The Love That Must Be Stopped (an exposition of 1 John 2:15-17)<div style="text-align: right;">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:15-17, NIV 2011 update)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There is this idea that love is a matter of the heart and not of the head. That it is an emotion beyond the power of the will. The cultural usage of the phrase "falling in love" suggests that it is uncontrolled and inevitable. In his book <i>What Jesus Demands From the World</i>, John Piper confirms that love is indeed an emotion, but he adds: "Jesus does command the feelings. He demands that our emotions be one way and not another".<b><sup style="color: red;">1</sup></b></span><br />
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To support his assertion, Piper marshals these Bible proofs:<br />
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a.With regards to rejoicing, he demands that we rejoice in persecution (Matt.5:12) </blockquote>
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b. With regards to fear, he demands and that we fear not those who can harm only our bodies but fear him who could kill the body and send you to hell (Luke 12:5) </blockquote>
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c. He demands that we not feel shame over him (Luke 9:26) </blockquote>
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d. He demands that and that we forgive from the heart (Matt. 18:35)</blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In verse 15 of our text, God through his apostle John issues another command regarding our affections: <i>"Do not love the world or anything in the world"</i>. Since this is a command, it demands our obedience. As followers of Christ we are told to not love the world, and if we feel we are having some sweet affair with the world, we have to stop<b><sup style="color: red;">2</sup> </b>it at all cost.</span><br />
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But first we have to clarify what this command does NOT mean. The command to not love the world and the things in the world does not mean that we are to hate the physical created universe. After all, it is God who created this universe and was delighted to see its beauty (Gen.1:31). It does not mean we cannot enjoy works of art like secular music and movies (there could be expressions of worldliness in them but not necessarily). It does not mean we have to distance ourselves from pop culture. This is not about hairstyles or fashion. It does not also mean we have that we hate the unbelieving world. After all, we were commanded to love our enemies even those who persecute us. We are mandated to reach the world with the gospel of grace.<br />
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What does it mean then? The word "world" in this context means:</div>
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"an organized earthly system controlled by the power of the evil one that has aligned itself against God and his Kingdom" (Daniel Akin)<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup style="color: red;">3</sup></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br />
"This is not a reference to the physical, material world but the invisible system of evil dominated by Satan and all that it offers in opposition to God, his Word, and his people." (John Macarthur)<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup style="color: red;">4</sup></b></blockquote>
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Whenever you see the prevalence of anti-God ideas and anti-God agenda, that is a part of worldliness (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Wanna feel the power and influence of this system? Go to U.S.A. and speak against the evils of the LGBT agenda. They will surely gang up on you.<br />
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Another verse t<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">o consider is Romans 12:2a </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> The Greek word translated as "world" here is different from the Greek word translated as "world" in 1 John 2:15. Some say that it should be translated as "age".Yet when correlating bible verses, you just don't match words; you also match concepts. The concept Paul is conveying here is the same or at least very close to the Johannine concept of worldliness:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"Better translated “age,” which refers to the system of beliefs, values—or the spirit of the age—at any time current in the world. This sum of contemporary thinking and values forms the moral atmosphere of our world and is always dominated by Satan"<b><sup style="color: red;">5</sup></b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">In his exposition of Romans 12:2, James M. Boice mentioned several -isms of worldliness. The -ism of course is a suffix added to a word conveying distinctive doctrines or ideas. Not all -isms are worldly like Calvinism or Dispensationalism, but many of them are. Below are some of the -isms in Boice's list<b><sup style="color: red;">6</sup></b> :</span><br />
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<i>humanism</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-- humanity is of prime importance, not divine or supernatural matters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>relativism</i>-- no absolute truth; it may be true for you but not for me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>hedonism</i>-- the pursuit of pleasure is the highest goal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>materialism</i>-- physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>pluralism</i>-- all belief systems are valid; Christianity is okay but it needs supplement from other systems</span><br />
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These are just examples of worldly expression of man's hostility to God and his revelation in Scripture. If you subscribe to any of these ideas, you love the world.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">You Might be a World-lover if...</span></b></div>
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1. <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You want to fulfill your desires outside of God's revealed will</b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> ("the lust of the flesh" verse 16)</span></div>
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The lust of the fles<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">h is </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"any sinful desire, any sinful interest, that draws us away from God or at least makes continuing fellowship with him impossible"</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">- Gary Burge</span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup style="color: red;">7</sup></b></div>
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There is nothing wrong with the desire to earn more, for the sake of your family and for the needs of others; but if you earn by dirty business deals or other corrupt means, then you might be a world-lover.<br />
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There is nothing wrong with the desire to have a partner but if you want to fulfill it by marrying a unbeliever, then the world could have had captivated your heart.<br />
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There is nothing wrong with watching movies, surfing the net or playing video games; but if these activities cause you to neglect prayer, personal bible study and other spiritual disciplines, you mght be in love with the world.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. <b>Visual delights arouse your desire for sinful acts</b> ("the lust of the eyes" v</span>erse 16)<br />
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This point is closely connected to the previous one because the eyes ar<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">e </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"often the means by which sinful desires are introduced into the mind of the individual."</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> (Danny Akin)</span><b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup style="color: red;">8</sup></b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> -- Sinful desires could be awakened by sound or smell and other senses but the most often means is the sense of sight.</span><br />
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~ Eve stared at the forbidden fruit and it was pleasing to the eye (Gen.3:6). <br />
~ Achan stared at a luxury robe, silver and gold, and kept them against the Lord's instruction (Joshua 6-7)<br />
~ David stared at bathing Bathsheba, and ends in adultery (2 Samuel 11)<br />
~ The trick is so effective the devil even tried it on Jesus (Matt. 4:8)<br />
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Two Philosophers could be helpful here: Plato and Augustine<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup style="color: red;">9</sup></b><br />
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For Plato: the good, the beautiful, the true, the real is essentially the same thing. That is if there is one beautiful, it must also be good, and true, and real. Using this criterion, the woman on the magazine cover may be visually pleasing but if her appearance is devoid of goodness and truth, then it is not beautiful.<br />
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Augustine added a Christian flavor to Plato's musings. For him, there is only one good; only one real; only one true; only one beautiful. In saying this, he was not denying that there are other things good, true, real and beautiful. They do exist but only as reflections of God's infinite perfections. Because of that:<br />
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a. God is the SOURCE of anything good, true, real and beautiful<br />
b. God is the JUDGE of what is good, true, real and beautiful<br />
c. God's glory is the CHIEF END of all things good, true, real and beautiful.<br />
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Thus, when you are captivated by what you see but fail to honor God, you are in love with the world.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><i>“The problem is not that God created the material things in the world. The problem is that people have made these things into idols”</i> (Daniel Akin)<b><sup style="color: red;">10</sup></b></span><br />
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3. <b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You measure the worth of yourself and the worth of others by possessions and accomplishments </b>("the pride of life" verse 16)<br />
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The pride of life is "an attitude of pretentious arrogance or subtle elitism that comes from one's view of wealth, rank, or stature in society. It is an overconfidnce that makes us lose any notion that we are dependent on God"-- Gary Burge<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><sup style="color: red;">11</sup></b><br />
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I'm somebody because of my assets and income.<br />
I'm somebody because of my degree and alma mater.<br />
I'm somebody because of my position.<br />
I'm somebody because of good looks.<br />
I'm somebody because of my medals and trophies.<br />
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Some Biblical examples<br />
~ Nebuchadnezzar's pride on his projects (Daniel 4:30)<br />
~ Herod's pride on his oratorical skills (Acts 12:21-22)<br />
~ Even religious people can be guilty of this like the Pharisees who were proud about their religious standing and looked down on others(Luke 18:9-12)<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Reasons for Breaking this Kind of Love</span></b><br />
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1. <b>Because if you love the world, you don't love God</b><br />
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I John 2:15b<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them"</i><br />
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The text says that you either love God and hate his rival or love his rival and hate God. Take one of the world's ideas-- materialism for example, "the idea that physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life"12. The Lord Jesus says,<br />
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<i>"No</i><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span>(Matt. 6:24)<br />
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James 4:4 says<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"... don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God"</i><br />
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If we are divided between loving God and loving the world, it will not end in a 50-50 division. Rather, it will end 0-100, that is zero for God and 100 percent for the world. And if you have two hearts, you will not give one heart for God and one heart for the world. Rather, you will give both hearts to the world.<br />
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The Psalmist seems to have understood this, so he p<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">rayed </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"... give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name". </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Psalm 86:11)</span><br />
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2. <b>Because of this love's unhappy ending</b><br />
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Fairy tale endings are quite predictable. Wh<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">en the Prince finally marries her Princess, expect the last line to be </span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"and they lived happily ever after". </i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I guess it is a time-tested formula for fictional love stories. People like happy endings.</span><br />
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Soon, unbelieving people will realize that they pursued worthless things. Soon they will see that they have invested in the wrong place. The text says "the world and its desires pass away" (verse 17 a). It's like enjoying your stay at Sodom and hoarding possessions there, only to realize later that you will perish with them. For one of the reasons why God burned Sodom and Gomorrah is to make them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly (2 Peter 2:6).<br />
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If you want a happy ending to your lov<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">e story, love God. Scripture says,</span><i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> "but whoever does the will of God lives forever</i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">" (verse 17b). What he prepared for those who love him is not just a happy ending but an eternity of endless joy in his presence.</span></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">"May thy dear Son preserve me from this present evil world, so that its smiles never allure, nor its frowns terrify, nor its vices defile, nor its errors delude me." (The Valley of Vision)<b><sup style="color: red;">13</sup></b></span></blockquote>
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<b style="color: red;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;">NOTES</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;">1</span>. John Piper, <a href="http://www.desiringgod.org/resource-library/online-books/what-jesus-demands-from-the-world" target="_blank"><i>What Jesus Demands from the World</i></a><br />
<span style="color: red;">2</span>. In his online free bible commentary on the Johannine corpus, <a href="http://www.biblelessonsintl.com/founder.htm" target="_blank">Bob Utley</a> says that the grammatical construction conveys the meaning "to stop an act that is already in progress.<br />
<span style="color: red;">3</span>. Daniel Akin, <i>1,2,3 John</i>, New American Commentary</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;">4</span>. <i>The Macarthur Study Bible</i><br />
<span style="color: red;">5</span>. <i>The Macarthur Study Bible</i><br />
<span style="color: red;">6</span>. James M. Boice, <i>Mind Renewal in a Mindless Age</i><br />
<span style="color: red;">7</span>. Gary Burge, <i>The Letters of John</i> (NIV Application Commentary)<br />
<span style="color: red;">8</span>. Daniel Akin, <i>1,2,3 John,</i> NAC<br />
<span style="color: red;">9</span>. See Albert Mohler's "<a href="http://www.albertmohler.com/2005/11/16/a-christian-vision-of-beauty-part-one/" target="_blank">A Christian Vision of Beauty, part 1</a>"<br />
<span style="color: red;">10</span>. Daniel Akin, <i>1,2,3 John</i>, NAC</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;">11</span>. Gary Burge, <i>The Letters of John</i> (NIVAC)<br />
<span style="color: red;">12</span>. <i>American Heritage Talking Dictionary</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: red;">13</span>. <i>The Valley of Vision</i>'s Facebook Page, March 5,2012 </span></div>Manny A. Rosariohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354437171527700211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6531953775224262250.post-7564243368269890102012-06-11T17:21:00.000+08:002012-06-19T09:00:52.543+08:00The Faith of our Founding FathersIf you're a Southern Baptist and you are interested to learn about the <i><u>real</u></i> traditional / historic Southern Baptist understanding of God's plan of Salvation, you might want to investigate through the writings of our founding fathers which are compiled on the link below:<br />
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<a href="http://www.founders.org/library/founders.html">http://www.founders.org/library/founders.html</a><br />
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Be informed. Be reformed. Be a <a href="http://www.founders.org/info/about.html">Foundersist</a>!<br />
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-JephJephhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04904821318321521552noreply@blogger.com0