I’m Trying To Understand

Posted on December 13, 2005 by Danny Glover

By Jack Glover

Some things in this life are confusing. It is not uncommon for me to see some TV commercial and, when it is finished, ask someone if they understood the point being made. Well, I must admit that I also am confused about all the news items about using “happy holiday” versus “merry Christmas.” Maybe you can help me out.

It seems in their effort to eliminate any reference to Christ, to religion in general or to be politically correct, many liberal-minded or atheistic people want everyone to quit saying “merry Christmas.” I would be inclined to agree with them if I thought their motives were pure because Christmas as a religious holiday is not a biblical concept. However, I suspect the movement is driven by those who want to eliminate all references to religion from our lives in the same way they have with prayer, displays, words, etc.

What is Christmas? Is it a holiday? Yes, it is a holiday in most parts of the world. Then what is wrong with saying “happy holiday”? As far as I can tell, nothing, as long as no strings are attached. But this movement now among us does attach strings, which is just one more step in taking away our freedom.

If my understanding is correct there are situations when I can be told what expression I must use in reference to December 25. I am required to say “happy holiday” or something similar, but I cannot say “merry Christmas.” Do those who advocate, and are forcing, this position oppose my wishing someone a “happy Thanksgiving” or a happy any other day? I don’t think so.

What is the problem with “merry Christmas”? Could it be because Christ is part of the word? What word or phrase will be next? Do you think it is time to take a stand and put a stop to those who are the ones forcing opinions. I do.

Let us consider another confusing thing. Among those who oppose the “happy holiday” position, some are canceling services on Sunday, December 25. That seems to be a strange position if this is the day we are to reverence Jesus’ birth. Would you not think all the more emphasis would be placed on attending services rather than canceling them?
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Where Is Your Bible?

Posted on October 4, 2005 by Danny Glover

By Jack Glover

Most of us take having a Bible for granted. We usually have several of them, often of different translations. Yet it probably would be a correct statement to say they are read very little, even by those who claim to be Christians.

Bibles are for sale everywhere in our country, and free copies for our reading are found in many places. If you can not afford a copy, there are numerous places to get a free one.

Now consider living in China, an atheistic country. If you plan to read the Bible, if you can find one, secrecy will be required. Bibles, and reading them, usually bring unwanted consequences there. I read an article a few day ago about some average people and the risk they took in trying to sneak some Bibles into China.

What if our nation became like China? Would you hide, or burn, all those copies of the Bible in your house? Would you want to read it when you couldn’t do so freely?

“Not to worry, that will never happen here,” you say. Oh, was the Bible always prohibited in China?

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Justice Sunday II — The Wrong Focus

Posted on August 16, 2005 by Danny Glover

By Danny Glover

Several hundred religious-minded political activists gathered at a Baptist Church in Nashville on Sunday for something called Justice Sunday II. A similar event was held in Louisville back in April. The goal of the movement, spearheaded by the Family Research Council, is to draw attention to the role, for good or bad, that the courts play in setting the moral agenda for America.

As a Christian, I find such events misguided. Sunday is the Lord’s Day, and our focus should be on worshiping Him. It’s not the time for a grassroots rally against the government, however right the reasons behind that rally may be.

I thought the same thing several years ago when, as a journalist, I attended the annual Christian Coalition conference and listened to supposedly spiritual people rant, occasionally in vulgar language, about then-President Clinton’s immoralities. I wanted to yank the beam of hypocrisy from their eyes, to rebuke them for condemning one man’s admittedly heinous sins even as they committed their own in the same breath.

Even so, events like Justice Sunday can be edifying for us Christians watching them from afar. Here are some of the lessons we can learn:

Spirituality is not a political endeavor. Just as the apostles at first did not understand that they were soldiering for a heavenly kingdom, too many people in this country focus their energy on fighting for the earthly kingdom we call the United States of America. But we are here to fight for souls — not for judges, or presidents, or congressmen, or even councilmen.

We are to go to battle not draped in political arguments or with the Constitution in hand but wearing “the full armor of God”: truth, righteousness, the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, and the word of God, which is our “sword of the spirit.” Heed the words of Paul: “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:11-17).

We should not expect justice in this life. Most men of Jesus’ day rejected His teachings and spurned Him to the point of crucifixion on the cross. He told his apostles to expect the same kind of rejection (John 15:20-21). He also told them to consider persecution a blessing (Matt. 5:10-12), a message that Peter reiterated (I Pet. 4:12-16).

We can and should encourage the leaders of this country to act in ways that are pleasing to God because He has blessed us with citizenship in a country where we can. And we must pray for our leaders because God demands it of us (I Tim. 2:1-3). But we should not lose heart or be distracted from our spiritual warfare when they act foolishly.

Justice delayed is NOT justice denied. William Ewart Gladstone, a British prime minister in the 1800s, said that justice delayed is justice denied, and many Americans who see rampant injustice and immorality in our country today agree with him. But all of them are wrong. Justice delayed is evidence of the unsurpassed mercy of God. God wants all men to come to repentance (II Pet. 3:9), so He tolerates all manner of corruption, in America and throughout the world, in order to give us time to mend our ways.

That mercy is available to all men, every day. But remember, just as sure as there was a Justice Sunday in America this week, there will be Justice One Day for all men. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (II Cor. 5:10).

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Just Another Headline

Posted on August 16, 2005 by Danny Glover

By Jack Glover

It seems that about every day we are bombarded with headlines about homosexual marriages, homosexual rights, etc. In today’s news we see that the United Church of Christ has accepted same-sex marriage and encouraged its member congregations to do so.

This group is referred to in the article as a church of Christ (which it is not) and Christian (not even close). In the Bible, the “disciples were called Christians first at Antioch” (Acts 11:26), and no disciple of Christ ever taught or encouraged same-sex marriage or homosexuality. I challenge anyone to find one scripture that would teach such a doctrine.

Once again we emphasize what the Bible says about people of the same sex joining themselves together in marriage or sexually. Note the following from the scriptures:

  • “Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error” (Rom. 1:24-27).
  • “He who created them from the beginning made them male and female” (Gen. 1:27; Matt. 19:4).
  • “You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination” (Lev. 18:22).
  • “If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them” (Lev. 20:13).
  • “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God” (I Cor. 6:9-11).

Denominations who desire to justify homosexuality among those they call Christians will try every trick of translation to claim the scriptures do not mean what they say. Label them what they are — deceptions of men.

God says it this way: ” But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). Resolutions by church boards do not change what God accepts.

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In Christ

Posted on August 11, 2005 by Danny Glover

By Jack Glover

The words “in Christ” appear together numerous times in the New Testament. Depending on the context, they refer to various actions or descriptions. Of all the uses, the most important fact to learn is that none of the things promised to, or said about, those who are in Christ apply to those who are out of Christ.

Freedom from condemnation is found only in Christ. “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1).

Salvation is not promised to everyone. It is only promised to those who are in Christ. The general view of the world is that one can be saved in various religions and faiths, but that is not true. “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

How does one get in Christ? The scriptures say, “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal. 3:27). When we are baptized into Christ, we become new creatures, putting off the man of sin when we arise to a new life. “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (Rom. 6:4-6; II Cor. 5:17).

Many seem to think the very act that the scriptures say put us in Christ is not necessary. We refer our reader to Matthew 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.'”

Yes, salvation is in Christ, and baptism places us in Him and saves us. “Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you — not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience — through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, after angels and authorities and powers had been subjected to Him” (I Pet. 3:21-22).

Are you IN CHRIST?

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Who Was The First Gentile Convert?

Posted on April 22, 2005 by Danny Glover

By Jack Glover

We all made it back from Guatemala safely thanks to the mercy of God. It was nice to be able to attend Bible study at Centreville, Va., on Wednesday evening.

An interesting question came up in Bible study concerning the gospel going to the Gentiles. The question concerned Acts 10 and Cornelius: Was Cornelius the first Gentile convert, or were the conversion of the Samaritans in Acts 8 the first conversions among Gentiles?

I think I know the answer the scriptures give, but I had never heard the subject of the Samaritans mentioned in this light before. I await your thoughts.

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Jesus And The Pope

Posted on April 5, 2005 by Danny Glover

By Jack Glover

There can be no doubt that the late Pope John Paul II was a good person, devoted to doing things for the betterment of mankind. The Bible tells us that Jesus was also a good man who did many wonderful works and wanted all men to faithfully serve God.

A cursory reading of the Bible shows that God was not pleased with the service of His chosen people. He sent Jesus to preach salvation and to die as a sacrifice for all men. Of Jesus it was said, “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

It seems, from the coverage of the news media and the sorrow of the people of all nations, that the pope’s death is a greater event than the crucifixion of Jesus. In our nation, and over all the world, a large number of people are not at all concerned about Jesus or what He did for all men. He not only did a good work but the greatest work ever performed by mortal man.

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit” (I Pet. 3:18). Yet Jesus sought no glory or praise (He could have been a king, John 6:15); instead He taught His disciples to be servants, to refuse titles and praise of men, and set the example of humility before them (Luke 22:25-27; Matt. 20:27; Matt. 23:1-12; John 13:12-17).

That is quite a contrast to what we are being subjected to at present regarding the pope. One is made to wonder that if our methods of communication had existed on the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, would He have received this kind of coverage and glorification?

Jesus was rejected because His teaching did not fit man’s idea of what the Messiah would teach and how He would act. A spiritual kingdom was not what was expected but rather an earthly kingdom with all its pomp like we are seeing in Rome. Jesus, however, said “my kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36).

Man has always sought the praise of his peers, but the scriptures teach that the kingdom is made up of those who are humble (Matt. 18:4; 23:12, James 4:10, I Pet. 5:5-6). Jesus, Paul, Barnabas, John and Peter (who many claim was the first pope) refused to allow men to exalt or worship them. Peter said it this way: “Stand up; I too am just a man” (Acts 10:26).

Jesus warned: “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.” (Luke 20:46-47).

Does the pope’s death, and the appointment of a new one, deserve all this attention. Possibly as a world event it does. But from the standpoint of the scriptures, it does not. Not only does the Bible not mention a pope as a leader of the church, it teaches the opposite. The scriptures plainly declare that Jesus is head of the church (Eph. 1:21-23, 5:23; Col. 1:18, 2:6-10).

The Bible also condemns doing things to be seen of men, as well as religious titles (Matt. 23:1-12), demands humility as a servant (I Pet. 5:5-6), states specifically the organization of the church, with Christ as head (Philip. 1:1), and mentions nothing about “vicars” on earth ruling in the place of Christ or an earthly headquarters, such as Rome. Men in various councils have established these things over the years, without any biblical authorization.

Why not lay aside all the pomp, glorification and doctrines of men? The Lord left all the instructions necessary for His church to function until He returns. Follow the scriptures and only the scriptures.

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How Is Your Hearing?

Posted on November 17, 2004 by Danny Glover

By Jack Glover

As He said these things, He would call out, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Luke 8:8)

Every part of the human body has a purpose. The ear is the part that allows us to learn by hearing. Jesus had just spoken the parable of the sower to a large crowd of people when He uttered the words above. The apostles then asked Him the meaning of the parable. Jesus explained that the reaction of people to what they hear has different results.

The admonition “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” was a common statement of Jesus. It does not refer to the mere hearing of sound but the proper understanding of what was said. Thousands of people listened to Jesus speak the gospel, and did not understand or properly apply it. Even His apostles did not correctly perceive the new kingdom (church) or his death and resurrection (Acts 1:6).

The resistance to Jesus’ teaching fulfilled this prophecy of Isaiah: “You will keep on hearing, but will not understand; you will keep on seeing, but will not perceive; for the heart of this people has become dull, with their ears they scarcely hear, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they would see with their eyes, hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and return, and I would heal them” (Matt. 13:14-15).

How we hear (understand) is important because our salvation depends on correct obedience to the commandments.

One time a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” Jesus replied, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it” (Luke 11:27-28).

James said to “prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves” (James 1:22), and Jesus pointed out that making claims of righteousness without obedience will only bring rejection by Him (Matt. 7:21-23). When the people told Jesus his Mother and brethren were desiring to speak with Him the response was, “My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it” (Luke 8:21).

Hearing and obedience are linked throughout the Bible. Many people heard Jesus but refused to obey His words. How is your hearing?

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Do I Have To Obey God?

Posted on September 1, 2004 by Danny Glover

By Jack Glover

At a time when the world has gone mad in its desire for sin, and each person is doing his own thing, let us consider the above question. Pharaoh asked Moses “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? (Ex. 5:2) This also appears to be the general attitude of many today. Look at some statements which exhibit this philosophy:

  • There is no God.
  • One church is as good as another.
  • Each person has a right to his own belief.
  • I live a good life.
  • I don’t see any harm in ___________.
  • All you have to do is believe.
  • We’re all going to the same place.

Pharaoh learned the answer to his question the hard way. After numerous plagues, and the death of his firstborn, he realized who the Lord was and that he must obey him (Ex. 5:2-12:31). How are you answering the question today? Do you believe that God allows man to make the rules? What do the scriptures say?

  • “For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?” (I Pet. 4:17-18)
  • ” And to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (II Thess. 1:7-9).
  • “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matt. 7:21).
  • “We know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is God-fearing and does His will, He hears him” (John 9:31).
  • “For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and [a]that without partiality” (Col. 3:25).
  • “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God” (III John 11).

Who is God that you should obey him? “For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (He is the God who formed the earth and made it, He established it and did not create it a waste place, but formed it to be inhabited), I am the Lord, and there is none else” (Is. 45:18).

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Does God Have A Plan Of Salvation?

Posted on July 11, 2004 by Danny Glover

By Jack Glover

Are you saved? Do you want to be?
In a recent survey, more than 90 percent of Americans answered “yes” to the first question? Clearly, most people think heaven will be their final dwelling place. This is also demonstrated by the fact that we seldom hear any comments at funerals except those placing the deceased in heaven, no matter how sinful a life they have lived. Often even those who have shown no faith in God, or attended any type of church, are preached into heaven.

But salvation in heaven is a biblical subject. The statements of men cannot alter the rules of God concerning it because only God can offer salvation. Heaven is His domain, and He will determine who dwells there. With this in mind, let us explore what the Bible says about God, His home in heaven and who can expect to go there.

Does God want you to be saved?
The answer is an unequivocal “yes.”

  • Peter said, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (II Pet. 3:9).
  • John wrote: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16-17).
  • And Timothy was told, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (I Tim. 2:3-4).

God desires the salvation of His creation and has provided the perfect sacrifice for sin.
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