Good anger and bad anger don’t mix. It is important to recognize that not all bad that happens is a direct result of God’s anger. By that, I mean that God isn’t on duty looking for people to zap out of anger for their injustices. Neither can we lay the responsibility for all bad things at His feet. There are laws at work that make this a livable planet for us to enjoy. Some person or group of persons can defy those laws and pay a dear price for it. It would not be appropriate to say “God in His anger zapped that person or group of people for some wrong doing. The tragedy of 9/11 is an example. He didn’t command us to build tall buildings we call “skyscrapers” or to devise airplanes to fly like birds. He allows us to do such things but all his laws are still working. Gasoline explodes; gravity pulls planes and buildings down; people choose to follow the wrong god, etc. The people who lost their lives in that horrible event were not on some divine hate list that God keeps. Many of them went to heaven because they loved God and followed Jesus. It was still a bad thing that came about because of evil devised by those who serve a god who is no god at all (Isaiah 45:5).
Yes, it is true, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:7). So in one sense every good thing done has at its root, God. But please don’t let that overshadow the reality that Pastor Steve has mentioned on more than one occasion, there are good people who do good things who are not intentionally following God’s way in Jesus Christ. Good happens!
There is room for his anger for specific wrong-doing that defies spiritual laws and violates other’s well-being. A person’s evil may get to a place beyond repentance that God moves in with wrath like He did with Sodom and Gomorrah. Bad anger and God’s anger don’t mix because God’s anger annihilates the bad.
I would also want you to remember that “good” anger is desired when in the presence of injustices. Ephesians 4:26 tells us anger is appropriate but do not let it become sinful by turning into bitterness and revenge. It is not only appropriate but necessary to get angry over child molesters and other evils. In other words, God isn’t the only one who has good anger and He isn’t the only one who does good.
In summary, try to maintain clarity about how God is involved in the affairs of mankind. -David Corts
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Do we have to go through the wilderness and what does today’s wilderness look like?
Pastor Steve indicated in one sermon that we will have our trouble (wilderness). Yes, I believe we all will. Remember Jesus taught in John 13:16 “I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” Later he reminded his disciples of this teaching in John 15:20 to prepare them for persecution.
Prior to leaving this earth, Jesus gave some final instruction in John 16. That instruction included verse 33 “"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
You ask for a modern day look at what that could be like. It is as complete in scope as any other age. If you think globally for a moment, there are Christians undergoing persecutions in several parts of the world this very day. In my mind, that is the severest form of trouble. Perhaps Paul’s description of the last days that he gave to Timothy will show us practical possibilities. “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). There you have the root source of trouble in any wilderness. -David Corts
Prior to leaving this earth, Jesus gave some final instruction in John 16. That instruction included verse 33 “"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
You ask for a modern day look at what that could be like. It is as complete in scope as any other age. If you think globally for a moment, there are Christians undergoing persecutions in several parts of the world this very day. In my mind, that is the severest form of trouble. Perhaps Paul’s description of the last days that he gave to Timothy will show us practical possibilities. “There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:1-5). There you have the root source of trouble in any wilderness. -David Corts
Can you talk about the sins of the father visiting their children?
I presume you are referring to the expression that comes from the second of the Ten Commandments. In Exodus 20:5-6, we have the statement “I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” You will find that the phrase “the third and the fourth generation” is a Semitic phrase denoting continuity. It is not to be understood in an arithmetical sense otherwise, after a thousand generations God’s love for us would cease. God is speaking to those who HATE God, who refuse to live their lives in accordance with His will. Since this is God’s world, and since we are all involved with one another, breaches of God’s law by one generation do indeed affect those of future generations to come. Slavery, exploitation, imperialism, pollution, immorality are all examples of this principle. What we call “natural results” are just an expression of God’s law in operation, punishing a disregard for His will.
In several passages we are reminded that each person will be held responsible for his own sin, both father and child. Check out 2 Chronicles 25:4 Ezekiel 18. The 18th chapter of Ezekiel is very specific about the Father and the son thing. The principle that is upheld is this: “The soul who sins is the one who will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). In Ezekiel 18:17 we are told that the son “will not die for his father’s sin” if he walks uprightly before God. The father, on the other hand, “will die for his own sin” (Ezekiel 18:18). The converse of this is true also. If a father is righteous and his son is wicked, the father will not die for his son’s evil (Ezekiel 18:13).
So the conclusion is this: the person who is righteous will surely live (Ezekiel 18:9).
-David Corts
In several passages we are reminded that each person will be held responsible for his own sin, both father and child. Check out 2 Chronicles 25:4 Ezekiel 18. The 18th chapter of Ezekiel is very specific about the Father and the son thing. The principle that is upheld is this: “The soul who sins is the one who will die” (Ezekiel 18:4). In Ezekiel 18:17 we are told that the son “will not die for his father’s sin” if he walks uprightly before God. The father, on the other hand, “will die for his own sin” (Ezekiel 18:18). The converse of this is true also. If a father is righteous and his son is wicked, the father will not die for his son’s evil (Ezekiel 18:13).
So the conclusion is this: the person who is righteous will surely live (Ezekiel 18:9).
-David Corts
Do prophets exist today? If so, what is a prophet’s purpose in the body of Christ?
Yes prophets exist today! It is included in the list of gifts given to the church for building it up (Romans 12:6; Ephesians 4:11; I Corinthians 12:10,28). The word for prophet in the original language means to speak forth the mind and the counsel of God. A close study will show that there is great similarity between the Old Testament prophet and the New Testament prophet. The prophet sometimes foretells events and circumstances and at other times is a “forthteller” warning people to repent of their wickedness and turn to God. The gift of prophecy is basically the gift of preaching. The prophet points out sin, and when people with sin in their lives respond in repentance, his preaching results in edification, exhortation and comfort (I Corinthians 14:3).
It has been said that the modern day PROPHETS are the Ralph Naders of Christianity. They have the ability to see that which is wrong. A prophet can walk into a room and immediately see a number of things wrong but has to concentrate for a while in order to see something right. An encourager, on the other hand, walks into a room and sees a number of things that are right and has to concentrate for a while in order to see what is wrong. Both gifts are needed in the church for successful ministry.
-David Corts
It has been said that the modern day PROPHETS are the Ralph Naders of Christianity. They have the ability to see that which is wrong. A prophet can walk into a room and immediately see a number of things wrong but has to concentrate for a while in order to see something right. An encourager, on the other hand, walks into a room and sees a number of things that are right and has to concentrate for a while in order to see what is wrong. Both gifts are needed in the church for successful ministry.
-David Corts
Why would James need to clarify that Elijah was a human being?
James is challenging us to pray effectively and fervently and he uses Elijah as an illustration to motivate us (James 5:17-18). It would be quite natural to say, “I’m no Elijah!” Some of the miracles that God performed through Elijah could give the impression that he was NOT just like us humans. Remember, Elijah warned King Ahab there will be no rain, dew, or moisture “I give the word” (my paraphrase of I Kings 17:1). Pastor Steve painted a pretty spectacular scene for us of that remarkable feat, but there was more. Elijah’s word brought fire from heaven in a demonstration of God’s power being superior to Baal’s (1 Kings 18:36-38), and raised the sick and afflicted. He lived a unique life and was used powerfully by God. He avoided the usual death process and was taken to heaven in a chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:11). So the reminder that he was “just like us” is very appropriate. James is suggesting that any righteous person can pray effectively and fervently and see powerful things happen. -David Corts
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Do I have to wait to stop cursing before I can be a someone
If you mean by “someone” a Christ-follower, then I don’t think that cursing or not cursing is a prerequisite. I do know that thoughtful followers of Christ pay close attention to the words they use. Jesus the One whom we follow said, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36-37).
-David Corts
How do we show God that we are ready to do his bidding?
There are many practical ways if we gave time to make a long list. The way I think does it best is to remember the words of Jesus in Mathew 23:11-12, “The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” Jesus is our example when he washed his disciples’ feet before going to the cross.
There is a principle at work in regard to our service to God. If you will do well what some might call the “little” deeds of duty, God will enlarge your effectiveness. I base it on other words of Jesus in Matthew 25:23, “'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!”
-David Corts
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