Examing Your Beliefs: Ensuring Your Authentic Christian Faith

Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren,

 and exhort you be the Lord Jesus that as ye 

have received of us how ye ought to walk 

and to please God, so ye would abound more

 and more. For ye know what commandments we gave you be the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, 

even your sanctification, that ye should 

abstain from fornication: that every one of

 you should know how to possess his vessel 

in sanctification and honor; not in the lust of concupiscence, even a the Gentiles which 

know not God: that no man go beyond 

and defraud his brother in any matter: 

because the Lord is the avenger of all such, 

as we also have forewarned you and testified.

 For God hat not called us unto uncleanness, 

but unto holiness. He therefore that despiseth, 

despiseth not man, but god, who hath also given

 unto us His Holy Spirit.

1Thessalonians 4:1-8 

    In the antediluvian time, the time of Noah, faulty thinking existed among men. We see this same faulty thinking postdiluvian when men began to rebel against God and develop for themselves gods to suit their desires. We can see today this faulty thinking about God, a time when people have attempted to develop a life without God. Abortion, same-sex marriage, the rise of homosexuality, murder, and "free-sex" with little, or none, thinking about God and their relationship with Him. A problem that exist in the Church today with many people is that they are tacit, in the least, cultural Christians, people who live as though they have little to do when it comes to being a Christian. Example: I was born into a Christian family, or I belong to a Christian nation, or I have been baptized as an infant, I go to Church, I try to live according to God's commandments and all this is doing is causing them to be in some way default Christians. There is no truth in what many believe. We are called to examine ourselves: "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good" (1Thessalonians 5:21). The apostle John writes: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (1John 4:1). Paul exhorts: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8). We are called to examine ourselves to make sure that we are really an Authentic Christian, that our faith is Authentic Christian Faith. We are not called to follow our conscience or to justify our opinions, our positions on some matter as to our acts, those acts we give some minimal commendation. If so we are then fooling ourselves into thinking that our habits, those habits that are in contradiction to the law of God are just only occasional acts, therefore they are not all that bad and God will forgive. This is faulty thinking: join the antediluvian people, join the postdiluvian people, in fact you have joined the culture of this world. 

     Faulty thinking leads people to forget that our Christian work is to live according to God's law, to live according to the pattern that Jesus Christ gave to us, and to live under the influence that will enable us to live according to God, to please God, and this by the Holy Spirit that resides in all Authentic Christians. If we are not living in the way set forth for us to live, to make God, our relationship with Him our primary task then we are cultural and nominal Christians, you lack understanding of why the Bible has shown us spiritual life. Cultural Christians see nothing that gives them need to rid their lives of anything that might inhibit their way of growing in faith and obedience. Cultural Christians, those liberal Christians have no interest in developing a passion to follow Scripture, they would rather follow some influential man, or woman than the truth of Scripture. Cultural Christians have faulty thinking about the future reward in heaven as those this is a future reward, a reward that they will receive have death for doing what they deem as God's work. 

     Authentic Christians: do you not know that you are already in heaven? Yes, you are still on earth just a passing through, for your home is already in heaven waiting for your arrival. Live now according to what you are: An adopted son of God, the bride of Jesus Christ, not later, not after death, but now and until you arrive to your heavenly home you have work to do and that begins with you and extends then into your world. The first part of your work is to ensure that what you believe is Authentic Christian Faith, and the second part is for you to take the Gospel into the world, however that works out for you, however you are led to go and bring the Gospel. The world may hate you (they will) but who cares? Your eternal life with God, with Jesus Christ is now, and forever and no man, no woman can take that away from you, so they hate you, ok, here is the difference: God loves you!

Offer unto God thanksgiving; 

    And pay thy vows unto the 

Most High: and call upon Me

    in the day of trouble: I will

deliver thee, and thou shalt 

    glorify Me. But unto the wicked

God saith, What hast thou to do to

    declare My statutes, or that thou

shouldest take My covenant in thy mouth? 

   Seeing thou hatest instruction, and

castest My words behind thee.

                      Psalm 50:14-17

Take time: examine yourself

Richard L. Crumb

Walking Close To The Fire

When the Son of man shall come in His glory, 

and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He 

sit upon the throne of His glory: and before 

Him shall be gathered all nations: and he 

shall separate them one from another, 

as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the 

goats: and He shall set the sheep on His right

 hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall

 the King say unto them on His right hand, 

Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit 

the kingdom prepared for you from 

the foundation of the world:

Matthew 25:31-34

     The importance of this subject: cultural vs Authentic Christians cannot be misinterpreted as the opening Scripture testifies. God in His economy (management, design) knowing all things from the beginning until the end for He is without time and sees all things in the present set forth how men and women were to be managed. To do this management with justice God in His mercy and in His dispensations throughout history has revealed what He desires for His creation. God set forth and prepared a kingdom from the foundation of the world, a kingdom that His children, those who are Authentic in their faith towards Him. On the other hand God also set forth in His justice what would be the results for those who do not and will not have faith in Him: "Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41). What is this eternal fire? Gehenna (see Revelations 20), a place God set forth for those angels who followed Satan in disobedience to God, those who wanted things to be done their way. This reserved place is where men ad women who are also disobedient and want things done their way are to be tossed into, eternal fire, destruction. I must take a moment to give my take on Gehenna for there are those theologians that teach and believe that Gehenna is a place for living people who will be tormented forever. It is true that the Greek word translated tormentor, or torture is a good translation of the Greek, but we must look closely at how this word was used and use good critical thinking: here is an example: "And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him" (Matthew 18:34). Does this mean that this debtor was tortured by some physical means, or does it mean that this word refers to not being set free until he could pay the debt? Well, if a person is beaten, physically tortured how could he pay the debt? Or, does it mean that he cannot get out, and this is torture, a torment. Here is something to think about: the jailer was a tormentor, was he not? Yes! The Greek word while meaning torture or torment came to identify the tormentor with jailer, just like the word word "martyr" that means "witness" came to mean death, a witness to your faith. Why did I take this time to go over this word? It is because we get "hung" up on definitions that we do not have full understanding of and then make doctrines or dogmas to fit that lack of understanding. No matter what: if you are not with God, you are separated from Him and all the blessings that God has prepared for those who love Him. 

     People often, even Authentic Christians, walk to close to the line, just far enough to not be seen as those on the other side. Some cultural Christians walk close to the line so that they may not be seen as cultural. Camping trips are fun and the night campfire is warm, inviting, but have you noticed that the tongues of the fire, no matter what side of the fire you are on are always licking to burn you. If you are a sane and thinking person you will not get so close to the fire so that the tongues of fire cannot burn you. This is the problem by walking close to the line. 

     Walking close to lies will if not corrected cause a person to come to a place where those lies are accepted, your character will be influenced due to you close proximity to those lies. Would it not be better to stand, to walk away from those lies, to be far away so that you will not be influenced by those lies? Yes! God's word, the Bible tells us how we should walk, how we should live, and how we can know the truth so that those lies will not influence our lives. Noah for some 100 years while building the ark told people of the coming destruction and people would not believe him. This was God giving to the people information that would save them, but they refused to listen, they were destroyed, not into some living hell, but destroyed, gone, never to rise again. God has given to us information that will save us so that we will not be destroyed, not when He brings upon earth another flood, no, but when Jesus Christ comes to retrieve His bride and to destroy this sinful world that will not listen to the words given for their safety, they will be destroyed. A new world will be established, one in which sin will have been destroyed, that death will die, and life eternal will be given to all Authentic Christians with Authentic Christian Faith. 

     Jesus Christ came to this earth to do just what was needed to be done so that the will of God from the foundation of the world would be established, a kingdom, a blessing for all who believe upon Him, and the One whom He sent to pay our debt: Jesus Christ. You must come to this place if those words of God will save you: you must come to this place, you are a sinner and in need of a Savior, and that Savior is Jesus Christ: believe upon Him and you will be saved. 

And the LORD said unto Noah,

     Come thou and all thy house

into the ark; for thee have I seen

    righteous before Me in this generation.

                       Genesis 7:1

Will God see you as righteous?

Richard L. Crumb

MEMORIAL DAY 2017

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.

 For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore, resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God : and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are 

not a terror to good works, but to the evil. 

Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? 

Do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise 

of the same: for he is the minister of God to thee

 for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; 

for he beareth not the sword in vain: for his is

 the minister of God, a revenger to execute 

wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore 

ye must needs by subject, not only for wrath, 

but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay 

ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, 

attending continually upon this very thing. 

Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to

 whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom: 

fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.  

Romans 13:1-7 

MEMORIAL DAY 2017

     Authentic Christianity is such that those claiming Authentic Christian Faith do all that the Bible says to do, no matter if it is against the culture of this world. This day, Memorial Day, a memorial for the veterans of our Armed Forces, dead, maimed, and currently on active duty. Why should this day be so important? Why should we set aside time to remember  our veterans? How does the opening Scripture apply to Authentic Christians? Here is why!

     The United States, before it became a Uniting of States, before 1776 A.D. people came to this land to find a new start, to find a way to worship God without the interference by Government: but they are not anarchist, nor antinomian, against law, whether it be Christian moral law or law that would govern this new land. In fact: the Constitution was developed and this is the law of the United States, it is that which we are governed. The preamble to our Constitution September 17, 1787 states: "We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, unsure domestic tranquillity, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." Section 8: Powers Granted to Congress: 11-16: 11. " To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on land and water; 12. To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term that two years; 13. to provide and maintain a navy; 14. to make rules for the government and regulations of the land and naval forces. 15. to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel invasions; 16. To provide for organizing, armin, and disciplining the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be employed in the service of the United States, reserving to the states respectively, the appointment of the officers, and the authority of training the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress."

     The Constitution and the forming of the United States consists of the greatest ever of a document that ruled a nation, and by this formed a nation whereby people would have freedom, and even if that meant, and it did, to defend this nation militarily. Men and women have joined in defense of this nation by becoming a person of the Navy, the Army, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, the National Guard, the Coast Guard, all to defend this nation. Men and women from the Revolutionary War against England, to the Civil War, to the war of 1812, the First World War, and the Second World War, to the Korean War, and the Viet Nam war, and now war in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Iran, and others have fought and are fighting to keep you and I safe from the harm others would bring to you and I if we do not defend ourselves from their invasion. 

    Men and women have died, have injuries that are life-long, disabilities, and have, and in some cases today suffer from their time in service to our nation. WE MUST NOT FORGET THEM AND WE MUST TAKE TIME TO REMEMBER THEM AND THIS IS WHAT THIS DAY MEANS, THIS DAY OF MEMORIAL TO ALL THE VETERANS, PAST, PRESENT. This is not a day for special sales, time just to have fun, to have barbecues, to not take time to remember. Yes, we can have barbecues, we can go to the lake, to do things, but not at the expense of denigrating this day. BUT THIS IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO A LARGE EXTENT! 

    How has this come about so that this day is just a time for parties, to do things that do not bring honor to our Veterans? First: Schools no longer say the pledge of allegiance. Is this not what we should be doing? Teaching our children what it means to be a citizen of the United States? Yes! We have universities, teachers, professors that teach against this government. Should not this be stopped? Yes! Our children have become indifferent to what it means to be a citizens of the United States. Yes, there are many good children who are taking the time, no matter if it be harmful to them for they do this because they have come to the place whereby this nation, our freedom must be protected and they are willing to protect. 

    Authentic Christians: Paul gives us under inspiration of the Holy Spirit that we are to give honor to those who are our leaders, both in the Church, and in our government. Cultural Christians do just the opposite, they follow this culture that disapproves of our government, who follow after this culture making this day to be a day off, a sort of vacation, but give little time to what this day means. Do not be like them, for they have God to answer for He ordained governments and as long as their governing is not against the law of God, we are to obey them, and if they are in need of change to change it so that they are following the laws of God. Authentic Christians have dual citizenship, one is the citizenship of heaven, the other as a citizen of this nation. We have a responsibility and today, this day of Memorial is a good time to begin to exercise this responsibility. 

Let the people praise thee, O God;

    let the people praise thee, O let

the nations be glad and sing for joy;

     for Thou shalt judge the people 

righteously, and govern the nations

     upon the earth.

                    Psalm 67:3-4

Set time aside and give thanks to our Veterans

Richard L. Crumb

The Two Kingdoms

Why do ye not know My speech? Because 

ye are unable to hear My word. Ye are of 

the father the devil, and ye desire to do

 the lusts of your father. He was a

 murderer from the beginning, and has 

not stood in the truth, because there is

 not truth in him. Whenever he may speak

 falsehood, form his own he speaks; for he 

is a liar and the father of it. Because I speak 

the truth, ye do not believe me.

John 8:43-45 

(literal Greek translation). 

     Sin, a word tossed about by those who want to in some way, desire to trim down, decreasing its impact on their exercise of life. This is especially true of those who persist in sin. Those who persist in sin have a father: the Devil. Jesus speaks the truth, hard as it may be, it is the truth. It is not that they are just unable (as those who believe that God created some to be unjust), they do not want to believe so they are not putting themselves in a place to believe: they enjoy the culture of this world more than to be called an Authentic Christian. Those sinners who will not believe the truth, those who persist in sin, well....they have a shock coming when Jesus returns for His bride. A time is coming when God will separate the sheep from the goats: "But when the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: and before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on His right hand, Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: (Matthew 25:31-34). God, from the time that by His will, decided to create made provision for all who will believe upon Him, and the One whom He sent to call sinners to repentance, the One whose blood paid our debt of sin, that sin being death that the father of lies infected this world, and by His death, death died. Now repentance means that you can claim this payment and know that it will not be removed from you by God Himself, the Son. 

     The Bible's teachings are not taught that God by acting as Judge are just punitive. Punitive results are often due to our bad choices, the natural consequence of our bad actions. We must remember that there is a system of cause and effect at work in our universe. A sane person will admit that this system of cause and effect are woven in the very fabric of creation. You know that this is true for it has been the result of many things in your life. The universe is not immoral: no, it is moral by nature. What we do know is that the universe that we live in that God has a kingdom and that Satan has a kingdom. Here is an undeniable fact: every person living on earth belongs to one of these two kingdoms. 

     Do you possess Authentic Christian Faith? If so then you have surrendered yourself to Jesus Christ and by doing so you passed from the kingdom of the Devil, that dark kingdom, into the kingdom of the Son of God, a kingdom of light: "giving thanks  unto the Father, which hath made us competent to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the first born of every creature" (Colossians 1:12-15). As Authentic Christians we love the things that God has given, His Scripture, His special day (the Sabbath), and service we do with Him, and for Him. Authentic Christians demonstrate that something has changed within them, we are not the same as before, and this occurs even before the return of Jesus for His bride. You see, you are now the bride of Christ, therefore live as His bride.

For since the beginning of the world

     men have not heard, nor perceived 

by the ear, neither hath the eye seen,

    O God, beside Thee, what He hath

prepared for him that waiteth for Him.

                        Isaiah 64:4

Live now as redeemed by God

Richard L. Crumb

 

Holding Fast Our Profession Of Faith

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to 

enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

 by a new and living way, which He hath

 consecrated for us, through the veil,

 that is to say, His flesh; and having an 

high priest over the house of God: let us 

draw near with a true heart in full 

assurance of faith, having our hearts 

sprinkled from an evil conscience, 

and our bodies washed with pure water. 

Let us hold fast this profession of

 our faith without wavering; 

(for He  is faithful that promised;)

Hebrews 10:19-23

     The actions of people are evaluated by a much more rigid standard and that standard is the Bible. Have you ever hear the statement, "a white lie?" Or have you heard someone say that it is a "little sin?" First, and foremost: there are no "little white lies," or "a little sin," to be found in Scripture. Jesus never qualified His statements be the culture of the world, or on some social standing of those who were listening to Him. The Sermon on the Mount is a good example. The Sermon on the Mount is a warning, a warning of a greater danger inasmuch as that which a person holds in their heart will activate them to either do good or evil. Temptations come, and go, and temptations will expose a person. How a person deals with the issues within a temptation, idolatry, immorality, drunkenness, etc., were dealt with in the same manner, there was no qualification: sin is sin. Paul makes this very clear: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchraft, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (Galatians 5:19-21). Nothing was left out, even those things that the world and cultural Christians allow, at least in some manner. Adultery was a separate issue, and fornication was a separate issue and in this world those two words have been conjoined so as to mean the same thing, albeit a small qualification at times making one worse than the other. This is not true according to Jesus and the writings of Paul. 

     Did you get the point? Those who commit any of these things they WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD! Some Churches state that a person cannot work for their salvation, and this is true for it is a free gift from God. This does not some work is not involved for a person must do all they can to resist the devil and this is work and if this work is not done then your salvation is at risk. Oh, you might exclaim, "I believe once saved always saved." Your salvation is assured and the only thing you must do is to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life" (John 6:47). The King James Bible add the suffix "eth" making the word to be in the present tense, and our English adds the letter "s" to a verb making it to be in the present tense. Furthermore the Greek word translated in the present tense is also a participle making to be translated literally: "presently believing." The same is true in John 3:16 so then an Authentic Christian is one that is presently believing and by that belief exercises good works, first to themselves by not becoming involved in sin, yes there are sins that a person may commit that they do not they have committed. Second towards others they do good things and as their basis, their command they are to love people with God's principled love. 

     Cultural Christians, even liberal Christians have lost ethical reverence for a sense of holiness of God (Galatians 5:21). Cultural or liberal Christians have created a form of worship that they take seriously and at the same time reduce Authentic reverence for God, it is all about themselves and is seen by such euphoric gyrations, music that is more like the world causing people to act like the world, or to do things that Jesus did not do nor commanded us to do: i.e., going around in some sort of treasure hunt with a piece of paper that is leading them to someone they say God led them too be able to pray with them. The Gospel is not preached only experiential Christianity. 

     When a person comes to the point to know that they are sinners in need of a Savior and they come to believe in Jesus Christ they are His and the Holy Spirit will create in a person an understanding to desire to please God in all things and not to offend Him. Sin is viewed in the Bible as a rebellion against the rule of God in a person' life. Here then is this: persistent sin may indicate that a person has not actually accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and are not "presently believing" and to not have a proper relationship with Jesus Christ, with God, the Godhead. Let us make this one thing clear: Evil will be punished and only true righteousness will be rewarded. 

     Are you now "presently believing?" If so then allow the Holy Spirit to guide you to a place in life whereby you become an Authentic Christian, to have Authentic Christian Faith. 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning

     of wisdom: a good understanding

have all they that do His commandments:

     His praise endureth for ever. 

                   Psalm 111:10

You are saved by the blood of Jesus: live as such

Richard L. Crumb

There Are Ways That Seem Wise

Let no man deceive himself. If any man among 

you seemeth to be wise in this world,

 let him become a fool, that he many be wise.

 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. 

For it is written, He taketh the wise in their 

own craftiness. And again, The Lord knoweth 

the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 

Therefore let no man glory in men.... 

1Corinthians 3:18-21a 

 

     The errors of cultural Christianity having been shown in previous blogs, those errors in regard to Authentic Christian Faith, its true nature. I have taken time to reveal some of the consequences that cultural, or liberal Christianity have created by their faulty thinking. Authentic Christians do all they can to live in conformity to Scripture, not some man-made doctrine or dogma that in many ways enslave people to worship that which is not of God. Cultural or liberal Christians do not live in conformity to Scripture as the Bible teaches us what is Authentic Christianity. 

     A major problem within cultural, or liberal Christianity is their inadequate understanding of true guilt and the evil of sin. An example of this is that Authentic Christian Faith is reduced to a Christian Faith reduced to a set of rules and regulations that act more like a way to police behavior. How? Cultural or liberal Christians have an understanding of sin that becomes formed, or shaped into how it impacts specific sins and how those sins impact society. A problem exists inasmuch as sins are weighted, that is, the quality of one sin over another as all would admit that theft, murder, fraud and some types of lying are problems that are affecting society in negative ways. Those sins are given more weight on a moral scale than such sins as idolatry, immorality, foul language, lewdness, pride, wrath, malice or revenge. Is this true? Yes! Some churches allow homosexuals to be leaders, or are given some sort of pass so that they have a church to go to, or as some do, allow for abortion, same-sex marriage. A problem is that lewdness has become softened to allow women to wear skimpy clothing, and to show as much skin as they can, and men are allowed to be disrespectful in the way they dress with an excuse that we live in a different time so it is ok. Immorality is not dealt with and church discipline does not exist in many churches, all within churches that have become cultural, or liberal. We see the rich, those who have the ability to care for those in need displaying their prosperity by excessive living. It is ok to be rich, but it is not ok to live in excess while others have need.

     Cultural or liberal Christians have invented a way to downplay the dangers of certain vices by calling them freethinking, offbeat, jocular, edgy, and the like. Certain vices cannot have such language applied to them, such as, murder, or theft, or fraud because they harm people in plain view but not so with other vices so a new term a new language is given to them. Here is how this is played out in life: for some vices we give an explanation of those offenses were only spontaneous or temporary failing to resist temptation, but in others, those more serious crimes a single failure is enough to be taken to court. Men and women who have committed serious crimes are imprisoned, put to death, and are judged for life for their crimes (sounds like what happened to Cain for killing Able, a mark, a lifetime mark was placed upon him). When it comes to vices that are committed and are against God, there are no strict guidelines, so a creative king of logic is applied. How? An individual can continue to commit those crimes and still be deemed a Christian. Good conduct, even among those who are repeated sinners are deemed to be still a "good" Christian. 

     Well.....the Bible does have strict guidelines as how to keep oneself clean, to not commit sin, and how to keep the congregation clean. They must be followed or the congregation will become defiled and this is what has and is happening in cultural or liberal Christianity. I suppose the question is: will you do what the Bible says or will you invent a way to address sinners that seem good to you. 

 

Woe to the rebellious children,

     saith the LORD, that take

counsel, but not of me; and that

     cover with a covering, but not

of My Spirit, that they may add

    to sin.

                  Isaiah 30:1

 

 

 Glory in God alone: not men

 

Richard L. Crumb

Reasonings That May Seem Unreasonable

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, 

and His righteousness; and all these things 

shall be added unto you. Take therefore no 

thought for the morrow; for the morrow shall

 take thought for the things of itself. 

sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Matthew 6:33-34 

     Traveling to Los Angeles to be at my Aunt's funeral (she was 88 years old and had a stroke) gave me time to think as I drive alone thinking about life, about Authentic Christianity. The one takeaway from the funeral was that my Aunt was faithful, was a loving person, and loved Jesus Christ: it showed, not necessarily by words but by action, that is, she lived a quiet and peaceful life enjoying life, and speaking evil of no one. My aunt followed the words of Jesus in the opening verses. 

     A true mark of an Authentic Christian is that they do not follow after this world, rather they continue to seed the kingdom of God. A mark of a cultural or liberal Christian is just the opposite, they seek what they world has to offer. The truth: is that Authentic Christians have their character rooted in a spiritual foundation. It is easy to get caught up saying: "I must live;" and "I must make so much money;" and "I need clothed;" and "I must be fed." This means, if this is the case, that you are not spiritually minded. God is not of great concern, rather you are concerned for yourself. Yes, we must live, we must have money, we must be clothed, and be fed, there is no denying that fact. The question is: what is your great concern? God or you? Do you believe that God is concerned for His children and will add the things necessary for you? Oh! Let us get this one thing straight: God will not give to you what you want! God will give to you what you need! The problem is that we have the wrong understanding of want and need. 

     A problem that can overcome an Authentic Christian and one that has overcome a cultural or liberal Christian: They place themselves above all things, they become the center of their universe and they think only of themselves while at the same time giving either lip service or doing service for what seems to be about God, or doing things that will bring to them praise. Jesus stated: "Therefor I say unto you. Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?" (Matthew 5:25). Jesus is here saying to us that it is utterly unreasonable from His standpoint of being anxious over the means of living. We are not to be foolish and take thought of nothing, this is not what Jesus is advocating. What Jesus is teaching us is that we are make our relationship to God the domination concentration of our lives. We are as Authentic Christians to be carefully careless about everything in comparison to that dominating concentration on Him, on God and our relationship. In other words, we are not to make the cares of this world to be the ruling faction of our lives. 

    It is easy to see that far too may people are careless, are those who worry about food, clothing, how they are perceived, things which they have no business to be careless about. We are as Authentic Christians to be respectful, to dress respectfully, to take care of ourselves, to eat well, to live well, to be ethical, as God will hold us accountable for our lives and how we care for them, and whether or not we are seeking His kingdom. We are to be living in harmony with His Scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to bring us into this harmony. 

Better is the poor that walketh

     in his integrity, than he that

is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.

                 Proverbs 19:1

Concentrate on your relationship with God

Richard L. Crumb

      

Losing Self: Finding Focus

Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault,

 ye which are spiritual, restore such an one 

in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, 

lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one 

another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

For if a man think himself to be something 

when he is nothing, he deceveth himself. 

But let every man prove his own work, 

and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, 

and not in another. For every man shall 

bear his own burden.

Galatians 6:1-5 

YOUR OWN VERSION

Your are writing a Gospel,

A chapter each day, 

By deeds that you do,

By words that you say.

Men read what you write,

Whether faithless or true;

Say, what is the Gospel

According to You?

Paul Gilbert

     Focus somewhat at times, fleeting ideas or efforts, a diminished devotion, not only to your efforts, but to you as well, and yet our focus should be that which directs us toward a common center and that center is Jesus Christ and this is the Gospel. This loss of focus is a common defect in men and women. I too can testify to a loss of focus and have need to reexamine myself, to take stock of myself and make the changes needed those changes inside/out. A way to examine oneself is to look at your accomplishments, those things that you are trying to do. After this examination can you see some wrong things or are you after the wrong things? It is easy to get caught in self-deception. Close friends are those you can go and be checked so you are not self-deceiving. If you will not do this, then something is wrong. When you become aware of this, here is the hard part, distrust yourself. Quit looking for all kinds of justifications to defend what you are doing and saying. So often in this self-examination you find that your passion, either has diminished, or you do not have the same value system, even more, the things of God will diminish. 

       Self-justification, oh how we loved to be justified, and if you find that your conduct and defense of your conduct, very often at this point you sense something is wrong. If you do not feel a sense of wrongness, you will not make any needed changes, in fact you will feel godly, god-like. STOP! Take a look at the big picture. Are all the areas of your life in conformity with the will and commands of God? Have you, or are you, out of conformity with what you know God wants? Have you, or are you, negligent about those most important spiritual things: i.e., prayer, reading the Bible, even attending Church? Is you time in devotion infrequent, or irregular? Have you replaced what is truth, what it means to be an Authentic Christian, or to have Authentic Christian Faith? IT IS TIME TO TAKE INVENTORY! 

     In your time taking stock of yourself, your achievements, those things that you believe are of God, that God has called you to those things, that which God wants to accomplish through you, consider this: whether or not you are giving them more time that they really require so that you lose time, time you need to take care of your spiritual needs. 

     After careful examination, a thorough taking of stock and you find that in both object and energy of your activities, try to pursue them without given them as much of your heart to them as you have been giving to them. That may sound weird: it is not! Make, and be successful, practicing in the midst of all you do executing the presence of God in the midst. Your activities, your exercise of life will manifest a more spiritual tone. 

      Guard against the temptation, this world's cultural temptations, and your need for self-realization, that drive to self-deception, and conform to Scripture, adjust yourself to the level that will justify your behavior. KEEP YOUR STANDARDS HIGH! Recognize this: you cannot do what is right without the help of God, you will not be able to achieve them consistently. This will keep you humble that is so necessary to reflect Jesus Christ, His nature, His character. 

Wash you, make you clean; put away

     the evil of your doings from before

Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do

     well; seek judgment, relieve the

oppressed, judge the fatherless,

     plead for the widow.

                     Isaiah 1:16-17

What is your Gospel?

Richard L. Crumb

Becoming Transformed

I beseech you therefore, brethren,

 by the mercies of God, that ye present 

your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, 

acceptable unto God, which is your 

reasonable service. And be not conformed

 to this world: but be ye transformed 

by the renewing of your mind, that ye 

may prove what is that good, 

and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:1-2

     Before I begin, I must apologize for not being able to write yesterday as I had an appointment with the surgeon to consult as to when the surgery will take place. We decided to wait another six months so that I can prepare my body to ensure a better outcome. So I wait.

     Do you feel that your life, even your thoughts, your actions do not reflect Jesus Christ as it should? Do not lose heart! God is in the transforming business! Only God can change you from the inside/out. Yes, you have a part in this by studying God's word, praying, and applying the commands and precepts of God. The very fact that you may feel that this is impossible, yet are attempting to change from the inside/out is a sure sign that you have Authentic Christian Faith. While God is in the transforming business He will not transform a person who does not want to be transformed, rather they will remain in their helpless state making it to be their reality. This is self-deception and an enemy of practical, that is your everyday exercise of your faith. We need not be alone in this struggle so it is very helpful to have others Christians and a relationship with them and by them you can receive from them valuable appraisal of your true state of your life. We have a mirror by which we can measure ourselves and this is the Bible. For instance: if the Bible says do it: do it! If the Bible says not to do it: do not do it! Example: if the Bible says to be humble, are you humble? If the Bible says to be diligent as in your secular work: are you diligent? Through the mirror, that is the Bible, the Holy Spirit can reveal to you whether or not you are fulfilling God's commands. Outside influences determine much of our character and that reflects upon our actions, so we must allow Jesus Christ to influence us creating in us His character, and by that character you will exercise your faith, and this aid you in this fight, this good fight. 

     The world, its culture, is a major influence upon each person, so then, we must keep our eyes on the world around us for by this we will see what is this worldly culture. This aids us to not become engrossed, trapped, in its culture. The world is cruel, inconsiderate, this is a fact of this world. We can see the world through our eyes of Authentic Christian Faith. We must remember that there is a danger that is always imminent: "above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked" (Ephesians 6:16). We keep a careful eye and our understanding about this world, its culture, it opposition to God, we should then by moved to compassion and action. Yes, we can be compassionate, especially towards those who come into our congregations, attempting to leave the world behind them and are fighting the darts of this world, and by this we take action to aid them. This too can help us to witness to others outside of our Church, to be a good citizens, to be an Authentic Christian. If this is true of you, one searching to be an Authentic Christian, God is transforming you. 

     The world around us often is philanthropic, good deeds are done even without godly motivation, even have merit. True: but this does not earn them favor from God. All the praise a man or woman receives in this life is their reward in full. Authentic acts, that is true faith, Authentic Christian Faith, flow from the heart devoted to God. Authentic Christians are governed by a simple desire: to know God, to do His will, and by this glorify God. This is the motivation that Authentic Christians have so that whatever is done is not for themselves alone, yes this person may receive recognition, but the motivation is not for self-recognition, but originates from God and for God. Knowing this then, you will be helped to not fall from grace, to be trapped by the culture of this world, to not start out on the right, with the right motivation, only to be seduced to do things that this world desires, applause of man. 

The fear of man bringeth a snare;

     but whoso putteth his trust

in the LORD shall be safe.

                Proverbs 20:25

Get out your mirror

Richard L. Crumb

 

Growing In Grace

Wherefore laying aside all malice,and all guile,

and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

 as new born babes, desire the sincere milk 

of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 

if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, 

disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God,

 and precious, ye also, as lively stones, 

are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood,

 to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable 

to God by Jesus Christ.

1Peter 2:1-5 

     A problem that seems inherent in man is to judge others without truth: that is, to judge, to deem a person this or that without taking time to know the why's, or how's, or what's, why a person thinks, or acts the way they do or say the things they say. I hate to admit this fact as I too have been one to judge wrongly, that is, to judge without all the facts. Having come to understand that I have this problem I must then do something to correct the problem: this is true of you as well. When we come to know that this is an inherent problem, we go to find knowledge as how to correct that problem and the best source of knowledge about man is Scripture. An area that is so often judge harshly is about a person' faith. Here then is a problem: we cannot see into a person' heart. There is a way though to give us aid to come to know the validity of our judgment about another' faith is by their actions that they exhibit. Unfortunately, another problem exist: we are limited when we come to human evaluation. There is One who judges, evaluates and is not limited and that is God's evaluation for He has the ability to see into a person' heart, to weigh its motives. Here is another problem: we act as if God doesn't care about motive as long as the action is correct. This is a problem when cultural or liberal Christians are observed as they seem to be doing "good" things, even worshiping, singing, etc., all seeming to be of God. Here is a truth: correct action can be done without proper motive. Also true is that rarely will actions suffer when the motivation behind them is false. What people do is to work harder even better when their motivations are proper. But if we act out our faith due to a sense of duty, something done within cultural or liberal Christians, but also can be done by Authentic Christians revealing that there is some defect. 

       People also seem to have an inherent desire to compare, to compare things as well as people. An example is when a comparison is made between a non-believing person, one who reflects a naturally positive and friendly character between a person of faith who is so offensive by nature that a person comes to enjoy the friendship of the non-believer than a person of faith. This is true far too often and leads us to wonder: why is there never, or heard of, a contrast between people of faith, people of Authentic Christian Faith who are exhibiting the character of Jesus Christ and those who do not care anything about character. Remember: character is formed out of a person's beliefs, formed with outside influences all leading to a character exhibited and has an impact on others, either good or bad. If a person' faith, a person who has come to Authentic Christian Faith what is exhibited is that this faith has a positive impact on character and exhibited in their exercise of this positive Authentic Christian Faith everyday in all circumstances. 

     A person does not have all that they will have when they accept, repent and follow Jesus. People bring into their relationship with another, people in their congregations, and with their relationship all sorts of baggage. That is why Peter spoke about growth as noted in the opening passage. A person seeking truth, seeking Authentic Christian Faith will take the time to grow and this by the simple knowledge provided in Scripture and they do not add to the words but allow Scripture to speak for itself. During the time of growth, a time that does not come immediately, even takes time, but if a person is growing following and exhibiting the character of Jesus Christ becomes more and more Authentic. It is during this time of growth, especially in the beginning of a person' growth that they are vulnerable to error. Peter speaks of Paul and of his suffering under those who would disclaim his mission, his conversion, his faith but stood faithful to write what the Holy Spirit inspired him to write; therefore, we should take special attention to what Peter wrote: "...as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (2Peter 3:16-18). 

     Let us not forget: people, even though seem to have sunny dispositions may be struggling with life. This is a challenge for those Authentic Christians that belong to a congregation to take notice, maybe they see a change in character, or other things that show disappointment, or a death in family, things that we can only see if we are looking. Remember, we do not go to Church to just hear a sermon, to go to Sunday School, speak with only our close friends (a form of a click); we go to Church to be with our brothers and sisters in Christ and we take time to know them to speak and listen to them and aid them wherever we can. This is Authentic Christianity exhibited as it should be and this is what seems to be missing in too many Churches, people go to Church looking as though they are going to the park, to the lake, dressed in jeans, hair unkempt, allowing their children to dress as though they too are going to a party and then seem to get mad if the sermon went too long, as if they had more important things to do. Well......It is time to change from the inside/out, to become not one who is making comparison about those who do not believe, or those who believe differently, while this may need to be done, the first is to care for your brothers and sisters in Christ who attend Church with you and to ensure that visitors or met, spoken with, exhibiting true agape love. We do not do these respectful and ethical things out of duty, as do others, but because we are exhibiting the love of Jesus Christ, our motives are not for ourselves but to bring Jesus Christ to others. Do not wait for others to do this: you do it!

Be not thou envious against evil men,

     neither desire to be with them.

For their heart studieth destruction,

    and their lips talk of mischief.

Through wisdom is an house builded;

    and by understanding it is established.

And by knowledge shall the chambers be

     filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

A wise man is strong; yes, a man of knowledge

     increaseth strength.

                    Proverbs 24:1-5

Care for you house: then too others

Richard L. Crumb

Seeking Perfectionism

Therefore leaving the principles of the 

doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection;

 not laying again the foundation of repentance 

from dead works, and of faith toward God, 

of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying 

on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, 

and of eternal judgment. And this will we do, 

if God permit. For it is impossible for those 

who were once enlightened, and have tasted 

of the heavenly gifts, and were made partakers 

of the Holy Ghost, and have tasted the good 

word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 

if they shall fall away, to renew them again 

to repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves 

the Son of God afresh, and put Him to an open shame.

Hebrews 6:1-6 

     Cultural Christians have a doctrine of heresy, one that is taught at the School of the Supernatural, Bethel Church here in Redding, CA. Even Authentic Christians may have misunderstanding as to the word "perfectionism." Perfectionism is an ancient heresy that teaches that a person in this life can achieve total victory over sin. Those who have adopted this heresy, even though they may not admit it, have a kind of elitism, a feeling that have something more, that they have reached a higher plane as a Christian. those who have fallen into this heresy may at first admit or give credit to God for their perfectionism, but as is seen by they words, their actions they fall prey to smugness, and pride, it has a way of creeping in. There is a peril to this heresy as it, and in a serious way, distort the human mind, and this because a person who thinks that they can reach perfection in this life, one in which they have reached a state of sinlessness, suffer from an over estimation of their moral character and performance. There is irony in this heresy as it seeks to distance itself from antinomianism, it comes to full circle to the same error. If a person seeks or say that they have found perfectionism they have seriously underestimated the requirements of God's law.

     The heresy of perfectionism lead to the Holiness Movement that began in the 19th century. The Second Great Awakening led many people and Churches to seek this idea of Holiness as a Movement. Pentecostalism began with all seriousness seeking revival and this gave rise to several denominations to include Pentecostalism in their doctrines. 

     This will sound bias, but do not take it so, women have, in the Church, brought forth many heresies, and cults. Amiee McPherson, Mary Baker Eddy, Ellen G. White, and others, as well as Pheobe Palmer by her evangelism and writings articulated a shorter way to entire sanctification, this being achieved by placing oneself on a metaphorical alter by sacrificing worldly desires. What Palmer did was to make sanctification an instantaneous act accomplished through the exercise of faith. Those participating in this act would be assured that God would sanctify them, that is was God's will. The Pentecostal denomination taught, and do teach today, entire sanctification, or series of blessings, conversion, new birth, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit marked by speaking in tongues. The explanation, given by Ted A Campbell, a theologian was that the Holy Spirit cannot fill an unclean vessel, so there must be a cleansing of the heart and then be filled by the baptism of the Holy Spirit and then a person has reached sinless perfection. 

     Some of what is taught has a "ring" of truth, as do all lies, but perfectionism is not taught in Scripture. Salvation is complete and simply received by faith. The fruit that comes from salvation, those "good works," are simply the result of our faith and salvation. Cultural, and even liberal Christians are attempting to become "god-like," a problem from the beginning of man as can be seen that Satan told Eve that if she would eat of the fruit she would become god-like, others, Nimrod, and more sought gods, and made gods for themselves, this is a trait of man. Yet, if we are seeking to be "god-like" and this due to our being saved our salvation is in doubt because our being "god-like" is never perfect in this life. There is no comfort in attempting to be "god-like" as any sane person must admit, bad thoughts, even bad actions occur in this life so a person in actuality is never perfect. Comfort comes from God's declaration of full and free forgiveness. Authentic Christians are those who grow in God's grace and become more and more conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Authentic Christians, on the perfect word of God, reject perfectionism. Sin, as must be acknowledged affects one's motives and actions. Therefore, perfection only comes after death, when we reach heaven and be transformed by God into the people that God intended for all, to restore that what was lost, and this comes only after we have entered into eternity by faith in Jesus Christ. 

      The writer of Hebrews give solemn warning that those who fall away from the truth, those who have never come to the truth, to accept the truth, those who have added to Scripture and will not repent will be lost forever. It is time for Authentic Christians to return to the faith once delivered and turn from those heresies that are plaguing the Church, it is time for Cultural, or liberal Christians to repent and enter into God's rest as Authentic Christians. It is not too late, but the time is now!

Be still, and know that I am God:

     I will be exalted among the heathen;

I will be exalted in the earth.

                     Psalm 46:10

Do not leave the principles of Jesus Christ

Richard L. Crumb