Clean On The Outside: Dirty On The Inside

But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’

And not do the things which I say?

Whoever comes to Me,

And hears My sayings and does them,

I will show you whom he is like:

Luke 6:46–47

            Jesus went on them to give the narration about two men, one who built his house on rock, and the other who built his house on sand. The house on the rock stood the flood, the house on the sand did not stand against the stream that beat upon it and it fell. The lesson to be learned is that we must build our faith upon the rock, and that Rock is Jesus Christ for He is the firm foundation. Even when people build a house on sand, they are doing much the same as the one who built his house on rock, except one built upon a poor foundation, sand. It was destroyed. Our faith to be Authentic Biblical Faith must be built on the truth of God’s word, and not on some philosophical influence. Those who build on sand and not rock are like the Pharisees: “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees make the outside of the cup and dish clean, but your inward part is full of greed and wickedness’” (Luke 11:39). This is the problem that Christians face today, inasmuch as some Churches look clean on the outside but are full of lies on the inside. Many are mislead and believe in such false teachings as to become hardened to the truth of Scripture and will not even consider that they may be wrong, that what they are learning is not Scriptural; yet, they are affiliated with Churches that do many good and philanthropy. That may be good but their theology is built on sand, it is faulty, and it destroys Authentic Biblical Faith.

            What the early Church fought, the heresies and that which was being taught as “Christian” was not and many theologians had to write against such heresies, or false teaching, those Churches who were in error. This must be done today, for there is being taught that which is not Authentic Biblical Faith. Liberal Christianity is one such false teaching and must be addressed; many have fallen prey to such unbiblical teachings. Liberalism has as its foundation on which it bases its hope is that man can elevate man to a place where man can choose to save himself, to become one in the brotherhood of Christ. Liberal Christians point to all the good things they are doing, the love that they show (by accepting homosexuals, same sex marriage, abortions, women preaching) to all as if this is what is being taught in the Bible. It is not, for this has its foundation on either a direct lie, or be imposing their presuppositions to make Scripture say what they desire it to say. It is a nice theory propounded by Liberal Christianity and it is easy to accept as possible, but has no experiential foundation. How? By not following in the words of Jesus Christ and accepting works as a sign that they are one of God’s children and belong to the brotherhood of Christians. Not matter how elevated a society of Liberal Christians are, not matter how hard they strive to raise man to a higher morality, they fail to do so. How? Improving earthly conditions or molding individuals under such is as so often spoken: “following the Golden Rule,” and even with a ring of possibility or truth there will be a time whereby sin is palliated, and the condition of the whole has not or have not improved. Why? The conditions that Liberal Christianity strives to produce are not for the gospel’s sake, they give validity that which is contrary to Scripture; and they become ego–centric inasmuch as they do all this philanthropic exercises for the sake of their pride of accomplishment. This striving of Liberal Christianity to produce a utopian world has little value. Liberal Christianity is not Authentic Biblical Christianity. It is not that Authentic Biblical Christians are oblivious of the need to mold people, to give aid to people, to make cause for a better and improved society. What is more important in this following of the words of Jesus is not to just have an outside clean cup, rather it is to be clean on the inside and this is accomplished by the foundation which is Jesus Christ, Authentic Biblical Faith, not some man made theology. In other words; is it of God or not? The highest priority for an Authentic Biblical Christian is salvation by believing in Jesus Christ. Liberal Christianity teaches that somehow man can pull himself up by his sinful bootstraps and save himself, by simply making a decision to do so. This teaching destroys the Biblical teaching that man is totally depraved and in need of a Savior, and that man from birth is sinful: “Behold, I was brought froth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5). Job asks this question: “Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? No one” (Job 14:4)! Authentic Biblical Christians cry out: “I will love You, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; MY God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1–3). For man who is totally depraved there must be a way for him to be saved and this by believing in Jesus Christ. How can this be done? My man himself? NO! Therefore another way must be provided to man and that way is by faith given to man by God’s grace. This is done by teaching to whomever Scripture and Biblical principles and God adds to them the faith to believe. They these of the brotherhood of Jesus Christ go forth in their daily life to preach and teach the Gospel; Jesus came and died for sin and rose again and ascended into heaven making infinite intercessions for God’s chosen people. By this Authentic Biblical Christians go forth into the world to make positive changes for man. Any true societal change that benefits man comes to exist it will be only by those who are truly transformed, those who have been redeemed by God. Liberal Christianity and Authentic Biblical Christian differ in the way societal transformation is conceived. Both groups would agree that there is a need for societal transformation. A true and Authentic Biblical Christian, a true evangelist, is interested in the salvation of individuals and at the same time do have an interest for the betterment of man. Before any of this can be achieved, it must be admitted that there is a society who is interested in the betterment of the whole of society. Who are they? It is those who have had a true life changing process and are saved by the Grace of God, those who make of the called out ones; he Church. The Church is the highest Christian answer to the social needs of man.

            Grecian philosophy that became an infection for the truth of God and His people attempted to teach men how to be pious, and to live either in ascetism, or in licentiousness. We find this today in apostate Churches. If your Church is involved in such unbiblical teaching: LEAVE! Find a Church that teaches the Bible unashamedly.

The LORD lives!

            Blessed be my Rock!

Let the God of my salvation

            Be exalted.

                                    Psalm 18:46

You are delivered from sin: Live as what you are!

Richard L. Crumb

Place God As Your Priority And Shun This World's Culture

I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God, that you

present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy, acceptable to God, which is

your reasonable service.

And do not be conformed to this world,

but be transformed by the renewing

of your mind, that you may prove

what is that good and acceptable

and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:1–2

            It is more than some casual observation that many Churches have succumbed to a liberal theology. Liberal Christianity is more interested in social institutions where they place their priorities. This interest in social institutions is not to be admitted that Orthodox Christianity is not interested in people as a whole. They do, for Orthodox, or Authentic Biblical Christianity is interested in the institution of the Church, the salvation of souls, yet the Church cannot be caricaturized as not being interested in education, or in the maintenance of a social life in this world. Authentic Biblical Faith has first, and foremost, the saving of souls and this is not to be done in a vacuum. Orthodox Christianity does not operate in some pious state which separates Authentic Biblical Christianity from the social needs from the priority of salvation. Orthodox Christianity does not leave alone those saved and called by God alone to be left to their own devices. Therefore, Every Authentic Biblical Christian must have a concerned interest in uniting the brotherhood of the Church, and an interest in this uniting to be involved in social concerns as they spread the Gospel which calls God’s elect. This being said, Authentic Christian Faith is far different from liberal Christianity. How? Brotherhood in liberal theology is the brotherhood of man. Modern liberal theology has embraced the doctrine that all men everywhere are brothers. This liberal theology has allowed for homosexuals to take communion, to become part of a Church, and even to be leaders and pastors. Liberal Christianity being imbedded in this liberality has made cause to allow for women to be preachers, and to accept such horrible actions such as abortion. All for the brotherhood, which denies the plain and clear teaching of God’s word. At least in part, if not in whole, liberal Christians do not accept the Bible as the inerrant and infallible word of God, preserved by Him and have accepted translations and paraphrase forms to be Scriptural. Up to a certain point this doctrine; “The Brotherhood of Man,” can be accepted. All men have the same creator and are of the same nature. All men need to hear the Gospel by which some men are saved. Authentic Biblical Christians can accept that there is need to live as Christ has commanded us and by doing so benefit society as a whole. To be involved in aiding those in need wherever they may be, Africa, Kentucky, or by such things as the storm Katrina, and the recent New England storm, Sandy. To them is to apply to them Brotherhood and here we have agreement with those who hold to a liberal form of Christianity. Yet, Authentic Biblical Christians know that there is a relationship more intimate than just some general relationship of man to man. It is this intimate relationship whereby Authentic Biblical Christians use the term brother. Authentic Biblical Christians teach according to Scripture that the true brotherhood is the brotherhood of he redeemed. When the Apostle Peter wrote: “Honor all people, love the brotherhood .Fear God. Honor the king” (1Peter 1:1–2), he is writing to the elect. The elect are the true brotherhood, yet we are to honor all even those who are not of the true brotherhood of Jesus Christ.

            There are those who would cavil and object vehemently at this teaching and call it narrow; but is it? No! the Christian brotherhood is open to all without distinction. Authentic Biblical Christians seek to bring all to Jesus Christ, to admit them to the true brotherhood. No man, Christian or not, can know who are elected or not. Our command is to take the Gospel to all nations. It is God who gives mercy to whoever He chooses (Roman 9:15). Any man can choose to be philanthropic, to bind up wounds, to care for the needy, etc., Authentic Biblical Christians do the same, only their interest, the first on their priority list is, an interest in that which is deeper than the deepest of philanthropy; their interest is to bring lost souls to Jesus Christ. 

            A heresy, an there were many, developed in the early Church and they have insidiously found their way into many Churches has found a home in liberal theology. Liberal theology is just one such heretical aspect that many have accepted due to their misuse of Scripture and their appeal to the hearts, an appeal that moves people to look beyond the truth of Scripture and apprehend such false teaching. They do more than just apprehend, they assimilate this false teaching and become hardened against the true word of God. Paul admonishes us: “Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are of such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17–18). Platoism, Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, ascetism, Monastery life, prosperity theology, supernatural theology that teaches that God will speak things to a person without the aid of Scripture, speculative theology, etc., which the simple fall prey too; don’t be simple, study, learn of God, don’t listen to flattering speech, rather become an Authentic Biblical Christian and change from the Inside Out.

And I, brethren when I came to you,

did not come with excellence of speech

or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of

            God. For I determined not to know

anything among you except Jesus Christ

            and Him crucified.

                                    1Corinthians 2:1–2

Commit your souls to Him

Richard L. Crumb

Doing Battle With Error

For I am the LORD,

I do not change;

therefore you are not

consumed, O sons of Jacob.

Yet from the days of your

fathers you have gone away from

My ordinances and have kept

not them. Return to Me,

and I will return to you.

Malachi 3:6–7a

            In the attempts by Platonist, Neoplatonists, Gnostics, and others God is not considered to be immutable for they assign to God a place in heaven where He resides separate as having a corporeal body. Furthermore, they anthropomorphize God or make Him to be a God among gods, albeit He is higher than all other gods. In these attempts to understand God, and the existence of man and matter their presuppositions as to God and all things that exist are faulty. They are faulty due to limited and lack of critical thinking; they fall short. For God to be God, to exist implies immutability and finiteness. If God is not all in all, Pantheism, rather that God has no bounds, infinite as God must be if He be God and not other things can exist without His being an immutable God who never changes; His yes must be yes, and His no be no. He as God cannot be wishy-washy, and change His mind for if He did then we cannot have trust in Him; we won’t what is true. We cannot think of a changeable God. This is repugnant to common sense. Some as the Mormon say: “He is a man” which in itself this statement relinquishes any idea of God to be just a little higher than man and does not allow for God to be all in all, everywhere present except possibly in God’s mind. Augustine in his City of God, book 1, chapter 19, wrote: “our God is everywhere present, wholly everywhere not confined to any place. He can be present unperceived, and be absent without moving…”. How can anyone think that God could be changeable, it would be as Charles Spurgeon said in his sermon delivered January 7, 1865, at New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, England: “Others may be capable of such and idea, but I could not entertain it. I could no more think of a changing God, than I could of a round square, or any other absurdity. The thing seems so contrary, that I am obliged, when once I say God, to include the idea of an unchanging being”. There are those who complain of Christianity due to their desire to live without restraint, living even in shameful luxury. I am not here condemning those who are wealthy for many people live in shameful luxury, even at the cost of debt to satisfy their desires. Those who condemn Christianity will point to the calamities that Christian undergo, but they forget, they suffer the same calamities, but they use this as a condemnation because they do not wish to live by Christian standards. They desire to enjoy a luxurious license unrestrained and to lead an abandoned and profligate life without the interruption of any uneasiness or disaster. Yes, those condemners desire each, and prosperity, plenty but this desire is not prompted by having some purpose to use these blessing honestly, yes, they may be philanthropic, but not with any moderation, sobriety, temperance, and piety. Why? For their purpose is to run and do as they like to be autonomous, even in antinomy, to have an endless variety of pleasure, to be free from morals, which are considered to be pestilence to them and to be avoided for they will soften their desires. It is a seduction of an evil mind that influences those who condemn Christianity; they are not prudent people, they wish for impunity for their own vicious luxury and desires. As for those claiming to be Christian, those who have converted to the Christian faith and believe in an immutable God must stay clear from those philosophies that attack the very core of Christian faith. Those philosophers that agree with us in many points, i.e., immortality of the soul, that the true God created all that exists, and that God rules providentially. Yet, they differ from Christianity on other points. We must expose their errors and this we do with the aid of God by means of His word, the Holy Spirit and hold fast to the purity of God who has justified us and sanctified us by His Grace and His Grace alone. Do not become as many have: “…always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2Timothy 3:7). Today many people have this prevalent infirmity that even after hearing the truth, as well as it can be presented and demonstrated, they hold tight to a truth that they have developed according to their own unreasonable fancies. They are blinded so not to see the truth that is set plainly before them because they are an obstinate people: “they utter speech, and speak insolent things; all the workers of iniquity boast in themselves”(Psalm 94:4). This will not or are unable to understand our arguments, the are hardened by their contradictions. History attests to this fact, and it is this study of history and those men who by their false philosophies that developed false theologies that we as Christians in this present day are confronted with and must be able to answer them and to aid others who have been affected by such false and wicked teachings so that their faith may become an Authentic Biblical Faith. This means to be able to change from the Inside Out.

            Will you join in this battle for truth? Will you change you ways and live by His commandments? No matter the costs? If yes, then continue this study, and study on your own, check things that are said by your study. Pray for God will answer your prayer. It is not this temporal would that Christians hold onto; it is the world that God has prepared for His children. In time, His time, on the Last Day, God will come for His children, the Savior will call with a shout of an archangel and we will rise to be with Him: forever! Until He comes we have this command to preach the word, to live the word, to care for our brothers and sisters, and to do battle with error. We do all this with love: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that  when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for evil” (2Peter 3:15–17).

But the end of all things is at hand;

            Therefore be serious and watchful

In your prayers. And above all things

            Have fervent love for one

Another,… as good stewards of the

            Manifold grace of God.

                                    1Peter 4:7–8a, 10b

Are you preparing even now for the Sabbath?

Richard L. Crumb