Examining Oneself! By Scripture

For if anyone things himself to be something,

when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

But let each one examine his own work,

and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone,

and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.

Galatians 6:3–5

But let a man examine himself,

and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner

eats judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

1Corinthians 11:28–29

            Paul in Galatians is speaking about restoring a person who is in some trespass but do so by first examining yourself. In 1Corinthians Paul is speaking about examining ourselves before taking of the bread and wine, the communion or Lord’s Supper. In the secular world people are instructed to examine themselves, in health, in work, how they treat other people, etc.. So it is wise to examine oneself. Many do little or nothing when it comes to self–examination, especially in the Church where they have come to tacitly believe all that is taught without examining if it is correct theologically or not. To examine ourselves theologically, the divine truth and the knowledge it demands should develop in us an indisposition in our self–confidence in our own powers. This self–examination should aid us to attain to the true goal both in speculation and practice. People are willing to self–examination in many cases because it invites one to ponder our good qualities, but does not lead a person to become overwhelm with shame, our miserable destitution and ignominy (personal disgrace and shame). Men love flattery and accept it even if done in a manner that seems to seem humble. Men are told that they have endowments of such a high order which often leads to excessively credulity ( a willingness to believe anything). This has led men to err egregiously and have such a self–love which blinds them and are so persuaded that they do not have any matter in them that is deserving of hatred. Independence is the cry of people, independent, or entitled, woman want independence, men want independence and all believe they are entitled to things which are not an entitlement. It is taught in the schools that man is perfectly sufficient in themselves and can have a good and happy life. Some do and some are far from such a life whether they cause it to be so or not; it is not guaranteed as any sentient individual will testify. “Oh!” You say, in modesty and do believe in God, this may be true but for many this does not arrogate every thing to God for they arrogate some things to their own mind, their will and make a division between what is secular and what is religious. This is only to show that man does not assign to God, rather they boast in themselves. Man loves to have their ears tickled: : For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables”(2Timothy 4:3–4). When man hears a good sermon, or discourse they follow after it as though it is true without examination, they just accept it as true especially when they are flattered by such a sermon or discourse. There is a self–pride that wells up, a feeling that God must love me because I really am good and do many good things. If not said openly then it can be found in the heart of that person. If a person becomes so favored, as though all he says is absolute truth, and somehow that person’s excellence is extolled, that he has a excellent human nature, man gives applause if not allegiance. Man may receive and be extolled in some excellence but all that is being done with that person or yourself is you fall into this category, (You know if you do by self–examination and using Scripture as you template), is to give excellence that leads to man resting in himself. Man then is fascinated by such as it seems to be so sweet, acceptable, at least on the face, but all that is being done is making man to be deluded in his thinking, and when it comes to allowing this self belief in man as being so good that God will accept him, and does not lead to self–examination by being scrutinized by Scripture is leading man to Gehenna, or for the elect to a life that is not honoring God who gave them faith to believe and act upon that belief into a life that must be accounted for at the throne of God on judgment day.

            Let me ask this: what does it avail a man to proceed in such self–confidence? What good does come from such a life that does not deliberate the things of God? What good does come from our own attempt to resolve things outside of the template of Scripture? Does not all this examination that springs from self nothing more that a deficient life, destitute of virtue  and of sound intelligence? Continue to persist ins such a life leads a person headlong into self destruction, and they go being confident in their own desire to be independent, to be self–willed, and have confidence in their own powers. Take another course! Take head of those who teach truth from God’s word, not some allegorical approach to Scripture, not some good ear tickling words that lead to a self piety that is not of God rather is due to those who seem so eloquent, so excellent, so good in their nature that we leave all to follow them without examining what they teach and say, to tacitly be a Christian. All this does is to lead a person into a most pernicious ignorance.

            You might wonder how does all this pertain to the subject of original sin? Keep reading the next blogs and the answer will be apparent.

Blessed are the undefiled in the way,

            Who walk in the law of the LORD!

Blessed are those who keep His commandments,

            Who seek Him with the whole heart!

                                                Psalm 119:1–2

May the Grace Of God be with you

Richard L. Crumb

Original Sin: From Adam?

But now the righteousness of God

apart from the law is revealed,

being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

even the righteousness of God,

through faith in Jesus Christ,

to all and on all who believe.

For there is no difference;

for all have sinned and fall

short of the glory of God,

being justified freely by His grace

through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

Romans 3:21–24

            One of the oldest theological debates is over the doctrine of original sin. This soteriological doctrine affects Christological doctrine. Why did Jesus Christ die and for whom? These questions will be left to be written about in future blogs and until then we must come to understand the doctrine of original sin. The above Scripture states that: ALL MEN HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. Did man receive sin from Adam or did sin enter into the life of man after the fall? If from Adam who did Adam’s sin have an effect on: his progeny? Did the sin of Adam place a curse on man which man cannot recover from by his own efforts? Did Adam’s sin cause man to be degenerate due to original sin: Adam’s fall. The early heresies attempted to define God, life, and sin, and a way to apprehend salvation from sin, this world, and devised ways by which a person can enter into the realm of God. Men are still looking today for this and many who are Christian do not have the education or have taking time to study this doctrine, or any doctrines, and have accepted the doctrines purported by the Church they attend. Non–Christian people ask this same question: how can one man, Adam, make cause for all men to have inherited sin from Adam’s sin, his fall from grace? Let us then examine this question, this doctrine and determine if the doctrine of original sin can be imputed to all men from the fall of Adam, or is sin solely caused by men \as some theologians have proposed; i.e., Pelagius, Jacobus Arminius, etc., as the teach that man has sinned but still have goodness in them so that they can if they so desire believe in God and be converted.

            Old ancient proverbs and philosophers have strongly recommended that man should have knowledge of himself. If one does not have this knowledge then they would be ignorant of things pertaining to life, and it would be disgraceful if one does not know himself. How often have you heard from someone that they must get to know themselves, or leave a marriage so that they could seek out themselves, to get to the inner child, etc.. If we do not know self then we would be walking about in ignorance and darkness. Am I insinuating that to know oneself is bad? NO! But!!! We must be careful not use this precept preposterously. This certainly has been the case with many philosophers as they have stated that man getting to know himself propose the motive is to have this self–knowledge so that a person would not be ignorant of his own self image, excellence, or dignity. What does this mean? That man would see only in himself those things that would fill him with confidence, and inflate him with pride. Nothing wrong with confidence, or have pride in doing good, but this should not be a person’s motive for seeking self–knowledge. How does one affectively seek self–knowledge, that is, where does one begin? First, a person should reflect on God, His creation, and those things that God graciously gives to all men, to this universe; i.e., rain, snow, sunshine, food, etc.. Looking back to Adam we can see that there was an excellency in this world that has been lost, and can see that things would have been better if only sin did not enter into this world, and this by the fall and revolt of Adam. When we consider all that there is in this world; “Then to Adam He said, ‘Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: ‘Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field” (Genesis 3:17–18). We can see that everything does rely on God, entirely, and when we admit that which He has graciously bestowed we have pleasure. It is these objects we use in this life that are leading us to have devotion, and worship for God. Secondly, when we look at this miserable condition(s) on this world we lose all confidence, in our self, and our self–boasting is nothing, and our shame becomes apparent: we are humbled. Scripture teaches that man is made in the image of God. Some would cavil and vehemently object to that statement as they hold to the theory of evolution that leaves no room for God in the equation why things exist. Why did God make man in His image? Man was given something that no other creature had received from God; His image. This was so that man would be able to elevate his mind so that he would pursue virtue, and that man would contemplate eternal life, (if Adam had not sinned then eternal life this was what he had in store), and we would be able to see the difference between us and all other creatures, that man had a certain quality imbued in him; reason and intelligence which would lead him to a life that is holy and honorable, and regard immortal life. Man would have as his highest object for worship and devotion his creator: God. When we place our minds on heavenly things: “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God” (Philippians 2:5–6). Paul adds these words: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God” (Colossians 3:1). I heard this wise saying on a TV show (who would think?): “A person has both good and bad in them. Which one controls is the one you feed.” Which one are you feeding? When we think of the Garden of Eden, the first man and woman, and see how good and excellent life was then, and then look at history, our day and see that this would is far from that standard we are sad, and we become dissatisfied with ourselves, and in many cases we become humble. Many are seeking and desire that which God has promised, they seek Him and wish not to be destitute; they want those good qualities.

            I have begun on this series and by the end you will see how all this is congealed into a correct understanding of the doctrine of original sin.

Therefore put to death

            Your members

Which are on earth;

            Fornication, uncleanness,

Passion, evil desire, and covetousness,

            Which is idolatry.

                        Colossians 3:5

Place God And His Law In Your Everyday Life

Richard L. Crumb

Trusting God And Our Savior

The fool has said in his heart,

"There is no God."

                                 They are corrupt,         

they have done abominable works,

there is none who does good.

The LORD looks down from heaven

upon that children of men,

to see if there are any who understand,

who seek God, they have together they come corrupt;

there is none who does good,

no, not one.

Psalm 14: 1 -- 3

            As has been pointed out in previous blogs, such things as philosophy; i.e., Platoism, Neoplatonism, which formed ideologies from such philosophies that were and are contradictory to the Christian faith which led to many false teachings, and heresies.  Much of Paul's, Peter’s, James’s, and the writer of Hebrews, was written against such things as these heretical teachings.  Many various forms, sects, developed along lines of personal prepositions, and desires to somehow define God and life.  These did recede but never were completely extinguished.  We can see the effects of these heresies in some churches today who have allowed these false teachings and heresies to be the foundation for their theology and faith.  Before I address the doctrine of original sin, the totality of sin, which is so depraved by Adams sin and addressing those who hold a belief that man is not totally depraved, that man has at least some good, some original good, that man can save himself, allow me to write briefly how these early philosophies, ideologies, and heresies, have developed in later years.  I must set forth this fact before continuing: some good may be found in all religious, philosophies, and ideologies, yet because there is some good in them does not mean that they are acceptable according to God, his Word, and his doctrine.

            During the 16th century Protestantism arose against the many atrocities found in Roman Catholicism.  Many ideas developed which is the basis to Protestantism.  This development was good and necessary, but in the 17th century Protestantism took steps to developing a system of Orthodox dogma which a person accepted intellectually.  First, there is nothing wrong with Orthodox Christianity that holds to Scripture as the highest object of Christian faith that guides practical life.  This system of dogma led to Scholasticism which led men to be more interested in dogma van in practical life.  This Scholasticism is nothing more then a cold expression of Christianity.  The scholasticism coupled with other political and social events; i.e., religious wars, gave rise to rationalistic philosophy and empirical science.  Rationalism and formalism in religion rose between 1560 and 1648 in England, Europe, and later in the United States.  A distaste for this cold orthodoxy among a rationalistic philosophers and scientists gave rise to a theology of natural religion, and insisted that the church, the groups of believers in God that by means of this natural theology or religion would then lead to the rise of toleration and denominationalism.  Go slow here, do not point their fingers at either of toleration or denominationalism as though they are bad.  Remember there is both good and bad in each, but we must come to understand the bad, and the good so as to be able to hold on to the good which is to be found only in Scripture.

            Protestant scholasticism developed in the late 17th and 18th centuries into two responses: (1) rationalism, which found its expression in Deism; (2) Revivalism, and from this expression in some cases, they emphasis on what is called a theology of the inner light, and in another expression which delayed stress upon the importance of Scripture and personal piety.  Modern thought has emphasized the importance of reason and holds in high esteem the scientific method in the discovery of truth shying away from the traditions of the past as though they must be avoided.  Looking back into the past to find the origin of such thinking we need to look deeply into the period between the Thirty Years War (1618–1648) and the beginning of the French Revolution (1789–1799).  We must give attention for the reasons that gave rise to such as rationalism and revivalism and their results how they impacted and have had such an impact upon religion.

          

PRESERVE me, O God, for in

            You I put my trust.

O my soul, you have said to the LORD,

            My goodness is nothing apart from You.

                                                Psalm 16:1-2

Trust God and His word

Richard L. Crumb