Monthly Archives: April 2015

Should We Obey God Or Woman?

In a recent speech given at the Women of the World summit, Hillary Clinton, Democrat candidate for President, stated that “Far too many women are denied access to reproductive health care and safe childbirth…And deep-seated cultural codes, religious beliefs and structural biases have to be changed.” While you might think that she was referring to some far away, oppressed, backward country, she wasn’t. She went on to clarify that what she referred to was “not just in far away countries but right here in the United States.”

In many ways this is simply a strange statement. The expression “reproductive health care” is just a nuanced way of saying “abortion.” The Planned Parenthood website, for instance, while they offer other token services (very few of which seem to be related to parenting) clearly seeks to promote and advance abortion. It is nearly all they talk about. And yet, apparently, Hillary Clinton thinks there are not enough abortions even in the United States where there have been 57,852,000 since 1973. Already, this year alone, there were 360,187 abortions. Think of this! These are innocent lives being snuffed out just because they were inconvenient to someone else. And Hillary Clinton thinks women are denied this “right”?

Furthermore, she blames religious beliefs for stifling abortion. Whatever else she may be referring to when she says this, she has in mind the Biblical teaching that abortion is murder. She would have Christians to change their “deep-seated religious beliefs” in order to bring about her goal of increased access to abortion. This clearly demonstrates not only a lack of humanity but also a lack of understanding on her part of the nature of truth, the origin of the Bible and the basis of Christianity.

Christians do not arbitrarily decide what they believe. We believe the things we believe because they come from God, not from any man (or any woman). All scripture is given by inspiration of God (II Tim. 3:16,17). Faithful Christians would never, could never, change their view about the sanctity of life. Those who would presume to alter the teaching of God’s word are warned:

For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book (Rev. 22:18-19).

Christians, those who follow and adhere to the teaching of Jesus Christ, know that to add to or to take from the word of God is sinful. Christians would never seek to alter or have others alter their deep-seated views that come from God. Indeed, we ought to obey God rather than men or woman (Acts 5:29). While many will form their worldview based on something other than the Bible, faithful Christians, will have a “Thus saith the Lord” for their deep-seated beliefs.

This country does not now need, nor does it ever need, leaders who tempt its citizens to dismiss the will of God or have disdain for the sanctity of human life, which is made in the image of God. It needs leaders who will lead based upon the word of God. At the very lest, we need moral leaders who uphold the traditional Judea-Christian values that formed the basis of the founding of this country.

May God help us in the upcoming elections to choose men and women who uphold the traditional values upon which this country was founded, who will uphold the sanctity of life, and who will listen to God’s word as they govern.

Eric L. Padgett

“THE BIBLE THE BEST OF CLASSICS”

The following article can be found in McGuffey’s Fifth Ecclectic Reader. It was written by Thomas Grimke (b. 1786, d. 1834), a lawyer in South Carolina. He describes the Bible as “the best of classics,” but it is clear he saw the Bible as more than just a classic. If the teachers in our schools would once again present the word of God in this light to the young minds that come through their classrooms, think of what a change could be wrought in the next generation and in the moral fiber of our nation!  Think of how would even effect the Lord’s church!

1. There is a classic, the best the world has ever seen, the noblest that has ever honored and dignified the language of mortals. If we look into its antiquity, we discover a title to our veneration unrivaled in the history of literature. If we have respect to its evidences, they are found in the testimony of miracle and prophecy; in the ministry of man, of nature, and of angels, yea, even of “God, manifest in the flesh,” of “God blessed forever.”

2. If we consider its authenticity, no other pages have survived the lapse of time that can be compared with it. If we examine its authority, for it speaks as never man spake, we discover that it came from heaven in vision and prophecy under the sanction of Him who is Creator of all things, and the Giver of every good and perfect gift.

3. If we reflect on its truths, they are lovely and spotless, sublime and holy as God himself, unchangeable as his nature, durable as his righteous dominion, and versatile as the moral condition of mankind. If we regard the value of its treasures, we must estimate them, not like the relics of classic antiquity, by the perishable glory and beauty, virtue and happiness, of this world, but by the enduring perfection and supreme felicity of an eternal kingdom.

4. If we inquire who are the men that have recorded its truths, vindicated its rights, and illustrated the excellence of its scheme, from the depth of ages and from the living world, from the populous continent and the isles of the sea, comes forth the answer: “The patriarch and the prophet, the evangelist and the martyr.”

5. If we look abroad through the world of men, the victims of folly or vice, the prey of cruelty, of injustice, and inquire what are its benefits, even in this temporal state, the great and the humble, the rich and the poor, the powerful and the weak, the learned and the ignorant reply, as with one voice, that humility and resignation, purity, order, and peace, faith, hope, and charity are its blessings upon earth.

6. And if, raising our eyes from time to eternity; from the world of mortals to the world of just men made perfect; from the visible creation, marvelous, beautiful, and glorious as it is, to the invisible creation of angels and seraphs; from the footstool of God to the throne of God himself, we ask, what are the blessings that flow from this single volume, let the question be answered by the pen of the evangelist, the harp of the prophet, and the records of the book of life.

7. Such is the best of classics the world has ever admired; such, the noblest that man has ever adopted as a guide.

Eric L. Padgett

Marks of the Lord Jesus

I was looking at a step stool the other day, which my brother made in high school a long time ago, and I noticed all the marks on it. There were indentations made by other objects hitting it, there was ground-in dirt, drops of paint, scratches and drops of what looked like glue, and other marks. It caused me to think that there were stories behind all those marks. That got me to thinking about my own body and the scars and marks I bear, each with a story behind them, stories I can’t even fully remember right now.

Then, in the solitude of that moment, my mind turned to the statement Paul made in Galatians 6:17: “From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Some had questioned Paul’s authority and apostleship, but Paul could literally point to the sufferings he went through to bring the gospel to the Galatian brethren and others. Paul’s dedication and service to the Lord was evidenced by the physical and the mental marks he bore in his own body.

In ancient times, a man could show his dedication to his master by having a hole bored in his ear (Ex. 21:1-6). The Jews also underwent circumcision to show their covenantal relationship to the law of Moses. The Judaizers who opposed Paul wanted to circumcise the Gentiles so that they could glory in their flesh (Gal, 6:13). But Paul responded to this by saying that he would glory only in the cross of Jesus Christ, by whom the world had been crucified unto him, and he unto the world (Gal. 6:14).

While the judaizers wanted to glory in their adherence to a dead and powerless law, Paul could persuasively argue for his service and dedication to the New Covenant of the living Christ by the very marks he bore in his body.

Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep (II Cor. 11:23-25).

What tangible proof can we offer that we are the servants of Jesus Christ? Do we have any scars to show for it? Have we yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin (Heb. 12:4)? Can we rejoice in our sufferings and fulfill that in which we fall behind in the sufferings of Christ (Col. 1:24)? Many of those who have defended this country in its wars bear in their bodies the literal proof of their loyalty to the flag by their wounds. How do we measure up in our loyalty to Christ?

Sadly, it is fashionable today among many members of the Lord’s church to be passive, to not bring about any conflict, to not ruffle any feathers, to not rock the boat, to not engage in spiritual battle, to not do anything that might cause the world to dislike them. That certainly was not the Lord’s way, else why were there constant attempts to bring about His demise (Mark 11:18). It was not Paul’s way, else why would he suffer so much persecution? It was not true of Christians in general else why would Paul say, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (II Tim. 3:12)?

Those who want to be loved by the world need to listen to the words of the Lord. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you (John 15:18-19). The world hated Jesus and sent Him to the cross and it will hate us if we follow Him. If the world loves you, it is only because you are of the world and not of Christ.

We have a choice. We can go unscathed by the world and unmolested by satan if we compromise our Christian dignity and the truth or we can maintain our Christian integrity and brave the fiery darts of satan (Eph. 6:10-20). Jesus gave the answer to this question when He said “Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire” (Matthew 18:8). Some Christians, however, are not willing to endure even the smallest grief for the Lord.

Clearly, faithful Christians will bear in their bodies the marks of the Lord Jesus. These marks will come as a result of having engaged in battle with this present evil world and its god. One day, those Christians who have compromised their love for the Lord for the love of the world will trade in their peace and placidity for confusion and damnation while those of us who are despised and molested by the world, and by weak brethren, will trade in our scars and wounds for the victors crown of eternal life.

“From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus” (Galatians 6:17).

Eric L. Padgett

FORGIVENESS

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9)

One of the many things which so moves me about the teaching of Christ is the promise of forgiveness. Watching the response of those who have stood at the bar of human justice waiting for a verdict to be announced, proves just how powerful the concept of forgiveness is. If your life hangs in the balance (and you have any kind of regard for it), the announcement “Not Guilty” is overwhelming. We have seen it many times on our television sets. The jubilation, the joy of acquittal (whether deserved or not)! But if human forgiveness is so precious, how much more precious is the forgiveness of the Lord!

Of course, unless you believe and feel that you are guilty in the sight of God, such a promise holds very little meaning. Apparently, many in our society do not have a sense of guiltiness in their lives regarding sin. To them, there is no such thing as sin, mainly because they do not believe in an objective standard of right and wrong. Perhaps they do not even believe in God. And if they do not believe in an objective, metaphysical standard of right and wrong, then they will also see no value in forgiving one another. In fact, such an action as forgiveness might even be perceived as weakness. How tragic and how meaningless such a life must be, to never feel the rapture of redemption.

But for those of us who painfully realize our own faults and transgressions against the Divine Will, who hurt and despair over offending the righteousness and holiness of God, the knowledge that the Lord in His mercy and grace has forgiven us and will continue to forgive us as long as we walk in the light and confess our sins, is too wonderful to fully describe (I John 1:7-9). It is truly amazing to know that He left the glories of heaven to die on the cruel and thankless cross so that we might be able to hear from Heaven’s Bar of Justice those precious words “Forgiven.”

Incredibly, the Bible tells us when we are forgiven by God that all our prior sins and transgression are forgiven (Col. 2:13), completely wiped clean from His Book of Remembrance. They will never be brought up against us again! Never! We know this forgiveness comes at a very high price, indeed, the price of unthinkable humiliation and the shedding of Holy and Innocent Blood (Phil. 2:5-8; Acts 20:28; Col. 1:14) through the riches of His grace (Eph. 1:7). The knowledge of this great forgiveness should bring even greater joy (Mark 9:2).

Because He has forgiven us so much, not because we deserve it, but for Christ’s name sake (Eph. 4:32; I John 2:12), we should love greatly, as well (Luke 7:47). We also know that humility, repentance and obedience precede forgiveness (II Chron. 7:14; Acts 8:22). When Jesus spoke from the cross and said “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), this could not be accomplished until there was repentance on the part of those about whom He spoke. His prayer was answered on the day of Pentecost when three thousand were pricked in their heart by the words spoken by Peter and repented and were baptized (Acts 2:38). What a day of rejoicing that must have been when so many enjoyed so great a salvation!

It follows that because we have been forgiven, we should be able to forgive others also (Col. 3:13). The simple law of Christ is, Forgive and ye shall be forgiven (Luke 6:36). We should forgive whenever there is forgiveness sought, as many times as it takes (Luke 17:3; Matt. 18:21,22). If we are not willing to forgive others, then surely we cannot expect the Lord to forgive us (Mark 11:25). So let us preach the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ to the world that they too might know the joys of salvation and let us practice forgiveness in our own lives!

I am so grateful to God to know confidently that He forgives me when I sin. He forgives me often. I hope and pray and strive so that one day I might hear Him say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Eric L. Padgett

Freedom of Religion

There has been a lot of attention given to the Freedom of Religion law recently passed here in Indiana. I don’t know enough yet about all the legal issues involved and I won’t go into them here. This only will I say, this country was founded on Judeao-Christian values, i.e., the values we find revealed by God in the Bible. Those basic values are what made this country the great nation that it is and, I am afraid, to willfully remove ourselves from them will be to remove ourselves from the protection of God’s Providence which brought us to this place of distinction in the world.

Quote after quote could be produced showing the favorable disposition of the Founding Fathers to God, Christianity and the Bible. For example, President Washington said, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” In a speech to the Delaware Indians, he stated:

“You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do every thing they can to assist you in this wise intention; and to tie the knot of friendship and union so fast, that nothing shall ever be able to loose it.”

Truly, so long as this country adhered to it’s Judeao-Christian heritage, God blessed this nation. But since, through the threat of financial ruin and intimidation of an influential minority, the constant drone of the liberal media against conservative, Christian points of view, and the passing off of the perfidious plague of political correctness as serious thought, we have devalued human life by adopting the insanity of abortion, we have glorified the sickest kind of immorality and debauchery through Hollywood’s hypnotic “eye,” we have sanitized and “normalized” the unnatural, sick and perverse abominations of homosexuality (which until 1986 was classified as a mental illness in The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) and, of late, powerful people in high places have attempted to foist upon the American people the rejection of Christ and the gospel in favor of the adoption of Mohammed and Islam.

It is only natural that sincere and conscientious Christians voice concern about their place in this increasingly hostile-to-Christian society. We should not expect things to get significantly better anytime soon for the Christian or even the nation. Indeed, expect them to worsen considerably. But this much we know: God is ultimately in complete control and shall work out His will in His own time, in His own way (Dan. 4:17,25,32; 5:21).

In the meantime, however, we should know that anytime the government attempts to force Christians to do that which they cannot conscientiously do–and make no mistake about it, this is happening even now!–they must adamantly refuse. Clearly “we ought to obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:9). This action, of course, will have serious consequences and we will be persecuted as a result but all that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (II Tim. 3:12). We must have enough faith to not fear men but God (Matt. 10:28).

Unless we Christians stand up and loudly voice our opposition to the godless agenda being advanced while we are still free to do so, there may come a time when it will be impossible to do so. It is terribly ironic that God does not even force us to do His will like the government is now trying to force us to do it’s will. God made us free and makes us free. We have freedom of religion with God, but not with man. Our federal and many state constitutions promise us that these God-given freedoms will not be abridged but in this day of lawlessness that may not mean anything.

Eric L. Padgett