 |
| Without realizing it the "unregenerate" are without spiritual understanding. Their very sinful nature causes them to eschew and detest the spiritual realities of the Christian Faith. 1 Corinthians 2:14 |
“Unregenerate” – Not regenerated; not renewed in heart; remaining at enmity with God. Those who do not acknowledge the Triune God and have not experienced His saving power and grace upon their sinful lives. Those who live their lives in unbelief – not believing in the very Christ who died for their priceless souls.
Malicious Criticism and Persecution for the Christian, is a Given:
As Christians strive to fulfill their commitment to Christ, trouble and persecution will follow them. [John 15:1f ; 2 Timothy 3:12] When certain unregenerate individuals cannot handle the truth, their modus operandi is to “crucify” the messenger. They will utilize any means within the quill of their depraved sinful nature to accomplish their dastardly deeds of evil.
The unregenerate will hate the truth and resist it
The unregenerate will hate the truth and resist it
As we both left the building, after paying for our perspective pumped fuel, I engaged this young man in conversation. I asked him if he was “hard of hearing.” He seemed surprised and didn't quite know what I was communicating. I then proceeded to mention to him that his music was very loud, and that not all people care for that type of music and its high decibel level. To that, the young man bristled in reply: “Well, these muscle cars make a lot of noise.” To which I replied: “But I was talking about your noise and how you can contribute to lowering the noise levels for everyone's comfort.”
The young man’s “hearing” was obviously flawed, as he then charged me with wanting to run everyone's' lives. As he was walking away to take off in his car, I then ended the conversation with the parting comment: “Sir, you have a crappy attitude.”
As I climbed into my car to back into the air pump station, I noticed that this young man (deliberately) made it a point to leave the gas station, the opposite way he came in. He turned around and exited from the opposite direction from which he entered. And, guess what? He left in a huff, with his car windows down and his crappy music blaring away! [Needless to say, I muttered some descriptive expletive under my breath]
Those convinced against their own will, are, of the same opinion, still:
 |
| Rather than accepting truth, people will torture themselves, oftentimes without consciously realizing it. And, when confronted with reality, "a person convinced against his own will; is, of the same opinion, still." |
I am not a stranger to some online Internet forum discussions. What I find almost invariably, are people hiding behind pseudo names (and, perhaps), multiple forum “usernames,” who will not, or cannot stick to an issue and discuss it at length. When confronted with some added information or another substantiated opinion with which they disagree, they will resort to nasty name-calling – and, in some cases, resort to ridicule and even libel.
As a Christian and emeritus pastor, I find that people will go out of their way to resist the truth. Why? I can only conclude that they hate the truth. The Scripture makes this distinction when it states [of them]: “…..who hold the truth in unrighteousness.” Romans 1:18
Because certain peoples’ lifestyles are immoral, they will naturally “.....hold the truth in unrighteousness.” [Romans 1:18-32] In other words – they can’t handle the truth, because their very selves are corrupt. [Romans 3:23] This (aforementioned) story of this young person’s lousy attitude is an example of a person who is adverse to any improvement of his human condition and behavior. He reeked with contempt and sneered at any suggestion that would have given tolerant relief to his fellowman. His actions were in direct opposition to Christ's words to "love the Lord your God with all your strength and to love one's neighbor as himself."
I’m finally comfortable praying “imprecatory” prayers
 |
| A simple definition of "imprecatory prayer" is the prayer of a believer to God to commence what He's already promised He would do to the wicked. Psalm 1:1-6 |
In my earlier years, I never did understand some of the Psalm verses where the Psalm writer would pray prayers to God, calling down God’s judgment upon his enemies. To me, at such an immature and young Christian age, this whole concept seemed so strange and at odds with Christ’s teaching to love one’s enemies.
But with Holy Scripture, it must be remembered, that certain Scriptures do not contradict one another – but merely accent one another - and, in paradoxical fashion. Simple minds will be quick to accuse Christians who attempt to live their lives, (heart and soul) according to the Bible. Simple minds will accuse Christians of believing in a book which is full of contradictions. These skeptics are legend and they are those who have never learned to search below any surface. These same skeptics, in the first place, fail to recognize the Scriptures for what the Scriptures claim to be – and, secondly, they fail to realize that something that is “paradoxical” in nature, is not, then, necessarily, and therefore, “contradictory.” Hence, the case, with Imprecatory Prayer.
Imprecatory prayers are no more than requesting God to commence His sentence of judgment upon the (unregenerate) wicked
But with Holy Scripture, it must be remembered, that certain Scriptures do not contradict one another – but merely accent one another - and, in paradoxical fashion. Simple minds will be quick to accuse Christians who attempt to live their lives, (heart and soul) according to the Bible. Simple minds will accuse Christians of believing in a book which is full of contradictions. These skeptics are legend and they are those who have never learned to search below any surface. These same skeptics, in the first place, fail to recognize the Scriptures for what the Scriptures claim to be – and, secondly, they fail to realize that something that is “paradoxical” in nature, is not, then, necessarily, and therefore, “contradictory.” Hence, the case, with Imprecatory Prayer.
Imprecatory prayers are no more than requesting God to commence His sentence of judgment upon the (unregenerate) wicked
Scripture is filled with God’s impending judgment upon the unregenerate wicked. [Examples: Psalm 5:4-6 ; Psalm 11:4-6] When the good and gracious, and, (not to forget), the judicious Lord, promises to judge the wicked, He will definitely do so. God’s judgment upon the unregenerate will certainly fall. There will be no “middle ground.” The Scriptural Psalms relate that a person is either godly or ungodly – no shades of gray. Psalm 1:1-6. Please note: You are either righteous or ungodly - thechristianmessage.org/2012/10/
And so, fully knowing the wicked’s fate, a Christian, can, in good and godly conscience cry out to God for deliverance from the wicked and the unregenerate’s machinations of evil upon his life. Please note: The Eternal Relief Of The Righteous -- Psalm 9:5-17 - thechristianmessage.org/2011/01/
And so, fully knowing the wicked’s fate, a Christian, can, in good and godly conscience cry out to God for deliverance from the wicked and the unregenerate’s machinations of evil upon his life. Please note: The Eternal Relief Of The Righteous -- Psalm 9:5-17 - thechristianmessage.org/2011/01/
Here is just a short list of Imprecatory prayers:
Psalm 5:9-10 ; Psalm 7:6-9 ; Psalm 9:19-20 ; Psalm 10:15
Psalm 139:19-24:
Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men. For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect [complete] hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. - Psalm 139:19-24
Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God! Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men. For they speak against You wickedly; Your enemies take Your name in vain. Do I not hate them, O Lord, who hate You? And do I not loathe those who rise up against You? I hate them with perfect [complete] hatred; I count them my enemies. Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. - Psalm 139:19-24
I cringe for America, our current society and especially our present culture for having reeked havoc upon God’s perfect intentions. The Triune God has perfectly made known His intentions in the “Ten Commandments” and also, His revelation gift of the Bible -- yet, (as a case in point) our culture needlessly and wantonly continues to slaughter innocent pre-born lives, by the millions! It's called: "genocide." Only a fool would think that the God of human history (who revealed Himself in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures - the Bible), would not exact temporal {present} and eternal justice and punishment for sin and sins' heinous acts, such as the present genocide!
The just and eternal end of those who reject the Lord (Creator) of Life
 |
| It's God's will that all souls be eternally saved and to come "to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:4. But humans act upon their God-given free will and resist Him in unbelief to their soul's eternal damnation. |
However, those of you who continue to resist the truth of God, as revealed in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures and refuse to accept the free gift of forgiveness in Christ’s cleansing sacrifice for personal sin, -- you will, by your same Creator be held eternally and damnably accountable. There will not be life, everlasting, but rather, death, everlasting. for you. John 3:14-21 ; Acts 17:31 ; Matthew 25:31-46
Those of you who reject Christ and His offered forgiveness for your damning sins, your future life after physical death will be a real life of continual suffering and torment of death, everlasting. The same Creator who created you and who offers you life, will judge you for your unregenerate condition at the time of your death. Acts 17:31 ; Matthew 25:31-46
May the good and gracious Creator God, who sent his one and only Son (the prophesied Christ) have mercy upon you who are skeptical and hard-hearted to believe! May you be illumined by His Holy Spirit to see the Light [John 12:44-50] and to come humbly (in true faith) [Luke 18:9-14] before the forgiving Savior. John 3:14-21
May you make use of the divine revelation offered to you in the historical Hebrew and Christian Scriptures. It is the same Scriptures which claim to be God's clear Word. It is the same Scriptures which is God's instrument to bring grace into your soul so that you can come to belief in the Savior Christ for the necessary forgiveness (cleansing) of your sins. Romans 1:16 ; Romans 10:17 ; 1 Peter 1:23 ; 2 Timothy 3:14-17 ; Acts 8:26-39 ; James 1:18
Amen.
Related Scriptures [below] -- Intended to be utilized in a simple worship format:
Also: For a couple of other (more formal) worship formats:
The Order of Morning Service
The Order of Matins
New Testament Readings:
Gospel of Matthew 25:1f – Christ’s parables of the Wise and Foolish Virgins and, The Talents – also, the eternal judgment of the “sheep” and the “goats”
Gospel of Matthew 25:1f – Christ’s parables of the Wise and Foolish Virgins and, The Talents – also, the eternal judgment of the “sheep” and the “goats”
Epistle of Romans 1:18-32 – The wrath of God revealed from heaven and the description of human resistance to the truth of God
John 12:44-50 - The utter necessity of the "Light" and narrow path -- See also: Matt. 7:13-29
Ephesians 1:1-10 - Note the beginning verses. The sinner / unregenerate is, completely "dead [in his] sins!"
John 12:44-50 - The utter necessity of the "Light" and narrow path -- See also: Matt. 7:13-29
Ephesians 1:1-10 - Note the beginning verses. The sinner / unregenerate is, completely "dead [in his] sins!"
1 Corinthians 2:14 - Describes the "natural man" - aka, the "unregenerate."
Please note: That without the illumination of God, the Holy Spirit, there can be no spiritual life [genuine faith in Christ]. Only by God's grace and mercy created in your soul, can you truly be a Christian believer. Ephesians 2:8-10
Please note: That without the illumination of God, the Holy Spirit, there can be no spiritual life [genuine faith in Christ]. Only by God's grace and mercy created in your soul, can you truly be a Christian believer. Ephesians 2:8-10
Also, note Luther's explanation of the 3rd Article of the Apostle's Creed:
"I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ , my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost [Spirit] has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He daily and richly forgives all sins to me and all believers, and will at the Last Day raise up me and all the dead, and give unto me and all believers in Christ eternal life.
This is most certainly true."
[Dr. Martin Luther [b. 1483; d. 1546]
Old Testament Scripture readings:
Psalm 15:1 and Psalm 15:4 – A "rationale" for imprecatory prayers
Psalm 12:8 – An apt description of our present day culture – Hollywood, included
_____________________________
Of Whom Does the Prophet Speak" -- by Victor Buksbazen -- Isaiah 53:1-12 -- an in-depth view of and the prophecy of Christ, hundred of years before his birth. Isaiah 53:1-12 underscores the truthfulness of Divine Revelation as exemplified in the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures.
______________________________________
Please note: Topical Messages, by subject
Pastor (emeritus) Nathan Bickel
Please also note:
The "Words in Season" topical messages and related worship format are not intended to discourage or replace the Christian worship and assembly of Christians at their particular places of church worship. As this website's author, it is my prayer and hope, that many souls will find the topical messages, related worship format and other material, a useful and valuable Christian resource.
The Christian Faith: Parts 1-3
1 -- What is meant by “Believing” and / or, being, “Saved?”
2 -- How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place
Note: The above message (with minor editing) was previously posted online by Nathan Bickel
2 -- How the saving (believing) process of the Christian Faith takes place
Note: The above message (with minor editing) was previously posted online by Nathan Bickel
No comments:
Post a Comment