We must preach the whole Counsel of God!

“Leave out the holy character of God, the holy excellence of his law, the holy condemnation to which transgressors are doomed, the holy loveliness of the Saviour’s character, the doctrine, and the holy tempers and conduct of all true believers: then dress up a scheme of religion of this unholy sort: represent mankind as in a pitiable condition, rather through misfortune than by crime: speak much of Christ’s bleeding love to them, of his agonies in the garden and on the cross; without shewing the need or the nature of the satisfaction for sin: speak of his present glory, and of his compassion for poor sinners; of the freeness with which he dispenses pardons; of the privileges which believers enjoy here, and of the happiness and glory reserved for them hereafter: clog this with nothing about regeneration and sanctification, or represent holiness as somewhat else than conformity to the holy character and law of God: and you make up a plausible gospel, calculated to humour the pride, soothe the consciences, engage the hearts, and raise the affections of natural men, who love nobody but themselves.
And now no wonder if this gospel (which has nothing in it affronting, offensive, or unpalatable, but is perfectly suited to the carnal unhumbled sinner, and helps him to quiet his conscience, dismiss his fears, and encourage his hopes,) incur no opposition amongst ignorant persons, who inquire not into the reason of things; meet with a hearty welcome, and make numbers of supposed converts, who live and die as full as they can hold of joy and confidence, without any fears or conflicts. …
What wonder if, when all the offensive part is left out, the gospel gives no offence? What wonder if, when it is made suitable to carnal minds, carnal minds fall in love with it? What wonder if, when it is evidently calculated to fill the unrenewed mind with false confidence and joy, it has this effect? What wonder if, when the true character of God is unknown, and a false character of him is framed in the fancy,–a God all love and no justice, very fond of such believers, as his favourites,–they have very warm affections towards him?
I would not give needless offence. Let this matter be weighed according to its importance. Let the word of God be examined impartially. I cannot but avow my fears that Satan has propagated much of this false religion, among many widely different classes of religious professors; and it shines so brightly in the eyes of numbers, who ‘take all for gold that glitters’, that, unless the fallacy be detected, it bids fair to be the prevailing religion in many places.”

-Thomas Scott

Is it possible?

Is it possible to understand the gospel message, have strong religious convictions, serve in a Bible-believing church, and be convinced you have a saving relationship with God, and yet still not get into heaven when you die? The Bible couldn't be any clearer on the answer. Yes, many people will one day stand before God and be shocked as they hear Him say, "I never knew you; depart from Me...........

A Brief Challenge: " A Living Sacrifice"

If you want to live a nominal Christian Life than be like everyone else. If you want to be Holy, you cannot do what others seemingly can do unnaffected. Everything you watch, listen to, look at, look like, dress like, talk about, talk to will either strengthen you in Holiness or draw you away from the Lord. "Be Holy therefore because I am Holy". "I urge you brothers, offer your bodies as living sacrifices, Holy and pleasing to the Lord....."

As a true Christian...."Others can...You (brother/sister) cannot"

Love ya
Matt

IT IS TIME

It is time......It is time for Christians to "Not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you will know the perfect will of God, His good, pleasing and perfect will!" We must NOW conform our lives...our very every being to the Word of God--"work out your salvation with fear and trembling". Do you you LOOK like the world? WHAT is different then, I ask. Do not compare your differences to those around you in your family, your church, or your work...Compare your life to the WORD of GOD. Period. End of Story. How much of our time each day is spent on meaningless conversation, meaningless hobbies, just meaningless...How much of our day do we spend saturating our minds and hearts with the perfect WORD of God? The reason our country is in the state it is is not becuase of politicians or the debauchary that is all around us, it is becuase so many of us "christians" LOOK LIKE THE WORLD. So many of us professing Christians have lost our flavor. Jesus tells us on the sermon on the mount.."we are the salt of the earth". Salt is not only to give flavor, it is for preserving. If Jesus said we are the salt of the earth, we are to be the ones preserving the "earth" (people/culture/society) against the staleness of satan. Look around you have we been being the salt? I think not...Love HIM, Live Him, Know Him, Seek him, saturate your life with Him..."Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God"

Bless you
Matt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uLDTp89XYc

Could not have said it better

This short blog thing can work for me...Add a link and I am done...I will add some more substance when I get a minute. Many of you know that Ashley and I have decided not to have a television in our house. Why you ask, read why my friend John doesn't, I could not have said it better myself. And this is not a cop out for not giving an answer myself---I have shared with many people our decision and why. Also, I am not saying that everybody has to think the same way, just read the link and be encouraged, irritated, or challenged.

Make your today Christ exalting today!!
Matt

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/TasteAndSee/ByDate/2009/4023_Why_I_Dont_Have_a_Television_and_Rarely_Go_to_Movies/

It's been awhile

wow, it has been awhile....God is doing big things in my heart and my mind...."be transformed by the renewing of the mind..." so the blog page is not really big enough to get it out. But here is something that I heard that was challenging

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ-8OvGn9yA&feature=channel

Conforming no more ( a few thoughts)

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing, and perfect will." Romans 12:2

I happened to catch the tail end of a morning talk radio show as I was flipping through the dials the other morning on my way to work. The hosts were talking about the fact that hotels have been reporting that during large major christian conferences, these hotels are seeing a large spike in the amount of in-room pornography that is purchased and watched. The radio dj's were laughing about it as they discussed what they were reading. That is when it hit me. This is how our culture percieves Christianity. They see people that claim to live holy lives, are telling others that they too must live holy lives according to the Word of God and yet there is nothing distinctively different about us. Why would the lost be drawn to Christ if they looked at our lives? Does going to church make us that much different or "better" than the next guy? I believe as a whole, the church has conformed into modern day culture. We have made christianity appear to the rest of society as nothing more than another religion that you can choose to follow if it feels right. What does it mean to not conform any longer to the pattern of this world? What does it look like to truly live as aliens and strangers in this world? It starts with us as Christians reading, knowing, and being obedient to the Word of God. I belive it all centers around the home. We must center our homes and families around biblical precepts and instruction. We as men and women, husbands and wives need to live as word instructs us in Ephesians 5 and Titus 1 and 2. Would we then look different? I defintely believe so! Also, we need to truly evaluate the christianity that we are portraying to those around us. Are we living and prioritizing the precepts of a pure and undefiled religion that James instructs us in James 1:27? All of this considered, what would that radio station conversation sound like if we as christians began living as Christ directs us? It would definitely have a different tune, one that I believe would be enticing to others and would draw others into relationship with Christ.......