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Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

Welcome to Varied Expressions of Worship

This blog will be written from an orthodox Christian point of view. There may be some topic that is out of bounds, but at present I don't know what it will be. Politics is a part of life. Theology and philosophy are disciplines that we all participate in even if we don't think so. The Bible has a lot to say about economics. How about self defense? Is war ethical? Think of all the things that someone tells you we should not touch and let's give it a try. Everything that is a part of life should be an expression of worship.

Keep it courteous and be kind to those less blessed than you, but by all means don't worry about agreeing. We learn more when we get backed into a corner.

Monday, September 12, 2011

Opus 2011-262, Monday Pulpit: Are Your Pants on Fire?

Sunday nights our Associate Pastor has been conducting a study on the End Times.  This is not my favorite subject.  In fact, if it were up to me it would always be the last topic to study, right after the census in Numbers.  But that is my bad attitude, not your problem.  Most of the sessions have focused on the book of Revelation and Sunday night she was finishing up the series.

She read through the last two chapters of Revelation.  What jumped out at me was the repetition of a certain class of people that were to be rejected by God.  Here are the three passages imbedded in the chapters that talk about hope and restoration.
(Revelation 21:8 KJV)  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

(Revelation 21:27 KJV)  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

(Revelation 22:15 KJV)  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
Can you pick out the one class of sinner that is repeated in all three lists?  I’ll wait.

The only group that I could find in all three verses are the liars.  Consider also that bearing false witness is one of the Ten Commandments.  We begin to get a very serious view of something that is taken lightly today.

Call it what you want.  It may be spin, exaggeration, rationalization, “just joking,” or whatever other euphemism you want to substitute.  God has a word for it:  Lying.  God has provided a place for liars:  The lake of fire.  It is not one of those things that God takes lightly.  Remember how Jesus described himself,
(John 14:6 KJV)  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Truth and honesty are at the core of who God is.  Do not call yourself a child of God if you can’t tell the truth.  That is just another lie.

homo unius libri

2 comments:

  1. I'm sorry to say that I've told a few whoppers in my time, but you gradually learn that it's more bother than it's worth, even the "little white" ones. The temptation always remains, though.

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  2. We know that "all have sinned..." Last time I looked at a definition of all it included me too. Like most sin I don't think we are talking about the person who has a momentary failure or weakness but the person who seems to be committed to that way of life.

    As far as temptation goes, if I remember my Bible, Jesus had to deal with that too.

    Aren't we glad that we have...

    Grace and peace.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are welcome. Feel free to agree or disagree but keep it clean, courteous and short. I heard some shorthand on a podcast: TLDR, Too long, didn't read.