My children and I started taking classes in a form of martial arts geared toward mixed martial arts about a year and a half ago.  We have a great time doing it and it is good exercise.  We also have developed a great love and report with the people at United Martial Arts in Lubbock, TX.  Coach Ian Lee, Cory Johnson, and DJ Clark and all the others at the gym have become important people in our lives and we love them very much.  It is from them that I got the new name.  Shortly after we started at UMA coach Lee and the others at the gym began calling me pastor.  Now, every time I see them that’s what they call me.

I like the fact that they call me pastor.  I haven’t always felt comfortable with the label, but between the guys at the gym and the members of Cornerstone Bible Church I have come to accept that I am a pastor, not just in title, but in my heart of hearts.  I love my people, both at CBC and UMA.  I also have found that God has so formed, or reformed my heart that I have a pressing need to care for His sheep.

The Greek word from which we get the term pastor is poimen and means a shepherd.  It is the word that refers to a herder of sheep.  That is a very important role for those who own sheep.  The shepherd is the one who leads the sheep to pasture and to water; the one who cares for them when they are sick or injured, and protects them from the wild animals seeking to destroy them.

Within the Church we are called pastor, but in reality, we are shepherds.  We seek to lead the sheep, make sure they are well fed, and try to protect them from the “roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8) and his wolves who “come in among (the Body), not sparing the flock” (Acts 20:29).  IT IS A VERY SERIOUS TASK.  Unfortunately, too many in the position of pastor/shepherd aren’t taking this assignment seriously enough.

In Ephesians 4:12 Paul states why the positions of pastor/shepherd was given as a gift to His Bride: “for the equipping of the saints (feeding and caring for them) for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ (healthy sheep making and serving other sheep).”  The main goal is for the Body, both corporately and individual members, to grow to maturity in Christ (v. 13).  The pastor/shepherd plays an important role in helping the sheep reach the point that we “are no longer…children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (v. 14).  It is also imperative that we understand that the same care must be given to all the sheep, even the hard-headed ones who make more sheep dung than the others.  For those pastors whose operating procedures include getting rid of sheep who don’t always fall in line or question the tactics of their shepherd, or are feeding the sheep from sermonettes for christianettes, I recommend that you take a step back and heed the example of how God dealt with the unfaithful priests of Israel (Malachi) and His warnings against many becoming teachers (James 3:1).

Shepherding is not always pleasant, not always easy, not always appreciated by the sheep, but God has a reward for the faithful pastor/shepherd.  I take my job/ministry very seriously.  I pray that all pastors would examine themselves and see how they measure up to God’s design and plan for the pastor/shepherd.  I’m not a perfect pastor by any stretch of the imagination, but the Lord continually works in me to constantly evaluate my own heart and how I measure up to His ideal.  The picture is often not pretty, but He is gracious and merciful.

So, pastor/shepherd, I pray that God blesses your ministry.  I also pray that your sheep will heed the message of Hebrews 13:17; “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your soul as those who will give an account.  Let them (pastor/shepherds) do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you (the sheep).”

FYI – the site address will remain the same until I decide to move to another location.  The address is (as you already know) www.randomtheoloblog.wordpress.com/

I pray that this helps

“So that…we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us.  This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil” – Hebrews 6:18-19

Without a doubt we live in tough times, times that can be distressing for us if we don’t cling by faith to God and the promises that He has given us in His word.  In all honesty I find it hard to comprehend how the lost world is able to continue to function day-to-day apart from God’s presence in their lives.  Life can often be difficult for us who have the empowering presence of the Holy  Spirit dwelling within us (because we allow sin to interfere with His work in us, but that is a conversation for another day).  Without firm belief in the word of God believers would be tossed to and fro by ever changing, tumultuous seas of daily life.  By God’s grace there is hope for His children.

The writer of Hebrews offers his audience words of comfort in their time of distress.  The first century Jewish believers to whom he was writing were on the verge of succumbing to the pressures being brought to bear upon them most likely from their fellow Jews.  The result would have been to turn from their new-found faith in Messiah and return to the Levitical sacrifices.  To do so would have been to assert that Christ’s sacrifice was not sufficient.  However, the point that I want to focus on is the writer’s exhortation and encouragement in this chapter.

He began in verse 9 by expressing his belief that they would not fall away from the faith and that belief is based upon God’s character – “God is not unjust so as to forget your work and love which you have shown toward His name” (v.10).  He continues by sharing his desire that each of them demonstrate “the same diligence” resulting in the realization of “the full assurance of hope until the end” and to be “imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (vv.11-12).  He reminds them of God’s promises to Abraham, that God swore an oath based on His own name/character, and Abraham obtained the promise (Isaac) by patience, i.e., enduring faith in God and His promises (v.15).

It is at this point that the writer brings his message home.  God’s great desire was “to show the heirs of the promise (Israel) the unchangeableness of His purpose,” so He “interposed (guaranteed) with an oath.”  Verses 18-19  express the end that God had in mind; “that…we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us” (v.18).  The Greek word (“take hold”) means to seize.  God desired that they seize the hope “laid near” (another translation of “set before”) them.

He then explains to them the nature of that hope:

1.) This hope is an anchor for the soul – as an anchor serves to secure a vessel in the waves and storms of the sea, this hope keeps the believer from being tossed by the waves of life.

2.) It is a hope that is sure – it is firm, certain.  It is safe to place our hope and trust in.

3.) It is a hope that is steadfast – it is reliable, abiding, it is an anchor that will not vanish or give way when the storms of life are raging.

4.) It is a hope that enters within the veil – it abides within the holy of holies where Jesus Christ currently ministers on our behalf in the presence of the Father.

Based on that final characteristic it can be said that the hope is securely fastened in Jesus Christ Himself.  This hope that they were to seize was to be seized by faith the same way that Abraham obtained the promise.  This hope is founded upon the character of God and the promises that He has made, the promises that are found in His word, promises fulfilled in Christ.

This message is as true for us today as it was for the original audience.  Believers are faced with trials and tribulations, even persecution at times.  The Lord’s desire for us is that we press on to maturity by faith in Him, faith that is demonstrated by trusting in the promises found in His word.  The hope that His promises produce in us is to be seized.  It is sure, it is reliable, it is an anchor that secures us and is itself firmly attached within the veil where Jesus is.  It is hope anchored in Jesus Christ Himself.

The bottom line is that His word is sure, it can be trusted, it feeds our souls, it produces hope.  As we trust and obey His word we grow to maturity.  The result is that “we are no longer … children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming” (Eph. 4:14).  We will not “be overcome by evil, but (will) overcome evil with good” (Rom. 12:21).  As we mix His word with faith we find “the way of escape” that enables us to endure the temptation that is common to all men (1 Cor. 10:13).  It brings hope that acts as a sure, steadfast anchor within the veil – “Christ Jesus who is our hope” (1 Tim. 1:1).

I pray this helps.

Newt Gingrich a Genuine Conservative.  A must read for those who want to be informed.

I’m not sure if many people view Christmas in that light today.  But the book of Hebrews explains that the very reason that Christ was born on that Christmas morning is so that He could become man in order to die as payment for sin.  The writer of Hebrews states that Jesus Christ became a man “so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone” (Hebrews 2:9).

Think of it this way; God cannot die.  Therefore, Jesus, God the Son, took on humanity in order that in His humanity He could die for us.  That’s really why we celebrate Christmas.  Hebrews 2:14 and 15 states, “Therefore, since the children (Israel/humanity) share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, so that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives.”  Through His sufferings He became “a merciful and faithful high priest” (Hebrews 2:17), and now “He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (2:18).

To answer the question posed in the title, Why Christmas?, we can answer this way: God the Father gave His Son, Jesus as a gift to mankind in order to pay the penalty for sin.  Jesus the Son became human on Christmas so He could give His life as the payment for our sin.  God the Holy Spirit is now offering the gift of freedom from the penalty of sin based upon the gift given by the Father and Son.  Therefore, Christmas is about gifts given from God to man, but His gift is not wrapped with a red bow, but with a crimson stream that flows from Calvary.  It is the gift of forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life through Jesus Christ the Son.

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Think about these things as you celebrate this Christmas.

I realize that it has been a while since I posted, but as all of us know, life gets busy.  Since this blog is not my first responsibility, I have to give other ministries higher priority.  Thanks for your patience.

As we all know, Thanksgiving is just a week away (+/-).  For the last several days I have been contemplating what would be the best topic on which to write. With the convergence of the Thanksgiving/Christmas season, homesickness for family, reminiscing about my old mentor, and a wonderful experience over this past weekend, I have been overwhelmingly convinced that I need to say something about the things and people that I am thankful for.

First, I am thankful for my wife and children.  God truly blessed my life in August of 1986 when I fell head-over-heels for a beautiful blond haired, blue-eyed Arkansas girl.  The first day of my college experience, fresh out of high school, I looked into those big blue eyes and was smitten.  Unfortunately, she was not.  However, by God’s grace, it took only a week for me to win her over.  I’m convinced the final nail in her coffin was when she heard me sing at the freshman talent show.  She may argue that with you, but I still think it is true.  About eleven months later, at the ripe old age of 19, we were married.  Married life has not always been easy, especially for her since she is married to me, but I would not trade my years with her for anything.  I thank God for my wife.

As for my children, all I can say is that God blessed us richly with two of the greatest.  When my wife was pregnant with our first child, I prayed desperately for a daughter.  I’m not exactly sure why, but I did, and did He ever deliver.  She is such a delight.  She provides the physical comedy in the house, which she has learned from her favorite comediennes, Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett.  She sings like an angel.  She is daddy’s little girl for sure.  And she has her dad wrapped around her little finger.  Just don’t tell her.

For our second child, I simply prayed for a healthy baby.  Once again God delivered big time.  My son is a great blessing.  He is the stand-up comedian, sometimes without meaning to be, but more often than not, he has a funny quip ready for a quick delivery.  His greatest interest is making movies with Legos and stick-figure software.  He has a great talent and imagination.  I praise God for both of my children.

Without doubt I cannot allow a time of thanksgiving to go by without thanking God for my mother and father.  My mom, Betty Spurlin, has worked since she was a little girl in Kentucky.  She has sacrificed her life and physical well-being for her family.  She has shared the love of God with her children and other members of the body of Christ.  Without her influence, I doubt that I would have turned out as well as I have (keep the smart remarks to yourself).

My father, Robert Spurlin, is a man of superior character.  He taught me, by word and deed, what it means to be a man of God.  Watching him as I grew up gave me an accurate portrait of our heavenly father’s nature and character.  He is a simple man, not in mind, but in needs and desires.  His desire for his three sons was simply that they love and serve God.  As I look at my two brothers, I see that he accomplished his task and God has answered his prayers.  I thank God for my parents.

I also thank God for my brothers.  Their examples to me helped to develop a real character.  Take that how you wish.

My in-laws are also special people.  From the very first time we met, Jim and Sandra Black welcomed me into their family and adopted me as their own.  I don’t think a man could ask for a better MIL or FIL (mother-in-law, father-in-law).  I thank God for them.

It has been a few years since I’ve spoken to my mentor, the man who led me step-by-step through my PhD program, Dr. Mal Couch.  Mal was the founder of Tyndale Theological Seminary and Biblical Institute and has been a driving force in theological education for many years, even to this very day.  He was my encourager, teacher, and friend for many years.  He still ministers through the small body that he pastors in Clifton, Texas and his online ministry, Scofield Prophecy Studies.  He has been a blessing to many men seeking to prepare for the ministry and I’m sure that his reward in heaven will be great.  I thank God for Malcolm O. Couch.

I also thank God for the friendship of a man named Garry Kirk.  When I graduated college and went to work for a teen psychiatric facility (yes work – I was not a patient) he and his wife took my wife and I under their wings and befriended us.  Because of their influence we became members of First Baptist Church of Benton, Arkansas.  Garry and Kathy were such great friends to us back in the early days of our marriage, and his friendship has been steady and unyielding over the past 18 years.  I thank God for Garry and Kathy Kirk.

This past weekend God richly blessed my life.  I was privileged to be allowed to sit under the teaching of Dr. Charles Ryrie.  In case you haven’t heard of him, go to your local bookstore, look in the Bible section, and you will most likely  find a Ryrie Study Bible.  Now rest assured, he did not write the Bible, but the annotations within it were written by him.  Dr. Ryrie is a theologian of the first degree.  He has done so much for the body of Christ, much that has gone unappreciated by many in certain theological circles, and God has greatly used him to further the message of Christ.  It was such a great time for me to be able to meet him and to be instructed by him.  I thank God for Dr. Ryrie and the experience of being instructed by him.

There are many who must be excluded from this blog.  Without doubt, I could go on for some time,  but time is something that I am now out of (oops! I ended with a preposition).

Finally, I thank God for Cornerstone Bible Church of Lubbock, Texas.  I am thankful for the many people who attend Cornerstone who are hungry to study the Word of God.  I am thankful for the leadership: David Backus, Jim Henson, and Christopher Robinson.  Backus provides the fire and passion for the elder board, probably because he is a Marine, but definitely because he loves God and the Word.  Jim Henson, aka, Spreadsheet.  Jim is the organizer of the elder board and provides a great deal of levelheaded leadership.  His love for the Lord’s church is evident in his life.  He also has a sharp wit and has cut me deep many times.  Christopher Robinson is the younger elder, but has wisdom far beyond his years.  His passion for evangelism is catching and without him, well, we’d be much older on average.  In all seriousness, I thank God for Cornerstone Bible Church and my friends and co-laborers on the elder board.

As we enter this “holiday season” (Thanksgiving/Christmas) be sure to focus on what is truly important and the real reason for the celebration during this time of year.  Oh, and answer this question: For what are you thankful?

I pray this helps.

“Therefore, I exhort the elders among you,…shepherd the flock of God among you, exercising oversight not under compulsion, but voluntarily, according to the will of God; and not for sordid gain, but with eagerness; nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge…” – 1 Peter 5:1-3

I am a pastor.  I have been a “senior” or “teaching” pastor for 5-6 years now.  I have been in the ministry in other capacities for about 25 years plus some.  As you read this post keep these things in mind.

For many years I have had a love/hate relationship with pastors.  It goes back to my college days at a Baptist College in Arkansas in the 80′s and 90′s.  Many of the gentlemen that I attended college with were ministry majors and planning on going into the pastorate.  Some of them were good, God-loving, Bible-believing men who desired to serve the Lord and His Church.  However, many of them, well, to put it kindly, I wouldn’t want to send anyone to a church where one of them was the pastor.  It was obvious, or at least it seemed very clear to me, that some of them desired the position out of less than pure motivations.  Some of them were downright lazy.  Many of them have failed badly in their ministries and are no longer in the pastoring, no longer married, etc., etc., etc.

To make matters worse, with the advent of the pastor-as-ceo model of pastoral leadership, my troubled relationship with pastors has not gotten any better.  Neither has the way that many pastors deal with the flock over which they have been placed.  Case-in-point: I have a close friend who has been in the ministry several years longer than I.  He is not a teaching pastor.  I will leave the identification at that.  He has faithfully served in many churches and is one of those men who could get along with anyone and strives to do so.  In the last couple of years he has been forced to leave two different Baptist churches.  In both instances, it has been due to the pastor, or should I say, the CEO of the church in which he served.  In both cases, the pastor has had the habit of “running” the church like a business, and he, as the Chief Operating Officer, treated people like nothing more than “human resources” (a demeaning, dehumanizing term).  The prevailing sense was one of, “if you’re not producing like I think you should, then you’re out of here.”  My friend has been wounded at least twice in this fashion.  It makes me very angry!  It damages the entire local body in which these pastors serve.  It is toxic.  It is not pleasing to God, nor does it measure up to what the shepherd is supposed to be.

Unfortunately, the ladder-climbing CEO pastor seems to have become the norm, at least in the Southern Baptist realm (I pick on the Southern Baptist because that is where my roots lie).  I could point fingers at where I believe this philosophy of ministry began, or who was the one that brought it to the fore, but that is not the purpose for this post.  This post is a warning to pastors who will read it.

Paul revealed the character of the elder/pastor in the pastoral epistles of 1 Timothy and Titus.  However, I appreciate very well how Peter described the duty of the pastor/shepherd.  ”Shepherd the flock.”  What a picture of the pastor/teacher/elder/bishop (I really like these forward slashes!).  Let’s consider the shepherd.

Before we look specifically at what Peter teaches, look at how Easton’s Bible Dictionary describes the task of a shepherd:

The duties of a shepherd in an unenclosed country like Palestine were very onerous. “In early morning he led forth the flock from the fold, marching at its head to the spot where they were to be pastured. Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking diligently till he found and brought it back. In those lands sheep require to be supplied regularly with water, and the shepherd for this purpose has to guide them either to some running stream or to wells dug in the wilderness and furnished with troughs. At night he brought the flock home to the fold, counting them as they passed under the rod at the door to assure himself that none were missing. Nor did his labours always end with sunset. Often he had to guard the fold through the dark hours from the attack of wild beasts, or the wily attempts of the prowling thief (see 1 Sam. 17:34).”, Deane’s David.(1)

The shepherd exercised great care and concern for the sheep of his flock.  The shepherd of a local church must, or is supposed to do the same.

What does Peter say?  First, the shepherd is to exercise the same oversight as a literal shepherd as is seen by the word poimano (shepherd), as well as the word that follows, episkopeo, “exercising oversight, care, to minister.”  Secondly, the shepherd is to do so voluntarily, of one’s own free will.  A word for you pastors; no one is forcing you to do this.  You do it of your own free will.  The third point that Peter makes is that the pastor is to complete his duties not as a result of a desire for “sordid gain.”  He is speaking of those who serve, or seek to be served by, the church out of a greedy desire for financial gain.  Can anyone say TV preacher?  Finally, at least in verse two, Peter states that the pastor/shepherd is to minister to his assigned flock, “eagerly.”  This is an attitude that is often missing among pastors.  Sometimes understandably.

The next portion of Peter’s imperative to pastor/shepherds is where I want to focus the remainder of our time together.  Peter says, “nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock,” (v.3).  Focus on one section: “nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge.”  The word is katakurieo, which in its positive meaning simply refers to ruling over someone.  However, it can also have a negative connotation of one who, as the NASB states, lords over those in his charge.  This is how many pastors “rule” the church in which they serve.  It doesn’t always show itself to the broader body of the church, but is often seen in the lead, or senior pastor’s relationship with his subordinates on staff.  It seems like they don’t view their underlings as fellow-servants or even part of the flock.  They are just hired hands (an attitude some churches have concerning the senior pastor, but that is for another time).  And if they don’t produce the way the pastor desires then it’s “hit the bricks, buddy.”

However, this attitude also can be seen in such a pastor’s handling of the sheep.  When a member dares to hold a view contrary to the pastor, that person is dismissed as not “having the proper DNA” for that specific church.  If a member dares to question the pastor concerning a doctrinal or philosophical difference they have, they are vilified and sometimes asked to leave.  Stories that match these descriptions are too numerous to list.  But it has become all to common.

Wake up pastor!  Warning!  Warning!  Warning, Will Robinson!  Danger!  Danger!  Verse four of this passage goes on to identify the reward for the faithful pastor; “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”  The message is clear, but the implication is also important and it is that you, pastor, will not receive such a crown if you do not obey Peter’s command and carry out your duties accordingly.  Paul’s words can be added to this warning.  ”Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.  If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Cor. 3:12-15).

Please listen to a fellow pastor.  If you don’t like people, in particular the people that you are to shepherd, you need to consider a change of careers.  If you are burned out, get some help.  Southern Baptist pastors have a safety net of sorts, at least in the Arkansas Baptist State convention.  Even if you don’t, there are people who would be willing to help you in your time of trouble.  Remember, also, that the Church is viewed by Christ as His bride.  I would never allow anyone to abuse my beautiful wife.  I don’t believe that Christ is pleased when the one who is supposed to showing loving care for His bride is the one who is abusing her instead.  I don’t believe that will go undisciplined.

I pray this helps.

(1) Easton, M. G. Easton’s Bible Dictionary. Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1996.

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I never cease to be amazed by those who are firmly committed to the Reformed faith who at the same time believe that God has abandoned ethnic Israel (1) in favor of the Church.  It seems incongruent with the whole idea of Divine Election as well as the character and nature of God Himself.  Allow me to explain what I mean.

The Character and Nature of God in Relation to His Promises

No Reformed believer would ever say that believers should disregard the statement found in Hebrews 13:5; “for He Himself has said, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”  To cast doubt on the reliability of this pronouncement is to disparage the character of Jesus Christ and ascribe to Him a deceitful nature.  But if you examine closely the statement found in that passage you will find that it the same thing that Yahweh said to Israel in Deuteronomy 31:6, 8 and Joshua 1:5.

No Reformed believer would ever say that Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:20 should not be trusted; “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  But to reject the same promise from Yahweh to ethnic Israel is to also reject the promises of Christ to the Church.  To do this is to say that God Himself is untrustworthy and His character is not holy and righteous.

Please understand what I am saying.  If Israel cannot rely on Yahweh’s statements found in Deuteronomy and Joshua (as well as all the other promises in the Old Testament), then the believer and the Church cannot find rest or encouragement in the same statements when ascribed to Christ Jesus in Matthew and Hebrews.  It is illogical and unbiblical to say that one set of statements can be unquestionably trusted but the other set has been abrogated.  They are one and the same – God the Father and God the Son are of the same substance (see John 1:18; 14:9).  To say that one would disregard His promises – Yahweh’s promise to Israel – is to say the same about the other – Jesus’ promise to believers.  Therefore, if Israel has no eternal, unchanging promises then neither do Christians.

Conversely, if we believe that these statements (Matt. 28:20 and Heb. 13:5) are trustworthy and that we can build our lives on them, then we must also believe that Deuteronomy 31:6 and Joshua 1:5 are also foundational and worthy of trust for ethnic Israel.

Divine Election and God’s Promises to Israel and the Believer

Genesis 12:1-4 clearly identifies Yahweh’s election, or choice, of Abram, later to become Abraham.  The promises made to him in this chapter were reiterated to him and expanded in other passages in Genesis (15:1-21; 17:1-27; 22:15-18).  This election and promises were also passed to his descendants through Jacob (Genesis 35:9-12).  Yahweh’s choice of Israel is emphatically stated in Deuteronomy 7:6-10.  Yahweh also clarifies the eternality of His election of Israel in Jeremiah 31:35-37;

Thus says the Lord, Who gives the sun for light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars for light by night, Who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar; the Lord of hosts is His name: “If this fixed order departs from before Me,” declares the Lord, “Then the offspring of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before Me forever.”  Thus says the Lord, “If the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth searched out below, the I will also cast off all the offspring of Israel for all that they have done,” declares the Lord.

Paul reiterates the eternality of these promises when, in describing his ethnic kin, he says, “From the standpoint of the gospel they (ethnic Israel, Jews) are enemies for your (Gentiles) sake, but from the standpoint of God’s choice (election) they are beloved for the sake of the fathers (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob or Israel); for the gifts and the calling (election) of God are irrevocable” (Rom. 11:28-29).  Interestingly, these verses stem from what I believe to be Paul’s use of Israel’s relationship with God as an illustration to affirm or establish the assertions he made in Romans 8:28-39.  In order to simply sum up what Paul said in that passage we read verses 38 and 39; “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separated us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Nothing shall separate the Christian from the love of God, which we enter into by faith in Christ Jesus our Lord.  NOTHING.  ”For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” (Rom. 11:29).  In case you haven’t noticed, the history of the Church, believers, very closely resembles the history of Israel.  Periods of faithfulness to God’s word are followed by vast periods of rebellion, darkness, and Divine discipline, then periods of revival.  Yet we know that no member of the body of Christ is ever forsaken by Christ nor does he lose his salvation despite his disobedience or rebellion (2).

Here is what I am trying to point out.  God’s election of individual believers in the present age is sure, fixed, reliable, and eternal (Rom. 28-39).  This fact is based solidly on the fact that the election of ethnic Israel is sure, fixed, reliable, and eternal (Jer. 31:35-37).  If ethnic Israel’s election can be abrogated because of their rebelliousness and then turned over to the Church, then the Church’s election, and thereby individual Christian’s election, can be abrogated for rebellion and disobedience and then turned over to some yet-to-be named group.  If this is possible then the doctrine of election is not worth the paper that it is printed on and the breath wasted in debating and defending it.

It must also be stated that if someone concludes that Jeremiah 31:35-37 is no longer for Israel, then Romans 8:28-39 must also fall into doubt.  Yet if one ventures to go there we return to the first discussion and conclude that neither Yahweh or Jesus Christ are trustworthy.

In truth, if we are to have faith in God and in His word we must understand that His unchanging promises to ethnic Israel are still in effect having not been abrogated or handed over to the Church.  The promises that belong to the Church, including the security of the individual believer, the promises of the rest of faith, etc., are all established by God’s continued and abiding faithfulness to ethnic Israel, which in turn is based upon His character and nature as the faithful, loving God of all Creation.

I pray this helps.

(1) By ethnic Israel I am referring to the elect of ethnic Israel who, in the end of all things, are those who have experienced that circumcision “of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter” (Rom. 2:29), a category into which Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Israel), et. al. fall, and into which those identified as “all Israel” (Rom. 11:26)fall.  These are those who “will be saved.”

(2) Some may wish to introduce perseverance and other topics associated at this point, but that is for another time.

Peaceful Pro-Life Activist Beaten by Police.