The Temptation of an Easy Drift into Apostasy and Warnings Against It In Scripture and a Poem

Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. (Ezek. 18:30)

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Prov. 14:12 and Prov. 16:25)

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matt. 7:12-14)

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matt. 7:21)

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (Matt. 25:42-45)

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14)

Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. (James 4:4)

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (1 Pet. 4:16-18

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Rev. 3:15-18)

"The Church Walking with the World"
by Matilda C. Edwards

The Church and the World walked far apart
On the changing shores of time,
The World was singing a giddy song,
And the Chruch a hymn sublime.
"Come, give me your hand," said the merry World,
"And walk with me this way!"
But the good Church hid her snowy hands
And solemnly answered, "Nay,
I will not give you my hand at all,
And I will not walk with you;
Your way is the way that leads to death;
Your words are all untrue."

"Nay, walk with me but a little space,"
Said the World with a kindly air;
"The road I walk is a pleasant road,
And the sun always shines there;
Your path is thorny and rough and rude,
But mine is broad and plain;
My way is paved with flowers and dews,
And yours with tears and pain;
The sky to me is always blue,
No want, no toil I know;
The sky above you is always dark,
Your lot is a lot of woe;
There's room enough for you and me
To travel side by side."

Half shyly the Church approached the World
And gave him her hand of snow;
And the old World grasped it and walked along,
Saying, in accents low,
"Your dress is too simple to please my taste;
I will give you pearls to wear,
Rich velvets and silks for your graceful form,
And diamonds to deck your hair."
The Church looked down at her plain white robes,
And then at the dazzling World,
And blushed as she saw his handsome lip
With a smile contemptuous curled.
"I will change my dress for a costlier one,"
Said the Church, with a smile of grace;
Then her pure white garments drifted away,
And the World gave in their place,
Beautiful satins and shining silks,
Roses and gems and costly pearls;
While over her forehead her bright hair fell
Crisped in a thousand curls.

"Your house is too plain," said the proud old World,
"I'll build you one like mine;
With walls of marble and towers of gold,
And furniture ever so fine."
So he built her a costly and beautiful house;
Most splendid it was to behold;
Her sons and her beautiful daughters dwelt there
Gleaming in purple and gold;
Rich fairs and shows in the halls were held,
And the World and his children were there.
Laughter and music and feasts were heard
In the place that was meant for prayer.
There were cushioned seats for the rich and the gay,
To sit in their pomp and pride;
But the poor who were clad in shabby array,
Sat meekly down outside.

"You give too much to the poor," said the World.
"Far more than you ought to do;
If they are in need of shelter and food,
Why need it trouble you?
Go, take your money and buy rich robes,
Buy horses and carriages fine;
Buy pearls and jewels and dainty food,
Buy the rarest and costliest wine;
My children, they dote on all these things,
And if you their love would win
You must do as they do, and walk in the ways
That they are walking in."

So the poor were turned from her door in scorn,
And she heard not the orphan's cry;
But she drew her beautiful robes aside,
As the widows went weeping by.

Then the sons of the World and the Sons of the Church
Walked closely hand and heart,
And only the Master, who knoweth all,
Could tell the two apart.
Then the Church sat down at her ease, and said,
"I am rich and my goods increase;
I have need of nothing, or aught to do,
But to laugh, and dance, and feast."
The sly World heard, and he laughed in his sleeve,
And mockingly said, aside--
"The Church is fallen, the beautiful Church;
And her shame is her boast and her pride."

The angel drew near the mercy seat,
And whispered in sighs her name;
Then the loud anthems of rapture were hushed,
And heads were covered with shame;
And a voice was heard at last by the Church
From Him who sat on the throne,
"I know thy works, and how thou hast said,
'I am rich, and hast not known
That thou art naked, poor and blind,
And wretched before my face;'
Therefore from my presence cast I thee out,
And blot thy name from its place."

--from The Best Loved Poems of the American People, selected by Hazel Felleman, Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1936

"A Woman's Question" by Lena Lathrop

Do you know you have asked for the costliest thing
Ever made by the Hand above?
A woman's heart, and a woman's life--
And a woman's wonderful love.

Do you know you have asked for this priceless thing
As a child might ask for a toy?
Demanding what others have died to win,
With the reckless dash of a boy.

You have written my lesson of duty out;
Manlike, you have questioned me.
Now stand at the bar of my woman's soul
Until I shall question thee.

You require your mutton shall always be hot,
Your socks and your shirt be whole;
I require your heart to be true as God's stars
As as pure as His heaven your soul.

You require a cook for your mutton and beef,
I require a far greater thing;
A seamstress you're wanting for socks and shirts--
I look for a man and a king.

A king for the beautiful realm called Home,
And a man that his Maker, God,
Shall look upon as He did on the first
And say: "It is very good."

I am fair and young, but the rose may fade
From my soft young cheek one day;
Will you love me then 'mid the falling leaves,
As you did 'mong the blossoms of May?

Is your heart an ocean so strong and deep,
I may launch my all on its tide?
A loving woman finds heaven or hell
On the day she is made a bride.

I require all things that are grand and true,
All things that a man should be;
If you give this all, I would stake my life
To be all you demand of me.

If you cannot be this, a laundress and a cook
You can hire and little to pay;
But a woman's heart and a woman's life
Are not to be won that way.

--from The Best Loved Poems of the American People, selected by Hazel Felleman, Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1936

Isaac Backus: Defender of Religious Liberty, Faithful Man of God

"We view it to be our incumbent duty to render unto Caesar the things that are his but also that it is of as much importance not to render unto him anything that belongs only to God, who is to be obeyed rather than any man. And as it is evident that God always claimed it as his sole perogative to determine by his own laws what his worship shall be, who shall minister in it, and how they shall be supported, so it is evident that this perogative has been, and still is, encroached upon in our land."

--Isaac Backus (1724-1806), quote from Isaac Backus on Church, State, and Calvinism, Pamphlets, 1754-1789 (ed. by Wm. J. McLoughlin, Harvard University Press, 1965, P. 317)

"Two Prayers" by Andrew Gillies

Last night my little boy
   confessed to me
Some childish wrong;
And kneeling at my knee,
He prayed with tears--
"Dear God, make me a man
Like daddy--wise and strong;
I know You can."
Then while he slept
I knelt beside his bed,
Confessed my sins,
And prayed with a low-bowed head,
"Oh God, make me a child
Like my child here--
Pure, guileless,
Trusting Thee with faith
sincere."

--from Ideals Scrap Book, 1961

"To the Puritan" by Ella Bedsoul

Here is a man who causes all to lift
Their shoulders higher when they gaze at him
Whose courage and whose faith will never dim,
This forceful figure who has left a gift...
A heritage of free worship and of thrift.
He holds the Holy Bible in his hands,
The symbol which led him to distant lands.
Privation his from mother country's rift,
His head uncovered only to his God,
And not to politician nor to potentate.
He taught the Indians a true brotherhood.
He tilled the soil and turned the virgin sod.
He was ambassador to God. He knew no hate.
Devout through all his years, matchless he stood.

--from Ideals, Vol. 23, No. 5, September 1966

Christians Are Lights of God's Righteousness to the Nations

Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. (Phil. 2:14-16)

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.


Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matt. 5:13-20)

Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the LORD: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.


Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people. My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.


Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.


Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings. For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.


Awake, awake, put on strength, O arm of the LORD; awake, as in the ancient days, in the generations of old. Art thou not it that hath cut Rahab, and wounded the dragon? Art thou not it which hath dried the sea, the waters of the great deep; that hath made the depths of the sea a way for the ransomed to pass over? Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away. (Is. 51:1-11)

Duties Are Ours: Part 4

In the spiritual and economic prosperity of a family, not only are gender roles important, but also other economic lessons from Scripture. Not only is it important to work hard whether you are paid or not and to never accept money for work not done (for example, State redistributed wealth in the form of unemployment checks or other welfare, if it can at all possibly be avoided), but also to practice frugality.

Living as far below your means as you can, will mean that you will have money or other wealth for tithing, savings, charity, and investment (in real estate, etc.). The money a family actually lives on should be far below what the family earns.

So many people are not FUTURE-oriented--even many professing Christians--as those with a Christian worldview (built on the Bible, the very word of God) are. Humanists think in terms of hedonism, living for the "now," grabbing all the gusto they can get,” and living for pleasure and to consume. Humanists crave instant gratification, praise losing one's inhibitions, and don't want children. (They think of children as a burden, and they fear the future.)

Christians, by God's grace, think the opposite: in terms of self-sacrifice, living for future reward, living for duty and obedience to God (which bring much joy), want to work and produce and be fruitful, learn to wait for gratification, esteem self-restraint and self-control, and desire children, plan for inheritance, and rejoice in the future. (Children tend to figure in many Christian parents' "retirement" plans.)

(In Austrian economics, these two perspectives are opposite ends of the spectrum called "time-preference.")

Christians should ask themselves: "Am I trusting in God, or am I trusting in the humanist gods of Money and/or State?"

"Am I trusting in God and His viewpoint revealed in Scripture, or am I trusting in my own views about money and family economics, including gender roles, etc., even though they are contrary to what God says?"

Now, we live in a fallen world, and we sin, and we get ourselves into financial trouble and many other troubles. But to pretend the State will bail us out, or to decide in our hearts that going against God’s plan will work, or to tell ourselves that we're victims is not going to help us.

God has given us directions, (including division of labor, gender roles, family roles, economic instruction, etc.), and we are to obey. Duties are ours. As one dear Christian man said tenderly with a smile, “Duty, sweet duty!” For we are blessed by obeying God--He knows what's going on!! His paths are the safe, good paths.

God is merciful, gives instruction, blesses obedience, but He will not "magically" bless us when we balk at his ways and refuse to obey Him. The longer we take to obey, the more pain we put ourselves through. Once we realize that we are the wrong ones, and admit that God is "the Way, the Truth, and the Life," we have to dig ourselves out of our messes (yet all by the grace of God).

But the WAY to dig ourselves out is by learning what God says to do, and then doing it, swiftly!! This He will bless. He will take care of the rest. God's sovereignty and blessings and mercy do not erase human responsibility and action. It's not one or the other; it's "both-and." We love Him because He first loved us; and now we (as Christians) live for Him.

No matter how big of a mess we’ve gotten ourselves into by rebelling against God and His ways, it is not too late. If we are still alive, then it is not too late. We may turn back to our Maker in repentance, and God will never, never turn us away. God never turns away anyone who truly repents of their sin and throws themselves on His mercy. And when we do, He will not only be our Maker, but our Savior and Lord, as well.

The LORD God is abundantly merciful; Jesus Christ says in His word, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matt. 11:28-30).”

And in John 3:16-17, we learn that “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”

There is no sin (or putrid mountain of sins) so terrible that God cannot forgive the one who returns to Him (Luke 15:11-32). That is the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have all gone astray, but Jesus paid the price at the cross for all who would believe on Him:

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Is. 53:6)

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. (John 10:10-15)

Right now, in this mess of a world, our lives may be turned around by trusting in Him. Christ Jesus says in John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.”

Duties Are Ours: Part 3

To Give Examples and Explication of These Principles from Duties Are Ours: Part 1 from NT Biblical Texts. See a presentation of some OT Biblical Texts here.

[The Lord Jesus Christ says] No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles [unbelievers] seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. (Matt. 6:24-34)

In this passage, the Lord is teaching us that all things, including food, shelter, clothing, and all we need, are God's, and He cares for His own. Heaping up material treasures, money, investments, a big bank account, etc. for ourselves is not where our health and life and security and safety may be found. They are found only in Him. He knows what you need, and He has what you need; seek Him, and He will give it, including material goods and necessities.

Trust in Him, not in earthly wealth, and He will give you what you need. His children are not forsaken, and those who trust and believe in Him will have no need to beg bread (Psalm 37:25). Like the homemaker Proverbs 31 Woman, you will rejoice at the future and have no fear. You will be secure.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Duties Are Ours: Part 2

To Give Examples and Explication of These Principles from Duties Are Ours: Part 1 from OT Biblical Texts

And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it...And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; and the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Gen. 2:15,18-24)

This passage shows the beautiful creation order of man given work in the world, to cultivate it, to bring order and productivity in the world. His wife is given to him, created from his own flesh, so intimate and at one with him, his perfect complement, his helper created and gifted by God to be suitable for him.

Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. And Adam called his wife's name Eve; because she was the mother of all living. (Gen. 3:16-20)

This passage shows that God has said that the woman's sin-struggle will be with usurping her husband, but she must submit to his rule, instead. In addition, this passage shows the division of labor between the husband and wife. Man labors in the field (the world), and woman labors in childbearing and home-making. Adam names her because is his, was made for him; and the name he chooses for her has to do with her "career," her wifehood and motherhood. This is why a married woman takes her husband's name; she is his family now; she is "on his team." Likewise, with the second Adam, Jesus Christ, His people proudly bear His name, and are called Christians.

And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. And unto Enoch was born Irad: and Irad begat Mehujael: and Mehujael begat Methusael: and Methusael begat Lamech. And Lamech took unto him two wives: the name of the one was Adah, and the name of the other Zillah. And Adah bare Jabal: he was the father of such as dwell in tents, and of such as have cattle. And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ. And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah. (Gen. 4:17-22)

This passage shows the work of the world, of dominion (though by sinful men), passed on from father to son. The wife's work is in being a wife and bearing children. The sister of Tubalcain, Naamah, is named, but the passage does not go on to talk about her "career." She is a blessing in a way different from sons; she is a daughter.

"And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant." And they said, "So do, as thou hast said." And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, "Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth." And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it. And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree, and they did eat. And they said unto him, "Where is Sarah thy wife?" And he said, "Behold, in the tent." (Gen. 18:5-9)

Abraham needed his wife, who was home, to assist him with hospitality and providing for guests.

If he take him another wife; her food, her raiment, and her duty of marriage, shall he not diminish. (Ex. 21:10)

Even when a man takes another wife (which other passages show he shouldn't do), he may not abandon her; he must still provide her with food, raiment and "her duty of marriage."

The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God. (Deut. 22:5)

Here we see that there is a difference between a man and a woman in how they are to dress themselves. Their outer conduct of dressing themselves is not to be the same. A person's dress is appropriate to the work they do, their career. There is a separation of dress because there is a separation of labor and function. A soldier, an auto mechanic, a construction worker, a doctor, or a businessman wears his uniform. A woman wears that which builds up others spiritually, is comfortable for work around the home and can be easily washed, is feminine, modest; her career is a career in the home. More about a woman's career in the home, her manner and feminine orientation, and dress in Proverbs 31 below and 1 Peter 3.

When a man hath taken a new wife, he shall not go out to war, neither shall he be charged with any business: but he shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer up his wife which he hath taken. (Deut. 24:5)

It is the man who is charged with war and business, not his wife. The new husband is to stay at home (where his wife is) and make her happy.

And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. (1 Sam. 8:11-17)

This passage shows that desiring to "be like everyone else" and be ruled over by men, rather than God, will result in God's judgment in the form of a tyrannical civil government that will take your children and cause even your daughters to work in state-approved "careers" to fill its coffers, and tyrannically take not only your family's productivity, but 10% of what you do manage to produce, and you'll end up serving this "civil servant." Sounds eerily familiar, doesn't it? It's a temporal judgment on His people who disobey Him and choose to be the tail rather than the head (Deuteronomy 28:36-48).

And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. (2 Sam. 15:16)

Even if there are ten women at home keeping house, they are needed there! ;-)

Nehemiah Chapter 3

This chapter shows godly men building the city, repairing the ruins, fathers and sons working together, to bring order and God's dominion to that which was laid waste, neglected, and made desolate. This passage mentions that one man (the son of Halohesh) has his daughters helping him. He may not have had any sons, but it's clear that the daughters are not independent of their father; they are helping him.

And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the LORD, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses. (Neh. 4:14)

Here again, we see a "man's world," where men strive in the world for their brothers, their children, their wives, and their homes/property, by the grace of God and for His glory. It doesn't say, "Fight for your husbands and children and careers, ladies!"

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD. (Psalm 113:9)

This shows that a woman's joyful blessing from God is to be a keeper of the home and a mother. This is a temporal blessing from God, for which He should be praised. Being a wife, mother and homemaker is not something to be disdained; it is something for a woman to deeply desire and to anticipate with joy.

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. (Proverbs 18:22)

Here we learn that a husband is to search for a godly wife; she is a good gift from God, and such a husband will be blessed (obtain favor of the LORD).

Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways. For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee. Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD. (Psalm 128:1-4)

More blessings promised to those who fear the LORD and walk in His ways! His house and his table are blessed by God. His wife is fruitful with children, and his children are like young plants to be planted, and as they mature, bearing their own fruitfulness, their lives will extend their father and mother's faith and teachings of God's ways beyond the extent of his limited, mortal life. A man's productivity in this life affects eternity and has meaning beyond his own temporal existence. A father has no greater joy than to hear this his children walk in truth (3 John 1:4). How can he have this without a godly wife who also fears God and walks in His ways?

Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.(Prov. 14:1)

This proverb teaches that the wise woman builds her house. Does this mean that she has chosen to devote her life to contracting to construct houses? Is her career carpentry or log-house building? No, it is saying that the career of a wise woman is her home and family. She is to edify her home with godliness and all that the book of Proverbs and the rest of Scriptures says to do. This proverb also says a foolish woman plucks down her house with her own hands. She is off in her independent career, instead of building up her husband and being a helper to him. She leaves her children in daycare or schools to do whatever she foolishly believes is more important work, will earn more money. But our riches are not in chasing money, but from God by Christ (Phil. 4:19). The foolish woman would rather break up her home and divorce her husband for the sake of independence and money and false security, then give her life and love and time and labor to building up her husband, children and home.

Proverbs 31:10-31

This famous passage depicts the godly wife who fears God, she is productive and works "willingly" in her home. She is charitable and gives to the needy, She makes clothes, and sells them to the merchants. She builds up her husband (he is known in the gates and sits among the elders of the land), and brings honor and respect to him with her diligence to make the most of what they have and extend his influence. She is kind, strong, wise, and honoring. She looks well to the way of her household, and does not neglect her labors there. She is a mother; and her children call her blessed, her husband praises her, and even her own works are known in the gates and praised. She doesn't chase praise and honor out in the workplace in an independent career. She doesn't impress her children by fighting for her "rights" to open a dress shop or by being an astute real estate agent; it comes about by her godly teaching and edifying of her family and her diligent work in her home, as she honors others as more important than herself. Her priceless value is in her virtue.

Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married. For as a young man marrieth a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee. (Is. 62:4-5)

Marriage for a woman is a blessing; her bridegroom will rejoice over her. It's the opposite of being forsaken and desolate. Marriage for a woman is a picture of the security (temporal and eternal), which God gives His people, those who trust in Him.

Duties Are Ours: Part 1

found today on SermonAudio.com:

"Duties are ours and consequences are God's." -- Samuel Rutherford

Lady Lydia applies the excellent and Biblical principle behind the above quote by Samuel Rutherford to the woman's role in her blog post, "Do What God Says Do and Let Him Take Care of the Rest."

To the woman, God has assigned the role of wife, husband-helper, mother, and home-keeper. She is to be productive and assist her husband in furthering his goals for their family, but she is not responsible to make the living or be out in the workforce, striving for her own independent, competing career. The husband is not given to a wife; rather, a wife is given to the husband, for him, to help him; she is (should be) like gift from God to him.

The husband labors in the field (the world), and the wife labors in the home. The husband's blood, sweat, and tears is in his productivity in making the living; the wife's blood, sweat, and tears is in her productivity in bearing children and keeping the home. He makes the living, and she makes life worth living, gives a man something valuable to work for and strive for beyond himself. By the grace of God, she helps him bring order to creation, which has become a thorny wilderness because of sin. Christ came to redeem His creation from sin, and He has given instruction to His people on how to occupy until He comes.

As Christ cares for and provides for His bride, the Church, as for His own body; so a husband cares for and provides for his bride, as for his own body. They are not separate--what affects her affects him; what affects him affects her. She takes what her husband provides and makes the most of it, in gratitude and in submission to his leadership and rule. She helps him rule, by carrying out his wishes and by passing along (supporting) his commands, his way of doing things, to their children. This is a way she helps him be productive. They work together to produce fruit and pass on an inheritance (spiritually, and also materially to children borne of their union, should God cause them to be fruitful this way).

In the Scripture, the family home is his home, his table, his household. It is hers, too, because she has married him, and they are one flesh, but the work was given to the man. He provides it all, and his wife helps him keep it, maintain it, and work productively in it. He is the king (of his castle), and she is the queen (of his castle).

In this sin-fallen and topsy-turvy world, there are all kinds of "reasons" (ethical rebellion against God) why we (both men and women) "can't" (yes, we can!) or "don't want to" (doesn't matter!) obey God in His commands in this area of gender roles and family order. God says to serve Him best, a wife should call her husband, "lord," that she show him loving trust and not be afraid he can't do what God says he must do. She's on his side, on his team, takes his name. A husband serves God by making his wife happy, by cherishing her, by providing for her, by leading her, taking her under his wing, being responsible for her. This is God's order and hierarchy of authority in the family.

And when we obey God without fear for our future, we find ourselves blessed by Him in ways we never could have expected or thought of. God is our Provider, ultimately; money is not our provider.

On Peace, Cat Stevens, Islam, and the Worldviews of Songs

This afternoon, driving home from the morning meeting of the church, I was listening to the car radio. The classical music station I usually listen to went to commercial, so I turned to different stations. At one "classic rock" station, I heard a song beginning that had a "catchy" tune and rhythm, so I lingered to listen to the entire song.

It was "Peace Train" by Cat Stevens, or the artist formerly known as Cat Stevens, now "Yusuf Islam," because the artist changed his name upon his conversion to Islam.

This is the same man who had a hit with the Christian hymn "Morning Has Broken."

Here are the lyrics of "Peace Train" (from allspirit.co.uk):

Now I've been happy lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun

Oh I've been smiling lately,
dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be,
some day it's going to come

Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again

Now I've been smiling lately,
thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
something good has begun

Oh peace train sounding louder
Glide on the peace train
Come on now peace train
Yes, peace train holy roller

Everyone jump upon the peace train
Come on now peace train

Get your bags together,
go bring your good friends too
Cause it's getting nearer,
it soon will be with you

Now come and join the living,
it's not so far from you
And it's getting nearer,
soon it will all be true

Now I've been crying lately,
thinking about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating,
why can't we live in bliss

Cause out on the edge of darkness,
there rides a peace train
Oh peace train take this country,
come take me home again

In Christianity, "peace" means forgiveness, unity (in Christ), and salvation (safe dwelling) in Christ, for God is the author and merciful giver of peace. It is a free offer to all who would believe in Christ for the sake of His atonement for their sin in death and His perfect life lived for their salvation.

In Islam, "peace" means a submission established by violence and with violence as a principle and way of life. It means, "surrender and you will be safe from our violence," or "surrender or you will face death at our hands." There is no forgiveness of sin, no atonement for sin, no peace with God and fellow men.

Under Islam, "the world as one" comes by force/external compulsion. To get on Islam's "peace train," will be to join the perishing in "darkness," not the "living."

"Why must we go on hating"? Because we are born wicked sinners, with wicked hearts, every one of us (James 4:1-3). Each of us needs to be given a new heart by the Holy Spirit, and our sin to be dealt with by One Who will act on our behalf, because we are poor and needy, helpless to atone for our own sin. "Bliss" is a gift that only the God of peace can bestow, and he does so freely:

For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. (Mt. 7:8)

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. (Jn. 6:24)

And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. (Lk. 6:20)

Jesus, the Christ, the Ark of God, the Prince of Peace, the King of Salem, the peace offering of God for man, and "peace train" for sinners, is the One Who gives His peace to all who believe on His name. Peace can only come from Him.

The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. (Ex. 14:14)

And if ye offer a sacrifice of peace offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it at your own will. (Lev. 19:5)

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. (Ps. 4:8)

Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. (Ps. 28:3)

The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace. (Ps. 29:11)

I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; that glory may dwell in our land. Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the LORD shall give that which is good; and our land shall yield her increase. Righteousness shall go before him; and shall set us in the way of his steps. (Ps. 85:8-13)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Is. 9:6)

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee...LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. (Is. 26:3,12)

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever. (Is.32:17)

O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea...There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked. (Is. 48:18,22)

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! (Is. 52:7)

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Is. 53:5)

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee. O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates, and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones. And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. (Is. 54:10-14)

Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Luke 1:78-79)

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2:14)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (Jn. 14:27)

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (Jn. 16:33)

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) (Acts. 10:36)

To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom. 1:7)

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Rom. 5:1-2)

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Rom. 10:15)

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (Rom. 15:3)

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. (1 Cor. 14:33)

Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. (2 Cor. 13:11)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Eph. 2:8-25, emphasis added)

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:7)

And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. (Col. 1:20)

Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. (2 Thess. 3:16)

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Heb. 13:20-21)

Listen to Kevin Swanson's radio show with guest James Jacobson of Christian Freedom International:

Persecution at the Hands of the "Religion of Peace" on SermonAudio or on Mr. Swanson's web site

Abraham's Seed: First Public School Book in America

From Abraham's Seed blog, First Public School Book in America, the New England Primer, 1690. "The purpose of the book was to help young children learn to read so they could learn the Bible and be good Christians and citizens."

View the great pics of pages from this old book on Andrew's blog at the link above. Also, view the dear rhymes the children were taught from earliest ages to learn the alphabet, e.g. for "A", "in Adam's fall, we sinned all." Or for "B", "Heaven to find, the Bible mind."

A new edition of The New-England Primer may be purchased from Vision Forum.

Reformed Baptist Fellowship: Prayer for the Country

Prayer for the Country, posted on Reformed Baptist Fellowship blog.

Almighty Creator God, you made the world and everything in it. You are the Lord of heaven and earth. You have given all people life and breath and everything else. You made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth. You determined the exact place where each nation should live, and this you did that we might seek you, and perhaps reach out to you and find you, though you are not far from each one of us, for in you we live and move and have our being. We are all your offspring. So you have appointed us to live in this nation that we love and whose sins make us weep.

You have established every governing authority and commanded us to submit to them all. We know that if we rebel against the authority then we are rebelling against what you have instituted, and all those who do so will bring judgment on themselves, for rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. You have bid us to pray for all in authority, for presidents, and governors, and congressmen, and judges whether in the Supreme Court or those who make judgments in our smallest communities. You have bid us pray for the police, and for lawyers, for school teachers, for businessmen, for doctors, indeed for all those to whom we are in debt for any and every part of our daily living. You have bid us to pray for them and we regret our failure to have interceded for those who refuse to pray for themselves as we should. Have mercy on us.

Forgive us if we have thought only ill of our government and consigned Washington to the darkest light. Forgive us that we have grumbled more than prayed about the powers you ordained and have placed in positions of rule. Deliver us from thinking and speaking as though they were only our enemies, but deliver us too from dreaming that such powers as regenerating grace, and the cleansing of redemption, and the gift of divine wisdom could come to our land from any human power. These are your divine prerogatives to bestow, by the church, through your holy word, and in the daily living of those in whom Jesus Christ dwells. The honour of bestowing these graces is yours alone, and in that honour no man shall share. So while we pray for our rulers we do not do so as those who see in them the messengers of salvation. Rather we pray for them as those who are to rule justly, as people who must render an account to you for what they must do, always considering that to whom much has been given much will be required. So have mercy on our rulers; how great their tasks; what enormous problems they face; there are those who would destroy them and us. God protect and keep them. Bring evil men to justice. Arise O Lord and scatter your enemies. Remind our rulers day by day from whom their help alone can come. Teach them always to walk in a modest and humble manner.

We pray earnestly for our rulers because righteousness alone can exalt any person, any family, any congregation and any nation. How we long that those in power should be characterized by righteous thinking and living. So merciful God guide the people of our land in the days to come when they will in their millions choose those who shall enter into a high office and shape the future of the nation we love. God hear our prayer for each one. May they think prayerfully and vote wisely.

God save the President. God save his wife and children. God save the Cabinet and all who work in the White House. God save all who are appointed to office. Do not give us the leaders we deserve; pity us in your mercy and give us those rulers who will lead our nation into the ways of truth, purity, self control, love and righteousness. Save our nation from those who would destroy it. Prosper the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ in every part of the country and make your people the salt of the earth and the light of this land. Please hear our prayers. Please in your wrath toward us for our wickedness remember mercy. Please revive your work in these days and make the saving beauty of Jesus Christ be seen and desired by all men, because it is in his name we pray. Amen.

--Geoffrey Thomas serves as the pastor of Alfred Place Baptist Church of Aberyswyth, Wales

Transgender 6th-Graders?

This article, "Panel rules against Orono school in transgender bathroom access," reports that a boy who thinks he can existentially and autonomously pervert God's reality that he is a boy and become a girl instead, aided and abetted by his perverted parents, have filed a lawsuit against the school (and they had filed one previously against a government elementary school).

This is wrong on so many levels. But I'll just pick a few.

Notice how throughout the article, the boy is referred to with the use of feminine pronouns. Here's a sample:

"The school’s response stated that the district accommodated the child by training the staff, educating the students, giving the transgender student her own bathroom, giving her her own locker room and meeting with her parents almost daily."

You'd never know the reporter was writing about a boy. Bizarre.

The article also says that the boy used the girls bathroom and was harrassed, picked on, and called names by the other children. You think?

Notice how subversion to immorality and rebellion against God is referred to as "training" and "educating" in the paragraph quoted above.

There is no neutrality, is there?

And if you are a Christian parent with your children still in government school...why? If you are a Christian parent with your child in a "private" school that has "adjusted policies" to get accreditation or vouchers...why?

If you think this kind of evil sexual perversity is rare in the schools, you might be interested in site called 101 Reasons to Homeschool Your Kids. (Entries go back to 2003, try searching by state.)

Please don't expect the perverse and humanist worldly media and government "education" system to guard, protect, and raise your children for you. According to God's word, that is parents' responsibility.

The only salvation from the sin and moral degradation of our children and our parents and our civil government and our society, in this world and the next, is the law and gospel of Jesus Christ.

UPDATE 10/06/2010:

It might be helpful to read Greg L. Bahnsen's brief article entitled, "The Ethical Issue of Transsexuality."

The Success of the Gospel

found on Sermon Audio this morning:

"The success of the Gospel exasperates its enemies." -- Matthew Henry