"I am he that liveth and... have the keys of hell and of death."

Christ holds the keys of hell and of death

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10201080207502821
November 30, 2013

Our Lord Jesus Christ holds the keys of hell and of death...
Rev 1:18
"I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death."

Why did Christ make this grand statement?
Does this great declaration has any relevance to you?
What is the significance and relevance of this declaration?
How does it comfort you?

But Christ has no key to the lake of fire, since NONE of His will end up there!

Rev 20:13
"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works."

Death and hell DELIVERED UP the dead which were in them... Christ has the keys of hell and death. This will not be possible if Christ did not have the keys of both! They must deliver up His redeemed who had messed up their live and ended up there! Christ did so solemnly warn His people the reality of hell.

Rev 20:14
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

His redeemed shall never be troubled by neither... since the resurrection to glory.

==========

Julius Stewart
So, both the elect disobedient and the non elect go to hell after death. Then at the final judgment the elect are brought out and the non elect are cast into the lake of fire. This is double jeopardy. This view has elect being tormented in hell. Run from this teaching Bro Vhey. The only hell an elect child of God will experience is on earth.

Sing F Lau
Julius, welcome back again. You can't resist, can you?

Julius Stewart
Oh. I resist. But Vhey is my friend. Evidently he likes your comments. I was inquiring if he really "likes" your comments. Evidently he does. He has shared them. Because he shared them they appear on my wall. The question is with Vhey. Do you believe this strange teaching? I would not have seen it if he had not shared your post.

Sing F Lau
What would Christ do to the teachers of "the true church" who so conveniently explain away His teaching on hell, all His solemn warning to His disciples?

Sing F Lau
Bro Vhey, better listen to your big brother Julius.
He thinks you are a kid who can't think for yourself.

[sing: Vhey has deleted all his comments] 

Julius Stewart
Let Vhey answer for himself.

Sing F Lau
It doesn't matter one bit what Vhey wish to believe!
Guard your friends well! <LOL>

Julius Stewart
No it is you who denies that the hell of the rich man an lazarus was a place of burning and torment. This is exactly the words of Jesus. So the disobedient elect and the non elect both burn in hell after death. That is until the final judgment. This implies that gospel obedience delivers from being tormented in burning hell. This is a hell of a doctrine. Promoted by two of the worlds greatest. SING AND CHARLES.

Sing F Lau
You had better substantiate that I deny the reality of the hell spoken of in Luke 16 - otherwise you shall be labeled a LIAR.
It is the PBs like you who deny the reality of the hell that Jesus so solemnly warned His disciples. The PBs say there is no real hell for the elect... and all of Jesus' warnings to them were not about real literal hell, but just some experiences on earth.

I have heard all you have said... why do you still return and leave your vomit here? Have some self-respect!

All the warnings of Jesus Christ imply gospel obedience delivers from being tormented in hell. Go and read all his warnings about hell, and the great need to avoid it.

Christ's work of eternal redemption delivers from the LAKE OF FIRE.

Julius Stewart
Vhey do you agree?

Sing F Lau
Sounds like a pathetic man in need of validation!
Brother Vhey, do him a favour, and assure him please.

Good night. knocking off.

Julius Stewart
Vhey do you agree that gospel obedience delivers the elect from hell after death? Do you believe an elect can go to hell after death? Do you believe the elect after being purchased by blood on the cross can experience hell after death still?

Sing F Lau
Ask him privately. Thanks.
Wait for his answer. I have blocked Julius Stewart for the moment.
I don't want him to rant and rave while I sleep! <LOL>

Sing F Lau
The PBs make the right distinction between eternal salvation and temporal salvation. That's a great truth that enables a man to rightly divide the word of truth.

However, to relegate hell, which is in the temporal realm, into the eternal realm, leaves a whole lot of contradictions and inconsistencies.

The eternal state begins at the resurrection to eternal glory!

Eternal redemption saved God's elect from the lake of fire... which is why Christ never warn His redeemed against the danger and reality of the lake of fire.

Eternal redemption DOES NOT save His people from the real danger of hell between death and resurrection to glory. This is why Christ warned His disciples so solemnly against the reality of hell and exhorted to take drastic measures to avoid it!!!

Sing F Lau
It is something that can easily be undone, with no harm done at all - except for causing julius some panic!!!

Your reply should give Julius some peace and rest!

Sing F Lau
That is true, Brother Vhey. And one doesn't have to be all worked up into frenzy like julius stewart!!!

He reacted so offensively maybe because he has a great deal to lose... believing and teaching that the hell that Jesus so solemnly warned the disciples against is just figurative and limited to this life!!!

Charles Page
Greetings this fine Lord's day, elder Julius!

Elders and the well-being of the church

 

 

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10210498882243803
November 30, 2017 

The things that are wanting in some of the Lord churches, and 
The chief remedy for such ills

Titus 1:5
"For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee."

Apostle Paul's gospel ministry on the isle of Crete was blessed with many conversions in various cities; the converts were promptly gathered into churches. Titus was left behind to complete what he had begun.

(Crete is the largest island in Greece and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located in the southern part of the Aegean Sea. The island has an elongated shape: it spans 260 km (160 mi) from east to west, is 60 km (37 mi) at its widest point and narrows to as little as 12 km. Present-day Crete is served by FOUR airports, two serving international flights!)

The passage reminds me of a wise saying before I was ordained as an elder as the Lord's servant to His little church in Sungai Dua, "An elder is not necessary to the being of a church; he is necessary to her well-being." Churches without elders (with the biblical qualifications enumerated) do leave them wanting in many things.

The chief means to set in order the many things that are wanting in the churches is the recognition and ordination of biblical elders.

What roles do elders fulfill?
"...  to preach the gospel, and administer the ordinances to them, to watch over them in the Lord, and put the laws of Christ's house in execution, and keep up a strict discipline in it, according to the will of God. What Titus was to do in this affair, was to put the churches upon looking out, and choosing from among themselves proper persons for such service, and to direct, assist, and preside at the elections and ordinations of them: for we are not to suppose, that the ordination of elders was the sole act of Titus, or alone resided in him; but in like manner as Paul and Barnabas ordained elders in every church, by the suffrages of the people, signified by the stretching out of their hands; in which they directed, presided, and also assisted in prayer, with fasting, Acts 14:23." John Gill.

These activities of the elders, Christ's own gift to His churches, will resolve many of those things that are wanting in His churches.

Pray for your elders for your spiritual good and usefulness

Give careful attendance and earnest heed to their labours among you, otherwise, you dishonour the Lord who sent them, and things will become wanting in your walk with the Lord.

Blessings to all who hear.

Grace and evangelism

The doctrine of grace kill the incentive
to preach and evangelize?

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10212806189685047
November 30, 2018

The doctrine of grace kill the incentive to preach and evangelize?

Many - both the Calvinists and their cousins Arminians - rave and rant that the doctrine of grace kills the incentive to preach and evangelize. Those who hold to the doctrine of grace in its pristine purity are inevitably slandered as hyper! 

Whoever thinks the doctrine of grace in its pristine purity - for example, no human activity whatsoever is involved in the regeneration of any of God's elect - kills the incentive to evangelize and preach the gospel IS COMPLETELY confused and ignorant of the divinely ordained purpose of the gospel ministry!

Some very confused and deluded men, when they are told that no baby stuffs like diapers and clothes and milk are needed for the conception of life, think that those good things are not needed by the babies that are born!

They just don't get it that those things are NOT needed for the BEING of the baby, but most necessary for the WELL-BEING of the baby!

Food is for the well being of the life already born. Food is NOT an instrument for the conception of life. Isn't that elementary - every parent knows them by instinct!

The preaching of the gospel is for the CONVERSION of God's children - those already regenerated immediately by the Spirit of God without any human means; it has nothing to do with the REGENERATION of the spiritually dead.

A biblical distinction is the essence of sound theology!

False children of God?

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10212806617735748
November 30, 2018

 

"False children of God"  - a term some elitist folks love throwing around.

Look at the pictures; they are pisang merah from the same plant. There were eight combs - each comb with about 15-20 bananas.

Because of the rainy weather, the excessive moisture caused not a few of the bananas to split; they look sickly and ugly. The sight of them may even cause some to lose their appetite for this delicious and nutritious fruit. In their madness, they will brand them as FALSE bananas. But what are false bananas? Is a false banana a banana or is it not? If it is still a banana no less, in what sense is it false then?

In the spiritual realm, God's children come in all varying degrees of spiritual maturity - in all shapes and sizes.

- some are well-formed, others still have deformities;
- some are well-instructed, others are still in their ignorance;
- some are learning and coming to the truth, others are always learning but never able to come to the truth;
- some are hearing and bearing fruit, others are hearing but remain barren;
- some have attained unto maturity, others remain babes;
- some are teachable, others are stiffnecked and stubborn...

Heb 5
12 ¶For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Aren't your parents worried to their graves if you remain childish, stunted, and unfruitful? 

Resurrection of Christ - the watershed of sabbaths

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10215131966268008
November 30, 2019

#The_Resurrection_of_Christ
#The_Watershed_of_sabbaths

The resurrection of Christ the Lord is the watershed of sabbaths; the old was ended and the new has dawned.

Mt 28:1a "In the end of the *sabbath* as it began to dawn toward the first *day of the week*, ...."

Notes:
a. *sabbath* is in the plural  - *σαββάτων* - plural of σαββάτon (singular).

b. The phrase  *day of the week* is just one word in Greek, also sabbath, same as *σαββάτων*, i.e. in the plural too.

This Scripture is not just speaking of weekly days, i.e. the end of the seventh day of the week and the beginning of the first day of the week. The plural σαββάτων indicates that.

"In the end of σαββάτων..."
is contrasted with
"as it began to dawn toward the first of σαββάτων."

σαββάτων were ended and the first of σαββάτων was dawning; the resurrection of the crucified Saviour marked the momentous change.

Question- what σαββάτων were ended and the first of what σαββάτων was dawning?

The old covenant Jewish sabbaths were ended / abolished by the resurrected Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; the same risen Lord inaugurated the beginning of the new covenant gospel sabbaths in Him.

Matthew 11:28 KJV
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Hebrews 4:9 KJV
There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.

There are sheep and goats in the one flock

Both the sheep and the goats belong to the same flock; 

otherwise, they need no separating;

the whole flock of sheep and goats 

belongs to the one same Shepherd. 

The sheep and goats represent 

the obedient and the disobedient; 

the goats DO NOT represent the non-elect

 as many woolly folks imagine.

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10201058674724515
November 27, 2013

Mt 25
v1-13: the bridegroom's virgins, some wise, others foolish.
v14-30: the master's servants, some faithful, others aren't
v31-46: the shepherd's one flock, some sheep, others goats.

In all three, there is a common theme.

---------- 

Adam Wells
It all ends with these words "And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." 

Sing F Lau
Unto the foolish virgins:
"Verily I say unto you, I know you not." 

Unto the unfaithful servant:
"Thou wicked and slothful servant... And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Unto the goats:
"Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels."

Yes, all speaking on the same theme.

Adam Wells
If we take everlasting as continuing until its appointed end, wouldn't that mean we should take life eternal in the same way? It is the same word in Greek only translated differently in KJV. 

Sing F Lau
The term "life eternal" is used a total of 4 times in the KJ.

Mt 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Joh 4:36 And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

Joh 12:25 He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. 

Joh 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Looks like much WORK is involved in attaining that!!! Don't you think? 

How do you read the above? 

Sing F Lau
It is specifically stated that both the virgins and the servants are about the kingdom of heaven...

25:1 ¶ Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins...
25: 14 ¶ For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants. 

Both are intended to tell us some truth and reality about these people in the kingdom of heaven.

I do believe the SAME applies to the one on sheep and goats! The foolish virgins and the unfaithful servants are the Lord's goats!

Hear the word; be instant in season, out of season

Preach the word and Hear the word
are like the two sides of the same coin.

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10215110367128043
November 27, 2019

2 Timothy 4:2 KJV — Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

A command to an under-shepherd of Christ has direct and necessary implications upon those who own Christ, the Chief Shepherd, as their Lord and Saviour.

These solemn words addressed to Pastor Timothy is an excellent example; they have necessary implications upon the flock he has been entrusted to shepherd.

The corollary:
Attend to the preaching of the word; be instant in season, out of season; endure reproofs, rebukes, exhortations with all patience, and be grounded in doctrine.

Some act as though Timothy was commanded to preach to the pulpit, chairs, walls, and ceilings. There are fools among God's children.

Hebrews 6:9 KJV — But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.

Timothy has no option but to preach the word; even so, his flock has no option but to attend to the preaching of the word.

 Ecc 5:1
¶ Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God,
and be more ready to hear,
than to give the sacrifice of fools:
for they consider not that they do evil.

Everlasting - lasting as long as the Omnipotent God intended it!

Everlasting -
lasting as long as the Omnipotent God intended it!
It is not the same as eternal, which transcends time.

 https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10201052727255832

Everlasting fire: the term occurs twice in the NT, here:

Mt 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.

Mt 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

Notes on Mt 18:8
- The Lord Jesus Christ was addressing His disciples.
- He warned them of the real danger of everlasting fires.
- He solemnly warned them to take drastic measures to deal with personal sins in order to avoid everlasting fire.
- The possibility of the disciples ending up in the everlasting fire is real; and drastic measures against personal sin are able to save them from it. 

Notes on Mt 25:41
- The goats ended up in the everlasting fire because of their disobedience.
- They could have saved themselves from the everlasting fire had they been obedient.

Which everlasting fire is real and which is not real?

Let me suggest to you that both speak of the same REEEEEAL place.

Don't be DECEIVED by people who teach you that Jesus was warning his disciples about something figurative, that there is NO REAL HELL for God's children.

It is very clear that Jesus NEVER warns His disciples about the lake of fire, the final destiny of all those not redeemed by Christ. But Christ constantly warned His disciples of the reality and danger of hell, and exhorted them to diligently avoid it!

=======

Adam Wells
No doubt that it is a real place. My question is on "everlasting." Is this word to be understood as eternal, continuing without end? Or does it mean, continuing indefinitely during the present state of things? Examples of the latter would be "I will give thee, and thy seed after thee, the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession" and everlasting hills as mentioned in Genesis and Habakkuk.

Sing F Lau
I take everlasting as continuing until its appointed end, until "death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them" on the judgment day.

Re 1:18 "I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." Man has no power to end it, but Him who holds the keys of both hell and death!!!

Sing F Lau
Another interesting fact:
Mt 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

That everlasting fire where the devil and his angels are...
Re 20:10 "And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone..."

I suggest that everlasting fire is between death and resurrection to glory... and the lake of fire is post-resurrection.

Adam Wells
Wouldn't "ye cursed" have the same sense as saying "ye condemned?

Sing F Lau
I find "ye cursed" in Mt 25:41. "Ye condemned" - can't find any usage. 

So, I'm not sure. Depends very much on context.
The nearest is found here:
Jas 5:9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

Obviously, BRETHREN stands the REAL danger of being condemned - whatever that means!

The Lord DID NOT pronounce them cursed, i.e. cursed them. He DID call them “ye cursed” – i.e. that's what they are, cursed ones. The word “cursed” is a participle, a verbal noun, NOT a verb of the Lord’s action of cursing them. It’s easy to check with the BlueLetterBible.
- They are called the cursed ones BECAUSE their very own conduct of NOT doing what the Lord expected of them has brought the curse of the punishment upon them. Those ministering to the least of Christ's brethren are blessed because of their deeds too. This is temporal judgment; the eternal judgment has been completely borne by Christ alone.

Adoption messed up

Hey, tell me please; 

did the adopted child believe in the adoptive parents first

 in order to be adopted by them?

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/2258872986794
November 26, 2011 

"Nobody is born into this world a child of the family of God. We are born as children of wrath. The only way we enter into the family of God is by adoption, and that adoption occurs when we are united to God's only begotten Son by faith. When by faith we are united with Christ, we are then adopted into that family of whom Christ is the firstborn."

[The above is a statement by a popular 'reformed' man. Don't worry about his name now.]

What do you think of his idea about adoption?
I say, at best, it is very deficient. At worst, it is HERETICAL. 

Cheri
He does not understand the process, nor evidently the significance of regeneration and justification; let alone and the difference betwixt goats and sheep. The child of God has always been the object of His love, from before the foundation of the world, in the Mind and Purpose of God. Scripture speaks abundantly to that fact, that even whilst we were at emnity with God, we were His children, whom He loves. We love Him because He first loved us.

But strictly keeping to his statement, what would he say in regard to the documented case of John the Baptist, who leaped for joy in the womb at the very approach of Mary, quick with the child Jesus? 😉

As a general rule, I'm not much impressed by those who are adored of men. I'm just weird that way, I reckon.

Charles
No child can be adopted until it reaches an age of rational reasoning, then!!! conditional and merited adoption! LOL even adoption agencies reject this notion

Sing F Lau
The Scriptures declare these truths about the elects, their:
- Adoption to sonship PREDESTINED in Christ in eternity.
- Adoption to sonship LEGALLY transacted by Christ at the cross.
- Adoption to sonship PERSONALIZED, vitally born as son and adopted into God's family at the effectual calling out of the native state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation.
- Adoption to sonship EXPERIENCED by faith in Jesus Christ, 'But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name...'
- Adoption to sonship GLORIFIED on the day of resurrection.

Deficient:
He knows a fraction of the truth of adoption taught in the Scriptures. His picture of adoption is like a one-fingered hand, a hideous monstrosity.

Heretical:
- One whom God has not adopted as son is able to believe in order to be adopted by God as a son.
- One whom God has not united to Christ is able to believe in order to be united to Christ.

That's what a great and adored Calvinist believes, and teaches and trains other little calvinists to believe!

They are more sick than BLACK FRIDAY we are witnessing in USA!
Both have gone to the dogs!

Penny Karn
As thou knowest not what [is] the way of the spirit, [nor] how the bones [do grow] in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all.

Sing F Lau
Penny, how does that passage relate to the topic of adoption?

Michael
It only glorifies man, where is God in the picture? Pure grace without our works saving us gives us total and total assurance that we are saved, since God is perfect and he saved us, there is no flaw in eternal salvation.

Sing F Lau
The biblical teaching on adoption is like a wholesome well-formed 5-fingered hand...
1. Adoption to sonship PREDESTINED in Christ in eternity.
- Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

2. Adoption to sonship LEGALLY transacted by Christ at the cross.
- Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

3. Adoption to sonship PERSONALIZED, vitally born as son and adopted into God's family at the effectual calling out of the native state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation.-John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
- Gal 4:6 And because ye are sons [i.e. legally adopted], God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father [i.e. regenerated and adopted].

4. Adoption to sonship EXPERIENCED by faith in Jesus Christ.
- John 1:12 'But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name...'
- Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

5. Adoption to sonship GLORIFIED on the day of resurrection.
- Rom 8: 22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Sing F Lau
The 'reformed' view expressed by acclaimed and adored calvinist Roaring Crazy Sprawl is really the Deformed and Deficient view on adoption.

Charles
LOL Paul washer and Ray comfort wannabees!! reformers alright (deformers)

Sing F Lau
That's calvinist DEFORMED version of salvation by God's free and sovereign grace!!! And so many love it!

Ken Savage
What about repentance?

Mark Thomas
What about repentance? Does repentance have a single thing to do with adoption or being fathered and born??? Someone needs to get their ducks in a row.

Mikal Smith
I agree!! We were "by nature" children of wrath, but God has not appointed us unto death!!! When was that appointment??? Well the same time all of God's decree was formed, sometime in eternity past, which never had beginning so has always been!! Goats do not turn into sheep! Jesus did not have a lost goat who he brought back and made a sheep!! Jesus told the religious leaders, "you do not believe because you are not my sheep" thus being a sheep is prerequisite to believing and not vice versa!! So short answer long, I believe that is incorrect teaching!

Sing F Lau
Sheep were given to Christ, but those sheep were lost sheep... separate from the owner because of sins. Jesus came to seek for them, and brings them to Himself.

He did that by giving Himself as a substitute for His lost sheep... to live the perfect sinless to secure the needed righteousness for His sheep, and to lay down His life be bear away their curse and condemnation upon himself.

Being a FOUND sheep, found by the Shepherd - purchased at the cross, and regenerated at effectual calling - is prerequisite to believing.

Jonas
:) dat's biblical!! pastor sing! 🙂 no man can refute dat!

God's expectations of His children

http://www.inspiremore.com/marriage-killer

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10210468870813536
November 25, 2017  

The meme in this article, http://www.inspiremore.com/marriage-killer/ caught my attention; it illustrates an axiom, "unrealistic expectation is the bitch of all frustration"; closely related is "uncommunicated expectation is the bane of annoyance." I substituted the noble word "mother" with one that is apt for the evil spawned.

The axiom probably applies to all sorts of relationships. Let your expectations of others match those that they have of themselves.

But if you are convinced that their expectations of themselves are below their persons or dignity, then help them to raise their expectation of themselves.

The gospel not only makes plain God's expectation of His children, He also raises their expectation of themselves as God's redeemed and purified unto Himself.

Tit 2:11
¶ For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

O Lord, save us from damning pretense.

 

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10212776373619664
November 25, 2018 

 O Lord, save us from damning pretense.

John 6
28 ¶Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 ¶Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
30 ¶They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?

Look at their impressive inquiry! It shows their earnestness and zeal in desiring to do the works of God, i.e. they want to know the works (plural) that God will have them do. How impressive.

The wise and all-knowing Lord entertained their serious inquiry; He directed them to the chief and foremost work of God that they need to do. First thing, first; don't be concerned with the multitudes of works; pay attention to this one work and do it. The rest will take care of themselves in due course.

This is the work God requires you to do - "believe on him whom he hath sent." Their broad question was given a specific and particular answer, one which is plain and direct. Who can fail to understand the reply?

It becomes clear that these seemingly sincere seeking inquirers have no interest in the specific reply to their question at all. They have no interest in submitting to the truth. When they are shown the truth, they employ diversion tactics to hide their wicked unbelief. 

Such wickedness is prevalent among God's children. They parade themselves as sincere inquirers but have no desire to learn and embrace the truth. They cherish their traditions and fables passed down to them.

Be careful, be very careful. The Lord has these solemn words for such.

Matthew 13:12 KJV — For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Don't play the fool with God's word. The consequences are dire. It is a fearful thing to be blinded and given up by the Lord.

C H Spurgeon's words on John Gill

 

Charles Haddon Spurgeon

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10215101875275752
November 25, 2019

Dr John Gill, D.D

Dr John Gill
by Charles Haddon Spurgeon, in his Commenting and Commentaries.

A very distinguished place is due to DR. GILL.[8] Beyond all controversy, Gill was one of the most able Hebraists of his day, and in other matters no mean proficient. When an opponent in controversy had ventured to call him "a botcher in divinity", the good doctor, being compelled to become a fool in glorying, gave such a list of his attainments as must have covered his accuser with confusion. His great work on the Holy Scriptures is greatly prized at the present day by the best authorities, which is conclusive evidence of its value, since the set of the current of theological thought is quite contrary to that of Dr. Gill.

No one in these days is likely to be censured for his Arminianism, but most modern divines affect to sneer at anything a little too highly Calvinistic: however, amid the decadence of his own rigid system, and the disrepute of even more moderate Calvinism, Gill's laurels as an expositor are still green. His ultraism is discarded, but his learning is respected: the world and the church take leave to question his dogmatism, but they both bow before his erudition. Probably no man since Gill's days has at all equalled him in the matter of Rabbinical learning. Say what you will about that lore, it has its value: of course, a man has to rake among perfect dunghills and dust heaps, but there are a few jewels which the world could not afford to miss.

Gill was a master cinder sifter among the Targums, the Talmuds, the Mishna, and the Gemara. Richly did he deserve the degree of which he said, "I never bought it, nor thought it, nor sought it."

He was always at work; it is difficult to say when he slept, for he wrote 10,000 folio pages of theology. The portrait of him which belongs to this church, and hangs in my private vestry, and from which all the published portraits have been engraved, represents him after an interview with an Arminian gentleman, turning up his nose in a most expressive manner, as if he could not endure even the smell of freewill. In some such a vein he wrote his commentary.

He hunts Arminianism throughout the whole of it. He is far from being so interesting and readable as Matthew Henry. He delivered his comments to his people from Sabbath to Sabbath, hence their peculiar mannerism. His frequent method of animad-version is, "This text does not mean this", nobody ever thought it did; "It does not mean that", only two or three heretics ever imagined it did; and again it does not mean a third thing, or a fourth, or a fifth, or a sixth absurdity; but at last he thinks it does mean so-and-so, and tells you so in a methodical, sermon like manner.

This is an easy method, gentlemen, of filling up the time, if you are ever short of heads for a sermon. Show your people firstly, secondly, and thirdly, what the text does not mean, and then afterwards you can go back and show them what it does mean. It may be thought, however, that one such a teacher is enough, and that what was tolerated from a learned doctor would be scouted in a student fresh from college.

For good, sound, massive, sober sense in commenting, who can excel Gill? Very seldom does he allow himself to be run away with by imagination, except now and then when he tries to open up a parable, and finds a meaning in every circumstance and minute detail; or when he falls upon a text which is not congenial with his creed, and hacks and hews terribly to bring the word of God into a more systematic shape. Gill is the Coryphaeus of hyper-Calvinism, but if his followers never went beyond their master, they would not go very far astray.

+++++++++++

Taken from here:
http://www.romans45.org/spurgeon/misc/c&cl1.htm

What happened on the way to Damascus?

What happened on the way to Damascus?

 

https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/2244700832499
November 23, 2011

When it pleased God... to reveal His Son in me...

"But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen..." Gal 1;15-16a

 When was God pleased to reveal His Son IN Paul?
What does it mean 'to reveal His Son IN Paul'?
From what and unto what did God separate Paul when he was still in his mother womb?
Unto what did God call Paul by His grace? Cf Acts 26:16

PJ Walters
"...when it pleased God...to reveal his Son in me..." is what Paul is speaking of. The phrase "who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace" is appositive and simply gives clarity of Paul's view of God.

Paul had been separated (set apart; sanctified) from his mother's womb, not specifically born again from the womb, but purposed, and then called effectually by God's grace.

PJ Walters
Purposed, that is, to preach the gospel.

Chase Harrison
In context, I think the "reveal" is not talking about regeneration but rather gospel revelation that Paul uniquely received directly from God Himself, because just four or five verses prior it says:

"But I certify you, brethren, that the GOSPEL which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the REVELATION of Jesus Christ."

So, I believe the "reveal" in verse 16 is contextually the same "revelation" that is spoken of in verse 12, which is gospel revelation.

Sing F Lau
Paul had been separated (set apart; sanctified) from his mother's womb, not specifically born again from the womb, but purposed, and then called effectually by God's grace.
==========
'Separated from/set apart' and 'purposed' have a very different meaning!
So, tell us, what is that separation? and when did it take place?

Sing F Lau
Acts 8:3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
======
When Saul was ravaging the church, was he a regenerated man? What is his own testimony later on?

PJ Walters
Separation is not regeneration; that much is clear. Are we not sanctified (separated/set apart) for God's purposes?

PJ Walters
There is a sanctification which took place before the world began.

Sing F Lau
Effectual calling is that divine act of separating an elect from his native state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation.

PJ Walters
Effectual calling took place on the road to Damascus for Saul/Paul. Separation took place for him, as is the case for every elect of God, from his mother's womb. That is, he was separated, set apart, for God's purpose of regenerating him at some predestinated point in his life.

Chase Harrison
"separated" does not necessarily or automatically mean regeneration.
Here is a "separation" that is obviously apostolic and to the gospel:

"Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God" - Rom 1:1

Chase Harrison
I tend to think that it is the same type of separation in Galatians chapter 1, given the context of the chapter and the entire premise of the Galatian letter.

Chase Harrison
Quite simply put, I think all Paul is saying there is, "the purpose for which I was born into this world (separated from my mother's womb) was to be an apostle and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, according to the purpose and will of God."

PJ Walters
This is exactly what I'm trying to say! Thanks!

Sing F Lau
May I ask, are the two actions here - separating him from the mother's womb, calling him by His grace are speaking of the same or different matters?

I think it is very plain from Paul's own testimony what took place on the way to Damascus... Acts 26

15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;"

'I appeared to thee for this purpose...'

Sing F Lau
Separation took place for him, as is the case for every elect of God, from his mother's womb.
===========
Please tell, so what is true of true of Paul is now true of every elect??? Hmmm - this sounds very original with me.

Never mind, so God also separated you from your mother's womb. May I ask, God separated you from your mother's womb unto what?

Sing F Lau
Quite simply put, I think all Paul is saying there is, "the purpose for which I was born into this world (separated from my mother's womb)
========
So being separated from the mother's womb is really just being born into the world.
Why would Paul be stating something so obvious, and which is true of every born? Of course, every one born is separated from his mother's womb.

Charles
I believe I was separated from my mother's womb also!

Charles
I too am living out the purpose for which God call me from my mother's womb. It is not a calling unique to Paul but like Paul's it has to be said only for oneself - noone can say it for you!

Sing F Lau
Of course you were separated from your mother's womb... so is every one born of his mother!!!

What were you separated from WHILE you were still in your mother's womb?

PJ Walters
Paul was saying that God had separated him from his mothers womb for a specific purpose. Now that I think about it, this purpose for which he was born seems to be that of preaching the gospel to the Gentiles.

PJ Walters
And although every elect is set apart from the non-elect for God's purpose of regeneration, it is not necessarily for preaching the gospel.

Preston Walters
Maybe the separating from his mother's womb cold mean separated from the bondage of sin since we are conceived in sin. the separation from the sin( mothers womb) to regeneration.

PJ Walters
It has been considered, but what is plainly meant is his real, natural, flesh and blood mother.

Chase Harrison
EXACTLY, brother PJ. I am glad that you can see and understand this.
I don't see what's so hard about it. Too simple for some, I guess. They think, "it can't be THAT simple! There's GOTTA be more to it."

Once again, consider the context of the entire first chapter. Please allow me to quickly summarize:
- The Galatians had left the truth of the gospel to go back under a part of the law (circumcision) to be saved. They were persuaded and convinced by "false brethren unawares brought in" (Gal 2:4)
- After his greeting, the first thing Paul feels necessary to address is that there is ONLY ONE TRUE GOSPEL, which Paul originally preached unto them (verses 6-10)
- Next, Paul begins to re-certify himself to the Galatians as a true apostle of God and that the gospel that he preaches unto them is the TRUE gospel because of how he received it (verses 11-12)
- Then, Paul addresses his past (verses 13-14), because it is apparent that those false brethren (who had persuaded the Galatians to error) had discredited Paul's apostleship and gospel by using his past against him, i.e. "THIS IS THE SAME MAN THAT USED TO PERSECUTE THE CHURCH! HOW CAN YOU BELIEVE ANYTHING HE SAYS?!?!?" is the type of argument that they probably used against Paul to discredit him and convince the Galatians. Why else would Paul even bring it up or say "For ye have HEARD of my conversation in time past..." ??? Apparently, they heard about it from the false brethren.
- By owning up to his past, he is about to use it as a springboard to further prove that he is a God-called apostle and preacher. This is where our verses come in. Verses 15-16. In other words, what changed him from his destructive path as Saul who persecuted the church to Paul who served the Lord and preached the gospel of Jesus Christ??

Answer:
"But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood"

See? He is building and certifying his own apostleship in the Lord, according to God's grace, despite his past! So that they Galatians will be assured and believe him this time and remain steadfast in the truth of the gospel and not fall into error again.

He even ends the chapter by re-emphasizing the same idea:

"But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. And they glorified God in me."

So don't try to make verse 15 say something that it doesn't say. Read it in the context of what Paul's objective is in the first chapter: to re-establish himself a truly called apostle and minister of God so that the Galatians will be persuaded and assured in the truth of the gospel.

Charles
I believe Saul was regenerated and the new birth HAS to be addressed first before any ministerial calling. "called me by his grace...to reveal his son in me..."that I might preach."

PJ Walters
He can't be simultaneously regenerated and called into the ministry? Is anything too hard for God?

Charles
question to a question: Isn't "separated [by God] me from my mother's womb" inferring regeneration? a new birth, another birth, a spiritual birth beside the common birth of all?

PJ Walters
No, separation and regeneration are distinct. This has already been clarified.

Charles
Are you implying that "separation from mother's womb" is a chemical separation from sinful humanity? Human sin is transmitted thru sperm and egg?

Sing F Lau
Pj, the effectual call is God's act of separating an elect from his native state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation.

To separate an elect from his native state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation REQUIRES the following, in its NUMBER, and LOGICAL ORDER.

1. Applying the righteousness of Jesus Christ... i.e. justification to reverse the condemnation.
2. Regeneration based on the righteousness of Christ applied personally...i.e. to reverse the state of death to eternal life.
3. Adoption into the family of God... to reverse the state of alienation, made members of and given the rights and privileges that belongs to God's child...
4. Given the Spirit of adoption to dwell within... who works in God's children to will and to do God's good pleasure...

When you say, 'No, separation and regeneration are distinct', please tell us what separation you have in mind.

I take Paul's words as stating that he was effectually called to grace and salvation while he was still in his mother's womb.

And he was converted and called to the apostleship on the road to Damascus.