Back to Mike's Questions: Commandment Number "3"

Let us get started.  Mike asks;

3. Do not misuse the name of god. Again, pretty cut and dry and I would guess this one is generally followed.

I would disagree that this one is cut and dry and I believe it is not generally followed at all since you can swear using God's name on National Television everyday.

Exodus 20:7 NKJV

"You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

This is more than using His name as a swear word, it is about Ambassadorship.   To use God's name in such a way as to bring disgrace, shame or dishonor (not just as a swear word) upon His character or deeds was to irreverently misuse His Holy name.  In other words, if I am "called by His name" (one of His, a child of The King, A Christian) and I not only speak like I am of the world but act like it also - then I am using God's name in vain.  Sadly, I do this more often than I realize and it is people like me that Mike sees not being what I say I represent, that sickens him and supports Mike's standing that Christians are fake, two faced and hypocrites!  The only answer I can give is that I really don't want to be a hypocrite, even when I am.  I can at least be forgiven for my poor behavior and example.

Now Mike has not said this to me, but I have heard it from others; I don't want to go to church with a bunch of hypocrites.  My response is; I would rather go to church with some hypocrites than go to hell with the rest of them!

Lastly on this issue, I find it interesting that people are not swearing using my name or Mike's name? Why is that?  Probably because there is no power in either of our names.  We didn't leave Heaven to become part of His creation so He could pay the sin debt on our behalf.   Jesus wrote us into His will, then died so that the will would be in force.  Then He rose again that He might become our heavenly advocate to make sure the terms of the will were correctly followed!  He is our Executor! (khouse.org)

Blessings
ernie

Mike's Question Commandment "2"

Mike asks;
2. Do not make any idols. Well for Catholics that wear a cross around their necks, isn't that the definition of an idol? I know what it represents, but isn't this still a violation? What makes it different?

OK, this question is a little easier to answer than the last and will be much shorter - everyone including Mike said; AMEN To Shorter Blogs!!!  There is however a "read into it" question I will answer also, just in case Mike or anybody else was thinking it.

Lets take a look at the Second Commandment along with the First;

Deu 5:6-10 AMP
(6)  I am the Lord your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.
(7)  You shall have no other gods before Me or besides Me.
(8)  You shall not make for yourself [to worship] a graven image or any likeness of anything that is in the heavens above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth.
(9)  You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
(10)  And showing mercy and steadfast love to thousands and to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

The Mosaic Law is built upon the Ten Commandments, and the law was built upon the first commandment in verses 6 & 7.  The first four commandments tell us how to properly worship the One True God (which we discussed last time).  Verses 8-10 are the Second Commandment.  Here we see not only God’s prohibition against idolatry, but His reasons for that prohibition.  It was the Lord God who had and still has the power to bring His people (whom ever they are) out of bondage (wherever they are) in Egypt.  He alone cared enough for them to choose them (and you) to be His own, and He alone delivered and protected them (as He desires to do for you).  For all this, He declares that He alone deserves to be worshipped and reverenced.  Isaiah 44:18 (paraphrased) Idols are powerless, blind, deaf and dumb.

OK, we have defined the commandment, now Mike specifically asks about "Catholics" and "crosses worn around the neck".  The Catholics will be part of the "read into it" question for later, however the cross necklaces we will do first.  The dictionary defines "idol" as; "an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship."  Are these crosses worn around the neck idols?  Quite possibly yes, however, some are worn either as just jewelry (sad) or paraded to mock Christians.  I personally believe most are worn as a "symbol" of the persons Faith in Christ Jesus.  A symbol is not the same as an idol.  If you are wearing a wedding ring, that is a symbol of your bond with your spouse - not idolatry.  The dictionary defines "symbol" as; "a thing that represents or stands for something else."  In the context of what we just wrote about, the wearing of a cross as a symbol would not make it an idol nor a violation.  What makes it different is the intent of the wearer.

The "read into it" question is about Catholics.  Mike, if I am reading into it to much, forgive me.  I won't go deep or long here.  We must always be careful not to interchange people (Catholics) with either religions (Catholicism, Mormonism, Jehovah Witnesses) or denominations (Baptist, Lutheran, AOG, COG, and so on).  Without going to far, I think we both (Mike & Ernie) would agree most people are extremely ignorant of their Faith and Beliefs, which makes for terrible witness for Christ and His Kingdom and creates much confusion for unbelievers looking at us.  Further, lumping all people into groups (although convenient) including "religious" groups (that word turns my stomach) can be considered prejudice.  In other words, not all Blacks are..... just as not all Catholics are.....  See what I mean?  Finally, there is a difference between religion(s) and denominations - that is for another study.

Blessings Brother Mike

ernie

Lets Answer Mike's Questions

A few days ago I posted a blog titled; "Mike has Questions?".  Today I will start to answer his questions, taking one at time.  When Non-Christian's have questions or attacks, the area of answering is referred to as "Apologetics"; defending or defenders of the faith.  I don't like to use Wikipedia much, but found it convenient for our discussion.

Real quick, I am NOT the authority on the Bible although I have studied for quite some time. However the Bible makes it clear that EVERY Christian needs to be able to give (at least basic) answers to their faith.

1Pe 3:15 AMP  But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord.  Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.

Further, usually those who have questions, the answering of one leads to several others.  I am going to do my best to give a succinct answer to the specific question.  Some of you might be angry that I have not responded to Mike earlier or think I should answer all the questions for him at once, possibly because "time is of the essence"?   This however is not how people come to Christ - HE CALLS THEM.  Now answering questions is important and may help to remove obstacles that the enemy uses to block people from seeking God, but it is the drawing of the Holy Spirit.  While I am saying that, I'll say this too;  The Bible is more than... (insert all the more than's)  it is a Spiritual Book and in order to understand it - you must be of the Spirit.  I will hammer this home at the end of all the questions with a unique analogy.

1Co 2:13-16 NLT  When we tell you these things, we do not use words that come from human wisdom.  Instead, we speak words given to us by the Spirit, using the Spirit's words to explain spiritual truths.  
(14)  But people who aren't spiritual can't receive these truths from God's Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can't understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means.  
(15)  Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, but they themselves cannot be evaluated by others.  
(16)  For, "Who can know the LORD's thoughts? Who knows enough to teach Him?" But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ.

Ok lets get started.  "About time ERNIE!"  How rude.

Mike wrote:

1. Do not worship any other gods. This one is pretty cut and dry. But WHICH god is he referring to? So many different people worship differently. If you choose the wrong religion, are you dammed?

Answer:

Mike asks a GREAT question and what is interesting is that he (Mike) is naturally pointed in the right direction.  I will answer the statement I just made when we get to question #6 (remind me please), for now, IT IS CUT AND DRY on not worshiping ANY OTHER god's.  But "WHICH"?  AWESOME Brother!!!

Before I answer this...  "ERNIE, are you kidding me, stay focused."  I am, I am, I just wanted to say to Mike - I have bad news and good news, which do you want first?  The Bad?  Ok;  You are getting closer to God than you think.  The Good?  Ok; You are getting closer to God than you think!

WHICH god?  This question reveals part of the answer, because of competing religions (I hate that word), faiths or beliefs - THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE!  Even our natural thinking makes us ask WHICH ONE is the right one?  Think about this for a minute, in order for God to be God, He must be the only one.  How many persons can be at the very top of (blank)?  How many Presidents at one time can there be in our nation, how many kings in another country and so on and so on?  Only ONE!  Now if there is only one, their can be no others.  So, in other words, if you have not put your faith and trust in the One True God, then it is in an impostor!  Only the God Jehovah (Yahweh) claims to be the One and only!  Any other false god(s) acknowledge other false god(s) - check it out yourself?

Consider opposites for a minute.  What is the opposite of;

Up - ? (down) (I knew you would get it)

Fast - slow

High - low

Big - small

God - ????????????  Most people say satan.  WRONG, satan is a created being like all other angels and people and false gods.  God has no opposite - HE is in a category of His own!  You say you don't understand how He could have always been?  I don't either Brother, however our lack of understanding does not diminish Whom He is.

Gen 1:1-31 KJV  (This is just the first chapter)

(1)  In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

(2)  And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

(3)  And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.

(4)  And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.

(5)  And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

(6)  And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.

(7)  And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.

(8)  And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.

(9)  And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.

(10)  And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.

(11)  And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.

(12)  And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

(13)  And the evening and the morning were the third day.

(14)  And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

(15)  And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

(16)  And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

(17)  And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,

(18)  And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.

(19)  And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

(20)  And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

(21)  And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

(22)  And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

(23)  And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.

(24)  And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.

(25)  And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

(26)  And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

(27)  So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

(28)  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

(29)  And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

(30)  And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.

(31)  And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.

Mike asks: 

If you choose the wrong religion, are you dammed?

Answer:

YES!

Joh 14:6 NLT

(6)  Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Me.

Acts 4:12 [Peter telling the crowd about Jesus] "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

1 John 2:23 "Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also."

Romans 5:21 "That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord."

1 John 5:11 "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son."

John 3:16-18 "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. {17} For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. {18} He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Hebrews 9:22, "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."  In other words, only the death and spilling of the blood of a substitute victim will allow our sins to be forgiven.  In the Old Testament they killed bulls and goats and the blood shed by the animals gave temporary forgiveness and the sacrifices had to be made over and over.  However Jesus, the perfect, sinless Son of God gave his life and shed His blood for the remission of sins.   He became our substitute victim.  If you believe that He did that you are forgiven by the blood He shed. Jesus died on the cross, shedding His own blood for the world.  But unlike the bulls and goats, Jesus died and God raised Him from the dead.  He is alive today, now, this very second.  His blood no longer needs to be shed.  He died and shed His blood once for all and His blood never needs to be spilled again like the blood of the bulls and goats.

No one else has shed His blood for you, not mohammad, not buddha, not anyone.  And not one of the founders of any religion is alive today.  Only Christ, who founded Christianity, is alive today.  He is the only one to shed His blood for all and then be raised from the death.  He is the only way to get to heaven.  There is no other.  If there was, God would be a liar, and not God - but He Is...

Blessings

ernie

Mike has Questions?

The following is some questions my friend "Mike" asked on his FaceBook account.  I came across it and asked if I could Blog about it with responses.  He told me I could use his full name and was not ashamed of his beliefs.  I told him he shouldn't be ashamed and that I would not use his full name because I didn't want it to look as if I or anyone else was picking on him - He is MY FRIEND and I do desire above all that Mike comes to a personal relationship with Jesus, however as God is a gentleman and would not berate or pick on Mike - nor will I and I won't allow it either.  Besides, Mike knows I can be very straight forward (which can sound demeaning) and will be with him.

For now I am just going to list his questions and will tackle them one at a time starting in the next few days.  With that I will just say to Mike; Love you very much Brother and thank you for at least allowing me to respond.  I hope it yields fruit for both of us!


I know there are religious folks on here, so I have some questions about the 10 commandments:

1. Do not worship any other gods. This one is pretty cut and dry. But WHICH god is he referring to? So many different people worship differently. If you choose the wrong religion, are you dammed?

2. Do not make any idols. Well for Catholics that wear a cross around their necks, isn't that the definition of an idol? I know what it represents, but isn't this still a violation? What makes it different?

3. Do not misuse the name of god. Again, pretty cut and dry and I would guess this one is generally followed.

4. Keep the Sabbath holy. So if you do anything after you leave church, aren't you violating this one too? I don't see how watching a violent football game, going to a rodeo, seeing a car race (and waiting for the exciting crash) is keeping the intent of this one.

5. Honor thy mother and thy father. Another pretty easy one to follow. But how many of you have ever talked back? And was this brought up in confession if you ever did? And to what extent does the honor go? If you've ever done something and said to yourself "my mother would kill me if she knew I was doing this", then isn't this one broken?

6. Do not murder. Well, most can say they've never done this. But this is one of the ones I have the biggest problems with. How many stories of war are there in the bible? And is murder only restricted to people? What about animals that are eaten? What about killing the plants that you eat? What about swatting that mosquito that is biting you? Does the bible specify what, if anything, is ok to kill?

7. Do not commit adultery. Fine, but again, this is different for all religions. What about the Mormon man who has 5 wives? What about that tribe in Africa where the more wives you have the more respected you are?

8. Do not steal. OK, steal what? Items? Time? a kiss? plagiarism? cheating on a test (stealing an answer). Where is the line drawn on this one?

9. Do not lie. But little lies are ok? The police officer that tells a child that the doctors are doing all they can for mommy when he knows she was dead on arrival? Telling a friend that you just need them to come over to "help" with something while a surprise party is being set up? Telling your significant other that she looks good when you know dam well she doesn't?

10. Do not covet. Who among us has never wished for something that someone else has. Or wished they went on that trip that their friend went on. This one is also way too vague for me.

So yes, I'm sure all the good Christians can justify whatever they've done that go against the way the 10 commandments are written. But it's just a little much for me. And these are only my questions on the commandments. The bible is filled with contradictions. So you keep living your Christian lifestyle. I'm going to keep living by the golden rule and I'll bet that I have higher values that some people that go to your church.

So Your an Atheist?

Last night my youngest son and I did a sleep-over in our new home that is STILL under construction.  I woke up around 5:30 in the morning and since I couldn't go back to sleep, I began to pray.  After praying, I looked on Facebook and read a post from a friend.  For the purpose of this post I will refer to him as "John".  I couldn't sleep after reading "John's" post, not because it upset me but that I was very upset for him.  I thought and prayed about what I would say (write) if anything, and was compelled to write this;

Dear John (you like it already, haha)

Seriously, my Dear Friend John, I just want to get the story straight.  You were on private property (a church parking lot), playing a game on your phone I am guessing, when you were approached by the Pastor of the church at which time he tried to have a conversation with you which turned ugly (to say the least) and you told him off by telling him you were an atheist and didn't care about God, church or him and then finished by saying you would leave when you were done (after he asked you to leave) and "hail satan"!  Close enough?

I won' even mention the fact that you were trespassing at that point and as a former LEO, we would have arrested such person if they refused to leave.  Oh wait, I did mention it - sorry.

John why do atheist's (meaning yourself) have no problem using the name of Jesus as a swear word? Why don't atheist's use their own name or my name or their spouses name?  They don't because there is no Power or Authority in those names.  I have heard other so called atheist's then invoke satan's name, typically to irritate (I'm guessing) Christian's, not realizing that they/you are falling right into his plan and actually speaking a truth they/you WILL regret.

Nothing I am writing is to put you down or condemn you.  We have conversed very respectfully about this before and I have since stopped saying anything to you about it.  I have no intention of pushing Jesus on you - He might though! :)  For me to continue is what the Bible refers to as "casting pearls to the swine".  It means, it is a waste of time, unless or until something different happens to you.

HOWEVER since you wrote a public post and I know you appreciate honesty and forwardness even if you don't agree, I wanted to cast one more pearl or at least some corn.

Here it comes; John you are NO ATHEIST, you are to angry at God not to believe in Him!  I don't know what you blame Him for, loss of a loved one or love ones, poor health, poor finances or something further in your past, BUT He cares for you and proves it that day.  How you say?  By your own words, the man who approached you identified himself as the Pastor.  He is God's rep, whether you like him or not.  Even if he did a poor job representing The Lord and Christianity, he did a better job at it than you were as a former LEO and just plain citizen.  I mean come on John, he was on the churches property and doing what he should be doing and you say you didn't want to hear it, then WHY HAVE YOU CHOSEN THAT PLACE TO PLAY OR WAIT FOR YOUR FRIENDS???????  Coincidence?  "Coincidence" is God's middle name I always say.  No, your there waiting for God to make Himself known to you.  I would bet at least one time you have thought or said that, most likely with a sarcastic chuckle.

Well guess what "JOHN", He did make Himself known to you and let you know He was watching you too!  By your words the "Pastor" said he recognized you.  God uses His people to reach other people.  That Pastor had been watching you and was prompted by God to talk with you on His behalf.

It was NO coincidence of the meeting or timing.  Well Ernie I didn't like his approach or him telling me to leave, you say.  That Pastor, just like me is a sinner like you.  Our only difference is that we have received the gift of Eternal Life by asking Jesus to receive us and forgive us of our sins and repenting of them.  We have heard the Gospel of Christ, that Jesus left heaven, was born of a virgin, suffered for our sins and crucified for them on the Cross.  On the Third Day, He was raised to life so that ALL THOSE WHO CALL UPON HIS NAME WILL BE SAVED!  (Romans 10:13)

John, 

Time is short,

Heaven is real,

Hell is hot, and

Eternity is long!

Still love you Brother

ern