I would like to take the time, as food for thought, to discuss the idea of good works. I have recently heard scathing arguments on the side of atheists who tout that faith in Christ alone to save is absurd, seeing that anyone who claims salvation by faith can behave any way they wish, so long as they confessed this "faith." Conduct doesn't enter the equation, in their opinion, which enflames their belief that man’s good works should logically demonstrate his merit. I am sorry to confess that many who claim to be Christians fall into the category of being unrecognizable followers of Christ, bearing no fruit of the Spirit, as God‘s word calls it. The Bible addresses this spiritual barrenness in believers in great detail, but that is not what I presently desire to discuss.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Genesis Chapter Three
3:1 the serpent was more subtil
The New King James renders the word “subtil” as “cunning.” Here is the first reference of Satan in the Bible. There have been mountains of speculation concerning these passages. Some write them off as ridiculous, “It’s a talking snake; what more need I say?” Some write them off as being ardent skeptics, “It never actually STATES that Satan was that serpent!” It writes them off as myth, “You know every culture and ancient religion in the world has a serpent myth in it.” Now to the first I say, “How about shamans, spiritists and witches with their spirits, animal guides and totems? They don’t seem to find such things ridiculous; in fact they’re deadly serious.” God says of such, “The person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people,” Leviticus 20:6. To the second I would respond, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world,” Revelation 12:9. The Holy Spirit wants to make it clear that the snake in the garden was definitely Satan, either possessing an animal, or simply masquerading as one. Can fallen angels possess animals? I don’t know; why don’t we ask the swine Legion entered when Jesus exorcized them? To the third I say, “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (Satan),” 1st John 5:19. Serpents are venerated in pagan religions; not mortified and vilified as seen here in the Bible. The serpent represented eternal life and wisdom, as seen in such symbols of the caduceus. Oh, the serpent said he could bring wisdom, but he lied and brought death.
The New King James renders the word “subtil” as “cunning.” Here is the first reference of Satan in the Bible. There have been mountains of speculation concerning these passages. Some write them off as ridiculous, “It’s a talking snake; what more need I say?” Some write them off as being ardent skeptics, “It never actually STATES that Satan was that serpent!” It writes them off as myth, “You know every culture and ancient religion in the world has a serpent myth in it.” Now to the first I say, “How about shamans, spiritists and witches with their spirits, animal guides and totems? They don’t seem to find such things ridiculous; in fact they’re deadly serious.” God says of such, “The person who turns to mediums and familiar spirits, to prostitute himself with them, I will set My face against that person and cut him off from his people,” Leviticus 20:6. To the second I would respond, “So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world,” Revelation 12:9. The Holy Spirit wants to make it clear that the snake in the garden was definitely Satan, either possessing an animal, or simply masquerading as one. Can fallen angels possess animals? I don’t know; why don’t we ask the swine Legion entered when Jesus exorcized them? To the third I say, “We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one (Satan),” 1st John 5:19. Serpents are venerated in pagan religions; not mortified and vilified as seen here in the Bible. The serpent represented eternal life and wisdom, as seen in such symbols of the caduceus. Oh, the serpent said he could bring wisdom, but he lied and brought death.
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