Posts made in April, 2015


To Rome, Roman Catholics and those praying for them. “A Christian Witness to Roman Catholicism”~Guest writer and apologist, Rob Zins Dear Friends of His Word,   It seems that the apostle Paul has made it perfectly clear that all Christians are to understand that we live in a “world” within a “world”.  Listen to his advice to those Christians at Corinth.   “I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to go out of the world.”  1 Corinthians 5:9-10   In the light of all the flak flying around the Indiana state legislature and governor perhaps we should step back and reflect a bit on the basics.   Christians are called to live in the sphere of biblical ethics and morals governed by the Word of God in community with other Christians.  This is where we live, move, and breathe so to speak.  It is the world created by the Word of God and all true Christians are a part of this world.  It is the Body of Christ.   However, as the apostle notes, we are a part of a broader context which Paul calls “the world.”  By this he means those outside of Christ.  One is either governed by being in Christ and His world or dominated by the wider more general “world” when it comes to living out one’s life and following principles of belief and conduct.   Christians must learn to cope with and “associate” in the domain of the secular world.  We cannot escape the secular world.  If we keep this straight we can be comforted.  We can rest in this truth and make our way knowing that we are strangers passing through.   Christians are free to do at least two things that seem on the surface contradictory but are in fact harmonious.   The first is freedom to associate with people of this world.  By association I do not mean endorse or become like. The danger for Christians is not in selling wedding cakes to Lesbians.  The danger is in selling cakes and not speaking the truth.  Christians cannot stop selling cakes to sinners.  And Christians dare not stop speaking the truth to sinners.  Second we are free to live by God’s definition of right and wrong, good and evil, and speak publicly of these things despite the wrath of the secular world.  Christians must serve the cake, cobble the shoe, deliver the mail, fix the air conditioning, and sell the car...

Read More
God’s Love Is Unconditional!

God’s Love Is Unconditional!


Posted By on Apr 9, 2015

God’s Love Is Unconditional! Recently, while studying God’s love, I meditated on the vastness of this divine characteristic and was overcome with emotions of joy and hope.  Overwhelmed with the incredible depth and breadth of the love that God exhibits toward His elect, is utterly astonishing. As I pondered the love of God I began to recognize how replete this subject is throughout the Bible, and one word continuously came to mind– “unconditional”. We know that God exhibits love to the unregenerate man and even blesses them despite their lack of worshipping Him as Creator. (Matt. 5:45, Acts 14:16-17).  But, He only bestows “unconditional” love on those who are His chosen.  Amazingly, we are not a special class of people, nor did we accomplish anything special to earn His unconditional love.  (Deut. 7:6-7, John 3:16, 6:37, 19:28-29, 17:6, 9, 12, 23, Rom. 5:8, 8:32-39, 1 Tim. 2:19, 1 Pet. 2:9, 1 John 3:16, 4:9-10).   The word “unconditional” is defined by the American Heritage Dictionary, as: without conditions or limitations; absolute.  If we apply this definition to describe God’s love, it defines a limitless and perfect love.  God’s love is an inconceivable and mindboggling concept to Christians.  And because of its immeasurability many are uncomfortable trying to accurately convey His love, because it is so unexplainable.  Scripture states for example”…How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out”. (Rom. 11:33b). Or, “to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge…” (Eph. 3:19a). These verses communicate to a finite creation (mankind), the unfathomable and inscrutable ways of an infinite God (Isa. 55:8-9). Therefore, it would be preposterous and pointless to even try to exhaustively comprehend His ways, because of that limited knowledge.  The mysteriousness of God ought to evoke us to praise and worship Him.  No matter how much knowledge we attain, we still are required to live by faith (Hab. 2:4, Rom. 1:17, 2 Cor. 5:7, Gal. 3:11, Heb. 10:28).  Because there is so much about God that we cannot comprehend, so we must believe on what we do not see (Heb. 11:1).   Sadly, we live in a society where every aspect of life is based on conditions and limitations.  For instance, when we purchase a product that promises a lifetime warranty; the warranty is not for the duration of your physical lifetime, but rather, for the average lifetime of that particular product.  Therefore, the product has a conditional and limited warranty.  Debts are other typical conditions which play a vital part in all our lives.  If a debt or installment is not paid by a specific payment date, it may incur interest or go to...

Read More

Jesus Christ, Paradigm Of Agapé Love! “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands…rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself.   After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.”                                                                                                                          John 13:3-5  For most Christians, no other passages in the Bible are referenced regarding the characteristics of “love”, as the thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians, also known as “the love chapter”.  In fact, even the secular world references them virtually at ad-infinitum ad-nauseam.  They will extrapolate these verses from the Bible and attach them onto cute clichéd post cards, plaques, walls frames, bumper stickers, etc, even though they cannot comprehend the depth of biblical love (1 Cor. 2:14).  But perhaps the greatest exhibition of love recorded in Scripture, second only to Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, occurred in the Upper Room, where Jesus Christ spent His final evening of freedom with His beloved disciples, washing their feet and instructing them of things to come.  Mere hours later, He would endure an ignominious and barbaric execution by means of crucifixion, which, historically, was considered the most brutal way to be put to death. What made the scene even more disturbing and sorrowful, was the fact that all His disciples (except John) would forsake Him that very evening upon His arrest.  Being omniscient, Jesus was cognizant that such abandonment would occur.  But, even knowing what would take place, He astonishingly girded Himself with a servants towel and proceeded to wash the disciples dirty feet. (John 13:3-12).  Here was God, Creator of the universe, and Savior of mankind; condescended to the level of an insignificant galley slave, washing the feet of sinful men!   Furthermore, Jesus washed Judas Iscariot’s feet; the very disciple who would betray Him unto His arrest and murder!   Jesus Christ’ sacrificial exhibition was the quintessence of loving your enemies.  With perfection He demonstrated exactly what He preached in the Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5:44) As  He finished washing their feet, He instructed them; “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  “By...

Read More