July 5, 2011

The Path to Citizenship

Oath of citizenship

The debate over illegal immigration is a hot topic in our country. For various reasons, millions of people from other countries have decided their lives would be better in the United States of America. This country has always welcomed immigrants and has established a system through which they can go in order to obtain citizenship in the United States.

Many pursue residence in this country and later citizenship through the established legal path. Many others, however, begin their pursuit by entering the country illegally. There are now millions of “illegal immigrants” currently residing within our borders, resulting in a great political debate as to what to do about these individuals. Should they be made to follow the immigration laws that have already been established? Should the government enact some sort of new law that would grant citizenship to those who, for whatever reason, chose to ignore the current law and enter this country illegally.

We likely all have our opinions as to what we believe the civil authorities ought to do on this issue, but this is not the place to discuss those opinions. I bring this up because in this debate we can draw a spiritual application regarding the greatest and most blessed citizenship. As Christians, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20). Let us notice some parallels between our heavenly citizenship and the current immigration debate.
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June 30, 2011

Sins of the Rich Man

Jesus’ story of the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31) is fairly well-known to most Bible students. One man lived a life of luxury but found himself in torments after he died. The other was a poor beggar in this life yet was comforted after death in a place of paradise.

Once in torments, the rich man appealed to Abraham to allow Lazarus to go to his brothers and warn them of the punishment that awaited them (Luke 16:27-28). Since the rich man ended up in this undesirable place, it would be good for us to notice this man’s sins that Jesus mentioned in this passage. These are a few of the things we need to avoid if we want to escape the terrible fate that belonged to this man.
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May 8, 2011

The Justice of God

Ezekiel 18:4

Ezekiel 18 addresses the justice of God – how He treats individuals, both the righteous and the wicked, and how He will judge us. Let us examine what this chapter teaches us about God and His justice.
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February 11, 2011

Are the Jews Still God’s Chosen People Today?

Flag of Israel

The United States, both its people and its government, have generally been supportive of Israel over the years. While I personally believe this is good, it is not for the reason that is often given by those who are or want to sound religious. Many today will say that we need to support Israel because the Jews are God’s chosen people. The necessary conclusion then is that if we want to remain in God’s good favor, we must continue to support the nation of Israel. This reasoning is faulty and without Biblical support.

This is not to say that the Jews were never God’s chosen people. The Scriptures plainly tell us that they were. Notice what Moses told the children of Israel after their deliverance from Egypt:
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January 24, 2011

The Flat Tax

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Almost everyone has an opinion when it comes to the topic of taxes. Most would agree that paying taxes is necessary in order for one’s government to be able to function, but the rate and method of taxation is where you find many different opinions. One idea that some have suggested is a flat tax. This would require everyone to pay the same percentage of their income. As with any proposal, you will find people for and against the idea.

I certainly have my opinions about taxes, but that is not the purpose of this article. However, it is interesting that a sort of flat tax can be found in the Law of Moses. Yet this flat tax did not result in everyone paying the same percentage; instead, they all paid the same amount. Notice the instructions regarding the contribution for atonement:
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January 15, 2011

While Pope John Paul II Moves Closer to “Sainthood,” I Am Already a Saint

The Catholic church is moving forward on their process of recognizing the late Pope John Paul II as a saint. Since a French nun’s recovery from Parkinson’s disease, after she had prayed to the pope, has been declared a “miracle,” John Paul will be “beatified” during a ceremony on May 1. Once he is “beatified,” Catholics will be able to publicly worship the deceased pope. After “beatification,” a second miracle will have to be “verified” to canonize him as a saint.

If you read through the New Testament, it becomes apparent that the Catholic traditions described above are completely foreign to the gospel. Nowhere do we find anything about a pope, let alone praying to or worshipping this man. We read nothing of “beatification” or “canonization.” One of the few familiar terms in the first paragraph is “saint.” Yet even this has been changed from the simple definition we find in the Scriptures.

According to Catholic doctrine and tradition, the late Pope John Paul II is one step closer to being canonized as a saint by the Church.

According to the New Testament, I am already a saint, along with everyone who faithfully follows the Lord.
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January 5, 2011

Water Separates

Water

There are a variety of views in the religious world about water baptism. Some believe it is unnecessary. Some call it a good work. Others describe it as an outward sign of an inward grace. The Scriptures teach that baptism plays a significant part in our personal salvation. Notice what Peter wrote:

“For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water. Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:18-21).

Peter reminded his readers of the flood in Noah’s day and stated that it parallels baptism. In the time of the flood, there were two groups of people – those who were saved and those who were lost. The ones who were lost were those outside of the ark. The ones who were saved were those in the ark who “were brought safely through the water.” The water made a clear distinction between these two groups.
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