Here below is a few quotes I put together that addresses the subject of "earnestly contending for the faith" (Jude 3). The Apostle Paul also encourages us to "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Tim. 6: 12; 2 Tim. 4: 7). I will begin with an old quote from myself on the topic before us, then proceed on to the good stuff. I trust my readers will be encouraged by these quotes. (Note: I got these quotes from my friend Timothy Klaver).
"It is equally important to know if the doctrinal debate either exalts Christ or belittles Him. The Holy Scriptures always seeks to exalt Christ. Never do we see the Scriptures exalt man. Man is sinful by nature, and because of this fact, his best arguments will always fall short of its mark, if it is not marked by the righteous standard of God's truth. Therefore, no matter what worldview, religion, science, or philosophy he may hold to, if it comes short of the standard of God's Word, it is false; even if there is a lot of truth to it, if there is error to be found in it that causes us to depart from God's truth, even in the slightest degree, we must immediately reject it as false. Remember, the Devil loves to wrap up his lies in God's truth! (See John 17: 17; Acts 17: 11; 2 Tim. 2: 15; 3: 16-17; Phil. 1: 7, 17; Jude 3)."
"Whatever religion or doctrine condones or makes allowances for sin is not of Christ. The Doctrine of Christ everywhere teaches self-denial and mortification of worldliness and sin. The whole stream of the gospel runs against those things. Scripture emphasizes the "holy" and the "heavenly" (not the sinful and the worldly). The true gospel has not even the slightest tendency to extol corrupt nature, or feed its pride by magnifying its freedom and power. And it rejects everything that undermines and obscures the merit of Christ, or tries to give any credit to man, in any way. And it certainly never makes the death of Christ a cloak to cover sin, but rather it always speaks of it as an instrument that destroys it!" --John Flavel
"Stamp this statement upon any doctrinal debate you come across, and you will know which teaching is true and genuine, and which one is false and superficial. The one that is least condoning of sin, and most in favor of self-denial and mortification of the flesh; and least interested in promoting worldly pleasures and carnal pursuits, and the one that gives the most glory and credit to God over man--that will be the doctrine closest to the true doctrine of Jesus Christ" --Mark Kielar
"If the faith we profess is a faith that allows us to walk in the ways of this present evil world, in the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, in the fellowship and works of darkness, then our faith is mockery and deception. Repentance results in constant contrition. The broken spirit and contrite heart are abiding marks in the believing soul. Not one that we progressively get, but abiding. They are there from the beginning and they're ongoing. A new attitude. Not just about Jesus and who He is, but about our sin, who we are, what we deserve, and the hating of the things we used to love. Without it there is no salvation." --John Murray
"Meditate [be diligent] on these things; give yourself wholly to them, so that your progress may appear to all. Take heed [pay close attention] to yourself and them that hear you" (1 Tim. 4: 15-16)
--The Apostle Paul
No comments:
Post a Comment