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Published: 03 June 2022

“I Promise”

“Cross my heart and hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.”  That’s a form of child-hood legal speak.  A contractual agreement that truth is being told.  Jesus said our “yes should be yes and our no should be no,” but even among the best of people, contracts are signed and formal agreements are filed.  Did you know that God swore an oath?  He couldn’t swear by any one greater so He had to swear by Himself; His words were “By Myself I have sworn.”  It might seem redundant for the One whose words are truth to make an oath but there was something very important He wanted to emphasize.  He wanted Abraham and all his heirs to know that when He made a promise, it was solid!  God’s credibility is not in question but we are often cynical and doubtful.  God wanted the children of Abraham to not waver.  He wanted all those who live by faith to endure, patiently.  He knew we would be tempted to go back to something else or someone else and His oath, His double-promise was for our assurance.  Those who have fled to Him for a refuge for the soul can have steadfast confidence.  In light of all the crazy in our world, there is in fact a place of safety, His Name is Jesus Christ.

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Published: 27 May 2022

“Did You Lose It?”

People lose things all the time.  The more we have, the harder it is to keep track of things.  We lose phones, keys, remotes, kids, money; but can we lose our salvation?  This question has plagued generations of people in the church.  There is the “security” side, which says, “Once saved, always saved,” and what I refer to as the “works side,” which says we are “Saved by grace but kept by works.”  If you are familiar with Calvinism and Arminianism, the Calvinist would claim security in Christ, the Arminian would claim the possibility of human failure and loss.  The passage we are planning to study on Sunday is one of the passages that contributes to the confusion.  Does Hebrews 6 suggest that we can lose our salvation?  If it does, it also says it is impossible to get it back!  Is it possible the author is actually using an illustration to encourage the readers rather than warn them?  There are at least six interpretations of the verses we’re going to study this week.  Thankfully, it is not the only passage in the Bible about the subject.  If we use the principle of interpreting the murky by way of the clear, I think we’ll find our way to a solution.   Salvation would be a terrible gift to lose!  We better make sure we’re clear on this one.  See you Sunday.