Spiritual Growth In The Christian Life

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen

Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

      We have three children, and several grandchildren. One family lives in Montana, one in Colorado, and one in California.  Our oldest grandchild is 12 years old.  We live in the state of Washington, so we don't frequently see our children and their families. We love them all, and wish we could see them more.  Because our grandchildren are quite young, they grow quite a bit in a year. Growth at their ages is expected.

       When it comes to the Christian life, spiritual growth is to be expected, too. The New Testament makes several points about spiritual growth. Some points are negative, some are positive. Some points are commands, some are warnings. All deserve our attention, if we are Christians.

        The primary concern of this posting is to give some guidance about what will help us grow as Christians. There are two primary areas in which we should grow: Christlike behavior, and understanding the Bible. It would be helpful to look in a Bible concordance for the words "grow," and "growth." And then look at what the verses say about the subject.

•  Reading and meditating on the Bible will help Christians grow. This is because the Bible is food for the soul, for the heart, and for the mind. Bible reading informs us what kind of behavior God expects from us, and challenges us to live up to those expectations. Bible reading also establishes us in sound doctrine or teaching. We are told to not be carried about by every wind of doctrine, and learning the Bible's contents by reading it will help preserve us from being swept away by false teachings. Bible reading will also help keep our walk with Christ from becoming cold, formal, lifeless. See Psalm one.
• Church attendance will help Christians grow. This is true, if we attend a church where the Bible is believed to be what it is: the Word of God. This is true, if we attend a church where the teachers teach the Bible to their students. This is true, if we attend a church where the preachers preach the Bible during the services. See Hebrews 10:25 and Acts 2:41 - 47.
• Prayer will help Christians grow. We can pray about many things, for ourselves and for others. It might be health problems, money problems, marriage and family problems, and numerous other things. And we certainly can pray for spiritual growth, whether it be our own or someone else's. See John 17, and the references to prayer in the letter by James
• Confessing and forsaking sin will help Christians grow. Even Christians sin in thought, word, and deed. Although God knows what our sins are, we need to confess them to him. Furthermore, we need to forsake them. This does not mean we will never commit them again. But it means we resolve to not commit them again. See Psalm 32, Psalm 51, Proverbs 28:13, and 1 John 1:9.
• Christian friendships will help Christians grow. This is true, if our Christian friends are serious about living for the Lord. If they are living for the Lord, they will encourage us in our trials, they will challenge us to avoid and resist temptation, they will remind us to read the Bible, to go to church, pray, and to confess and forsake our sins. Such friends set a good example for us to follow. See Acts 2:41 - 47.

John Calvin's View Of Predestination And Of God's Character

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen

Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

John Calvin's View Of Predestination And Of God's Character

    I have several books by the Protestant Reformer,  John Calvin. Some are commentaries, some are sermons, and two are books on theology. 

    It might surprise some readers to know his view of predestination, which he expounds on in depth in his famous books on theology. His view of predestination reveals his twisted view of the character of God.

    What follows (in red) is a quote from volume two of his two-volume theology set called "Institutes Of The Christian Religion." It is from the chapter on "Eternal election." Here is some of what Calvin wrote on this subject: "We call predestination God's eternal decree, by which he compacted with himself what he willed to become of each man. For all are not created in equal condition; rather, eternal life is foreordained for some, eternal damnation for others. Therefore, as any man has been created to one or the other of these ends, we speak of him as predestined to life or to death."

     Do you really grasp his point that he believed God has created some to eternal life, and some to eternal damnation? This means he believed God determined who will and who won't become saved by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ! Individuals, then, become mere puppets doing what God makes them do.
     Perhaps some readers might think I have have  misunderstood Calvin's point. The following quotes from the same chapter by Calvin show he has not been misunderstood: "The fact that the reprobate do not obey God's Word when it is made known to them will be justly charged against the malice and depravity of their hearts, provided it be added at the same time that they have been given over to this depravity because they have been raised up by the just but inscrutable judgment of God to show forth his glory in their condemnation." And yet later in the same chapter Calvin made this statement: "God is said to have ordained from eternity those whom he wills to embrace in love, and those upon whom he wills to vent his wrath. Yet he announces salvation to all men indiscriminately. I maintain that these statements agree perfectly with each other. For by so promising he merely means that his mercy is extended to all, provided that they seek after it and implore it. But only those whom he has illumined do this. And he illumines those whom he has predestined to salvation."

     But this is a great misrepresntation of the character of God, for God wants all persons to be saved, but leaves the choice in their hands. An open-minded reading of the New Testament leads one to reject John Calvin's view of God's character.

Calvin's view of God's character led James Arminius to dogmatically oppose it.

     In volume 2 of "The Works Of James Arminius" we read his essay called "On Predestination To Salvation, And on Damnation, Considered In The Highest Degree." Here (in red) is some of what he wrote on the subject: "8. It is a horrible affirmation, that 'God has predestined whatsoever men He pleased not only to damnation, but likewise to the causes of damnation.' ---(Beza, vol. 1, fol. 417.)  9. It is a horrible affirmation that 'men are predestined to eternal death by the naked will or choice of God, without any demerit [proprium] on their part.' (Calvin's Inst. l. 1, c. 2, 3.) 10. This also is a horrible affirmation, 'Some among men have been created unto life eternal, and others unto death eternal.' "

Something related to this subject is Calvinism's subjectivism.

     Five-point Calvinists say Jesus Christ died to save only certain persons. But they have no objective basis by which to put themselves among the group whom they claim Christ died to save.Their claim to be among this group is merely subjective, for no Biblical statement says he died to save them, specifically. Where, for example, does the Bible say that Jesus Christ died to save John Calvin? 

     Calvinistic claims to be among those whom God has elected to save, in exclusion of others, is also subjective, for no Biblical statement says who are the elect. Where, for example, does the Bible say John Calvin is one of the elect?

     Calvinists will claim, however, that the proof of their election to be saved is their Christian behavior and beliefs. But what if they do not persevere in the faith? What if they backslide? What if they come to have doubts about some Biblical teachings? How can they, at those times, know they are among the elect? 

    Subjective claims are not a good nail on which to hang one's faith. What we need is the nail of objective, Biblical truth on which to hang our faith. And that, praise the Lord, is exactly what we find in the Bible.

7 Ways To Stop Gossip

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen and Pastor Ron Edmondson

My email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

   As we know, gossip is a big problem in everyday life, and Christians are not exempt from it. Pastor Ron Edmondson wrote a short but good article on the subject, part of which is given below. To read the whole thing, click on this link: www.ronedmondson.com/2012/12/stopping-gossip-in-7-ways-repost.html. ) I first read part of his article on Ed Stetzer's blog spot.) Here (in red) is some of what Edmondson wrote:

Here are 7 ways to stop gossip:

• Don’t repeat something you don’t know is true firsthand…secondhand knowledge is not enough to justify repeating. You will get something wrong and it will hurt others.
• Don’t repeat unless its helpful to do so and you have a vested interest in the situation, the people involved, and permission to share…doing so in the name of a prayer request is not a good excuse…
• Don’t “confess” other people’s sins. Even if the wrong included you and you feel the need to confess, share your story, but not someone else’s.
• If you must tell, and have passed the test on the first three suggestions, tell only what happened and not your commentary or “I think this is probably what happened” or why you think it happened…
• Choose to pray for others every time you are tempted to tell their story…instead of telling their story…
• When someone tells you something you don’t need to know, don’t allow curiosity to be your guide…follow your heart. Stop the person and tell them you don’t want to know! Remember, if they will spread gossip about others they will spread it about you!
• Keep the circle of confession limited to the people involved or to no more than needed for accountability purposes. The wider the circle and the more the story is repeated the more likely things will turn into gossip.

If my tone seems intent it’s because I am. I have little patience for gossips. My desire is to see people who live in holy and healthy community together. Gossip is a betrayer of this becoming reality.

The Lord Will Be Near In The New Year

By Pastor Bruce Oyen
Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

The Lord will be near in the new year.
This is his promise, so be of good cheer!
Face it with faith, not with fear,
for every day he will be near.

Near, to comfort and console.
Near, to soothe a hurting soul.
Near, to lead us to our heavenly goal.
Near, when trials have taken their toll.

Near, to give us what is best.
Near, to assure us we are blest.
Near, to bring our weary hearts rest.
Near, to strengthen us for every test.

Near, to restore us when we stray.
Near, to forgive us when we pray.
Near, to help us start a new day.
Near, near, come what may.

"Church Membership: Who Needs It?"

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen and Pastor Mark Perry

Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

     Should a Christian join a local church, or just faithfully attend one? Although it was common in days past to join a church, it is not so common now. Many Christians now think faithful attendance is all that is necessary. Some even think that faithful attendance makes them a member.  But are they right in their opinion?

     If you want to read some good insight about the importance of church membership, read pastor Mark Perry's article on the subject. Here (in red) is the introduction to his article:

    Talk about church membership and people start to bristle. Perhaps some have been “burned” by a ministry in the past and fear repeating that scenario. Others cite a lack of perfect agreement with church policy or personnel. Still others are “just looking,” and plan to continue doing so indefinitely. Most simply resist the idea of committing to a long-term relationship with an assembly of believers, preferring the cafeteria-style approach of “take it or leave it.” Choosing a place to worship for many falls into the same category as selecting a wireless phone carrier: avoid long-term contracts and get the best service for the cheapest price.

     It doesn’t take long before somebody challenges, “Where in the Bible does it say ‘Thou shalt join a church’?” While no Bible verse explicitly commands church membership, there are several reasons every Christian should want to become a member of a sound, Bible-believing assembly of fellow believers. The question the New Testament leaves us with is “Why wouldn’t you want to join a local church?”

     Ample evidence abounds in the New Testament about membership in local churches even in those days. Furthermore, membership is essential for a local church to carry out its God-given mandate. Finally, church membership is an important part of the sanctification process for every Christian.

      To read Pastor Perry's complete article on the subject, click on the following link: http://obfvisitor.wordpress.com/2009/07/01/church-membership-who-needs-it/#more-194.

"Safeguarding Against Abuse In The Church"

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen

Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

    Perhaps all of us have heard reports of children being sexually molested by teens or adults. And perhaps we have heard of other abuse that, though hidden for some time, finally comes to light.     Well, the sad fact is, the abusers sometimes are church leaders or other respected church attenders. Sometimes the abuse takes place in church buildings, or at church functions held elsewhere, such as at church camps.

    These facts prove that churches need to take practical steps to help keep such horrible things from being done on their property, or at their functions that are held elsewhere.

    And what about abuse that is not done on church property or at church functions, or by church attenders? In other words, what should we do if, for example, a child says to a  Sunday school teacher that his or her parents are being abusive in some way, but the child's parents don't attend the church? This abuse would include extreme forms of punishment for bad behavior. Such punishment might include not being allowed to eat for a few days, or made to stand out in the cold without wearing a coat and shoes.

    What follows is a link to a brief article about what churches can do to prevent or to deal with these problems. It is worth the few minutes it will take to read it, and the effort it will take to put the suggestions into action. Here's the link: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/gospeldrivenchurch/2012/12/13/safeguarding-against-abuse-in-the-church/. A summary of this article was first read at http://www.edstetzer.com/.

A Good Christian Magazine On The Internet

By Pastor Bruce K. Oyen

Email: bk_oyen@hotmail.com

      The Biblical Evangelist is a good Christian magazine that is available on the internet and by mail. Dr. Robert L. Sumner is its long-time editor, and the author of many books on Biblical subjects.. The magazine is staunchly conservative in its theology and provides material that is good for non-Christians, new Christians, and not-so-new Christians. The articles will stir hearts and educate minds in Biblical truths. To read it on the internet, click on this link: http://www.biblicalevangelist.org/. Then, look at the left-hand side and click on the subjects that interest you. Note that back issues can be read online, too. Happy reading!