From whence cometh my help..?

Psalm 121
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.

The psalmist begins with the phrase, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills…” Some have rendered this into more of a question, “Shall I lift up mine eyes to the hills? Whence should my help come?” likely because of the tense we find in the Hebrew. Since such a rendering can be found out of the Hebrew language I don’t think we do any harm to the Word of God by thinking of verse one in the form of a question. For many Christians Psalm 121 is a very familiar verse. Perhaps some of us are familiar with the praise song that is based on this psalm. What imagery is brought to mind when you read verse 1 of this Psalm? An internet search though google images brings up a plethora of beautiful images of majestic scenes of snow capped mountains reaching high into ocean blue colored skies and angelic white clouds hovering above with perhaps a beam of sunlight breaking through the heavens to reach the earth below.

Or perhaps we think of King David to be the Psalmist here, sitting at the foothills and mountains of Judea after spending long hours of labor tending sheep as a boy. Or perhaps when he was running and hiding from Saul taking refuge in such mountainous terrain and declaring his trust in God alone.

Such scenes are for me very peaceful and bring joy as I truly do love the glory of God’s creation. But if we stopped here at the mere consideration of the verse, we would miss a tremendous truth out of God’s Word for us. Perhaps you have heard of the sound rule of interpreting Scripture by Scripture. A.W. Pink in his book “Interpretation of the Scriptures” writes, “..the setting side by side of spiritual things (Scripture) serves to illuminate and illustrate one another, and thereby is there perfect harmony demonstrated.” Many of our Bible’s we use today contain Scripture references in the center column or some other place that help us make use of this principle. I would also highly commend to your consideration the use of the classic work “Treasury of Scripture Knowledge” in which is contained over 500,000 Scripture references to every verse of the Bible helping you compare Scripture with Scripture.

One such reference to our text here can be made to Jeremiah 3:23. In chapter 3 of Jeremiah the Word of the Lord came against Israel and Judah for their terrible backsliding they had committed. The Word of the Lord was against them for their idolatries and turning aside to other gods. This rebuke of God came to this people after the godly reign of Josiah and his reformations, but from which they had fallen away. The Lord was pleading through his prophet in calling the nation to repentance and at the same time declaring their utter destruction during the reign of Zedekiah.

The Lord by Jeremiah laments, “Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. “ God is pleading with His people to repent and turn from their sin and He would bless them. But they will not turn. “If thou wilt return, O Israel, saith the Lord, return unto me: and if thou wilt put away thine abominations out of my sight, then shalt thou not remove.” Jer 4:1. And by verse 7 the destruction is declared, “The lion is come up from his thicket, and the destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way; he is gone forth from his place to make thy land desolate; and thy cities shall be laid waste, without an inhabitant.” The call and pleading for repentence is given, but it is known to God that they will not repent.

And all there is for the prophet to do is weep and howl for the miseries which will surely befall his people. Jeremiah cries out in verse 10 saying, “Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, “Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul.”

Friends, what is happening here is the fulfillment of what God swore to do in the days of Manasseh. It is written in the Scriptures concerning Manasseh that “And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out before the children of Israel. For he built up again the high places which Hezekiah his father had destroyed; and he reared up altars for Baal, and made a grove, as did Ahab king of Isreal; and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served them. And he built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord said, In Jersalem will I put my name. And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger. And he set a graven image of the grove that he had made in the house, of which the LORD said to David, and to Soloman his son, IN this house, and IN Jersalem, which I have chosen out of all tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever: Neither will I make the feet fo Israel move any more out of the land which I gave their fathersl only if they will observe to do according to all that I have commanded them, and accoding to all the law that my servant Moses commanded them. But they hearkened not: and Manasseh seduced them to do more evil than did the nations whom the LORD destroyed before the children of Isreal. “ 2 Kings 21:3-9.

These deeds were so heinous in the sight of God that the Lord declared Israel’s and Judah’s destruction would be so bad, that “..whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.” V.12 There was famine, destruction, death, captivity and slavery. All the holy things of the temple of God were carried away by the army of the Chaldees.

You may be wondering by now what any of this has to do with Psalm 121 and verse 1. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” The hills for Israel and Judah was their place of idolatry and shame. It is the “high places” that they set up altars to the host of heaven and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator who is blessed forever. In these high places they set up their images and worshipped the sun and the moon and the stars. And so the Psalmist writes, “Shall I lift up mine eyes unto the hills? Whence should my help come?” And the answer comes to us in the very next verse, “My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” For the psalmist, his help is not going to come from false gods or any creaturely thing, but from the Lord alone, the Creator of all things, the Maker of Heaven and Earth.

Friends and brethren, the Scripture says, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4 How often in times of uncertainty are people tempted to visit the psychic or read their horoscope in the paper, or some other mystical medium to give them some sense of certainty or hope.

The world today is mad with eastern religions and mysticisms, and it seems “Israel” is rushing headlong into the same flood of dissipation by adopting these same things with Christianized names. Pagan meditation is wholesaled into the Church as “contemplative prayer.” Evangelical churches are running into such practices as burning incense, using icons or images in their worship, and other mystical practices being brought into bible-believing assemblies by the mother harlot of them all, Romanism.

At the heart of all such practices is the dissatisfaction with the sufficiency of Holy Scripture. It is the acceptance, assent, and pursuit of divine revelation and illumination outside the pages of God’s only infallible Word and revelation. This is clearly seen is the popularity and perpetuation of the Charismatic/Prophetic movement. I understand and sympathize with the heart's cry for a real experience of God. Yet my brethren, this is not to be sought from God outside His Divine Revelation, the Holy Scriptures. Robert Burns, an old puritan, once said, "The principle on which experimental religion rests is simply this, that Christianity should not only be known, and understood, and believed, but also felt, and enjoyed, and practically applied." And this by and through the means of Holy Scripture read, preached, and expounded.

Friends and Brethren, shall we look up to the hills? Shall we look to the gods of the nations, atheistic philosophy, hedonism, mysticism and superstitions, or any other thing beside the Lord for our help? If we do, then we may share the same fate of the Jews in Jeremiah’s day. And what do the Holy Scriptures say to us concerning such things? “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly.” 2 Peter 2:6

If you have never repented of your sins and turned to Christ Jesus to believe on Him and Him alone for the forgiveness of your sins in His blood, then you stand under the condemnation of your sins and the wrath of God abides upon you. You must think of it as if Jeremiah were speaking to you and warning you to repent and turn lest a terrible destruction befall you. God has spoken in these last days commanding all men everywhere to repent and believe the Gospel. His command is, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart.” The Lord has not left us ignorant of His coming judgment. By the hand of the Apostle Paul God said, “..the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.” 2 Thess 1:7b-9.

The Bible says that all who repent and believe on Jesus Christ may have the remission of their sins in His blood and escape the wrath to come. Jesus Christ was crucified for sinners. And on the third day God raised Him from the dead for our justification which means to be declared righteous before an All Holy God because of Christ alone. Will you repent and look to Jesus Christ who alone can save you and forgive your sins?

May the Lord Jesus Christ be gracious to you and merciful toward you. May He make His face to shine upon you, lift up His countenance to you, and give you peace. In the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

An Introduction to Colossians

Historical Overview

The town of Colosse was located on a rocky ridge overlooking the valley of the Lycus River near the cities of Hierapolis and Laodicea. Cold streams of water flowed through Colosse and was piped in through an aqueduct to neighboring Laodicea. It is interesting that our Lord’s words to the Laodiceans regarded them as lukewarm and wished that they were either cold or hot. Rev. 3:15-17. Hierapolis was known, and still is, for its hot springs. Colosse was located in the ancient kingdom of Phrygia made up of many towns and cities and is modern Turkey today. It is also the ancient location of the Hittites. It is possible that one of the gods worshipped here was the goddess Cybele as well as other Roman deities.

Within Colosse was not only a pagan population, but also a Jewish. Josephus records that Antiochus the Great (223-187 BC) had moved some two thousand Jewish families from Mesopotamia and Babylon to Lydia and Phrygia. (Antiquities, XII, iii.4). It is into these two groups, one a pagan and superstitious, and the other a legalistic, that the church at Colosse was set.

It is said that this city perished shortly after the writing of this epistle (60-63 AD) by an earthquake in 66AD in the 10th year of Nero, but afterwards was rebuilt and called Chonae. (Gill)

Biblical Background
Phrygia mentioned in the Bible refers to the southern portion, which at the time of the writing of Colossians was under Roman control, and contained Laodicea, Hierapolis, Colosse and Iconium. There were Jews from Phrygia that heard the early Christians speak in tongues as the Holy Spirit fell upon them in their own languages (Acts 2:9-11).

The Apostle Paul passed throughout Phrygia during his second missionary journey in 49-52AD (Acts 16:6) and on his third missionary journey he passed again through the all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in 53-57AD (Acts 18:23).
It is believed that Epaphras, who was one of them (Col. 4:12) was the faithful minister of Christ sent to them (Col 1:7) and labored there in the Gospel possibly along with Tychicus, Onesimus (Col. 4:7) and Archippus, who is called a fellow soldier in Philemon 1:2.

Col 2:1 is sited as Scriptural evidence that Paul never did visit Colosse because it is written, “For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;” Does this mean none saw his face in the flesh? While of not great consequence, it seems that the Scripture would allow for the Apostle to have passed through Colosse in that he writes “for as many as have not seen my face…” leaving it possible that some may have.

While the Apostle Paul was not God’s instrument to lay the foundation of the Gospel in Colosse, but rather Epaphras, this does not necessarily mean that the Apostle never passed through the city. In William Hendricksen’s geographical sketch agrees writing, “The most natural route for Paul to have taken…is the road from Antioch in Syria, over Tarsus, Derbe, Lystra, Iconium, Antioch in Pisidia, Apamea, Colosse, Laodicea, and thus following for a while the Maeander Valley, to Ephesus.

This epistle as well as Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians are called the Prison Epistles because of them being written from Rome while Paul was imprisoned. This is attested to in this epistle in 4:10 where Aristarchus Paul calls his fellow prisoner. This is the same Aristarchus found in Acts 19:29 who was seized with Gaius, a Thessalonian (Acts 20:4) and was faithful travel companion to the Apostle Paul and fellow laborer (Phil 1:24).

A reponse to the Insider Movement and Kingdom Circle Movement, Part 2

Mark wrote: " The question that I’ve been confronted with through my recent experiences and now from a lot of reading has to do with the idea of conversion. Does a Muslim or Jew need to convert to the Christian religion to become, or stay, part of the Kingdom of God? Because I believe that most people who are adherents to the Christian religion are lost, and because Jesus never came to start a new religion, and because I believe that religion is a man-made concept attempting to get to God, I think that the concept of converting to my religion is a detriment to advancing the Kingdom. From an eternal perspective and in regard to the Truth, what is really different from someone who is following Mohammed, or the teaching of Buddha, or adhering to Judaism, or chasing after the “American dream” while calling oneself a Christian? All are separated from God and condemned to an eternal hell. But, when the living God saves someone who IS following Mohammed, or the teaching of Buddha, or adhering to Judaism, or chasing after the “American dream” while calling oneself a Christian, then the reality of eternal life begins along with the process of becoming more like Jesus."

My reply: This part of your reply is what I am going to call your creed section. Your question is put forth so that you can answer it and declare what it is you believe. Most Christian churches which are true churches would contain some sort of statement like this, “The Holy Scripture is the only sufficient, certain, and infallible rule of all saving knowledge, faith, and obedience..” This is the from the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith. There are three areas of doctrine/theology that your creed covers here. They are: 1) The doctrine of conversion. 2) The doctrine of the kingdom of God. 3) The doctrine of the Church.

What does the Bible teach concerning “conversion” or someone who converts? Consider, “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7

In quoting Isaiah 6:10 Jesus said, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears dull of hearing, and their eyes have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.” Matt 13:15

And then also consider, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19 In the Authorized Version this word converted, or epistrepho, is translated 39 times as turn, be converted, return, turn about, turn again. It means to turn to, to turn about, or to turn back. The Apostle Peter’s preaching is to these unbelieving Jews telling them to both repent and be converted. He is commanded them to “metanoeo” or repent, that is to have a change in one’s mind, and to turn to or back to the Living and True God, that is to Christ.

Look at who the Word of God is speaking to…Jews. It is speaking to the Covenant people of God and commands them to repent and be turned to Christ Jesus. When God does saves some, be they Jews or Muslims, or Buddhists, they are going to be repenting and turning to Christ Jesus, and by reason of this turning to…turning AWAY from Islam or Judaism or Islam or Romanism or Atheism or anything other god of theirs. And they will turn to Jesus Christ, believing in Him, repenting of their sins and clinging to Jesus Christ ALONE.

You claim that Jesus never came to start a new religion. Well, what did he come to start? What saith the Scripture? “And I say unto thee, That thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18 Christ Jesus came to build His church. This is the Christian religion. That Christ Jesus intended to assemble His elect is plainly evident by the Scripture. In Acts 8:3 Saul made havoc of the church, in Acts 9:31 the churches had rest throughout all Judea and Galliee and Samaria, in Acts 11:26 the apostles ASSEMBLED themselves with the church, in Acts 15:22 the church assembled with the apostles and elders and commissioned Paul and Barnabas, in Acts 2:47 the Lord was adding daily to the church such as should be saved.

Nearly all the New Covenant epistles are written to the churches. In the book of Revelation Jesus addresses the elders of the seven churches. God sets His gifts in the church, first apostles, then prophets, third teachers…1 Cor 12:28. The very purposes of God are accomplished by His church. In Ephesians 3:10 it is by the Church that the manifold wisdom of God is made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places. The church is Christ’s body, His bride, and He is the head thereof. In Matthew 21:43 the Kingdom of God is TAKEN from the Jews, and given to a nation bringing forth its fruits. To whom did He give it? TO THE CHURCH. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

Mark, you do greatly err from the Scripture in your creed.


Mark wrote, "Being a follower of Jesus is not an exclusive right of the Christian religion “club”. Many in the “club” have a special affinity toward Jews, but a bold and outrageous hatred for Muslims. Wouldn’t it be just like our God to save millions of these hated Muslims for the glory of Jesus and as a rebuke of the lukewarm “club”? No one is shouting, “JESUS PLUS NOTHING”, louder than the Father. The harvest is ripe and the “Jesus plus nothing” roar is increasing. This is nowhere more apparent than in the Muslim world and I have chosen to join God where He is at work. To Him be the glory."

My reply: Now this does stir up my zeal. Satan too prances about roaring. And God will crush him under our feet. Being a follower and disciple of Jesus Christ IS the EXCLUSIVE right of God’s elect. “We have an altar, whereof they have NO RIGHT to eat which serve the tabernacle.” Heb 13:10.

It would be NOTHING like God to save millions of Muslims for the glory of Jesus and as a rebuke of the “lukewarm club” as you call it. If God ever saves anyone at any time, and He does, it is for the purpose of His glory and His glory ALONE. Secondly, if there is a lukewarm church out there it is utterly shameful to me that anyone calling themselves a Christian would so disparage the Lamb’s wife.

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.” Romans 8:33

You wrote that you have been reading extensively. Let me admonish you to read your Bible more extensively. Seek your answers from the Word of God. And do not seek to join God ANYWHERE the Scripture does not go.

Sola Scriptura.

Mark wrote: " I pray the Lord Jesus will bless you and your family as you consider all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus.

Blessings,

Mark Baxter"

Solus Christus, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, Sola Scriptura, Soli Deo Gloria

A New Life, the Blessing of Almighty God in Christ Jesus

Dear family and friends,

I wanted to take the time to announce the blessing of God once again to the Flahardy family. The Sovereign God of Heaven and Earth declares, "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth." Psalm 127:3-4

The Bible teaches us to hope and trust in the promise of God. It is upon His very Word and Promise to us in the New Covenant in Christ Jesus that our eternal life rests. Here also is a promise to the people of God:

"Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Behold, that thus shall the man be blessed that feareth the LORD." Psalm 128:3-4

Upon this verse the eminent and learned Dr. John Gill (C.H. Spurgeon's predecessor) wrote, "a numerous offspring was always accounted a very great blessing; and it must be very pleasant to a parent to see his children round about his table, placed in their proper order according to their age, partaking of what it is furnished with: Job, in his time of prosperity, had many children; and, next to the presence of the Almighty with him, he mentions this of his children being about him."

We are indeed announcing to the glory of Almighty God through Christ Jesus alone that Kathryn is pregnant with our seventh child. We have been mightily blessed by God in this and He has honored us, His most unworthy servants, by this fruitfulness of my wife. Glory be to God alone!

We invite you to rejoice with us in celebrating the blessing of God in this, especially in an age of such apostasy and turning away from God where such a blessing is looked upon more as a curse than a blessing. We live in an age where numerous offspring, as Gill puts it, is not accounted as a very great blessing but an act of very great irresponsibility.

To those who may hear this and think to speak according to this world on this matter, I pray you keep silent. Step back and hold your tongue and watch the blessing of God. A man once told me that I would surely come to ruin after I explained to him that my life's trust would be in Christ's Word and His Word alone. His prediction has not yet come to pass, and I am still trusting in the Word of God. The man came back after a long time had passed and apologized for his foolish counsel.

If you think after the manner of the world and not of Christ, then pause and consider what the Bible says concerning God's people the children He gives to them. And watch the salvation of God.

Any words of encouragement and your prayers are most welcome.

Your brother in Christ, and slave of God,
Geoff and Kat Flahardy, and Bethel, Nathaniel , Joshua, Jadon, Elizabeth, Abigail…and new life.

A Biblical Look at the Insider Movement and Kingdom Circle Movement, Part 1

This is part 1 of my reply to Mark Baxter who has embarked to some degree along the lines of the Insider Movement/Kingdom Circles" movement. Mark replied to my response to his email sent out called "Jesus plus nothing" and this is my reply to him. I will use quotes for his words and my response follows underneath. This is part one of two in my response to his full email to me.

"Geoff,

Having returned now from China and having just completed a week of teaching in our School of Evangelism, I finally have time to respond to your email and emails from others who responded to my newsletter weeks ago. Sorry for such a tardy reply. I really appreciated reading your message. I have been reading a lot of material on the subject referred to as “Kingdom circles” or the “Insider movement” since my experience in Saudi. I know people on both sides of the issue who sincerely love Jesus and want to take His Good News to the world. In essence, the disagreement comes down to this: Can a person who considers himself a Muslim or Jew be saved and continue in their present religion? Those who are part of the “Insider movement” seem to propose that the answer to this is yes. Others, who lean more toward the “Kingdom circles”, seem to propose that these people can be saved but will move out of their present religion."

Thank you for taking the time to make a full reply to me. I will post both your reply and my response to my blogsite and Facebook page. I spent some time reading some of what could be found on the internet as to the two subjects called “Kingdom circles” and the “Insider Movement.” One such individual who falls within this camp is Carl Medearis. I found others also, and one observation I can see is that there isn’t much of a definition for these movements. They appear relatively small and limited in their impact upon the churches of God.

I say this because I have only made a casual observation of what these folks teach and do, but more particularly have focused on your reply to me. What I have learned from their websites and blogs is that these men and teachers are in deep error. Mr. Medearis, for example, does not write or teach theologically or biblically. In fact, he is dismissive of doctrine and theology. (Let the reader use biblegateway.com or some other Bible search tool and use the key word “doctrine.” Using the standard KJV of the Bible, you will find that it appears 55 times in the Bible and the ONLY time doctrine is ill spoken of is when it is false doctrine).

Medearis also presents a false dichotomy found on his blogsite where he claims to “..follow Jesus, not Paul.” He further writes, “Paul’s a great guy. Wrote some good Scripture. Planted some churches, but he too, followed Christ. I think the Western church is in love with Paul, not Jesus.” http://www.carlmedearis.com/blog/2010/07/are-you-evangelical-in-your-theology-and-missiology-%c2%a0i-never-hear-you-use-words-that-my-other-evangelical-friends-use-and-you-always-sound-a-bit-fuzzy-%e2%80%93-almost-like-a-universalist-or-som/

I have seen this type of attitude before within the Charismatic/Prophetic movement (Medearis is relationally involved with the Vineyard churches according to his website). Aside from such a statement regarding Paul by Medearis being grossly arrogant, it is unbiblical. And that brings me to my point: It really doesn’t matter what Mr. Medearis thinks, or what the Kingdom Circle folks believe, nor the Insider Movement. What matters is “What saith the Scripture.”

My reply to you is not intended to try to change your mind (yet hopeful that I might change your mind). Your reply shows me that you have already made up your mind. My hope is that my response to you will serve as an example to others that we ought to biblically test all things by the Scriptures. This includes what it is we are going to say we believe and how we are going to practice our faith. I am really surprised (perhaps I should not be) that men such as this Medearis decry against sound doctrine and theology. When I was involved with the Vineyard movement and Prophetic movement I saw this also. It surprises me because if there is indeed an issue with the Christian churches in America then it is first a theological one, and then a practical one. What the American churches need is not some parachurch missionary on the outside of the everyday lives of Americans pointing at them and telling them they are wrong. What they need are well-trained men who are theological giants with a Shepherd’s heart to feed the flock of God. The theology must always be first, then the practice.

With that introduction, let us move on to addressing biblically some of your statements and questions. You posed the question: “Can a person who considers himself a Muslim or Jew be saved and continue in their present religion?”

Let us not, for the moment, concern ourselves with how the movements answer this question. Let us concern ourselves with the Scripture. Let’s seek the answer to this question from the mouth of God Himself in Holy Scripture. The question again is: Can a person who is (as a man thinks in his heart, so is he…so if he considers himself a Muslim or Jew, he is) a Muslim or Jew be saved and at the same time continue in their present religion?

Thus saith the Lord, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, said the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Cor 6:14-18; 7:1

There are several things that may be observed from this text:

First: The nature of this passage is between the believer in Christ Jesus, and the unbelieving world. Some have supposed that it is regarding or applied to marriage and perhaps some restrict the meaning to this. This is an erroneous application for two main reasons: 1) That there is nothing in the context of the passage itself or in the entire epistle of 2 Corinthians. 2) The Apostle did deal with the marriage issue in 1 Corinthians in which it was admonished by Paul that if a married individual had an unbelieving spouse and that spouse be content to stay with the believer, let not the believer put away the spouse. 1 Cor 7:12-13. It is clear then that 2 Cor 6 cannot be applied to marriage only (though it might be wise for a believer not to marry an unbeliever) but is applied and directed to the Christian and his relationship with the world around him.

Second: God is commanding His covenant people to come out from among “them.” Who is ‘ them?’ It is exactly who was described in verses 14-16. God is commanding His people to separate themselves from the unrighteous, those in darkness, infidels (unbelievers), Belial (homosexuals), and idolaters.

To add a point of clarification, what is not being taught here is the teaching that we are not to keep company with such people or have any kind of relationship or interaction with unbelievers. To suggest this would be in direct conflict with 1 Corinthians 5:9-11. There the Apostle explains that his instruction in not keeping company with fornicators, covetous, extortioners, or idolaters was with regard one that is named a believer. To not keep company, or be in the company, of all such wicked persons would mean we would need to go out of the world. What the Lord is teaching us in 2 Cor 6:14-18; 7:1 is that we are not to participate in the practices and behaviors and ways of the unregenerate people of the world. The Scripture declares the reason for this saying that Christians are the very temple of the living God wherein He dwells in them and walks in them. “Wherefore” God says…this is to say, for this very reason…for the reason that ye are the temple of God, for the reason that God dwells in you all and walks in you all, because of this…come out from among them and be ye separate. God says to get out from among them and separate yourself from them and do not even touch the unclean thing…and I will receive you…and be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters.

There is no question that these exhortations spring from the Old Covenant Scriptures. In Korah’s rebellion against God the Lord commanded Moses and those who stood with him to separate themselves from the congregation and were commanded to depart from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. The Scripture says in Numbers 16:26 “And he spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins.”

In verse 21 of the same chapter they are commanded to separate themselves and here in verse 26 they are commanded to not even touch anything that belonged to these rebellious people “..lest ye be consumed in all their sins.” Such separation was commanded by God and practiced by an obedient people. In Ezra 6:21 we learn that the children of Israel “..had separated themselves…from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the Lord God of Israel..” There is a clear parallel with Chapter 7 and verse 1 of Corinthians where the Holy Spirit says, “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting the holiness in the fear of God.” We should also take note of Revelation 18:4 which says, “And I heard another voice from heaven saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.”

There is indeed a biblical separation commanded by God in Holy Scripture for Christians. It is clear from both the OT and NT Scriptures that God is calling us to come out and be separate so that we are not a partaker in the sins of the wicked and of the plagues and judgments which are coming against them.

It is also important to note here that not only does God command us to separate ourselves from something but is calling us to something. He is commanding us to come out and separate ourselves from wickedness and the unbelievers, and is calling us to Himself where He “..will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

It should now be clear as to the answer to our question, “Can a person who considers himself a Muslim or Jew be saved and continue in their present religion?” Biblically the answer is no, not if that person is truly saved. If that person is truly saved then they are called out of their false religions be they Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Atheist, or Religionist. They are called out and brought to the living God where they are gathered together as the temple of God, the Church of Jesus Christ, the Bride of Christ.

Mark wrote, "One of the main issues is something that commonly produces conflict among Christians. That issue is the concept of process. For example, when a Roman Catholic comes into a relationship with the living God, will they remain a Roman Catholic for the rest of their lives. I don’t think so, but how long will the process be of coming out? It could be immediate, a month, or even years. The process varies according to many factors. I believe that most people who call themselves Christians, along with those who are Mormons, Roman Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Buddhists, are all equally and thoroughly lost and headed to hell. The fact that God could reach down in His radical grace and save people while in these conditions is a demonstration of His power. Will those who are saved change? Absolutely. If not, I don’t believe the living God choose them and saved them. When will they change? That is up to God and in many cases is dependent on discipleship."

If God reaches down and by His grace saves people within the religions of Islam or Judaism other than through the normal means of preaching the Gospel to them by some mediation, then praise be to God. This, of course, is the exception and not the rule. When God chose to save the Ethiopian eunuch He sent Philip to go and preach Jesus to him from the Scriptures. Acts 8:26-40. God has ordinarily ordained that it is by preaching to save them that believe. “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” 1 Cor 1:21

But your question here relates to when and not how they will change. Again, let the Scriptures answer our questions. What we are touching on here is the very nature of salvation. And no wonder that our adversary would seek to bring confusion and division over this. But consider, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them also he called: and whom he called, them he also justified, and whom he justified, them he also glorified.”

God’s salvation is complete from the beginning to the end. The grace of God is not just for regeneration, but also sanctification and glorification. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13 And, “But after that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration , and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.” Titus 3:4-5

God’s salvation of sinners is full and complete. When He regenerates someone, he himself washes them. It is unbiblical to say that the grace of God saves a man, but does not sanctify them or to say that their sanctification is dependent upon discipleship. Salvation from beginning to end is all of grace. If a man has the grace of God, then God will teach that man to deny ungodliness. The grace of God will teach the Christian how he or she ought to live in this present world. Now we do recognize and acknowledge that it is most often by the means of the teaching ministry of the Church that this work is accomplished. It is within the Church of Jesus Christ that believers are built up in Him. God Himself has ordained the Church and gifted His church first with apostles, then prophets, and now pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints.