Authority In Religion (No. 4)

                                        Application of Authority


     The New Testament teaches that we must have authority from God before we
act in the religious realm. Paul wrote, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do
everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
him." (Col. 3:17) According to the apostle, all must be done "in the name of the
Lord Jesus." The phrase "in the name of" is an idiom that means in honor of the
power  or  attributes  possessed  by  the  person  who  wears the name. In the
Colossians' text it is the name of the "Lord Jesus." The word "Lord" means master
or ruler; one who is in control. Therefore, whatever the Christian does must be done
in honor of  Jesus' authority.

     There are many things that distinguish the Lord's people from the denominational
world. One of the most prominent marks of distinction is the fact, that we who believe
and accept the teaching of the New Testament do not use mechanical music in worship.
The fact that we do not employ instrumental music in worship is not a matter of tradition,
opinion, or our likes or dislikes. It is a matter of authority. If mechanical music is authorized,
we have the right to use it; if it is not authorized we must avoid it and warn against its use
in worship.

     Mechanical music in worship is not authorized in the New Testament. There is no
direct statement that tells us to use it. There is no account of action under apostolic
direction which shows us that we may use it. Nor is there a word, phrase, or text that
implies that we must use it. To the contrary, God through the written testimony of the
Holy Spirit in the sacred scriptures, teaches us to sing without mechanical accompaniment.
The direct statements in the new covenant that speak of music in worship tell us to
"sing." (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; Jas. 5:13) The accounts  of  action  under  apostolic 
guidance teach us to sing without mechanical accompaniment. (Acts 16:25; 1 Cor. 14:15)
Therefore, the words, phrases, and texts that relate to the kind of music that God desires in
New Testament worship imply that we are to sing without mechanical accompaniment.
(Rom. 15:9; Heb. 2:12; 13:15)  

     God has specified 'singing and making melody in the heart" as the kind of music
that pleases him in worship. (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16))  He revealed this through the Holy
Spirit to the apostles and prophets of New Testament days. (1 Cor. 2:9-13; Eph. 3:5)
We have no right to deviate from what God has authorized and add another kind of
music to the will of God.

     Those who believe the New Testament constitutes God's will and our rule of faith
and practice accept the testimony as revealed, and we dare not add to nor take from
it. We are satisfied to allow it to remain as written! 
                                                                                                           R.  Daly
Copyright 2011

                                        

Authority In Religion (No. 3)

                                 
                          How Do We Determine What Is Authorized?

     Sometimes people ask, "How do we established Bible authority?" In my judgment,
that is the wrong question. It is not in the hands of human beings to establish authority
in  religion. All  authority  resides   in God. Our   duty is   to  determine what God has
authorized by the teaching of his word. Authority is not established by human wisdom
and ingenuity. God has spoken.

     Mankind has been required to act by divine authority during each period of human
history. This was true during patriarchy, Judaism, and the age of the gospel. During
patriarchy God gave Noah a pattern for building the ark. (Genesis 6:14-16) God
told Noah the kind of wood to use in making the ark. He also told him the dimensions
of the ark. Notice Moses' language in describing God's instructions to Noah, "And
this is how you shall make it..." (verse 15) The phrase implies that there was a
pattern! Noah understood that God's directions constituted a pattern because Moses
told us, "Thus Noah did; according to all that God had commanded him; so he did."
(Gen. 6:22; 7:5, 16; NASB-77) God gave Noah a pattern and Noah built according
to the instructions that Yahweh gave. Noah built the ark by divine authority.

     The Israelites were to respect the authority of God during Judaism. God spoke
to them through Moses and the prophets. They were not to add to nor take from any
thing that God has prescribed. God's will was to remain intact. Moses said to the
people of Israel, "You shall not add to the word which I am commanding you, nor
take away from it, that you may keep the commandments of Yahweh you God which
I command you." (Deut. 4:2) He also said, "Whatever I command you, you shall be
careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it." (Deut. 12:32) The fact
that Yahweh through Moses told them not to "add to nor take away" from his word
clearly shows that there was a pattern, and  the  pattern   was  not  to be altered!
Yahweh put Nadab and Abihu to death because they offered "unauthorized" fire.
(Lev. 10:1-3) They failed to respect God's pattern. (Lev. 6:12-13; 16:12)

     The same is true during the age of the gospel. The gospel is not to be changed
in any way. (Gal. 1:6-9) We are not to go beyond what has been written. ( 1 Cor.
4:6) We are to remain within the teaching of Christ. (2 Jno. 9-11) When a person
speaks, he is to speak as the very words of God. (1 Pet. 4:11) When he does so,
he "retains the standard of sound words." (2 Tim. 1:13; NASB) The ESV says,
"follow the pattern of sound words." The ASV says, "Hold the pattern of sound
words." The preceding information shows that we must be certain that we carefully
examine  the  sacred  scriptures   in   order to  know  what God has and has not
authorized. Therefore we ask, "How do we determine what God has authorized?"


    
     The issue of whether or not physical  circumcision   was binding   in this age
was one of the burning issues during the days of the apostles. "And certain ones
of the sect of the Pharisees who had believed, stood up saying, 'It is necessary to
circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.' " (Acts 15:1,5)
The apostles and elders came to the forefront and debated this issue with the
Judaizers. The issue was not decided on the basis of human emotions, tradition,
family religion, or academic credentials. The apostles appealed to the authority
of God.

     Peter stood up and said, "Brothers, you know that in the early days God made
a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the
gospel and believe." (Acts 15:7) He used himself as an example approved by God,
of one who preached to the Gentiles. But, he did not preach that the Gentiles had
to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses. So, by an approved account of
action we learn that circumcision was not commanded of the Gentiles.

     Peter also makes the following direct statement, "And God, who knows the
heart, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us;
and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith."
(Acts 15:8-9) Friends, please notice, that "God knows the heart...bore them
witness...giving them the Holy Spirit...made no distinction...cleansing their hearts
by faith." And he did all that without commanding the Gentiles to be circumcised.
So, by a direct statement we learn that circumcision was not commanded of the
Gentiles.

    
     After Peter appealed to an approved account of action and a direct statement,
he concluded in this way, "Now therefore, why do you put God to the test by
placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we
have been able to bear?" (Acts 15:10)  Peter implies that since God has not
indicated that the Gentiles must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses by
an  approved  account  of  action   nor  by  a  direct  statement, then physical
circumcision is not a part of the gospel! His conclusion is, "But we believe that we
will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will." (Acts 15:11)

   
     The same means by which the issue of physical circumcision was discussed
and settled is the means by which one determines the authority for any religious
issue at any time, any place, and before any group. In short, God authorizes by
means of approved  accounts of action, direct statements, and implication. This
is illustrated throughout the New Testament.
                                                                                                           R. Daly
Copyright 2011
 


     

    

Authority In Religion (No.2)

                                       
                                           Kinds Of Authority

     The word of the living God teaches that there are various kinds of authority.
First, there is inherent authority. Inherent authority is the kind that exists or
resides in a person because of his status or position. God is sovereign and all
authority  inheres  in  him. God  is  all  in  all  and  has  the  privilege to give
orders, to enforce obedience, and to judge all humanity. Paul said there is "one
God and Father of all , who is over all, and through all, and in all." (Eph. 4:6;
ASV) He also said, "For from him and through him and to him are all things.
To him be glory forever. Amen. (Rom. 11:36; ESV) Jesus said the Father
has set things "by his own authority." (Acts 1:7)  John, the apostle, wrote,
"all the angels stood around the throne, and the elders and the four living
creatures, and they fell before the throne on their faces, and worshiped God
saying, 'Amen: blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor,
and   power,  and   might,  be  to  our  God  for  ever  and  ever . Amen.' " 
(Rev. 7:11-12)

     God declares himself to be "Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the
end." (Rev. 21:6)  Alpha  is  the  first  letter of  the  Greek  alphabet  and
Omega is the  last letter. The phrase "Alpha and Omega" is described as
beginning and end; first and last. It figuratively indicates God's absolute
privileges,  power,  and   authority!   He   exercises   authority  over  the
commencement  and  consummation  of  human  history and  all  creation.
This right inheres in God.

     Second, there is delegated authority. Delegated authority is that which
is assigned or given to another. One who has delegated authority, acts or
speaks in behalf of  the one who entrusted him with the authority. Jesus
said, "The Son can do nothing of his own accord." (John 5:19) He also
said, "I can do nothing of myself...because I do not seek my own will,
but the will of the one who sent me." (John 5:30) He acknowledged that
he did not speak on his "own authority, but of the Father" who sent him.
(John 12:49)  He told his apostles that, "All authority has been given to
me in heaven and on earth." (Mat. 28:18) God the Father placed Jesus
at his right hand, and in doing so he exalted him "far above all rule, and
authority, and power, and dominion." (Eph. 1:20-21) God has placed
all things "under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the
assembly." (Eph. 1:22-23) God has given Jesus supremacy in all things.
(Colossians 1:18) Jesus exercises delegated authority with respect to his
work of redemption.

     The Holy Spirit also exercises delegated authority. Jesus spoke of
the Spirit's work in the apostles in this way, "But when he, the Spirit of
truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak
on his own authority, but he will speak whatever he hears, and he
will declare to you the things that are to come." (John 16:13) Jesus said
the Father would "send" the Holy Spirit to help the apostles in the
teaching of the truth. (John 14:26) The apostles of Christ also exercised
delegated authority. When Jesus chose them "he gave them authority
over unclean spirits..." (Mat. 10:1) They were ambassadors on behalf
of Christ. (2 Cor. 5:20)

     Third, there is limited authority. When I speak of limited authority,
I am referring to the right or power to act within prescribed boundaries,
or within the purview of  work that has been assigned. For instance, as
stated earlier, Jesus said all authority has been given to him in heaven
and on earth. (Mat. 28:18) It is understood that the Father gave him the
authority. But when we study other pertinent texts, we learn that "all
authority" does not mean that the Father is under the authority of the
Son. Paul said, "For, he put all things in subjection under his feet. But
when he says all things are put in subjection, it is evident that he is
excepted who subjected all things to him." (1 Cor. 15:27)  So, Jesus
has "all authority" to function in his role as Son, as Messiah, as the
Redeemer of mankind, as the great high priest, etc.. Elders have
limited "authority," in that they have the right to lead the congregation
in any direction   that   truth   takes   them,   and   they   may  go no
further. (Acts 20:28-32; 1 Pet. 5:1-3)
                                                                                        RD

Copyright 2011

    

Authority In Religion (No. 1)

                                                   


                                  What Is Authority?

     Authority is important in both the physical and spiritual aspects of life.
It is especially important in the realm of religion. In the absence of authority
anarchy will reign. There will be lawlessness and disorder. This was true
at one point in the history of ancient Israel. "In those days there was no
king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." (Judges
17:6; 21:25) Those who desire to please the Lord, never want to "do
what is right in their own eyes." They want to know, believe, and do the
will  of  the  Lord, and  in doing so, they must act by his authority. I want
to re-emphasize some of the sacred principles pertaining to authority in
this series of articles. Each generation must be taught all the truth all over
again or apostasy will be the inevitable result. (Judges 2:6-15)

     The English word authority means, "the power or right to give commands,
enforce obedience, take action, or make final decisions; jurisdiction."
(Webster's New World Dictionary, page 94) Therefore, the basic concept 
involves having the power or right to act.

     The idea of authority is also taught in the sacred scriptures. We read in
the Old Testament that Joseph told Pharaoh to "appoint overseers" over the
land of Egypt, who during the seven years of plenty, would "store up grain
under the authority of Pharaoh." (Gen. 41:35; ESV, NIV-2011, NASB)
The ASV chooses to be literal and says, "under the hand of Pharaoh." The
Hebrew word translated "authority" or "hand" is yad and it has a wide range
of meanings. In the Genesis text it means authority, jurisdiction, or command.
There are various ways the Hebrew text connotes the concept of authority.
It may as in this case use a word, or an entire phrase may suffice. In Isaiah
22:21 Yahweh says, Shebna's "authority" (ESV) would be committed to
Eliakim the son of Hilkiah , and on his shoulder would be placed "the key of
the house of David." The ASV uses the word "government" instead of authority.
The Hebrew word translated "authority" or "government" is memshalah. It
refers to dominion, government, rule, and by extension, authority.

     The New Testament also contains the concept of authority. Jesus taught as
one having authority. (Mat. 21:29) The chief priests and elders of the people
questioned the authority of Jesus. (Mat. 21:23-27) A centurion told Jesus
that he was a man "set under authority." (Luke 7:8) Jesus said that all authority
had been given to him. (Mat. 28:18) The Greek word translated authority in
all these instances is exousia. It means power, right, authority. Exousia can
connote a state of control over something, freedom of choice (Jno. 10:18);
potential or resource to command, control, or govern, capability, might, power
(Mat. 9:8); the right to control or command, authority, absolute power, warrant
(Mark 6:7); power exercised by rulers or others in high position by virtue of their
office, ruling power, official power (Luke 20:20); bearer of ruling authority...
officials, government (Rom. 13:1,2,3) ; and the sphere in which power is
exercised, domain (Col. 1:13). (cf. A Greek-English Lexicon Of The New
Testament And Other Early Christian Literature, Third Edition, BDAG,
pages 352-353)

     The idea of authority is also conveyed by the use of phrases in the New
Testament. Paul said that God "seated him (Christ) at his right hand in the
heavenly regions, far above all rule, and authority, and power, and dominion."
God "put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head
over all  things..."  (Eph. 1:20-22)  Paul  is  writing  about  the  supreme
authority  that  has been granted to our blessed Lord Jesus. Paul  told  the
brothers and sisters in Colossae, "And whatever you do, in word or in deed,
do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through
him." (Colossians 3:17) When a person does everything "in the name of the
Lord Jesus, he does it by the authority of the Lord Jesus. He acts by divine
warrant or right! Christians are followers of Christ, and as such they come
under the authority of the Lord. Everything the believer does or says ought to
be in harmony with the lordship of Jesus. Therefore, the entire life of the
believer is placed under obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.
                                                                                                         RD
 Copyright 2011
     

The "One" Body

     Paul, the Lord's apostle, said "There is one body" in his masterful letter
to the Ephesians. (Eph. 4:4) Most  of  the denominational  world  agrees
in general terms with Paul's words.  As a matter of fact, I do not recall ever
having discussed Paul's statement with a denominationalist who disagreed
with it. The reason is, most people who are in sectarian churches believe
the  "one body"  is   the  universal  body  of  Christ  that  consists  of  all
denominations.They believe that the spiritual body of Christ is made up
of Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran, Episcopal, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian,
Pentecostal, and all other denominational churches. Can this belief be
sustained by the sacred scriptures?

     First, Paul himself plainly identifies the "one body" of (Eph. 4:4). In the
same letter he says, "And he put all things in subjection under his feet, and
gave him to be head over all things to the congregation, which is his body,
the fulness of him that fills all in all." (Eph. 1:22-23) What is commonly called
the church (that is assembly, congregation, or group of the saved) is the one
body. So, when Paul says that there is "one body," the meaning is there is one
church or congregation of saved people! The Lord's congregation does not
consist of churches, it is made up of individual members. Therefore, we do
not read of "congregations of the church of Christ" in the New Covenant.
We do read that "the congregations of Christ greet you." (Rom. 16:16) The
reference is to local congregations that are independent and autonomous.
There is no hood of churches. We read of a "brotherhood" not a "churchhood."
(1 Pet. 2:17)

     Another point for us to consider is, Paul said, "There is one body." He
did not say there are two, three, a hundred, or a thousand bodies. He said
there is one body. One is one more than zero and one less than two, hence
it is singular! The apostle has already identified the "body" as the "congregation"
or "church," so when he says there is one body, he is saying there is one
church or congregation of saved people. There was a time when the Lord's
disciples believed and taught this important truth. Now, there are some who
are determined to appear peaceful to the denominational world and they
rarely   preach  sermons or teach  Bible  classes  devoted  to  discussing
this fundamental doctrine. I believe with all my heart that the New Testament
teaches there is only one body, which is the church or congregation of Christ,
that Jesus is its head, and that no other religious body is acceptable to the
great God of heaven. (Matthew 16:18; Eph. 5:23-27; Col. 1:18,24, et.al)

     Second, we can also be certain that the "one body" does not consist of
any denominations because no denominations existed when Paul wrote
those words. If  you  believe  they  did  exist, what passage in the New
Testament identifies them? Which passage implies that they are authorized
to exist? No denominations existed for several centuries after the apostolic
age! They were all started by human beings; they are perpetuated by
human beings, and they will partake of the same judgment that the schemes
and doctrines of men will receive on the last great day of human history!
(Matthew 7:21-23; 15:13-14)

     There was "one body" when the apostles lived, and there is "one body"
now. Denominations are not part of the one body now, they never have been
part of that for which Jesus Christ died, and they never will be part of the
one body of Christ.
                                                                                               RD

Copyright 2011

The Importance of Context

     What is context? The Second College Edition of the American Heritage
Dictionary says on page 316, that context is, "The part of a written or
spoken statement in which a word or passage at issue occurs and that often
specifies its meaning." (emp. mine RD) The part of the definition that says
"and that often specifies its meaning" is true in the field of biblical studies
as it is in political, historical, and linguistical studies.

     It is impossible to overstate the importance of observing the context when we
study the sacred writings. Studying the context is one of the key elements that
assists in understanding and applying the word of truth. (2 Tim. 2:15) If a person
does not pay careful attention to the context of a passage of scripture, he will
almost certainly reach an uninformed interpretation. No one has the right to
mishandle the word of God. (2 Cor. 2:17; 4:2)

     Sometimes people see things in the biblical text that are not there. Sometimes
people "snatch" a word, phrase, or text from its context and build a system of
doctrine that has no scriptural basis in fact! It has been rightly said that, "A text
taken out of context becomes a pretext."

     I have heard Pentecostals quote 1 Cor. 14:1 and say, "The Bible says, 'desire
earnestly spiritual gifts,' so we should desire to speak in tongues, prophesy, and
heal the sick." The relevant issue is not what the verse says. The problem with
the Pentecostals is, they ignore the fact that when the verse was penned by Paul,
the Corinthians could desire spiritual gifts because people could perform miracles.
The exhortation to "earnestly desire spiritual gifts" no longer applies because the
means of receiving and performing such powers has ended. The is what the
context of 1 Cor. chapters 12, 13, and 14 teaches. (cf. 1 Cor. 13:8-10)

     I have heard members of denominations and their preachers attempt to prove
that denominations have the right to exist by quoting Jesus' statement, "I am the
vine and you are the branches." (Jno. 15:5) They argue, "The branches are all
the churches, therefore all the various churches have the right to exist." They
ignore the context of Jesus' statement. Jesus was not talking to nor about
churches. The very verse they quote proves this point. It says, "I am the vine,
you are the branches: the one who abides in me, and I in him, the same bears
much fruit: for apart from me you can do nothing." Jesus is talking to the apostles
about their relationship to him.

     Sometimes people who seek to find authority for instrumental music in
worship say, "Paul speaks of the pipe, harp, and trumpet in his first letter to
the Corinthians (14:7), so it cannot be wrong to use instrumental music in
our worship." If they would pay close attention to the context, they would
notice that Paul is speaking about the secular use of such instruments, not
the religious use in the assembly. "Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear
call, who will get ready for battle?" (1 Cor. 14:8) He uses the pipe, harp,
and trumpet as examples of instruments that must play distinct sounds or
notes in order for a person to know what is being played. Just so, what
edification would result if a person in the assembly at Corinth speaks in a
language that is not known to those assembled unless someone interprets?
(1 Cor. 14:9)

     If a person has the right to indiscriminately snatch a word, phrase, or text
from its context, and interpret it accordingly, then the Bible can be forced to
mean anything that anyone wants it to mean. Such would be a great injustice
against God's holy word.

                                                                                                         RD

Copyright 2011

    

The State of the Nation

     This is not political meandering in order to bolster any political party or
agenda. I want us to stop for a moment and ask from a biblical perspective,
"What is the state of this nation?" How does God view this country?" "Is this
really a God-fearing nation?" Yahweh's view of this nation is what matters
most. It is fundamentally and eternally important!

     When we look around us we see a nation in which those who are sworn
to protect and preserve life are granted legal license to destroy it. The fact
that abortion is a reality in American society proves this. The Bible teaches
that human life begins in the womb from the earliest stages of conception.
King David gives a beautiful poetic description of his life in his mother's womb.
David speaks to Yahweh and says, "You created my inmost being; you knit
me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and
wonderfully made; your works are wonderful; I know it full well. My frame
was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was
woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them 
came to be." (Psa. 139:13-16; NIV 2011)

     Did  you  notice  how  David  credits  God  with  "knitting him together,"
"weaving his body together," and seeing David's "unformed body?" All of
the phrases describe the conception and development of human life in the
womb. Even before David's body had all of its members, from the earliest
stages of  his body's development, Yahweh's merciful, patient, and loving
hands were providentially preparing the way for the birth of one who would
kill a lion, a bear, and a giant! Then he would be king of God's nation and an
ancestor of the Messiah!

     Have you noticed that the pro abortionists must devaluate that which is
in the womb in order to set the stage for the slaughter of the fetus? They often
refer to the fetus as a mass, blob, matter, or some other substance. The reason
is, if those who favor abortion admit that there is human life in the mother's
womb, then the act of destroying that human life by abortion becomes murder.
According to the sacred scriptures, that which is in the mother's womb is a
"baby." (Lk. 1:41,44)

     Since, at conception, there is life in the mother's womb, and since it is human
life, and inasmuch as the life is that of innocent little human beings, then abortion
is the murder of little ones who have done nothing worthy of death. No nations
are as guilty before Yahweh as those who slaughter their innocents!

     When we look around us we see a nation in which homosexuals have more
"rights" than unborn babies. God's viewpoint of homosexuality is straightforward
and clear. In Rom. 1:26-27 God says homosexuality is impure, degrading,
shameful, and unnatural. "Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts
to uncleanness, so that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves...
for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature: and
likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust
toward  one  another,  men  with  men  working  indecency..."  God classifies
homosexuality and lesbianism as sins against oneself, humanity, and God!

     Paul says in his letter to the Corinthians that sodomites and homosexuals will
not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor. 6:9-11) God says homosexuals, lesbians,
and other sexual perverts must turn away from their ungodliness in order to be
forgiven and have the hope of heaven.It is not an acceptable alternate lifestyle.
God did not present a male to Adam in the garden of Eden; he presented a
woman to Adam. (Gen. 2:22-23) And the name was Eve not Steve! (Gen. 3:20)
It is not Yahweh's will for men to have sex with men, nor for women to have
sex with women. God's word teaches that such is perversion. Yet, this is the
state of the nation.

     When we carefully observe the state of the nation, we also see a place in
which laziness is rewarded. We see a welfare system that virtually rewards
people for being lazy. This is not to say that some of those who receive
food vouchers and special government subsidized housing are not truly in
need, but there are many young, strong, able-bodied blacks, whites, and
hispanics who are deadbeats, triflers, and irresponsible. They steal from
the system. They, by their "beg, beg, beg...take, take, take,...no put back
into the system attitudes" are making it hard for those who really need help
to get it. I am appalled at the alarming numbers of young girls who are having
babies only for the system to "kiss their hands" and welcome them into the
cesspool of social and financial slavery! Often, they are afforded better
medical and financial treatment than people who have worked hard all
their lives.

     The  most  abject  kind  of  slavery  that  this  nation has ever tolerated
is the kind that we see unfolding before our very eyes; generations of so-
called minorities, (particularly blacks and hispanics) are enslaved to a system
that rewards them by making them slaves, and the recipients do not even see
it! As long as a person is given a fish without being taught how to fish he
will be a slave with no self respect. Give a person a fish, he eats once; teach
a person how to fish,  he eats often and when he wipes his mouth he does so
with pride.

     God's word teaches us that people who can work should work, and
those who cannot work need our help. We should teach our children and
those around us to work with their hands. (Eph. 4:28) God says, "If a
person does not provide for his own family, he has denied the faith and is
worse than an unbeliever." (1 Tim. 5:8) Those who are at the top of the
nation's welfare system would do well to heed God's command, "If any
will not work, neither let him eat." (2 Thess. 3:10) Stop feeding those who
are willfully lazy! The best way to help the lazy is to stop helping the lazy.

     Well, beloved, this is the state of the nation. It is a place where the
little unborn human beings are aborted, homosexuals and lesbians have
more rights than babies in the womb, and the lazy are rewarded and
consequently enslaved by the system. Oh how the Spirit of God must be
grieved at such ungodliness. One day human history will come to an end,
and those who have mocked God will realize that they did  the wrong
thing, for "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of human beings who suppress the truth
in unrighteousness!" (Rom. 1:18) 
                                                                                                      RD

Copyright 2011