“What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.” (Romans 9:14-16)

Every time you turn around, it appears that God continues to be on trial. I never cease to be amazed at the arrogance of man, to continually try to force God to conform to their standards. In Paul’s day men actually accused God of being unjust. And that is nothing new. They also accused Him of being unfaithful (Romans 3:3) and unrighteous (Romans 3:5). We ought to put on every Church sign in America these inspired words by the Apostle Paul. “On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?” (Romans 9:20)

It was really not my intention to get into some series of seeking to answer those difficult questions that continue to be thrown at us, but just as quickly as I finished last week, I was hit with yet another fan favorite. It is that age old question: “What about those who have never heard?”

Surely in your evangelistic efforts you have come across this question. It is usually asked while you are in the middle of a gospel presentation for no other purpose than to divert the conviction. Generally the conviction of the gospel is getting too real, and so there is an attempt made to throw you off course by giving you yet another riddle. And so in an attempt to escape the cross hairs of the gospel, men throw up this curious scenario. “What about the guy who lives deep in the jungles of Africa who has never had a chance to hear about Jesus? Surely that guy will not go to hell when he dies will he?”

Now please understand the purpose of the question. They don’t ask you that question because they are the least bit concerned about the African man who lives away from civilization. They were not concerned about his eternal destination before you came, and they will not think about him again after you leave. The question is really nothing more than a clever attack to undermine the necessity of the cross of Jesus. If they can get you to agree that one man in Africa can be saved without Jesus, than why can’t they be saved without Jesus?

So first let’s answer the question, and then we will deal with the issue. Scripture is clear that Jesus is the only way of salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Timothy 2:5). Because Jesus was the only acceptable sacrifice to a Holy God (Matthew 3:17, 17:5), He is therefore the only way of forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22-26), and the only way to be saved. No man can get to the Father without total faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Not even those who have never heard.

Of course once you explain that to them, you know the next response. “I just don’t think that is right.” “I don’t think God should judge someone who has never had a chance to hear.” Well, “who are you, O man, who answers back to God?”

The issue is still that man is so arrogant that they would actually accuse God of being unfair. They accuse God of being unfair for sending poor lost people to hell. Forget the testimony of creation (Romans 1:19-20; Psalms 8), they still think God is being unfair. So once again the Creator is summoned before the creation to give an explanation for how He could be so cruel

So let’s revisit our verse today:
“What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”

Notice that God does not say, “I will judge who I judge, and condemn who I condemn”. The reason is because apart from the intervention of God, man is condemned already. God doesn’t have to send people to hell, they are headed there on their own. John 3:18 says, “he who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

I do not understand how God could love man so much that He would send His Son to die in our stead and save us from our sins, and then people could turn around and say that He is unfair to do so. If you walk along the beach and pick up starfish that have washed ashore, and throw them back in to the ocean, would you consider that mercy or judgment? Sure you saved a couple of starfish, but what about the ones you didn’t throw back in? You condemned them to death. Of course that is absurd.

What God has done for us is all about mercy. The ocean of our own sin has placed us in a hopeless condition, yet it is God who has shown mercy by granting us a way to be saved. God is most certainly not to be blamed for those who refuse His mercy.

Grace to You,
Bro. Rory

“Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker — An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’ Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?” Isaiah 45:9

I recently received a phone call from a man I have never met. He was angry and confused, and to make a very long story short, he was upset with God. He was tired of all the commands and all the requirements, and was debating a full rebellion. His anger stemmed from what he called hypocrisy. Sure he was angry with hypocritical Christians who preach a message they don’t follow, and why wouldn’t he be. Even Jesus was angry with them (i.e. Pharisees).

But this man’s anger went further than that. He was upset with what he thought was the hypocrisy of God. No, he never actually called God a hypocrite, but the sentiment was easily heard. On one hand he was angry that God required such perfection of him, when (by his estimation) God had done such a lousy job with the world. According to him the world is in shambles, and it is all God’s fault. If God was good, and if God was powerful, then why doesn’t God fix this world? And once again, God seems to be on trial.
But honestly, have you ever felt that way? An unexpected tragedy arises, or you hear a story of oppression and suffering from another country, or you watch as an election goes in a different direction than you think it should go. And somewhere from the depths of your inner being, you question the plan of God.

I have heard one too many Christian counselors lately say that such questioning is absolutely normal. Usually they say something like, “Take your questions, complaints, or frustrations to God, He is big enough to handle them.” Well, that is certainly true, He is big enough to handle them, but does that really give us the right? Isaiah said, “Woe to the one who quarrels with his Maker — An earthenware vessel among the vessels of earth! Will the clay say to the potter, ‘What are you doing?’ Or the thing you are making say, ‘He has no hands’?” Paul would say, “On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it?” (Romans 9:20)

Let me state it plainly, it is time that you and I realize who we really are. God has known all along. Psalms 103:14 says, “For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.” God knows what we are. We are dirt. He molded and formed us, and placed in us a living spirit, but it does not change what we are. It would be good if you and I realized that again.

Somewhere in the back of our minds, we decided what was right and what was wrong. We decided what was acceptable and what was unacceptable. We decided what should happen and what should not happen. And then when God does something absolutely opposite, we do like Peter and pull Jesus aside to say, “What are you thinking?” (Matthew 16:22) If you will recall, Jesus called Peter “Satan” on that day, because in a moment of arrogance, that is precisely what Peter looked like. Peter wasn’t as smart as Jesus, and Peter didn’t see the big picture like Jesus did, yet in a moment of arrogance, Peter felt confident enough to challenge His plan. And every time we take our grievances to God, we are walking in the exact same arrogance.

Am I saying not to pray? No. Scripture tells us to present our requests to God (Philippians 4:6). In short, God wants to hear your requests, but He never wants to hear your advice. And it is nothing short of arrogance to actually question what He is doing.

To me the world may look like it is in utter chaos. To me it may look like things are falling apart. But what do I know, I am just dirt. It is God who is the potter, it is God who created this whole thing, and He knows what is going on. Furthermore, He has a plan, and what He is doing is absolutely perfect. He doesn’t need some old clay pot like me questioning His will.
Today let me encourage you not to question God or to challenge Him, but rather to trust Him. Never before have I seen a clay pot go to work on the potter. Know today that God is sovereign, and our only job is to be moldable in His hand so that we can be usable in His service.

“Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:6-9
Grace to You,
Bro. Rory

“So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)

I am certain that when you read the title of this blog you probably had to sit back a second to think on what you read. Put God Back in the Box? Can you be serious? What in the world do you mean by such a statement?

In our day I have heard the phrase quoted over and over and over. “Let God out of the box”. It certainly coincides with our present society which also desires to “think outside the box”. The insinuation is that in our nice and neat little religion all we have done is limited God by forcing Him to play according to our rules. But if we were ever willing to let God out of the box we might find that there is much more to Him than we ever realized.

And on the surface it sounds great. Those who promote the concept paint themselves as the extremely open who are not wishing to impose their narrow-mindedness on anyone else or even on God. But instead they are those who are willing to let God be whoever or whatever He desires. They would not desire to be dogmatic or to boast any convictions, but would rather be seen as the “deep thinkers” of our time, and as those who are truly in search of who God is.

Today I would suggest to you that such a mindset is foolish, ignorant, and filled with false humility.

You and I must realize something about God before we go on an all out crusade to let Him out of the box. And that is that in many cases it is not we who put God in the box, but God who put Himself in one. The box God put Himself in could easily be called “Revelation” or “Scripture” or “The Word” or even “Jesus”. And therefore the aim of our lives is not to search outside of the box to try and fine who God really is. The aim of our lives is to explore who God has revealed Himself to be. He placed Himself in a box so that we could know Him and furthermore so that we would know what is not Him. “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.”

Let me give you some examples.

Today, the Holy Spirit is given credit for all kinds of activity and wild behavior. Something supernatural occurs and instantly people credit the author as the Holy Spirit. The activity endorsed is never seen in Scripture and is not advocated as Christian practice, but because it felt good and seemed right, it must have been the Holy Spirit. And those of us who question such behavior are told to stop keeping God in a box. But that is precisely why God placed Himself in a box. That particular box is found in John 16:7-15 in which Jesus revealed the 3-fold work of the Holy Spirit. He will convict of sin, He will guide into the truth, and He will glorify Jesus. That is the box the Holy Spirit resides in. If something supernatural occurs that does not fit that criteria, then we can confidently understand that it was not the Holy Spirit. And we know that because of the box Jesus placed the Holy Spirit in.

Another box is found regarding the way of salvation. In our day of tolerance people are eagerly seeking to endorse any and every religion as a viable way to obtain eternal life. And for those of us who conclude that there is only one way of salvation, we are told to quit being so narrow minded and to let God out of the box. I have heard the question posed: “Don’t you think God is powerful enough to save people apart from faith in Jesus?” They are pushing us to let God out. But that is precisely why God placed Himself in a box. That box is found in John 14:6 where we learn that there is no way to the Father except through Jesus. We didn’t place God in that box, He placed Himself there.

And we could probably go on and on with illustrations of how God has revealed Himself in order to clarify to us who He is. This does not make us narrow minded, on the contrary it allows us to know when and where God is really at work. We need God in the box so that we can be certain about who He is; not a box of our making, but the box He revealed to us.

There is obviously much more that could be said about trying to be a theological “open” thinker, but let me just close by admonishing to you to seek out God as He has revealed Himself in His word. Find God in the box that He created for Himself. He will still blow your mind!

“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29)

Grace to You,
Bro. Rory

When I initially wrote this paper, I took for granted that the definition I have for the word believe was the same definition that everyone else held. However over a course of several years, I have come to understand that before I can tell you what I believe, I must first preface the statement by making sure you understand what I mean when I say I believe something.

It seems today that the word believe is often used, and holds very little value. Many in our world will claim to believe in Jesus, yet willingly live their lives in a way so as to deny Him. Many will claim to believe the Bible, yet have no qualms about breaking its commands. Many people claim to believe all sorts of things, but it has been my observation, that in todays society to believe something doesnt really have to change anything at all. I have found that many people think the word believe means to have an intellectual understanding of something, or to be in agreement with a truth. This in reality may actually be a good definition of the word believe, but it falls way short of what I mean when I say I believe something.

When I say I believe something, I do not merely mean that I have been persuaded by men to acknowledge a certain truth. When I say I believe something, I mean I have been convicted, and convinced by God (Matt. 16:17, II Tim. 3:14-17). For me to believe something means it is woven into the very fabric of my being. It changes the way I live; it dictates my motivations, my actions, and my desires. If I come to believe something there is no way I can, nor will ever compromise it, for it was given to me by God, and only He has the right to change my mind. I want all who have reason to be interested in what I believe to fully understand this, so there will be no surprise when I not only claim to believe these truths, but act upon them as well.

I believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, (Matt. 3:17, 17:5), who was in heaven (Phil.2:6), and came to earth, born of a virgin, in the form of a man (Matt. 1:25; Phil 2:6, Luke 2:7; Jn.1:14). He committed no sin. (I Pet. 2:22) He is God.(Jn.10:30; Gen1:26) He was crucified as a sacrifice for my sins.(Jn.19:18; II Cor.5:21) He died a physical death.(Jn.19:30-33) He rose from the dead.(Lk.24:6) He now sits in heaven (Lk.24:51), at the right hand of God (Acts 5:31), interceding on my behalf (Heb. 2:14-18; 4:14-16; 7:23-25). I believe Jesus Christ is sufficient (Jn. 12:32, Psalm 65). I believe He is the only way (Jn.14:6, Acts 4:12) I believe He will come again (II Pe.3:10), not as the humble servant, but as the glorified king (Rev.19:11-16)

I believe God created the heavens, the earth, and everything in the earth, including me (Gen.1:1; Col.1:16). I believe God is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient (Matt. 28:20, Ps.139:1-10). He is God (Isa.43:10-18). He loves me and sent His Son to die instead of me (Jn.3:16). He wants my love in return (Ex.20:3; Jsh.24:19). He is not bound by time and space as we are (Rev.1:8, Rev.4:8). He is faithful (I Thes.5:24). He is Holy (Rev.4:8). He is love (I Jn.4:8; 16) He is the sovereign Most High (Da.4:25). Nothing happens outside of His control (Job1&2). He forgives my sins (Ps.103:12). So one day I will be able to live with Him (Rev.21:3). His grace is sufficient (Gal.2:17-21).

I believe the Holy Spirit is present, living in believers (Jn.14:17). He is God (Matt.28:19 I Cor.12:3-6; II Cor.13:14). He convicts me of sin (Jn.16:8-11). He comforts me (II Cor.1:3). He teaches me (Jn.14:26). He changed my heart (Gal.5:22-23). He equips me for service (Rom.12:5-8). He leads me to all truth (Jn.16:13). He comes to bring glory and honor to Jesus Christ (Jn.16:14). I do believe He still speaks today, He does so through Scripture.

I believe man is sinful, totally depraved, and incapable of making himself pleasing to God (Rom. 3:10-18,23). Because of his extreme lostness, he is in desperate need of a Savior (Jn. 14:6). Since the only Savior is Jesus Christ, man cannot be justified before God, except through Him (Rom. 5:1-2, 8:1-4). This justification, or salvation originates according to the Sovereign wisdom of Holy God (Rom. 9:16, Rom.8:29-30), is offered by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 6:44, Eph.2:8-9), must be accepted according to the responsibility of man (Rom. 10:13), is made effective by the death of Jesus (Rom. 5:6-8), and is guaranteed by His resurrected life (Rom. 5:9-10).

I believe the Bible is the infallible word of God, written by man, but inspired by God (II Tim.3:16; II Pe.1:20) and the truth it contains is not a matter of the readers interpretation, but is a matter of the Holy Spirits revelation. For truth is not interpreted, but revealed (II Pet. 1:20-21). I believe every word applies today (Rev. 22:18-19; Matt. 5:18-19). I believe all scripture is useful for teaching, and rebuking, and exhorting (II Tim. 3:16). I believe we are to obey the scripture as a way of showing our love for God, and because He commanded it (John 14:23; I John 2:3-6). It is a way of growing in the knowledge of God (II Pet. 3:18).

I believe God made a covenant with Israel, and He will not break it. Thus I believe that although by in large the Jews today are lost because they have rejected Jesus, one day, they will look on Him whom they have pierced, and will be saved (Zech. 12:10, Rom. 11:25-28), for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable (Rom. 11:29). I believe in a literal thousand-year reign of Christ, after He returns (Rev. 20:1-3).

I believe in the Church. I believe it is built upon the foundation that Jesus Christ is the Son of God (Matt. 16:16-18). I believe the builder of the Church is Jesus Christ, not man. This means He is not only responsible for adding bricks, but has the sole privilege of designing the Church as well (Matt. 16:18). I believe the Church belongs to Christ, and thus must remain subject to whatever He wants from His bride (Matt. 16:18). I believe the Church is powerful, and not only will withstand the attacks of the enemy (John 16:33, II Cor. 2:14), but the Church will also defeat the enemy when it goes on the offensive (Matt. 16:18). I believe the Church has been commissioned with the authority of Christ, namely the authority to stand upon, and enforce His word (Matt. 16:19, 18:15-18). I believe the Church has nothing to do with the buildings we meet in, but exists in the hearts of the redeemed (Acts 7:48). I believe the Bible outlines strict guidelines for the leadership of Christs church, and these guidelines include that the authoritative teacher role of the church is restricted to men. (I Timothy 2:12-15).

I believe in the perseverance of the saints (John 6:39; Matt.10:22). I believe baptism is biblical (Matt. 28:19), but it does not save you (I Pet. 3:20-21; Acts 10:47; Lk. 3:16). I believe the only way to heaven is through Jesus Christ (I Jn. 5:11-12, Jn.3:16). I believe once we are saved, our lives should change (II Cor.5:17). I believe we should live a Godly example (Matt.5:16). I believe we are to correct, rebuke, and encourage fellow believers (II Tim.4:1-4). I believe we are to be servants of God (Mk.10:45). I believe we should follow Christ daily (Lk.9:23), and praise His name (Heb.13:15). I believe we should stand for God (I Cor.15:58). I believe we should love God (Matt.22:37). I believe I am to live to be approved by God (II Tim.2:15). And I believe God is smarter than me (I Cor.1:25), stronger than me (I Cor.1:25), better looking than me (Ps.27:4), and that he has a reason for everything, even when I don’t understand (Deut.29:29).

I believe we should be urgent in evangelism, presenting the gospel without hesitation, or reservation (Matt.28:18-20). The gospel should be plainly presented, without compromise, and without being watered down, for it is the power of God for salvation (Rom.1:16). I believe homosexuality is wrong (Rom.1:26-27), abortion is wrong (Prov.6:17), divorce is wrong (Mal.2:16), and condoning sin is wrong (II Tim.4:1-5). I believe husbands are to love their wives, and wives are to submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:25-33; 1 Peter 3:1-8) I believe our faith should be put into practice (James 2:14-18). And I believe even when I don’t know why, God is always right (Job 38)!

I believe Adam and Eve were the first humans of God’s creation (Gen.2:7). I believe Cain killed Able (Gen.4:8), Noah built an ark (Gen.6:22), Abraham would have killed Isaac (Gen.22:10), God spoke to Moses through a burning bush (Ex.3:4), the Israelites crossed the Red sea on dry ground (Ex.14:21-22), Joshua conquered Jericho through obedience to God (Jsh.6:20), Elijah called fire from heaven to prove that our God is God (I Kings 18:38), Isaiah prophesied the coming of Christ (Isa.9:6-7: Isa.52&53), Shadrack Meshack, and Abednego, survived the fiery furnace (Dan.3:26-27), Daniel spent the night in the lion’s den and lived (Dan.6:22-23), David killed Goliath (I Sam.17:49-50), Samson pushed down the temple of the Philistines (Judges 16:29-30), Lazarus was raised from the dead (Jn.11:44), and that Methuselah lived to the ripe old age of 969 (Gen.5:27)

I wrote this letter in 1998, to challenge myself to see if I knew why I believed what I claimed to believe. It has been added to since that day. The main truth I’ve found, is I can’t possibly write down all that I believe about God, or His word, but it is the desire of my heart to study the Word of God, to come to a point of understanding, and to preach and obey what God has taught me.