Tag: gospel

  • Kittens and Birth – Theology of conversion

    litter of kittens

    Watching the litter of kittens being born made me ponder the miracle of birth. That led me to recall a conversation. During a discussion on theology, I was asked whether I believed that salvation, “conversion” to Christianity was a process or a sudden event. My answer was yes.

    “Now wait a minute,” my friend said. “I gave you an either-or choice. It cannot be both.”

    Technically, both positions are correct. You see, along the way, the Lord is preparing our hearts for conversion. That is done through people and circumstances in our lives that point us in His direction. It is that uncomfortable feeling that we need something more. It is the gradual realization that we cannot do it on our own. It is the prompting and calling of the Holy Spirit, beckoning us towards salvation.

    There comes a point when that process reaches a head, and we accept Jesus. Whatever your theology —Calvinist, Arminian, or something completely different —we agree that there comes a point when we cross the threshold , a conversion, a born again experience, and Christ becomes our Lord. 

    Theologians debate the ordo salutis. That’s a fancy Latin term meaning “order of salvation”. It refers to the sequence of events in salvation, outlining how God saves us. It includes stages such as election, calling, regeneration, faith, justification, sanctification, and glorification, though interpretations in differing schools of thought.

    I find such topics fascinating to think about. However, we look at the moment of conversion, whether you agree with my thoughts that the rebirth is both a process and a sudden thing, or not, the fact remains that we must be born again. Jesus made that clear when speaking with Nicodemus (John 3:1-8)

    Jesus is our only hope.

    Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 ESV

    Have you been saved from your sins, been born again through Christ? If you have praise Him for His mercy. If you haven’t, run to Him in repentant faith.

    Until next time, may you be genuinely born again.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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  • Wolves

    With two and four legs

    wolf pack in snow

    I have been blessed to see a few packs of wolves in the wild. I’ve  seen far more lone wolves than packs. Whether a lone wolf or a pack, I’ve always felt blessed to see them.

    I’ve heard the songs of wolves in the wild far more often than I have seen them. Their songs never fail to give me goosebumps. Their songs, particularly if they are coming from different directions around your campfire, are both beautiful and unnerving.

    Coyotes will also serenade at night. Their call is very different, and you would be highly unlikely to confuse the two, unless, perhaps, you had never heard a wolf pack.

    Both wolves and coyotes can be problematic for farmers, as they are not adverse to preying on livestock.  That creates a sort of love-hate relationship between the animals and the farmers.

    Wolves had been known to attack humans, but such attacks are extremely rare. There are fewer than 100 recorded attacks in North America since 1750.  Still, if you are interacting with them, caution is always advised.

    Wolves are mentioned in the Bible, both the four-legged and two-legged varieties. We are warned against the two-legged variety.

    “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-20 ESV

    Unfortunately, attacks by these wolves are not rare. Sometimes they can be found in your home church, striving to cut our little flocks for themselves. At other times, they can be the pastors or leaders of congregations.

    They preach other gospels than the one Jesus taught. They twist the teachings of the Bible to benefit themselves. Sometimes they teach just enough truth that the flock doesn’t notice the poisonous errors.

    Be on the lookout for them. Compare what you are being taught to the Bible and to the orthodox teachings the church has always held.

    We are blessed to have easy access to the Word and to the great theologians of both yesterday and today. We have the Spirit to teach us how to discern truth from error.

    Know what the truth is for yourself.

    Hallelu Yah (Praise God)

    Be blessed, 

    Kevin

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