I Corinthians 3
Baby Christians in churchverses 1-4
And I – brethren – could not speak to you as unto spiritual
BUT as to carnal – even as unto babes in Christ
I have fed you with milk – and not with meat
FOR hitherto you were not able to bear it
neither yet now are ye able
FOR you are yet carnal
FOR whereas there is among you envying – strife – division
are you not carnal – and walk as men?
FOR while one says – I am of Paul
and another – I am of Apollos
are you not carnal?
Individual responsibility in churchverses 5-9
Who then is Paul – and who is Apollos
BUT ministers by whom ye believed
even as the Lord gave to every man?
I have planted – Apollos watered
BUT God gave the increase
So then neither is he that plants anything
neither he that waters
BUT God that gives the increase
Now he that plants and he that waters are one
and every man shall receive his own reward
according to his own labor
For we are laborers together with God
you are God’s husbandry
you are God’s building
Foundation of the church: Jesus Christverses 10-11
According to the grace of God which is given unto me
as a wise master builder – I have laid the foundation
and another builds thereon
but let every man take heed
how he builds thereupon
FOR other foundation can no man lay than that is laid
which is Jesus Christ
Christian works thrown into fireverses 12-15
NOW if any man builds upon this foundation
gold – silver – precious stones wood – hay – stubble
every man’s work shall be made manifest
for the day shall declare it
because it shall be revealed by fire
AND the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is
IF any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon
he shall receive a reward
IF any man’s works shall be burned – he shall suffer loss
BUT he himself shall be saved
YET so as by fire
Every Christian a temple of Holy Spiritverses 16-17
Know you not that you are the temple of God
and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
IF any man defile the temple of God – him shall God destroy
FOR the temple of God is HOLY
which temple you are
Wisdom of this world = foolishnessverses 18-20
Let no man deceive himself
IF any man among you seems to be wise in this world
let him become a fool – that he may be wise
FOR the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God
FOR it is written
He takes the wise in their own craftiness
AND again
The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise
that they are vain
Follow Christ aloneverses 21-23
THEREFORE let no man glory in men – FOR all things are yours
WHETHER Paul – or Apollos – or Cephas – or the world
or life – or death – or things present
or things to come
ALL are yours – AND you are Christ’s
AND Christ is God’s
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. (4152 “spiritual” [pneumatikos] means non-carnal, belonging to the Spirit, or a pattern of life controlled by the Spirit)
DEVOTION: There are two types of wisdom in our world. There is the wisdom of the world and there is the wisdom of God. All are born with the wisdom of this world. Only those who become followers of Christ have the wisdom of God. Our source of wisdom is the Holy Spirit living in us. HE gives us instructions as to what to do and say and believe while we are here on this earth.
There seems to be three types of believers addressed by Paul. There is those who are called baby Christians, who are new believers. Then there are those who are called carnal Christians, who have been saved a while but are not growing properly. The final group are those who are called spiritual, who are growing through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
This word, spiritual, is used fifteen times in this book of the Bible. We find in this verse the three states in which a Christian can find them self. We start out as babes in Christ. We can move on to become spiritual believers or we can allow the flesh to control us more than the Spirit and become carnal believers. Sad to say, that, most of the believers stay at the carnal stage in our relationship with God. HE wants us to be spiritual Christians who have a pattern of life controlled by HOLY SPIRIT.
Spiritual Christians are individuals who eat the meat of the Word of God. They have the wisdom of God controlling their life. Carnal Christians settle for milk. They have the wisdom of the world controlling their life.
Do we know the difference? Who’s leading your life? What does your daily diet consist of? Milk? or Meat? Remember that we are not to follow worldly wisdom which some in our world use to grow the church. Remember we are not to follow one teacher more than the LORD. There is a real temptation to become a follower of one Bible teacher and divide the work of God. The Corinthian Christians picked the one who baptized them to follow rather than looking to the LORD for guidance.
There is a difference between “I think” and “The Bible teaches.” “I think” is man’s wisdom. “The Bible teaches” is the wisdom of God. Rightly divide the Word of God and there will be growth.
CHALLENGE: We have too many carnal Christians running the churches of America and around this world.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 8 Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor. (2983 “reward” [lambano] means to get something or come into possession of, to receive, take hold of, obtain, to lay hands on, benefit for which the initiative rests with the giver, but the focus of attention in the transfer is upon the receiver, or get hold of)
DEVOTION: Each person is gifted in an area where he/she is to help the church move forward for the LORD. The gifts are given by the Holy Spirit that indwells each believer. Some have the gift of helps to make sure things are done to get everything ready for the worship service. Some are gifted in music to make sure the songs and hymns are sung to the glory of the LORD. Some are teachers who help prepare people of all ages to understand the Word of God, so that, they can apply it to their daily life. Some are in control of the sound systems in the church. Some are ushers who take the offering and help people find a seat. Each person is to be involved in helping the church move forward for the LORD.
All believers are to be encouraging those who are in church to serve the LORD. All believers are to be praying for the salvation of those in church. All believers are to be bring people in their world to church or witnessing to them about how to become a believer.
Rewards are passed out by Jesus Christ at the Judgment Seat of Christ that is convened after the church is taken up to heaven.
CHALLENGE: Each believer will stand before the LORD regarding their service to the LORD while on this earth. Each proper labor will be rewarded.
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. (4442 “fire” [pur] means cause discord, place of punishment, combustion of material, burning, or fiery)
DEVOTION: At the Judgment Seat of Christ we find that those who are believers will receive their rewards. All of the works by every believer will be placed in a burning flame to see if they were good works or not.
Another place describes this occasion as “every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” (2 Cor. 5: 10)
So here we find that our works can be either gold, silver, precious stones or wood, hay, stubble. We know which will burn in the flames. It will be the wood, hay, stubble. These are works that we do for our own glory and not for the glory of God.
The gold, silver and precious stones are works that are done to bring glory to God. They will go through the flames and come out the other side still shining.
Remember that motive is important when we are serving the LORD. There are times when our motive is wrong. It can be that we just don’t want to listen to the Holy Spirit regarding the help we give another Christian. We think it is wasting our time and sometime our money. We can quench the Holy Spirit’s work in our life by not doing what HE tells us to do on a certain occasion. We can quench HIS work in our life if we are not open to helping those who need our help. Quenching the Holy Spirit is just as much a sin as grieving the Holy Spirit by our outright sin.
God has given each believer a helper called the Holy Spirit to help them live their life in a way that is pleasing to the LORD. Too often I and every Christian do things that we know are wrong but we still do them. Too often we don’t do things that the LORD tells us to do because we want to please ourselves.
We are sometimes given hard assignments like Paul where we have to confront people who are not serving the LORD according to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
CHALLENGE: Know that we receive direction from the Holy Spirit regarding our works for the LORD. Listen to HIM every day
: 23 And you are Christ’s and Christ is God’s. (5547 “Christ” [Christos] means Messiah, the Son of God, Anointed one, a proper name of Jesus, or God’s special choice)
DEVOTION: Relationship is important. It is good to be related to someone who has resources available for you to tap into. Children like to go to their parents and ask them for money or food or for an activity to keep them busy. Many times they don’t want activities that involve work, but that is another story.
Paul is explaining that once we become a believer we are related to someone important. We belong to Jesus Christ. HE is our Savior and LORD. HE will answer our prayers. HE will bless us as we serve HIM.
But Paul wants to also have us realize that Christ belongs to God the Father. They are working in unison. They are working together to bless us. The Holy Spirit is involved in our actions, so that, they will please the other persons of the Godhead.
So once we belong to Jesus Christ we also belong to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Theologians call these three persons who are involved in our life the “Trinity.” They are working in us to give us the strength to face a world that wants us to serve their god the devil. It is a battle but we belong to the winning side!!!
CHALLENGE: What is our genuine relationship with Jesus Christ like today?
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
For it is writtenverses 19, 20
…Wise at their own … Job 5:13verse 19
…thought of the wise … Psalm 94:11verse 20
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Godverses 6, 7, 9, 10, 17, 19, 23
God gave increaseverses 6, 7
God’s husbandryverse 9
God’s buildingverse 9
Grace of Godverse 10
Temple of Godverse 17
Lordverse 20
Christ is God’sverse 23
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
Christverses 1, 11, 23
Lordverse 5
Foundation of salvationverses 11, 12
Jesus verse 11
Jesus Christverse 11
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Spirit of Godverse 16
Holy Spirit dwells within believersverse 16
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Walk as men (unsaved)verse 3
Every manverse 5
Wisdom of this worldverse 19
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Carnalverses 1, 3, 4
Envyingverse 3
Strifeverse 3
Divisionsverse 3
Walk as menverse 3
Build with wood, hay stubbleverse 12
Defile temple of Godverse 17
Deceive selfverse 18
Wisdom of this world: foolishnessverse 19
Craftinessverse 19
Vain thoughtsverse 20
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Spiritualverse 1
Babiesverse 1
Fed with milkverse 2
Meatverse 2
Believedverse 5
Rewardverses 8, 14
Laborverse 8
Laborers together with Godverse 9
Graceverse 10
Build with gold, silver, precious stonesverse 12
Workverse 13
Savedverse 15
Temple of Godverses 16, 17
Holy Spirit dwells withinverse 16
Holyverse 17
Believers are Christ’sverse 23
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Brethrenverse 1
Types of believers:
Spiritualverse 1 = meat
Carnalverse 1
Babesverse 1 = milk
Paulverses 4-6, 9, 10, 22
Laborers together with God
Wise masterbuilder
Apollosverses 4-6, 22
Ministersverse 5
One plantsverses 6, 7
One watersverses 6, 7
God gives increaseverses 6, 7
Labors togetherverse 9
Foundation of the church: Jesus Christverse 11
Temple of Godverse 16
Cephas (Peter)verse 22
Last Things (Future Events)
Fire reveals worksverse 13
Works burnedverse 15
Saved yet so as by fireverse 15
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QUOTES regarding passage
12–15 Instead of talking about the details of the building itself, Paul turns his attention to the kind of materials Christian workers are using: the materials of preaching the cross for the salvation, building up believers (cf. 1:18), and living a Christian life that is commensurate with that preaching (2:2–4). The purity and depth of such Christian teaching and a life corresponding to it are crucial, for that kind of building material will stand the test of fire on the day of the Lord’s judgment.
Since valuable metals and precious stones (cf. Rev 21:18–21) were used to adorn ancient temples, Paul could have taken his imagery from Herod’s temple in Jerusalem (Matt 24:1, 2) or from the beautiful public and religious buildings in Athens (Acts 17:23) and Corinth (where the remains of the sixth century B.C. temple of Apollo still stands today). Such imagery would be sufficient to convey the thought of pure doctrine. The frames of ordinary houses and buildings were built of wood; hay or dried-grass, mixed with mud, was used for the walls; and roofs were thatched with straw or stalks. So the kind of insipid teaching and life represented by these lesser things will also have to face the test of the pure fire of God’s justice and judgment, when it will be consumed.
The “day” is not a day of calamity or hardship brought by man, but rather “the day of the Lord” (1 Thess 5:2–9), the day of the second coming of Christ (cf. 2 Thess 2:2). The “quality” (v. 13) is to be equated with the kinds of materials of doctrine and life that are used. The fire is the fire of God’s judgment. Fire in the Scripture is used figuratively in two ways: as a purifying agent (Matt 3:11; Mark 9:49); and as that which consumes (Matt 3:12; 2 Thess 1:7, 8; Heb 12:29). So it is a fitting symbol here for God’s judgment, as he tests the quality of the Christian’s work.
Those Christians whose works stand the test of fire (v. 14; cf. 1 Peter 1:7) will be rewarded (cf. Matt 25:14–30; Luke 19:11–27). Those whose works are consumed by the fire will themselves escape the flames (as if they were to jump out of the burning wooden structure they had built) and will be saved alone, without any works of praise to present to Christ. (Mare, W. H. (1976). 1 Corinthians. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Romans through Galatians (Vol. 10, pp. 207–208). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
Shall be burned (κατακαησεται [katakaēsetai]). First-class condition again, assumed as true. Second future (late form) passive indicative of κατακαιω [katakaiō], to burn down, old verb. Note perfective use of preposition κατα [kata], shall be burned down. We usually say “burned up,” and that is true also, burned up in smoke. He shall suffer loss (ζημιωθησεται [zēmiōthēsetai]). First future passive indicative of ζημιω [zēmiō], old verb from ζημια [zēmia] (damage, loss), to suffer loss. In Matt. 16:26=Mark 8:36=Luke 9:25 the loss is stated to be the man’s soul (ψυχην [psuchēn]) or eternal life. But here there is no such total loss as that. The man’s work (ἐργον [ergon]) is burned up (sermons, lectures, books, teaching, all dry as dust). But he himself shall be saved (αὐτος δε σωθησεται [autos de sōthēsetai]). Eternal salvation, but not by purgatory. His work is burned up completely and hopelessly, but he himself escapes destruction because he is really a saved man a real believer in Christ. Yet so as through fire (οὑτως δε ὡς δια πυρος [houtōs de hōs dia puros]). Clearly Paul means with his work burned down (verse 15). It is the tragedy of a fruitless life, of a minister who built so poorly on the true foundation that his work went up in smoke. His sermons were empty froth or windy words without edifying or building power. They left no mark in the lives of the hearers. It is the picture of a wasted life. The one who enters heaven by grace, as we all do who are saved, yet who brings no sheaves with him. There is no garnered grain the result of his labours in the harvest field. There are no souls in heaven as the result of his toil for Christ, no enrichment of character, no growth in grace. (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (1 Co 3:15). Nashville, TN: Broadman Press.)
3:14–15. The image of fire associated with the coming of Christ is used elsewhere in the New Testament (2 Thes. 1:7; Rev. 18:8). What the reward for the expert builder consists of was not detailed, though praise (1 Cor. 4:5) is certainly a part. The inept builder will see the loss of his labor, but he himself will be saved, like a burning stick snatched from a fire (Amos 4:11; Jude 23). Before such judgment the various materials may coexist and appear indistinguishable (cf. Matt. 13:30). (Lowery, D. K. (1985). 1 Corinthians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 512). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Ver. 15. If any man’s work shall be burnt, &c.] If any minister’s doctrine he has preached shall be destroyed and disappear, shall be disapproved of, and rejected by the churches, not being able to bear the light and heat of the fire of God’s word: he shall suffer loss; of all his labour and pains he has been at, in collecting together such trifling, useless, and inconsistent things; and of all that glory and popular applause he might expect from men, on account of them, and which was the snare that drew him into such a way of preaching: but he himself shall be saved; with an everlasting salvation; not by his ministerial labours, much less by his wood, hay, and stubble, which will be all burnt up; but through his being, not withstanding, all the imperfections of his ministry, upon the foundation Christ: yet so as by fire; with much difficulty, and will be scarcely saved; see 1 Pet. 4:17, 18; Zech. 13:9 with great danger, loss, and shame; as a man that is burnt out of house and home, he escapes himself with his own life, but loses all about him: so the Syriac version reads it, איך דמן נורא, as out of the fire; see Zech. 3:2; Jude 23. Or the sense is, that he shall be tried by the fire of the word, and convinced by the light of it of the errors, irregularities, and inconsistencies of his ministry; either in his time of life and health, or on a death-bed; and shall have all his wood, hay, and stubble burnt up, for nothing of this kind shall he carry with him in his judgment to heaven; only the gold, silver, and precious stones; and will find that the latter doctrines, and not the former, will only support him in the views of death and eternity. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 2, pp. 617–618). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
15.] if any man’s work shall be burnt up (i.e. consist of such materials as the fire will destroy: Stanley adds, “It is possible that this whole image, as addressed to the Corinthians, may have been suggested, or at least illustrated, by the conflagration of Corinth under Mummius: the stately temples (one of them remaining to this day) left standing amidst the universal crash and destruction of the meaner buildings”), he shall [suffer loss (literally,) be mulcted. ζημιωθ., scil. τὸν μισθόν, see ref. Matt., and Herod. vii. 39, τοῦ δὲ ἑνός, τοῦ περιέχεαι μάλιστα, τὴν ψυχὴν ζημιώσεαι, and Plato, Legg., vi. p. 774, εἰς μὲν οὖν χρήματα ὁ μὴ θέλων γαμεῖν τοσαῦτα ζημιούσθω): but he himself shall be saved (having held, and built on, the true foundation Jesus Christ, he shall not be excluded from that salvation which is the free gift of God to all who believe on Christ, but shall get no especial reward as a faithful and effectual teacher. Cf. 2 John 8, βλέπετε ἑαυτούς, ἵνα μὴ ἀπολέσητε ἃ εἰργασάμεθα, ἀλλὰ μισθὸνπλήρη ἀπολάβητε. Meyer remarks, that our Lord hints at such persons under the name of ἔσχατοι, Matt. 20:16; Mark 10:31), but so, as through fire:—i.e. as a builder whose building was consumed would escape with personal safety, but with the loss of his work. (Alford, H. (1976). Alford’s Greek Testament: an exegetical and critical commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 494–495). Grand Rapids, MI: Guardian Press.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
Finally, our appreciation of the ways in which we are like God can be enhanced by the realization that, unlike the rest of God’s creation, we have an ability to grow to become more like God throughout our lives. Our moral sense can be more highly developed through study of Scripture and prayer. Our moral behavior can reflect more and more the holiness of God (2Cor. 7:1; I Peter 1: 16, et al.). Our spiritual life can be enriched and deepened. Our use of reason and language can become more accurate and truthful and more honoring to God. Our sense of the future can become intensified as we grow in our hope of living with God forever. Our future existence can be enriched as we lay up treasures in heaven and seek for increased heavenly reward (see Matt. 6: 19-21; I Cor. 3: 10- 15; 2 Cor. 5: 10). Our ability to rule over the creation can be extended by faithful use of the gifts God has given us; our faithfulness to the God-given purposes for our creation as men and women can be increased as we follow biblical principles in our families; our creativity can be employed in ways that are more and more pleasing to God; our emotions can be more and more conformed to the pattern of Scripture so that we become more like David, a man after God’s own heart (I Sam. 13:14). Our interpersonal harmony in our families and in the church can reflect more and more the unity that exists among the persons in the Trinity. As we consciously seek to grow into greater likeness to God in all these areas, we also demonstrate an ability that itself sets us apart from the rest of creation. (p. 449, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem)
He made various attempts to study the Bible in spots. But he soon discovered that he could not understand the New Testament until he had studied the Old. Indeed, looking back to-day over his lifetime experience in Bible study, he says emphatically that there are not two best ways of studying anything, and there is only one best way to study the Bible: the way it is recorded. The way in which the Holy Spirit decided to record the facts that are brought together in the Bible was, first, by assembling in historical order the books of the Old Testament. (Trumbull, C. G. (1920). The Life Story of C. I. Scofield (pp. 56–57). New York; London; Toronto; Melbourne; Bombay: Oxford University Press.)
And he did. He did not give up studying the New Testament in the meantime,—his soul-winning work compelled its use; but he did not patch up merely bits here and there and call it Bible study, as so many of us do. He went laboriously, thoroughly, painstakingly, tediously on with his work of finding out what God really had to say in His Word. “My method of work, you see,” says Dr. Scofield in an apologetic way, “is not what would be called rapid; it cannot be made rapid.” Come to think of it, just what workers in this world who have put their generations under heavy debt for their life-work, whether in the field of science, or invention, or literature, or art, have been rapid workers! The very idea of rapidity seems to exclude permanent, time-defying results. God is not in a hurry; why should we be? (Trumbull, C. G. (1920). The Life Story of C. I. Scofield (pp. 58–59). New York; London; Toronto; Melbourne; Bombay: Oxford University Press.)
Not only did his ingrained habits of study force him to treat the Bible in this way, but he felt also that it was only reverent to study the Bible thoroughly. He felt that God’s Word deserved it. He felt that there was no excuse for not studying the Bible in the most thorough way possible. It is not a big book; he had given far more time already to the study of other books infinitely less worth while, valuable though they had been. Does it not seem strange that these self-evident facts, known in theory to all of us, have not driven more of us to the sort of Bible study which the young converted lawyer felt he must have? (Trumbull, C. G. (1920). The Life Story of C. I. Scofield (pp. 59–60). New York; London; Toronto; Melbourne; Bombay: Oxford University Press.)
Exodus 3
God calls Moses to bring the children of Israel out of Egypt.
INSIGHT
The wisdom of Egypt was not adequate to equip Moses to serve God, so God took him out of the limelight — into solitude and obscurity. There Moses met God and learned to walk with Him.
The pattern was the same for many of God’s servants: Joseph, David, Daniel, Paul, and John. Occasionally it will appear as though we have been set aside. Properly used, that time will equip the Lord’s servant for the next level of ministry.
Be faithful. Without deserts, there are no deliverers. (Quiet Walk)
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IS SANCTIFICATION AN EXPERIENCE?
We all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Is sanctification an experience? There are large numbers of stories about people who have had marvelous experiences, of people, for example, who had a bad temper or something like that. I accept the experiences without any hesitation at all. Thank God, I am able to testify to some such experiences in my own life. So what of them? Well, here is my answer. First and foremost, there is no evidence at all in the New Testament that this kind of experience means sanctification. It may be a part of sanctification, it may greatly aid sanctification, but it is not sanctification in and of itself. We must not base our doctrine on experiences but on the teaching of the Word of God.
The teaching of the Scripture is that “We all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Sanctification is a growth, a development; it is a going forward. But it seems to me that the main trouble with this teaching about experience is that it confuses two things that are different, and the two things are these various experiences that we get in the Christian life and the grace of God in sanctification.
Sanctification is not an experience—it is a condition. It is my relationship to God: I am “changed into the same image [of Jesus Christ] from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Sanctification involves experiences and is helped by them, but in itself it is not an experience. Sanctification is that process of growth and development that starts the moment we are saved, the moment we are justified, the moment we are regenerated. The experiences are not the process of growth, but they do help and stimulate it.
A Thought to Ponder: We must not base our doctrine on experiences but on the teaching of the Word of God.
(From God the Holy Spirit, pp. 216-218, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones).
The New Birth
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18)
The term “born again” has come into wide use—too wide and popular, in fact, for many who use it have little comprehension of its meaning. First of all, there can be no real Christian who is not a “born-again Christian.” Jesus said: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. . . . Ye must be born again” (John 3:3, 7).
The Creator of the new birth is the Creator of the universe, as the text declares. He begat us as a kind of first fruits of His creatures. The new birth is not a new leaf, or a new morality, but a new creation! “Except a man be born of . . . the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
The miracle is accomplished through faith in Christ, believing the record of His saving work, as revealed by the Scriptures. “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God” (1 John 5:1). “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever” (1 Peter 1:23).
Those who are truly born again will inevitably exhibit the characteristics of a spiritual birth, just as those who are born physically exhibit signs of physical life. As one characteristic of the new birth, “whosoever is born of God doth not commit [i.e., ‘practice’] sin” (1 John 3:9). Another sign is that of true Christian love, for “every one that loveth is born of God” (1 John 4:7). Furthermore, “whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
The new birth is not a religious cliché but a miracle generating everlasting life. “According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” (Titus 3:5). (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)
Back in December, conservative voices on Twitter had a heated debate over whether or not the government should get involved in the fight against pornography—particularly because of how it impacts our kids.
Writers like Catholic Matt Walsh at the Daily Wire made the case that porn is no longer an issue of private morality, if it ever was. Today, porn is a public health crisis. Mountains of evidence reveal not only its addictive power but also its devastating consequences for women and children. Walsh argued that free market solutions have been exhausted, and so banning pornography and prosecuting those who distribute it is the only way to contain this scourge on our families and our society. Others argued for at least increased governmental regulation.
Some libertarians pushed back, insisting that although porn is harmful, the government should not regulate what consenting adults look at on their computers or phones. As one commentator memorably put it, “Social conservatives need to realize that we can handle pornography…without turning America into a Christian version of Saudi Arabia.”
Really, how’s handling it going so far? As much as that comment makes me want to scream, at least a long overdue debate is happening. So, let’s have it.
First, the idea that the government addressing something so dangerous to the public, especially to children, is somehow akin to theocratic tyranny is, to put it mildly, ridiculous. Even us limited government folks think government has a role to protect citizens. This clearly falls into that category.
Second, the idea that pornography falls under free speech protections is also ridiculous. It’s a stretch to consider the selling of digital flesh as a political or artistic endeavor worthy of protection, but the dissemination of the depraved abuse of real live human beings, which is what so much porn is today? No way.
Third, bondage to pornography isn’t an expression of freedom, especially when victims are children. Porn is predatory. Because it is unregulated, it assaults citizens not looking for it. Even worse, kids are being targeted at shockingly early ages. Studies say the average age of first exposure is eleven. For many, it’s as young as five.
That’s why I was so grateful to learn of a letter by Princeton University’s Robert George, considered to be one of America’s foremost conservative intellectuals, to U.S. Attorney General William Barr, pleading with him to take action against Internet pornography.
Dr. George was a close friend to Chuck Colson and the recipient of the 2015 William Wilberforce Award. In his letter to Barr, excerpted at the Daily Wire, George points out that laws already on the books forbid the distribution of “obscenity,” especially to minors.
If there’s any question whether or not modern-day porn counts as “obscenity,” let’s just say that the days of “Playboy” magazines at gas stations are long gone. George unflinchingly describes the dark, depraved world of increasingly brutal, abusive, and twisted content, bluntly concluding: “A 13-year-old with a smartphone now has unlimited access to his own personal theatre of sexual horrors.”
Because so-called “adult” entertainment targets those who aren’t adults, Dr. George believes existing laws can at least curb this madness. Still, as he described in an interview with me that you can hear on a recent BreakPoint podcast episode, it’s only a start. Much more is required.
In the letter, Dr. George asked Attorney General Barr to clarify what types of pornography fall under the legal definition of “obscenity,” and what his Department of Justice is doing to prosecute violators.
Thankfully, this request is not likely to fall on deaf ears, as it probably would have under previous administrations. Attorney General Barr is a devout Catholic and an outspoken critic of the secular view of freedom. In fact, in a tremendous speech on religious liberty at Notre Dame Law School, Barr condemned the “unbridled pursuit of personal appetites at the expense of the common good.”
I’m eager to hear Barr’s response. If any U.S. Attorney General in my lifetime thus far is likely to do something about the porn epidemic, it’s him. And if anyone is likely to get a reply to a request, it’s Dr. George.
In our interview on the BreakPoint Podcast, Dr. Robert George passionately describes why he wrote the letter to the Attorney General, the possibility of existing laws curbing this epidemic, and how you can stand with him in fighting an evil that enslaves millions and actively preys on children.
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