Victory Blog

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”¹
Copied:  Differences remain noticeable between fundamentalists and conservative evangelicals.  There is a difference, but is the difference really sufficient to separate conservative evangelicals from fundamentalists?  To answer that question, let me report three episodes.
Episode one occurs in a doctoral classroom of a major evangelical seminary.  The professor has just been asked whether he is willing to restrict his liberty for the sake of those who believe that consuming alcohol is a sin.  He replies, “I won’t choose to drink around people if I know that it makes them uncomfortable, but if they tell me that I can’t, I’ll drink a glass of port in front of them just to show them that I can do it.  And of course, in Europe, all bets are off.”
Episode two occurs in an outdoor restaurant.  Several evangelical theologians are seated at a table.  They order drinks before their meal.  Then they order some more.  After their meal is served, they order still more drinks.  They are growing raucous enough that other diners are beginning to glance over their shoulders.  One of the theologians slurs out, “Say—how do we know when we’ve gone from drinking in moderation to being drunk?”  Another makes reference to the teaching of an obscure catechism and explains that you aren’t drunk if you don’t vomit within twenty-four hours.  The only one who doesn’t drink is chosen as the designated driver.
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1. Gal 5:1 [↩]

“If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed”¹

Individually and collectively, we all appreciate our liberty.  As a nation, we probably have enjoyed true freedom more than any other nation in history.  In the political realm, many consider that some of our liberties are being taken from us.  We react because we feel we have a “right” to liberties guaranteed in our constitution.  When we get acquainted with other religions of the world, we realize that Christians enjoy a freedom which others do not have.  At this time of year, we emphasize our record for upholding freedom, thanking God for what He has permitted for us as individuals and as a nation.

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1. John 8:36 [↩]

“You desire and do not have, so you murder”¹

It sounds a bit oxymoronic (is that a word?), but strong-willed children are actually weak-willed.  There’s a well-known parenting book on the subject that I think gets it wrong.  Children throw tantrums and beat their heads on the floor and scream because they have no control over themselves.  They don’t have the emotional strength to handle not getting their way.  James mentions adults with the same deficit — only instead of throwing tantrums, they murder.

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1. James 4:2 [↩]

“To him that works not but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”¹

A word study today, of an English word (impute), that should help us better understand important truths in the Word of God.  A K J concordance lists the word as occurring 14 times in Scripture.  A dictionary indicates ‘to impute’ is to attribute or ascribe (speak or label) some quality or action of a person.  Colloquially, it is often attributing something discreditable to a person (calling one a thief, a robber, a liar, etc.).  In Scripture, it is more often declaring that some good quality has been seen or asserted.

The declaration thus may be personal or the act of a court of law.  Imputation does not create anything or change anything;  it is used to label correctly (or incorrectly) something about someone.  After hearing the evidence, a judge may pronounce (impute) a man guilty or not guilty.  The fact of guilt or innocence preceded;  this is a judicial declaration of the decision of the law concerning what the man did.  If found guilty, a sentence may follow.  The word “impute” applies only to the evaluation/declaration.  He had been guilty (or not) in fact;  when the judge announces the decision of the court, he is treated as guilty.

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1. Rom 4:4 [↩]

“God be thanked that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that doctrine which was delivered to you.”¹

My car just passed 30,000 miles on the road, most of it city driving.  On the open highway, I have had it up to 70 a few times.  So far as I know, it may have the power potential of 120, but I don’t aim to find out.  My cogitations today are on power potential, particularly on the power potential indicated in our special Spirit immersion (Spirit baptism is more common, but misleading).  The passage stressing that power potential is Romans chapter six.  The illustration / comparison I’m developing is my own, not expressed in Scripture.  What I’m trying to stress is Scriptural, and, I think, an important key to successful Christian living.

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1. Rom 6:17 [↩]

“Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.”¹

Who was it that decided that certain Old Testament passages referred to the coming Messiah?  Was that known from the beginning, or proposed later?  What “scholars” in the O T period had such insight or such authority?  Who “found” additional likenesses during the public ministry of Jesus which should be added to the list?  Or, to put the question better, did men or God formulate those many predictions which are indicated as fulfilled in the New Testament?  If God incorporated these various predictions in His Word, did they mean one thing to people, say of David’s day, and something different when considered as applying to the coming Messiah?  Our answer comes from theology.  The Word of God was set in heaven.  God eternally planned that which would meet man’s need.  God inspired every word of every prophet.  God does not deliberately deceive.  He does not say one thing but really “mean” another.  Nor did He clearly reveal that something has a greater meaning than appears on the surface.

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1. Matt 1:22-23 [↩]