Paul's Passing Thoughts

I rejoice in the freedom we have in Christ. Not freedom from his law, but the freedom we enjoy by following his law and applying it to our lives. And by the way, I hate the term “Ten Commandments,” as if Exodus Twenty represents some kind of theological dichotomy in God’s word. ALL of Scripture is the “perfect law of liberty.” It’s all the law. We live by “EVERY word that comes from the mouth of God.” Paul told Timothy that ALL Scripture was profitable for instruction etc. Paul didn’t list separate uses / purposes for the Old Testament and New; so both Testaments serve the same purpose for each category Paul presented to Timothy—both are equal for edification that the man of God will be “fully equipped.”

Everywhere I look, I see Christians in darkness because they follow the lamps of other people. Our own lamps lit by the Holy Spirit determine who we should follow. The mighty apostle said, “Follow me AS I follow Christ.” Our own illumination via the Holy Spirit determines whether they are followers of Christ or not—NOT them!

All of my AC life I have been taught that eschatology is a “secondary issue.” But according to Matthew 4:4, there are no secondary issues; therefore, eschatology is twenty-five percent of our spiritual diet. How can a proper knowledge of eschatology applied to life make me a better Christian? How can it equip me to better serve Christ? How can I use this knowledge to adorn the gospel?

That’s what really matters—not the fact that I am a dyed in the wool pre-everything. I wonder: how many Christians are pre-everything because John MacArthur is? Though I am comfortable with my ability to defend PE, there are cracks in the dam. I think Christ says what he means and means what he says. I think the goal of the one who created communication is to be clear about what he says. He doesn’t want confusion. So, in regard to all of the events he spoke of in the Olivet Discourse, he said the present generation he was speaking to would not pass away till all of those events took place—for me, that’s a huge problem, though everything else seems to fit. I don’t like loose ends.

Ok, but if I am going to listen to another perspective, it’s not going to be from an a-mil hack; and remember, the goal is to discover eschatology’s role in helping us CHANGE. Well then, who better than Jay Adams? I have started reading his book, “The Time is at Hand.” I found his initial arguments interesting, but they did not make me fear that change was ahead. However, his arguments in chapter three concerning duplication are compelling, and have caused me to let my guard down for the rest of the book. Never the less, it’s still going to be a hard sell.

I look forward to the adventure ahead and pray that the Spirit will show me the importance of eschatology in change: “Those who have this hope purify themselves.” Also, I’m sure the old warhorse would love to have another notch on his belt—we will have to see.

paul