Before I begin this post, I want to make it clear that a person's salvation is not based on their good works or on obeying the Ten Commandments, etc. God's law (the Ten Commandments) was given to show us that we all are sinners - deserving of God's wrath and judgment because of our sin and rebellion against Him.
As Christians who have repented of our sin and given our lives over to the lordship and control of Jesus Christ, we now obey the Ten Commandments as well as other commandments given in the Bible because of our love for Him and for the suffering, punishment, and death He took in our place on the cross. It is now our life's purpose to live our lives to bring glory to God.
However, if as New Testament Christians we say we no longer have to obey God's commands (which is lawless grace, by the way!) - then what is left? Christian Humanism! We are now people who say we are Christians, BUT we live for ourselves and what makes us happy! If it doesn't make ME happy or it interferes with MY life and the plans I have made for MY life - then I just don't have to obey what God is telling ME to do. Christian Humanism!
Let's take God's fourth commandment for example in Exodus 20:8-10: "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work...." Here God says, "Don't forget the Sabbath day. Don't forget to keep it holy (set apart from the rest of the world)."
Every Sabbath day (Saturday) we drive to church, we pass churches that are closed. Why? They have chosen to forget God's holy day, the Sabbath! Christians have chosen instead to work on that day or to make others work on that day by going to malls, restaurants, ball games, etc. etc. If you read the rest of Exodus 20:10 it says we are not to make anyone else work on that day as well.
So how does Humanism fit into all of this? Christians today are choosing to make themselves happy instead of making God happy. It's when "my happiness is more important than God's happiness". When we make God the means to our happiness instead of making Him the end, we are practicing Humanism. Somehow our happiness becomes more important to us than our holiness and obedience before God.
As one of the old ministers on the Revival Hymn said, "It's not what you are going to get out of God - it's what He is going to get out of you"! As Christians, our only reason for being is the glory of God!
Monday, September 17, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
What is Christian Humanism?
What is "Christian Humanism"? Actually, the term "Christian Humanism" is an oxymoron. Humanism believes that "the chief end of man is happiness". Christianity believes that "the chief end of man is to glorify God forever in Christ Jesus". These two are basically polar opposites. Christians as well as churches are being deceived into accepting this belief system called Humanism.
One of my favorite Christian programs to watch is Manna Fest with Perry Stone. Last night his topic was, "Tapping into the Blessing Cycle". His guest speaker was Walter Hallam. Mr. Hallam began his presentation by stating, "Every man of God was born for success." Excuse me, Mr. Hallam. Did I hear you right? Let's look at what he said with the definition of Humanism in mind. My paraphrase of what Mr. Hallam said might go something like this: "Every man of God was born for happiness." Hmmmm.
That sure sounds like Humanism to me.
"Christian Humanism" desires to make God the means to our happiness instead of making God the end . Our purpose in life is not so we can be "happy" or successful. Our only reason for being is for the glory of God in Christ Jesus! That is the chief end of all mankind.
There's a reason this generation is called "The Me Generation". Young and old alike have fallen for the very first lie in the Bible. God had told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. Satan came along and told Eve in Genesis 3:4&5 that they would not die but that "... you will be like God"! Wow! Wouldn't that make you "happy" - to be like God?? What's sad is that Christians, and even our pastors are falling for this lie of making the goal of your life "happiness" instead of "bringing glory to God".
One of my favorite videos is called "Revival Hymn". It's 35 minutes long, but will turn your life around if you let it! One of the prayers recorded in it goes like this:
"Lord Jesus, I'm gonna obey You and love You and serve You and do what You want me to do as long as I live even if I go to Hell at the end of the road simply because You are worthy to be loved, obeyed and served!"
My next post will take a look at how "lawless grace" and "humanism" are tied together. For now, take a few minutes to enjoy the video. God bless!
One of my favorite Christian programs to watch is Manna Fest with Perry Stone. Last night his topic was, "Tapping into the Blessing Cycle". His guest speaker was Walter Hallam. Mr. Hallam began his presentation by stating, "Every man of God was born for success." Excuse me, Mr. Hallam. Did I hear you right? Let's look at what he said with the definition of Humanism in mind. My paraphrase of what Mr. Hallam said might go something like this: "Every man of God was born for happiness." Hmmmm.
That sure sounds like Humanism to me.
"Christian Humanism" desires to make God the means to our happiness instead of making God the end . Our purpose in life is not so we can be "happy" or successful. Our only reason for being is for the glory of God in Christ Jesus! That is the chief end of all mankind.
There's a reason this generation is called "The Me Generation". Young and old alike have fallen for the very first lie in the Bible. God had told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree in the middle of the garden. Satan came along and told Eve in Genesis 3:4&5 that they would not die but that "... you will be like God"! Wow! Wouldn't that make you "happy" - to be like God?? What's sad is that Christians, and even our pastors are falling for this lie of making the goal of your life "happiness" instead of "bringing glory to God".
One of my favorite videos is called "Revival Hymn". It's 35 minutes long, but will turn your life around if you let it! One of the prayers recorded in it goes like this:
"Lord Jesus, I'm gonna obey You and love You and serve You and do what You want me to do as long as I live even if I go to Hell at the end of the road simply because You are worthy to be loved, obeyed and served!"
My next post will take a look at how "lawless grace" and "humanism" are tied together. For now, take a few minutes to enjoy the video. God bless!
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