Our two choices this election?

There is more fear in this election then I have seen in my short lifetime.  Even among believers who should be trusting God, as we (should) know he has the situation well in hand. 

The rationale for voting for the lesser of two evils to try and control what takes place seems a lot like the ends justifies the means which as most who read this blog would agree (I think) is very unbiblical. 

If someone tells you to kill someone or they will kill 3 people, are we justified in murdering an innocent to possibly save three?  What about to save 5, 10, a million?  What about nuking Iran to possibly prevent them from attacking Isreal?  What about killing an innocent pregnant woman who is about to scream and prevent a special forces team from taking out a terrorist? 

Tough situations, I agree, but the Bible seems to tell me that I am to do good, and to trust the results to be in God's hands.  This would seem to mean that the ends cannot justify the means, because I can't control the end, only the means.

Ok, back to the election.  If this is true, then I should vote for the best man for the job based on my knowledge, regardless of what I think the end should be.  I am responsible for my actions, not the actions of others. I do not know God's plans, but I know he loves me and wants what is best for me.. and he knows more then me.  That means, that I should vote for the man I am convinced is the best whether Romney, Johnson, Obama or Goode.. or even that Jill character.

Lastly, as this is not an eternal issue, do not part friendship over this.  Debate, argue if you can do it and still break bread, but don't break fellowship with our eternal family.  

I would love to see what people have to say about this. 

I would love to discuss people opinions on this.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2012/julyweb-only/alan-chambers-accused-of-antinomian-theology.html

Note the way Gagon misrepresents what Chambers is saying. 

Part 2 of The Preeminince of Christ

The following study of Colossians 1:15-16 was originally part of my March letter. It was on the

 hard copies mailed but not apparently on my emailed version. So Here is the brief study you missed:

1:15: "He is the image of the invisible God" image (eikon) means all three of these concepts together

- similarity, representation and manifestation. In other word Christ is the same nature & essence as the

Father, is the physical representation of the Father and physical manifestation of the Father. He is then

one of the same kind, as the Father, the visible revelation of the invisible God. (John 1:14, 18; 14:7,9).

"the firstborn over all creation" Firstborn can mean priority in time, first in a sequence or supremacy

in rank. The context determines which meaning is being used. It is used in Luke 2:7 regarding Christ's

birth by the Holy Spirit and Mary as the first in a sequence. The context rules that meaning out in

Colossians. It cannot merely mean the first of a series because of the preceding phrase showing Him

to be of the same essence as the Father. It is illegitimate to pry this phrase out of its in-context to claim

that Jesus was the first created being as the cults do. "first born over all creation" also indicates this

cannot be referring to his incarnation. Here it refers to His preeminence, priority or significance. A

similar usage is in Psalm 89:27 where God says of David "I will appoint him my firstborn, the most

exalted of the kings of the earth." David was not the first king even of Israel but he was the most

prominent and significant in terms of God's purposes. It is used in that same sense here of Christ.

The phrase is saying Christ existed prior to all of creation, and is supreme over all that has been

created for He created it. "For by Him all things were created in the heavens and on earth..." the

T the verse continues that nothing is excluded, no exceptions in any realm. He is the Creator God (Jn 1:1-3)

The Preeminince of Christ

So as to remove all doubt as to who Jesus Christ is and His complete equality with the Father,

Paul in this next section 1:15-20 presents very specific evidence that Jesus is absolutely equal with God the Father. Despite this very clear teaching as to His essence and nature as God, Arius of Alexandria, in the early 4^th century taught that Jesus was the first of all created being and superior to all else created but not eternal, not of the divine essence and nature of the Father.

This heretical theory was refuted in 325 at the Council of Nicea. The Council did not elevate Jesus to divinity but reiterated the biblical orthodox view that had been held from the beginning of the scriptures and the church. The heresy was reintroduced by Socinus during the Reformation and into America by William Channing and others. It is a basic teaching of the Mormons, JW's and other cults and heresies today.

In the first century this passage, as well as the above verses, would have also shown that Caesar's claims to be Lord and divine were ridiculous. He could not be compared to Jesus. He was a fraud and so was the false limited Christ presented by the false teachers then and today.

Gerald Tilley

Do you choose to believe?

If you say Yes, please give me an example of something. If you say no, why not?

Food for thought. Rom 4:20 Heb 11:11,13 Acts 27:25

Mitt Romney as president?

Since the Mormon Church believes it has a living prophet "who is not limited by men's reasoning" and can receive revelation from God on any subject and involve himself in civic matters, I believe a fair question, to be asked respectfully of Governor Romney is "Given that the president of your church is considered a "prophet , seer, and revelator" and the living mouthpiece of God on earth, if you faced an important decision as president of the United States and received a personal phone call from the prophet saying that God was instructing to you take a certain course of action, would you be obligated to obey? Why or why not?" Is this not a fair question?

Wow, Texas BBQ is incredible. Our family is adjusting well, and our home is close to being done. Here is the latest update from my Dad with a short but important study on the book of Colossians. More evidence that you cannot lose eternal life.

Partners in International Ministry, September-November 2011 Dear Partners, For several years I have been working on a commentary on the book of Colossians. I have also taught the entire book as well as sections of it on several occasions. There are many verses that have impacted me greatly. One such verse is 1:13 where speaking of God, Paul states " for He delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son." “delivered”=rhuomai, to draw to oneself. We were not merely rescued, emancipated, and conveyed from one destiny to another but these things were the result of the Father drawing us to Himself. He did for us that which we were incapable of doing. This is not a gradual deliverance nor a future one. The verb tense shows this was accomplished, completed in the past, which was at the cross when he achieved deliverance for all, and specifically for each one of us at the time of our individual salvation when we responded to the gospel. Like slaves, we were freed, released from the authority and controlling power that was previously over us. We had to have divine intervention to escape from this bondage which held us. To be delivered is to be free of the authority, and power of that domain which once controlled our lives and our destiny. Because of God's action we are presently citizens of a new kingdom and under the authority and power of the rightful king with a completely changed destiny. “transferred us” methistemi, to change, pervert. Our status and future was dramatically altered, the evil purposes of darkness were perverted so they have no more authority over us. This too refers to an event that happened at salvation. This concept was used in the first century of deposing a king, firing a worker, executing someone or removing a defeated population from their previous location to the victorious nation, which is the specific idea here. Each usage referred to someone’s situation, their life and future being significantly and permanently altered. Our life and destiny were significantly and permanently altered by God from that of a hopeless and helpless slave of the realm of darkness to the glorious future inheritance of the saints in light because God has delivered us from that prior status through the work of His Son. The end of the Fall semester at Cerritos College is quickly approaching. I have just begun to make some tentative contacts for the May-June 2012 ministry expedition. I already have definite invitations to return to Belgium and to a new city in the Ukraine. I have also contacted ministries in Spain, Portugal, France and Germany. Soon I plan to contact other locations where I have previously been involved. I am also open to God leading me to new situations and locations if that is His plan. * Please pray with me the I will know which invitations are the essential ones to pursue. * Pray with me that God will again work out the schedule that s according to his plans. * Please also pray that Nancy will be up to joining me for part of the mission. Your gifts are tax deductible as long as you use only the name of the Mission on the check. Please send donations to: Partners in International Ministry, 1218 E. First St., Tustin, CA 92780 Thanks for continuing to partner with me, Gerald