Bible Questions and Answers is Pastor Huebscher's weekly column. It appears every Thursday in Stillwater's local newspaper
She continues: "Yesterday, I received a bill from Sears in New York City for nearly $3,000; today I received a bill from Macy's in New York City for nearly $3,000. I wonder what is next. How can people be so wicked?" This type of thing is becoming more frequent in our world today. Why? Are people more wicked today than in the days after Adam's sin? People have a sinful nature that goes all the way back to Adam. In Genesis 2:16-17 we read "And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shalt not eat of it for in the day that you eat thereof you shalt surely die." Genesis 3:6 reads: "And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, (the lust of the flesh) and that it was pleasant to the eyes, (lust of the eyes) and a tree to be desired to make one wise,( the pride of life) she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." They died spiritually and from that moment their nature was rebellious against God. They tried to hide from the face of God (Genesis 3:8). They passed their sinful nature on to their children and grandchildren. Jeremiah 17:9 says "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Jesus said, "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Matthew 15:19). Romans 3:23 states: "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Because of the sinfulness of man and the love of God, God came down in the person of Jesus Christ, born of a virgin. Born without a sinful nature and lived a perfect life on planet earth for 33 years. He was crucified between two robbers. Not because he was wicked but because he took our place and the wrath of "God was poured out upon him." He died for me. He was buried and rose again on the third day. He ascended up to heaven. Now by personally accepting what he did for me on the cross I can have the forgiveness of sins . Romans 10:13 says "whosoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." So in difficulties we face - small or great - we can find help and direction if we come to Him, to know Him, "whom to know aright is life eternal." If you have a Bible question write to Pastor Lenard Huebscher, Grace Baptist Church 12721 - 75th Street North, Stillwater MN 55082 or call (651)430-3132. www.stillwaterbaptist.net
Yes, at least twice he challenged the Lord's wisdom. In Acts 10:14 Peter is quoted as saying: "Not so Lord, for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean." This response of Peter to the Lord's command is a self-contradiction. How could He be Peter's Lord if Peter felt free to disobey Hs command? The doctrine and practice of the Lordship of Christ have always been difficult and controversial. Many Christians who have called Him their Savior and Lord nevertheless often feel free to question or disregard His Word. There may be legitimate discussion concerning interpretation of the Word, but there is never justification for questioning its authority, regardless of the pretenses of modern intellectuals or the pressures of public opinion. As the Lord Jesus Christ rebukingly asked: "Why do you call me, Lord, Lord and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). The other time Peter revealed this same inconsistency was when Christ told of His imminent crucifixion. Peter began to rebuke Him, saying, "Be it far from You, Lord: this shall not be unto You" (Matthew 16:22). The Lord, therefore, had to rebuke Peter. It was not Peter's prerogative, nor is it ours to question the Word of the Lord, even when we don't yet understand it. That kind of attitude can, under certain circumstances, have deadly and eternal consequences. Jesus warned those who would profess His Lordship without its reality: "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord . . .And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:22-23). Peter learned this lesson and was soon able to confess unreservedly concerning Christ that "He is Lord of all" (Acts10:36). We who "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" for salvation (Acts 16:31) certainly should seek to believe and obey His Word in all things. If you have a Bible question write Pastor Lenard Huebscher, Grace Baptist Church, 12721 - 75th Street North, Stillwater MN 55082 or call 651-430-3132. On the web: www.stillwaterbaptist.net
