Month: May 2021

            The recent debate over illegal immigration recalled an interview I had with a prospective member almost six years ago. I was asked if I would report illegal aliens who might be evangelized and seek membership in our church. If they were to receive Christ and come to church, would I report them to the authorities?

            I was never asked this question before, but I did not struggle with the answer. I said, no, I would not report them, but I would immediately begin to teach them that entering the country illegally is a crime against the state and therefore a sin against God. An illegal alien who receives Christ should seek to become legal here, in another country, or to return to his country of origin.

            The argument against this is that our country has a moral obligation to help those who flee oppression and seek better opportunities for their lives including that of economic prosperity. I understand the issue and I am not unsympathetic to it. Yet, I know there are people in all parts of the world that seek a better life. Since 2010, more than 8.5 million immigrants have entered the United States including those entering unlawfully. Our country is gracious to provide a legal path to immigration for millions of people. Most wait their turn and there are millions of Green Cards still waiting to be issued. Obviously, this country cannot sustain much more large-scale immigration. There need to be laws to control it for the good of all, and yes for the economic welfare of those living here legally.

            The question in my mind is do we sanction those who cross the border illegally to cut in line in front of those who choose to obey the law and take the legal path? Do we sanction those who are selfish enough to break the laws passed by the American people who fought and died to give us the laws by which we live? You might ask this question to those who labored to become naturalized and have taken up their places as law-abiding citizens.

            While I do not say the motives of our politicians are always pure, and they always approach truth and justice for all, or are founded upon the love of Christianity, I do say the Christian principle is to love our neighbors as ourselves. The person who breaks the law to gain an advantage over another has shown neither passion for God’s way nor the American way.

            I never thought I would be asked a question like this and perhaps should avoid it. However, the Bible does not avoid it. I find my response in Romans 13 that we are to obey the government that God ordains for our good. Our only exception is when government opposes God. I find the government does not oppose God with our immigration policy. We provide a means for legal immigration that is sustainable for the good of all and helps as best we can those living in oppression. While we deplore the awful choice of separating families at the border, our policy did not create the problem—breaking immigration law is the problem. We encourage repetition of the problem by providing sanctuary for those who are here illegally.

            I also take an example from the Bible. Do you remember in Philemon the case of the runaway servant, Onesimus? Paul met him while in Rome and he was converted to Christ. Apparently, Onesimus had wronged his master by theft or some other harm and had run away. Onesimus’ crime was against his master and Roman society. Paul did not turn him in to authorities but encouraged him as a new brother in Christ to return to his master and right the wrong. We might argue social justice all day and the right to hold a forced servant, but still Paul told him to go back to his master for judgment. He interceded on his behalf, but he left the final decision to Philemon.

            The point is that Christians obey the law and thereby obey Christ. Looking at illegal immigration from a Christian viewpoint, we don’t do right by doing wrong. It is paramount that Christians, and especially Christian pastors, obey the law or else be considered subversives which damages the gospel of Christ. Obviously, this article cannot provide answers for all arguments pro and con. We trust that obedience to God’s word is best and the consequences for doing it fall on Him who is the judge and justifier of all.

                                                                                    Pastor V. Mark Smith

            Today in our study of 1 Thessalonians, we turn to the doctrine of perseverance and our personal assurance of salvation. Following the method of the text, we will begin by basing our assurance in the eternal decree of election. If we were chosen by God to salvation from eternity past, it follows there is a purpose in God to bring us to the full fruition of our salvation which is glorification in heaven.

            As Baptists, it has been one of the tenets of our faith from the beginning to teach that we are eternally secure in Christ. Though we may differ in some degree on many issues, there is unanimity among Baptists on this doctrine. The great Baptist confessions and our greatest preachers have always affirmed this. However, there has been a shift in theology that has produced shallow teaching and the grounding of our assurance has been largely lost. Our preservation in Christ is taught but the requirement of our perseverance is not. Assurance of salvation has been reduced to an almost wholly inadequate catch phrase, once saved always saved. Before we are through with this study, we will address the harm of this phrase and then present it in its true biblical perspective.

            I thought I might approach this briefly in this article that the once saved always saveddoctrine is rightly attacked by those who believe it teaches salvation is like a downhill runaway truck. We only need to be saved and it does not matter what happens next, our destination is secured. The salvation truck runs on its own, which we should know is a recipe for disaster.

            This is not the biblical perspective. We are told in Philippians 2 to work out our salvation. Not to work for, but to work out our salvation. God does not intend for us to drift to heaven, but to be actively rowing there using Christian graces. These graces are supplied by God and are the means of our preservation. We press on because God ensures that we will use these graces—all Christians do.

            There are several means God uses which include prayer and the word. There are too many self-assured Christians who never pray and never read the word. They also rarely attend the fellowship of the church. Some make the decision that the way in which the word is taught is not suitable to them and because they do not like the format they will not attend. This is self-actualization which makes the end of the gospel the promotion of self rather than the glory of God.

            God uses means to keep us in His grace. The neglect of means will cause Christians to fall into grievous sins such as those experienced by some great patriarchs of the Bible. David fell into gross sin, but because he was a true believer, he repented with bitter self-loathing. Thus, we see continual repentance is also a means of persevering attachment to Christ.

            I propose to show in this study that those who neglect the means of perseverance have no proof they are true believers. They rely on the coasting truck, the drifting boat, and the lazy approach to finally reach heaven. Those are not the means and will indicate the person has a false profession of faith.

            On what do you base your profession? Is it because of an act in the past and the preacher passed on his pronouncement of once saved always saved?It is shaky ground and is never the concrete basis for assurance in the New Testament. Make sure you get this right. If you die with false assurance, you die without salvation.

                                                                        Pastor V. Mark Smith

Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? (Romans 9:20)

            Today in our series Living in the Light of Christ’s Return, we venture into our third message on 1 Thessalonians chapter 4. We are discussing the doctrine of election which is God’s choice in eternity past of certain individuals who would be the special recipients of His grace.

As I have remarked several times in the introduction to these sermons, there is much opposition to this doctrine. Many believe it is unfair for God to choose some but not all, as if we have a valid claim against Him that makes Him obligated to treat all in the same way. The apostle Paul anticipated this objection in Romans 9 by saying the potter has power over the lump of clay. The vessels the potter fashions do not raise objections against him because he decides to make one a beautiful vase to use in a king’s palace and then chooses another to be used for a chamber pot. I realize this is stated somewhat crudely, but it illustrates how small and insignificant we are compared to the one who created us.

Rather than seeing ourselves as deserving of the king’s palace, the scriptures teach the wickedness and rebellion of our hearts never commends us to any favors the King should bestow. We are undeserving and unlovable. It is only because of His mercy and grace and for the pleasure of His good will that He chose anyone to be His child. This understanding of election is precisely Paul’s doctrine in Ephesians 1.

There is never a time in the services of Berean that we fail to mention our purpose in meeting is to glorify God. In the messages, in the songs, in the prayers—somewhere you will hear this theme at least once and most often many times. We do our best to push away from ourselves to promote the majesty of Jesus Christ and the magnificent love of God the Father who sent Christ to purchase our salvation and reconcile us to Him. He was the just dying for the unjust, and the unjust deserve only punishment. Christ took our punishment in His vicarious suffering and death. Praise His name and to Him alone be the glory!

I doubt anyone who has attended Berean for any length of time would miss this emphasis. If they do, they have missed the point of the entire service. You can imagine my dismay and surprise that a visitor recently left our services with this question: “What good was there in the sermon for me?” I understand this person thought he was offering good spiritual critique. However, he was exposed by his question which helps me understand why he did not like the doctrine of election. The right question to ask after any sermon whether it is mine or any other pastor’s—the right question is: “Was God glorified in the sermon today?”

The doctrine of election will point you solely to the Trinity as the reason for your existence and the only hope of your salvation. What is in this for me is not the question. What is in this for God is the only point that matters. God uses the doctrine of election to push our self-esteem down into the dust. He will not let you think of you until He is satisfied that He is recognized above all. He will not let you think how you surely deserve more than you get or that you are somehow owed a “chance” to be used as a vessel in the King’s house. We are earthen vessels—pots of dirt, to be used where God alone sees fit to place us. Make sure you understand who the Creator is and who is the creature.

(This article appeared in the Berean Bulletin on June 24, 2018)

                                                            Pastor V. Mark Smith

In recent messages we have discussed the need for church discipline and the proper way to correct those in the church who may have sin in their lives. In our study of 2^nd Thessalonians, we see this theme and must consider how true believers should respond when others try to help correct their errors. As I was looking over this topic again, I was reminded of an article I wrote eleven years ago when we studied the Sermon on the Mount. The comments I made then are still true today. I want to revisit these comments beginning with Paul’s instructions in Galatians 6. I hope this is insightful for both those who are helping and those who are being helped.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

The extraordinary depth of Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount is exemplified in no greater way than to observe the numbers of times the apostles give further exposition of the principles He taught. In Matthew 7, Jesus taught against hypocritical judgment by saying “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” The background for Jesus’ statement was the hateful, self-righteous attitude of the scribes and Pharisees who could easily see the minor faults of others but could never see the glaring inconsistencies in their own lives. It may be true that another person has faults, but hypocritical judgment will never help them. Does this mean there is no allowance to approach another person to help them when they have entered sin? This is where the apostles’ expansion of Sermon on the Mount themes is so important. It is possible and indeed necessary to speak to others about their sins to help them, but not before some very strict guidelines have been observed. Jesus touches on this when he says. “Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Paul states the same principle in another way, “Ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.” The guideline for approaching others is meekness and humility understanding that if not for the grace of God you could be guilty of the same sin.

Another important aspect to consider is the proper purpose for your approach. There is a key word in Galatians 6:1 that should not be overlooked. Paul says, “restore such an one.” The word restore originally meant to “set a broken bone.” The object of our approach should never be to heap condemnation on the offender, but to gently and lovingly nurture the person back to spiritual health. When a bone is broken in the arm, the first option is not to cut off the arm. As carefully and precisely as possible, the doctor will set the bone, so it heals properly. This should always be the attitude when we approach someone about their sin. Our purpose is not to be harsh and sever them from fellowship, but to mend them spiritually so they return to the place of God’s blessing. With this approach, criticism is constructive rather than destructive.

Far from teaching there are no circumstances under which we are permitted to confront sin in the church, the combination of Jesus’ statements in the Sermon on the Mount and those of Paul to the Galatians, are encouragement for all of us to weigh the quality of our devotion to the Lord before we are qualified to address the sins of others. If you are careful to do this and you approach others in the spirit of meekness, the help is more likely to be appreciatively received.

                                                                                    Pastor V. Mark Smith

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (Psalms 42:11)

            In the past several weeks, my wife and I have been dealing with a common spiritual issue. I say common because each of you has experienced it and some of you may dealing with it presently. The condition is discouragement. The cause of our discouragement is, of course, Pam’s prolonged illness and the continual degrading of her health. This is compounded by accidents and illnesses that are incidental to her major problems. Our doctor expressed our sentiments exactly: “Oh boy, when it rains it pours.” Thus, is the feeder of discouragement.

            I know there are some who believe discouragement is sin, or at best it is lack of faith in God. I can assure you we trust God and have no sense we are living in special sin because of these feelings. Discouragement is not sin. It is part of the human nature. Discouragement can devolve into sin if we do not trust in God. While a true Christian can never stop trusting God for final salvation, he may become discouraged while living his faith. A discouraged Christian must be reminded that God is our refuge in times of discouragement.

            Many believe, as do I, that Psalm 42 is messianic. Through the psalmist’s eyes, we get a snapshot of Jesus’ thoughts in His humanity as He faced the impending death of the cross. He was fully human and experienced the natural anguish we experience and yet without being overcome with despondency in His grief. This would be sin because it would be failure to trust the source of His strength. Importantly, Jesus was maximumly filled with the Spirit. How then could He experience Psalm 42:11? How could His soul be disquieted, that is troubled, so that He groaned within? He was human.

            You and I as believers are indwelled by the Spirit. The filling of the Spirit is enabled by the indwelling, but it is not the same. While human and sinful, yet we may be filled which enables us to have victory over our human conditions. One definition of discouragement is to be less enthusiastic. Do you believe Jesus was enthusiastic in the Garden of Gethsemane as He contemplated the cross? This would not be a human response. Any time we are less enthusiastic, we are in some degree discouraged. The answer is to always hope in God. It does not mean we have lost hope; it means we realize greater dependence and only dependence on God.

            When we are saved, we are not saved from our humanity. We still live in this body that is cursed with the effects of the fall. We still get sick and we still die. The effects of the fall are not expunged and will not be until we receive our glorified body. We are not saved from sickness, but we are saved from the power of it. We have ability to overcome it. As one theologian said well, “Faith in Christ does not remove all causes of discouragement, rather it enables us to overcome them. We may experience discouragement, but we will not be defeated by it.”

            Are you unspiritual because sometimes you are discouraged? If so, you are capable of greater spirituality than Jesus. I think if you measure your spirituality on that scale, you have invented a spirituality that is not Christian. It is not commensurate with biblical teaching.

            I write this for you today to help you not to heap on more discouragement by thinking you have entered sinful territory with these feelings. No, we must evaluate discouragement and see how God works it for our good. While discouragement is not pleasant, God may use it to the good of our souls when it turns us to Him in greater faith. If faith is increased by discouragement, who can question God’s wisdom in using it?

Give God the glory for His wisdom. Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. (Psalm 42:5).

                                                                                   Pastor V. Mark Smith