The Helpful Pointer

CATHOLICS vs ROME

Vatican II declared it was no longer a sin for a Catholic to read a non-Catholic Bible or visit a non-Catholic church.

The average Catholic in the Western world loved that. Non-Catholics, too, where so many are prone to visiting each other’s churches with friends and family of various denominations. Strangely, they did nothing at Vatican II to remove the more than 100 anathemas, or curses, pronounced by the Council of Trent in 1545-63 on the Protestant churches and beliefs. More about that coming up. How good it is for all those who march under the banner of Christianity, to be able to worship our Lord and King together. But let’s be together TOGETHER. Question: Why didn’t Rome clean the slate while they were at it and lift those curses?

Is unity breaking out among denominations throughout the world? Not hardly. In some sections of the world, if a non-Catholic church begins a ministry, persecution, even death, is eminent. In other nations anything that’s not Catholic is considered a cult and is considered as unworthy of government tax exempt benefits. Strangely, in many so-called “Catholic” countries…
Italy, France, Spain, Mexico… the percentage of the population that attends church, reads the Bible, or has the slightest clue of what it means to be Catholic is staggeringly low. Fact is, sadly, the overwhelming majority of Catholics worldwide do not know what it is that God would say to them through His Word, the Bible, but are relying upon official interpretations, opinions, traditions and dogmas of the denomination, even mixing basic teachings with blatant occultic practices. Few have taken the time to study those dogmas themselves. The competency of Catholics,their sincerity, integrity, intelligence, or religious dedication, is not the concern here. Their strong convictions
are admirable, even enviable. Most would agree that, to make a quality decision, one requires quality facts. So, I encourage you, as I did, to compare the major teachings of the Catholic church with the obvious truths of God’s Word.

An analogy from my own life is this: since I was a boy, I have been a Chicago Bear football fan. Why? Because I lived in Chicago and my dad was a fan. I didn’t know the players, how well they played, the long history of the team, but it was a family tradition. As the years passed, I have remained true to the Bears, win or lose (mostl lose). Strangely, my younger son, here in the heart of Dallas Cowboy country, where we now reside, is ALSO a Bear fan. Now, I haven’t watched a pro football game on TV in many years at this writing. I know very little about
the Bears, who the coach is, who the players are, but I guarantee you, if they make it to the Super Bowl any time
soon, my world will stop to see them play on some big TV screen somewhere. (Incidentally, I am to be pitied above all men for I am also a Chicago Cub fan. Sigh).

If you will, please examine the following synopsis of details which caused me to question my Catholic affiliation and decide for yourself if there was any merit to my decision to leave the Catholic church I had been affiliated with for 21 years, attending a Catholic school, wearing my scapular, serving as an altar boy, was baptized, confirmed, etc.

THE BIBLE vs ROME

– The Bible was officially forbidden to the people, placed on the Index of Forbidden Books List by the Council of
Valencia, 1229 AD.

– Council of Trent (1545-63 AD) also prohibited its use and pronounced a curse (anathema) upon anyone who would oppose this decree.

– The Roman Catholic Church has burned Bibles and the people who translated it and promoted its study (EX: John Hus, 1415 AD; Wm. Tyndale, 1536 AD).

– Though external pressures have caused Rome to relax restrictions against Bible study in the U.S., its distribution
is still widely withheld in many countries heavily influenced by Roman Catholicism.

–Though the Roman Church claims the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, it openly exalts the authority of its own traditions, dogmas and decrees ABOVE the Bible.

– The church teaches the deity of Christ but places Mary and priests as mediators between God and believers so that free access to Jesus is possible only through them.

– The church teaches forgiveness of sins but only through confession to a priest and the absolution given by him.

– The church teaches salvation, but substitutes a system of grace plus works in which human deeds are important.

– The church teaches that Christ established the Church, but exalts the pope as its head and invests absolute, infallible
authority in him and his decrees.

Though the Roman Catholic Church claims to be “the one true church,” arguing that its roots can be traced to Christ, the historical facts do not substantiate this claim. Roman Catholic dogma has evolved over the centuries, however, none of its
major traditions and doctrine were ever taught, defended, practiced, or embraced by the early, apostolic church.

None.

Following are some elements of Catholic doctrine, rituals, decrees, and beliefs and the approximate year they were
instituted:

Sign of the cross…300AD

Veneration of angels, dead saints, use of images…375AD

Mass as a daily celebration…394AD

Exaltation of Mary and use of term “Mother of God”…432AD

Extreme Unction…526AD

Doctrine of Purgatory, instituted by Gregory I…539AD

Prayers to Mary, dead saints, angels…600AD

Holy Water…850AD

Canonization of dead saints, first by Pope John XV…995AD

Fasting on Fridays and during Lent…998AD

Mass developed as a sacrifice, attendance mandatory…11th Century

Celibacy for priests, decreed by Gregory VII…1079AD

The inquisition, instituted by Council of Verona, suspects convicted of heresy, tortured and executed, estimated
15 million people died…1184AD

Sale of Indulgences…1190AD

Transubstantiation, proclaimed by Innocent III…1215AD

Confession to priests, instituted by Innocent III in Lateran Council…1215AD

Adoration of the host (Latin: means “victim”), decreed by Honorius III…1220AD

Bible forbidden, Council of Toulouse…1229AD

Cup forbidden to people at communion, Council of Constance…1414AD

Purgatory, pronounced as dogma by Council of Florence…1439AD

Tradition declared as equal authority with Bible, Council of Trent…1545AD

Apocryphal books added to Bible, Council of Trent, a reaction to the Protestant Reformation. By canonizing
these books it legitimized their use in doctrinal matters (1 Maccabecs 4:46, 9:27, 14:41 states the days of prophets
were gone; Jesus quoted all 39 OT books from Genesis to Malachi, never the Apocrypha; No other New Testament writer
quoted the Apocrypha. Jesus contradicted teachings from Apocrypha; Jerome, Origen and others denied its inspiration;
The Pesshitta, the Syriac Bible of 2AD, did not contain the Apocrypha)…1546AD

Infallibility of Pope, Vatican Council…1870AD

Public schools condemned, Pius XI…1930AD

Assumption of Mary, bodily ascension into Heaven after death, Pius XII…1950

Mary proclaimed “Mother of the church,” Paul VI…1965AD

Other areas of scriptural abuses and manmade doctrine include nuns, Ash Wednesday, All Saints day, medals, charms, relics, novenas, and more. This revealing list represents an overview of the many human inventions which have corrupted, distorted, and perverted the official positions presented as truth by the Roman Catholic Church to its people. The problem: worldwide, the majority of Roman Catholics have no idea!

PETER vs ROME

In his book Eaclesiam Suam, Pope Paul expressed his distress because of what some of the “Separated brethren” say about the papacy as being the stumbling block in the way of church unity. He said, “Do not some of them say that if it were not for the primacy of the pope, the reunion o the separated churches with the Catholic Church would be easy? We beg the separated brethren to consider the inconsistency of this position, not only in that, without the pope, the Catholic church would no longer be Catholic, but also because without the supreme decisive pastoral office of Peter, the unity of the Church of Christ would utterly collapse.”

Collapse? I doubt it. I do agree that if the Catholic Church were reformed according to Scripture, it would have to be abandoned. About Peter, claiming him as first pope is nothing short of doctrinal error. It’s based upon Matthew 16:13-19, where Jesus responds to Peter’s confession that He is the Christ declaring that upon this rock He will build His church and will give the keys to the kingdom to Peter to bind and loose on the earth. The papacy claims that Peter is the rock referred to here and the keys represent the pope’s absolute authority and infallibility over the church. Jesus DID say Peter was a rock, but a study of the Greek word for “rock” reveals Peter’s name (Petros) as referring to a mere stone in comparison to the massive rock (petra)… the Gibraltar, which is His Holy Name, the Name above all names… Jesus!

Jesus was not saying He would build His church upon simple Simon Peter. NO! But, He would build it upon that simple foundational confession of faith which Peter made that Jesus is the Christ! Not only Peter’s confession, but every similar confession for generations to come (Rom 10:9-11). Jesus is the Rock, not Peter! (See I Cor 3:11; Eph 2:20, 21).

The “keys” symbolize the authority to open the way of salvation through the preaching of the Gospel to all those who are shackled in darkness and sin. Peter was first entrusted with the keys because he was first to give this confession of faith in Jesus and was instrumental in initially opening the door of salvation to the Jews at Pentecost (Acts 2), as well as to the Gentiles at Cornelius’ house (Acts 10). However, ALL true disciples possess these same keys when proclaiming the way of salvation to unbelievers and offering them spiritual liberty through Christ (Matthew 18:18).

Furthermore, the Scriptures disprove Roman Catholic claims concerning Peter. Neither the Scriptures nor Peter ever claimed to be pope, head over the church, or in a superior position over the apostles. Apart from Catholic tradition, there is no biblical, historical, or credible archacological evidence that Peter ever went to Rome or presided as its leader. Read the following Scriptures. Decide for yourself:

1 Peter 5:1 (he is referred to as merely another elder among many)

1 Peter 5:3 (he actually warned AGAINST lording over the flock)

Acts 10:25-27 (he refused to receive homage from men - no ring kissing or special treatment or titles)

Matthew 16:23 (proved he wasn’t infallible when Jesus rebuked him sharply regarding the need for crucifixion)

Galatians 2:11-14 (Paul scolded him for vacillating, being inconsistent, and a hypocrite)

Matthew 8:14; Luke 4:38; I Corinthians 9:5 (he was married)

Romans 16 (Paul wrote this epistle, greeted many believers but did not greet Peter. Why not? Because he wasn’t there).

MARY vs ROME

Catholic women seem to LOVE Mary! In this age of gender equality, I have found that there are many women who love being Catholic ONLY because there seems to be a woman in at least equal authority at the helm. These women forget that anything with two heads is a freak!

In spite of Rome’s great emphasis upon Mary, the Scriptures say very little about her. She’s never mentioned by Paul, Peter, James, or John. None of the New Testament epistles refer to her either. In fact, the most significant Catholic teachings concerning her are fairly recent in origin (Immaculate Conception, 1854; Assumption, 1950).

The Bible refers to Mary as “blessed…among women” (not ABOVE women, Luke 1:28). It does not teach us to deify, worship, or pray to her. Jesus did not. Neither did the early Christians. She is recognized for her many wonderful attributes, namely, her willingness to bring Christ into the world and non-Catholics would do well to study these attributes. By that example, we should each be as willing to be used as a vessel for bringing Christ into our own world. Unfortunately, Rome’s adoration of her is condemned by God’s Word as you will see.

In The Glories of Mary (p. 82, 83), Bishop deLiguori wrote that Mary acts as a Mediator between angry sinners and God. The scriptures refute that (I Tim 2:5 and Jn 14:6). He also states that the Holy Church commands a worship peculiar to Mary. It is blatant idolatry to kneel before her statues, recite Hail Mary’s or sing songs to her. This was forbidden by Christ (Matt 4:10), where He reminded Satan: “For it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’ ” Roman Catholicism teaches that Christ is a stern, wrathful judge who cannot be approached by sinners and that Mary is a tender, understanding, merciful intercessor who will plead our cause to her Son with the persuasion of a loving mother. The Bible refutes that (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25; 9:24).

The Bible rejects Rome’s claim that Mary is the Peacemaker between sinners and God, pg. 80 of Bishop DeLiguori’s book. Compare this belief to the Scriptures (Eph 2:13-18). Christ is our peacemaker. Not Mary, priests, popes, deceased saints, or even the church. On page 160, deLiguori says Mary is “…the gate of Heaven because no one can enter that blessed kingdom without passing through Her…” St. Joseph’s Daily Missal, pg. 1305 says, “the Way of Salvation is open to non otherwise than through Mary,” and that “our salvation is in the hands of Mary.” Compare that claim to the Word of God, Acts 4:12. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven given to men by which we must be saved,” and John 14:6, “I am the Way and the Truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.”

The Bible gives no support to the many exalted titles the Roman Catholic Church bestows upon Mary: Queen of Angels, Door of Paradise, mother of Grace, Morningstar, Refuge of Sinners. These titles clearly represent Rome’s attempt to elevate Mary to a glorified status, not taught in the Scriptures.

Immaculate Conception teaches that Mary was born without sin. The Scriptures stress that we’ve ALL sinned (Romans 5:12) and that no one does not sin (1 Kings 8:46; Psalms 53:3, I John 1:8, 10). Mary herself acknowledges that she was a sinner in need of a Savior, (Luke 1:46, 47) by offering two turtledoves in the temple, like all poor Jewish mothers, atoning for their sin (Lev 12:6-8).

Rome’s emphasis on her perpetual virginity is clearly refuted in Matthew 13:54-56, Mark 6:3, John 7:5, 6. Though Rome claims these are Christ’s cousins, the original Greek wording clearly refers to brothers and sisters and not cousins. Read this for yourself! After Jesus’ birth, Joseph and Mary lived a normal husband and wife relationship, bearing other children.

MASS and THE EUCHARIST

According to John A. O’Brien’s The Faith of Millions, page 382, Catholics claim that communion is the exact same sacrifice as Christ’s death on the cross, and view it as a literal re-enactment of Christ’s crucifixion on Calvary in an un-bloody manner. Christ’s body is re-crucified and re-sacrificed for the atonement of the individual’s sins. Catholicism teaches that the physical presence of Christ is IN the sacrifice, and that the wine and the “host” are MIRACULOUSLY CHANGED into the actual blood and body of Jesus Christ. LITERALLY! Not figuratively or symbolically. This is referred to as “Transubstantiation,” the literal changing of a substance from one form into another. This is completely contrary to the Scriptures which repeatedly stresses the finality and completeness of Christ’s sacrifice. Read it! Hebrews 10:11, 12, 14, and 18. Also, Hebrews 7:27, 9:12, and 22:28. While you’re at it, read John 19:30 and I Peter 3:18.

In 1963, Pope John XXIII declared, “I do accept entirely all that has been decided and declared at the Council of Trent.” What did they decide at Trent, beginning in 1545? Canon I states: “If anyone shall deny that the body and blood, together with the soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore entire Christ, are truly, really, and substantially contained in the sacrament of the most Holy Eucharist and shall say that He is only in it as a sign, or in a figure-let him be accursed!”

In other words, Rome teaches this: that little wafer is GOD! The bread is supposedly literally changed into Christ by the priest. You’d BETTER believe it…or you’re cursed, according to Canon I. Fact is, tens of millions of people have been tortured and killed through the age for challenging such Catholic dogmas. The problem with this particular decree is that the majority of today’s logical, thinking Catholics deny they can believe this is true. Especially in the Western world. According to TRADITIO: Traditional Roman Catholic Internet (www.traditio.com) “70% OF NOVUS ORDO CATHOLICS NOW HOLD AN HERETICAL BELIEF IN THE HOLY EUCHARIST.” According to their report, this staggering statistic reveals, “… Only 30% of Novus Ordo Catholics believe that they are really and truly receiving the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ under the appearance of Bread and Wine. This has always been the Church’s dogma regarding the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist… The poll results show a terrible confusion on the part of Catholics concerning one of the most fundamental dogmata of the Church, a confusion that has actually led them into (at least material) heresy. The poll results were presented to the U.S. Bishops at their annual conference of November 1992 at Washington, D.C. The bishops failed to take any action, but preferred to let 7 out of 10 Catholics remain in (at least material) heresy.” Ouch!

Since it wasn’t a practice till the early 1200’s, where did this belief originate? The mystic religions and worshipers of Osiris of the Middle East were a great influence on the West, particularly the cultured Italians. Also, the religion of Mithra had its impact. The idea of eating the flesh of deity was popular in Mexico and Central America long before missionaries landed there. Prescott’s Mexico, Vol. 3, quotes, “…their surprise was heightened, when they witnessed a religious rite which reminded them of communion…an image made of flour…and after consecration by priests, was distributed among the people…declaring it was flesh of deity.” A primitive practice indeed. Why do Catholic catechisms and doctrinal instruction books want people to think they must eat Jesus? The answer’s worth seeking.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pastor Michael is founder of t.e.a.m. ministries (team1min@aol.com). His eMail broadcasts, known as “Your Town for Jesus” (SEARCH it!) are reaching tens of thousands WEEKLY. He ministers by way of email and Instant Message, too. Write him at team1min@aol.com if you’d like to SUBSCRIBE to receive his messages directly.

Michael’s mission is to bring Discipleship and Encouragement to the Body of Christ. Michael is the author of numerous booklets on a variey of subjects that will interest the thinking Christian. Since 1999, he has written and broadcast hundreds of inspirational articles and a dozen booklets, all designed to accelerate the process of spiritual development in God’s people.

Sometimes you have to see something to believe it. Like angels. Unfortunately, angels are adept at not being seen, yet many people believe in them.

I saw an angel at work last year. No, I did not see the halo. Or the feathered wings. Or a flowing white gown dancing in the wind. But there was no mistaking the unique handiwork.

When Little Lady was just one-and-a-half years old, we were visiting friends in another town. Sunday morning, we accompanied them to their church, which is surrounded by a great semi-circle hallway. You cannot enter the church itself except through one of the four or five doorways from the hallway.

We entered the building, heading right down the hallway straight for the nursery to leave our Little Lady with strangers for the first time ever. Note that we had not yet entered the actual church. The caretaker handed us a number and told us that if our child got too restless, we would see that number projected on the screen at the front of the church.

We headed into the church through a door at the far side. We sat down in a pew, anticipating to see the number within five minutes.

The number never showed up. After an hour, I snuck up to the door of the toddler area and saw her gleefully running around. That in itself might qualify as the work of angels, but the real miracle was yet to come.

At the end of the service, we went to retrieve Little Lady. As we led her out of the toddler area, SHE took over and started pulling my wife by the hand.

She lead my wife down the hallway with great determination, dragging her through the throng of almost 1000 people milling about in the hallway, all the way to the far side of the church where we had entered before to reach our pew. This was no small feat, and it took ten minutes to get through the crowd, but she was persistent.

When we had fought our way two-thirds around the church, she pulled my wife into the church from the hallway through the very door we had entered earlier - after we had left her off at the nursery.

I stood in amazement as I watched her go several pews down and turn right into the very pew where we had been seated. She had never seen us go there. She had never been inside the church before. How did she know?

OK, so this was not the parting of the Red Sea and nobody’s life was saved. But could it be anything other than the work of angels?

Some people may ask how do we serve God and am I serving God correctly? Well lets look at what the Bible says about serving God. Lets start by knowing what a Blessing it is to serve him. Look at the Book of John 10:27 it says My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me is greater than all, no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand I and the Father are one. Now look at Jude 20 verse it says But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in you most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fearhating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jesus wants us to be a living sacrifices. Look at Romans12:1 it says Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Godthis is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this word, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will ishis good, pleasing and perfect will. Now look a verse 14 it says Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord.

Take a look at Ephesians 4:11 it says It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for work of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Now living as children of the light. It tells us at Ephesians 4:17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves of the sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off you old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ God forgave you.

Now look at Colossians 3:23 it says Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Take a look at 2Timothy 2:1 it says You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.. And the things you have heard me say in presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairshe wants to please his commanding officer. Similarly if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

Now take a look at 1Timothy 1:18 it says Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Look at 1Corinthians 1:4 it says There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

It says in the book of Philippians 2:5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

In conclusion, look at what Jesus said in the book of John 15:15 it says I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’ business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruitfruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

This is my command: Love each other.

Love Always,
Your Sister in Christ,
Mellody Davis

Enjoy more reading at: http://www.hostinghelps.com/allaboutjesus/AboutJesus.html

These lessons are designed to be easily used for personal Bible Study or as a guide for group Bible Studies. Each of the lessons will include a set of discussion questions at the end of the lesson, which can be used either privately for introspection or in a group setting as provocative discussion builders.

The very first thing that God gave to man after He had created them was dominion over the all the living creatures that moved on the earth, and he gave to man every “herb bearing seed” and every “fruit of a tree yielding seed” for food. He told man to “Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth”. (Gen. 1: 28-30). Think about that for a moment. He GAVE man the command to replenish the earth, and GAVE man control over the living things, and He GAVE man the herbs and fruits and vegetables of the earth for food. Think about this: Once He had given that command, the control, and the means to do it, to the people of earth, could He have taken it back?

In the next chapter in Genesis, we receive more detail about his gift and instructions: “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Gen. 2: 16-17).

So why give man everything but one tree, one fruit of one tree? Could it be symbolic (to man) that everything we have belongs to God, but He has GIVEN us the use of it? So by not eating of that one tree, man shows God that he recognizes that He is in control, that He gave it to man, that only He has the ability to create anything? You see, if man could create, if man were God’s equal, then the restriction would not have been necessary. Actually, it would have simply been a power-trip, as we might say today. It would have been God simply exerting His Godship and Ultimate control over His creation (Not that there would be anything wrong there, either.) But by giving man control over everything except one thing, one tree that probably didn’t have any special characteristics the other trees didn’t have, except there was a virtual sign that said, “Don’t touch this”, the tree became symbolic of recognizing that God created and owned everything.

Wasn’t Old Testament tithing much the same? Did God really need the Israelites to tithe to provide for the poor and the Levites (the priests of the day)? Of course not! He could have provided for the poor and the Levites the same way He provided for everyone else! But by requiring a tenth (or more), He simply reminded the people that everything was created by Him, given by Him, and under His authority. By tithing, the people recognized that what they had did not come from their own personal creativity and self, but rather was a gift from God.

New Testament giving is much the same way. Although tithing is not a requirement today (we can give as much as we want, 20%, 30%, whatever!), we are admonished to give cheerfully: “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (Paul, writing in II Cor. 9: 6-7).

When we give, we recognize that God is truly God, that he is the true giver of everything, of all life and things. We do not give to appease an angry God, we give to recognize a loving God as more bountiful than ourselves.

Questions for discussion:

How do you feel about giving back to the Creator of the Universe?

Do you see the fall of man, and God’s provision to give us back the life we lost, in a different light now than before reading this?

Do you see that when we give God back a portion of our bounty, we recognize Him as the ultimate giver and creator?

Note: Scripture references are from the KJV.

You have my permission to reprint and distribute this article as long as it is distributed in its entirety, including all links and copyright information. © Sean Mize 2006

“I have come into my garden…”(Song of Songs 5:1); “Thinking he was the gardener…” (John 20:15).

Many gardens are mentioned in Scripture, but four are extraordinary: the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8); the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36); the Garden of Joseph (John 19:41); and the Garden of Paradise (Revelation 2:7).

EDEN tells us of the creation of man in the image of God, a pure and holy genesis of what might have been unbroken fellowship. It also speaks to us of a fall and God’s precious promise of lifting up. It was a dark, dark evening for God and man when Adam and Eve were expelled from this beautiful Garden.

GETHSEMANE became necessary because of this expulsion. Otherwise, we would all be lost. This is where the agony, the atonement, began. In Eden humans fell. In Gethsemane the divine Savior bent to the ground in the ultimate sorrow. It was to restore the lost ground of Eden that the Deliverer endured the terminal spiritual illness of man. Will we ever understand what He endured and accomplished?

THE GARDEN OF JOSEPH tells us of victory. From the cross He went forth to death and seeming defeat; from Joseph’s garden He came forth to everlasting life and fulfillment. “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” 1 Corinthians 15:22.

PARADISE tells us of Eden renewed. Sin abounded in and after Eden so grace much more abounds in Paradise (Romans 5:20). It is here that our beloved Jesus will wipe away every tear. “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4) in our new Eden, our lovely Paradise.

Thank You, Father, for being our Gardener!

When I was a child, I heard messages about the fruit that people produced. Christians would be known by their fruits, and those who weren’t believers would be known by theirs. I couldn’t understand how people could grow fruit. Confused, I studied the problem in the way children do until I found a solution I could understand. My parents usually had a garden every summer and grew vegetables, and I knew that some people planted fruit trees. Therefore, Christians must be the people whose trees had fruit or whose gardens didn’t dry up in the hot sun.

In a way, my childish deduction wasn’t far from wrong. Christians must be able to produce fruit, a life, that indicates they are believers and followers of Christ.

Second Peter, chapter one gives some Christian qualities that believers must cultivate in order to experience spiritual growth: goodness, self-control, and Godliness among them. But, how do we recognize the fruit of believers and non-believers?

In Matthew, chapter seven, we find that some claim to be believers, but they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Jesus asks, “Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?” He continues by saying that good trees bear good fruit, and bad trees bear bad fruit. “Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. . .”

Later in chapter twelve, He states, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.”

Luke, chapter six, also records these thoughts and words. In John, chapter fifteen, Jesus adds to the message of the fruit produced by all, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.”

Now, how does that apply to our lives in this modern world? Let’s look at a few examples that may help us, including me, recognize the fruit we produce, whether good or bad.

First of all, we need to realize that other people need to be able to tell that we are Christians without us standing on a soapbox and announcing, “Hey, look at me. I’m a Christian!” Others should be able to watch us, listen to us, and read what we write and know that we produce good fruit.

Goodness is a fruit that believers are to produce: goodness in word and deed. Deliberately hurting others is not good. Lying, cheating, stealing, or destroying another person’s reputation out of meanness is not good. We need to examine our lives to find goodness and not evilness.

Self-control is another fruit we should cultivate. Lashing out in anger, frustration, or desire to hurt isn’t practicing self-control. Returning hate and spite with kindness is. Refusing to hurt someone in return for being hurt means we have self-control.

Godliness means we pattern ourselves after God. We dress and act modestly. Women who are believers are not mistaken for street walkers because of dress (rather undress) or manners. Men aren’t mistaken for criminals or gang members. Language wouldn’t be vile or vulgar. Ideas and thoughts wouldn’t be gutter fruit. Actions would reflect our trees, our lives, are God driven with good fruit, not evil. Vile language or vulgar behavior hardly meets the claim that “the good man brings good things out the good stored up in him . . .”

We need to be aware of the fruit we produce because the world around us notices. We can argue that we are good and are Christians, but unless the world can tell that we are, we have failed. Indeed, by our fruit we are known. The saying that we are often the only Bible that some people will ever read is true. What are people seeing from you, good fruit produced or bad?