Sin Nature - In Adam’s Image – part 1

It is amazing how quickly conclusions are drawn up when studying the Bible. Many develop a thought in their mind or experience, and then search the Scriptures in an effort to find support for their thought.  Rather than developing our beliefs prior to reading God’s word, we should be careful to develop our beliefs after reading and studying what God’s word teaches. This method of study will help to keep one from error. If in my mind I believe that man was created with a sin nature, and then I go to the Bible to support this belief, I will no doubt find several verses to support the idea. This is nothing more than the work of the devil who wants to deceive people and keep them from being “saved from their sins.” Instead of personal responsibility, many dismiss their choices as being nothing more than their sinful flesh doing what it is naturally programmed to do. I have listened to countless messages where a pastor admits to sinning time and again because of his wicked flesh. He consents to having no choice or ability in the matter and that he will eventually do what his flesh wants to do. This person is mastered and controlled by sin, and the Bible is clear that “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.” Christ has set the Christian free from sin. Sin no longer has dominion or power over him (Romans 6). Just recently, I listened to a pastor who admitted to sinning at least 4 times an hour. It is possible for a Christian to sin, possibly even 4 times in an hour! To teach that a person has no control over his actions is to teach a doctrine that is contrary to the teaching of God’s word (“Go and sin no more” John 8:11; Romans 8:2 “free”).  The choice each time is up to the individual and is not a result of their nature (“Sin is the transgression of the law” – I John 3:4).

The first verse often used to support the sin nature argument is Genesis 5:1-3. In this passage, the argument is made that there is a transition between man who was created in the image of God, to man now being created in the image of Adam (sin nature).

Genesis 5:1-3 – "This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth."

To teach that all of Adam’s offspring were created with a sin nature is beyond the teaching of Scripture. To better understand this passage, consider Adam and Eve’s first children: Cain and Abel. Both were born of Adam AFTER Adam and Eve’s sin. In Genesis 4:1, Eve accurately says, “I have gotten a man from the LORD.” It is amazing the little things that are missed in the Bible when people only look to support their beliefs! As the story goes on, Cain and Abel “in process of time” brought their offerings unto the Lord. God had respect to Abel and his offering, but had no respect unto Cain and his offering (because he brought the fruit of the cursed ground). Cain was angry over this and the Lord began to speak to him - “If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.” Cain had an equal opportunity as Abel to do what was right. Instead he chose his own way (Jude 1:11; I John 3:11 – “And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil.”). In relation to Cain, sin was “at the door.” It wasn’t in the door, in his heart, in his nature, in his genetic makeup, etc. It was at the door, and it’s desire was to get in the door. It’s desire was to have and rule over Cain! Cain eventually let sin in and shortly after, he killed his brother.

This is no different than all those born of Adam’s seed (Seth included as well as us). In relation to us, sin was at our door and it’s desire was to get in and rule over us. Unfortunately, sin gets in and shuts everyone’s door. This happens not by conception or by the birth of a person, but at that moment when the person makes the willful decision transgress God’s law. The argument is often made, “What about people who don’t hear or know God’s law?” Thankfully I don’t have to come up with an answer to this question, and that the Lord answered it in Romans 2:14-15 “For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another.” This verse not only answers that question, but it also shows that God didn’t create man’s nature with sin integrated into it already. Instead the law was written by God upon the heart of all mankind, and our nature attests to this fact.

HOW GREAT IT IS THAT THE LORD STANDS AT OUR DOOR AND KNOCKS!!! As we have chosen to let sin in, much more should we choose to let the Lord in. The Lord can’t be let in, however, if the door remains shut! If a man says, “I want the Lord to come in,” but he wants to keep sin and let sin rule, his door is shut! An open door (wide open) pushes sin out and welcomes the Lord in.

I spent a summer at a church in Las Vegas going door to door witnessing in the local neighborhoods. The response to my knocking reminds me of the responses to the knocking of the Lord. Some would yell out, “Go away!” Others would look out their window or a peep hole out of curiosity and not respond. Some would crack open their door just to see who I was and to have a small, meaningless conversation with me just so they could get back to what they were previously doing. Very few would open their door wide open. The reason is that people don’t want to be bothered, they don’t want to reveal what is inside, or some may have even known that I was there to talk about Christ. Reader, take a look at God’s law – the ten commandments - and realize that you have already opened up your door to sin (read comments under the “Salvation” tab). It has you and is ruling over you. Open the door to Christ who is knocking and patiently waiting for you to let him in. Push sin out the door (repent) and let Christ in and sup with Him (believe).

My hope and prayer is that all who are reading my blog would repent of their sin and be converted. For those who have already done this and are teaching that man is sinful by birth and not by choice – I pray that you will cease to give the unsaved an excuse to continue in their sin, which ultimately is keeping them from opening their door to Christ for salvation.

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” – 2 Corinthians 2:11

Repentance, Lordship Salvation, Works Salvation - What does the Bible Say?

Yesterday I posted a video by Paul Washer on our Salvation tab, and I was given this YouTube video in response. As I stated, I do not support much of what Mr. Washer believes, such as his Calvinism and what seems to be an ecumenical leaning through his ties with the Southern Baptist Convention and Billy Graham. That aside, Mr. Washer is being accused of salvation by works and Lordship Salvation by a very specific crowd. What occurs to me, and has occurred to me in the past, is that when one uses the soundly Biblical term Repentance the hearer or reader's response is one of catatonic contortion. Why is this term so repulsive to so many? It is in the Bible. It was Jesus Christ's first recorded exhortation in Mathew. God commanded Israel to repent. Paul preached repentance. So, what's the big deal? Why is repentance such a problem for so many? There can only be one reason why it is such a vilified doctrine, because it deals with the proper, Biblical response for sin. 


Mr. Washer's sermon, Examine Yourself, deals very specifically with the sin issue, and how the Bible sharply discerns between saved and lost from that sin issue. He points, rightly, that the Christian's response to sin will be drastically different when compared to the the non-Christian's response to sin. This is a vital truth regarding repentance. This is not "works salvation" or "Lordship Salvation" this is what the Bible terms "Godly Sorrow" in II Corinthians 7:10. On that note, let's compare the above video and some of Mr. Washer's, as well as other repentance teachers comments to the entire II Corinthians 7 chapter to see what God requires of man after before, during, and after Salvation. From my experience, this topic will create anger across a wide spectrum, which is not my intent. I simply want to lay out this website's definition of repentance, because it is that VITAL of a doctrine. What I mean by vital, is that it is the difference between life and death, and Satan certainly does understand this, which is why he has worked tirelessly to confuse the definition. I have read and heard many well-meaning men give much of their thought concerning repentance, but though they are well-meaning, does not indicate that they are Biblically sound, or godly men for that matter, as the Bible says that men or angels preaching another gospel are accursed in Galatians 1:8.


So, what is the context of II Corinthians 7? First, one must read the chapter as a whole.

6:11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.

6:12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own bowels.

6:13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my children,) be ye also enlarged.

6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 

6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 

6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

7:2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man.

7:3 I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

7:4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation.

7:5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.

7:6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 

7:7 And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more.

7:8 For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.

7:9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.

7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

7:12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you.

7:13 Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

7:14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

7:15 And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

 7:16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.


Notice, that I included I Corinthians 6:11-18. It is absolutely necessary to include these verses, because the thought begins here. Paul is pouring out his heart, as one can readily see in 6:11-13. But, why is he pouring out his heart? It's because those in the church were mixing light and darkness, which cannot happen. It's not a must not, it is a logical cannot, as understood by the comparison with light and darkness in verse 14. this is not saying that a Christian can live like the world, that's not the issue, Christians were still living as Christians out, but they were allowing the unsaved to enter their fellowship, which compromised their standing against sin itself. God calls them to come out from the wicked. This is a requirement for fellowship with God in context. It is a definition of repentance. God requires us to leave sin behind in order for him to be our Father. Christ made this very clear in John 8. The opposite is also true, as Christ pointed out, that if man does not leave sin behind, then his is of his father the Devil, and his works will be done, that is sin.


After one repents of known sin and puts their faith in Christ's perfect work, then II Corinthians 7 brings into view what we're to do in our walk from that point forward, which is cleansing and perfecting our holiness in the fear of God. This is where the disconnect happens. This is not a requirement for salvation, as salvation was already settled. This is a requirement for the Believer. The Holy Spirit will continue to reveal sin in our life that we did not know was sin at salvation, and cause us the proper, Godly Sorrow mentioned in 7:10. We must, therefore, repent of that sin. Paul wanted the Corinthians to be sorrowful from his admonitions in I Corinthians, as stated in 7:9. If the professing "Christian" is not sorrowful about sin, then that would indicate no repentance, and therefore a lost person. This is not an opinion, it is Paul's statement in the very next verse. Those Corinthians sorrowed to repentance, and zealously, vehemently, carefully removed that sin, which proved that they were clear in the matter of salvation. 


Paul then rejoices that their fellowship remains, and that it is pleasant, why? Because that sin issue is over, and that those who heard Paul's rebuke against sin responded as a truly repentant, Born Again, believer in Christ should respond. If they did not respond properly, then Paul could not have continued fellowship or rejoice over that fellowship, as the hearers of his rebuke would still be lost. Please, don't miss Paul's point. Go back to I Corinthians, specifically chapters 3 and 5, where very strong language is used against sin. God does not allow sin to remain, he commands purging and separation, notice especially I Corinthians 5:5-13. If the Corinthians would not have taken heed, Paul would not have had continued fellowship, and his rejoicing that they had repented, and continued to show repentance of sin, would not have happened. 


This repentance here in context is what the Christian continues to do AFTER initial repentance and faith at salvation. It is a proof/fruit of salvation - see Luke 3:8. It is a work of God, as even Christ asserted in John 6:29. It is Christ's response to those who asked what works should they do in 6:28. Christ called belief a work, why? Because true belief in the unsaved will produce Godly sorrow for sin, and cause that person to REPENT of that sin, and turn to Christ. This is a work, yes, but it's a work of God according to Christ, and that work shall continue according to Philippians 1:6, and is imperative according to Philippians 2:12. Paul says obeyed in Philippians 2:12? Obeyed what? Obeyed God, not Paul, as verse 13 states, and their work is listed in verses 14-30. This is a list of proofs, that the true believer outwardly reveals, as God inwardly works. This can only happen when sin is repented of, and it cannot happen if living a life of sin remains the goal.


Please, do not take my word for it, or anyone else's for that matter. Be more noble, study the scriptures to see whether these things are so. It's what God commands and commends. This is not Lordship Salvation, this is not works salvation. This is dealing with sin both before and after salvation. One must see this in proper context, or suffer confusion. Yet, one thing remains, a proper hatred and attitude toward sin, because of true, genuine repentance, and if that attitude exists, that life will be supernaturally changed. Don't fall into the satanic trap that a "Christian" can continue a life of sin, and be ok in the sight of God. God FORBID! (Romans 6, also ponder the mixture of light and darkness as I John 2 and II Cor. illustrate, such a mixture is impossible). Take God's command seriously, and "Examine yourself, whether ye be in the faith." Do you hate sin, do you fellowship with it, do you love darkness, do you make excuses for sin? If so, then you must understand repentance, and God's command to all men everywhere - Repent! (Acts 17:30) What have you got to lose? Only sin, death, judgment, and Hell. It's a no-brainer.

How Do You Add Up Against the Law?

The biggest issue mankind faces in his life is the sin issue. How are you personally handling it? Let us ask you a question. Do you think you're a good person? This term "good" is a relative term. What I mean is that good  can have different meanings compared to different ideas. Everyone has an idea of good. the Bible even declares that most men see themselves as good in their own eyes according to Proverbs 20:6 and Proverbs 21:2. So, are you good? God established an absolute standard for which one may test himself and see whether he meets God's standard of goodness, it is the Ten Commandments as found in Exodus 20:3-17. Further, God said that He would write these upon the table of man's heart in Jeremiah 31:33 and Romans 2:14. This has been done as God said. Let's take a look at how you add up to the Law, and then return to the previous thought. Answer these honestly.

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Have you put self, others, possessions, before God? Do you put more time into other things than things of God? If so, that is idolatry.

2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. Have you ever venerated objects above other objects to be revered as holy, such as the rosary, crucifix, church "altar", and other religious objects? 

3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain. Have you ever used God's name as a cuss word? That's one form of blasphemy. How about this one, however. Have you ever called out God's name while not expecting Him to answer, or not wanting Him to answer. That is also blasphemy, and this is a serious sin, that the Old Testament Hebrew was punished by immediate stoning (cf. Christ's claim that He is God).

4. Remember the sabbath day to keep it holy. The Sabbath as such is not what the modern person calls Sunday. The Sabbath according to this verse is simply a set aside day of rest. For the Hebrew it was Friday night to Saturday night. For God it was the seventh day of Creation. For us it is a day set aside to rest and reverence God. Do you have a day set aside specifically for God?

5. Honour thy father and thy mother. Have you ever disobeyed your parents, or dishonored them in anyway by back-talking, lying, disrespectful behavior.....?

6. Thou shalt not kill. Have you ever murdered? Christ took this commandment further in Matthew 5:21-22 when He stated that if anyone hates his brother he is guilty of murder, and is in danger of Hell. Have you ever hated?

7. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Have you ever had sex outside of marriage? Christ once again furthered this commandment in Matthew 5:27-28 when he said that looking with lust is adultery. Have you looked with lust?

8. Thou shalt not steal. Ever taken anything that was not yours no matter how insignificant it was?

9. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Bearing false witness is lying. Ever lied, even "white" lies? 

10. Thou shalt not covet. Ever wanted something that someone else had? 

Now, I have heard people say that they've kept all of these commandments. Christ had something to say to someone who also claimed to have kept them all in Matthew 19. The sum of Christ's reply to the "rich young ruler" revealed that the man had indeed broken the first and second commandments, because he loved his possessions. Further, James 2:10 states, "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all." 

Paul also said this in Romans 3:19-20 "Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

Mankind is therefore guilt of sin, because he has personally chosen to reject the Law that God has written upon the table of his own heart, and instead chosen to serve himself. This is the definition of sin, according to I John 3:4 "Sin is the transgression of Law." It is unrighteousness, and all unrighteousness is sin according to I John 5:17. Therefore, there is none righteous, no not one as Paul states in Romans 3:10. Anyone who believes himself to be otherwise, please, revisit the above list and sincerely consider the first commandment, even putting yourself above God's Law is breaking this commandment.

God is a just judge. He many times states that He judges in wrath, which He must, because He cannot, by His own nature, tolerate sin. Sin must be punished, which is why those who break God's Law are one heartbeat away from Hell. Consider a few passages - 

Psalm 5:4-6  For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

God Hates sin, and He clearly says that He will punish those who do sin.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

If you have admitted to breaking the Law, then God has said that He will punish you, because you have chosen to break His Law. Notice, however, that God extends a gift to mankind according to Romans 6:23, even though we do not deserve it in the least. He further states it thusly in Romans -

Romans 5:8-10 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

Christ, the Son of God, God Himself, as Christ often made reference, left His place in Heaven, and came down to earth to become part of His very own creation in order to save that creation from sin and the punishment for that sin he chose to do (cf. Hebrews 9:28, I Corinthians 15:1-4, I Peter 3:18). The issue is/was sin, not so that people can just "go to heaven, or not go to hell." God does not want sinners in Heaven; He wants those cleansed by Christ's shed blood, and therefore made righteous. This is the Gospel as clearly stated by I Corinthians 15:1-4.

What did Christ, therefore, teach? He taught repentance. His first "sermon" so to speak was found in Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. The Jewish listener would have understood exactly what Christ was saying, because the Old Testament has much to say concerning Repentance. Consider Ezekiel 18 and Ezekiel 33, much too long to reproduce here. Both chapters talk about being warned for sin, and turning from that sin in order to live. There is, however, also a wicked element in both passages, where mankind responds to God in a haughty manner - "wherefore are our ways unequal, are not your ways unequal" for instance in Ezekiel 18. This is a key point when understanding repentance. Repentance is not just a simple stopping some pet sin. It has to include an agreement with God about sin. One must see sin as wicked as God sees it. He must recognize that his own personal sin is so abhorrent that God will punish it, and that the sinner deserves to be punished. He must realize that His sin was paid for by that very same God on the Cross at Calvary. When that person understands himself in light of who God is and what God has done then mankind must repent of sin, and turn to Jesus Christ in total submission. 

Luke records Paul's specific statement to reveal this truth in Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. It is not enough to just "be sorry" for sin, that sorrow must produce a changed life, because Christ not only died for your sins, but He also died to overcome sin according to I John 4:4 and John 16:33. We will no longer live a life dedicated to serving sin, and breaking God's Law. We will be on a different path, the path that follows Christ. We must turn from that sin, and turn to Christ to live. Have you done that? If not, why not? What sin is keeping you back? Are you afraid of what others will think? (This is pride, and the Bible says that the fear of man worketh a snare. Don't let this be the snare that keeps you lost). Eternal life can begin today! Please, come into agreement with God and His Word, and turn from your sin. Put your faith in Christ.

If you've read this far, and truly repented, Praise the Lord! A word of caution and encouragement should be offered, however. 

First, Christ promised that the world would hate you, just as it hates Him (John 15). Do not be surprised if you begin suffering persecution, whether verbal or physical. Be comforted instead, in that God promised it shall come to those who follow Him.

Second, though you are now on a different path, one of serving Christ, you still possess a free will. Satan will and does do all that he can in his limited power to cause you to falter. He has a large army that includes other lost people and fallen angels, and he knows well how to use them. The Bible commands us to walk circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15). We must walk in such a way, because Satan seeks to devour us (1 Peter 5:8), and we are wresting against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). All of this means that we can still stumble, but as a believer who has repented of sin, and put faith in Christ, we will no longer follow that path of sin. Christ's shed blood remains as the payment, but our relationship with Him and His Holy Spirit can be greaved. It is therefore our responsibility to confess those sins to Christ, and maintain that right relationship daily. Do not be alarmed, Christ promised to help us and keep us (Philippians 1:6), which is a truly wonderful promise indeed!


Please, do write us and let us know of your repentance from sin and faith in Christ, so that we may rejoice together!

Tithing - Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy mentions the tithe in three separate portions. The first section in Deuteronomy 12 is the longest passage found anywhere in the Bible regarding this command. Many of the previous directives are restated, as much of Deuteronomy restates previous issues, hence it’s meaning “second law.” Immediately apparent in this passage is the food issue. Tithing again only refers to food or, more broadly stated, agricultural produce. Much can be learned from this passage.


Deuteronomy 12:5-19


12:5 But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come: 


12:6 And thither ye shall bring your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, and your tithes, and heave
offerings of your hand, and your vows, and your freewill offerings, and the firstlings of your herds and of your flocks: 


12:7 And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.


12:8 Ye shall not do after all the things that we do here this day, every man whatsoever is right in his own eyes.


12:9 For ye are not as yet come to the rest and to the inheritance, which the LORD your God giveth you.


12:10 But when ye go over Jordan, and dwell in the land which the LORD your God giveth you to inherit, and when he giveth you rest from all your enemies round about, so that ye dwell in safety; 


12:11 Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD: 


12:12 And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates; forasmuch as he hath no part nor inheritance with you.


12:13 Take heed to thyself that thou offer not thy burnt offerings in every place that thou seest: 


12:14 But in the place which the LORD shall choose in one of thy tribes, there thou shalt offer thy burnt offerings, and there thou shalt do all that I command thee.


12:15 Notwithstanding thou mayest kill and eat flesh in all thy gates, whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee: the unclean and the clean may eat thereof, as of the roebuck, and as of the hart.


12:16 Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water.


12:17 Thou mayest not eat within thy gates the tithe of thy corn, or of thy wine, or of thy oil, or the firstlings of thy herds or of thy flock, nor any of thy vows which thou vowest, nor thy freewill offerings, or heave offering of thine hand: 


12:18 But thou must eat them before the LORD thy God in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates: and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto.


12:19 Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon the earth.


Deuteronomy 14:22-29


14:22 Thou shalt truly tithe all the increase of thy seed, that the field bringeth forth year by year.


14:23 And thou shalt eat before the LORD thy God, in the
place which he shall choose to place his name there, the tithe of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the firstlings of thy herds and of thy flocks; that thou mayest learn to fear the LORD thy God always.


14:24 And if the way be too long for thee, so that thou art not able to carry it; or if the place be too far from thee, which the LORD thy God shall choose to set his name there, when the LORD thy God hath blessed thee: 


14:25 Then shalt thou turn it into money, and bind up the money in thine hand, and shalt go unto the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: 


14:26 And thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatsoever thy soul desireth: and thou shalt eat there before the LORD thy God, and thou shalt rejoice, thou, and thine household, 


14:27 And the Levite that is within thy gates; thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no part nor inheritance with thee.


14:28 At the end of three years thou shalt bring forth all the tithe of thine increase the same year, and shalt lay it up within thy gates: 


14:29 And the Levite, (because he hath no part nor inheritance with thee,) and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, which are within thy gates, shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hand which thou doest.




Deuteronomy 26:12-15
26:12 When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled; 


26:13 Then thou shalt say before the LORD thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them.


26:14 I have not eaten thereof in my mourning, neither have I taken away ought thereof for any unclean use, nor given ought thereof for the dead: but I have hearkened to the voice of the LORD my God, and have done according to all that thou hast commanded me.


26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.


1. Apparently Israel still did not get it. The tithe was a specific command by God based upon blessing. If you’ve been blessed to have ten, then tithe. If you’ve not been blessed to have ten, then don’t worry about tithing.


2. Another reason God instituted the tithe was to feed those who could not feed themselves. Levites could not feed themselves, therefore, Jewish farmers provided for
them. Destitute could not feed themselves, therefore, Jewish farmers provided for them, and so on. This was an Old Testament welfare of  sorts, which illustrates God’s immense planning and provision to take care of the Jews.


3. Again, and it will be stated again because God knows mankind’s foolishness, God shows that this is food to be eaten. In this passage, God is commanding the farmer to eat of his own tithe, as well as the servants and Levites.


4. Notice Deuteronomy 12:12, 18. There is rejoicing to be taking place! Because it’s Deuteronomy, I will restate. There is rejoicing to be taking place! I do not want to seem flippant, but this is a family gathering, a party. It is to be a joyous time, because God had supplied physical need. Does this sound like a stark contrast to modern “tithing” practices? It should. Verse 15 further illustrates the eating because of the blessing. Jews could even eat of unclean during this time, because God supplied it! They still could not eat blood. While on this point, when was the last time you saw a dollar bill, quarter, dime, nickel or penny bleed?


For those who assert that food was the ancient monetary method, please refer to the next Deuteronomic tithing passage in chapter 14.


Again, the field is bringing forth the tithing substance, that is food. Fields do not grow money. Haven’t you ever heard money does not grow on trees? It never has. This passage reiterates that only those who have fields and produce the required food level (10) can tithe. A lawyer who owns no field cannot tithe, nor was he required to do so. Only farmers tithed, as they are the only ones who could meet the tithing prerequisites. Other things should be mentioned as they are illustrated and expounded
upon.


1. Tithing came from the increase. This is not the firstfruits, which was a separate offering altogether, and represented a picture of Christ at the Resurrection, and then completed by the Holy Spirit during the other Jewish festival, Pentecost. Christ is not our tithe, He is much more than our tenth. He is our all, and He certainly demands much more than our tenth, as wonderfully illustrated by the widow with her mites.


2. Tithing was a yearly issue. It could only be completed after the harvest was done. Only then could a farmer know if he met the 10 standard or not. It was only based on blessing, and was never meant as a burden. Again, if you were prosperous, you tithed, if you were not prosperous, God did not impress any further burdens.


3. Verse 23 mentions no money, only food.


4. Verse 24, however, does mention money, but for a specific purpose. There was a tithe to be eaten at home “within thy gates” according to earlier passages, but this tithe was to be eaten in the place that God designated, that is where He placed his name. Jews would have to travel to that designated place and rejoice and eat the tithe upon arrival. Sometimes this journey was too difficult to travel with herds or great abundance. God foresaw this issue, as Israel is a mountainous region, and allowed for the produce to be sold only if the money received would be used to buy further produce upon arriving at the designation place. When a Jew arrived, God gave him carte blanche to buy whatever he wanted to eat. Money was not the tithe, it only represented what was to be tithed. God did not want money. He wanted rejoicing and eating. God did not tell the Jew to eat money, but He did 
command that food would be eaten.


5. This passage clearly answers the assertion that “food was the money of ancient times” argument. It was not, because money and produce are mentioned together in this passage. They were separate entities.


6. There was a three year tithe. Verse 29 mentions when the tithe could be eaten at home, every three years. The other tithes were to be at God’s designated place every year. Notice that this is not the temple. Each tribe had their own designated places to eat the tithe. If this was, as is often asserted, the church, then the Jew would always go to the Temple to eat his tithe, but he did not go there.


7. Blessing is mentioned in verse 29 also. This is implied in other passages, but stated here. God provided the initial blessing, and then the Jewish farmer was to praise God for receiving that blessing. In turn, God would bless again. This is how God works. He provides, we praise, and He further provides. The Tithe festival was based upon the initial blessing. The Jewish farmer did nothing to merit that blessing. His extra blessing was merited once he acknowledged God’s provision. Today’s method is do this to receive that. God nowhere in the Bible operated on this basis. He always provided the blessing first, and then added to that blessing based upon how mankind reacted either to life or to death. To bottom line this thought – Jews tithed because they were blessed. They did not tithe to get that initial blessing. If all of the tithing passages are read as a whole, even including Abraham especially, this will be coherently seen.


The final Deuteronomic mention of tithing comes in chapter 26. It again restates the fact that tithing was –


1. Food – Verses 12 and 14.


2. Given not in mourning – Verse 14. The tithe was always a rejoicing time.


3. Tithes were provided for those who could not produce a tithe, that is Levite, Stranger, fatherless, widow – Verse 12.


4. The blessing mentioned in verse 15 applies to Israel, and it is not because of the tithe, but it is because of God's unconditional covenant established with Abraham in Genesis 12. That covenant was reestablished throughout the first five books of the Old Testament, and then throughout the remaining 34 books of the Old Testament. That blessing was not monetary, however, it was spiritual as will be seen once Malachi’s prophecy is understood.
To this point in the Old Testament, God established the tithe as part of the Law. He had clear dictates regarding who, what, where, when, and how the tithe was to be done. None of those commands fits today’s modern method of tithing. What changed? The Bible? Or Man? If you have read this far in my posts, please continue until the end. Certainly there are still many questions such as “But I tithe and see that God blesses me because I tithe.” As well as many other common statements. Please, do not disregard the Biblical tithing statements and practices. Apply them to contemporary situations and discern truth. Your premises may be faulty.

In the Image of God

Is man born with a sinful nature?  The popular belief is that yes, he is born a sinner as a result of his representative, Adam, falling in the garden of Eden.  Because of Adam's sin, all who were born after him have a sinful nature.  It is therefore no fault of each individual that they sin, but the fault of Adam. This is not only dishonoring to God, it is also man at his worse trying to make an excuse for his own, personal sin. It was this way from the beginning. Once God confronted Adam regarding his disobedience, Adam quickly blamed things on Eve. Eve then quickly blamed the serpent. It is worth noting that God still judged each one individually, even though the source of temptation was the devil himself.  People every where neglect to take responsibility for their sin! Aaron organized the construction of a golden calf, and when confronted by Moses, he quickly shifted the focus on to the Israelites. He even irrationally claimed that he threw the metal into the fire and out popped a golden calf. I grew up hearing and believing that I was a sinner from birth. Can this be true? That we are by birth, sinners, and therefore by no fault or choice of our own do we sin?  Sin is attached to me from birth and I have no choice in the matter? No doubt, there appears to be many verses that if taken at face value teach this idea. That is the very reason why  many are deceived on this issue. It wasn't until I began studying these verses on my own, without any man's thoughts or book detracting from  what the Bible teaches. Over the next few posts, I hope to look at each of these verses and let the Bible decide for us rather than rely on the "tenants of faith" which have been accepted without question from generation to generation.


Psalm 100:3 - Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves." Colossians 1:16 - "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth...all things were created by him and for him." John 1:3 - All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made." I recently asked the question to a pastor, "Who made us?" His response, which caught me by surprise, was "Your mom and dad made you." No doubt our parents are involved in procreation, however, all would agree that God is the one who gives life. Acts 17:24-25 states, "God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things." To understand that God is the giver of life, and breath, and all things is the key to understanding how man was and is created.


Genesis 1:26-27 - "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness." In the beginning of time as we know it, God created all things. The ability to create is a power that only the LORD has. To create by definition is "to bring into existence." True, man can make things by putting things together that are already in existence, but he can not bring things into existence as the Lord did and can. This is an important point to make, because there are a few passages in the Bible which cause confusion to the casual reader and lead him into false doctrines. It has been my experience that behind the "difficult to understand" verses that appear to even contradict other verses in the Bible are great treasures that the Lord wants to give to us. The problem is that little time is spent meditating, reading, and comparing spiritual things with spiritual. The modern "Christian" quickly runs to a pastor, a commentary, or some other source instead of relying upon the Holy Spirit to reveal the deep things of God (I Corinthians 2:10). Very little support is given to the one who sets out on a study of the Scriptures "on his own." Recently I was reproved by a leader of a church because I didn't approach him with my questions. I was also reproved for encouraging others to study and read the Bible for themselves. Unfortunately the attitude of this leader is prevalent in many places, and is one example of how the devil has gotten an advantage of us. God created man in His own image and after His likeness. Before Adam was even in consideration, the LORD said He would make man this way.  


 The image/likeness of God does not refer to the flesh of man. "God is Spirit" (John 4:24). Man's flesh could not be created in the likeness of God because God is Spirit. In fact, the Bible teaches in Philippians 2:7 that Christ was made in the "likeness of men." That is he took upon him the "form" of man (flesh) which was never the form or image of God. Therefore, to teach that we lost the image of God would be to teach that we lost something that we never had - if a person believes his flesh was created in the image of God. Being in the image of God does refer to the composition of man as body, soul, and spirit (an image of the three part nature of God existing as One). The image/likeness of God also consists of man's ability to love, to reason, to be an intelligent being not acting upon mere impulse or instinct, to make free choices (free will), to be aware of God, to desire fellowship, and many more. These attributes which all bear the image and likeness of God were not lost when Adam and Eve sinned. That people believe man is no longer born in the image of God has resulted in the devaluation of life (abortion), the diminishing of the awfulness of sin (disorders), and the excusing of sin (born this way or acting upon instinct).


God has not changed his way of giving life to man. He makes man in the same image which He created the first man - body, soul, spirit. Man still possesses the likeness of God in that he has the ability to love, reason, make free choices, etc. Further proof that man is created in God's image can be found in the following verses: 


Genesis 9:6 - "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man." God would not require that a murderer be put to death, if he were simply created in Adam's image (with a sinful nature/flesh). It is because man is made in the image of God that God requires justice upon murderers. No differentiation is made in Genesis 9 between a believer and unbeliever.

James 3:9 - "Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God." Similitude defined is likeness, resemblance, a thing or person that is like the counterpart of another (A model car is in similitude to the actual car).  It is defined this way in Numbers 12:8; Deuteronomy 4:12-16; and Romans 5:14. A simile is a literary tool used to compare two different things usually by employing the words "like" or "as."

I Corinthians 11:7 - "For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God."

Tithing - Numbers

Numbers further elaborates a tithing pattern that Genesis and Leviticus already illustrated, namely that tithing had to deal with food. Numbers also exemplifies who collected tithes, that is the Levites only. In context, let’s study this passage.


Numbers 18:23-32


18:23 But the Levites shall do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation, and they shall bear their iniquity: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations, that among the children of Israel they have no inheritance.


18:24 But the tithes of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the LORD, I have given to the Levites to inherit: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.


18:25 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,


18:26 Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the LORD, even a tenth part of the tithe.


18:27 And this your heave offering shall be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress.


18:28 Thus ye also shall offer an heave offering unto the LORD of all your tithes, which ye receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof the LORD's heave offering to Aaron the priest.


18:29 Out of all your gifts ye shall offer every heave offering of the LORD, of all the best thereof, even the hallowed part thereof out of it.


18:30 Therefore thou shalt say unto them, When ye have heaved the best thereof from it, then it shall be counted unto the Levites as the increase of the threshingfloor, and as the increase of the winepress.


18:31 And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation.


18:32 And ye shall bear no sin by reason of it, when ye have heaved from it the best of it: neither shall ye pollute the holy things of the children of Israel, lest ye die.




1. Numbers 18 is detailing a list of Levitical duties. Note that Levites were not always priests (I Chronicles 23:2-6, I Chronicles 24:1-19, I Chronicles 25:7-31, I Chronicles 26:1-19, I Chronicles 26:20-28, I Chronicles 26:29-31, I Chronicles 28:11-13), but priests were always Levites – except for the gross sin taking place in Judges. All of this is stated for an emphatic denial that today’s pastors are yesterday’s Levites. They are not equal. The Levites were the only group that God specifically ordained to collect any portion of the tithe. Yes, the Levite only collected a portion of the tithe, not all, which this passage, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy collectively state. Further, Levites were Levites by birth, not by schooling or training. No one can train to be a Levite if he was born a German, Russian, Australian, Gadite, Reubenite, or anything else.


2. Of the tithe that was received by the Levites, one tenth of that was to be offered in a separate offering, the “Heave Offering”, which is further outlined in Exodus 29:27-28; Leviticus 7:14, 32; Numbers 15:17-21; Numbers 18:8-32; Numbers 31:25-41; Deuteronomy 12:5-19. In each instance, this heave offering was food from the tithe, which was also food. In each instance of the tithe and heave offering, eating was involved as a direct command from God see Numbers 18:31. Both commands were to demonstrate how God had provided, and the festival was one of joy for that provision. Which was further clarified in Deuteronomy.


3. The place to enjoy the tithe was neither the temple nor the church, it was in the home with the household. Much has been made of “bring your tithes into the storehouse”, and the storehouse’s being viewed as modern churches. Refer to the initial Biblical explanation of a storehouse, it was not the temple, but something separate, and for food
storage. Levites would not eat of the heave offering from the tithe in the storehouse, they enjoyed it at home. They also did not use the tithe’s proceeds to pay bills or build bigger buildings. This was viewed as pollution by God in Numbers 18:32b, and the Bible reader has an example of how God punished such pollution by Eli’s sons who used this as well as other offerings improperly in I Samuel 2:1-4:22. Understandably, most balk at such an assertion, because after all, “how then does one pay for the things of the church? Buildings, bills, busses, etc…?” This question, oddly enough, was never asked in the Old or New Testaments. Why? Could it be because God had another method that He used for the “necessities”? These questions will be dealt with much more fully in the Why Go to Church? as well as further Tithing chapters. For now, one must ask, what is absolute need(s) for any gathering of believers? 


When answering the question, apply Ockham’s Razor, and cut away everything but what is necessary. What do you have left? Is money still needed in order to meet as a body of believers? Or can meetings still occur without money? Why or why not? These questions should reveal some perspective as to both how and why  a “church” operates.


The final mentions of the tithe in the Pentateuch are in Deuteronomy, and they are the most explicit. Moses, through the Holy Spirit, is covering all of his bases, so to speak, before he dies. Because of this approach, the tithe is fully comprehended, whereas, Genesis through Numbers may seem to leave holes. Deuteronomy fills in those holes leaving no doubt as to what the tithe was/is.

Tithing - Leviticus

After the Hebrews left Egypt, God began instituting a series of conditional laws. In other words, God promised to do something, if Israel would do what God commanded. In contrast to the Unconditional Covenants in which promises were made by God regardless of what Israel did, or would do, these Conditional Covenants were entirely based upon what Israel did or did not do. One of those Conditional Covenants was the Tithe. How did the Tithe work? To Whom did it apply? What was tithed? How often did the tithe occur? Why Tithe? God answered all of these questions while establishing this Conditional Covenant.

Leviticus 27:30-24

27:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD.

27:31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.

27:32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

27:33 He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

27:34 These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.

In the first establishment of the tithe seen in Leviticus 27, verse 30 speaks volumes. The tithe is from the land, seed of the land, or fruit of the land. Only someone who could produce from the land is obligated exaction of this tithe.

Further laws are stated governing the tithe as the passage continues. Verse 32 tells us that the tenth of the herd to pass under the rod was holy, not the first. Why is this necessary to understand?

1. Because the farmer, and only farmers could do this, had to have 10 animals before he could tithe. He could not tithe off of 9 cows, nor did God require him to tithe upon anything less than 10 – tithe does mean tenth after all.

2. The tithe is not the first-fruits. The first-fruits is a completely separate Law/Festival issue. Many confuse the two issues, and create a doctrine stating that one
must tithe based upon the gross, and it should be the first tenth of every paycheck spent. These ideas are not Scripturally tenable. Further, verse 32 speaks against such impositions.

3. Whatever passed under the rod was holy unto the Lord. Money does not walk, therefore it could not pass under a rod. This had to be part of the herd. One may say, well animals were money back then, just wait, God answers this assertion in Deuteronomy.

4. The farmer could not choose what would be tithed. He had to let it be chosen, whether the fatted calf, or the halt cow. If he tampered with the order, God had a further penalty, that of adding the tampered animals to the tithe.
To this point in the third book of the Old Testament, Tithing has only been concerned with food, not money. God has a special reason for this, which is beautifully illustrated in Numbers and Deuteronomy.

Sin Nature - Reasons for the Excuse an Introduction

Tim’s post yesterday reveals a number of issues about a very serious topic, a topic which, from our experiences, raises ire amongst many. The sin nature issue is a vital issue, it is “Christianity 101” as a friend of mine recently said, but though it’s so basic, so many get it wrong. They get it wrong in so many ways, but for only one reason – their own sin. Christ had much to say about uncovering sin during His earthly ministry. Two of his more well-known comments come from John.

John 3:18-21

3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

3:19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

3:21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 15:18-25

15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

15:21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.

15:22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin.

15:23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also.

15:24 If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father.

15:25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

Both passages reveal one thing, hatred. But why such hatred? Simply, Christ revealed man’s sin guilt, and in so doing, removed all excuses that man offers for his own sin. If one were to put this to the test in a one on one witnessing encounter, then Christ’s words would immediately be revealed as truth experientially. A lost man always offers an excuse for his sin, and when it is pointed out to him that he sins because he chose to sin, the conversation turns on a knife’s edge. Agitation sets in, and what may have been a pleasant discussion up to that point often descends into anger. Man simply does not like to be at fault. It is a grave error that LOST MEN have done to churches, schools, and professing Christians in that they created a “doctrine” that ultimately wipes away sin-guilt. It is an even more serious error than most imagine, because if someone else is to be blamed for why we sin, then how can we properly repent? How does one view God? How does one view Christ’s sacrifice properly? All of this and more must be brought into proper context, or the sad consequences of multitudes going to Hell is a serious truth, not because either Tim or I have said so, but because God’s revealed standard and punishment for breaking that standard is certain.

Many disagree with us, actually, the majority disagree with us, as the “doctrine” of sin nature, original sin, or total depravity (all the same doctrine, just different names) has been taught by “great men” of the faith for centuries. We hope that, if you do disagree with us, do so based upon a serious Bible study, one that is absent of biased tendencies, one in which you’re open to the realization that you may have been wrong. Tim and I both taught that we sin because of Adam for years, after all that’s what we were taught. But upon a deeper understanding of sin, and further understanding of God, the sin nature issue is inherently wicked, that has to be the only conclusion, a conclusion that we hope to back up over the course of our next posts.

One final note from my point of view. Please, refer back to John 3 and 15 often. If you find yourself upset that we’re using scripture to remove the cloak, as Christ did, we beg of you, search your heart. Search it seriously, humbly, and contritely. Only guilty, lost people make excuses for sin.

The Nature of Man - Introduction

The appropriate way to begin the study of any subject in the Bible is to find the earliest mention or teaching of that subject. More often than not, this principle leads one to begin in the first book of the Bible - Genesis. This holds true in the study of the nature of man. There are 2 predominant views on man's nature - Man is born with a sinful nature and man is born just, upright. Within these pages, God's perfect word will be studied and magnified in order that the reader may discern with the Holy Spirit's guidance the proper teachings of His word. To understand the nature of man is of great importance, because as will be seen, this subject is intertwined with many other facets of the Christian life.

What the Bible teaches about sin, salvation, God Himself, and man himself will all be affected if man's nature is misunderstood. That is why I desire to set out upon this humbling task to search the Scriptures rather than rely upon the teachings of men or tenants of the faith. "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8). Over the past few months I have been overwhelmed at how a simple desire to study man's nature has led me to feel at times like I am gasping for air as the Lord has flooded me with His Truth.

It is understandable why there exists much confusion today on this subject, and it is no wonder as Satan hath blinded the hearts of men. Rather than studying and meditating upon God's word, one feels that their duty has been fulfilled by a mere reading of His word. He picks up the Bible, reads a few chapters, and goes about his day. There is little to no connection between the two and little to no effect upon the heart. The reader experiences nothing of its searching and cleansing effects.  Others will read a verse or verses apart from the context of where they are located, which leads to the creation of "doctrines" which were never intended by our Lord. This is usually motivated by a society who wants everything "on demand" rather than taking the time to let the Holy Spirit guide in His time. Pastors or leaders will often establish themselves as the one endowed with all knowledge pertaining to life, godliness, and His word; and expect their "sheep" to revert to him for these matters rather than searching the Scriptures themselves. I am a novice when it comes to historical facts, but I remember there being a time when the Bible was chained to the church's pulpit. Our times are much different, and the Bible is available in almost every corner (I have 3 Bible apps on my cell phone!). The Bible is no longer chained, however, there remains an attitude that its understanding is still chained to the man behind some pulpit.

"The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." (Psalm 12:6). There are no contradictions. When a reader does a brief survey of the Bible, there may appear to be some contradictions. However, after more digging and searching, the contradictions often turn into the hidden treasures of secret places. It is the Lord's desire to see which of His people are willing to search for these hidden treasures so that that man can be rewarded with an understanding of the deep things of Scripture.

With these thoughts in mind, let's begin this study on the Nature of Man.

Tithing - Genesis

After having read the relevant Scripture regarding the Tithe, let’s take a closer look at each passage to define what the Tithe is, what it is not; to whom the Tithe applies, and to whom it does not.

Abraham meets Melchizedek

Genesis 14:16-24


14:16 And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.


14:17 And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.


14:18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God


14:19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 


14:20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.


14:21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.


14:22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, 


14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich: 


14:24 Save only that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men which went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.


Genesis 14  and its restatement in Hebrews 7 illustrate an interesting meeting between Abram and Melchizedek the king of Salem. Abram had just finished aiding the king of Sodom against a rival confederacy, and returned with both people and goods as his war spoils. What can be learned from this passage?


1. Abram tithed a tenth of all of his war spoils, which included people according to verses 16, 21,  and 24. (Also note Isaiah 6:12-13, Amos 5:1-3, and Revelation 11:13 for future human tithes). Money may have been an issue, but it was not mentioned in this passage, therefore, it was not
and is not the focus.


2. Abram tithed of the spoils. This was neither his income nor personal possession. He did not even view the spoils as being his. He immediately transferred ownership to the king of Sodom. This is a vital point for those who hold that Abram instituted the Tithe. Abram gave 10% to God (cf. Order of Melchizidek Hebrews 7), and the remaining 90% to the wicked king of Sodom, who God obliterated a few chapters later. Are true Christians to do the same? Care about God only 10% and the world 90%? How does this compare with God demanding our all, not just 10%?


3. This is the only mention of tithing in Abram’s entire life. If he were establishing this as a future church practice, then Abram broke this supposed command his entire life, save this one instance.


Genesis 28:13-22


28:13 And, behold, the LORD stood above it, and said, I am the LORD God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; 


28:14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.


28:15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.


28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said,
Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not.
28:17 And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.


28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.


28:19 And he called the name of that place Bethel: but the name of that city was called Luz at the first.


28:20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 


28:21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 


28:22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

Jacob's Dream

Genesis 28 does not use the word tithe as such, but Jacob does mention giving a tenth to God in verse 22. Jacob, the schemer, is trying to make a deal with God on Jacob’s terms. Search the rest of Scripture and see how that works out. Good or Bad? Does God honor such deals? Look closer to the passage. God has already promised Jacob an abundant life. He is restating the unconditional covenant made to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3. But Jacob does not get it. He becomes afraid, and in his fear he offers a test to God in verse 20. What then do we learn from this passage about tithing?


1. It is ok to offer God an ultimatum. God, do this for me, and then I’ll follow you. This certainly is not how Salvation works, ever.


2. God already promised Jacob material as well as spiritual blessing, regardless of what Jacob promised in verse 22. 


3. Jacob is also being stingy. He’s short changing God, by asking God to give him all, but Jacob would only be required to return 10%.


4. Did the stone that Jacob set up actually become God’s house? This would be absurd. 


5. There is no record that Jacob returned in peace, or that he actually did fulfill his promise to God concerning the tenth.


6. Jacob’s promise was also, if he ever did it, a one-time only deal.


Using such passages to create a “Pre-Law” doctrine of the tithe is faulty. If the tithe were set up before the Law, then one would have to assume that God allows for the tithing of people, is ok with only 10% while the other 90% goes to serve sin (represented in Sodom), makes deals that most definitely benefit man – not God, and only wants the tithe once in a man’s life. Certainly this is not how the modern church preaches the tithe.