by A. A. Neale

The big to-do in the U.S. these days roils around Hillary Clinton's new book of old tales. For eight million dollars up front and bunches more to be doled out later, the former First Lady spills the beans.

But it's not about money, not completely, anyway. Most everybody recognizes what she's up to, clearing the way for a run for the White House. It's power, pure, unadulterated power. Her book is a softener, getting us public rags ready for the big wash.

Hillary represents everything the indecent, immoral liberal element in America loves. Nothing she can do will displease them, because they speak the same language, though not all of New York state thinks their Senator is the greatest thing since sliced bread.

You might think otherwise, but this article isn't about Hillary. It's about our public face, mine and yours. Two problems keep popping up to mar the image.

First, like Hillary, we think we need a spin job to catch the public eye and win support. Try these examples on for size, from yesterday's Agape Press:

"Some Ohio churches are jazzing up their services with movie clips, rock music, theatrical lights, and giant video screens. Pastor Bryce Davis says Eastside Christian Church in suburban Cincinnati has increased attendance ten-fold since adding high-tech equipment. Nearly 1,600 people came to Easter services this year. And Gail Rizzo, director of worship, technology, and drama at Mount Carmel Christian Church, says the church wanted to make sure it was using every available tool in its services. So the church has installed enormous screens that project guest speakers beamed into the sanctuary by satellite. An elaborate speaker system pipes rock music into the church to introduce the sermon topic, and theatrical lights spotlight actors performing Bible stories."

Whoops! They forgot the smoke or dry ice or whatever makes the ground boil to make the performers look like they're floating on clouds. And how about suits with lights? Or bring the preacher flying in on a hidden wire, like Peter Pan. That ought to get their attention. Or maybe a theatrical Matrix-Star-Wars-kung-fu battle to show how real the battle is between good and evil. If not, why not? You can take this just as far as you want to to take it, because once you get away from the simplicity of the gospel and the Biblical plan of worship, the imagination's the limit.

This isn't church, it's Hollywood in religious garb, and it just plain stinks as it rises to Heaven.

That's the first public face. The Lord's order was for edification not titillation. Go read 1 Corinthians 14.

Here's the second one. Like Hillary, lots of us religious folk show a hypocritical face. Lots of people are laughing at Senator Clinton's mock surprise at Bill's shenanigans. As if she's going to convince anybody she's the poor victim.

Well, the polls say people who claim to be a part of Protestant Christendom don't live any better than their non-religious neighbors. I think it was Barna who said the Baptists are breaking up their marriages quicker than most folk. There are reasons for that, a main one being, to my mind, the faith-only doctrine of salvation that says that even if you don't live it, it doesn't matter anyway because once you got it you can't lose it. Be that as it may, the big evangelical world is just as perverse as its pagan neighbors. The denominationals are drinking and doping, divorcing and dancing, double-timing and defaulting just like everybody else, and putting on a pious face on Sundays. When they go.

That trite phrase, "walk the talk," was invented among people who, as a rule, don't do it. Will the one body, the Lord's church? If it doesn't, it will cease to belong to the Holy One.

And if the real Christian tries Hillary's ploy, he'll be the laughingstock of the world. Just like her.

It's time we threw away the masks, and got real.

by J. Randal Matheny

In 1976, Biblical Research Press published Arlie J. Hoover's study book called Ideas and Their Consequences. He demonstrated that the tenets of modern naturalism have disastrous results. "The thesis is simple: bad theology and bad philosophy make for bad consequences" (p. 1).

What we believe produces in our life inexorable consequences. What we espouse and teach multiplies those consequences in many lives.

So Jesus says. How does one recognize false teachers? By the consequences of their teaching. "You will know them by their fruits" (Matt. 7:16). "Fruits" is a picturesque way of saying results, consequences, product.

The old saw says, you are what you think. No less true for its overuse.

Perhaps the most important concept is one's belief about God. In his book Your God Is Too Small, J. B. Phillips charged that limited views of God have devastating results for our faith.

Paul quotes from Psalm 116 to express this truth, "I believed, therefore I spoke" (2 Cor. 4:13). His "speaking" expresses not merely a flow of words, but the entire effort of a lifetime to preach the gospel as the greatest demonstration of love possible. His "concepts" of God, of Christ, of salvation, of Christian responsibility, all led him to a specific course of action.

Whatever we believe about God, about others, about ourselves, about our world will affect our actions and the outcome of our entire lives.

Boiling it all down: To have the right concepts, the proper ideas, the truths which reflect reality as God created it, I go to the Scriptures. They guide my thinking, burst my illusions, correct my errors, open up the truth that may bring, to me and those around me, the eternal relationship with God.

As Paul advised Timothy, "Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you" (1 Tim. 4.16).

by Emmett Smith

Among this past week's news stories were a couple that illustrate the concept of wolves in sheep's clothing.

One dealt with a Danish Lutheran minister who was quoted as having said, "there is no heavenly God, there is no eternal life, there is no resurrection." The article dealt with the various responses to such a shocking statement from a purported man of God. Interestingly, there was a supportive statement from the leader of Denmark's Theological College of Education, who was quoted as saying the minister's remarks were "refreshing."

The other story was about the election of an openly homosexual Episcopal Bishop in New Hampshire.

Of course, such incidents as these are nothing new. The evil one has always sought to clothe himself in religious legitimacy. And Jesus himself warned us to beware of false prophets who would appear in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are hungry wolves (Matthew 7:15). Paul used similar language in Acts 20, where he told the elders of the church at Ephesus that grievous wolves would enter in among them. It's interesting that Paul predicted the apostasy would be spread from among the elders. And as we look at the many religious denominations in today's world that are obviously infiltrated by false teachers, many of whom are "theologians" in the institutions of higher learning, we would be well advised to take a look among ourselves.

As Peter said in 2 Peter 2:1, "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

Who would have ever thought that a self professed Christian would deny the very existence of God? And yet Peter plainly stated that these false teachers would even deny the Lord that bought them! However, most false teachers won't go so far as to take such a public stance ... at least not until they think they've garnered adequate support.

No, the false doctrines will be subtle at first. Precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little, to paraphrase Isaiah.

That's why we always need to study. We need to emulate the Bereans, who readily listened to Paul's teaching, but then searched the scriptures daily to make sure he was telling it like it is. As Paul said to the Corinthians, "let him who thinks he is standing securely beware of falling" (1 Corinthians 10:12).

God's word is alive and powerful. A studying, literate body of Christians is unlikely to be misled.

by Phil Sanders

But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus, in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. (Ephesians 2:4-9)

It has been the tendency of man to downplay sin. Adam pointed to Eve, and Eve pointed to the serpent. Saul blamed the people. Isaiah spoke of those who call evil good and good evil. Life is still that way. People re-label wickedness as an alternative lifestyle, thinking that they can fool others into accepting it. The tragedy is that many do approve evil (Rom. 1:32).

We are hearing much about grace these days. Those lost in sin need a Savior and need the grace of God displayed in the blood of Jesus to wash away their sins. Many thank God for His gifts and His display of goodness towards us.

Some have rediscovered grace, thinking that preachers in time past had neglected to speak on it. Perhaps some have.

Grace, as a precious gift, must never be trivialized. God saved us to make us into people for His own possession (Eph. 2:10; Titus 2:11-14), righteous and zealous for good works. As a gift, grace works with our own repentance. Some think grace excludes the need for dealing with sin any further. They see little reason to pursue repentance and righteousness. They assume the grace of God will cover them as they remain in their sins.

Grace does not turn an immoral practice into a moral one — apart from repentance. Grace does not excuse following error or man-made innovations — apart from repentance. God expects men to change and to fight the good fight (1 Tim. 1:18; 6:12); He expects them to realize their bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19-20) and to use the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:10-18).

James urges Christians to put "aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls" (Jas. 1:21). We can put to death the sin in our lives (Rom. 8:13) with God's help, which is so abundant and free.

Rather than make excuses over our weaknesses, let us take hold of the joy and strength in the Lord.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil" (Eph. 6:10-11).

by J. Randal Matheny

"... the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior" (Titus 3.5-6).

"... to the praise of the glory of his grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. ... according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us" (Eph. 1.7b-8).

The New Testament abounds with the language of abundance, fullness, and riches. Not material, but spiritual.

In order to know God and do all his will, we have at our disposal all spiritual and heavenly riches. To serve others, encourage the downhearted, spread the message of the gospel, resist the devil's temptations, and fulfill our role in the kingdom of God, we enjoy all knowledge, every resource, every blessing from God.

God is not stingy, but generous. He doesn't drip a blessing here and there, mere drops for the thirsty. He pours out his Spirit upon us. He sends "showers of blessing."

Brazilians have a word for it: we are swimming in grace.