Dear Associates, Students and Friends:
In Chapter 3 “False Ideas of God” of his small book Dr. Loyal Hurley quotes the last verse in John’s first epistle, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21). Then Dr. Hurley writes:
“The most important thinking in the world is the thinking men do about God. True ideas of God lead to nobility of life; false ideas of God lead to the opposite.”
“False Ideas of God” 1
This statement by Dr. Hurley is absolutely true. Dr. Martin begins this month’s article (a 1993 lecture) by quoting the same verse, “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).
The thinking that you do about God is also the most important thinking that you will do during your life. Why? It is simply because the thinking you do about God — His reality, His love, His nature, His attributes, His Messiah, and His acts of salvation for you in the past, present, and future — all have a direct impact on your relationships with other people at this present moment (Proverbs 23:7).
Your thoughts about God also will have a direct bearing on your future status. Your thoughts and actions could even determine when you will be resurrected, whether (1) at Christ’s Second Coming to receive your reward in the Kingdom of God, or (2) with the remainder of humanity after the Great White Throne Judgment (as all creation shall be redeemed through Christ, Colossians 1:20). As the apostle Paul says, we should think and live “… worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God” (Colossians 1:10, in context of verses 9–12). This is God’s work which He does through us. Works that we do contribute nothing to our salvation, but they directly impact the amount and degree of reward we receive in God’s Kingdom. We all participate in the work God delegates to us as His children:
“And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
Philippians 2:11–13
God the Father will not give His glory to anyone or anything, unless He delegates that glory. 2 God’s glory should not be tarnished by us through any form of idolatry.
“I am the Lord [YHWH]: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.”
Isaiah 42:8
In the “Introduction” to his book 101 Bible Secrets, Dr. Martin wrote: “… the prime questions discussed throughout all history have been ones involving theology. People are very curious to know about God.” My computer dictionary has the first definition for “Theology” as “The study of the nature of God and religious truth; rational inquiry into religious questions.” This definition is precise and correct. The only way to study the nature of God is to receive revelation from God through His Word, the Bible. Jesus Christ was the living Word of God. The Bible is the written Word of God. 3
Idolatry in all its forms is a great curse and a grievous error, so easily committed and unwittingly entered into by human beings. However, Paul notes numerous times that idolaters will not be present in God’s Kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10:19–20; 2 Corinthians 6:16–19; Galatians 5:19–21; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5–6). This month’s article, “Idolatry - The Curse of Religion,” discusses the beginnings of Israel’s idolatry at the time of the Exodus.
I continue to do internet radio shows. The list of shows can be found listed under “Byte Show Interviews” at http://www.askelm.com/audio/index.asp. Other shows are in the works with other hosts. Where appropriate the shows are cross-indexed with the articles so you can read the material in the article while listening to the program. The relaxed format with host Ms. George Ann Hughes of The Byte Show gives ASK additional exposure on the internet, providing another dimension to Dr. Martin’s research. On these shows I review my own research as well. The radio shows are available as MP3 files that can be downloaded from the ASK website to your MP3 player. These shows reach an audience around the world that bring people to the ASK website for the deep spiritual teaching of the Bible from Dr. Martin’s research.
Keep in mind that ASK gratefully receives bequests from estates, trusts, or legacies. However, it is important that you let us know that you are leaving a bequest — in writing — so we may properly follow-up when appropriate. We know that many of you appreciate the work of ASK, and we are grateful that you keep us in your thoughts for the future. However, remember always that family comes first:
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.”
Proverbs 13:22
I hope you will consider ASK as those of “the just” and that our efforts are worthy of consideration in your estate planning.
Several of you have requested a receipt for your 2006 contributions. If you still require one, notify us and the receipt will be sent to you. ASK is a tax deductible non-profit religious organization. You must request a receipt in order to receive one. We do not automatically send yearly receipts.
We are grateful to all of you for your prayers, your comments, and for your contributions. With your spiritual, enthusiastic, and monetary support we continue to produce the most useful material possible on the ASK website and in print. Increasingly we are reaching people around the world. We try to thank each of you personally for every contribution you make to us. We pray that God’s blessings are upon you all. We also hope that the material from ASK is also a blessing to your minds. Know that you do indeed have our grateful thanks in a personal way for your financial support for ASK to do this important job.
David W. Sielaff
David@askelm.com
1 From the book The Outcome of Infinite Grace: Death Swallowed Up in Victory at www.fellowship.to/outcome.html. DWS
2 He has given His glory to Christ. We share in that glory, individually and corporately as members of the Body of Christ. The Greek word doxa is translated “glory.” Discussion of God’s properly delegated glory is found in Luke 24:26; Romans 6:4, 15:7, 16:27; 2 Corinthians 4:6, 8:23, 12:9; Ephesians 1:12, 17, 3:21; Philippians 1:11, 2:11, 4:19; Colossians 1:27, 3:4; 1 Thessalonians 2:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:14; 2 Timothy 2:10; Hebrews 13:21; James 2:1; 1 Peter 1:7, 11, 4:14, 5:1, 10; 2 Peter 3:18. DWS
3 If you want to learn more about the Bible than you ever thought possible, read Dr. Martin’s excellent book Restoring the Original Bible (Portland, OR: ASK Publications, 1994/2004). This book is available to be read online complete at: http://www.askelm.com/restoring/index.asp. You will want to buy the published book after reading several chapters. DWS
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