No ordinary death

Andries Tatane’s death and the death of Jesus of Nazareth bear some remarkable similarities and differences.

Both men were 33 years old, guilty of no crime, yet treated with contempt, beaten, and killed by the authorities of the day. Both men’s death was terrible and tragic. Both men’s death also achieved results for their people.

Jesus’ death, however, was voluntary. Andries’ death was involuntary. Andries Tatane did not wake up planning and knowing he would die. On the other hand, from the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus said that he must die and give his life as a ransom for many.

Jesus death was also vicarious. Jesus unambiguously said that he must die for others. He said that the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. Jesus suffered, was abandoned, and died to take upon himself the full wrath of God for the sin of God’s people. Jesus died not for his own sin, but that of others.

Jesus death was also infinitely valuable. Andries Tatane’s death may have some short term service delivery benefits for his community. Jesus’ death however has infinite benefits for people of every generation, every nation, every culture and every age. Through trust in Jesus as Lord and God your eternal salvation is secured, you are adopted in God’s very own family, and your sins are completely, utterly forgiven.

The violence of Andries Tatane’s death has rightly angered the people of South Africa. Let us remember another violent death. And be angered at our sin. And then be driven to the cross, where God’s anger was poured out on Jesus so that we may experience his love.

How not to commit adultery

The book of Proverbs gives us some really practical advice on how to keep our marriage beds (and future marriage beds) pure.

1. Remember that God is all-seeing and all-knowing
Whatever you were doing a hour ago, God saw and heard and knew. Proverbs 5:21 says, in the context of temptation to adultery, “For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths". God is like Norton’s Internet Protector on steroids and that’s a good thing! Its good to know that God know all we say and do and think.  God sees where we go on the internet and what pics we download on our phone. God listens to our phone calls. God reads our SMSes and Facebook statuses.

2. Strong marriages (and future marriages) need strong friends
In Proverbs 5:1-2 a older Christian is instructing and counselling and sharing with a younger man. He says, “My son, pay attention to my wisdom, listen well to my words of insight, that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.”
Whether we are dating or married we need strong friends that will hold us accountable and encourage us to godly living. Guys: You need godly guy friends who are not impressed with you! Ladies: You need godly girlfriends who will encourage and support you. The best way to get these kinds of friends is to start being this kind of friend to someone else.

3. Consider the consequences
Proverbs 5v3-6 says, “ the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths are crooked, but she knows it not."
The love of another woman might seem attractive at first and an affair might be very appealing. The other person may seem more understanding, gentler and more successful. But know that affairs always end in hurt, pain, pregnancy, STD’s and divorce.
The grass may seem greener on the other side, but the godly husband makes his present marriage better. Dating has the same temptation: having sex may seem so appealing – like sweet honey (v3), but it ends in enslavement to lust, a seared conscience, public shame, bitterness, break up, anger and guilt.

We have an enemy named Satan and his purpose is to destroy you, your marriage and your children. He will wait 40 years to find you weakness if necessary. Never drop your guard, never think you are beyond temptation, always guard your marriage, always consider the consequences. Adultery is can be alluring, but in end it fatal.

4. Not even a hint
God commands us not to have even a hint of sexual immorality or sin in our lives (Ephesians 5v3). Sin is like cyanide. It’s poisonous, even if you just have a little.

Proverbs 7v6-21 paints a vivid picture of the deceptiveness of sin:
6 At the window of my house I looked out through the lattice.
7 I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who lacked judgment.
8 He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house
9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.
(The foolish young man knows where the seductive woman lives and purposefully walks down her street. He does not stay away as far as he can from temptation. The temptation may be a woman, a man, a website or a casino.)

10 Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent.
11 (She is loud and defiant, her feet never stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the squares, at every corner she lurks.)
13 She took hold of him and kissed him and with a brazen face she said:
14 "I have fellowship offerings at home; today I fulfilled my vows.
15 So I came out to meet you; I looked for you and have found you!
16 I have covered my bed with coloured linens from Egypt.
17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.
18 Come, let’s drink deep of love till morning; let’s enjoy ourselves with love!
(Sin sounds so good! The other person seems so perfect! But people don’t know that well may seem perfect for we only see their good side, when they’re dressed to kill and have make up on. Its not reality! )

21 With persuasive words she led him astray; she seduced him with her smooth talk.

It all started walking down the street (v8), not getting rid of every hint of sexually immorality, not dealing with sin and temptation before it grows.

If you are married: Your affections, and intimacy, and admiration is for your wife or husband. If you are dating, it’s for your future wife or husband.

Perseverance of the saints

Can a Christian loose their salvation? The Bible says no.

The last point of Calvinism is: The perseverance of the saints. Perhaps a better summary would be: God’s preservation of the saints or God’s persevering with the saints. (BTW “Saints” is the word the New Testament uses for regular Christians.)

The Westminster Confession of Faith has a great definition of this doctrine. It says, “They whom God has accepted in his Beloved, effectually called and sanctified by his Spirit, can neither totally nor finally fall away from the state of grace; but shall certainly persevere therein to the end, and be eternally saved.”

Jesus put it this way:
"I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24
“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.” John 10:27-30

The Apostle Paul, Jesus' follower and author of a large chunck of the New Testament said:
“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

According to the Bible, a Christian can never loose their salvation, fall beyond God’s grace, be un-adopted from God’s family, be un-justified or be un-redeemed. Christians will perseverance to the end. 

This doctrine has been misunderstood by many. The doctrine does not say that Christians will not face any spiritual dangers or never fall into sin. Indeed they will face trials and fall into sin, just like all the “great” believers in the Bible. The doctrine simply says that if they are Christians they will persevere through all these trials and temptations and never loose their right standing before God.

Of course, this doctrine applies only to Christians. It does not apply to those who simply profess Christ, think they can live like they want and have a free ticket to heaven.