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Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Chuck Colson :: Townhall.com Columnist
It's Not About the Manger
by Chuck Colson
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Do we get this? I am afraid most of us are so preoccupied, distracted by last-minute Christmas shopping and consumerism, that we fail to see God’s cosmic plan of redemption in which we, as fallen creatures, are directly involved.

The average Christian may not “get” this announcement, but those locked behind bars do. Whenever I preach in the prisons, and I read Christ’s inaugural sermon, Luke 4:18, and when I quote His promise of freedom for prisoners, they often raise their arms and cheer. The message of Jesus means freedom and victory for those who once had no hope. They are not distracted by the encumbrance of wealth and comfort.

People in the developing world get it, too. Whenever I have shared this message with the poor and oppressed people overseas, I see eyes brightening. Stripped of all material blessings, exploited by earthly powers, they long for the bold new kingdom of Christ.

Today is Christmas: Go ahead and enjoy singing about, and celebrating, the birth of the Savior. Set up a manger scene in your home. But do not forget this earth-shaking truth: The birth of the Baby in the manger was the thrilling signal that God had invaded the planet. And that gives us the real reason to celebrate Christmas.

For all of the staff of BreakPoint, this is Chuck Colson, in Washington, wishing you and your loved ones a very merry Christmas.

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About The Author
Chuck Colson was the Chief Counsel for Richard Nixon and served time in prison for Watergate-related charges. In 1976, Colson founded Prison Fellowship Ministries, which, in collaboration with churches of all confessions and denominations, has become the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners, crime victims, and their families.
 
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Reply # 1
Date: Mar 24, 2008 - 2:26 PM EST
watercloset - Correction / Lord’s Supper


I realize chances are very low that anyone will ever check this record to see this update, but it was important to me to make this correction just the same.


After giving the subject of the Lord’s Supper more thought, I consulted one of our church elders and engaged in further study.


I am confident that observing the Lord’s Supper on the first day of the week (i.e., Sunday) is correct according to Scripture, based on Paul’s example recorded by Luke in the Book of Acts:


"And upon the first [day] of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight." (Acts 20:7, KJV)


However, I also used an example from Luke chapter 24 (see post dated 12/26/07, 6:12am) as Scriptural support, and after further study, I believe Luke chapter 24 is not conclusively applicable to the Lord’s Supper. The conclusion I reached regarding Luke chapter 24 is a “possible” conclusion, but it is NOT a “necessary” conclusion, and therefore I should not have used it.


Scriptural error is something I am very concerned about, and something I take very seriously. I do not ever want to point anyone in the wrong direction. In this case, my conclusion that the Lord’s Supper is to be observed every Sunday is born out by Scripture, but part of the Scriptural support I used was inadequate to be considered “conclusive”.


Please accept my apology, and as always, I encourage everyone to check anything that men say against what God’s Word in the Bible says.


Even (sometimes especially) with the best of intentions, men are fallible.


God is not!

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Reply # 2
Date: Mar 24, 2008 - 2:23 PM EST
Matt Coyle - Part 3 of 3


(continued from previous post)


Matt writes: “The good news about the redemptive work of Christ for all, was given to the apostle Paul. That gospel, that good news, Paul calls, "my gospel." God interrupted His program and purpose with Israel and began something new with Paul. When this age of grace comes to an end, God will then resume His program with Israel.”


God’s plan was designed before the foundation of the world.


God knows the end from the beginning:

“Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me, [10] Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:” (Isaiah 46:9-10, KJV)


It is the height of human arrogance to think anything we might do could cause God Himself to alter, change or otherwise “interrupt” His perfect plan.


Unless you can present book, chapter and verse from God’s Word in the Bible to prove the things you have said here, which I don’t believe you have any hope of doing, I can only conclude that you are teaching a false Gospel:


“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: [7] Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. [8] But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. [9] As we said before, so say I now again, If any [man] preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9, KJV)


It is my sincere hope that you will discover the error of your religious belief while there is still time, and seek the truth which can only be found in God’s Word in the Bible.


Scott

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