# 50: Open Book Exam

When I was at university, some of those artsy courses used to have open book exams. They could take any book into the class and use it in the exam. Didn't make sense to me until I did one and realised if you don't know the stuff well enough you aren't going to find it quick enough in an exam.

God's judgement is an open book exam.

God's judgement is not a hidden mystery, as if he will judge us for things we know not what.

No, God has given us the textbook, in fact God is a lot like my Physics lecturer who used to say, "I'm not going to tell you what's in the exam, but if you study the lecture material, in particular week four, and if I was doing this exam I would be sure to study magnetism."

God has told us what's on the test, he's given us the textbook.

So it makes absolutely no sense for Cliff Richard to say things like this:

"I'm not going to judge, I'll leave that to God."

Off course we leave judgement to God, but God has told us how he will judge and that really ought to modify our behaviour and what we approve and disapprove of.

What Cliff really means is, "I'm not listening to what God has already told us"

Umm, Cliff, that's one of the main things God says he will judge us for.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/books/sir-cliffs-life-with-expriest/2008/09/05/1220121491526.html?sssdmh=dm16.333153

# 49: Giving The Drowning Man an Anvil

What is it that the homosexual person needs most from Christians right now?


Our society is on a trend toward indulgence and meaninglessness. Hedonism is one of our unofficial religions.
The homosexual community, in particular that segment represented by the Gay and Lesbian Mardis Gras, is at the decadent edge of this trend.

So Christians who are struggling with homosexuality, and homosexuals who are struggling with Christianity are being told by the world things like:

* Homosexuality is normal.
* Sexual indulgence is the key to happiness.
* Sex is the only thing that matters.
* No one can tell you what to do.
* Your feelings are the best guide to moral truth.

The Bible tells us plainly, again and again that homosexual behaviour is a sin.
The Bible tells us people who continue to practice homosexuality will come under God's judgement.

So what is it that we really need to tell the struggling person?

Sorry?

It's OK?

Giving a blanket sorry to the homosexual community is as helpful to the struggling Christian as giving an anvil to a drowning man.

For the love of God, haven't we got anything to throw him that will help lift him out of the mess?

If you throw a drowing man a stick or a branch, sure it might sting a bit if it hits him hard, but it's what he needs to climb out of the quicksand.

# 48: 2 Timothy 2

Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness."

2 Timothy 2:19

# 47: Augustine on Iniquity

"I inquired what iniquity was, and found it to be no substance, but the perversion of the will, turned aside from Thee, O God, the Supreme, towards these lower things."

Augustine

# 46: Lewis on Morality

"Really great moral teachers never do introduce new moralities: it is quacks and cranks who do that."

"In reality, moral rules are directions for running the human machine. Every moral rule is there to prevent a breakdown, or a strain, or a friction, in the running of that machine...When you are being taught how to use any machine, the instructor keeps on saying, 'No, don't do it like that,' because, of course, there are all sorts of things that look all right and seem to you the natural way of treating the machine, but do not really work."

"We are to be re-made. All the rabbit in us is to disappear---the worried, conscientious, ethical rabbit as well as the cowardly and sensual rabbit. We shall bleed and squeal as the handfuls of fur come out; and then, surprisingly, we shall find underneath it all a thing we have never yet imagined: a real Man, an ageless god, a son of God, strong, radiant, wise, beautiful, and drenched in joy."

"Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who must lay down his arms."

C. S. Lewis

# 45: Jerome Urges Right Handling of Scripture

"A false interpretation of Scripture causes that the gospel of the Lord becomes the gospel of man, or, which is worse, of the devil."

Jerome

#44: Leonard Ravenhill on the Bible

"The Bible is either absolute, or it's obsolete."

Leonard Ravenhill