Good article on Urban Reformation about comparisons, the only comparisons that should be made regarding sanctification and the church. Here is my favorite quote:
The only comparison that we should be making at any point in time is our comparison between our own lives and God’s word, and the only comparison we need make between our church, is that comparison between our church and God’s word.
I totally agree and must concede that Jason's blog is much better than mine! Trying to make a stupid joke, but this article should be read!
Check out this month's Gospel e-Letter from Dr. Joe Mizzi (JustForCatholics), which discusses Malachi 1:11 and the Roman Catholic sacrifice of the Mass. Here is a segment:
Some Catholic apologists claim that the prophecy in Malachi 1:11 is fulfilled in the Roman Catholic sacrifice of the Mass. A footnote in the New American Bible says that this verse is a reference to ‘the pure offering to be sacrificed in messianic times, the universal Sacrifice of the Mass, as we are told by the Council of Trent.’
The scripture reads:
My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among the nations, says the LORD Almighty. (NIV)
A Catholic translation of the same verse reads:
For from the rising of the sun, even to its setting, my name is great among the nations; And everywhere they bring sacrifice to my name, and a pure offering; For great is my name among the nations, says the LORD of hosts. (NAB)
The Jews and their priests despised and profaned God’s name by offering blemished animals while keeping the best animals to themselves. God was dishonoured by their half-hearted service and their hypocrisy. God foretold a time when he would call the Gentiles to worship him. He will be glorified among the nations, ‘from the rising of the sun to its setting’, from the east to the west. His people will not be restricted to a single nation, but he will have worshippers ‘in every place’, implying the catholicity or universality of the church.
The incense offered to God is our prayers, as the Psalmist says, ‘May my prayer be set before you like incense’, and again, the Book of Revelations identifies the incense offered before God as ‘the prayers of all the saints.’ (Psalm 141:2, Rev 8:3).
Moreover, the New Testament explains how the church offers a ‘pure offering’ to God. ‘Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased’ (Hebrews 13:15, 16). Our prayers and good works are an offering to God.
Click here for the rest of this article, including a discussion on the Mass.
Also, after finding this video (below) on Dr Joe's blog, I could not help but share. The Scripture he shares (Jer 10:5, Isa 41:7, Ps 115:3-8) further drive home the clear error with this practice of statue 'adoration/admiration/worship/idolatry/etc'.
I love to see the Lord triumph over His enemies! This video reminds me of Elijah on Mount Carmel when the LORD humiliated the false prophets of the so-called gods of Baal (1 Kings 18:16-40). Looking forward to the day when Christ will return in majestic splendor and power (2 Thes 1:7-10), and very thankful He saved me in His mercy (Titus 3:5).
Good quote by Spurgeon (from E-Word devotional), which really describes what I've been reading about in Titus 3:
"I was like a man in a bog. The more he struggles, the more he sinks. Or like a prisoner upon the treadmill, who rises no higher, but only wearies himself by his climbing. No good can result from efforts made apart from faith in Jesus."
Faith in Jesus is the only thing that can free us from our bondage to sin.
For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:3-7)
