Is It a Sin to Listen to Secular Music?

If Jesus had the authority to forgive sins before being crucified that diminish the meaning of the cross. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's edition of core Christianity hi Bill Meyer, along with pastor Pedro Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question. At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 and you can email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com first up today.

She never thought she'd use her laptop for this young woman in Southern California had a rude awakening when an outdoor nap turned into a bear attack. She is survived by fighting the bear off with her only weapon her laptop computer. This happens in Sierra Madre, California, the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The woman who is 19 years old, fell asleep in a backyard share last Monday afternoon edition while like Capt. Patrick Foy says the bear scratch the woman's arms and legs and then began to bite her leg. Oh Capt. Foy says the only weapon she had was her laptop.

She hit the bear on the head and stunned it long enough to escape inside the house. Fortunately for the woman. Her injuries were not life-threatening. She's going to be okay. No report on the condition of the bear.

I'm guessing the bear is probably doing all right Bill, but who knows.

Some of these laptops are pretty heavy and so pretty heavy duty was really tough. Once you imagine you fall asleep taking a nap in your backyard and all of a sudden you feel scratching and there's a bear trying to get you yet know that sounds like a nightmare. Note, thanks yet and to just have a laptop there with you know little boy let's get to our first question of the day. This one is an email we received from Omar and he says I know God except me in Jesus, but the way I walk does not reflect this as I tend to perform, not for God, but to meet my own standards. I feel trapped as my pride gets in the way of enjoying God's grace. What should I do now.

Mark sounds like you.

You feel trapped in the Scripture that immediately comes to mind is this Paul's discussion in Romans chapter 7. I think that the apostle Paul could actually, in one sense, empathize with use. If you think about you. This is constant battle that we have as Christians with the flesh and needing to look to Jesus. Paul said in Romans chapter 7 verse 15 I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want but I do the very thing I hate.

If I do what I do not want.

I agree with the law that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me, for I know that nothing good dwells in me that is in my flesh, for I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out for I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing now.

If I do what I do not want is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

So I find it to be a law when I want to do right evil lies close at hand. I delight in the law of God in my interbeing but I see in my members, and other low wage war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the love sin that dwells in my members listen to what he says your Omar wretched man that I am who will deliver me from this body of death thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord, so that I myself serve the law of God with my mind with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

I remember years ago on one occasion, praying to God as any Christian totally frustrated despite having come to Jesus. I I still struggled with sin are everything like why is this a problem and as I was praying I remember saying something. I got up I just don't know why I still wrestle with. With this that or the other and remember what it was an almost like a lightning bolt. The thought hit me. I'm really not as good as I always was. I think I viewed myself as better than I actually haven't and if I still even after being transformed by the grace of Jesus struggle with the flesh. I am in desperate need of God's grace.

It sounds more like that's what you what you realize that. I think that something that God wants all of us to realize that apart from him apart from the work of his Spirit in us his grace we would be completely lost as you say.

Our sins get in the way from from experiencing that joy and that sense of yes God I'm I'm just resting in your grace because we get frustrated. Why waste keep struggling with the same thing over and over again so we have to say like Paul, wretched man that I am who will deliver me and when we pray that Jesus steps in his grace is sufficient for you, Omar. His strength is perfected in your weakness.

I'm glad you know that the Jesus excepts you purely on the basis of faith.

It's not because you're righteous enough yourself, it's because you've come to him and when we when we go to him way down by our sins, whatever they might be a we turn to him in faith. He forgives us and that's what gives us the ability to rejoice and that's how we enjoy God's grace to begin with.

It's not because you're perfect. You get to enjoy. It's because you go to him repented and you know on the basis of the promise of the gospel in the shed blood of Jesus for you that you're forgiven.

So rest and that in that good news and don't beat yourself up. I would say it. I think it's really easy for us to do that especially if we think I I'm I'm better than this. The reality is were broken were fallen and we need God's grace in it. If it weren't for the grace of God at work in you. We would be completely lost. So praise God for his grace and continue to cling to Jesus.

No Israel that passage in Romans seven is always so freighting to me that to know that the apostle Paul who really if you think about it, just great leaders in the Christian faith struggle with the same things and said man the sin nature just keeps popping up and it keeps just tripping me up in my life to know that he struggle with that I think gives us all sense of hope.

Okay, you know, but then of course he goes on to say in Romans 81. There's no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. What a beautiful blessing that is amen yeah, he really does bring it home. There doesn't he just to remind us that you have the struggle is the battle between the flesh and the spirit that he describes and in Galatians chapter 516 and following.

But if you're in Christ there is no condemnation. You have been forgiven. You belong to the Lord and so we rest our identity and in Christ your listing to core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez in a real next question were going into deals with the topic of predestination and I know there are various views on this and maybe you could just start of explain a little bit about what those views are in your personal view yet will will I'm I'm happy to do that. And of course you know predestination not a controversial topic. It all right leads us up and we all agree that this is really been been debated in the history of the church. There been some people who said what God predestines us, but he does it on the basis of his foreknowledge another word.

In other words, God sees everything that's gonna happen, who's going to believe and when Scripture talks about God, pretesting us, it is just referring to the fact that he knows already. Who's going to choose him. And then there are others in this happens to be my view who say know predestination is more than that it's God, predestination. It's God choosing before the foundation of the world.

People you and I by his grace. Not because of anything we've done, but choosing them for salvation. To know Jesus. And so this is a controversial topic. I'm excited about getting into this question and this question came in from Carmen who called us from Florida at 833, the court holds one or God created time space the matter what it being more confined in the time that he knows we going to be saved. Rather than show was going to be saved is not stuck in time so we knows who's going to be not like yes eat right, Jeremy. That's those are some of the different positions.

One of the other ones that I didn't mention is there are some who think that God predestines corporately.

In other words, God doesn't choose individuals, but people or anything the church or Israel in the Old Testament, so there are different ways that this question Carmen is been parsed and and what you bring up here is a common way that many people approached the passages in Scripture related predestination that God chooses people but it's because really he sees is going to choose him as he's the high on the left, the one who inhabits eternity.

He knows all things.

He sees all things that he knows is going to choose him and that's who he chooses to listen to what Paul said in Romans chapter 8 verses 29 and 34. Those whom he that is God for new he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and those whom he predestined he also called and those whom he called he also justified and those whom he justified he also glorified. Now right there, and you have this idea of predestination and foreknowledge coming together for those whom he foreknew he also predestined so the question is what does for new mean.

As I said some people will say well it just means that God knows who's going to choose him. And so that's who he predestines he chooses us because he sees that we've chosen him. But here's the thing we need to remember that the way the Bible uses words and the way were accustomed to them is sometimes a little different.

We have to understand the context of the Scriptures.

Take for instance the word no in Scripture, it doesn't just communicate the idea of knowing with your mind. Cognitive knowing. It also communicates the idea of intimacy special relationship. Think back to that the very first book of the Bible Genesis chapter 4 verse one we read that Adam knew his wife Eve there.

It's talking about marital intimacy such as CWT you know he knew that she existed or something like that note is talking about this special intimate relationship that Adam and Eve had or in the minor prophets. Amos chapter 3 verse two God says of Israel.

You only of all the nations have I known God is not saying there it out. I forgot that I created all the other nations of the world.

I only know of Israel. Note he sank.

I've only entered into this special relationship with you. I've chosen you, particularly in Jeremiah chapter 1 verse five before I formed you in the womb, God said to Jeremiah the prophet, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you and appointed you a prophet to the nations. Others give you one more at in the New Testament right when Jesus is talking about the false teachers were going to come before them on the day of judgment. What does he say to them. Matthew chapter 7 verse 23 I never knew you. Now get. He's not saying I didn't know you existed. II know I I forgot that I created you. That kind of thing he say no. We never had a relationship. I never knew you. We were never in this intimate union if you will, by faith, and so it's key that we understand how the Bible uses the word no knowledge and particularly foreknowledge as it pertains to predestination is speaking about God is setting his affection is particular love on you and get this Carmen it was before you ever did anything good or bad, right or wrong.

It was God's gracious good choice now.

Paul talks about this in another place in Ephesians chapter 1, I think this is a really important passage that helps to confirm everything that I just said. Related to this idea. Predestination got setting his love on his people in a particular wake Ephesians chapter 1 verse four says this even as God shows us in him that is in Jesus before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and blameless before him in love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace with which he has blessed us in the beloved brother, God shows you before the foundation of the world you know because you believe in Jesus you've received him by faith God and this is why that happens because God sent his particular love on his people and what that does that disarms every bit of self-righteousness pride that we can have no one get safe will. God chose me because I was this or that or because he saw that I was gonna do this that or the other. No, it was God's gracious will that I know that there are there other questions at this this raises what about human responsibility and and are we responsible for our actions. Yes, the Bible makes that very very clear.

God calls all people everywhere to repent. But we also have to take these passages at face value, we have to submit to the word of God. That's we want to do on this program to search the Scriptures and submit to them because God speaking to us you're listening to core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez son Bill Meyer would always love to hear from you at 833-843-2673.

You can also email us your questions at questions at core, Christianity.com it or we have a great offer for our listeners today and asked for a copy of one of your favorite books.

Yeah, I mean this is a classic CS Lewis's mere Christianity and especially if you like digging into the Christian faith.

I mean there were just having that discussion about predestination. Some of the mysteries related to that doctorate in particular what the Bible teaches you there so much for each doctrine. The core truths of the Christian faith that we need to understand as followers of Jesus, and I think CS Lewis, does a really good job of helping to explain some of those courtrooms.

Mere Christianity and why it is that we embrace them as Christians, especially in today's day and age where people don't understand why they believe the things that they believe I have a difficult time getting up a conversation with those who reject the Christian faith and being able to defend the Bible and the truth of Christianity. I think Lewis's book will be really helpful for you stupid you think about some of these things, and as you seek to grow in your own relationship to the Lord. So head over to core Christianity.com/offers to get your copy of CS Lewis's classic mere Christianity for a donation of any amount in one of the things we talked about in remission.

Mere Christianity is that in distant. In addition, helping us defend the faith and understanding Christian doctrine. He also talks about marriage in one of the chapters. It's a beautiful chapter about Christian marriage and every husband and wife will benefit from reading that chapter together.

I totally agree.

Yet if if you want to just grow in your marriage as well get your hands on this resource, even just for that one chapter it's excellent. You can call us for that offer. At 833-843-2673.

That's 833. The core let's go to another question. This one came in from Daniel by email.

He says hello was the generation of Israel that died in the wilderness saved did they put the blood on their doorpost in Egypt, only to die in the wilderness. I'm confused about that hat I think it question why I think it's tough to say. You know, like to give a blanket response. They were all saved.

They all were not saved.

That kind of thing and you think of Moses, for example, didn't get to enter into the promised land because of something that he had done. And so it it's really hard to say.

They all were they all warrant, but I think that there is some indication in the New Testament that many of them were not.

And there are two passages of Scripture that I would go to to bring this out June chapter 1 verse five a verse that I think a lot of us have skipped over and really a book that a lot of Christians skip over Jude is not one of the once it we typically go to a Jew chapter 1 verse five says I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it that Jesus who saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe another couple of things that are just so remarkable about that verse right Jesus saved the people out of the wilderness. You mean to tell me that Jesus you know didn't begin to exist during the incarnation yet know that's not what that that the.

The Scriptures teach peace be eternal word of the father and so here Jude can say Jesus was actually the one to save the children of Israel out of the Egypt, but afterward destroyed those who did not believe. Okay one other verse Hebrews chapter 3, beginning in verse 16. The author, the Hebrew says four. Who were those who heard and yet rebelled, was that not all those who left Egypt led by Moses and with whom was he provoked for 40 years, was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness and to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but those who were disobedient. So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief. Therefore, now the operative Hebrews. This is bring it home is applying this to the congregation.

He's writing to. Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands. Let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it for good news came to us just as it came to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them because they were not united by faith with those who listened for we who have believed enter that rest, and Daniel there something I think it is just so sobering about these passages of Scripture. What were being told here is that you can be in the community of faith, witnessed the miracles see God's mighty hand working and yet if you don't personally trust in Christ, your lost.

That's what Jude is saying about you in the wilderness generation yet think they came out of Egypt.

Many of them did not believe.

Same thing with with Hebrews chapter 3 right they could not enter because of unbelief they had the word.

The good news being proclaimed to them and yet they didn't lay hold of it by faith. They didn't make it their own see each one of us we hear the gospel we hear the good news of Jesus Christ. What he's done for the forgiveness of sins is objective truth. He died and rose again from the dead for our salvation, but if you hear that and don't lay hold of it. If you don't personally trust in Christ while than the good news won't benefit you and so the question is are you trusting in Jesus. Have you given your life to him. Have you stop relying upon yourself to justify yourself before a holy God and said God I can't do it.

I need your grace. I need your mercy. I trust in Jesus and his sacrifice for me.

It seems like many of the people who applied the blood on the doorpost you know coming out of Egypt, participated in the rituals of redemption. We might say the externals if you will, later demonstrated that they didn't truly believe Daniel thanks so much for your question. Would love to get your question you can email it should matter Instagram account or Facebook account or you can call us anytime at 833-843-2673, Caroline and Colin found very wondering. I Christian all I listened to and things like that and I just wondered of the world am I doing something wrong. Thank I Caroline, I don't think that there's anything wrong necessarily with listening to country music and II think we should guide us as Paul's words in Philippians chapter 4 verse eight finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. I wouldn't condemn anyone genre of music you might not like a particular genre, but that's a matter of personal preference. I don't think there's nothing wrong with listening to country music. I think whatever were choosing to listen to or watch on TV. We should as we should ask ourselves is this help me to love Jesus. Or is it making it harder for me to love Jesus and what I see really good movie or piece of art or hear someone play music beautifully. It doesn't have to be explicitly Christian for me to appreciate it.

I can appreciate and glorify God for how he has gifted people. What I often jump out of the great movie with amazing acting out. Think wow that is so cool that God is giving people the ability to use their gifts and in this way, and just like a part of how God is has made the world like it's such a beautiful place and we can praise God for whatever is excellent whatever is good. Now there are some songs and kinds of music or television shows that aren't very edifying has as I'm sure you know that appeal to our fleshly passions and can be a stumbling block for some Christians. So we have to recognize that if something your listening to Caroline is convicting you. You can't listen to it or watch it with faith and a clear conscience and avoid it pulsating in Romans chapter 14 verse 23 whatever is not from faith is sin. But you know what Jesus died on the cross for us to grant us this liberty of conscience a pastor can tell you you're not allowed to listen to country music are not allowed to do this or that.

That's not clearly defined in God's word, the authority that we have as pastors is a ministerial authority. We take Scripture and we say, look, this is what God calls us to an end, and this is what binds us. It's the word of God, and I think, so long as whatever it is you're listening to is not a hindrance to your own faith is not convicting you, and you can do with a clean conscience are clear conscience. Go ahead and as you enjoy it.

Praise God for the gifts and talents of other people that he's blessed in that way it can become something that actually encourages you, even in your own faith and walk with the Lord. Thanks for listening to court Christianity to request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at court, Christianity.com and click on offers and the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673 that's a 33, the court when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this podcast and be sure to join us next time. As we explore the truth of God's word together