When you have a moment, try and read the full article below. Its not long its in a Q&A style introducing the concept behind the author's (Hugh Halter) book. I believe it should be a great exercise in discernment and critical thinking. Let me know what you think and comment on it so that we can dialogue.   

“A truth is known by its resemblances, and can best be seen in thelight of other truths. the pupil, instead of seeing a factalone, should see it linked to the great body of truth, in all itsfruitful relations. Great principles are discovered amid familiarfacts vividly seen, and concepts clearly wrought. The power ofillustration -- a most important tool in the teacher's art -- comesonly out of clear and familiar knowledge. The unknowing teacher islike the blind trying to lead the blind with only an empty lamp tolight the way.” (John Milton Gregory, The Seven Laws of Teaching) John Milton Gregory’s classic book on the basics or fundamentals of teaching is still used today by a vast majority of people. This classic has gone through its 10th printing since its first publication in 1884. It continues to be required reading for educators and teachers abroad. One of the very first things the book addresses is the almost obvious--that the teacher must know his/her subject well. This concept may be understood superficially and not practiced as often as expected. No student or learner can ever learn, if the teacher does not know thoroughly the subject. One thing that is applicable to the church today and related to this is the pastor’s role in being teacher. Pastor-teacher, as Ephesians 4:11-15 describes the gifted men given unto the church, should not be underestimated! In fact, many today try to divide the pastor’s function into preaching on one side and teaching on the other as though these two operations were mutually exclusive. In other words, many in the church try to say that the pastor’s role is not to teach per se but to preach a relevant, trendy, engaging, upbeat, and non-boring message. It is to be filled, nonetheless, with personal, transparent experiences, touching stories, and current events. In other words, a “teachy” pastor is irrelevant! But, this could not be farther from the truth! To think that Paul, an exemplary model for modern day pastors, in 1 Timothy 2:7 and 2 Timothy 1:11 called himself a teacher along with other functions can hardly be ignored. This same writer wrote Ephesians where our quote aforementioned states that one of the main officers of the church is a pastor-teacher. In fact, even Jesus throughout the gospels is called teacher and the masculine noun form of the Greek for teacher is found at least 50x in the gospels referring to one of Jesus’ ministries. Even in Antioch the early church had teachers as its foundation (Acts 13:1). In the listing of the gifts for the building of the body, the gift of teaching was one of the primary ones (1 Corinthians 12:28-29). Lastly, even a mature Christian was known by his passing from novice level to teacher (Hebrews 5:12). This is the design. Teaching is critically important for the church! Without it, the pastor will result in what the author above says will happen, “The unknowing teacher is like the blind trying to lead the blind with only an empty lamp to light the way.” The contemporary church should praise and honor the teachers that labor in the Word! They should appreciate the pastors that are willing to sacrifice time to explain truth so that the sheep can grasp the great truths and theology of the Bible. Pray for the pastors that are humble in standing before their congregations trembling to be faithful in handling God’s Word.                            Pastor Jim Cater   

“Back in Britain, almost two generations ago, I heard it declared that the minister’s first priority is to teach, and the second priority is to teach, and the third priority is to teach. More than fifty years of not doing this have inevitably hastened the decline of interest in the Bible and in effect promoted the sense of its irrelevance to modern life. Facing this pervasive shrinkage of Bible knowledge and influence, many in the churches hoped that simplifying and streamlining public worship would bring people back to the life of devotion and that simplified and streamlined versions of Holy Scripture would bring people back to the habit of Bible reading. Neither hope has been fulfilled in todays post-Christian West, nor seems likely to be. But both programs have been zealously pursued, and as a result the English-speaking world has before it not only a kaleidoscope of “blended-worship” but also more translations of the Bible than this or any other language group has ever had.” (JI Packer, Translating Truth, [Crossway Books: Wheaton, Illinois, 2005] forward) Some things in life are as obvious as a big nose or long hair. This is not something that needs thorough investigation. Likewise, JI Packer’s assessment of today’s biblical illiteracy and poor holiness is not something that needs thorough investigation. The ripple effects of poor Bible exposition and the effects of a plethora of Bible translations are still spreading way after the stone splashed in the water. You would think that after all the hype to make the Bible relevant and to make the Bible readable to a larger audience we would have more people knowledgeable about marriage, raising children, devotions, work ethics, etc. but such is not the case! The divorce rate is higher, more kids are prodigals, more dishonesty is found in the work place, the attendance of churches seems higher but fewer people ministering, evangelism is at its lowest, churches still divide over musical styles, and the ailments continue. Again, the solution is not something found in novelty or ingenuity. The solution is not found in racing after the next ministry mega church fad, but it is found in the old fashion expository preaching and the centrality of God’s Word. This means that the Word is central from the pulpit and from the pews. In other words, the pastor is faithful to study and the congregation is faithful in keeping the Word central in their lives. The pastor is to labor on expounding it and the parishioners are to labor to understand and apply it. Are you willing to be the faithful? Are you willing to be the instrument of change? We sorely need it. Be the one to make a difference!   Pastor Jim Cater

Where does it say in scripture that a man's role as "head of the household" includes being the sole or primary source of income and we should raise our boys as such implying that girls should not necessarily have a financial education or should only have the goal of being a wife and mother and not worry about being educated how to produce an income? I have not found anything Biblical to support this line of thinking and have also asked a couple of other people about it who haven't found anything either. Have you?  I know that I have heard this taught as being "the Christian way" in the past, but am questioning it." Answer There is certainly no Scripture whatsoever that states explicitly that a family has to raise a boy to become the "only" bread winner. Neither, does it say at all that a girl has to be raised with the intent that they can not make money or help financially in the home. In other words, there is no requirement, injunction, or command that states this. So, I agree with you here. However, (this however is the critical thing) Scripture does give clear indications as to the high calling, role, function, and priority for each gender. Therefore, again Scripture gives direction to what is best. First, the woman has a distinct role, function, priority, and very importantly, a high calling. This calling may narrow the focus based on the Scripture references. For instance, 1 Timothy 2:11-15, esp, 14-15 states that a woman will be rescued in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control. The statement Paul is making is that even though Eve was responsible for bringing sin in the world in some sense through being deceived, God is delivering her from this stigma in such a way that childbearing (that is raising children) will be one of the main vehicles to recover from this taint on her record per se. In other words, God providentially worked it out that the rest of the women after Eve would have a special position and role in raising godly children. In other words, Eve and her posterity would not be forever marked by this transgression but released to a new calling and grand new role. Therefore, the first thing we observe here is that women have been given in a real sense the high calling of being the first called in family life to direct the children.   Secondly, Titus 2:3-5 is another critical passage to look at. Here we see some distinct functions that the older women, proven in character, should be teaching the younger women who are married. First it says in verse three with regard to the older women that they should be "teachers of good things." What are these good things? Paul follows up on them: "that they admonish the young women to love their husbands" (priority #1 husband), "to love their children" (priority #2 children--notice the highest form of inner quality or virtue "love"), "to be discreet (to be self-controlled)," chaste" (pure), and:   "homemakers" (NKJV), "workers at home" (NASBU), "to be busy at home" (NIV), the Greek here is "oikourgous" which is a compound noun from "oikos," house; "ergou," work. Hence, "workers at home." Here the focus of their occupation narrows a bit with regard to priority or main role. Notice it doesn't give you all the details associated with workers at home. But, it does give you the home base of operation if you will. In other words, the woman should be taught the first prioities: love their husbands, children, be temperate, holy, good, and obedient to their own husbands (the implication here is his headship, cf Ephesians 5:25-32) ultimately so that God's Word is not blasphemed (cursed, maligned, distorted). In other words, the young woman as taught and admonished (Greek: "sophronizosin" for admonish, or to train) is to conform to the Word of God with regard to their role. In other words, the Titus passage is teaching what 1 Timothy states with more detail. Her primary role, not her secondary role, is the home. Notice that the part of the word oikourgous is oikos where other words like oikonomia (where we get our English word economy) is in the same family stressing the management and administration aspects. In summation to the Titus passage, there is a strong emphasis on the home-front as the base of operation of a young woman. Her heart should be centered on this first and other things as secondary: and secondary issues maybe even complementary to the primary task.   Thirdly, another passage bearing on this issue is 1 Timothy 5:9-16. This passage also looks at the roles of women according to the biblical perspective and primary duties. These verses particularly look at the issue retrospectively through the widow's list. In other words, it looks at the requirements to be a widow for assistance through the eyes of their life-record. It lists their accomplishments to be their inclusion for the list. Therefore, the list of accomplishments is a tell-tail objective source to what the Bible teaches about the lives of faithful women. One of the first things on the list is verses 10, & 14 : (v.1), "if she has brought up children." This is again reminiscent of 1 Timothy 2:14-15. What's part of her priorities--bearing, raising, training, nurturing children. Bringing up godly seed!! Later on in the same passage, verse 14,  Paul reiterates his desire for young women who do not fit the criteria of widow. What does he say? "Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, 'manage the house. (NKJV)'"  "keep house" (NASV).  Again here we come across the word stressing the household. The word in Greek is "oikourous." In other words, keep the house, manage it, administer it, or order it. This one is just slightly different from the Titus one, but essentially the nuance is the same--household as priority. Therefore, what is in mind again? The center of a woman's heart besides her husband and children is the home.   Lastly, the Proverbs are another source of instruction with regard to the woman's role. We don't have to go into all these passages, but one in particular has a significant bearing on our topic---whether a woman can produce an income? Whether a woman can have financial education, go to college etc.? Once again look at Proverbs 31:10-31. Verse 10 is the start, here you can see that the message is to wives---"An excellent wife, who can find? (rhetorical question) The question begs the question--hard to find!! Albeit, "her worth is far above jewels" (precious and costly jewelry); but, if you find her, what a find!! For she will be a delight to the eyes and more valuable than precious diamonds. Next verse, again priority #1 her husband: "the heart of her husband trusts in her." This is looking at in reverse--he trusts her because---she takes care and loves her husband so well that "he will have no lack of gain."  Verses 13-27 describes this wife that is truly energetic, industrious, diligent, and persevering. Notice the focus again is on "household" (verses: 15, 21, and 27). Notice also three grand traits in the verse mentioned: she provides, she protects, and she has a purview (a thorough watch) of her household. In addition, her diligence and purview of her household leads her to be virtuous.   Part of her industry in achieving excellence and maximizing her household effectiveness is her ability to be savvy with her finances: Proverbs 31:13,16,18,20, &24. Basically, her use of business, making things to sell and buying things is for the use in very practical things pertaining to the management of our household. In other words, her priority of providing. protecting, and guarding her home is primary while her other tasks are secondary or subservient. Not only does she exercises entrepreneurship for her smooth running household--husband is satisfied, children are fed and clothed--but she even takes care of herself, v.22. Furthermore, she takes care of those who less fortunate than her--the poor, v.20. She is also very wise--Proverbs 31:26a. She is also very kind--Proverbs 31:26b. She is diligent overall--Proverbs 31:27b.   Overall, this woman fears the Lord--Proverbs 31:3ob. This woman is an excellent woman--Proverbs 31:29.   In summary of all this, we have these four priorities that can be gleaned and set out in these non-exhaustive but concise passages about what we need to teach our young women:            1. Character--fear of God, faith, purity, self-controlled, holy, kindness, wisdom, love.          2. Conduct--good works, serving the saints, diligence, submissive, obedient, respectful, teachers of good                 things          3. Centered on the home--keepers of the home, workers at home, homemakers, providing for the home,              protecting and guarding the home          4. Compassionate--hospitable, service-centered, assisted those in distress, helped those less fortunate, etc   In summation, the Bible is not against women working, or girls getting a college education, or trying to assist the husband with household finances,however, as the passages above teach us; if the work distracts and derails the priorities then its time to reevaluate if work is actually hindering or impeding a lady from her primary task or role.   In other words, is there enough time in a day for you to focus on a 9-5pm job and these demands, take care of your husband, children, yourself? Can a woman balance her life so meticulously that her spiritual life is in order, her husband trusts her, her children are safe spiritually, physically, and emotionally? If any of these are out of balance, then some serious considerations to determine what's best is in order. In other words, women working outside the home may not be the best thing in our society.   Notice I say what is best, not what is bad or sinful. Every woman must be serious and honest with themselves as to what they can and are willing to handle as far as work is concerned in order to evaluate what is not just good or better, but what is best overall. For this reason, some Christians have held to the standard of the best situation or ideal situation which is to teach women to stay home because its easier just to maintain balance. There is just not enough time in a day to do all of it that the world demands of them now. When you work outside the home it is simple common sense that you will be under the tyranny of the boss' demands and the deadlines and commitments associated with the job. So, is it a sin or unbiblical for a daughter to be taught that she can assist financially by producing income on her own? the answer is no. There is no commandment she is violating. Proverbs 31 is a great example that she can make, work, and sell and buy, but always in a way that it doesn't distract from her primary duty--her household. If a woman can work outside the home in a 9-5 job and still take care of her household then she is not sinning--just very busy!! Her own conscience must alert her if she becomes imbalanced. In addition, some women have to work because they are single mothers. This is a whole different ball game. This is for another time, how to deal with this. But, for now, I hope this answers your question. Very importantly, it is never appropriate to have an overly critical mindset or judgmental attitude toward those women that work outside the home. "For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth" (2 Corin.13:8)   Blessings, Pastor James T. Cater Miramar Church 6390 SW 32nd Street Miramar, FL 33023 (954) 981-4677 pastorjim@miramar.org www.miramarchurch.org

Hi Everyone,   I believe you all ought to know that the defense of a literal Genesis is consistently bombarded by so-called evangelicals. I cannot stress the need for us to be discerning in what is happening. Below, we have another perfect example of the battle for the beginning. Ken Ham, AIG founder was uninvited because he was defending the HISTORICITY AND LITERALNESS of ADAM!! In a home school conference! The other speaker was viewing Adam as a metaphor and NOT a literal person.   Beloved and friends this is happening more everyday. As I mentioned before, in the annual ETS conference last years, professors (example Bruce Waltke) of the highest order are questioning the literal serpent, Adam, and of course the days in Genesis. But even if the days controversy, which has been hotly debated for some time, wasn't enough; now we have to question more? In addition, in September of this year, at Bryan College, a Bible school will have a conference to center around Genesis 1-2. In this conference you will have the likes of John Collins and Dr Richard Averbeck (TEDS) and others discussing Genesis 1-2, but the issue is, these were speakers at ETS this past year and both were questioning some of the traditional literal interpretations of Genesis! Only one of the speakers, Dr Todd Beall from Capital Bible College, will be at this conference and will be trying to defend the whole historicity and literalness of Genesis.   We must pray. The Creationist professors of the study group at ETS asked for prayer for this one speaker. Listen to Ken Ham comments on this issue http://blogs.answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2011/03/25/listen-to-this/ Blessings, Pastor James T. Cater Miramar Church 6390 SW 32nd Street Miramar, FL 33023 (954) 981-4677 pastorjim@miramar.org www.miramarchurch.org

There are various reasons why Catholic priests and the Roman Catholic church chose to require priests to be celibate. But, for the sake of brevity there are secular (historical factors) and supposed sacred reasons. You are correct in stating that there seems to be a misleading idea that you can be more spiritual and therefore not contaminated with sensuality and sex which is obviously involved in marriage. There has been a history of this false idea with God's people. In fact, the "Song of Solomon" was questioned as to its canonicity (ie., whether the book was inspired) in Judaism because of its sensual nature. In other words, there seems to be this false notion that sex and sacred work don't mix.   However, there are two passages in the Bible that are badly misconstrued and used to propagate this unbiblical notion of Roman Catholic celibacy: Mat 19:11-12 and 1 Corinthians 7:6-8. I don't have time right now to get into detail with this, however, I direct you to MaCarthur's notes on this. They may be helpful. Basically, the gist is that they take these few verses and construct a whole doctrinal structure out of them. This is a typical misuse of Scripture. Secondly, the whole priestly idea of the Roman Catholic hierarchy is unbiblical and foreign to NT polity (leadership structure). 1 Timothy 3:1-12, Titus 1:5-7, Acts 20:28-32, 1 Timothy 5:17-22, Hebrews 13:7,17, etc. all give us an idea of what NT leaders are to be like and their qualifications and what their role and functions are. So, to start out with the priestly concept in Romanism is not NT doctrine. In fact, all the passages above that speak of the church's leaders highlight and extol their marital and family connection with their ministries. Celibacy is not even mentioned. Indeed, this leads others to another extreme in the church which says you must be married in order to be an elder or pastor. Again, both ideas--the celibate and must be married--are extremes.    In Christianity, there is always a desire to overemphasize on certain things when the Bible is not doing that especially with the Gospel narratives. In fact, the biggest misuse of Scripture is probably in the narratives because of the very nature that they don't have clear mandates in prescriptive style like the epistles. Anyway, we can get a little more into the passages above at a later time. But for now, the celibacy issue must be seen through the lens of Scripture and not through the artificial institutionalized structure of Romanism. Blessings, Pastor James T. Cater Miramar Church 6390 SW 32nd Street Miramar, FL 33023 (954) 981-4677 pastorjim@miramar.org www.miramarchurch.org

“I say, then, in the first place, that a scriptural view of sin is one of the best antidotes to that vague, dim, misty, hazy kind of theology which is so painfully current in the present age.  It is vain to shut our eyes to the fact that there is a vast quantity of so-called Christianity now-a-days which you cannot declare positively unsound, but which, nevertheless, is not full measure, good, weight, and sixteen ounces to the pound. It is a Christianity in which there is undeniably ‘something about Christ, and something about grace, and something about faith, and something about repentance, and something about holiness’; but it is not the real “thing as it is” in the Bible. Things are out of place, and out of proportion. As old Latimer would have said, it is a kind of “mingle-mangle,” and does no good. It neither exercises influence on daily conduct, nor comforts in life, nor gives peace in death; and those who hold it often awake too late to find that they have got nothing solid under their feet. Now I believe the likeliest way to cure and mend this defective kind of religion is to bring forward more prominently the old scriptural truth about the sinfulness of sin. People will never set their faces decidedly toward heaven, and live like pilgrims, until they really feel that they are in danger of hell.”  (J.C. Ryle, Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers) p.12  I believe that what JC Ryle wrote above in 1877 is still relevant today. Much of evangelicalism is a “mingle-mangle.” The same issue of shallowness and light-fluffy theology prevails and endangers the gospel today. Too much of the culture is infiltrating the church today. From business oriented methods, shoddy evangelism, and candy cane theology to poor exposition of Scripture, non-existent accountability, and a dearth of doctrine, the church is in need of a wake-up call! I ask you to pray for the church at large. Let us keep the apostolic tradition going. We can save the evangelical church! 

“Today, after 2,000 years, Christianity is the faith, at least nominally, of one-third of the earth’s population…Surely one of the more remarkable aspects of Christianity today is how few of these professed believers have ever seriously studied the history of their religion…Should we really be surprised, then, when today’s Christian so frequently blends gross errors with orthodox confession or defends some pagan practice as ‘Christian’ conduct?” (Bruce L. Shelly, Church History in Plain Language, Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1995) (p.491)     After his masterful presentation of church history, from beginning to present, Bruce Shelly, (author of “Church History in Plain Language), pens the words above in his epilogue. It is the zeal and disappointment of every great teacher to see their pupils either flourish or decline in their studies. Both responses to the teaching become a reality to the loving teacher. The former, is the awakening of the pupil’s eyes which sparks continual discovery; the latter, is the disappointment of regress to continual darkness. On which part of the spectrum do you find yourself? Bruce Shelly’s words are for those who find themselves declining and are a disappointment to the teacher. And, evidently ignorance becomes their dayspring. Ignorance is not bliss! Many Christians today find themselves feeding off the fruit garden of cretinism. Our Master of masters, the Lord Jesus Christ, would be dismayed to witness such darkness prevailing in His children. Beloved, such is not supposed to be! Jesus himself demanded labored and meticulous observance of doctrine: Mat 7:24-28, 28:18-20; Luke 24:27; John 8:31, 17:17. In fact, Jesus asked the Father to sanctify the disciples in the truth. The truth, the comprehensive story of the Bible, is to be sought after relentlessly. It is our duty to be a delight to our pastor-teachers. Pastor-teachers who regard teaching and doctrine as adornment to their ministries desire the same response from their beloved flock. Is it easy? No! Is it worth your while in gold? Yes! Don’t find yourself in gross error, because if you do, it will only show your ignorance. Be a faithful servant, therefore, feeding off the Vine continually, so that you will not be found on the wrong side of the pendulum. The end-result is the prophetic words of Peter:  “There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.   You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.”

I wanted to take an opportunity to update everyone on the ministry happenings at Miramar Church. It continues to be an honor and a special mission for us to reach out to our community and neighbors. And, we want you all to know that you all have been part of this ministry also through your prayers and spiritual support. In fact, you all are just as much involved in the overall kingdom work with us. Thank you so much for your continual vigilance and watchfulness in prayer, reading of our reports, and overall attentativeness.   Miramar Highlights: Our church has had three new families join us in the past three months. The families are attending regularly and are eager to    learn. One family has requested to be recommitted to the Lord. What this means to us is that we must be vigilant to clarify and teach the gospel to them. We are going to make every effort that the gospel and salvation is firmly planted in their hearts. Books have been given and follow-up are pending. Another family has been welcomed. This family is a mature family that the parents have been evaluating the possibility in joining us for some time. They will be a grounded family in the faith eager to assist in serving the body in unique capacities. They thus far have been very affirmative and encouraging about the ministry here and the preaching. They have been particularly seeking solid exposition. Another family has come with the biblical circumstance of a spouse that is an unbeliever. Thus far, my wife and me have been able to discuss the importance of salvation and the real meaning of being born-again. This young lady was drawn to the fact that she had a very poor understanding of what salvation was. We were able to present the biblical doctrine of the divine side of salvation and she was led to rethink her understanding of salvation. She will be meeting with us on a weekly basis until we can solidly ground her on the theology of salvation. Indeed she has been very eager and receptive and humble and teachable. Pray that she continues to grow and that she presents a good testimony to her unsaved husband. She has also been given material to read on the essentials of 1 Peter 3:1-6 and 1 Corinthians 7:12-20. She has been devouring this material. She will be meeting with us today again. The Women's Bible study group has been growing both spiritually and numerically. We have added three new ladies to the study of Romans. What a blessing the fellowship has been. Continue to pray for them as they dig deeper into the book of Romans. Continue to pray for our door to door evangelism. We've been blessed with the opportunity to present the gospel to many out in the community. This is an honor and a privilege. We have not been stymied at all from our task and mandate. We have had two new disabled visitors that have been invited by one of our members. This has been a privilege to minister to them. Together we have been going through the book of Leviticus. This has been a joy and a blessing. We have had the opportunity as a church to explore the differing views on sanctification. We've explored the relationship between justification and sanctification. We've affirmed the biblical view. We have gone through the importance of holiness and worship. It has just been a great blessing for all of us.   These are some of the highlights and I'm sure I may be missing something but I just want to let you know what your prayers, financial support, and comradery has helped us accomplished. Thank you so much for all you all and your support.   Blessings, Pastor James T. Cater Miramar Church 6390 SW 32nd Street Miramar, FL 33023 (954) 981-4677 pastorjim@miramar.org www.miramarchurch.org

“Sinners need righteousness to stand before God. That is why it is being ‘pursued’ by Israel. That much they got right. But whose righteousness will suffice? The declaration of righteousness before God, called justification, does not rest on a fiction. There is real righteousness as the basis of it. But as sinners we will never be able to provide ‘our own righteousness (Phil. 3:9; Rom.10:3). We must ‘attain’ righteousness another way besides doing good works. No good works of any kind will make a fallen person righteous before God. The way appointed by God is ‘by faith,’ and what faith does is connect us to ‘Christ for righteousness. Christ became for us righteousness.” (John Piper, Counted Righteous in Christ, [Crossway Books, 2002] p.90) Today we have a plethora of programs and organizations designed to assist those that want to overcome all kinds of addictions. These programs offer and claim that real change can occur in the lives of those that are suffering from a number of addictions (i.e. alcohol abuse, overeating, drug abuse, etc.). Change in many ways does occur to these, who come out of these programs, and this cannot be denied; however, what change is critical for life?  What change do we need that will make all other changes but insignificant? The change we all need is the life-transforming change of all times. It is a radical change. It is a change from within. It is a thorough and entire change. Anything we pursue in life that is noble, good, philanthropic, altruistic, generous, pious, right apart from the “justifying work of God through faith as the basis of our good works” falls woefully short from true righteousness. That’s the truth! Our good works are like filthy rags—menstrual rag! (Is. 64:6) We can never achieve or attain any level of righteousness with God (MT 19:16-26) on our own. In order for us to be accepted before a Holy God, we must obtain a righteousness that is not our own. This righteousness is an external and alien righteousness that comes from God and Christ. Therefore, when we are justified on the basis of faith and not works we now stand acquitted and righteous before a Holy god that demands nothing more or less than 100% righteousness. This righteousness is perfect obedience. This obedience Christ manifested and secured through his life, and his perfect obedience is imputed to our account on the basis of faith alone. You want change? You want real change? Come to Christ in genuine repentance and faith and you will begin to see a wellspring of new attitudes, thoughts, desires, and goals! Come to the Living Waters!