Eternal Security

 

There's a technique when trying to understand the Bible called "interpreting scripture with scripture" and more specifically, the principle of using clear passages to interpret unclear ones. This is particularly helpful when discussing the topic of eternal security and whether or not a Christian can lose their salvation. Many scriptures are often ignored that support the belief that Christians are secure in our salvation. Take a look at this video as I discuss some of those passages.

Resources:

Once Saved Aways Saved

https://share.google/DfCUDY2RSkdIQJPtP

The Offer Of Life

 

You have given your life to the Lord. But, there is something more important that many Christians don't understand regarding their salvation. Knowing what God has given us will change your life and your eternity. Come along with me as we discuss this topic. Resources: The Bread of Life livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/gospel_of_john_027_6_33_59_bread_of_life_ext.mp3 https://share.google/DeDqmAfN6p0mKKxT1

Is it Heresy to "Accept Jesus"?

There are many ways that people describe being born again of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ. They say things like, "I gave my life to Jesus." Others say, "I asked Jesus into my heart," or "I accepted Jesus." All of them mean the same thing. However, there are those that call this description of one's salvation experience a "heresy." Why? Because if they don't see a recognizable change in a person, they will say that person is "not converted at all." But, is this true? In this video, we will explore this subject from a scriptural perspective and see what the truth is behind what it means to "accept Jesus." Resources: The Curse of the Law livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/galatians_06_curse_of_law_1_6_9.mp3
 

The Sinking of Lordship Salvation

Is Lordship Salvation sinking under the weight of its own proclamations?

This video dives deep into the language, logic, and scripture behind one of the most prominent teachings in modern Christianity. If you've ever wrestled with what it means to be truly saved, or wondered whether grace still means freedom, this one's for you. Watch as we separate biblical truth from theological fog. Resources: Faith Only or Faith and Works https://share.google/b82ZHMmhfq17lWRmP

1 John 2:19 They Went Out From Us

1 John 2:19

"They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us."

Who are they that went out from us?

How does this tie into whether or not a Christian can lose their salvation?

Resources:

Once Saved Always Saved 7 of 12

livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/always_saved_7.mp3 https://share.google/6Kz7FX0WHSh0lKo5o

Colossians 1:13-14 The Rescuer

Colossians 1:13-14

"For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." What does it mean to be rescued from the darkness? Can you describe the kingdom of the Son? Resources: Jesus, Prophet, Priest and King https://share.google/MkVLAAD9hh4RV4ZFl

Ephesians 1:11-14 What is the Message of Truth?

 

Ephesians 1:11-14

11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Why is the Gospel called the message of truth?

What is the inheritance that the Holy Spirit guarantees?

Resources:

Sealed by the Spirit

livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/ephesians_019_1_11_14_sealed_by_the_holy_spirit.mp3

God's Love for You

 

John 3:16-17

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 2:12

12 What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us

How is God's love different from the love mankind has for each other?

What have we received from God because of His love for us?

Resources:

Relationship with God

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/gospel_of_john_012_3_16_36_relationship_with_god_ext.mp3

How Do I Know If I Am Saved?

The answer to the question, "How do I know that I am saved?" can take many forms depending on who you ask. Unfortunately, the most common answers are thinly veiled attempts to put the person under some form of law. An analysis of one Christian's response to this question illustrates what I mean.

What is the truth about sanctification?

Is holiness a lifelong pursuit?

Are Christians perfect?

Does God discipline us when we sin?

Resources:

Sanctification 

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/sanctification_ext.mp3

Why Forgiveness Is Important 

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/hebrews_40_ch10_11_27_why_forgiveness_is_important.mp3

 

If This Is True We Will Have To Change The Bible

 

Romans 8:38-39

[38] For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, [39] nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

‭1 Corinthians 3:16-17

[16]  Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? [17] If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.

‭Philippians 3:20 

[20] But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 

Hebrews 13:5

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

If you can lose your salvation doesn't that mean you can be separated from the love of God?

If you can lose your salvation doesn't that mean your body can no longer be the temple of God?

If you can lose your salvation doesn't that mean you can have your citizenship in heaven revoked?

If you can lose your salvation doesn't that mean that God will leave you and abandon you?

If you can lose your salvation doesn't that mean there is fear in love because you will get punished?

Resources:

Once Saved Always Saved (OSAS)

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/always_saved.htm

Time to Grow Up

https://96tolife.blogspot.com/2019/08/time-to-grow-up.html?m=1

Will Jesus Deny You Before The Father In Heaven?

 Matthew 10:32-33

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven."

Will Jesus deny you before God the Father if you buckle under the pressure of being persecuted?

What does the New Covenant tell us about God's faithfulness?

learn something about denying Jesus from Peter?

Resources:

Faithfulness 

https://96tolife.blogspot.com/search/label/Faithfulness?m=1

Once Saved Always Saved 1 of 12

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/always_saved_1.mp3

Hebrews 10:26-27 What does it mean to sin willfully?

Hebrews‬ ‭10:26‭-‬27‬

"For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries."

Is this passage referring to a Christian deliberately going out and engaging in sin? 

What is the knowledge of the truth that we have received? 

How come there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins? 

Resources: 

Blogs about Hebrews 10:26

https://96tolife.blogspot.com/search?q=Hebrews+10:26&m=1

Hebrews 10:26-27 No Sacrifice for Sins

https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/hebrews_42_ch10_26_27_no_sacrifice_for_sins.mp3

Lies Christians Believe

 

John‬ ‭8:44‬

"You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." How has the first lie of the devil continued to affect the body of Christ? Are we preaching lies and saying it is the Christian life? Resources: The Gospel: https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/the_gospel.mp3 Understanding Forgiveness: https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/forgiveness.htm Spiritual Warfare: https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/spiritual_warfare.htm Your Identity in Christ: https://www.livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/identity.htm

Can anything good come from Nazareth?

Shortly after the ministry of Jesus Christ began we read where the Lord calls Philip and Nathanael. In John 1:45-46, it says, “Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, the One the prophets foretold—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Nathanael asked. “Come and see,” said Philip.” We don't know what made Nathanael stereotype Jesus for being from Nazareth, but it is clear that his opinion of Nazarenes was not high. It is an unfortunate fact of life that we have prejudice. Racial, economic, cultural, religious, and social prejudice are a few of the stereotypes we use against each other. It was no different in the first century. While it is no surprise to see this type of prejudice from the world, it is disheartening to see it in the Church. Christians find many ways to look down on each other. The list is endless, but a few of the ways we do it are as follows:

Lone Ranger Christian

A Lone Ranger Christian is said to be "a Christian who avoids fellowship with other believers or avoids going to church and being a part of a local body of believers." The fact that this term exists and there is a definition for it is evidence of the lack of love within the body of Christ. I can't say they don't exist, but I have never heard anybody proclaim themselves to be a Lone Ranger Christian, much less profess they are actively avoiding fellowship or going to church because they don't need anybody in their lives. But, I do know of people who have left churches or avoided fellowship with other Christians because of the Christians in those groups. Nobody who labels another believer as a Lone Ranger Christian seems inclined to ask the person they are referring to why they are avoiding fellowship or left a church. Furthermore, do they look inward and ask themselves, "What beliefs do we hold that may be a problem for others?" or "Are we demonstrating the love of God to our fellow Christians?" It is easy to just dismiss another Christian as the problem rather than first looking at ourselves to see if we are to blame. If you believe someone is a Lone Ranger Christian, don't dismiss them, but remember that "You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Galatians 5:14)." Wouldn't you want someone to come to you if they had a problem with how you were acting? Give them the benefit you would want to be given to you by others. 

Antinomian

It is said that in Christianity an "antinomian takes the principle of salvation by faith and divine grace to the point of asserting that the saved are not bound to follow the law of Moses." In other words, they believe that if you are not living a life of obedience and repentance to the law, then you are giving people a license to sin. Therefore, you are dismissed as an outlier to the faith, someone to be avoided, and who needs to be reigned back into the faith. In all honesty, however, the true antinomians are those who believe that the law of Moses, any law for that matter, plays a role in the life of a Christian. The Bible says, "Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith (Galatians 3:11).” Clearly, as the verse states, Christians live by faith not by the law. Therefore, the ones who are the real antinomians are those who believe that a Christian, the saved, is bound to follow the law of Moses. Furthermore, we are told that "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15:56)." Who is giving people a license to sin? Is it the person living by faith in God to live His life through them, or the one trying to live by laws designed to modify their flesh? If the righteous live by faith then it must be the unrighteous who live by the law. Do not let yourselves be pigeon-holed into accepting a label that in truth belongs to the ones doing the labeling. 

Two-Timers

They are called Two-Timers, Cultural Christians, Convenient Christians, Chreasters, C&E Christians, Pointsettia & Lily Christians, CEOs, and on and on. They are Christians who only attend Church sparingly, on holidays, or twice a year on Christmas and Easter. Some of these terms I have never heard of before. Similar to Lone Ranger Christians, these so-called Two-Timers, are Christians who are put down for only attending church on special occasions. The idea behind the labeling is that these are not true Christians, but they only give God recognition on religious holy days, but the rest of the year they have nothing to do with God. Again, like with the Lone Ranger Christians, there may be people who do this. But, again, do those participating in the unloving act of name-calling ever look inward and examine themselves? Why would a person only come to church on holidays? Could it be that they can only tolerate the Christians and the teachings at the church they attend on holidays? If the people at these churches are coming up with all these condemning labels, perhaps that is just the tip of the iceberg with what goes on inside the walls of these churches. I wonder if what is being taught is the law. The law makes you mean. The law makes you judge others. The law makes you miserable and misery loves company. Who was it that Jesus Christ came down the hardest on? It was the religious leaders. Speaking to the Scribes and Pharisees, Jesus said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness (Matthew 23:23).” Notice that He says they neglect justice, mercy, and faithfulness. If someone is only attending church on holidays, and it bothers you, go them in love, expressing justice, mercy, and faithfulness to them. You may win your brother or sister or discover something about yourself and your church that needs addressing. 

I chose to discuss the labels of Lone Ranger Christian, Antinomian, and Two-Timer because of personal experience. These are labels that have been placed on me because of judgmental Christians who did not understand the things I believe about the faith or were too close-minded to listen to what I believe. There was a time early in my faith when I didn't attend church regularly for a few years. From the outside, this could appear to be me acting like a Lone Ranger Christian or a Two-Timer. It was me having difficulty finding a church that was teaching the grace of God to my satisfaction. Therefore, I chose not to attend a local church because I didn't want to expose myself to teaching I disagreed with for the sake of fellowship with people who didn't believe like me. Is that fellowship? Nobody asked me why I left and when people discovered I wasn't attending church, the labels were applied. I desired fellowship and found it online. But, that doesn't count for those who considered me an outcast. The first time I was labeled an antinomian was by a local pastor whose church I attended. During a conversation outside of church on the subject of water baptism, he labeled me an antinomian because I don't believe water baptism is necessary for salvation or the first act of obedience after salvation. When you can't convince somebody with scripture, putting a label on them is supposed to qualify as winning an argument. Unfortunately, people would rather try and win an argument and lose their brother. Nathanael labeled Jesus with his sarcastic question, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" He soon found out that the only thing that we can say is good came from Nazareth. Do not let fellow Christians look at you like a Nazarene because they don't take the time to find out who you are and what motivates you. In Christ, you are a child of God, who is not alone, not under the law, and who is a member of the Church. Grace and Peace. 

Be Like

There is a popular meme going around supposedly indicating what the Christian life is supposed to be like. It lists the following:

• Pray like Nehemiah
• Obey like Daniel
• Lead like Moses
• Serve like Martha
• Believe like Mary
• Fight like David
• Educate like Paul
• Build like Noah
• Love like Jesus 

My first instinct was to say, "No." This is another way to create laws to motivate our flesh rather than to live in response to the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Our life in Christ is a direct reflection of our growth in the grace and knowledge of our God and Savior as He lives His life in and through us. Six of the nine people mentioned in the list did not even have the indwelling Holy Spirit living in them. Mary and Paul lived on both sides of the Cross, were born under the Old Testament, and lived during the beginning of the New Covenant where they received the Holy Spirit after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Not much is mentioned of Mary after the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but Paul wrote most of the New Covenant and he tells us that we are not to live by the law, any law, whether that be God's law or one we make up. 

Pray like Nehemiah

Nehemiah wrote, "I beseech you, Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who preserves the covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments ... (Nehemiah 1:5)" For those who understand the New Covenant, I could not see myself praying like this. Nehemiah is referencing the Old Covenant in his prayer. There is nothing wrong with the Old Covenant, but Nehemiah did not know what it was like to live under the new. He also didn't understand that nobody is keeping God's commandments to the extent He requires, not even Nehemiah. God was faithful to Israel not because they obeyed Him, but because He loved them and kept His promise to them. Perhaps that is why Nehemiah praised God as the one who "preserves the covenant," not him or the people. My prayer would be more about honoring God "who loves us and gives us His grace and mercy."

Obey like Daniel

When Daniel learned that King Darius issued a decree to only pray to him, Daniel had a choice to make. Obey the decree or obey his God. In Daniel 6:10, it says, "Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before." Daniel was found out, betrayed, and thrown in the lions' den. Of course, we know the rest of the story. God forbid there comes a time when we have to choose between praying to God and praying to a human leader. But, we can make that choice when the time comes. I am secure in the knowledge that whatever I choose, my God is with me regardless. It is also comforting to know that I don't have to get down on my knees and pray towards Jerusalem three times a day. I can pray anywhere, at any time, and in any manner that I choose. For what it is worth, that may help conceal my prayers momentarily and the knowledge that my God is with me is further comfort to me. 

Lead like Moses

When it comes to Moses, the Bible says, "And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, none like him for all the signs and the wonders that the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh and to all his servants and to all his land, and for all the mighty power and all the great deeds of terror that Moses did in the sight of all Israel (Deuteronomy 34:12)." It is said that comparison is the thief of joy. What goes through the mind of your average Christian if they must compare their leadership to that of Moses? It would have to be an absolute failure. How many of us, whether leaders or not, are assigned a task like that which God gave to Moses? Has God performed signs and wonders through us? Has God sent us to a foreign land to lead the slaves out of captivity? Not likely. That was what God tasked Moses with doing. And, if we remember, Moses did everything in his power not to lead his people out of Egypt. There are various forms of leadership ranging from Moses leading the exodus, a pastor leading a church, a husband leading his family, to the individual leading their life as a reflection of the Lord's guidance, and many in between. Choose to do what God is leading you to do rather than judge your life based on what He had others do with their lives. 

Serve like Martha

When Jesus came to the home of Mary and Martha. we read that "Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her (Luke 10:40-42).” To state that we are to "serve like Martha" is proof that the creators of this list of what Christians are to be like doesn't understand the New Covenant. Christians are called to rest. And in the story of Martha and Mary, it is Mary, not Martha that we should emulate. She is the picture of rest and Jesus refers to her actions as having "chosen what is better." We are called to rest in Christ Jesus. Resting is a form of serving because we are told to make our bodies living sacrifices. You can't sacrifice yourself if you are busy working. Therefore, for what it is worth, serve like Mary.

Believe like Mary

Shortly after Mary was told she was pregnant with Jesus, she visited Elizabeth. Elizabeth said to her, "Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her (Luke 1:45)!” What people don't realize is that to believe God is to be obedient to Him. Therefore, anybody who is in Christ believes like Mary because they accepted what the Lord has said about their spiritual condition and His provision for that in Christ Jesus. Furthermore, and let's be honest here, who wouldn't "believe like Mary" if the angel Gabriel revealed himself to you and delivered a message from God? Through the ministry of Jesus Christ, He is seen numerous times talking about belief. He asked Martha, "Do you believe this?" when talking about the resurrection. When He appeared to Thomas after the resurrection He told him, "Stop doubting and believe." God presents us with many things to believe. It is not faith to believe it because Mary believed what God presented to her. We have to be convinced in our minds that what God has said is true. 

Fight like David

I admit it is better to fight like David than to fall like him. His victories in the battle over Goliath and overcoming his enemies to become King are only matched by his failures like that of committing adultery with Bathsheba and killing her husband to cover it up. While our battle with our flesh will continue until death, our real fight is the battle between the truth of God and the lie of Satan. We are told to put on the full armor of God, to stand firm in our freedom, and to fight the good fight of faith. These are not battles against flesh and blood like David is known for fighting against. No, these are the battles we fight for our mind, heart, and spirit over what we believe and who we will listen to. Our Goliaths are those that want to put us back under the law. Those who want us to keep our focus on our flesh and off of Jesus Christ. Those who want us under their control and not controlled by God. We fight with spiritual slingshots because the Goliaths we face are not giant, enemy warriors, they are wolves in sheep's clothing. 

Educate like Paul

Peter was referring to Paul's teachings when he said, "And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. 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 (2 Peter 3:15-16)." It may not be clear what Peter meant by Paul's writings containing things that are "hard to understand," if you understand the New Covenant it may become more clear. The early church mixed a lot of law and grace. They believed that Gentiles had to be water baptized to become Jews before they could accept Jesus Christ. They argued about the role circumcision played with believers. James boasted about certain Christians being zealous for the law as if that was a good thing. Therefore, what may be hard to understand in the teachings of Paul is that he didn't teach any of that. He was accused of teaching people not to obey the law. Therefore, if we are to educate like Paul it is to first mature in our understanding of the Gospel, the forgiveness we have in Christ, and our identity in Christ. It is this foundational aspect of the New Covenant that we must understand, believe, and teach. That is how we educate like Paul.

Build like Noah

Similar to leading like Moses, to build like Noah begs the question, "Is God asking any of us to build a boat because He is about to destroy the earth?" No, but what is God telling us? Peter said, "God's patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ ... (1 Peter 3:20-21)" Noah's Ark was a picture of the salvation offered through faith in Jesus Christ. He is the Ark that saves and we can fit more than eight people on this "boat." God is the one who builds His church with Jesus Christ as its foundation. All Christians do is give a reason for the hope we have in the Lord in hopes that people will take us up on the invitation God is offering them through faith in Christ Jesus. 

Love like Jesus

Are you loving your neighbor as yourself? Do you make sure they have food to eat, clothes to wear, a roof over their heads, and a warm bed to sleep in at night? Have you laid down your life for your friends? If you are reading this, the answer is "no." Are you loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind? How do you measure that anyway? The bottom line is that you are not loving like Jesus. Before you can begin to love others like Jesus Christ, you have to accept His love. Jesus said we are the branches and He is the vine. Do branches work? Do they leave the vine and wander around? No, branches simply bear the fruit that the vine is producing. And the vibrant colors and the wonderful aroma of that fruit bring those who desire to partake of it. So, it is with Christians. "We love because he first loved us (1 John 4:19)." When we are receiving the love of God that meets the desires of our hearts, we will bear that love to others. Some may say we are loving like Jesus, but we are letting Jesus love others through us. We become the beautiful, sweet-smelling fruit that everybody desires. 

The Days of Noah

 A popular YouTuber made the following statement along with a question:

I get emails, literally by the hundreds, from people telling me the Nephilim story, the story of the Bible. We get dozens of comments in the comment section, dozens and dozens of emails saying, "It's all in the Bible. All you have to do is read the Bible." All I have to do is accept the name of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, on and on and on. Multiple times. Hundreds of times. Thousands of times. What I'm commonly hearing people says is, "It's all in the Bible! It's all right there in the Bible. You just gotta read the Bible." Now ... I am asking an innocent, honest question. Don't get offended and don't run away thinking you are being insulted or offended in any way. This is just questions and answers time at the roundtable. Now my question is, "If all of the answers are in the Bible, and everything is in the Bible, you just have to put faith in the Bible ... okay. Now, I am looking at the planet. I am seeing for myself that I would think it would be safe to say that at this point in time society ... around the world, and across the board, are possibly at their darkest times right now. Maybe. Possibly. Alright. That is just from my observation of watching the different countries around the globe and their interactions with each other, what they are doing to each other, what's being done to each other, what's happening to all of our societies today across the board, and I'm seeing the absolute darkest of times. I've seen a lot of evil go down. A lot of very, very, bad people in power. And I don't see any change coming to that anytime soon. So my question would be to people who lay faith in the Bible ... if everything is right there and it is so simple, how come nothing's changing? That's my honest question. Why is nothing changing? There is literally, possibly, hundreds of millions of people who read and put their faith in the Bible and I know many of them. Many of them are my friends. I love them, respect them, and would protect them with my life. But, my honest question is, "Why is nothing changing for the better?"

My question to this gentleman would be simple. Have you read the Bible? If he had, he may have come across Acts 17:11. It says, "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true." It is my observation that he has never read the Bible. Because if he had, then he would know not to take people's word at face value that they are correctly interpreting the scriptures. Like a Berean, he should read the Bible for himself. The conclusion he makes that comes across in his question is that the world should be "changing for the better." What "better" looks like, he never defines and is open to interpretation. If he would read the Bible he would notice that the "darkest of times," the evil going down, and the "very very bad people in power" are foretold by the Bible.

Interestingly, he mentions the Nephilim. The Nephilim briefly appears in Genesis 6. Just after their mention, we read, "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them (Genesis 6:5-7).” The wickedness and evil that God saw caused Him to say that He regretted making humanity. So much so, that He flooded the entire earth destroying all of mankind. What does this have to do with the YouTuber's comments about the state of the world? 

In Matthew 24, Jesus Christ was talking about His Second Coming and that nobody would know the day or the hour. However, He did say something about the condition of the world at that time. "But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark ... (Matthew 24:36-38)" Jesus said that at the time He would come it would be "as it was in the days of Noah." If God flooded the globe because of the wickedness and evil in it at the time, that means that there will be wickedness and evil in the world at the time Jesus Christ returns. This confirms what the gentleman was lamenting over regarding things not appearing to get better in the world. They are not supposed to be getting better. Unfortunately, they will get worse as time goes on. 

2 Timothy 3:1-5 says, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people." Nothing is changing for the better because the Bible isn't geared towards changing the world for the better. The Bible is about God's plan of salvation for mankind through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible predicts times will be bad. That is a good thing from a salvation point of view because when the world falls apart people turn toward God and hopefully will believe in the Lord. Furthermore, one day there will be a new heaven and earth. The only question is will you be there or not?

 

 

When did we see you?

Jesus Christ was delivering a message on the Sheep and the Goats when He said:

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’  “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you (Matthew 25:35-39)?’

It is interesting how the Lord describes the response of the righteous in attendance. They said, "When did we see you ..?" As Christians, what relevance does this have to us?

When did we see you hungry and feed you?

Just after a crowd of people located Jesus Christ on Capernaum, He said, "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval (John 6:27).” Jesus described Himself as the Bread of Life. The food that endures to eternal life is Him. When we accept Jesus as our savior, the Holy Spirit of God comes to indwell us for eternity. Jesus, the bread, is the food that we receive as well as the food that we share with those who are hungry. The hungry are the lost who have not yet come to faith in Jesus Christ. It is them who hunger to have the deepest needs of their heart met in Christ. Perhaps that is why Revelation 7:16 says, "Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat."

When did we see you thirsty and give you something to drink?

During the conversation between Jesus Christ and the woman at the well, the Samaritan woman said to Him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water (John 4:9-10).” The living water reference by Jesus is the Holy Spirit. Salvation is the restoration of the life of God which was lost when Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden. God removed His life, the Holy Spirit, but through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit is restored to all who believe in Jesus as their savior. The thirst that all mankind longs to quench is the absence of the Holy Spirit. When He is restored to us, we will never thirst again because there is no sin that will cause God to remove Himself again thanks to once for all sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. 

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in?

In Galatians 4:9, Paul tells the church, "But now that you know God—or rather are known by God ..." Christians, because of our faith in Jesus Christ are now "known by God." Prior to our salvation, the Bible describes those who are lost as being in "darkness" and that we were "God's enemies." You can't see people who are in the dark and you do not know your enemies even if you might know of them. This is another way of describing a stranger. However, just like the love of God in Christ drew us to faith in Him, so will the love of Christ we bear to others draw strangers to Him through us. And when a person is born again of the Spirit of God through faith in Jesus Christ, they are no longer strangers. That is why the scriptures say, "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household ... (Ephesians 2:19)." We are no longer strangers to God because we have accepted His invitation through our faith in Christ. 

When did we see you needing clothes and clothe you?

The moment that Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, their eyes were opened and they hid from God. When God called out to Adam, he answered, "I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid (Genesis 3:10).” The nakedness of Adam and Eve was symbolic of their sin. To this day, the majority of the world views the public display of the naked body as sinful. One of God's initial acts of love was to make "garments of skin for Adam and his wife and clothed them (Genesis 3:21)." This was a foreshadow of what God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ would do for mankind. Apart from faith in Jesus Christ, mankind is spiritually naked. Upon accepting Jesus Christ as your savior the Bible says "for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ (Galatians 3:27)." The receiving of the Holy Spirit described as being baptized in Christ, is akin to putting on Jesus Christ as your clothing. The garments the Lord made for Adam and Eve covered their sin. The death of Jesus Christ took away the sins of the world so God could cover our nakedness with Himself through the restoration of the Holy Spirit. 

When did we see you sick or in prison?

Two of the ways Jesus Christ described His mission here on earth was to use illness and captivity. Referring to Jesus, the scribes and Pharisees asked, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"  "On hearing this, Jesus told them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners (Mark 2:17).” Unbelief in Jesus Christ is described as being sick. From the point of view of salvation, Jesus is the only "doctor" who has the cure for what ails mankind. When Jesus entered the synagogue in Nazareth, He was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. He read from it saying, "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free ... (Luke 4:18)" What is it that prisoners desire? It is freedom. Jesus came to set us free from our sins and the love of the world which has made all of us prisoners to them. When we share the Gospel we are offering freedom to all the unbelievers still imprisoned by their unbelief in Jesus Christ. 

Jesus Christ would go on to say, "Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40)." Whenever we share the Gospel with someone it is as if we are feeding Jesus, giving Him something to drink, inviting Him in and getting to know Him, clothing His naked body, nursing Him to health, and setting Him free from prison. In this day and age, it is easy to see the lost as our enemies who are worthy of our scorn. Unfortunately, they often act in ways that are worthy of such treatment. But, if we look at them through the eyes of God, we will see that they are the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, and imprisoned stranger that Jesus Christ came to save. 

I have lost my faith

The following is a conversation with an individual struggling with how to reconcile Jesus Christ and the Bible with their rough upbringing:

I find it harder and harder to relate to Christ and the Bible. It didn't help that I was abused growing up and that those I turned to did nothing. When a Christian says "I'll pray for you," I think, "Why don't you DO something to help." Praying is fine, but if no one does anything, nothing happens.

• I am sorry to hear about your suffering. Usually, when somebody says, "I'll pray for you," it is because someone asked, "Will you pray for me?" If you desire or need help, ask and maybe they can assist you.

Why did there HAVE to be a tree with forbidden fruit? And why did we name our phones and computers after them (Macintosh, Apple, Blackberry...lol).

• God gave the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because He wants people to come to Him through free will and not by force. Love is best defined when someone wants to be with you, not because they are forced. That is not loving. You'll have to ask the phone manufacturers about those names. 😂

If this is the fallen world, well then, this is hell. Obviously.

• This world is fallen. And it is not heaven. But, it is not hell, either. Hell is eternal. You will be forgotten in hell. It is a form of a blessing to die and find an exit out of here. But, only if you come to faith in Jesus Christ will it be worth it.

Why so many parables? Why not just tell us. Make it clear.

• Jesus did speak clearly and people didn't believe Him. He only spoke in parables afterward because people had hardened their hearts toward Him.

Why must some be damned? Why don't the elect know who they are? More anxiety.

• God does not want anyone to perish. However, if you don't accept His only provision through faith in Jesus Christ, He hasn't provided anyplace else for the "damned" to go except to be with the devil and his angels in hell. The elect do know who we are (see 1 John 5:11-13). Anxiety is a companion of fear. Fear is alleviated by the truth.

Why do we eat the blood and the body? Does this sound right? Feels vampire-ish?

• It is symbolic of the sacrifice for sins obtained when Jesus shed His blood on the cross to forgive the sins of the world and the consumption of the bread symbolizes the indwelling Holy Spirit. Believers become the "body of Christ" because our physical bodies are now the "temple of God."

Why were books left out of the bible?

• Books were left out of the Bible because they are not the inspired word of God. In the interest of time, here is a link to go more in-depth if you want.

I lost my faith, and the Bible tells me I wasn't chosen, so I fell away. Not fair.

• Maybe it is a good thing you have lost your faith. It is not about your faith, it is about the object of your faith. If you are believing things that are not true, then losing your faith is a way for you to test what you believe. Maybe you have the wrong Jesus. The Bible does talk about different Gospels and false Christ's. Now is the time to find the truth and be set free.

Why is there possession, but also the Holy Spirit?

• God designed mankind in such a way that only He, through His indwelling Holy Spirit, can occupy that emptiness inside of us. We were designed to receive perfect love, acceptance, meaning, and purpose to life. God is the only one that can meet that need through Jesus Christ. The devil, whose desire is to his "throne on high (Isaiah 14:13)" cannot indwell mankind. He can only possess us and influence our behavior, but he cannot occupy the space in our spirit meant for God alone.

Why are there few miracles, but also magic?

• If something is common and natural, it cannot be a miracle by definition. Hence, why there may seem to be so few. But, also, just because you may not have experienced a miracle or many of them does not mean they are not taking place. God is active in this world despite the rest of us not always being informed of His activity to our liking. The difference between magic and miracles is the source. Magic is from the god of this world and miracles are from God. For more information click this link.

If you could move a mountain, wouldn't that be weird for others?

• If I could move mountains then I would be tempted with arrogance and it would probably make me struggle with humility. The focus would be on me and my abilities and not on God. People would come to me to perform for them and not go to God. It would be just like you read in the Bible. People only came to Jesus for His miracles and not what He came to offer them; Himself. I would be entertainment just like the Lord was to so many people. Is that weird? Perhaps.

I could go on....but none of this makes sense to me now.

Pre-Corona world was a better one. Maybe we were sent here because we failed in life, and the Bible was given to us to believe and go quietly.

• The world is the same now as it was "Pre-Corona." Since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit, thousands of years ago in the Garden, the world has been in a fallen state full of sin and death. We were not sent here as if we are reincarnated or there was some previous world we failed in. If anything, we have been given a second chance by God. Prior to God flooding the earth He said, "The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time (Genesis 6:5)." Mankind is wicked from the moment we are born and our hearts are only focused on evil all the time. While people may disagree with this, the opinion of God is the only one that matters. This is why we suffer from things like abuse all the way to having to battle deadly diseases. None of it would be in the world if we had just believed God from the start. The Bible was given to us as a testimony of Jesus Christ and God's plan of redemption through faith in Him. 

I could go on...I am so lost and numb.

• This is a good thing to be "lost and numb." Jesus Christ said, "For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10).” Jesus came for people like you. All you have to do is let Him find you by accepting His offer of salvation. 

Grace and Peace 

Jesus is Exalted. We are Exhausted

"Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?" Luke 18:26

Jesus Christ gave His famous example of a camel going through the eye of a needle to illustrate the difficulty of getting into Heaven on the merits of one's own works, when the disciples asked, "Who then can be saved?" It is the moment that all of us need to experience. The Kingdom of God is accessible only to those who accept the grace and mercy of God found through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus told the people that their righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees. He went on to say that a person must be as perfect in their behavior as God, the Father. Therefore, the reaction of the disciples is perfect. It has been nearly two thousand years since Jesus said these words, and many Christians have yet to reach that point of asking that question about who can be saved? There are hundreds of denominations and religions underneath the banner of Christianity. It has been said that you can separate the denominations by the laws they put themselves under. The Bible is clear about how to obtain salvation. "If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9)." Salvation is putting your faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Plain and simple. However, accepting gifts is difficult for people to take because they have a problem with taking "charity." Instead, they want to "earn" everything or "payback" the giver for their expense. The end result is all these denominations and sects permeating Christianity.

Jehovah's Witnesses

The Jehovah's Witnesses teach that salvation is earned by being baptized as a Jehovah's Witness, and then most followers must earn everlasting life on earth by "door-to-door" work." Furthermore, they believe that salvation is limited to 144,000 "anointed ones." Unfortunately, as of the time of this writing, there are almost 9 million adherents to the religion. There is going to be a lot of unhappy people when it is all said and done. However, they have a bigger problem than that. They believe that Jesus is not God. Until they address this error, there won't be any of them in Heaven, much less 144,000.

Latter-day Saints (Mormons)

What do Mormon's believe about salvation? They teach that a person is resurrected by grace, but saved by works. This is called being "exalted to godhood." This includes being faithful to church leaders, Mormon baptism, tithing, ordination, marriage, and secret temple rituals. And there is no eternal life without Mormon membership. Similar to the Jehovah's Witnesses, they also have the wrong Jesus. They believe that Jesus is a separate god from the Father. They teach Jesus was created as a spirit by the Father and Mother in Heaven and is the "elder brother" of all men and spirit beings (including Lucifer). Continuing, they believe Jesus' body was created through a sexual union between the Father and Mary and that Jesus was married. It goes on, but you get the picture. These are untrue statements about nearly everything the Bible teaches. It will not save them no matter how hard they work at it.

Seventh-day Adventism

Seventh-day Adventists teach that salvation is by grace, but that it is maintained by keeping commands and repentance. Sabbath (Saturday) observance is believed to be the sign of the seal of God and that Sunday worship is the mark of the beast. Interestingly enough, Saturday worship is a violation of the Sabbath. One of their founders, Ellen White, taught that Jesus Christ was exalted by God the Father to be his Son. This act provoked the jealousy of Lucifer and started a war in Heaven. Jesus is believed to be our example to prove that we can live sinlessly. They also think that the death of Jesus Christ did not finish the work of forgiveness, and many adherents do not believe in his deity. Why call yourself a Christian if you do not believe what the Bible teaches?

Catholicism

It is difficult to determine what Catholics believe about salvation. The answer could vary depending on who you talk to. Even when reading what some Catholics say about salvation, it can be hard to figure out. For example, one apologetics source writes, "The Catholic Church does not now, nor has it ever, taught a doctrine of salvation by works…that we can “work” our way into Heaven." Yet, in the very next sentence, it says, "Additionally, nowhere in the Bible does it teach that we are saved by “faith alone.” Although untrue, which is it? Faith alone or not? To further complicate their belief, we read, "The Bible says very clearly that we are not saved by faith alone. Works do have something to do with our salvation." So, it is faith alone one time, and then works have something to do with our salvation. The same paragraph then says, "As Catholics, we believe that we are saved by God’s grace alone. We can do nothing, apart from God’s grace, to receive the free gift of salvation." That is great until "Catholics believe a response of faith and works is necessary…" The seesaw is non-stop. Perhaps, this is an example of the "lukewarm" church God talks about spewing out of His mouth in Revelation. 

Protestants

There are too many denominations to address what Protestants teach about salvation. However, much like it is with Catholicism, they teach what has been sarcastically called "Levitical Light." That means they teach various forms of legalism cloaked in grace language. From my experience, they teach that salvation is grace through faith, but when it comes to your life as a Christian, it is a life of obeying and repenting to the laws, rituals, sacraments, rules, and so on each denomination teaches. These include, but are not limited to, baptism, tithing, church attendance, accountability groups, ministry work, repeatedly asking God's forgiveness, and more. All of it designed to keep you busy and barren. The hope is that through all of this, a person will become more like Jesus Christ. In reality, all that happens is that you realize just how unlike Jesus you are and, in many cases, you feel further away from Him than when you began. 

Those who "can be saved" are the ones who realize that all of these religious and denominational regulations are just man-made obstacles that prevent people from getting to know their God. Too often, a person gauges their relationship with God based on their ability or lack thereof to navigate all of these religious and denominational demands put on them. It is why people believe that a person can lose their salvation. People are led into a life of comparison with other Christians as they judge each other according to whatever laws they've agreed to live by. Others will "walk-away" from the faith. Religious pride is fueled as some falsely believe they have found a way to be obedient to God. Witnessing devolves into recruiting people to church instead of giving a reason for the hope you have in Jesus Christ. God did not come to this earth to teach us how to live. He came to this earth to teach us about the One who gives us life! 

When I Meet God

Former Navy Seal, Ultra-Marathoner, world record holder, and motivational speaker, David Goggins answered a question about meeting God at the end of his life. 

Goggins said, "I used to weigh three hundred pounds. I was 175lbs in high school [and got up to] 300 pounds. Let's say that I didn't improve myself at all. I die at 75 years old at 300 pounds. I work for Eco Lab my entire life, making $1,000 a month. That's what I made. I go to heaven and you are God (referring to the host). And you have a big long line of people, and I'm standing line. I'm coming up. I'm next, so you have Mary Ann, and you are talking to her, judging her, and I'm like, "What the hell does God have in His hand? What's that paper?" So God tears it away and throws it in the trashcan, and Mary Ann goes walking away. Now you have a piece of paper in your hand. I am next, and God says, "Sit down, David." That's right. It says David Goggins on top of the paper. God gives me the paper, and I look at it. When I'm reading this paper, I see all these amazing things. You were a 185lb athlete. You ran all these crazy races. You broke records. You were a Navy Seal. You were the only person to do this, do that, to do everything. You had a best-selling book. You changed millions of lives. And I look at God, and I say, "This says David Goggins up here, which is my name, God. But this isn't me." I'm like, "I think You gave me the wrong paper." And God says, "No," because God knows all. God sees all. And God looks at me and says, "This is what you should have been." He finished by saying, "I want God to be impressed with how I turn out." 

David Goggins is inspiring on many levels. His life story is one of overcoming obstacles that would have destroyed many people in similar situations. However, when I read this testimony, it sounds similar to a religious person who is striving to become a better version of themselves through adherence to laws designed to modify their behavior. Both have the same goal in mind. They want God to be impressed by what they accomplished in their lives. Nobody knows for sure what it will look like on Judgment Day. God may pass out a piece of paper before He passes judgment. He may wait patiently as each person goes down the list of their accomplishments in life. When you are finished, however, God will ask you one question. "What did you do with my Son?" 

Our accomplishments in life will not make any difference when we are standing before the God of the living and the dead. The only thing that matters to God is, are you spiritually alive to Him through faith in Jesus Christ, or did you deny the gift of God and remain spiritually dead? The Bible is full of examples that tell us that our works, religious or otherwise, are not what "impresses" God to the point that He allows us entrance into Heaven. No evidence is clearer than the words of the Apostle Paul. "If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more:circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ (Philippians 3:4-7)."

God gave the Jews the Mosaic Law. Paul claims to have observed it well enough that he felt he could boast of his accomplishments. It sounds similar to the motivation that David Goggins has regarding his worldly accomplishments. However, Paul's conclusion was that his achievements were worthless compared to knowing Jesus Christ. One version of the Bible translates Paul considering his accomplishments as "dung." That is strong language to use when talking about lifelong achievements. There is nothing wrong with making yourself a better person, regardless of how that is defined. However, when you bring God into it, that is when we have to develop standards. Which God are we talking about? What standards are we deciding to keep? Is the goal we have set achievable? Will God honor our efforts? There is only one God. His standard is for us to be as perfect as He is in our efforts. We will never be good enough to stand before Him, and find Him to be impressed enough with our accomplishments to grant us access into His kingdom. God is only impressed with your faith in Jesus Christ.