Tuesday, January 30, 2007
What Matters?
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself. If you love the Lord like this you will obviously obey His commands such as being baptized, becoming a disciple, and gathering with believers to worship the Lord on the Sabbath etc. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ, learning His ways and walking as He walked, is the pinnacle of Christianity, not a mechanical outward showing to go through the motions and prove to someone you did what you were suppose to do. The sum of it all is to live as Christ lived. That is true conversion. Oh, how I need to practice this myself! I fall short, even though I think myself to be a holy man at times. It is laughable. The moment I think myself a holy man I immediately see in the mirror of truth how short I fall from the image of Jesus Christ, the perfect, holy, beautiful, peaceful, loving, healing, helping, servant King of kings and Lord of lords. How I need to listen to His admonition to wash the feet of the brethren, to humble myself, to esteem others as better than myself, to be not a respecter of persons, to help the poor, widows and orphans. I am also guilty of imitating the world around me; that is, the people in this world. It is very true that bad company corrupts good morals. It so often happens that I am not a good example as I think I might be, but that more of the sinner rubs off on me than I rub off on them. Dear Jesus Christ, help me to love you with all that I am and walk with me every moment of every day that I may do your will and be pleasing in your sight. Amen.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
There is only One who is good
On my blog site I ask the question, "Are you a good person?” To sum up all my other posts and make it really simple, here is truth; You are a sinner and sins don't go away because you feel bad for committing them; you need to pay for them and you can't pay for them except to suffer eternal punishment. If you don't call out to Jesus Christ, confess your sins, repent of them and ask Him wash them away with the blood that was shed on the cross you still have a debt to pay before God, for the Bible says, "For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." in Romans 14:11-12. There is one way to heaven and to God; "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, you should have known the Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him." John 14:6-7. Jesus Christ is the only way to God; not self righteousness, but self humility; not in extemporaneous good works, but faith in Jesus Christ as the savior and Lord; for if good works could save you then there are many muslims, budhists, hindus and pagans on their way to heaven and Jesus Christ died for nothing. It is only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that you can enter heaven. Get on your knees, ask forgiveness and, as Jesus says, "go and sin no more". Do it before it's too late. "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow; for what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away." (James 4:14).
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
What Matters?
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself. If you love the Lord like this you will obviously obey His commands such as being baptized, becoming a disciple, and gathering with believers to worship the Lord on the Sabbath etc. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ, learning His ways and walking as He walked, is the pinnacle of Christianity, not a mechanical outward showing to go through the motions and prove to someone you did what you were suppose to do. The sum of it all is to live as Christ lived. That is true conversion. Oh, how I need to practice this myself! I fall short, even though I think myself to be a holy man at times. It is laughable. The moment I think myself a holy man I immediately see in the mirror of truth how short I fall from the image of Jesus Christ, the perfect, holy, beautiful, peaceful, loving, healing, helping, servant King of kings and Lord of lords. How I need to listen to His admonition to wash the feet of the brethren, to humble myself, to esteem others as better than myself, to be not a respecter of persons, to help the poor, widows and orphans. I am also guilty of imitating the world around me; that is, the people in this world. It is very true that bad company corrupts good morals. It so often happens that I am not a good example as I think I might be, but that more of the sinner rubs off on me than I rub off on them. Dear Jesus Christ, help me to love you with all that I am and walk with me every moment of every day that I may do your will and be pleasing in your sight. Amen.
Monday, January 08, 2007
A Self Examination
“But let a man examine himself”
Remember, as you read this self-examination, that God is perfect and requires complete perfection in order to have eternal life and live with Him in heaven after death. One transgression of one of these Laws is enough to condemn a man or woman for all eternity. Matthew 5:48 says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Jesus also says, “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19. It is not I, the writer of this tract, which says these things are truth; these truths come directly from the Holy Bible, the source of divine knowledge.
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Have you invented God in your head? Have you said to yourself or others, “The God I know wouldn’t send people to Hell” or “I think that God is like…” or “Surely God would never punish me for something so small”? If you have done this you are guilty of breaking the first commandment and have created a false god. You have not gone to the source of the knowledge of God which is the Scriptures.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, nor bow down to them, nor serve them.
You don’t have to melt gold and make a golden calf and bow down to it to be guilty of breaking this commandment. Turning to anything besides God for comfort or salvation is considered worshipping an idol. Putting anything in the place God deserves is idolatry.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Do you use God’s precious name in the place of a curse word? Do you use God’s holy name loosely, such as saying, “Oh my God!”? That is blasphemy and you stand guilty before the Lord God Almighty and will have to give an account before the Lord on Judgment Day.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
When is the last time you’ve been to church? When is the last time you have set aside one day in seven to worship God, read the Scriptures, and practice holiness?
5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
Do you disrespect and disobey your elders? Have you neglected the care of your parents?
6. Thou shalt not kill.
If you have not directly murdered anyone, Jesus says that hatred of your brother (fellow man) is murder. And, yes, abortion is also murder.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Have you committed adultery? If you haven’t committed the physical act, have you lusted after another man or woman rather than your God-given spouse? If so, Jesus says that you have committed adultery in your heart. Are you living in sin by having sex outside of marriage?
8. Thou shalt not steal.
Have you ever taken anything that was not yours, no matter how small? Have you taken two newspapers out of the paper box when you only put in money for one? Have you taken supplies from work unauthorized?
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Have you ever lied? Yes, you have.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thy neighbour’s wife, nor anything thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Have you desired to have what your neighbor has? Have you been jealous of the things that your neighbor has acquired?
If you have lusted, lied, stolen, and taken the Lord’s name in vain you have become an adulterous, lying thief who is guilty of blasphemy. That isn’t even all of the commandments! This transgression of God’s Law is called sin and “the wages of sin is death;” (Romans 6:23). Everyone dies, so you may be thinking, “What’s so bad about that?” The death the apostle Paul speaks of is the second death as mentioned in Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (This is only a partial list of grievous sins, by the way. If I were to mention all violations listed in the Bible you would never finish reading this tract). We shall all face judgment as St. Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:17, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” Everyone will stand before God as mentioned in Romans 14:12, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
Every sin we commit is like gathering up traffic tickets. Imagine you are caught speeding and are fined $75.00. You are summoned to court because you haven’t paid the ticket and you reluctantly drag yourself to court. The judge asks you why you haven’t paid the ticket and you respond, saying, “Well, Judge, I know I have broken the law and that I am guilty, but I figured that since you are a nice man and good that you would forgive me of this fine and let me go.” If that judge is indeed just, he will make you pay the full amount of the traffic ticket and will probably also fine you or give you jail time for not paying the ticket when you were suppose to. Many people perceive God to be the same way. “Because so many people are breaking God’s Law and because there are so many people doing worse things than me, I must be pretty good. God will not judge me for breaking His Law because many people are worse than me.” It doesn’t matter how many bad things you’ve done compared to others. If you have broken God’s law and have not paid the fine, you are guilty…just as guilty as any other sinner, no matter how bad.
Thanks be to God for creating a way to escape this second death as mentioned in Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Since you have been accumulating an abundance of sin debt against God, you need a way to pay the massive fine. There are two ways you can pay; pay for it yourself (which you do not want to do) or repent of (turn away from) your sins, confess them to God and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to take away your sins. The most familiar verse in the Bible is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” 1 John 3:4-6 reads, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” 1 Peter 2:24 says, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
You see, Jesus Christ was God in the flesh. Jesus took on the wrath of God against sin for all who would believe in Him. When Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, was beaten, spit upon, tortured and crucified He was taking away the sins of the world, for all who would love Him. He was perfect and we are not. He was guiltless and we are not. By His stripes we are healed. By his resurrection from the dead after three days we will be raised to live eternally. Ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and sin no more. Go to church, observe the Sabbath, honor the God who saved you. Stop living in sin before it is too late. Jesus Christ can save you today! Read Psalm 51 and make it your own penitential prayer. Jesus is merciful and full of compassion. He will take your sin debt and give you a new start, and will save you from eternal damnation. TURN TO HIM TODAY!!
Remember, as you read this self-examination, that God is perfect and requires complete perfection in order to have eternal life and live with Him in heaven after death. One transgression of one of these Laws is enough to condemn a man or woman for all eternity. Matthew 5:48 says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Jesus also says, “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19. It is not I, the writer of this tract, which says these things are truth; these truths come directly from the Holy Bible, the source of divine knowledge.
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Have you invented God in your head? Have you said to yourself or others, “The God I know wouldn’t send people to Hell” or “I think that God is like…” or “Surely God would never punish me for something so small”? If you have done this you are guilty of breaking the first commandment and have created a false god. You have not gone to the source of the knowledge of God which is the Scriptures.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, nor bow down to them, nor serve them.
You don’t have to melt gold and make a golden calf and bow down to it to be guilty of breaking this commandment. Turning to anything besides God for comfort or salvation is considered worshipping an idol. Putting anything in the place God deserves is idolatry.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
Do you use God’s precious name in the place of a curse word? Do you use God’s holy name loosely, such as saying, “Oh my God!”? That is blasphemy and you stand guilty before the Lord God Almighty and will have to give an account before the Lord on Judgment Day.
4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
When is the last time you’ve been to church? When is the last time you have set aside one day in seven to worship God, read the Scriptures, and practice holiness?
5. Honor thy father and thy mother.
Do you disrespect and disobey your elders? Have you neglected the care of your parents?
6. Thou shalt not kill.
If you have not directly murdered anyone, Jesus says that hatred of your brother (fellow man) is murder. And, yes, abortion is also murder.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Have you committed adultery? If you haven’t committed the physical act, have you lusted after another man or woman rather than your God-given spouse? If so, Jesus says that you have committed adultery in your heart. Are you living in sin by having sex outside of marriage?
8. Thou shalt not steal.
Have you ever taken anything that was not yours, no matter how small? Have you taken two newspapers out of the paper box when you only put in money for one? Have you taken supplies from work unauthorized?
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
Have you ever lied? Yes, you have.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thy neighbour’s wife, nor anything thing that is thy neighbour’s.
Have you desired to have what your neighbor has? Have you been jealous of the things that your neighbor has acquired?
If you have lusted, lied, stolen, and taken the Lord’s name in vain you have become an adulterous, lying thief who is guilty of blasphemy. That isn’t even all of the commandments! This transgression of God’s Law is called sin and “the wages of sin is death;” (Romans 6:23). Everyone dies, so you may be thinking, “What’s so bad about that?” The death the apostle Paul speaks of is the second death as mentioned in Revelation 21:8, “But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” (This is only a partial list of grievous sins, by the way. If I were to mention all violations listed in the Bible you would never finish reading this tract). We shall all face judgment as St. Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:17, “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” Everyone will stand before God as mentioned in Romans 14:12, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.”
Every sin we commit is like gathering up traffic tickets. Imagine you are caught speeding and are fined $75.00. You are summoned to court because you haven’t paid the ticket and you reluctantly drag yourself to court. The judge asks you why you haven’t paid the ticket and you respond, saying, “Well, Judge, I know I have broken the law and that I am guilty, but I figured that since you are a nice man and good that you would forgive me of this fine and let me go.” If that judge is indeed just, he will make you pay the full amount of the traffic ticket and will probably also fine you or give you jail time for not paying the ticket when you were suppose to. Many people perceive God to be the same way. “Because so many people are breaking God’s Law and because there are so many people doing worse things than me, I must be pretty good. God will not judge me for breaking His Law because many people are worse than me.” It doesn’t matter how many bad things you’ve done compared to others. If you have broken God’s law and have not paid the fine, you are guilty…just as guilty as any other sinner, no matter how bad.
Thanks be to God for creating a way to escape this second death as mentioned in Revelation 20:6, “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Since you have been accumulating an abundance of sin debt against God, you need a way to pay the massive fine. There are two ways you can pay; pay for it yourself (which you do not want to do) or repent of (turn away from) your sins, confess them to God and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to take away your sins. The most familiar verse in the Bible is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” 1 John 3:4-6 reads, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.” 1 Peter 2:24 says, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”
You see, Jesus Christ was God in the flesh. Jesus took on the wrath of God against sin for all who would believe in Him. When Jesus Christ, God in the flesh, was beaten, spit upon, tortured and crucified He was taking away the sins of the world, for all who would love Him. He was perfect and we are not. He was guiltless and we are not. By His stripes we are healed. By his resurrection from the dead after three days we will be raised to live eternally. Ask Jesus Christ to forgive you and sin no more. Go to church, observe the Sabbath, honor the God who saved you. Stop living in sin before it is too late. Jesus Christ can save you today! Read Psalm 51 and make it your own penitential prayer. Jesus is merciful and full of compassion. He will take your sin debt and give you a new start, and will save you from eternal damnation. TURN TO HIM TODAY!!
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Do You Think You're Going to Heaven? Are You Good Enough?
Some people think that the world can be changed, or made better, by creating laws that people have to follow. Others think that certain social programs, such as gun laws, metal detectors in schools, higher fines for seat belt laws, porn addicts anonymous, welfare, food stamps, recovery shelters, 12 step programs, and the like are the way to make a society a better place. Maybe a gun law will reduce crime; maybe stricter drug laws will fix things; maybe socialism.
Many of these things mentioned above are not bad in and of themselves such as food stamps to temporarily help people who are in need, welfare to help struggling parents for a while, or 12 step programs to get people off of drugs or alcohol. The sad thing is, not one of these things can change a person's heart, which is exactly where a change needs to occur. The inner man (or woman) cannot be changed by a "program". These programs and other such things will never make a society better, will never make a lick of change, because people will always be corrupt, will always go back to drugs or alcohol, will always go back to sexual deviancy such as sex outside of marriage or porn addiction, will always return to laziness, complacency, and selfishness. Unless people are changed in their hearts, their inner-person, no true or lasting change is accomplished.
The worse mistake, and most common problem of mankind, is that people just assume they are OK with God. This is a lie. People must get right with God. The human heart is corrupt and will always turn back to its corruption, even if for a while a person makes a vow to change his or her life. Nothing less than perfect can stand before a Holy God. Psalm 14 verses 2-3 say, "The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." This is the very reason that social programs and laws do not make permanent change. People must have a change of heart. School programs don't make schools better, do they? Kids must change individually, and the change must begin at HOME with a change of heart. How does this change of heart take place? The Lord Jesus Christ put it this way, "Ye must be born again." Even further, Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
How is a person born again? How does he get a new heart, or spirit, implanted within him? How is true change accomplished?
Do you know the Ten Commandments? Most people know some of them, or have heard of them. They reflect the perfection that God requires of us. They are;
I am the Lord thy God, You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make idols or bow down to them, nor serve them.
You shall not use the name of the Lord your God disrespectfully.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not lie about your neighbor.
You shall not lust for your neighbor's house, or his wife, or any thing that is your neighbor's.
God gave us His law to show us how we are suppose to live. Unfortunately, not even one person (with the exception of Jesus) has ever kept all the commandments of God. The transgression of the law is also punishable by death, because God calls transgression of His law sin, and one sin left unpaid for is enough to condemn. God's holy word, the Bible, says, "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
Let me ask you, have you ever broken God's perfect law? Have you ever told a lie? Even one lie? That is transgression of the law. Have you ever stole anything, no matter how small it was? You have broken God's law. Have you ever committed adultery? Jesus said that if a man looks after a woman and lusts after her in his heart he has committed adultery in his heart. You have broken God's law. Have you ever been jealous of your neighbors prosperity? Have you ever hated your brother, or sister? Maybe you have had sex outside of marriage? You stand condemned. You have an unpaid sin debt strapped to your back that is sinking you to hell.
Guess what? These transgressions of Gods law do not fade away with time. God is not some Universal Grandfather sitting in heaven laughing at the sins of his silly children. He is a Holy, Righteous and Just God. He is a Judge. If you received a speeding ticket and were fined $75 dollars, and you decide to not show up to court to pay the fine, will the fine go away? No, you still owe the debt. Maybe you decide to show up to court and, since you know the judge is a good man, you ask him to just forgive you of your debt because he is a nice guy and the offence was committed long ago. If he is a good judge he will make you pay because he must uphold the law. God is a good and just God; you MUST pay for all your sins. Revelation 21:8 says, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." God is holy and nothing even slightly unholy can enter His presence. NOTHING. If you think God is different than the way I have explained, you have made up a false god in your head. The God I speak of is the God of the Bible. The worse thing is that there is nothing you can do to take away your sins.
....But God made a way for you. The repentant sinner can be forgiven. That HUGE debt of sin that you could never pay can be paid for. There is only one way to have your debt of sin paid for; that is through God's only begotten son Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Luke 5:32, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Jesus can grant you repentance unto life. You must repent, which means turn away from all of your sins and sinfulness and then ask Jesus Christ to forgive you. When Jesus died on the cross, he took away the sins of every person who would come to Him for forgiveness and paid the debt for all who would come to Him. He was the perfect sacrifice. He lived a perfect life and was condemned to die a shameful and sinful death on the cross. He stood before God with your sins and threw them into hell and said to God, "It is finished", meaning that it is paid for. Then three days later He rose from the dead in His own power and will be returning to judge the living and the dead. You can be made white as snow before God. You can be sure that at the coming judgement you can stand clean before God, knowing you are His son or daughter. John 3:17-18 says, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Romans 10:9-10 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. He is our only mediator before God. Repent of your sins, ask Jesus to save you from hell, and He will do it. Then, "be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." so says Revelation 2:10. You see how the 12 step program has 11 too many steps? The only step you need is Jesus Christ. Can you see how programs and laws don't change hearts? Only the Lord God can change hearts, thus changing a neighborhood, a town, a society.
If you don't believe me, read the Bible. If you don't believe the Bible, you'll know the truth someday; I just hope it is not too late by the time you come to realize it. If this letter hurts anybody's feelings, I would rather have you dislike me and know the truth than be happy with me and ignorant of the truths of the Scripture. May God open your eyes, enlighten your mind and bless you and be with you always.
Many of these things mentioned above are not bad in and of themselves such as food stamps to temporarily help people who are in need, welfare to help struggling parents for a while, or 12 step programs to get people off of drugs or alcohol. The sad thing is, not one of these things can change a person's heart, which is exactly where a change needs to occur. The inner man (or woman) cannot be changed by a "program". These programs and other such things will never make a society better, will never make a lick of change, because people will always be corrupt, will always go back to drugs or alcohol, will always go back to sexual deviancy such as sex outside of marriage or porn addiction, will always return to laziness, complacency, and selfishness. Unless people are changed in their hearts, their inner-person, no true or lasting change is accomplished.
The worse mistake, and most common problem of mankind, is that people just assume they are OK with God. This is a lie. People must get right with God. The human heart is corrupt and will always turn back to its corruption, even if for a while a person makes a vow to change his or her life. Nothing less than perfect can stand before a Holy God. Psalm 14 verses 2-3 say, "The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one." This is the very reason that social programs and laws do not make permanent change. People must have a change of heart. School programs don't make schools better, do they? Kids must change individually, and the change must begin at HOME with a change of heart. How does this change of heart take place? The Lord Jesus Christ put it this way, "Ye must be born again." Even further, Jesus said, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
How is a person born again? How does he get a new heart, or spirit, implanted within him? How is true change accomplished?
Do you know the Ten Commandments? Most people know some of them, or have heard of them. They reflect the perfection that God requires of us. They are;
I am the Lord thy God, You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make idols or bow down to them, nor serve them.
You shall not use the name of the Lord your God disrespectfully.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honor your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not lie about your neighbor.
You shall not lust for your neighbor's house, or his wife, or any thing that is your neighbor's.
God gave us His law to show us how we are suppose to live. Unfortunately, not even one person (with the exception of Jesus) has ever kept all the commandments of God. The transgression of the law is also punishable by death, because God calls transgression of His law sin, and one sin left unpaid for is enough to condemn. God's holy word, the Bible, says, "For the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23).
Let me ask you, have you ever broken God's perfect law? Have you ever told a lie? Even one lie? That is transgression of the law. Have you ever stole anything, no matter how small it was? You have broken God's law. Have you ever committed adultery? Jesus said that if a man looks after a woman and lusts after her in his heart he has committed adultery in his heart. You have broken God's law. Have you ever been jealous of your neighbors prosperity? Have you ever hated your brother, or sister? Maybe you have had sex outside of marriage? You stand condemned. You have an unpaid sin debt strapped to your back that is sinking you to hell.
Guess what? These transgressions of Gods law do not fade away with time. God is not some Universal Grandfather sitting in heaven laughing at the sins of his silly children. He is a Holy, Righteous and Just God. He is a Judge. If you received a speeding ticket and were fined $75 dollars, and you decide to not show up to court to pay the fine, will the fine go away? No, you still owe the debt. Maybe you decide to show up to court and, since you know the judge is a good man, you ask him to just forgive you of your debt because he is a nice guy and the offence was committed long ago. If he is a good judge he will make you pay because he must uphold the law. God is a good and just God; you MUST pay for all your sins. Revelation 21:8 says, "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." God is holy and nothing even slightly unholy can enter His presence. NOTHING. If you think God is different than the way I have explained, you have made up a false god in your head. The God I speak of is the God of the Bible. The worse thing is that there is nothing you can do to take away your sins.
....But God made a way for you. The repentant sinner can be forgiven. That HUGE debt of sin that you could never pay can be paid for. There is only one way to have your debt of sin paid for; that is through God's only begotten son Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Luke 5:32, "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Jesus can grant you repentance unto life. You must repent, which means turn away from all of your sins and sinfulness and then ask Jesus Christ to forgive you. When Jesus died on the cross, he took away the sins of every person who would come to Him for forgiveness and paid the debt for all who would come to Him. He was the perfect sacrifice. He lived a perfect life and was condemned to die a shameful and sinful death on the cross. He stood before God with your sins and threw them into hell and said to God, "It is finished", meaning that it is paid for. Then three days later He rose from the dead in His own power and will be returning to judge the living and the dead. You can be made white as snow before God. You can be sure that at the coming judgement you can stand clean before God, knowing you are His son or daughter. John 3:17-18 says, "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." Romans 10:9-10 says, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Jesus is the propitiation for our sins. He is our only mediator before God. Repent of your sins, ask Jesus to save you from hell, and He will do it. Then, "be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." so says Revelation 2:10. You see how the 12 step program has 11 too many steps? The only step you need is Jesus Christ. Can you see how programs and laws don't change hearts? Only the Lord God can change hearts, thus changing a neighborhood, a town, a society.
If you don't believe me, read the Bible. If you don't believe the Bible, you'll know the truth someday; I just hope it is not too late by the time you come to realize it. If this letter hurts anybody's feelings, I would rather have you dislike me and know the truth than be happy with me and ignorant of the truths of the Scripture. May God open your eyes, enlighten your mind and bless you and be with you always.
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Observe all things...
The Gospel of St. Matthew 28:19-20 says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." These verses are known as the Great Commission. Jesus told his disciples as He ascended into heaven to go and teach all nations. He gave them this commission. The word commission is defined as:
-The act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a particular task or duty.
-The authority so granted.
-The matter or task so authorized.
-A document conferring such authorization.
(Definition found at http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=commission)
As a follower of Jesus Christ I feel that this commission has been extended to me as well, feeling that God has put a burden on my heart to spread His gospel and share His word with as many people as possible. This is the purpose of this blog site, to share this information with you.
Why would Jesus, as He is leaving this earth, tell his followers to teach all nations, baptize them, and have them to observe everything He commanded?
What did He want them to teach? Jesus wanted His followers to teach all nations about Himself. He wanted them to teach the gospel.
And what is the gospel? It is the good news that Jesus Christ is the messiah. That He is God made flesh through a Virgin, that He led a sinless life, that He was wounded for our transgressions ( Isaiah 53:5 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=29&chapter=53&verse=5&version=9&context=verse)
That He was crucified, died and was laid in a tomb, and that on the third day He rose from the dead by His own power.
He is the one who came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21) because "..the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) but "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)
Why did He want this to be taught? What does He want to save us from? Why do we need a savior?
He wanted this taught because He is merciful and is not willing that anyone should perish, but that all would come to repentance. You see, one sin is enough to separate us from the perfect God. I'll say it again -ONE SIN is enough to separate us from the perfect God. Nothing unholy can stand before God and there is nothing you can do in yourself to make up for the sins you have committed because "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). You can't be good enough because we are corrupt from birth because of the fallen state we have been left in since Adam and Eve sinned.
What does He want to save us from? HELL. Hell is reserved for those whose sins are not covered by the blood of Christ Jesus. Hell is a place created by God for the judgement of sinners and fallen angels. It is a lake of fire and lasts for all eternity.
Why do we need Jesus to save us? Because we can't save ourselves. In the Book of Acts, a man asked the Apostle Paul the most important question, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30) The Apostle Paul replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31).
If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He was born of the Virgin Mary, that He died and was raised from the dead, and that He ascended into heaven you can have eternal life. But, as the book of James says, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." You must place all your trust in Jesus Christ. You must repent of your sins, don't turn back to them and ask Jesus to save you from dreaded judgement. Get on your knees and pray the 51st Psalm. This Psalm is a perfect Psalm of repentance.
Romans 10:9-13 "That if thous shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
The disease: You have a debt of sin you cannot pay off that will put you in hell.
The cure: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." John 1:12, Romans 3:23
If you want to be saved from eternal hell and know Jesus Christ as your savior, please let me know. Email me at drummerboypaul@gmail.com I would like to help you in your new found faith in Jesus Christ.
-The act of granting certain powers or the authority to carry out a particular task or duty.
-The authority so granted.
-The matter or task so authorized.
-A document conferring such authorization.
(Definition found at http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=commission)
As a follower of Jesus Christ I feel that this commission has been extended to me as well, feeling that God has put a burden on my heart to spread His gospel and share His word with as many people as possible. This is the purpose of this blog site, to share this information with you.
Why would Jesus, as He is leaving this earth, tell his followers to teach all nations, baptize them, and have them to observe everything He commanded?
What did He want them to teach? Jesus wanted His followers to teach all nations about Himself. He wanted them to teach the gospel.
And what is the gospel? It is the good news that Jesus Christ is the messiah. That He is God made flesh through a Virgin, that He led a sinless life, that He was wounded for our transgressions ( Isaiah 53:5 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=29&chapter=53&verse=5&version=9&context=verse)
That He was crucified, died and was laid in a tomb, and that on the third day He rose from the dead by His own power.
He is the one who came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21) because "..the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23) but "whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13)
Why did He want this to be taught? What does He want to save us from? Why do we need a savior?
He wanted this taught because He is merciful and is not willing that anyone should perish, but that all would come to repentance. You see, one sin is enough to separate us from the perfect God. I'll say it again -ONE SIN is enough to separate us from the perfect God. Nothing unholy can stand before God and there is nothing you can do in yourself to make up for the sins you have committed because "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). You can't be good enough because we are corrupt from birth because of the fallen state we have been left in since Adam and Eve sinned.
What does He want to save us from? HELL. Hell is reserved for those whose sins are not covered by the blood of Christ Jesus. Hell is a place created by God for the judgement of sinners and fallen angels. It is a lake of fire and lasts for all eternity.
Why do we need Jesus to save us? Because we can't save ourselves. In the Book of Acts, a man asked the Apostle Paul the most important question, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30) The Apostle Paul replied, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31).
If you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He was born of the Virgin Mary, that He died and was raised from the dead, and that He ascended into heaven you can have eternal life. But, as the book of James says, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." You must place all your trust in Jesus Christ. You must repent of your sins, don't turn back to them and ask Jesus to save you from dreaded judgement. Get on your knees and pray the 51st Psalm. This Psalm is a perfect Psalm of repentance.
Romans 10:9-13 "That if thous shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
The disease: You have a debt of sin you cannot pay off that will put you in hell.
The cure: "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." John 1:12, Romans 3:23
If you want to be saved from eternal hell and know Jesus Christ as your savior, please let me know. Email me at drummerboypaul@gmail.com I would like to help you in your new found faith in Jesus Christ.
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