Can a-Saved-Man-Choose-to-be-Lost? Pt 4 June_25

Danger of Being a Castaway

     Paul recognized the fearful possibility of being cast out of God's presence in the end unless he curbed the fleshly propensities to sin. Said he, ". . . lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." 1 Corinthians 9:27. The word Paul used - castaway - is very interesting. It is the Greek word "adokimos," which is translated "reprobate" in other places. In fact, 2 Corinthians 13:5 declares that Jesus Christ cannot dwell in the heart that is reprobate (adokimos). Titus 1:16 speaks of the abominable and disobedient who are "unto every good work reprobate (adokimos)." Surely Paul had nothing else in mind but that he could be lost if he allowed sin to recapture his life.
     Paul also speaks of the possibility of born-again believers suffering damnation because they receive the Lord's Supper unworthily, "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to his self." 1 Corinthians 11:29. No one can deny that these people were committed Christians partaking of the symbols of their redemption. Could they fall into damnation and be lost? Paul said they could. What is damnation? The same Greek word (krima) is found in 1^st Timothy 5:12, "Having damnation (krima) because they have cast off their first faith." How plain it is that believers can "cast off their first faith" and go into final damnation.
     I have listened many, many times to an explanation of eternal security based upon the analogy of son ship. "My child is born into my family and he will always be my child. He cannot be unborn. Whether obedient or disobedient, he will always be my child." This reasoning avoids the central issue. The question is not whether a child can be "unborn," but whether it can sicken and die. No doctor admonishes new parents about the dangers of the baby getting unborn, but he has much to say about proper care to keep it from dying. In fact, if the baby is not fed, it will soon die. In the same way, Jesus said, "Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you." John 6:53. What was He talking about? In verse 63 He explained, "The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." Unless the Christian lives by the Word of God, he cannot continue to partake of the spiritual life derived from Him.
     Have we clearly established that continued obedience is necessary to ultimate salvation? Paul wrote, "Know you not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey?" Romans 6:16. When a man chooses to obey Christ no longer and obeys the devil instead, he no longer belongs to Christ, but to Satan. "He that doeth righteousness is righteous . . . He that committeth sin is of the devil." 1^st John 3:7, 8:

     The writer of the book of Hebrews gives scores of specific admonitions against falling away from the faith. Hebrews 10:23, opens up a line of argument against the once-saved, always-saved position that no one can refute. The passage begins this way: "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering." And after that, admonition is given those who might be tempted to absent themselves from the assembly of the believers. Apparently, this is one of the first signs of slipping backward. The author of this epistle, and I think it was Paul, includes himself in the warning. He writes, "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden underfoot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?" That is from verses 26 through 29. The people described here had been sanctified by the truth, but fell away into willful apostasy.
     Now the last few verses of the chapter warn against the casting away of their confidence. Notice this carefully! "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. . . . Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul." Verses 35 to 39. Now how could anybody state any more clearly the fact that one's eternal salvation is conditional on his remaining steadfast to the very end? Unless there were possibilities that one might cast away his confidence that he might draw back unto perdition why would this man of God sound such a warning as he did?
     In Hebrews 6:4-6 we find another striking statement. "For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame." Now I think it would be very difficult to describe more fully a person who had been born again but who later rebelled against God and rejected Christ and spurned the Holy Spirit. He has placed himself out of God's reach by his own actions. Therefore, there is no possibility that such a man can be saved as long as he continues to crucify Christ by his disobedience.

Can a-Saved-Man-Choose-to-be-Lost? Pt 3

Security is Eternal Only for
Those Whose Faith is Eternally Fixed on Jesus

     Those who read the record of the Gospels carefully will find repeated authority from Jesus to renounce the doctrine of eternal security. In Luke 12:42-46 Christ described in another parable how a faithful servant could turn into an unfaithful one. After asking, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household . . . ?" Jesus answers His own question: "That servant, whom his lord when his cometh shall find so doing . . . he will make him ruler over that entire he hath." Then Christ explains how that servant could lose his reward. "But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers," Verses 45, 46.
     Here is a perfect example by the Master Teacher as to how a faithful and wise servant can be punished with the unbelievers. Jesus was talking about a man whom He had seen faithful enough to trust with heavy responsibilities. Undoubtedly, this servant represents those who carefully served the Lord as true believers. But what happened? That very faithful servant departed from the path of faithfulness and reaped eternal ruin and death. Does this not also remind us of the words of Hebrews 10:38, "Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man drawback, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." The servant in the parable, who was a believer, is now punished with the unbelievers. The faithful can draw back to perdition.

 

Salvation Can Be Forfeited

     One more parable of Christ spotlights the fact that continued forgiveness is conditional for the believer. The story is found in Matthew 18:21-35, and revolves around the forgiveness of God. A certain king responded to the pleas of his servant and forgave him a large debt. That servant went out and found a fellow servant who owed him a small amount and showed no mercy, throwing him in prison because he could not pay. When the king heard what had happened, he rescinded his cancellation of the large debt and had his servant thrown to the tormentors till he paid in full.
     No one can deny the obvious teaching of this parable. Even though God graciously forgives those who apply for it, that forgiveness is not without conditions for the future. We can lose that forgiveness by being unmerciful to others. This is in harmony with the words of the Lord in Ezekiel 33:13, "When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousness's shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it." The principle is repeated in verse 18, "When the righteous turneth from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall even die thereby."
     The secret lies in maintaining the righteous relationship with the Source of salvation. Jesus said, "He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." Matthew 24:13. No one will be saved finally who does not hold out against a course of deliberate sin in the power of God. Those who do not endure to the end will have their names blotted out of the book of life. Advocates of eternal security deny it could ever happen, but read the frightening possibility for yourself in Revelation 3:5, "He that overcometh . . . I will not blot out his name out of the book of life." The implication is clear that those who are not over comers - who do not endure to the end - will have their names blotted out.
     All these verses are really saying the same thing. Willful sin shatters the relationship by which eternal life is obtained. There is an eternal "if" in every consideration of eternal security. "If we walk in the light . . . the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." 1 John 1:7. "If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father." 1 John 2:24. "If any man drawback, my soul shall have no pleasure in him." Hebrews 10:38. "If a man abides not in me, he is cast forth as a branch." John 15:6. "If a man keeps my saying, he shall never see death." John 8:51. "If thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off." Romans 11:22. "If ye do these things, ye shall never fall." 2 Peter 1:10. "For we are made partakers of Christ, If we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end." Hebrews 3:14. "If we endure, we shall also reign with him: If we deny him, he also will deny us," 2 Timothy 2:12 (RSV). "If we sin willfully . . . there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins." Hebrews 10:26. "If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15. "Ye are my friends, If ye do whatsoever I command you." John 15:14. "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die." Romans 8:13

scott: Extremist worship sermon June 20, 2009

scott: Extremist worship sermon June 20, 2009

Extremist worship sermon June 20, 2009

	Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Mat 16:6
	Then understood they how that he bade [them] not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. Mat 16:12	Why did Christ tell them to beware of the theology of the Teachers of that time? What were they teaching that they had to beware of? John the Baptist saw the same thing 7But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:  9And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to rise up children unto Abraham (Matthew 3:7-9.) 11And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? Mat 9:11. Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? But the Pharisees said, "He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils Mat 9:34. At that time Jesus went on the Sabbath day through the corn; and his disciples were an hungred, and began to pluck the ears of corn, and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw [it], they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day (Mat 12:1.) Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in [his] talk (Mat 22:15.) But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in (Mat 23:13.) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone (Mat 23:23.) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's] bones, and of all uncleanness (Mat 23:25, 27.) Judas then, having received a band [of men] and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons (John 18:3.) Fruits: they have no fruits of the spirit. We have Abraham to our father: They hold tight with things that have them thinking they are doing God's will and then go to measures to uphold it. Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners: They go to extreme measures to shield themselves from certain things because in their hearts, they think it's sin, even when it is written to do so in the Bible or the spirit of Prophecy. They are very unmerciful, in their ways and actions, they more like judges. Then came to him the disciples: They go to others not by the authority of God and present to them their views on things, and cause others to error. He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils: When the Lord is talking to them, and they hold strong to their own opinions, they miss the sacred views of God because they are extreme in their views, so the thing told to them in their mind is not the voice of God, they will go to the extreme to even voice their opinion against the inspired word. Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the Sabbath day: They go to the extreme to point out fault in the people of God, they astray from the truths of God. They look at matters they feel isn't right and speak against it. And they with hold the truth of what they heard or saw from the word of God or the Spirit of Prophecy from others. And they use scripture to further their cause. So they go forth and establish their own righteousness, and if anyone doesn't see views like themselves, then they are wrong, so they judge them and resent them, but all this is by their own doing. Took counsel how they might entangle him in [his] talk: They look for a fault in the appointed teachers doctrine or ways because they see things, they want to do, or want do, But they can't prove it, so they hold in their hearts, "Do as they say but not as they do". For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in [yourselves], neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in: They hold back things they think isn't the voice of God from Love ones and people because they feel that whatever it may be is not of God. pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone: They are blind by their outward works of Righteousness, and things, they added to their salvation to keep them looking good, but they have no faith, they show no mercy, they have bad judgments about matters. clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead [men's] bones, and of all uncleanness: Outwardly, before men they perform Christianity, but inside they hold to transgression and fanaticism, and judge those, mock, scorn laugh at people if they don't meet up with their expectations. Judas: Their extreme views will lead them to betray sacred trust. What kind of person is this? He/she is an extremist: One who advocates or resorts to measures beyond the norm. going to the utmost or very great lengths in action, habit, opinion, etc, the utmost or highest degree, or a very high degree, the furthest or utmost length; an excessive length, beyond the ordinary or average: an extreme act:(they show a unmerciful sprit by their high extreme views, so their action towards what they disagree with will be server and unmerciful, which draw the feeble mind away from God, or from them, then they feel like they are going throw a trail.) The bible summary of an extremist: For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, has not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God Rom 10:2- 3.

Can a-Saved-Man-Choose-to-be-Lost? 2 June 19, 2009

No Sin in Heaven

     Speaking of the New Jerusalem, John said, "There shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth." Revelation 21:27. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Matthew 5:8. Paul repeatedly wrote about the exclusion of sinners from heaven. Sin is the only thing that defiles in the sight of God, and no one who willfully practices sin will ever enter into His kingdom. Paul wrote, "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers . . . nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards . . . shall inherit the kingdom of God," 1 Corinthians 6:9, 10.
     Nowhere in the Bible is entrance into God's kingdom tied to a momentary - or even temporary - faith experience of the past. Salvation is a dynamic, growing relationship with the only One who has eternal life to bestow. It requires continuing contact in order to receive it. The very life of God can be shared with men but NEVER APART FROM A LIVING UNION WITH CHRIST! "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." 1 John 5:12.
     Just as the constant creative energy of God is necessary to sustain the universe and to hold atoms together, so His divine power is constantly needed to maintain spiritual life in the soul. When a person willfully chooses to separate from God, the contact is broken, and the spiritual life ceases to flow. God will not violate the will of anyone in making that choice either. For proof that Christians can lose their connection with Jesus and be lost, read John 15:1-6. There Christ explains one of the great mysteries of eternal life. "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If men abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned," Verses 5, 6.

The Secret of Continued Life is Continued Abiding

     Notice that the secret of continued life is continued abiding. If a person does not abide in Christ, he withers, dies, and is finally burned up. This proves that the relation of a believer to Christ is never a static thing based only on a past experience. It is a current, mutual sharing of a common life which is drawn from Him "who is our life" (Colossians 3:4). When the branch is separated from the vine, the source of life is gone, and only death can result. These words of Jesus are too clear to be misconstrued. Even believing, trusting Christians who are connected to the living vine may choose to separate from the vine. When they do, they die and will be cast into the fire and burned. Nothing can wither and die that has not previously been alive.
     Security is eternal only for those whose faith is eternally fixed on Jesus, and whose life is connected to the one who is our life. Obviously, we can choose to be lost no matter how saved we once were. Everything depends on maintaining the divine connection with the true vine.
     Jesus taught the same solemn truth about losing eternal life in the parable of the sower. In explaining the seed which fell among the thorns and the rocks, Jesus said, "Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." Luke 8:12, 13.
     There are several things to note about this parable. First, only one class will finally be saved - the ones who brought forth much fruit. The groups represented by the wayside and rocks will not be saved. In verse 12, the wayside hearers did not have a chance to "believe and be saved," but in the next verse the stony ground hearers do "for a while believe." What kind of "believing" is this? According to verse 12, it is the kind that saves. So the ones who believed for a while were saved for a while, but in time of temptation they fell away. Eventually, of course, they were lost along with all the others, except the fruit-bearers. Here is an unequivocal teaching of our Lord that people can have a saving faith for a while, and yet lose it and be lost.

Can a-Saved-Man-Choose-to-be-Lost? June 18, 2009

The power of choice is a wonderful gift from God. Yet there is one choice God never allowed man to exercise. No one can choose whether or not to be born with a sinful nature. The decision which affects our lives the most was made long, long ago by our forefathers. We have absolutely no choice about the kind of nature we possess at birth. It is a sinful nature, If unchanged it will lead to eternal death.
     But even though we are born with a fallen nature, God gives us a choice about changing that nature. It is a personal, sovereign choice that no one can take away from us. Without doubt it constitutes the most important decision that any person faces during his lifetime. The choice is whether we yield to that sinful nature and die eternally, or receive a new nature through faith in Christ and live eternally.
     Much disagreement exists over the kind of choice offered to each one of us. Millions believe that God opens the door for only a once-in-a-lifetime decision and then closes that door forever. It is as though God says, "I'm going to give you only one decision about changing over from your doomed condition. Once you decide to be saved you can never choose to be lost again. When you accept Jesus as your Savior, it will be the final choice you will ever make about your eternal destiny. If you change your mind later and repudiate your decision, it will be too late. No matter how deeply and sincerely you desire to be lost and repent of your repentance, you cannot escape from eternal life. No amount of bitter rebellion, deliberate blasphemy, or iniquitous living can change that once-for-all decision to be saved. I will not allow you any further choice after you accept Jesus as your Savior."
     Basically, this is the belief of a large segment of Christians who advocate the doctrine of eternal security. Another equally sincere group of Christians believes that God leaves the door open for us to change our minds at any time. They believe that salvation is not predicated upon only one irrevocable act or choice of the past, but upon a continuous, personal relationship of the believer with Christ. When the decision to break the love-relationship is made by willful disobedience, the believer ceases to be a true believer and forfeits any assurance of salvation. Millions of Souls at Stake

     The fantastic implications of this issue are overwhelming. If there is an unconditional future security for all believers, it has to be the most wonderful doctrine in existence: but if it is not true, it surely is one of the most dangerous heresies in the world. Millions could be saved or lost over the decision they make on this one point.
     Let me give you an example of how it influences the destiny of people day by day. At one of my crusades there were more than one hundred people attending who had been steeped in the belief of eternal security. They were thrilled by the revelation of Bible truth as they listened. The seventh-day Sabbath particularly excited them because they had never before understood it. All were completely convinced that Saturday is the true Sabbath of the Scriptures, and they eagerly accepted the great prophetic doctrines also. But of those hundred people only a very few made any decision to obey the truth. Practically all of them had Sabbath problems connected with their jobs. It would have meant inconvenience, economic hardship, and possible loss of employment for them to follow the truth all the way. Each one who rejected the message gave me the same explanation - "We are already saved," they said, "and we cannot be lost. Why should we run the risk of losing our jobs by keeping the Sabbath? We would not be any more saved by keeping the Sabbath than we are right now, and we certainly cannot be lost by breaking the Sabbath."
     Do you see how their argument was consistent with their doctrine? To them salvation was not connected with obedience, or advancing in spiritual growth. It all focused on a past moment when they made a decision for Christ. Whether they obeyed or disobeyed any subsequent revelation of truth could have no influence whatsoever on their final destiny. They could break the fourth commandment, the seventh commandment, or all of them, and still feel eternally secure in the promise they had claimed "when they were saved." To be sure, these people believed that their disobedience might affect the joy and peace of their relationship, but never the assurance of ultimate salvation.
     Obviously, this doctrine needs to be deeply examined. Too many eternal consequences hinge upon its acceptance or rejection. We need to answer questions like these: Can we change our minds about being saved? Do we give up our power of choice when we are converted? Does salvation consist of one grand, holy moment of decision, or must we continue in the saving grace of Christ after that decision? Can God take defiling sins into His holy kingdom? Fortunately, the Bible has hundreds of beautiful, clear texts to answer these questions. We will look at them together, and also examine a few texts which have been interpreted to uphold the doctrine of "once saved, always saved."

Jesus said, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.”June 17, 2009

Over the next few weeks we're going to take a close look at some of the most profound words that Jesus said.  He gave these instructions as He was seated on a hillside, and these words become known as part of the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew 5 – 7.  As you read these quotes, I know you will be as blessed as I am.  I'm praying that God will give you special insight through the Holy Spirit.  Mark

 
 

 
 

Jesus said, "Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life."

Matthew 7:14.

 
 

In the time of Christ the people of Palestine lived in walled towns, which were mostly situated upon hills or mountains. The gates, which were closed at sunset, were approached by steep, rocky roads, and the traveler journeying homeward at the close of the day often had to press his way in eager haste up the difficult ascent in order to reach the gate before nightfall, the one that lingered; the one that took his time, was left without. 

The narrow, upward road leading to home and rest furnished Jesus with an impressive figure of the Christian way. "The path which I have set before you," He said, "is narrow; the gate is difficult of entrance; for the golden rule excludes all pride and self-seeking. There is, indeed, a wider road; but its end is destruction. If you would climb the path of spiritual life, you must constantly ascend; for it is an upward way. You must go with the few; for the multitude will choose the downward path." 

In the road to death the whole race may go, with all their worldliness, all their selfishness, all their pride, dishonesty, and moral debasement. There is room for every person's opinions and doctrines, space to follow their own inclinations, to do whatever their self-love may dictate. In order to go in the path that leads to destruction, there is no need of searching for the way; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad, and the feet naturally turn into the path that ends in death. 

But the way to life is narrow and the entrance strait, which means strict, constricted, or difficult. If you cling to any cherished sin you will find the way too narrow for you to enter. Your own ways, your own will, your evil habits and practices, must be given up if you would keep the way of the Lord. The person who would serve Christ cannot follow the world's opinions or meet the world's standard. Heaven's path is too narrow for rank and riches to ride in state, too narrow for the play of self-centered ambition, too steep and rugged for lovers of ease to climb. Toil, patience, self-sacrifice, reproach, poverty, the contradiction of sinners against Himself, was the portion of Christ, and it must be our portion, if we ever enter the Paradise of God. 

Yet do not therefore conclude that the upward path is the hard and the downward road the easy way. All along the road that leads to death there are pains and penalties, there are sorrows and disappointments, there are warnings not to go on. God's love has made it hard for the heedless and headstrong to destroy themselves. It is true that Satan's path is made to appear attractive, but it is all a deception; in the way of evil there are bitter remorse and cankering care. We may think it pleasant to follow pride and worldly ambition, but the end is pain and sorrow. Selfish plans may present flattering promises and hold out the hope of enjoyment, but we shall find that our happiness is poisoned and our life embittered by hopes that center in self. In the downward road the gateway may be bright with flowers, but thorns are in the path. The light of hope which shines from its entrance fades into the darkness of despair, and the soul who follows that path descends into the shadows of unending night.

"The way of transgressors is hard," but wisdom's "ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace," Proverbs 13:15; 3:17. Every act of obedience to Christ, every act of self-denial for His sake, every trial well endured, every victory gained over temptation, is a step in the march to the glory of final victory. If we take Christ for our guide, He will lead us safely. The most absolute sinner need not miss his way. Not one trembling seeker need fail of walking in pure and holy light. Though the path is so narrow, so holy that sin cannot be tolerated therein, yet access has been secured for all, and not one doubting, trembling soul need say, "God doesn't care at all for me."

The road may be rough and the ascent steep; there may be pitfalls upon the right hand and upon the left; we may have to endure toil in our journey; when weary, when longing for rest, we may have to toil on; when faint, we may have to fight; when discouraged, we must still hope; but with Christ as our guide we shall not fail of reaching the desired haven at last. Christ Himself has trodden the rough way before us and has smoothed the path for our feet. 

And all the way up the steep road leading to eternal life are well-springs of joy to refresh the weary. Those who walk in wisdom's ways are, even in tribulation, exceeding joyful; for He whom their soul loveth, walks, invisible, beside them. At each upward step they discern more distinctly the touch of His hand; at every step brighter gleaming of glory from the Unseen fall upon their path; and their songs of praise, reaching ever a higher note, ascend to join the songs of angels before the throne. "The path of the righteous is as the light of dawn, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18, R.V., margin. 

Adapted from, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pages 138-140.

Romans study 1 June 14, 2009

Those that believe the gospel will

Be saved. Is there nothing besides the gospel to teach? "It is the power of

God unto salvation," What do we want besides salvation? What more

Can we ask for?

The gospel brings righteousness. The righteousness of God is what God

Does, it is His way. To be in harmony with Him is to make His way our way.

The e gospel reveals this way to us (Romans 1:17), and not only this, but it

Is the power of God to work out His way in us? The Bible is a statement of

God's way, and this is summed up in the ten commandments, which are a

Declaration of His righteousness, Isaiah 51:6, 7; In Matthew 6:33, Christ

Declares this righteousness to be the one thing needful, why? Righteousness

Is life: and the man who has God's righteousness has everything in this

World, and in the world to come Verse 17: Here we have righteousness by faith. "The just shall live by

Faith," Nothing else, by faith and works, "Add not thou unto His words, lest

He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar." To be just is to be righteous, and

A righteous man will do righteous acts. That is the fruit of righteousness. But

How does he do these works? By faith: John 6:28, 29. "This is the work of

God that ye believe," Possibly we have had a narrow idea of what faith is.

"The just shall live by faith." Here is the whole thing. Nothing can be

Added to the preaching of the righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ:

What about these doctrines, as the Sabbath, immortality, etc.? Since the

"Kingdom of God and His righteousness" is the one thing needful, and since

There is nothing unimportant in the Bible; all of these doctrines are simply

Divisions, lines depending upon that one thing — all summed up in the doctrine

Of righteousness by faith; we can preach nothing else; for everything

Outside of this is sin. Verse 18, Wrath is revealed against those who "hold (or restrain) the truth

In unrighteousness," Connect this verse with chapter 10:3. God is a living

God: His throne is a living throne. There is the water of life, and the tree of

Life, — everything is life. Therefore His righteousness is active, is life. Some

Men, ignorant of this righteousness, refuse to submit themselves to it, and

Resist it. God will punish men. Why? Because they identify themselves with

Unrighteousness: They are permeated by it, and, when that is gone — for sin

 

Amc Records/Ministries

Your Internal Glasses June 13, 2009

Pastor's Corner

 

Your Internal Glasses    June 13, 2009

 

 

Dear Friend,

 

The other day I was wearing my Guam sunglasses. Now, these are some pretty special glasses. I bought them at a gas station in Guam for $4, and they are the darkest sunglasses I have every found. If I'm working outside with metal, or where there will be a lot of reflection, they really cut the glare. I have some other sunglasses as well, and each one has a different level of tint, and even color. Some put a greenish hue on everything, and some have a more brownish green. I've seen some sunglasses that put a pink hue on what you looking at, and there's even some that are supposed to be great driving glasses that are yellow. It's amazing how when one puts on those special glasses how everything is changed. Cars, trees, water, they're still the same, but what's different is the way the person is seeing them. We even have a saying that goes something like this: "He sees everything through rose colored glasses," meaning that person sees things in a rosy or pleasant way.

 

Wearing my Guam sunglasses made me think of the "internal" glasses that each one of us wears. You might not be aware of it, but each of us looks at everything in life through internal lenses. A few of the bad lenses are doubt, negativity, anger, and self centeredness. Have you noticed those people? Some people seem to see everything in a negative light. They think everyone hates them. Nothing goes well for them. The person at the grocery store tried to cheat them out of 9 cents. "She doesn't like me, I just know it." Even if the whole day is perfect, they will dwell on the one incident where they thought someone was rude to them, and it has ruined the whole day for them. (For a great example of this in the Bible, read Esther 5:9-11, and study the context to get the whole story.) These are the people who, when given a cup that is half full, will complain that half of their content is missing, and whine about who took it, and just why do they have to go through life with a cup that is partially empty?

 

Then there are those who seem to wear a different set of glasses, those who are positive, happy, dwell on the bright side of things, and see everything in a good light. They think positive of everyone, and seem to be eternally optimistic. If given a cup that is half full they are ecstatic and feel doubly blessed, first because they have a cup at all, and second that it has something in it.

 

Did you know you can change your internal glasses? Think of the positive. Be thankful. Find the little things to be happy about. Don't talk doubt, unbelief, and error. "Unbelief strengthens as it is encouraged; and if men, instead of dwelling upon the evidences which God has given to sustain their faith, permit themselves to question and cavil, they will find their doubts constantly becoming more confirmed." Be a songbird, spending your time cheering everyone within your reach, and praising God rather than a vulture, constantly looking for some foul meal to feed upon. Put on the faith glasses!

 

Have a great week! We're praying for you!

 

Mark

Jesus said, “Strive to enter in at the strait gate.” June 12, 2009

We've been looking at what Jesus said on the Matthew 7 during His famous "Sermon on the Mount."   To read and download the other Pastor's Corners, simply click here.

 
 

Jesus said, "Strive to enter in at the strait gate."

Luke 13:24.

 
 

The belated traveler, hurrying to reach the city gate by the going down of the sun, could not turn aside for any attractions by the way. His whole mind was bent on the one purpose of entering the gate. The same intensity of purpose, said Jesus, is required in the Christian life. I have opened to you the glory of character, which is the true glory of my kingdom. It offers you no promise of earthly dominion; yet it is worthy of your supreme desire and effort. I do not call you to battle for the supremacy of the world's great empire, but do not therefore conclude that there is no battle to be fought, nor victories to be won. I bid you strive; agonize, to enter into my spiritual kingdom. 

The Christian life is a battle and a march. But the victory to be gained is not won by human power. The field of conflict is the domain of the heart. The battle which we have to fight – the greatest battle that was ever fought by man – is the surrender of self to the will of God, the yielding of the heart to the sovereignty of love. The old nature, born of blood and of the will of the flesh, cannot inherit the kingdom of God. The hereditary tendencies, the former habits, must be given up. 

He who determines to enter the spiritual kingdom will find that all the powers and passions of an unregenerate nature, backed by the forces of the kingdom of darkness, are arrayed against him. Selfishness and pride will make a stand against anything that would show them to be sinful. We cannot, of ourselves, conquer the evil desires and habits that strive for the mastery. We cannot overcome the mighty foe that holds us in his thrall. God alone can give us the victory. He desires us to have the mastery over ourselves, our own will and ways. But He cannot work in us without our consent and co-operation. The divine Spirit works through the faculties and powers given to man. Our energies are required to co-operate with God. 

The victory is not won without much earnest prayer, without the humbling of self at every step. Our will is not to be forced into co-operation with divine agencies, but it must be voluntarily submitted. Were it possible to force upon you with a hundredfold greater intensity the influence of the Spirit of God, it would not make you a Christian, a fit subject for heaven. The stronghold of Satan would not be broken. The will must be placed on the side of God's will. You are not able, of yourself, to bring your purposes and desires and inclinations into submission to the will of God; but if you are "willing to be made willing," God will accomplish the work for you, even "casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5. Then you will "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure," Philippians 2:12, 13. 

But many are attracted by the beauty of Christ and the glory of heaven, who yet shrink from the conditions by which alone these can become their own. There are many in the broad way who is not fully satisfied with the path in which they walk. They long to break from the slavery of sin, and in their own strength they seek to make a stand against their sinful practices. They look toward the narrow way and the strait gate; but selfish pleasure, love of the world, pride, unsanctified ambition, place a barrier between them and the Saviour. To renounce their own will, their chosen objects of affection or pursuit, requires a sacrifice at which they hesitate and falter and turn back. Many "will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." Luke 13:24. They desire the good, they make some effort to obtain it; but they do not choose it; they have not a settled purpose to secure it at the cost of all things. 

The only hope for us if we would overcome is to unite our will to God's will and work in co-operation with Him, hour by hour and day by day. We cannot retain self and yet enter the kingdom of God. If we ever attain unto holiness, it will be through the renunciation of self and the reception of the mind of Christ. Pride and self-sufficiency must be crucified. Are we willing to pay the price required of us? Are we willing to have our will brought into perfect conformity to the will of God? Until we are willing, the transforming grace of God cannot be manifest upon us. 

The warfare which we are to wage is the "good fight of faith." "To this end I labor," said the apostle Paul, "struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:29. 

Jacob, in the great crisis of his life, turned aside to pray. He was filled with one overmastering purpose– to seek for transformation of character. But while he was pleading with God, an enemy, as he supposed, placed his hand upon him, and all night he wrestled for his life. But the purpose of his soul was not changed by peril of life itself. When his strength was nearly spent, the Angel put forth His divine power, and at His touch Jacob knew Him with whom he had been contending. Wounded and helpless, he fell upon the Saviors' breast, pleading for a blessing. He would not be turned aside nor cease his intercession, and Christ granted the petition of this helpless, penitent soul, according to His promise, "Let him take hold of My strength, that he may make peace with Me; and he shall make peace with Me." Isaiah 27:5. Jacob pleaded with determined spirit, "I will not let Thee go, except Thou bless me." Genesis 32:26. This spirit of persistence was inspired by Him who wrestled with the patriarch. It was He who gave him the victory, and He changed his name from Jacob to Israel, saying, "As a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed." Genesis 32:28. That for which Jacob had vainly wrestled in his own strength was won through self-surrender and steadfast faith. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4.

Adapted from, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pages 140-144.

Jesus said, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” June 11, 2009

We've been looking at what Jesus said on the Matthew 7 during His famous "Sermon on the Mount."   To read and download the other Pastor's Corners, simply click here.

 
 

Jesus said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."

Matthew 7:1.

 
 

The effort to earn salvation by one's own works inevitably leads men to pile up human exactions as a barrier against sin. For, seeing that they fail to keep the law, they will devise rules and regulations of their own to force themselves to obey. All this turns the mind away from God to self. His love dies out of the heart, and with it perishes love for his fellow men. A system of human invention, with its multitudinous exactions, will lead its advocates to judge all who come short of the prescribed human standard. The atmosphere of selfish and narrow criticism stifles the noble and generous emotions, and causes men to become self-centered judges and petty spies. 

The Pharisees were of this class. They came forth from their religious services, not humbled with a sense of their own weakness, not grateful for the great privileges that God had given them. They came forth filled with spiritual pride, and their theme was, "Myself, my feelings, my knowledge, my ways." Their own attainments became the standard by which they judged others. Putting on the robes of self-dignity, they mounted the judgment seat to criticize and condemn. 

The people partook largely of the same spirit, intruding upon the province of conscience and judging one another in matters that lay between the soul and God. It was in reference to this spirit and practice that Jesus said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." That is, do not set yourself up as a standard. Do not make your opinions, your views of duty, your interpretations of Scripture, a criterion for others and in your heart condemn them if they do not come up to your ideal. Do not criticize others, conjecturing as to their motives and passing judgment upon them. 

"Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts." 1 Corinthians 4:5. We cannot read the heart. Ourselves faulty, we are not qualified to sit in judgment upon others. Finite men can judge only from outward appearance. To Him alone who knows the secret springs of action, and who deals tenderly and compassionately, is it given to decide the case of every soul. 

 "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."  Romans 2:1. Thus those who condemn or criticize others, proclaim themselves guilty, for they do the same things. In condemning others, they are passing sentence upon themselves, and God declares that this sentence is just. He accepts their own verdict against themselves.

 
 

These clumsy feet, still in the mire,

Go crushing blossoms without end;

These hard, well-meaning hands we thrust

Among, the heartstrings of a friend.

 
 

Adapted from, Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, pages 124-125.

The good news about hell, part 3, June 5, 2009

 
 

Pastor's Corner

The good news about hell, part 3                                                                      August 15, 2007

 
 

 
 

 

 
 

Dear Friend,

 
 

The Bible says that "God is love."  (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16).  It says that God draws us with threats and fear of the eternal torment.  Right?  Wrong.  It says that He draws us with loving kindness.  "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness."  (Jeremiah 31:3.)  But many people do not see God as a Being that draws with love or kindness.  In surveys people list as the top reason that they don't believe in God, or the reason they hate God and don't want to attend church and have a relationship with Him is that they just can't believe in a Supreme Being that forces people into heaven with threats of eternal torment without any end: "My way or I'll burn and torment you for eternity."   Many churches have taught this for years, and it's based on four phrases that are found in our Bibles that have been misunderstood.  So let's take a look at each one of them, and we'll let the Bible give us the definition of the words.

 
 

Forever and ever

Forever and ever seems to indicate without end.  Our current dictionary defines it as "limitless time."  But have you noticed how words have a way of getting their meanings changed over time?  The word idiotic started out to describe someone who was private; now it means a foolish or stupid person.  Years ago the word silly meant someone who was happy and blessed with good fortune, now it means a lack of common sense or good judgment.  And the word gay described people who were keenly alive and exuberant, now it's used to describe persons who are attracted to their same gender.  What changed?  The meaning of the word.  So we have to ask ourselves, what did the phrase "forever and ever" mean in Bible times and when the Bible was written?  Did it mean without end?  When the Bible uses it, it means literally "until the end of its age," or as long as it's alive.  In fact, the Bible uses the phrase "forever" 56 times in connection with things already ended.  For example, when a slave chose to serve his master for his entire life, the Bible uses the phrase "forever".  Again when Hannah brought her boy Samuel to the tabernacle to serve God she uses the phrase "forever" (1 Samuel 1:22), or as long as he should live (1 Samuel 1:28).  So when used in reference to hell fire it simple means the destruction is complete, and doesn't stop until they are completely destroyed, or until the end of their lives.  David clearly defines the Biblical usage of the word forever in Psalms:  "For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death."  Psalm 48:14.

 
 

Unquenchable

The Bible says that the fires of hell cannot be "quenched."  This comes from the Greek word asbestos, which means "inextinguishable," "not quenchable."  To quench something means to put it out.  If a campfire gets out of hand, and I throw water on it and put it out, then you could correctly say that I have quenched the fire.  But if there is a building burning down, and it's so hot that it keeps on burning in spite of my throwing gallons of water on it, we would say that it is an unquenchable fire.  But once the building is completely burned up; then the fire will go out.  Not because it's been quenched, but because there's nothing more to burn.  And it's the same with hell.  Nothing can put those fires out.  They will complete their work until everything they are burning turns to ashes, and then the fires will go out, and there will not be even a coal warm your little hands by on a cold morning (Isaiah 47:14).  The Bible defines the word "unquenchable" for us.  Jeremiah predicted that God would kindle a fire in the gates of Jerusalem that would consume even the palaces of the city, and "not be quenched" (Jeremiah 17:27). This was literally fulfilled a few years later when Nebuchadnezzar took the city, in 586 b.c. (Jeremiah 52:12, 13). Quite obviously the fire is not burning today. As chaff from a Judean threshing floor was utterly consumed, and nothing but ashes remained, so the wicked will be burned with "unquenchable fire" on the last great day until nothing but their ashes remain (Malachi 4:3).

 
 

Eternal Fire

Another word that has confused people is the phrase "everlasting fire" or "eternal fire."  But again the Bible defines it for us.  In Jude 7 it refers to Sodom and Gomorrah being destroyed with "eternal fire", but they are not burning today.  We see that after they were destroyed by the eternal fire, they have not been rebuilt.  No, the phrase "eternal fire" simply means the effects are eternal, and there's no coming back to life or rebuilding, as in the case of Sodom.

 
 

Eternal Punishing

Finally, the Bible uses the phrase "eternal punishment".  The effects of this punishment are eternal.  The person is not burned for a set period of time, and then released to live their lives.  No, their punishment is eternal.  It's important to note that it does not say "eternal punishing"; that the act of punishing is eternal, but rather "eternal punishment." That is, the result of the punishment is eternal.

 
 

Over and over the Bible uses phrases that give us the finality of hell; that there is no way out, that there is no second chance or even a break once the fires of hell start.  But God has also defined these phrases for us in the Bible so that we will not be confused with Satan's plans to make God appear as a mean tyrant that is totally devoid of any humane thinking. 

 
 

The good news about hell is that it is not the picture that many see and teach of an unmerciful God that delights in torture.  The good news about hell is that it is used to cleanse the earth in the last days, and not for tormenting humans in for eternity with the devil and his demons controlling it.  But the bad news about hell is this:  it's a reality, and it will happen, and when it does there will be many people in it that chose hell, because they didn't choose Christ.  Have you chosen Him and His way today?  Dedicate yourself to God every single morning, and simply ask Him into your heart. 

 
 

Have a blessed day!  I'm praying for you!

 
 

Mark

 
 

PS.  There's been a lot of confusion on the parable Jesus told about the Rich Man and Lazarus.  Let's take a close look at that parable next week.

The Truth about the Richman and Lazarus Face Book Event

This parable draws a contrast between the rich who have not made God their dependence, and the poor who have made God their dependence. Christ shows that the time is coming when the position of the two classes will be reversed. Those who are poor in this world's goods, yet who trust in God and are patient in suffering will one day be exalted above those who now hold the highest positions the world can give but who have not surrendered their life to God.

Yet he was allowed to remain in this condition day after day, while the wealthy nobleman had every want supplied. The one who was abundantly able to relieve the sufferings of his fellow creature, lived to himself, as many live today.

The rich man was a Jew, and he was acquainted with the command of God. But he forgot that he was accountable for the use of his entrusted means and capabilities. The Lord's blessings rested upon him abundantly, but he employed them selfishly, to honor himself, not his Maker. In proportion to his abundance was his obligation to use his gifts for the uplifting of humanity. This was the Lord's command, but the rich man had no thought of his obligation to God. He lent money, and took interest for what he loaned; but he returned no interest for what God had lent him. He had knowledge and talents, but did not improve them. Forgetful of his accountability to God, he devoted all his powers to pleasure. Everything with which he was surrounded, his round of amusements, the praise and flattery of his friends, ministered to his selfish enjoyment.

He had opportunity to understand the word of God and to practice its teachings; but the pleasure-loving society he chose so occupied his time that he forgot the God of eternity.

The time came when a change took place in the condition of the two men. The poor man had suffered day by day, but he had patiently and quietly endured. In the course of time he died and was buried. There was no one to mourn for him; but by his patience in suffering he had witnessed for Christ, he had endured the test of his faith, and at his death he is represented as being carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom.

Lazarus represents the suffering poor who believe in Christ. When the trumpet sounds and all that are in the graves hear Christ's voice and come forth, they will receive their reward; for their faith in God was not a mere theory, but a reality. "The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifts up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame." Christ desires His hearers to understand that it is impossible for men to secure the salvation of the soul after death. "Son," Abraham is represented as answering, "remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things;

but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us that would come from thence." Thus Christ represented the hopelessness of looking for a second probation. This life is the only time given to man in which to prepare for eternity. The rich man had not abandoned the idea that he was a child of Abraham, and in his distress he is represented as calling upon him for aid. "Father Abraham," he prayed, "have mercy on me." He did not pray to God, but to Abraham. Thus he showed that he placed Abraham above God, and that he relied on his relationship to Abraham for salvation.
The rich man had spent his life in self-pleasing, and too late he saw that he had made no provision for eternity. He realized his folly, and thought of his brothers, who would go on as he had gone, living to please themselves. Then he made the request, "I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him [Lazarus] to my father's house; for I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment." But "Abraham saith unto him, they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, nay, father Abraham; but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, if they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead."
When the rich man solicited additional evidence for his brothers, he was plainly told that should this evidence be given, they would not be persuaded. His request cast a reflection on God.

It was as if the rich man had said, "If you had more thoroughly warned me, I should not now be here. Abraham in his answer to this request is represented

As saying, your brothers have been sufficiently warned. Light has been given them, but they would not see; truth has been presented to them, but they would not hear.

"If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." These words were proved true in the history of the Jewish nation. Christ's last and crowning miracle was the raising of Lazarus of Bethany, after he had been dead four days. The Jews were given this wonderful evidence of the Saviors' divinity, but they rejected it. Lazarus rose from the dead and bore his testimony before them, but they hardened their hearts against all evidence, and even sought to take his life. (John 12:9-11.)

The law and the prophets are God's appointed agencies for the salvation of men. Christ said; Let them give heed to these evidences. If they do not listen to the voice of God in His word, the testimony of a witness raised from the dead would not be heeded.

Those who heed Moses and the prophets will require no greater light than God has given; but if men reject the light, and fail to appreciate the opportunities granted them, they would not hear if one from the dead should come to them with a message. They would not be convinced even by this evidence; for those who reject the law and the prophets so harden their hearts that they will reject all light.

The conversation between Abraham and the once-rich man is figurative. The lesson to be gathered from it is that every man is given sufficient light for the discharge of the duties required of him. Man's responsibilities are proportionate to his opportunities and privileges. God gives to everyone sufficient light and grace to do the work He has given him to do. If man fails to do that which a little light shows to be his duty, greater light would only reveal unfaithfulness, neglect to improve the blessings given. "He

That is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Luke 16:10. Those who refuse to be enlightened by Moses and the prophets and ask for some wonderful miracle to be performed would not be convinced if their wish were granted.
The parable of the rich man and Lazarus shows how the two classes represented by these men are estimated in the unseen world.

The rich man had all that money could procure, but he did not possess the riches that would have kept his account right with God. Christ lifted the curtain and presented this picture before priests and rulers, scribes and Pharisees. Look at it, you who are rich in this world's goods and are not rich toward God. Will you not contemplate this scene? That which is highly esteemed among men is abhorrent in the sight of God. Christ asks, "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Mark 8:36, 37.

 

Application to the Jewish Nation

When Christ gave the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, there were many in the Jewish nation in the pitiable condition of the rich man, using the Lord's goods for selfish gratification, preparing themselves to hear the sentence, "Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." Dan. 5:27. The rich man was favored with every temporal and spiritual blessing, but he refused to cooperate with God in the use of these blessings. Thus it was with the Jewish nation. The Lord had made the Jews the depositaries of sacred truth. He had appointed them

Stewards of His grace He had given them every spiritual and temporal advantage, and He called upon them to impart these blessings. Special instruction had been given them in regard to their treatment of their brethren who had fallen into decay, of the stranger within their gates, and of the poor among them.

But like the rich man, they put forth no helping hand to relieve the temporal or spiritual necessities of suffering humanity. Filled with pride, they regarded themselves as the chosen and favored people of God; yet they did not serve or worship God. They put their dependence in the fact that they were children of Abraham. "We are Abraham's seed," they said proudly. (John 8:33.) When the crisis came, it was revealed that they had divorced themselves from God, and had placed their trust in Abraham, as if he were God.

The rich man though surrounded with all the luxuries of life was so ignorant that he put Abraham where God should have been. If he had appreciated his exalted privileges and had allowed God's Spirit to mold his mind and heart, he would have had an altogether different position. So with the nation he represented. If they had responded to the divine call, their future would have been wholly different. They would have shown true spiritual discernment. They had means which God would have increased, making it sufficient to bless and enlighten the whole world. But they had so far separated from the Lord's arrangement that their whole life was perverted. They failed to use their gifts as God's stewards in accordance with truth and righteousness. Eternity was not brought into their reckoning, and the result of their unfaithfulness was ruin to the whole nation.

In the Last Days

The closing scenes of this earth's history are portrayed in the closing of the rich man's history. The rich man claimed to be a son of Abraham, but he was separated from Abraham by an impassable gulf--a character wrongly developed. Abraham served God, following His word in faith and obedience. But the rich man was unmindful of God and of the needs of suffering humanity. The great gulf fixed between him and Abraham was the gulf of Disobedience.

There are many today who are following the same course. Though church members, they are unconverted. They may take part in the church service, they may chant the psalm, "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, O God" (Ps. 42:1); but they testify to a falsehood. They are no more righteous in God's sight than is the veriest sinner. The soul that longs after the excitement of worldly pleasure, the mind that is full of love for display, cannot serve God. Like the rich man in the parable, such a one has no inclination to war against the lust of the flesh. He longs to indulge appetite. He chooses the atmosphere of sin. He is suddenly snatched away by death, and he goes down to the grave with the character formed during his lifetime in copartnership with satanic agencies. In the grave he has no power to choose anything, be it good or evil; for in the day when a man dies, his thoughts perish. (Ps. 146:4, Eccl. 9:5, 6.)

When the voice of God awakes the dead, he will come from the grave with the same appetites and passions, the same likes and dislikes that he cherished when living. God works no miracle to re-create a man who would not be re-created when he was granted every opportunity and provided with every facility. During his lifetime he took no delight in God, nor found pleasure in His service. His character is not in harmony with God, and he could not be happy in the heavenly family.

Today there is a class in our world who are self-righteous. They are not gluttons, they are not drunkards, they are not infidels; but they desire to live for themselves, not for God. He is not in their thoughts; therefore they are classed with unbelievers.

But those who do not appreciate and utilize the precious opportunities and sacred influences granted them on earth, are not fitted to take part in the pure devotion of heaven. Their characters are not molded according to the divine similitude. By their own neglect they have formed a chasm which nothing can bridge. Between them and the righteous there is a great gulf fixed.

 

 

 

 

What Happens When We Die?

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These days, many people who have lost loved ones believe that their loved ones are looking down at them, or are somehow protecting them. Is there any truth to this? Are the dead really dead? Or do their spirits come back and communicate with the living? This is a subject that has many people confused, bewildered or worried. Let's investigate to find out the facts about this subject. Please look up the references in your Bible, to verify what we are saying here. Don't just take our word for it!

First of all, let go back to the beginning, to the creation of man. Look with us in Genesis, chapter 2:

Verse 7 - And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

Wait a minute! Did it say "became" a living soul? Is that text saying that: Dust (body) + The Breath of Life = A LIVING SOUL? That's right. The soul is not a separate entity from the body; you must have both body AND breath for the soul to exist. Just like water is BOTH hydrogen AND oxygen: If you don't have both, you don't have WATER!

That being established, let's begin where death was first referenced: In the Garden of Eden. God was speaking to Adam, after he ate of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. This is part of the curse that God placed on Adam, and therefore, on the entire human race. Turn to Genesis, chapter 3:

Verse 19 - In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou [art], and unto dust shalt thou return.

This indicates that Adam (and thus all humans) was to return to dust. We know that the body decays, after death. What happens to the spirit? Ecclesiastes, chapter 12 answers that:

Verse 7 - Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Here we see that at death, the spirit (breath) and the body separate; the body goes to the ground, and the spirit (breath) goes back to God. Now, what about consciousness after death? How do we know that the "spirit" has no awareness? Let's look at some other texts, like Ecclesiastes, chapter 9:

Verse 5 - For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.
Verse 6 - Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in any [thing] that is done under the sun.
Verse 10 - Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

From these verses, it shows that after we die, we do not know ANYTHING. Let's read some more about that from Psalms, chapter 146:

Verse 4 - His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

In fact, Jesus referred to death as sleep in John, chapter 11:

Verse 11 - These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
Verse 12 - Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleeps, he shall do well.
Verse 13 - Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.
Verse 14 - Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.

This indicates that the dead are not in heaven or in hell or in purgatory, but sleeping in the ground. Let's look in 1 Thessalonians, chapter 4 for some more insight:

Verse 16 - For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Verse 17 - Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Thus the dead will be raised at the last day, not brought back with Jesus, as some teach. They are resting now in the grave, but soon will rise to meet their maker, as shown in John, chapter 5:

Verse 25 - Verily, verily, I say unto you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.
Verse 28 - Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
Verse 29 - And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

The good news about hell, part 2

 

Pastor's Corner

    June 3, 2009

 

 

 

 

Dear Friend,

 

Last week we talked about someone that hates to be around God's people, God's music, God's plans, and God's house. Would he be happy if God were to take him to heaven? Some people might argue that yes, he would be, because heaven is going to be so great and wonderful that if we just took him there kicking and screaming, that once he was there he would suddenly say, "Wow, I love this place!" and would be forever changed into being a Christian. But the Bible tells us that God doesn't do it that way; He gives us time now to make our decision, and if someone hates God here, then if he were to see Him in heaven he would still dislike Him.

 

Now, we've entitled this "The Good News about Hell", so let's look at five good things about hell –

 

1.    Hell's purpose is cleansing, not torture.

Most people look at hell as this big torture area under Satan's leadership where God sticks people to punish them for eternity for not obeying Him. But the Bible shows a very different picture. It says that hell is for Satan and his angels, not for their employment or enjoyment, but to eradicate them. And not only for their annihilation, but for all the pollution and garbage and sin that is on this planet and in the atmosphere. God uses fire to cleanse the universe to make way for a new atmosphere and the new earth. (Matthew 25:41, Isaiah 47:14, 2 Peter 3:7-13, Revelation 20:13-15; Revelation 21:1.)

 

2.    Hell is eternal death, not eternal life

The Bible tells us: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23. To say that a person will live forever in hell would be a gift, according to the Bible. It never specifies that the eternal life it promises is in heaven, or glory, but that the gift is eternal life, as compared with eternal death. And the Bible tells us that the saved will spend eternity in the earth made new with Jesus. So the gift of God that He gives to the saved is eternal life, and the wages of sin is death, Eternal.

 

3.    Hell is not burning now.

We attend funerals, and usually there are people who stand up and tell all the good things that the person did in their lives. But we all know that they were not saints, and sometimes they didn't live like a saint! So for those who believe that when a person dies they go straight to heaven or hell, there's this little question that pops up: What if they're not in heaven right now? What if they are in hell? But when they realize that hell is not burning right now, that's good news, because we don't even have to wonder or have a shred of doubt about our loved ones' torture or peace. The Bible says clearly that everyone, the good and the bad, the saved and the unsaved, are in the grave resting, until the resurrection morning. (Malachi 3:1-4, Matthew 13:40-43, Revelation 20:11-15.)

 

4.    Hell is clearly described in the Bible.

God has given everyone two simple choices: Have a committed relationship with Him now, and spend eternity in the new earth, or don't respond to Him, and perish in hell. Some might say, "Hold on, I don't see any good news about that!" But it is good news, and here's why: There's no guess work. God is clear on what the requirements are, and He's just as clear on what the options are. Choose today. Make your choices now, and the results are for eternity. (Ezekiel 18:31, Ezekiel 33:11.)

 

5.    It's not God's will for anyone to be in hell.

I saved the best till last. Did you know its God's will that you are saved, and not in hell? I think that's good news. In fact, I think that's the best news in the whole world! Hey, if God is for you, what do you have to worry about? Wouldn't it be a real bummer if the Bible says that God wants some people in hell? Then I'd wonder if He wanted me in hell! But it doesn't; in fact, the Bible is clear what God's will really is! Check this out: "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to

A knowledge of the truth," "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.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

1st Timothy 2:3, 4; John 3:16, 17.

 

I hope this helps you to look at hell in a different light, but also look at God's love, and His will for your life. He wants you to be saved! And He wants you to spend eternity with Him. The question right now: do you?

 

Have a great week! I'm praying for you!

 

Mark