C.J. Sears's Blog, page 15

Be Prepared For Defense

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be disturbed, but honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. However, do this with gentleness and respect, keeping your conscience clear, so that when you are accused, those who denounce your Christian life will be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:14-17)

As a Christian, I will inevitably be tasked with defending my faith to someone. There will, I expect, come a time when an unbeliever (or perhaps even another Christian) challenges my faith. They’ll assert many things about my character or my person, claiming that I am ignorant, untrue, or genuinely deceived. I’ll be called a liar or a fool, a miscreant or misanthrope, by those who do not believe in the truth of the gospel.

What must I do? As Peter says, I must be ready to give a defense for the hope within me. I should not fear my opponent or their beliefs. I cannot repay their evil with evil, but must show by my actions and my reason why I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. If I fail, my witness is harmed, and I have compromised my ability in Christ to reach out to the lost and share the gospel.

Anger and a lack of self-control will do me no good. It’s easy to feel a personal slight from someone who attacks your beliefs, but it’s more difficult to restrain yourself and grant your opponent a peaceful debate.

All too often, we are undisciplined and quick to rage when a person dares to question our faith. Peter warns us in this Scripture that we must be vigilant and remain unfettered by the accusations lodged at us. Considering this Peter is the very same impulsive disciple we know from Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts, he’s a fairly good authority on what it means to be hotheaded.

How then, am I to defend my faith? Answer: with reason, by being led by the Spirit in word and deed, and by knowing the Scriptures and our personal testimony of faith.

Why do I believe? From where do I get the hope that lives in me?

My hopelessness in sin led me to question my very reality. I was addicted to pornography. I doubted God’s existence. I was in a horrible, horrible place for a very long time. But when Christ heard my cries, he began to change me. I read His Word through to the end. The Holy Spirit transformed me from within, eliminating my desire for self-gratification with the disgusting pull of vile, lustful imagery. I was reborn with a new purpose in Christ.
Scripture says that Christ is who He says He is. Because I know the power He has on an intimate level, I can also know that His Word is Truth. Scripture says that He is the Son of God, incarnate in man, born of a virgin, who lived a sinless life, who died on a cross, was buried, and rose on the third day, securing the promise of eternal life to all those who would believe on Him. That’s what I believe. That is His Truth.
Scripture is verily supported by archaeological findings and/or personal observance. Thanks to my conversion, I can see the truly foul and loathsome behavior on display by all of humankind, including myself. None of us are good as God defines it. All have sinned and fallen short of His glory (Romans 3:23). Furthermore, the Bible is a testable book; the events contained within are all said to be real occurrences, verifiable by nature. If the Resurrection did not happen, then the whole faith collapses. Yet Christianity and the Word of God persisted for over two millennia in spite of every offense and challenge pushing against the claims of its authority. And the New Testament is one of the most well-attested historical documents with over four thousand verified manuscripts!

This is not meant to be an exhaustive defense in itself. But I hope that I can draw from these positions, can point to Scripture and experience and the natural world, if and when I am challenged to defend my faith. I trust the Lord my God, knowing that He will not steer me wrong. I am fallible, a sinner saved by His grace, but He is the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13).

Who is Jesus? What is the Trinity? How can one be saved? How do you know you are saved? If Creation is true, how do you explain [insert evolutionary theory here]? Is the Bible truly inspired by God? What reason do you have for the hope that is in you?

All these questions may be asked by those who would challenge my faith or yours. As Peter says, we must be prepared when such an occurrence crosses our paths. We must not be boastful or arrogant, repaying their unkind words with our own. We should be demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26). Only with a controlled mind, a changed heart, and the work of the Holy Spirit can we hope to defend our faith and reach out to the lost.

Else we rely on ourselves and crumble in our sin, a faithless walk, and a fragile hope.

“May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.” (Colossians 1:11-14)

Thanks be to Him who saved us from ourselves. May we honor Him in word and deed, defending our trust and faith in Him with all manner of perseverance and forthrightness, not letting our sinful nature get the better of us.

Thank you for reading. God bless and peace be to you.

Persecution, Prosperity, Merit, & Faith

“For I know the plans I have for you – this is the Lord’s declaration – plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

This verse is a powerful reminder of God’s love and mercy. In the surrounding passage, the Lord speaks through the prophet Jeremiah to His exiled peoples in Babylon. He says to them that when seventy years have passed, He will confirm His promise to them and restore them to the land of their ancestors. How great is He to give His people such hope in a time of peril and anguish!

All too often, this verse is isolated and used out of context. Many false teachers (and even well-meaning believers) have utilized this selected verse to tell Christians that God’s plan for their life will be only ever filled with joy and prosperity. These teachers argue that wealth and riches are blessings from God to His truest followers, as if the Christian who suffers is somehow deficient in faith.

But that’s not biblical. That’s not what He says. Scripture states:

“In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” (2 Timothy 3:12)

Paul’s statement in this epistle is clear. Any and all who follow Christ will be subject to dangers and difficulties in their lifetime. Seeking after Christ, in effect, marks you for trouble. Why? Secular society, anti-God thinking, and genuinely unrepentant and despicable folks of all stripes will aim to harm the believer.

“But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!” (2 Timothy 3:1-5)

People, many self-proclaimed Christians included, are convinced of their own self-righteousness. They are blinded to their sin, captured by the enemy to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26). They don’t believe that what they’re doing is wrong. They may believe themselves to be mostly good; worse, some think they’re holy apart from Christ. They’re wrong. Again, Scripture says:

“But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed – attested by the law and prophets – that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:21-24)

You see the truth is written above. None of us are good enough for heaven. We have all committed trespasses and sinned against our heavenly father. Make no mistake; if it were entirely up to our natural character, no one would ever be joined with Him in heaven. The wages of sin is death, but eternal life in Christ is a gift from God (Romans 6:23).

The prosperity and holiness teachers of the world would have the Christian believe that he or she is worthy through merit. His belongings and practices mark him as a true follower, they might say. But God does not measure the merit of His children. If He did, none would ascend.

“For I do not understand what I am doing, because I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate.” (Romans 7:15)

“For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do.” (Romans 7:18-19)

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this dying body? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with my mind I myself am a slave to the law of God, but with my flesh, to the law of sin.” (Romans 7:24-25)

No, God measures the righteousness imputed to His children through their faith in Christ Jesus, His One and Only Son! In Him, God condemned sin in the flesh (Romans 8:4). For those in Christ Jesus, He paid the ultimate, once-and-for-all, blood sacrifice (Romans 3:25). Through His Son, He declares righteous the one who has faith in Him (Romans 3:26). Because of this, we can know that it is not our work which saves us, but His work in us through faith in Him (Romans 3:27-28).

Therefore, let no one tell you that the reason you suffer is because of disbelief. Pay no mind to those who would say that you can acquire a plethora of material goods through “claiming” what you want. Indeed, a Christian might see wealth in his or her lifetime, but that is by the grace and discernment of God, not through any salvific earnings or merit. A rich believer and a poor believer, if they have placed their faith on Christ, are on equal standing before God.

And to those who offer themselves as clean, but are in fact unclean, again do not heed their call. They lay claim to a perfect life, ignoring the sacrifice of Christ Jesus. They puff up their own egos and spread the wings of boastfulness, unaware of their failing to acknowledge the saving grace of their One and Only Redeemer: Jesus Christ.

So what is a trueborn Christian, a man or woman whose faith and trust is in Jesus Christ alone, to do with the guarantees of longsuffering and persecution? As always, Scripture has keen answers:

“You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me. Be glad and rejoice, because your treasure is great in heaven.” (Matthew 5:11-12)

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14)

“If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. None of you, however, should suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or a meddler. But if anyone suffers as a ‘Christian,’ he should not be ashamed but should glorify God in having that name.” (1 Peter 4:14-16)

We should be glad to suffer. I don’t mean we should be happy per se but that we should find solace and contentment in the knowledge that our troubles prove His glory. If we are in Him, we should rest and be joyful that we know have the hope and promise of eternal life in Christ Jesus. Above all, we can know through our angst and our pain that it is not feelings or works or our own merit that will see us through to the end, but the goodness and sacrifice of our Lord.

“He will transform the body of our humble condition into the likeness of His glorious body, by the power that enables Him to subject everything to Himself.” (Philippians 3:21)

Thank God for His truth. Thank God that whether we’re caught in a storm, fighting the flesh, or deep in prayer, He has shown us the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). In His Son, we have eternal life. Thanks and praise be to him!

Post 101: Counting His Blessings

The day before Thanksgiving, I made my one hundredth blog post. Some days, time straps a rocket to your butt and sends you into space. Before you know it, you’re hovering above the earth in an unseen future.

For the past year and three months, I’ve been typing words that I hope have proved entertaining, enlightening, and, in many instances, properly evangelistic. I’ve celebrated a few anniversaries already (a year of posting, a year of rebirth), so I’ll keep this section short.

So, what’s on the agenda going into the next one hundred posts? The goal remains the same: talk about God, discuss my writing, share my interests, and reach out to people in need of Him and/or who are looking for a good read. I don’t know, generally speaking, what I’ll write until the day I begin writing. Yes, I’m a “pantser” – someone who lets himself and his material be taken wherever he or it is needed.

But when I look back at this blog and my life, I wonder how much of it is truly by the seat of my pants. Perhaps most (or all of it) has been predetermined in some form or fashion. I don’t believe it was a coincidence that I started blogging a mere month or so before I was born again. It certainly wasn’t chance or luck that what motivated me to start driving again was the Lord. What other aspects of my life can I trace to His foreknowledge, His plan for me?

Things I Feel Has Done For Me:

Kept me away from alcohol and drugs. I don’t drink or smoke and I owe that to Him and His will for me.
Prevented me from entering a life behind bars. At one point, I toed the line and could’ve entered jail. He was watching out for me even then.
Provided me with a loving family of well-meaning people. Look, we’re all sinners. None of us are good as God defines the word. But I’m fortunate that the vast majority of people that I’ve known as relations have been gentle, kind, funny, and warm folks.
Engineered in me a sense of distrust of “authority” always being the last word. Now, let me elaborate that what I’m saying is that, because of how He made me, I am not naturally of trusting of people just because they’re in a position over me. This means, for instance, I don’t take the idea of “scientific consensus” as an indicator of divine Truth. So I’m not talking about being rebellious, but simply the innate sense that just because a person has power does not mean they’re more intelligent or correct.
There was a day where I drove in an unfamiliar area, got lost, and ended up stuck in the mud. Much like He rescued from a wilderness of ignorance to sin, I believe He saved me from all manner of misfortune by helping me to get the car out even in the pitch blackness.

There’s so much of my life that can only have been foreordained by Him to get me where I am today and to keep me on His path. That’s not to say I don’t have a will, because I do, but I’m not so certain these days that my choices have the branching outcomes I once believed. Frankly, I doubt I could count the ways in which He has been the refuge and rock of my life since before I even knew Him.

“Your eyes saw me when I was formless; all my days were written in Your book and planned before a single one of them began. God, how difficult Your thoughts are for me to comprehend; how vast their sum is! If I counted them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I wake up, I am still with You.” (Psalm 139:16-18 HCSB)

As the days go on, as I make these posts, more and more I realize His vast influence. He is indeed limitless. I don’t know if even Scripture truly captures His magnificence, His awesome prowess, or His presence. I doubt any of us really knows until we get to Him, however far that is for each individual in the future. Some see Him sooner, a few quick breaths before His light. Others live long and difficult lives, worrisome of their various prospects, until they can confidently (I pray) stroll up to their Maker and hear Him say:

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21 KJV)

Every day, I can’t help but wonder about the depths of His love for us. What must it be like, as the Psalmist says, to know us even before we are born? How profound is He who existed before and outside of time as we know it? His richness must be so all-consuming that I dare say our descriptions of Him barely scratch the surface of what He says He is.

May we plunge ever onward into the seas of His mercy and the ocean of His grace. Thanks be to Him and peace be to you. God bless and have a good weekend.

Thanksgiving Be To Him

“Shout triumphantly to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Acknowledge that Yahweh is God. He made us, and we are His – His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For Yahweh is good, and His love is eternal; His faithfulness endures through all generations.” (Psalm 100:1-5)

It’s that time of year again. Families will crowd around tables adorned with all manner of delicious foods. They will dine on turkey and ham, devouring cranberries, peas, corn, and rolls alongside them. The feasts will be bountiful and some folks, perhaps, overstuff themselves. But whatever engorges their stomachs, they should know the One who has provided the goods: God Almighty.

All of us, including myself, aren’t as thankful as we should be. We’ll eat and spend and consume what we like without so much as a second thought to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He has paved the way for eternal life, granted us forgiveness, and all things were created through Him (John 1:3). Where’s the appreciation? We have greasy lips, eager to lick clean our plates, but we can’t open them to say thank you to the One who gives us life.

Gratitude isn’t a difficult concept to grasp. Even children can understand the need to be thankful for what they have. Yet we are prone to forget the Master who delivers for us. His love is so great that He paid the ultimate once-and-for-all price, but we can’t take a few seconds out of our schedules to say thanks. How sad (and sinful) we are.

It could be worse, I suppose. Better to be an ingrate with our mouth than a deceiver with our heart. As Jesus says regarding the Pharisees:

“These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” (Matthew 15:8)

That said, we can all do better when it comes to being grateful to our Lord God. From a personal standpoint, I have trouble remembering to thank Him before I eat a meal. In my heart, I know I’m glad to have food on my table every day. But what the heart knows, the mouth doesn’t always speak. The mind senses the Truth, but isn’t quick to let it be known.

So today, I’d like to go ahead and say thank you to my Lord and Creator. Tomorrow, I may forget (though I pray not), so I should let Him know how gladdened I am to know Him.

Lord, I’m thankful:

To draw breath, for You gave me life and formed me in my mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-14)
To be saved, for I know that I’m a sinner and You’ve shown mercy upon me
For my family, who’ve been kind to me though I haven’t always treated them the best
For my pets, who’ve made my life that much more interesting and fulfilling
For the gifts You’ve given me. Without You, I would not have been able to write these posts, nor would I have fulfilled my dreams and written not one, but two full-length novels, and am in the process of a third
For the food on my table, though I do not always remember, because You have provided for me and my house because of Your mercy and love
For the peace and security I have in Your Son, Christ Jesus, knowing that He is my Redeemer and loves me more than I can possibly imagine
For the multitude of blessings in my life, known and unknown, which have made this life of mine, though not always easy, a road worth traveling

“Therefore, through Him let us continually offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips that confess His name.” (Hebrews 13:15)

“Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7)

“Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

So as we head into tomorrow, ready to gobble up uncountable morsels, let us remember the One who has given us everything we hold dear. Let’s be thankful to Him, our Sovereign Lord, for the blessings of life, love, and happiness, and, above all, salvation in Christ Jesus.

Thanks be to Him for all things. God is good.

Scripture: The Litmus Test

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

When it comes what is God’s truth and what isn’t, we must look to the Word. We cannot let our own opinions cloud our minds. If the enemy gets a foothold, he ensnares us insidiously. Therefore whatever we read, whatever a preacher says, we must compare it against the litmus test that is Scripture. Only then will we be able to discern what is true.

Because Scripture is God’s Word, because God’s Word is Jesus Christ and Scripture points us to Him as our Lord and Savior, we mustn’t let ourselves be duped by false teachings and assumptions. If we’re careless, if we leave the door open for mistaken beliefs and unsupported doctrine to seep in, we dilute the meaning and the power of our witness and pervert the Word.

This is why I ask you, readers, friends, and family, to test what I say against Scripture. I am not, like the various writings of the Bible, infallible and inerrant. I can and do and will make mistakes. I have no doubt said or done something that is either clearly wrong or can be presumed to be wrong if read incorrectly.

I said in an earlier blog post that unless I feel inspired by the Holy Spirit, I cannot write these evangelistic posts. Without a clear lens, that looks like I’m claiming to write Scripture. But that’s not what I meant. My words are not God-breathed. They do not come down from God as a command on high.

No, what I was trying to say (poorly) in that long ago post was that because I feel God’s directing hand in my life, I am motivated to write. Because of His love for me, a sinner, I am grateful to be able to write these posts and, I hope, to reach out to people who may not have heard the good news of Jesus Christ.

If I say something which contradicts Scripture, then trust the Scripture. All Christians everywhere must place their faith in God, in Jesus Christ, and not man. Whether I, your pastor, or Jimmy Johnson down the street says something to you, you must look to the Word of God. Neither I nor these other men and women are to be valued equally or above Scripture.

We may lay claim to be people of the Lord, yes. But our word is not God’s. It is not His truth. Trust in the Holy Spirit to guide your steps and lead you on the correct path. Do not think we are correct because of our shared belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, but, again, lock your eyes to Scripture and search the Word.

“Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (Colossians 3:16)

“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart. No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13)

“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

Therefore I ask my brothers and sisters to hold to the Word of God. I do not write Scripture. Your pastor does not write Scripture. That girl you know from second grade doesn’t write Scripture. Only the words contained within the Bible are, as is said in 2 Timothy 3:16, profitable for instruction.

We may use Scripture – and Scripture only – as the testament of God’s truth. From Genesis to Revelation, He has given us the whole of His Word so that we may believe on His Son, Jesus Christ.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through Him, and apart from Him not one thing was created that has been created.” (John 1:1-3)

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the One and Only Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

It may seem paradoxical and odd for me to write something which tells you to both listen and not listen to what I’m saying, but I believe I have articulated the point well enough (I think). Again, I repeat that whatever any believer or nonbeliever says must be tested against Scripture. If they are not found in alignment, if their position cannot be adequately supported from Scripture alone, then dismiss what the person says outright. This includes me, pastors everywhere, your neighbor, scientists, politicians, and even, as Paul says, angels from heaven (Galatians 1:8).

I hope this post hasn’t been too confusing. Thanks for reading and peace be to you.

A New Creation: The Responsibility of God’s Coworker

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away and look, new things have come. Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, ‘Be reconciled to God.’ He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:16-21)

When a person is born again through Christ, when they are saved, they become, as the passage says, a new creation. His sins are washed away by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. The person who lived before this point is a dead old man. He, effectively, no longer exists. This doesn’t necessarily mean a born-again Christian becomes unrecognizable to others, but that he (or she) is now under the auspices of Christ.

He is being sanctified by the workings of the Holy Spirit. His lusts and cravings of the flesh begin to dissipate. No longer does he focus on selfish things as his primary mission in life, but on the work and good news of Jesus Christ. He becomes an advocate for Christ as the Lord is an advocate for him. The central part of his character becomes living for Him and proclaiming the gospel.

Now, I am not a pure man. I would be a hypocritical liar if I said that I was perfect and never sinned or had unwholesome thoughts. But I am a changed man, a man who sees his sin and despises it, calling out to the Lord my God for forgiveness and instruction. He is gracious to me, comforting me, reminding me of the great task ahead of me and the inevitable glory He has prepared for Himself through His workmanship.

I am confident that He who began His work in me will see me through the end (Philippians 1:6). While all this is ongoing, nevertheless I am confronted by the steadfast need to evangelize. That’s why I do these posts, in the hopes and the faith that He who made and remade me can act through this blog for His divine purposes.

If I have reached even one person through this blog, then I consider that a victory – not for myself, but for Christ. It is not my own doing, but God working in His servants. As Paul says to the Corinthian church:

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. Now the one planting and the one watering are one in purpose, and each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building. According to God’s grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it. For no one can lay any other foundation than what has been laid down. That foundation is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:6-11)

According to Scripture, God claims us as His coworkers! High praise, indeed. But we must be careful, as Paul says in this passage, to lay the correct foundation. We must not plant a seed that will not flower into love for Jesus Christ. We must not water the field with our own knowledge, but with the glorious good news of Jesus Christ, who died, was buried, and rose on the third day, becoming the full, satisfying payment for the totality of our sins.

Our works will be tested. Whatever we add to the foundation of Jesus Christ must be profitable, not found wanting or contradictory, to survive the trial by fire.

“If anyone’s work that he has built survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.” (1 Corinthians 3:14-15)

In other words, our fruit must be good fruit. If it is bad fruit, whatever it is will be burned away, but He will keep us. When we add jewels and stones to the foundation of Jesus Christ, they must be in accordance with His will, pass the test of Scripture, and not be the works of man for selfish gain or confusion.

A man is not God. A servant of man is not God. God’s coworkers, esteemed as they are, are not be to thought of as worthy of admiration or worship, for such things inflate ego and pride and other such lusts of the flesh.

“Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the saying: ‘Nothing beyond what is written.’ The purpose is that none of you will be inflated with pride in favor of one person over another.”

As a born-again Christian, I must do the work my Lord calls me to do. But I must also be humble, I must not pump myself up or let anyone boast of me in such a way that I become convinced of my own self-righteousness, and I must not add anything worthless to the good news of Jesus Christ. If I have erred (and I’m not arrogant enough to think I haven’t), then works born of that error will be burned up.

So I must work honestly, openly, and with the conviction that whatever I do it must reflect His goodness and not mask His truth. I’ll fail at times, make mistakes, because I am fallible and sinful, but I believe that His great love for me and His grace will see me through the trials of this life and the work He has put before me.

“But from eternity to eternity the Lord’s faithful love is toward those who fear Him, and His righteousness toward the grandchildren who keep His covenant, who remember to observe His precepts.” (Psalm 103:17-18)

“Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His faithful love endures forever.” (Psalm 106:1)

Thanks be to Him that He has given me the courage to make these blog posts. Thanks be to Him that I no longer dwell in the darkness. Thanks and praise be to Him!

Truly Amazing Grace

“He Paid A Debt He Did Not Owe” is a beautiful and poignant church hymn. Feel free to google it for yourself, but the section I want to draw attention to starts within the fourth verse:

“He didn’t give to me a loan. He gave Himself now He’s my own. He’s gone to Heaven to make for me a place. And now I sing a brand new song – Amazing Grace. Chris Jesus paid a debt that I could never pay.”

Hymns/songs usually reference the truth of the gospel in some way. In this song, appreciation for what Christ accomplished on the Cross is displayed. With His precious blood, he washed away our sins. It’s tragic and beautiful. He was the innocent Lamb of God, the perfect once-and-for-all propitiation for our sins.

It’s a shame that many don’t understand this. Thousands of Christians across many different denominations would disagree with that first line while simultaneously singing it. Why? Because they think that they must maintain their salvation through some human act. This is unbiblical. This is telling Jesus that His sacrifice was not sufficient. This is calling God a liar, at least in practice (1 John 5:10).

“Because they disregarded the righteousness from God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted themselves to God’s righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness in everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:3-4)

“This is the message of faith that we proclaim: ‘If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. Now the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame,’ for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Romans 10:9-13)

Can you see what Paul is saying here? The Jews thought their sacrifices made them holy. They did not understand that keeping the Law did not save them. Many Christians believe that they can achieve their own righteousness, but the Truth is not in them. There can be no righteousness without God, without belief in Christ. A man who thinks he can earn God’s favor through good works does not understand the gospel.

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace!” (Ephesians 2:4-5)

“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is God’s fit – not from works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

God has given this gift unto mankind for His glory and our salvation. He does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). As the song says, this gift is not a loan. It is not something He gives you on the condition that you pay him back with interest. He’s not counting the number of times you go to church or how much you give to the poor to determine your standing with Him. When you believe on Christ, you are saved (Acts 16:31). Furthermore, adding works and merit to the gospel diminishes and undermines what grace means.

Here’s the first definition of grace according to Merriam-Webster: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification.

And another from the same google search: the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

And Paul says:

“Now if by grace, then it is not by works; otherwise grace ceases to be grace.” (Romans 11:6)

I wanted to establish what grace is because so many are confusing grace and the gospel message with what we might dub the call-to-arms. Born-again Christians are instructed to share the good news of Jesus Christ with the world around them, however they can.

“Then Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with always, to the end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18-20)

Some churches would have you believe that if you’re not out there “soul-winning” then you’re not saved. But that’s not what Scripture says. Remember, the Word states numerous times that salvation is by grace through faith and not works (as I’ve shown above). And more to the point, people don’t win souls – God does. Human effort amounts to nothing without the will of God.

It is said that 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 is the clearest statement in the Bible regarding the good news of Jesus Christ. Let’s take a look:

“Now brothers, I want to clarify for you the gospel I proclaimed to you; you received it and have taken your stand on it. You are also saved by it, if you hold to the message I proclaimed to you—unless you believed for no purpose. For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas [Peter], then to the Twelve. Then He appeared to over 500 brothers at one time; most of them are still alive, but some have fallen asleep. Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one abnormally born, He also appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. But by God’s grace I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not ineffective. However, I worked more than any of them, yet not I, but God’s grace that was with me. Therefore, whether it is I or they, so we proclaim and so you have believed.”

Okay, that’s a lot to take in. But let’s break it down in simpler terms. Paul says that if they (the Corinthian church) believe the gospel that he and the other apostles have preached, they are saved. If the Corinthians don’t believe on Christ, then they are not saved. What is the good news that Paul and the other apostles preached? Verses 3-11 elaborate that:

Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.
He rose on the third day according to the Scriptures.
He appeared to many eyewitnesses including his disciples, Paul, and 500 others.
For all his works, Paul was only saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.

Christ had to die as a one-time offering to become the perfect sacrifice for our iniquities (Hebrews 10:14). He had to be raised again so that we could know with all assurance that we have eternal life in Him (1 John 5:11). He appeared to many witnesses to confirm His resurrection before the eyes of man. Last of all, He appeared to Paul, chief among sinners, who believed and was saved by His grace (Acts 9).

It saddens me that so many churches would have Christians believe that they cannot have assurance of salvation. However well-meaning it is to combat the notion that a person can do whatever they want after being saved, preaching a works-based or meritorious gospel is an affront to all that is God’s grace.

If you truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are saved. Salvation is not a negotiation or a loan. It’s not a bonus check you get after years of hard work. It’s a free (though not cheap, as some would charge) gift, given unto His people, because His love for us is so great.

Children remember waking up on Christmas morning to presents under the tree and shouting with glee. Yet, when the greatest gift of all is before us, we do our best not to open it. Some want to snip the ribbons off first. Others want to hold off until they feel they deserve it. But God wants you to tear that wrapper and open the box now. Accept His grace and His love and know that you can be saved when you believe on Christ as your Lord and Savior.

“But now, apart from the law, God’s righteousness has been revealed – attested by the Law and the prophets – that is, God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ, to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. They are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God presented Him as a propitiation through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. God presented Him to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.” (Romans 3:21-26)

Do not deny the total, complete work of Jesus Christ. Whatever He started in you, He will also finish (Philippians 1:6). Do not confuse your sinful nature with a loss of salvation. God is preparing you, through His Son, for the good work He would have you do (Ephesians 2:10). This is not your own doing, but the love and grace of God in you.

“I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us – to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:15-21)

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The Simplicity of the Gospel

“Then the jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he escorted them out and said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’ Then they spoke the message of the Lord to him along with everyone in his house. He took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds. Right away he and all his family were baptized. He brought them into his house, set a meal before them, and rejoiced because he had believed God with his entire household.” (Acts 16:29-34)

Notice the bolded. This is the utter simplicity of the gospel message. It’s not an easy thing to believe, no, but it is absolutely understandable to even the most naïve of children. Yet, people keep trying to add something to the good news of Jesus Christ. Why? What purpose could it serve to complicate something that should be apparent to every believer? Who is the person who wants to sow confusion and make the lonesome branched path to Christ and eternal life a tree of woe?

Some who do this are well-meaning. They don’t wish to propagate “easy belief” for fear that it distorts the power of the gospel into mere intellectual assent. After all, Scripture does say:

“You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe—and they shudder.” (James 2:19)

So, they argue, it’s not enough to merely believe that there is a God. You must believe on Christ, putting every burden, care, and worry that you have in His hands. This is good, but the problem that follows is the theology that these same people create based on the surrounding context in James.

“What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can his faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without works and I will show you faith from my works.” (James 2:14-18)

Many denominations in the Christian faith take this to mean (erroneously) that one cannot be saved by faith alone. They perpetuate the message that if one does not have faith and works, he is not justified before God. But is this really what the Word says? What does Jesus say?

“Jesus said to her [Martha, the brother of Lazarus], ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live. Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die—ever. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25)

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.”

Salvation is a gift from God. You did not earn it. You dare not say your self-righteousness deserved it. Scripture says:

“All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one.” (Psalm 14:3, Psalm 53:3)

So why the dispute? Why have various Christian denominations taken the call to good works as a binding contract for salvation? Do they believe the Word to be contradictory when He says we are saved by grace through faith? Are Paul and James and Jesus preaching different gospels entirely?

No, because: “All Scripture is inspired by God [God-breathed] and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Knowing this, then, all of Scripture must be in agreement else none of it is true. God is the Word and He wrote the Word into the annals of the Bible. If that’s the case, then Paul, James, Jesus, Timothy, Moses, etc. must all be speaking the Truth.

So how do we reconcile faith and works? If we are saved by the grace of God through our faith in Christ, why does James harp on about works and so-called dead faith? Perhaps one should reread the passage above, particularly this:

“If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16)

This is important because it highlights why James is upset: Christians are proclaiming to be saved, yet they don’t care in any way about their fellow man. Oh, they’ll say a few kind words, but they won’t offer anything of sufficient help. They won’t provide clothing or food to their struggling brothers/sisters. They don’t share the gospel with them. They don’t demonstrate the new heart they’ve been given.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. I will place My Spirit within you and cause you to follow My statutes and carefully observe My ordinances.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

These people in the church aren’t showing a regenerative heart. They’re sitting on their laurels, talking about how great they have it, not proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ. They’re so self-interested that they’re neglecting their duty. Some of them might truly believe on Him (thus, they are saved) but because they are doing nothing, they might as well be telling a man dying of thirst in the desert to get a drink of water from his empty canteen.

“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles. In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit.” (Matthew 7:15-17)

Like Jesus, James is warning against hypocrisy and false conversion. He’s telling people not that their works save them, but that a Christian can be known by their fruit, the fruits of the Holy Spirit. What are the fruits of the Holy Spirit? Scripture says:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22)

Be careful, however, not to make more out of these passages than meets the eye. Should a Christian be making disciples/sharing the Light of Jesus Christ? Yes. Should he presume that if he makes no disciples in his lifetime, that he isn’t saved? If you’re not soul-winning, are you condemned to hell? No, you’re not. Return to that passage in Acts. Does the jailer save anyone (other than his family) that we know of? No, he does not.

As Paul says to the church in Galatia:

“You foolish Galatians! Who has hypnotized you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified? I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh? Did you suffer so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing? So then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith?” (Galatians 3:1-5)

These people, who’d already believed on Christ, were being duped by certain Judaizers that they needed to keep the tenants of the Mosaic laws in order to remain saved. They were being manipulated into believing circumcision, among other ordinances, was a requirement of salvation. In fact, earlier in this book Paul says he had to rebuke Simon Peter for standing with the Jews who were saying and doing these things!

“But when Cephas [Simon Peter’s Greek Name] came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face because he stood condemned.” (Galatians 2:11)

“We who are Jews by birth and not ‘Gentile sinners’ know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not be the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified.” (Galatians 2:15-16)

Perhaps the best example that works do not save is during Christ’s crucifixion. Jesus is situated between two criminals. One mocks Him. The other begs His mercy and rebukes the other outlaw.

“Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!’ And He said to him, ‘I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:42-43)

What work did the thief on the cross do? Nothing. He merely believed on the Lord Jesus Christ that He was the divine Savior of mankind come in the flesh.

Those who promote a works-based system, even in good faith, are in the wrong. They are confusing the simple message of the gospel (believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) with the call to action that follows salvation.

Many of us struggle with doubts about our future in Christ. How harmful it is when one of our own, such as a pastor, preaches a different gospel to the one we have heard! We become confused and disheartened, questioning our faith and salvation even more. But the Bible is a story of redemption in Jesus Christ. What does Paul say about twisted words and interpretations of the gospel?

“I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel-not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the good news about the Messiah. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him!” (Galatians 1:6-9)

Strong statement. Paul doesn’t mince his words. That being said, it’s probably not a good idea to go around cursing your pastor if he’s teaching a false gospel out of ignorance. It may be simply that he’s forgotten the simplicity of the good news of Jesus Christ. If you’re able, remind him of the grace of our Lord. Show him the Scripture. And if you think he won’t listen, it may be best to find a different church altogether.

If nothing else, I hope that this lengthy post has instilled in you the Truth of the gospel message. As someone who is known to let his anxieties get away from him, hearing a false gospel can be infectious and devastating. It’s one subtle way the enemy whispers in your ear. Don’t let him get you down! Turn your worries over to Christ, whom you believed on and thus were saved, and He will guide you through His Spirit.

Thanks and praise be to Him! Have a great day and God bless.

The Greatest News

“Bright eyes cheer the heart; good news strengthens the bones.” (Proverbs 15:30)

As we go through our daily existence, we’re constantly consuming information. Much of it is in the form of news, whether on television, radio, paper, the internet, or from another person. Bad news disheartens us and depresses our mood. We become irritable and prone to sadness, hatred, and jealousy. But good news delights us, motivates us, and paves the way for what we would call a good day.

So, when a massacre like what happened in Texas a few days ago occurs, we naturally become despondent. We lament the problem of evil and mourn the loss of so many lives. We wonder from where justice comes and if it ever will. Many take to the political stage, demanding the repeal of certain tools and means by which such tragedies occur.

In so doing, we forget the root cause of tragedy, which is sin. The biblical narrative reveals the true nature of humanity, which is depraved, and we continually rebel against what we ought to be. Because man is sinful, he does what is evil in the Lord’s sight.

In fact, that phrase, and variations of it, is a common refrain in the Old Testament. I’m not sure how many times it appears, but it’s a lot. Here are a few examples:

“The Israelites did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. They worshipped the Baals and abandoned the Lord, the God of their fathers, who had brought them out of Egypt.” (Judges 2:11)

“The Israelites again did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, so the Lord handed them over to the Philistines [for] 40 years.” (Judges 13:1)

“Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, and unlike his father David, he did not completely follow Yahweh.” (1 Kings 11:6)

“Judah did what was evil in the Lord’s eyes. They provoked Him to jealous anger more than all their ancestors had done with sins they committed.” (1 Kings 14:22)

“Still, there was no one like Ahab, who devoted himself to do what was evil in the Lord’s sight, because his wife Jezebel incited him.” (1 Kings 21:25)

The list could go on for quite some time. But the point is that man continually screws up and rejects his Creator. Why? As the Bible says, we are sinful. We do not do the good we should do.

“For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil I do not want to do.” (Romans 7:18-19)

All of us are born with the capacity to sin. And we will. And we do, because of the curse brought down by our forefather Adam and the deception of Eve by the serpent, Satan. Thus, tragedies like what happened in Texas will continue to occur. Not because we won’t ban weapons. Not because we won’t improve mental health care. Not because “religion exists and invites conflict” as the atheists would claim. No, we do these things because we cannot by our own hearts do what is good.

Now, if we took these verses and this truth in isolation, we would feel hopelessly lost. But as this post began with good news, so too will it end with the greatest news there is.

What is the meaning of the word gospel? In effect, it means “good message” or “good news” for us. The reason that we call the first four books of the New Testament “gospels” is because they all bear the good news of salvation by Jesus Christ.

When sin entered the world, the whole creation was corrupted (Genesis 3:17-19, Romans 8:20-22). Man did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He could offer temporary atonement through unblemished animal sacrifices, but these were not sufficient to atone for our mistake. They had no lasting power. Because of God’s great love for His people, He sent His Only Son to die on our behalf (John 3:16). Jesus Christ became the innocent, perfect, holy sacrifice that once and for all satisfied the justice and wrath of God (Romans 5:10-11). His precious blood washes away the sins of all who will believe on Him (Ephesians 1:7). Thanks to Christ, we now have the promise of eternal life with Him (1 John 5:13).

We are not saved by works (Galatians 3:2-5, Ephesians 2:8-9). Our righteous acts are like filthy rags to Him (Isaiah 64:6). We can imitate His goodness, but we are not good. It is only through our Savior, Jesus Christ, that we can do the good He has planned for us (Ephesians 2:10).

We are saved by His grace when we believe on Him (Acts 16:30-31). No man or power, not even death itself, can snatch us from Him and His love (Romans 8:37-39).

I can think of no better news than this. Whatever happens in this world, whatever tragic circumstances we witness or suffer, the blood of Christ secures His people and provides for them the promise to end all promises. Thanks be to Him that we can with full confidence look to our Savior and know we shall never perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

Glory to God!

Stand Firm on the Word

Many churches today are compromising on the Word of God for fear of persecution and ridicule. They have not only extended an olive branch to the secular world, but bent over backwards to accommodate it. Pastors and denominations everywhere no longer hold to the inerrancy of the Bible and the truth that it is God-breathed and profitable for reproof and instruction (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

There are myriad ways in which they accomplish this. Some outright contradict the Word of God by claiming that it says nothing in condemnation of homosexuality. They might argue that this is an Old Testament command and that the New Testament says nothing about it being sin. Yet, as Paul clearly states:

“Don’t you know that the unrighteous will not inherit God’s kingdom? Do not be deceived: No sexually immoral people, idolaters, adulterers, or anyone practicing homosexuality, no thieves, greedy people, drunkards, verbally abusive people, or swindlers will inherit God’s kingdom.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Stop being so hateful, C. J.! You should not judge, says the person who tears Matthew 7:1 out of context. But I am not being hateful. I have no ill will toward the homosexual as a person. But his sin is clear and he (or she) cannot live a life of unrepentant sin and expect to be saved. No one who deceives themselves, who claims that they are without sin (whatever sin that may be), can inherit the Kingdom of God (1 John 1:8 & 1:10).

I do not wish to hate or even dislike anyone. There’s no point in it and it’s sinful. But it’s far from loving to tell a person that they can do whatever they want with zero consequences. Would you tell a family member to jump off a bridge into a solid rock surface? No, you wouldn’t.

This is one of the primary problems with liberal churches and theology. By affirming tolerance rather than love, they have more than likely condemned many people with a false gospel, telling homosexuals and others that their sins aren’t really sins and that they’re okay just the way they are. This is a lie. No one born on this earth is okay without His divine help.

The good news for all sinners is found in the verse 11 of 1 Corinthians 6: “And some of you used to be like this. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”

The precious blood of Christ cleanses all sins past, present, and future. But only the believer who puts his faith on Jesus can expect the due reward of heaven. All who fail to see their need for a Savior will find only hell and death, for the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

But there’s a deeper problem in the church than the tolerance of perversion and immorality. There is, I think, the root cause of all theological difficulties. This is the lack of a foundation in Genesis. Without the knowledge of where we began, it’s no wonder that many fail to see the reason for a Savior and the inevitability of His return.

Genesis says that God created the earth and the heavens (Genesis 1:1). It says that over the period of six days, He created all things, ending with man (Genesis 1:26). On the seventh day, God rested and called that day holy (Genesis 2:2). Thus, what we call time had begun and people arrived.

Yet, this is what the secular world calls a myth. They would have you believe that the earth is much older. They claim that they have irrefutable evidence that people evolved over the course of millions of years from pond scum and monkeys and all manner of creatures in between. Sadly, many churches care more about being accepted as “credible” rather than standing firm on God’s Word.

But when one looks at the world around them, how can they possibly doubt the Genesis account of creation? Consider yesterday’s mass shooting in Texas; lots of people will lament the absence of God, pondering the problem of evil. They are unaware that the Bible is the only Holy Word which gives us the answer: sin.

When mankind rebelled in the garden of Eden, the world was cursed with sin. Every living thing, man, beast, and plant alike, was ordained to suffer and die. Before the Fall, there was no death and no problem of evil.

“The ground is cursed because of you. You will eat from it by means of painful labor all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow until you return to the ground since you were taken from it. For you are dust and you will return to dust.” (Genesis 3:17-18)

The first murder came after the Fall. Cain was not honored for his offering and so he struck his brother Abel (Genesis 4:8).

What did God say to Cain prior to this event? “If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” (Genesis 4:7)

Evil takes shape when we succumb to sin. Sin breeds discontent. It begets murder. It produces hateful, vile ideas and things. It boasts in spreading lies—as does Satan, the father of lies. Sin corrupts every face of life, all aspects of creation. One cannot live in his sin and expect to do the good works God has planned. God is loving and merciful, but He cannot look upon sin and be expected to let it sit and fester without executing His Holy justice (Habakkuk 1:13).

So, as we look around as at this Fallen world, we should not be surprised to see the twisted acts of people. God told us from the beginning what would happen if we disobeyed. Yet, Eve fell for Satan’s deception, bringing Adam along with her, and the world has never been as good as it once was. Sin is responsible for our mass murders, our perversion, our wicked ways, and it is because of us that sin and death entered the world.

Thank God that we have a wise Creator, a forgiving Savior and Redeemer, in our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank God for His Word, that in the face of scoffers, malcontents, and lame ducks, we can point to a solid foundation of truth and freedom, the liberating blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

We should urge Christian leaders everywhere to return to that Rock of Ages. We should remind them that all of God’s Word is Truth, else none of it is. You cannot pick and choose what you believe about God, His Son, or the Holy Spirit. He has not left us that choice.

“Paul, a slave [servant] of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.” (Titus 1:1-2)

Because God’s Word is Truth, because He cannot lie, we must affirm His ways and His path to eternal life. Sin cannot be endorsed in the name of tolerance, acceptance, and compromise. Either we are with God or we are against Him. There’s no middle ground.

There’s something additionally remarkable in that passage, if you’re willing to listen. It says that eternal life was promised before time began. Get it? Even before Adam and Eve fell, God foreknew that He would send His Only Son into the world to save and cleanse us from our sin. I can think of no greater hope that that which can be placed in our God, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Return to the Word of God. Return to the foundation of Genesis. Return to God’s Truth, His saving Grace, without compromise and without malice. Show the world that they cannot dwell in sin, but do not hate the people. Love them as you love yourself (Matthew 22:39), as Jesus commanded, and reveal to them the same hope of eternal life that you hold dear if they’d only believe on Him (Acts 16:31).

Thank You Jesus, for Your humble sacrifice. We cannot repay the debt, but we can believe on You and be saved. You are the innocent Lamb of God whose blood covers all. Thank You.

And to those reading this post, I thank you for taking the time. God bless and peace be to you.