Category: Salvation

Ye Would Not!

Friday, June 24, 2016

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!” (Matthew 23:37 KJV).

As in Christ’s earthly ministry, so today—God never takes free will away!

Recently, a brother in Christ shared his heavy burden with me. One of his relatives is in dire health, suffering 99 percent brain damage. His doctors say, even if he survives, he will be in a vegetative state. The brother explained to me that he shared the Gospel with this man years ago, but had not heard from him since. He is still worried the now-dying man never did anything with the Gospel—especially sad now that he is holding to life by a thread and maybe drawing closer to hell.

This brother had to understand it is beyond his control. He has shared the Gospel most faithfully, and there is nothing he can do for his relative but pray for him now. His brain is not functioning properly anymore, but he still may be aware in his soul. We cannot be sure just how alert such people are spiritually. If they so desire, God can always bring His Word to memory in those who have heard it years before.

Beloved, we should never beat ourselves up wondering if we shared the Gospel enough with someone who is dying or who has since died. If they only heard us share the Gospel with them once, that one time was all that we were able to do. While we care for them deeply, we cannot force people to trust Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour. The God of the Bible is all about freedom. If people do not want Him, He will not force them to accept Him. After three years of ministry, with a heavy heart, Jesus looked at Jerusalem and wept. They had no interest in Him or anything He had to say to them (today’s Scripture).

God has done everything to keep people out of hell by sending Jesus Christ to die for their sins. If they want to ignore that, that is their choice. Let it not be ours!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Can you explain Jude 9?”

Your “Convenient Season” is Now!

Saturday, June 18, 2016

“And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:24,25 KJV).

Friend, follow not foolish Felix’s faithless failure!

Paul, arrested in Jerusalem in Acts chapter 22, now stands trial in Caesarea before Judaean Governor Felix. While Paul is in custody, Felix treats him kindly (verse 23). After allowing Paul time to refresh himself with his friends, Scripture says Felix wanted to hear Paul “concerning the faith in Christ.” The faithful Apostle obliged.

Before Felix, Paul “reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come.” The Bible says Felix “trembled:” he knew he was a lost man and that he would give an account to God the righteous Judge one day. Felix, however, lost interest in hearing God’s Word. He told Paul to come back when he had a “more convenient season” to listen to the Apostle. To Satan’s delight, amidst various distractions, Felix postponed trusting Christ. He had “better” things to do than sit around listening to Paul talk about God’s Son. Rather than worry about judgment in Hell, he had set his eyes on “living the good life” on Earth.

In fact, to please the Jews, Felix kept Paul in custody for the next two years (verse 27). He frequently called Paul back into his presence, hoping one of Paul’s wealthy friends would bribe him to release Paul (verse 26). Unfortunately, Scripture never says Felix requested Paul bring him the Gospel again. As far as the Scriptural record is concerned, Felix came very close to God’s truth but died a lost man because he never found that “convenient season!”

Like Felix, there are many precious people today procrastinating about preparing for God’s judgment against their sin. Their eternal souls are hanging in the balance—may they tarry no longer! May they trust Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour now, His finished crosswork as sufficient payment for their sins. Remember, like Felix, they may never again have a “convenient season” like right now!

A Plea from Hell

Sunday, June 12, 2016

“Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him 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. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them” (Luke 16:27-29 KJV).

We peek into the spirit world and hear the cries of the souls in hell!

Some of the Bible’s most graphic statements about hell are in the account of the rich man and Lazarus—Luke 16:19-31. The rich man is lifting up his eyes being in torments, and he sees Abraham afar off and Lazarus in Abraham’s bosom (verse 23). Lazarus is comforted and the rich man is tormented beyond comprehension (verse 24,25). The rich man begs for just one precious drop of water… a drop that he is still expecting some 20 centuries later!

Not long ago, I stood in an ancient cemetery, reading the names and dates on the graves. In one area, a wrought-iron fence sectioned off 56 tombstones. These were local Roman priests who had served and died—some over 150 years ago. As I stood over these plots, I remembered today’s Scripture and I imagined their cries: “Please tell them not to come here to this place of torment!” Indeed, as it has been rightly stated, the strongest spirit of evangelism is found in the flames of hell. It is one thing for a Christian to preach about hellfire he has never experienced and will never experience. It is quite another to be in hell and remember your family and friends on Earth are soon to meet you!

Beloved, with Bibles in every home, we in the United States of America have no excuse whatsoever. Having access to God’s written Word, millions still leave this world every year totally unprepared. While those in hell, like the rich man, have no desire to turn to God, if God allowed you to listen, you could hear the billions of souls crying out: “Testify unto them [preach Christ crucified!], lest they also come into this place of torment!”

Well-Versed But Accursed!

Friday, June 10, 2016

“But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8,9 KJV).

Well-versed but still “accursed!”

Recently, two members of a local church (cult) visited my house to spread their denominational literature. Always interested in learning more about the people to whom I minister, I eagerly took their pamphlet and discussed some of it with them. They had their “bible,” and I had my King James Bible. I delayed these individuals for 30 minutes, preventing them from reaching some of my neighbors. One church member was more resistant; the other listened intently.

When I asked them what their Gospel message was, they replied, “We preach God’s kingdom is coming on the earth.” I replied, “I noticed that you did not say ‘Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork.’ That is the Gospel of Christianity, but it is not forefront in your thinking. The Bible says that if you do not preach Paul’s Gospel, I should have nothing to do with you.” I was politely showing them that they were not Christians at all. Yes, they used some Bible terms, but their “Gospel” was a lie. While they came not knowing the Gospel of the Grace of God, rest assured they left here in quite a hurry after hearing it with shocking clarity!

The Apostle Paul said that the Gospel he preached was: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Through Paul, the Holy Spirit, in today’s Scripture, condemned any “Gospel-preacher”—even an angel—if he or she did not preach Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins. The group I encountered, they are condemned of God. They are not Christians, they never were. Unless they believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and stop relying on their “good works,” they are sure to go to the same hell as the heathen who never picked up a Bible at all!

For more information, see our latest Bible Q&A: “Is Galatians 1:6-7 contradictory?”

Grace and Peace

Friday, June 3, 2016

“To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV).

Jesus Christ is the Saviour, not the Judge, today.

Recently, a Christian brother told me God was keeping certain leaders in power here in America to “judge us.” That is, God was using evil politicians to punish the wicked United States. He pointed out God judged Israel for sins in the “Old Testament.” America’s current difficulties, the brother claimed, are the divine wrath disobedient Israel endured. Today’s Scripture, a verse of tremendous dispensational significance, teaches something entirely different.

Paul is “the apostle of the Gentiles [all nations]” (Romans 11:13). As God’s spokesman to all nations, Paul was led on 13 occasions to write, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2 Thessalonians 1:2; 1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4; Philemon 3). Each of Paul’s epistles greets the world with “grace and peace” (opposite “wrath and war”). Again, today’s Scripture: “God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them.” Because of Calvary, God is not angry at nations today. He is being kind to them!

Concerning “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2), God’s attitude toward all nations is “grace and peace.” There is no Law system operating today as in Israel’s program. Israel’s Law system was simply to prove that God would have to save mankind according to His grace, not man’s religious efforts. Now, He is manifesting His grace (unmerited favor) to mankind in a very special way today—the soul salvation found in Jesus Christ’s shed blood. In the Dispensation of Grace, God is freely and unconditionally offering the nations salvation through Jesus Christ. God is longsuffering, and has been for 2,000 years, for the people of the world to respond in faith. Once they trust His Son, He permanently reconciles with them individually.

As bad as it may seem in the United States or anywhere else, Earth is not facing God’s wrath… yet!

The Greatest War Hero

Monday, May 30, 2016

“For God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 KJV).

In the United States, today is Memorial Day, when we remember those who sacrificed their time and lives to provide our physical freedom. Likewise, as Christians, we have spiritual freedom, which was more costly. Someone had to die to give us the eternal life we now enjoy….

Scripture describes a spiritual warfare between good and evil, God’s truth program versus Satan’s lie program: “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles [schemes] of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:11,12; see also verses 13-20).

Satan distracts mankind from God’s pure Word, the Bible, keeping unbelievers lost (dead in their sins), and preventing unbelievers and Christians from knowing God’s will. The devil draws them away (seduces them) from God’s Word by using religious tradition and human “wisdom” (1 Timothy 4:1-3; cf. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Galatians 3:1-3).

God loves us, so at Calvary’s cross, Christ fought for us sinners, died in battle (today’s Scripture), shed His divine sinless blood, and eternally rescued us from Satan and sin: “Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:14,15).

Hebrews 9:12 says Jesus Christ has “obtained eternal redemption for us.”

If we have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour, God “hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son” (Colossians 1:13). Now, God can use us for His glory for all eternity.

Beloved, let us rejoice in our victory over sin, death, and hell that Jesus Christ secured for us by going to Calvary’s rugged cross! Jesus Christ is now alive forevermore—He is our Hero, the Greatest Hero!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study “The Greatest Hero,” which can be read here or watched here.

Known of God #7

Saturday, May 28, 2016

“Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” (Galatians 4:8,9 KJV).

Not only do we in Christ know God. More importantly, God knows us!

There was a time—“time past”—when the idolaters of Galatia, nonmembers of Israel, did not know the one true God personally and intimately (Ephesians 2:11,12; cf. Romans 9:4,5). However, Paul wrote to the Galatians that that time had passed. Mankind was now living in “but now.”

Ephesians chapter 2 declares: “[13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ… [18] For through him [Jesus Christ] we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father. [19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; [20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; [21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: [22] In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.”

Through Paul’s Gospel—Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)—we Gentiles have “access” to Father God. Furthermore, when we believe that Gospel of God’s Grace, He comes to live inside of us personally via the Holy Spirit. In His Word rightly divided, He has made known unto us His will. We need not revert to our former ways of spiritual ignorance. No need to return to works-religion (as the Galatians were doing in today’s Scripture—using the Mosaic Law). Works-religion will only hinder God’s relationship with us, and ours with Him. He has already given us His grace, His Son, and His fellowship. We need give Him nothing but our trust.

The God of creation will be known of us, and, most importantly, we will be known of Him! 🙂

Known of God #6

Friday, May 27, 2016

“Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” (Galatians 4:8,9 KJV).

Not only do we in Christ know God. More importantly, God knows us!

To the pagan Gentiles, Israel’s God was the “UNKNOWN GOD” (Acts 17:23). Dead in trespasses and sins, under Satan’s control, Gentiles had no relationship with Israel’s God (Ephesians 2:1-3,11,12). Once we move in the Bible from “time past” to “but now,” however, Israel’s God becomes “known” to the Gentiles. Israel’s God decided to reveal a secret He had kept to Himself for thousands of years. He chose Saul of Tarsus, His arch-nemesis, saved him by His grace, and sent him (made him an apostle) for a very special purpose. Paul would preach a worldwide Gospel message. “THE UNKNOWN GOD… him declare I unto you!” (Acts 17:23).

Paul’s own admission is 1 Timothy 2:5-7: “[5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; [6] Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. [7] Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.”

Israel’s rejected Messiah, Jesus, had become the Saviour of the world. Now, through Paul’s ministry, all people of all nations learn “Christ Jesus… gave himself a ransom for all.” This message was first preached by Paul (not Jesus in His earthly ministry, not Peter, not James, not John, et cetera). Through Christ’s shed blood, we have fellowship with Father God: “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13). When we trust Jesus’ finished crosswork as sufficient payment for our sins, we “know” God intimately. And, more importantly, as a parent would commune with his or her child, He “knows” us.

We conclude this devotionals arc by expounding the rest of today’s Scripture….

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Did not Jesus speak words not recorded in Scripture?”

Known of God #5

Thursday, May 26, 2016

“Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?” (Galatians 4:8,9 KJV).

Not only do we in Christ know God. More importantly, God knows us!

Today, it is very difficult to find someone who has never heard of “Jesus.” Contrariwise, when the Apostle Paul began his ministry, it was very difficult to find someone who had heard of “Jesus.” When JEHOVAH God’s apostle of the Gentiles, Paul, entered Athens, Galatia, Thessalonica, Lystra, Derbe, Philippi, Antioch, Berea, Ephesus, and innumerable other Gentile areas, it was His first attempt ever to directly reach those Gentiles. The nations that He had given over to Satan’s control back in Genesis chapter 11, He was now reaching down so they could reach Him.

In Acts chapter 14, Paul and Barnabas preached to the idolaters at Lystra: “[15] …[T]urn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: [16] Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.” Paul preached in Athens (chapter 17): “[23] For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. [24] God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; [25] Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;… [29] Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. [30] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”

Paul preached a similar message to the idolaters in Galatia (today’s Scripture). It was via his Gospel message they could know God and He could know them!

He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease #5

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

“He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30 KJV).

Beloved, may today’s Scripture be the cry of each and every Christian!

Sadly, so many Christians are miserable, defeated, and confused today. What happened to them? Despite having a Bible for so long, they still have not realized the truth in today’s Scripture. Christianity is NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT, NOT us striving to keep commandments and church ordinances so God can be happy with us. Jesus Christ has been pushed aside. Religious tradition has done an unparalleled job in making pure Christianity into a worthless system of dry theological verbiage and worthless dead works!

When we study how Jesus Christ lived His life on planet Earth, we can see exactly what God’s life looks like in human flesh. True Christian living is NEVER, NEVER, NEVER us serving, pleasing, or exalting self. What did Jesus say? “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him [the Father] that sent me” (John 6:38). Sinful living is just the opposite—me, me, me, me! Remember, sin is defined in Scripture as: “We have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6). Doing whatever you want and gratifying yourself, focusing on yourself and your works (whether in religion or “in the world”). This “self-focus” caused Satan’s downfall. It caused man’s downfall in Genesis chapter 3.

Once, sin reigned as a king in our lives. Friends, that time is no more. Now that we have come to Jesus Christ—having trusted solely in His death, burial, and resurrection as sufficient payment for our sins—sin has no more dominion over us. Our striving and struggling must end, that grace may reign, and Father God is glorified. Jesus Christ’s work is enough! “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 5:21). Do we really believe that?

Dear friends, if we are led by God’s Holy Spirit, we will not be self-willed, adamant that our desires be fulfilled so we can praise ourselves. Rather, we will join John the Baptist and shout from our hearts: “He must increase, but I must decrease!” 🙂