Category: lost souls

“Hate Speech” #3

Friday, February 19, 2016

“Therefore the princes said unto the king, We beseech thee, let this man be put to death: for thus he weakeneth the hands of the men of war that remain in this city, and the hands of all the people, in speaking such words unto them: for this man seeketh not the welfare of this people, but the hurt” (Jeremiah 38:4 KJV).

Who is “this man?” And, what words is he speaking to make him worthy of being “put to death?”

Moses had warned Israel, if she would persist in sin, the fifth course of judgment would come upon her. Through Moses, JEHOVAH said in Leviticus chapter 26: “[27] And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me; [28] Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. [29] And ye shall eat the flesh of your sons, and the flesh of your daughters shall ye eat. [30] And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you. [31] And I will make your cities waste, and bring your sanctuaries unto desolation, and I will not smell the savour of your sweet odours. [32] And I will bring the land into desolation: and your enemies which dwell therein shall be astonished at it. [33] And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste. [34] Then shall the land enjoy her sabbaths, as long as it lieth desolate, and ye be in your enemies’ land; even then shall the land rest, and enjoy her sabbaths.”

So, when Jeremiah preached what he did in the verses previous to today’s Scripture, he was merely echoing Moses’ words, which words Moses had received by direct revelation from JEHOVAH God. In reality, Jeremiah was not preaching “hate speech.” The Jews were convicted of their pagan idolatry, and they spoke against Jeremiah, proving they were hateful. Yes, they hated the very words of God to them. What an interesting parallel to today’s society!

Idle Words

Monday, February 15, 2016

“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:35-37 KJV).

Many typed words and much talking in videos on social media, but no substance!

Unfortunately, this is true among so-called “Bible believers” and—sad to say—some so-called “grace believers.” They are discussing and arguing about stupid topics that do not matter. People are talking about concepts they know nothing about. “Type ‘Amen’ if you love Jesus,” “Share this [religious picture or prayer] if you are a Christian,” et cetera. Or, my personal favorite is “Christian” people belittling Jesus Christ, attacking the King James Bible, and denying the Apostle Paul. While good pretenders, their underlying logic speaks louder than their enticing words. They are not genuinely seeking the truth. Rather, they are merely trying to establish the “truth” using their denominational biases. Yes, as Christ said in today’s Scripture, you can glance into their hearts!

Indeed, there is much “wood, hay, stubble”—worthless information—online. However, if you search diligently, you will find the “gold, silver, precious stones,” the Word of God rightly divided (1 Corinthians 3:9-23). Someone recently expressed his gratitude to me that we were one of the few written grace ministries of which he was aware. Praise our Lord Jesus Christ! Glad to serve the saints and reach them with what really matters!!

The Greek word argos (today’s Scripture; “idle”) is translated elsewhere in our King James Bible as unemployed men standing “idle” (Matthew 20:3,6), “idle” women in Christ not behaving like believers (1 Timothy 5:13), “slow bellies [idle/lazy gluttons]” Christians at Crete (Titus 1:12), and spiritually “barren” Jewish kingdom saints who are not thinking according to God’s program for them (2 Peter 1:8). In summary, the idea is “something not working or profitless.” May lost people choose and use their words wisely. Anything and everything worthless they write and speak, they will stand before Jesus Christ one day, to receive their just punishment!

Hard and Stubborn, Soft and Pliable

Saturday, February 13, 2016

“He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy” (Proverbs 29:1 KJV).

Yea, the more you share the Bible with someone who refuses to hear it, the harder he or she will get inside and the more resistant he or she will become.

Second Timothy chapter 3, verses 16 and 17, say: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” The Bible is useful for “doctrine” (teaching), “reproof” (telling you what you are doing wrong), “correction” (telling you how to think so you can fix your behavior), and “instruction in righteousness” (telling you how to have a lifestyle that pleases God).

When the Word of God is shared with others, it challenges them. It exposes their ignorance (lack of understanding). It tells them what they are doing wrong. It tells them how to think so they can fix their behavior. It tells them how to have a lifestyle that is pleasing in God’s sight. Of course, the flesh, prideful self, does not like this. Every time the Bible is read or preached, every person’s flesh stiffens up in the audience. After all, Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

Do you ever wonder how people can become so antagonistic toward the Bible? They can hear God’s words for the 1000th time, and still not make the choice of faith. Why? Today’s Scripture explains. Every time they heard God’s Word, they did not receive it. Light rejected is darkness. Spiritual reproof rejected becomes hardness. They become increasingly calloused. Recall how Moses stood before Pharaoh, with Pharaoh’s heart repeatedly rejecting God’s Word. May we not be Pharaoh! Once we hear God’s Word to us, Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon, may we believe it, before we too are hardened!

For more information, see our latest Bible Q&A: “Can we witness ‘too much’ to family members?”

Blind, Having Never Seen Clearer

Thursday, February 11, 2016

“And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink” (Acts 9:8,9 KJV).

A blind man… who can see!

Saul of Tarsus, filled with religious pride and hatred, eager to persecute Messianic Jews, was heading toward Damascus. A bright light from heaven suddenly shown about him; he said many years later in Acts 22:11, “I could not see for the glory of that light.” That light was “above the brightness of the sun” (Acts 26:13). He was blind for three days. Mysterious “scales” (flakes) covered his eyes (Acts 9:18)—they might have had some permanent impact (Galatians 4:13-15)?

Verse 11, after today’s Scripture, says that Saul, now blind, prayed. We can only wonder what he prayed. Surely, he had never prayed so fervently in all his life! Messianic believers throughout Palestine had been so fearful of him. He could imprison them, torture them, and even sentence them to death (cf. Acts 9:13,14; Acts 8:1-4; Acts 26:9-11). Now, for the first time ever, Saul was helpless, unable to see, needing people to lead him around. He was also humbled, now a saved man, having realized that the Jesus of Nazareth he hated was the Son of God and the Saviour his religion could not be.

For several years, Saul of Tarsus was a religious fanatic. Enjoying physical sight, he was completely blind concerning spiritual matters. Satan used religious works to blind his mind, preventing him from seeing God’s light and believing the Gospel of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:3,4). Like so many today, Saul thought he could find his righteousness in the Mosaic Law, thereby not submitting to the righteousness of God (Romans 10:1-3). One day, God zapped his physical sight, and Saul never saw things clearer. He finally realized that all of his righteousness was a filthy rag, dung, worthless waste, useless (Philippians 3:3-9).

The Apostle Paul, until his dying day, never forgot his traumatic experience outside of Damascus—his unmatched blindness that came with unparalleled sight!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Do we have guardian angels?”

Shopping for Souls

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places;” (Philippians 1:12,13 KJV).

For most, the only pleasant visit to a store is when an item is on sale or free. But, for the Christian, shopping trips are always a wonderful time to share the Lord Jesus Christ!

At least one store clerk is dead in trespasses and sins, and he or she is waiting to hear about Calvary’s finished crosswork… from your lips! There is another customer somewhere struggling to understand the Bible, eager to learn dispensational Bible study if you would just speak up. You can especially find interesting persons scanning the “Christian” book section. Strike up a conversation with them with, “Looking for anything good to read?” “Would you like to read about how to have your sins forgiven and have a home in heaven?” (I have learned that 99.99% of the time they will listen!)

We have a faithful reader and Christian sister who operates a fireworks stand with her husband. They open for business twice a year—Christmas/New Year’s and July 4th. Every chance she gets, she gives her customers a Gospel tract, a Bible study pamphlet, some ministry websites, something Bible-related. She tells her testimony to any individual who mentions spiritual matters. When she gets tough questions, I am always a phone call away, and she has put many people on the phone with me! (And there have been some “strange” people I can assure you!)

In closing his epistle to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul wrote, “All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household” (4:22). Paul was in prison in Rome. Yet, even some of the members of the Emperor’s household had heard the Gospel of the Grace of God. If Paul had the courage to preach Jesus Christ in prison (today’s Scripture), surely, brother or sister, you can do so in a store! 🙂

You may see our archived Bible Q&A: “Should Christians observe Lent?”

God’s Grace on Parade

Tuesday, February 9, 2016

“…But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound” (Romans 5:20 KJV).

Today, especially here in southern Louisiana, the Catholic festival of Mardi Gras takes advantage of God’s grace. God’s grace abounds even when drunkenness, lasciviousness, and gluttony are committed overtly on our streets for religion. Because we live in the Dispensation of the Grace of God, they can flaunt their sin without being consumed by fire from heaven!

“Mardi Gras,” French for “Fat Tuesday,” is a day when religious people—professing “Christians”—lose self-control (excess alcohol, food, and partying). The following day, Ash Wednesday, they promise to live “holy” for the next 40 days (Lent). A priest will then place ashes on their foreheads proving that God forgave them for that riotous living. Blasphemy!

Regardless of all its biblical allusions (illusions!), Mardi Gras is still evil and anti-God. It was never Christian, originating from pagan Roman festivals, Saturnalia and Lupercalia (interestingly known for riots, drunkenness, gluttony, and fornication, and subsequent repentance).

The Holy Spirit, speaking through the Apostles Peter and Paul, was clearly against Mardi Gras reveling and drunkenness (Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Peter 4:3). So why do professing Christians engage in the very activities that God the Holy Spirit condemned?! As Christians, we should “deny” the activities of Mardi Gras (Romans 6:11-15; Titus 2:11-15).

If I appear offended, I am. Mardi Gras, despite its godly façade, is offensive to the great God and my Saviour Jesus Christ! God’s grace continues to tolerate such foolishness from mankind. Man parades his sin, and God parades His grace, holding back wrath.

Are you a Mardi Gras reveler? I declare unto you the wonderful Gospel of the Grace of God. God did for you at Calvary what you could never do: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was raised again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Jesus Christ shed His sinless blood and died to put away all of your sins, Mardi Gras revelry included.

If you rest in Christ Jesus alone as your Saviour, God will save you forever, make a trophy of His grace, and then YOUR life will be God’s grace on parade!

*Adapted from a larger Bible study with the same name. The Bible study can be read here or watched here.

You may also see our archived Bible study Q&A, “Should Christians celebrate Mardi Gras?”

Neither an Avenger Nor a Doormat

Monday, February 8, 2016

“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord” (Romans 12:17-19 KJV).

Christians—neither avengers nor doormats!

A Christian sister I know once confronted an unsaved sibling who had begun the habit of stopping by her house and invading on her family’s private time together. After four visits in just four days, the lady kindly informed that relative to stop coming so often because it was becoming a nuisance. Not surprisingly, the relative took offense, and gave the Christian the “cold shoulder” for a year. Recently, the relative said of the believer, “Some ‘Christian’ she is!” (And, another relative said the same thing when that Christian lady did not acquiesce to her demands.)

The above scenarios typify the Christian living in the world. Most definitely, the label “Christians” is almost always associated with “doormat.” A Christian is never permitted to share the Gospel, but they are required to share everything else they can offer. And, how dare the Christian who says anything in his or her defense! He or she is expected to let people come in his or her home, take over, and say nothing to object. A Christian is just naturally expected to quietly give everyone free automobile rides, free labor, free food, free shelter, free everything. And if you do not comply, they make a snide remark to construct a false guilt trip (and, by their design, you give in).

We pray for those people who despitefully use us, but, brethren, use common sense. When you realize someone is abusing you, break it off. You have better things to do with your time than having someone constantly wiping their dirty shoes on you and your family! Be polite but just come out and say it, “Enough is enough!” Let people get upset. They have the problem—they are the problem. “The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with” (Proverbs 17:14).

Something Not Worth Losing

Sunday, February 7, 2016

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26 KJV).

Super Bowl Sunday comes annually in the United States. Teams fuel the intense passions in the athletic world by vying for a corruptible trophy. Howbeit, the competition in today’s Scripture is spiritual, is worldwide, never has a halftime, and involves the eternal souls of men!

The human soul is most zealous about religion, politics, and sports. These areas are most personal, so they generate many heated debates and conflicts. However, believe it or not, there are worse outcomes than losing a church member, losing an election, and losing a game. Losing your eternal soul is the greatest of all losses!

In the context of today’s Scripture, Jesus Christ told His Jewish disciples to “take up [their] cross, and follow [him]” (verse 24). “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (verse 25). They should not fear losing their earthly lives for His sake. What is most important is that they not lose their souls!

Jesus Christ declared there is more to life than this physical world and its temporal possessions. There is a spiritual world—an afterlife—to consider. In today’s Scripture, He asks them, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Does it make sense to emphasize this temporary world and its corruptible goods, to the point of ignoring your eternal soul, and wind up losing it in hellfire forever and ever?

Dear reader, there is more to you than just your physical body. Your inner man—your soul, your spiritual body—is everlasting. To ignore Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for your sins, is to remain dead in those sins, resulting in you spending eternity suffering God’s wrath in the lake of fire literally as a nameless, hopeless, disfigured creature.

Your soul is not worth losing! Trust Christ as your personal Saviour today!

Our latest Bible Q&A: “Who is ‘the Israel of God’ of Galatians 6:16?”

Final Flight

Friday, January 29, 2016

“Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away” (James 4:13,14 KJV).

How our “now-now-now,” “me-me-me” society needs to hear this verse!

Gregory Jarvis, a Hughes Aircraft specialist and engineer, was scheduled to fly the Space Shuttle Columbia on January 12, 1986. His task was to accompany a communications satellite into space and ensure its launch. However, before launch, a politician replaced him, and Jarvis was bumped down to the next space shuttle launch, Challenger’s January 22 launch. When Challenger finally took flight six days later—exactly 30 years ago yesterday—just 73 seconds into its launch, it exploded over 18 miles above earth, killing all seven crewmembers, including Jarvis. What tragic irony!

Life is uncertain in almost every which way. Friendships and marriages come not with a lifelong guarantee. Accidents and sudden illnesses can render you immobile, temporarily, or for life. House fires can consume all that you own. Thus, 1 Timothy 6:17 reminds us not to “trust in uncertain riches.” What you have today may very well be gone tomorrow. This is particularly true of your earthly life (today’s Scripture)… and especially your soul!

Gregory Jarvis knew not the future. Mission 51L, the 25th space shuttle mission, was supposed to have been another successful mission. Unfortunately, it would be Challenger’s last mission, and Jarvis’ too. Consider the ill-fated February 1, 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, whose 13th anniversary we approach. Its seven-member crew had no idea they were taking their final flight either. Were any of these astronauts and payload specialists ready to meet their Maker? Most probably were not.

“…NOW is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Not tomorrow—NOW—for tomorrow you have not been guaranteed. Why not trust in the Lord Jesus Christ alone as your personal Saviour today? Why not believe on the Lord Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for your sins today? Then, when your final flight comes—especially if it comes tomorrow—you will be prepared!

Hated Without a Cause

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

“But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause” (John 15:25 KJV).

No marvel the world hates us Christians—they hated Christ first!

On the night of His arrest, our Lord uttered a long discourse (John chapters 14-16) to His disciples in the upper room. In that light, we read today’s Scripture in context:

“[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. [19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. [20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. [21] But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me. [22] If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloke for their sin. [23] He that hateth me hateth my Father also. [24] If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. [25] But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law [Psalm 69:4], They hated me without a cause.”

While these verses were not spoken to or about us, the world persecuting believing Israelites parallels the world persecuting us believers today. The commonality is the Lord Jesus Christ, who indwells both born-again Jews and the members of the Body of Christ. “For to me to live is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). “Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20). Lost people do not hate us personally; they do not realize it, but they hate Jesus Christ who lives in us. Let it be for that reason alone that they hate us. May we not be hated for acting obnoxious, contentious, or unrighteous! 🙂