Category: lost souls

Great Faith Among the Gentiles #4

Friday, June 14, 2013

“When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” (Matthew 8:10 KJV).

Let us scrutinize the context in order to see some marvelous Bible truths associated with today’s Scripture, especially why Jesus said what He did.

After the centurion sent Jewish elders, and then friends, to Jesus, Jesus comes even closer to his house, and he and Jesus finally meet face-to-face. “And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee; and his servant was healed in the selfsame hour” (Matthew 8:13). “And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick” (Luke 7:10). Jesus healed the servant using words, having never touched him!

Now, let us return to what our Lord Jesus said in today’s Scripture: “When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” Read Luke 7:9, its companion verse: “When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

Christ said “I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel” for the benefit of the Jews following Him. He continues, “And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:11,12).

Our Lord is reminding Israel that, in her earthly kingdom, there will be believing Gentiles—such as this Roman centurion—fellowshipping with resurrected, physical, literal, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, while there will be unbelieving Jews (who were supposed to be God’s people) suffering in hellfire. Jesus Christ was warning Israel that they needed to have faith in who He was, just like the Roman centurion.

Why Do the Wicked Prosper? #7

Sunday, May 26, 2013

“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb” (Psalm 37:1,2 KJV).

“Why do the wicked prosper?” is an “age-old” question the Bible answered ages ago….

According to its context, today’s Scripture is actually referring to the end of Satan’s evil world system: “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace” (verses 9-11). Jesus Christ quoted this—“The meek shall inherit the earth”—in His “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5:5), referring to believing Jews who will inherit His millennial earthly kingdom, when Satan is bound and his policy and its adherents are removed from earth and then ultimately confined to the lake of fire (Revelation 20:1-15)!

“The wicked plotteth against the just [believers], and gnasheth upon him with his teeth” (Psalm 37:12). Now, behold verse 13, “The LORD shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.” Today’s Scripture amplifies that just as one would mow a lawn and cut down tall grass, so the Lord Jesus Christ, with a righteous sword, will sever the (haughty, prosperous) wicked from earth at His Second Coming! “For in one hour so great riches is come to nought” (Revelation 18:17a).

Return to Psalm 10, the thoughts of the believing Jews being persecuted for righteousness’ sake in the Tribulation. Note verses 12,15: “Arise, O LORD; O God, lift up thine hand: forget not the humble…. Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.” This is Christ’s Second Coming, when He defeats Satan’s antichrist. Finally, verse 16: “The LORD is King for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of his land.” There is the earthly kingdom of Jesus Christ, and Satan’s evil world system and its followers are removed!

Why Do the Wicked Prosper? #6

Saturday, May 25, 2013

“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb” (Psalm 37:1,2 KJV).

“Why do the wicked prosper?” is an “age-old” question the Bible answered ages ago….

Over halfway into the seven-year Tribulation, the antichrist will institute a religion that worships him (reminiscent of Satan’s original desire). The antichrist’s religious leader, the “false prophet,” will execute those who refuse to worship the antichrist’s idol (Revelation 13:15). “He causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: and that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name” (verses 16,17).

The Lord Jesus Christ’s believing Jews will reject the antichrist’s mark, name, and number (Revelation 20:4), so, according to the Bible, will they be able to buy or sell? NO! Frankly, the evil world system will not care less as Israel’s believing remnant starves, goes homeless, and perishes! However, God will use believing Gentiles to assist some of these Messianic Jews (see Jesus Christ’s comments in Matthew 25:31-46, noting also the unbelieving Gentiles and their mistreatment of believing Israel). According to our Lord, those believing Gentiles will inherit Israel’s earthly kingdom with the Jews—remember, we, the Church the Body of Christ, are not in this passage.

Believing Israel will suffer greatly (imprisoned, starved, beheaded, et cetera) while the unbelievers will enjoy economic rewards for following the devil and his antichrist. The religious element of the antichrist’s regime is described in Revelation chapter 17. Note its “gold, precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand…” (verse 4)—material riches! Read about the economic element of the antichrist’s regime in Revelation chapter 18, and notice: “that great city [Babylon], that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!” (verse 16)—more material riches!

During the Tribulation, the wicked will prosper, but today’s Scripture is God’s comfort to His suffering Jewish believers….

Why Do the Wicked Prosper? #2

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb” (Psalm 37:1,2 KJV).

“Why do the wicked prosper?” is an “age-old” question the Bible answered ages ago….

When Adam ate of the forbidden fruit in Genesis chapter 3, he gave in to Satan’s rebellion against God. The entire human race became a part of Satan’s policy of evil: no longer would man seek the Lord Jesus Christ’s will, but his own will. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6ab). “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psalm 14:1-3; cf. Psalm 53:1-3).

Sin—that is, our sin nature—values everything that the Lord Jesus Christ does not. In His Holy Word, the God of heaven and earth has declared how He has purposed creation to function. Whenever we go against those principles He has instituted, we sin. Whenever we value and glory in the things in which the Lord Jesus Christ does not esteem and praise, we sin. A sin is not necessarily an action; it can also be a thought and/or an attitude.

With both the heavenly places and planet earth now polluted by sin, God would have to implement His plan to restore His authority in heaven and earth. In fact, much of the Holy Bible is the account of the battle between God’s plan for creation and Satan’s policy of evil aimed at preventing that plan from being accomplished.

When Adam ate of the forbidden fruit in Genesis chapter 3, he also allowed Satan to take over the earth’s governmental structure. The entire system of beliefs, actions, and consequences that God disapproved, would also reign….

What’s the Bible Got to Do With Me? #6

Saturday, May 18, 2013

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:8 KJV).

One frequent charge the lost world levels against Christians preaching and teaching the Holy Bible is, “That ‘old’ book has nothing to do with me!” Is this a valid objection?

What is the greatest confirmation that the Holy Bible is relevant to the 21st century? When we Christians walk by faith in God’s Word to us—Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon—the doctrine will show itself to be the greatest life ever lived. The lost world will not like to see it, but it will literally be the life of Jesus Christ for all to see! They will see the Holy Scriptures manifested in your life, and they will be forced to admit the Bible is relevant… otherwise, it would not be on display in your life.

We have briefly analyzed the “‘old’ Bible is irrelevant” objection from four angles—the historical, the scientific, the literary, and the practical—and we briefly demonstrated that it is nothing more than the lame claim of the sinner easing his conscience and avoiding accountability to a holy, righteous God.

The Bible (1) is often used by secular works as a source of world history, (2) it is a wealth of scientific concepts and facts the mainstream scientific community has only discovered within the last few centuries, (3) its literary value (phraseology, rhythm, terminology, wisdom, majestic style) is unparalleled, seeing as to over 5500 manuscripts support its New Testament and thousands of manuscripts form the foundation for its Old Testament, and (4) its doctrine is used by millions of Christians as the basis for their worldview and lifestyle.

In closing this devotionals arc, and considering what we have discussed, the Bible rejecter is now left in an unenviable position—he can ignore the testimony of all these, thereby allowing himself to keep his anti-Bible worldview, or he can set aside his foolish pride and finally put his trust in that Book that literally takes an eternity to fully grasp…. After all, “the word of our God shall stand for ever.” 🙂

What’s the Bible Got to Do With Me? #4

Thursday, May 16, 2013

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:8 KJV).

One frequent charge the lost world levels against Christians preaching and teaching the Holy Bible is, “That ‘old’ book has nothing to do with me!” Is this a valid objection?

What is the world’s best-selling book? The Holy Bible. What is the world’s most quoted book? The Holy Bible. What book is the inspiration for hundreds upon hundreds of hymns, thousands upon thousands of songs, and millions upon millions of books? The Holy Bible. So much for an “irrelevant” book!

If there were one book in all of the English literature known for its majesty, its wisdom, its timelessness, its truth, it would undoubtedly be the King James Bible. This is not merely this author’s opinion, but that of literary critics as well. In fact, specifically, the King James Bible has had more impact on the English language than any other book in history. (The modern “bibles,” however, have a literary style comparable to today’s newspapers, whose content is usually poorer than the cost of the paper on which they are printed!)

When the lost world utters phrases such as—“The truth shall make you free,” “The apple of my eye,” “You reap what you sow,” “How are the mighty fallen,” “Love thy neighbor as thyself,” “Turned the world upside down,” “The root of the matter,” “Stand in awe,” “Beat their swords into plowshares,” “From time to time,” “Pour out your heart,” and “Get thee behind me”—they are unwittingly quoting the “old” King James Bible! (Obviously, John 8:32, Deuteronomy 32:10, Galatians 6:7, 2 Samuel 1:19, Leviticus 19:18, Acts 17:6, Job 19:28, Psalm 4:4, Isaiah 2:4, Ezekiel 4:10, Psalm 62:8, and Luke 4:8 are not as “irrelevant” as they would have us to believe.)

Once one considers the huge impact the King James Bible has had on the English language, one question in particular should arise, “How can that 402-year-old Book still be so popular that even its critics obliviously quote its alleged ‘archaic’ phrases?” Surely, it is no ordinary book.

What’s the Bible Got to Do With Me? #2

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:8 KJV).

One frequent charge the lost world levels against Christians preaching and teaching the Holy Bible is, “That ‘old’ book has nothing to do with me!” Is this a valid objection?

This argument is based on the assumption that as things age, they lose their relevance (which is not always a valid supposition). For example, if “old” things are irrelevant to us, then why do we study history? Why do we construct and visit museums? Why do people still read Plato and Shakespeare, authors who lived two millennia and four centuries ago, respectively? We never hear the Bible-naysayers complain that these works are “too old” to consider. In fact, those centuries-old works of literature are still studied and held in high esteem by “scholars,” who reject the Bible for its “primitivism.” (What a faulty position!)

The Bible, although not designed to be a history textbook, is nevertheless a historically-accurate book: the world history in the Bible corroborates significant portions of what secular historians believe today. If the Bible is historically accurate, and there is no doubt in this author’s mind that it is, then why could it not also be accurate regarding “doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16)?

What does the “old” Bible have to do with you? The Bible claims to be the story of the origin of man. Are you not interested in where you came from and what your ancestors did? Are you not curious as to why there are suffering, sickness, and death in this world? Are you not inquisitive about what the future holds for the universe? The Holy Bible tells you answers to these questions… and more! Without the history recorded in the Bible, you would not know from where you came, or where you are going!

Obviously, the “Bible is too old” defense is a smokescreen—age has nothing to do with it. The problem man has with the Bible is not its age, but rather its Author!

What’s the Bible Got to Do With Me? #1

Monday, May 13, 2013

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever” (Isaiah 40:8 KJV).

One frequent charge the lost world levels against Christians preaching and teaching the Holy Bible is, “That ‘old’ book has nothing to do with me!” Is this a valid objection?

Genesis 1:1, the Bible’s first complete thought, declares, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Most people cannot get past that first verse, so they struggle to believe the next 31,000. Genesis 1:1 is such a simple verse, and yet it is much too difficult for many to believe. As one dear brother in Christ said, “The Bible is not hard to understand, the Bible is hard to believe!” If one were to believe Genesis 1:1 as is, he or she would have no problem believing God exists, and that He created heaven and earth for an intelligent purpose. These two basic facts would then imply that divinely-ordained laws and principles are in place, a methodical system to accomplish that original purpose of creation. But, sin disrupts this clear-cut scenario….

To avoid accountability, to ease one’s conscience, to blame-shift, and so on, the unbeliever simply ignores the testimony of creation’s existence as confirmation of an intelligent Creator (atheism), and/or he or she pleads ignorance regarding any knowledge of a personal relationship with that Creator (agnosticism). Either way, they discount the Holy Bible (which says there is an intelligent Creator God whose name is the Lord Jesus Christ, who wants us to intimately know Him).

Romans 1:21 summarizes: “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” When one recognizes the God of the Bible as the one and only true God, but fails to worship Him, he or she is unthankful toward that God. The only result is an empty imagination and a darkened, foolish heart. It really is that simple.

Now that we know why arguments against the Bible are raised, we can proceed to analyze the common “the Bible has nothing to do with me” assertion….

Liberated!

Saturday, May 11, 2013

“And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will” (2 Timothy 2:26 KJV).

There is something far worse than physical captivity….

Our nation was shocked to recently discover that, right here in the United States, four individuals were held captive and abused for several years. We will never fully understand the intense, extensive trauma those poor women endured. We need to pray for their soul salvation, that they trust the Lord Jesus Christ alone as their personal Saviour. The only way they can recover and return to any type of “normal” life is to have the Lord Jesus Christ’s hope and grace.

Just as physical captivity afflicts our bodies of flesh and blood, today’s Scripture speaks of a spiritual captivity whereby the soul is shackled in Satan’s slave market of sin. “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:34-36).

The Apostle Paul, writing about people who have exclusively trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, confirmed: “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him [Jesus Christ], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin” (Romans 6:6,7).

Today’s Scripture describes lost people, as well as deceived (denominational) Christians: they “oppose themselves,” meaning they live completely opposite to the way the Lord created them to live (2 Timothy 2:25). Satan has them trapped—the lost people (those dead in Adam) are going to an everlasting lake of fire and brimstone (sulfur), and the denominational Christians have shipwrecked spiritual lives!

The Gospel of the Grace of God—that Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was raised again (1 Corinthians 15:3,4)—liberates one from the penalty of sin (hellfire). Dispensational Bible study—that Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, are God’s Word to us—liberates one from the power of sin (flesh-walking). What spiritual liberation!

A Great Spoil Meant to Be Shared

Sunday, May 5, 2013

“I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil” (Psalm 119:162 KJV).

God’s Word is a treasure, which we should be willing to joyfully share with all….

I recently spoke with a dear family member about salvation in Jesus Christ. Sitting in her home, I read and explained to her several salvation verses from the Holy Bible. Although she grew up in a religious home, she certainly heard many Bible concepts during my stay that she had never heard before. I have shared Bible truths with her on numerous prior occasions, so when that more recent opportunity arose, my heart rejoiced to share more of the Bible’s spiritual wealth with her.

In the context of today’s Scripture, the psalmist is penning the Bible’s longest chapter—176 verses that deal with God’s Word. The psalmist writes that he “rejoices at [God’s] word.” As a believing Jew, it thrills his heart to dwell on JEHOVAH’s thoughts and values (at that time, the commandments of the Mosaic Law). He cannot help but get excited as he reminiscences about the Old Testament Scriptures (remember, there are no written New Testament Scriptures yet). Earlier, he wrote, “Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart” (verse 111). He also confessed, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors” (verse 24).

The psalmist clarifies that he delights in and rejoices at God’s Word as one who has discovered a magnificent treasure: “I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil” (today’s Scripture). Earlier, he wrote, “The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver” (verse 72). In verse 14, he stated, “I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.”

God’s Word should thrill us Christians just as it excited the psalmist. The Holy King James Bible is a great Book of spiritual wealth, but we should be willing to share it, and we should not hide it. God’s Word is a treasure, a great spoil meant to be delighted in and shared—so, delight in it, and share it!