Genesis 29-31

Jacob served Laban 14 years for his two daughters Leah and Rachel; 7 years each. Then Jacob served Laban another 6 years after that for a total of 20 years. Rachel is the one Jacob loved. Jacob agreed to work 7 years to receive Rachel as his wife, but when the time was completed Laban gave to him his oldest daughter Leah as his wife. This angered Jacob, but he agreed to work another 7 years to receive the one he loved, Rachel as his wife. Why would the Lord allow Laban to treat Jacob this way? After all doesn't the scripture say that the Lord loved Jacob? "Just as it is written, 'Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." (Rom.9.13). If Laban had given Jacob Rachel first he would have been satisfied and never taken Leah as his wife. Leah's fourth son was Judah through whom the seed that blessed the world would come. Jesus Christ the Lord.

Genesis 29, 30, 31

I Am a Calvinist

I am a Calvinist, allow me to explain what that does not mean, and also what it does mean. That does not mean that I follow a man named John Calvin. I am a believer and follower of Jesus Christ alone. John Calvin is a Christian theologian who lived and wrote in Geneva, Switzerland during the reformational period of the Christian church of the 16th century. Geneva, Switzerland became the center of the reformation, it was a place that men could live free from the persecution of the Roman Catholic Church. Calvinism is the Christian theology that arose during the reformational period of the Christian church. Later other theologies would arise as well, therefore, to distinguish between them names were attached to these varying theologies. Calvinism was never called such during John Calvin's life time.

Calvinism is the belief that God is sovereign over all created things. Men are created by God, therefore, God is sovereign over the salvation of sinful man. An English Christian preacher, pastor and writer from the 19th century said this about Calvinism. "For the essence of Calvinism is that we are born again; not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." (C. H. Spurgeon). He was referring to the conversation that the Lord had with the Pharisee Nicodemus in which "Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3 NKJV) He was also referring to the introduction of the Gospel According to John: "who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (John 1:13 NKJV).

Calvinism is both loved by many and hated by many others. Now why would anyone hate that God is sovereign over the salvation of men? If God has saved you, giving you faith in His only begotten Son Jesus Christ you should thank Him by giving Him all the glory. There are only two viable answers as to why someone would hate that God is sovereign over the salvation of men. They either don't want to believe that God hates, or they want to have a part in their own salvation.

Can you honestly read the 66 books of the Bible and believe that God does not hate? The God of the Bible ordered the destruction of entire nations and people groups. "Just as it is written, Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated." (Romans 9:13) Two brothers from the same father Isaac and mother Rebekah (Romans 9:10) neither of which deserved the grace of God. Jacob is the father of the Israelites, while Esau the father of the Edomites. The Edomites no longer exist they were destroyed, but the Israelites do exist as the Jews.

The second is the same lie the serpent told the women, "you will be like God". The moment that you sinned you died spiritually, God is Spirit, you are not like God but dead in your trespasses and sins. Dead men do not rise up on their own, they must be raised from the dead, and only God can raise the dead.

"1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them." (Ephesians 2:1-10 NASB)

The Bible talks about sheep and goats, all men are either a sheep or a goat. Currently the sheep and the goats are living among one another in the same pen, which is the world. At the judgment on the last day Jesus will separate the sheep and the goats. "31 But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; 33 and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left." (Mat.25:31-33). The sheep to eternal life: "Then the King will say to those on His right, 'Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Mat. 25:34). The goats to eternal destruction: "Then He will also say to those on His left, ' Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels" (Mat. 25:41).

The most vile person that you know could be a sheep, and the best person you know by man's standards could be a goat, and vice versa. Therefore, we are not selective about who we preach the Gospel to, we have no idea who the sheep are or who the goats are, but we do know this: Jesus said, " I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." (John 10:11) "27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; 28 and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand." (John 10:27-28) "All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out." (John 6:37)

We preach the Gospel to all with the hope that all who hear will be saved, but we also have the knowledge that God has elected whom He will save. "25 Jesus said to her" I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26). Jesus has promised eternal life to all who believe in Him; "who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." The gospel is about the righteousness of God, repent and believe in the gospel. If God has saved you, giving you faith in His only begotten Son Jesus Christ, then thank Him by giving all the glory for your salvation to God.




Bibliography
Holy Bible, New King James Version. (1982). Thomas Nelson, Inc.
New American Standard Bible. (1995). The Lockman Foundation.


Note: I primarily use the New American Standard Bible in all my reading and writing, but when citing from the first 5 chapters of the Gospel According to John I use the New King James Version, because I have memorized those chapters in that version, therefore they are part of my thinking.

Are Christians Under the Law?

Are Christians under the law? And if not, then what did Christ mean in Matthew 5.17-19? "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven."

He then goes on to say, "For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Mat.5.20). The scribes and Pharisees get a bad rap in Christian circles today, the reason Jesus said this was not because they were exceptionally bad men, but because they were by man's standard very good men. It is as though Jesus was saying to you and I; think of the very best person that you know, you've got to be better than him or her. In saying this He explains the purpose of the Law. The Law leaves you hopeless and defeated, compared to the perfect standard of the Law not one of us is righteous. That is the purpose of the Law, to bring the knowledge of sin.

"Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God; because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law comes the knowledge of sin." (Rom.3.19-20).

Not only does the Law bring the knowledge of sin, but it actually works to cause the sin in us to increase. "The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom.5.20-21). "For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death." (Rom.7.5).

That is why Paul said, "What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, " You shall not covet."" (Rom.7.7). The Law reveals the corruption that is inside of us.

The Law is like a surgeons blade, on the surface everything looks good, but once the tissue is cut into the corruption inside the body is revealed. Inside the body unseen is Metastatic cancer that cannot be removed by the surgeons blade, and once cut into it actually begins to increase spreading throughout the body killing it.

The Law cannot save, in fact the Law both reveals what we are, and arouses the sinful passions within us. The Law leaves us with nope hope in ourselves at all, and therefore makes the grace of God very good news indeed. " But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal.3.23-26).

The Christian has been placed on unconditional footing, through faith in Jesus Christ all his sins are paid in full and the righteous life of Jesus is applied to the Christian. So therefore, when God looks at the Christian He sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ. "For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace." (Rom.6.14).

We as Christians are not under Law, but under the grace of God. "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? May it never be!" (Rom.6.15). The Christian has not only been saved from the penalty of sin, but also the pleasure of sin. He hates his sin, and looks ahead to the day that he is in heaven with the Lord saved from the presence of sin.





Bibliography
New American Standard Bible. (1995). The Lockman Foundation.
Picture from. http://taxpolitix.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/law.jpg

Protestant by Convection or Convenience

Are you a protestant by conviction or convenience? If you believe that Roman Catholics are Christian too then it is by convenience rather than conviction that you are a protestant. I dearly love Roman Catholics but hate Catholicism. How can I say that I love Roman Catholics but hate Catholicism? It is because I love Roman Catholics that I hate Catholicism.

Catholicism keeps Roman Catholics from being justified in the sight of God. Catholicism teaches that salvation comes through baptism, through the keeping of commandments (CCC 2068), through confession to a priest followed by penance, and through sacraments all of which must be done in the Catholic church.

The bible in complete contrast to this teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (you can't keep the commandments). That we are justified by God (not a priest) as a gift (not baptism) by His grace (not penance) through faith (not sacraments) in Jesus alone (not the church). (see Romans.3.23-26).

Jesus said to Martha; "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (Jo.11.25-26). Twice in that statement Jesus uses the word believe. The bible was not originally written in the English language, the New Testament was written in Greek, so often times we can gain more understanding by studying the original language. The English word BELIEVE in that passage is translated in scripture, into English from the Greek word πιστεύω (PISTEUŌ); which means to entrust. This is more than a simple acknowledgement of the truth, it is an implicit trusting. So the question isn't do you believe in Jesus (who He is) while that is an imperative, because you must believe in Jesus before you can believe Jesus. The question is do you believe Jesus (trusting in Him alone for salvation)?

Catholicism teaches much about Jesus that is true. In fact I can't think of anything at the moment about the Lord Himself that Catholicism teaches that is not true. Therefore, Roman Catholics do believe in Jesus (who He is), that He is the Christ the only begotten Son of God, but that is not the problem. The problem is this; while Roman Catholics do believe who Jesus is they don't believe Jesus Himself, because Catholicism teaches one to trust the church and his own works for salvation.

"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (Jo.11.25-26). If you do not believe this what you must do is repent. The English word REPENT is translated in scripture, into English from the Greek word μετανοέω (METANOEŌ); which means to change one's mind. Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John.3.3). Change your mind and come follow Jesus; He is the Christ the only begotten Son of God, and has promised eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark.1.15).


New American Standard Bible. (1995). The Lockman Foundation.
For more information on the difference between Protestant Christianity and Catholicism click on this article by Matt Slick: What is the difference between Protestantism and Catholicism?

A Picture of a Christian

Nomianism is a fancy theological term that means with law. Nomianism is the belief that Jesus is Lord, but His sacrifice on the cross alone is not a sufficient enough payment for your sins. Roman Catholicism is such a religion.

The reformers knew that this was not biblical Christianity so the protestant reformation happened. Scripture alone would once again be the authority of God among believers. Salvation is by the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus alone, and is for the glory of God alone.

Out of the protestant reformation something else would then arise; it is the religion of Antinomianism. Antinomianism is a theological term that means without law. Antinomianism is the belief that Jesus sacrifice on the cross is payment in full for your sins, but that you do not need to capitulate to Him as Lord.

Neither Nomianism nor Antinomianism are biblical Christianity. The attached picture is allegorically a Christian. Not the man seen on the carriage, but the entire picture is allegorically a Christian. The horse represents his faith in Christ Jesus. The man on the carriage represents the Helper, the Holy Spirit. The carriage represents his good works. You cannot see the Christian, because he is in the carriage encompassed by his good works; which is being driven by the Helper, and pulled along by his faith in Christ Jesus as both Lord and Savior.



References
New American Standard Bible. (1995). The Lockman Foundation
Horse and Carriage. Retrieved from http://www.bpauctions.com/HorseCarriage.jpg

Are You a Good Person?

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica architectural design is a combination Dome and Square. The word Basilica means a Roman building used for public administration. This buildings use was designed for the administration of the Roman Catholic Church, to house its high officials and to display its prestige. There is much history with regards to the building of this Basilica and the Protestant Reformation. "Michelangelo, who served as main architect for a while, designed the dome, and Bernini designed the great St. Peter's Square." (2) "The square is outlined by a monumental colonnade by Bernini", this is said to represent open arms. (2) "The great double dome is made of brick and is 42.3 meters in interior diameter (almost as large as the Pantheon), rising to 120 meters above the floor." (2)


The word Basilica means a Roman building used for public administration. The Basilica was built for the purpose of housing the Popes, past and present. Construction started in 1506 under Pope Julius II and was completed in 1615 under Pope Paul V. Donato. The Basilica was constructed by direction of the Popes in power during that time period. Rome had gone from a system of Caesars that controlled the Roman Empire to a system of Popes during the middle ages. It was towards the end of this time period that the Basilica was constructed. Rome was the center of rule for the Roman Empire, therefore, it is of no coincidence that the Basilica was built in Rome.


The Basilica is laid out as a Roman Cross incased by a square, with the Dome being the focal point of the cross. It is said by Rome that the site of St. Peter's Basilica is the location of the apostle Peter's death and burial. This is regarded as significant considering the Roman Catholics regard Peter as being their first Pope. A designation that neither he nor anyone else in scripture ever claimed. Given what I know about the apostle Peter from the four gospel accounts of our Lord Jesus the Christ the Son of the living God, from the Acts of the Apostles, and Peter's own epistles; he never considered himself to be such a person as this, it seems in scripture that the apostles leadership was pleural rather than singular.


The Basilica is the burial place of many of the past Popes. In the center of the square is a large Obelisk that is said to date from the 13th century B.C. Egypt. The square designed by Bernini when viewed from above looks like a pair of tongs ready to pick something up. This is called a Colonnade, on top of the colonnade are 140 statues, completed between 1662 and 1703. Near the stairs to the Basilica at the front of the square are two colossal statues to represent the apostles Paul and Peter. "Peter was sculpted by Giuseppe De Fabris in 1838-40 and stands 5.55m in height, on a pedestal 4.91m high. Paul was sculpted in 1838 by Adamo Tadolini, and is also 5.55m in height, on a pedestal 4.91m high." (2)


A Basilica is a Roman building used for public administration. This building has two primary purposes; to put on public display the glory of Roman Catholicism, and for administration purpose of Roman Catholicism. When construction began on the Basilica much of the world was under direct control of Rome and the Pope. There were heads of city states that were under the control of Rome. There is much history with regards to the Protestant Reformation and the building of the Basilica in Rome. In 1517 under the direction of Pope Leo X, the sale of an indulgence was issued to raise money in the building of the Basilica. An indulgence is an edict issued by the Pope or a Cardinal that upon the purchase of the indulgence sins of the purchaser or the purchasers loved one would be absolved. Scripture teaches that salvation is by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in Jesus the Christ alone (Rom.3.24-25).  This total disregard of the Papacy for scripture and abuse of power on the people angered a Priest by the name of Martin Luther in Wittenberg, Germany. On October 31, 1517 he nailed his Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences (Commonly Known as 95 thesis) to the church door in Wittenberg beginning the protestant reformation. The Basilica is used today both for administrative purposes and as a tourist attraction.



Bibliography

1) New American Standard Bible 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

2) Sacred Destinations website. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-peters-basilica.

3) www.spurgeon.org The Hall of Church History the Reformers. The 95 Thesis.

4) Webster Dictionary.

Righteousness

The Gospel is about the righteousness of God. God is righteous, therefore in order to come into His kingdom you must be righteous in the sight of God. "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God." (1Cor.6.9). But here is the problem; the Bible says, “There is none righteous, not even one; There is none who understands, There is none who seeks for God; All have turned aside, together they have become useless; There is none who does good, There is not even one.” (Rom.3.10-12).

If you believe that you are righteous, if you think that you are good by your own merit, God has given His holy law for the purpose of bringing the knowledge of sin.

If you have ever told a lie even once, you are a liar.

If you have ever stolen anything, you are a thief.

If you have ever taken the name of the Lord your God in vain, that is using the name of your creator irreverently, you are a blasphemer. (Exodus.20)

Jesus said; "You have heard that the ancients were told, you shall not commit murder ' and 'Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court. But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, You good- for- nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell." (Mat.5.21-22)

Jesus said; "You have heard that it was said, ' You shall not commit adultery '; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." (Mat-5.27-28)

If you are honest with yourself, you know that you have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. The wages of sin is death, that is the bad news, and it is what you deserve for your sins against God. There is good news, the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. God justifies men, that means He declares them righteous in His sight apart from the Law. How can God forgive the sins of unrighteous men and continue to be Himself righteous? He does this only one way; by His grace through faith in Jesus Christ.

The English word GOSPEL is translated in scripture into English from the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (EUAGGELION); which means good news. Now here is a summary of the good news about Jesus that I also received. Jesus is the Christ the only begotten Son of God who came from God in human flesh, and lived a perfect righteous life; a life that you and I have not lived nor even can, but nonetheless is the life required by God for eternal life with God in His Heaven. Jesus promised eternal life, not to everyone who is perfect, but to everyone who believes in Him. This is good news, because we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom.6.23). Jesus willingly laid down His own life on the cross for His sheep, for our sins against God. He was crucified, nailed to a cross of wood and died. He was buried, then on the third day the very Man who promised eternal life to everyone who believes in Him, walked out of the grave alive. After His resurrection He first appeared to the women, then to two men on the road to Emmaus, then to Peter, then to His other apostles, and then to over five hundred brethren at one time; presenting Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the Kingdom of God. Believe in the gospel!

The English word BELIEVE is translated in scripture into English from the Greek word πιστεύω (PISTEUŌ); which means to entrust. This is more than a simple acknowledgement of the truth, it is an implicit trusting. Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" She *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." (John.11.25,26). She trusted in Him. If you have not trusted in Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Savior what you must do is repent.

The English word REPENT is translated in scripture into English from the Greek word μετανοέω (METANOEŌ); which means to change one's mind. Jesus said to the Pharisee Nicodemus, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John.3.3). Change your mind and come follow Jesus; He is the Christ the only begotten Son of God, and has promised eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark.1.15)







Bibliography
Holy Bible, New King James Version. (1982). Thomas Nelson, Inc.

NASB Strongs Dictionary. (1998). The Lockman Foundation.

New American Standard Bible. (1995). The Lockman Foundation.

What Must You Get Right?

I have heard it said often; "The question is, how much can you get wrong and still be a Christian?"  That seems like a logical question, because we all get something wrong.  I'll be the first to admit that I am wrong about a GREAT many things.  Thanks be to God my trust is not in myself, but solely in the only One who is right, Christ Jesus, the Son of the living God.

Protestants say Catholics are not saved and Catholics say Protestants are not saved.   Even within Protestantism there is much yammering. I cannot look at social media without seeing someone proclaim someone else as being hell bond. It seems that if you don't meet up to the expectations of someone else's brand of Christianity you are dammed. 

I think the better question to ask is what must you get right?  In Matthew chapter 16 there was much talk among the crowds as to Who or Whom they thought Jesus was.  Jesus asked His disciples who they thought He was. 

"Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” Then He warned the disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Christ." (Vs. 16-20). 

Peter came to Christ on the water, but after becoming frightened he began to sink (Mat.14.30).

Peter rebuked the Lord when He told His disciples what was going to happen to Him in Jerusalem (Mat.16.22).

Peter began speaking at the transfiguration when he should have been silent and worshiped (Mat.17.4).

Peter said that he would not deny the Lord but did exactly that three consecutive times (Mat.26.33,35,74).

The Lord was grieved and asked Peter to stay up with Him but Peter slept (Mat.26.40).

Peter was rebuked by Paul for caring what men thought of him if someone were to see him eating with Gentiles. (Gal.2.11,12)

In all Peter got many things wrong, but he got the one thing right that he needed to get right. He believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.  Jesus promised eternal life not to the one who is perfect, but to the one who believes in Him (John.11.25-27).

Change Your Mind

Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark.1.15). I would like to take the time to define and explain to you, those three words; REPENT, BELIEVE, and GOSPEL, because they are clouded with much misunderstanding and misrepresentation by men.

First of all the Bible was not written in the English language. In fact, the English language did not even come into existence as a language until about 1000 years after the Bible was completed. The Old Testament (the first 39 books of the bible) was written primarily in an ancient language called Hebrew and some Aramaic. The New Testament (the last 27 books of the bible) was written in Greek, because Greek was the written language at the time of Jesus and His apostles.

The English word GOSPEL is translated in scripture, into English from the Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (EUAGGELION); which means good news. Now here is a summary of the good news about Jesus that I also received. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John.3.16). Jesus came in human flesh, and lived a righteous, perfect life; a life that you and I have not lived nor even can, but nonetheless is the life required by God for eternal life with God in His Heaven. Jesus promised eternal life, not to everyone who is perfect, but to everyone who believes in Him. This is good news, because we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and the punishment for sin is death and hell. Jesus willingly laid down His own life on the cross for His sheep, for our sins against God. He was crucified, nailed to a cross of wood and died. He was buried, then on the third day the very Man who promised eternal life to everyone who believes in Him, walked out of the grave alive. After His resurrection He first appeared to the women, then to two men on the road to Emmaus (a city outside of Jerusalem), then to Peter, then to His other apostles, and then to over five hundred brethren at one time; presenting Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the Kingdom of God.

The English word BELIEVE is translated in scripture, into English from the Greek word πιστεύω (PISTEUŌ); this type of believing is more than a simple acknowledgement of the truth, it is an implicit trusting, to entrust. Jesus said to Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" She *said to Him, "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world." (John.11.25,26). She trusted in Him.

The English word REPENT is translated in scripture, into English from the Greek word μετανοέω (METANOEŌ); which means to change one's mind, to think differently. Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John.3.3).

Change your mind towards the way that you see God the Father, and Jesus the Christ, His only begotten Son, through Whom and for Whom all things were made; that the world was not made for you, but for Jesus, and you were made to worship Him. Change your mind towards the way that you see your neighbor; that they are either a man or woman created in the image of God and should be loved. Change your mind towards the way that you see yourself; that you are a sinner fallen short of the glory of God, and are deserving of death and hell.

Change your mind from unbelieving to believing, from mistrust to trust, and come follow Jesus! Jesus said; "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. I and the Father are one." (John.10.27-30).

Change your mind and believe that Jesus is the Christ the only begotten Son of God, trusting in His promise of eternal life given to everyone who believes in Him. "The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand, repent and believe in the gospel." (Mark.1.15).

The Gospel, Faith, and Repentance

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark.1.15).

I would like to take the time now to explain to you three words; gospel, faith, and repentance. These three words are clouded with much misunderstanding and misrepresentation by men. You may be thinking or even saying "What is this babbler talking about, why is he doing this?" I am doing this for two reasons, both of which are given in this passage from Romans chapter 1. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “ But the righteous man shall live by faith.” (16,17).

The first reason: I am not ashamed of the Gospel! I am preaching as an act of worship of my Lord who saved me; as a gift, by His grace. The word grace means unmerited favor, I don't deserve it, nor can I earn it. He did this through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. He gave me faith in what Jesus alone accomplished. Jesus promised eternal life to His sheep, that is everyone who follows Him by faith. He lived a righteous life, the life that God requires for eternal life with Him in heaven. He was crucified dead and buried, then on the third day, the Man who promised eternal life to His sheep walked out of the grave alive.

The second reason: I love you! I know that if you have faith in Jesus, God will declare you right with Him. Now what is faith? Scripture says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1). The apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans (a book of the Bible) in chapter 10 said, "for “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” (13,15)

You may be thinking or even saying, "Well I don't see anyone believing." He addresses that. "However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” (16). I cannot make anyone trust in Jesus, I cannot even convince someone to believe in Him, but I can tell you about Him. If a man is going to call on the name of the Lord; trusting in Jesus alone as Lord and Savior, he first has to believe in Him, and in order to believe in Him he first must hear about Him. "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ." (17).

"For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve." (1 Corinthians 15:3-5).
"To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, " Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:3-11)
"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31)

Now this word repent is not a modern English word, it is actually a Middle English word, derived from the Old French word repentir. Translated in scripture, into English, from the Greek word metanoeo; which means to change one's mind, to think differently, to have a new nature. Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John.3.3). Change your mind towards the way you that you see God the Father and Jesus Christ His only begotten Son. Change your mind towards the way that you see yourself ; a sinner fallen short of the glory of God. Change your mind towards the way that you see your neighbor; a man or women created in the image of God. And come follow Jesus.

Jesus said, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30).

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark.1.15).



References

New American Standard Bible. (1995). The Lockman Foundation.

My Sheep Hear My Voice Picture. Retrieved on-line at http://www.cataldolife.com/my-sheep-hear-my-voice-31-days/

Few are Preserved Angels Need Not Apply

God did not redeem angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell. With man however, God always preserves a few. When God flooded the whole Earth He preserved Noah and seven others; Noah's wife, his three sons and their wives. When God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah with fire and brimstone He preserved Lot, and His two daughters. Lot's wife was destroyed when she looked back.

I personally find this amazing that with the angels God destroys them all, however with man most are destroyed, but He always preserves a few. In every case these few don't deserve it, but God gives them what they need to be redeemed. The ones preserved have this in common; they believed (trusted) the Lord.






Reference: 2 Peter chapter 2

Dramatic Verbal Presentation

Three years ago I was compelled to begin memorizing the Gospel According to John. When I began I did not know the reason why. Continuously reciting these passages has drawn me closer to my Lord, this is certain, but why was I compelled to memorize this gospel?

Around this same period of time I was compelled to do something else as well. I began preaching the gospel in open-air. I have watched and listened to men who preach in open-air, some do well and some very badly. Some preach the gospel and some simply preach against men and never actually preach the gospel. As I have done this I have always been compelled to use the scriptures in my preaching. I have written a few articles about this. We are not the witnesses of Jesus Christ, His apostles are, and they have left us with their witness in written form.

I see now what I am to do. I am to combine these two compulsions of memorizing the Gospel According to John and preaching in open-air. I have done this in the past in part but not in full. My preaching is always peppered with what I have memorized, but has not been the primary until now. I am to present the gospel of Jesus Christ as given through the written word of His apostle John in dramatic verbal presentation, and can do this because I will be speaking from memory rather than reading aloud.

I know and understand that the sheep hear the voice of Jesus, all that the Father gives Him will come to Him. But in order for them to hear, someone must tell them, and if the Lord gives them ears to listen His sheep will come to Him. The Gospel According to John done in dramatic presentation in open-air affords the opportunity for His sheep to hear. Then after presenting the Gospel, I then have the opportunity to give and explain the command of God to repent and believe in the gospel.

Lord willing I plan to do this on the campus of Tyler Junior College one day every week through the fall semester in the free speech zone at the college. There are a total of 16 weeks in the semester with the first week being August 25-29 and the last week being December 8-12. I plan to spread this presentation out over the 16 weeks of the semester. The gospel according to John has 21 total chapters with 879 total verses. Most weeks I will be proclaiming a single chapter, but some weeks, when there are shorter chapters, I will be proclaiming two chapters. Glory to God!

The Two English Words Repent and Gospel Defined

Jesus began His ministry in Galilee preaching the gospel of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark.1.15).   I would like to take the time today to explain those two words; repent and gospel.  There is so much misunderstanding as to what those two words actually mean.

The word gospel is derived from two Old English words; gõd and spel, translated into English from the Greek word euaggelion; which means good news.  This is the good news concerning Jesus.  He is the Christ, a descendent of David according to the flesh, declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead.  He performed many mighty miracles before men, demonstrating that He came from God.  He promised eternal life to everyone who entrust themselves to Him alone by faith.  He was then crucified, dead and buried, and then on the third day He arose from the grave defeating death.  After His resurrection He first appeared to the women, then to two men on the road to Emmaus (a village outside of Jerusalem), then to Peter, and then to His other disciples.  His disciples witnessed His ascension into Heaven and were told by two angles that He would return in the same way in which they saw Him go into Heaven.  Jesus is now seated at the right hand of God the Father as the mediator between God and man, making intercession on behalf of His sheep; which is everyone who comes to God through faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Therefore, repent!  The word repent is derived from the Old French word repentir, translated into English from the Greek word metanoeo; which means to change one’s mind.  This is a total change of mind; it is to have a new nature, to think differently.  Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is bon again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3.3).  Change your mind towards the way you that see God, towards the way that you see your sin, towards the way that you see yourself, towards the way that you see your neighbor, and trust in Jesus Christ alone as Lord and Savior.  “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (Mark.1.15)

My thoughts on Robin Williams

I have refrained up to now from saying anything with regards to Robin Williams death. The reason, I don't know him. I've enjoyed several of his parts in movies, he has been a source of laughter at times, and I've always thought his face was pleasant; but I don't know him. Therefore, how am I to cast judgment against him as many of you have. The judgement that I speak of is not in saying that something is right or wrong, we are to make these kinds of judgments, but in condemning someone to hell. In this there is but One Law Giver and Judge.

I know that whoever is trusting in Christ alone all his sins past, present, and future have been paid in full. The Christian does not enter into heaven based on his merit but Christ's alone. The Christian is born again with a new nature but remains in his sinful flesh until glorified. I myself battle depression from time-to-time.

So can a Christian commit suicide? I give the answer that many theologians have given, I don't know. Martin Luther said, "I don't have the opinion that suicides are certainly to be damned. My reason is that they do not wish to kill themselves but are overcome by the power of the devil." Luther goes on, however, to express concern that this statement not be misunderstood or misused in a way that would downplay the danger and seriousness of this sin in the minds of people (Luther's Works, American Edition, Vol. 54, p. 29).

Repent and believe in the gospel

Faith, Where Does it Come From?

Faith, where does it come from? How can a man who does not believe suddenly believe? People don’t have faith then suddenly believe, how and why? If you don’t have something, how can you then have it unless it was given to you? Is faith something that can be earned, why would you then work for what you do not believe? If you then work for it, isn’t it then because you believe that you work? So then where does faith come from if we neither have it nor can work for it?

Faith is of the Lord! Faith is solely a gift from God! Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.” God declares unrighteous men righteous, and does so as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus. God displayed Him publicly as a merciful atoning sacrifice for all the believing in Him. So, if you are trusting in Jesus God has declared you righteous, and can do so because Jesus lived righteously and willingly died in place of all the believing in Him.

Therefore, if you believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior you are right with God. You cannot be more right or less right than you are today. There is nothing that you can do to add to or take away from the finished work of the Son of God, Jesus the Christ.



References:
Ephesians 2:8-10
John 6:47-48
Romans 3:21-26

What Is Gospel

Many things are called the gospel, but what really is the gospel? The word gospel is a Middle English word derived from the Old English god spell. It is translated from Greek euaggelion, which means good news. Therefore, the gospel is news, it is a report of events that actually occurred and these reportable events about Jesus are good.

Here is a summary of the good news concerning Jesus. He is the Christ, a descendent of David according to the flesh, declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, He lived a righteous life, He did many mighty miracles, and promised eternal life to everyone who believes in Him. He was crucified, dead and buried; then on the third day arose from the grave. After His resurrection He first appeared to the women, then to two men on the road to Emmaus, then to Peter, and then to the other disciples. His disciples witnessed His ascension into heaven, and were told by angles that He will return in the same way that they saw Him go into heaven.




In Christ alone,
A slave of Jesus Christ

References: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Acts 1:1-11.

My Doctrine on Nursing is Love

My Doctrine on Nursing is Love

The intent of this document is to describe my own personal philosophy of nursing. My personal philosophy of nursing proceeds forth from my faith in Christ Jesus. God is love and Jesus is the image of the invisible God making Him the personification of love. He said to love one another even as I have loved you; God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. So, therefore, my personal philosophy of nursing is love. To love one’s client as you love yourself should dictate all that we do as nurses in practice. So I ask myself with regards to my clients; if I was in this situation, or my family member was, how would I want to be treated and talked to? What information would I want to be given? This should not be based on reciprocal love, but a denying of oneself for that period of time in which we care for the client, his or her family members, and others on the health care team.

Choice of Nursing

There is nothing glamorous or inspiring as to why I choose nursing. Truthfully, I choose nursing, originally, because I needed a good paying job. I had just left the army and had a family to provide for; I knew that I needed an education to get a good paying job. I had several friendships with nurses at the time and after talking with them about their profession I saw nursing as a viable possibility.

Then as I preceded through the education process; first the prerequisites, then the Associate Degree Nursing program, I became enamored with the science and the nursing process. After graduation, nursing boards, and beginning employment in the nursing profession I learned that I actually enjoyed taking care of people and helping them through a difficult time in their lives. However, I had a problem; I was in a profession of caring, but was truly only caring of myself. I enjoyed the patients that enjoyed me, those that showed gratitude for what I was doing for them, but showing my disapproval of those who did not, and not always quietly. I did not know what love was until I met the Lord Jesus and He changed my entire nursing Philosophy.

Essence of Nursing

The essence of nursing is to deny oneself and follow after Jesus; loving one’s clients with complete disregard for one’s own emotional gratification and needs. The word servant or deacon is translated from diakonos in Greek; Phoebe from Romans 16:1-2 is considered to be the first deaconess and a helper of many. Nursing, despite all of our education, despite all of our strivings as professionals; we are first and foremost servants to those in need of help.

Josephine Dolan wrote as quoted “Even after nineteen hundred years it is difficult to fully comprehend the impact of the birth of Jesus Christ and His teaching on society and the care of the sick” (Hutchison, 1998). Nursing has changed a great deal since the days of the deaconess Phoebe, but being a servant to those in need of help will always be first and foremost in nursing, or nursing ceases to be nursing. The nurse must care for his or her client as though they were caring for themselves.

Beliefs and Values

God created men and women both in His own image. I see all patients as being image barriers of God and therefore should be respected and loved. We must overlook the faults in our patients, do not judge them for the reason that brought them to this illness, but care for them as though we are caring for ourselves; then teaching them with patience to care for themselves. As part of the Orem Self-care Deficit Theory we must bridge the gap between the action requirements for regulating the life, health, and well-being of the client (Cox, 2005).

The patient’s families are a connection to their world outside of the hospital setting; they can be a great source of joy and comfort for the patient but can also be a source of sorrow. Nightingale said; “But I really believe there is scarcely a greater worry which invalids have to endure than the incurable hopes of their friends.” (Nightingale, 1859). “I would appeal most seriously to all friends, visitors, and attendants of the sick to leave off this practice of attempting to cheer the sick by making light of their danger and by exaggerating their probabilities of recovery.” (Nightingale, 1859). Families are in distress as well, so, being honest with them helps, explain everything that you are doing to their loved one.

I believe that my fellow health care workers are in a stressful job and are in need of our patience and love as well. Often times as it is with physicians, respiratory therapist, lab technicians, and others that are stressed with the demands of health care; we may need to turn the other cheek. Physicians may be angered by something that was not carried out on a previous shift. It is our job as nurses to listen to their concerns and go forward with what is best for the patient from the present time.

We are given one body and one mind to interact in the world; therefore we should respect what the Lord has given to us in care of ourselves. I believe that we should engage in a regular, consistent exercise routine throughout our lives. Both our minds and bodies must be feed daily; the body with proper nutrients to enhance our physical condition and the mind with pure spiritual food through the daily reading of the Bible and prayer. Then you are best suited to care for your patients physically and care for them with love mentally.

Vision for the Future

My current position is charge nurse of a 24 bed Cardio-vascular Intensive Care Unit; I do not expect to change positions within the next two years as I proceed through the process of advancing my education. I enjoy what I am presently doing in my nursing career. I have always enjoyed caring for and recovering the Cardio-vascular surgical patient. Now I have the privilege of supporting and mentoring new nurses to become better nurses, while at the same time remaining at the bedside.

Five years from now that may change given that I have started to advance my education. I am undetermined at this point if I should go on to graduate studies. If I were to do so, nursing education might be a viable option; next to caring for the patients I enjoy teaching other nurses and student nurses.

A lot can change in ten years and you never know what the Lord might put in our paths. Ten years ago I was working on the very unit that I am now in charge of; at that time it was a ten bed unit, I had left for a time and came back. Nearly all the nursing staff has changed, the surgeons have changed, and the unit is now 24 beds in a brand new building; at the Lewis and Peaches Owens Heart Hospital at Trinity Mother Frances in Tyler, Texas. Therefore I lay no expectations for what may lay ahead ten years from now.

Summary

I am dedicated to continuing in the profession of nursing for which the Lord has placed me, to spend my days on earth loving and caring for those in need of help; the patients, their families, and the other members of the health care team. I have decided to continue my nursing education for this purpose. I have tenure in the profession up to this point that would attest to my determination to continue as a nurse for many years to come; weather that is at the bedside or in educating other nurses.

One of the greatest limitations that I see in nursing is the discrepancy of views; I believe that management and the public are at odds as to how they view nursing. I have worked at several facilities in two different states and in all of these though nursing strives forward as a profession management is often caught up with seeing nursing as a vocation. Nurses are very highly trained and most often these days specially trained and are not easily replaced. Maintaining one’s own nursing philosophy throughout your career will keep you grounded in the years to come.




A slave of Jesus Christ








References
Cox, K., PhD, RN & Taylor, S., PhD, RN. (2005, July). Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory: Pediatric Asthma as Exemplar. Nursing Science Quartely, 18, 249-257.
Hutchison, M. (1998 October). Nursing Yesterday and Today. Retrieved from http://www.ncfansw.org/nursing-yesterday-and-today/
Nightingale, F. (1992). CHATTERING HOPES AND ADVICES. Notes on nursing: what it is, and what it is not (Commemorative ed., ). Philadelphia: Lippincott.

Teach in The Name of Jesus

It is my belief that many have the wrong idea about open-air preaching. The idea is not to beat up the people in the world, but to teach them about Jesus, who He is and what He has done. The apostles Peter and John were told by the angel who released them from prison; “’Go, stand and speak to the people in the temple the whole message of this Life.’ Upon hearing this, they entered into the temple about daybreak and began to teach.” (Acts.5.20-21)

The best open-air preachers are not those with a mind set to beat up the people in the world, but are teachers with the desire to educate. For one is saved solely as a gift by the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus. C.H. Spurgeon said faith has three parts: Knowledge, belief, and trust. So, therefore, faith begins with knowledge and that is what God has given us to do; to give knowledge.

“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Rom.10.14)





A slave of Jesus Christ

The Lord's Choice

I have suggested before in a previous blog that you and I are not the witnesses for Christ Jesus, His chosen Apostles are His witnesses, and still are through the New Testament, which they have left for us ,“Who Are the Witnesses of Christ Jesus?”. Today I would like to tell you my thoughts as I read through part of Acts this morning.

In Acts 1 the eleven Apostles, prior to the day of Pentecost, were talking about Judas; the one who betrayed the Lord. They had decided to cast lots between two men; Joseph and Matthias. They knew from scripture that Judas was to be replaced, so they had decided between themselves to cast lots for these two men and prayed that the Lord would decide which one of them He wanted to be the replacement for Judas as one of the twelve Apostles.

I see this as men trying by their own effort to affect the things of God. The Apostles were chosen by the Lord Himself, He did not need any suggestions from man; the Apostles are His chosen witnesses into the world of the things which they have seen and heard.

On the road to Damascus in Acts chapter 9 the Lord Himself chooses the replacement for Judas; a very unlikely character, a man that no one would have guessed; Saul, the persecutor of the brethren who would then be called Paul, used by the Lord to spread the gospel into the outer part of the earth, writing the majority of the epistles in the New Testament.





A slave of Jesus Christ

The Gospel is Not

The gospel is not repent or perish; this is the message spoken by men who take our Lord’s words out of context, who focus their attention on the sins of other men. The gospel is not repent and believe, if you then sin you prove yourself to be an unbeliever; this is the message spoken by men who focus within, trying to keep the law after having believed. The gospel is that there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus; the law is fulfilled in Christ Jesus alone, God’s requirement for eternal life is fulfilled in Him; He lived a righteous life deserving heaven, He willing took our punishment which is death, to give us eternal life; why would you look any where else but Christ? The law of God is fulfilled in the one who does not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit, that is through faith in Jesus alone. Well then, should we go on sinning that grace may increase? We died with Christ when we trusted in Him, He bought us with His own blood, therefore everything that we are is His. Sinning or not sinning is not evidence of your salvation; the evidence of your salvation is; what is your motivation to not sin? If your motivation to not sin is condemnation then you prove yourself to be an unbeliever; Jesus death was payment in full for our sins. The Christian is born again, he is a new creature; the Christians motivation to not sin is His love of God, He hungers and thirsts after righteousness.




A Slave of Jesus Christ

Dead to Sin and Alive to God

Dear Brothers and Sisters;

We are free from sin, because we died with Christ, and are raised to walk in newness of life. Through faith in Christ Jesus we are united with Him in the likeness of His death and His resurrection. We are free from sin, because we died with Christ and now He lives in us. It is no longer us who lives, but it is Christ who lives in us. Christ died to sin once for all and is alive to God forevermore. Therefore consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus forevermore. Do not worry about sin or its lusts, because you are not under law you are under grace. Do not give into sin either; because you are not a slave of sin, you are not obligated to obey its lusts. You are a slave of Christ Jesus who bought you with His own blood. When you see, hear, or think something that is a temptation to sin; do not worry over it, or resist it, because you are not under law you are under grace. Do not give into sin either; because you are not a slave of sin, you are not obligated to obey its lusts. Jesus lived the righteous life God requires for eternal life, and then died in your place for your sins. What then are you obligated to do? Believe in the Son of God, Jesus Christ the Lord, and love other people!



A slave of Jesus Christ

Are you a (πιστευω) pisteuo?

This Greek word (πιστευω pisteuo) is found throughout the New Testament usually translated: Believe, Believes, Believing, Believers, or Believed; for this reason Christians are called Believers. We as Christians are saved by grace through faith in Jesus alone; Jesus laid down His own life on the cross for His sheep.  His sheep are all the believing (pisteuo) in Him. So if all the believing in Christ Jesus are saved; why does it seem that some bear good fruit while others bear bad fruit? For this reason English translations need explanation. The great English preacher of the 19th century Charles H. Spurgeon said; "Faith has three parts; knowledge, belief, and trust." There are a great number of people who have knowledge of Jesus, there are many people who believe in Jesus, but there are only a few who trust in Jesus. The literal understanding of pisteuo is to entrust.

A slave of Jesus Christ

The Law Cannot Save From Sin

Which one of these statements is true:
As Christians we are on conditional footing; meaning that we are both obligated to do some things and to not do some things in order to enter the kingdom of God.
As Christians we are on unconditional footing; meaning that we are neither obligated to do anything nor keep from doing anything in order to enter the kingdom of God.

I fear that many who call themselves Christian will espouse that eternal life is all of grace, but at the same time think that they are under obligation to keep the law.

For approximately one year now some friends and I have had an ongoing discussion about a particular passage of scripture, Romans 7:13-25. The question is this, is Paul talking about himself as a believer struggling with sin or as an unbeliever? I can see validity in both points of view; as a Christian I struggle with temptation and sin on a daily basis, on the other hand the man in this passage has no victory over sin at all. So is Paul talking about himself pre or post conversion?

Overall this has been a very fruitful discussion, not only has it caused us all to dive deeply into the scriptures, but has given us all much opportunity in sanctification, for growth in Christian love. I’m not going to paint you a picture of brothers sitting around linked in arms agreeing, this debate has been very heated at times, and has caused a great deal of tension among brothers who are not ashamed of the gospel, willing to go anywhere to proclaim it at anytime. The fact that we can so sharply disagree and still love one another is a testament to the fruit of the spirit.

For the past year I have read Romans chapters 6, 7, & 8 or portions of these on a nearly daily basis, as I wanted to know what God is saying to us in this deeply rich section of scripture. I’ve read multiple commentaries, listened to sermons, read books, but the greatest fruit has come from scripture alone.

Yes, I know, you are waiting for me to tell you which these I think are true. Is Paul talking about himself as a believer or as an unbeliever? What if I told you it doesn’t matter? I no longer care if Paul is talking about himself as a Christian struggling with sin or as an unbeliever having no victory over sin. I don’t care, because it doesn’t matter; it is not the point of the text. The point of the text is that the law cannot save from sin. And what did Jesus come to do? To save sinners! “It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all.” (1Tim.1.15.NASB)

I no longer see this passage as I once did, about a Christian struggling with sin. I would read through it and say yep, we struggle with sin, and not even notice what is being said in the text. Of course Christians struggle with sin, it is an ongoing and continues battle throughout our lives, and the fact that you do struggle testifies of the new life God has given you in Christ. There are many passages throughout scripture that will attest to this, but that is not the purpose of this text. It is about man’s futile attempt to be righteous through keeping the law in his flesh. If you ever get this, it will BLOW YOUR MIND: “For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were aroused by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death. But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter….Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans.7.6-7 & Romans.8.1-2.NASB) The intervening text is written with the intent of explaining this, and for no other reason.

“For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” (Romans.8.3-4.NASB) Friends, no one can fulfill the law in his flesh, you are not able, but if you walk according to the Spirit in Christ, that is by faith, the law is fulfilled in us who are in the Spirit.

It’s like this, through faith in Christ we have died to the law, because God condemned sin in the flesh through Christ, therefore we who are in Christ died with Christ, we are not bound to the law in anyway, the law only has jurisdiction upon a person so long as he lives. For example the law says; “Do not commit adultery” and Jesus said “Everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” The man under the law walking by the flesh sees an attractive woman and says to himself; “Do not commit adultery”; sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produces lusts of every kind, the more this man tells himself “Do not commit adultery”, the more lustful thoughts he has; for apart from the Law sin is dead. Now take the man who walks by the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, he sees an attractive woman, he is trusting in the righteousness of Christ not in his own flesh, he considers himself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Rather than saying “Do not commit adultery”, he neither resists the temptation nor gives in to the temptation; he knows he is not under law but under grace, he ignores the temptation, because he knows there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

The man who walks by the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has peace, because he knows there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. He now, having been released from the law of sin and death is free to serve in the newness of the Spirit and not the oldness of the letter. Christianity is not a do not religion, it is a do religion; do spend the life God has given you loving one another as Christ loved us.



A slave of Jesus Christ

No More Death

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans.6.23.NASB)

Pain, suffering, death, hunger, thirst, sorrow, mourning, poverty; there is a place where all these have passed away. Would you like to go there? Jesus has promised eternal life to all who believe and follow after Him. He has promised to go and prepare a place for us, in His Father’s house, and to come again and receive us to Himself, so that we may be where He is also. Jesus made this promise to all His sheep; not just to those who followed Him during His earthly ministry but those also who believe in Him through their word. Jesus was captured, scourged, and crucified on a Roman cross made of wood. While on that cross He suffered, bleed, and died. He was taken down, buried in a tomb, and then on the third day He arose from the dead appearing first to the women, then to two men on the road to Emmaus, then to Peter, then the other apostles, and then to over 500 hundred brethren at one time. Demonstrating that He has both the power and the authority to do what He promised to do. He ascended into heaven and is now seated in the place of power at the right hand of God, making intercession on behalf of all who come to God through faith in Him.

In heaven the dwelling place of God every tear will be wiped away; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain. There is one catch however; there will be no sin there as well, for sin is the cause of all these miseries. That is why Jesus said; “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John.3.3.NASB). If you love your sin then you will not love heaven, because there is no sin in heaven. But if you hate your sin then you will love heaven, because there is no sin in heaven. In heaven God will wipe away every tear from your eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; for all these are the consequence of sin and that’s really what hell is isn’t it; the eternal consequence of sin.

Repent and come to Jesus today and He will wipe away every tear from your eye and will take you into His Father’s house where He has gone to prepare a place for us; where there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; because there will no longer be any sin.




A slave of Jesus Christ

Who Are the Witnesses of Christ Jesus?

What is the gospel? The gospel is purely the good news concerning Jesus the Christ the Son of God; His righteous life, His sacrificial death for the sins of men, His burial, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into Heaven, and His promise of eternal life to everyone who believes. So when the Lord said to His disciples; “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) He was telling them, “Go tell the world about Me, go tell them what I have done and said.” Why is this important to understand, because we can easily get caught up in so many different things, but the gospel alone is the power of God for salvation (Romans 1:16). 

I have three questions for you while keeping in mind that the gospel is good news:

1) Were you a witness of these things? 

2) Who did witness these things?

3) Who then are the witnesses of Christ Jesus? 

I'm going to teach you about something you may not have heard before, at least in this way, but it's not new, the reformers referred to it as “Sola Scriptura”. Now while “Sola Scriptura” referrers to all of scripture, both the New and Old Testaments; what I would like to talk about today is with regards to the gospel. We who believe are the redeemed in Christ; what that means is we have been saved from the wrath of God for our sins; by the grace of God alone, through faith alone, in the Jesus Christ alone. We are the redeemed in Christ, but make no mistake, brethren; you and I are not His witnesses. Yes, you heard me correctly, we are not His witnesses. The apostles chosen by Jesus Himself are His witnesses: both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. They are the ones who witnessed His righteous life, His sacrificial death for the sins of men, His burial, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into Heaven, and heard Him promise eternal life to all the believing in Him. 

When you and I preach the gospel in this world, we are not giving witness of the things we have seen and heard; we are simply reporting the news given to us by those who did. When you come to understand this, it will revolutionize the way you preach the gospel, and talk to people about Jesus. You will also have understanding with regards to what really should be said, and the reason why. What I have to say today is in no way exhaustive on the subject; it is just a beginning, scratching the surface on a subject that covers the entirety of the gospel accounts and Epistles. Pay close attention to the personal pronouns when you are reading both the gospel accounts and Acts; this will really bring this subject to light. I’ve included in this post four short passages of scripture as examples of this. 

“Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.” (1 Corinthians 15:1-5 NASB)

I used this passage because it is a good quick synopsis of the gospel. As you can see from the passage, Christ appeared to the apostles after His resurrection, they were witnesses of His resurrection. Paul received the news of Christ death for the sins of believers and Christ subsequent resurrection from the dead the third day, the same way all of us have; by the testimony of those who witnessed the events. Paul then passed this news along to others so that they may also believe and be saved. Paul did see the risen Savior and was sent by Him, making Him an apostle, so therefore he himself could give witness to the resurrection. 

He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (Acts 1:7-8) 

As you can see from this passage, all the personal pronouns in reference to being a witness are of those who He was speaking directly to at the time, His apostles, His chosen witnesses, and in the greater passage of Acts 1:1-11 the Lord’s dialog is with the apostles, His chosen witnesses. The very ones He had chosen early on during His earthly ministry to be His witnesses.

"I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.” (John 17: 20,21 NASB)

In this, the High Priestly Prayer Jesus is praying on behalf of the church, all those who will come to faith in Him. Take note as to how they come to faith in Him, through the word given by His chosen witnesses, His apostles.

"Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." (John 20:30, 31 NASB)

In this passage the apostle John states the purpose for his writing this account. In this passage the signs Jesus performed where done in the presence of His disciples and they were not all written down. What has been written; has been written so that you, I, and a multitude of others would believe and be saved, to fulfill the commission that the Lord gave them, to be His “witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." 

“So many things have to be done to attract a crowd and to keep that crowd they have attracted why is that? Is it because the Gospel no longer has power? Or is it because we deceive ourselves into thinking that we are preachers of the Gospel? Paul said the Gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone, and that is true because power is demanded.” ~Paul Washer

So then what are we, the redeemed in Christ to do if we are not His witnesses? The commission that Jesus gave in Matthew 28:18-20 to His chosen witnesses, His apostles, applies even now; “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." We still have His chosen method of making disciples. The preaching of the gospel (Mark 16:15, Luke 24:46, 47); but we are not the witnesses of these things, it is His apostles alone who are the witnesses of the good news concerning Jesus the Christ the Son of God; His righteous life, His sacrificial death for the sins of men, His burial, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into Heaven, and the promises they heard Him make. So, therefore, when we proclaim the gospel, we must take out everything that is not their witness. We must first proclaim the scripture as it is written, and then secondly explain the scripture exegetically, which is a critical interpretation of the text. We are not to take individual scripture out of its context, and then apply them to fit our ideas. We are to take what has been written within the context of what proceeds and follows it.

So what am I saying? Stop preaching extemporaneously or using some credo form designed by men! First open the Bible and proclaim what has been written, which is the first hand account, and then secondly explain what has been written by critical interpretation of the text (exegesis).

Preaching is not a game, it is serious stuff, and needs not be taken lightly, but taken with much care and respect for the word of God, and the authority with which God has given men to proclaim His word. Open up the scripture, read the scripture, study what has been written with much care and diligence; then and only then go preach. When you go preach; firstly open up the scripture, don’t just hold the bible in your hand as a symbol, but actually proclaim what is written on the pages, then secondly explain what has been written, within the context of the authors intent. I recently heard a brother in Christ and fellow open-air preacher whom I respect say; “Preaching is teaching with authority” (Tony Miano). Do not take this authority lightly.

This is not to say that you can never spontaneously preach the gospel, of course you can and should; but only after you have previously put in the necessary time, of opening up the scripture, studying the scripture. Then and only then will you be prepared to firstly proclaim, and then secondly explain what has been written by those who are the witnesses of Jesus the Christ the Son of God; His righteous life, His sacrificial death for the sins of men, His burial, His bodily resurrection from the dead, His ascension into Heaven, His promise of eternal life to all the believing in Him.

Mike Peek a slave of Jesus Christ

The Attributes of a Believer

Have you ever grappled with the fact that Jesus said many times and in many ways “all the believing in Him will be saved”; yet, there are those who profess Jesus as Lord, saying that they believe in Him, but at the same time denying what He said by either adding works as a requirement for salvation or in living apathetically to His commands? Are these people saved or are they not saved; if what Jesus said is true, they are saved; yet, they don’t believe what He said so how can they be believing in Him?

The short answer; they are not saved, and the reason that they are not saved is because they do not believe/trust in Jesus the Christ the only begotten Son of God. One thing I know to be true; your actions will always follow your beliefs. Many of you know that I have endeavored to memorize the gospel of John, and because of this I spend a great deal of time everyday meditating on this particular book of the Bible. So, therefore, anything that I say or think is colored by this particular gospel account of our Lord. Throughout this gospel account Jesus has said many times and in many ways (the most well known of which being John 3:16) that “all the believing in Him should not perish (the eternal death/hell being the punishment for sin) but have eternal life (eternal life with God being the reward of the righteous).” So if you believe in Jesus you get what He deserves (eternal life with God) because He took what you deserve (death and hell). In fact, this word believe, occurs 61 times throughout John’s gospel account alone, more than twice that of all the other gospel accounts combined. The Greek word is πιστευων (Pisteuon) which means to believe or entrust.

As I have meditated on this gospel I have come to understand eight characteristics attributed to all the believing in Christ, as spoken by the Lord Himself in John’s gospel account. All of which are done imperfectly and none of which can be done without denying oneself. All the believing in Christ Jesus has every one of these attributes; so, therefore, if one these attributes are missing your faith is not true. They are listed in no particular order. So let’s test ourselves according the words of Jesus to see if we are in the faith.

All the Believing in Christ Jesus Look to Him

Jesus said; “For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day." (John.6.40.NASB) I cannot say this better than the preacher C. H. Spurgeon did: Look to Christ, Not to Self by C. H. Spurgeon

“It is ever the Holy Spirit’s work to turn our eyes away from self to Jesus; but Satan’s work is just the opposite of this, for he is constantly trying to make us regard ourselves instead of Christ. He insinuates, ‘Your sins are too great for pardon; you have no faith; you do not repent enough; you will never be able to continue to the end; you have not the joy of his children; you have such a wavering hold of Jesus.’ All these are thoughts about self, and we shall never find comfort or assurance by looking within. But the Holy Spirit turns our eyes entirely away from self: he tells us that we are nothing, but that ‘Christ is all in all.’

Remember, therefore, it is not thy hold of Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not thy joy in Christ that saves thee—it is Christ; it is not even faith in Christ, though that be the instrument—it is Christ’s blood and merits; therefore, look not so much to thy hand with which thou art grasping Christ, as to Christ; look not to thy hope, but to Jesus, the source of thy hope; look not to thy faith, but to Jesus, the author and finisher of thy faith. We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul. If we would at once overcome Satan and have peace with God, it must be by “looking unto Jesus.” Keep thine eye simply on him; let his death, his sufferings, his merits, his glories, his intercession, be fresh upon thy mind; when thou wakest in the morning look to him; when thou liest down at night look to him. Oh! let not thy hopes or fears come between thee and Jesus; follow hard after him, and he will never fail thee.

‘My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness:
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.’”

All the Believing in Christ Jesus Hear Him

Jesus said with regards to those who do not hear Him; “Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I speak the truth, you do not believe Me. Which one of you convicts Me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe Me? He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God" (John.8.43-47). This is a frightening truth, the reason they could not nor will not hear Him is because they do not have ears to hear Him, and they only have ears to hear what their father the devil says. They are dead spiritually; when Jesus spoke of light they thought in terms of literal light that you see with your eyes, when Jesus spoke of bread they thought of physical bread that you eat with your mouth, and when Jesus spoke of water they thought of physical water that you could bath in or drink. Jesus said about the sheep with regards to hearing Him; “I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd.” (John10.16.NASB) Jesus makes it known repeatedly in this gospel account that all the believing in Him, not just the Jewish believer, has eternal life. That is what He did in John 3:16 and that is what He does again here in John 10:16, but in this passage He is also showing that they come to Him by hearing with spiritual ears and it is not an option for them; He himself will bring them and they will hear His voice. Further on in chapter 10 of John the Jews had surrounded Jesus in the Temple and demanded of Him to tell them plainly if He was the Christ. He had already told them, but they could not hear they did not believe because they were not of His sheep. He said in John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice”. The ability to hear Jesus as He speaks in His word is a distinguishing attribute of a believer in Christ Jesus.

All the Believing in Christ Jesus Follow Him

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand” (John.10.27-28.NASB). Sheep follow the Shepherd. The Shepherd is both their source of food and their protection from wolves. They first begin to follow Him through repentance and faith, and will continue following Him through repentance and faith thereafter. He is their source of life, a follower of Christ Jesus is also called a disciple, a disciple is one sits and learns from the Teacher. The follower of Jesus Christ will come to Him regularly and listen to what He has to say through His word the scriptures. He loves the word of God because it tells Him about His Lord. The follower of Christ Jesus wants to know what His Lord has to say in all things so that he might abide in it. In order to follow Him you must deny yourself. There may be something you want to do or somewhere you want to go, but if that is not the direction that the Lord is heading, you must deny yourself and follow Him. If you are a sheep of Christ Jesus you will follow Him.

All the Believing in Christ Jesus Know Him

“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep” (John.10.14-15.NASB). The relationship between Jesus and the believer is intimate. It began as the believer met Him and entrusted his soul into His loving care. This knowing that the believer has of Jesus has grown over time as he has spent countless hours listening to Him in His word and talking to Him through prayer; this intimate relationship that the believer has with Jesus will continue to grow forever. Jesus in this passage has compared the relationship that the believer has with Him with the relationship that Jesus the Son of God has with the Father. Jesus and the Father had been together since before creation, He is eternally begotten of the Father, and now imagine that Jesus has said that the believers relationship with Him is as even as His relationship to the Father. For someone to come up to a believer in Christ Jesus and begin to tell Him about a different Jesus than the Jesus of the bible would be utterly repugnant to him.

All the Believing in Christ Jesus Trust Him

At the beginning of this article I said that Jesus has said many times and in many ways that all the believing in Him have eternal life. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John.11.25-26.NASB). It is imperative that a believer Trust what Jesus Has promised.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.” (Proverbs.3.5-7.NASB)

It is imperative that the believer in Christ Jesus not only believes in Him but trusts Him absolutely. The intimate relationship between the believer and Jesus is cultivated through prayer and much time in the scriptures. He trusts Jesus in all His promises.


All the Believing in Christ Jesus Love Him

“Jesus said to them, ‘If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and have come from God, for I have not even come on My own initiative, but He sent Me’ (John.8.42.NASB). The apostle Paul said; “But now faith, hope, love abide these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1Cor.13.13.NASB). Love is so powerful and so strong that the bible says that “God is love” (1John.4.8.NASB). The apostle Paul places love even above faith which I find incredible given that we are solely saved by the Grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus. We know about the drawing of the Holy Spirit, but have you ever thought what that might be? “God is Love”, so if a man is born from above (ἄνωθεν,anōthen), receiving the Spirit of God, does it not stand to reason that the draw would be God’s love for the Son that is now indwelling the man born from above? “Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you” (1Cor.3.16.NASB)? Jesus said, “If God were your Father, you would love Me”, the believer indwelt by the Holy Spirit loves the Son.

All the Believing in Christ Jesus Obey Him

Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John.14.15.NASB). Love obeys! Jesus has ascended to the Father, He is with us in Spirit and in His word; so how can we express our love for Him? By obeying His commandments we express our love for Him. His commandments are all the instructions that He has given in the gospels as well as the New Testament. The believer, all though imperfectly, seeks diligently to obey all that He has commanded. He does not do this as a means to earn salvation but as an expression of His love for Jesus. In my last article (Born Narcissistic) I talked about the Imperatives and the Indicatives given in scripture. In the question posed at the beginning of this article I stated that people profess to believe in Jesus but deny what He said by either adding works as a requirement for salvation or in living apathetically to His commands. They refuse to look at the entirety of scripture; they either focus solely on the commands determining that they must keep the commands in order to be saved, or they focus solely on the grace of God completely ignoring His commands because they love themselves and their sin more than Him. In scripture there are both Indicatives stating who we are in Christ Jesus and Imperatives stating what we are to do given who we are. The believer has been given the gift of eternal life by the grace of God, redeemed by the blood of Christ Jesus through faith in Jesus. The believer has been bought at a high price, the precious blood of the Son of God, God in human flesh; the believer owes Him everything. Does it not stand to reason that the believer would then deny himself diligently seeking to obey the things the Lord has commanded out of his love for Jesus?

All the believing in Christ Jesus Love One Another

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John.13.34-35.NASB). As I thought about what to say here, and read the word of God, I realized I could do no better than the Apostle John did in his first letter. “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time; if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.” (1John.4.7-21.NASB)

My purpose in writing this was not to cast judgment; saying this person or that person is not saved. The one who believes he is saved through works has no doubts because he has kept whatever system that he believes he is saved by, and the one who claims the grace of God all the while stomping on the blood of Christ as being unworthy as he continues to walk purposefully in his trespasses and sins does not doubt either, because he loves himself so why wouldn’t God love him. I did not write this for them, but to give those who are truly in Christ Jesus reassurance of their salvation; the closer I come to the Lord it seems the more wretched that I think I am, which causes one to question not the Lord but their faith. Am I truly saved, I think such horrible things? How can I be saved when I think and do these things? Praise the Lord that the true believer when he doubts will then look to Jesus, and his vicarious death on the cross as payment in full for his sins. He will open up His word and hear Him following Him were ever He may lead. He knows the Lord and is not led astray by false teachers. He reads the promises that the Lord has made and trust Him. He loves the Lord and is thankful for what He alone did on the cross on his behalf, and therefore diligently seeks to obey him in all his commandments. He loves the other brothers and sisters in Christ coming into fellowship with them.


A slave of Jesus Christ