If Almighty God controls the outcome of all events – past, present, and future, and if he knows all things and there is nothing he cannot do, why didn’t he create mankind as righteous and holy beings, thereby eliminating the need for a savior, bypassing the risks of the human experience, and putting everyone happily in Heaven from the beginning? Why was mankind created innocent, then allowed to fall into sin, requiring salvation by faith in Jesus Christ, or be doomed to perish in Hell? What might be the reason for the operation of redemption by faith?   

God’s Objective

It is helpful to know God’s objective for humanity as we seek the answer to this question. God tells us clearly what he wants – a people fit to be his adopted children, the brethren of his Son, who love him with all their heart, mind, and soul; who are worthy of a relationship with him, of ruling with him, and of being conformed to the holy qualities of his Son. God desires a people for his own possession. ^{Romans 8:29, Colossians 1:12-13, Matthew 22:37-38, Titus 2:14}

 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; For you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. ^{1st Peter 2:9-10}

Made in the Image of God

To achieve his objective of cultivating a people fit to be his children, a “royal priesthood”, a “holy nation” to rule with him, ^{2nd Timothy 2:12} God created mankind in his own image, that is, with the attributes of personhood. ^{Genesis 1:27} These attributes, which set humans apart from animals, include personality, conscience, intellect, reasoning ability, conversational skill, the capacity to grasp abstract concepts, and profound emotions.

Most consequential, personhood also includes self-determination or free will – the capacity to act on one’s desires and to function as individuals with personal agency, meaning the power and freedom to make choices. ^{Genesis 2:16-17} It’s obvious why God bestowed free will upon humanity – only those who believe, love, and serve God of their own volition can participate in a sincere, genuine relationship with him. Without free will, professions of faith, love, devotion, worship, gratitude, and service lack any merit at all. Slaves do not work in the fields out of love.

The Risk of Free Will Realized

Tragically and predictably, with the freedom to choose obedience or disobedience, humanity instantly went off the rails. Eve believed Satan’s lies, defied her creator, and took a bite of the apple to become enlightened, but also cursed. Adam followed suit, hilariously blaming Eve and then God for giving him Eve. Eve blamed the snake. ^{Genesis 3:6-13} Cain murdered a quarter of the Earth’s population!

Since mankind was ejected from the paradise of Eden to toil in the dust from which he had come, he has understood good and evil, experienced pain and death, and exists as inherently unrighteous creatures from generation to generation. In this wretched condition, it was no surprise that humanity’s firstborn son turned out to be a murderer, killing his brother in a jealous rage. ^{Genesis 4:8-10}

God clearly tells us that perfect righteousness is his standard, and the penalty for falling short of that (to have committed any sin, at any time) is separation from himself and an eternity of punishment in the fire of Hell. Thousands of years later, the status of mankind remains unchanged – none righteous, all deserving hell.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ^{Romans 3:23}

Rescue by Substitutionary Atonement

An unrighteous man, by his own effort and merit, is incapable of meeting God’s requirement of perfect righteousness. ^{Romans 3:10-12} God could have written humanity off and almost did when he killed everyone on earth except for 8 souls. ^{Genesis 6:5-21} But to salvage an unholy race, he provided a means of rescue from adversity with himself, and from the terrible punishment for sin through the doctrine of substitutionary atonement, in which an innocent life is sacrificed to atone for the sins of a guilty one. For about 1,400 years after the exodus from Egyptian captivity, the Jews slaughtered untold numbers of animals under the sacrificial system prescribed by God, a symbolic, temporary covering for sins and an acknowledgment that atonement for sin requires death. This bloody liturgy did not bring salvation to the Jews but foreshadowed the final, perfect sacrifice of the Son of God, which would permanently take away the sins of the world. ^{2nd Corinthians 5:21; 1st Peter 2:24}

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ^{Romans 6:23}

From the Slaughter of Farm Animals to Faith

Escape from the penalty of sin, reconciliation to, and peace with God, is not found in slitting the throats of lambs or calves, nor in anything a man does in his life, but God has made the efficacy of substitutional atonement an operation of Faith. ^{Ephesians 2:8-9}

Faith is a firm conviction that what God tells you is true, and then living accordingly. Faith is belief in things that are unseen, spiritual things. It is on one’s faith that Jesus is God, crucified in substitutional atonement for your sins, and raised from the dead, that salvation and reconciliation with God rest.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. ^{Romans 10:9-11}

Why Faith?

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ^{Hebrews 11:1}

It is interesting that man’s eternal destiny is determined by the intangible attribute of faith, namely, the belief that the words of a God we cannot see, hear, or touch are true. I would submit that faith, rather than human effort, is the chosen measure because it is the perfect element that bears witness to a heart, soul, and mind that genuinely loves God. Because saving faith occurs involuntarily, it is never spurious or inauthentic. It attests to and confirms a humble, receptive, and transformed heart. Faith cannot be conjured; it is either present or not. It is a gift from God.

Those whose fertile hearts receive, believe, and submit to the good news of Jesus Christ of their own accord are, by the grace of God, imputed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and the penalty for their sin is laid on him. They are deemed righteous in the eyes of God and are now qualified by his mercy and grace to be his people. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast. ^{Ephesians 2:8-9}

The Answer

We can therefore surmise that the reason for the operation of redemption by faith is that salvation is required for the unrighteous to populate his kingdom with a chosen, holy people who love, worship, and serve him of their own accord. The following 5 points taken together support the reason for the operation of salvation by faith:

• Free will is required for a voluntary, genuine relationship of love, worship, and gratitude toward God^{.  Joshua 24:15}

• With free will, mankind is incapable of resisting all that is in the secular world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; that is, mankind is unable to resist sin. ^{1 John 2:16}

• Rescue from the terrible penalty for sin is provided by the work of Jesus on the cross. Access to that substitutional atonement is by faith that Jesus Christ is who he claimed to be. ^{Romans 6:23}

• It is faith, not works or effort, that measures the condition of one’s heart. It is through faith that, by the mercy of God, we are saved. ^{Ephesians 2:8-9}

• The purpose of this program is to cultivate a people qualified to be God’s adopted children from an unrighteous, unworthy populace. ^{John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17; 1st Corinthians 6:9-11; Galatians 3:26; Galatians 4:4-7}

This program of salvation by faith was planned by God, including the crucifixion of his Son. It is his sovereign will.

The Impact on Those with Faith

Those who place their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, with an eternal future secure, live their mortal lives in anticipation of glorification, when they will enter Heaven and live in the presence of their loving Father for eternity. We look forward to the time when faith is over, and sin, with its awful consequences, is eradicated from our lives.

Until then, Christians respond to their high calling by enduring, persevering, and maturing in faith during their time here on earth. With priorities, attitudes, and conduct transformed by the Holy Spirit of God, we joyfully live in obedience to God and in service to our fellow man, always ready to give an answer for the hope we have, that is, to tell others of our salvation and the blessings of our reconciliation with God, in the hope that they respond to the revelation and find salvation in Jesus Christ.

Because of our standing, we do not fear man. We endure trials with calm joy, ^{James 1:2-4} because the suffering in this world is insignificant compared to the joy in store for us, ^{Romans 8:18} we do not fear death, as our mortal fate is in God’s loving hands, and our lives have transcendent meaning and purpose as we strive to please God in all we do. We do not fear the world; instead, we fear God. ^{Matthew 10:28}

The operation of salvation by faith is God’s sieve to separate the wheat from the chaff, to confirm those fit to be his people. The chosen few, who understand the terrible fate we were saved from, and the incomprehensible inheritance we were saved for, are grateful to tears and unending devotion.

 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye t love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. ^{1st Peter 1:6-9}

A Scarce and Precious Commodity

Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is narrow and the way is constricted that leads to life, and there are few who find it. ^{Matthew 7:13-14}

Though available to everyone, saving faith is relatively uncommon. Most will not find the narrow gate, as the impediments to faith are so overwhelming that it is indeed a miracle when someone comes to know Jesus Christ. Pride, self-sufficiency, a hardened heart wallowing in sin, intellectual enlightenment, our culture’s rejection of God, and the nonsense of contrived traditions, ridiculous liturgy, corruption, and false doctrines of organized religion conspire to lead souls away from Christ. Given mankind’s freedom, the abundant opportunity for sin, and the strong appeal of the world’s fleeting enticements, it is no surprise that most souls end up in Hell. The consequences of this for the majority of mankind are catastrophic.

When you become a Christian, you become a new kind of person.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. ^{2nd Corinthians 5:17}

As a child, I was well-versed in the message of salvation, and in my teens, I publicly declared my faith in Jesus Christ and was “saved.” My father and I were baptized together in a small Texas Southern Baptist church during the same evening service. That was around 1974. The foundation of my education in God’s word, laid so long ago, was instrumental in my preparation, but it wasn’t until I was in my mid-50s, 40 years later, that I felt drawn, led, or driven – however you want to put it – to turn to God. It was then that I experienced a profound change, in many ways dramatic, and finally became a new kind of person.

It was a combination of challenging circumstances that brought me to this point. My father, whom I was very close to, was terminally ill, and we knew his death was imminent. The anxious thought of losing him, a figure of stability and security in my life, along with other life pressures, heightened my primary source of anxiety and stress: a highly demanding job. I felt that my knowledge, experience, and confidence were, at best, the minimum needed to succeed. I worried that I lacked the competency to handle the role, and the workload felt overwhelming.

The pressure to perform was crushing, and a crippling fear bloomed inside me. This ongoing sense of failure anxiety affected every aspect of my life. At its worst, I was not able to perform at work. Fear would grip me during meetings, leaving me frozen in panic. With a pounding heart, sweaty palms, and an inability to breathe, think, or speak, I had to endure the embarrassment of excusing myself from meetings. The worry that this might cost me my job intensified my stress and anxiety, creating a vicious cycle of fear. It became clear that I couldn’t manage or cope with it on my own; self-reliance no longer carried me through the tough days.

The unexpected benefit of weakness is that God uses it to draw us closer to him. When I realized I had reached the limit of my ability to cope effectively, I turned to God. To the best of my ability, I surrendered my entire life to him, including all my challenges, insecurities, and failures. I placed my job, my role as a father and husband, my attitude, happiness, and future in his hands, and the result was astonishing.

I experienced a shift in attitude and perspective as my desire to live in a way that pleases God became my highest priority. The issues and trials in my life continue, but I find that, with God’s help, I can now handle and navigate them effectively. I have learned that this life is a test; I expect to face an abundance of challenges and difficulties as God works to develop and mature me to be more like Christ. The growing conviction that God is in control, along with my belief that the struggles in this mortal life are insignificant compared to the eternal joy ahead, helps calm my fears and anxieties about the day’s affairs. I have learned to trust in God.

I felt his loving kindness as he comforted us through my father’s passing. I was there when Dad took his last breath, and although the separation was difficult, we found peace throughout it all. I felt his support as he established me at work, far beyond what I thought possible. Through him, I gained confidence, worth, and reassurance – not just in the job but in knowing that his plan for me was the best I could hope for. He blessed my marriage with increased understanding, tolerance, and patience, along with a stronger desire to serve. Nineteen years of marriage now, and we have never been closer or more complete together.

Most importantly, I have peace knowing that all things now work for my good, and after my mortal life, I will spend eternity in Heaven. I strive to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and I have true peace with God. I now understand and experience the often-repeated paradox in the Bible: “Whoever wishes to keep his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for my sake will keep it.” I am grateful that God gave me the time to reach this point. My 40 years of wandering in the wilderness had come to an end. 

As I mature in my faith, I see self-serving attitudes fading away, replaced by a resolute desire to please God. This transformation is not instantaneous; it unfolds throughout your life as you pursue God and he works to make you more like Christ in motives, thoughts, and behavior.

As you immerse yourself in God’s word and absorb truth from sound teachers and fellow believers, he opens your eyes to understand what is right and proper while convicting you of what is wrong and unacceptable. Actively pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ, and you will experience transformation. Undoubtedly, you will look back in disbelief at what you once sought in the world, how you lived your life, how you treated others, and what you thought was acceptable.

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.^{Romans 10:9-10}

The Word of God is clear about how one is deemed righteous and saved from the wrath of God: by believing and confessing your obedient submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

• Believe that Jesus was raised from the dead after being crucified. It is the resurrection that confirms Jesus was who he claimed to be – God incarnate. This proves that his atonement for your sins was effective and affirms that he is alive, seated at the right hand of his Father in Heaven. To “believe in thine heart” means having a deep personal conviction that this is true. This belief goes beyond intellectual understanding; it is a confident, immutable, and resolute truth held in your heart.

• Confess is to affirm that Jesus is the Lord of your life. Make this confession to God in acceptance of his gift and proclaim to the world your salvation. This confession is not a mere utterance but a sincere proclamation from your heart. It affirms that because of conviction in your belief, you no longer live for yourself; your priority now is to live in obedience and to follow him. The evidence of saving faith is submission to Jesus; he must be in charge, not you. Intellectual belief alone is not faith that will save you from Hell. The demons believe, but they do not call him Lord.

How does one come to saving faith?

What brings someone to the point where they believe and confess? The Word of God is also clear on this.

Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Hearing means being receptive to and understanding the message of the gospel of Jesus. When the good news is heard, God will compel belief and then faith. To “hear” is often a process. Listen to the Word, read the Word (four books you might start with are John, Romans, James, and 1st Peter), visit a Bible-teaching church, pray, and keep your mind and heart open. You should pursue this until you draw a conclusion or no longer have an interest. Faith in Jesus may come quickly, take 30 years, or never come at all.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. ^{Romans 10:17}

The work of God is transformation, and the response of man is repentance.

Those who respond to God’s call experience an awakening of their soul and spirit. This renewal is a divine act by the Holy Spirit that brings spiritual life to those who were spiritually dead in their sins.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened (made alive) us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) ^{Ephesians 2:4-5}

Now spiritually alive, aware of our wretched nature and grateful for God’s mercy and grace, we repent. Repentance involves a fundamental change of heart, mind, and direction; it means turning away from sin and toward God, toward obedience to his commands. It is an active conscience – an internal awareness that judges our actions against the moral, holy truth we embrace; that drives our repentance.    

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. ^{Acts 3:19}

Repentance, persistence in obedient submission to Jesus, and the conviction of faith, all increase as you are sanctified throughout your mortal life. Your desire to live in a way that pleases God strengthens as you mature in your Christian life.

Faith is a gift from God. Saving faith is a gift by the grace of God; there is nothing you can do to earn it. This is why we who are headed to Heaven are grateful beyond words. But you do have the free will to reject God’s gift, live for yourself in this life, and then suffer for eternity in the next.

No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. ^{John 6:44}

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. ^{Ephesians 2:8-9}

Finding a church where you can grow in your faith, serve God, and enjoy fellowship with other believers is a very good thing. Look for a church that teaches directly and only from the Holy Bible. In my opinion, those who teach verse by verse (expository), digging into the depths of the scriptures, are the best. A church that covers the fundamentals of the Gospel – the unrighteousness of mankind, the deity of Jesus, his atonement for our sins, his resurrection, and that faith in him alone brings salvation – is where you want to be.

Many churches teach what the Bible says and uphold sound doctrine, but in organized religion today, there is also a morass of error, deception, and crazy stuff. Here are signs of places you might want to avoid. The following teachings are red flags that something is wrong:

• Jesus is not God; he is a created being.
• There are more gods than the one God of the Bible.
• That you can become a God.
• You are good, and God loves you just the way you are.
• God wants you happy, healthy, and wealthy.
• Prayer to or the worship of dead people.
• You must give the church your money.
• Your salvation is dependent on things you must do.
• There are other ways to Heaven other than faith in Jesus.
• There are revelations from God outside of the 66 books of the Holy Bible.

Some churches aim to entertain, offer emotional experiences, or provide repetitive, mechanical liturgy. Avoid these kinds of churches that have missed the point, and also run from a church where the clergy enjoys luxury cars or private aircraft. Human religion often ends in death, so find a church that prioritizes preaching the truth from God’s Word above all else.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. ^{2nd Timothy 4:3-4}

Christians live by the Word of God, which provides guiding principles of conduct and wisdom for living in accordance with his will. Here is the secret to a successful life that pleases God and provides you with direction, purpose, fulfillment, and peace. Follow these principles, and you will live your best life.

Fear God

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. ^{Ecclesiastes 12:13} 

To fear God means recognizing who and what he is: the only living God, the creator of all things, the judge of our souls, whose wrath can destroy us, and who can save us through his loving mercy and grace. Because of this, we live in awe (fear, even paralysis, with overwhelming possibility), respect, reverence, and obedience to our Father, who holds total authority and power over everything.

If we fear and love him for his mercy and grace, we are motivated to obey his word, strive to live according to his will, and conduct ourselves in a way that pleases him. God gives us the strength to do these things and grants us the wisdom to live in accordance with his will.

The fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom; and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. ^{Proverbs 9:10}

Trust in God

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ^{Proverbs 3:5-6}

Place your unwavering faith in God. Accept that his ways are beyond your understanding, and trust him with all aspects of your life.

Love God

And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. ^{Mark 12:30}

The first and foremost commandment clearly tells us to love God above everything else. We are meant to love him completely, with our entire being, putting him before everything else.

The word “love” can mean many things. In this context, it refers to love shown through will, action, dedication, commitment, and purpose. It comes from our gratitude for his mercy (the forgiveness of sins) and his saving grace, which make us heirs to his kingdom (our justification), as well as our humble respect (the fear of God) for who he is. Loving God in this way leads to obedience to his will; if you love God, you will keep his commandments. This love is not based on emotions, friendship, or religious rituals.

It is crucial to recognize that God takes this commandment seriously. It is a directive, not a suggestion. In the verse below, Moses tells the Jews that God does not tolerate those who reject his commands and love other gods (idols) of the world.

Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth. ^{Deuteronomy 6:14-15}

Solomon tells us in Proverbs, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” While fear is the beginning, it is through love that wisdom is fully realized. Those who love God will immerse themselves in his word, obey his commands, and discover his wisdom.

Live in the Word of God

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ^{2nd Timothy 3:16}

It is the Word of God that gives us doctrine, instruction, and correction. When we immerse ourselves in the Word every day, we are empowered to live confidently in faith.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ^{Colossians 3:16}

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. ^{Psalm 119:105}

Strive to be the Unashamed Workman

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. ^{2nd Timothy 2:15}

Work diligently to present yourself as approved by God. Know and understand the truth in the scriptures. Handle them properly with confidence and a good conscience, and deliver them in humble simplicity and sincerity.

Be Humble

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. ^{Matthew 23:11-12}

The world often suggests that greatness comes from pride, power, and dominance. However, Jesus teaches that true greatness resides in humility and serving others. He, the highest authority, demonstrated this humility by humbling himself to death on a cross, offering salvation from sin to the world through his sacrifice. Achievements gained through ungrateful arrogance are repulsive, while accomplishments rooted in humble service reflect the nature of Christ. 

Love Your Neighbor

And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. _{Matthew 22:39}

The second greatest commandment is to love others as we love ourselves. Unlike our love of obedience to our Heavenly Father, this commandment emphasizes love as an act of service. We are called to love others as Jesus loved us. This involves qualities like patience, tolerance, humility, service, support, encouragement, and edification. It is free from envy, coveting, arrogance, and self-serving attitudes.

This love is not an emotion; it’s defined by our attitude, actions, and deeds. We’re not asked to like others, but to love them! When we interact with others, including those we might see as adversaries, we should aim to treat them as Jesus would. Always remember to ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?”

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. ^{John 15:12}

Forgive and Love Your Enemy

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ^{Matthew 6:14-15}

Forgiving those who have wronged us, whether friends or enemies, is a command. To forgive is a divine act, exemplified by God’s mercy toward us. We pray that the Holy Spirit grants us this ability.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ^{Matthew 5:43-44}

Hating your enemy is a natural, instinctive reaction. However, loving your enemy is one of the great distinguishing traits of Christianity. This goes against what the world would do; it is only possible through a life changed by the Holy Spirit.

Pray About Everything

Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. ^{Philippians 4:6}

Gratefully ask God for what you need. Take everything to the Lord. Pray about everything, worry about nothing. When you suffer, pray for God to lift you, comfort you, establish you, and heal you. When others are in pain, trouble, or heading in the wrong direction, pray for God to intervene. Seek those rooted in faith to pray with and for you. The power of fervent prayer is effective, sometimes amazingly so, when it aligns with God’s will. God hears and answers prayer all the time; it confirms that our faith is not in vain.

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. ^{James 5:16}

Be Grateful to God

Be grateful for the ridiculous shower of unmerited blessings we enjoy. The forgiveness of our sins and reconciliation with God through the blood of Jesus Christ sit at the top of that list.

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; ^{Ephesians 5:20}

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. ^{1st Thessalonians 5:18}

Exercise Discernment, not Judgement

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5

Do not judge others, or you will be judged by God. We are called to love others, not to act self-righteously, be oppressively judgmental, critical, or condemning. Who are we to judge others in that way? Judgment is the domain of God alone. But we must be discerning enough to distinguish truth from error and good from evil. We are called to evaluate the actions or intentions of others, especially those that contradict God’s holy doctrine.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ^{1st Thessalonians 5:21-23}

Know That What You Say Matters

Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. ^{James 3:4-8}

Your words can wreck your life. In a moment of foolishness, you might hurt others, damage your reputation, and dishonor God. An undisciplined tongue is the hallmark of a fool. Discipline in what you say, along with listening and calm control, are marks of a mature Christian.

But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. ^{James 1:19}

Those who live in Christ, seeking God’s approval, speak differently from those who are lost in the world. God despises those who spew boastful arrogance, slander (tearing others down), obscenities, and offensive, malicious, and derogatory language. This includes those who dishonor and disparage God by using his name as profanity.  This is all filth from the world and should not be present in those who live in Christ. What you say matters, and you will be held accountable for everything that comes out of your mouth.

Often, the best approach is to remain silent. Unless you’re confident that what you’re about to say is true, adds value, isn’t self-serving, and pleases God, it’s better to keep it to yourself.

Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is considered prudent. ^{Proverbs 17:28}

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: ^{1st Peter 3:10}

A common belief is that trying to be a good person during your time on Earth is enough to avoid Hell. You might feel virtuous by being good, whatever that may mean, but it does not earn salvation. Salvation is only found in Jesus Christ; relying on the deficient righteousness of your humanity means your fate is to face God’s wrath and eternal damnation.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ^{Matthew 7:21-23}

Qualities that define a good person, demonstrated through love and obedience to God and service to others, will lead to reward and glory in the next life. Good works do not earn us salvation; we are saved to do good works.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ^{Ephesians 2:8-10}

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. ^{Matthew 16:27}

Astounding Evil.

Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceedingly wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. ^{Matthew 2:16}

The evil that man is capable of knows no limits. Through history, we have countless examples of unthinkable, astounding evil from the corrupt souls of mankind. To kill every innocent child to address a perceived threat to his kingship is malevolence from the pit of Hell.

Jesus will separate the wheat from the chaff.

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worth to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan (winnowing fork) is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor and gather his wheat into the garner (barn); but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. ^{Matthew 3:11-12}

The agricultural symbolism in the verse above is clear. The saved are gathered in Heaven, while the lost spend eternity in Hell. His “threshing floor” represents God’s judgment, with the verdict determined during each person’s lifetime on earth. God’s children—those saved by the blood of Jesus Christ—are distinguished and separated from those who are forever lost and condemned during our brief time here on Earth.

Transcendent, eternal joy and peace await those who successfully arrive at the threshing floor as wheat, not chaff. The word of God is crystal clear on how this is accomplished; it is only by faith in Jesus Christ. Later, in Heaven or Hell, we will reflect on our time here on Earth, when the quality of our eternity was settled, with either gratitude and joy or deep anguish, remorse, and sorrow. This mortal life is God’s sieve to separate those who are his from those who are not.

Here, the fate of the unrighteous vs the righteous is clearly presented. I love that we will shine forth as the sun in Heaven!

The Son of Man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his Kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. ^{Matthew 13:41-43}

Love your enemy.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ^{Matthew 5:43-44}

Hating your enemy is a natural, instinctive response. However, to love your enemy is one of the great distinguishing characteristics of Christianity. This is the opposite of what the world would do; it is possible only in a life transformed by the Holy Spirit.

To forgive is not a suggestion.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ^{Matthew 6:14-15}

Forgiveness of those who have wronged us, both friends and adversaries, is a command. To forgive is a divine action, exemplified by God’s mercy toward us. We pray that the Holy Spirit gives us this ability.

Our treasure is in Heaven.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ^{Matthew 6:19-21}

Jesus tells us that where your treasure is, your heart will be also. Living to accumulate wealth and stuff is fleeting happiness, and one day you will leave it all behind. Accumulating treasure in heaven by serving God and others pays eternal dividends. You can indeed either pursue your lusts or you can serve God – you cannot serve both.

Don’t worry.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. ^{Matthew 6:33-34}

This is where faith provides one of its greatest earthly rewards. God will abundantly provide everything you need when you trust him. No good comes from worry; it needlessly steals peace and happiness from today in fear of what might happen tomorrow. Don’t worry about tomorrow, because today has enough trouble of its own.

God hears and answers prayers.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. ^{Matthew 7:7-8}

God hears our prayers and provides for those who strive to live in accordance with His will. It is answered prayer that confirms our faith, and by his provision, we know we are never alone or left fending for ourselves. Know that God is not your genie, and we trust he gives or withholds all things for our good.

The Golden Rule.

Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.  ^{Matthew 7:12}

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This is fulfillment of the 2nd most important commandment – to love your neighbor as yourself. This is a foundational Christian attitude.

Few will find the way to Heaven.

Enter ye in at the strait (narrow) gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.  ^{Matthew 7:13-14}

We all choose a gate to enter. The narrow gate is faith in Jesus Christ, and the way is narrow because it is constricted by the word of God. To believe in Jesus, to establish him as the Lord of your life, and live in submissive obedience to the word of God, is the narrow gate and the narrow path to heaven. Wide and easy is the path that caters to desires in this life, often promising prosperity, health, and happiness. There is only one way to the Father and to eternal life, and that is the narrow way of Jesus Christ. All other paths lead to an eternity in hell. Sadly, most happily travel the wide path to destruction.

Beware corrupt teachers who will lead you to Hell.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? ^{Matthew 7:15-16}

Beware of false prophets. A false prophet is anyone who leads people away from the narrow gate of Jesus Christ. These tools of Satan are everywhere, and many are clothed in trappings of Christianity; truly wolves in sheep’s clothing.

There are heretics who openly, blatantly teach against the truth of the bible. There are apostates, those who have rejected the truth, and then there are deceivers, who pervert the truth to capture the undiscerning. These crafty liars are the emissaries of Satan who will deceive you, selling a way to Heaven that lands you in Hell. You can tell the false versus the faithful prophets by their fruits (their character and motives, what they do, obedience to God). Look at what they produce, bad fruit is seen in bad character (how they live in immorality), in their corrupt attitudes (arrogant, greedy, seeking power & prestige, self-willed, jealous, pompous, self-indulgent, and vain). These are hucksters peddling the word of God, selling Jesus for profit. Good fruit is manifested in the genuine desire to glorify God, to overcome the offensiveness of sin, to magnify Christ, living in humility and selflessness.

The most terrifying verse in the bible.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. ^{Matthew 7:21-23}

This speaks of the poor souls who approach God on their terms. Possibly, they were deceived by false teachers, or a wide-gate religion that failed or chose not to follow the word of God. These may be devout religious individuals who follow rules and rituals, or the lax souls who believed they were saved by their good intentions, words, and attempts to live a good life, but never made Christ the Lord over their lives. The terrifying shock of being found guilty and condemned when salvation was thought to be in hand is incomprehensible. In disbelief, they join those who rejected Christ and face the crushing eternal anguish, agony, and misery of God’s wrath.

God says Believe and I will show you.

And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour. ^{Matthew 8:13}

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. ^{Matthew 9:20-22}

And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. ^{Matthew 9:27-30}

Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. ^{Matthew 21:21-22}

Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: ^{Matthew 12:38-39}

It is man’s nature to say, “I will believe, maybe, if you show me something astounding.” But it is by faith first that brings the hand of God into play. If we have faith (the conviction of things not seen, the promises of God), then we will experience the power of God.

Fear God, not men.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. ^{Matthew 10:28}

Jesus has told his disciples that as they preach the gospel, they will be persecuted, but to not fear what man can do to them. We live in complete confidence that our lives and well-being are in God’s hands. Fear no man, but fear your creator, the ultimate authority who holds the fate of mankind in his hands.

Find rest for your soul in Jesus.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light ^{Matthew 11:28-30}

Jesus invites people who are burdened by sin to come to Him for rest. Rest means salvation, so this is an invitation to salvation. Take Christ’s yoke upon yourself by submitting to his lordship. The objective of Satan is to convince us that it is better and preferable to live without God, to reject taking the yoke of Christ. But that is a lie – living under submission to Christ is a life under the loving God. He is gentle, tender, and under his yoke is where we find peace, fulfillment, and rest. Christ demands your life, but he is not an oppressive, cruel master. The yoke of the world that Satan rules is crushing, cruel, and leads to eternal damnation.

Live only for God.

And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. ^{Matthew 10:32-33}

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. ^{Matthew 16:24-27}

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. ^{Matthew 19:29}

Here is the great paradox. Live for yourself, your desires, comfort, prosperity, and glory, then you will lose your life in hell. Live for God, giving him your life as a living sacrifice, and you will enjoy eternal life and reward in Heaven. Living your life in obedience to God is proof of saving faith.

 Jesus is the only way to the Father.

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. ^{Matthew 11:27}

God gives the elect to his Son, and it is through Jesus that we are able to know God. There is only one way to God that does not end in condemnation, and that is by faith in Jesus. “No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:6

The most important question.

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. ^{Matthew 16:13-16}

The most important question in life is asked by Jesus . . . “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?”  The answer is correctly given by Peter, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” If you get this wrong, then nothing else matters, because then you have no hope of salvation.

Ruined by wealth.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. ^{Matthew 19:23-24}

The more self-sufficient we are, the more likely it is that we live for our lusts, stuff, and security; the less we feel the need for a savior, and the harder it is to find the narrow gate. To come to saving faith in Christ, you must realize your moral and righteous bankruptcy, turn to Christ for salvation, and forsake all you have to follow him. For the self-sufficient, this is near impossible for them, and their best days are now; those who grasp their spiritual weakness will enjoy their best days ahead in Heaven.

The two most important commandments.

Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. ^{Matthew 22:36-40}

Love (obedience and devotion) God, and love (service) your neighbor. Pretty clear.

Greatness is found in humility.

 But is shall not be so among you: but whosever will be great among you , let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. ^{Matthew 20:26-28}

Humility is one of the most Christ-like characteristics one can possess. We are to put the interest of others above ourselves. We do this (along with forgiveness) because that is what we experienced from God.

Teach the world.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.  ^{Matthew 28:19-20}

We are called to be evangelists, sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the world.