Category Archives: f) Apologetics, & Interpretations

Observations and perspectives on interesting, controversial, confusing, or troubling concepts in the word of God.

The Acceptable Year of the Lord

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700 years before Christ, the prophet Isaiah wrote astounding prophetic details about the Messiah to come. He wrote about Jesus and his sacrifice to save mankind from the wrath of God. Seven centuries later, Jesus reads aloud to the Jews about himself from Isaiah’s book:

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, Isaiah 61:1 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord. Isaiah 61:2 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. Luke 4:18-21

Isaiah 61:1 speaks of the Messiah (the one anointed, or chosen, by the Holy Spirit of God) and that he is to deliver the good news (the gospel) of salvation to the spiritually bankrupt. He has come to give hope to the hopeless, to bring the light of God’s truth to those who live in the darkness of ignorance (the blind), and to free those who are captive to sin and crushed by the world.

In Isaiah 61:2, the “acceptable year of the Lord” is the age when salvation is offered to mankind. The Messiah has arrived, and through his substitutional atonement for our sins and by faith in him, man can be deemed righteous and reconciled to God. Jesus stuns the congregation when he tells them he has fulfilled this prophecy! They were so joyous that the long-awaited Messiah had arrived with the news of salvation and eternal life that they tried to kill him. Not much later, they would succeed in nailing him to a cross, an act of murder that unwittingly achieved God’s plan for salvation.

What Jesus did not read was the next part of Isaiah’s 2nd verse, which says to proclaim “the day of vengeance of our God.” Jesus stopped short because it was not yet time for vengeance. For now, Jesus has come to save the world, not to condemn it. John 3:17 Be thankful that we live in this time when the grace of God is extended to all who believe, and we can accept his gift of salvation, but the day of vengeance is near and will arrive when least expected, like a thief in the night. 1st Thessalonians 5:1-7

Humanity Under Judgement

The Acceptable Year of the Lord has been a very long year. Two thousand calendar years and counting, but as we witness the accelerating deterioration of humanity’s morality, we know that time must be short. It seems God has left the building, and the guard rails of Judeo-Christian values, ethics, and principles are falling away. It feels that way because it is true. God abandons those who reject him. Paul tells us in Romans that God deals with unbelief by giving man over to himself.

And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (improper – unrighteous); Romans 1:28

A reprobate mind is morally corrupt, foreordained to damnation, rejected as worthless, and not withstanding a test. The blooming depravity in our world, a product of reprobate minds, is evident. Unthinkable things are now common headlines; it seems we are becoming like Sodom, and that it is as it was in the days of Noah; both biblical references to the societal condition that brought the complete and absolute destruction by the wrath of God. 2 Peter 2:6 & Matthew 24:37

Proof of our societal decay is not hard to find. We see sexual perversion promoted and normalized, along with the insidious indoctrination of children into vile ideologies. Violent acts of evil are carried out against the helpless, sometimes by sacrificing the unborn to the god of convenience, sometimes by demonic youth slaughtering their classmates. We see corrupt and profane politicians who lust for power and money, pandering to a depraved and immoral constituency. We see mass insanity, where people do not know if they are girls or boys, mutilating themselves to be what they are not. We live in an apostate society where a preponderance of the population has proudly and decisively rejected God. The wholesome righteousness of Christianity is often mocked and shunned, and disciples of Christ are made out to be fools. There is no fear of God, and it is undoubtedly late December in the Acceptable Year of the Lord.

This is God’s judgment: that pagan man is abandoned and left to his own devices. When God leaves, you can count on man going off the rails – immorality, depravity, and malevolence will reign. At some point, this will go too far. The divine scales will tip, God will end the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance will dawn.

 The Day of Vengeance of Our God

The day of vengeance is the final cataclysmic judgment by God on unrepentant sinners who have rejected Jesus Christ. The wrath of God that will be poured out on the unbelieving world is almost incomprehensible. Look to the book of Revelation for a taste of the suffering and horror that will engulf the Earth.

It begins with Christians being taken off the Earth. 1st Thessalonians 4:16-18 About 2.3 billion people follow some form of Christianity today. Assume that three-quarters of those are not really Christians but, instead, a sad facsimile headed to eternal damnation. Matthew 7:13-14 & Matthew 7:21-23 So, if ¼ of professing Christians have actually made Jesus their Lord, then 600 million people will instantaneously disappear off the face of the Earth. This will surely plunge the world into chaos! Along with the Christians will go the values and ethics of a people devoted to God. What had been a bulwark against the tide of the evil inherent in man and the demonic desires of our old friend Satan will be gone.

The world will be ripe for conquest, which will happen by godless, malevolent men. They will control the world’s affairs while, for seven terrible years, God will unleash his wrath in dramatic natural catastrophic events to torment and crush a wicked world. The magnitude of suffering will be astounding. Many, including the nation of Israel, will turn to Christ in this time of torment. The culmination will be the return of Jesus Christ to Earth, not this time as the suffering servant pleading people to believe, but as God Almighty with a heavy hand to judge and make war with all who oppose him. Armageddon, the grand finale, will be known as the 2-second battle as Jesus will kill them all simply by his word. Revelation 19:21

For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Romans 14:11

Now, back to today, we are still in the acceptable day of the Lord. As John the Baptist said, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” Matthew 3:2 The disciples of Jesus Christ will not endure the day of vengeance. So please wake up, take heed, and believe. The coming storm is obvious to those who live in the Word of God.

You Are What You Think.

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You are not what you think you are; instead, you are what you think. The spiritual struggle is for your mind because that is what feeds the soul, with either good or with the filth and debauchery of the world. Protect your mind because what it holds determines your desires and wants. The content you put into your mind affects how you respond to life..

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. Proverbs 23:7

Thanks to today’s incredible technology, we have remarkable and efficient access to an endless amount of content, both good and bad. You can feed your lust with pornography or immerse yourself in all varieties of evil, debauchery, and depravity. You can revel in the violence of revenge and hatred, watch horrific, demonic imagery, and participate in the normalization of perversion. You might spend hours on the vain, arrogant nothingness of celebrity elites or kill days on mindless crap in an entertainment wasteland. Alternatively, you could pursue wholesomeness, seeking holy, righteous, virtuous, and valuable things.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8

Know that some things cannot be unseen, unheard, or forgotten. Turn away from the filth of the world, which is a corrosive evil, brainwashing from the pit of hell. If you allow your mind to soak in this poison, your thoughts, affections, desires, and actions will align with the world’s ideologies, and this will kill your soul. Stay alert and guard your mind!

 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

The Sinning Christian

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The Bible teaches that those saved by faith in Christ are deemed righteous in the sight of God. Romans 4:5-8 We are told that our old self has been put to death; Romans 6:6-7 we are now free from the bonds of sin; Romans 6:18 and are no longer slaves to sin. Romans 6:22 

Yet every Christian continues to sin until the day they die; critics of the faith call this hypocrisy. They see Christians declare themselves righteous by the grace of God, headed to Heaven, and then continue to live just as they always have. They believe it is absurd that Christians think they can willingly sin, then ask for forgiveness, and everything is fine with God. They claim Christians are no better than anyone else and that our faith and the God we proclaim are a sham. They say we are frauds, and sadly, what we see in the congregations of professing Christians today certainly lends credibility to their accusations.

Christians are not inherently better than non-Christians. Becoming a Christian does not make someone more righteous or moral than they were before, but they certainly desire to be. Man’s proclivity to sin is not extinguished when someone becomes a Christian. Instead, the great challenge of mortal life is to resist temptation and live in obedience to God. This is a test that Christians consistently fail as they wrestle with sin throughout their lives. However, this does not diminish God’s validity or disqualify one’s conviction in their faith.

Why do Christians sin?

Christians sin after committing to Christ because they still live in their humanity, struggling with lust, covetousness, pride, and all the other unrighteous errors until they leave this world. Romans 7:14-24 Our salvation and reconciliation with God are credited to us through righteousness by our faith in Jesus, not by righteousness inherent in ourselves. Although considered righteous before God, the Christian remains a sinful person during his mortal life.

Addressing our sin with God.

A Christian’s sin is already forgiven, but we must acknowledge or confess our sins and then repent. The recognition and confession of one’s trespass against God are made directly to God. There is no need for an intermediary or priest. Jesus is our advocate with the Father. After confession, we must then repent and stop sinning.

Willful sinning without repentance indicates someone still headed to Hell. Christians aim to please God, live obediently to his will, and would never intentionally sin expecting forgiveness. Doing so, they only fool themselves because they cannot fool God, as he knows the true intentions of the heart.

What is the difference between the saved Christian and the Profane man?

If everyone sins, what sets a Christian apart from anyone else? For sure, in today’s society, it can be difficult or even impossible to spot a Christian in a crowd. Sadly, few lives have been visibly transformed enough to make a clear distinction, but there are meaningful differences between those in Christ and the rest of the world.

First, Christians are aware of their sin. As they grow in faith, their awareness of sin and desire to repent increase, and their daily need for forgiveness deepens their gratitude for God’s endless mercy. Those not in Christ are often unaware or unconcerned about their error.

Second, Christians struggle with sin as their conscience convicts them of their wrongdoing. Sin profoundly troubles a Christian; the repentant believer is filled with regret and remorse. The good news is that a Christian who diligently seeks to live by the word of God will grow and improve over time as the Holy Spirit sanctifies them. The lost are not bothered by sin, though they may experience pangs of guilt or alarm from a conscience that has not yet been thoroughly seared or hardened. The profane man enjoys sin.

Third, Christians are forgiven by the work Jesus accomplished on the cross. Those who are sincerely penitent acknowledge their sins to God, commit to repenting, and follow through. Thankfully, God’s mercies are new each day for those in Christ. But the unrepentant, godless person is not forgiven. Instead, he accumulates offenses that magnify God’s wrath against him on judgment day. Romans 2:5-6

Fourth, Christians fear God. Knowing God, understanding his righteous authority, and recognizing that we will stand before him to be judged for our deeds are powerful deterrents to sin if we keep that truth in view. The lost have no fear of God. To them, God is an irrelevant, fictional character to be dismissed and even mocked. But in the end, they will learn the true meaning of woe.

What is the impact of sin on the Christian?

The most regrettable consequence of sin, even when forgiven, for the faithful Christian is a damaged or ruined testimony to God. Hearing the words, “How can you call yourself a Christian and do or say those things?” deeply grieves the Christian soul.

7 Great Truths from the Word of God

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The word of God is an inexhaustible treasure of truth. Selected here are seven that speak to the circumstances and reasons for humanity’s existence. These truths directly address how we should live and the consequences of a misspent life.

1. Humanity is Made in the Image of God

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground. Genesis 1:26

God created man and set him above all other creatures with the qualities and competencies of a self-conscious and rational being (a person). He gave us intellect, the ability to grasp abstract concepts (such as morality, truth, and evil), faculties of communication, and feelings of deep emotion. We also possess the independent capability to act of our own will, as we are individuals with agency, free will, and the ability to make choices. We are not slaves, though many will choose to be, nor are we creatures kept as unwitting companions. These are attributes of the image of God, elements of personhood, and qualities that make us valuable. We have dignity and worth, creatures built for relationships; God created us to have a relationship with him.

2. Every Person Needs a Savior.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:10

The elements of the image of God in which we were made are elements of capability, not character. Man is a brilliant and resourceful creature, but on his own, he does not possess, in any meaningful way, God’s divine characteristics, particularly that of righteousness. To be righteous is to be morally correct, and we all fall far short of God’s standard of perfection. We are not worthy of being in his presence nor capable of entering heaven on our own merits. Born sinners, we will remain so until the day we die. The fate of unrighteous humanity is extermination, to perish forever in the fire of hell. Mankind desperately needs a savior to redeem us from the penalty of sin and the coming wrath of God.

3. Jesus Christ is Our Redeemer

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

To redeem is to buy or pay off, to clear by payment. Jesus, “the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” John 1:29 is God incarnate, the perfect embodiment of righteousness who redeemed us by his blood on the cross, paying our debt for sin so that we are declared righteous and reconciled to God. Salvation is being justified to God; it is a gift by his loving grace (undeserved favor) and mercy (relief from deserved punishment). It cannot be earned but realized only by faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus is not one of many saviors, but the only way to heaven. Sadly, most will choose another path. Matthew 7:13-14

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6

4. The Power of God Transforms Lives

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

Hearts that turn to Christ abide in the word of God and are given the Holy Spirit of God, who comforts and convicts us. Our conscience is quickened, active, and loud as obedient and moral behavior becomes clear and vital. We recognize and reject the world systems that are rooted in evil. We resist temptation. We resist Satan. We are continually sanctified, becoming more like Christ. We are light, and we are salt; we are evangelists. This is the transformation –  from a creature pursuing its desire, headed to destruction, to a child of the living God, headed to eternal life in paradise. We live in loving obedience and in fear of God as we await our Savior’s return.

 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

5. Our Mortal Life is a Grand Test.

Two clear objectives are set before us in mortal life. The first is to come to Christ for salvation. The second is to grow and mature, to be sanctified by God, and to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Salvation

Whose (winnowing) fan is in his hand, and he will thoroughly purge his (threshing) floor, and gather his wheat into the garner (barn); but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:12

In the verse above, the agricultural symbolism is clear. The saved are gathered into heaven, while the lost spend eternity in hell. His “threshing floor” is a place of God’s judgment, and the verdict is set during each man’s mortal life. God’s children, those saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, and also those forever lost and condemned, will be determined during our brief time here on earth. To be saved from God’s wrath is the primary reason we are here. We will look back on this time when the quality of our eternal life was settled in gratitude and joy or deep remorse and sorrow. This life is God’s sieve, separating those who are His from those who are not.

Transcendent, eternal joy and peace await those who successfully navigate their circumstance, trials, and opportunities to arrive at the threshing floor as wheat and not chaff. The word of God is crystal clear on how this is accomplished . . . it is by faith in Jesus Christ alone.

Sanctification

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:3-4

In this life, we will be tried and tested. It is the time to realize our possibilities, perfect our capabilities, and establish our faith. Our character, whether good or bad, will be developed, and our fate in the next life will be determined. To glorify Note 2 God during our time here is another critically important reason we are here. Living our lives with unwavering faith in the face of adversity, and also when life is easy and prosperous.

For Christians, God puts us through trials to build our endurance and strengthen our faith. Testing brings maturity and develops us into stronger Christians, conformed to be like Christ, ultimately perfect and complete, lacking nothing. Trials humble us, build dependency on God, and illuminate what kind of person we are. Those in Christ can face distress and trouble with calm delight, stability, and confidence. We know that for those who love God, all things are in his hands and work for our ultimate good. The Christian who remains strong in the faith in the face of adversity is a powerful testimony to God’s love, power, and peace.

But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10

The man without faith pursues the desires of his heart. He believes that peace and happiness result from a successful life, according to the world’s values (lots of money, validating relationships, status, power, attractiveness, and more and better a). For them, trouble in life is attributed to the malevolence of others, bad luck, or a result of stupidity. Without God, man is on his own, and though he may enjoy prosperity during his brief time here on earth, he has failed the test that matters. But there is hope that tough times will turn a soul to Christ. Those who are broken are often those who know they need a savior.

Note 1 Faith – belief in the veracity of God’s word, confidence in his promises, and trust in a savior we cannot see.

Note 2 Glorify – giving weight, meaning, importance, and significance.

6. God is in Control.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

God is sovereign, the ultimate authority, and we take great comfort in knowing that God is in control of our lives, and everything we encounter has passed through His hands. We rest in complete confidence that God ultimately uses all things for our good, though it may not seem that way at the moment. He will use every event and circumstance (the good, the bad, and the terrible) to accomplish his will for those who belong to him. He intends to mold us to be more like his son, and there is no better outcome that we could hope for than to be more like Jesus Christ! Even though we may not understand the why, how, and when of what God weaves together, we trust him because we are his possession, and he takes care of us. This is the comfort that the children of God enjoy. Those who have rejected Jesus are on their own, and not all things happen for their good.

7. All Will Face Judgement.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. Hebrews 9:27-28

We all will face our mortal death; nobody gets out of here alive! Note 3 Many expect that to be the complete and final end, but it is not. Death is more serious than that; no one gets off that easy. After death, all will give an account of themselves to Almighty God, and those not clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ will be condemned to an eternity of fiery torment and agony. Read Revelation 20:15

But know that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ! Read Romans 8:1 Instead of judgment to condemnation, Christ will judge the Christian for eternal reward.

Note 3 Only those who believe and trust in Christ when the church is taken from the earth at the rapture will not experience mortal death. Read Thessalonians 4:16-18

Coda

This life is a grand test, a proving ground to separate the wheat from the chaff. The Elect will come to Christ and eternal life; the lost will die in their sin. The faithful Christian will be sanctified and made more like Christ; the profane man will be given up to the lusts and depravity of his mind. Our purpose in this life is to come to know Christ, be obedient to God, fear him, glorify him, mature in the faith, and tell others of the incomparable gift of salvation available only by faith in Jesus Christ. There is an urgency to this as time is short and judgment of the unrighteous is coming.

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

Philippians 4:4-8

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Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation (gentle spirit) be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

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The Will of God

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God’s Sovereign Will

God’s sovereign will is what he determines, and it is 100% certain to happen exactly as he desires. His will of purpose or decree controls the outcome of all things past, present, and future, and his plans cannot be hindered or thwarted. For Christians, his sovereign will result in the best possible outcome for us. But for those who reject Christ, his sovereign will is that they be punished forever in hell.

God’s Will of Command

God’s will of command is his desire that we obey the commands and direction he has revealed to us. Living according to his will of command distinguishes the truly transformed Christian and is made possible by faith and wisdom, both gifts from God. In contrast to God’s sovereign will, his will of command is often not realized, as humanity is proficient at disobedience

God’s Will for Each of Us (as preached by John MacAuthor on March 2, 1980)

God has a clear plan for every person. It isn’t hidden or hard to find, because it’s clearly shown in the Bible. Here are six points about God’s will for us:

That we repent and be saved is the will of God, starting with our salvation. He has provided the means for redemption, and it is his will that we accept his gift by faith in his Son, Jesus. It is not God’s will that we perish, but those who reject his Son will never know the joy of salvation; they will only face judgment and his wrath.

Who (God) will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1st Timothy 2:4

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2nd Peter 3:9

That we are filled with the Spirit and not controlled by worldly things. Instead, we should be fully committed and obedient to the Word of God, doing the things that identify a spirit-filled Christian.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Ephesians 5:17-18

That we are sanctified, seeking righteousness, being reproved, and refraining from sin. It includes controlling your passions that lead to sin and becoming more like Christ in attitude, thought, and behavior through the Holy Spirit. Being sanctified means being set apart for God’s purpose.

For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 1st Thessalonians 4:3

That we are submissive to authority, cooperative, good citizens, good employees, and servants. Be a testimony to the extraordinary character of a genuine Christian. But never submit if it goes against the word of God.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 1st Peter 2:13-15

That we suffer, it is God’s will that we suffer for his name’s sake. You will face hardships when you live a godly life in an ungodly society. But it’s better to suffer as a Christian at the hands of man than as a worldly fool at the hands of God. 1st Peter 3:17

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 1st Peter 2:21

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Philippians 1:29

That we are 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 sits 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

Application

Here is the practical application: Strive daily to embody these qualities: saved, spirit-filled, sanctified, submissive, suffering, and thankful, then God will direct your desires, and they will align with his will rather than your selfish inclinations. The remarkable realization is that those who live in Christ can do whatever they want because what they want will please God.

Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

Paradoxical Undercurrents of Christianity

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True Christians undergo a significant change in their perspective and goals in life. They shift from a mindset focused on prideful, self-serving ambitions to one centered on sacrifice, service, and humility. Humanity’s natural instincts often conflict with the behaviors and attitudes that please God, as can be seen through the paradoxes outlined below. This is where faith is center stage, as these principles are evident only in those who are convinced and confident that the word of God is true.

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All Men Are Created Equal

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Not true. God made us individually, and not one person is the same as another. Besides common foundational biological attributes, every person is dramatically unique, superior in some ways, and inferior in others.

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

Health, intelligence, common sense, character, attitudes, motives, wisdom, abilities, personality, appearance, drive, work ethic, prosperity, education, resources, longevity, lineage, and many other factors differentiate one individual from another.

However, there is a common thread of equality that connects every person: we are all guilty of sin and, as such, each is deserving of God’s impending wrath. Everyone will be held accountable, and every person will be judged for their actions throughout life. In this regard, we are all equal.

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Romans 3:10   

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23  . . . Romans 6:23

Fortunately, everyone has the opportunity to turn to Jesus Christ and be reconciled to God. Through God’s unearned grace, we have been offered the gift of salvation. The wise take hold of this opportunity, as there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. In contrast, the foolish live only for themselves.

The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23

There is no inherent equality among men, nor should there be an expectation of equal outcomes. The Kingdom of God operates as a meritocracy, where individuals are held accountable for what they know and rewarded for fulfilling their responsibilities. While salvation is a gift, our station in Heaven and our lot in the life to come are determined by our faith and the resulting good works.

His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make the ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the lord. Matthew 25:23

This is how it is with God and should be on earth. Corporate success is found in advancing and rewarding the intelligent, industrious, humble, obedient, and grateful souls who have compassion for others. We should strive for equality in opportunity for those willing to sacrifice, but outcomes result from effort and God’s providence. 

Do We Choose God or Does He Choose Us?

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And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30

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