Tag Archives: Christian

The Miracle of Faith

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Now faith is the substance (certainty) of things hoped for (the promises of God), the evidence (conviction) of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

Faith defined.

Faith is confidence, trust, and conviction that what we believe is true. Our faith is believing the Word of God, which leads to submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Faith begins by hear God’s word; through it, we are justified and saved from his coming wrath

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

What is it that the Word of God tells us to believe?

When we hear the Word of God, we hear some incredible things:

  • Everyone is spiritually dead, an adversary to God, and headed to eternal damnation.
  • God created and carried out an amazing plan to save us from Hell through a substitutionary sacrifice that needed innocent blood to pay for the sins of the guilty.
  • God implanted himself in a teenage Jewish girl and was born Jesus Christ, who lived a flawless, sinless life.
  • Jesus suffered a brutal death on the cross to substitutionally atone for our sins, then was raised from the dead.
  • Only those who believe this will enter Heaven, and those who do not will spend eternity in the agony of Hell.

Who would believe this?

This incredible message is delivered through preaching by mortal men, maybe a sweaty evangelist in a $2,000 suit. We read scriptures written by a God we cannot see, hear, or touch, yet we are expected to believe or face a punishment so terrible it is beyond comprehension. Who in their right mind would believe any of this? Our intellect, rational reasoning, and culture lead us to dismiss this as nonsense and move on with our lives. And that is precisely what most choose to do.

The Miracle.

Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him who he hath sent. John 6:29

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

But here is the miracle of faith: those who hear and believe the good news of Jesus Christ are drawn and empowered by God to do so. Faith is not something we produce ourselves. It is God who gives us faith, and it is God who brings our spirit to life. Salvation by faith is an unearned and undeserved gift from God’s grace and mercy; a gift that, by free will, we can choose to accept or reject.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Ephesians 2:8

The Substantiation of Our Faith

Through life’s trials and challenges, we find that answered prayers confirm, validate, and strengthen our belief that the object of our faith is real and that we are not running this race in vain.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:7-8

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

Recognizing God’s work in our lives is another powerful confirmation of our faith’s validity. God moves to guide our path and shape circumstances, and his work’s impact is clear in the life of a person with faith in Jesus.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Psalm 32:8

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

Fools for Christ

Our faith is visceral, and the secular world views Christians as naive, ignorant fools. However, we know that once the time for faith has passed, we will be proven wise, and the profane man will be exposed as a fool in his worldly intellect. God takes great pleasure in saving humble, trusting souls who believe despite the world’s wisdom.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.1st Corinthians 1:18-21

Man Owns His Unbelief

The origin of faith is God. The origin of unbelief is free will, a heart hardened by the pursuit of worldly desires, and a conscience seared by the love of sin. It is humanity’s default to not believe the word of God.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1st Corinthians 2:14

 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18

Mocking God

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In today’s world, there is a clear, consistent, and overt desire to disparage God. We mock him, reject him, trivialize him, and profane his name. This acknowledgment by disrespect seems to be a sad indication of his existence and evidence that society at large has no fear of him.

The latest spectacle of profanity was the desecration of the spirit of the Last Supper of Jesus by a group of perverse and deviant men in the Olympics opening ceremony.

As appalling as this was, we are to keep in mind that we are all sinners, and we are no better than these lost souls in the eyes of God. No man is righteous; we are all headed to judgment and condemnation when we stand before Him on our own merits. Read Romans 1:10 We all need a savior from the wrath to come, and it is Jesus Christ who rescues us. Only by faith in him are we deemed righteous and reconciled with God. Read Romans 6:22-23 So we pray that God changes them and opens their eyes to the evil in their hearts. Turning to Christ is their only hope to escape an eternity in hell. Read John 14:6 My bet is that they ride their lusts into the fire.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:7-8

Sadly, this disgusting display is not uncommon. God is routinely disparaged as our deteriorating culture embraces depravity and lust. God tells us clearly that his patience has a limit and that judgment of the ungodly is coming. Read 2 Peter 3:7

Forgiveness

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Experiencing betrayal is like being stabbed in the back, leaving fear and anger to consume your soul. Maybe it was a deliberate and malicious act, delivered with bitter animosity. You might wonder if you were foolish and naïve for not seeing it coming. Perhaps you were, but it happened suddenly and without warning from someone you never suspected could be motivated or capable of such treachery. Initially, you may search for answers and try to understand, but soon, those thoughts are replaced by a deep desire for vengeance and retaliation.

Forgive? What!? No way! You want him to pay. You want him to suffer. You want to wallow in your bitterness and animosity. You want to stay trapped in that moment, consumed by the heat of emotion, obsessing over this forever. You do not want to move on; you want the pain and hatred to blossom. You want to be dominated by rage and emotion. You do not want peace or relief; You want vengeance.

Here is the unrighteousness of humanity writ large. Do all Christians feel this way? They sure do; we all do. The idea of retribution feels much better to the natural man than the idea of forgiveness. Forgiveness feels like letting the offender off the hook, giving him victory and validation of our weakness or cowardice; besides, we want blood. However, holding onto an unforgiving heart is akin to murdering the eyes of God. 1 John 3:15 It is sad proof that every man is fundamentally unrighteous, falling short of God’s standard.

God tells us to forgive our enemies, just as He has forgiven us. Ephesians 4:32 He tells us that we are to love our enemies and not hate anyone. Matthew 5:43-44 Forgiveness is an act of humility, and seeking vengeance is an act of pride, and we know that God abhors the proud and exalts the humble. Matthew 23:12 

To be unforgiving is to live outside the will of God, and for the Christian, this brings chastening, the sickness of a guilty conscience, and the forfeiture of blessings. We are to forgive, kill our enemies with kindness, and leave vengeance to the righteous hand of God.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21

But how can we forgive when the lust for retribution burns so hot? Like many divine qualities, forgiveness is contrary to our human instincts and is truly a gift from God. If you find yourself reeling, take a step back – don’t act or speak, and allow time to pass. Sit quietly in your emotional discomfort and pray. Pray for God to calm you down, to change your heart, and to give you peace. Pray that the perpetrator repents, for strength during this challenging time, and for the ability to glorify God through your love, even for those who have harmed you. God hears and responds to the sincere prayers of his children; he will comfort you and provide the strength to forgive.

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

Forgiving those who have hurt you is one of the most Christ-like qualities a person can possess. Those who overcome their pride become more like Jesus, our perfect example of how we should strive to be.

For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 1st Peter 2:21-23

To forgive is to live within the will of God, and such obedience restores our joy. Anger, animosity, hatred, and the desire to cause suffering – tools used by our adversary, Satan – are extinguished through forgiveness. Additionally, in the scripture below, it is clear that forgiveness 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 6:15

O Death, Where is Thy Sting?

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So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. I Corinthians 15:54-57

The sting of death, the victory of the grave, is to usher man’s soul into the eternal torment of Hell, God’s just condemnation for the unrepentant and unredeemed soul. In the natural course of events, we all have this coming.

But thanks and gratitude to God, who gave us a way of escape, a provision for salvation from his wrath through faith in his son, Christ Jesus. On the cross, Jesus took the sting of death for us; he suffered and died as the perfect and final atonement for the sin of man. By faith and submission to him, his righteousness is credited to us, and we will not stand before God with unredeemed sinners to be judged unrighteous and condemned to the fire of hell. This is how death is defeated, its sting eliminated, and a horrific fate swallowed up in victory.

Thanks also to God for his promised provision to bring his children into heaven. A mortal, earthly body of flesh and blood, corrupt, weak, subject to defect and decay, cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. So, when we are raised at the appearance of Christ, we will be given a new body that is incorruptible and immortal, raised in glory and power, and designed to exist in the spiritual world. Moreover, if you happen to be alive when Jesus arrives to take His church off the earth, you will be instantly transformed into the new, glorified body and taken to be with Him, never to experience death. How great is that!

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20

LOVE

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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 neighbor as thyself. Matthew 22:37-39

What is the meaning of love in these verses?

The greatest commandment says to love God with everything we have. This means being obedient, submissive, grateful, devoted, and faithful, striving to please him in everything we do. Love God by making him the object of your life.

To love your neighbor means to show them the same selfless, benevolent love that God shows us, putting their well-being above ours. Love is an action, not feelings of attraction or adoration; the focus is on how we treat others rather than how we expect to be treated in return. The Apostle Paul outlines the qualities of godly love in the scripture below:

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.Love never fails; 1st Corinthians 13:4-8

The qualities of love in these verses are so good. However, to love someone like this is challenging; it often requires divine assistance, as these qualities are often lacking in our natural selves. A person who loves his family and friends with this kind of love is doing well; however, true Christian greatness is demonstrated when we extend this type of love to our enemies, just as God did when we were his adversaries. When we love others this way, we are a powerful testimony to Christ’s love for a lost world.

In contrast, secular love is often based on self-interest and what one can gain from a relationship. For example, you may “love” your wife because she is attractive, affectionate, and cooks your meals. However, relationships or marriages built on what one partner gains from the other are often doomed in the long run.

Why All the Suffering?

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We suffer because Earth is not Heaven.

Suffering is an inevitable part of life. There is common suffering we all endure, and then there is extraordinary suffering, such as that which comes from natural disasters, horrific accidents, terrible illness, the murder of a loved one, or the murder of everyone.

Suffering originates from one of two sources: natural or malevolent (evil) events. No doubt, this world is a dangerous place, and is indiscriminate and unforgiving. Natural catastrophes, physical diseases, mental disorders, accidents, or the effects of stupidity can inflict terrible suffering, but in this, there is no profound immorality or wickedness. It is just the way things are, though some would say anything that causes unjust pain and death is evil. Suffering is also the result, and often the objective, of malevolence. Humankind has proven to be even more proficient at inflicting suffering on his fellow man than Mother Nature. However, in a much more disturbing way, there is a willful intent. The presence of evil in our world is self-evident.

Where is God in All This?

It is essential to understand the nature of God. He is sovereign, all-powerful, and all-knowing of the past, present, and future. He controls everything, is incapable of evil, embodies pure righteousness, is the source of all good, is merciful, dispenses grace, and is the essence of love. However, when the holy nature of God is juxtaposed with the pain and suffering in the world, we often ask, why does God allow such things? Additionally, the correct logical deduction is that if God is in total control, being all-powerful and all-knowing, then he must be willfully allowing evil to exist; otherwise, he would stop it. Is God then responsible for the evil and the suffering it causes? The answer is yes if you consider the one who had the power to intervene but did not as being responsible.

Though God is not the author, but the fact that he allows evil and suffering and may use it to his advantage is troubling to some. Many have rejected God because of this, which is ridiculous, as they have chosen an eternity of agony in protest. God is not the perpetrator; he cannot be, but he has his reasons for allowing suffering, and for those who love him, there is a reality that transcends our plight and proves that he is a loving God.

Why Does God Allow Suffering??

Below are three reasons why a loving God would allow evil and suffering not only to exist but to flourish on earth.

Free will trumps intervention. Man is free to make his own choices and decisions. It is free will that gives meaning to our humility, obedience, and submission to God. Sadly, free will also presents the opportunity for unspeakable evil. It is the misuse of free will that brings astounding disaster. Man can choose to love his neighbor as himself, or he can decide to murder his neighbor. It is an awesome liberty to have self-determination, but there is a great risk of misuse in the hands of a profane man. But ultimately, everyone will be held accountable for their actions.

God may use the evil of others to accomplish his will. God can and does use evil and suffering to accomplish his will. Jesus is a prime example of this. The sinless Son of God was brutally tortured and killed by hanging on a cross (the worst of evil) to accomplish atonement for our sins and reconciliation with God (the best of good). The murder of Jesus was the will of God.

Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain. Acts 2:22-23

The stark contrast between good and evil glorifies God. Man’s unrighteousness dramatically demonstrates the righteousness of God. God is glorified by the contrast of evil in the world, not because he is evil, but because he is the perfect opposite.

What about the suffering of the innocent?

Certainly, there is nothing more heartbreaking, grievous, and unconscionable than our children suffering or being taken from us. The harsh reality is that no one is exempt or immune to catastrophe in life. Prayer is often the only recourse, and it can be highly effective; however, ultimately, God’s will prevails.

The fact that kids get sick and die is a favorite reason to conclude that God does not exist or hate him because he allowed it to happen. However, those who persevere in the faith through these awful times will be comforted and will receive their reward in Heaven. But, for sure, when our children suffer, it is the worst of tough times.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalms 34:18

Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. James 1:12

The Christian response to suffering.

Christians are empowered to endure and comforted in times of suffering. Understanding God’s plan, our faith, and the experience of his love, along with complete confidence in his promises, sees us through. God wants us to be successful and an example to lost souls in times of trouble. Here are the truths we hold to endure:

God is in control. God is sovereign over evil; evil does not have control over God. We find comfort in knowing that our Father, the almighty God, has our lives in his hands. Trust in God, and though you will have trouble in this life, he will perfect, establish, strengthen, and sanctify you in preparation for the incomprehensible joy of Heaven.

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. Peter 5:10

All things happen for our good. We rest in complete confidence that God uses all things for our ultimate good, though it may not seem that way at the moment.  Every experience and circumstance (the good, the bad, and the terrible) is used to accomplish His will for those who belong to him. His will is to mold us to be more like his son, Jesus Christ, and there is no better outcome than we could hope for than to be more like Jesus.

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 going to fix this. God is going to make everything right. There will be no evil or suffering; the wicked will be eliminated and held accountable to face eternal punishment. There will be no disease, war, malice, tears, pain, death, tragedy, or heartbreak. God will fix it, but not until the traumatic end of human history. When Jesus returns, the shit is going to hit the fan. So, until then, we endure this life with faithful perseverance, looking forward to our inheritance: the new Heaven and the new Earth.

And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.Revelation 21:3-5

This life is a test. The goal of this mortal life is not comfort, pleasure, or security. Instead, we are tested and challenged to validate and grow in our faith, build character, and be a witness to the power and love of God in times of difficulty. Suffering is part of the plan, and to endure in the faith is the lot of the Christian; freedom from pain and suffering is later.

Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

The Irreligious response to suffering.

For those who live without Christ, trials may build character through suffering and hardship, but there is no benefit beyond the grave. Suffering in the world is a reason for natural man to curse God. Those who live without Christ are on their own, and not all things happen for their good. To suffer alone, with no hope, would seem to be a taste of hell on earth.

Is Christianity the Only True Religion?

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It is well known that Christians, particularly the Evangelical Protestants (who make up only 12% of the world population), have an irritating and offensive trait of claiming their religion as the only valid or true way to God. To say that all other paths lead to an eternity of agony in the fire of hell seems a bit intolerant and narrow-minded. Here is a look at why they are convinced the doctrine of their faith is superior to all other paths. 

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Foundational Beliefs

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The central tenet of Christianity can be summarized as, “I believe what the Holy Bible tells me.” However, the Bible contains a wealth of information, and different interpretations of its scriptures have led to varying beliefs among those who identify as Christians. Still, the core and essential beliefs below form the foundation of Christianity. Those who believe otherwise are probably not true Christians.

The Trinity

God’s divine essence or nature consists of three distinct, eternal, and unchanging persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. These members of the Trinity are the only deities that exist; they make up the one true God. Each is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. The Son is subordinate to the will of the Father, while the Holy Spirit is subordinate to the will of both the Son and the Father. The nature of the Trinity or the Godhead is certainly more complex than just three persons acting as God. The uncertainty of this concept troubles some and may hinder their conviction, but since God is beyond our mortal understanding, don’t worry about it.

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word (Jesus), and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. 1st John 5:7

God the Father

There is only one living and true God. He is eternal, unchanging, all-powerful, sovereign, incomprehensible, merciful, loving, gracious, patient, truthful, faithful, wise, all-knowing, and ever-present. He embodies perfect righteousness, morality, and holiness, free from evil, error, or sin. God works everything according to his immutable and righteous will. He forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin, rewarding those who diligently seek him. At the same time, he is just and terrible in his judgments, hating all sin and ensuring that the guilty are severely punished.

God the Son, Jesus Christ

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 16:15-16

Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah), the Son of the living God, who was God incarnate, the word (revelation) of God living among us. John 1:14 He is our advocate in heaven, 1 John 2:1 and the light of the world. John 8:12 Jesus is God, not a created being. He created all things John 1:3 and all things were created for him. Colossians 1:16 Jesus alone is the way to eternal life. John 1:4 He is our only hope for salvation from the penalty of our sins and eternal life in Heaven. John 14:6

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1st Peter 1:3-5

God the Holy Spirit

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. John 14:16

The Holy Spirit is a divine person with will and emotions. He dwells within believers, guiding, comforting, informing, counseling, and disciplining. Jesus called the Holy Spirit the “comforter” and said the Holy Spirit would be with us forever.

Jesus the Redeemer

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29

Jesus is the spotless Lamb, the ultimate sacrifice who redeems us from the penalty of our sins. He bore the punishment for the ungodly through his brutal death on the cross. Jesus is the Redeemer for all who call on his name; he will either be your Savior or your Judge

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1 Corinthians 15:17-20

Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead. This confirmed his divinity and his substitutionary atonement for our sins. If there had been no resurrection, Jesus would not have died for our sins but rather for his own. Christianity rests on the reality of the resurrection.

Nobody is Righteous Enough

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

No one on earth is righteous enough to stand alone before God. Everyone is guilty in God’s eyes and is under condemnation; therefore, all people need a Savior, as no one can enter Heaven without the redemption offered by the blood of Jesus Christ. If you stand before God wrapped in the righteousness of Jesus, you will live; if you stand before God relying on your righteousness, you will perish.

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

Judgement is Coming

Everyone will die and be held accountable for their actions during their mortal life. You can stand before God forgiven and as an heir to his kingdom, or as a soul who died with unforgiven sins.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

Salvation is by Faith in Jesus Christ Alone (sola fide) and by the Grace of God Alone (sola gratia)

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

There is nothing man can do to earn salvation; it is a gift from God. Good works during your life do not bring salvation; only faith in Jesus Christ does that. We are saved for doing good works, not by good works. Galatians 2:16 The only thing you can do to be saved is to know there is nothing you can do to be saved other than cast yourself on the mercy of God.

Jesus is the Only Way to Heaven (solus Christus)

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

There is only one way to heaven, and that is by faith and submission to Jesus Christ. This message of exclusivity carries terrible consequences for most of humanity.

The Bible is the Only Authority on Faith, Doctrine and Practice (sola scriptura)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

The Holy Bible is God’s word, his revelation to us, and it contains everything we need to know. It is the final authority on all aspects of faith. The traditions of organized religion, doctrines from human imagination, and proclamations from mortal committees are meaningless. Only God’s word reveals the truth; there is nothing else to consider.

 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Revelation 22:18-19

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 

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. Peter 5:10

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26

We who are in Christ are under the care of the mighty God, the creator and sustainer of all. He controls every part of our lives except what we foolishly keep from him. Nothing happens to his children without passing through his hands; nothing surprises him, and everything that occurs is for our ultimate good.

The Return of Jesus Christ.

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 9:28        

Jesus came to Earth the first time as a suffering servant. He did not come to judge but to save the world. For thousands of years since his departure, humanity has had the opportunity to turn to him and be saved from the inescapable wrath of God.

When Christ returns, He will not come as the humble servant who saves, but as the conquering King bringing God’s wrath upon the unrighteous world. This event will undoubtedly be the most dramatic and momentous in human history. 

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords. Revelation 19:11-16

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.